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PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS – GARCIA VS. MALIGNAGGI FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES & PHOTOS

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Click HERE For Photos From Ed Diller/DiBella Entertainment

 

Click HERE For Photos From Lucas Noonan/Premier Boxing Champions

 

NEW YORK (July 30, 2015) – Premier Boxing Champions on ESPN and undercard fighters held a final press conference Thursday at B.B. Kings Blues Club & Grill in Times Square as they near their Saturday, August 1 showdowns at Barclays Center.

 

The event is headlined by undefeated star Danny “Swift” Garcia (30-0, 17 KOs) as he makes his 147-pound debut against two-time world champion Paulie “The Magic Man” Malignaggi (33-6, 7 KOs). Televised coverage begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. as middleweight world champion Daniel “The Miracle Man” Jacobs (29-1, 26 KOs) defends in his hometown against former world champion Sergio “The Latin Snake” Mora (28-3-2, 9 KOs).

 

Here is what the participants had to say Thursday:

 

DANNY GARCIA

 

“We had a tremendous camp, I’ve never felt so strong in my life. For the first time in my career I can actually train to get better.

 

“We’re just focused on training. We did everything in camp – we even chased chickens.

 

“I accomplished a lot at 140-pounds and I’m going to do a lot at 147. On Saturday at Barclays Center you’re going to see a spectacular Danny Garcia.

 

“I want to be known as a great Philadelphia fighter and a great Puerto Rican fighter. I’m the first Puerto Rican from Philly to ever be a world champion. I have the Philly skills and toughness with the Puerto Rican blood, it’s the perfect mixture.

 

“I’ve watched Paulie fight my whole career. He’s a tough veteran and I’m sure he’s got some tricks up his sleeve. I just have to go in there and stick to business on Saturdaynight.

 

“Barclays Center is my home away from home. We have a nice routine when we’re in Brooklyn. We keep it simple.

 

“I pay attention to the positive things in my career and that’s getting in the gym and working hard and getting better. That’s my main focus.

 

“Everything is better at 147. I feel stronger. My form feels good. The footwork is great. I can eat regularly now. Still disciplined but it’s a lot easier.”

 

PAULIE MALIGNAGGI

 

“For Danny’s team, it’s only about him and for me it’s all about myself. My best versus his best. This is a big opportunity from me, professionally and personally. My career started 14 years ago in Brooklyn and people think it’s going to end Saturday in Brooklyn, but I’m not letting that happen.

 

“It’s been an emotional camp. I find myself thrust back into the limelight of a major fight when it was least expected. The question marks and doubts come up in my mind and that’s made it emotional. I work hard every day. I’ve quietly had one of my best training camps

 

“There are no excuses here. Saturday night is the best of Paulie Malignaggi. I look forward to testing myself against the best Danny Garcia. I’ve always loved and relish the big names and the big opportunities.

 

“Sometimes I lay in bed at night thinking about matchups between fighters. Now I’m thinking of myself in that conversation and we’ll fin out on Saturday how I stack up.

 

“Quietly but surely, I’m very confident about Saturday night. I’m bringing my best.”

 

DANIEL JACOBS

 

“This is another great opportunity to showcase my skills. I’m on a good knockout streak and I feel confident about this fight.

 

“Sergio Mora is a Rubik’s cube, you have to figure him out. He’s crafty and I have the utmost respect for him. I’m 100 percent confident in my ability to go out there and put on a good show

 

“I hear Sergio is coming here to knock me out and if that’s the case this is going to be a real exciting fight. I look forward to it because I’m coming forward and if two guys are doing that it’s going to be a great fight.

 

“I’m excited to give these Brooklyn fans a great fight. I love being at home and seeing all of the familiar faces I’ve seen since the amateur days.”

 

SERGIO MORA

 

I’m excited to fight at Barclays Center. Brooklyn is beautiful and has great fans. Lou DiBella is about to have another fighter named Sergio as a middleweight champion afterSaturday night.

 

“I think this is going to be a really successful fight because of all the stars up here. It’s a great event for boxing fans.

 

“I’m a grown man now and I’m looking to become a two-time world champion. This is my third time at a middleweight title shot but the first time an opponent showed up. I’m excited and ready to go. I’m thankful for everyone who has opened the door for me. This is it.

 

“Daniel is strong in the ring. He’s a powerful, confident champion. He’s not used to losing and he’s used to hitting his targets, but I’m the total opposite of that. It’s going to be tough for him.

 

“Until he gets in there with me and realizes how tough I am, then he’s going to realize he has a challenge coming to him. I want to take him out of his element.

 

“It’s a big burden to be a hometown fighter and he’s going to realize that. It’s detrimental to be fighting in your hometown and I think he’s too young to realize that. It’s going to be to my advantage on fight night.”

 

ANGEL GARCIA, Danny’s Father & Trainer

 

“Danny had a great camp. It was an awesome camp and he’s going to make a lot of noise. We’re not taking Malignaggi lightly, but we’ve come to win. We don’t come to lose.

 

“It’s not about Malignaggi, it’s about Danny. People can say whatever they want to say but we’re coming to make noise at 147. We’re not running from anybody.

 

“I promise you Danny will be the world champion at 147. I’ve seen visions of it. This is going to be a great fight and then after that anybody can get it.”

 

LOU DIBELLA, President of DiBella Entertainment

 

“I’ve known Paulie Malignaggi since he was a teenager and won the nationals in a big surprise to people. He turned pro on one of my shows and one thing I know about him, it’s that he’s not going to back down from a challenge and he’s going to give it 110 percent on Saturday.

 

“Danny Garcia has been a dominant force in the 140-pound division. He’s won fights by stunning knockout and he’s won by decisions. He always finds a way to win. That’s what he’s planning to do on Saturday night.

 

“Sergio Mora is here to challenge for another world championship. He comes in on a good streak of impressive wins. He’s always been known as a boxer and he’s been in the ring with the best fighters in the world.

