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CANADIAN STAR LUCIAN BUTE FACES ITALY’S ANDREA DI LUISA ON PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON NBCSN

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ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 15 FROM THE BELL CENTRE IN MONTREAL

AT 9 P.M. ET/6 P.M. PT

 

Plus Undefeated Light Heavyweights Collide As

Eleider Alvarez Meets Isidro Ranoni Prieto

 

Oscar Rivas Also In Action!

 

Tickets On Sale Tomorrow!

 

MONTREAL (July 14, 2015) – Former world champion Lucian Bute (31-2, 24 KOs) returns to the ring to face Italy’s Andrea Di Luisa (17-2, 13 KOs) in a 10-round super middleweight showdown on Premier Boxing Champions on NBCSN on Saturday, August 15 from the Bell Centre in Montreal with televised coverage beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

 

Another televised bout will pit a pair of undefeated light heavyweights against each other as 2008 Colombian Olympian Eleider Alvarez (17-0, 10 KOs) takes on Paraguayan knockout artist Isidro Ranoni Prieto (24-0-3, 20 KOs) in a 12-round battle. Additionally, 2008 Colombian Olympian Oscar Rivas (17-0, 12 KOs) will compete on the card.

 

“I’m ready and looking forward to going back in the ring,” said Bute. “I have not lost my passion and I train six days a week, twice a day. I am excited to perform on the big stage on August 15.”

 

“We are very proud to present this great event in Montreal,” said GYM President Yvon Michel. “This will also be the first time that NBCSN will be in Montreal to broadcast a boxing event and I’m also happy to support the return of former world champion Lucian Bute.”

 

Tickets for the live event, promoted Group Yvon Michel (GYM) in association with InterBox, are priced from $25 to $250, not including applicable service charges and fees, and are on sale Wednesday, July 15 at 10 a.m. ET. Tickets can be purchased at the counters of the Bell Centre, on www.evenko.ca, at GYM (514) 383-0666, at InterBox (450) 645-1077 or at Champion boxing club (514) 376-0980.

 

After an accomplished amateur career representing his native Romania, Bute moved to Montreal, Quebec, Canada and began his pro career in 2003 with 30 straight victories. Among those victories, the 35-year-old won a super middleweight world title over Alejandro Berrio. Bute owns victories over Sakio Bika, William Joppy, Edison Miranda and Jesse Brinkley and will be returning to the ring for the first time since Jan. 2014 on August 15.

 

A professional since 2008, Di Luisa will be making his North American debut on August 15when he travels to Canada to challenge Bute. The 33-year-old racked up 12 wins to start his career including victories over previously unbeaten fighters Alessio Rondelli and Giuseppe Brischetto. Fighting out of Lazio, he enters this fight on a four-fight win streak, including his last two by knockout.

 

A 2008 Colombian Olympian fighting out of Montreal, Alvarez defeated Anatoliy Dudchenko by second round knockout on June 12. That fight marked the pro debut for the 31-year-old, after recording 15 victories in Canada and one in Monaco. The owner of victories over and Edison Miranda, Alexander Johnson and Ryno Liebenber, he looks to keep his perfect record intact on August 15. .

 

Born in Paraguay but making his home in Buenoas Aires, Argentina, Prieto has never lost as a pro and has won his last eight fights heading into August 15. The 29-year-old will be making his North American debut and fighting as a pro outside of South America for the first time. The heavy-fisted fighter has recorded three straight knockouts entering this fight.

 

Another 2008 Colombian Olympian, Rivas has also made his home in Montreal since turning pro. The exciting 28-year-old rides an impressive six-fight knockout streak into this fight and he hopes to build on the success he had in his U.S. debut, a first round knockout over Jason Pettaway in June 2015.

 

For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, www.nbcsports.com/boxing and www.groupeyvonmichel.ca. Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @NBCSports, @InterBoxBute, @yvonmichelgym and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampionsand www.facebook.com/NBCSports.
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HEAVYWEIGHT STAR CHRIS ARREOLA TAKES ON HARD-HITTING FRED KASSI ON PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON CBS ON SATURDAY, JULY 18 FROM DON HASKINS CENTER IN EL PASO, TEXAS

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Plus!

Mario Barrios, Ryan Karl & Other Top Prospects Round Out

Full Day Of Undercard Action

 

EL PASO, TX (July 14, 2015) – Mexican-American heavyweight star Chris “The Nightmare” Arreola, (36-4, 31 KOs) will face “Big” Fred Kassi, (18-3-0, 10 KOs) on Premier Boxing Champions on CBS, Saturday afternoon, July 18 from the Don Haskins Center at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). Televised coverage on CBS Sports starts at 4 p.m. ET/2 p.m. MT/1 p.m. PT.

 

Featured on the undercard is a trio of undefeated prospects as Mario Barrios (14-0, 5 KOs) takes on Jose Esquivel (9-2, 2 KOs)in a six-round super featherweight bout, Ryan Karl (7-0, 5 KOs) faces Rigobert Flores (7-1, 2 KOs) in six-rounds of super lightweight action and Steve Lovett (12-0, 10 KOs) battles Jinner Guerrero (8-4, 6 KOs) in an eight-round light heavyweight attraction

 

Also featured is the 10-round middleweight clash between 26-year-old unbeaten Ivan Golub (8-0, 6 KOs), fighting out of Brooklyn by way of Ukraine, and 26-year-old Lukasz Maciec (22-2-1, 5 KOs) from Lublin, Poland.

