Yordenis Ugas Tops Omar Figueroa by Unanimous Decision; Sergey Lipinets Stops Jayar Inson in Two Rounds & Luis Nery Knocks Out Juan Carlos Payano in Ninth Round in Pay-Per-View Undercard
CALEB PLANT RETAINS SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE WITH THIRD-ROUND KNOCKOUT OF MIKE LEE IN FOX PBC FIGHT NIGHT MAIN EVENT PRIOR TO PAY-PER-VIEW
Efe Ajagba Defeats Ali Eren Demirezen by Unanimous Decision in Clash of Unbeaten Heavyweights on FOX
Klik HIERfor Photos from Stewart Cook/FOX Sports Wachtwoord: f0xb0x
Klik HIERfor Pacquiao vs. Thurman & HIERfor Plant vs. Lee Photos from Ryan Hafey/Premier Boxing Champions
Klik HIER Voor foto's van Stephanie Trapp / TGB Promotions
Klik HIER voor foto's van Sean Michael Ham / Mayweather Promotions
LAS VEGAS (Juli 21, 2019) – Boxing’s only eight-division world champion, Senator Manny “PacMan” Pacquiao gedaald Keith “Een Keer” Thurman in round one and won a close split decision to earn a welterweight world title in the main event of a Premier Boxing Champions on FOX Sports Pay-Per-View event Saturday night from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
“It was fun,” Said Pacquiao. “My opponent is a good fighter and boxer. Hij was sterk. I’m not that kind of boxer who talks a lot; we were just promoting the fight. I think he did his best, and I did my best. I think we made the fans happy tonight because it was a good fight.”
The sell-out crowd of 14,356 got treated to great action from the start, as an exciting first round was capped off by Pacquiao dropping Thurman for the first time in his career with a straight right hand late in the round.
“I knew it was too close,” Said Thurman. “He got the knockdown so he had momentum in round one.”
Thurman made it into the second round but continued to have trouble with Pacquiao’s right hand, as the future Hall of Famer threw it successfully as a jab and a power punch throughout the fight. Thurman adjusted in the middle rounds and began to try to smother Pacquiao and walk him down, having success when he was able to get his combinations off before his opponent.
Despite blood pouring from his nose from round four on, Thurman was able to land powerful combinations on Pacquiao for much of the second half of the fight, but was never able to hurt Pacquiao or score a knockdown of his own.
“I wish I had a little bit more output to go toe to toe,” Said Thurman. “I felt like he was getting a little bit tired, but he did have experience in the ring. My conditioning and my output was just behind Manny Pacquiao’s. I would love the rematch.”
In round 10, Pacquiao’s landed a strong left hook to the body that clearly hurt Thurman and forced him to spend much of the remainder of the round backpedaling. The CompuBox scores were indicative of the close nature of the fight, with Thurman out landing Pacquiao 210 naar 195, while Pacquiao was busier throwing 686 slagen op 571 from Thurman.
“I really love the fans,” Said Pacquiao. “Thank you so much for coming here and witnessing the fight. I’m sure they were happy tonight because they saw a good fight. Even though Thurman lost, he did his best. He’s not an easy opponent. He’s a good boxer and he’s strong. I was just blessed tonight.”
Pacquiao had a large advantage in jabs landed, aansluiten op 82 to Thurman’s 18. De 192 power punches landed by Thurman was the most in 43 Pacquiao fights that CompuBox has tracked. Round-by-round, the two fighters were only separated by more than five landed punches in rounds two, seven and nine.
Na 12 rondes, the judges reached a split decision, with one judge scoring the fight 114-113 for Thurman, overruled by two judges scoring it 115-112 for Pacquiao, who captured the WBA Welterweight World Championship at 40-years-old.
“You get blessings and lessons,” Said Thurman. “Tonight was a blessing and a lesson. Thank you everybody, and thank you Manny Pacquiao.”
“Ik denk (I will fight) next year,” Said Pacquiao. “I will go back to the Philippines and work and then make a decision. I do hope to be at the (Errol) Spence vs. (Shawn) Porter fight on September 28.”
The co-main event of the pay-per-view saw top contenderYordenis Ugas (24-4, 11 KO) drop previously unbeatenOmar Figueroa (28-1-1, 19 KO) on his way to a unanimous decision in their WBC welterweight title eliminator.
Ugas got off to a strong start, connecting on a straight right hand that sent Figueroa into the ropes, which he held onto so he didn’t hit the canvas, but enough that referee Russell Mora ruled it a knockdown.
“The fight played out how I thought it would,” said Ugas. “I came out strong and Figueroa was tough as well. This was similar to the fight everyone expected. I came out on top.”
Figueroa recovered and was able to make it to round two, where he continued his strategy of coming forward to try to hurt Ugas on the inside. Ugas was able to control that action on the inside, landing numerous uppercuts to stun Figueroa. Echter, the inside fighting led to Ugas being deducted a point by the referee in round five for holding.
“Ugas fought a smart fight,” Said Figueroa. “He was smothering me on the inside and holding. I thought the scores were too wide. I was following him and working the whole time. I felt like he only worked the last 30 seconds of the round, but I guess that was all it took.
“I didn’t have any problems with his size. I thought I was able to do my thing, but when he was holding me I couldn’t get my offense going.”
Despite that, and being warned later in the fight for delivering low blows, Ugas dominated the fight according to CompuBox, out landing Figueroa 229 naar 131 and connecting with 28% of his punches, to Figueroa’s 22%.
“I knew Figueroa was a tough guy, so I didn’t want to waste my energy trying to take him out early,” said Ugas. “I was ready to go 12 rounds.”
Na 12 rondes, all three judges scored the fight the same, 119-107 in favor of Ugas, who became the mandatory for the winner of the Errol Spence Jr. vs. Shawn Porter welterweight title unification.
“I’m extremely happy to be in this position to fight for the WBC title again,” said Ugas. “I will be ready for the winner of Errol Spence Jr. vs. Shawn Porter.”
Additional action saw former world championSergey Lipinets (16-1, 12 KO) score a highlight-reel knockout againstJayar Inson(18-3, 12 KO) in the second round of their welterweight matchup.
Lipinets was originally scheduled to fight John Molina Jr., before Molina pulled out of the fight Friday morning due to a back injury. Inson, who was scheduled to fight on the non-televised undercard, stepped up to the challenge.
“When I first heard the news about Molina, I knew that I wanted to still fight on a show of this magnitude,” said Lipinets. “As far as fighting a southpaw, I’ve had so many amateur fights in my kickboxing career that I had no problem adjusting. Het was gewoon een kwestie van tijd. I also have sparred with great southpaws like Victor Ortiz throughout my career, so I was comfortable with the change in fighter.”
In an exchange early in the second round, Lipinets landed a clean left hook to Inson’s head, which sent the Filipino-fighter to the canvas. Although Inson got to his feet, referee Jay Nady waved off the bout 57 seconden in de ronde.
“I got hit and I slipped, that made it look worse,” said Inson. “When I stood up I thought I was fine and tried to raise my hands and show the referee.”
“Joe Goossen is an exceptional trainer and he just told me to work from a different direction facing a southpaw,” said Lipinets. “I just made sure to block his punches with my elbows. That was the only adjustment I had to make and it ended up working just fine.”
The opening pay-per-view bout saw undefeated former championLuis Nery (30-0, 24 KO) deliver a ninth-round knockout of former bantamweight championJuan Carlos Payano (21-3, 9 KO).
“I wasn’t really paying attention to how long the fight was going, I was just getting into a rhythm as it went on,” zei Nery. “I had to work hard to get to him because he’s a good boxer. The longer it went, the better I felt. I put my punches together well once I got going.”
In a fast-paced duel of former champions, Payano had success early boxing the aggressive Nery, moving back to avoid his attack and landing his own offense against the knockout artist. Payano out landed or was even in punches landed for each of the first six rounds of the bout.
“I’m a warrior and I wanted to keep going and fight back every time he came forward,” said Payano. “My coach wanted me to stay behind my jab a little more.”
As the fight grew into the middle rounds, Nery began to increase the offense and was able to land power shots that slowed Payano’s ability to box from the outside. Nery hurt Payano early in round seven, eventually dominating the round, out landing his opponent 22 naar 7.
“He was a very complicated fighter at the beginning, he’s a veteran, so I had to try to adapt to his style to see how I could get in,” zei Nery. “In the fifth or sixth round I started gaining control of the fight and then that left hook came to the body which was devastating.”
“During the exchanges it was Nery’s second shot that was getting in,” said Payano. “We corrected the issue but then that body shot came in from nowhere and hit me in a rib that I had broken years ago against Raushee Warren.”
Round eight saw Nery continue to break Payano down, most notably landing a big left hand midway through the round that caused blood to pour from Payano’s nose. During an exchange in the ninth-round, Payano landed a devastating left hook to the ribs that put Payano down. He was unable to recover and referee Vic Drakulich halted the bout 1:43 in de ronde.
“I wanted to get him out early,” zei Nery. “But this showed that I do have the experience to go into the later rounds and still take out my opponent. I showed that I have good defense and can make adjustments.”
The FOX PBC Fight Night main event on FOX and FOX Deportes saw IBF Super Middleweight World ChampionCaleb “Sweethands” Plant (19-0, 11 KO) retain his title with a dominant third-round knockout over previously unbeatenMike Lee (21-1, 11 KO).
“It went exactly how I planned it would go,” genoemde plant. “Absoluut. I’ve been telling you all week it wasn’t going to go 12 rounds and I stuck to my word and I tried to do that. I hope you guys had a good time.”
Plant got off to a fast-start, dropping Lee with a left hook late in the first round. The unbeaten challenger was able to recover and survive the round, but was hard-pressed to make up for the hand speed advantage of Plant.
“I think I have a high boxing IQ and I do this at a really high level,” genoemde plant. “So it was just about making adjustments. Hij is een grote, strong guy and he just came in here to give it his all.”
Lee looked to charge in hard against Plant and use his size and power to land a big shot and change the momentum of the fight. Plant was sharp and avoided the looping right hands that Lee was attacking with.
