Tag Archives: Premier Boxing Champions

boxing, Fox Sports 1, Premier Boxing Champions

Former World Champion Miguel Vazquez Takes On Super Lightweight Contender Erick Bone in New Main Event Of Premier Boxing Champions on FS1 & FOX Deportes from The Dancehall in San Antonio On Saturday, May 28

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Televised Coverage Begins at (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT)
 
Tickets on Sale Now!
 
SAN ANTONIO (May 19, 2016) – Former world champion Miguel “Titere” Vazquez (35-5, 13 KOs) is set to take on super lightweight contender Erick Bone (16-3, 8 KOs) in the 10-round main event of Premier Boxing Champions(PBC) on FS1 and FOX Deportes from the Dancehall in San Antonio on Saturday, May 28 with televised coverage beginning at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.
Bone replaces Felix Diaz, who was forced to withdraw from the bout due to injury. Bone will return to 140-pounds after challenging Shawn Porter and Chris Algieri at welterweight in 2015.
“I’m very excited about the opportunity to face a former world champion like Miguel Vazquez next Saturday night,” said Bone. “I look forward to fighting in front of the great fans in San Antonio and proving that I am a dangerous fighter that will leave it all in the ring.”
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Leija Battah Promotions and TGB Promotions, are priced at $100, $85 and $20 and $1,000 and $850 for VIP tables, before taxes and fees and are on sale now. To purchase tickets, call (210) 988-8821 visit http://lbtickets.ticketleap.com/march28th2016/ or in person at Champion Fit Gym at 6824 San Pedro Ave.
The 29-year-old Vazquez had a successful reign as 135-pound champion and defended his title eight times during his championship run. After beating Ji-Hoon Kim for his title, he would go on to defend it against the likes of Denis Shafikov, Mercito Gesta, Leonardo Zappavigna and Ammeth Diaz. Fighting out of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, Vazquez’s most recent victory came against Jerry Belmontes and he is looking to rebound from a decision loss to Algenis Mendez in October.
The 26-year-old Bone has fought in the U.S. since 2014 and began his career stateside with victories over Francisco Figueroa, Mahonri Montes and Peter Oluoch. Born in Manabi, Ecuador, Bone won the first 12 bouts of his career. His most recent losses have come at welterweight and against former world champions. Now, he returns to the 140-pound division where he picked up a South American title in 2012.
For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, TGBPromotions.com, http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage and www.foxdeportes.com. Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @TitereVazquez, @LeijaBattahPR, @TGBPromotions @FS1, @FOXDeportes, @CowboysDanceHal and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/foxsportsand www.facebook.com/foxdeportes. PBC on FS1 and FOX Deportes is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.
boxing, CBS Boxing, Premier Boxing Champions

Stacked Undercard Comes to Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Saturday, June 25

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Exciting Matchups Feature Unbeaten Fighters as Jarrett Hurd Faces Oscar Molina & 
David Benavidez Takes On Francy Ntetu
&
Brooklyn Fan Favorites Heather Hardy & Adam Kownacki Return
 
Plus! Undefeated Prospect Regis Prograis, 2012 Spanish Olympian
Jonathan Alonso & Unbeaten Josue Vargas
As Part of Exciting Night of Action
BROOKLYN (May 19, 2016) – A stacked undercard featuring top rising talent and local favorites will light up the ring at Barclays Center in Brooklyn as part of an extraordinary night of action on Saturday, June 25.
The June 25 SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® on CBS event, presented by Premier Boxing Champions, is headlined by the highly anticipated welterweight showdown between world champion Keith Thurman and former champion Shawn Porter. Televised coverage begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT with an exciting battle between featherweight world champion Jesus Cuellar and former three-division world champion Abner Mares.
In undercard action, undefeated super welterweights, Maryland’s Jarrett Hurd (17-0, 11 KOs), and California’s Oscar Molina (13-0, 10 KOs), will collide in a 10-round bout while undefeated light heavyweights, Arizona’s David Benavidez (14-0, 13 KOs) and Francy Ntetu (16-0, 3 KOs), will mix it up in an eight-round fight.
Two staples of Brooklyn boxing will also enter the ring on June 25 as Heather “The Heat” Hardy (16-0, 4 KOs) competes in an eight-round super bantamweight attraction while Polish bruiser Adam Kownacki (13-0, 10 KOs) competes in a heavyweight bout.
Also in action on June 25 is hard-hitting, highly regarded 140-pound prospect Regis Prograis (17-0, 14 KOs) in a 10-round fight, 2012 Spanish Olympian Jonathan Alonso(8-0, 4 KOs) in a six-round super lightweight scrap and Mayweather Promotions prospectJosue Vargas (4-0, 3 KOs) in a four-round fight.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment, start at $49 and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased online by visiting www.ticketmaster.com, www.barclayscenter.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Tickets are also available at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. Group discounts are available by calling 844-BKLYN-GP.
Fighting out of Accokeek, Md., Hurd has an unblemished professional record since turning pro in 2012. The 25-year-old opened up 2015 with a third-round stoppage of veteran Eric Mitchell and followed with a seventh-round stoppage of previously unbeaten Jeff Lentz in August. He stepped up in competition last November when he faced Frank Galarza in Las Vegas and was able to show off his considerable skill by stopping the previously unbeaten fighter in the sixth round of perhaps a career-best performance.
Representing Mexico, the 2012 Olympian Molina fights out of Norwalk, Calif., and is unbeaten in his brief professional career. The 26-year-old turned pro in 2013 and after winning a decision in his first bout, he went on to knock out six opponents in a row. His last bout came against fellow unbeaten Domonique Dolton and featured exciting back-and-forth action before the fight was ruled a majority draw.
The younger brother of undefeated Jose Benavidez, David has racked up a perfect 14 wins in 14 starts at just 19-years-old. Fighting out of Phoenix, Benavidez picked up four victories via stoppage in 2015 and kicked off his 2016 with a knockout of Kevin Cobbs in January. Most recently, he scored a second round knockout of Phillip Jackson Benson in April. The next challenge for Benavidez is the 33-year-old Ntetu, who won three times in 2015. Originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, he fights out of Montreal and will be making his fifth appearance in the U.S. on June 25.
A popular Brooklyn fighter who competed in Barclays Center’s first-ever professional female boxing match, Hardy has become a staple at the arena since. On June 25, she will be making her seventh appearance at Barclays Center. A little over two years after her pro debut, Hardy won an international title belt in the super bantamweight division in October 2014. In 2015, she defeated Noemi Bosques and Renata Domsodi twice. In her lone 2016 fight, she stopped Anna Donatella Hultin in the fourth round.
A two-time New York Golden Gloves champion, Kownacki had a big 2015, notching four victories including knockouts of Maurenzo Smith and Randy Easton. Born in Lomza, Poland, the 26-year-old now calls Brooklyn home. His 2016 campaign began in January at Barclays Center when he defeated Danny Kelly in front of a raucous Polish crowd.
Originally from New Orleans but fighting out of Houston, Prograis continues to work his way up the 140-pound rankings as he takes down veteran contenders. The 27-year-old looked sensational in his last outing as he scored a first round knockout over Mexico’s Aaron Herrera. Already named on of ESPN’s top prospects in 2015, he will look to cement his contender status in 2016.
Born in the Dominican Republic, Alonso moved to Spain at seven-years-old and would eventually represent the country at the 2012 Olympics. Now training in Brooklyn, the 25-year-old is undefeated since turning pro in 2014 while splitting time fighting in New York and Spain.  He is coming off a victory over Ricardo Maldonado in February.
Vargas began boxing at age eight and by by age 13 the New York Daily News dubbed him a “prodigy.” Fighting out of New York, the 17-year-old Vargas recently signed to the Mayweather Promotions stable and will make his debut with his new promoter on June 25.
 