 

Rounding out the day of fights is 21-year-old Justin Deloach (9-1, 5 KOs) out of Georgia, Louisiana who faces 29-year-old Detroit-native Lauro Alcantar (9-3, 1 KO) in a six-round super welterweight battle, while 24-year-old Josh Taylor (0-2) from Scotland will enter the ring against Houston’s Randy Gibson (0-1) for a six-round super lightweight bout.

 

These exciting fights will support the PBC on CBS main event pitting undefeated Irish superstar Carl Frampton (20-0, 14 KOs) in a world title defense against Mexico’s Alejandro “Cobrita” Gonzalez Jr. (25-1-2, 15 KOs).

 

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions in association with Warriors Boxing and Cyclone Promotions, are priced at $50 or $25 for general admission and are on sale now. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 or the University Ticket Center at (915) 747-5234. Tickets are also available at www.ticketmaster.com.

 

Making his first start in El Paso, the 34-year-old Arreola is anxious to fight in front of the passionate West Texas boxing fans. On the March 13 PBC card he was victorious against Curtis Harper in an outstanding slugfest that featured excellent two-way action throughout. A native of Riverside, Calif., Arreola has challenged the top heavyweights over the last decade and is regarded as one of the most feared punchers in the division.  

 

Born in Cameroon but fighting out of New Orleans, the 35-year-old hard-hitting Kassi will be looking to upset Arreola and make an impact on a huge stage. Kassi has delivered knockouts in five of his last eight fights and will make his first start of 2015 on July 18.

 

Fighting in his home state and representing San Antonio, Barrioslooks for his third knockout victory of 2015 on July 18. The 20-year-old hopes to build on his momentum and continue to grow his fan base in his home state when he takes on the 25-year-old Esquivel from Mexico.

 

An undefeated prospect representing Houston, Karl had an excellent amateur career that ended with him ranked third in the nation in the 141-pound division. The 23-year-old has already won twice in 2015 and most recently defeated Alfred Hall on May 9. He faces the 32-year-old Californian Flores.

 

Representing New South Wales, Austraila, Lovettturned pro in 2010 and has yet to drop a fight in his first 12 bouts. The 30-year-old takes on the 32-year-old Guerrero from Ecuador.

 

For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, follow on Twitter@PremierBoxing, @SHOSports, @RealCFrampton, @WarriorsBoxingProm, @TGBPromotions and @Swanson_Comm become a fan on Facebook atwww.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing and www.Facebook.com/WarriorsBoxingPromo or visit the SHOWTIME Boxing Blog http://shosportspoundforpound.tumblr.com/.
boxing, ESPN Boxing, PBC on ESPN, Premier Boxing Champions

LEO SANTA CRUZ & ABNER MARES TO HOST LOS ANGELES PRESS CONFERENCE AND FAN RALLY AT PLAZA MEXICO TO ANNOUNCE THEIR SATURDAY, AUGUST 29 PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON ESPN SHOWDOWN AT STAPLES CENTER

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PLAZA MEXICO

TUESDAY, JULY 14 AT 3:30 P.M. PT

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!

 

WHO:              LEO SANTA CRUZ, Undefeated Two-Division World Champion

ABNER MARES, Former Three-Division World Champion

JOSE SANTA CRUZ, Santa Cruz’s Father & Trainer

CLEMENTE MEDINA, Mares’ Trainer

TOM BROWN, President of TGB Promotions

 

WHAT:         Undefeated Two-Division World Champion Leo “El Terremoto” Santa Cruz (30-0-1, 17

KOs) and former three-division world champion Abner Mares (29-1-1, 15 KOs) will host a Los Angeles press conference and open-to-the-public fan rally to officially announce their 12-round featherweight Premier Boxing Champions on ESPNshowdown taking place Saturday, August 29 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles.

 

WHEN:              Tuesday, July 14

 

3:30 p.m. PT – Media Roundtable

4:30 p.m. PT – Press Conference Begins

5:00 p.m. PT – Autograph Signing and Photos

 

WHERE:           Press Conference – Plaza Mexico

3100 E. Imperial Highway

Lynwood, California 90262

 

Media Roundtable – La Huasteca Restaurant (In Plaza Mexico)

3150 E. Imperial Hwy #100

Lynwood, CA 90262

 

*The press conference will be held in Plaza Mexico’s Main Courtyard

 

TICKETS:       Tickets for the event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, are priced at $25, $50,

$75, $150 and $200, not including applicable fees and service charges, go on saletomorrow Friday, July 10 at 10:00 a.m. (PST) at AXS.com or by phone at 888-929-7849 or at the STAPLES Center starting Saturday, July 11 at 10:00 am (PST).
boxing, ESPN Boxing, PBC on ESPN, Premier Boxing Champions

PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON ESPN – THURMAN VS. COLLAZO OFFICIAL WEIGHTS & WEIGH-IN PHOTOS

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BLUE CORNER   RED

 
BANTAMWEIGHTS — 6 Rounds
Gary Antonio Russell

 Washington, DC
2-0 (2 KOs)

117.8 lbs.

 vs. Jaxel Marrero
San Juan, PR
1-5-1
119 lbs.
     
