Tag Archives: WBC

“BUTE VS. ALVAREZ” Official Weights

Live on PPV in North America tomorrow (Friday) night from Videotron Centre of Quebec City
(L-R) — Lucian Bute & Eleider Alvarez
(photo courtesy of Manny Montreal / The FightCity.com)


OFFICIAL WEIGHTS
WBC Silver Light Heavyweight Championship & Mandatory Title Eliminator (12 rounds)*
Eleider Alvarez (21-0, 10 KOs), Champion, Montreal, Quebec, Canada via Colombia 174.6 lbs.
Lucian Bute (32-3-1, 25 KOs), Challenger, Laval, Quebec, Canada via Romania 173.6 lbs.
Vacant WBU Heavyweight Championship (12 rounds)*
Eric Martel-Bahoeli (14-5-2, 8 KOs), Quebec City, Quebec, Canada 253.8 lbs.
Adam Braidwood (6-1, 5 KOs), Victoria, British Colombia, Canada 250.8 lbs.
Super Welterweights (8 rounds)*
Sebastien Bouchard (14-1, 5 KOs), Baie-Saint-Paul, Quebec, Canada (8) 149.6 lbs.
Gustavo Garibay (13-7-2, 5 KOs), Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico 150 lbs.
IBF International & Vacant NABO Middleweight Championships (10 rounds)*
Francis Lafreniere (14-5-2, 8 KOs), Champion, Coteau-du-Lac, Quebec, Canada 157.8 lbs.
Uriel “Big Bang” Gonzalez (15-1-1, 11 KOs), Challenger, Ciudad Juarez, Mexico 159.2 lbs.
Super Middleweights (8 rounds)
Dario Bredicean (11-0, 3 KOs), Montreal, Quebec, Canada 169.2 lbs.
Alejandro Torres (9-1-2, 4 KOs), Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico 165.4 lbs.
Super Middleweights (4 rounds)
Christian M’Billi (1-0, 1 KO), Montreal, Quebec, Canada via France 163.2 lbs.
Jesus Olivares (5-3, 3 KOs), Puebla, Mexico 168.2 lbs.
*Denotes PPV fight
 
WHAT: “BUTE VS. ALVAREZ”
WHEN:  Friday, February 24, 2017
WHERE:  Videotron Centre in Quebec City, Canada.
 
PROMOTER:  Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM) and Gestev, presentation of Videotron and Mise-O-Jeu
HOW TO WATCH:  Integrated Sports Media will distribute in the United States, starting at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT, on cable, satellite and internet pay-per-view via iN Demand, Vubiquity, DIRECTV, DISH and the FITE app for a suggested retail price of only $29.95.
In Canada, available to watch, in English or French, on Canal Indigo, Shaw TV and Bell TV; English-only on Rogers PPV, as well as in many of the top Canadian sports bars.
Outside of North America, “BUTE VS ALVAREZ” is being distributed by leading boxing television rights distribution firm, Protocol Sports Marketing Ltd.
TICKETS:  On sale and available to purchase by going on line to www.Videotron.centrequebeccity.cpm/tickets and www.Ticketmaster.ca
 
INFORMATION:
Twitter: @yvonmichelgym, @gestevinc, @IntegratedPPV  #ButeAlvarez
Follow these fighters on Twitter: @Stormalvarez, @Butelucian

Rey Vargas battles Gavin McDonnell for WBC Super Bantamweight title Live THIS SATURDAY on Klowdtv.com

Las Vegas, NV.– Undefeated contender Rey Vargas and Gavin McDonnell will vie for the vacant WBC Super Bantamweight title this Saturday from the Ice Arena in Hull, England that will be streamed live on www.klowdtv.com
The entire fight card can be accessed for just $4.99. and

The action will begin a period of three major fight cards on www.klowdtv.com on in the span of seven week.  Next Saturday, on March 4th, the action shifts to London as one of the biggest heavyweight fights in the United Kingdom in recent years will take place as the bad blood will be settled between cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew moving up in weight to face former cruiserweight and heavyweight world champion David Haye. Then on April 15thfrom Glasgow, Scotland, it will be a Junior Welterweight unification bout as WBA champion Ricky Burns takes on undefeated IBF champion Julius Indongo.
Vargas of Otumba, Mexico has a record of 28-0 with 22 knockouts, and will be making his 1st attempt at a world title.
The 26 year-old is a 7 year professional, and has wins over former two-time world champion Alexander Munoz, former world title challengers Cecilio Santos, Juanito Rubillar, as well as well as contenders Luis Lugo (13-1-2), Marcos Cardenas (13-1-1), Eduardo Mancito (13-1-2) and Alexis Kabore (25-1).
“It is a risk going to England, but I’m not scared,” said Vargas. “I know that I’ll get booed when I go into the ring but I know when I win and step out of the ring they will applaud me. I am going to win this fight, even being in his backyard. He has that home advantage but I will win.