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Barclays Center’s BROOKLYN BOXING™ programming platform is presented by AARP. PBC is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.
For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports and www.premierboxingchampions.com, follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @PremierBoxing @KeithFThurmanJr, @ShowtimeShawnP, @AbnerMares, @LouDiBella, @BarclaysCenter and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports, www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment and www.facebook.com/BarclaysCenter.
boxing, ESPN Boxing, PBC on ESPN, Premier Boxing Champions

Undefeated Knockout Artist Artur Beterbiev Returns to Take On Light Heavyweight Contender Ezequiel Maderna In Main Event Of Premier Boxing Champions Live On ESPN & ESPN Deportes Saturday, June 4 From Bell Center in Montreal (11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT)

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For Immediate Release
 
Unbeaten Rising Welterweight Contenders Meet As
Bryant Perrella Battles David Grayton in Co-Main Event
 
Tickets on Sale Now!
MONTREAL (May 18, 2016) – Unbeaten light heavyweight contender Artur Beterbiev (9-0, 9 KOs) will battle veteran Argentine Olympian Ezequiel Maderna (23-2, 15 KOs) in a 12-round showdown that headlines Premier Boxing Champions(PBC) live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes Saturday, June 4 from Bell Center in Montreal.
Televised coverage begins at 11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT and features an exciting co-main event that sees a pair of undefeated rising contenders enter the ring as Florida’s Bryant Perrella (13-0, 12 KOs) squares-off against Washington, D.C.’s David Grayton (14-0, 10 KOs) in a 10-round welterweight bout. PBC on ESPN returns for the first of seven fight nights between June 4 and August 12 that will feature exciting and competitive battles.
“I have never been out of the ring for a whole year as an amateur or professional so I can’t wait to fight,” said Beterbiev. “We’ve watched some tapes of Maderna and he seems like a complete fighter. We will be ready on June 4.”
“I’m working very hard in preparation of this fight,” said Maderna. “My goal is to fight a perfect fight that will be very important to my professional future.”
“I’m excited for an opportunity to take on a young undefeated lion who’s looking to become a world champion like myself,” said Perrella. “We’re grinding away every day at training camp. We have some new things we’re working on because we know he’s going to come at me hard. I’m ready to either box or brawl. Either way, I’m coming out on top.”
“I’m ready to get in the ring and put on a great performance,” said Grayton. “Training is going well and I’ve had lots of good sparring and conditioning. We know we have a rangy southpaw who’s going to be tough. It’s about whoever wants it the most and I bet I’ll be hungrier. When I get the win, the sky is the limit.”
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM), are on sale at the Bell Centre box office, on www.evenko.ca, at GYM (514) 383-0666) or at Champion boxing club (514) 376-0980.
“We will launch the Grand Prix activities, which is the biggest sports week in Montreal, with this card,” said Yvon Michel, President of GYM. “Artur is the next boxing superstar in Quebec. He injured his shoulder, but the surgery fixed everything. We plan for him to fight three times in 2016. We want Sergey Kovalev by the end of the year or beginning of 2017.”
Beterbiev returns to his adopted homeland after last fighting in June 2015 and recovering from a shoulder surgery. A two-time Russian Olympian, Beterbiev has fought out of Montreal for his professional career that began in 2013. The 31-year-old has sent all of his opponents out within the distance including dominating performances over former world champions Tavoris Cloud and Gabriel Campillo.
Maderna turned pro in 2008 after representing his native Argentina in the 2008 Olympics and was unbeaten in his first 19 fights before losing a narrow decision to Edwin Rodriguez. Both of the 29-year-old’s defeats have come to unbeaten fighters and he enters this fight on a three bout winning streak including a first round knockout of Rolando Mansilla his last time out.
An undefeated 27-year-old out of Fort Myers, Florida, Perrella comes in off a second round stoppage of Ramon Ayala in January. He picked up five knockouts in a row in 2015 and looks to make it 11 in a row overall when he faces his toughest test yet on June 4.
A Washington D.C. product, Grayton was a National Golden Gloves Champion who beat Errol Spence Jr. on his way to picking up that title. The 28-year-old entered the professional ranks in 2012 and is unbeaten since. He began 2016 with a stoppage of Daniel Souza Santos in January and now looks to make his mark in a competitive welterweight battle.
For information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com andwww.groupeyvonmichel.ca,  follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @ABeterbiev @@yvonmichelgym, @ESPNBoxing and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/premierboxingchampions andwww.Facebook.com/WarriorsBoxingPromo.  Highlights available to embed at www.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions. PBC on ESPN is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.
boxing, Fox Sports 1, Premier Boxing Champions

