Tag Archives: Spike TV

boxing, Premier Boxing Champions, Spike TV

Undefeated Welterweight Prospects Miguel Cruz & Alex Martin Battle in Premier Boxing Champions on Spike Action Friday, January 13 from Hialeah Park Racing & Casino in Miami

January 6, 2017 FNU47 Leave a comment

Plus! Former Bantamweight World Champion Juan Carlos Payano

Returns to Face Mexico’s Isao Gonzalo Carranza

Lightweight Prospect Dennis Galarza, Miami’s Joey Hernandez & Undefeated Prospect Robert Daniels Jr. In Separate Bouts

MIAMI (January 4, 2017) – Undefeated prospects Miguel Cruz (13-0, 11 KOs) and Alex Martin (13-0, 5 KOs) will meet in a welterweight showdown featured on Premier Boxing Champions on Spike Friday, January 13 from Hialeah Park Racing and Casino in Miami.

PBC on Spike is headlined by super welterweight world champion Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara taking on former world champion Yuri Foreman. Televised coverage begins at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT with former super middleweight world champion Anthony “The Dog” Dirrell battling Hungary’s Norbert Nemesapati in a 10-round bout.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Warriors Boxing, are priced at $25, $35, $50, $75, $100 and $125, not including applicable fees, and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased online at www.myticketforce.com by clicking HERE, by phone at (877) 840-0457or at the Hialeah Park casino cage.

Additional action will feature former world champion Juan Carlos Payano (17-1, 8 KOs) taking on Mexico’s Isao Gonzalo Carranza (15-7-1, 8 KOs) in bantamweight action plus middleweight brawler Joey Hernandez (24-4-1, 14 KOs) facing Nicaragua’s Edwin Palacios(12-4-1, 8 KOs) in a six-round bout.

Rounding out the night of fights is lightweight prospect Dennis Galarza (13-2, 8 KOs) in a six-round matchup against Puerto Rico’s Edgardo Rivera (7-4-2, 5 KOs) and undefeated prospect Robert Daniels Jr. (1-0, 1 KO) of Miami battling Puerto Rico’s Antonio Alicea (0-1) in a four-round light heavyweight fight.

Born in Aguada, Puerto Rico and now residing in Lake Mary, Florida, the 26-year-old Cruz was a member of the Puerto Rico National Team as an amateur. He turned pro in 2012 and picked up five victories in 2015 as he ended fights with Virgil Green, Daniel Rodriguez, Eli Addison, Juan Rodriguez, Travis Hartman and Anthony Abbruzzese inside the distance. Most recently, Cruz earned a decision victory over previously unbeaten Samuel Figueroa in their May 2016 showdown.

A highly-regarded amateur fighter out of Chicago, Martin was a 2012 Olympic alternate in addition to earning multiple National Golden Gloves titles and boasting a 340-10 record. The 27-year-old turned pro in April 2013 and stopped his first five opponents inside of the distance. Martin picked up two victories in 2016 beating experienced opponents Juan Carlos Abreu and Rosemberg Gomez as he prepares for January 13 bout.

The two-time Dominican Olympian Payano will start his path towards another world title after first becoming a champion via a technical decision over Anselmo Moreno in September 2014. The accomplished amateur won gold at the 2006 Central American and Caribbean games with victories over McJoe Arroyo and Yoandris Salinas. The 32-year-old defeated Jundy Maraon, Jose Silveria and Luis Maldonado on the way to his title shot and most recently comes off a pair of exciting fights with Rau’shee Warren that saw him defense his title in August 2015 and lose in June 2016.

Representing Distrito Federal, Mexico, Carranza has fought professionally since 2010 and won 10 of his first 11 fights. The 30-year-old enters this fight with his last victory coming over Willy Velazquez before his most recent challenge of Alejandro Hernandez for a Mexican title. Carranza will be making his U.S. debut when he enters the ring on January 13.