SUPER WELTERWEIGHTS — 6 Rounds
Manny Woods

St Petersburg, FL
13-3-1 (5 KOs)
154.8 lbs.

 vs. Carlos Garcia
Aguada, PR
7-14-1 (7 KOs)
153.8 lbs.
     
SUPER LIGHTWEIGHTS — 10 Rounds
Anthony Peterson

Washington, DC
34-1 (22 KOs)
138 lbs.

 vs. Ramesis Gil
San Juan, PR
8-11-5 (5 KOs)
137.4 lbs.
     
SUPER WELTERWEIGHTS — 4 Rounds
Antonio Tarver Jr.

Orlando, FL
2-0 (2 KOs)

155.2 lbs.

 vs. Julian Valerio

Brooklyn, NY

2-3 (1 KO)
155 lbs.

 

    
SUPER LIGHTWEIGHTS — 10 Rounds
Walter Castillo

Managua, NIC
25-3 (18 KOs)
143.6 lbs.

 vs. Amet Diaz

Panama City, PAN
32-11 (23 KOs)
143.8 lbs.
     
LIGHTWEIGHTS — 10 Rounds
Edner Cherry

Wauchula, FL
33-6-2 (18 KOs)
132 lbs.

 vs. Luis Cruz
Las Piedras, PR
21-3 (16 KOs)
132.8 lbs.
     
SUPER WELTERWEIGHTS — 4 Rounds
Bruno Bredicean
Cape Coral, FL
Pro Debut
148.2 lbs.		 vs.

Randy Hedderick

Gulfport, MS

0-3

149.8 lbs.
     
SUPER WELTERWEIGHTS — 8 Rounds
Patryk Szymanski

Konin, POL
13-0  (8 KOs)
155.6 lbs.

 vs. Maurice Louishomme

Colorado Springs, CO
8-2- (4 KOs)
154.6 lbs.
     
MIDDLEWEIGHTS — 10 Rounds
Tony Harrison

Detroit, MI
21-0 (18 KOs)
153.8 lbs.

 vs. Willie Nelson
Cleveland, OH
23-2-1  (13 KOs)
154.6
     
WBA WELTERWEIGHTS — 12 Rounds
Keith Thurman

Clearwater, FL
25-0  (21 KOs)
146.2 lbs.

 vs. Luis Collazo

Queens, NY
36-6 (19 KOs)
147 lbs.

 

 

Click HERE For PDF Version

 


Click HERE For Photos From Lucas Noonan/Premier Boxing Champions
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PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS SERIES HEATS UP SUMMER

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Multi-Network Lineup of Elite Fighter Matchups Provides #FreeBoxing4All

 

 

Las Vegas, July 10, 2015 –Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) series has released the summer schedule, showcasing the world’s best boxing matchups, as elite fighters collide on the sport’s newest stage. In the coming months, the PBC Series will air on ESPN (July 11th, Aug 1st and 29th), NBC (Sep 12th and Sep 26th), CBS (July 18th and Sep 6th), NBCSN  (July 25th and August 15th), Spike (Aug 14th and Sep 11th) and Bounce TV (August 2nd).

 

The PBC series, launched on March 7, 2015, has:

  • Brought quality fights to more than 22 million viewers on free TV, including the PBC debut matchup between Robert Guerrero and Keith Thurman (which boxing pundits have called one of the best fights of 2015)
  • Teamed up with NBC, CBS, ESPN, SPIKE, Bounce TV, and more to come…. Taking boxing back to the fans!
  • Rallied fan support for PBC’s mission through the promotion of #FreeBoxing4All in social media channels – reaching more than four million fans and mobilizing hundreds of thousands of boxing enthusiasts to share messages about the importance of accessible, quality fights

Please visit www.premierboxingchampions.com and follow Premier Boxing Champions onFacebook and Twitter.  Follow #FreeBoxing4All to monitor fan conversation.

 

For additional information, please contact Mike Donahue:  Michael@haymonboxing.com

#FreeBoxing4All
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PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON ESPN FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES & PHOTOS

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Click HERE For Photos From Lucas Noonan/Premier Boxing Champions

 

Click HERE For ESPN Replay

 

TAMPA (July 9, 2015) – Two days before their primetime fights, televised fighters onPremier Boxing Champions on ESPN conducted a final press conference before theirSaturday, July 11 bouts at USF Sun Dome in Tampa.

 

While main event participants Keith “One Time” Thurman (25-0, 21 KOs) and Luis Collazo (36-6, 19 KOs) were calm and focused discussing their world title bout, Tony Harrison (21-0, 18 KOs) and Willie Nelson (23-2-1, 13 KOs) launched verbal jabs at each other during the formal portion of the press conference and through their face-offs.

 

Televised coverage begins on ESPN at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. Here is what the press conference participants had to say:

 

KEITH THURMAN

 

“I’m so blessed to be here. Some of you reporters remember me since I was a little boy, when Ben Getty went around and told everybody that I was going to be a champion and we are champion. Fighting right back here in my hometown.