“I know the judges could be an issue. In fact, a gym mate of mine, Julio Ceja, fought his brother and won, but they robbed him. The idea is to go for the knockout otherwise they could rob you.

“It shows a bit of cowardice, not on him but on his team because they don’t want him to fight outside his country as they know he’ll lose. But I do trust that the WBC are fair and they will be neutral – the best man will win. I’d be very proud to take the WBC belt home.”

McDonnell of Dorncaster, England is the twin brother of WBA Bantamweight champion Jamie McDonnell, and has a record of 16-0-2 with 4 knockouts.

Gavin, 30 years old, turned professional is a 7 year professional, and got to this title opportunity on the strength of his victories over undefeated Scott Gladwin (5-0), Leigh Wood (11-0), Oleksandr Yegorov (13-0-1), Jorge Sanchez (15-0), three-time world title challenger Vusi Malinga (21-5-1) as well as Dean Anderson (5-1-1), Paul Econmides (13-3), Jeremy Parodi (37-2-1).
In his last bout, McDonnell took an 8-round decision from Robin Zamora on September 10th in London.
“I have to pinch myself that it’s finally here,” said McDonnell. “All the hard work I’ve put in over the years, it feels like it’s meant to be this moment.

“I have seen my brother become World champion, I have seen my gym-mate Tony Bellew become World champion and I believe now I’m ready and to be let off the leash. I’m ready to become world champion. Two twin brothers on the scene, both World champions standing side by side – the Klitschko brothers of Doncaster!

“We were in the same boat me and my brother, fighting an unbeaten Mexican banger. Having home advantage is key and I’ve wanted that.

“I like being written off, I love proving people wrong and this will be no different. I really want to make a name for myself, I’ve always felt like I’ve been in my brother’s shadow but I’m 18 fights unbeaten and I’m on the verge of a World title fight.

“Vargas’ record says that he’s big puncher but we won’t know how good he is until we get in there. How much does he want it? Not more than me. He will have to knock me out cold to win it as he can’t beat me.”

“This will be a terrific championship bout on Saturday.  We look forward to kicking off  a terrific string of title bouts for the great boxing fans in the United States,”said Chris Schickedanz, Managing Director of Klowdtv.
KlowdTV Boxing McDonnell vs Vargas
KlowdTV Boxing McDonnell vs Vargas

Upcoming fights on www.klowdtv.com

March 4, David Haye vs Tony Bellew
April 15: Ricky Burns vs Julius Indongo

“BUTE VS. ALVAREZ” Press Conference Quotes 

Live on PPV in North America this Friday night from Videotron Centre of Quebec City
(L-R) – Lucian Bute & Eleider Alvarez
MONTREAL (February 21, 2017) – The “BUTE VS ALVAREZ” press conference was held today in Quebec City for this Friday night’s championship fight between undefeated World Boxing Council (WBC) Silver light heavyweight champion Eleider “Storm” Alvarez and former super middleweight world champion Lucian Bute (32-3-1, 25 KOs) at Videotron Centre in Quebec City, Canada.
“BUTE VS. ALVAREZ”, promoted by Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM) and Gestev, is a presentation of Videotron and Mise-O-Jeu,
Integrated Sports Media will distribute “BUTE VS. ALVAREZ” live in the United States, starting at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT, on cable, satellite and internet pay-per-view via iN Demand, Vubiquity, DIRECTV, DISH and the FITE app for a suggested retail price of only $29.95.
In Canada, “BUTE VS. ALVAREZ” will be available to watch, in English or French, on Canal Indigo, Shaw TV and Bell TV; English-only on Rodgers PPV, as well as in many of the top Canadian sports bars.
Outside of North America, “BUTE VS ALVAREZ” is being distributed by leading boxing television rights distribution firm, Protocol Sports Marketing Ltd.
The 12-round Bute vs. Alvarez main event will also be the final WBC eliminator to determine the mandatory challenger for the winner’s GYM stablemate, reigning WBC and lineal light heavyweight champion Adonis “Superman” Stevenson (28-1-0, 23 KOs).
Tickets for “BUTE VS. ALVAREZ” are on sale and available to purchase by going on line to www.Videotron.centrequebeccity.cpm/tickets and www.Ticketmaster.ca
PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Lucian Bute: ”I am really, really confident going into this fight. I respect Alvarez; he is the WBC No. 1 ranked contender in the light heavyweight division. He is undefeated but my best moments as a professional boxer came here in Quebec City and I am sure it will be another one of those moments Friday night. And it will be a spectacular fight for the fans!”
 
Eleider Alvarez: ”I have to win for my future and for my family. I will give everything Friday night. My time has come and I will make the best of it.”
 