For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com and www.spike.com/shows/premier-boxing-champions. Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @LaraBoxing, @YForeman, @AnthonyDirrell, @SpikeTV, @SpikeSports @WarriorsBoxingProm and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions. PBC on Spike is sponsored by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

Bellator, mixed martial arts, MMA, Spike TV

HEAVYWEIGHT BRAWL PITTING CHEICK KONGO AGAINST OLI THOMPSON ADDED TO ‘BELLATOR 172’ ON FEB. 18

January 6, 2017 FNU47 Leave a comment

BATTLE OF UNDEFEATED ADAM PICCOLOTTI AND BRENT PRIMUS ALSO ADDED TO MAIN CARD

SANTA MONICA, CALIF — (January 4, 2017) – Cheick Kongo (25-10-2) will challenge Oli Thompson (17-9) during the main card of “Bellator 172: Fedor vs. Mitrione” on February 18, 2017 at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif. In addition, undefeated lightweights Adam Piccolotti (9-0) and Brent Primus(7-0) are also set to face off during the Spike-televised card.

In the main event of “Bellator 172: Fedor vs. Mitrione,” Fedor Emelianenko (36-4, 1 NC) will compete on American Soil for the first since 2011, when he meets Matt Mitrione (11-5). The event will air LIVE and FREE on SPIKE at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT. Tickets for the event start at only $30 and are available at SAP Center Box Office, Bellator.com and Ticketmaster.com. Additional fights will be announced in coming weeks.

Since joining the Bellator MMA fray in 2013, Kongo has strung together an impressive run that has seen him emerge victorious in seven of nine contests, including three consecutive victories. With 37 career fights under his belt, the Frenchman has tallied 25 professional wins, including 12 by way of knockout. The knockout artist hopes to build off his victory over Tony Johnson at “Bellator 161: Kongo vs. Johnson,” when he welcomes British sensation Oli Thompson back into the Bellator cage.

Hailing from East Sussex, England, Thompson enters the matchup in search of his first career win under the direction of the Scott Coker-led promotion. Dating back to 2015, “The Spartan” collected wins in five of his last six bouts, including a pair of brutal first round knockouts. Of his 17 career wins, the 36-year-old powerhouse has finished 13 of them, including seven knockouts. A former title-holder of Britain’s Strongest Man competition, Thompson will now look to add to that total when he and Kongo faceoff at SAP Center in San Jose.

Fighting out of Half Moon Bay, Calif., the undefeated Piccolotti is set to return to San Jose, where he has dominated competition over the past few years. Since signing with Bellator MMA, the 28-year-old lightweight has won all five of his bouts, including four consecutive victories in the “Capital of Silicon Valley.” Piccolotti dazzled in his most recent win over Brandon Girtz, ending the veteran’s three-fight winning streak while once again displaying his lethal combination of flawless jiu-jitsu and striking. Piccolotti has finished his opponent in six of nine career wins and three of his past four, making him one of the most dangerous weapons in the 155-pound division.

Primus also carries with him an undefeated target on his chest, as the battle to remain an unbeaten lightweights goes through SAP Center in 2017. Similar to Piccolotti, Primus saw immediate success in the world of mixed martial arts, recording first round finishes in each of his first five fights to begin his professional career. The five-time Bellator MMA veteran hopes to keep the ball rolling, as a win over the fan-favorite Piccolotti would certainly open a lot of doors. Hailing from Portland, Oregon, the 31-years-old Primus hopes to build off of a 2016 campaign that was highlighted by a key win over Brazilian veteran “Toninho Furia.”

Updated “Bellator 172: Fedor vs. Mitrione” Main Card:

Heavyweight Main Event: Fedor Emelianenko (36-4, 1 NC) vs. Matt Mitrione (11-5)

Heavyweight Feature Bout: Cheick Kongo (25-10-2) vs. Oli Thompson (17-9)

Lightweight Feature Bout: Adam Piccolotti (9-0) vs. Brent Primus (7-0)

Preliminary Bouts:

Welterweight Prelim Bout: James Terry (18-9) vs. David Douglas (9-6)

Lightweight Prelim Bout: Nikko Jackson (1-1) vs. Cesar Gonzalez (0-1)

Featherweight Prelim Bout: Juan Cardenas (1-0) vs. Luis Vargas (0-1)