 

“Daniel Jacobs is one of the best guys in boxing. His story of perseverance is one that has been told many times. He’s a young, strong champion looking to show that he’s got what it takes in the ring as well as outside of it.

 

“This is a fantastic card featuring four great fighters from Brooklyn on the undercard. We’re going to open the doors and immediately start with these great fights.

 

“This will be Heather Hardy’s fourth fight at Barclays Center and she will be joined on the undercard by Polish heavyweight from Brooklyn Adam Kownacki, who is looking to make some noise in the division.

 

“Rafael Vasquez has a truly inspirational story. He uses boxing to draw attention to the cause of autism and his wife who is battling courageously against cancer, and winning. I really want to see him get a world title shot, because his life has been a battle that he takes on with courage every day.

 

“We also have a terrific prospect in Prichard Colon from Puerto Rico. He’s undefeated and really an exciting guy to watch in the ring.”

 

BRETT YORMARK, CEO of Barclays Center

 

“It’s our 14th big night of boxing in Brooklyn and we’re really excited about it. It’s a business we’re committed to and one we want to grow. Our goal is to go monthly with big events at Barclays Center.

 

“With Paulie and Danny, it’s a big night to have them back at Barclays Center. It is the fourth time for both and they both represent Brooklyn so well.

 

“I want to welcome Sergio Mora for the first time and we’re excited to have you in Brooklyn.

 

“As we’ve told Danny Garcia before, this is his second home and we’re happy to have you and your father back.

 

“We’re excited to be on ESPN, because they provide an incredible platform for these fighters and the sport as a whole.

 

“We expect a great crowd on Saturday night and we look forward to an exciting night at Barclays Center.”

 

For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, www.barclayscenter.comand www.dbe1.com. Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @DannySwift, @PaulMalignaggi, @LouDiBella, @ESPNBoxing, @BarclaysCenter and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/fanpagedannyswiftgarcia, www.facebook.com/PaulMalignaggi, www.facebook.com/barclayscenterand www.facebook.com/ESPN. Follow the conversation using #PBConESPN and #BrooklynBoxing.
boxing, ESPN Boxing, PBC on ESPN, Premier Boxing Champions

PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON ESPN FIGHTER WORKOUT QUOTES & PHOTOS

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Click HERE For Photos From Ed Diller/DiBella Entertainment

 

BROOKLYN (July 29, 2015) – Premier Boxing Champions on ESPN featured fighters were joined by local Brooklyn favorites featured on this Saturday’s undercard for a media workout at Gleason’s Gym in advance of their respective showdowns at Barclays Center.

 

Saturday’s headlining event features undefeated star Danny “Swift” Garcia (30-0, 17 KOs) as he takes on two-time world champion from Brooklyn Paulie “The Magic Man” Malignaggi (33-6, 7 KOs) in a 12-round welterweight tilt. Televised coverage begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT as Brooklyn’s Daniel “The Miracle Man” Jacobs (29-1, 26 KOs) defends his middleweight world title against former world champion Sergio “The Latin Snake” Mora (28-3-2, 9 KOs).

 

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Swift Promotions, are priced at $250, $150, $120, $75 and $45, not including applicable service charges and taxes, and are on sale now. Tickets are available atwww.barclayscenter.com, www.ticketmaster.com and at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. To charge by phone, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. For group tickets, please call 855-GROUP-BK.

 

Here is what the participants had to say Wednesday:

 

DANNY GARCIA

 

“[On going up to 147 pounds] You’re going to see a lot more energy in the ring. You’ll see a smarter fighter. I’ll have more agility and we’re going to go in there to get the job done.

 

“We’re just working hard. At the end of the day it’s about being 100 percent prepared. I did everything right this camp and I’m ready.

 

“The game plan is to go in there and be Danny Garcia and be spectacular. I don’t know which Paulie to expect but I’m prepared for any version of him we see. I’m sparring a lot of guys who move and guys who come forward so I’m ready for anything.

 

“If we’re both at 100 percent then I’ll take my 100 percent over his without a doubt. My style is made to beat any fighter in the game. I’m sure he trained hard but we’re going to get this victory.

 

“I’m only focused on being a fighter. I don’t think anybody can beat a 110 percent Danny Garcia. At the end of the day, I know I beat a lot of good fighters and I’m going to show my heart in the ring.

 

“There’s no pressure but I’m looking forward to an excellent performance. I’m ready to fight today if the fight was today. I feel faster at 147. I won’t be flat-footed in there. You’re going to see it all on Saturday.

 

“I feel like I’m one of the most versatile fighters in the sport. I’m going to feel strong for 12 rounds on Saturday. I’ve felt strong all camp.”

 

PAULIE MALIGNAGGI

 

“I feel great at 147 pounds. I’ve always felt very strong at this weight and it’s where I should be. I still had to make sacrifices in training but I’ve never made weight so easily. I’m coming off back-to-back camps and I feel like I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been.

 

“To be a two-time world champion you need to be able to do more than just jab and move. My IQ and my overall boxing ability and skillset make me the fighter that I am today.

 

“I don’t think Danny is overlooking me but I feel that the fans and the media are. I love challenges and I love things that motivate me. I wake up in the morning saying this is hard, but I know I can do it.

 

“The bigger the challenge the more excited I am. It brings the best out of me. I have fought some of the greatest fighters of our time. There’s no reason I would stop now.
“Fighting at home at Barclays Center against Danny Garcia, one of the biggest fights in boxing, I couldn’t ask for more.”

 

DANIEL JACOBS

 

“Sergio Mora is a slick fighter. He can slip punches well and he’s defensively minded. He’s a cagey fighter but he lacks power. He has a lot of defensive flaws and I just have to be patient and take advantage of them.

 

“We have a game plan in store, but in a pro fight anything can happen. You have to be able to adjust on the fly.

 

“I have a great team that helps me take care of things so that I can focus on training. I avoid all distractions that would take me away from being at my best.