“The speed was the difference, he’s fast and very accurate,” zei Lee. “I had some success with my right hands but wasn’t able to be consistent with it.”
In ronde drie, Plant landed a vicious right hook early in the round that put Lee down for the second time. After a left hook appeared to connect and send Lee down a second time, referee Robert Byrd ruled it had come from a push and continued the fight once Lee got to his feet.
Plant had his opponent hurt and continued to press forward, eventually landing another left hook that put Lee down, this time forcing the referee to wave off the bout 1:29 in de ronde.
“I had no issue with the stoppage, that’s the referee’s job and I respect it,” zei Lee.
Na het gevecht, Benavidez was asked about a possible unification fight against the winner of the just announced Anthony Dirrell vs. David Benavidez WBC Super Middleweight Championship fight.
“Oh yeah, we can definitely unify,” genoemde plant. “I ain’t hard to get a hold of. I ain’t hard to make a fight with. Come see me. You know my advisor.”
The opening bout on FOX and FOX Deportes sawcartoon Ajagba (11-0, 9 KO) score a unanimous decision overAli Eren Demirezen(11-1, 10 KO) in a 10-round battle of undefeated heavyweights. It was the first time that two unbeaten fighters from the 2016 Olympics faced off as pros.
Ajagba used his jab and height effectively throughout the fight, landing 10 van 45 jabs per round, doubling the heavyweight average. Echter, an elbow injury and the accurate punching of Demirezen forced Ajagba to go the distance for the first time as a pro.
“This was the first fighter to take me the distance,” Said Ajagba. “He was strong and could take my punches. My trainer just told me to keep using my jab and stay in the middle of the ring.
“I hurt my elbow early on, so I couldn’t shoot my right hand like I wanted. But I won’t use that as an excuse. As a tall man I had to use the jab and if it went the distance, that was my best way to win.”
Demirezen thought the scorecards should have been closer and believed that his performance should have garnered him more than the decision loss. Demirezen was actually the more accurate puncher, landing 26% of his punches to 22% from Ajagba.
“I don’t agree with the scores, especially 99-91” said Demirezen. “It was much closer. I feel that at minimum, it was a draw. I knew I had to knock him out and that a knockout might be easier than winning by points. I thought it was a good performance but I can do better. I’d like to fight in the U.S. weer.”
Ajagba’s activity from start to finish was impressive, as he threw 877 totaal stoten, landing 191. While Demirezen was not far behind with 149 punches landed, he only out landed Ajagba in three rounds.
Na 10 rounds of action all three judges scored the fight in favor of Ajagba, door scores van 99-91 tweemaal en 97-93.
MEER! Two-Time Champion Anthony Dirrell will Defend His WBC Super Middleweight Title Against Undefeated Former Champion David Benavidez in the Co-Feature
Tickets in de uitverkoop, Maandag, Juli 22 Bij 12 p.m. PT!
LOS ANGELES (Juli 20, 2019) – Welterweight world champions collide when IBF ChampionErrol “De Waarheid” Spence Jr.clashes with WBC Champion“Show Time” Shawn Porterin a massive 147-pound title unification match headlining a Premier Boxing Champions on FOX Sports Pay-Per-View on Saturday, September 28 at Staples Center in Los Angeles.
The co-feature of the evening will pit WBC Super Middleweight ChampionAnthony “De Hond” Dirrellagainst unbeaten former championDavid “The Red Flag” Benavidezin an explosive 168-pound showdown.
Tickets for the event go on sale Monday, Juli 22 bij 12 p.m. PT and can be purchased at AXS.com.
“Errol Spence Jr. versus Shawn Porter in a welterweight unification match brings to mind some of the great 147-pound clashes of the past – Sugar Ray Robinson vs. Kid Gavilan, Leonard vs. Hearns or Whitaker vs. Chavez,” zei Tom Brown, President van TGB Promotions. “Both men are in their primes and both like to apply pressure. With that clash of styles, something has to give. In de co-functie, Anthony Dirrell doesn’t want to give up the title and David Benavidez wants it back. Played out before an electric crowd at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles and headlining a PBC on FOX Sports Pay-Per-View, this show has instant classic written all over it.”
Spence vs. Porter represents a major step forward in the quest to find the best 147-pound boxer on the planet. Spence has declared that anyone who wants to make that claim will have to come through him. Porter has already faced the some of the biggest names in the division, including Keith Thurman and Danny Garcia, and will make Spence back up his boast.
The unbeaten Spence (25-0, 21 KO) is a young, powerful welterweight who vaulted to the top of the welterweight scene with a punishing 11thround knockout victory over Kell Brook for the IBF championship in front of Brook’s hometown fans in Sheffield, England in 2017. Fighting out of Desoto, Texas, Spence has successfully defended the title three times. Most recently he scored a unanimous decision victory over three-division world champion Mikey Garcia in a PBC on FOX Pay-Per-View show before a hometown crowd at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on March 16.
“Het gaat om een zeer spannende strijd te worden,” said Spence. “Shawn is never in a boring fight and I always entertain. It will be a ‘Fight of the Year’ type fight because our styles mesh. Shawn Porter is a guy who tries to rough you up. That’s what he’s always done. With Yordenis Ugas he tried to box and he said he didn’t like that style. He said he is going back to his original style. If he brings that style to me, it’s going to be a great fight because I’m going to bring it right back to him.”
The 31-year-old Porter (30-2-1, 17 KO) is a two-time welterweight champion whose high-pressure style has served him well in his rise in the 147-pound division. Born in Akron, Ohio and now living in Las Vegas, Porter won the IBF welterweight title with a unanimous decision victory over Devon Alexander in 2013. He lost the title, which Spence now has, to Kell Brook by a majority decision in 2014. Porter moved back into the championship ranks with a unanimous decision victory over Danny Garcia for the vacant WBC title in 2018. He successfully defended the title with a split decision victory over Yordenis Ugas in March on FOX.
“There haven’t been too many fights as a professional that I’ve been this excited about,” Said Porter. “I was really excited about the Danny Garcia fight and I’m really excited about this one. Ever since Spence got a belt, I really circled this fight on my calendar. Preparation is the key. I think I have everything it takes to beat Errol Spence. I’m very confident and my team is confident in what I have to do on September 28. We’ll be ready.”
Dirrell vs. Benavidez promises to be a hotly contested battle for the WBC Super Middleweight title. Dirrell is a two-time WBC 168-pound world champion and will bring experience, while Benavidez will bring his high-octane style.
The 34-year-old Dirrell (33-1-1, 24 KO) won the WBC title for the first time with a unanimous decision over Sakio Bika in 2014. The native of Flint, Michigan lost the title the next year to Badou Jack by majority decision. He put together six straight victories after that loss to get back into position to fight for the championship again. He won the title with a technical decision victory over Avni Yildirim in February on FS1. Dirrell is the younger brother of Andre Dirrell, who won a bronze medal as a member of the U.S. Olympic boxing team in 2004.
“I’m going to work my butt off, putting in extra hours in the gym, because this is one of the toughest opponents I’ve ever fought,” Dirrell said. “He’s young and he’s tough. But I’m more than ready for anything that he can bring. I bring an exciting fight. He knows that. The world knows that. Hij kan praten, but nothing matters but what happens in the ring. I wanted this fight to be out west because I will fight anybody anywhere. It’s only two people in the ring and we’re going to give a good entertaining fight for the fans.”
Benavidez (21-0, 18 KO) won the WBC title with a split decision victory over Ronald Gavril in 2017. Fighting out of Phoenix, Arizona, Benavidez successfully defended the title with a more convincing unanimous decision over Gavril in the rematch four months later. The 22-year-old returned to the ring to score an impressive knockout victory over veteran J’Leon Love in March on the Spence vs. Garcia PBC on FOX Sports Pay-Per-View.
“I’m looking forward to reclaiming my WBC belt in my next fight against Anthony Dirrell,” said Benavidez. “This fight is overdue and I guarantee I will be ready for whatever he brings to the ring. The fans are really going to enjoy this one.”
Zaterdag, Augustus 3 van Barclays Center in Brooklyn & Georganiseerd door Premier Boxing Champions
Polish Star Adam Kownacki Headlines Against Former Title Challenger Chris Arreola in FOX PBC Fight Night Main Event Live on FOX & FOX Sports – 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT
BROOKLYN (Juli 9, 2019) – An exciting lineup of action-packed undercard attractions will add to the Summer heat on Saturday, Augustus 3 live from Barclays Center, het huis van BROOKLYN BOKSEN ™, in een gebeurtenis die door Premier Boxing Champions.
The event is headlined by Polish star and heavyweight contender Adam Kownacki and former title challenger Chris “De nachtmerrie” Arreola meeting in the main event of FOX PBC Fight Night live on FOX and FOX Deportes. De uitzending begint om 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT and also features two-time world champion Andre Berto and 147-pound contender Miguel Cruz, who meet in a welterweight attraction, and interim WBA Light Heavyweight Champion Marcus Browne and former world champion Jean Pascal, who duel in a 175-pound bout.
Undercard bouts are highlighted by 2008 Puerto Ricaanse Olympian Carlos Negron (20-2, 16 KO) in a 10-round heavyweight fight against Atlanta’sBrian Howard(14-3, 11 KO), former title challengerCurtis Stevens (30-6, 22 KO) taking on veteran contenderWale Omotoso (27-4, 21 KO) in a 10-round super welterweight clash and featherweight world champion and unbeaten local fan-favoriteHeather “De Hitte” Hardy (22-0, 4 KO) in haar 10thappearance in the ring at Barclays Center.
Tickets voor het evenement, die wordt bevorderd door TGB Promotions, can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com. Tickets can also be purchased at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center.
Additional action features a pair of uneaten fighters as Brooklyn’sJulian Sosa (13-0-1, 5 KO) steps in for an eight-round welterweight showdown versus Texas-nativeBrian Jones (14-10, 8 KO), plus Maryland-nativeCobia breedy (13-0, 4 KO) takes on Michigan’sRyan Lee Allen(9-3-1, 4 KO) in a 10-round featherweight attraction.