Yvon Michel, promoter of show and both fighters: ”It is going to be an exciting fight and card. Eleider Alvarez said that he is ready to die in the ring and he means it. Lucian also is ready to do whatever it takes to win Friday. We have two fighters, two true competitors, who will give everything and leave everything in the ring Friday.
 
Howard Grant, Bute’s trainer: ”Lucian had the best camp of his career. He had more energy in this camp than in the ones for James DeGale and Badou Jack. He had good sparring also and he will be ready Friday night.”
 
Marc Ramsay, Alvarez trainer: ”This is the third time in his career that Alvarez has been called out after a sparring session. First it was Andrew Gardiner…and he was stunned by Eleider in the ninth round of the fight. He was never the same after that, got knocked out by an unknown fighter, and retired. Than it was Nicholson Poulard. He was KO’ed in the third round and he retired after that. Lucian asked Eleider for a fight after seeing a sparring between Alvarez and a fighter from the Grant Brothers Gym. He intends to deliver the goods Friday. They asked for Alvarez, they will have Alvarez.”
 
INFORMATION:
Twitter: @yvonmichelgym, @gestevinc, @IntegratedPPV  #ButeAlvarez
Follow these fighters on Twitter: @Stormalvarez, @Butelucian

Internationally-flavored Full Card Announced for BUTE VS. ALVAREZ

Internationally-flavored
Full Card Announced
 
“BUTE VS. ALVAREZ”
Live on PPV in North America
This Friday night at Videotron Centre of Quebec City
MONTREAL (February 20, 2017) – A full card with an international flavor, from top to bottom, has been announced for this Friday (Feb. 24) night’s “BUTE VS ALVAREZ” major event at Videotron Centre in Quebec City, Canada.
World Boxing Council (WBC) light heavyweight champion Eleider “Storm” Alvarez (21-0, 10 KOs), defends his title against former world super middleweight champion Lucian Bute (32-3-1, 25 KOs) in the 12-round main event that also serves as the final WBC eliminator to determine the mandatory challenger for WBC and lineal light heavyweight champion Adonis “Superman” Stevenson (28-1-0, 23 KOs).  Alvarez, who lives in Montreal, was a Colombian Olympian and Laval, Canada resident Bute is a native of Romania. Stevenson, Alvarez and Bute are all promoted by GYM.
”This is an excellent overall boxing event and the result will have a significant impact on the career of all participants,” said the President of GYM, Yvon Michel.
“The Martel-Braidwood WBU heavyweight title fight has all the ingredients to be a barnburner, while the NABO middleweight fight may prove that Lafreniere deserve to be named, ‘The people champ’ because of his relentless attack style.  Bute and Alvarez in the main event are putting their future on the line with this the most significant light heavyweight fight so far in 2017. The real winners are going to be the boxing fans, who appreciate the evenly matched fights and fighters ready to leave it all in the ring!”
Promoted by Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM) and Gestev, “BUTE VS ALVAREZ” is a presentation of Videotron and Mise-O-Jeu, at Videotron Centre in Quebec City, Canada.
Integrated Sports Media will distribute “BUTE VS. ALVAREZ” live in the United States, starting at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT, on cable, satellite and internet pay-per-view via iN Demand, Vubiquity, DIRECTV, DISH and the FITE app for a suggested retail price of only $29.95.
In Canada, “BUTE VS. ALVAREZ” will be available to watch, in English or French, on Canal Indigo, Shaw TV and Bell TV; English-only on Rodgers PPV, as well as in many of the top Canadian sports bars.
Outside of North America, “BUTE VS ALVAREZ” is being distributed by leading boxing television rights distribution firm, Protocol Sports Marketing Ltd.
In the 12-round co-feature, Canadian heavyweights Eric “The Hammer” Martel-Bahoeli (14-5-2, 8 KOs) and Adam “The Bogeyman” Braidwood (6-1, 5 KOs) will battle for the vacant World Boxing Union (WBU) title.  A former Commonwealth & Canadian title challenger, Martel-Bahieli will be fighting at home in Quebec City.  Braidwood, fighting out of British Colombian, is a former football player for Washington State University and in the Canadian Football League (CFL).
Popular Quebec super welterweight Sebastian Bouchard, a 2007 Canadian Championships silver medalist, takes on Mexican super welterweight champion Gustavo “Vitaminas” Garibay (13-7-2, 5 KOs) in an eight-round non-title fight.
International Boxing Federation (IBF) middleweight champion Francis Lafreniere (14-5-2, 8 KOs), also fighting out of Quebec, defends his 10-round bout against Mexican knockout artist Uriel “Big Bang” Gonzalez (15-1-1, 11 KOs).  The vacant North American Boxing Organization (NABO) championship will also be the line for the Lefreniere vs. Willis confrontation.
In a pair of off-PPV fights, undefeated Montreal super middleweight Dario Bredidean (11-0, 3 KOs) faces Mexican invader Alejandro Torres (9-1-2, 4 KOs) in an eight-round match, while 2016 France Olympian Christian “Le Solide” M’Billi (1-0, 1 KO) is showcased in a four-round fight against Mexican super middleweight Jesus Olivares (5-3, 3 KOs).
Tickets for “BUTE VS. ALVAREZ” are on sale and available to purchase by going on line to www.Videotron.centrequebeccity.cpm/tickets and www.Ticketmaster.ca
INFORMATION:
Twitter: @yvonmichelgym, @gestevinc, @IntegratedPPV  #ButeAlvarez
Follow these fighters on Twitter: @Stormalvarez, @Butelucian

