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SHOWTIME SPORTS® TO PRESENT ANTHONY JOSHUA vs. JOSEPH PARKER HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP UNIFICATION SATURDAY, MARCH 31 LIVE ON SHOWTIME®

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All Four Heavyweight World Championship Titles At Stake On Industry-Leading 2018 SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® Schedule

 

Photo Credit: Matchroom Boxing; Click Image For High-Res Version

 

NEW YORK – February 5, 2018 – SHOWTIME Sports will present the heavyweight world championship unification between undefeated IBF and WBA World Champion Anthony Joshua and unbeaten WBO World Champion Joseph Parker on Saturday, March 31 live on SHOWTIME from Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. 

 

 

 

 

The British sensation Joshua, who has knocked out all 20 of his professional opponents, burst onto the global scene with a dramatic knockout of long-reigning heavyweight kingpin Wladimir Klitschko in the universally acclaimed 2017 Fight of the Year. In two fights last year, Joshua drew 168,000 spectators combined to massive stadium events in the U.K. Now, he faces another significant challenge in Parker, a native of New Zealand with 24 wins, no losses and 18 knockouts.  Parker is attempting the third world title defense of his WBO belt.

 

 

 

 

With the addition of Joshua vs. Parker, all four heavyweight world championship belts will be at stake in the same month on SHOWTIME as undefeated American Deontay Wilder (39-0, 38 KOs) will defend his WBC title against unbeaten Luis Ortiz (28-0, 24 KOs) on Saturday, March 3 from Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The four top-rated heavyweights — Wilder, Ortiz, Joshua and Parker — boast a combined record of 111 wins, zero losses and 100 knockouts. 

 

 

 

 

Both heavyweight championships are cornerstones of a remarkable 2018 SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING schedule that now includes 16 undefeated fighters and 13 world titles fights across 11 marquee events through the first six months of the year. 

 

 

 

 

“The heavyweight division is in the midst of a renaissance, and SHOWTIME is delivering all of the pivotal bouts to our subscribers,” said Stephen Espinoza, President, Sports and Event Programing, Showtime Networks Inc. “Anthony Joshua is a global superstar, and we’re proud to present his sixth, and perhaps most challenging, world title fight to the U.S. audience. Joshua vs. Parker will be the 12th heavyweight world championship match on SHOWTIME since Deontay Wilder won his title in 2015, an undisputed industry-leading offering in boxing’s preeminent division.”

 

 

 

 

Joshua vs. Parker is just the second heavyweight championship unification in history between undefeated world titleholders. The only fighter to emerge victorious from a matchup of unbeaten heavyweight world champions was Mike Tyson in 1987.

 

 

 

 

The event is promoted by Matchroom Boxing in association with Duco Events. SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING will televise the event live from Principality Stadium where organizers expect a sell-out of 80,000 spectators. The host of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING is Brian Custer. Mauro Ranallo calls the action from ringside along with International Boxing Hall of Fame analyst Al Bernstein and former two-division world champion Paul Malignaggi. SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSIP BOXING is produced by David Dinkins Jr, and directed by Chuck McKean. The start time for the March 31 telecast will be announced. 

 

 

 

 

Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation, owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ and FLIX®, and also offers SHOWTIME ON DEMAND®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ ON DEMAND and FLIX ON DEMAND®, and the network’s authentication service SHOWTIME ANYTIME®. Showtime Digital Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of SNI, operates the stand-alone streaming service SHOWTIME®. SHOWTIME is currently available to subscribers via cable, DBS and telco providers, and as a stand-alone streaming service through Apple®, Roku®, Amazon, Google, Xbox One and Samsung. Consumers can also subscribe to SHOWTIME via Hulu, YouTube TV, Sling TV, DirecTV Now, Sony PlayStation® Vue and Amazon Channels. SNI also manages Smithsonian Networks™, a joint venture between SNI and the Smithsonian Institution, which offers Smithsonian Channel™, and offers Smithsonian Earth™ through SN Digital LLC. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV®. For more information, go to www.SHO.com

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ERROL SPENCE JR. RETAINS IBF WELTERWEIGHT TITLE WITH RESOUNDING TKO VICTORY OVER LAMONT PETERSON SATURDAY NIGHT ON SHOWTIME® FROM BARCLAYS CENTER

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Lightweight World Champion Robert Easter Defeats Javier Fortuna

in SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® Co-Feature

 

 

Don’t Miss The Replay Monday, January 22 at

10 p.m. ET/PT On SHOWTIME EXTREME

 

 

Click HERE for Photos from Amanda Westcott/SHOWTIME

 

 

Click HERE for Photos from Ed Diller/DiBella Entertainment

 

 

BROOKLYN (Jan. 21, 2018) – Undefeated welterweight world champion Errol Spence Jr. retained his IBF title with an impressive stoppage of former two-division champion Lamont Peterson in the main event of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXINGSaturday night from Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING®.

 

 

 

In his first defense since dethroning Kell Brook on SHOWTIME last May, Spence (23-0, 20 KOs) out boxed a tough Peterson (35-4-1, 17 KOs) from start to finish, showcasing a wide array of skills, speed and power. The fight was stopped prior to the start of the eighth round after Peterson’s trainer, Barry Hunter, called for the stoppage.

 

 

 

The fight played out similar to how both fighters predicted, starting in a cagey tactical affair before it turned into an aggressive fight in the middle rounds. Two minutes into round five, Spence used a blistering left hook to send Peterson to the canvas (Click HEREfor highlight). The Washington, D.C. native returned to his feet and continued to battle, but Spence proved to be too much. The 2012 U.S. Olympian out landed Peterson 161-45, while connecting on 49 percent of his power punches to just 31 percent for Peterson.

 

 

 

After the fight Spence spoke to SHOWTIME Sports reporter Jim Gray and was quick to give credit to his opponent. “I want to thank Lamont,” he said. “A lot of guys turned down the fight and he took it like a real warrior and I commend him for that. He’s a tough fighter.  He’s willing to die in there.” Click HERE to watch the interview highlight.

 

 

 

Despite earning the win in commanding fashion, Spence still believes he has room to improve. “I still can improve a lot on my defense,” said the unbeaten world champion. “I just have to keep perfecting my skills and keep progressing. You’re going to see a better Errol Spence next time I get in the ring.

 

 

 

“Everybody knows I’ve been waiting on “Some Time” Thurman,” said Spence, looking ahead to a possible unification match with WBC and WBA Welterweight World Champion Keith Thurman. “Since I was 15-0 I’ve been calling this guy out and he keeps making excuses.  Let’s get it on. He has two of the belts and we both have big names. It’s an easy fight to make and I want it.”

 

 

 

Peterson, who fought valiantly against the younger Spence, respected the decision of his trainer to stop the fight, “If he asks me to fight a million people, I will. If he asks me to stop. I will stop. I will never question his decision. I know he has my best interests at heart.”