Rounding out the lineup is Mexico’sIsaac Cruz Gonzalez in a 10-round featherweight fight, ongeslagen vooruitzicht Keeshawn Williamsin een zes-round weltergewicht strijd, unbeaten New YorkerArnold Gonzalezin a four-round featherweight duel and undefeated New Jersey-nativeKestna Davisin a four-round super welterweight bout against California’sJaime Meza.
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Pacquiao vs. Thurman Headlines Premier Boxing Champions FOX Sports Pay-Per-View Event from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas
“You’re going to see a world class performance on July 20 that has me standing alone on top of the division.” – Thurman
ST. PETERSBURG, FL. (Juli 8, 2019) – Keith “Een Keer” Thurman’svictories have always been the center of conversation. Even with nine championship fights and eight title defenses already under his belt, his Saturday, Juli 20 fight against Manny Pacquaio could prove to be the most significant, as he steps onto boxing’s biggest stage looking to capture a momentous victory.
Pacquiao vs. Thurman will pit the undefeated WBA Welterweight World Champion Thurman against boxing’s only eight-division world champion and Philippine Senator Manny “PacMan” Pacquiao in the main event of a Premier Boxing Champions on FOX Sports Pay-Per-View event from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
The FOX pay-per-view begins at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT and tickets for the event, which is promoted by MP Promotions, Mayweather Promotions and TGB Promotions, are on sale now and can be purchased online through AXS.com, opladen via de telefoon op 866-740-7711 or in person at any MGM Resorts International box office.
Coming off a majority decision over Josesito Lopez that ended a 22-month ring absence in January, Thurman (29-0, 22 KO), 30, had won a close unanimous decision over former title holder “Show Time” Shawn Porter in June 2016 and a split-decision over two-division title winner Danny “Gierzwaluw” Garcia in March 2017, adding Garcia’s WBC crown to his WBA version, before he vacated the WBC title due to injury.
Thurman broke down all of his title performances in anticipation of the fight that could cement his place amongst boxing’s best of this era.
KO 10 Diego Chaves, Juli 27, 2013, AT&T Center, San Antonio:The 24-year-old Thurman came off a near-shutout unanimous decision over former champion Jan Zaveck in March 2013 and faced an unbeaten Argentine interim WBA champion who was after his fifth consecutive stoppage win and had knocked out 18 van 22 tegenstanders.
Thurman traded early power shots, controlled tempo with his athleticism and boxing ability and floored Chaves with a ninth round left hook to the liver before dropping him for the final time with a right hand in the 10th ronde. Chaves failed to beat the count as Thurman became a 147-pound titleholder.
“The Diego Chaves fight was the biggest fight of my career, elevating me to the WBA interim champion,” Said Thurman. “I broke him down round by round and landed a beautiful body shot in the ninth round and after that it was a matter of time. That was a fight that earned me worldwide respect and was the start of everything for me.”
WHO 9 Jesus Soto Karass, December 14, 2013, Alamodome, San Antonio:Soto Karass’ previous victory was a 12th-round stoppage of two-time belt holder Andre Berto in a fight that saw him rise from an 11th-round knockdown. Hurt by a hard right in the first round, Thurman recovered, flooring Soto Karass with a left uppercut in the fifth and again from a powerful combination in the ninth as the referee ended matters.
“Soto Karass was coming off a victory over Andre Berto which made it an important measuring stick fight for me,” Said Thurman, “He did open the fight by tagging me in the first round, but I dropped him in the fifth and again in the ninth and was able to finish him off for my first title defense.”
RTD 3 Julio Diaz, April 26, 2014, StubHub Center, Carson, Calif:In a one-sided beat-down, former champion Diaz took a knee from a left to the temple the second round and retired prior to the fourth from a body shot that caused rib damage. Diaz never fought again.
“That was a tremendous fight for me as the headliner in my first main event,” Said Thurman. “Diaz was coming off of good showings against Shawn Porter, fighting Porter to a draw once, and Amir Khan, whom he dropped in their fight. I also had the opportunity to make a statement. I did that by stopping him in only three rounds.”
UD 12 Leonard Bundu, December 13, 2014, the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas:A previously unbeaten 40-year-old switch-hitting veteran, Bundu (31-1-2, 11 KO) was dropped by a first-round right hand in a shutout victory (120-107 drie keer) for Thurman who ended an eight-month ring absence and was recovering from an injured left shoulder.
“Bundu was a switch-hitting awkward fighter. I switched [to southpaw] on him in the first round and dropped him with a right hand,” Said Thurman. “I out boxed him and really gave the world a taste of how good of a boxer I am. It was an easy blowout.”
UD 12 Robert Guerrero, Maart 7, 2015, the MGM Grand Grand Garden Arena:Thurman entered this bout after having been elevated to the full champion before facing Guerrero (32-3-1, 18 KO), a two-division title winner. He overcame a grotesque hematoma above his left eye from an accidental clash of heads, gedaald “The Ghost” in the ninth-round, and lost a combined four rounds in PBC’s first ever main event.
“Guerrero had fought Floyd Mayweather and I was happy to have a common opponent with Floyd, so that I could prove to the world that I deserved a shot at Mayweather,” Said Thurman. “I had to overcome that adversity of having that hematoma by knocking him down in the ninth round. That fight really raised my stock to another level.”
RTD 7 Luis Collazo, Juli 11, 2015, USF Sundome, Tampa:Thurman overcame a crippling left hand to the liver in the fifth round to become only the man to stop Collazo, a former champion who had gone the distance in losses to Ricky Hatton, Shane Mosley, Andre Berto and Amir Khan. In a homecoming fight, Thurman opened a deep gash over Collazo’s right eye with his own left hook, eventually resulting in the southpaw’s retiring on his stool after the seventh round.
“I was able to survive that body shot to perform in the next round. The fight was taking its toll on him though. I was becoming more comfortable and accurate as I physically broke him down,” Said Thurman. “The arena was electric, and the love was amazing. It was a great homecoming to defend my world title near where I grew up in Clearwater, Florida.”
UD 12 Shawn Porter, Juni 25, 2016, Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York:Thurman overcame a bullish former champion in Porter (26-2-1, 16 KO) before an electric crowd, winning a give-and-take, blood-and-guts brawl by scores of 115-113, Op alle drie de rechters’ kaarten. Highlights were Thurman’s clean right hand-left hook combination that buckled Porter’s knees late in the third round, a 10th-round left hook that did the same, and an even more vicious head-swiveling hook in Round 11 of a Fight of The Year standout from 2016.
“Our fight was tough, back and forth, but by no means was Shawn Porter going to take my title,” Said Thurman. “I pushed myself over the final rounds to make sure I’d be victorious in what was one of the ‘Fight of The Year’ contenders that year. That fight proved to everyone that I can win any type of fight, against any type of fighter.”
SD 12 Danny Garcia, Maart 4, 2017, Barclays Center: Thurman won a clash of 28-year-olds over the then unbeaten Garcia (33-0, 19 KO), along with the WBC’s crown in just the 10th title unification in division history and only the third between a pair of unbeaten fighters. The crowd of 16,533 represented the highest attended boxing match at Barclays Center to date. Thurman’s movement disrupted the timing of Garcia, a Philadelphia-based fighter who was a unified champion at 140-pounds.
“This was two undefeated welterweights going toe-to-toe in the prime of their careers. Danny Garcia’s a sharp puncher who won the WBC’s vacant title that Floyd Mayweather gave up for retirement,” Said Thurman. “But after beating Shawn Porter, I knew Danny would be an easy fight. This was my first chance to beat an undefeated world champion, and I came out swinging on him in round one to make a statement that his world title was about to be mine.”
MD 12 Josesito Lopez, Januari 26, 2019, Barclays Center:Thurman ended an injury-hampered 22-month ring absence against Lopez (36-8, 19 KO), scoring a second-round knockdown with a left hook, being hurt by a right hand in the seventh, and using his mobility and athleticism down the stretch for the victory.
“I was really nervous about making weight after walking around at 182 for the past two years,” Said Thurman. “But even though I got hit and hurt in the seventh round, I knew my boxing ability would get me through. It was a relief to make it through that fight feeling strong and healthy and I’ve taken those feelings right into this training camp.”
Manny Pacquiao (61-7-2, 39 KO), Juli 20, 2019, the MGM Grand Garden Arena:The 40-year-old Pacquiao has earned back-to-back victories over former champions by seventh-round TKO over Lucas Matthysse (Juli 2018) and unanimous decision Adrien Broner (Januari).
“Does Manny belong in the ring with a fighter in his prime? Is Keith Thurman still Keith ‘One Time’ Thurman after some vulnerability against Josesito Lopez?” Said Thurman, rhetorically speaking. “Natuurlijk, I’d like to get the knockout or TKO, but either way, you’re going to see a world class performance that has me standing alone on top of a division that has so many great fighters. I’m trying to be that great, devastating champion once again, and come July 20, I will prove that I am.”
# # # Pacquiao vs. Thurman Headlines Premier Boxing Champions FOX Sports Pay-Per-View Event from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas
“You’re going to see a world class performance on July 20 that has me standing alone on top of the division.” – Thurman
ST. PETERSBURG, FL. (Juli 8, 2019) – Keith “Een Keer” Thurman’svictories have always been the center of conversation. Even with nine championship fights and eight title defenses already under his belt, his Saturday, Juli 20 fight against Manny Pacquaio could prove to be the most significant, as he steps onto boxing’s biggest stage looking to capture a momentous victory.
Pacquiao vs. Thurman will pit the undefeated WBA Welterweight World Champion Thurman against boxing’s only eight-division world champion and Philippine Senator Manny “PacMan” Pacquiao in the main event of a Premier Boxing Champions on FOX Sports Pay-Per-View event from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
The FOX pay-per-view begins at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT and tickets for the event, which is promoted by MP Promotions, Mayweather Promotions and TGB Promotions, are on sale now and can be purchased online through AXS.com, opladen via de telefoon op 866-740-7711 or in person at any MGM Resorts International box office.
