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Tag Archives: Showtime
HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION DEONTAY WILDER OPENS UP ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE HEAVYWEIGHT DIVISION IN SHOWTIME SPORTS® VIDEO FEATURE
“I want to be the savior of heavyweight boxing.” – Deontay Wilder
Wilder Shares His Thoughts With Brendan Schaub As He Prepares To Face Bermane Stiverne on Nov. 4 Live On SHOWTIME®
Photo Credit: SHOWTIME
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Video Restrictions: News outlets are cleared to use this clip on broadcast and digital platforms. Broadcast outlets must verbally mention that Wilder-Stiverne airs LIVE on SHOWTIME on November 4. Digital outlets must reference Wilder-Stiverne, November 4 and LIVE on SHOWTIME in the accompanying copy.
WHAT: SHOWTIME Sports correspondent Brendan Schaub sits down with undefeated heavyweight world champion Deontay Wilder for an intimate conversation on the pressures of being a world champion in boxing’s highest profiled division.
Wilder faces former heavyweight champion Bermane Stiverne on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® in a November 4 rematch that headlines a Premier Boxing Champions event LIVE on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) from Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING™.
“Even when people see me out and posting [on social media], it doesn’t mean I’m resting,” Wilder told Schaub. “I’m just taking a little bit of time off and relaxing my mind. In this sport there are a lot of things that I want to do, and things that have to be done. I want to be the savior of heavyweight boxing.”
Schaub asked Wilder as the only American heavyweight champion, why he hasn’t received the notoriety yet that he deserves in the U.S. “I don’t get it either,” Wilder said. “It’s mind boggling to see Americans support others before they support their own.”
He added: “I like to joke around. I like to laugh. I like to get corny sometimes. I like to get silly. You know, I just like to live life … I’m neutral when it comes to a lot of things. I’m an open-minded person. So whether it’s religion or whether it’s race or whether it’s sexuality; I’m not the person to judge. It’s not my place because if I judge you, then God is going to judge me the same way.”
FEATHERWEIGHT PROSPECTS LUIS ROSA & YUANDALE EVANS HEADLINE SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION QUADRUPLEHEADER FRIDAY, NOV. 10 FROM CLEVELAND, OHIO
Plus Undefeated Radzhab Butaev, Junior Fa & 2016 U.S. Olympian Charles Conwell Featured In Separate Bouts
Live on SHOWTIME at 10 p.m. ET/PT
From Masonic Temple & Performing Arts Center in Cleveland
NEW YORK (Oct. 18, 2017) – Undefeated featherweight Luis Rosa will face once-beatenYuandale Evans in a 10-round matchup of 126-pound prospects looking to make a statement in one of boxing’s deepest divisions in the main event of ShoBox: The New Generation Friday, Nov. 10 live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT) from Masonic Temple & Performing Arts Center in Cleveland.
The quadruple header features eight fighters making their ShoBox debuts, including six undefeated prospects. The four-fight telecast is ShoBox’s first return to Cleveland since 2014.
In the co-feature, former Russian amateur standout Radzhab Butaev (7-0, 6 KOs, WSOB: 9-1) will take on Colombia’s Janer Gonzalez (19-0-1, 15 KOs) in an eight-round welterweight matchup. Butaev compiled a record of 304-12 in the unpaid ranks, followed by a 9-1 record in the World Series of Boxing, while Gonzalez was a member of the Colombian National Team with an equally impressive 291-29 record as an amateur.
In a televised heavyweight attraction, New Zealand’s Junior Fa (12-0, 7 KOs), who owns two amateur victories over countryman and current WBO Heavyweight World Champion Joseph Parker, will face Pittsburgh’s Fred Latham (9-0-2, 5 KOs) in an eight-round bout.
In the ShoBox opening bout, undefeated 2016 U.S. Olympian and Cleveland native Charles Conwell (5-0, 5 KOs) will look to keep his knockout streak intact in his hometown debut in a six-round super welterweight matchup with Panama’s Roque “Rocky” Zapata (4-1-3, 0 KOs).
