Tag Archives: Premier Boxing Champions

boxing, Premier Boxing Champions

Payano vs. Warren: Premier Boxing Champions – The Next Round To be Streamed Live on BounceTV.com Sun. Aug. 2 at 9:00 pm (ET)

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World Bantamweight Championship Fight Between

Juan Carlos “Baby Pacquiao” Payano and Rau’shee “Nuke” Warren Headlines Card

 

Plus Four-Man Junior Middleweight Tournament:

Olympic Silver Medalist Yudel Jhonson vs. Jorge Cota &

 Olympian John Jackson vs. Dennis Laurente

 

ATLANTA (July 21, 2015) – Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) comes to Bounce TVon Sunday, August 2 at 9:00 p.m. (ET), with the debut of a new monthly series kicked-off by Payano vs. Warren: PBC – The Next Round, which will showcase the sport’s future stars and potential champions.

 

Bounce TV is free on the broadcast signals of local television stations and corresponding cable carriage.  The network announced today that it will also stream the telecast live on BounceTV.com.

 

The main event for the series premiere of PBC – The Next Round will be a 12-roundWorld Bantamweight Championship fight between Juan Carlos “Baby Pacquiao”Payano (16-0, 8 KOs) and Rau’shee “Nuke” Warren (13-0, 4 KOs).  Both fighters are Olympians – Payano for the Dominican Republic and Cincinnati southpaw Warren, a three-time Olympian for the United States. Each fighter brings an undefeated record to the battle for the title.

 

The co-feature is a two-fight tournament in the junior middleweight division: A 10-round match of Olympic Silver Medalist Yudel Jhonson (17-1, 9 KOs) taking on the knockout machine Jorge Cota (24-1, 22 KOs), plus 10 rounds of Olympian John Jackson (19-2, 15 KOs) battling Dennis Laurente (49-5, 30 KOs).  The winners of the two bouts will face-off on a date to be announced soon.

 

Payano vs. Warren:PBC – The Next Round, promoted by Warriors Boxing and Sampson Boxing, will take place at Full Sail Live, the state-of-the-art performance venue on the campus of Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida.

 

Ambassador Andrew Young and Martin Luther King III are among the founders of Bounce TV, the fastest-growing African-American (AA) network on television and the #2 most-watched AA network.  Bounce TV features a programming mix of original and off-network series, theatrical motion pictures, specials, live sports and more.  Bounce TV has grown to be available in more than 85 million homes across 90 markets, 90% of African American television homes — including all of the top AA television markets — and three quarters of the total television homes in the United States.
boxing, Premier Boxing Champions, Spike TV

Antonio Tarver believes He is destined to be oldest World heavyweight champion

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Preparing to sink Steve “USS” Cunningham Aug. 14 on Spike TV

MIAMI (July 21, 2015) – Five-time world champion Antonio “Magic Man” Tarver(31-6, 22 KOs) honestly believes that he is destined to become the oldest world heavyweight champion in boxing history.

 

Before he gets a world title shot against fellow 1996 Olympian Wladimir Klitschko, the universally recognized world heavyweight champion, Tarver realizes that he has to get past former two-time IBF champion Steve “USS” Cunningham (28-7, 13 KOs) in their 12-round heavyweight showdown August 14 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

 

WBA #9 Tarver vs. IBF #6/WBC #14 Cunningham is the main event on a Premier Boxing Champions series show airing live on Spike TV, the same network Tarver serves as its boxing color commentator.

 

“I know my purpose will set me apart from some great champions,” Tarver remarked. “I am supposed to be world heavyweight champion. I don’t know how but I will be world heavyweight champion. I truly believe that it is my destiny. Cunningham can’t stop me and neither can (Deontay) Wilder; he can’t learn enough to beat me. I’ll knock him out and get the one guy I really want to fight, Klitschko. When I beat him it’ll be the greatest story in boxing history. All the disbelievers will have to believe in ‘Magic Man!’

 

“Three years ago, I was buried six-feet under but they forgot to put dirt on me. Champions have to have resolve. I could have quit a lot of times. My resolve will make me world champion once again. No fighter has ever struggled like me and overcoming those struggles will make me world champion again.”