 

“Tampa used to have a rich boxing history and I’m looking forward to bringing that back.

 

“Collazo is a solid fighter, with a great resume and he has something to prove. He’s trying to take my title home and I believe him. A hungry man is a dangerous man.

 

“I’m thankful for everyone who has come to support me and I can’t wait to see everybodyon Saturday night.

 

“This is going to be an exciting night of boxing. We have a lot of talent from Tampa on top of even more world class talent on the card. If you’re off the clock, get there at 6:30.

 

“July 4th there were some nice fireworks, on July 11 there will be better ones.”

 

 

LUIS COLLAZO

 

“Keith Thurman is a champion, I can’t take anything away from him. He’s a champion in boxing but he still has more to learn. There’s not a day I go to the gym and don’t learn something new.

 

“I’ve had a great camp and I’m sure Keith has too. This is a fight you have to be ready for, not only physically but mentally as well.

 

“I’m not here for a handout. I’m coming here for win and to bring that belt back to Brooklyn.

 

“I’m a problem to a lot of fighters because of my style.

 

“I’m fighting to inspire all the kids who were counted out before they were even given a chance. I always want to help those who have been counted out.

 

“I’ve had a lot of experience coming into my opponent’s hometown and it can be tough having people against you. But at the end of the fight they could be with you.”

 

TONY HARRISON

 

“There’s nothing like the background I come from. There is no place like Detroit.  Everybody knows what I bring into the ring.

 

“I have what it takes to knock Willie Nelson out. Everyone knows he has a glass chin. I’m going out there to exploit it.

 

“I’ve had a great training camp and I thank my team for that. This fight is a challenge for me and that’s why I took it.  Anybody that tall at this weight is a challenge for everybody.

 

“I’m looking forward to fight and I’m looking forward to the challenge.  It’s not enough to just beat Willie Nelson, I have to knock him out. The challenge is to look good and steal the show from this great main event.”

 

WILLIE NELSON

 

“I’m the youngest of eight kids. I was raised by my sister. The dirt had more value than my life at times.  I have four kids, I’m not letting this guy beat me and take food off their plate.

 

“How many times do I have to prove everybody wrong? I’m going to do it, once again, on Saturday night.

 

“I wanted to get Tony pumped up today and get him off of his game plan so we can capitalize on fight night. It worked, I even had his team fired up. So I’m extremely confident, it’s on to the fight.”

 

# # #


“PBC on ESPN – THURMAN vs. COLLAZO,” a 12-round fight for Thurman’s Welterweight World Championship, takes place Saturday, July 11, at the USF Sun Dome in Tampa, Florida. The event is promoted by Warrior’s Boxing. In the co-main event, Tony Harrison will face Willie Nelson in a 10-round middleweight bout. It will air live on ESPN (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT).

                                                                                                                                                           

For information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @KeithFThurmanJr, @RealLuisCollazo, @WarriorsBoxingProm and @ESPNBoxing and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/premierboxingchampions

and www.Facebook.com/WarriorsBoxingPromo.
boxing, ESPN Boxing, PBC on ESPN, Premier Boxing Champions

BATTLE OF LOS ANGELES’ FINEST TAKES CENTER STAGE AS UNDEFEATED WORLD CHAMPION LEO SANTA CRUZ TAKES ON FORMER THREE-DIVISION WORLD CHAMPION ABNER MARES ON PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON ESPN 10 P.M. ET/7 P.M. PT SATURDAY, AUGUST 29 AT STAPLES CENTER

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Tickets On Sale Tomorrow!

 

Press Conference To Formally Announce Fight Takes Place NextTuesday, July 14 At Plaza Mexico in Los Angeles

 

LOS ANGELES (July 9, 2015) – The highly anticipated showdown between undefeated star Leo “El Terremoto” Santa Cruz (30-0-1, 17 KOs) and former three-division world champion Abner Mares (29-1-1, 15 KOs) is official as the two beloved stars that call Southern California home will fight in their own backyard at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles onSaturday, August 29 live in primetime on ESPN. Televised coverage for this long awaited event begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

 

To kick things off, an open-to-the-public fan rally and press conference will be held next Tuesday, July 14 at 4:30 p.m. PT at Plaza Mexico in Los Angeles.  Both Santa Cruz and Mares will be in attendance. Fans are encouraged to arrive early.

 

Tickets for the August 29th event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, are priced at $25, $50, $75, $150 and $200, not including applicable fees and service charges, go on sale tomorrow Friday, July 10 at 10:00 a.m. (PST) at AXS.com or by phone at 888-929-7849 or at the STAPLES Center starting Saturday, July 11 at 10:00 am (PST).

 

“I’m really excited for this fight, it’s a fight the fans have been asking for and I’m ready to give them what they want – a great show and a great victory,” said Mares. “L.A. is my home, I train here, grew up here and I’m ready to show this city and the world that I am the champ. I’m proud to be part of this great event on ESPN at Staples Centers.   Boxing is bigger than ever.  Whatever you do, don’t miss this fight.