Welterweight Prelim Bout: Danasabe Mohammed (5-1) vs. Carlos Rocha (9-4)

Flyweight Prelim Bout: Anthony Do (4-1) vs. Bobby Escalante (4-5)

Flyweight Prelim Bout: Matt Ramirez (1-2) vs. Jeremy Murphy (3-3)

Lightweight Prelim Bout: J.J. Okanovich (3-1) vs. Paradise Vaovasa (5-1)

Featherweight Prelim Bout: Justin Tenedora (Debut) vs. Roque Reyes (0-3)

About Bellator:

Bellator is a leading Mixed Martial Arts and Kickboxing organization featuring many of the best fighters in the world. Under the direction of veteran fight promoter Scott Coker, Bellator is available to nearly 500 million homes worldwide in over 140 countries. In the United States, Bellator can be seen on Spike, the combat sports television leader. Bellator is comprised of an executive team that includes top industry professionals in television production, live event orchestration, fighter development/relations, venue procurement, sponsorship creation/development, international licensing, marketing, advertising, publicity and commission relations. Bellator is based in Santa Monica, California and owned by entertainment giant Viacom, home to the world’s premier entertainment brands that connect with audiences through compelling content across television, motion picture, online and mobile platforms.

Bellator, mixed martial arts, MMA, Spike TV

‘BELLATOR 165: CHANDLER VS. HENDERSON’ OFFICIAL CONFERENCE CALL STREAM AND TRANSCRIBED QUOTES FROM MICHAEL CHANDLER, BENSON HENDERSON, MICHAEL ‘VENOM’ PAGE AND FERNANDO GONZALEZ

November 16, 2016 FNU47 Leave a comment

CLICK HERE FOR CONFERENCE CALL AUDIO

SANTA MONICA, CALIF (November 15, 2016) – Before the cage door closes this Saturday at the SAP Center in San Jose, the main and co-main event fighters from “Bellator 165: Chandler vs. Henderson”participated in a media conference call. If you weren’t on the line, you can listen to it here, or read a couple of the quotes below.

“Bellator 165: Chandler vs. Henderson” features current champion Michael Chandler (15-3) against Benson Henderson (24-6) in the headlining role, while co-main event action will have undefeated British phenom Michael “Venom” Page (11-0) and California’s own Fernando Gonzalez (25-13) duke it out in a welterweight thriller. Bay Area’s own Keri Melendez makes her professional MMA debut, as does Kevin Ferguson Jr. better known as Kimbo Slice Jr.

The event airs LIVE and FREE at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT on Spike and completes three consecutive weeks of championship fights on the Viacom-owned network. Tickets for the event remain on sale and can be purchased at Bellator.com, as well as SAP Center Box Office and Ticketmaster.

Q: For Benson…Is there any extra motivation to prove yourself in this fight after the way the last fight ended?

Benson Henderson: I would say that there’s not a whole lot of extra motivation this fight. I’m a pretty highly self-motivated individual. I want to win all of my fights. I don’t need any extra incentives. I want to have my hand raised in every single fight.

Q: This is your second title fight in Bellator. Is there anything you learned from the first go-around that you’re bringing into this fight?

Benson Henderson: I don’t know if there’s anything that I learned from the last title fight, just being more comfortable inside the Bellator cage and getting used to the walkout and finding my rhythm.

Q: You’re fighting for the title now. Do you think of yourself as a lightweight? Is this where you intend to stay or is another trip to welterweight a possibility in the future?

Benson Henderson: I wouldn’t say that I think of myself as a lightweight necessarily. For me, it’s 155 lbs. or 170 lbs., just wherever the more interesting and fun matchups are. But, first things first, I have to take care of business on Saturday night.

Q: You mentioned fun and interesting fights. Is the title something you think about as well? The story line of the week is a two-division champion in the other promotion. Is that a dream that you have for yourself in your career or do you just want to stay and be the most dominate lightweight champion that you can be?

Benson Henderson: I’m going to go get this belt at 155 lbs., but after that I wouldn’t say that belts offer a whole lot of extra incentive. Obviously belts are great and the meaning behind the belt is that you are the best in the planet and that means a lot to say that you are the best at that weight class, but I don’t fight necessarily just for the belt. You do want the belt, but right now all I’m concentrating on is four days from now and a man named Michael Chandler.