 

The ever popular Tarver realizes that, at 46, he isn’t the same fighter he as was in his early to mid-thirties, especially during a four-year, nine-fight murderous stretch between 2002-2006. As one of the world’s top pound-for-pound fighters, he shocked nearly invincible Roy Jones, Jr. in two of three fights, split a pair with Glen Johnson, defeated Montell Griffin, Eric Harding and Reggie Johnson, and lost to Bernard Hopkins.

 

“I know I’m getting older because the calendar flips over once a year,” Tarver said, “but I don’t look at it as me getting old. I’m not saying I don’t wake up in pain during training camp without minor injuries, but nothing can stop me.

 

“It’s not an accident that I still have my speed and quickness. I am better today in many respects because I’m smarter from all of my experience.”

 

Known as one of the greatest defensive fighters ever, Tarver is fighting for his legacy and rightful place in the Hall of Fame after he finally retires. And now comes news that he will become a grandfather in September. “When I do decide to retire,” Tarver concluded, “I’ll hand the torch to my son, (undefeated middleweight prospect), Antonio Tarver, Jr.”

 

Not only does Antonio Tarver believe he’s destined to become the oldest world heavyweight champion, he will become the first to do so as a grandfather.

 

www.OfficialAntonioTarver.com

 

@MagicMan5XChamp
boxing, Premier Boxing Champions

PAYANO VS. WARREN: PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS – THE NEXT ROUND ON BOUNCE TV TAKES PLACE SUNDAY, AUGUST 2 LIVE FROM FULL SAIL UNIVERSITY IN WINTER PARK, FLORIDA 9:00 P.M. ET

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TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

 

Tripleheader Features World Title Fight Between

Juan Carlos Payano & Rau’shee Warren

 

Plus Four-Man Junior Middleweight Tournament That Pits

Yudel Jhonson vs. Jorge Cota & John Jackson vs. Dennis Laurente

 

Winter Park, Florida (July 20, 2015) – Payano vs. Warren: Premier Boxing Champions – The Next Round on Bounce TV debuts Sunday, August 2 at 9:00 p.m. ET on Bounce TVfrom the state-of-the-art performance venue, Full Sail Live, on the campus of Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida with tickets on sale for the event now.

 

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Warriors Boxing and Sampson Boxing, are on sale and priced at $50 for reserved seating and $25 for general admission and can be purchased by calling Warriors Boxing at (954) 985-1155 or by visiting warriorsboxing.com. Tickets can also be purchased through Ticket Force by calling (877) 840-0457 or by clicking HERE.

 

The main event of the evening will be a 12-round Bantamweight World Championship fight between Juan Carlos “Baby Pacquiao”Payano (16-0, 8 KOs) and Rau’shee “Nuke” Warren (13-0, 4 KOs).  Both fighters are Olympians – Payano for the Dominican Republic and Cincinnati southpaw Warren, a three-time Olympian for the United States. Each fighter brings an undefeated record to the battle for the title.

 

The co-feature is a two-fight tournament in the junior middleweight division: A 10-round match where Olympic Silver medalist Yudel Jhonson (17-1, 9 KOs) takes on the knockout machine Jorge Cota (24-1, 22 KOs), plus 10-rounds of Olympian John Jackson (19-2, 15 KOs) battling Dennis Laurente (49-5, 30 KOs).  The winners of the two bouts will face-off on a date to be announced soon.

 

PBC – The Next Round will be a monthly series on Bounce TV and will showcase the sport’s future stars and potential champions. Bounce TV is the nation’s first-ever over-the-air broadcast television network designed for African-American (AA) audiences and is seen free on the digital broadcast signals of local television stations and corresponding cable carriage.  Bounce TV has become the fastest-growing AA network on television and the #2 most watched.  The network is available in more than 85 million homes across 90 markets, 90% of African American television homes — including all of the top AA television markets — and three quarters of the total television homes in the United States. Bounce TV features a programming mix of original and off-network series, theatrical motion pictures, specials, live sports and more.