Coming off a majority decision over Josesito Lopez that ended a 22-month ring absence in January, Thurman (29-0, 22 KO), 30, had won a close unanimous decision over former title holder “Show Time” Shawn Porter in June 2016 and a split-decision over two-division title winner Danny “Gierzwaluw” Garcia in March 2017, adding Garcia’s WBC crown to his WBA version, before he vacated the WBC title due to injury.
Thurman broke down all of his title performances in anticipation of the fight that could cement his place amongst boxing’s best of this era.
KO 10 Diego Chaves, Juli 27, 2013, AT&T Center, San Antonio:The 24-year-old Thurman came off a near-shutout unanimous decision over former champion Jan Zaveck in March 2013 and faced an unbeaten Argentine interim WBA champion who was after his fifth consecutive stoppage win and had knocked out 18 van 22 tegenstanders.
Thurman traded early power shots, controlled tempo with his athleticism and boxing ability and floored Chaves with a ninth round left hook to the liver before dropping him for the final time with a right hand in the 10th ronde. Chaves failed to beat the count as Thurman became a 147-pound titleholder.
“The Diego Chaves fight was the biggest fight of my career, elevating me to the WBA interim champion,” Said Thurman. “I broke him down round by round and landed a beautiful body shot in the ninth round and after that it was a matter of time. That was a fight that earned me worldwide respect and was the start of everything for me.”
WHO 9 Jesus Soto Karass, December 14, 2013, Alamodome, San Antonio:Soto Karass’ previous victory was a 12th-round stoppage of two-time belt holder Andre Berto in a fight that saw him rise from an 11th-round knockdown. Hurt by a hard right in the first round, Thurman recovered, flooring Soto Karass with a left uppercut in the fifth and again from a powerful combination in the ninth as the referee ended matters.
“Soto Karass was coming off a victory over Andre Berto which made it an important measuring stick fight for me,” Said Thurman, “He did open the fight by tagging me in the first round, but I dropped him in the fifth and again in the ninth and was able to finish him off for my first title defense.”
RTD 3 Julio Diaz, April 26, 2014, StubHub Center, Carson, Calif:In a one-sided beat-down, former champion Diaz took a knee from a left to the temple the second round and retired prior to the fourth from a body shot that caused rib damage. Diaz never fought again.
“That was a tremendous fight for me as the headliner in my first main event,” Said Thurman. “Diaz was coming off of good showings against Shawn Porter, fighting Porter to a draw once, and Amir Khan, whom he dropped in their fight. I also had the opportunity to make a statement. I did that by stopping him in only three rounds.”
UD 12 Leonard Bundu, December 13, 2014, the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas:A previously unbeaten 40-year-old switch-hitting veteran, Bundu (31-1-2, 11 KO) was dropped by a first-round right hand in a shutout victory (120-107 drie keer) for Thurman who ended an eight-month ring absence and was recovering from an injured left shoulder.
“Bundu was a switch-hitting awkward fighter. I switched [to southpaw] on him in the first round and dropped him with a right hand,” Said Thurman. “I out boxed him and really gave the world a taste of how good of a boxer I am. It was an easy blowout.”
UD 12 Robert Guerrero, Maart 7, 2015, the MGM Grand Grand Garden Arena:Thurman entered this bout after having been elevated to the full champion before facing Guerrero (32-3-1, 18 KO), a two-division title winner. He overcame a grotesque hematoma above his left eye from an accidental clash of heads, gedaald “The Ghost” in the ninth-round, and lost a combined four rounds in PBC’s first ever main event.
“Guerrero had fought Floyd Mayweather and I was happy to have a common opponent with Floyd, so that I could prove to the world that I deserved a shot at Mayweather,” Said Thurman. “I had to overcome that adversity of having that hematoma by knocking him down in the ninth round. That fight really raised my stock to another level.”
RTD 7 Luis Collazo, Juli 11, 2015, USF Sundome, Tampa:Thurman overcame a crippling left hand to the liver in the fifth round to become only the man to stop Collazo, a former champion who had gone the distance in losses to Ricky Hatton, Shane Mosley, Andre Berto and Amir Khan. In a homecoming fight, Thurman opened a deep gash over Collazo’s right eye with his own left hook, eventually resulting in the southpaw’s retiring on his stool after the seventh round.
“I was able to survive that body shot to perform in the next round. The fight was taking its toll on him though. I was becoming more comfortable and accurate as I physically broke him down,” Said Thurman. “The arena was electric, and the love was amazing. It was a great homecoming to defend my world title near where I grew up in Clearwater, Florida.”
UD 12 Shawn Porter, Juni 25, 2016, Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York:Thurman overcame a bullish former champion in Porter (26-2-1, 16 KO) before an electric crowd, winning a give-and-take, blood-and-guts brawl by scores of 115-113, Op alle drie de rechters’ kaarten. Highlights were Thurman’s clean right hand-left hook combination that buckled Porter’s knees late in the third round, a 10th-round left hook that did the same, and an even more vicious head-swiveling hook in Round 11 of a Fight of The Year standout from 2016.
“Our fight was tough, back and forth, but by no means was Shawn Porter going to take my title,” Said Thurman. “I pushed myself over the final rounds to make sure I’d be victorious in what was one of the ‘Fight of The Year’ contenders that year. That fight proved to everyone that I can win any type of fight, against any type of fighter.”
SD 12 Danny Garcia, Maart 4, 2017, Barclays Center: Thurman won a clash of 28-year-olds over the then unbeaten Garcia (33-0, 19 KO), along with the WBC’s crown in just the 10th title unification in division history and only the third between a pair of unbeaten fighters. The crowd of 16,533 represented the highest attended boxing match at Barclays Center to date. Thurman’s movement disrupted the timing of Garcia, a Philadelphia-based fighter who was a unified champion at 140-pounds.
“This was two undefeated welterweights going toe-to-toe in the prime of their careers. Danny Garcia’s a sharp puncher who won the WBC’s vacant title that Floyd Mayweather gave up for retirement,” Said Thurman. “But after beating Shawn Porter, I knew Danny would be an easy fight. This was my first chance to beat an undefeated world champion, and I came out swinging on him in round one to make a statement that his world title was about to be mine.”
MD 12 Josesito Lopez, Januari 26, 2019, Barclays Center:Thurman ended an injury-hampered 22-month ring absence against Lopez (36-8, 19 KO), scoring a second-round knockdown with a left hook, being hurt by a right hand in the seventh, and using his mobility and athleticism down the stretch for the victory.
“I was really nervous about making weight after walking around at 182 for the past two years,” Said Thurman. “But even though I got hit and hurt in the seventh round, I knew my boxing ability would get me through. It was a relief to make it through that fight feeling strong and healthy and I’ve taken those feelings right into this training camp.”
Manny Pacquiao (61-7-2, 39 KO), Juli 20, 2019, the MGM Grand Garden Arena:The 40-year-old Pacquiao has earned back-to-back victories over former champions by seventh-round TKO over Lucas Matthysse (Juli 2018) and unanimous decision Adrien Broner (Januari).
“Does Manny belong in the ring with a fighter in his prime? Is Keith Thurman still Keith ‘One Time’ Thurman after some vulnerability against Josesito Lopez?” Said Thurman, rhetorically speaking. “Natuurlijk, I’d like to get the knockout or TKO, but either way, you’re going to see a world class performance that has me standing alone on top of a division that has so many great fighters. I’m trying to be that great, devastating champion once again, and come July 20, I will prove that I am.”
# # # Pacquiao vs. Thurman Headlines Premier Boxing Champions FOX Sports Pay-Per-View Event from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas
“You’re going to see a world class performance on July 20 that has me standing alone on top of the division.” – Thurman
ST. PETERSBURG, FL. (Juli 8, 2019) – Keith “Een Keer” Thurman’svictories have always been the center of conversation. Even with nine championship fights and eight title defenses already under his belt, his Saturday, Juli 20 fight against Manny Pacquaio could prove to be the most significant, as he steps onto boxing’s biggest stage looking to capture a momentous victory.
Pacquiao vs. Thurman will pit the undefeated WBA Welterweight World Champion Thurman against boxing’s only eight-division world champion and Philippine Senator Manny “PacMan” Pacquiao in the main event of a Premier Boxing Champions on FOX Sports Pay-Per-View event from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
The FOX pay-per-view begins at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT and tickets for the event, which is promoted by MP Promotions, Mayweather Promotions and TGB Promotions, are on sale now and can be purchased online through AXS.com, opladen via de telefoon op 866-740-7711 or in person at any MGM Resorts International box office.
Coming off a majority decision over Josesito Lopez that ended a 22-month ring absence in January, Thurman (29-0, 22 KO), 30, had won a close unanimous decision over former title holder “Show Time” Shawn Porter in June 2016 and a split-decision over two-division title winner Danny “Gierzwaluw” Garcia in March 2017, adding Garcia’s WBC crown to his WBA version, before he vacated the WBC title due to injury.
Thurman broke down all of his title performances in anticipation of the fight that could cement his place amongst boxing’s best of this era.
KO 10 Diego Chaves, Juli 27, 2013, AT&T Center, San Antonio:The 24-year-old Thurman came off a near-shutout unanimous decision over former champion Jan Zaveck in March 2013 and faced an unbeaten Argentine interim WBA champion who was after his fifth consecutive stoppage win and had knocked out 18 van 22 tegenstanders.
Thurman traded early power shots, controlled tempo with his athleticism and boxing ability and floored Chaves with a ninth round left hook to the liver before dropping him for the final time with a right hand in the 10th ronde. Chaves failed to beat the count as Thurman became a 147-pound titleholder.
“The Diego Chaves fight was the biggest fight of my career, elevating me to the WBA interim champion,” Said Thurman. “I broke him down round by round and landed a beautiful body shot in the ninth round and after that it was a matter of time. That was a fight that earned me worldwide respect and was the start of everything for me.”
WHO 9 Jesus Soto Karass, December 14, 2013, Alamodome, San Antonio:Soto Karass’ previous victory was a 12th-round stoppage of two-time belt holder Andre Berto in a fight that saw him rise from an 11th-round knockdown. Hurt by a hard right in the first round, Thurman recovered, flooring Soto Karass with a left uppercut in the fifth and again from a powerful combination in the ninth as the referee ended matters.
