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“DETROIT CITY GOLD” MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES & PHOTOS FROM CLARESSA SHIELDS AND NIKOLAY POTAPOV

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 Shields Headlines First Women’s Boxing Bout On Premium Television On Friday, March 10 Live on SHOWTIME® From MGM Grand Detroit

 

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Photo Credit: Bob Ryder

 

DETROIT, MI (February 28) – Two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Claressa Shields (1-0) of Flint, Mich., and bantamweight contender Nikolay Potapov (16-0-1, 8 KOs) of Podolsk, Russia, worked out for the media on Tuesday in advance of their ShoBox: The New Generation televised bouts for Salita Promotions’ “Detroit City Gold” on Friday, March 10, at MGM Grand Detroit, and live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT).

 

The first women’s boxing main event to be featured on premium television, Shields’ history making fight will be a six-round battle againstHungary’s Szilvia “Sunset” Szabados (15-8, 6 KOs) for the Women’s NABF Middleweight Championship.

 

In the co-featured bout, Potapov, currently training at the Kronk Gym, will challenge Cleveland’s Antonio Nieves (17-0-2, 9 KOs) in a 10-round fight for his NABO Bantamweight Championship.

 

In the eight-round televised bantamweight opener, Detroit-based bantamweight prospect James Smith (11-0, 6 KOs) will take on Chicago’s Joshua Greer, Jr. (11-1-1, 4 KOs). In the other eight-round televised bout of the exciting quadrupleheader, welterweight Wesley Tucker (13-0, 8 KOs) Toledo, Ohio, faces Detroit’s Ed Williams (12-1-1, 4 KOs).

 

Tickets for “Detroit City Gold” are priced at $250, $150, $100 and $50, and are available at Ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster locations or by phone at 800.745.3000.

 

Below is what the fighters had to say:

 

Claressa Shields:

 

“I made history in the amateurs, so it’s very special to me to be making history in the pros too and also doing it so close to home in Detroit.

 

“For this fight, I did more road work and also worked hard on my fundamentals. With my coach, Jason Crutchfield, in my corner he knows my weaknesses and strong points, so we are strengthening all weaknesses.

 

“I know that Szabados has a lot of body endurance and a ‘no quit’ mindset in the ring. She has a lot more professional experience than me and is a huge step up for me, as it is only my second professional fight.

 

“With my reputation and name steady rising and me getting a lot of notoriety, I have really just been handling it by taking a few deep breaths and just not allowing myself to get too excited. When I think about March 10, I just wanna jump up and down!

 

“When I was an amateur, I followed women’s professional boxing the best I could. I thought a lot of women weren’t given equal opportunity. I told myself that for women’s boxing to grow, I’d have to go pro after winning the Olympics again. I felt in my heart that I would be respected and given a chance. I take advantage of every opportunity, so as of now, I feel women’s boxing is a sport that is going to be around for a long time.”

 

Nikolay Potapov:

“Nieves is good fighter, and he’s ranked in the top 10.  I want to fight the best available in my division.  A win over Nieves would be huge for my career and would hopefully lead to a shot at a title in the near future.  I can’t lose on March 10. 

 

“I trained hard to go the distance of 10 rounds, but Kronk’s philosophy is not to leave it in the hands of the judges.

 

“I am thankful to Showtime and Salita Promotions for giving me another opportunity to fight on such a prestigious network. I am focused on bringing home the victory after spending time in Detroit training at the legendary Kronk Gym. “

boxing, Las Vegas, women's boxing

FORMER WBC WOMEN’S CHAMPION MIA ST.JOHN & CHRISTY MARTIN CONFIRMED FOR THIRD EDITION OF BOX FAN EXPO TAKING PLACE ON CINCO DE MAYO WEEKEND, SATURDAY MAY 6, IN LAS VEGAS