Q: For Michael…Have you ever thought about trying for another belt? I know it’s early in your title reign, but has that ever crossed your mind? And, if you did go for another belt, would it be for welterweight or featherweight?

Michael Chandler: I haven’t put a lot of thought into it. For me, I’m just looking for the biggest fight I can get. I know there’s no way I could make 145 lbs., since I walk around at about 190 lbs., between fights. So, I’m not interested in losing the muscle mass that I’ve worked so hard to build. If anything, I would jump up to 170 lbs., but right now I’m focused on my fight this Saturday night and I’m excited to get out there and perform.

Q: Why is Henderson an important opponent for your career?

Michael Chandler: Every opponent is important. Every single time we fight, we’re putting ourselves, our livelihood, our records, and our reputation on the line. It just so happens for me, I get an opportunity to fight a guy who’s been a champion and has done some great things in the sport. But luckily, it’s the right time for me and the wrong time for him. I’m extremely excited to go out there and make a statement with this fight on Saturday night. He’s definitely a great, willing opponent, but I’m excited to go out there and get the finish.

Q: For MVP…Obviously, it’s been a fantastic year for you in Bellator, especially your performance in London. Have you got your finger on the pulse of pop culture right now and is there something out there that you’re drawing inspiration from that you’re looking to utilize in some entertainment factor on fight night?

MVP: Yeah, I’m always socially aware, but I have to get the job done first and that’s the most important thing.

Q: At the moment, fighting at multiple weight classes and fighting in multiple divisions seems to be the rage right now and I know in the past you’ve mentioned the possibility of dropping down to 155 lbs., is that something that you’re still interested in?

MVP: At the moment, no. Right now, I’m just focused on fighting in the welterweight division.

Q: If you can record a win over Fernando Gonzalez, how many more fights and how many more wins do you think before you are in that title picture and fighting for a title shot?

MVP: That’s not really my main concern. I just go out there and entertain and I’ll keep doing that until I end up in the position I’m supposed to be in.

Q: For Michael Chandler…With you watching Benson from a far for a long time, what did you think of him as his career progressed?

Michael Chandler: Benson’s had a phenomenal career. Back in the day, he was the UFC champion and I was the Bellator champion. He was ranked number one and I was ranked number three in the world and it was always that “what if” matchup. What if these two guys could fight…and now we finally get to see. He’s continued to impress. He’s continued to win. Great careers and great legacies can’t be had without great opponents. I look at Benson Henderson as exactly that, but I’ll be damned if I’m going to step into that cage on Saturday night and lose this belt. I’ve trained my tail off, I’ve gone through some of the toughest hardships that anyone can go through in this sport…losing three fights in a row, coming back, and believing that no matter what, my next big breakthrough is right around the corner. I never once thought about quitting, where I think a lot of people in that situation would. Where I’ve been and where I am now, I’m confident and I’m excited to just go out there and put it all on the line against one of the best in the world and one of the biggest names in the sport. This is a great opportunity on Spike TV, live and free.

Q: For Fernando…question regarding the video packages that Michael Page has produced and released this year, most recently during Halloween. Did you watch them and what was your reaction to the video packages?

Fernando Gonzalez: I watched both of the videos and thought it was kind of funny, especially the last one. Bad choice of food products I guess. He’s basically eating balls and drinking milk, while cupping and savoring the taste. So, I don’t know if I should take that as a call out, but I think the victory alone will be enough for me.

Q: With Michael (Page) on the line right now, does Fernando have any sort of message for him leading up to the fight?

Fernando Gonzalez: It’s the same message that I gave before. Just show up. I respect the fighter, but after this he’ll congratulate me and thank me for making him a better fighter. He’s tough, but he hasn’t been tested and I’m going to give him his first loss.

Q: Michael do you have a response to that?

MVP: I’m allergic to bullshit, so there’s no point in responding.