“I am thrilled to bring this talent-filled quadruple header to the ShoBox series, from the Masonic Temple in Cleveland, Ohio,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “Undefeated featherweight contender Luis Rosa Jr. faces hard puncher Yuandale Evans. Amateur prodigy Radzhab Butaev and New Zealand heavyweight prospect Junior Fa –who defeated Joseph Parker as an amateur—will be tested by fellow unbeaten opponents. U.S. Olympian Charles Conwell, one of the most exciting young prospects in boxing, will make his national TV debut in his hometown. On November 10, to quote Ian Hunter, ‘Cleveland Rocks!'”
Tickets are priced from $35 to $90 and can be obtained by visiting BoxingCleveland.com. The Masonic Temple and Performance Arts Center is located at 3615 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115. Doors will open on the night of the event at 7:00 p.m.
LUIS ROSA vs. YUANDALE EVANS – 10-Round Featherweight Bout
The 26-year-old Rosa (23-0, 11 KOs) is a Puerto Rico native who lives and fights out of New Haven, Conn. The come-forward, aggressive Rosa has recorded four knockouts in his last seven fights.
Trained by his father Luis Rosa Sr. and managed by his mother Marilyn, Rosa is currently ranked No. 10 by the WBC at 126 pounds, and was 95-10 as an amateur. Fighting in one of boxing’s deepest divisions (Leo Santa Cruz, Abner Mares, Carl Frampton, Gary Russell Jr.), the U.S. National Silver Medalist is looking to establish himself as a featherweight contender, and has career wins over Luis Orlando Del Valle (18-1) and Jorge Diaz (17-2).
“I’m dedicating this fight to the people who are still suffering from the tragedy of the hurricane,” Rosa said. “We are and always have been very strong people and I take that into the ring with me on November 10. I’ve seen some tapes of Evans. He’s a tough, strong fighter but my skills are much greater and I will be victorious and move one step closer to a shot at a world title.”
The 28-year-old Evans (19-1, 14 KOs) is a Cleveland native fighting in his hometown for the first time. Known as a power-puncher who works fast, Evans has recorded eight of his 14 knockouts in the first round. His only professional loss came against future world title holder Javier Fortuna in April of 2012.
Evans, who took a three-year hiatus following the Fortuna loss, is coming off the best win of his career – a hard-fought 10-round unanimous decision over Billel Dib (21-1; WBO No. 7-ranked coming into the fight) in Miami, Okla., in April.
“I’m thrilled to be fighting at home in Cleveland, the city of Champions,” Evans said. “It’s been a very long time since I’ve had a home fight. Truly, I’ve been a road warrior fighting all over the world.
“I’ve followed Luis Rosa for a couple years, I know he’s a very tough Puerto Rican fighter. He’s the same height as me and will come to fight, which will make for an all-action fight. But I know I’m the toughest competition he’s had and I’m planning to win in front of the big hometown crowd and everyone watching on SHOWTIME.”
The vacant WBC Continental Americas Title belt is on the line for this fight.
RADZHAB BUTAEV vs. JANER GONZALEZ – 8-Round Welterweight Bout
Russian Radzhab Butaev had a stellar amateur career during which he compiled a record of 304-12 with 164 KOs. A former Russian National Champion, Butaev qualified for the 2016 Olympics but instead elected to turn pro in the United States.
Butaev has progressed quickly since turning professional in March of 2016 – of his seven professional fights, six of his seven opponents have had winning records. The 23-year old is coming into his fifth fight of the year and the eighth fight in his short, 18-month professional career. Five of Butaev’s seven fights have taken place in the U.S, while his other two victories were on his home turf in Moscow, Russia. In his last fight in July, the 23-year-old Butaev knocked out Sherzodbek Alimjanov in Red Square in Moscow.
Said Butaev, “This is a great opportunity to fight on SHOWTIME and I’m looking forward to putting on a tremendous performance. I know that Colombian fighters are well known for their power but I faced many hard hitters in the amateurs and I’ll be ready for victory on November 10.”