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Box Fan Expo is the ultimate fan experience event that gives boxing fans the opportunity to meet-and-greet top fighters, current and former world champions, boxing celebrities and industry people in an up-close personal setting.
For Immediate Release
Las Vegas (February 15, 2017) – Former WBC women’s champion Mia “The Knockout” St. John and Christy “The Coal Miner’s Daughter” Martin has confirmed that they will historically appear and share a booth together to Meet & Greet their fans at the Las Vegas Convention Center for the 3rd edition of Box Fan Expo that will take place Saturday May 6, 2017 during Cinco De Mayo weekend. The Boxing Expo will also coincide with the mega fight between Canelo Alvarez vs Julio Cesar Chavez jr, that will take place later that evening.
Martin and St.John are some of the most decorated and famous female professional boxers of all-time. St John was promoted by Bob Arum while Martin was promoted by rival Promoter Don King. They are both former WBC world champions and gained popularity by appearing on some of the biggest undercards in boxing history that were headlined by Mike Tyson with Christy Martin and Oscar De La Hoya with Mia St.John.  Further St.John also has appeared on the cover of Playboy Magazine, while Martin appeared on Sports illustrated.

Mia St.John has done countless charity work for different organizations. She founded “El Saber Es Poder/Knowledge Is Power” to empower our youth by providing educational material, equipment and development of Health & Wellness programs. On November 23, 2014, Mia’s son Julian who was a talented artist, passed away at the age of 24 after battling Schizophrenia and addiction. In 2015, Mia was named by CNN, “Mental Health Warrior”, along with eight other inspiring people.

Christy Martin on the other hand battled her way back from a November 23, 2010 Stabbing and being shot by her husband who is now serving time in prison for attempted murder. Today Martin is the President and founder of Pink Promotions, a boxing promoting company and is considered by the WBC as the Emeritus Champion. She also formed a non-profit organization called Christy’s Champs, which supports domestic violence as well as other domestic issues.

St.John and Martin will have merchandise to sell to their fans, as well as photos and memorabilia.

Christy along with Mia joins Fernando Vargas and Joel Casamayor among early commitments to this year’s Box Fan Expo.

Box Fan Expo has been a huge success with fans and boxing industry people. Many boxing stars have attended the last two Expo’s such as Mike Tyson, Roberto Duran, Tommy Hearns, Roy Jones Jr., Sergio Martinez, Keith Thurman, Danny Garcia, Tim Bradley, Deontay Wilder, Amir Khan, Shawn Porter, Fernando Vargas, Zab Judah, James Toney, Vinny Pazienza, Mikey Garcia , Mia St.Johns, Leo Santa Cruz, Badou Jack, Terry Norris , Riddick Bowe , Earnie Shavers, Leon Spinks and many more…

Exhibitors such as boxing gear, apparel, new equipments, energy drinks, alcohol, supplement products, broadcasting media, sanctioning bodies and other companies who wish to participate will once again have a chance to showcase their brand to fans, media and the boxing industry.

Tickets to the Box Fan Expo are available online at: http://www.boxfanexpo.eventbrite.com

Box Fan Expo is the ultimate boxing fan experience event, which allows fans to Meet and Greet Boxing Superstars of today, current and former world champions, Legends of the sport and other boxing Celebrities at their booth. On Site, fans will experience different activities from Autograph Sessions, Photo Sessions, FaceOff with your favorite boxers, as well as a chance to purchase merchandise and memorabilia from their booth, plus so much more… you won’t want to miss this must-attend Expo!

Box Fan Expo will also feature top boxing organizations, promoters, ring card girls, famous trainers and commentators as well as boxing gear companies “ALL UNDER ONE ROOF”.
Throughout the next several months leading up to the Event, there will be weekly updates on the many stars that will commit their appearance at the Boxing Expo. And for anyone in the Boxing industry or other Exhibitors (non-industry), who would like to be involved and reserve a Booth, contact Box Fan Expo:
Telephone number: (514) 572-7222 or Las Vegas Number (702) 997-1927
For any inquiries please email: boxfanexpo@gmail.com

More information on the Box Fan Expo is available at: http://www.boxfanexpo.com

You can follow Box Fan Expo on Twitter at: https://www.twitter.com/BoxFanExpo
boxing, ShoBox, Showtime, Showtime Boxing, women's boxing

QUADRUPLEHEADER ANNOUNCED FOR SALITA PROMOTIONS’ “DETROIT CITY GOLD” BOXING EVENT ON FRIDAY, MARCH 10, LIVE ON SHOWTIME® FROM MGM GRAND DETROIT

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Top-10 Ranked Undefeated Bantamweights Antonio Nieves & Nikolay Potapov Clash In Co-Feature To Claressa Shields vs. Szilvia Szabados On ShoBox: The New Generation
 
Plus, Undefeated Welterweight Wesley Tucker Faces Once-Beaten Ed Williams; Unbeaten Detroit Bantamweight James Gordon Smith Takes on Joshua Greer, Jr.
 