Ivan Baranchyk – Is he the next Arturo Gatti?

 

Baranchak Gatti.png

Miami, OK (February 14, 2017) – On Friday, February 10, boxing fans were treated to a fight of the year candidate between junior welterweights Ivan “The Beast” Baranchyk of Brooklyn, NY and Arizona’s Abel Ramos. The bout took place at the Buffalo Run Casino in the main event of ShoBox: The New Generation. It was a significant fight for both combatants, with Baranchyk looking to move further up the ladder while Ramos hoped to become a player at 140 pounds by taking out his highly regarded foe.

 

When the matchup was announced, Baranchyk and Ramos were expected to put on an entertaining fight. What ultimately transpired however far exceeded expectations.

 

For ten rounds, Baranchyk and Ramos had the capacity crowd on their feet cheering on the incredible action. Both men hit the canvas and were badly hurt at different points of the fight, trading punches at a frenetic pace. They bled, brawled and left everything in the ring in a fight that was among the greatest in ShoBox’s 17 year history.

 

Scores were 99-91, 97-92 and 97-93 for Baranchyk, who is 14-0 with 10 knockouts. Ramos, whose stock went up tremendously in defeat, is  17-2-2 (12 KO’s).

 

The CompuBox stats were similar to the first showdown between Arturo Gatti and Mickey Ward. Baranchyk and Ramos combined to land 664 total punches and 482 power shots. Gatti-Ward I saw a total of 618 connects with 521 being power punches.

 

“I believe this has to be the best fight in ShoBox history,” exclaimed Baranchyk’s promoter Tony Holden, who promotes him along with DiBella Entertainment and Fight Promotions Inc. “Ivan is a natural crowd pleaser. He has the biggest heart in boxing and incredible conditioning. Like we saw many times from the late, great Arturo Gatti, Ivan was hurt, bloodied and took a lot of punches but his will powered him to victory. I believe he could become the next Arturo Gatti but there’s still work to do.”

 

Lou DiBella, who promoted the aforementioned Ward, believes Baranchyk is boxing’s newest action star.

 

“We got stats from CompuBox and they were almost identical to Gatti-Ward 1 and Corrales-Castillo 1, two of the greatest fights in boxing history. Baranchyk and Ramos put on a fight for the ages and I think the comparison to Gatti-Ward is a good one. Ivan’s offensive mindedness and willingness to take and give punishment is reminiscent of Arturo Gatti. He’s already shown he can get a crowd behind him and that was proven by how quickly the fans in Miami, OK adopted him as if he were one of their own. I really think he can become the Belarusian Gatti.”

ENCORE PRESENTATION OF IVAN BARANCHYK-ABEL RAMOS SLUGFEST TO AIR TONIGHT AT 10 P.M. ET/PT ON SHOWTIME EXTREME®

 

 

Watch Complete Third Round Coverage Including Both Fighters Scoring Knock Downs: YouTube: http://s.sho.com/2kLRB54; Download: https://we.tl/s8TQRRD001

 

Click HERE For Photos; Credit Stephanie Trapp/SHOWTIME

 

An encore presentation of Friday’s thrilling ShoBox: The New Generation, featuring a potential Fight of the Year slugfest between unbeaten super lightweight Ivan Baranchyk and a game Abel Ramos, will air tonight/Monday at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME.

 

Baranchyk and Ramos both landed more than 50 percent of their power punches in the 10-round brawl, well above the super lightweight average of 36.6 percent.  They nearly doubled the divisional average in total punches landed and power punches landed in a bout that featured three total knockdowns.

 

CompuBox records indicate that Baranchyk (314) & Ramos (350) combined to land 664 total punches.  As a point of reference, the epic first encounter between Micky Ward (268) and Arturo Gatti (350) featured 618 combined total punches landed.  Of the 664 punches landed on Friday night, 482 were power punches.