“Soto Karass was coming off a victory over Andre Berto which made it an important measuring stick fight for me,” Said Thurman, “He did open the fight by tagging me in the first round, but I dropped him in the fifth and again in the ninth and was able to finish him off for my first title defense.”
RTD 3 Julio Diaz, April 26, 2014, StubHub Center, Carson, Calif:In a one-sided beat-down, former champion Diaz took a knee from a left to the temple the second round and retired prior to the fourth from a body shot that caused rib damage. Diaz never fought again.
“That was a tremendous fight for me as the headliner in my first main event,” Said Thurman. “Diaz was coming off of good showings against Shawn Porter, fighting Porter to a draw once, and Amir Khan, whom he dropped in their fight. I also had the opportunity to make a statement. I did that by stopping him in only three rounds.”
UD 12 Leonard Bundu, December 13, 2014, the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas:A previously unbeaten 40-year-old switch-hitting veteran, Bundu (31-1-2, 11 KO) was dropped by a first-round right hand in a shutout victory (120-107 drie keer) for Thurman who ended an eight-month ring absence and was recovering from an injured left shoulder.
“Bundu was a switch-hitting awkward fighter. I switched [to southpaw] on him in the first round and dropped him with a right hand,” Said Thurman. “I out boxed him and really gave the world a taste of how good of a boxer I am. It was an easy blowout.”
UD 12 Robert Guerrero, Maart 7, 2015, the MGM Grand Grand Garden Arena:Thurman entered this bout after having been elevated to the full champion before facing Guerrero (32-3-1, 18 KO), a two-division title winner. He overcame a grotesque hematoma above his left eye from an accidental clash of heads, gedaald “The Ghost” in the ninth-round, and lost a combined four rounds in PBC’s first ever main event.
“Guerrero had fought Floyd Mayweather and I was happy to have a common opponent with Floyd, so that I could prove to the world that I deserved a shot at Mayweather,” Said Thurman. “I had to overcome that adversity of having that hematoma by knocking him down in the ninth round. That fight really raised my stock to another level.”
RTD 7 Luis Collazo, Juli 11, 2015, USF Sundome, Tampa:Thurman overcame a crippling left hand to the liver in the fifth round to become only the man to stop Collazo, a former champion who had gone the distance in losses to Ricky Hatton, Shane Mosley, Andre Berto and Amir Khan. In a homecoming fight, Thurman opened a deep gash over Collazo’s right eye with his own left hook, eventually resulting in the southpaw’s retiring on his stool after the seventh round.
“I was able to survive that body shot to perform in the next round. The fight was taking its toll on him though. I was becoming more comfortable and accurate as I physically broke him down,” Said Thurman. “The arena was electric, and the love was amazing. It was a great homecoming to defend my world title near where I grew up in Clearwater, Florida.”
UD 12 Shawn Porter, Juni 25, 2016, Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York:Thurman overcame a bullish former champion in Porter (26-2-1, 16 KO) before an electric crowd, winning a give-and-take, blood-and-guts brawl by scores of 115-113, Op alle drie de rechters’ kaarten. Highlights were Thurman’s clean right hand-left hook combination that buckled Porter’s knees late in the third round, a 10th-round left hook that did the same, and an even more vicious head-swiveling hook in Round 11 of a Fight of The Year standout from 2016.
“Our fight was tough, back and forth, but by no means was Shawn Porter going to take my title,” Said Thurman. “I pushed myself over the final rounds to make sure I’d be victorious in what was one of the ‘Fight of The Year’ contenders that year. That fight proved to everyone that I can win any type of fight, against any type of fighter.”
SD 12 Danny Garcia, Maart 4, 2017, Barclays Center: Thurman won a clash of 28-year-olds over the then unbeaten Garcia (33-0, 19 KO), along with the WBC’s crown in just the 10th title unification in division history and only the third between a pair of unbeaten fighters. The crowd of 16,533 represented the highest attended boxing match at Barclays Center to date. Thurman’s movement disrupted the timing of Garcia, a Philadelphia-based fighter who was a unified champion at 140-pounds.
“This was two undefeated welterweights going toe-to-toe in the prime of their careers. Danny Garcia’s a sharp puncher who won the WBC’s vacant title that Floyd Mayweather gave up for retirement,” Said Thurman. “But after beating Shawn Porter, I knew Danny would be an easy fight. This was my first chance to beat an undefeated world champion, and I came out swinging on him in round one to make a statement that his world title was about to be mine.”
MD 12 Josesito Lopez, Januari 26, 2019, Barclays Center:Thurman ended an injury-hampered 22-month ring absence against Lopez (36-8, 19 KO), scoring a second-round knockdown with a left hook, being hurt by a right hand in the seventh, and using his mobility and athleticism down the stretch for the victory.
“I was really nervous about making weight after walking around at 182 for the past two years,” Said Thurman. “But even though I got hit and hurt in the seventh round, I knew my boxing ability would get me through. It was a relief to make it through that fight feeling strong and healthy and I’ve taken those feelings right into this training camp.”
Manny Pacquiao (61-7-2, 39 KO), Juli 20, 2019, the MGM Grand Garden Arena:The 40-year-old Pacquiao has earned back-to-back victories over former champions by seventh-round TKO over Lucas Matthysse (Juli 2018) and unanimous decision Adrien Broner (Januari).
“Does Manny belong in the ring with a fighter in his prime? Is Keith Thurman still Keith ‘One Time’ Thurman after some vulnerability against Josesito Lopez?” Said Thurman, rhetorically speaking. “Natuurlijk, I’d like to get the knockout or TKO, but either way, you’re going to see a world class performance that has me standing alone on top of a division that has so many great fighters. I’m trying to be that great, devastating champion once again, and come July 20, I will prove that I am.”
# # # Pacquiao vs. Thurman Headlines Premier Boxing Champions FOX Sports Pay-Per-View Event from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas
“You’re going to see a world class performance on July 20 that has me standing alone on top of the division.” – Thurman
ST. PETERSBURG, FL. (Juli 8, 2019) – Keith “Een Keer” Thurman’svictories have always been the center of conversation. Even with nine championship fights and eight title defenses already under his belt, his Saturday, Juli 20 fight against Manny Pacquaio could prove to be the most significant, as he steps onto boxing’s biggest stage looking to capture a momentous victory.
Pacquiao vs. Thurman will pit the undefeated WBA Welterweight World Champion Thurman against boxing’s only eight-division world champion and Philippine Senator Manny “PacMan” Pacquiao in the main event of a Premier Boxing Champions on FOX Sports Pay-Per-View event from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
The FOX pay-per-view begins at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT and tickets for the event, which is promoted by MP Promotions, Mayweather Promotions and TGB Promotions, are on sale now and can be purchased online through AXS.com, opladen via de telefoon op 866-740-7711 or in person at any MGM Resorts International box office.
Coming off a majority decision over Josesito Lopez that ended a 22-month ring absence in January, Thurman (29-0, 22 KO), 30, had won a close unanimous decision over former title holder “Show Time” Shawn Porter in June 2016 and a split-decision over two-division title winner Danny “Gierzwaluw” Garcia in March 2017, adding Garcia’s WBC crown to his WBA version, before he vacated the WBC title due to injury.
Thurman broke down all of his title performances in anticipation of the fight that could cement his place amongst boxing’s best of this era.
KO 10 Diego Chaves, Juli 27, 2013, AT&T Center, San Antonio:The 24-year-old Thurman came off a near-shutout unanimous decision over former champion Jan Zaveck in March 2013 and faced an unbeaten Argentine interim WBA champion who was after his fifth consecutive stoppage win and had knocked out 18 van 22 tegenstanders.
Thurman traded early power shots, controlled tempo with his athleticism and boxing ability and floored Chaves with a ninth round left hook to the liver before dropping him for the final time with a right hand in the 10th ronde. Chaves failed to beat the count as Thurman became a 147-pound titleholder.
“The Diego Chaves fight was the biggest fight of my career, elevating me to the WBA interim champion,” Said Thurman. “I broke him down round by round and landed a beautiful body shot in the ninth round and after that it was a matter of time. That was a fight that earned me worldwide respect and was the start of everything for me.”
WHO 9 Jesus Soto Karass, December 14, 2013, Alamodome, San Antonio:Soto Karass’ previous victory was a 12th-round stoppage of two-time belt holder Andre Berto in a fight that saw him rise from an 11th-round knockdown. Hurt by a hard right in the first round, Thurman recovered, flooring Soto Karass with a left uppercut in the fifth and again from a powerful combination in the ninth as the referee ended matters.
“Soto Karass was coming off a victory over Andre Berto which made it an important measuring stick fight for me,” Said Thurman, “He did open the fight by tagging me in the first round, but I dropped him in the fifth and again in the ninth and was able to finish him off for my first title defense.”
RTD 3 Julio Diaz, April 26, 2014, StubHub Center, Carson, Calif:In a one-sided beat-down, former champion Diaz took a knee from a left to the temple the second round and retired prior to the fourth from a body shot that caused rib damage. Diaz never fought again.
“That was a tremendous fight for me as the headliner in my first main event,” Said Thurman. “Diaz was coming off of good showings against Shawn Porter, fighting Porter to a draw once, and Amir Khan, whom he dropped in their fight. I also had the opportunity to make a statement. I did that by stopping him in only three rounds.”
UD 12 Leonard Bundu, December 13, 2014, the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas:A previously unbeaten 40-year-old switch-hitting veteran, Bundu (31-1-2, 11 KO) was dropped by a first-round right hand in a shutout victory (120-107 drie keer) for Thurman who ended an eight-month ring absence and was recovering from an injured left shoulder.
“Bundu was a switch-hitting awkward fighter. I switched [to southpaw] on him in the first round and dropped him with a right hand,” Said Thurman. “I out boxed him and really gave the world a taste of how good of a boxer I am. It was an easy blowout.”