Q: For Benson Henderson…In the title eliminator fight in Anaheim, you had a calm and deliberate demeanor throughout that fight and before we could really see you explode, Pitbull was taken away with an injury. Are you going to look to set a faster pace with Chandler, or are we going to see a more measured response?

Benson Henderson: We’ll see how it plays out. It’s hard to dictate and say exactly what I’m going to do. If I was an NFL coach, I would not be one of those coaches that has the first 15 plays of the game scripted out and no matter what happens, we’re sticking to these 15 plays. For me, I have to feel it out and go with the flow. But, for me I don’t think this is going to be a slow pace fight. I’m expecting this to be one of the most high paced, action-packed fights you’ve seen in the Bellator cage.

Complete “Bellator 165: Chandler vs. Henderson” Main Card:

Lightweight World Title Main Event: Michael Chandler (15-3) vs. Benson Henderson (24-6)

Welterweight Co-Main Event: Michael Page (11-0) vs. Fernando Gonzalez (25-13)

Light Heavyweight Feature Bout: Linton Vassell (16-5) vs. Francis Carmont (25-11)

Lightweight Feature Bout: Adam Piccolotti (8-0) vs. Brandon Girtz (14-4)

Flyweight Feature Bout: Keri-Anne Taylor-Melendez (Debut) vs. Sheila Padilla (2-0)

Complete Preliminary Card:

Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Kevin Ferguson Jr. (Debut) vs. Aaron Hamilton (0-2)

Lightweight Preliminary Bout: Carrington Banks (5-0) vs. Jake Roberts (7-0)

Middleweight Preliminary Bout: Diego Herzog (3-2) vs. Nick Pica (5-0)

Bantamweight Preliminary Bout: Jeremiah Labiano (9-5) vs. Vince Murdock (8-2)

Welterweight Preliminary Bout: James Terry (17-9) vs. Justin Baesman (19-10-1)

Bantamweight Preliminary Bout: Alvin Cacdac (16-12) vs. Steve Ramirez (5-1)

Lightweight Preliminary Bout: J.J. Okanovich (2-1) vs. Luis Vargas (Debut)

Featherweight Preliminary Bout: Victor Jones (0-2) vs. Beau Hamilton (1-7)

Lightweight Preliminary Bout: Hugo Lujan (0-1) vs. Cesar Gonzalez (Debut)

Welterweight “VOW” Preliminary Bout: Dominic Sumner (Debut) vs. Justin Roswell (1-0)

Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Danasabe Mohammed (5-0) vs. Dwight Grant (6-1)

Flyweight Preliminary Bout: Sarah D’Alelio (10-6) vs. Jaimelene Nievera (4-1)

boxing, Premier Boxing Champions, Spike TV

Danny Garcia Media Workout Quotes & Photos

November 10, 2016 FNU47 Leave a comment

Undefeated World Champion Hosts Final Media Workout Before Battling Colombia’s Samuel Vargas Saturday, November 12 from Temple University’s Liacouras Center in Philadelphia

Click HERE for Photos from Darryl Cobb/King’s Promotions/

Premier Boxing Champions

(Photo’s from today’s workout to be added shortly)

PHILADELPHIA (November 9, 2016) – Days before he enters the ring to fight in his hometown, undefeated world champion Danny “Swift” Garcia opened up his DSG Boxing Gym to media on Wednesday as he prepares to face Colombia’s Samuel Vargas in the main event of Premier Boxing Champions on Spike Saturday, November 12 from Temple University’s Liacouras Center in Philadelphia.

Coverage on Spike begins at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT and features undefeated rising star Jarrett Hurd battling former title challenger Jo Jo Dan plus former world champion Javier Fortunataking on unbeaten Omar Douglas.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DSG Promotions and King’s Promotions, are priced at $200, $100, $75, $50 and $35 and are on sale now. To purchase tickets visit LiacourasCenter.com/events or call 800-298-4200. Garcia has teamed up withPhilabundance, the region’s largest hunger relief organization, to arrange a regional food drive and raise money throughout the promotion. For more information on how to get involved, visit the event’s webpage HERE.