DETROIT (Feb. 15, 2017) – Six prospects will round out the ShoBox: The New Generation televised bouts for Salita Promotions’ “Detroit City Gold” on Friday, March 10, at MGM Grand Detroit, live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT).  
 
In addition to the history-making six-round main event featuring two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Claressa Shields (1-0) of Flint, Mich., taking on Hungary’s Szilvia “Sunset” Szabados (15-8, 6 KOs) for the Women’s NABF Middleweight Championship, there will be a trio of exciting bouts between rising prospects with a combined record of 80-2-5 with 39 KOs. 
 
“Detroit City Gold” will mark the first time in history a women’s boxing match has headlined on premium television.  Shields and Szabados will also be the first women’s fight on ShoBox, a series that has sparked the careers of 67 future world champions.
 
Antonio Nieves vs. Nikolay Potapov – 10-Round Bantamweight Bout
The co-main event will feature a 10-round battle between top-10 ranked bantamweight contenders Antonio Nieves (17-0-2, 9 KOs) and Nikolay Potapov (16-0-1, 8 KOs).  Nieves is ranked No. 4 in the WBO, while Potapov is ranked No. 9 by the WBO, No. 10 by WBA and No. 13 by the IBF. 
 
Nieves, a top amateur, was a five-time Cleveland Metro Golden Gloves Champion. In 2011, he was the National Golden Gloves runner-up and U.S. Nationals Bronze Medalist at 123 pounds.
 
A pro since November 2011, he won the initial 12 fights of his career before boxing to an eight-round draw with Stephon Young on June 20, 2015. The NABO bantamweight champion, he has gone 6-0-1 since and is coming off a second-round TKO over Szilvester Ajtai last Nov. 26. In August 2016, he fought to a 10-round split draw against Mexico’s Alejandro Santiago on ShoBox. 
 
Because they are both residents of Ohio, Nieves has long clamored for a showdown with former WBA Champion and fellow 118-lb contender Rau’shee Warren. A victory over Potapov may put him in the right position to have his wish granted later this year.
 
“I feel great about this opportunity and I’m going to take advantage of it,” said Nieves. “He’s a good fighter. He comes forward and throws a lot of punches. He’s got a solid foundation. I believe it’ll be a good fight but, overall, I’ll be able to outbox him. I can make him make mistakes and take advantage of it. I will be 100 percent ready to show everybody the real Antonio Nieves. I’ll use my legs more and throw a lot of combinations. I will box my way to my big shot.”
 
The 26-year-old Potapov was an outstanding amateur with international success.  The 5-foot-4 native of Russia had around 200 fights before he turned pro in March 2010. He went 13-0 as a pro in Russia before his U.S. debut.
 
Potapov had a 14-fight winning streak ended when he boxed still-undefeated prospect Stephon Young (13-0 going in) to a 10-round majority draw on April 15, 2016, on ShoBox.  Potapov, who felt he had done more than enough to earn a victory, entered the ring ranked 10th in the IBF, rare for a fighter at that point in his career.
Since the disappointing result against Young, Potapov has fought twice, leaving nothing in the hands of the judges by winning both by early round knockout. He’s coming off a fourth-round TKO over Alexander Saltykov last Dec. 15.
 
“I have been training in Russia and am excited to be in Detroit (since Feb. 1) training at the Kronk Gym with world-class trainer Javan SugarHill Steward,” Potapov said.  “Antonio Nieves is a very talented fighter and I look forward to a great exciting fight of skill and will on March 10.”
 
Wesley Tucker vs. Ed Williams – Eight Round Welterweight Bout
Also on ShoBox: The New Generation will be an eight-round welterweight battle between local prospects with much to prove, Wesley Tucker (13-0, 8 KOs) and Ed Williams (12-1-1, 4 KOs).
 
The 29-year-old Tucker, of Toledo, Ohio, was a standout amateur.  He was the 2012 National Golden Gloves runner-up at 152 pounds and had over 250 amateur fights.  As a professional, he’s stayed relatively active since his debut in February 2013, but the 5-foot-8 southpaw has been virtually untested.  Tucker will be looking to score his first significant professional victory against Williams.
 