A native of Barranquilla, Colombia, the heavy-handed Janer Gonzalez sports a record of 19-0-1 with 15 knockouts. Prior to turning professional in 2011, Gonzalez was a member of the Colombian National Boxing Team, compiling a record of 291-29. Gonzalez, who returned in September following a two and a half-year layoff, will make his U.S. debut against Butaev.
“It’s a dream come true to make my television debut in the United States,” said Gonzalez. “I grew up watching all of my favorite boxers fighting in the U.S. and now it’s my turn. It’s truly surreal how everything unfolded. I was ready to give up on boxing when an opportunity just came my way. I fought in Mexico and here I am.
“I had a long layoff, but I needed it. It has made me more appreciative, more motivated. I work harder now. I had my last fight on a Saturday and on Monday I was back in the gym. I’ve studied my opponent. I’m ready. My style will mold to his. I’ll get on his face and counterpunch. On November 10 boxing fans will see a Colombian warrior that came to America to become a legend.”
Butaev vs. Gonzalez is promoted in association with Fight Promotions.
JUNIOR FA vs. FRED LATHAM – Eight Rounds Heavyweight Bout
Standing 6-feet, 5 inches and weighing 270 pounds, the 27-year-old Junior Fa has compiled a professional record of 12-0 with seven knockouts since turning pro in February 2016. Fa had a successful amateur career, which included two victories over reigning WBO Heavyweight Champion Joseph Parker. The native of Papakura, New Zealand has most recently trained in England with heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua and has also sparred with Joshua’s Oct. 28 opponent Carlos Takam.
Fa, who won a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games, will fight for just the second time in the United States.
“I’m thrilled to be fighting in the United States again and on SHOWTIME,” said Fa. “I know Latham is undefeated but I also plan on staying unbeaten on November 10. Training with Anthony Joshua improved my boxing in many ways and just as important taught me what it takes inside the gym to become a world champion.”
Fighting out of Pittsburgh, Pa., Fred Latham (9-0-2, 5 KOs) is a former Pennsylvania Golden Gloves Champion. In his last bout on December 3, 2016, the 27-year-old Latham battled to a split decision draw against Alonzo Butler.
Said Latham, “I appreciate the opportunity to fight on SHOWTIME and I am looking forward to facing Fa. I’ve heard a lot about him and the great heavyweight prospect he is but on November 10 I’ll show the world that I’m a much better fighter.”
CHARLES CONWELL vs. ROQUE ‘Rocky’ ZAPATA – Six-Round Super Welterweight Bout
Nineteen-year-old Charles Conwell, who turns 20 on Nov. 2, is 5-0 with all of his victories coming by way of technical knockout. The Cleveland native has a decorated resume – he went 134-14, was the National Gold Gloves Champion in 2015, and a 2016 U.S. Olympian. Conwell has been busy since turning pro last year, having fought all five of his professional fights in the past eight months. In his last fight in August, Conwell earned a technical knockout against Rey Trujillo.
“I’m thrilled to be fighting at home for the first time as a professional and on ShoBox,” said Conwell. “I can’t wait to put on a great performance for the Cleveland fans and those seeing me for the first time on national television.”
The 21-year-old Zapata is a native of Panama City, Panama now fighting out of Culpepper, Va. Having compiled a record of 4-1-3 since turning professional 18 months ago, he is currently riding a three bout winning streak. Zapata is coming off the biggest win of his career, a six-round decision over previously undefeated Justin Steave on June 24 in Pittsburgh.
“This fight with Charles Conwell is an exciting challenge for me. He had a great amateur career and he made the Olympic team,” said Zapata. “I’ve been offered to fight him twice, but at the time I was injured and had to decline. But on November 10, Charles and I will come face-to-face and put on a show for the fans. I’m ready to do my job.”
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Barry Tompkins will call the ShoBox action from ringside with Steve Farhood and former world champion Raul Marquez serving as expert analysts. The executive producer is 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 atwww.Facebook.com/SHOSports.