 

 

 

“It was really hard, but if you know Lamont, you know he was not going to give up,” said trainer Barry Hunter. “I had to stop it. At the end of the day, this is my son right here. There’s nothing more valuable than his well-being. If it comes to him or winning, I pick him. I care about him.”

 

 

Undefeated 135-pound world champion Robert Easter (21-0, 14 KOs) earned a split decision victory over former world champion Javier Fortuna (33-2-1, 23 KOs) in the co-main event of the SHOWTIME telecast. The judges scored the bout 114-113, 113-114 and 115-112.

 

 

 

The back-and-forth bout saw two skilled fighters stay in the pocket and look to do damage from the inside. A second round point deduction from Fortuna proved costly when the Dominican was warned and then penalized for hitting Easter behind the head. Without the one point deduction, the fight would have been scored a draw. While Easter Jr. was slightly busier, Fortuna landed the more powerful punches. Easter Jr., who held a significant height advantage, out landed Fortuna, connecting on 120 of 383 (31 percent) power punches while Fortuna connected on 113 of 441 (26 percent).

 

 

 

“It was a tough fight, he’s a former world champion for a reason,” Easter told Gray. “We made it tough trying to counter punch. He wasn’t throwing much and it made it difficult for me to chase this guy around.

 

 

 

“I couldn’t get the knockout but we got the win and that’s all that matters. I knew he was going to run once he felt my power. He just wanted to grab and hold the whole fight.”

 

 

 

Looking ahead, Easter made his intentions clear as he seeks unification bouts in the near future, “I want to fight the champions and unify these belts. Fights like these aren’t in my game plan. I’m ready for Mikey Garcia and Jorge Linares to sign the contract.”

 

 

 

A disgruntled Fortuna also spoke to Gray, “the public knows what happened here. They booed because they know that I won this fight.

 

 

 

“If he’s a man let’s fight again at 135-pounds,” said Fortuna, who failed to make weight on two attempts Friday, which meant that Easter’s belt would not be on the line. “I will definitely make the weight. I didn’t give myself enough time to train.”

 

 

 

Unbeaten light heavyweight contender Marcus Browne (21-0, 16 KOs) made quick work of Francy Ntetu (17-2, 4 KOs) in SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING PRELIMS action, as he dropped and battered his opponent early to force referee Arthur Mercante to stop the bout at just 2:15 of the first round. Fighting for his 12th time at the Barclays Center, the 27 year-old Staten Island native kept his unblemished record intact by utilizing his powerful left hand on the overmatched Ntetu.

 

 

 

Browne established his dominance from the start, landing a clean overhand left that dropped Ntetu halfway through the round. The Montreal, Québec native was never able to regain his feet and found himself cornered against the ropes just thirty seconds later. A barrage of powerful combinations landed on the defenseless Ntetu left the referee with little option but to stop the fight with 45 seconds remaining in round number one.

 

 

 

“We worked for this win. He walked into a sure shot and I made him pay,” said Browne. “The overhand left caught him and that was the beginning of the end for him. I knew he was hurt.

 

 

 

“I need a world title shot. I’m ready to take on any of the champions. I don’t have any preferences. I’m glad I put together another great performance here at Barclays Center. I’m going to keep improving until I really become Mr. Barclays Center.”

 

 

 

Ntetu, who moved up to the light heavyweight division for this fight, had a hard time dealing with Browne’s combination of speed and power on his way to the second loss of his pro career.

 

 

 

“[Browne] is very explosive, congrats to him,” said Ntetu. “He’s fast, he’s smart and I did not expect him to be that explosive. He got me with his right hook and a straight left.

 

 

 

“I was in enough shape to fight for 10 rounds. This is not my weight class, but I don’t want to make excuses.”

 

 

 

In the opening bout of the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING PRELIMS, undefeated Adam Kownacki (17-0, 14 KOs) delivered a brutal knockout of Iago Kiladze (26-2, 18 KOs) at 2:08 of the sixth round of their heavyweight matchup. Kownacki, born in Lomza, Poland but fighting out of Brooklyn, New York, enjoyed the support of his hometown crowd as he steadily wore Kiladze down.

 

 

 

Kownacki was the more aggressive and accurate of the two fighters, landing 43 percent of his power punches and 35 percent of his total punches, compared to just 30 percent and 18 percent, respectively, for Kiladze. Despite a bloody nose that Kownacki suffered in the first round, the Polish heavyweight began to pour it on and tire Kiladze with a series of uppercuts and one-two combinations in the fourth round. The action-packed bout came to an end when Kownacki connected on a combination of two uppercuts and a right hand that sent Kiladze on his back in the final minute of the sixth round. After a stunned Kiladze returned to his feet, referee Shada Murdaugh called the fight at the suggestion of the ringside doctor.

 

 

 

“I’m so thankful to all my Polish fans who come out and give me that extra support”, said Kownacki, who fought in front of hundreds of his compatriots. “I’m going to keep fighting for the fans and give everyone a great show.

 

 

 

“I think I made the fight a lot harder than I should have. It’s another learning experience and I got the win. That’s all that matters.”

 

 

 

The Republic of Georgia-born Kiladze, who fights out of Los Angeles, was unable to speak to media as he was taken to NYU Lutheran Hospital for precautionary reasons.

 

 

 

Saturday’s telecast will replay on Sunday, January 21 at 9 a.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME and Monday, January 22 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME and will be available on SHOWTIME ON DEMAND® and SHOWTIME ANYTIME®.

 

# # #

 

 

 

For more information visit www.sho.com/sports , www.premierboxingchampions.com,  follow us on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @LouDiBella, @TGBPromotions, @BarclaysCenter and @Swanson_Comm  or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing, www.Facebook.com/barclayscenter,
and www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment. PBC was sponsored by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina. This event was promoted by DiBella Entertainment and TGB Promotions.