 

Born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico and fighting out of Downey, Calif., Mares first tasted world championship gold in 2011 when he beat Joseph Agbeko to win the bantamweight world title. He continued his rise up the pound-for-pound list with wins over Anselmo Moreno and Daniel Ponce De Leon to win world titles at super bantamweight and featherweight respectively. The 29-year-old has won three straight fights including his first PBC appearance in a victory over Arturo Reyes in March. He will look to add another career milestone and take hometown bragging rights by defeating the unbeaten Santa Cruz.

 

“This fight means so much to me because I know it is what the fans have been waiting for,” said Santa Cruz. “The opportunity to fight at STAPLES Center against a Mexican warrior and great fighter in Abner Mares is one that I plan on taking very seriously. We have been preparing for this moment for a very long time and I’m so glad it’s finally here. A win is going to take one of us to the next level.”

 

A two-division world champion with a fan-friendly style, the 26-year-old Santa Cruz won his first world title in 2012 before adding another belt in 2013, which he defended four times. Unbeaten as a pro, Santa Cruz moved up in weight in his last fight and handedly defeated Jose Cayetano on the pay-per-view undercard of the record-breaking Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao fight. Born and raised in Los Angeles to Mexican parents, Santa Cruz faces the toughest challenge of his career when he squares off against the Mexican warrior Mares.

 

This explosive fight comes to primetime on ESPN in one of the most revered venues in Los Angeles in the STAPLES Center. Santa Cruz vs. Mares continues a longstanding history of top local fighters competing in front of rabid Los Angeles boxing fans and marks the first fight at STAPLES Center in nearly three years. The last fight at the famed arena took place on November 10, 2012 and featured both Santa Cruz and Mares in the main and co-main events.

 

“All of us here at STAPLES Center could not be more excited to host this incredible fight in downtown Los Angeles,” Lee Zeidman, President, STAPLES Center. “It is an honor to have these two talented fighters in Mares and Santa Cruz bring this bout to their hometown and to all their fans here in Southern California, it will undoubtedly be a historic night for boxing.”

 

“We’re honored to bring this highly anticipated showdown between Leo Santa Cruz and Abner Mares to the great Southern California boxing fans,” said Tom Brown of TGB Promotions. “Leo and Abner have risen to the top of the sport and this much talked about battle at the STAPLES Center is a fight not to be missed.”

 

In addition to the evening’s main event and co-main event, which will be announced shortly, select undercard bouts will be carried live on ESPN3. ESPN Deportes will also televise the fight 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 the 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.staplescenter.com and 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 and www.facebook.com/ESPN. Follow the conversation using #PBConESPN.
boxing, Premier Boxing Champions, Spike TV

ANTONIO TARVER AND STEVE CUNNINGHAM TO MEET IN HEAVYWEIGHT BATTLE ON PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON SPIKE AT PRUDENTIAL CENTER IN NEWARK, NEW JERSEY ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 14 AT 9 P.M. ET/PT

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Cruiserweight World Champion Marco Huck Takes On

Undefeated Contender Kryzsztof Glowacki

 

Tickets On Sale Friday!

 

NEWARK, NJ (July 9, 2015) – Former world champions are set to collide as Antonio “Magic Man” Tarver (31-6, 22 KOs) takes on Steve “U.S.S.” Cunningham (28-7, 13 KOs) in a 12-round heavyweight showdown as Premier Boxing Champions on Spike comes to Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey on Friday, August 14.

 

Televised coverage on Spike begins at 9 p.m. ET/PT with cruiserweight world champion Marco Huck (38-2-1, 26 KOs) squaring off against undefeated Polish standout Krysztof Glowacki (24-0, 15 KOs) in a 12-round cruiserweight title bout. Also featured will be exciting heavyweight contender Artur Szpilka (19-1, 14 KOs) looking for his third straight knockout.

 

Undercard action begins at 6:00 p.m. ET with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. ET.

 

“I’m thrilled to be part of this great fight on Spike,” said Tarver. “I take nothing away from Steve Cunningham, who is a proven veteran who is always in good shape.  It’s going to be a great fight.  This is a challenge I wanted and needed.  August 14, I’m going to let people know I still got the ‘Magic.”

 

“This is a fight I’ve wanted for a long time,” said Cunningham. “Tarver is a big name in boxing and I’m looking forward to this shot. I do my talking in the ring. August 14, be prepared for a great fight. The USS Cunningham will be prepared for battle because this is an opportunity of a lifetime.”

 

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment, are $150, $100, $70 and $45, not including applicable service charges and facility fee and go on sale Friday, July 10 at 10 a.m. via Ticketmaster.com, charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000 or any Ticketmaster outlet. Tickets may also be purchased at Prudential Center’s box office beginning Monday, July 13 at 11 a.m.

 

“On August 14th, Spike’s own Antonio Tarver puts everything on the line against the inspirational Steve ‘USS’ Cunningham in a heavyweight matchup that is a must-win for both fighters,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “We are proud that the show will open with international cruiserweight star Marco Huck defending his cruiserweight supremacy for the first time on U.S. soil against undefeated Polish challenger Krzysztof Glowacki.”