 

“Fighting on the PBC cards has been outstanding. I love the intro and coming out on that stage. I felt like a superstar.

 

“This training camp has been a pleasure, hard work but a pleasure. It was difficult because Sergio is so hard to prepare for. You can’t prepare for it with sparring or just one thing. I’m looking forward to showing my true skills and showing what a true champion is.”

 

SERGIO MORA

 

“I’m thrilled about this opportunity. I’ve had two huge letdowns before with world title shots falling through. Now that this is here, there is no way I’m going to let it pass me by.

 

“I’m happy to be here. I’m happy to be at Barclays and happy to be on PBC. I love being the underdog and I’m going to shock the world on Saturday night.

 

“I’m in the second phase of my career now, DiBella and PBC have saved my career and my life.

 

“PBC is great, it’s free TV and we’re putting out heart, blood, sweat and tears into this and the fans get to see it on free TV. This is great for the fans, for the fighters and for the entire sport as a whole; it’s what boxing needed.”

 

RAFAEL VASQUEZ

 

“This is a great opportunity and a blessing to be on this card. There’s so many great fighters from Brooklyn. Barclays Center is great and it gives us fighters from Brooklyn the opportunity to fight at a first class venue right here at home.

 

[On his Autistic eight-year-old daughter Kaylene]…”I want to show other people that are dealing with this, that they are not alone. I see this as a blessing to be able to raise awareness and speak out and show other families that are struggling with Autism that we are in this together.

 

“When people see me step into the ring I want them to know that I’m not only fighting for myself but I’m fighting for them. I want to be the face of Autism in boxing.”

 

HEATHER HARDY

 

“It’s really important to me that I stay relevant and that I’m a part of the conversation so when I saw this fight coming up in August I made sure that I was on this card.

 

“There really is extra motivation going up against Renata Domsodi again. I felt like when the two of us faced off last time and the bout was ruled a no contest that we owed it to every other female boxer to show that we belong there and I thought she quit.

 

“Renata was coming in with her face down swinging her arms and I charged her while she was coming in and that caused the cut. We’ve been working on stepping to the side when she does that and being a little bit more patient.

 

“If all goes well Saturday I’ll be ready to get back in the ring in September. I’m in shape and I live in the gym. This is what I do. You have to stay a part of the conversation. I want to see a higher level of competition every time I step into the ring.

 

“This is probably the hardest I’ve ever worked, out of all of my camps. Not for any other reason than just putting in extra work. Honestly I’m in the best shape of my life.”

 

TRAVIS PETERKIN

 

“I’ve trained so hard, I put blood, sweat and tears into this. I put my soul into this. I put my life into this. We’re ready.

 

“It’s no secret that I’m from Brooklyn, born and raised, I didn’t move here from anywhere. Guys like Mike Tyson, Riddick Bowe and Shannon Briggs I just want to follow in their footsteps. I want to be great and learn from those that came before me.

 

“I’m a boxer-puncher. I’ll adapt to the fighter. If he runs, I’ll go get him. But I also know how to be smart and use my technical abilities.

 

“I’m facing a tough guy in Lenin Castillo. He’s got a good record and was a 2008 Olympian. Everything looks good on paper, but when the time comes, I’m going to take him out.

 

“I train right here at Gleason’s. When we’re a couple months from a fight everybody is smiling and joking but when we’re this close to the fight, everybody is serious. It’s all about hard work.”

 

For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, www.barclayscenter.comand www.dbe1.com. Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @DannySwift, @PaulMalignaggi, @LouDiBella, @ESPNBoxing, @BarclaysCenter and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/fanpagedannyswiftgarcia, www.facebook.com/PaulMalignaggi, www.facebook.com/barclayscenterand www.facebook.com/ESPN. Follow the conversation using #PBConESPN and #BrooklynBoxing.
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PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON ESPN FIGHTER QUOTES

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Undefeated Star Danny Garcia Faces

Two-Time World Champion Paulie Malignaggi

 

Middleweight World Champion Daniel Jacobs Defends Against

Former World Champion Sergio Mora

 

Live From Barclays Center

9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT

 

BROOKLYN (July 28, 2015) – With just days to go until Premier Boxing Championson ESPN fighters enter the ring for their Saturday, August 1 showdowns at Barclays Center, catch up on what the fighters have been saying in the weeks leading up to fight week.

 

Saturday’s headlining event is the 147-pound debut of Danny “Swift” Garcia (30-0, 17 KOs) as he takes on two-time world champion out of Brooklyn, Paulie “The Magic Man” Malignaggi (33-6, 7 KOs). Televised coverage begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT with Brooklyn’s middleweight world champion Daniel “The Miracle Man” Jacobs (29-1, 26 KOs) as he defends his title against former world champion Sergio “The Latin Snake” Mora (28-3-2, 9 KOs).

 

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Swift Promotions, are priced at $250, $150, $120, $75 and $45, not including applicable service charges and taxes, and are on sale now. Tickets are available at www.barclayscenter.com, www.ticketmaster.com and at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. To charge by phone, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. For group tickets, please call 855-GROUP-BK.

 

Here is what the fight participants have had to say from their media conference call and Garcia’s media workout:

 

DANNY GARCIA

 

“I’m not really concerned about Paulie, at this point in my career if I’m 110% percent ready, I feel like I can adapt to anything and find a way to win.

 

“It feels great to be at 147. For the first time in a long time, I could worry about training to get better and not training to lose weight. I’ve been fighting at 140 my whole career.

 

“I’ve been the underdog before, I’ve been the underdog before and I won. I can’t listen to none of that stuff after just going through each fight like I was, mentally prepared, physically prepared going in and get the job done.

 

“We added things to our workout now. We added a lot of explosive workouts, a lot of agility, a lot of footwork, a lot of things to making you more explosive, things I couldn’t do at 140 because I didn’t have the energy for it. But now the extra weight is really helping me.

