Tag Archives: Showtime Championship Boxing

ERISLANDY LARA & BRIAN CASTAÑO FIGHT TO HIGHLY COMPETITIVE SPLIT-DRAW IN TITLE FIGHT SATURDAY ON SHOWTIME® FROM BARCLAYS CENTER IN BROOKLYN


Heavyweight Slugger Luis Ortiz Earns Unanimous Decision
Over Christian Hammer

Eduardo Ramirez Scores Ninth-Round TKO of Bryan De Gracia
Katika matangazo kopo

Watch The Encore Presentation Monday At 10 P.M. ET/PT On
Showtime SANA®

Bonyeza HERE kwa Picha kutoka Stephanie Trapp / Showtime
& HERE for Photos from Tom Casino/SHOWTIME

BROOKLYN (Machi 3, 2019) – Former 154-pound world champion Erislandy Lara and WBA Super Welterweight Champion Brian Castaño fought to a highly competitive split-draw Saturday at Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING™, in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions. With the draw, Castaño retains the WBA belt in what was the toughest test of his career against the longtime top 154-pounder in Lara. The judges scored the fight 115-113 (Castaño), 115-113 (Lara) na 114-114.

Castaño (15-0-1, 11 Kos), who was fighting in his first U.S. tukio kuu, held a large advantage in power connects (181-103) while Lara (25-3-3, 14 Kos) found success landing his left hand down the middle on his way to a 34 percent to 27 percent advantage in power accuracy.

In the close, difficult-to-score fight, five of the rounds were separated by three or fewer connects and three of those rounds favored Lara. In the final two rounds, Castaño ramped up the pressure and connected on 44 kukwepa makonde, while Lara landed only 24 punches across the championship rounds. Castaño won the final three rounds on all three judges’ scorecards. Without doing so, the Argentine would have lost his belt.

After the hotly contested fight, both fighters have options, including a rematch, in the talent-rich super welterweight division.

“I know I won the fight. I feel I was robbed,” a disappointed Castaño told SHOWTIME’s Jim Gray. “If he wants the rematch, I’ll give him the rematch. I waited for him this time so I can wait for him again if he wants the rematch. I would give him the rematch if he wants. I can also go ahead and fight any other champion that wants to fight me. I’m ready for whoever they put in front of me. Hurd or anyone else.”

Lara, Kwa upande mwingine, felt he did enough to claim the belt: “I thought I won the fight by landing the more accurate and effective punches. Castaño came to fight but he never hurt me and I hurt him. All I can do is give the fans great fights and that’s what I’ll continue to do. I have a lot of fight left in me and I’m not going anywhere.

“If we have to fight him again, I’ll fight him. Hurd or Castaño. Anybody, I’ll have the rematch with both.”

Katika ushirikiano kipengele, Cuban heavyweight slugger Luis Ortiz (31-1, 26 Kos) earned a unanimous decision victory over a game Nyundo Mkristo (24-6, 14 Kos). Although the judges scored the fight 100-90 na 99-91 mara mbili, both men fought through bloody noses at different points in the fight and both were stunned in a back-and-forth second round.

Ortiz, who earned his third consecutive victory since dropping a thrilling slugfest with WBC Heavyweight Champion Deontay Wilder one year ago, is now looking for another world title shot.

“The fight wasn’t what I was expecting,” said Ortiz. “It was a hard fight and my corner really had to work with me. After I got the rhythm, I heated up a little bit. Every heavyweight out there should know that I still have it at 40-years-old. Anthony Joshua, Deontay Wilder, Mimi niko tayari. "

Although Hammer fought with more energy and with more resolve than in previous fights with other top-tier heavyweights Tyson Fury and Alexander Povetkin, Ortiz used his superior technique and skills to eventually cruise to the lopsided decision. Ortiz averaged 45 jabs thrown per round and landed 61 jabs to just 20 for Hammer, while also connecting on 49 asilimia ya uwezo wake kukwepa makonde. Ortiz made a conscious effort to attack Hammer’s body with 33.6% of his total connects (45 ya 140) coming via body shots.

“I fought a fight that I hadn’t for years, which is box and work,” said Ortiz. “So I’m not disappointed I didn’t knock him out because I showed some of my boxing skills tonight.”

Ortiz is a very good and experienced fighter,” said the 31-year-old Hammer, who was making his American debut. “He’s technical and smart but he’s not as intimidating as people say he is. I respect Ortiz but I don’t think he’s the best fighter I’ve ever faced.

“I’m very confident going forward. I know that I can go the distance with anyone and I’m willing to fight anyone. People thought I’d get knocked out but I proved them wrong.

In the telecast opener, Eduardo Ramirez (22-1-3, 9 Kos) caught Bryan De Gracia (24-2-1, 20 Kos) with a vicious right uppercut in the ninth, stunning his opponent and suddenly breaking open a close fight. Ramirez pounced on the dazed De Gracia and unleashed a wave of punches which forced referee Benjy Esteves to call the fight at 2:10 of round nine.

The southpaw Ramirez, ya Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico, was trailing on the scorecards at the time of the stoppage according to two out of three judges (the third had it even). Ramirez, known to grow stronger in the later rounds, connected on 36 punches in round number nine, by far his highest connect total on the night. Although De Gracia was the more aggressive fighter, the Panamanian failed to consistently land punches. De Gracia was accurate on just 27 asilimia ya uwezo wake kukwepa makonde, while Ramirez landed 38 asilimia ya yake.