 

“Antonio is a true champion behind the microphone and inside the ring,” said Jon Slusser, Senior Vice President, Sports, Spike TV. “It’s only fitting that Spike televise this great event between Tarver and Cunningham.  We’re looking forward to an exciting night of boxing.”

 

“We are excited to welcome Premier Boxing Champions and Spike to Prudential Center this summer as we continue to expand our live sports programming,” said Sean Saadeh, Executive Vice President, Entertainment Programming for Prudential Center. “Live heavyweight action is as exciting as it gets in boxing and we look forward to an enthusiastic audience in Newark and around the world.”

 

The 46-year-old Tarver, a former world champion at light heavyweight, who has worked as a ringside analyst on all four PBC on Spike cards, looks to make his mark on the heavyweight division. A bronze medalist for the U.S. at the 1996 Olympics, Tarver turned pro in 1997 and won his first 16 professional fights. In 2003 he won his first world title by defeating Montell Griffin and in 2004 he became the first man to knockout Roy Jones Jr. The Tampa, Florida-native has won four straight fights heading into this matchup and most recently defeated Johnathon Banks by seventh round knockout.

 

Representing the great fight city of Philadelphia, Cunningham will look to put on a show just a short drive up the interstate from his hometown. A former world champion at cruiserweight, he defeated Krzysztof Wlodarczyk in 2006 to capture his belt before defending his title against Marco Huck via a twelfth-round TKO. He became a world champion again in 2010 when he stopped Troy Ross in the fifth round. Most recently the 38-year-old defeated previously unbeaten fighters Amir Mansour and Natu Visinia.

 

A pro since 2004, the 30-year-old Huck will make his U.S. debut on Aug. 14 when he defends his cruiserweight title in Newark. His first crack at a world title was a successful one as he defeated Victor Ramirez in Aug. 2009. He went on to defend his title eight times before moving up in weight to the heavyweight division. He returned to cruiserweight in 2012 and captured another world title by defeating Firat Arslan. Serbian-born, but fighting out of Berlin, he will make the fourth defense of his title on Aug. 14.

 

A pro since 2008, the Walcz, Poland-born Glowacki makes his first start outside of his native country when he comes to Newark on Aug. 14. The 28-year-old has walked through contenders Matty Askin, Varol Vekiloglu and Thierry Karl on his way to a shot at a world title. Most recently he won a unanimous decision over the experienced Nuri Seferi in Jan. 2015.

 

The 26-year-old Szpilkawill look to build on his most recent PBC on Spike success, as he deliveredFriday night knockouts in April and June over Ty Cobb and Manuel Quezada, respectively. The Polish heavyweight’s biggest victory came in November 2014 when he defeated longtime contender Tomasz Adamek by unanimous decision. He returns to fight in New Jersey for the second time in his career in August.

 

For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, www.dbe1.com, www.PruCenter.comand www.spike.com/shows/premier-boxing-champions, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @AntonioTarver, @USSCunningham, @Szpilka_Artur, @LouDiBella, @PruCenter, @SpikeTV and @SpikeSports and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxing,www.Facebook.com/PruCenterand www.Facebook.com/Spike.

 

About Prudential Center

Prudential Center is a world-class sports and entertainment venue located in downtown Newark, New Jersey. Opened in October 2007, the state-of-the-art arena is the home of theNational Hockey League’s (NHL) three-time Stanley Cup Champion New Jersey Devils, Seton Hall University’s NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball program, and more than 175 concerts, family shows and special events each year. Ranked in the Top 10 nationally by Pollstar, Billboard and Venues Today, Prudential Center is recognized as one of the premier venues in the United States, and welcomes 1.75 million guests annually. For more information about Prudential Center, visit PruCenter.com and Facebook, and follow @PruCenter on Twitter.
boxing, ESPN Boxing, PBC on ESPN, Premier Boxing Champions

PAULIE MALIGNAGGI & DANIEL JACOBS DISCUSS THEIR UPCOMING SATURDAY, AUGUST 1 FIGHTS LIVE ON PBC ON ESPN FROM  BARCLAYS CENTER IN BROOKLYN

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BROOKLYN (July 8, 2015) – Former two-division world champion Paulie “The Magic Man” Malignaggi, middleweight world champion Daniel “The Miracle Man” Jacobs, President of DiBella Entertainment Lou DiBella and CEO of Barclays Center Brett Yormark took time today to discuss the upcoming Premier Boxing Champions on ESPN fights taking place Saturday, August 1 at Barclays Center.

 

Malignaggi (33-6, 7 KOs) will face undefeated Danny “Swift” Garcia (30-0, 17 KOs)in the headlining event on ESPN.

 

Jacobs (29-1, 26 KOs) will defend his title against former world champion Sergio “The Latin Snake” Mora (28-3-2, 9 KOs) in the televised opener on ESPN beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

 

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment, are priced at $250, $150, $75 and $45, not including applicable service charges and taxes, and are on sale now. Tickets are available at www.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 800-GROUP-BK.

 

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.

 

 

PAULIE MALIGNAGGI

“I feel good, really good right now. This has been one of the best camps I have ever had in my career. We have not only been working really hard, but also really smart. I am coming off back-to-back camps and I truly feel great.