 

“I’m very confident. I faced a lot of good fighters. I faced a lot of great fighters in my career. I have a lot of experience. I was a big 140-pound fighter. I’ve never faced a 140-pound fighter who was taller than me or who looked better than me.

 

“But I feel like at 147, you’re going to see a more athletic Danny Garcia and be able to use my legs more, using my jab more and see punches clearer. When you drain yourself as hard to see punches, then you get hit with a lot of dumb punches because your vision is not clear.

 

“I feel like my vision is going to be a lot clearer and be able to move my head, see the punches better, use my feet. And I think I’m going to be a champion at 147, too. I know so.”

 

PAULIE MALIGNAGGI

 

“I think styles make fight. From a style point of view there are things that I feel like I’ll be able to do against Danny. But I also expect Danny had made some adjustments since those fights.

 

“You get to the point when you’re not in the ring for a while. It’s going through my mind that maybe I don’t want to fight. But as time went by and I started working out again, I started realizing that it was something I missed. It was something I was still craving. I wanted to be back in there.

 

“If we’re going to talk about the layoff, people are going to talk about the fact that, I haven’t fought for a long time. But in reality, I actually haven’t trained this consistently in a decade, literally a decade.

 

“I do feel the sharpness in a gym. I do feel the timing is really good. Obviously my weight has come down. So, that’s a good feeling knowing that I have to drop a lot of weight during the training camp just working on the sharpness and keep getting better.

 

“I’m not looking at it as having any advantages. It’s just a matter of matching of my skills to his skills.

“I can’t really tell you exactly how I’m going to play it out until I’m in the ring myself. I plan on being the best me possible. I plan on being the sharpest me possible. And right now, in training, I feel really good. The plan is to flow this training camp into a sharp night onAugust 1st.”

 

DANIEL JACOBS

 

“It’ll be against the most experienced guy I’ve faced thus far. I’m looking forward to testing my challenge against this slick, crafty veteran in Sergio Mora.

 

“So there’s not a lot of fear as far as power is concerned but where he lacks that he makes up in his craftiness and his slickness and awkwardness and sometimes he does engage in the action as well.

 

“The test with Sergio Mora is – whether that he can be stopped or whether or not I can go the distance with him, he’s never been stopped before, so it will be icing on the cake to be able to not only to defeat him but to stop him in the match.

 

“I feel like I have a lot more advantages than he does in the fight. But whatever my advantages are and whatever gets me going, will be the deciding factor for me I would stick to. So if it’s my speed, then I’ll stick to using my speed. If it’s my power, backing him down, showing him what a real middleweight feels like, then that’s what I would do.”

 

SERGIO MORA

 

“I think I’m going to be an underdog for this fight again, fighting the younger, stronger champion in his hometown. So defeating him is going to be tough with all the cards stacked against me and that’s something that I grown used to and accustomed to.

 

“This is going to be a really exciting card because he’s in his hometown and defending the world title. I’m hungry for that world title and I know that I’m going to have to be extra sharp and do a lot more than just have a close victory in his hometown. So I’m going to have to press action and go out of my comfort zone and I think he’s going to have to go out of his comfort zone, which is going to make an interesting fight for everybody.

 

“I just continue educating people about the sweet science and letting them know that power is not the number one aspect you need to be successful it’s your agility, techniques, your defense, body shots, the strategy, it’s following that strategy it’s hard.

 

“Like I said, I think he possess everything that I don’t. But I have the experience. I think I take a better shot from experience with Danny and I think I follow my game plan more than Danny. A lot of boxers especially a lot of young athletic fighters they go out of their game plan and once they see that it’s not working. As a veteran, I know that it’s not working initially.”

 

For more information, visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, www.barclayscenter.comand www.dbe1.com. Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @DannySwift, @PaulMalignaggi, @LouDiBella, @ESPNBoxing, @BarclaysCenter and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/fanpagedannyswiftgarcia, www.facebook.com/PaulMalignaggi, www.facebook.com/barclayscenterand www.facebook.com/ESPN. Follow the conversation using #PBConESPN and #BrooklynBoxing.
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Lewkowicz Signs Ceferino Rodriguez to a Co-Promotional Contract

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Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing proudly announces the signing of welterweight Ceferino “Ferino V” Rodriguez (19-1, 10 KOs) to a co-promotional agreement, along with former champion Sergio Martinez’s Maravilla Box Promotions.

 

26-year-old Rodriguez, from Las Palmas, Islas Canarias, Spain, will be trained by well-known Madrid-based trainer, Gabriel Sarmiento. The five-year pro has already won the Spanish Welterweight, European Union Welterweight, and WBC Latino Welterweight Championships.

 

Lewkowicz, who has previously worked with Spanish champions Kiko Martinez, Gabriel Campillo and Javier Castillejo, says Rodriguez will make a fine addition to his stable.

 

“Ceferino Rodriguez has the talent to become another great champion from Spain and I am happy he chose to let Sergio Martinez and I help guide his career,” said Sampson Lewkowicz. “He will be training with one of the best in the sport in Gabriel Sarmiento, so everything is now in place for his career to explode.”

 

Rodriguez hasn’t ventured out of his homeland to fight often, a fact Lewkowicz says is about to change.

 

“He is at the international level as a fighter and I will be looking to make moves with him on the world stage,” said Lewkowicz of Rodriguez. “Sergio and I believe he has what it takes to become a champion.”
ABOUT SAMPSON BOXING

After a very successful run as a matchmaker and adviser, Sampson Lewkowicz switched over to the promotional side of professional boxing in January 2008.

Sampson Boxing has grown into one of the world’s most prestigious promotional firms, representing many of the world’s best fighters and most promising young contenders.