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UNDEFEATED WORLD CHAMPION ROBERT EASTER JR. OPENS UP TO JIM GRAY ABOUT HIS PAST AND FUTURE ASPIRATIONS IN SHOWTIME SPORTS® VIDEO FEATURE

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Easter to Defend IBF Lightweight Title Against Javier Fortuna Tomorrow
 
“I’m going to show him why he didn’t want to take this fight.” – Robert Easter
 Photo Credit: SHOWTIME

Watch, View & Share Via YouTube: http://s.sho.com/2mR0av5
WHAT: SHOWTIME Sports reporter Jim Gray sat down with undefeated world champion Robert Easter Jr. at the famed Gleason’s Gym in Brooklyn ahead of his 135-pound title defense against former world champion Javier Fortuna. The pair discussed Easter’s motivations to enter the sport of boxing, his life outside the ring and future aspirations inside the ring.
The IBF Lightweight World Title Bout serves as the co-feature of the January 20 SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING, a Premier Boxing Champions event LIVE on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) from Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING™. The event is headlined by IBF Welterweight World Champion and 2012 U.S. Olympian Errol Spence Jr.  making his first title defense against former two-division world champion Lamont Peterson.
“Nothing concerns me about Fortuna”, said Easter. “He hasn’t been in the ring with no one like me with my attributes. I’m going to show him why he didn’t want this fight.”
Looking ahead to what a successful title defense on Saturday night would mean for his career, Easter made it clear his goal was to unify the division. “Mikey Garcia, Jorge Linares – either or, it doesn’t matter. It’s all in these guys’ hands if they want to face me.”
SHOWTIME Sports will stream two live boxing undercard bouts featuring Marcus Browne and Adam Kownacki on Saturday on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING PRELIMS. Browne, an unbeaten 175-pound contender from Staten Island, will face Francy Ntetu in a 10-round fight while undefeated heavyweight Kownacki, fighting out of Brooklyn by way of Poland, will take on Iago Kiladze of Kiev, Ukraine in a 10-round bout.
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ERROL SPENCE JR. vs. LAMONT PETERSON FINAL WEIGHTS, QUOTES, PHOTOS & COMMISSION OFFICIALS FOR WELTERWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SATURDAY ON SHOWTIME®

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Spence Makes First Title Defense In Main Event Of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® From Barclays Center In Brooklyn, Presented By Premier Boxing Champions

 

IMG_1065.JPGIMG_1065.JPG

Click HERE For Photos; Credit: Tom Casino/SHOWTIME

 

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING – 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT on SHOWTIME

 

 

 

IBF Welterweight World Championship

 

 

Errol Spence Jr.: 147 pounds

 

 

Lamont Peterson: 146 ¾ pounds

 

 

Referee: Harvey Dock; Judges: Julie Lederman (N.Y.), Don Trella (Conn.), Steve Weisfeld (N.J.)

 

 

 

IBF Lightweight World Championship

 

 

Robert Easter Jr.: 134 ½ pounds

 

 

Javier Fortuna: 136 ½ pounds**

 

 

Referee: Ricky Gonzalez; Judges: Glenn Feldman (Conn.), John McKaie (N.Y.), Kevin Morgan (N.Y.)

 

 

**Fortuna does not make the 135-pound lightweight limit and cannot win IBF title.  Fortuna initially weighed 136.8 pounds and measured 136.4 pounds after the two-hour allowance. 

 

 

 

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING PRELIMS – 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT On Facebook Live &YouTube

 

 

 

Light Heavyweight Bout – 10 Rounds

 

 

Marcus Browne: 175 ¾ pounds

 

 

Francy Ntetu: 174 ½ pounds

 

 

 

Heavyweight Bout – 10 Rounds

 

 

Adam Kownacki: 260 pounds

 

 

Iago Kiladze: 220 ½ pounds

 

FLASH QUOTES:

 

 

SPENCE:

 

 

“This is a tough challenge. If you know Lamont, you know he’s a tough fight but I came to dominate the division and it started with Kell Brook. I’m going to get Lamont Peterson and then I’m going to get the other welterweights that are out there.

 

 

 

“It’s definitely important not just to win the fight, but how I win the fight. I came to dominate the division and I came here to look good. I’m the future of the division and I’m the future of boxing.”

 

 

 

PETERSON:

 

 

“I wouldn’t say that Errol isn’t the bigger guy, I just believe that it doesn’t matter. It’s all about boxing skills.

 

 

 

“I think we’ll both make each other look pretty good, but I’m going to win.”

 

# # #

 

For more information visit www.sho.com/sports , www.premierboxingchampions.com, 

follow us on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @LouDiBella, @TGBPromotions, @BarclaysCenter and @Swanson_Comm  or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing, www.Facebook.com/barclayscenter,
and www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment. PBC is sponsored by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

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Errol Spence Jr. vs. Lamont Peterson Final Press Conference   Quotes & Photos

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Welterweight World Title Showdown Headlines Saturday, January 20 Live on SHOWTIME from Barclays Center in Brooklyn & Presented by Premier Boxing Champions
 