 

The three-fight telecast will re-air in its entirety Monday.  In the opening bout, undefeated Spanish super featherweight prospect Jon “Johnfer” Fernadez knocked out formerly once-beaten Ernesto Garza with a punishing series of unanswered combinations in the third round.  In the co-feature, undefeated light heavyweight prospect Joseph “Mack” Williams won a close, majority decision over previously undefeated Dominican Olympian Lenin Castillo.

 

The event was promoted by DiBella Entertainment and Tony Holden Productions in association with Fight Promotions.  Fernandez vs. Garza was promoted in association with MaravillaBox Promotions and Jaafar Promotions.

 

IVAN BARANCHYK vs. ABEL RAMOS SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION FINAL WEIGHTS, QUOTES & PHOTOS FOR TRIPLEHEADER TOMORROW LIVE ON SHOWTIME®

 

 

 

Friday, March 10 at 10:05 p.m. ET/PT from Buffalo Run Casino & Resort in Miami, Okla.

 

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

Click HERE To Download Press Conference Photos; Credit Stephanie Trapp/SHOWTIME

 

MIAMI, OKLA. (Feb. 9, 2017) – Undefeated super lightweight powerhouse Ivan “The Beast” Baranchyk and once-beaten Abel Ramos weighed-in on Thursday for their 10-round main event tomorrow/Friday on ShoBox: The New Generation live on SHOWTIME® (10:05 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) from Buffalo Run Casino & Resort in Miami, Okla.

 

The hard-hitting Baranchyk (13-0, 10 KOs), who trains in Los Angeles and fights out of Miami, has scored 10 KOs inside of three full rounds, while the aggressive-mindedRamos (17-1-2, 12 KOs), of Casa Grande, Ariz., has knocked out three straight and promises to be the toughest test of Baranchyk’s career.

 

Undefeated former Dominican Republic Olympian Lenin Castillo (15-0-1, 10 KOs) and former national Golden Gloves champion Joeseph “Mack” Williams (10-0, 7 KOs), of Far Rockaway, N.Y., meet in a matchup of undefeated light heavyweights in an eight-round featured bout.

 

In the opening bout of the telecast, Spain’s up-and-coming unbeaten Jon “Johnfer” Fernandez (10-0, 8 KOs) takes on southpaw Ernesto Garza (7-1, 4 KOs), of Fort Hood, Texas, in an eight-round super featherweight bout.

 

Tickets for the event promoted by DiBella Entertainment and Tony Holden Productions in association with Fight Promotions are priced at $35, $55 and $75 and are available at buffalorun.com and at stubwire.com.

 

OFFICIAL WEIGHTS:

Ivan Baranchyk: 140 Pounds

Abel Ramos: 139 ½ Pounds

 

Lenin Castillo: 177 ¼ Pounds

Joseph Williams: 178 ½ ounds

 

Jon Fernandez: 129 ½ Pounds

Ernesto Garza: 126 ¼ Pounds

 

FINAL QUOTES:

 

IVAN “THE BEAST” BARANCHYK:

“I’m working with a new trainer (Eduard Kravtsov) at Wild Card Gym.  We had some mistakes with our old team and it was time for me to move on.  It was my decision to move on.

 

“We have better sparring now, a new coach, new strategy.  Wild Card is a different experience.  We have tough sparring, tough training.  It was a good change.

 

“I’m still the same aggressive fighter; I come forward and try to stop you.  We’re just working on a few new things, more combos, better defense.

 

“Ramos is my toughest opponent, but we’re ready for everything he brings.  We’re ready to fight on the inside, on the outside.

 

“The game plan is to get the victory. That’s the most important

 

“The first couple rounds are the most dangerous.  We know he’s tough and experienced.  We need to make it my fight, style-wise.

 

“My last two fights went the distance, but it was good to know I can go 10 rounds.  It was good to get that experience.

 

“People connect with me here (in Miami, Okla.).  I can’t explain it, it just works.”

 

ABEL RAMOS:

“Ivan is a different fighter.  We know what we’re getting in there with and we’re going to feel out his power.  His last two fights went the distance so he must not hit that hard.  We’re going to wear him out.

 

“Ivan is aggressive, and he can be explosive at times, but he makes mistakes.  He fights a little wild.

 

“I think I can start to worry him.  We’re going to test his power and decide how I need to fight.  He hasn’t fought anyone at my level yet.

 

“I have to win this fight.  This is my third time on SHOWTIME and I have to win.  I have to make a statement.

 

“I’ve been working on pushing the pace.  You’ll see some of that tomorrow night.

 

“We sparred with Sergey Lipenets, helping him get ready for his fight in December.  That was a good experience for us.

 

“I’ve learned lot since my loss to Regis (Prograis – ShoBox, 2015).  I’m training harder, working in the gym, taking this more seriously.

 

“I’m here to show that I’m back and ready for the top guys.  I’ve had three wins by knockout since the loss.  I’m a different fighter.”