UD 12 Robert Guerrero, Maart 7, 2015, the MGM Grand Grand Garden Arena:Thurman entered this bout after having been elevated to the full champion before facing Guerrero (32-3-1, 18 KO), a two-division title winner. He overcame a grotesque hematoma above his left eye from an accidental clash of heads, gedaald “The Ghost” in the ninth-round, and lost a combined four rounds in PBC’s first ever main event.
“Guerrero had fought Floyd Mayweather and I was happy to have a common opponent with Floyd, so that I could prove to the world that I deserved a shot at Mayweather,” Said Thurman. “I had to overcome that adversity of having that hematoma by knocking him down in the ninth round. That fight really raised my stock to another level.”
RTD 7 Luis Collazo, Juli 11, 2015, USF Sundome, Tampa:Thurman overcame a crippling left hand to the liver in the fifth round to become only the man to stop Collazo, a former champion who had gone the distance in losses to Ricky Hatton, Shane Mosley, Andre Berto and Amir Khan. In a homecoming fight, Thurman opened a deep gash over Collazo’s right eye with his own left hook, eventually resulting in the southpaw’s retiring on his stool after the seventh round.
“I was able to survive that body shot to perform in the next round. The fight was taking its toll on him though. I was becoming more comfortable and accurate as I physically broke him down,” Said Thurman. “The arena was electric, and the love was amazing. It was a great homecoming to defend my world title near where I grew up in Clearwater, Florida.”
UD 12 Shawn Porter, Juni 25, 2016, Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York:Thurman overcame a bullish former champion in Porter (26-2-1, 16 KO) before an electric crowd, winning a give-and-take, blood-and-guts brawl by scores of 115-113, Op alle drie de rechters’ kaarten. Highlights were Thurman’s clean right hand-left hook combination that buckled Porter’s knees late in the third round, a 10th-round left hook that did the same, and an even more vicious head-swiveling hook in Round 11 of a Fight of The Year standout from 2016.
“Our fight was tough, back and forth, but by no means was Shawn Porter going to take my title,” Said Thurman. “I pushed myself over the final rounds to make sure I’d be victorious in what was one of the ‘Fight of The Year’ contenders that year. That fight proved to everyone that I can win any type of fight, against any type of fighter.”
SD 12 Danny Garcia, Maart 4, 2017, Barclays Center: Thurman won a clash of 28-year-olds over the then unbeaten Garcia (33-0, 19 KO), along with the WBC’s crown in just the 10th title unification in division history and only the third between a pair of unbeaten fighters. The crowd of 16,533 represented the highest attended boxing match at Barclays Center to date. Thurman’s movement disrupted the timing of Garcia, a Philadelphia-based fighter who was a unified champion at 140-pounds.
“This was two undefeated welterweights going toe-to-toe in the prime of their careers. Danny Garcia’s a sharp puncher who won the WBC’s vacant title that Floyd Mayweather gave up for retirement,” Said Thurman. “But after beating Shawn Porter, I knew Danny would be an easy fight. This was my first chance to beat an undefeated world champion, and I came out swinging on him in round one to make a statement that his world title was about to be mine.”
MD 12 Josesito Lopez, Januari 26, 2019, Barclays Center:Thurman ended an injury-hampered 22-month ring absence against Lopez (36-8, 19 KO), scoring a second-round knockdown with a left hook, being hurt by a right hand in the seventh, and using his mobility and athleticism down the stretch for the victory.
“I was really nervous about making weight after walking around at 182 for the past two years,” Said Thurman. “But even though I got hit and hurt in the seventh round, I knew my boxing ability would get me through. It was a relief to make it through that fight feeling strong and healthy and I’ve taken those feelings right into this training camp.”
Manny Pacquiao (61-7-2, 39 KO), Juli 20, 2019, the MGM Grand Garden Arena:The 40-year-old Pacquiao has earned back-to-back victories over former champions by seventh-round TKO over Lucas Matthysse (Juli 2018) and unanimous decision Adrien Broner (Januari).
“Does Manny belong in the ring with a fighter in his prime? Is Keith Thurman still Keith ‘One Time’ Thurman after some vulnerability against Josesito Lopez?” Said Thurman, rhetorically speaking. “Natuurlijk, I’d like to get the knockout or TKO, but either way, you’re going to see a world class performance that has me standing alone on top of a division that has so many great fighters. I’m trying to be that great, devastating champion once again, and come July 20, I will prove that I am.”
TWEE LIGHTWEIGHT BOUTS Roundout GERVONTA “TANK” DAVIS’ HOMECOMING WORLD titel verdediging Zaterdag, Juli 27 Live op Showtime® Van Royal FARMS ARENA IN BALTIMORE
Voormalige wereldkampioenen Yuriorkis Gamboa & Roman Martínez Square-Off; Meer, Lichtgewicht Contender Ladarius Miller Battles Voormalig wereldkampioen Jezreel Corrales in een event Georganiseerd door Premier Boxing Champions
BALTIMORE (Juli 2, 2019) – Voormalige wereldkampioenen Yuriorkis Gamboa en Romeins “Rotsachtig” Martínez zullen strijden in een 10-round lichtgewicht aantrekkingskracht terwijl lichtgewicht mededinger Ladarius “Memphis” Molenaar voldoet aan de voormalige wereldkampioen Jezreel “the Invisible” Corrales in een 10-round showdown live op Showtime zaterdag, Juli 27 van Royal Farms Arena in Baltimore in een gebeurtenis die door Premier Boxing Champions.
Showtime Championship Boxing begint bij 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT en is kopte door twee keer super vedergewicht kampioen en Baltimore inheemse Gervonta “Tank” Davis verdediging van zijn WBA titel in een kampioenschap thuiskomst tegen verplichte uitdager Ricardo “wetenschapper” Núñez.
“Zaterdag, Juli 27 gaat iets bijzonders voor de stad Baltimore,” aldus Leonard Ellerbe, CEO van Mayweather Promotions. “Terwijl we weten wat de belangrijkste gebeurtenis brengt, beide periodes in de aanloop naar het te hebben high stakes geschreven over ze net zo goed. Elke keer als je voormalige wereldkampioenen en jonge hongerige vooruitzichten in de ring, je weet dat deze vechters zal op zoek naar de overwinning te krijgen en uiteindelijk stelden zich in positie voor een schot op een titel. Ik verwacht non-stop actie in deze periodes van de eerste bel tot het einde.”
Tickets voor het evenement, die wordt bevorderd door Mayweather Promoties en TGB Promotions in samenwerking met GTD Promotions, zijn nu te koop en kunnen worden gekocht bij Ticketmaster.com of aan de Koninklijke Farms Box Office maandag tot en met vrijdag van 10 a.m. ET 5 p.m. EN.
Een voormalige titelhouder bij 126 en 130 pond, Gamboa (29-2, 17 KO) heeft zijn laatste drie gevechten won, inbegrip van een beslissing over voormalig wereldkampioen Jason Sosa. Zijn laatste time-out, hij viel en versloeg Miguel Beltran Jr. met eenparigheid van stemmen. Een Olympisch gouden medaillewinnaar voor zijn geboorteland Cuba, Gamboa vecht uit Miami en zal kijken naar een andere wereld titel geschoten met een overwinning op De juli krijgen 27.
“Ik ben in een geweldige positie in mijn carrière en ik ben erg blij om weer op dit grote podium weer,” Said Gamboa. “Rocky Martinez is een zeer taaie en geduchte tegenstander en we zullen dit een geweldig gevecht voor de fans. Ik weet dat ik het zal langs deze uitdaging en verder om meer tent kansen. Ik ben op zoek naar gerichte Gervonta Davis en steeds weer wereldkampioen.”
Altijd in spannende en memorabele gevechten, Martinez (30-3-3, 18 KO) terug naar de ring maart door het uitspelen van William Gonzalez. Uitvechten van Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, Martinez is een drie-tijd 130-pond kampioen, die elite vechters zoals Mikey Garcia en Vasiliy Lomachenko heeft te maken gedurende een carrière die ook heeft gezien hem te verslaan de wil van Orlando Salido en Diego Magdaleno.
“Ik ben blij voor deze kans en deze kans om weer in de buurt van een wereld titel gevecht,” Said Martinez. “Ik train om te winnen tegen een goede vechter in Yuriorkis Gamboa. Het is een strijd die mijn toekomst zal bepalen, en ik ben volledig bereid om opnieuw wereldkampioen te worden, en deze keer in een andere gewichtsklasse.”
De 25-jarige Miller (19-1, 6 KO) heeft gewonnen 10 gevechten in een rij, waaronder een overwinning op de huidige wereldkampioen Jamel Herring, als hij kijkt naar een wereld titel gevecht te verdienen. Oorspronkelijk uit Memphis en nu woonachtig in Las Vegas, Miller begon 2019 met een eerste ronde knock-out over Daulis Prescott in februari en heeft nu zijn zinnen gezet op het verdienen van een wereld titel gevecht.
“Ik kom om een verklaring af te leggen op 27 Juli,” Said Miller. “Dat is de mentaliteit die ik heb getraind voor. Ik ben geconfronteerd met een voormalig wereldkampioen en een overwinning kan mijn naam stollen in de 135-pond divisie. Ik heb hard gewerkt en ik weet dat Corrales niets dat ik niet voorbereid op zal brengen. Ik ben opgewonden om deze kans hebben, voordeel uit te halen en krijgen een stap dichter bij een wereldkampioenschap.”
Vertegenwoordigen van zijn geboorteland Panamá, Corrales(23-2, 9 KO) won een 130-pond wereldtitel door het uitspelen van Takashi Uchiyama in Japan in 2016, voor hem te verslaan bij besluit in de herkansing. De 27-jarige terug naar de ring in april om knock-out Onalvi Sierra in twee rondes.
“Ik ben erg enthousiast om deze kans te hebben en dankbaar dat ik nog een kans om te vechten op het hoogste niveau,” Said Corrales. “Miller is een zeer bekwaam bokser en ik heb respect voor zijn capaciteiten. Ik ga hem te testen en te zien of hij kan vechten off van zijn rug voet. Ik ga dus bereid je dat ik alle hulpmiddelen om de overwinning te krijgen op vrijdag 27 juli.”