Unbeaten Cruiserweight Murat Gassiev Scores One Punch Knockout Victory Over Jordan Shimmell In First Round of Premier Boxing Champions TOE-TO-TOE TUESDAYS on FS1 & BOXEO DE CAMPEONES on FOX Deportes Main EventTuesday Night From Black Bear Casino Resort In Carlton, MN in the Otter Creek Event Center

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Minnesota Heavyweight Joey Abell Knocks Out Previously Unbeaten
Wes Nofire In Third Round of Co-Main Event
&
Heavyweight Stephan Shaw Remains Undefeated With
Victory Over Danny Kelly
Click HERE For Photos From Andy Samuelson/
Premier Boxing Champions
(Photos Being Added Shortly, Check This Link)
 
CARLTON, MN. (May 18, 2016) – Unbeaten cruiserweight contender Murat “Iron” Gassiev (23-0, 17 KOs) scored a sensational knockout victory over Jordan Shimmell (20-2, 16 KOs) in the main event of Premier Boxing Champions TOE-TO-TOE TUESDAYS on FS1 and BOXEO DE CAMPEONES on FOX DeportesTuesday night from Black Bear Casino Resort in Carlton, MN in the Otter Creek Event Center.
Gassiev delivered a powerful left hook that put Shimmell out on the mat and halted the cruiserweight title elimination bout immediately at 2:54 of the first round. Shimmell was able to move effectively for much of the round and had landed an early combination that got the attention of Gassiev.
The Russian fighter, who now trains in California with Abel Sanchez, was able to start working through the defense of Shimmell with his jab as the round wore on. The final blow came after Gassiev imitated a right hand and delivered the critical left hook while Shimmell was caught counter-punching.
The co-main event of the night saw local favorite Joey “Minnesota Ice” Abell (32-9, 30 KOs) deliver a dominant performance in knocking out previously unbeaten Wes Nofire (19-1, 15 KOs) in their heavyweight showdown.
The former title challenger bothered Nofire early and often from his southpaw stance and was successful with his left hand throughout the fight. Abell snuck in a strong right hook in round two that stunned Nofire before he delivered multiple left hooks to score the early knockdown.
Nofire tried to weather the storm but a big right hand from Abell again put Nofire down early in the third round. Nofire almost made it out of the round but Abell’s power in the left hand proved to be too much as a series of strong shots sent Nofire down for the final time before his corner stopped the fight.
Abell could hardly miss as he connected on 42 percent of his punches on his way to the stoppage at 2:12 of the third round.
In the opening bout, St. Louis heavyweight Stephan Shaw (7-0, 5 KOs) earned a shutout unanimous decision over Washington, D.C.’s Danny Kelly (9-3-1, 8 KOs) in their six-round bout.
Shaw controlled the action with superior boxing skills and strong combinations throughout the fight. Kelly had some success targeting the body of Shaw but was unable to maintain a consistently effective attack.
The punch stats were in line with the judges’ scores of 60-54 as Shaw out landed Kelly 95 to 56 while connecting at 34 percent mark to Kelly’s 23 percent.
Here is what the fighters had to say Tuesday:
MURAT GASSIEV
“I was trying to set up the final punch. I imitated the right overhand so that I could come back with the left hook. It was a combination that we practiced.
“It wasn’t the most powerful punch but I snapped it pretty well. I was ready to keep going but that punch was enough.
“I’ve trained hard and been improving my skills. I’m going to work and get ready for my title shot.
“I am extremely happy he got up and I hope he is okay. I never want to hurt anybody; I just want to win the fight.”
JORDAN SHIMMELL
“I got caught. Gassiev has power. It was a clean shot and I got hit, it is what it is.
“He’s a really good fighter with power. I’ll be back. It was a learning experience.”
JOEY ABELL
“I did this for myself. I wanted so see where I was at. I’m a different fighter when I have time to train.
“I’m going to give it some time to think about the next step. Right now I want to fight for the rest of my life, but if I got beat It would be different.
“This is exactly what I planned. I thought I might get him in the first round but I took my time. My punches were sharp. There were times in the past where I felt my timing was off but I’m in great shape so I wasn’t thinking about getting tired.”
WES NOFIRE
“I just didn’t get the shots I was looking for. I thought I was going to be able to back him up more with my jab. He stayed his distance and lunged in from out of range.
“One of the head butts caught me pretty good and I just couldn’t see what he was coming back with.
“The head butts were giving me problems and he followed up on me after them. He was a little stronger than I expected but I’ve been hit hard like that by other fighters.
“I’m disappointed. I trained really hard for the fight. I’ve never had a problem taking power before. It’s just one of those things that happens in everybody’s career, but I’ll be back.”
STEPHAN SHAW
“I felt great in there. It felt good to be victorious in my first fight on PBC. I fought a guy with a lot of experience and did what I had to do.
“I’m the best kept secret in America. That’s my motto.”
DANNY KELLY
“I started too late. I was working behind my jab but I didn’t do enough behind it. I gave it my all.
“He only hurt me once, with a right hand in the fourth round. I didn’t think he had speed but I should have start earlier.”
PBC on FS1 and FOX Deportes was promoted by Warriors Boxing in association with Seconds Out Fights.
Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @MuratGassiev, @TeamShimmell, @NofireBoxing, @WarriorsBoxingProm @FS1, @FoxDeportes and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/foxdeportesHighlights available atwww.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions. PBC on FS1 and FOX Deportes is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.
boxing, Fox Sports 1, Premier Boxing Champions