 

LENIN CASTILLO:

“We know Williams is an aggressive fighter that comes forward.  I’ve seen some tape.  I’m expecting him to come at me.  But it’s nothing I’ve never seen before.

 

“I need to bring the pressure so the judges won’t have any doubt.  I need to fight my fight.

 

“I think I’ve fought the better opponents.  I think my experience is going to be the difference.

 

“The quality of fighters here (in the U.S.) is better than back home (Dominican Republic).  This is where I want to fight now.”

 

JOSEPH “MACK” WILLIAMS:

“He (Castillo) has a few more fights, but mostly in the Dominican Republic, so we don’t know how good he actually is.

 

“He’s never fought anyone like me.  He’s going to come with confidence because he’s 15-0 with 10 KOs.  He’s confident because he’s Olympian.  But he’s never faced anyone like me.

 

“He may be an Olympian, but look who I fought in the amateurs.  Look at the men that I beat.  And those guys are mostly cruiserweights now.  I’m much stronger at light heavyweight.

 

“This is the right time and right place for us.  This is a huge opportunity.

 

“I don’t think he’s the best fighter I’ve faced.  If I hit him clean I don’t think it will go that far.  I’m going to go in there with an open mind and exploit his weakness.

 

“I’ve gradually moved down in weight.  I’m faster at light heavyweight.  When I was heavy I took my time.  I’m sharper, faster.  I’m just a totally different person.

 

“I always compare myself to James Toney.  I can hit hard, I can take a punch, and I’m slick.  What you see will depend on my opponent.  If I feel he’s weak, I’ll jump early.  I can brawl, I can box.  I’m explosive.”

 

JON FERNANDEZ:

“I sparred with (Carl) Frampton in Las Vegas for the (Leo) Santa Cruz fight.  It was a great experience sparring with him three times a week.  It gave me more confidence knowing I could handle him.

 

“Garza is basically the same height as Frampton, so that will be an advantage.

 

“I know he’s going to come at me, and we’re ready for that.  I need to keep my rhythm and make it an entertaining fight.  I believe my power and speed will be the difference.  I throw a lot of punches.

 

“This fight means a lot to me.  We’re both good fighters and the TV exposure means a lot.  It’s a good opportunity and I need to take advantage of it.”

 

ERNESTO GARZA:

“We’re going to give him something he’s never seen before.  We’re going to bring the action.

 

“I’ve always been an aggressive fighter.  I like to bring the pressure.

 

“I’ve faced guys as tall as him before, I fought a guy that was 6-foot-2.  I know I need to get inside with a guy like this.

 

“I’ve seen a lot of his fights, and I don’t think he’s a fast puncher.  He always fights the same style, and his opponents are always there for the taking.  I’m not going to be there for him to hit like that.

 

“This is my chance.  This is a big opportunity for me.”

 

The event is promoted by DiBella Entertainment and Tony Holden Productions in association with Fight Promotions.  Fernandez vs. Garza is promoted in association with MaravillaBox Promotions and Jaafar Promotions.

 

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

 

# # #

 

About ShoBox: The New Generation
Since its inception in July 2001, the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series, ShoBox: The New Generation has featured young talent matched tough. The ShoBox philosophy is to televise exciting, crowd-pleasing and competitive matches while providing a proving ground for willing prospects determined to fight for a world title. Some of the growing list of the 67 fighters who have appeared on ShoBox and advanced to garner world titles includes: Andre Ward, Deontay Wilder, Erislandy Lara, Shawn Porter, Gary Russell Jr., Lamont Peterson, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Omar Figueroa, Nonito Donaire, Devon Alexander, Carl Froch, Robert Guerrero, Timothy Bradley, Jessie Vargas, Juan Manuel Lopez, Chad Dawson, Paulie Malignaggi, Ricky Hatton, Kelly Pavlik, Paul Williams and more.

BUTE VS ALVAREZ Lucian Bute vs. Eleider Alvarez To air live worldwide on PPV

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 24 at Videotron Centre of Quebec City

