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HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION DEONTAY WILDER TO BE GUEST ANALYST FOR ANTHONY JOSHUA vs. ERIC MOLINA HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE FIGHT ON SATURDAY, DEC. 10 LIVE ON SHOWTIME®

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SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL® Airs at 5:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. PT Live On SHOWTIME; Encore Presentation During Saturday’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®Telecast

 

Watch, Share & Embed “Wilder Road To Recovery” Video: http://s.sho.com/2gcc2TI

Download: https://we.tl/V82xszVTFc

Photo Credit: Stephanie Trapp/SHOWTIME

 

NEW YORK (Dec. 2, 2016) – WBC Heavyweight World Champion Deontay Wilder will join the SHOWTIME announce team as a guest analyst for the IBF Heavyweight World Championship fight between undefeated champion Anthony Joshua and American challenger Eric Molina on Saturday, Dec. 10, live on SHOWTIME (5:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. PT).

 

Wilder (37-0, 36 KOs) will join host Brian Custer and analysts Al Bernstein and Paulie Malignaggi for the SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL® presentation from Galen Center at USC in Los Angeles, site of that evening’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast.

 

The “Bronze Bomber” just completed rehab for a fractured right hand and torn right bicep (see video above) as he (Wilder) sets his sights to unify the division in 2017.  Wilder is acutely familiar with Molina, having defeated the fellow-American in the first defense of his title in June, 2015 on SHOWTIME.

 

“I know firsthand just how tough Eric Molina is,” Wilder said.  “He’s coming to win because it’s a chance for him to win a world title, and he’ll definitely push Joshua.  Whoever wins will have to see me eventually because it’s my goal to collect all the belts and become the undisputed heavyweight champion.”

 

Joshua is making the second defense of his title against Molina, who is getting his second shot at a belt in his quest to become the first Mexican-American heavyweight world champion.

 

An encore presentation of Joshua vs. Molina will air as part of the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast later that evening, following the main event showdown between WBA Featherweight World Champion Jesus Cuellar and three-division former champ Abner Mares.  In the opening bout, Jermall Carlo will defend his IBF Junior Middleweight World Championship against fellow-undefeated challenger Julian Williams.

 

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Q&A WITH AMERICAN HEAVYWEIGHT ERIC MOLINA AS HE PREPARES TO CHALLENGE UNDEFEATED IBF CHAMPION ANTHONY JOSHUA, SATURDAY, DEC. 10 ON SHOWTIME®

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Molina Aims To Become First Mexican-American Heavyweight Champion

 

SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL Live on SHOWTIME

At 5:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. PT From Manchester England

 

NEW YORK (Dec. 1, 2016) – If strength of schedule had anything to do with a boxer’s ranking, Eric Molina (25-3, 19 KOs), of Weslaco, Texas, might be rated amongst the top boxers in his division.

 

Consider: In June of last year, Molina went to Birmingham, Ala., to challenge undefeated WBC Heavyweight World Champion Deontay Wilder (37-0, 36 KOs).  Molina, a prohibitive underdog,   lost but had his moments, including staggering Wilder with a wicked shot in the third round.

 

This past April, Molina traveled to Poland and knocked out one of that country’s all-time great champions, Tomasz Adamek, in the 10th round.

 

And now, on Saturday, Dec. 10, live on SHOWTIME, Molina will travel to Manchester, England, to challenge unbeaten IBF Heavyweight World Champion and hugely popular local favorite Anthony Joshua (17-0, 17 KOs).  Once again, he will enter the ring as a significant underdog.

 

“A lot of heavyweights haven’t walked the streets that I’ve walked through,’’ Molina said. “This is an evil sport.  You lose, they write you off.  It’s hard to bounce back like I have.  Nothing has been given to me.  I’ve earned it.  I’ve done it the hard way.  I enjoy the world underestimating me, but they don’t understand the struggles I’ve been through.  

 

“This is my second world title shot, my third major fight in 18 months, and I’ll be the first Mexican-American heavyweight champ in history if I win.  I’m coming into this fight like this is it for me.  This is my last shot.  I’m ready to fight with everything I have.

 

“I love these big, big fights. They don’t scare me. There is no fear in me.”

 

Here are Molina’s responses to a recent Q&A:

 

On his upcoming assignment against Joshua

 

“I feel great about this fight.  These are the kinds of fights I want and want to be in. Before I fought Wilder I had 35 days to train; for this I’ve had about five weeks. We feel this gives us plenty of time to fix what we have to fix in training.

 

“This is a mission I set out for – to become the first Mexican-American heavyweight champion of the world. This is my mission.  I’m looking forward to fighting Joshua and embracing the opportunity.  I work very hard and put everything into it every day.  I want to be the first Mexican-American heavyweight champion.

 

“The magnitude of this fight is everything.  I put everything in. But I know I have to stay focused and relaxed.”

 

What do you think of Joshua?

 

”Obviously, he does a lot things well, but there are a lot of areas to his game we haven’t seen yet, and I’m going to test him in those areas.  He really hasn’t had to take too many punches in his fights.  I’m going to have to put him in spots where he’s uncomfortable.  There has to be a game plan and there will be for Joshua.”

 

Who are the top heavyweights in the world?

 

“Joshua has got a great attitude. I’d say he’s the No. 1 heavyweight, ahead of Wilder and Tyson Fury.”

 

On how this fight came about

 

“Once I got wind that the Klitschko fight might not be happening, I started thinking, ‘well, if not Wlad, then who?’  I looked at the rankings and didn’t see a lot of possibilities so I knew I had a chance.  Then, I got a call from Eddie Hearn with an offer and I signed a few days later. I feel truly blessed.  I feel like this is my time.”

 

How would you describe how your career is going?

 

“I no longer second guess what I can do.  Fighting on the road so much; fighters need that kind of experience to compete against a fighter like Joshua.  You have to stay in the moment and keep focused at what you are there to do and not allow the atmosphere in the arena get to you.

 

“I’ve fought some of the biggest fights on the road, so I’m accustomed to it and definitely think that is my edge over (Dominic Breazeale and Charles Martin). 

 

“Some fighters have to go down to become champion.  It’s not that easy to become champion.  My road sure hasn’t been that easy.  I got beat by Wilder, but then I knocked out Adamek and now I’m fighting Joshua.

 

“I’ve been in the underdog situation.  I’ve been in these fights, and that doesn’t affect me.  I’m ready for it.’’ 

 

Where are you training?

 

“I’m training in Weslaco with my team at my own private gym.  We’ve brought in some sparring partners.  I took a year off from teaching so I was in the gym anyway, but now I’m training for a world title again.  We’ve been working hard, putting in extra time on strength and conditioning. The plan is to take our time, try to put everything together and not rush anything.  So far we’re right on the mark.’’

 

When do you depart for England?

 

“We are leaving on Dec. 2 or Dec. 3.  Before that, I just need to concentrate on staying in the moment, which is to continue focusing on training and letting the future take care of itself.’’

 

What were your takeaways from the Wilder fight?