Sampson Boxing has promotional partners all over North and South America, Africa, Asia, New Zealand, Australia, Europe and Central America and Sampson Boxing events have been televised on such premiere networks as HBO, Showtime, ESPN, VS. and several international networks.
boxing, ESPN Boxing, PBC on ESPN, Premier Boxing Champions

MATCHUP OF UNDEFEATED PROSPECTS TRAVIS PETERKIN AND LENIN CASTILLO HEADLINES STACKED UNDERCARD COMING TO BARCLAYS CENTER ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 1ST AS PART OF PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON ESPN

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BROOKLYN’S RAFAEL VAZQUEZ, ADAM KOWNACKI, AND

HEATHER “THE HEAT” HARDY ALSO IN ACTION

 

Tickets Are On Sale Now!

BROOKLYN (July 17, 2015) – A light heavyweight contest between Brooklyn’s own “Notorious” Travis Peterkin (15-0,7 KOs) and fellow undefeated prospect Lenin Castillo (12-0, 7 KOs) highlights a full night of undercard action at Barclays Center onSaturday, August 1.

 

The headlining event of the evening is a Premier Boxing Champions on ESPNdoubleheader featuring undefeated superstar Danny “Swift” Garcia (30-0, 17 KOs) taking on Brooklyn’s own Paulie “The Magic Man” Malignaggi (33-6,7 KOs), with middleweight champion Daniel “The Miracle Man” Jacobs (29-1, 26 KOs) squaring off against Sergio “The Latin Snake” Mora (28-3-2, 9KOs) in the co-feature.

 

Televised coverage begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. Fans in attendance will also be treated to a riveting undercard featuring an abundance of local talent on the rise.

 

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Swift Promotions, are priced at $250, $150, $120, $75 and $45, not including applicable service charges and taxes, and are on sale now. Tickets are available atwww.barclayscenter.com, www.ticketmaster.com and at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. To charge by phone, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. For group tickets, please call 855-GROUP-BK.

 

The showdown between hometown favorite Peterkin and the Dominican Castillo is scheduled for eight rounds. Following an amateur career that ended with a 95-7 record, the highly touted Peterkin turned pro in 2011 and has developed on DiBella Entertainment’s “Broadway Boxing” series. Castillo is a former amateur standout and 2008 Dominican Olympian. Both Peterkin and Castillo will be making their Barclays Center debuts.

 

Brooklyn’s Rafael “Dynamite” Vazquez (15-1, 12 KOs) has kept a busy schedule in 2015 and will return for his fourth fight this year in an eight-round featherweight contest. The 37-year-old Vazquez is not your typical boxer. While he is ranked high in the world rankings at number seven and is seeking a world title opportunity, fame and glory are not his top priorities. With an autistic daughter and a wife diagnosed with cervical cancer, Vazquez fights for his family. Getting a late start to boxing, Vazquez, who lost both of his parents at an early age and endured a stint in prison as a wayward youth, turned pro in September 2010. He has since donated portions of his purses to autism research, while also holding fundraisers to help raise awareness. After suffering a shocking split decision loss to Jhovany Collado in 2012, Vazquez, who has absolutely devastating power in both hands, has stopped six of his last seven opponents, including the 30-2 Leon Moore.

 

Polish heavyweight knockout artist Adam Kownacki (10-0, 9 KOs) will return to Barclays Center following a dominant eight-round unanimous decision over the tough Ytalo Perea onMay 29. Kownacki was born in Lomza, Poland, before migrating to the US with his family at the age of seven and settling in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, known as a large Polish community. A pro since 2009, Kownacki has gained immeasurable experience sparring with heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko on multiple occasions. Prior to his bout in May, Kownacki had scored all of his knockouts in five rounds or less. He’ll be facing fellow heavy-hitter Maurenzo Smith (12-9-3, 9 KOs) in an eight-round contest in Brooklyn.

 

Brooklyn’s popular Heather “The Heat” Hardy (13-0, 2 KOs), who competed in Barclays Center’s first-ever professional female boxing match last year, has become a staple at the famed venue since then. On August 1, Hardy will be making her third consecutive appearance at Barclays Center. A little over two years after her pro debut, Hardy won an international title belt in the super bantamweight division in October 2014. In her last bout on May 29, Hardy impressively outpointed Noemi Bosques over eight frames. She’ll look to keep that momentum going on August 1, in an eight-round featherweight contest when she takes on Hungarian Renata Domsodi (12-6, 5 KOs).

 

Eager to make a name for himself as the next promising up-and-comer out of Puerto Rico, junior middleweight Prichard Colon (14-0, 11 KOs), will return to Barclays Center for the third time. As an amateur, Colon was a five-time Puerto Rican national champion prior to turning pro in 2013. Trained by his father, Colon has been stylistically compared to fellow countryman Felix Trinidad, with all but one of his knockouts coming in five rounds or less. In the opposite corner at Barclays Center will be Las Vegas-resident Michael Finney (12-3-1, 10 KOs) who is known for giving prospects a real test, having gone the distance with Jermall Charlo and Erickson Lubin, while battling to a draw against the 11-0-2 Wilkins Santiago.

 

Unbeaten 24-year-old junior lightweight Omar “Super O” Douglas (14-0, 11 KOs) of Wilmington, DE, is ready to transition from prospect to contender. While an adept technical boxer, the powerful Douglas always seeks to end bouts early, with five of his 11 knockouts coming in the very first round. On August 1, he’ll be squaring off against Puerto Rican southpaw Frank Santos de Alba (16-1-2, 6 KOs) who has not lost since dropping a decision in his 2011 pro debut.

 

Junior lightweights Titus Williams, from Elmont, Long Island, and Philadelphia’s Thomas Velasquez will be making their pro debuts in separate four-round bouts following decorated amateur careers.

 

Select undercard bouts will be carried live on ESPN3. ESPN Deportes will also televise the fights live, as part of its Noche de Combates series and ESPN International will present live coverage across its networks in Latin America, Brazil, the Caribbean and Pacific Rim. Live coverage will also be available through WatchESPN on computers, smartphones, tablets, Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku, Xbox 360 and Xbox One via an affiliated video provider.