“I definitely knew it was close but my corner kept telling me to keep going and going, and that’s when I caught him,” said Ramirez, who was fighting with a heavy heart following the passing of his grandfather. “I didn’t just come here to fight. I came here to do something and I did it.”

Kwa ushindi, Ramirez is now in line to face WBA (Regular) Featherweight World Champion Can Xu and will be looking to challenge for a world title fight in the deep featherweight division.

In SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING COUNTDOWN action that streamed live on theSHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel and SHOWTIME Boxing Facebook page, Edwin Rodriguez (31-2, 20 Kos) won a 10-round cruiserweight fight via unanimous decision overMitch Williams (16-7-3, 11 Kos) na alama ya 96-94 mara mbili na 98-92. Coverage on social media also saw Antonio Russell (13-0, 11 Kos), younger brother of WBC Featherweight Champion Gary Russell Jr., stop Jose Maria Cardenas (16-4, 13 Kos) 22 seconds into the sixth round of their bantamweight fight. In the opening bout of the digital presentation, Leduan Barthelemy (14-0-1, 7 Kos) remained unbeaten with a unanimous decision over Miguel Angel Aispuro (11-7-2, 7 Kos) na alama ya 80-72 mara mbili na 79-73 in their eight-round super featherweight attraction.

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Kwa habari zaidi tembelea www.SHO.com/Sports
,
www.PremierBoxingChampions.com
,
kufuata juu ya Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @BrooklynBoxing, TGBPromotions, @LouDiBella and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook atwww.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing
. The event was promoted by TGB Promotions in association with DiBella Entertainment.

SHOWTIME Sports® To Live Stream Undercard Bouts Featuring Veteran Contender Edwin Rodriguez and Unbeaten Prospects Antonio Russell & Leduan Barthelemy in Separate Bouts On Social Media Platforms TONIGHT FRom Barclays Center in Brooklyn


SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING COUNTDOWN Begins Live at 6:30 p.m. NA / 3:30 p.m. PT On SHOWTIME Sports YouTube Channel and SHOWTIME Boxing Facebook Page

BROOKLYN (Februari 27, 2019) – SHOWTIME Sports will provide live streaming coverage of three undercard fights on the network’s social media platforms as part of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING COUNTDOWN kuanzia saa 6:30 p.m. NA / 3:30 p.m. PT on Saturday, Machi 2 kutoka Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING™, na kuwasilishwa na Waziri Boxing Champions.

Streaming action will see hard-hitting contender Edwin Rodriguez vita Mitch Williams in a 10-round cruiserweight fight, unbeaten prospect Antonio Russell square off against Mexico’s Jose Maria Cardenas in an eight-round bantamweight showdown and Leduan Barthelemy step in for an eight-round super featherweight matchup with Mexico’s Miguel Angel Aispuro,

The social media presentation will stream on the SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel na Showtime Boxing ukurasa wa Facebook leading up to the evening’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING event. The three-fight SHOWTIME telecast begins live at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT and is headlined by former world champion Erislandy Lara challenging undefeated WBA Super Welterweight Champion BrianCastaño.

Tiketi kwa ajili ya tukio, which is promoted by TGB Promotions in association with DiBella Entertainment, are on sale now and can be purchased at ticketmaster.com,barclayscenter.com, au kwa kupiga 800-745-3000. Tickets can also be purchased at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. Group punguzo zinapatikana kwa kupiga 844-BKLYN-GP.

Rodriguez (30-2, 20 Kos) has demonstrated his power-punching ability throughout numerous memorable contests in his career. The 33-year-old was born in Moca, Dominican Republic before moving to Worcester, Massachusetts. In his last fight he scored a unanimous decision over Lionell Thompson last February. He will battle Jackson, Michigan’s Williams (16-6-3, 11 Kos) who most recently scored a stoppage victory over Michael Sunkett in December.

Antonio Russell (12-0, 10 Kos) sits between Antuanne and WBC Featherweight Champion Gary Russell in the lineage of the Russell family dynasty, and will look to remain unbeaten when he steps into the ring March 2. The 26-year-old scored two knockout victories in 2018 and has stopped his last five opponents from lasting the distance. He will be opposed by the 22-year-old Cardenas (16-3, 13 Kos) from Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico.

The younger brother of two-division champion Rances and Olympic gold medalist Yan, Barthelemy (13-0-1, 7 Kos) most recently fought to a split draw against then-unbeaten Eduardo Ramirez in September 2017. The 29-year-old from Cuba now lives and trains in Las Vegas and adds another top Cuban fighter to a card already including Lara and heavyweight contender Luis Ortiz. He prepares to take on the 28-year-old Aispuro (11-6-2, 7 Kos), who enters this contest with a three-fight winning streak.

Non-televised action will feature 2016 Haitian Olympian and Brooklyn-nativeRichardson Hitchins (7-0, 3 Kos) taking on Nicaragua’s David Morales (13-9, 13 Kos) in an eight-round super lightweight showdown, undefeated super lightweightTyrek Irby (6-0, 2 Kos) facing Kenya’s Dennis Okoth (2-1-1) for six rounds of action and unbeaten Aaron Anderson (3-0, 3 Kos)in a four-round middleweight fight against Atlanta’s Chukka Willis (4-9, 2 Kos).