 

“In the Wilder fight, look at the first knockdown.  You see how I landed on my left ankle.  I rolled it over and it hurt – and got worse — but I kept fighting.  The ankle was in a cast for six-seven weeks afterward. 

 

“Take out the Wilder fight and it puts me in right in the mix with any heavyweights in the world. For me, that fight was confirmation that no heavyweight can just run through me.  That is one of the differences between my attitude now and before. 

 

“At one point I didn’t have the experience –I had no amateur fights – or the confidence I have now.  I now know what I can do and can’t do, I know my strengths and weaknesses more and just feel that I’ve matured into a top contender.  I’m now confident in my power and the things that I can do.’’

 

How do you rate the victory over Adamek in your last fight?

 

“It was pinnacle of my career.  To knock him out there, it was the biggest win of my career and set me up now for the biggest fight of my career against Joshua.  I have such nice memories of that fight. I t took a full team effort to beat Adamek and it will take another full team effort to beat Joshua.  Our backs are against the wall but we’ll be ready.’’

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American Legend Set To Descend On London Boxing Gym In Celebration Of Film About His Career

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On Monday 28th November, Vinny Pazienza, the subject of forthcoming Hollywood movie BLEED FOR THIS, will descend on pro boxer Ben Day’s Ringtone Gym in Euston, London for a series of press interviews, ahead of a special private screening of the film that evening. BLEED FOR THIS goes on general release in the UK on Friday 2nd December.

 

BLEED FOR THIS is based on the incredible true story of Vinny Pazienza, who is played by Miles Teller in the movie, one of the few American boxers to hold World Titles in three different weight categories, who suffered a near-fatal car accident at the peak of his career. Told he would never walk again. Vinny spent months recovering in a neck brace until, against doctors’ orders and without their knowledge, he returned to the gym. With support of trainer Kevin Rooney, played by Aaron Eckhart in the movie, “The Pazmanian Devil” made a triumphant return to the ring just over a year later.

 

Written and directed by Ben Younger (Boiler Room), BLEED FOR THIS is executive produced by RAGING BULL director Martin Scorsese. Miles Teller (Whiplash, War Dogs) stars as Vinny alongside Aaron Eckhart (The Dark Knight, Sully) as Pazienza’s trainer Kevin Rooney. The Supporting cast includes Ciarán Hinds, Ted Levine and Katey Sagal.

 

On a quirky side note: On Saturday 3rd December, the day after BLEED FOR THIS is released nationally in the UK, Ringtone Gym owner Ben Day will be back in Championship action himself, as he looks to secure his third title, the Southern Area Lightweight, against Michael Devine at York Hall in Bethnal Green, London.

 

Speaking earlier Ben said “I’m really looking forward to Vinny and the stars of the film coming to the gym on Monday. I can empathise with Vinnys struggles we’ve both had struggles in similar areas, his physical and mine mental, following an extremely tough upbringing, however against all the odds I now hold an International Masters Belt and the Southern Area Super-Lightweight title, and I’m fighting for the Southern Area Lightweight Title on 3rd December!”

 

Tickets for Ben Day versus Michael Devine for the Southern Area Lightweight Championship at York Hall in London on Saturday 3rd December 2016 are available on the gym’s website – www.ringtoneboxinggym.com

 

 

-END-

 

 

BLEED FOR THIS trailer http://bleedforthis.co.uk/trailer

boxing, Showtime, Showtime Boxing, UK Boxing

ANTHONY JOSHUA vs. ERIC MOLINA PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES & PHOTOS FOR HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP DEC. 10 ON SHOWTIME®

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Click HERE For Photos; Credit Lawrence Lustig/Matchroom Boxing

 

LONDON (Nov. 4, 2016) – Undefeated IBF Heavyweight World Champion Anthony Joshua (17-0, 17 KOs) and challenger Eric Molina (25-3, 19 KOs) went face-to-face Friday at the kickoff press conference at Dorchester Hotel in London to formally announce their heavyweight world title fight on Saturday, Dec. 10, live on SHOWTIME from Manchester Arena in Manchester.  There were 17,000 tickets sold on the first day to purchase tickets.

 

Joshua, a British sensation and the 2012 Olympic Games heavyweight gold medalist, will be making the second defense of the title he won over Charles Martin last April 4.  Joshua knocked out previously unbeaten Dominic Breazeale in the seventh round last June 25 in his initial defense.

 

Molina will be getting his second opportunity at a world title. Molina has won two straight since challenging WBC title holder Deontay Wilder in 2015, including a 10th-round TKO over former world champion Tomasz Adamek last April 4 in Poland.

 

Here’s what the heavyweights said:

 

ANTHONY JOSHUA:

“I don’t think that I’ll be rusty. I’m not going to say camp is smooth or great because it’s always tough and exhausting for the body.  I needed a break because I live in the gym, it’s what I’ve been doing since I was 18 and I haven’t taken my foot off the gas since.  The task is to express myself under the bright lights in the arena and show what we’ve worked on in the dark corners of the gym.

 

“I started preparing my body for camp and then training for this date. I don’t want to mention Wladimir Klitschko too much because that’s not the relevant opponent – Eric Molina is the man that will stand across the ring from me on December 10. He’s a tough competitor and represents a strong challenge to me. We are competing for my belt and the guys that want to become world champion raise their levels by 50-60 percent.

 

“There’s nowhere to hide on fight night. There’s no change in my focus for Eric. Wladimir doesn’t enter the equation for me. People will talk about him and I’ll answer the questions, but that’s as far as it goes. He’s not in my mind, Eric is.

 

“It takes courage to step into the ring.  Deontay Wilder is known as a one-punch KO artist and Eric stood up to his power, so it shows that he’s here to push the champion and take my title.

 

“I don’t get involved in other people’s issues or stories, it’s nothing to do with me.  It wasn’t that long ago that no one cared what I was doing, so I don’t really have to prove myself to anyone aside from myself.

 

“The division has been blown wide open but they’ve been saying that for a while and they will keep saying it until someone dominates the division again.  It’s not so much about brand and hype, it’s about guys like Eric that come with true heart and are gladiators and fight for the love of the sport, and leave everything in the ring on fight night.

 

“There’s a lot at stake and with Sky Sports and SHOWTIME behind us, this is a big stage to show what you have got. I’m serious about what I do and about moving forward.  I don’t have a script, I can only speak from the heart; whatever Eric’s destiny is, that’s what will happen on the night.  If his destiny is to become heavyweight champion, so be it.  But my destiny is to carry on the path I am on and put in a dominant performance on an explosive night of boxing in Manchester.”

 

ERIC MOLINA:

“I’ve been in these fights before.  I have no amateur experience so I’m learning no the job — and I’m getting better every fight.  I fought five rounds against Wilder with a busted ankle, so everything you saw from me was done on one ankle.  That’s the kind of guy this young man is facing.  I fight with everything I’ve got.  Even if I’m hurt, I still fight, because I know that one punch at any given moment can win me the fight.  Anything can happen in the heavyweight division.