Click HERE for Photos from Tom Casino/SHOWTIME
 
Click HERE for Photos from Ed Diller/DiBella Entertainment
BROOKLYN (January 18, 2018) – Undefeated welterweight world champion Errol Spence Jr. and two-division world champion Lamont Peterson faced off Thursday at the final press conference before they enter the ring Saturday, January 20 in the main event live on SHOWTIME from Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING®, and presented by Premier Boxing Champions.
The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and features unbeaten lightweight world champion Robert Easter and former world champion Javier Fortuna, who met face to face for the first time on Thursday.
Competing in SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING PRELIMS on Saturday will be unbeaten light heavyweight Marcus Browne and once-beaten Francy Ntetu, who meet in a 10-round bout, plus undefeated heavyweight Adam Kownacki and once-beaten  Iago Kiladze, who step into the ring for a 10-round affair.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment and TGB Promotions, are priced starting at $50, and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased at ticketmaster.com, barclayscenter.com, at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center or by calling 800-745-3000. Group discounts are available by calling 844-BKLYN-GP.
ERROL SPENCE JR.
“This fight means everything to me. I still have a chip on my shoulder. I want to be the last man standing. I want to beat the top fighters in my division. Lamont is the one standing in front of me, so it’s fight time.
“I think it’s going to turn into a war. A lot of people have thought this would be an easy fight for me. But if you follow Lamont Peterson, you know this will be tough. He’s always in great shape and has a lot of skills. IT might be a dog fight and that’s what I wanted. He’s the guy who wanted to fight and I said of course. It’s going to be a rugged fight. Later on in the fights, he always gets rough and stands toe-to-toe.
“There might not be a lot of talking and bad blood between us, but you know that the two of us always give a great fight for the fans.
“I had to wait for my title defense and then I had a lot of guys not answer the call for this fight. I have a belt and I still have to call these other guys out. Lamont Peterson answered the call like a real fighter.
“In a perfect world I’d be unifying with Keith Thurman this year. I’m going to fight three times this year though. You don’t get time back. I’m ready to strike now.
“I’m just excited to fight. I like to fight. I can’t wait to be in front of those bright lights in front of the fans. Brooklyn is a great place to fight and my family from the area can come see me live. I can’t wait to display my skills.
“A true champion can’t fight everybody who calls them out, it’s still a business. But a true champion fights other champions, especially when they’re available. You can’t avoid questions and try to delay a fight. You fight the next champion that’s available, that’s what a true champion does.”
LAMONT PETERSON
“When I got into boxing, I had goals. First I wanted to be a National Champion, then a world champion as a professional, but the ultimate goal is to be in the Hall of Fame. With that being my goal, I wouldn’t put myself in that conversation yet. With wins over a guy like Errol Spence and the other top welterweights, I think I’m right there in it. That’s my goal and I’ll give it my all to get there.
“If you left it to me I’d fight every month. That’s how much I love the sport. I know a victory would help me get in the ring even more often. Sometimes if you lose at the top level, other top guys don’t want to take a chance against you. I can fix all of that this weekend
“I don’t worry about any negativity. My resume is written in the history books. All I can do is respect the opinion of others and work hard to get this win.
“I’m excited and looking forward to the skill level that’s going to be displayed this weekend. It’s going to be a rough fight for sure. But I look forward to the technique and skill level. Defense, offense and transitioning between the two. That’s the part of boxing that I love.
“Errol even taking the Kell Brook fight was impressive to me. Most guys in his position take their time leading up to the first title shot, but he ended up fighting someone in his prime in his country. To will himself to that win was very impressive.
“When you get to the big stages and those big fights, you have to win more than you lose. I think if I can win some big fights these next few years my career will be in a good place.”
ROBERT EASTER
“I have no concerns fighting a southpaw. I made my last fight hard, but this time I’m going to use my reach, my feet and my speed to dominate.
“I’m looking for a great performance. This is going to be the best Robert Easter the fans have ever seen. We prepared to dominate this fight.
“Javier Fortuna is an accomplished fighter but I don’t know too much about him. I know what I came to do. I’m a world champion and everyone knows what I bring to the fight game. I won’t leave without my strap.
“I’m ready to fight the best in this sport. I want to become the man at this weight and I know I have to beat the other champions to do that.
“Boxing is all about showing you’re the best and fighting the best. I just want to fight these other champions in my weight class. I’m looking to stay healthy in 2018 and remain on top.”
JAVIER FORTUNA
“I have no excuses on January 20. I hope he doesn’t either. I will be taking that title to the Dominican Republic for my fans. I’ve been dreaming about it and I will take it.
“I have the style and the skills to beat Robert Easter. I know how to make sure his height does not affect me at all. Everyone will see it on fight night.
“I’ve prepared myself very well. I have a plan to win every round. If he’s able to stand there, I’m going to break him down round by round.
“I am fighting for more than just myself and that is why I’ll be successful. I am going to prove that I’m truly one of the top fighters in the sport.
“Robert Easter is a fighter I respect, but I believe I can defeat anyone in front of me. If he takes me lightly, it will go even worse for him. I’ve been training hard to make sure I’m at my absolute best on fight night.
“A win would be great for my country, my fans and my family. Winning this title is everything for me. That’s why I’m here and I will not be stopped.”
DERRICK JAMES, Spence’s Trainer
“I started training Errol about nine years ago but I never really knew just how special he was until about a year or so into our training. I thought Olympics were definitely possible, because I didn’t want to look too far ahead. Now that we’re here, I think he can beat any of the top guys. I want him to be undisputed welterweight champion just like he wants to be.
“I never worry about comparing Errol to other guys in the sport. He’s a hard puncher who breaks ribs and breaks faces. The longer the fight goes, the more pain he inflicts. I’ve never seen anybody who punches that hard.
“I think Lamont knew when he moved up to welterweight that this fight would be a possibility. It’s time for us to go to work because I know Lamont and Barry Hunter are working on a game plan. They have a great team and I know Lamont will be ready for what we bring.”
BARRY HUNTER, Peterson’s Trainer
“We stay in the gym all the time. We didn’t have to deal with the weight monster this camp. Weight issue can really derail a camp leading up to a fight of this magnitude. We didn’t have to deal with any of that.
“There are several different things in Errol’s arsenal that I think we can exploit. Errol will make adjustments though, so I think strategy will be a key in this fight.
“Lamont has always been a coach’s dream. He’s the type of athlete that you would love to coach. He does everything a coach asks of him. He will train until he passes out. All he wants is to work hard and compete.”
LOU DIBELLA, President of DiBella Entertainment
“This is a great night for boxing. The first January date of the year drums up a lot of excitement and we expect a great turnout on Saturday night at Barclays Center. It’s going to be a great crowd and an exciting night from top to bottom.
“Errol Spence Jr. is one of the best young fighters in the world testing himself against another great fighter in Lamont Peterson It’s the best fighting the best. Lamont Peterson is a guy with a tremendous resume. If anybody thinks Errol is going to take Lamont lightly, they’re mistaken and he would be too.
“Both of these main event fighters are lucky to have trainers who are real teachers. They are old school and two of the best. Derrick James and Barry Hunter know the game inside and out.
“Robert Easter is a beast, he’s got reach, power and boxing ability. He’s facing a guy in Javier Fortuna who is a confident former world champion. Javier has been talking a big game. He’s talking about knockouts. You want to see a guy come into a fight like this with that kind of confidence.
“This year in boxing is starting out just like last year started, at Barclays Center with a great, even matchup like Badou Jack vs. James DeGale last year.”
STEPHEN ESPINOZA, Executive Vice President & General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports
“In terms of representing the sport, you don’t get any better than Errol Spence Jr. and Lamont Peterson. The professionalism of these guys is unmatched and they represent the best of the sport. I’m proud to have them on the network.
“You can’t play boxing. You have to be dedicated and passionate. Those values are going to be reflected in the ring on Saturday.
“This is a special fight. These are the best in the sport. They’re both top 10 guys. Errol Spence Jr. has grown up on SHOWTIME.
He made his pro debut on ShoBox and won his first world title on SHOWTIME. This is Lamont’s eighth appearance on SHOWTIME and he has one of the strongest resumes in the sport.
“Robert Easter and Javier Fortuna is another matchup of top 10 guys. What we’re doing here is special. This isn’t just another network doing boxing, this is the cream of the crop.”
BRETT YORMARK, CEO of Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment
“I’m really excited about Saturday night. We’ve been very fortunate to host the first big event of the year. There’s an appetite to get back into the game and we’re happy to be hosting it.
“I want to welcome back Errol and Lamont to Barclays Center. Both have been there before and we’re thrilled to have you back. We’re pleased that Robert has finally decided to take his show to Barclays Center and give the fans a performance. Last time Javier won at Barclays Center he won his world title and we’re happy to have him back.
“We’re going to create something great here in Brooklyn and it continues on Saturday night at Barclays Center.”
# # #
For more information visit www.sho.com/sports , www.premierboxingchampions.com,
follow us on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @LouDiBella, @TGBPromotions, @BarclaysCenter and @Swanson_Comm  or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing, www.Facebook.com/barclayscenter,
and www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment. PBC is sponsored by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.
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UNIFIED WOMEN’S SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION CLARESSA SHIELDS DOMINATES TORI NELSON IN THE MAIN EVENT OF SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION FRIDAY ON SHOWTIME® FROM TURNING STONE RESORT CASINO

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 Shohjahon Ergashev Shines While Jesse Hernandez Edges Ernesto Garza In Co-Featured Bouts

 

Catch The Replay Monday At 10 p.m. ET/PT On SHOWTIME EXTREME

 

Click HERE To Download Photos; Credit Stephanie Trapp/SHOWTIME

 

VERONA, N.Y. (Jan. 13, 2018) – Unified Women’s Super Middleweight World Champion Claressa Shields dominated previously undefeated Tori Nelson en route to a 10-round unanimous decision in the main event of ShoBox: The New Generation Friday on SHOWTIME from Turning Stone Resort Casino.