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ABOUT LARA VS. CASTAÑO
Erislandy Lara vs. Brian Castaño pits former super welterweight world champion Lara against the WBA Super Welterweight Champion Castaño on Saturday, Machi 2 in the main event of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING from Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING™, na kuwasilishwa na Waziri Boxing Champions.

SHOWTIME coverage begins at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT and will see Cuban heavyweight contender Luis Ortiz kuchukua Nyundo Mkristo katika raundi 10 Heavyweight kivutio, plus hard-hitting Bryan De Graciabattling rugged veteran Eduardo Ramirez in a 12-round featherweight clash that opens the telecast.

Kwa habari zaidi tembelea www.SHO.com/Sports,www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, kufuata juu ya Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @BrooklynBoxing, TGBPromotions, @LouDiBella and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook atwww.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing.

Bryan De Gracia to Face Eduardo Ramirez in 12-Round Featherweight Showdown on Saturday, Machi 2 Live on SHOWTIME from Barclays Center in BrooklynEdner Cherry Forced to Withdraw from Fight Against Ricardo Núñez Due to Medical Issue


Former World Champion Erislandy Lara Battles WBA Super Welterweight Titlist Brian Castaño in SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® Kuu Tukio

BROOKLYN (Februari 25, 2019) – Ngumu kupiga Bryan De Gracia will face once-beaten contender Eduardo Ramirez in a 12-round featherweight match live on SHOWTIME Saturday, Machi 2 kutoka Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING™, na kuwasilishwa na Waziri Boxing Champions.

Bryan DeGracia, Eduardo Ramirez, Edner Cherry, Ricardo Nunez,

De Gracia vs. Ramirez replaces the previously scheduled Ricardo Núñez vs. Edner Cherry match after Cherry was forced to withdraw due to a medical issue. The winner of De Garcia vs. Ramirez will capture the WBA Gold Featherweight Championship and be in line to face WBA (Regular) Featherweight World Champion Can Xu.

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® tripleheader begins at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT na ni kichwa na aliyekuwa bingwa wa dunia Erislandy Lara challenging undefeated WBA Super Welterweight Champion Brian Castaño and also features Cuban heavyweight contender Luis Ortiz wakipambana Nyundo Mkristo.

Tiketi kwa ajili ya tukio, which is promoted by TGB Promotions in association with DiBella Entertainment, are on sale now and can be purchased at ticketmaster.com,barclayscenter.com, au kwa kupiga 800-745-3000. Tickets can also be purchased at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. Group punguzo zinapatikana kwa kupiga 844-BKLYN-GP.

The Panamanian De Gracia (24-1-1, 20 Kos) will be fighting for the first time in the United States on March 2. The 25-year-old has knocked out seven of his last eight opponents and scored four straight stoppage victories since his one loss to Jorge Sanchez in 2017. De Gracia, ambaye ni nafasi No. 2 by the WBA at 126 paundi, picked up two victories in 2018, including most recently stopping previously unbeaten Edinso Torres Jr. Agosti.

Ramirez (21-1-3, 8 Kos) suffered the only loss of his career when he dropped a unanimous decision to then-featherweight champion Lee Selby in December 2017. The 26-year-old southpaw from Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico had fought unbeaten Leduan Barthelemy to a draw prior to the Selby fight and most recently bounced back from that loss with a TKO victory over Carlos Jacobo in November.

Kwa habari zaidi tembelea www.SHO.com/Sports,www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, kufuata juu ya Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @BrooklynBoxing, TGBPromotions, @LouDiBella and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook atwww.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing.

ERISLANDY LARA TRAINING CAMP QUOTES & PHOTOS


World Champion Lara Talks Title Showdown, Sparring Top Prospects, 2018 Fight of the Year Against Jarrett Hurd & More Before Taking on WBA Super Welterweight Champion Brian Castaño Saturday, Machi 2 Kuishi juu ya Showtime®kutoka
Barclays Centre mjini Brooklyn

Bonyeza HERE for Photos from Hosanna Rull/Team Lara



HOUSTON (Februari 20, 2019) – Former super welterweight world champion Erislandy “Dream American” Lara will look to reclaim a piece of the 154-pound crown when he challenges WBA champion Brian Castaño Jumamosi, Machi 2 moja kwa moja kwenye Showtime kutoka Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING™, na kuwasilishwa na Waziri Boxing Champions.

Brian Castaño is coming into this fight with an undefeated record, lakini ni kitu Sijaona kabla,” Alisema Lara. “This will be my third fight in a row versus an undefeated fighter. Mimi kuchukua hii kwa umakini sana. Stylistically, I feel I’m the superior fighter, but he’s a very strong champion. I will be prepared to take back a title in this great division, then look to the biggest fights that are out there.

One of the big fights that could be out there for Lara is a rematch with unified 154-pound champion Jarrett Hurd. Lara dropped a split-decision to Hurd in a unification showdown on SHOWTIME that was the consensus 2018 “Mapambano ya Mwaka”, having been recognized by the BWAA, ESPN and Sporting News, miongoni mwa mambo mengine.

The fight against Hurd was a great fight for the fans, but I felt I won seven or eight rounds that night,” Alisema Lara. “To be on the wrong end of another close decision left a bad taste in my mouth. That fight being recognized as ‘Fight of the Yearshows my versatility as a fighter. I was on the ballot before with Alfredo Angulo, so it was good to get recognized for being a warrior, not only a craftsman. I will always give the fans my all and come March 2, it will be no different.