“I feel good. Excited about the opportunity,” said Tucker. “He’s a tough fighter from Detroit. But I’m better. I’ve seen every kind of style there is. You can expect fireworks that night. I’m 100 percent ready.”
 
Detroit’s Ed Williams is coming off a unanimous decision victory over then 6-1 Christon Edwards, last July at the MGM in Las Vegas. The 27-year-old suffered his lone career loss in November 2015 via unanimous decision to Marcus Beckford in Beckford’s home state of Louisiana.  As an amateur, Williams was a two-time Michigan State Champion and a two-time Detroit Golden Gloves Champion. 
 
“I feel like this is a great opportunity to fight at home and on TV,” said Williams. “It’s the first fight at the MGM, first women’s bout to headline. There’s a lot of firsts going on that night and it’s a big stage, but I’m not afraid of anything. I don’t know much about Tucker other than he’s from Oho and he’s shorter than me. I’m just going to prepare for everything. One thing about me — I’m a gladiator. If he doesn’t show up to go to war, I will get him out of there. Training is going great. I’m in Houston for this camp. I’m working on a lot of things and getting sharper and staying busy.”
 
James Gordon Smith vs. Joshua Greer, Jr. – Eight Round Bantamweight Bout
Opening the telecast will be an eight-round bantamweight “Detroit vs. Chicago” showdown between James Smith (11-0, 6 KOs) and Joshua Greer, Jr. (11-1-1, 4 KOs).
 
The 26-year-old Smith was a standout amateur, going 110-9 en route to a bronze medal at the National Golden Gloves.  He holds an amateur win over current top-10 bantamweight Antonio Nieves. 
 
Smith, a 5-foot-4, is making his ninth start in Michigan, his seventh in Detroit and first at MGM Grand.   A six-year pro, Smith has been victorious in three consecutive matches since a no-contest on Feb. 6, 2016. He is coming off a second-round TKO over Szilveszter Ajtai last Jan. 22 in his fourth consecutive scrap at Masonic Temple in Detroit.
 
“This is a great opportunity to better my career and keep moving it into the right place,” said Smith. “A victory would get me ranked and keep me moving up the ladder. Plus the world will get to see me for the first time. I want to put on a good show, no matter how it goes. I just want it to be a competitive and exciting fight.”
 
Greer, a 22-year-old Chicago native, was a Chicago Golden Gloves Champion.  He will be coming down in weight to face Smith, having normally campaigned around 120 pounds. He was last seen stopping Cristian Renteria in the fifth round in October of last year. Before that he took the undefeated record of the Dominican Republic’s Juan Gabriel Medina (then 10-0, 9 KOs) via unanimous six-round decision.
 
Greer suffered the lone loss of his career in the fifth fight of his career, a majority four-round decision against fellow unbeaten Stephen Fulton in December 2015. 
 
“I feel really good about this. I’m ready and can’t wait for it to happen,” said Greer. “I don’t know much about James Smith, but I know we fought the same opponent, Antwan Robertson, and he got dropped by him. And I stopped him within 24 seconds of the first round. Training is going great. I have the best sparring you can ask for, guys like Adrian Granados, Eddie Ramirez, Hank Lundy. I will be well prepared for this fight. If it was tomorrow, I’d be ready.”
 
Priced at $250, $150, $100 and $50, tickets for “Detroit City Gold” are available at Ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster locations or by phone at 800.745.3000.
boxing, Mayweather Promotions, women's boxing

MAYWEATHER PROMOTIONS ADDS FORMER 2-TIME WBA LIGHTWEIGHT AND SUPER WELTERWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION LAYLA “AMAZING” MCCARTER TO THEIR ROSTER!