 

“I knew this fight was coming my way because nobody wants to fight him.  Let’s be real.  All the other fighters want to go and fight other guys and for the other belts and not face Anthony Joshua.  I’m a guy that’s been in with Wilder – no one wants to fight Wilder, but I did, and that’s why I’m in London today and will be in Manchester on Dec. 10 putting it all on the line, body and soul.  I want that IBF belt, I don’t have the option to go for another belt or down another route.  This is it for me, and that means he’s going to have the toughest fight of his career, I can guarantee that.

 

“Tomasz Adamek had never been KO’d, so the momentum from that win in Poland was big.  I felt it was time to take time off from work and put 100 percent into this. 

 

“Back home, people know me as a certain type of fighter.  On day one of my career I lost in the first round and that’s why on the back of my shirt it says ‘The Art Of Bouncing Back.’  Those aren’t just words.  Boxing is the most brutal sport when it comes to trying to bounce back.  Once you lose, everybody is gone from your side.  There are fighters out there that say they want to bounce back but they don’t have the guts to put themselves in a position to do it.  I put myself in the fight with Wilder and I went to Poland and beat Adamek to bounce back and show people who I am.

 

“You have to prove yourself in this sport and then you can claim the rewards.  I didn’t have an easy road to get here, I’ve had to do it the hard way and I’ve earned my way here.’’

 

About Showtime Networks:

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 and Google. Consumers can also subscribe to SHOWTIME via Hulu, Sony PlayStation® Vue and Amazon Prime Video. SNI also manages Smithsonian Networks™, a joint venture between SNI and the Smithsonian Institution, which offers Smithsonian Channel™, and offers Smithsonian Earth™ through SN Digital LLC. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV. For more information, go to www.SHO.com.

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Joshua vs. Molina and Whyte vs. Chisora land on huge December 10 show

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AJ welcomes American to Manchester – Whyte and Chisora meet for Brit belt – Yafai in World title action – Quigg returns

 

Anthony Joshua MBE is set to defend his IBF World Heavyweight title against Eric Molina at the Manchester Arena on December 10, live on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK and on Showtime in the U.S.

 

Joshua puts his crown on the line for the second time and fights his third American in a row having destroyed Charles Martin inside two rounds to rip the title from the St. Louis man in April at The O2 in London and then stopping Dominic Breazeale in the seventh round at the same venue in June, extending his unbeaten run in the paid ranks to 17 wins, all inside the distance.

 

Molina becomes the latest man to attempt to derail the Olympic Gold medal hero, the Texan is looking to get his hands on the top prize in his second World title tilt after challenging Deontay Wilder for the WBC crown in June 2015. The 34-year-old enters the bout full of confidence after travelling to Poland and knocking out Tomasz Adamek in the tenth round of their clash for the IBF Inter-Continental strap in April.

 

“I am pleased that everything is now set for December 10 and I can concentrate on getting the business done in the ring,” said Joshua. “There has been plenty of talk about who I may face but all I’m doing is concentrating on finishing Molina in style and putting on a great show.

 

“Every fight is dangerous in this division and this is no exception. I saw Molina have a great fight with Wilder and he is now coming off a strong KO win against Adamek in Poland.

 

“I’m expecting this to be the toughest fight of my career so far and I will be ready for an all-out war.”

 

“There is no Heavyweight in the world that has bounced back like I have,” said Molina. “That’s the man that Joshua faces on December 10, and that man is a very dangerous one.

 

“He’ll fight the toughest Molina that anybody has ever seen, just like Adamek fought the toughest Molina.

 

“I’m confident. These type of fights don’t shake me up, I’m a very strong mental fighter. I know exactly what I’ve got to do to prepare myself in the amount of time. I know exactly what I’ve got to do, mentally, physically, to go there and perform.

 

“When you walk out into the atmosphere, half the battle is the mental battle, and if you can stay in the moment mentally you have a shot in any fight.”

 

There’s a huge card in support of the main event as Dillian Whyte defends his British Heavyweight title against bitter London rival Dereck Chisora in an official eliminator for the WBC title. Whyte makes the second defence of his strap after seeing off fellow Brixton man Ian Lewison in Glasgow last month, while former World title challenger Chisora can get his hands on the Lord Lonsdale belt for the second time.

 

Scott Quigg returns to action after treatment on his broken jaw following his unification blockbuster with Carl Frampton, and the Bury star moves up to Featherweight as he looks to regain his status as a World champion.

 

Kal Yafai can become Birmingham’s first World champion but the unbeaten 27 year old faces a tough task to rip the WBA Super-Flyweight title against Luis Concepcion, the two-weight World champion that will enter the ring in his 11th World title outing.

 

Irish amateur sensation Katie Taylor boxes for the second time in the paid ranks after making her pro debut at The SSE Arena, Wembley on November 26, Heavyweight wrecking ball ‘King Kong’ Luis Ortiz fights in Europe for the second time after clashing with Malik Scott in Monte-Carlo on November 12 and Hosea Burton will defend his British Light-Heavyweight title against Frank Buglioni.

 

“The Heavyweight division has been turned on its head in the last few months and while many are standing still waiting, I’m delighted to get this huge card up and running in Manchester,” said promoter Eddie Hearn.

 

“I have spoken to Eric Molina at length and I know this is going to be a big test for Anthony. We saw in the Wilder fight that he can punch and doesn’t give in and is coming off a strong knockout win against Adamek in his back yard in Poland. We have requested an exception from the IBF for this fight and although the plans are for a major unification in the spring this fight requires Anthony’s full focus.

 

“The card is one of the strongest we have produced, supported by a huge all-British Heavyweight grudge match between Dillian Whyte and Dereck Chisora which will be an official eliminator for the WBC World title.

 

“We are delighted to see the return of Scott Quigg who will now campaign at Featherweight and Birmingham’s Kal Yafai has a chance to make history in a brutal fight against World champion Luis Concepcion.

 

“One of the most exciting Heavyweights in world boxing Luis Ortiz will feature and Ireland’s Katie Taylor will continue to break the mould in front of a sold out 21,000 crowd. The re-scheduled Britsih Light-Heavyweight clash between Hosea Burton and Frank Buglioni is sure to produce fireworks and there will also be further names added in the following weeks.”

 

Tickets go on sale to Matchroom Boxing Fight Pass members at midday on Thursday November 3 from the Fight Pass members via this link: bit.ly/JoshuaMolina. Tickets are priced at £40, £60, £80, £100, £150, £200, £300 and £500, with Inner Ringside VIP tickets priced at £800 – due to the high demand for the event, tickets are capped at FOUR per Fight Pass member.

 

Tickets go on general sale at midday on Friday November 4. Tickets priced £40 to £500 will be available from http://www.manchester-arena.com/ and on 0844 847 8000 VIP tickets are £800 and available exclusively from Matchroom Boxing www.matchroomboxing.com.