Lara is continuing to to work with longtime trainer Ronnie Shields in Houston, where Lara has prepared for his matchup with sparring that includes going up against top prospects in 18-year-old Joey Spencer and 24-year-old Eimantas Stanionis.

Ronnie and I are working great together, and we have an excellent game plan in place.,” Alisema Lara. “This is one of the better camps I’ve had the last few years. Having young fighters like Spencer and Stanionis in camp with me is refreshing because I know they are hungry. Wakati sisi foromali, I feed off their energy, because I know they are trying to take take their game to the next level, which makes me better. This is a demanding sport and they are definitely pushing me.

Machi 2 also gives Lara a chance to share the stage with another one of Cuba’s best fighters, as Luis Ortiz is set to take on Christian Hammer in the co-main event, making the night a celebration of Cuban boxing.

Luis Ortiz and I go way back and I’m happy that my brother is fighting on the same card as me,” Alisema Lara. “We’ve gone through a lot since leaving Cuba to pursue our dreams of becoming world champions here in the U.S. Like myself, I know he’s going to be ready to entertain the fans on fight night and make this a memorable night for Cuban boxing!”

Tiketi kwa ajili ya tukio, which is promoted by TGB Promotions in association with DiBella Entertainment, are on sale now and can be purchased at ticketmaster.com, barclayscenter.com, au kwa kupiga 800-745-3000. Tickets can also be purchased at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. Group punguzo zinapatikana kwa kupiga 844-BKLYN-GP.


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BRIAN CASTAÑO TALKS TRAINING CAMP, ERISLANDY LARA, ARGENTINE LEGENDS & MORE AHEAD OF MAIN EVENT TITLE DEFENSE LIVE ON SHOWTIME®

WBA Super Welterweight Champion Takes on Former World Champion Lara Saturday, Machi 2 kutoka Kituo cha Barclays katika Brooklyn& Presented by Premier Boxing Champions

BROOKLYN(Februari 7, 2019) – WBA super welterweight titlistBrian Castañois nearing his first U.S. main event and talked about how training camp has gone so far as he prepares to face former world championErislandy LaraJumamosi, Machi 2 live on SHOWTIME from Barclays Center in Brooklynthe home of BROOKLYN BOXING™, and presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

Castaño is trained by his former pro boxer father Carlos in the bustling city of Isidro Casanova in Buenos Aires, Argentina. After a long and successful amateur career leading into his pro debut in 2012, Castaño has a chance on March 2 to make a lasting impact with an impressive performance against Lara.

I’ve been boxing since I was a small child and now this is my opportunity to prove myself on the biggest stage,” said Castaño. “This fight is the moment I’ve been waiting for and the kind of tough challenge that I love. I want to make a statement to the American audience against one of the best fighters in the world.

In recent years, Argentine fighters such as Marcos Maidana, Jesus Cuellar and Lucas Matthysse have become champions and stars in the U.S. with their relentless styles they bring into the ring fight after fight. Castaño specifically has spoken to another Argentine great in Sergio Martinez for inspiration as he continues his journey.

I have a great admiration for the Argentine champions that have made statements and become big names in the U.S. in recent years and I know how difficult that is to achieve,” said Castaño. “I’ve sat and had great conversations with Sergio Martinez not long ago and I was able to learn a lot from a fighter like that.

The 29-year-old first won an interim title with a knockout of Emmanuel de Jesus in 2016, before winning tough 12-round battles against Michel Soro, and most recently a final round stoppage win over Cedric Vitu to capture the belt he will defend on March 2. These were the first two times Castaño fought into the 12th round as a pro.

I learn new things each time I fight,” said Castaño. “When you are a world champion, there are no easy foes. The opponents come stronger and stronger each time. I’ve learned that I have to double my effort every time I get into the ring.

In LaraCastaño faces a challenging former amateur world champion who was the longest-reigning titleholder in the 154-pound division before he lost to fellow champion Jarrett Hurd last April on SHOWTIME in 2018’s Fight of the Year. Castaño is aware of what Lara brings to the fight and is preparing to negate it.

On paper we know that Lara is a slick fighter that can be difficult to catch, while I’m more like a demolisher that goes after you all fight,” said Castaño. “Lara moves around the ring very wisely and has great timing on the counterpunch. Katika pete, you never know how it can play out though. I probably haven’t faced someone like him before, so I have to cut off the ring in an even smarter manner.

On March 2, Castaño will be looking to take his career to the next level with his performance, knowing that chances at the highest level are hard to come by.

I’ve taken my career quietly to this point, but I know that I have to make myself known by putting up a great performance in this tough fight,” said Castaño. “I’m prepared to do just that. This is the opportunity that I’ve dreamed of ever since I was a little kid and I have to be ready to rise to the occasion.

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions in association with DiBella Entertainment, are on sale now and can be purchased atticketmaster.com,barclayscenter.com, au kwa kupiga 800-745-3000. Tickets can also be purchased at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. Group punguzo zinapatikana kwa kupiga 844-BKLYN-GP.

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ABOUT LARA VS. CASTANO

Erislandy Lara vs. Brian Castaño pits former super welterweight world champion Lara against the WBA Super Welterweight Champion Castaño on Saturday, Machi 2 in the main event of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING from Barclays Centerthe home of BROOKLYN BOXING™, and presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

SHOWTIME coverage begins at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT and will see Cuban heavyweight contenderLuis OrtizkuchukuaNyundo Mkristoin a 10-round heavyweight attraction, plus hard-hittingRicardoNúñezbattling rugged veteranEdner Cherryin a 12-round super featherweight clash that opens the telecast.