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LAS VEGAS, NV (Feb 14, 2017) – Former six-time world champion, Layla “Amazing” McCarter (38-13-5, 9 KO’s) looks to further her career under the Mayweather Promotions’ banner. The 37-year old California native is the second female professional boxer to sign with Mayweather Promotions, behind Latondria Jones.
McCarter boasts an impressive resume, having held titles across four different weight classes, and currently ranks #2 in the light welterweight division. Layla has been able to gain exposure by fighting on big stages, most recently, on the Wilder vs. Arreola card in July 2016, when she defeated Melissa Hernandez by unanimous decision. McCarter has fought some of the best pound-for-pound female boxers, including: former WBC champion Alicia Ashley, which ended in a draw, current WBO champion Cindy Serrano, where McCarter earned a unanimous decision, and current WBA and WBC Featherweight champion Jelena Mrdjenovich was scored a split decision in favor of McCarter.
As an amateur, McCarter only competed in 11 bouts before turning pro in 1998. Shortly after her first professional win, McCarter dealt with adversity suffering 4 back-to-back losses. McCarter took her losses and turned them into fuel to drive her hunger and ambition, to become the most successful female boxer in the sport. Two years after her pro-debut, McCarter won her first world title in 2000, and has gone on to secure her own legacy.
“With the current state of women’s boxing and the great achievements Mayweather Promotions has accomplished recently, I felt it was the best thing for my career to make the move to the Mayweather Promotions stable,” says McCarter.
“We have shown with our recent signees that we are here to bring fight fans great shows,” said Leonard Ellerbe. “We look to continue to build and diversify our roster of fighters, and Layla McCarter is a great example of a world-class athlete.”
Follow us on Twitter at: @MayweatherPromo , Instagram: @MayweatherPromotions and become a fan on Facebook at: www.mayweatherpromotions.com/MayweatherPromotions for news and updates. Also follow Layla McCarter on Twitter @LaylaMcCarter and Instagram: @LaylaMcCarter.
boxing, ShoBox, Showtime, Showtime Boxing

TICKETS ON SALE NOW FOR HISTORIC “DETROIT CITY GOLD” BOXING EVENT ON FRIDAY, MARCH 10, AT MGM GRAND DETROIT, FEATURING OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST CLARESSA SHIELDS AND PRESENTED BY SALITA PROMOTIONS

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DETROIT (Feb. 10, 2017) – Tickets are now on sale for Salita Promotions’ history-making boxing event “Detroit City Gold” on Friday, March 10, at MGM Grand Detroit, featuring two-time Olympic Gold Medalist and Flint, Michigan native Claressa Shields taking on Hungary’s Szilvia “Sunset” Szabados.
 
Priced at $250, $150, $100 and $50, tickets for “Detroit City Gold” are available at Ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster locations or by phone at800.745.3000.
 
To be presented live on SHOWTIME®, “Detroit City Gold” will mark the first time in history a women’s boxing match has headlined on premium television. Their ShoBox: The New Generation serieshas sparked the careers of 67 future world champions.
 
The six-round main event between Shields (1-0) and Szabados (15-8, 6 KOs), that will also be for the Women’s NABF Middleweight Championship, tops a quadrupleheader of exciting televised fights.
 
Shields won her first Olympic Gold when she was 17 years old in the inaugural women’s boxing competition at the London Games in 2012.  She defended her title at the 2016 Olympics in Rio, becoming the only American boxer to defend amateur sports’ premier championship.
 
“Detroit City Gold” marks the return of big-time boxing to the Detroit area, something promoter Dmitriy Salita is proud to be part of.
 
“I started the Detroit Brawl series of shows to get people excited about boxing again and they’ve responded very well,” said Salita. “So now we are bringing a huge event to this great city that was once and will be again a headquarters for boxing. Thank you to all the fans and sponsors and to MGM Grand Detroit for making it possible.”
 
The 21-year-old Shields cruised to a 77-1 amateur record before turning professional last November, winning her first bout via unanimous decision on a non-televised undercard in Las Vegas.  She now returns home as a headliner to take on the veteran Szabados in a six-round middleweight bout.
 
Szabados challenged for a world title in July 2015 in her ninth professional fight, losing a decision to undefeated WBC Super Middleweight Champion Nikki Adler in Germany.  The native of Miskolc, Hungary has faced two former world champions, Mikaela Lauren and Noni Tenge, and has won via knockout in three of her last five victories. 
 