 

#  #  #

For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, follow on Twitter@PremierBoxing,@BounceTV, @JC_Payano, @RauSheeWarren, @WarriorsBoxingProm @Fullsail and @Swanson_Comm and follow the conversation using #PBConBounce, become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.Facebook.com/BounceTVwww.Facebook.com/fullsailuniversity and www.Facebook.com/WarriorsBoxingPromo.
boxing, Premier Boxing Champions

Two critical decisions paying Dividends for Beibut Shumenov

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(L-R) – Head coach Ismael Salas and Beibut Shumenov

(photo by Isaiah Gomez / Mayweather Promotions)

LAS VEGAS (July 20, 2015) – Nearly one year ago, former World Boxing Association (WBA) Light Heavyweight World champion Beibut Shumenov (15-2, 10 KOs) made two critical decisions that are now paying dividends as the 2004 Kazakhstan Olympian prepares for this Saturday night’s (July 25) showdown with B.J. Flores (31-1-1, 20 KOs) at The Palms in Shumenov’s adopted home of Las Vegas.

First, after struggling to lose weight in order to make the 175-pound light heavyweight limit, which often left Shumenov weakened during his fights, he decided to move up one weight class to fight as a cruiserweight. Then, after self-training himself for three fights, Shumenov started working with highly-regarded Cuban head trainer Ismael Salas, who also trains World Boxing Council (WBC) World Lightweight Champion Jorge Linares. He has also handled present and past world champions such as Guillermo Rigondeaux, Yuriokis Gamboa, Danny Green, and Jesse Vargas.

With Salas in his corner for the first time, Shumenov made his cruiserweight debut last December at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, in which Bobby Thomas, Jr. (14-2, 9 KOs) retired after the fifth round when he could no longer take an old-fashioned beating.

These two aforementioned critical decisions have already positioned WBA No. 1-ranked Shumenov to fight WBA No. 3-rated Flores for the interim WBA cruiserweight title, headlining a Premier Boxing Champions event to air live on NBCSN.

Shumenov is a physical specimen, impressively cut with bulging muscles. However, as he aged, the constant wear and tear associated with making weight – it’s much more difficult to lose muscle than fat – simply became too much for him to overcome. When he first came to the United States eight years ago, ironically, he thought about fighting as a heavyweight or cruiserweight, but he ultimately decided to fight as a light heavyweight. He went on to set the world light heavyweight record for fewest career fights, 10, needed to become world light heavyweight champion

“Since moving up to cruiserweight,” Shumenov said, “I have had no problems making weight. No stress at all! All I think about now is how I can be a better fighter. I really enjoy being a cruiserweight and I have only positive energy at the gym.”

Salas agrees that Shumenov is comfortable and effective fighting as a world-class cruiserweight. “Beibut has adapted very well to fighting in the cruiserweight class,” Salas noted. “It is due to his healthy way of working hard and eating well. He doesn’t struggle anymore to make weight. Plus, he still has good mobility and power punching ability.”

The connection between Shumenov and Salas was immediate, largely due to a similar boxing program Shumenov learned in Kazakhstan, Salas in Cuba, which focus on fundamentals.

“Ismael is the coach I dreamed of finding,” Shumenov remarked. “We have a lot of similarities in our boxing school background. We had chemistry right away, from the first day of training. I also have two assistant coaches, Jeff Grmoja and Rodney Crisler, and we all discuss and share our boxing knowledge as a team to help me become a better fighter. We now all think as one.”

Salas agrees with Shumenov about their instant connection, adding: “It is true that we come from very similar training systems. We’ve added a professional approach to training, stressing the fundamentals of boxing skills. Add Beibut’s mental strength and all his hard work to be prepared in the ring to adjust, in approximately 10 months, and we have a new team that works so well together.”

On paper, Flores may have an experience advantage over Shumenov – 33 pro fights to 17 – but Shumenov has faced a much higher quality of opposition having fought in eight (6-2) world title fights. In his 17 pro fights, Shumenov has fought five world champions and five world title challengers. Flores lost to the only world champion he’s fought, then-IBO cruiserweight Danny Green.

“We’re prepared to face anything BJ Flores will bring, so I believe it’ll be an exciting, competitive fight between two experienced fighters,” Salas concluded. “The first few rounds may be a like a master chess game.”

Fans may friend Beibut Shumenov on his Facebook Fan Page at www.facebook.com/BeibutShumenov.
boxing, CBS Boxing, Premier Boxing Champions

Undefeated prospect Mario Barrios dominates in first 8-round bout

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 Photos By Lucas Noonan – PBC

EL PASO, TX (July 19, 2015) – In his first 8-round bout, undefeated Super-Featherweight sensation, Mario Barrios (10-0, 5 KOs), cruised to a sound victory against Arturo Esquivel (9-3, 2 KOs), to record his tenth win.  The impressive conquest took place this past Saturday at the Don Haskins Center in El Paso, Texas on the PBC on CBS event, headlined by Carl Frampton vs. Alejandro Gonzalez Jr.