ERICKSON LUBIN TRAINING CAMP QUOTES AND PHOTOS


Super Welterweight Contender Takes on Former World Champion Ishe Smith This Saturday in SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING COUNTDOWN Action From Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. and Presented By Premier Boxing Champions

Digital Presentation Streams Live on SHOWTIME Sports YouTube Channel and SHOWTIME Boxing Facebook Page Beginning
katika 8 p.m. NA / 5 p.m. PT

Bonyeza HERE for Photos from Team Lubin


LAS VEGAS (Februari 5, 2019) – Super welterweight contender Erickson Lubin will enter the ring under the guidance of coach Kevin Cunningham for the first time when he steps into the ring this Saturday against former world champion Ishe Smith kama sehemu ya SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING COUNTDOWN from Dignity Health Sports Park, formerly StubHub Center, katika Carson, California and presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

The digital presentation will stream on the SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel na Showtime Boxing ukurasa wa Facebook kuanzia saa 8 p.m. NA / 5 p.m. PT, and will also feature a showdown between super lightweights Juan Heraldez and Eddie Ramirez, all leading up to that evening’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING event. The three-fight SHOWTIME telecast begins live at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT headlined by super featherweight world champion Gervonta Davis defending his title against former world champion Hugo Ruiz.

Lubin will fight for the second time since losing his first world title challenge to Jermell Charlo in 2017, and for the first time with his new coach. The Orlando-native began training camp in West Palm Beach, but has been training in Las Vegas for the last month since the team moved west to finish the training camp for Adrien Broner’s fight against Manny Pacquiao.

Here is what Lubin had to say about Saturday’s fight and more:

On his matchup against Ishe Smith:

Ishe Smith has been in the ring with the best of them and he’s never been stopped. He knows how to fight and I’m expecting him to be at this best. I will have to dictate the pace right from the opening bell. My goal is to be the first person to take him out, but if it goes the distance, I’m okay with that as well. I’m going to win this fight and win it impressively.

On training with new coach Kevin Cunningham:

Kevin is a no-nonsense type of guy. He’s going to tell you the truth if you like it or not. If I’m doing something wrong in his eyes, he’s going to speak on it right away. He’ll do the same if I’m doing something right, so I like his style of training and I’m learning more each day we are together. This will be our first fight together and I’m excited to get back in the ring. We have a nice game plan in place that we will execute on fight night.

On training in Las Vegas for the first time in his career:

Training in Las Vegas is no joke, because we are training in higher elevation than what I’m used to in Florida. Getting away from the distractions at home has been relaxing. I’ve been getting great sparring and my timing is right on point. Las Vegas is definitely the place to be for high level sparring and training.

On fighting in Southern California for the second time in his career:

I really like fighting on the west coast. The fans are great, and the weather is beautiful. I know we’ll be fighting outdoors so I’m looking forward to that. Everyone knows this venue has hosted some really good fights. I’m looking to steal the show on Saturday night.

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ABOUT DAVIS VS. RUIZ
Gervonta Davis vs. Hugo Ruiz pits the WBA Super Featherweight World ChampionDavis against the former world champion Ruiz in the main event of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING on Saturday, Februari 9 from Dignity Health Sports Park, formerly StubHub Center, katika Carson, California and presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING coverage begins at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT and features undefeated super lightweight Mario Barrios taking on Mexico’s Richard Zamora and former world champion Javier Fortuna battling lightweight contender Sharif Bogere.

Tiketi kwa ajili ya tukio, promoted by Mayweather Promotions, TGB Promotions and Sampson Boxing, are on sale now and can be purchased at AXS.com.

Kwa habari zaidi tembelea www.SHO.com/Sports nawww.premierboxingchampions.com kufuata juu ya Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, SHOSports, @PremierBoxing @MayweatherPromo, @TGBPromotions and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports, www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions and Facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions.

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® REPORTER JIM GRAY CALLS INDUCTION INTO INTERNATIONAL BOXING HALL OF FAME AN ‘UNLIKELY AND TREMENDOUS HONOR’

Veteran Reporter Joins Former Play-By-Play Announcer Steve Albert As Sixth From SHOWTIME Sports® Tangu 2012 To Be Presented With Boxing’s Highest Honor

NEW YORK (Juni 11, 2018) – SHOWTIME Sports® veteran reporter Jim Gray was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame on Sunday in Canastota, N.Y., joining former colleague and longtime SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING play-by-play announcer Steve Albert in receiving boxing’s most prestigious honor.

 

 

 

Gray and Albert became the fifth and sixth SHOWTIME Sports talent enshrined in the Hall of Fame since 2012. They join boxing analyst Al Bernstein (2012), ring announcer Jimmy Lennon Jr. (2013), analyst and historian Steve Farhood (2017) and play-by-play announcer Barry Tompkins (2017).

 

 

 

In front of a large crowd that included close friends Mike Tyson, Don King, Deontay Wilder, Julius Irving, Jerry Richardson, Stedman Graham, Bob Costas and many others, the 59-year-old Southern California resident Gray reflected on 40-plus years of covering the sport of boxing. “My journey today has been an unlikely one,” Gray said during his induction speech. “The Boxing Hall of Fame immortalized all of these great fighters. So this magnificent honor comes with tremendous humility. How could this happen? I never took a punch.