MONTREAL (February 8, 2017) – Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM) and Gestev have jointly announced that the February 24th BUTE VS. ALVAREZ mega-showdown, as Lucian Bute challenges World Boxing Council (WBC) Silver light heavyweight champion Eleider “Storm” Alvarez in the 12-round main event, will air live worldwide on pay per view from Videotron Centre in Quebec City, Canada.
In addition to Alvarez defending his WBC Silver title against former International Federation Boxing (IBF) super middleweight champion Bute, their fight will also be the final WBC eliminator to determine the mandatory challenger for the winner’s GYM stablemate, reigning WBC and lineal light heavyweight champion Adonis “Superman” Stevenson (28-1-0, 23 KOs).
Integrated Sports Media will distribute “BUTE VS. ALVAREZ” live in the United States, starting at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT, on cable, satellite and internet pay-per-view via iN Demand, Vubiquity, DIRECTV, DISH and the FITE app for a suggested retail price of only $29.95.
In Canada, “BUTE VS. ALVAREZ” will be available to watch, in English or French, on Canal Indigo, Shaw TV and Bell TV; English-only on Rodgers PPV, as well as in many of the top Canadian sports bars.  “BUTE VS. ALVAREZ” will also air around the world on an international satellite feed.
“We are very happy to provide the opportunity for the fans in the United States and around the world to watch this great fight live from the beautiful Videotron Center in Quebec City,” GYM president Yvon Michel said. “This is an extremely significant fight in the highly talented light heavyweight division. The bout will also determine the next opponent for WBC champion Adonis Stevenson in a clash that will be one of the most important and the biggest fights in Canadian boxing history.”
Romania-born Bute (32-3-1, 25 KOs), who is a Canadian citizen living in Laval (Canada), held the IBF 168-pound division title for nearly five years (Oct. 19, 2007-May 26, 2012), when the wildly popular southpaw ranked among the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world.
Bute has a sterling 10-2-1 (8 KOs) record in world title fights and he has defeated six world champions: Dingaan Thobela, Sakio Bika, Alejandro Berrio, William Joppy, Brian Magee and Glen Johnson.
The WBC No. 7-ranked Bute will celebrate his 37th birthday four days after his fight with Alvarez.  All three of his pro career losses have been to world champions: Jean Pascal, Carl Froch and James DeGale.
The 32-year-old Alvarez (21-0, 10 KOs), fighting out of Montreal, is a native of Colombia, where he was a decorated amateur, capturing a gold medalist at the prestigious 2007 Pan-American Games, in addition to being a 2008 Olympian in Beijing, China.
“Storm” moved to Montreal and turned pro in 2009.  He went on to become North American Boxing Organization (NABO) and North American Boxing Association (NABA) light heavyweight champion.  In 2014, he stopped previously undefeated Ryno Liebenberg (16-0) in the seventh round of their fight in Monte Carlo to capture the WBC Silver 175-pound division championship, which he has successfully defended twice, both by 12-round decision, against Isidro Ranoni Prieto (24-0-3) and former world title challenger Isaac Chilemba.
Now ranked No. 1 by the WBC and No. 4 by The Ring magazine, Alvarez’ most recent fight was last month, in which he won a 10-round unanimous decision over Norbert Dabrowski (19-5-1) in Montreal.
Additional PPV fights will soon be announced by GYM.
Tickets for “BUTE VS. ALVAREZ” are on sale and available to purchase by going on line to www.Videotron.centrequebeccity.cpm/tickets, www.evenko.ca and www.Ticketmaster.ca
INFORMATION:
Twitter: @yvonmichelgym, @gestevinc, @IntegratedPPV  #ButeAlvarez
Follow these fighters on Twitter: @Stormalvarez, @Butelucian