 

 

 

Shields controlled from opening to closing bell, sweeping 100-90 on all three judges’ scorecards in the first 10-round distance fight of her career.  The 2012 and 2016 Olympic Gold Medalist out-landed Nelson 225-81 with her total punches, 186-70 in powers shots, and connected at a 44 percent clip with her power shots compared to just 20 percent for Nelson.

 

 

 

“I landed every shot that I thought possible to land,” Shields said. “She was tough, she wasn’t a pushover.  She put on a good fight.”

 

 

 

Shields advanced to 5-0 with two knockouts in what was likely her final fight in the super middleweight division.  The 22-year-old now has her sights set on the middleweight division where she will eventually target undefeated and Unified Women’s Middleweight World Champion Christina Hammer, who was ringside Friday in Verona.

 

 

 

“I have to drop down and see how I feel (first),” Shields said.  “I think I could make 160 easy, I’m going to be bigger and stronger than any girl.

 

 

 

“Hammer just wants to scope.  I think she’s pretty scared to be honest.  She is more worried about me than I am about her.  I’m going to kick Hammer’s ass.  People think Hammer is more skilled than me so I can’t wait to show her that she’s not.”

 

 

 

Hammer, who is expected to fight in a co-featured bout on the next Shields card, was interviewed by SHOWTIME analyst Steve Farhood and expressed excitement to make her U.S. debut and eventually face the American champion.

 

 

 

“It’s a great combination me and her on the same card,” Hammer said.  “I can’t wait to show the fans who Christina Hammer is.  That will be the best fight ever.  It will be the game-changer for female boxing.  It’s our time to shine.

 

 

 

“I’m long-time world champion and I have more experience.  I have longer reach, I’m tall, I have good footwork and better technique than her.  I feel the energy, and I can’t wait to fight against her.”

 

 

 

The former world champion Nelson (17-1-3, 2 KOs) became the 173rd undefeated fighter to suffer their first professional loss on ShoBox: The New Generation.

 

 

 

“I’m not happy because I didn’t win, but other than that I thought I executed pretty well,” said the 41-year-old Nelson.  “I gave her a better fight than she was expecting.

 

 

 

“No disrespect to Claressa, she doesn’t have great power. She has great speed and she overwhelms you with a lot of punches.  My movement threw her off like I knew it would but knowing she was the champion, I needed to just push a little bit more.”

 

 

 

In the ShoBox co-feature, Jesse Hernandez narrowly defeated Ernesto Garza via split-decision in an action-packed fight that was scored 95-94 Hernandez, 95-93 Garza, 97-93 Hernandez.

 

 

 

After a close first round, Garza floored Hernandez with a flush left hand to the nose in the closing moments of the second round.  Hernandez recovered, and while the middle rounds featured tremendous back-and-forth action, Hernandez seemingly had no trouble walking down Garza, who’s punches seemed to lack any real power.  Garza (9-3, 5 KOs) found a second wind and seemed to pick up the eighth and ninth rounds until Hernandez roared back in an excellent 10th and final round that featured 178 total punches.

 

 

 

Hernandez (11-1, 7 KOs) landed 50 percent of his power punches and connected on 40 percent of his punches compared to just 28 percent for Garza, however he threw just 719 total punches compared to more than 1,000 by Garza.

 

“I think it should have been a unanimous decision,” Hernandez said.  “I’ve always been a slow starter and I feel like I lost the first two rounds, especially with the knockdown.  But I won pretty much every round after that, I maybe lost three rounds.

 

 

 

“I’m not completely happy with my performance. I have to control my distance and my range a little bit better.  I need to go back to the gym and work on those things. Before the summer comes I hope to have another fight and I hope it’s on SHOWTIME.

 

 

 

“I give Garza a lot of credit for getting in the ring and knocking me down.  He hung in there for 10 rounds even after I caught him with some good shots.  He was able to withstand those shots, but all that said, I still think it should have been a unanimous decision.”

 

 

 

Garza countered that sentiment.

 

 

 

“I thought it was a bogus decision,” Garza said.  “I don’t understand that last judge’s card.  I was happy with everything that I did.  I executed well and did everything I needed to do to win the fight.

 

 

 

“I’m really disappointed with the outcome.  I felt that I won.  To me, I won a majority of the rounds and I knocked him down.   I know knocking your opponent down usually leads to you winning the fight.”

 

 

 

Undefeated Uzbekistan power-puncher Shohjahon Ergashev handed Sonny Fredrickson the first loss of his career with an impressive third round TKO in the opening bout of the ShoBox telecast.

 

 

 

The win over the top-10 ranked Fredrickson extended Ergashev’s perfect record to 12-0 with 12 knockouts.

 

 

 

The 26-year-old pressed the action from the beginning, negating Fredrickson’s five-inch reach advantage with a steady diet of well-timed, crisp punches.  Ergashev landed a wide left to the head that stumbled Fredrickson in the opening minute of the third and continued to tee-off as his opponent wobbled against the ropes  With Fredrickson (18-1, 12 KOs) unable to defend himself and eating a series of brutal lefts, referee Benjy Esteves stepped in to stop the bout at 1:58 of the third.

 

 

 

All of Ergashev’s 61 connects in the bout were power shots, and he connected on 77 percent of his power punches in the third and final round.

 

 

 

“The ref saved him,” Ergashev said.  “If he let him stay on his feet any longer I would have knocked him out.  He couldn’t handle my power.

 

 

 

“At this stage of my career, I am in the best shape of my life and the best I have felt.  This is my time right now, especially because I am training with Rick (Phillips) and (Javan) Sugar (Hill Steward). That’s what leads to all of my knockout power.

 

 

 

“I’m ready for whatever comes next. I’m ready for more fights in the U.S., and I want to keep getting more exposure to show off my skills.  I’m ready to fight anybody in America.”

 

 

 

Fredrickson, who became the 172 fighter to suffer his professional loss on the prospect developmental series, suffered a jaw injury in the bout and was unavailable for comment.

 

 

 

Friday’s tripleheader will replay on Monday, Jan. 15 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME and will be available on SHOWTIME on DEMAND® and SHOWTIME ANYTIME®.