 

Using his tremendous height and reach advantage, Barrios controlled the action with a long jab and precise combinations.  Esquivel, who was the naturally bigger man, wasn’t able to land any clean punches on Barrios, who won every round.  Scorecards read 80-72 across the board.

 

“Going eight rounds for the first time was a great learning experience for me.” said Mario Barrios, who is managed by Al Haymon. “I was able to pace myself throughout the entire fight and never got tired.  I could have gone four more rounds if this was a twelve round fight.  Esquivel is a very tough fighter and I’m glad we both came out healthy.  I’ll be ready to get back in the ring as soon as Haymon has another date for me.  I’m very thankful for all the opportunities Haymon Boxing has given me.”

boxing, CBS Boxing, Premier Boxing Champions

CARL FRAMPTON DEFEATS ALEJANDRO GONZALEZ JR. IN U.S. DEBUT ON PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON CBS

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 CHRIS ARREOLA AND FRED KASSI FIGHT TO A DRAW

 

DOUBLEHEADER KICKS OFF HUGE DAY OF BOXING IN EL PASO, TEXAS

           

Photo Credit – Esther Lin/CBS

 

Click HERE For Photos

Photo Credit: Esther Lin/CBS

 

El Paso, Texas (July 18) – Undefeated Irish star Carl “The Jackal” Frampton (21-0, 14 KOs) showed massive heart and determination, as he successfully defended his junior featherweight title against Alejandro Gonzalez Jr. (25-2-2, 15 KOs) at the Don Haskins Center in El Paso and live on PBC on CBS. Fighting in his U.S. debut. Frampton was knocked down twice in the first round, but bounced back in impressive fashion to win via unanimous decision (116-108 twice and 115-109).

In the televised opener, heavyweights Chris “The Nightmare” Arreola (36-4-1, 31 KOs) and “Big” Fred Kassi (18-3-1, 10 KOs) fought a close 10-round bout ending in a majority draw.

 

Gonzalez Jr. came out swinging and hit Frampton with a hard straight left jab less than a minute into the fight, sending the Northern Ireland-native to the canvas for the first time in his career.  Frampton was knocked down again with less than 15 seconds left in the as first, when Gonzalez hit Frampton with a sharp right hand behind his ear. Gonzalez was deducted a point in the third round for a low blow and again in the 11th.

 

“The Jackal” lived up to the lofty expectations of his U.S. debut by throwing and landing 100 more punches than Gonzalez Jr., including nearly triple the amount of jabs. Gonzalez Jr., threw more power punches, however, Frampton was more accurate with his power shots.

 

“I didn’t feel great in the first round. I got up from two flash knockdowns though and recovered well. The kid could punch very well,” said Frampton. “The ring canvas was very soft. I couldn’t get up on my toes and that’s my best attribute. I got up and showed courage. I came back and won most of the rounds and gave excitement.”

 

Frampton continued, “I wanted to win by knockout. It didn’t happen. I’m disappointed, but I’ll re-evaluate and move on; onwards and upwards. He hit me low so many times, but you’ve got to deal with that and carry on and that’s what I did.”

 

“I definitely won the fight, I was much more effective,” said Gonzalez. “I want a rematch and I’m happy to do it in his hometown. I’ll take whatever fights are best for me either at 118 or 122.”

 

“The ref overreacted to the low blows, I was just doing my body work,” Gonzalez continued. “I’m not a dirty fighter, I play by the rules and this was disappointing. He’s a good fighter but I’m the best he’s ever faced.”

 

In the opening bout of the telecast, Arreola prepared to make a statement that he was ready for another world title shot, yet was unable to deliver the performance he had hoped due to Kassi’s solid game plan and heavy-hitting fists. The scores were 96-94 for Arreola and 95-95 (twice).
“It was a good decision.  It was just a tough fight,” said Arreola. “Fred came to fight and he’s a survivor.  He held right, he moved right.  He came here with a good strategy and he got a draw out of it.”

 

Arreola continued, “I know if I get Deontay (Wilder), I’d be in much better shape and a lot better prepared.  Not that I wasn’t prepared for Kassi, but he came here with a good fight and was prepared.”