Cage Warriors Fighting Championship, mixed martial arts, MMA

Cage Warriors 79:Newport, South Wales Saturday October 15, 2016

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, October 11, 2016

DOORS              Open to the public at 3:00pm
FIRST BOUT     Amateur – 4:00pm (subject to change)
Pro Prelims – 7:00pm
Televised main card – 9:00pm local time

Cage Warriors Fighting Championship returns to Newport, South Wales for the second time this year and features the rising stars of Welsh MMA.

CWFC 79, which takes place at the Newport Centre is headlined by a lightweight contest between Englishman Scott Clist (11-2) and Swede, Martin Svensson (14-6).  Clist will be looking for his third CWFC win in six months after defeating Brad Wheeler and Tim Wilde at CWFC 75 and CWFC 77.  All of Clist’s wins have come via stoppage but Svensson, a former Ultimate Fighter competitor, is his toughest and most decorated opponent to date.

CWFC 79 will feature five live televised professional bouts, three pro-prelims and twelve amateur contests.

UPDATE:  Changes to the original card include the cancellation of the following contests between Jack Marshman and Andreas Michailidis, Lew Long and Che Mills and Nad Narimani whose opponent Arnold Quero now faces Dean Trueman in a lightweight contest.

Dean Trueman (6-3) is a late replacement for the injured Narimani.  Trueman last preformed on Cage Warriors in November 2014 when he suffered a decision loss to Liam James but has fought twice since then clocking up wins against Adam Ventre and Huseyin Garabet – submitting Gabaret in the first round earlier this year.

Kicking off the televised main card is a newly added bout between 23-year old Aaron Khalid (4-2) who trains at the MAT Academy alongside Lew Long and 20-year old Adam Procter (5-0) who trains in South Shields under Alex Enlund.  Both have cut their teeth on the regional MMA scene in the UK, this will be their first opportunity to perform in front of a live international TV audience.

The main card looks like this – 9pm local time:
(LW) Martin Svensson vs. Scott Clist  Headline Contest
(BW) Martin Sheridan vs. Josh Reed
(LW) Arnold Quero vs. Dean Trueman
(FW) Eddi Pobivanez vs. Jack Shore
(WW) Aaron Khalid vs. Adam Procter

Doors at the Newport Centre will open at 3:00pm – the show is sold out.

BROADCAST & TV PARTNERS
Please check your local region’s listings for local broadcast times.

The main card is live on:
UFC FIGHT PASS® | Worldwide
BT Sport | UK and Ireland
Viasat | Scandinavia

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SHOWTIME SPORTS® CONTINUES CELEBRATION OF 30 YEARS OF SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® IN SEPTEMBER WITH “BRITAIN’S BEST”

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THE BRITISH INVASION

 

Relive Chris Eubank vs. Nigel Benn II Tonight At 10 p.m. ET/PT On SHOWTIME EXTREME®

 

Click On The Link Below To Watch, Share or Embed Eubank vs. Benn II: Round 12

http://s.sho.com/2bSFJtN

Click HERE For To Download For Web Video Player

 

NEW YORK (Sept. 1, 2016) – The most popular and prolific prizefighters in British Boxing history will be highlighted when SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING’s 30th anniversary year-long celebration continues in September with “Britain’s Best’’ on SHOWTIME EXTREME®.

 

The featured fighters –Naseem Hamed, Ricky Hatton, Joe Calzaghe, Carl Froch, Chris Eubank and Nigel Benn– were longtime world champions.  Each had a distinctive personality inside and outside the ring, and all helped usher in an era of boxers from Great Britain that currently features a record 14 world champions, including Carl Frampton, James DeGale, Lee Selby and Anthony Joshua.

 

Of the eight fighters, all but Eubank and Hatton reached dizzying heights by scoring significant victories against distinguished American fighters.  Benn blasted out Iran Barkley in 2:57.  In his premium network television debut, Hamed dominated Tom “Boom Boom” Johnson and, 10 months later, stoppedKevin Kelly.  Calzaghe destroyed Jeff “Left Hook” Lacy.  Froch rallied from the brink of defeat to stop Jermain Taylor, and Hatton crushed perennial 140-pound world champion Kostya Tszyu of Australia.

 

The rivalry between longtime WBO Middleweight and Super Middleweight champion, Eubank, and Benn, a longtime WBC Super Middleweight boss, may have been the most celebrated in U.K. history.  Eubank took their savage first fight on a ninth-round TKO; the rematch ended in a draw.

 

Hamed (2015) and Calzaghe (2014) are members of the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

 

Below is the schedule of SHOWTIME EXTREME premieres for the month of September:

  • Thursday, Sept. 1: Chris Eubank-Nigel Benn II
  • Thursday, Sept. 8: Naseem Hamed-Tom “Boom Boom” Johnson
  • Thursday, Sept. 15: Ricky Hatton-Kostya Tszyu
  • Thursday, Sept. 22: Joe Calzaghe-Jeff Lacy
  • Thursday, Sept. 29: Carl Froch-Jermain Taylor

 

All fights will air on “Throwback Thursdays” on SHOWTIME EXTREME (10 p.m. ET/PT) throughout the month of September and will be available on SHOWTIME ON DEMAND®, SHOWTIME ANYTIME® and via the network’s online streaming service.

 

(Throwback Thursdays/ Fight Synopsis)

 

Eubank vs. Benn II – Oct. 9, 1993, Old Trafford Stadium, Manchester, Lancashire, England

 

Three years after Eubank rallied to stop defending champion Benn in an intense, fiercely contested battle for the WBO Middleweight Crown that marked the beginning of a great era for British middleweights and super middleweights, the rivals fought to a controversial 12-round draw in a 168-pound unification bout for Eubanks’ WBO and Benn’s WBC titles.

 

With more than 42,000 fans in attendance roaring their approval, the two legends went at it again from start to finish. There were lots of close rounds with frenzied flourishes at the end of each. The thrilling 12th round is considered a classic as both boxers were told they needed it to win. At the finish, one judge scoring it for Eubank, 115-113, one judge gave it to Benn by the identical score while the third judge had it 114-114.


Hamed vs. Johnson – Feb. 8, 1997, New London Arena, London, England

The undefeated WBO Champion Hamed unified the featherweight division with an eighth-round TKO over respected longtime IBF titlist, Tom “Boom Boom” Johnson. Hamed dominated Johnson, who was making his 12th defense, from the third round on, scoring the bout’s lone knockdown with a huge uppercut in the eighth. Hamed was ahead by 69-63, 69-64 and 69-65 when it was stopped at2:27 of the round.

 

Four starts later, Hamed won his United States debut with a wild fourth-round knockout over Kelly, a former WBC Champion, at Madison Square Garden.

 

Hatton vs. Tszyu – June 4, 2005, M.E.N. Arena, Manchester, England
The largely unproven but hungry Hatton scored one of the most sizeable stunners in British  history and announced his entry to the upper echelons of the world boxing scene by recording  an 11th-round TKO over Tszyu for the unified IBF, Ring and lineal light-welterweight titles.