Heavyweight Brawl Between Stephan Shaw & Danny Kelly Featured On Premier Boxing Champions 

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TOE-TO-TOE TUESDAYS On FS1
& BOXEO DE CAMPEONES on FOX Deportes
Tuesday, May 17 From Black Bear Casino Resort in Carlton, MN
in the Otter Creek Event Center
 
Plus! Undefeated Prospects Leduan Barthelemy, Jose Quezada &
Ramiro Carillo Highlight Full Undercard of Action
 
CARLTON, MN. (May 16, 2016) – Unbeaten heavyweight Stephan Shaw (6-0, 5 KOs) will battle Danny Kelly (9-2-1, 8 KOs) in a six-round heavyweight attraction as part of Premier Boxing Champions TOE-TO-TOE TUESDAYS on FS1 andBOXEO DE CAMPEONES on FOX Deportes on May 17 from Black Bear Casino Resort in Carlton, MN in the Otter Creek Event Center.
The May 17 event is headlined by a cruiserweight world title eliminator between unbeaten knockout artist Murat “Iron” Gassiev and hard-hitting Jordan Shimmell. Televised coverage begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and features a heavyweight showdown between unbeaten Wes Nofire (and former title challenger and Minnesota-native Joey “Minnesota Ice” Abell.
 
Additional action features unbeaten prospect Leduan Barthelemy (9-0, 5 KOs) in a six-round featherweight fight against Mexico’s Rafael Eduardo Reyes (7-7, 6 KOs) while a pair of Chicago prospects enter the ring as Jose Quezada (9-0, 6 KOs) competes in a six-round lightweight bout against Ariel Vasquez (11-13-2, 8 KOs) and Ramiro Carrillo (9-0, 6 KOs) takes on Engelberto Valenzuela (10-6, 3 KOs) in a six-round junior welterweight attraction.
 
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Warriors Boxing in association with Seconds Out Fights, are priced at $20, not including applicable service charges and taxes and are on sale now. Tickets are available atwww.blackbearcasinoresort.com or by calling 1-888-771-0777.
 
Rounding out the night of fights are Milwaukee’s Deonte Wilson (4-0, 3 KOs) against fellow unbeaten Gilbert Venegas (5-0, 4 KOs) in a super welterweight fight and a battle of Minnesota natives as Mengistu Zarzar (4-0, 3 KOs) and John Moxey (2-4, 1 KO) compete in a four-round cruiserweight matchup.
A decorated amateur, Shaw won the 2013 USA and PAL National Championships in addition to being a semifinalist in that year’s National Golden Gloves tournament. The 23-year-old from St. Louis turned pro later that year and has knocked out four of his five professional opponents since then. He takes on the 24-year-old Kelly from Washington, D.C. who enters this fight the winner of three of his last four tilts.
Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @MuratGassiev, @TeamShimmell, @NofireBoxing, @WarriorsBoxingProm @FS1, @FoxDeportes and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/foxdeportesHighlights available atwww.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions.
boxing, NBC, Premier Boxing Champions

Exciting Light Heavyweight Star Andrzej Fonfara Takes On Hard-Hitting Joe Smith Jr. In Primetime Main Event of Premier Boxing Champions on NBC Saturday, June 18 from UIC Pavilion in Chicago (8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT)

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Plus! Bantamweight World Champion Juan Carlos Payano Battles
Rau’shee Warren in Rematch of 2015 Thriller
&
Rising Star Erickson Lubin Faces Mexican Brawler Daniel Sandoval in Super Welterweight Bout That Rounds Out Action-Packed Tripleheader
 
Tickets on Sale Now!
 