 

Kassi did not take anything away from Arreola, but clearly felt that he won the bout.

 

“I’m not happy with the decision,” said Kassi. “I feel that I won every round of the fight. I showed tonight I was the better fighter. I take nothing away from Chris. I’ve been his friend for years. People don’t know me, so I just wanted to show the world I could do it. I proved that I belong in the heavyweight division. I showed my heart. I‘ve been training hard for many years and I showed it tonight.”

boxing, ESPN Boxing, PBC on ESPN, Premier Boxing Champions

MATCHUP OF UNDEFEATED PROSPECTS TRAVIS PETERKIN AND LENIN CASTILLO HEADLINES STACKED UNDERCARD COMING TO BARCLAYS CENTER ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 1ST AS PART OF PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON ESPN

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BROOKLYN’S RAFAEL VAZQUEZ, ADAM KOWNACKI, AND

HEATHER “THE HEAT” HARDY ALSO IN ACTION

 

Tickets Are On Sale Now!

BROOKLYN (July 17, 2015) – A light heavyweight contest between Brooklyn’s own “Notorious” Travis Peterkin (15-0,7 KOs) and fellow undefeated prospect Lenin Castillo (12-0, 7 KOs) highlights a full night of undercard action at Barclays Center onSaturday, August 1.

 

The headlining event of the evening is a Premier Boxing Champions on ESPNdoubleheader featuring undefeated superstar Danny “Swift” Garcia (30-0, 17 KOs) taking on Brooklyn’s own Paulie “The Magic Man” Malignaggi (33-6,7 KOs), with middleweight champion Daniel “The Miracle Man” Jacobs (29-1, 26 KOs) squaring off against Sergio “The Latin Snake” Mora (28-3-2, 9KOs) in the co-feature.

 

Televised coverage begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. Fans in attendance will also be treated to a riveting undercard featuring an abundance of local talent on the rise.

 

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Swift Promotions, are priced at $250, $150, $120, $75 and $45, not including applicable service charges and taxes, and are on sale now. Tickets are available atwww.barclayscenter.com, www.ticketmaster.com and at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. To charge by phone, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. For group tickets, please call 855-GROUP-BK.

 

The showdown between hometown favorite Peterkin and the Dominican Castillo is scheduled for eight rounds. Following an amateur career that ended with a 95-7 record, the highly touted Peterkin turned pro in 2011 and has developed on DiBella Entertainment’s “Broadway Boxing” series. Castillo is a former amateur standout and 2008 Dominican Olympian. Both Peterkin and Castillo will be making their Barclays Center debuts.

 

Brooklyn’s Rafael “Dynamite” Vazquez (15-1, 12 KOs) has kept a busy schedule in 2015 and will return for his fourth fight this year in an eight-round featherweight contest. The 37-year-old Vazquez is not your typical boxer. While he is ranked high in the world rankings at number seven and is seeking a world title opportunity, fame and glory are not his top priorities. With an autistic daughter and a wife diagnosed with cervical cancer, Vazquez fights for his family. Getting a late start to boxing, Vazquez, who lost both of his parents at an early age and endured a stint in prison as a wayward youth, turned pro in September 2010. He has since donated portions of his purses to autism research, while also holding fundraisers to help raise awareness. After suffering a shocking split decision loss to Jhovany Collado in 2012, Vazquez, who has absolutely devastating power in both hands, has stopped six of his last seven opponents, including the 30-2 Leon Moore.

 

Polish heavyweight knockout artist Adam Kownacki (10-0, 9 KOs) will return to Barclays Center following a dominant eight-round unanimous decision over the tough Ytalo Perea onMay 29. Kownacki was born in Lomza, Poland, before migrating to the US with his family at the age of seven and settling in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, known as a large Polish community. A pro since 2009, Kownacki has gained immeasurable experience sparring with heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko on multiple occasions. Prior to his bout in May, Kownacki had scored all of his knockouts in five rounds or less. He’ll be facing fellow heavy-hitter Maurenzo Smith (12-9-3, 9 KOs) in an eight-round contest in Brooklyn.

 

Brooklyn’s popular Heather “The Heat” Hardy (13-0, 2 KOs), who competed in Barclays Center’s first-ever professional female boxing match last year, has become a staple at the famed venue since then. On August 1, Hardy will be making her third consecutive 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 her last bout on May 29, Hardy impressively outpointed Noemi Bosques over eight frames. She’ll look to keep that momentum going on August 1, in an eight-round featherweight contest when she takes on Hungarian Renata Domsodi (12-6, 5 KOs).