PHILADELPHIA / LOS ANGELES – Juli 1, 2019 -This past Saturday night, Brandon Adams announced himself as a top contender as he put on a gutsy performance against undefeated WBC World Middleweight Champion Jermall Charlo in Charlo’s hometown of Houston.
The bout was the main event that and was televised live on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®, in which Adams gave a strong account for himself.
Adams took some of the best shots that the power punching Charlo could throw, and not only was Adams never hurt in the fight, in the later rounds, he began to take the fight to the hometown champion.
“I was ready to risk it all. I went into the fight looking to dominate and get the stoppage victory. I knew going into the fight that is what I needed to do going into his hometown,” Said Adams.
Adams was not in the least intimidated by stepping into enemy territory, but there were a few things that happened during the fight that he did not expect which hindered his gameplan.
“The referee would not let me get low. As you saw during the fight, I was crouching down to get inside, but the referee gave me a warning for doing that. I had to think of a different way to get in there without revealing myself,” continued Adams.
Hoewel, the television announcers and many on social media seemed surprised at the gutsy effort from Adams, the Watts, California native was very confident of his abilities as he entered the ring on Saturday night.
“Ik voel me goed. I knew I was capable of being on that level. I took out of the fight is that there are a few little things that I can work on and that I could have done in there. I did not know the referee would not let me get low or even let us fight in close as much as I wanted. I felt he would break us a little quickly. I also got hit in the back of the head a couple of times. Fighting in his hometown was tough.”
“I know this fight will help me better myself. Coming out of The Contender, my goal was to fight at 154 pond, but this was a world title opportunity. I proved that I am on that level at 160, and I will now look for the best opportunities at both 154 and 160.”
“We are very proud of Brandon. He fought very hard and put on a great performance,” said Artie Pelullo of Banner Promotions. “Brandon proved that he is a world class fighter, and now the world has seen what we already knew, that he is on the elite level. There will be many doors that will be open for him to secure more big fights.”
“I was impressed on how Brandon performed,” said Jeff Wald, Co-Creator and Co-Executive Producer of The Tournament of Contenders. “He has a big career ahead of him at both 154 en 160 pond.”
FOX PBC Fight Night is Headlined by Former World Champion Jermell Charlo Taking on Mexico’s Jorge Cota
LAS VEGAS (Juni 14, 2019) – Unbeaten rising prospectChris “Prime Time” Colbert will step into the ring against Puerto Rico’sAlberto Mercadoas the headliner of FOX PBC Fight Night Prelims on FOX and FOX Deportes Sunday, Juni 23 from Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
The 22-year-old will be fighting in Las Vegas for the first time as a pro, but he’s determined to not let Sin City’s bright lights distract him June 23.
“Vegas is a great fight city and they say that you have to fight there to make it big, but I’m just focused on doing what I have to do to get the win by any means necessary,” said Colbert. “I always look to dominate and show that I’m one of the best fighters in the world, but you never know how a fight will go. Sometimes you just have to do what you have to do to get the win.”
Colbert has already faced three undefeated fighters in his 11-fight pro career, plus two other fighters who had only suffered one loss. His last fight saw him dominate veteran Mario Briones on FS1 in April.
“I’ve always wanted to stand out and do what others can’t,” said Colbert. “No other prospect or young champions are coming up like me. I don’t want to pad my resume. From the beginning, I’ve told my advisors that I wanted to face the best to prove myself every time I step into the ring.”
The Brooklyn-native has been hard at work with longtime coach Aureliano Sosa as they prepare for a durable opponent in the 31-year-old Mercado, who has never been stopped in his career.
“I like to keep training camp very consistent,” said Colbert. “I’m just sparring more and more. I think I’ve put in well over 200 rounds of sparring ahead of this fight. I’m just practicing what I’m going to do on fight night. Every camp involves strength and conditioning, rennen, gym work and eating well. This is my lifestyle. It’s not a seasonal thing for me. I don’t take any breaks.”
As he ascents toward the elite level of the professional ranks, Colbert will continue to flash his speed and skill, combined with his trademark confidence and work ethic.
“There’s a lot of great fighters out there, but I believe I’m the best and I’m committed to fighting everyone to prove it,” said Colbert. “We’re not in a race to the title. This is a marathon, not a spring. When I get the title, I want to keep it for a long time. Voor nu, I’m just enjoying the ride and continuing to do what I do best.”
Tickets voor het evenement, which is promoted by Lions Only Promotions, TGB Promotions and Mayweather Promotions, are on sale now and can be purchased at AXS.com.
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ABOUT CHARLO VS. COTA Charlo tegen. Cota pits former super welterweight world champion Jermell Charlo against Mexico’s Jorge Cota in a super welterweight attraction that serves as the main event of FOX PBC Fight Night on FOX and FOX Deportes Sunday, Juni 23 from Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
FOX PBC Fight Night coverage begins at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT and features former world champions Guillermo Rigondeaux and Julio Ceja clashing in a 12-round WBC featherweight title eliminator in the co-feature, plus sensational unbeaten prospect Joey Spencer faces Akeem Black in a six-round super welterweight bout.
Preceding that show is FOX PBC Fight Night Prelims beginning at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT and will see exciting unbeaten prospect Chris Colbert taking on Puerto Rico’s Alberto Mercado in an eight or 10-round lightweight bout and unbeaten welterweight prospect Jesús Ramos in a four-round attraction.
Kijkers kunnen de PBC-shows live streamen op de FOX Sports- en FOX NOW-apps of op FOXSports.com. Bovendien, alle programma's zijn beschikbaar op FOX Sports op het SiriusXM-kanaal 83 op satellietradio's en op de SiriusXM-app.
Also Featuring Unbeaten Prospects Omar Juárez, Mychal Teal & Meer!
Unbeaten Middleweight Champion Jermall Charlo Makes Hometown Return to Battle Brandon Adams in Premier Boxing Champions Main Event Live on SHOWTIME®
HOUSTON (Juni 11, 2019) – Houston-nativeMiguel Flores will return to the ring to fight in his hometown against Mexico’sLuis MayZaterdag, Juni 29 in a 10-round super featherweight fight that highlights an action packed night of undercard attractions from NRG Arena in Houston.
The event is headlined by another Houston-native, unbeaten WBC Interim Middleweight Champion Jermall Charlo, who will face middleweight contender Brandon Adams in the main event live on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT).
Tickets voor de live-evenement, die wordt bevorderd door Lions Alleen Promoties en TGB Promotions, are on sale now and can be purchased through Ticketmaster. Charlo tegen. Adams is promoted in association with Banner Promotions and The Tournament of Contenders.
Undercard bouts also feature unbeaten Brownsville, Inheems in Texas Omar Juárezin a four-round welterweight attraction against Pennsylvania’sSeifullah Wijs, ongeslagenMycheal Tealvan St. Petersburg, Florida taking onMark Beukefor a four-round middleweight affair and unbeaten San Antonio-nativeRaymond Guajardofacing Compton, Californië Jaime Meza in a four-round middleweight fight.
Rounding out the action is undefeated Weslaco, Inheems in Texas César Cantústepping in for a four-round super featherweight clash against North Carolina’sChante Bowens, a six-round lightweight bout between McAllen, Inheems in Texas Nelson Hamptonand West Virginia’sDakota Lingerand the pro debut ofZamy Larryin a four-round super middleweight showdown versus North Carolina’sCarlos Umanzor.
Born in Michoacan de Ocampo, Mexico and living in Houston, Bloemen (23-2, 11 KO) will return to the ring for the first time since April 2018, when he stopped Raul Chirino in two rounds. The 26-year-old was scheduled to challenge Leo Santa Cruz for his featherweight world title in February before suffering an ankle injury in training. He looks to get one step closer to regaining a title opportunity when he faces the 35-year-old May (21-14-1, 8 KO) from Yucatan, Mexico.
Twee-Time Super vedergewicht wereldkampioen Gervonta Davis Maakt Baltimore Homecoming om titel te verdedigen tegen verplichte uitdager Ricardo Núñez zaterdag, Juli 27 Live op Showtime® van Royal Farms Arena
WBA Super vedergewicht titlist Davis is de eerste wereldkampioen van Baltimore naar Make Hometown Defensie in bijna 80 Jaar
Tickets te koop Morgen, Vrijdag, Juni 7 bij 12 p.m. EN!
BALTIMORE (Juni 6, 2019) – Twee keer super vedergewicht kampioen en Baltimore-native Gervonta “Tank” Davis zal zijn WBA titel te verdedigen in een kampioenschap thuiskomst tegen verplichte uitdager Ricardo “wetenschappelijk” Núñez Zaterdag, Juli 27 live op Showtime van Royal Farms Arena in Baltimore in een gebeurtenis die door Premier Boxing Champions.
Showtime Championship Boxing begint bij 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT en zal de jongste regerende Amerikaanse wereldkampioen in Davis voorzien, als hij de eerste wereldkampioen van Baltimore naar een thuiskomst verdediging in bijna maken 80 jaar.
Tickets voor het evenement, die wordt bevorderd door Mayweather Promoties en TGB Promotions, hebben nu een aanbieding morgen, Vrijdag, Juni 7 bij 12 p.m. ET en kunnen worden gekocht bij Ticketmaster.com of aan de Koninklijke Farms Box Office maandag tot en met vrijdag van 10 a.m. ET 5 p.m. EN.
“Het brengen van een show naar Baltimore voor Gervonta om te presteren op een podium in de voorkant van zijn geboortestad fans heeft al een lange tijd vragen van hem en ik ben blij dat het komt tot bloei,” aldus Leonard Ellerbe, CEO van Mayweather Promotions. “De timing die zijn thuiskomst plaatsvindt kon niet beter met hem zijn carrière te hebben verheven tot de meest opwindende vechter in de sport en klaar om zijn geboortestad fans geven een traktatie deze zomer. Juli 27 bij Royal Farms Arena zal iets bijzonders voor de stad Baltimore zijn.”