 

For more information, visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, www.barclayscenter.comand www.dbe1.com. Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @DannySwift, @PaulMalignaggi, @LouDiBella, @ESPNBoxing, @BarclaysCenter and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/fanpagedannyswiftgarcia, www.facebook.com/PaulMalignaggi, www.facebook.com/barclayscenterand www.facebook.com/ESPN. Follow the conversation using #PBConESPN and #BrooklynBoxing.
boxing, ESPN Boxing, PBC on ESPN, Premier Boxing Champions

PAULIE MALIGNAGGI & DANIEL JACOBS DISCUSS THEIR UPCOMING SATURDAY, AUGUST 1 FIGHTS LIVE ON PBC ON ESPN FROM  BARCLAYS CENTER IN BROOKLYN

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BROOKLYN (July 8, 2015) – Former two-division world champion Paulie “The Magic Man” Malignaggi, middleweight world champion Daniel “The Miracle Man” Jacobs, President of DiBella Entertainment Lou DiBella and CEO of Barclays Center Brett Yormark took time today to discuss the upcoming Premier Boxing Champions on ESPN fights taking place Saturday, August 1 at Barclays Center.

 

Malignaggi (33-6, 7 KOs) will face undefeated Danny “Swift” Garcia (30-0, 17 KOs)in the headlining event on ESPN.

 

Jacobs (29-1, 26 KOs) will defend his title against former world champion Sergio “The Latin Snake” Mora (28-3-2, 9 KOs) in the televised opener on ESPN beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

 

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment, are priced at $250, $150, $75 and $45, not including applicable service charges and taxes, and are on sale now. Tickets are available at www.barclayscenter.com, www.ticketmaster.com and at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. To charge by phone, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. For group tickets, please call 800-GROUP-BK.

 

For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, www.barclayscenter.comand www.dbe1.com. Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @DannySwift, @PaulMalignaggi, @LouDiBella, @ESPNBoxing, @BarclaysCenter and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/fanpagedannyswiftgarcia, www.facebook.com/PaulMalignaggi, www.facebook.com/barclayscenterand www.facebook.com/ESPN. Follow the conversation using #PBConESPN and #BrooklynBoxing.

 

 

PAULIE MALIGNAGGI

“I feel good, really good right now. This has been one of the best camps I have ever had in my career. We have not only been working really hard, but also really smart. I am coming off back-to-back camps and I truly feel great.

 

“We have some tricks up our sleeves for this fight. I am very happy with that way I am looking and feeling. Everyday I am going in there and just putting in the work. I’m not overthinking this fight, I’m just putting in that work at the gym, and with the way I feel and look, I’m very confident. I have a strong self-belief. I truly believe in myself and my abilities. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t be here.

 

“I want to live and die by my own decisions, and that is how I have structured this camp. I am listening to my body and listening to myself. We are working on different things in both my boxing training and my strength and conditioning.

 

“I have seen strengths and weaknesses all over Danny [Garcia]. When I watch a fight, I see it a lot deeper than most people.  So when I watch Danny, I see a lot of different things. I don’t want to get too much into it, but there are definitely things we have seen that we are working on specifically in this camp to implement and capitalize on August 1st.

 

“Barclays Center in my home. Fighting here gives me that extra motivation. Fighting at Barclays, in front of all my friends and family, it just doesn’t get better than that.”

 

DANIEL JACOBS

“This is a great camp and we are ready to put on a great show come August 1st.  I feel comfortable as a champion. Don’t get me wrong, when I first won my title it was totally surreal, but I always felt like a champion deep down inside. There is something that burns inside of me that has allowed me to overcome every obstacle in my life, and to me, that’s what makes a champion.

 

“I love being a part of PBC. There is no doubt in my mind that my popularity has grown since my first appearance on a PBC card. We are reaching a much younger and different crowd and demographic than before, and it is just great for the sport of boxing.

 

“This is a tough fight. Mora is a proven guy and I know he is very hungry for this opportunity. He is awkward and he is slick. He has good speed and a good jab. We have to be cautious and stick to our game plan. People are saying that this could be the toughest fight of my career and we are training with that mindset.

 

“With a win in this fight, I truly believe that the sky is the limit. There are a lot of big fights out there to be made in the division, but obviously, the main guy for me would be Peter Quillin. It is a fight that I have wanted for a long time, and it is a huge fight for boxing, but especially for New York.

 

“My legacy is in my own hands. Some of the biggest fights in the sport are in the middleweight division right now. At this particular point though, the Quillin fight is the most lucrative option for me. I am not looking past any man, especially not Sergio Mora, but that is a fight I want, the boxing world wants, New York wants and Barclays Center wants.”

 

LOU DIBELLA

“In addition to these two great fights, we are proud to announce that we have added Brooklyn’s own undefeated heavyweight prospect Adam Kownacki (10-0, 9KO’s) to the card, as well as one of the top prospects in the game right now, The Brooklyn Rocky, Frank Galarza (17-0-2, 11KO’s). We are also excited to announce the addition of highly regarded up-and-coming Puerto Rican prospect Prichard Colon (14-0, 11KO’s), who will be great additions to the undercard, which already features undefeated female star Heather “The Heat” Hardy, and a clash of undefeated light heavyweight prospects, Brooklyn’s Travis Peterkin (15-0, 7KO’s) against Olympian Lenin Castillo (12-0, 7KO’s).

 

“It’s an honor for me to be promoting another card at Barclays Center, which in my eyes has become the preeminent venue for boxing and music in the entire country. It is a great pleasure for me to work with Brett and everyone on his team. They are the best in the game.

 

“The public is going to have a real opportunity to see two very good, competitive fights. Look, this (Danny Garcia vs. Paulie Malignaggi) is a very tough fight. Danny has looked a bit vulnerable in his past few fights, and he is moving up in weight to fight a real deal welterweight. Say what you want about Paulie, but you cannot question his heart or desire to win. Paulie is comfortable with being an underdog, he has been an underdog his whole life. With Paulie, you know you will never get anything less than 110 percent. Fourteen years ago yesterday he made his pro-debut on one of my cards, and I am proud of that fact. It is truly an honor for me to be promoting his fight against Danny Garcia on August 1st.