CHICAGO (May 13, 2016) – Power-punching fan favorite Andrzej Fonfara (28-3, 16 KOs) will enter the ring against no nonsense New Yorker Joe “The Irish Bomber” Smith Jr. (21-1, 17 KOs) on Saturday, June 18 in a 10-round primetime battle that headlines Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on NBC from UIC Pavilion in Chicago.
Televised coverage begins at 8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT and will feature a bantamweight world title rematch that sees current champion Juan Carlos Payano(17-0, 8 KOs) take on three-time U.S. Olympian Rau’shee “Nuke” Warren (13-1, 4 KOs) as they rehash their rivalry that began in August 2015 when Payano won a narrow split-decision to retain his title. Also featured on the telecast is rising star Erickson “The Hammer” Lubin (14-0, 10 KOs) who faces powerful Mexican Daniel Sandoval (37-3, 34 KOs) in a super welterweight contest.
“I think that this fight Smith is a great challenge for me and I do not underestimate him,” said Fonfara. “He is young and hungry and he wants to use this fight and my name to show the world his skills. He’s coming to Chicago for victory and glory. I have to show him that I am stronger, more experienced and most importantly, a smarter fighter. I have to win this fight because it will open the door for me to rematch Adonis Stevenson.”
“I’ve been working very hard and for many years towards an opportunity like this,” said Smith Jr. “I am grateful to Joe DeGuardia and Star Boxing for helping to get me here. This fight is going to change my life and no one is going to keep me from winning.”
Payano and Warren first fought in Florida where Payano retained his title via split decision with scores of 113-111 twice for him and 115-109 for Warren. The fight featured consistent action and some controversy. Payano was deducted a point in round three while Warren lost two points in round nine for an intentional foul. At the end of the fight, both men raised their hands believing they had won and now they look to settle the score in Chicago.
“I knew this rematch would be offered and it’s been a waiting game since I beat him the first time,” said Payano. “I feel like I won convincingly, but some people feel otherwise. I’m very excited about fighting him again and this time I’ll beat him even more easily. Fighting on NBC is a great privilege and it’s a great place to showcase my talents. I am coming in humbled by this opportunity.”
“I’ve been waiting for this rematch since the moment we got out of the ring the first time,” said Warren. “I’m happy it’s finally coming up on June 18. Until that day is here, there is nothing else on my mind. I’m real sharp right now. I’m going for the knockout. It didn’t go my way last time, but I’m bringing home the belt this time.
“Every fight is big for me, whether I’m televised or not, because I always give it my all,” said Lubin. “But fighting in primetime on NBC is a big opportunity for me and I know it will bring something out of me. I have to perform. It’s up to me to go out and showcase my talent so I can keep moving up the ladder. Daniel Sandoval is a veteran who can prepare me for a world title shot. I’m more than ready and this fight will put me one step closer.”
“This is a very good fight for me and I’m excited,” said Sandoval. “I know if I come to the U.S. and beat Lubin, my name will be big and there will be another great Mexican fighter on the map. I know Lubin is the top prospect in the U.S. right now and a very fast southpaw. He is all the things you wouldn’t want to go up against, but it’s boxing and I’m Mexican. I’ll fight anybody, anytime, anywhere.”
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Warriors Boxing and Star Boxing, are priced at $201, $101, $61 and $41, not including applicable service charges, and are on sale now. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 or UIC Pavilion Box Office at (312) 413-5740. Tickets are also available atwww.ticketmaster.com or by visiting the UIC Pavilion Box Office (Thursday or Friday 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.).
“Warriors Boxing is excited to bring PBC on NBC to the Windy City,” said Leon Margules, President of Warriors Boxing. “Chicago’s favorite son, Andrzej Fonfara, always thrills fans with his non-stop fighting style. Joe Smith Jr. has been destroying his competition in New York and also brings a fan friendly ‘seek-and-destroy’ style to the fight. The main event should be explosive. When you add up-and-coming superstar Erickson Lubin and if Payano vs. Warren II live up to their prior Fight of the Year candidate, it will be a can’t miss night of boxing.”
“I am truly looking forward to this main event,” said Joe DeGuardia of Star Boxing. “Smith and Fonfara are both very exciting fighters and I expect a thrilling war. Their styles will have Chicago rocking with enthusiastic Irish fans for Smith and Polish fans for Fonfara. The electric atmosphere will be a treat to everyone watching on NBC and I expect big things from Joe Smith Jr.”
Fonfara returns to the ring after defeating Nathan Cleverly in October at UIC Pavilion in a fight that garnered Fight of the Year consideration and saw a record number of punches landed (936) and thrown (2524) for a light heavyweight fight in CompuBox history. Prior to that, the 28-year-old became the first person to stop Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and lost a decision to world champion Adonis Stevenson in a fight that saw both men hit the canvas. From Warsaw, Poland but training out of Chicago, Fonfara will fight in the Windy City for the 20th time when he enters the ring in primetime on June 18.
Representing Long Island, New York, Smith Jr. will bring his heavy hands to primetime as he looks for his 16th straight victory on June 18. The 26-year-old was a highly decorated amateur who won the 2008 New York Golden Gloves with a victory over Seanie Monaghan. A member of the Local 66 Laborers Union between fights and the oldest of eight siblings, Smith Jr. picked up his most impressive victory of his career so far when he defeated veteran Will Rosinsky in a hotly contested battle in Brooklyn. He followed it up with a second round stoppage of Fabiano Pena in April and is set for his toughest challenge in June.
The two-time Dominican Olympian Payano will defend his title for the second time since winning a technical decision over Anselmo Moreno in September 2014. The accomplished amateur won gold at the 2006 Central American and Caribbean games with victories over McJoe Arroyo and Yoandris Salinas. The unbeaten 32-year-old defeated Jundy Maraon, Jose Silveria and Luis Maldonado on the way to his title shot.
A three-time U.S. Olympian from Cincinnati, Warren is determined to make the most of his second shot at a world title. The 29-year-old turned pro in 2012 and picked up victories over veterans Jose Luis Araiza, Javier Gallo, German Meraz and Jhon Alberto Molina leading up to the first world title shot. Another fighter in veteran trainer Mike Stafford’s stable, Warren was the first member of the 2012 U.S. Olympic team to earn a world title shot and will look again to become the first member of that team to capture a world title.
A highly-regarded prospect with an exciting style, the 20-year-old Lubin has burst onto the scene looking to engage and finish opponents early. Fighting out of Orlando, he has already taken down experienced veterans including Orlando Lora, Ayi Bruce, Michael Finney and Norberto Gonzalez. He was sensational in November 2015 when he knocked out Alexis Camacho on NBC and in January he headlined his first card and dominated Jose De Jesus Macias in his first 10-round bout.
A winner of 18 of his last 19 fights, Sandoval enters this fight coming off of stoppage victories over Grady Brewer and Francisco Villanueva. The 25-year-old has won his previous two starts in the U.S. with decision victories over Richard Gutierrez in 2014 and Larry Smith in 2012 and will look to take down the undefeated Lubin on June 18.
follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @Andrzej_Fonfara, @JC_Payano, @RausheeWarren, @EricksonHammerL, @WarriorsBoxProm, @StarBoxing and @NBCSports and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxing,www.Facebook.com/WarriorsBoxingPromo and www.Facebook.com/NBCSports.Highlights available at www.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions. PBC on NBC is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.
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Jesus Cuellar & Abner Mares Los Angeles Media Roundtable Quotes & Photos

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Featherweight World Title Fight Opens Coverage
Live on CBS at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT Before
Keith Thurman vs. Shawn Porter Welterweight World Title Showdown
 