DEONTAY WILDER, KEITH THURMAN & ERROL SPENCE JR. DISCUSS UPCOMING BOUTS AND 2018 BOXING CAMPAIGNS
Spence Announces He Will Defend IBF Welterweight World Championship Against Lamont Peterson
In January 2018 On SHOWTIME®
Click HERE For Photos; Credit Stephanie Trapp/SHOWTIME
BROOKLYN (Oct. 14, 2017) – Heavyweight World Champion Deontay Wilder and Welterweight World Champions Keith Thurman and Errol Spence Jr. met with the media on Saturday at Barclays Center to discuss their upcoming bouts and expected 2018 campaigns.
Wilder will defend his WBC belt on Nov. 4 against mandatory challenger Bermane Stiverne live on SHOWTIME from Barclays Center in a Premier Boxing Champions event. Thurman announced he expects to return in early 2018 in his first bout since unifying the division and subsequent surgery.
In news on Saturday, IBF Welterweight Champion Spence announced that he will make the first defense of his belt against former world champion Lamont Peterson in January 2018 on SHOWTIME on a date and site to be determined.
Below are flash quotes from the three fighters:
Deontay Wilder
“What other heavyweight is doing what I do? What other heavyweight has power like me? I don’t have to put you out in punches in bunches. I don’t have to do that. One punch. Goodnight.
“I’m happy that I’ve had time to calm down and think about things. I’m happy that I’m fighting Stiverne because he’s my mandatory. I can finally get him out the way so I’ll be a free man.
“This is the story of my life. Every situation that I’m put in, I try to be optimistic about. It’s easy to appreciate the good. But when the bad comes, some people don’t know how to manage that.
“I’m the most frustrated guy around. I don’t understand. The best are supposed to fight the best, right? I’ve always done that. I called (Wladimir) Klitschko out years ago.
“People make so many excuses for my career. The one who is actually trying to make a legacy out of their career, he’s the only one that’s not complaining. The people who don’t have to get in the ring and endure this suffering are the ones that complaining.”
Keith Thurman
“I’m in the bounce-back stage. It won’t be long before I get back into the ring and hopefully my arm will be better than ever. We’re estimating I’ll be ready for a fight the first quarter of next year.
“I look forward to continuing my legacy and dominating the welterweight division.
“Everything happens for a reason. I’m 28-years-old and it doesn’t feel good to not be an active fighter while you’re in your prime.
“I don’t think that I will take that level of a fight [against Shawn Porter] coming off my injury. I think we’re going to just get a welcome back fight. Throw the arm around, test it out, have an injury-free camp, take the momentum from that and we can possibly get in the ring with Shawn after that.
“I look forward to that [potential] fight against Errol. I look forward to great competition and Errol is that. This is a fight that you guys have been talking about, you won’t stop talking about, and you should keep talking about it because when it goes down it will be one of the best fights of this generation.
“Everybody knows there’s no Floyd Mayweather. There’s no Manny Pacquiao. Everybody thinks they know who the real champion is. But real talk is that the king of the welterweight division will manifest within one to two years.
“[Terence] Crawford has whacked up a lot of people, but he hasn’t whacked up a welterweight yet. He still needs to make himself relevant in this division. He’s a 140 undisputed champion. He can come up to this weight division and fight anybody in the top 10 and he deserves that. But we are so flooded with talent he is going to have to make himself relevant at 147 before he gets his hands on us.”
Errol Spence Jr.
“I’m happy to be here, it’s been awhile. It’s finally time to defend my title, capture more titles and become the undisputed welterweight champion of the world. That’s what I’m ready to do next year.
“[Peterson] is somebody that I looked up to as an amateur. I sparred with him as an amateur and learned a lot from him. He’s one of my favorite fighters and is a guy that will fight anybody. I’ve never known him to duck a fight.
“Lamont is a tricky fighter. He’s been around the block. He does a lot of cagey, veteran things. I’m looking to get experience in this fight. I’m still a young fighter.
“Since I was 5-0, I’ve said I’d fight Keith Thurman or anybody in the top 5. He’s got to go through rehab, but I’m ready when he is. I’m always ready to fight the best.”