 

“We have some tricks up our sleeves for this fight. I am very happy with that way I am looking and feeling. Everyday I am going in there and just putting in the work. I’m not overthinking this fight, I’m just putting in that work at the gym, and with the way I feel and look, I’m very confident. I have a strong self-belief. I truly believe in myself and my abilities. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t be here.

 

“I want to live and die by my own decisions, and that is how I have structured this camp. I am listening to my body and listening to myself. We are working on different things in both my boxing training and my strength and conditioning.

 

“I have seen strengths and weaknesses all over Danny [Garcia]. When I watch a fight, I see it a lot deeper than most people.  So when I watch Danny, I see a lot of different things. I don’t want to get too much into it, but there are definitely things we have seen that we are working on specifically in this camp to implement and capitalize on August 1st.

 

“Barclays Center in my home. Fighting here gives me that extra motivation. Fighting at Barclays, in front of all my friends and family, it just doesn’t get better than that.”

 

DANIEL JACOBS

“This is a great camp and we are ready to put on a great show come August 1st.  I feel comfortable as a champion. Don’t get me wrong, when I first won my title it was totally surreal, but I always felt like a champion deep down inside. There is something that burns inside of me that has allowed me to overcome every obstacle in my life, and to me, that’s what makes a champion.

 

“I love being a part of PBC. There is no doubt in my mind that my popularity has grown since my first appearance on a PBC card. We are reaching a much younger and different crowd and demographic than before, and it is just great for the sport of boxing.

 

“This is a tough fight. Mora is a proven guy and I know he is very hungry for this opportunity. He is awkward and he is slick. He has good speed and a good jab. We have to be cautious and stick to our game plan. People are saying that this could be the toughest fight of my career and we are training with that mindset.

 

“With a win in this fight, I truly believe that the sky is the limit. There are a lot of big fights out there to be made in the division, but obviously, the main guy for me would be Peter Quillin. It is a fight that I have wanted for a long time, and it is a huge fight for boxing, but especially for New York.

 

“My legacy is in my own hands. Some of the biggest fights in the sport are in the middleweight division right now. At this particular point though, the Quillin fight is the most lucrative option for me. I am not looking past any man, especially not Sergio Mora, but that is a fight I want, the boxing world wants, New York wants and Barclays Center wants.”

 

LOU DIBELLA

“In addition to these two great fights, we are proud to announce that we have added Brooklyn’s own undefeated heavyweight prospect Adam Kownacki (10-0, 9KO’s) to the card, as well as one of the top prospects in the game right now, The Brooklyn Rocky, Frank Galarza (17-0-2, 11KO’s). We are also excited to announce the addition of highly regarded up-and-coming Puerto Rican prospect Prichard Colon (14-0, 11KO’s), who will be great additions to the undercard, which already features undefeated female star Heather “The Heat” Hardy, and a clash of undefeated light heavyweight prospects, Brooklyn’s Travis Peterkin (15-0, 7KO’s) against Olympian Lenin Castillo (12-0, 7KO’s).

 

“It’s an honor for me to be promoting another card at Barclays Center, which in my eyes has become the preeminent venue for boxing and music in the entire country. It is a great pleasure for me to work with Brett and everyone on his team. They are the best in the game.

 

“The public is going to have a real opportunity to see two very good, competitive fights. Look, this (Danny Garcia vs. Paulie Malignaggi) is a very tough fight. Danny has looked a bit vulnerable in his past few fights, and he is moving up in weight to fight a real deal welterweight. Say what you want about Paulie, but you cannot question his heart or desire to win. Paulie is comfortable with being an underdog, he has been an underdog his whole life. With Paulie, you know you will never get anything less than 110 percent. Fourteen years ago yesterday he made his pro-debut on one of my cards, and I am proud of that fact. It is truly an honor for me to be promoting his fight against Danny Garcia on August 1st.

 

“The co-feature match-up is a very intriguing fight. You have two of the best middleweights in the world in Danny Jacobs and Sergio Mora. Just like the main event, this is a very tough fight. Sergio is extremely hungry. He has been waiting for this shot for years. Danny’s story is just remarkable. How hard he has worked to get here, and win a world championship is just extraordinary. He is a champion both inside and outside of the ring, and it’s truly an honor to be working with him. That is the great thing about promoting these PBC events. I have the opportunity to work with and promote some of the greatest and most talented fighters in the sport, in exciting and competitive fights.”

 

BRETT YORMARK

“All of us at Barclays Center are very excited for this August 1st card. This is a great platform for us and the building promoting yet another wonderful PBC event. I am personally excited for the event. Paulie and Danny are like family to me and I am truly honored to have them in our building. Our goal is to be the premier venue in all of boxing and we are actively making a push for that, with our third major PBC card at our venue this year.