Click HERE For Photos From Scott Hirano/SHOWTIME
 
LOS ANGELES (May 12, 2016) – Featherweight world champion Jesus Cuellar and former three-division world champion Abner Mares went face-to-face for the first time Thursday as they hosted media roundtables in Los Angeles ahead of their showdown on Saturday, June 25 showdown live on CBS from Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING on CBS, presented by Premier Boxing Champions, begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and is headlined by the highly anticipated welterweight clash between welterweight world champion Keith Thurman and former world champion Shawn Porter.
Tickets for the June 25 event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment, start at $49 and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased online by visiting www.ticketmaster.com, www.barclayscenter.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Tickets are also available at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. Group discounts are available by calling 844-BKLYN-GP.
With both men training in California, the two met for the first time at The Palms Restaurant about their fight and respective training camps before they head east to Brooklyn for the primetime battle.
Here is what the participants had to say Thursday:
JESUS CUELLAR
“I’ve been training very hard for this fight. You will see on June 25 that I have one of the best chins out there. I’m excited to finally have this fight.
“I have no bitterness towards Robert Garcia. I’ve seen him and I’m thankful for him making me a champion. This is business. This is work.
“We’ve been training in Big Bear for a little over two months now so I’m pushing myself very hard for this fight. I’m thankful for this great opportunity and I want to make the most of it.
“On June 25, I will once again give it my all and leave it all in the ring. At the end of the fight I will prove who the champion is and raise my hand in victory.
“I’m focused and well prepared. I’m ready for anything that happens. I know I’m going to win the fight. It doesn’t matter how, but I’m going to win.
“This is the same team we’ve had for four years, whether Robert Garcia is here or not. We’re ready to take on anyone.
“We’ve wanted this fight for two years and finally it is the time. We’re going to be in great shape and I know Mares will be in great shape too. We’re very happy that the fight was made. June 25 I’m going to prove that I am the number one featherweight champion.
“I’m just excited to go in the ring and give my best on June 25. I’m going to bring the victory home to Argentina.
“I’m thankful to be an Argentine champion and I’m happy to represent my country as the only world champion right now.”
ABNER MARES
“I’m really happy to be a part of this card against a really tough fighter in Jesus Cuellar. I know he’s mentioned that he wants to fight me and I’ve never been scared to do so. It’s all about timing. Now he’s going to know what it’s like to fight a top level fighter.
“I’ve been in boxing for many years. I’ve fought many tough fights. Against Leo Santa Cruz it wasn’t the outcome that we wanted, but we showed that we have the heart and the intelligence to fight top level guys.
“I’m happy that I’m fighting some with a legacy. Jesus Cuellar is a tough fighter, he hits hard and I respect him. I have nothing bad to say about him as a person. I know he’s going to be well conditioned, but I’m a level higher and I’m going to show it on June 25.
“This is a fight that I can gain so much and Robert Garcia too. He’s going to show, through me, that it was a big mistake for Cuellar to leave him.
“I feel great about the Santa Cruz fight, despite the loss on my record. It was a win, because I gained so much, a lot of respect and a lot of experience.
“I have a lot of reasons to be excited about this fight. One, I’m finally going to New York. I’ve never been there in my life. Two, I will become a world champion again. Three, I’m definitely fighting a top-level fighter. As I’ve mentioned many times before, I like these types of fights. It always brings out the best in me.
“Against Cuellar you’re going to see a different Abner, a new Abner. With Robert Garcia as my coach I have the slight advantage that he once trained Cuellar and took him to a world title. He’s a tough fighter, but he can’t say I’m not either.”
JUAN MANUEL LEDESMA, Cuellar’s Trainer
“We worked with Robert for four fights. We worked together and made Jesus a better fighter. Now there is the opportunity to continue working with Jesus, so I see no controversy or problems there.
“The long camp was what we needed. We needed to clear up some stuff and work on some things that were lacking. We got extra time in the altitude and being in Big Bear we are away from any distractions. Jesus is focused on what he needs to work on.
“Abner Mares is a great, skilled fighter. We have been working together to perfect the skills that we need to bring into the fight. When the day comes, we will be ready for the fight.”
ROBERT GARCIA, Mares’ Trainer
“When Mares first started working with me, we had no idea we were going to fight Jesus Cuellar. Now that we’re back in camp, I definitely have to take advantage of all the things I know about Cuellar. He has weaknesses that I know and I’m working on them with Abner.
“Abner is a fighter who over the last few years has given a lot of exciting brawls and great fights. Abner has tremendous skills though. When I met him years ago he had those skills but they weren’t being honed. People will think I taught him these skills, but I’m just bringing them back.
“Cuellar leaving me was the best thing that could have happened. If Cuellar hadn’t left, I wouldn’t have Mares. I got a great fighter and a great person. Things happen for a reason. We are going to do great things in boxing.”
STEPHEN ESPINOZA, Executive Vice President & General Manage, SHOWTIME Sports
 
“Right now there is some criticism of boxing, that the best aren’t fighting the best. All you have to do is look at this card. These are the right fights. The right weight at the right time.
“June 25 we have two marquee matchups. All four fighters ranked in the top 10 in their respective divisions taking on each other. Thurman and Porter, Cuellar and Mares, this is the best doubleheader of the entire year. I will put these two fights against any doubleheader that airs on television. That was our focus when we turned to CBS for this broadcast.
“The Thurman v. Porter and Cuellar v. Mares fights showcase fighters in the primes of their careers. What we have here are four fighters that are willing to take on the best, not make a spectacle of it.  The go about their business with great care for the craft and they simply come to fight.
“Featherweight is one of the hottest divisions in the sport. You know Abner Mares, he has one of the best resumes in boxing. If you look at the list of fights that he has had, there aren’t a lot of big names on it and now the New York City fans will get to see what he has to offer.
“The champion, Jesus Cuellar has quietly put together his own very strong resume. What we have here is a fascinating matchup.”
KEVIN ROONEY, Director of Communications, DiBella Entertainment
“We’re truly honored and excited to promote this fight. Lou DiBella said at the New York presser for the main event that this is ‘the best this sport has to offer.’ These are not only tremendous world title matchups, but two of the biggest and most exciting matchups that can be made in their respective divisions taking place at Barclays Center, the premier sporting venue on the East Coast.
“A testament to how big an event this is, is how the tickets are moving. We are hoping and anticipating that some fans will make it over from the West Coast.
“Robert Garcia trained Jesus Cuellar for much of his career and the two won a world title together. Robert Garcia is here today but with his new charge, Abner Mares. The two have their first fight together and they believe that this will be the best Abner Mares we have ever seen.
“For Cuellar it will be his second fight with Juan Manuel Ledesma, but the two have worked together since Cuellar was a kid. It should be exciting to see how it plays out on fight night.
“We know that Sergio Martinez will be there on fight night to cheer on his fellow countryman in Jesus Cuellar and we look forward to seeing an exciting fight.”
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Barclays Center’s BROOKLYN BOXING™ programming platform is presented by AARP. PBC is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.
For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports and www.premierboxingchampions.com, follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @PremierBoxing @KeithFThurmanJr, @ShowtimeShawnP, @AbnerMares, @LouDiBella, @BarclaysCenter and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports, www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment and www.facebook.com/BarclaysCenter.
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Shawn Porter Spars With TV & Radio Personality Charlamagne Tha God In Special Event At Gleason’s Gym