 

 

 

Barry Tompkins called the ShoBox action from ringside with Steve Farhood and former world champion Raul Marquez serving as expert analysts. The executive producer was Gordon Hall with Rich Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

 

# # #

 

For more information visit www.sho.com/sports follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @SHOSports, #ShoBox, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports.

 

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Russian Heavyweight Apti Davtaev Remains Undefeated on Shields vs. Nelson Undercard at the Turning Stone Resort Casino

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Several entertaining fights highlighted the untelevised undercard for two-time Olympic gold medalist Claressa Shields defense of her WBC and IBF titles against mandatory challenger Tori Nelson at the Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York tonight.
In the main supporting bout, Detroit via Kurchaloi, Russia, heavyweight Apti Davtaev had a successful United States fighting debut by scoring a six-round unanimous decision over Philadelphia’s Garrett “The Ultimate Warrior” Wilson.
Wilson didn’t make it easy. Fighting out of a crouch, the heavily muscled, but much shorter Wilson came up with enough wild haymakers to make the entire fight very interesting. Davtaev appears to have a heavy right hand, which he dropped onto the hard head of Wilson often enough to earn the close, but deserved nod. Davtaev warrants credit for going to war whenever one of Wilson’s looping swings connected.
Davtaev (now 14-0-1, 13 KOs) loses his perfect KO percentage, but walks away with a hard-fought victory over a foe who came to win. Wilson is now (18-14-1, 9 KOs).
The scores were 58-56 from all three judges.
An accidental headbutt brought an abbreviated end to the six-round super lightweight return of Aktjubinsk, Kazakhstan’s Bakhtiyar Eyubov.
In against Lynchburg, Virginia’s Maurice Chalmers (14-13-1, 8 KOs), the exciting slugger Eyubov (13-0, 11 KOs) was advancing behind active head movement and a tight shell when his head collided with the retreating Chalmers’. The cut that resulted was ruled too severe and the fight was ruled a No Decision at 1:59 of the opening round.
In a wild women’s light heavyweight brawl featuring fists flying from every direction, wrestling holds and several MMA-style takedowns, Franchon “The Heavy Hitting Diva” Crews-Dezurn won a unanimous six-round decision over Tiffany “The Terminator” Woodard.
Crews-Dezurn, now 3-1, 1 KO, of Baltimore, Maryland, had too many weapons for Wilson, North Carolina’s Woodard (now 4-10-3, 3 KOs), so Woodard tried and succeeded to make things ugly. What followed was a wild punch-out featuring elbows and headlocks and takedowns that left both on the canvas more than once.
Woodard took a lot of hard leather and deserves credit for her toughness. Crews-Dezurn showed class in not taking the bait for most of the fight. She did lose a point in the sixth for a sneaky revenge takedown.
The scores were 59-53, 59-54 and 59-54.
Detroit via Magnitogorsk, Russia’s Alexey Zubov outworked a determined Lamont “Too Smooth” Capers of Hawley, Pennsylvania, on his way to a six-round majority decision.
An entertaining fight between hard-nosed cruiserweights, Zubov was cut over the right eye and took some good punches, but simply outworked the more selective Capers. Zubov showed his often-superior conditioning and worked behind an educated jab, while Capers was content to lay on the ropes and land hard pot shots often enough to keep it interesting.
A score of 57-57 draw was over-ruled by scores 59-56 and 58-56 for the tough Russian. With the victory, Zubov moves his record to 17-1, 9 KOs. Capers falls to 8-11-3.
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UNBEATEN TOP MIDDLEWEIGHT CONTENDER SERGEY DEREVYANCHENKO HIGHLIGHTS ACTION-PACKED UNDERCARD SATURDAY, JANUARY 20 FROM BARCLAYS CENTER IN BROOKLYN

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Plus, Super Lightweight Contender Anthony Peterson Faces Luis Florez And Unbeaten Prospects Richardson Hitchins, Dylan Price & Keeshawn Williams Enter the Ring 
in Separate Bouts
 
BROOKLYN (January 12, 2018) – Unbeaten middleweight contender and IBF No. 1 challenger Sergey Derevyanchenko (11-0, 9 KOs, WSB: 23-1, 7 KOs) will enter the ring for an eight-round bout as part of an exciting undercard on Saturday, January 20from Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING®.
The Premier Boxing Champions event is headlined by welterweight world champion Errol Spence Jr. taking on two-division champion Lamont Peterson live on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT). Lightweight world champion Robert Eastersquares up against two-division champion Javier Fortuna.
The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP telecast will be available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP).
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment and TGB Promotions, are priced starting at $50, and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased at ticketmaster.com, barclayscenter.com, at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center or by calling 800-745-3000. Group discounts are available by calling 844-BKLYN-GP.
Additional action inside of the arena will see the brother of Lamont Peterson, once-beaten Anthony Peterson (37-1, 24 KOs), facing Luis Florez (23-7, 19 KOs) in a 10-round super lightweight matchup plus once-beaten welterweight Ivan Golub (13-1, 11 KOs) in an eight-round fight against Colombia’s Fidel Monterrosa (38-14-1, 30 KOs).
Undercard fights continue with undefeated 2016 Haitian Olympian Richardson Hitchins(3-0, 1 KO) entering the ring for a four-round welterweight fight against Preston Wilson(4-2-1, 3 KOs), Philadelphia’s Dylan Price (4-0, 4 KOs) competing in a four-round super flyweight bout against Nestor Ramos (7-7, 3 KOs) and welterweight prospect Keyshawn Williams (1-0, 1 KO) taking on Denis Okoth (1-0, 1 KO) in a four-round matchup.
Rounding out the night is a four-round showdown between unbeaten Desmond Jarmon and Dallas-native Charles Clark plus New Jersey’s Matthew Gonzalez in a six round middleweight fight against Alexander Serna.
A highly decorated amateur who represented his native Ukraine in the 2008 Olympics, Derevyanchenko now lives and trains in Brooklyn and most recently earned the top spot in the IBF rankings with an impressive 12th round stoppage over Tureano Johnson. The 32-year-old also defeated previously unbeaten Kemahl Russell in 2017 after his 2016 saw him earn a TKO victory over Mike Guy in March before stopping former champion Sam Soliman in the second round of a world title eliminator in July. The unbeaten fighter defeated a slew of experienced contenders in 2015 with wins over Elvin Ayala, Alan Campa, Vladine Biosse and a third-round stoppage of Jessie Nicklow.
Derevyanchenko and Golub make it a pair of Ukrainian sluggers fighting out of Brooklyn who will compete on the undercard looking to put on impressive performances in their adopted hometown.
# # #
For more information visit www.sho.com/sports , www.premierboxingchampions.com,
follow us on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @LouDiBella, @TGBPromotions, @Brooklyn_Boxing, @BarclaysCenter and @Swanson_Comm  or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing, www.Facebook.com/barclayscenter,
and www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment. PBC is sponsored by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.
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CLARESSA SHIELDS vs. TORI NELSON SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION FINAL WEIGHTS, QUOTES & PHOTOS FOR TRIPLEHEADER TOMORROW ON SHOWTIME®