“Op slechts 24 jaar oud, Gervonta Davis is al een van de grootste sterren in het boksen, en zijn tekenen van kracht blijft groeien met elke prestatie,” zei Stephen Espinoza, President, Sport en Event Programming, Showtime Networks Inc. “Hij heeft gescoord knockouts in elk van zijn vijf opeenvolgende optredens op Showtime, terwijl spannende fans met zijn theater in en uit de ring. Voor zijn volgende test, Gervonta wordt geconfronteerd met een tegenstander met een even indrukwekkende knock-out ratio in Ricardo Núñez. We verwachten dat vuurwerk voor zo lang als deze strijd duurt.”
Davis (21-0, 20 KO) werd de jongste regerende Amerikaanse wereldkampioen in 2017 toen hij leverde een ster-makende prestaties op Showtime door het uitspelen van Jose Pedraza voor de IBF 130-pond titel op gewoon 22 jaar oud. Nu, hij maakt zijn terugkeer naar zijn geboortestad om te vechten voor het eerst als een wereldkampioen.
De 24-jarige werd de jongste twee keer wereldkampioen in april 2018 toen hij knock-out Jesus Andres Cuellar in de derde ronde van de WBA Super vedergewicht Championship bout. Meest recentelijk hij knock-out voormalig wereldkampioen Hugo Ruiz in de eerste ronde van zijn eerste Showtime main event in februari. Davis, die eigenaar is van knockouts in alle vijf van zijn WK-gevechten, is de eerste Baltimore inheemse te verdedigen in zijn woonplaats sinds Harry Jeffra verdedigde de vedergewicht wereldtitel in 1940.
“Het was altijd een doel van mij om een wereld titel te vechten terug naar mijn stad Baltimore brengen,” Said Davis, die niet heeft gevochten in Baltimore sinds zijn vierde pro gevecht. “Ik ben enthousiast en dankbaar dat mijn team voor het helpen dit te laten gebeuren op zaterdag, Juli 27. Tickets zullen snel gaan, dus wacht niet op ze te kopen! Ik kan niet wachten op een geweldige show te zetten en om te zien al mijn supporters in Baltimore mij helpen om het een avond om te onthouden bij Royal Farms Arena.”
De hard-hitting Panamese Núñez (21-2, 19 KO) maakt zijn het Amerikaanse. debuut op juli 27 als hij probeert te profiteren van zijn eerste wereldtitel kans. De 25-jarige is op een 10-gevecht winning streak, waarin hij heeft gescoord negen knock-out overwinningen. Na zijn tegenstander werd gedwongen terug te trekken uit een geplande maart 2 bout op Showtime,Núñez scoorde een eerste ronde knock-out van Eduardo Pacheco in april om het drie opeenvolgende knockouts post in dit kampioenschap bout.
“Mijn dochter staat op het punt geboren te worden en met haar in het achterhoofd ben ik heel hard gewerkt voor deze strijd,” Said Núñez. “Ik ben wijdt dit gevecht aan mijn dochter en Panama, die heeft me altijd gesteund. Ik ben dankbaar voor deze kans en hoewel sommige mensen niet veel over me weten, na juli 27, iedereen zal mij kennen als de nieuwe kampioen van de wereld.”
STACKED CARD SUPPORTS MANNY PACQUIAO VS. KEITH THURMAN SHOWDOWN THAT HEADLINES PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON FOX SPORTS PAY-PER-VIEW EVENT SATURDAY, Juli 20 UIT het MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas
Unbeaten Former Champion Omar Figueroa Jr. Tangles withTop Contender Yordenis Ugás in WBC Welterweight Title Eliminator
Hard-Hitting Former Champion Sergey Lipinets Clashes Against Rugged Veteran John Molina Jr. in Welterweight Duel
Former Champions Collide When Unbeaten Brawler Luis Nery Battles Crafty Juan Carlo Payano in Bantamweight ShowdownBij 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT
LAS VEGAS (Juni 6, 2019) – Undefeated former world championOmar “De Panterita” Figueroa Jr. neemt Yordenis Ugásin a 12-round WBC welterweight title eliminator highlighting a loaded undercard in support of the Manny Pacquaio vs. Keith Thurman battle for welterweight supremacy that headlines Premier Boxing Champions on FOX Sports Pay-Per-View on Saturday, Juli 20 van het MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
The action also features hard-hitting former world championSergey Lipinets going toe-to-toe against rugged veteranJohn “De Gladiator” Molina, Jr. in a 10-round welterweight match. The show opens with former world champions squaring-off as undefeated power-puncherLuis “Pantera” Nerytakes on slick-boxingJuan Carlos Payanoin a 12-round bantamweight bout at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.
The stacked card is the perfect accompaniment for the summer’s biggest fight, which will pit boxing’s only eight-division world champion and Philippine SenatorManny “Pac Man” Pacquiaoagainst undefeated WBA Welterweight World ChampionKeith “Een Keer” Thurmanin a powerhouse 147-pound showdown in the main event. This high-stakes match will firmly give the winner a claim for the top spot in one of boxing’s deepest and most talented divisions.
Tickets voor het evenement, which is promoted by MP Promotions, Mayweather Promotions and TGB Promotions, are on sale now and can be purchased online through AXS.com, opladen via de telefoon op 866-740-7711 or in person at any MGM Resorts International box office.
“MP Promotions is proud to be co-presenting this all-action undercard with PBC and FOX Sports,” said Sean Gibbons, President of MP Promotions. “It will be a historic night of boxing, spanning many platforms and this is the type of PPV undercard that is jam packed with top-flight boxers. When you look at the fighters involved in supporting what is the best biggest fight of the year – Pacquiao vs. Thurman – you can be assured that the night will be filled with non-stop action.”
Figueroa (28-0-1, 19 KO) is a come forward boxer-puncher who’s yet to meet an opponent who could slow down his relentless style. The 29-year-old from Weslaco, Texas, is coming off a unanimous decision victory over John Molina Jr. in February on FOX. A former lightweight world champion, Figueroa owns victories over former world champions including Robert Guerrero, Ricky Burns and Antonio DeMarco.
“I’m excited for this fight against a talented Olympian who’s very skilled,” Said Figueroa. “I know he will be moving around the ring a lot, so I’m going to have to move with him and chase him all night. I’m going to have to be in really good shape and work hard on my conditioning. This fight has definitely raised the stakes for me, so I know I have to be ready. I’m going to have a good camp and come in with excellent preparation for July 20.”
The 32-year-old Ugás (23-4, 11 KO) has been one of the busiest welterweight contenders in boxing the last two years, fighting three times in both 2017 en 2018. Ugás, who is from Santiago, Cuba and now lives in Miami, Florida, was on an eight-fight win streak before losing a narrow split-decision to Shawn Porter in a world title fight on FOX in March.
“I’m very excited to be on the biggest card of the year,” said Ugás. “Omar Figueroa Jr. is a tremendous fighter, and that’s the style I like to face. I’m an all-action fighter and the fans are going to be in for a full course meal before the actual main event. Dat ik kan beloven. You don’t want to miss this event and you don’t want to miss this war. I’m grateful to FOX Sports and PBC for including me in an event of this magnitude.”
The 30-year-old Lipinets (15-1, 11 KO) made a successful debut at 147-pounds in March with a TKO victory over former two-division champion Lamont Peterson in a PBC on FS1 fight that is an early Fight of the Year frontrunner. Lipinets, who was born in Kazakhstan, grew up in Russia and now lives in Los Angeles, has only one loss on his record. He lost his 140-pound belt in a 2018 showdown against four-division champion Mikey Garcia.
“There’s no slowing down in my march to get that welterweight championship belt,” said Lipinets. “Zoals altijd, I’m fighting a guy that is very dangerous and tough to the last bell. My title shot is right around the corner. I’m very excited to be part of a show like this and I’m grateful for these opportunities in my career and I promise that I’ll earn my keep. I’m looking forward to becoming a two-time world champion.”
Molina (30-8, 24 KO) is coming off a close unanimous decision loss to Omar Figueroa Jr. in februari. A tough veteran brawler, Molina, of West Covina, Californië, has been in the ring with some of the top boxers at lightweight, junior welterweight and welterweight. Over his 13-year career he’s been involved in multiple Fight of the Year contenders while picking up victories over Ruslan Provodnikov, Mickey Bey, Hank Lundy and Ivan Redkach.
“It’s going to be another barnburner like every one of my fights,” Said Molina. “My opponent is tough and durable, so I know it is going to be another exciting fight for my fans. There’s no surprises at this stage of the game for me. This is going to be a huge night from top to bottom and I can’t wait.”
Nery (29-0, 23 KO) is a power puncher and has stopped his last 10 opponents and 14 van zijn laatste 15. He scored a TKO victory over Shinsuke Yamanaka for the world bantamweight title in 2018. The 24-year-old southpaw from Tijuana, Mexico is coming off a dominant stoppage victory over McJoe Arroyo on the March PBC on FOX Sports Pay-Per-View.
“I am thrilled to be back on a PBC on FOX Sports Pay-Per-View event and to be fighting on a card with my friend, Senator Manny Pacquiao,” zei Nery. “To fight in Las Vegas has been a dream of mine since I turned professional. All the great Mexican fighters have fought in the fight capital of the world. My fight against Juan Carlos Payano is the last step to me getting my shot at the WBC championship and getting my belt back. Viva Mexico!”
Payano (21-2, 9 KO) is coming off a unanimous decision victory over then-unbeaten Damien Vazquez in October on FS1. It was a bounce back victory from his loss to Naoya Inoue in a world title match last October. The only other loss in the career of the 35-year-old from La Vega, Dominican Republic came in another world title match, when he dropped a majority decision to Rau’shee Warren in 2016, after previously beating Warren for the title in 2015.
“Manny Pacquiao has been my favorite fighter since I’ve been a pro and I’m very excited to be fighting on this pay-per-view,” said Payano. “I even nicknamed myself ‘Baby Pacquiao,’ so this is a special honor. Fighting Luis Nery is also a great opportunity for me. Luis is a very hungry, strong fighter looking to regain his championship status. Helaas, he is not going to do that with me. I’m sure he will be ready and come for war, and so will I.”