Top Heavyweight Contender Dominic Breazeale Will Take on Eric Molina on the Undercard of the Deontay Wilder vs. Bermane Stiverne Heavyweight Championship Showdown at Barclays Center on Nov. 4
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DEONTAY WILDER TO DEFEND WBC HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP AGAINST MANDATORY CHALLENGER BERMANE STIVERNE LIVE ON SHOWTIME® ON SATURDAY, NOV. 4 AT BARCLAYS CENTER IN BROOKLYN & PRESENTED BY PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS
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ERISLANDY LARA & CHARLO TWINS VOLUNTEER AT THE HOUSTON FOOD BANK TO HELP THOSE AFFECTED BY HURRICANE HARVEY
Charlo Hosts a Public Media Workout to Discuss His October 14 SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® Fight Against Erickson Lubin
Click HERE for Photos from Andy Hemingway/SHOWTIME®
Click HERE for Photos from Fred Agho/Team Charlo
Photo Credit: Andy Hemingway/SHOWTIME
HOUSTON (Sept. 29, 2017) – Unbeaten champion Jermell “Iron Man” Charlo visited the Houston Food Bank on Fridayto meet with volunteers and help prepare boxes of goods for victims of Hurricane Harvey alongside his twin brotherJermall Charlo and Houston-based world champion Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara. The Houston Food Bank presented Jermell with a patch to wear on his shorts during his title defense bout on October 14 live on SHOWTIME from Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING™.
After visiting the Food Bank, Charlo met with media at Charlo Boxing & Fitness Club in Sugar Land, Texas in advance of his much-anticipated fight against top contender Erickson “Hammer” Lubin. The fight will serve as the co-main event of the high stakes SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® tripleheader that is headlined by Erislandy Lara defending his title against undefeated Terrell Gausha.
Tickets to the event are on sale now and start at $50 (not including applicable fees). Tickets can be purchased at ticketmaster.com, barclayscenter.com or by calling 800-745-3000. Tickets can also be purchased at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. Group discounts are available by calling 844-BKLYN-GP.
Here is what Erislandy Lara, Jermell Charlo and Jermall Charlo and had to say Friday:
ERISLANDY LARA
“When they asked me if I was available to come to the Houston Food Bank to volunteer, I didn’t even hesitate. I was in. No matter how busy I am with training camp, I always have time to help for a good cause.
“Houston has suffered with Hurricane Harvey. I’ve seen the devastation. Coming to the Food Bank with my wife today is my little grain of sand to help a bigger cause. I come from Cuba, an island that it’s often battered by storms. I’ve seen people lose a lot to Mother Nature. I feel for them.
“I don’t think my preparation for this fight has been affected by what happened here in Houston [Hurricane Harvey]. I have endured so much in my life. I had to escape from my homeland to pursue my dream of becoming a professional boxer. I defied the odds and I became a world champion. I got here with hard work and discipline. I’m focused. Nothing distracts me.
“Gausha is a good fighter, but he doesn’t know what he signed up for. I’m not a brawler, I’m a real fighter– a technical boxer. I went toe-to-toe with some of the best fighters in the division. He’s in for treat.”
JERMELL CHARLO
“I didn’t get a chance to really see my house [during Hurricane Harvey] because I’ve been gone. I’ve been in Dallas training with Errol Spence Jr. and my trainer Derrick James. My uncle wouldn’t tell me anything that’s going on in my gym. Everybody basically was like ‘don’t worry about what’s going on.’ I’m trying to keep my mind off of it. I’m back home, everything is good and that’s all that matters right now.
“Erickson Lubin is a crafty young fighter. He’s strong. He’s got some skills. He’s got pop. We’re just going to have to dog it out. Best man wins. Whoever’s in the best shape, whoever’s the strongest fighter, whoever lands the best punches is going to win the fight.
“I’m a vet. I’ve been in the game professionally ten years. I grew up in the amateurs. I’ve got the height, I’ve got the size, I’m stronger, I’m faster.
“I’ve fought three southpaws. I’ve knocked them all out. I’ve knocked every southpaw I’ve fought out.
“Errol Spence Jr. is the perfect sparring partner. He’s been one of the best sparring partners that I’ve had even when I’m fighting right-handers because of his dominance. He’s very strong, he’s fast and he’s punching.