Here is what Garcia and his father and trainer, Angel had to say Wednesday:

DANNY GARCIA

On Keith Thurman being ringside on the Spike announcing crew…

“He will just get an up close and personal look at what will happen to him in March. I hope he’s paying attention.

“I am excited to give the Philly fans a great fight. This is an opportunity to give back and that is most important to me. I’ve been training really hard and I’m going to give 100 percent for my city.

“I am just going in the ring and be myself. Seek and destroy. I am taking this one round at a time. I’m looking to be smart and break him down. When the opportunity comes, I’m taking it and putting on a show.

“I am not looking past this fight. I have tunnel vision and have never looked past anyone. I know he is coming to win, but I am ready mentally and physically to get the job done.

“This is going to be a great night. It’s an exciting card from top to bottom. Young local fighters getting a chance to show their skills is great for the sport and great for Philadelphia.”

ANGEL GARCIA, Danny’s Father & Trainer

“Thurman may be on the outside looking in on Saturday, but he’s going to see what he has in store for him in March.

“Billy Briscoe (Vargas’ trainer) is another Philly guy like me and I know he’s going to try his best. But they’re fighting the champ and they know they have their hands full. He may think he knows our game plan but he really doesn’t.

“I’m excited for Danny to be fighting at home. It’s a great opportunity to give back. I’m expecting Danny to look great in the ring and get the win.”

For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com and www.spike.com/shows/premier-boxing-champions. Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @DannySwift, @SpikeTV, @SpikeSports @KingsBoxing_ and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions. Follow the conversation using #fight4philly. PBC on Spike is sponsored by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

boxing, Premier Boxing Champions, Spike TV

Danny Garcia Reveals Favorite Moments from Career, Toughest Opponents & More

November 10, 2016 FNU47 Leave a comment

Undefeated World Champion Battles Colombia’s Samuel Vargas Saturday, November 12 from Temple University’s Liacouras Center in Philadelphia

Click HERE for Video from Premier Boxing Champions

PHILADELPHIA (November 9, 2016) – Undefeated world champion Danny “Swift” Garcia talked about some of his favorite moments and biggest influences from his long career in advance of his Premier Boxing Champions on Spike showdown this Saturday against Colombia’s Samuel Vargas from Temple University’s Liacouras Center in Philadelphia.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DSG Promotions and King’s Promotions, are priced at $200, $100, $75, $50 and $35 and are on sale now. To purchase tickets visit LiacourasCenter.com/events or call 800-298-4200. Garcia is teaming up withPhilabundance, the region’s largest hunger relief organization, to arrange a regional food drive and raise money throughout the promotion. For more information on how to get involved, visit the event’s webpage HERE.

Here is what Garcia had to say when looking back at some moments from his career so far:

Q: What do you consider to be the best performance of your career?

Danny Garcia: The best performance of my career, I believe, was against Lucas Matthysse. I was the unified world champion, I was a 3-to-1 underdog, he was knocking everybody out. I don’t think one person in the world thought I’d win that fight, but I knew deep in my heart I was the better fighter.

Q: What’s your favorite punch in the ring?

DG: My favorite punch is actually my right hand, but for some reason the left hook knocks everybody out. So I don’t know, man. Whatever punch lands, I try to use all my punches and different weapons in different angles. I try to use each hand as the set-up punch for the next punch. So I don’t really have a favorite punch. A lot of people think it’s my left hook, I like the right hand better, but the left hook just knocks everybody out.

Q: Which opponent you fought hit you the hardest?

DG: The two strongest opponents I’ve fought with the best punching power were Kendall Holt and Lucas Matthysse. They kind of had the same kind of power. It was like a thumping shot, and when they hit you, you felt like “Ooh, this man can punch.”

Q: Who was the hardest opponent for you to hit in your career?

DG: The hardest opponent I had to hit was probably Lamont Peterson. He was moving a lot, he wasn’t trying to engage with me at all, was trying to use the ring a lot with lateral movement. He came with a good game plan.

Q: Who was the fastest opponent you’ve faced?

DG: Fastest fighter, hands down, Amir Khan. He is the fastest fighter I’ve ever fought.

Q: What was the best atmosphere you’ve ever fought in?