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Click HERE for Photos From Ed Diller/DiBella Entertainment/
Premier Boxing Champions
 
BROOKLYN (May 12, 2016) – Former welterweight world champion Shawn Porter hosted a special celebrity sparring session with TV and Radio personality Charlamagne Tha God at Gleason’s Gym on Wednesday afternoon in an event open to the media and public.
Porter has spent the week in Brooklyn as he prepares for his Saturday, June 25showdown with Keith Thurman in the main event of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING on CBS, presented by Premier Boxing Champions from Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Televised coverage begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT with featherweight world champion Jesus Cuellar battling former three-division world champion Abner Mares.
Tickets for the June 25 event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment, start at $49 and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased online by visiting www.ticketmaster.com, www.barclayscenter.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Tickets are also available at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. Group discounts are available by calling 844-BKLYN-GP.
Porter, along with his father and trainer, Ken, are training at the world famous Gleason’s Gym as they prepare for Shawn’s primetime battle in the county of Kings. Porter invited Barak Bess of Sirius XM, Rhett Butler of The Shadow League and Nestor Gibbs of Tha Boxing Voice to try their best in the ring against the former champion, leading up to the rounds with Charlamagne.
Here is what the participants had to say Wednesday:
SHAWN PORTER
“It was nice and relaxed in there. My main goal was to not get caught with anything flush and give people something to talk about. It was really fun. These guys gassed out quicker than I thought. They might have thought I was coming to knock them out.
“I hope these guys learned a little something and found out how much harder it is to do than to talk about.
“Charlamagne did well. He came in with some toughness and a bit of a game plan. He knew I was here to put on a show, but he competed.
“It’s easy on the outside, but it’s hard when you get inside this ring. To get them to feel that kind of excitement from this crowd, now they know. They were a little hyped up and in a world championship fight you have to learn how to hone that energy into something productive.
“I feel really good and I’m glad to be here. I’m happy we came out to Brooklyn. It’s the tail end of camp and I’m ready to fight. I can’t wait for June 25.”
CHARLAMAGNE THA GOD
Before the sparring:
 
“I expect Shawn to take it easy on me. Hopefully he doesn’t bruise me up too bad.
“This will not be an Apollo Creed-Ivan Drago situation. Shawn doesn’t have anything to prove against me. He’s ready to prove it June 25 against Keith Thurman, not against Charlamagne Tha God right now.
After the sparring:
 
“I watch boxing, so I respect the craft. I was in there for two rounds and I feel like I was running for two hours. This is no joke, respect boxers. If you see them in the street, don’t mess with them.
“He was faster than I thought he was. Hand speed, foot speed and he had power. He got me pretty good a couple times, I’m glad I had this gear on.
“Porter and Keith Thurman are two of my favorite young fighters. ‘One Time’ does hit hard, but if he doesn’t move, then Porter is going to be able to get on the inside and I think he can knock him out.
“I really like both guys, so I don’t know who is going to win. I’m not a gambling man, but if I had to pick, I put my money on Porter.”
KEN PORTER
“We’re fighting in Brooklyn and at Barclays Center and every time we’ve been there they’ve opened up their arms to us and been so welcoming. Shawn won his first world title here. So I thought, let’s go to Brooklyn and make it our home and become a part of what is going on here.
“Shawn is in excellent shape, so he doesn’t need to get in shape during camp. We didn’t have to consider that when we decided to come to Brooklyn.
“The people in Brooklyn have rolled out the red carpet for us. That’s why we’re here. We felt welcomed every time we came here to fight or to watch a show. I said let’s go home, let’s make Brooklyn home.”
#          #          #
Barclays Center’s BROOKLYN BOXING™ programming platform is presented by AARP. PBC is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.
For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports and www.premierboxingchampions.com, follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @PremierBoxing @KeithFThurmanJr, @ShowtimeShawnP, @AbnerMares, @LouDiBella, @BarclaysCenter and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports, www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment and www.facebook.com/BarclaysCenter.
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BETERBIEV IS BACK! Arthur Beterbiev vs. Ezequiel Maderna June 4 at Montreal’s Bell Center PBC on ESPN in U.S., PPV in Canada

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MONTREAL (May 11, 2016) —  World light heavyweight contender Artur Beterbiev returns to the ring Saturday night, June 7, to defend his World Boxing Organization (WBO) International and North American Boxing Association (NABA) title belts against Argentinian champion Ezequiel “El Olympico” Maderna in the 12-round main event at historic Belle Centre in Montreal, Canada.
 