“I’ve got Houston on my back right now – me and my twin brother. If there were more fighters in Houston, we would be a bigger team. We do what we can to try to get boxing back into this city.
“Why not get a big fight? I’ve fought 29 fights. I’ve fought a lot of prospects. My career has been built up. I beat Olympians. What else do you want me to do? Now it’s time to beat the [Miguel] Cottos and the Canelos [Alvarez] and the Triple G’s [Gennady Golovkin] and whoever else we’ve got to jump in the ring with.
“I’m satisfied with [trainer] Derrick James. I actually like the fact that I have to leave to go to a different city to train because I can focus over there. I’m sitting in a home where I just train. I wake up, eat protein, back to training again and then rest. My focus is there.”
JERMALL CHARLO
“I told my brother that this fight is equivalent to when I fought J-Rock [Julian Williams]. A lot of people are going to doubt him but at the end of the day they’re going to be in his corner cheering him on for the victory.
“I told Jermell to continue to work hard and keep striving because it’s going to build our legacy to that next level. It’s going to put us where we need to be to get the best opponents and the biggest fights.
“I’m in camp with Ronnie Shields. We’re getting in shape. I’ve been training so I’m just waiting on the next date, the next fight. We’ll see what happens.”
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For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports,www. PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow 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
SHOWTIME SPORTS® RELEASES ANTHONY JOSHUA & DEONTAY WILDER FULL-LENGTH FIGHTS IN ADVANCE OF CONSECUTIVE HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOUTS ON SHOWTIME®
WATCH ANTHONY JOSHUA VS. WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO HERE
WATCH DEONTAY WILDER VS. ARTUR SZPILKA HERE
WHAT: SHOWTIME Sports released two full-length fights from Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder in advance of their upcoming title defenses on Oct. 28 and Nov. 4 on SHOWTIME. Joshua’s potential Fight of the Year thriller with Wladimir Klitschko and Wilder’s sensational knockout of Artur Szpilka are available now in their entirety on SHOWTIME Sports digital platforms.
The October 28 SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast of Anthony Joshua vs. Kubrat Pulev from Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales will be the first of two heavyweight world title fights airing live on SHOWTIME. The following Saturday, WBC Heavyweight World Champion Deontay Wilder will defend his title against undefeated contender Luis Ortiz to conclude consecutive weeks that feature four of the consensus top-five heavyweights in the world.
Anthony Joshua vs. Wladimir Klitschko: Full Fight | SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING
Link: http://s.sho.com/2ytPeYm
Restrictions: US Only
Deontay Wilder vs. Artur Szpilka: Full Fight | SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING
Link: http://s.sho.com/2yGWKAc
For more information, visit www.sho.com/sports, follow us on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing.
“Showtime” Shawn Porter vs. Adrian Granados Highlights Stacked Undercard for Deontay Wilder vs. Luis Ortiz Event On Saturday, Nov. 4 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, Presented by Premier Boxing Champions
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Undefeated Contender Sergey Lipinets Faces Akihiro Kondo for Vacant IBF Junior Welterweight World Title in Opening Bout of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®Tripleheader Live on SHOWTIME® at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT
Plus, Heavyweights Bermane Stiverne and Dominic Breazeale to Meet in 10-Round Attraction Streaming Live Online via SHOWTIME Sports®
BROOKLYN– (September 28, 2017) – Former welterweight world champion “Showtime” Shawn Porter will battle Adrian Granados in the featured bout of a stacked undercard for Deontay Wilder vs. Luis Ortiz on Saturday, Nov. 4 at Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING™, in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions.
Unbeaten contender Sergey Lipinets will take on Akihiro Kondo for the vacant IBF Junior Welterweight World Championship to open the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING tripleheader beginning live at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.