DG: Barclays Center is No. 1. I’d probably say the Zab Judah fight. We hold the gate (record), the most fans to go to Barclays for a boxing event. It was like a concert.

Q: When was the maddest your dad ever got at you during a fight?

DG: My dad is always mad. He’s happy sometimes, but when it’s fight time, he’s always mad. That’s all I can say.

Q: Are there any fighters you watched growing up who you style yourself after? Or are there any fighters out there who maybe remind you of yourself?

DG: I take a lot from different fighters. (Felix) Trinidad, I loved his left hook. Prince Naseem Hamed, I loved how he wore the animal print, and then I did that. Roy Jones Jr., Bernard Hopkins, those are fighters I looked up to. (Julio Cesar) Chavez, going to the body, that left hook to the body. I take a lot of things from other fighters’ arsenals and put it into my style. But I never try to be any other fighter. I try to be myself.

Q: When you meet him next March, where will Keith Thurman rank among the opponents you’ve faced in your career?

DG: Like I said, I’ve fought 10 current or former world champions in my career. He’s just another guy, another champ I need to dethrone. That’s basically it.

boxing, Premier Boxing Champions, Spike TV

Keith Thurman to Join Spike’s Announce Team for Danny Garcia vs. Samuel Vargas Main Event on Saturday, November 12

November 10, 2016 FNU47 Leave a comment

PHILADELPHIA (November 9, 2016) – Spike TV’s upcoming broadcast of the Premier Boxing Champions series on Saturday, November 12 at 9:00pm ET/PT will have some extra knockout power. Undefeated welterweight world champion Keith “One Time” Thurman will be joining Spike’s critically-acclaimed boxing announce team for the main event featuring Danny “Swift” Garcia vs Samuel Vargas.

Thurman will be paying close attention to Garcia as the two are set to square in a highly-anticipated PBC bout next March.

“I’m excited to be back calling the PBC fights this time on Spike and especially since it’s my next opponent Danny Garcia. Danny I’ve got my eyes on you. It’s going to be a great fight and Spike viewers will want to tune-in to hear what ‘One Time’ has to say,” noted Thurman.

Emanating from Temple University’s Liacouras Center in Philadelphia, PA, Garcia, the prodigal son of the City of Brotherly Love, will put his undefeated record on the line in front of his hometown fans against the hard hitting Vargas from Colombia.

For more information visit:

Follow the conversation using #fight4philly. PBC on Spike is sponsored by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

boxing, Premier Boxing Champions, Spike TV

Stacked Night of Local Talent Features Middleweight Kryone Davis Battling Once-Beaten Carlos Gabriel Ozan & Unbeaten Milton Santiago Facing Argentina’s Claudio Rosendo Tapia

November 9, 2016 FNU47 Leave a comment

Saturday, November 12 from Temple University’s Liacouras Center in Philadelphia

Plus! Undefeated Prospects Thomas Velasquez, Jeffrey Torres & More

PHILADELPHIA (November 8, 2016) – An exciting night highlighting the best rising talent in the Philadelphia-area comes to Temple University’s Liacouras Center on Saturday, November 12 and will feature middleweight prospect Kyrone Davis (10-1, 4 KOs) facing once-beaten Carlos Gabriel Ozan (12-1, 4 KOs) and unbeaten super lightweight Milton Santiago (15-0, 3 KOs) against Argentina’s Claudio Rosendo Tapia (28-16-4, 13 KOs) in a pair of eight-round showdowns.

The event is headlined by undefeated welterweight world champion and Philadelphia-native Danny “Swift” Garcia taking on Colombia’s Samuel Vargas. Coverage of Premier Boxing Champions on Spike begins at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT and features undefeated rising star Jarrett Hurd battling former title challenger Jo Jo Dan plus former world champion Javier Fortuna taking on unbeaten Omar Douglas.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DSG Promotions and King’s Promotions, are priced at $200, $100, $75, $50 and $35 and are on sale now. To purchase tickets visit LiacourasCenter.com/events or call 800-298-4200. Garcia is teaming up withPhilabundance, the region’s largest hunger relief organization, to arrange a regional food drive and raise money throughout the promotion. For more information on how to get involved, visit the event’s webpage HERE.