 

This is regarded as the signature performance in Hatton’s career; the stamina, aggression and heart he displayed is now legendary. A massive underdog against a dominant, feared champion and one of the world’s top pound-for-pound boxers, Hatton won when Tszyu failed to answer the bell for the 12th round. After 11, Hatton was ahead by 107-102, 106-103 and 105-104.

Calzaghe vs. Lacy – March 4, 2006, M.E.N. Arena, Manchester, England
In the most important and anticipated super middleweight match since Roy Jones defeated James Toney in 1994, Calzaghe produced a masterpiece and the performance of his career, thoroughly overwhelming the previously unbeaten IBF kingpin Lacy. It was a Brit Beatdown at its brutal best, a wipeout from the outset. Calzaghe cut Lacy over both eyes and caused blood to flow from Lacy’s nose midway through a fight that could have been stopped several times, and floored him in the 12th.

By impressively prevailing over Lacy, Calzaghe also earned the The RingChampionship, becoming the first super middleweight to be recognized as world champion by The Ring.

Froch vs. Taylor –  April 25, 2009, Foxwoods Resort Casino in Foxwoods, Conn.
Froch registered one of the most dramatic finishes to a world title fight sinceJulio Cesar Chavez, behind on points, stopped Meldrick Taylor two seconds from the end of the 12th round in 1990.

Froch, making his second U.S. start and initial defense of the WBC title, survived a third-round knockdown – the first of his career, amateur and pro – to finish Taylor with 14 seconds left.

 

Froch hurt and staggered Taylor with a cracking right hand just over a minute into the 12th. Desperate to get the knockout, he continued to belt Taylor all over the ring. With about 90 seconds left, Taylor went down from a barrage of head shots. He barely arose at nine with 0:29 remaining but had no defense for an ensuing barrage of damaging blows.

 

(The British Invasion/Boxer Capsules)

 

Chris Eubank (45-5-2, 23 KOs), of Brighton, England, was one of the top British super middles of all-time; he was responsible for helping British boxing ride a peak of popularity in the 1990s. After winning the WBO 160-pound title by stopping Benn and making three subsequent defenses , Eubank moved up to 168, captured the WBO crown and retained it 14 times (12-0-2) over a five-year-period. One of the draws came against WBC champion Benn in world title unification in their rematch in October 1993.

 

Nigel “Dark Destroyer” Benn (42-5-1, 35 KOs), of West Ham, England, went pro in January 1997 and won his first 22 fights by knockout. He took the WBO 160-pound belt with an eighth-round TKO over Doug DeWitt on April 29, 1990, in Atlantic City. In his first defense, he stunned the boxing world by scoring a devastating TKO 1 over former middleweight world champion Barkley on Aug. 18, 1990. In his next outing, Benn fought Eubank the first time. He captured the WBC 168-belt in October 1992 and made nine successful defenses.

 

Naseem Hamed (36-1, 31 KOs), of Sheffield, England, was a global superstar. He was known, loved, despised and acclaimed as one of the greatest British pound for pound boxers of all time. He was known for his marvelous movement and entertaining, albeit unconventional antics. He held multiple world championships at featherweight and made 16 consecutive featherweight world title defenses. He was considered the linear world champ at 126 pounds for five years (1995-2000) and was The Ring Magazine’s No. 1 Featherweight Fighter from 1997‑2000.

 

Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton (45-3, 32 KOs) of Manchester, England, is viewed by many as the No. 1 British 140-pounder of all time. He was the 2005 RingMagazine Fighter of the Year, the first British boxer to receive the award since its inception in 1928. He was also the 2005 ESPN and Boxing Writers Association of America Fighter of the Year. During his15-year career (1997-2012), he held various world titles at junior welterweight and one at welterweight. He reached the pinnacle of his profession in June 2005 when he upset Tszyu to seize the unified IBF, Ring and lineal 140-pound titles.

Joe Calzaghe (46-0, 32 KOs) is the longest-reigning super middleweight world champion in history, having held the WBO title for more than 10 years and making 21 successful defenses before relinquishing it to move up to light heavyweight. As his reins at 168 and 175 pounds overlapped, he retired with the longest continual time as world champion of any active fighter. Calzaghe annihilated IBF Super Middleweight Champion Jeff “Left Hook” Lacy to become world super middleweight champion on March 4, 2006. He held the WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO, Ring magazine and lineal super middleweight titles, as well as The Ring light heavyweight title.
Carl “The Cobra” Froch (33-2, 24 KOs), of Nottingham, England, was a four-time super middleweight world champion who possessed an aggressive, style, toughness and granite chin. Froch won the WBC crown twice and was the WBA titleholder from 2013-2015 and the IBF champion from 2012-2015. In 2013, the BBC listed him as the best British pound-for-pound boxer.

 

One outing after Froch captured the WBC belt with a triumph over Jean Pascalin May  2008, he rattled the boxing world by producing one of the most remarkable comebacks in history. Rallying from an early knockdown and a four-point deficit on two of the scorecards entering the final round, Froch came on to batter former undisputed middleweight champion Jermain Taylor senseless and knock him out at 2:46 of the 12th on April 25, 2009. A few months later, Froch entered the Super Six World Boxing Classic on SHOWTIME, where he got the only two defeats of his career, losing decisions to Mikkel Kessler, and toAndre Ward in the finals.

 

# # #

 

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 and Google. Consumers can also subscribe to SHOWTIME via Hulu, Sony PlayStation® Vue and Amazon Prime Video. 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.

Cage Warriors Fighting Championship, mixed martial arts, MMA

Cage Warriors 77: Camden Centre, London

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DOORS Open to the public at 5:30pm

FIRST BOUT Amateur – 6.30pm (subject to change)

Professional – 7:15pm

Televised main card – 9:00pm (UK time)

 

Cage Warriors Fighting Championship returns to London following a sell out show in April and features the cream of European MMA. Two titles are on the line at the top of the card, for the lightweight and middleweight belts.

Headlining the show is highly ranked Welshman Jack Marshman, who meets the durable Frenchman, Christopher Jacquelin in the contest for the middleweight strap at Cage Warriors 77. 

The main card action, from the Camden Centre, London will feature five professional bouts starting at 9pm (UK time).  Fans hoping to watch the event LIVE can do so via our broadcast and TV partners on: 

UFC FIGHT PASS® | Worldwide

BT Sport | UK and Ireland 

Viasat | Scandinavia

Zuku TV | Africa

Please check your country’s listings for local broadcast times.

There will also be a small number of ticket returns available on the door. Check our social media accounts for ticket updates.