 

“The co-feature match-up is a very intriguing fight. You have two of the best middleweights in the world in Danny Jacobs and Sergio Mora. Just like the main event, this is a very tough fight. Sergio is extremely hungry. He has been waiting for this shot for years. Danny’s story is just remarkable. How hard he has worked to get here, and win a world championship is just extraordinary. He is a champion both inside and outside of the ring, and it’s truly an honor to be working with him. That is the great thing about promoting these PBC events. I have the opportunity to work with and promote some of the greatest and most talented fighters in the sport, in exciting and competitive fights.”

 

BRETT YORMARK

“All of us at Barclays Center are very excited for this August 1st card. This is a great platform for us and the building promoting yet another wonderful PBC event. I am personally excited for the event. Paulie and Danny are like family to me and I am truly honored to have them in our building. Our goal is to be the premier venue in all of boxing and we are actively making a push for that, with our third major PBC card at our venue this year.

 

“Boxing is our third franchise, along with the Nets and Islanders, and we are proud of the events we have been able to be involved with and have in our beautiful venue. I love working with Lou and his team, there is no better promoter in the country and we are looking forward to another great event on August 1st on ESPN.”
boxing

KARIM “HARD HITTA” MAYFIELD READY TO STEP UP AND GIVE MAYWEATHER A HIGHLY EXPLOSIVE FIGHT

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Photo By Team Mayfield

 

SAN FRANCISCO, CA (July 6, 2015) – After pound for pound king Floyd “Money” Mayweather (48-0, 26 KOs) mentioned Karim “Hard Hitta” Mayfield (19-2-1, 11 KOs) as one of his possible opponents for his final contracted fight with Showtime, the San Francisco native says is ready to step up and give Mayweather his first loss.

 

“I’m always ready to fight anyone anywhere,” said Karim Mayfield. “The fact that the great Floyd Mayweather has mentioned me as someone he wants to fight in September is music to my ears.  It would be an honor to fight Floyd in Las Vegas.  He’s done a lot for the sport and he’s arguably the best fighter to ever lace em up.  My last few fights have been at 140 pounds and I know the extra weight would make me more powerful.  I fought Francisco Santana at 152 pounds and gave him his only KO loss. I’m very powerful and comfortable at that weight. I know I would give Floyd all he can handle.  My trainer Ben Bautista and I have a game plan we know will be successful against Mayweather.  I’d give Floyd his first loss in a highly explosive fight.”

 

Set for September 12, 2015, Mayweather will fight an opponent TBA at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas.  Mayfield, along with Andre Berto (30-3, 23 KOs) are fighters Floyd Mayweather has mentioned as potential opponents.  Karim feels he’s the better option.

 

“No disrespect to Andre Berto, he’s a good fighter and we have a mutual respect for one another, but he’s not as durable as I am. Berto has two losses against opponent’s Floyd has already defeated.  I’ve never been dropped, battered or bruised in any of my fights. I bring a rough style to this fight, a style the fans want to see Floyd up against. In addition, the Bay Area is a big media market and I know all my fans here would rise up and support me.  My brother La Ron and I, who are independent, sold out my last fight in San Francisco.  I’m confident we can bring a big crowd to Las Vegas.  It’s only an hour fight away.”

 

Amir Khan (31-3, 19 KOs), who’s been begging to fight Mayweather since 2014, is another fighter campaigning to fight Mayweather.  After sparring Khan on numerous occasions, Mayfield feels Amir is an easier fight.

 

“Every time I sparred Amir Khan at Virgil Hunter’s gym, I put hands on him,” Mayfield declared. “So bad that Virgil had to stop the sparring sessions.  Khan has also been brutally knocked out twice by Prescott and Garcia.  The man has no chin and he wouldn’t last twelve rounds with Money Mayweather.  He’s definitely the safer route.”

 

Mayfield, who’s been in camp with Manny Pacquiao, Antonio Margarito and Danny Garcia to name a few, has all the experience needed to give the fans an entertaining fight.  He’s beaten many undefeated fighters and has a unanimous decision win against Mauricio Herrera.

 

“No one can deny my heart and determination to fight the best,” Mayfield continued. “I’ve been the ring with everyone. I soundly beat Herrera, I whooped Pacquiao and Khan in sparring.  Shawn Porter refused to step in the ring when he had the choice to fight me or Erick Bone with only one day notice. A lot of fighters have ducked me because I’m a serious threat to anyone.”

 

Mayfield feels the fans want to see Floyd Mayweather give an African-American fighter a chance to dethrone him.  Mayweather’s last seven opponents have been either, Mexican, Argentinean, Filipino or Puerto Rican.

 

“I think it’s time for the fans to see Floyd give a brotha a shot.” Mayfield concluded. “Shane Mosley and Zab Judah gave Floyd a run for his money.  I feel I can do the same but come out victorious.”

boxing, ESPN Boxing, PBC on ESPN, Premier Boxing Champions

BROOKLYN’S PAULIE MALIGNAGGI INTERVIEWED ON ESPN BROADCAST OF NATHAN’S HOT DOG EATING CONTEST ON JULY 4th IN CONEY ISLAND

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Malignaggi Faces Undefeated Danny Garcia On Saturday, August 1 Edition Of Premier Boxing Champions on ESPN Live From Barclays Center

 

Click HERE For Full Interview Video

Click HERE For Photos From Ed Diller/DiBella Entertainment

 

BROOKLYN (July 6, 2015) – Former two-division world champion and Brooklynite Paulie “The Magic Man” Malignaggi was interviewed by Melanie Collins on ESPN’s broadcast of the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest on Saturday, July 4th on Coney Island.