 

 

 

Gray, who started with SHOWTIME in 1994, was honored with a Special Individual Achievement Emmy Award – he currently has 12 Emmy’s in total – in 1997 for his interview of Mike Tyson following the heavyweight’s second loss to Evander Holyfield, the infamous “bite fight.” The National Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association also named that interview theSports Broadcast Story of the Year.” Zaidi ya hayo, the American Sportscasters Association has voted GraySportscaster of the Year” katika 1998 and ‘99.

 

 

 

Gray chose Tyson to introduce him on Sunday during the induction ceremony. “It’s ironic,” said Gray. “The man who threatened to kill me in public is now inducting me into the Hall of Fame.

 

 

 

This award is way, way overdue,” an emotional Tyson said of his good friend. “I’m very proud of you. Well-deserved.

 

 

 

With this past weekend’s induction ceremony, SHOWTIME Sports now boasts five current Hall of Famers featured on the network: Gray, Bernstein, Farhood, Tompkins and Lennon Jr.

 

 

 

“I am so pleased for Jim and Steve that they received this great honor,” said David Dinkins Jr., Senior Vice President and Executive Producer of SHOWTIME Sports. “Jim Gray’s interviews and reporting have been an integral part of our SHOWTIME telecast from the beginning. Because of his skills and instincts we have been able to cover the events in depth. There have been countless times that Jim’s dogged pursuit of a story has enabled us to paint the complete picture of the event.”

 

 

 

Gray has forged one of the most memorable sports broadcasting careers in recent history, which includes a deep boxing resume. Gray has worked more than 1,200 fights and interviewed over 1,500 fighters throughout his career, Ikiwa ni pamoja na 20 of his fellow Hall of Famers, such as Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, George Foreman and future Hall of Famer Floyd Mayweather Jr. and many others ringside.

 

 

 

Outside of the ring, Gray has covered nearly every sport and landed some of the industry’s most lucrative interviews, including sit-downs with Michael Phelps, Tiger Woods, Tom Brady and Michael Jordan.

 

 

 

Albert spent two decades calling fights for SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING. Albert called more than 300 fights during his tenure with SHOWTIME, including Julio Cesar Chavez vs. Greg Haugen in front of 130,000 fans at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, Tyson-Holyfield I & II and the epic Corrales vs. Castillo series.

 

 

 

“Steve Albert’s incredible preparation and perfect timing were the reasons for his memorable fight calls,” Dinkins said. “Steve was the voice of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING through the high profile fights of the Tyson and Chavez eras. He will be forever linked to those shows which helped establish our network as a major broadcaster of boxing.”

 

 

 

Both Gray and Albert earned induction into the Observer category, which recognizes outstanding achievements of print and media journalists, publishers, Waandishi, historians, photographers and artists.