Plus, former heavyweight champion Bermane Stiverne and former title challenger Dominic Breazeale will meet in a 10-round heavyweight attraction that will stream live on line via SHOWTIME Sports.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment and TGB Promotions, are on sale now and can be purchased at ticketmaster.com, barclaysc
“Deontay Wilder versus Luis Ortiz on November 4 is the best heavyweight championship fight that was makeable this year, and it will be supported by a tremendous action-packed undercard, televised on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “Shawn Porter versus Adrian Granados is an all-action, fan-pleasing fight that will once again have fans at Barclays Center cheering. Sergey Lipinets is a knockout artist and up-and-coming star, attempting to secure his first world title. Additionally, SHOWTIME will stream other undercard bouts, including what should be a competitive heavyweight title eliminator between top contenders Bermane Stiverne and Dominic Breazeale.”
“Adrian Granados is as tough as they come and while he may lack the name recognition of Porter, he should not be overlooked,” said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “You look at his record and he has five losses, but those five losses are three split decisions and two majority decisions and the two draws that are split draws. This is another huge opportunity for him. Adrian feels he’s paid his dues and belongs in a fight of this magnitude.”
The 10-round welterweight match against Granados will be Porter’s fourth fight at Barclays Center. Porter won the welterweight title in his debut at the arena with a unanimous decision over Devon Alexander on Dec. 7, 2013. He lost a narrow decision to unified welterweight champion Keith Thurman in a 2016 Fight of the Year candidate in Brooklyn, and scored a TKO victory against former welterweight champion Andre Berto in his last fight on April 22 in front of the Barclays Center faithful.
The 29-year-old Porter (27-2-1, 17 KOs), who was born in Akron, Ohio and now lives in Las Vegas, remains one of the top welterweights in the division and aims to secure another title shot with a strong performance against Granados.
“To be fighting on an undercard for a Deontay Wilder fight is nothing short of excellent,” said Porter. “I’m excited and looking forward to this opportunity. Against Granados I’m getting into the ring with someone who is very established as an amateur and a professional, has great skills and isn’t going to go in there and lay down. That’s always going to bring out the best in me, and that’s always going to create a very exciting match-up. I know that when I do what I’m planning to do, it’s going to be exciting, entertaining and fill the seats.”
Adrian Granados (18-5-2, 12 KOs), of Chicago, is accustomed to tough assignments and is known for delivering exciting toe-to-toe action. The 28-year-old has been in with Felix Diaz, losing a close majority decision in 2014, and then unbeaten Amir Imam, whom he defeated by TKO in 2015 when Imam was the top contender at 140-pounds. Granados went punch for punch with Adrien Broner in his last match, but came up just short, losing a split decision in Broner’s hometown of Cincinnati on Feb. 18.
“I’m very excited to be fighting one of the best welterweights in the world in Shawn Porter,” said Granados. “With our styles it’s going to be fireworks from the opening bell. I was getting ready for a fight in October but when this opportunity arose I jumped at it. It’s a tremendous card to be fighting on with the whole world watching and I’m looking to
put on a great performance.”
The 28-year-old Sergey Lipinets (12-0, 10 KOs) is a former kickboxer from Russia who has been waiting nearly a year for his opportunity to fight for a world championship. Lipinets has only been the distance twice in his pro career and he earned his title shot with an eighth-round knockout of Lenny Zappavigna in a title eliminator last December. In his most recent start, Lipinets stopped Clarence Booth via third-round TKO in March at Barclays Center.
“I feel very privileged to be in the position to fight for this world title,” said Lipinets. “I will prepare to face the best possible fighter on that night and I promise that I will not disappoint. The lights will be bright but I have trained too hard not to leave the ring as a world champion.”
Akihiro Kondo (29-6-1, 16 KOs) will be making his U.S. debut and fighting for a world championship for the first time when he meets Lipinets for the 140-pound title. The 32-year-old Kondo, of Kazo, Saitama, Japan, has won eight straight matches, including five by stoppage. This will be his third fight this year after he stopped Komsan Polsan in March and defeated Yuya Okazaki by TKO in May.
Former world champion Bermane Stiverne (25-2-1, 21 KOs) is coming off a two-year absence from the ring. Stiverne, 38, became the first Haitian-born boxer to win the heavyweight title when he defeated Chris Arreola in May of 2014. He lost the title to Wilder by decision on January of 2015 in Las Vegas. In his last fight Stiverne, who moved from Canada and now resides in Las Vegas, Nev., defeated Derric Rossy via decision.