 

He appeared in front of the raucous Brooklyn crowd and signed autographs and took photos with fans.

 

Malignaggi (33-6, 7 KOs) takes on undefeated superstar Danny “Swift” Garcia (30-0, 17 KOs) in the evening’s main event on Saturday, August 1 at Barclays Center. Televised action begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT with Middleweight World Champion Daniel “The Miracle Man” Jacobs (29-1, 26 KOs) taking on former world champion Sergio “The Latin Snake” Mora (28-3-2, 9 KOs).

 

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment, are priced at $250, $150, $75 and $45, not including applicable service charges and taxes, and are on sale now. Tickets are available at www.barclayscenter.com, www.ticketmaster.com and at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. To charge by phone, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. For group tickets, please call 800-GROUP-BK.

 

For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, www.barclayscenter.comand www.dbe1.com. Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @DannySwift, @PaulMalignaggi, @LouDiBella, @ESPNBoxing, @BarclaysCenter and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/fanpagedannyswiftgarcia, www.facebook.com/PaulMalignaggi, www.facebook.com/barclayscenterand www.facebook.com/ESPN. Follow the conversation using #PBConESPN and #BrooklynBoxing.
boxing, ESPN Boxing, PBC on ESPN

PAULIE MALIGNAGGI, DANIEL JACOBS, HEATHER HARDY & TRAVIS PETERKIN CELEBRATE NATIONAL CREATIVE ICE CREAM FLAVOR DAY AT BLUE MARBLE ICE CREAM IN BROOKLYN WITH ICE CREAM FLAVORS NAMED AFTER THEM

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Malignaggi Faces Danny Garcia & Jacobs Takes On Sergio Mora On 

Premier Boxing Champions on ESPN

Saturday, August 1 at Barclays Center

9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT

 

Click HERE For Photos From Ed Diller/DiBella Entertainment

 

BROOKLYN (July 1, 2015) – To celebrate National Creative Ice Cream Flavor Day, fighters competing on the August 1 Premier Boxing Champions card at Barclays Center visited Blue Marble Ice Cream in Brooklyn today where they sampled and served ice cream named after themselves.

 

Below were the fighters in attendance along with their ice cream flavor:

 

Paulie “The Magic Man” Malignaggi – “Magic Peanut Butter Paulie” – Peanut Butter Ice Cream laced with Dark Chocolate Confetti

 

Daniel “The Miracle Man” Jacobs – “The Miracle Midnight Cookie Man” – Chocolate Mint Ice Cream with Organic Cookie

 

Heather “The Heat” Hardy – “Feel The Heat” – Dark Chocolate Ice Cream with Organic Spices and Dark Chocolate Chips

 

Travis “The Notorious” Peterkin – “The Nutorious Butterpeterkin” -Butter-n-Salt Ice Cream with Organic Missouri Pecans

 

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment, are priced at $250, $150, $75 and $45, not including applicable service charges and taxes, and are on sale now. Tickets are available at www.barclayscenter.com, www.ticketmaster.com and at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. To charge by phone, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. For group tickets, please call 800-GROUP-BK.

 

Malignaggi (33-6, 7 KOs) will face undefeated Danny “Swift” Garcia (30-0, 17 KOs) in the headlining event on ESPN.

 

“Any ice cream in the summer time is great ice cream, so no complaints there. The ‘Magic Peanut Butter Paulie’ was delicious,” said Malignaggi. “I live for big moments in my career, like August 1. I love the packed arena and a high adrenaline atmosphere in my hometown. We’re going to be fighting in the second PBC on ESPN card and back at Barclays Center, which always draws a great crowd for these PBC cards. Garcia and I always attract a huge crowd when we’ve fought so it makes all the sense in the world for us to make this fight. I look forward to the challenge.”

 

Jacobs (29-1, 26 KOs) will defend his title against former world champion Sergio “The Latin Snake” Mora (28-3-2, 9 KOs) in the televised opener on ESPN beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

 

“The ‘Miracle Midnight Cookie Man’ was very good. My family and I love ice cream, so I was glad that I got to bring them out as well. My flavor was my top choice out of all the creative flavors though, so I’m very happy,” said Jacobs. “I’ve very excited about August 1 and to be back home. I’ve had an opportunity to fight at Barclays Center several times before, and each time is getting bigger and bigger. I’m excited to be back in that good energy, fighting a seasoned veteran in Sergio Mora who will give me a stern test, but I’m looking to capitalize on my experience and defend my belt again successfully.”

 

Hardy (13-0, 2 KOs) and Peterkin (15-0, 7 KOs) will compete in separate undercard bouts on August 1 at Barclays Center.

 

“‘Feel The Heat’ was so good. They put cinnamon in it for me, and I put cinnamon on everything, so it was great,” said Hardy. “I’m so excited to be back at Barclays Center again on another PBC card. When I saw on my news feed that Barclays Center was getting this fight I called Lou’s (DiBella) office and said, ‘I want on that card!’ And I didn’t stop. Every day I was asking to be added. So I’m very happy to be back in Brooklyn and fighting at Barclays Center again.”

 

“‘The Notorious Butterpeterkin’ was definitely my favorite creative flavor. It tastes great, and because of this I’ll be sparring about 10 rounds today and doing some extra running later tonight,” said Peterkin. “Being on this card is a huge deal for me. I was born and raised in Brooklyn. I remember before Barclays Center was even built. I watched everything go up, and then I actually worked at Barclays Center too.  So this will be great being part of such a big PBC event.”

 

For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, www.barclayscenter.comand www.dbe1.com. Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @DannySwift, @PaulMalignaggi, @LouDiBella, @ESPNBoxing, @BarclaysCenter and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/fanpagedannyswiftgarcia, www.facebook.com/PaulMalignaggi, www.facebook.com/barclayscenterand www.facebook.com/ESPN. Follow the conversation using #PBConESPN and #BrooklynBoxing.