Deontay Wilder vs. Luis Ortiz New York Press Conference Quotes & Picha

Heavyweight World Champion Deontay Wilder Defends Against Undefeated Contender Luis Ortiz On Jumamosi, Novemba. 4 kutoka Barclays Centre mjini Brooklyn & Kuishi juu ya Showtime
Bonyeza HERE kwa Picha kutoka Amanda Westcott / Showtime
Bonyeza HERE kwa Picha kutoka Ed Diller / DiBella Entertainment
NEW YORK, NY (Saba. 20, 2017) – Undefeated WBC bingwa World Champion Deontay “Mshambuliaji Bronze” Wilder and hard-hitting Cuban southpaw Luis “Real King Kong” Ortiz announced their upcoming Novemba. 4 Showtime CHAMPIONSHIP ndondi heavyweight world title bout Jumatano from Dream Hotel in Downtown Manhattan.
The event is presented by Premier Boxing Mabingwa na hewa kuishi kwenye Showtime (9 p.m. NA/6 p.m. PT) kutoka Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING™.
Because of inclement weather near his home in Miami, Ortiz was unable to travel to New York, but did offer his thoughts about the upcoming fight via telephone.
Tiketi kwa ajili ya tukio kuishi, ambayo ni kukuzwa na DiBella Entertainment na TGB Matangazo, are on sale now and can be purchased at ticketmaster.com, barclayscenter.com au kwa kupiga 800-745-3000. Tickets can also be purchased at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. Group punguzo zinapatikana kwa kupiga 844-BKLYN-GP.
Hapa ni nini washiriki alikuwa na kusema Jumatano:
DEONTAY WILDER
“Mimi ni akaonekana best. I am the toughest heavyweight in the division. Mimi ni akaonekana man in the division. I don’t care what anybody else has going on. You’ve got to come through me.
When I knock him out, I want my due respect. I’m the only American heavyweight champion of the world and I am the man. Nobody is stronger physically, kiakili na kiroho. They are all scared of me.
I’m the heavyweight in the division with real knockout power. I put grown men down easily. On Novemba 4, Ortiz is going down. Baada ya hapo, you already know who is next. I’m ready to unify.
If he’s the boogeyman, I can’t wait to shine a light on him because the boogeyman is only effective at night. And we’re in New York so you already know what happened to King Kong in New York.
The game plan is the same as usual. We’re going to use my attributes. I’m going to set him up until the time comes. Ortiz has a great set of skills and I like his aggressive style. That’s one of the reasons I chose him. I wanted to beat him to prove that I am the man.
It definitely won’t go the distance. Sasa hivi, I’m thinking about three rounds but come November 4th, it might be in the first round.
LUIS ORTIZ
I’m ready to go and excited for the fight. I want to get to Novemba 4 so I can do what I have to do.
Wilder does a lot of talking. He’s nervous and keeps forgetting the date of the fight. I think he took this fight because he has no choice and no one else to fight.
I think Wilder is going to run in this fight. He should be careful what he says before the fight, because I think he’s going to run from me.
Wilder should sign his death sentence. I’m very different than anybody else that he’s fought. I punch harder than anybody else. I’m going to teach him not to mess with Cubans.
Some skeptics are talking about my age, but look at Mayweather. I still have my speed and my quickness.
JAY nzuri, Wilder’s Co-Manager and Trainer
Everything in camp has been going well. Last time we were here in New York we had a great crowd and it was a wonderful event. This will be an even bigger challenge. This is the fight the fans wanted and this is the fight we wanted.
Deontay has always wanted the biggest challenges. We won the belt in [Bermane] Stiverne’s hometown and we were ready to go to Russia to defend the belt. These are two guys in the division no one wants to fight, but they’ve decided to fight each other.
This is a great opportunity for Deontay to show who he is and where he is. It’s going to be well worth everyone’s time to be there at Barclays Center.
LOU DIBELLA, Rais wa DiBella Entertainment
There is nothing like a great heavyweight championship fight and on November 4th, a great champion is going to fight a great contender. This is a terrific fight.
This fight is happening because Deontay Wilder wants the world to know that he is afraid of no one, and that he’s prepared to fight anyone and he’s the best heavyweight in the world today. I could not be prouder of him for making this fight happen.
This is the toughest fight that Deontay Wilder could engage in right now. This is the most difficult opponent he possibly could fight.
Luis Ortiz is the boogeyman of this division. You haven’t heard anyone scream about fighting Luis Ortiz. A lot of people were shocked when they heard that Deontay Wilder wants to fight him. He not only wants to fight him, but he insisted upon it.
This isn’t a 43-year-old champion on his last legs in Luis Ortiz. This is a hungry beast that wants to beat Deontay Wilder. But Deontay is a champion. He’s not doing this for the money. A lot of people would think this is a dumb economic move. This is a legacy move. This is a move to prove who is the best. We’re not afraid of Anthony Joshua. If he was available on November 4th and wanted to fight, we’d fight him then.
STEPHEN Espinoza, Executive VP & GM, Showtime Sports
This has been a really strong year for SHOWTIME Boxing. This will be our 23rd live boxing event on SHOWTIME this year. And they’ve been important, mapambano maana. Not just a big name against a nobody. Kwa kweli, 16 times this year on SHOWTIME we’ve featured and unbeaten fighter taking on another unbeaten fighter. We know on SHOWTIME that you’re seeing the best fighting the best. No other network is as dedicated to delivering the highest quality fights. So without question, it’s been a great year. But we may have saved the best for last here.
We have two of the top heavyweights in the world. Both undefeated with a combined record of 65-0, 60 knockouts. This is the best fight that can be made in the heavyweight division. There is no question about that. This will be the eighth heavyweight title fight we’ve featured in the last two years. The only way to get to one unified champion in the heavyweight division is to have the best fight the best, and that is what is happening here on Novemba. 4, and we can’t wait.

Oscar Escandon Training Camp Quotes & Picha

Top Featherweight Challenger Battles Featherweight Champion Gary Russell Jr. in Main Event Showdown Jumamosi, Mei 20 from MGM National Harbor in Maryland on

Showtime®

Bonyeza HERE for Photos from Team Escandon/
Premier Boxing Mabingwa
NATIONAL HARBOR, MD. (Mei 15, 2017) – Top 126-pound challenger Oscar Escandon shares his thoughts on training camp and more ahead of his first world title opportunity against WBC Featherweight Champion Gary Russell Jr. Jumamosi, Mei 20 on SHOWTIME from MGM National Harbor in Maryland.
Coverage on SHOWTIME begins at 6 p.m. NA/3 p.m. PT and features super middleweight contenders Andre Dirrell na Jose Uzcategui battling for the IBF Super Middleweight World Championship plus two-division world champion Rances Barthelemy kuchukua Kiryl Relikh in a 140-pound world title eliminator. In the telecast opener, from Copper Box Arena in London, Gervonta Davis puts his IBF Jr. Lightweight Title on the line against Liam Walsh.
Coverage on SHOWTIME begins at 6 p.m. NA/3 p.m. PT and features super middleweight contenders Andre Dirrell na Jose Uzcategui battling for the IBF Super Middleweight World Championship plus two-division world champion Rances Barthelemy kuchukua Kiryl Relikh in a 140-pound world title eliminator. In the telecast opener, from Copper Box Arena in London, Gervonta Davis puts his IBF Jr. Lightweight Title on the line against Liam Walsh.
Tickets for the live event at MGM National Harbor, promoted by TGB Promotions, ni bei ya $200, $150, $100 na $50, and are now on sale. To purchase tickets go tohttp://mgmnationalharbor.com/.
Here is what Escandon had to say from Las Vegas before he wraps camp and heads east to headline at MGM National Harbor in Maryland:
On his recent training camp:
Training camp started off in Gilroy, California where we got a lot of good sparring in the Bay Area. But then we moved camp to Las Vegas where we are training in high elevation. We are running up at Mt. Charleston where the elevation is 8400 feet. Yote katika yote, it has been a fantastic camp.
On fighting in his first main event on SHOWTIME:
It’s a dream come true to be fighting on SHOWTIME, especially in the main event for a world title. I believe the fans watching will enjoy my fighting style. I always bring excitement to the ring. This will be a fan-friendly fight to watch.
On facing his opponent, champion Gary Russell Jr:
“Gary Russell Jr. is one of the best fighters in the division. I know it’s not going to be an easy task to defeat him but I’m confident in my ability to come out victorious. I will dig deep and impose my will on him.
On training with head coach Ruben Guerrero:
Together Ruben and I get along very well. He’s always there for me when I need him. We are doing everything to get better and we’ll be ready to go. We have a nice game plan that we will display on fight night.
On what a victory will do for his career:
This is the biggest fight of my career and a win will lead to bigger and better things, like unification bouts. To capture the WBC world title will be an honor for my team and my people of Colombia. I need to win this fight and capture that WBC title. I can see myself in major fights with a victory.
ABOUT RUSSELL JR. vs. ESCANDON
Gary Russell Jr. vs. Oscar Escandon is a featherweight world championship showdown that headlines SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING on Jumamosi, Mei 20 from MGM National Harbor in Maryland. Televised coverage begins on SHOWTIME at 6 p.m. NA/3 p.m. PT and features super middleweight contenders Andre Dirrell and Jose Uzcategui in a matchup for the Interim IBF Super Middleweight World Championship plus two-division world champion Rances Barthelemy in a WBA 140-pound world title eliminator against Kiryl Relikh. In the telecast opener, from Copper Box Arena in London, Gervonta Davis puts his IBF Jr. Lightweight Title on the line against Liam Walsh.
Kwa habari zaidi, follow on Twitter @MrGaryRussellJr, TGBPromotions, @MGMNatlHarbor and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook atwww.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing na www.Facebook.com/MGMNationalHarbor. The event is sponsored by Corona Extra, Finest Bia.