The 32-year-old Dominic Breazeale (18-1, 16 KOs) was a member of the 2012 U.S. Olympic boxing team and won his first 17 pro fights before suffering the only loss of his career when he fell short vying for a title against now-unified champion Anthony Joshua in June of 2016. In his last match, the fighter from of Alhambra, Calif. scored a fifth-round TKO victory over Polish heavyweight contender Izu Ugonoh on Feb. 25 in a memorable slugfest.
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BOXING’S HEAVYWEIGHT RESURGENCE CONTINUES ON SHOWTIME®
ANTHONY JOSHUA VS. KUBRAT PULEV HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FIGHT TO AIR LIVE ON SHOWTIME
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28 FROM CARDIFF, WALES
Joshua vs. Pulev Kicks Off First Of Consecutive Saturdays Featuring Heavyweight World Title Fights From SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®
Photo credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Sport
NEW YORK – September 21, 2017 – SHOWTIME Sports® will close out a banner year of world-class boxing with back-to-back Saturdays featuring heavyweight world championship fights live on SHOWTIME. The network announced today coverage of unified heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua’s upcoming WBA and IBF world title defense against top-rated mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev on Saturday, October 28 live on SHOWTIME from Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales.
The October 28 SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast will be the first of two heavyweight world title fights airing live on SHOWTIME on consecutive Saturdays, with WBC World Champion Deontay Wilder set to defend his title against undefeated contender Luis Ortiz on Saturday, November 4. Both main event bouts will air live on SHOWTIME as the network concludes a robust 2017 boxing campaign that will have featured 22 world championship fights, 16 bouts matching fellow undefeated fighters, three world title unifications, three world title rematches and the emergence of three bright young stars (Errol Spence Jr., Gervonta Davis and David Benavidez) as they earned their first world titles.
With the addition of Joshua vs. Pulev, four of the consensus top-five heavyweights in the world will compete on SHOWTIME in consecutive weeks. Joshua vs. Pulev and Wilder vs. Ortiz will be the ninth and 10th heavyweight world championship bouts to air live on SHOWTIME in the last two years.
“There’s so much to be excited about in the sport of boxing, and it all comes to a fever pitch on consecutive Saturdays this fall on SHOWTIME,” said Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President and General Manager of SHOWTIME Sports. “This has been a great year for boxing. More specifically, it has been a great year for SHOWTIME boxing. There’s no better way to end it than with two major heavyweight world championship events. We are proud to be in business with the two biggest punchers in the sport, Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder, and the rest of the talented and hungry heavyweight challengers of today.”
Joshua, the undefeated British superstar (19-0, 19 KOs), exploded onto the world stage in April when he defeated heavyweight legend Wladimir Klitschko via a spectacular come-from-behind knockout. In the year’s leading Fight of the Year candidate, a bout that aired live on SHOWTIME, Joshua picked up the vacant WBA heavyweight title to go along with his IBF belt. Now, Joshua returns to take on the top-ranked IBF challenger in Pulev (25-1, 13 KOs) at the 70,000 seat national stadium in Wales.
Joshua, 27, has remarkably knocked out all of his opponents since turning pro shortly after winning gold in the 2012 Olympics. The Watford, England native won his first title with a second-round KO of defending IBF Heavyweight Champion Charles Martin in April 2016, earning a heavyweight belt in the fewest number of fights in more than 20 years. He has since successfully defended the title three times – against Dominic Breazeale in June of 2016, Eric Molina in December and Klitschko in April.
Pulev, of Sofia, Bulgaria, will be making his second attempt at winning the IBF world championship, having lost to Klitschko in his first try in November 2014. After that, his lone loss, Pulev quickly rebounded and became a two-time European champion with a win over Dereck Chisora. He also holds wins over two former world title foes of Klitschko in Samuel Peter and Kevin Johnson.
Joshua vs. Pulev is promoted by Matchroom Sport. Fewer than 200 tickets remain on sale viawww.StubHub.co.uk priced at £300.
For more information, visit www.sho.com/sports, follow us on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing.
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.