Presented by Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM), the “Grand Prix” boxing event is part of the prestigious Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) series, which will air live in Canada on pay-per-views starting at 8:00 p.m. ET via Canal Indigo, Bell TV and Shaw TV.  The main event and co-feature, commencing at 11:00 p.m. ET / 8:00 p.m. PT, will be broadcast on ESPN in the United States.
 
“We will launch the Grand Prix activities, which is the biggest sport week in Montreal, with this card”, said the President of GYM, Yvon Michel. “Artur is the next boxing superstar in Quebec. He injured his shoulder, but the surgery fixed everything and we plan to give him three fights in 2016. We aim at Sergey Kovalev by the end of the year or the beginning of 2017.”
The 31-year-old Beterbiev (9-0, 9 KOs), the adopted son of Montreal, is on a seek-and-destroy mission for his first fight in one year. The two-time Russian Olympian (pictured to the left) hasn’t fought since last June, when he stopped Alexander Johnson in the 7thround, due to a shoulder injury that required surgery.
 
Beterbiev is world ranked among the top six in all four major sanctioning organizations:  IBF #2, WBO & WBA #4, and WBC #6.  The power-punching Betervbiev will be defending his WBO International and NABA titles against Maderna.
 
During his 3-year professional career, Beterbiev has defeated two former world champions, Gabriel Campillo and Tavoris Cloud.
 
 
Maderna (23-2, 15 KOs) is a veteran fighter from Argentina, the same country that has produced numerous championship boxers, from Luis Firpo to Sergio Martinez, as well as well standout contemporaries such as IBF cruiserweight champion Victor Ramirez, along with contenders Lucas Matthysse, Jesus Cuellar, Omar Narvaez and Juan Carlos Reveco.  In his most recent action last May, Maderna stopped Rolando Wenceslao Mansilla in the opening round for the Argentina super middleweight championship.
 
Also airing on ESPN in the co-feature, undefeated American prospects Bryant “Goodfella” Perrella (13-0, 12 KOs), fighting out of Fort Myers, Florida, and David “Day Day” Grayton (14-0, 10 KOs), of Washington D.C., square off in a 10-round middleweight bout.
 
Unbeaten super welterweight Jamontay “Quiet Assassin” Clark (9-0-0, 6 KOs), from Cincinnati, Ohio, meets an opponent to be determined in a 6-round “TV swing” match.
Montreal’s undefeated heavyweight Oscar “Kaboom” Rivas (18-0, 13 KOs), also a 2008 Colombian Olympian, returns in an 8-round bout versus TBA.
 
Also fighting on the undercard is popular French-Canadian welterweight Sebastian Bouchard (12-1, 4 KOs) who meets an opponent to be determined in an 8-rounder; Montreal super bantamweight Vislan Dalkaev (6-0, 2 KOs) vs. Mexican invader Javier “El Chivero” Franco (25-17-4), Montreal super middleweight Dario Bredicean (8-0, 2 KOs) against TBA and Toronto’s Parnell Fischer (0-1, 0 KOs) vs. Mexican opponent Larami “Sir” Carmona (1-2, 0 KOs) in a 4-round fight.
 
All fights and fighters are subject to change.
 
Tickets are on sale at the Bell Centre box office, on www.evenko.ca, at GYM (514) 383-0666) or at Champion boxing club (514) 376-0980.
 
INFORMATION:
Twitter:  @YvonMichelGYM, @ABeterbiev, @OscarKaboom
Instagram:  @YvonMichelGYM, @ArturBeterbiev
boxing, PBC on ESPN, Premier Boxing Champions

Perrella to face Grayton June 4 on ESPN

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Fort Myers, FL (May 11, 2016) – Welterweight sensation Bryant “Goodfella” Perrella will face his toughest foe to date when he challenges fellow unbeaten southpaw David “Day-Day” Grayton Saturday, June 4 at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

 

The Perrella-Grayton bout serves as the co-main event of a Premier Boxing Champions card televised on ESPN.

 

Living and fighting out of Fort Myers, FL, the heavy-handed Perrella has a stellar 13-0 professional ledger with 12 wins by knockout. Against Grayton, the 6’0 Perrella fights on TV for a third consecutive time, previously halting both Chaquib Fadli and Ramon Ayala. Prior to that, Perrella impressively stopped dangerous Patrick Boozer, ending a remarkable year and a half run where he took out three previously unbeaten fighters. As an amateur, Perrella competed in the 2012 US Olympic Trials where he defeated current rising star Regis Prograis before coming up short against Sammy Vasquez and eventual winner Errol Spence.

 

Hailing from talent-laden Washington, DC, Grayton is an excellent 14-0 and has ten kayos. In October 2015, Grayton bested often-avoided Martin Wright over eight rounds. Fighting under the tutelage of George Peterson, who developed Paul Williams into one of boxing’s best fighters, Grayton had an excellent amateur pedigree of his own. In 2010, he defeated the aforementioned Spence to capture National Golden Gloves title and he also won bronze at the 2012 tournament.

 

“I know he’s undefeated and is coming to fight but this is a big step up for him,” Perrella said of Grayton. “I expect him to try and drag me into a dog fight. Regardless of what he brings, I’m looking forward to come out on top with a great performance. I’ve fought the better opposition and have been asking for harder fights. I believe I’m an overall better fighter and on June 4 everybody will see that.”

 

Michael Nowling, Perrella’s head trainer, is very familiar Grayton and is equally as confident his fighter will emerge victorious.

 

“David Grayton is a strong and athletic southpaw that is coming to win. Regardless, he’s never fought anybody like Bryant Perrella. For some time now, I’ve wanted Bryant to step up and fight another prospect because I believe he’s better than a lot of guys out there. Against Grayton, our plan is to break him down and win in style. Doing so in a fight like this can set us apart from other prospects.”

 

The card is promoted by Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM) and is headlined by a bout featuring light heavyweight contender Artur Beterbiev against 2008 Argentinean Olympian Ezequiel Maderna.

 

Tickets will be available on Groupeyvonmichel.ca/eng/tickets.html shortly.