 

Eager to make a name for himself as the next promising up-and-comer out of Puerto Rico, junior middleweight Prichard Colon (14-0, 11 KOs), will return to Barclays Center for the third time. As an amateur, Colon was a five-time Puerto Rican national champion prior to turning pro in 2013. Trained by his father, Colon has been stylistically compared to fellow countryman Felix Trinidad, with all but one of his knockouts coming in five rounds or less. In the opposite corner at Barclays Center will be Las Vegas-resident Michael Finney (12-3-1, 10 KOs) who is known for giving prospects a real test, having gone the distance with Jermall Charlo and Erickson Lubin, while battling to a draw against the 11-0-2 Wilkins Santiago.

 

Unbeaten 24-year-old junior lightweight Omar “Super O” Douglas (14-0, 11 KOs) of Wilmington, DE, is ready to transition from prospect to contender. While an adept technical boxer, the powerful Douglas always seeks to end bouts early, with five of his 11 knockouts coming in the very first round. On August 1, he’ll be squaring off against Puerto Rican southpaw Frank Santos de Alba (16-1-2, 6 KOs) who has not lost since dropping a decision in his 2011 pro debut.

 

Junior lightweights Titus Williams, from Elmont, Long Island, and Philadelphia’s Thomas Velasquez will be making their pro debuts in separate four-round bouts following decorated amateur careers.

 

Select undercard bouts will be carried live on ESPN3. ESPN Deportes will also televise the fights live, as part of its Noche de Combates series and ESPN International will present live coverage across its networks in Latin America, Brazil, the Caribbean and Pacific Rim. Live coverage will also be available through WatchESPN on computers, smartphones, tablets, Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku, Xbox 360 and Xbox One via an affiliated video provider.

 

For more information, visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, www.barclayscenter.comand www.dbe1.com. Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @DannySwift, @PaulMalignaggi, @LouDiBella, @ESPNBoxing, @BarclaysCenter and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/fanpagedannyswiftgarcia, www.facebook.com/PaulMalignaggi, www.facebook.com/barclayscenterand www.facebook.com/ESPN. Follow the conversation using #PBConESPN and #BrooklynBoxing.
boxing, NBC, Premier Boxing Champions

BEIBUT SHUMENOV MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES & PHOTOS

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Click HERE For Photos From Esaiah Gomez/Mayweather Promotions

 

LAS VEGAS (July 15, 2015) – Former world champion Beibut Shumenov (15-2, 10 KOs) hosted a media workout at a private gym in Las Vegas on Tuesday as he prepares for his Premier Boxing Champions on NBCSN showdown with B.J. Flores (31-1-1, 20 KOs) on Saturday, July 25 live from the Pearl at Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas.

 

Televised coverage begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT with a battle of undefeated cruiserweights between Jordan Shimmell (19-0, 16 KOs) and Isiah Thomas (14-0, 6 KOs).

 

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Mayweather Promotions are priced at $100.50, $75.50, $50.50, and $20.50, plus applicable fees, and are on sale now. Tickets may be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling the Pearl Box Office at 702-994-3200 or Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000.

 

Here is what Shumenov had to say on Tuesday:

 

BEIBUT SHUMENOV

 

“B.J. Flores is a good, tough cruiserweight who has a lot of good experience. I am prepared to fight with any style and against any style.

 

“I’m ready for anything in the ring and I want to make it a great fight for the fans.

 

On working with head trainer Ismael Salas for a second fight: “Ismael is the coach I dreamed about fighting. We have a lot of similarities in our boxing backgrounds. I learned in the Soviet Union system and the Cuban system that Ismael teaches is very similar.

 

“Me and Ismael had great chemistry right away from the first day of training.

 

On fighting at cruiserweight: “All I thought about was making weight when I fought at 175. There was too much stress on my body to lose weight and it was also affecting me psychologically because all I thought about was losing weight.

 

“Now, as a cruiserweight, I have no problems making weight. There is no stress at all.”