 

“Boxing is our third franchise, along with the Nets and Islanders, and we are proud of the events we have been able to be involved with and have in our beautiful venue. I love working with Lou and his team, there is no better promoter in the country and we are looking forward to another great event on August 1st on ESPN.”
boxing, PBC on ESPN, Premier Boxing Champions

PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON ESPN FIGHTER MEDIA WORKOUTS QUOTES & PHOTOS

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Click HERE For Photos From Przemek Garczarczyk

 

TAMPA (July 8, 2015) -Fighters competing on Saturday’s Premier Boxing Champions on ESPN card held media workouts in Tampa today before their July 11 showdowns at the USF Sun Dome with televised coverage beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

 

The headlining event will pit undefeated Welterweight World Champion Keith “One Time” Thurman (25-0, 21 KOs) against former world champion Luis Collazo (36-6, 19 KOs). The televised opener will see undefeated rising star Tony Harrison (21-0, 19 KOS) taking on the quick-fisted Willie Nelson (23-2-1, 13 KOS). Also participating in the workout was the son of former world champion Antonio Tarver, Antonio Tarver Jr. (2-0, 2 KOs) who will fight on the undercard.

 

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Warriors Boxing, are priced at $200, $150, $75, $50 and $25, not including applicable service charges and taxes, and are on sale now. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets are also available at www.ticketmaster.com or by visiting the Sun Dome box office.

 

Here is what the participants had to say Wednesday:

 

KEITH THURMAN

 

“There’s a lot to talk about with this fight. The fact that it’s on ESPN, people are going to tune-in and I’ll have the opportunity to make more fans and broaden my fan base. It’s another audition for a national audience.

 

“Depending on how you do, your stock goes up. An impressive win though, that gets you a real jump. I’ve worked hard to get here and I want to be spectacular.

 

“I believe the excitement will come for myself when I enter the arena and I hear the cheers of the hometown crowd. I’ve gotten a lot of love and respect from different venues I’ve fought at, but it’s been a long time since I’ve been back home.

 

“There are a lot of people who have followed my career that haven’t been able to see me, live in action. The fact that I’m bringing this fight home, I just think about when Winky Wright did it; Jeff Lacy did it; Antonio Tarver did it; it’s a big thing for me emotionally to be able to bring world-class boxing back to Tampa Bay.

 

“I’m looking forward to a great performance and hopefully we can continuously bring these big fights back to Tampa Bay.”

 

LUIS COLLAZO

 

“My preparation was for 15 rounds so we’re ready to go the distance. I’m here for the long haul.

 

“I’m trying to pull off the upset again. Anything can happen in this sport, one punch can end everything, so we’ll see what happens on Saturday.

 

“With the Khan fight I showed myself how much passion I still have for the sport. This fight here, everyone is going to see the old Luis Collazo again.

 

“I’m the type of guy who doesn’t like to plan ahead. I’m the underdog and I love being the underdog. I’ve been the underdog all my life. It inspires me to go out there and show the fans that anything is possible not just in the ring, but in life.

 

“I’m going to give it my all, that’s the type of person I am. I didn’t come here for handout so I hope he’s prepared.”

 

TONY HARRISON

 

“Nelson’s got a lot of heart. I’m not underestimating him. I’m coming in in top shape. I did things I normally don’t do in training. I went swimming for this camp. We know what we’re up against.

 

“He’s got the heart of a champion. He’s been knocked down before, but he gets back up and starts fighting again, so we know we’re up against a real tough fighter.

 

“I’ve been ready to face a guy of this caliber for a long time. I’ve been sparring Gennady Golovkin, Andy Lee, K9, and Luis Collazo. I’ve been in with champions before I even turned pro. I’ve been in with the best and did what I was supposed to do against them.

 

“All these guys are familiar faces to me. Luis Collazo and Willie. These guys have been down to Kronk to spar me. I’ve been on that stage and had those wars in the gym already, so I’m ready.

 

“It feels great for Detroit to be back on the map and getting the recognition that’s been missing for many years. If I can be the one to help out the next generation of Detroit fighters and make it easier for them to break through so be it.”

 

WILLIE NELSON

 

“Training camp has been excellent. I’ve sparred with a lot of different guys, especially ones that were heavier than me and have given me some great work.

 

“Tony knows how to use his height in the ring, but I’m a tall fighter so he won’t be able to do that against me. He’s a puncher, that’s what he tries to do.

 

“I channel out any of the talking he does. I’m self-motivated and I know what I need to do out there. I can’t get mad at his antics because that does nothing for me.

 

“I want to be one of the successful boxers from Ohio that really does something. I want to make my mark in not just Ohio boxing but boxing period.

 

“This isn’t the toughest fight of my career but it’s the toughest challenge, going up against a young, undefeated guy. All my fights have been tough so I’m used to it.

 

“I’m excited to be on such a big card, but I am used to it now. The lights don’t get to me. PBC has been great for the sport because everyone can tune-in to these fights.”

 

ANTONIO TARVER JR.

 

“I’ve been training with the world champion Keith Thurman and I held my own in there. It’s been a great experience.

 

“It’s a beautiful thing to be fighting in my home state. I’m blessed to be fighting at the Sun Dome.

 

“My dad is always right in my ear. Always on me about the defense and protecting myself in the ring.

 

“I’m a southpaw who’s a fast hitter. I can hit hard and counter punch. I think of myself as the whole package.”

 

For information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @KeithFThurmanJr, @RealLuisCollazo, @WarriorsBoxingProm and @ESPNBoxing and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/premierboxingchampions

and www.Facebook.com/WarriorsBoxingPromo.