CWFC 77

Pro Prelims

Mickey Miller vs. Thomas Terdjman 

John Redmond vs. Modestas Bukauskas

Konmon Deh vs. Aiden Lee 

 

Main Card – 9:00PM (UK Time)

Featherweight 

Paddy Pimblett (10-1) vs. Teddy Violet (10-2)

Light-Heavyweight

Darren Stewart (6-0) vs. Boubacar Balde (11-8)

Lightweight

Scott Clist (10-2) vs. Tim Wilde (8-1)

Lightweight Title (5 x 5 min)

Chris Fishgold (14-1-1) vs. Adam Boussif (9-3)

Main Event: Middleweight Title (5 x 5 min)

Jack Marshman (19-5) vs. Christopher Jacquelin (8-2)

For the latest Cage Warriors Fighting Championship news and updates, keep track of us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. View past CWFC action, free and on-demand, online via Cage Warriors TV.
boxing, CBS Boxing, Premier Boxing Champions, Showtime, Showtime Boxing

KEITH THURMAN OUTPOINTS SHAWN PORTER IN FIGHT OF THE YEAR CANDIDATE SATURDAY IN PRIMETIME ON CBS

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Jarrett Hurd Knocks Out Oscar Molina In Opening Bout Of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® on CBS, Presented by Premier Boxing Champions, From Barclays Center In Brooklyn

 

Click HERE for Photos From Esther Lin/Tom Casino/SHOWTIME

 

Click HERE for Photos From Ryan Greene/Premier Boxing Champions

 

Click HERE For Photos From Ed Diller/DiBella Entertainment

 

BROOKLYN (June 26, 2016) – Prizefighting returned to CBS on Saturday with a Fight of the Year candidate as undefeated welterweight world champion Keith Thurman edged former world champion Shawn Porter in a close but unanimous decision scored 115-113 by all three ringside judges.

 

The 12,718 fans in attendance at Barclays Center in Brooklyn and the viewers across the U.S. watching the first primetime boxing event on CBS since Muhammed Ali-Leon Spinks in 1978 were treated to a slugfest between two of the brightest stars in boxing’s glamour division.

 

Thurman (27-0, 22 KOs) and Porter (26-2-1, 16 KOs) combined to throw over 1200 punches in the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING on CBS event, presented by Premier Boxing Champions.  The marquee showdown was a story of accuracy vs. activity, as Thurman landed 50 percent of his power shots, compared to 38 percent for Porter, and 44 percent of his total punches compared to just 36 percent for the challenger.  While Thurman landed at a higher percentage, Porter was the busier fighter, throwing over 100 more punches across 12 rounds.

 

“One Time” and “Showtime” delivered as advertised, with the powerful sharpshooter buckling Porter multiple times, while the swarming and smothering Porter barreled forward to bully Thurman into the ropes.  And while there were no knockdowns, the back-and-forth blockbuster never lacked action and culminated in a standing ovation in the second-highest attended boxing event in Barclays Center history.

 

“I want to thank Shawn Porter for a tremendous fight.  He’s a great warrior,” said Thurman.  “Defense is the key to victory.  He smothers his punches a lot and makes it difficult for the judges to score.  I was able to rock him with clear, effective blows and I believe that was the difference today.

 

“I would give him a rematch. It was great fight.  He was a great opponent.  Everyone was saying would he be my toughest opponent to date.  I wasn’t able to drop him but I did buckle him a few times.”

The former world champion Porter, a perennial underdog but consummate gentleman, didn’t complain about being on the losing end of his second close decision in a title bout.

 

“We worked hard, Keith is a great champion,” Porter said. “My dad says to keep your head up.  I think I won the fight, but I’m satisfied because the competitor came out tonight.

 

“We need that rematch.  I know the fans want that rematch.  If he gives me another chance, I’m going to work hard in the ring and leave with his title.”

 

The opening bout of the CBS telecast featured a matchup of undefeated super welterweights as Jarrett Hurd graduated from prospect to legitimate contender in the stacked 154-pound class with a dominating 10th round TKO over Oscar Molina.

 

Hurd (18-0, 12 KOs) got to work early, flooring Molina for the first time in his career in the opening round with a powerful counter right uppercut.  The bigger and taller Hurd was the more active fighter from the outset, dismantling the previously unbeaten Mexican Olympian with a supremely effective inside game.  Hurd threw nearly 750 punches over 10 rounds, compared to just 376 for Molina, connecting on 220 power shots at a nearly 40 percent clip.

 

Hurd put a stamp on his performance in the final round, closing the show by out landing Molina 33-7 in the final round.  With Molina taking a brutal beating and seemingly defenseless in the final minute of the final round, Ricky Gonzalez stepped in to halt the contest at 2:02.

 

“This is definitely a big win for my career,” Hurd said.  “He was taking a lot of shots, but he knew how to survive.  It was a big uppercut that knocked him down in round one. People know from my last fight that I have a great right uppercut.  He was hurt a couple of times. I don’t think it was a bad stoppage. Molina is a very tough guy who just kept coming through.

 

“This fight here puts me up with the top contenders in the division. I felt like I could have gone three or four more rounds. I was getting stronger as the fight went on.  We’re going right back to the gym so we can get in there again.”

 

Molina (13-1-1, 10 KOs) protested, but barring a stunning knockout he was just seconds away from suffering the first loss of his career via a unanimous decision.

 

“I felt like Hurd was throwing a lot of punches in the tenth round but they weren’t really hurting me,” Molina said. “He was staying busy but he was never really hurting me.

 

“I went low and I had my head down and he caught me with that uppercut in the first round. He got me with a shot I wasn’t expecting but it was definitely a flash knockdown. I wasn’t hurt.

 

“I was supposed to use my footwork a lot more but I ended up smothering my shots. He had an awkward defense with a lot of bending down and I couldn’t get into a rhythm.

 

“This was a big opportunity for me and I felt like I fought a good fight. I’m going to come back stronger. We’re going to work on a lot of things and get back in there.”

 

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING on CBS, presented by Premier Boxing Champions, was promoted by DiBella Entertainment.

 

Earlier in the evening on SHOWTIME, undefeated heavyweight sensation Anthony Joshua successfully defended his IBF Heavyweight World Championship for the first time with a seventh round knockout of previously unbeaten American Dominic Breazeale at The O2 in London.  VIDEO: http://s.sho.com/28VGgsa

 

Below are quotes from Joshua after Saturday’s win on SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL:

 

Many thought that Dominic Breazeale wouldn’t be able to stand up to your power and speed, but were you grateful for the opportunity to work a little bit more of your boxing skills?

“Well, it’s hard because you can see they’re hurt with every shot – well not every shot – but when you start catching them flush, they can feel the shots with these ten ounce gloves on. So, it’s just a matter of time, but in the process I didn’t want to be receiving any haymakers on the way back.

 

“It’s been tough I had two weeks off after my last fight, and got straight back in the gym so it was tough. I get a nice little break for once and then I can come back with recharged batteries.”

 

We know Deontay Wilder was watching the fight. Have you got a message for him, the WBC Champion? 

“Unbelievable inspirational person. He was patient, 30-odd fights [and] got his hands on the WBC [belt]. I’m following suit. I’m making my way into the U.S. with SHOWTIME backing me as well. So, he watched that.

 

“He can pick up whatever he wants to pick up from that, but it’s so different when you’re in the ring with each other. So one day we’ll get to experience what each other’s about.”

 

Who do you want to fight next? 