 

For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, www.nbcsports.com/boxing and www.mayweatherpromotions.com,follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @Beibut_Shumenov, @BJFloresBoxing, @MayweatherPromo, @NBCSports, and @PearlAtPalms and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.Facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions and www.facebook.com/NBCSports.
boxing, ESPN Boxing, PBC on ESPN, Premier Boxing Champions

UNDEFEATED WORLD CHAMPION LEO SANTA CRUZ AND FORMER THREE-DIVISION WORLD CHAMPION ABNER MARES FORMALLY ANNOUNCE THEIR UPCOMING PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON ESPN  FIGHT FROM PRESS CONFERENCE AND FAN RALLY AT PLAZA MEXICO IN LOS ANGELES

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Fighters to Square Off August 29 Live From STAPLES Center

On ESPN At 10 P.M. ET/7 P.M.

 

Click HERE For Photos From Craig Bennett

 

LOS ANGELES (July 14, 2015) – Mexican boxing stars Leo “El Terremoto” Santa Cruz (30-0-1, 17 KOs) and Abner Mares (29-1-1, 15 KOs) met today at Plaza Mexico to officially announced their Saturday, August 29 Premier Boxing Champions on ESPNshowdown taking place at STAPLES Center.

 

The fighters hosted an open-to-the-public press conference and fan rally to discuss their upcoming bout with media members and met with fans to sign autographs and take pictures.

 

Hundreds of fans attended the event at Plaza Mexico in Linwood and the fighters stayed to sign autographs for over two hours afterwards.

 

Here’s what the two fighters and their trainers had to say:

 

LEO SANTA CRUZ

 

“I want to thank all of the fans who are here and I appreciate the support. We always train 100 percent like we’re fighting for a championship.

 

“I think the fans are the ones who are going to win on August 29th. They are going to get a great fight out there. It’s going to be a war.

 

“I don’t care what he said about my competition. I’ve wanted to fight him for a long time, this going to be a great fight.

 

“He likes to talk about different things. I’m not going to talk as much. I’m going to be prepared on August 29th and I’m going to be victorious.

 

“No one wants to lose and may the best man win.”

 

ABNER MARES

 

“I want to thank everybody who made this fight possible.

 

“Leo Santa Cruz is a fighter who has fought nothing but C-level fighters. Now he’s fighting an A-level fighter. I’m going to show him what an A-level fighter does and that’s win.

 

“I pushed for this fight, he never really wanted to face me. I’ve wanted to fight him for a while. We fought on the same card at Stapes Center and I wanted to fight him since then.

 

“We sparred a while back, about 30 rounds, but I don’t put much into the sparring. We’re both different fighters now.

 

“This is a great fight for the fans and I look forward to the whole world being able to watch.

 

“I’m going to beat Leo Santa Cruz come May 29th, don’t miss the fight.”

 

JOSE SANTA CRUZ, Santa Cruz’s Father & Trainer

 

“Team Santa Cruz doesn’t speak much. Mares and his team can talk and say all that they want but we’re going to demonstrate our talent on Saturday, August 29th at the Staples Center.”

 

CLEMENTE MEDINA, Mares Trainer

 

“I’m so glad everyone could be out here to support these fighters. This is a fight that has been discussed for two years and we are ready.

 

“I appreciate Leo Santa Cruz taking this fight. We’re going to be prepared, we’re focused. On Saturday, August 29th, team Mares is going out for the victory.”

 

TOM BROWN, President of TGB Promotions

“Leo and Abner are two of boxing’s toughest warriors. Both Southern California based and having watched both of them since they turned pro it is an honor to promote this Southern California matchup.”

 

The 12-round featherweight bout will take place Saturday, August 29 live in primetime on ESPN from STAPLES Center in Los Angeles. Televised coverage for the highly-anticipate event begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

 

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, are priced at $25, $50, $75, $150 and $200, not including applicable fees and service charges, and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased at AXS.com, by phone at 888-929-7849 or at the STAPLES Center.

 

For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, www.staplescenter.comand www.TGBPromotions.com. Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @LeoSantaCruz2 @AbnerMares, @ESPNBoxing, @STAPLESCenter, @TGBPromotions and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/STAPLESCenter andwww.facebook.com/ESPN. Follow the conversation using #PBConESPN.
boxing, NBC, Premier Boxing Champions

Lucian Bute back in the ring!