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 Live at 10 p.m. ET/PT from Turning Stone Resort Casino

 

“I’m going to go after her in the first round and get her out of there.” – Claressa Shields

 

 

 

“I’m going to shock the world.” – Tori Nelson

 

 

 

Click HERE To Download Weigh-In Photos; Credit Stephanie Trapp/SHOWTIME

 

 

 

VERONA, N.Y. (Jan. 11, 2018) – Unified Women’s Super Middleweight World Champion Claressa Shields and undefeated IBF mandatory challenger Tori Nelson made weight on Thursday for their 10-round WBC and IBF Super Middleweight World Championship showdowntomorrow/Friday, January 12 in the main event of ShoBox: The New Generation live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT) from Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y.

 

 

 

The 22-year-old two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Shields (4-0, 2 KOs) will face her second consecutive undefeated opponent in the former world champion Nelson (17-0-3, 2 KOs).

 

 

 

Undefeated Uzbekistan power-puncher Shohjahon Ergashev (11-0, 11 KOs) will meet fellow unbeaten and top-10 ranked Sonny Fredrickson (18-0, 12 KOs), of Toledo, Ohio, in the telecast opener. The 26-year-old Ergashev, a former six-year member of the Uzbek national team, and the current WBA No. 9 ranked Fredrickson will contest an eight-round super lightweight bout.

 

 

 

In the co-feature of the ShoBox: The New Generation tripleheader, Jesse Hernandez (10-1, 7 KOs), who is coming off consecutive victories over undefeated opponents, will take on former National Golden Gloves Gold Medalist Ernesto Garza (9-2, 5 KOs; 1-3 WSB) in a 10-round super bantamweight bout between two all-action fighters.

 

 

 

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by Salita Promotions, are currently on sale for $75 for the first two rows of ringside, $65 for remaining ringside seats and all others priced at $49 and $37, plus any applicable fees. Tickets can be purchased in person or by calling the Turning Stone Resort Box Office at 800.771.7711 or online at Ticketmaster.

 

 

OFFICIAL WEIGHTS:

 

 

 

Claressa Shields vs. Tori Nelson – 10-round WBC and IBF Super Middleweight World Title Bout

 

 

Shields:  167 pounds

 

Nelson:  164 ¾ pounds

 

 

 

Jesse Hernandez vs. Ernesto Garza – 10-round Super Bantamweight Bout

 

Hernandez:  122 ½ pounds

 

Garza:  122 ½ pounds

 

 

 

Shohjahon Ergashev vs. Sonny Fredrickson – Eight-round Super Lightweight Bout

 

Ergashev:  140 pounds

 

Fredrickson:  141 pounds

 

 

FINAL QUOTES:

 

 

 

CLARESSA SHIELDS:

 

 

“Tori brings a lot more aggression, a lot more fight than a lot of my previous opponents.  On paper, she has the best resume of any opponent I’ve faced and can put up a better fight.

 

 

 

“Everybody underestimates me because of my size. My frame looks like I’m a 140 but really I’m a 168. Everyone goes into a fight thinking they can win, but once that right hand lands everything changes.  I’m going to go after her in the first round and get her out of there like Nikki Adler.

 

 

 

“I expect my opponent to apply pressure, and to use some dirty tactics. She has more experience, but not that much when you speak of her amateur experience.

 

 

 

“She’s confident and she believes in herself.  She thinks I haven’t earned my place yet.  She doesn’t think I throw hard punches.  Speed is power.  She doesn’t get that.

 

 

 

“This has been a hard camp, I really pushed myself. I usually do six weeks, this time I did eight weeks. I hadn’t fought since August so I wanted to give myself an extra two weeks so I knew I was in perfect shape.

 

 

 

“There’s no doubt that I start the year with a win, but I see this as a competitive fight. I’m going to have to earn the win but I believe I can KO her by the sixth, seventh round.”

 

 

 

TORI NELSON:

 

 

“I know I’m the underdog, but I’ve dropped nine people. She hasn’t scored one knockdown yet as a pro. When Claressa turned pro, I knew I’d have to face her eventually.

 

 

 

“A win is what I came for. I expect nothing different.  I hope it would expose female boxing and not only open doors for me, but other female boxers coming up after me.

 

 

 

“I feel it’s more entertaining to watch a female fight. When women get dropped, they get right back up and go after it again. When men get knocked down, they start hiding because they don’t want to get hit again. So I think we should get paid just as much as the men.

 

 

 

“I’m blessed to be here, but I’m not a winner until I complete what I came here to do.  And that’s win. The odds are definitely against me, but I’m going to shock the world.

 

 

 

“I want to take her into the deep waters.  We don’t think she can beat us in a 10-round fight.

 

 

 

“They’re not going to give me anything. I have to be a dog and go in there and win this fight.  I’ve always been aggressive.  Why change anything for her?”

 

 

 

JESSE HERNANDEZ

 

 

“I’m just trying to get closer to a title fight. Moving up the rankings is the main goal right now, and I’m on the right path. A win here in a 10-round fight would be huge for my career.

 

 

 

“Being an all-around fighter is something I’m working on. But you can’t become a well-rounded fighter until you get the experience and the fights and that’s what I’m working on doing right now. I want to get more rounds in and progress.

 

 

 

“Fighting a southpaw is not a problem for me. I can switch my stance, but it’s not something I think about or plan. It just happens naturally in a fight.

 

 

 

“I’ve always believed in myself, even when I took time off. I believed that I could get back into it and get to a top level. The wins over two undefeated fighters did a lot for my confidence.  I knew I could do it, but it showed others I belong and that I can compete at the top level.”

 

 

 

ERNESTO GARZA

 

 

“I like to bring the pressure, and he’s a pressure fighter too.  We’ll see who backs up once we start throwing punches.

 

 

 

“I like to face fighters who come forward like him so I think everything will work for me.  I plan on applying the pressure, getting him tired in the latter rounds, and taking him out.

 

 

 

“He tends to switch, but I think that’s when he gets off-balance.  He won’t bring anything I haven’t seen before.

 

 

 

“I’m fighting at my natural weight class this time.  My last fight on ShoBox (against undefeated Jon Fernandez) I was fighting a much higher weight.

 

 

 

“I don’t think his height and reach will give me any issues.  I’ve been working with a lot of guys in the gym who have similar size and style.  We’re ready for anything.