Additional action will feature a pair of unbeaten Philadelphia prospects as Thomas Velasquez squares-off against Miami’s Raul Chirino in a four-round super featherweight affair while Christian Carto faces Mexico’s Leonardo Reyes in four-rounds of bantamweight action.

Rounding out the night of fights is unbeaten super featherweight Titus Williams taking on once-beaten Philadelphia-native Antonio Dubose in a six-round showdown and unbeaten lightweight Jeffrey Torres taking on Joseph Serrano in a four-round bout between Philadelphia prospects.

A two-time amateur National Champion fighting out of Wilmington, Delaware, Davis turned pro in 2014 after a stellar amateur career. The 21-year-old delivered wins in his first 10 starts before dropping a competitive contest to then unbeaten Junior Castillo in April. A two-time Pennsylvania Golden Gloves champion, Davis fights in Philadelphia for the first time as a pro when he takes on the 28-year-old Ozan from Mendoza, Argentina.

Unbeaten and fighting out of Philadelphia, Santiago looks for his third victory of 2016 when he enters the ring on November 12. A pro since 2014, the 20-year-old Santiago fights in his home city for the sixth time in his short career. Alvarez has won three eight-round bouts in a row and looks to be victorious again when he faces the experienced Tapia out of Mendoza, Argentina.

Bellator, mixed martial arts, MMA, Spike TV

PROFESSIONAL DEBUT OF KEVIN ‘BABY SLICE’ FERGUSON JR. ADDED TO PRELIMINARY CARD OF “BELLATOR 165: CHANDLER VS. HENDERSON” AT SAP CENTER IN SAN JOSE

November 8, 2016 FNU47 Leave a comment

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (Nov. 7, 2016) – One week ahead of “Bellator 165: Chandler vs. Henderson” at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., Bellator MMA is pleased to announce the highly anticipated professional mixed martial arts debut of Kevin “Baby Slice” Ferguson Jr. will come against Aaron Hamilton in a welterweight bout during the preliminary portion of the card on Nov. 19.

The contest anchors an electric preliminary card and joins a Spike-televised main card that features a lightweight world title main event pitting current champion Michael Chandler (15-3) against Benson Henderson (24-6). In the evening’s co-main event, undefeated British phenom Michael “Venom” Page (11-0) and California’s own Fernando Gonzalez (25-13) duke it out in a welterweight thriller and Adam Piccolotti (8-0) takes on Brandon Girtz(14-4) in a lightweight clash. Lastly, a light heavyweight showdown pitting Linton “The Swarm” Vassell (16-5) against Francis Carmont (14-4) and female flyweight action pitting Keri Melendez (Debut) against Sheila Padilla (2-0) are also set for the main card.

“Bellator 165: Chandler vs. Henderson” airs LIVE and FREE at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT on Spike and completes three consecutive weeks of championship fights on the Viacom-owned network. Tickets for the event remain on sale and can be purchased at Bellator.com, as well as SAP Center Box Office and Ticketmaster.

After originally being slated to make his professional debut at both “Bellator 160” and “Bellator 162,“ “Baby Slice” will now look to showcase his fine-tuned mixed martial arts repertoire on Nov. 19. The son of the late, great “Kimbo Slice,” made a splash in the world of MMA during an amateur contest in Chicopee, Massachusetts, where he delivered a brutal knockout punch just 1:23 into the first round. In what is unquestionably one of the most talked-about debuts in promotion history, Slice hopes to parlay his amateur success with a memorable performance on the professional circuit and carry on the legacy that his father let behind. Hailing from Miami, Florida, the Team Body Shop product now has his eyes set on joining teammate A.J. McKee as one of Bellator MMA’s top young prospects.

Hamilton will once again compete in his home state of California, after previous bouts against the likes of Max Griffin. “The Snake” will be making both his Bellator MMA debut and welterweight debut, as the 185-pound slugger attempts to trim down for what is surely the biggest fight of his career. Hamilton last competed in March and hopes to spoil the long-awaited debut of Slice.