“Well I think it’s gonna have to be the likes of [Joseph] Parker. I was really looking at Fury… I hope he gets better soon. He hurt his ankle unfortunately, which has postponed it because  I was hoping to get that some time in the winter if everything went well July 9th like it didtonight, but we’re gonna have to reschedule that and in the meantime, we can look at other opponents like Parker, if he’s vacant, or anyone else that the people want.”

 

What do you think that you still need to work on?

“Rest. I need to rest. I’m tired, I’m working hard and as I said, now i can get

 

For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports and www.premierboxingchampions.com, follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing @KeithFThurmanJr, @ShowtimeShawnP, @LouDiBella, @BarclaysCenter and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebookat www.Facebook.com/SHOSports,www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment and www.facebook.com/BarclaysCenter.

boxing, CBS Boxing, Premier Boxing Champions, Showtime, Showtime Boxing

ANTHONY JOSHUA vs. DOMINIC BREAZEALE FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES & PHOTOS FOR HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPTHIS SATURDAY LIVE ON SHOWTIME®

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“You’re in my jungle now” – Anthony Joshua

 

“I came across the pond to get my belt and take it back home with me” – Dominic Breazeale

 

Click HERE For Photos; Credit Lawrence Lustig/Matchroom Sport

 

LONDON (June 23, 2016) – Undefeated IBF Heavyweight World Champion Anthony Joshua (16-0, 16 KOs) and fellow unbeaten American challenger Dominic Breazeale (17-0, 15 KOs), participated in the final press conference on Thursday at Sky Sports Studios in London, just two days before their showdown this Saturday.

 

The British sensation and 2012 Olympic Games Gold Medalist, Joshua will make the first defense of his title against Breazeale, a 2012 U.S. Olympian from Upland, Calif., this Saturday, June 25 on SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL® from a sold-out The O2 in London, live onSHOWTIME® on at 5:15 p.m. ET/2:15 p.m. PT.

 

Fellow heavyweight world champion Deontay Wilder, the undefeated WBC titleholder, will join the SHOWTIME announce team as an in-studio guest analyst for coverage of Joshua-Breazeale from New York.

 

A few hours later Saturday, in primetime on CBS (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT), Keith “One Time” Thurman will defend his WBA Welterweight World Title against former champ Shawn “Showtime” Porter in a welterweight blockbuster that headlines SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING on CBS, presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

 

Below is what the fighters had to say at the final press conference, followed by some recent fight week quotes.  (Courtesy Sky Sports and Matchroom Sport)

 

ANTHONYJOSHUA:

 

“You’re in my jungle now.  There’s no pressure on me.

 

“Once that bell goes, you can’t hide the instinct, the instinct that you want to get someone out of there.  I hope I can go in there, stay relaxed and do what I planned to do.  But once that bell rings something just comes over you and you want to get him out of there ASAP.

 

“There will always be pressure. But look, it’s always been the same concept: Train hard – it’s the same ring. It hasn’t changed.

 

“I’ve got nothing to lose. I’ve always explained let’s get rid of the belts, the atmosphere, because when the bell goes it’s just me and him in the ring.  Two gladiators, two respectful warriors coming together. We’re going to slug it out and put our 0s on the line.”

 

“I’m prepared, Dominic is prepared well, and one of us has to take a loss.

 

“Each fight is a stepping stone to the big tests. I want to look like the real deal.”

 

“I think we’re in the golden era of boxing again.”

 

DOMINIC BREAZEALE:

“I respect you as a fighter, but I’m going to beat you. I’ve got to beat the best of the best.”

 

“I can’t wait, it’s been an opportunity I’ve been waiting eight years for this. It’s an opportunity of a lifetime and I’m ready for this.

 

“Expect fireworks. We’ll be going round for round, punch for punch and I expect to knock out Joshua.”

 

“I got a big right hand, I have a big left hook.  I stand 6-foot-7, 255 pounds.  I’m unorthodox – I’m a guy that can fight on the inside, I’m a guy that can take a punch, I’m a guy that can give a punch.  So if any one of those given things show up on Saturday night I’m getting a knockout, for sure.

 

“It’s a major advantage just for me to have Anthony Joshua the whole time.  I don’t want him at any given point for him to feel like he’s in his comfort zone, his own backyard or his own little lion’s den.

 

“That’s what I came across the pond to do. I came across the pond to get my belt and take it back home with me.

 

“It’s my Super Bowl.  Being a former football player, this is my Super Bowl.”

 

“Everybody keeps comparing me to Charles Martin, the only thing that we have in common is that we’re both American. We have a completely different fight style, different goals in life.

 

“I’m a big puncher, so is Anthony Joshua. He has the belt and I intend to have it on Saturday night.

 

ADDITIONAL FIGHT WEEK QUOTES:

 

ANTHONY JOSHUA

 

“I’m 16 fights, 16 wins, Dominic is 17 fights, 17 wins.  We’ve been pro for the same amount of time, amateurs for the same time so we’re at a similar level on paper.

 

“People think this will end in two rounds?  Brilliant. I am winning fights early because of my talent and hard work.  Where I am in my career, it’s a perfect fight.

 

“I don’t overlook anyone. People talk and talk, that’s irrelevant.  It’s all about whether he can fight. I think he believes in himself, but he knows what’s in store here, he needs to know I’m serious about this boxing.  He thinks he’s going to KO me, he’s dismissed Charles Martin — sometimes you just have to humble somebody and show levels, let them know it’s not that easy.

 

“The second I stepped in to the pros it was ‘Boom!’ — Anthony Joshua – headlining.  That’s not down to me, its media channels and people wanting to get to know the guy behind the gloves. So it’s been hard to build a career at the right pace without criticism because people want to see me in massive fights right now.

 

“You can’t jump from hero to zero, there are people guiding us over a long and a dangerous career.  People have to understand that it’s a development of a career, and if I ever train a fighter, I’ll tell them the same thing.”

 

On fellow heavyweight world champions Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury:

“This won’t be my only defense, I want there to be lots and lots, and at the right time I will fight David Haye, Tyson Fury, Deontay Wilder and the rest. We’re in an era now where we have to fight each other. There’s never been an era when the best don’t fight the best at heavyweight — but they have to happen at the right time, and they will.

 

“We are all world champions as we hold all the belts that are available. We’re all talented. Deontay has defended his title multiple times so you have to give him credit for that. Tyson and I haven’t defended yet, so I put Deontay at the top.  But Tyson beat Wladimir Klitschko who reigned for such a long time.

 

“I am happy because I became a world champion in my 16th fight and they won theirs later in their careers.  But Tyson beat the main man in the division, and Deontay has defended his belt lots of times, so I am in third right now, but I am building my way up.

 

“Put the belts to one side, they don’t give you magical powers.  A lot of fighters lose their belt in their first defense.  It’s about developing your raw talent and making sure you keep on an upward curve because there’s hungry young challengers snapping at your heels all the time, ready to expose you – and I refuse that to happen to me.”