Ivan Baranchyk: An unlikely journey from Belarus to Miami, Oklahoma

For Immediate Release
Miami, OK (February 7, 2017) – When junior welterweight powerhouse Ivan “The Beast” Baranchyk first entered a boxing gym at age 12 in his native Belarus, he quickly learned why boxing is known as the loneliest sport.
The man who ran the gym I went to was supposed to be the trainer but he had a drinking problem,” Baranchyk recalled. “Instead of teaching us the sport of boxing, he just opened the gym door each day and left us without steady guidance.”
Baranchyk learned much of the sweet science on his own and didn’t have a stable trainer throughout his amateur career. Amazingly, he won the 2009 World Junior Championships and defeated future two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Robeisy Ramirez of Cuba in the process. After continuing to excel as an amateur, the word quickly got out about the Belarusian buzzsaw.
He had offers from promoters across the globe to turn pro and elected to sign with Fight Promotions Inc. Baranchyk relocated to Brooklyn, NY after turning pro in June 2014. Nine victories later, he was matched with fellow unbeaten Nicholas Givhan of Michigan on ShoBox: The New Generation at the Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, OK. A transplanted New Yorker who fought most of his professional bouts at that point in the Big Apple, Baranchyk never heard of Oklahoma and wasn’t sure what the environment would be like.
On paper, the bout was viewed as a tossup and Givhan had more professional experience. Both fighters weren’t known to locals but it took less than half a minute to change that. Just 21 seconds after the opening bell, Baranchyk flattened Givhan with a vicious left hook that was one of 2016’s best knockouts. The standing room only crowd at the Buffalo Run was amazed and wanted to see him fight there again.
Three months later, Baranchyk granted their wish when he made his second straight ShoBox appearance, taking apart previously undefeated Eliseo Cruz Sesma inside of three rounds. The all-action Baranchyk had the crowd on their feet throughout the contest chanting “Beast, Beast, Beast” until the stoppage.
Shortly thereafter, Baranchyk signed with Tony Holden Productions, who promotes Baranchyk alongside DiBella Entertainment and the aforementioned Fight Promotions Inc. He’s since won two more bouts at the Buffalo Run, raising his professional record to 13-0 with 10 knockouts while capturing the USBA and WBC USNBC titles in the process.
I feel very comfortable with the fans out there,” said Baranchyk. “I felt the energy at the Buffalo Run instantly and I’m grateful that the fans have been so supportive of me.”
Holden has been promoting fights for more than two decades and had many crowd attractions, most notably former champions Tommy Morrison and Johnny Tapia. He thought he’d seen it all. This was until a fighter with a background far different from the majority of his fans became an adopted son in the 14,000 person city of Miami, OK.
He’s truly special to the fans at the Buffalo Run Casino and residents of Miami to the point where they’ve adopted him as if he were a lifelong local,” Holden said of Baranchyk, who is a member of Holden Productions’ Four State Franchise. “His style is entertaining and all boxing fans like action fighters. It’s amazing because when Ivan first fought here in March 2016 he was virtually unknown and now he’s a house fighter.”
Baranchyk will have a tough task when he faces Arizona’s Abel Ramos at the Buffalo Run Friday February, 10 in the ten round main event of a ShoBox tripleheader. Ramos, 17-1-2 (12 KO’s), has multiple wins over unbeaten fighters including a fifth round stoppage of 13-0 Dario Ferman last May. He’s faced quality opposition and is expected to be Baranchyk’s biggest test to date.
To ensure he’s at his best, the IBF #7 ranked Baranchyk trained in Los Angeles at Wildcard Boxing Club alongside new trainer Edward Kravtsov. With a solid training camp in the books, Baranchyk is prepared to deliver a solid performance Friday evening.
This was a great camp and Wildcard is an awesome environment. It was something I needed to prepare for a good tough opponent in Abel Ramos. I’m fully prepared to entertain my fans at the Buffalo Run Casino. If everything goes as planned and I emerge victorious, I trust my team to get me to the next level.”
The ShoBox tripleheader airs at 10:05 pm ET and tickets are available at the Buffalo Run Box Office or by going tostubwire.com/event/shoboxthenewgeneration/buffaloruncasino/miami/14075.

HEAVYWEIGHT TREY LIPPE MORRISON SUFFERS CUT WHILE SPARRING, OFF FEB. 10 SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION

 

ShoBox Telecast Continues As Tripleheader Beginning at 10:05 p.m. ET/PT

 

NEW YORK (Feb. 1, 2017) — Undefeated heavyweight Trey Lippe Morrison suffered a cut over his left eye while sparring on Tuesday at Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles and is unavailable to fight on next Friday’s ShoBox: The New Generation telecast.

 

“I’m very disappointed for Trey because this is the best camp that we’ve had together,” said trainer Freddie Roach, who was in his sixth camp with the undefeated heavyweight.  “Trey should be healed and back in the gym in three or four weeks to come back stronger than ever.”

 

Lippe Morrison (13-0, 13 KOs) was set to make his second ShoBox start in an eight-round heavyweight bout against Daniel Martz on Feb. 10 at Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, Okla., near his hometown of Vinita.  (See attached for photo of Lippe Morrison’s cut)

 

“This is a small setback for Trey,” said Tony Holden of Tony Holden Productions.  “You can’t prevent these injuries, they are just part of the sport.  I can’t wait to get him back in the gym with Freddie to continue his path toward becoming a world title contender.”

 

The Feb. 10 ShoBox will continue as a tripleheader live on SHOWTIME beginning at 10:05 p.m. ET/PT.  In the 10-round main event, undefeated super lightweight powerhouse Ivan “The Beast” Baranchyk (13-0, 10 KOs) will face aggressive-minded once-beaten Abel Ramos (17-1-2, 12 KOs).

 

In the eight-round co-feature, former Dominican Republic Olympian Lenin Castillo (15-0-1, 10 KOs) and former national Golden Gloves champion Joe “Mack” Williams(10-0, 7 KOs), of Far Rockaway, N.Y., clash in matchup of undefeated light heavyweights.  In the opening bout of the telecast, Spain’s up-and-coming unbeaten Jon “Johnfer” Fernandez (10-0, 8 KOs) takes on southpaw Ernesto Garza (7-1, 4 KOs), of Fort Hood, Texas, the eight-round super featherweight scrap.

 

Tickets for the event promoted by DiBella Entertainment and Tony Holden Productions in association with Fight Promotions are priced at $35, $55 and $75 and are available at buffalorun.com and at stubwire.com.

 

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