Featherweight World Champion Gary Russell Jr. Defends His Belt Against Top Challenger Oscar Escandon Saturday, Mei 20 From MGM National Harbor in Maryland & Kuishi juu ya Showtime

Tickets Now on Sale!

NATIONAL HARBOR, MD. (Aprili 7, 2017) – WBC Featherweight World Champion Gary Russell Jr. will make the second defense of his title when he faces top challenger Oscar Escandon Jumamosi, Mei 20 in themain event of Showtime CHAMPIONSHIP ndondi from the recently opened MGM National Harbor in Maryland live on SHOWTIME.
The Maryland-native Russell Jr. (27-1, 16 Kos) and the WBC Interim Featherweight Champion Escandon (25-2, 17 Kos) will battle in one of boxing’s most talented divisions that continues to deliver exciting action fight after fight. A lineup of exciting co-featured attractions will be announced next week.
I’m a gladiator getting ready for a tough battle,” ulisema Russell Jr. “This is going to be a huge night for my family and I’m glad that the time is here. This will be the first time as pros that I get to fight on the same card as both of my little brothers, (unbeaten bantamweight) Gary Antonio and (2016 U.S. Olympian) Gary Antuanne, plus my brother Gary Allan will work all of our corners. We’re excited to get in the ring and show the fans what we’re capable of doing in the ring.
I’ve had to wait for this opportunity to face Gary Russell Jr. and I’m going to take full advantage of it,” said Escandon. “It’s going to be a great fight and I know the fans are going to get their money’s worth. Najisikia 100 percent healthy and now that the fight is here I am ready to knock him out.
Tickets for the live event promoted by TGB Promotions are priced at $200, $150, $100 na $50, and are now on sale. To purchase tickets go tohttp://mgmnationalharbor.com/. The main event is co-promoted by Sampson Boxing. This bout was originally scheduled to take place on March 11 but was rescheduled after Escandon suffered a back injury in training camp. Fans who bought tickets for the March 11 show will have their tickets honored on May 20.
This is going to be a great night of boxing,” said Tom Brown, Rais wa TGB Promotions. “The featherweight division is very hot right now with the recent wins by Leo Santa Cruz and Abner Mares. There is something very special going on in the division and this will be another memorable fight. Escandon is a tough warrior who has proven time and again that he doesn’t care about going on the road or where he fights. There are great boxing fans in the Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia region and they are in-store for an exciting night on Mei 20.”
A speedy and supremely talented boxer, Russell Jr., was impressive in his fourth-round stoppage of the battle-tested Jhonny Gonzalez that earned him the title in March 2015. The 2008 U.S. Olympian had scored important victories over Vyacheslav Gusev, Juan Ruiz and Miguel Tamayo before losing a majority decision to Vasyl Lomachenko for the WBO 126-pound title in June 2014. southpaw, ya Capitol Heights, Md., most recently scored a dominant second-round TKO victory over Patrick Hyland in his first title defense in April 2016.
Fighting out of Ibague, Colombia, Escandon turned pro in 2008 and was undefeated in his first 22 kikohozi mtaalamu. Escandon won an interim world title at super bantamweight in 2014 when he defeated Tyson Cave in his U.S. kwanza. He earned his shot at Russell Jr. last March when he survived an early knockdown to score a knockout victory over Robinson Castellanos in the seventh round of their showdown in Washington, D.C.
Kwa habari zaidi, follow on Twitter @MrGaryRussellJr, TGBPromotions, @MGMNatlHarbor and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook atwww.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing na www.Facebook.com/MGMNationalHarbor. The event is sponsored by Corona, Finest Bia.