 

On Charles Martin:

“Before the fight, no one criticized (Charles) Martin.  He was undefeated, knocking guys out, tall southpaw, dangerous. Bookies were taking a lot of bets on him knocking me out.  Tyson Fury backed him to do just that and a lot of people thought it would be tricky.  Up until I beat him, he was seen as a worthy fighter.  I figured him out quickly and I made him look bad.  He didn’t look like the champion people thought he was, but you have to respect him.”

 

On thinking about losing:

“I think about losing all the time, I’m scared of it.  That keeps me humble and working hard.  I don’t think people are going to beat me or anything, but I don’t want to lose, and I know that if I work hard and keep improving, I won’t lose.

 

“I get enough attention from this job.  There are 20,000 fans at the fights, millions watching on TV around the world.  I don’t need to seek attention.  I’m not a trash talker because the fists do the talking.’’

 

On being a role model:

“I know that there are a lot of kids watching me now and their parents say ‘my son loves you’ and that’s in my mind.

 

“I’ll be myself all the time, but that sense of being a role model and having kid’s look up to you, that checks the emotions that could come out if you get wound up. You have to conduct yourself.’’

 

On Tyson Fury:

“Tyson talks a lot.  I hear so many different things, if he was consistent with what he says then maybe I’d think he was digging a bit, but it’s just water off a duck’s back.  I don’t know him, but as long as people are saying ‘when are you going to fight him?’ then I like him because he is relevant.

 

“It would be such a huge fight and one that would be part of my legacy.  I think because he’s beaten Wladimir once he can do it again.  I didn’t think he’d win the first fight, but he pulled it off.

 

“I’d love to fight Tyson – it’s a match-up that needs to happen. There have been talks, whether they are a quick chat or serious negotiations, but you can’t click your fingers and come up with a mega fight.  It takes time, but they are in the pipeline and we’re building towards them, and in the meantime I want to test myself and learn my craft.  I need to perform well to prove that I can handle the massive fights.’’

 

On fellow British heavyweight David Haye:

“David is running the show and people know it, so when he goes in against soft opponents, he’s putting his neck on the line to get the stick.  Fans expect more from him and he’s not meeting those levels, and that’s where the backlash comes from.  The people he’s calling out versus the two guys he has fought, they just don’t add up, and that’s what people are frustrated about.

 

“I don’t think you can knock the Shannon Briggs fight.  He’s made a lot of noise, he’s old school and it’s a good fight for David to take, win and move upwards.  Shannon had made noise and he’s got his moment and who knows? Maybe he can shock the world.  He’s old, but he trains hard and he’s in great condition, and that’s why people love the heavyweights because it’s that one shot.

 

“A fight with Fury and I is the biggest fight in British boxing in my opinion. The Haye fight is big too; there’s enough media interest for it to be big.  It’s already big and we’re not even fighting yet, so imagine how big it would be once we get in there.  It’d be unbelievable and that’s why I am so interested in the fights.”

 

DOMINIC BREAZEALE:

“I plan on putting on some extreme pressure and taking Joshua to places he’s never been.  We’ll find out if he can handle it.

 

“Do I want to see him go into uncharted territory?  Of course, without a doubt.

 

“I’ve been there, I know what it feels like and I’ve done it several times now.  At the same time, I’m not going to let an opportunity pass me.  If I see something I can take in the first or second round, I’m definitely going to get him out of there.

 

“I’ve sparred guys that are bigger than me, I’ve sparred some guys smaller than me. I’ve been the tallest thus far (of his professional opponents), but I don’t think the difference in a matter of inches is going to make that big of a difference. The guys I’ve sparred with are 10 times better than Anthony Joshua.

 

“I think that it’s going to be one of those situations that it is not going to be a difference of size or weight.  It’s going to be the difference of skill and experience.

 

“When you think of a heavyweight champion you want to make sure he’s fought the best, and I think that’s why Joshua has chosen me as his opponent to defend against. That’s what he plans on getting out of the situation if he can make it through the 12 rounds.

 

“I think Joshua’s thinking of me as a stepping stone and he’s going to be sorry about that.  He’s just wrong.  He’s fighting a guy at 6-foot-7, 255 pounds that brings the pressure and a great pace from round-to-round.

 

“I’m one of those guys that I might take a shot, I might work some defense or I might work a strong jab.  Either way, I’m going to make it a fight.  All of my opponents have been down on the canvas and I don’t think Joshua is going to come shy of that as well.

 

“I’ve been picked as the smaller guy in the ring, by the IBF as a stepping stone and I feel like my back is against the wall.  I’m going to come out fighting.

 

“To come here and win the IBF title in London is a major thing for me that I plan to achieve.  Then I want to continuing to go after all the titles.

 

“My mind set has definitely changed.  The situation that I’m in mentally is just different compared to some of my fights in the past.  My confidence level is through the roof and physically I feel great.

 

“I think the heavyweight division is getting ready to change. With individuals like myself, Deontay and Tyson, we have guys who are characters who bring a lot of charisma to the division.  That’s something that we need.  Yes, we are athletes but in the end we are entertainers and we want to see a show.  I’m the type of guy that brings a show every single time I fight.  It’s action-packed from the opening bell to the end, and fight fans are looking for that.  That’s what is going to resurrect the heavyweight division.’’

 

On his win over Amir Mansour:

“That was another confidence booster for me.  It’s one thing to finish a guy in the first round with three punches or something like that.  It’s another thing to finish a guy in the sixth, seventh round with a combination of shots.

 

“Amir put me down on the canvas in the second, I battled back and ended up breaking the man’s jaw.

 

“It gives me something to work on.  I know I was able to come back and be very successful from it.  Anytime you get a win of that matter where you get a guy, break him down, break him down where he quits on the stool, it’s a huge confidence booster.  It makes you understand as an athlete or as a professional boxer that you’ve got punching power, you just broke another man’s jaw.’’

 

On returning to London after the 2012 Olympics:

“I think it’s going to beautiful.  It’s going to be great to go back to where my amateur career ended and beat the guy who won the gold medal.  That’s going to be great.  And then, on top of that, take away more hardware with the IBF Heavyweight title. You couldn’t ask for anything better.

 

“Then again I do understand and believe I’m a completely different fighter — not only am I a professional but I no longer fight an amateur style. I would consider myself a knockout artist with some pretty good punching power and that’s what I plan on showing the UK fans and my U.S. following.  It’s a chapter that needs to be closed and I plan on doing that.’’

 

On the state of the heavyweight division:

“I believe that we’ve got a lot of heavyweights who are doing real well and are real successful in their situations, some being titleholders, some not.  But I think it’s going to be a revolving circle. Me fighting Anthony Joshua, then going on to Deontay and Fury, Wladimir Klitschko might even hang around for a while.  Will it ever be compared to the Ali days or Riddick Bowe and the Evander Holyfield days?  I don’t know.  Bowe and Holyfield had one great trilogy and I study it all the time. So it all depends on how much each fighter has left in him.’’

 

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