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Eleider Alvarez and Oscar Rivas also in action

MONTRÉAL (July 14, 2015) – Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM), in association with InterBox, is happy to announce the return to the ring of former IBF world super middleweight champion Lucian Bute, August 15 at Bell Centre, as part of Premier Boxing Champions series, airing live on NBC Sports. His opponent will be European super middleweight champion, Andrea Di Luisa, of Italy.

“I’m ready and looking forward to being back in the ring. I have not lost my passion and I train six days a week, twice a day,” said Bute (31-2, 24 KOs), who will be in his first fight since meeting Jean Pascal in front of a sellout crowd, January 18, 2014 at Bell Centre.

In his last bout, Di Luisa (17-2, 13 KOs) defeated his compatriot, Roberto Cocco, by 11th round technical knockout to capture the EBU-EU Europe title. Di Luisa has won his last four fights.

“I’m very happy about this opportunity,” Di Luisa commented. “I know Bute because I fought him in the amateurs. He is very good and I respect him. But I don’t fear him.”

 

“We are delighted that Lucian can finally return to the ring. This fight is very important for the rest of his career,” said InterBox president Jean Bedard.

“We are very proud to present the first event of the Premier Boxing Championsseries in Montreal. This will also be the first time that NBC Sports will be present in Montreal to broadcast a boxing event,” added GYM President Yvon Michel. “I am also very happy to support the return of Lucian Bute and I thank InterBox for allowing us to participate.”

Serious test for Alvarez

In addition to Lucian Bute, fans will see unbeaten Colombian Olympians Eleider Alvarez and Oscar Rivas, in action. They will both face the biggest challenge of their young career.

Alvarez (17-0, 10 KOs) will face an undefeated, WBO #6 rated Paraguayan-born slugger Isidro “El Guerrero” Prieto (24-0-3, 20 KOs). The Argentina-based boxer is trained by none other than the mentor and first coach of former world championSergio Martinez, Raul Paniagua.

“Prieto is a very serious opponent, undefeated and world-ranked, ” head trainer Marc Ramsey analyzed. “He beat everyone in South America, often by KO. He has a strong right hand, in addition to being young and hungry. He will try to use Eleider as a stepping stone to the big leagues.”

Rivas (17-0, 12 KOs) will lace his gloves against an opponent yet to be determined.

Alvarez and Rivas have both been impressive in their last outing this past June in the United States. They respectively knocked out Anatoliy Dudchenko and Jason Pettaway.

Other fighters on the card

In addition to the three aforementioned featured fights, five other bouts will be presented.

Russian super bantamweight Vislan Dalkhaev (2-0, 0 KOs), Romanian heavyweightBogdan Dinu (12-0, 8 KOs), Montreal super lightweight Yves Ulysse (8-0, 5 KOs), Sorel-Tracy super lightweight David Theroux (6-1, 4 KOs) and Laval light heavyweight Erik Bazinyan (8-0, 5 KOs) are all scheduled to be in action.

Dalkhaev, a friend of fellow boxer Artur Beterbiev, will attempt to add a third win in the pro ranks. In his last outing, the Chechen-born pugilist defeated Frenchman Adel Hadjouis by unanimous decision on April 4, in Quebec City.

Dinu, a compatriot of Bute, will fight for the first time in 2015. His last encounter occurred December 6, 2014, when he stopped Frenchman Mickael Vieira in the first round.

Ulysse, a former member of the Canadian National Amateur Boxing Team, recorded the easiest win of his career on June 20 at Bell Centre, when Frenchman Renald Garrido was disqualified before the start of the confrontation. This time, though, Ulysse is likely to have a rival who really wants to fight.

Theroux, the pride of Sorel-Tracy, fought in a fierce battle against former Spanish champion Ignacio Mendoza, on June 17 in Sorel-Tracy. Even if the result was not the one hoped for, the 21-year-old boxer in no quitter and he wants to redeem himself in front of his Montreal fans.

As for Armenian-born Bazinyan, he is trained and managed by the Grant brothers. The 20-year-old fighter will jump into the ring for the second time in 2015. On March 27 at Olympia Theatre, he stopped Frenchman Morgan Le Gal in the fifth round.

Tickets go on sale Wednesday, July 15 at 10:00 a.m. ET, at the Bell Centre box office, on www.evenko.ca, at GYM (514) 383-0666, at InterBox (450) 645-1077 or at Champion boxing club (514) 376-0980. Ticket prices range from $25 to $250 on the floor.