 

 

 

“A win would be a great step for me and my career.  All the doors would open up for us.”

 

 

 

SHOHJAHON ERGASHEV:

 

 

“I love training here because of the fact that it’s a different atmosphere here in the States. It’s a real professional setup, I feel that my skills and my technique have gotten a lot better training here with Sugar Hill.

 

 

 

“I know that he is an experienced fighter. He’s undefeated and he’s coming to fight. It’s a big opportunity for both of us.

 

 

 

“I’m very honored to be on SHOWTIME and happy to be getting this kind of national exposure. A win would cement me as one of the best junior welterweight prospects in the world.

 

 

 

“I’ve gotten a lot better training at the Kronk Boxing Gym in Detroit. Last training camp was an introduction to the American style of boxing and this camp really improved my technique and tactics with the intense sparring.

 

 

 

“I’m 11-0 with 11 knockouts. I’m a puncher and I want to knock him out, but I’ve trained for the distance. I’ve trained to knock somebody out in the first round and the eighth round.

 

 

 

“This is a big step-up in opposition, but I’ve had over 200 amateur fights against some of the best amateur boxers in the world. I’ve beaten Olympic medalists and very accomplished amateur fighters.”

 

 

 

SONNY FREDRICKSON

 

 

“I’ve been waiting for this exposure for a long time. I’ve been trying to get on TV for the last two or three years, so this is a huge deal for me. Hopefully a win bumps me up into the top 5 and gives me a title shot at the end of this year or the beginning of next year.

 

 

 

“We spar a lot with Robert (Easter).  It’s back-and-forth action.  We grew up together and learn a lot from each other. I give him some pointers here and there and he does the same for me.

 

 

 

“I don’t know too much about my opponent. I know he’s a lefty and he has a strong punch. He’s a good match for me. He wants to keep coming forward and land big shots so I’ll be able to outbox him pretty easily.

 

 

 

“I don’t think nerves will be factor. I’ve fought on Andre Ward’s card, I’ve been in big fights before.

 

 

 

“I’m going to knock him out after the third round. I’m going to say, hey, get him out of here.

 

 

 

“After this fight, fans will start learning my name. I think they’ll want to see me have a shot at the 140 pound title.”

 

 

 

# # #

 

 

 

Barry Tompkins will call the ShoBox action from ringside with Steve Farhood and former world champion Raul Marquez serving as expert analyst. The executive producer is Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

 

 

 

For more information visit www.sho.com/sports follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @SHOSports, #ShoBox, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports.

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Lamont Peterson & Anthony Peterson Washington, D.C. Media Workout Quotes & Photos

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Former World Champion Battles Welterweight World Champion Errol Spence Jr. Live on SHOWTIME Saturday, January 20 From Barclays Center in Brooklyn & 
Presented by Premier Boxing Champions
 
Click HERE for Photos from Patrice Harris
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 11, 2018) – Two-division world champion Lamont Peterson hosted a media workout in his hometown of Washington, D.C. Thursday as he prepares to take on unbeaten welterweight world champion Errol Spence Jr.Saturday, January 20 live on SHOWTIME from Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING® and presented by Premier Boxing Champions.
The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and features lightweight world champion Robert Easter battling former champion Javier Fortuna.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment and TGB Promotions, are priced starting at $50, and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased at ticketmaster.com, barclayscenter.com, at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center or by calling 800-745-3000. Group discounts are available by calling 844-BKLYN-GP.
Also in attendance at the workout was Peterson’s brother, once-beaten contender Anthony Peterson, who competes in undercard action on the January 20 event.
Here is what the workout participants had to say Thursday:
LAMONT PETERSON
“I feel great. I’m already close to weight. I’m happy and eating up to five times a day. I feel strong and I’m ready for this fight.
“I have to look at this as really just another big fight. When you’re at the top, you try not to make too much of each fight. We know what’s at stake. I know that when I keep it simple, that’s when I perform best.
“Right now my body feels better than ever. I’m comfortable with everything that’s gone on in camp and I think you can see it in my body.
“I’ve always trained hard since the first day I came here as a child. That’s been instilled in me since a young age and it’s carried me throughout my career.
“Everything I do is for D.C. I’m trying to get as much recognition for this area the best way I can. That’s what we all strive for in this gym. This is the biggest one that’s been on the schedule for a while and I’m ready to bring it home.
“It gets easier and easier the more championship fights I’m in. I was in shape for all of them, but I definitely put more pressure on myself when I was young. I’ve improved each time and now I feel like I’m really at the perfect place in my career.”
ANTHONY PETERSON
“I have to make a statement. I never feel comfortable with a decision. I think that’s a good thing because I have to be special under the bright lights.
“Everyone knows I like to go to the body. You know I’m going to make him work so you can look out for me to break my opponent down on the January 20.
“I’ve been sparring with a variety of experienced fighters over the last year and they’ve helped me out even while I haven’t had a fight. Ring rust is all mental. It’s up to you to put the work in.
“I haven’t gotten the fights that I want, but I’ll always stick to my game and stick to my craft. I know if I persevere, things will work out for me.
“I know that I love this sport. I know that eventually I will be a world champion. I believe in my future and I’m looking forward to big fights.
“It’s inspiring to watch Lamont do his thing and succeed. He’s going to beat Errol Spence, even if people don’t believe it. I think he’s going to take care of business.”
BARRY HUNTER, Peterson’s Trainer
“It’s been a long grind in camp for these guys. When I think back on how long we’ve been on this journey, I’m very proud of them. They were 9 and 10 when they first came into the gym.
“We don’t have the weight monster to deal with fighting at welterweight. Lamont is in a great place mentally and physically. I’m looking forward to an explosive fight.
“When you look at the Spence-Brook fight, early on Brook had a lot of success. Down the stretch Errol imposed his will and broke Brook down. I know Errol well and I’ve coached him. He has a strong will. He’s not great in one area, but he’s good in a lot of areas. This is a different kind of guy he’s facing. Heart is something Lamont is nowhere near short on. I think this might start off tactical, and then turn into a war.
“My job is to go in there with part of a plan, but it’s always about adjustments for us. Whatever Errol brings to the table, we’ll figure it out and put everything in motion.
“This last week is a lot of game plan and mental preparation work. A lot of fighters don’t train the mind. You have to train the mind even more so than the body. We have to be ready for every scenario.
“I think if Anthony goes in there and does his job there are a few vacant titles at 140-pounds and that’s a track for us. We want to get a strap around his waist and we’ll face anyone to get it.
“Lamont, along with Anthony, Gary Russell Jr., Jarrett Hurd and Gervonta Davis, have been holding down boxing in this area for a long time. It would be huge to bring this title home. There are a lot of young Lamont Petersons in this area who want to reach this level. It would be a beacon of light shining down and showing these people the way.”
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