In her U.S. debut, Szabados lost a 10-round decision to then-undefeated prospect Alicia Napoleon on January 29, 2016, in Queens, N.Y.  The 26-year-old has remained active since turning professional in 2014.  She fought eight fights in 2016, and already has a win in 2017 via fifth round KO over Diana Marcz in January in Budapest, Hungary. 
 
boxing, ShoBox, Showtime, Showtime Boxing, women's boxing

TWO-TIME OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST CLARESSA SHIELDS TO MAKE PROFESSIONAL TELEVISION DEBUT FRIDAY, MARCH 10 ON SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION

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SHOWTIME

® To Present Premium Television’s First Women’s Boxing Main Event As Shields Takes on Former World Title Challenger Szilvia Szabados
 
Live on SHOWTIME® From MGM Grand Detroit
 
NEW YORK (Feb. 7, 2017) – Two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Claressa Shields will make her professional television debut on ShoBox: The New Generation, a series that has sparked the careers of 67 future world champions, on Friday, March 10, live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT) from MGM Grand Detroit Event Center in Detroit, Michigan. 
 
Shields (1-0) is facing Hungary’s Szilvia “Sunset” Szabados (15-8, 6 KOs), a former world title challenger, in the first women’s boxing match to headline on premium television.  The fight will take place down the road from Shield’s hometown of Flint, Mich.
 
Shields is the most accomplished amateur boxer in U.S. history – male or female – and the only American boxer to capture back-to-back gold medals at the Olympic Games. 
 
“It is a dream come true to be the first woman to headline a boxing card on premium television,” said Shields.  “March 10 will be a historic night for boxing and all of the women who give so much to advance our sport.  I am proud to be fighting for the NABF title in my second pro bout.  I want to thank SHOWTIME, MGM Grand Detroit and Salita Promotions for this opportunity, and I will do everything to give my home state fans and the viewers a night to remember.”
 
Szabados said, “Fighters always say their next fight is the most important one of their career, but you get an opportunity like this, and it really is. This is an unbelievable dream.  I am very happy to be receiving this opportunity.  I know this fight is important for Claressa also, and I don’t really know what will happen in the ring.  We both want to win.  Claressa has more amateur experience, but I have more experience as a professional.  It’s going to be an exciting night.”
 
Tickets for the event promoted by Salita Promotions go on sale Friday, Feb. 10 at 10 a.m. est and are priced at $250, $150, $100 and $50.  They will be available at www.ticketmaster.com.
 
Promoter Dmitriy Salita said, “I am honored to be putting on this event at the fantastic MGM Grand Detroit, featuring American hero Claressa Shields on ShoBox: The New Generation.  Detroit is America’s greatest comeback city and I am thrilled that she has chosen MGM Grand Detroit as the site to fight for her first professional title on March 10. Although it is just her second professional fight, Claressa has chosen a former world title challenger for her opponent, a tough Hungarian named Szilvia Szabados, a woman who knows what’s at stake if she can win that night. We’ve got a terrific card from top to bottom in support of this fantastic main event as well, featuring some of Detroit’s brightest up-and-coming prospects, as well as some national and international flavor. Detroit deserves to have world-class events such as this and I’m very proud to be able to bring it here.”
 
Shields won her first Olympic Gold when she was 17 years old in the inaugural women’s boxing competition at the London Games in 2012.  She defended her title at the 2016 Olympics in Rio, becoming the only American boxer to defend amateur sports’ premier championship. 
 
The 21-year-old Shields cruised to a 77-1 amateur record before turning professional last November, winning her first bout via unanimous decision on a non-televised undercard in Las Vegas.  She now returns home as a headliner to take on the veteran Szabados in a six-round middleweight bout.
 
ShoBox expert analyst Steve Farhood: “Women’s boxing in America has its best chance of revival because of the emergence of Claressa Shields.  Women’s boxing is pretty big in certain countries, but it really hasn’t been a factor in the United States since Laila Ali and, before her, Christy Martin. Being the only U.S. boxer to win two gold medals, Claressa has instant credibility and star appeal and those two things are going to lead to wide exposure.
 
“She has a great back story, she’s an exciting fighter to watch and she’s instantly likeable.”
 
Simply put, Shields found solace in boxing to overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges in her childhood.  She’s become a vocal advocate for many social causes, including the ongoing water crisis in her hometown of Flint, women’s rights, and campaigning against sexual assault.  An inspirational figure and motivational speaker, Shields represents a beacon of hope for a working-class city that struggles with violence, poverty, and everyday essentials.
 
In taking on a former world title challenger and fighting for the NABF middleweight championship in only her second fight, Shields continues to make immediate strides as a professional like fellow Flint native Floyd Mayweather, who won his first world title when he was 21. 
 
Szabados challenged for a world title in July 2015 in her ninth professional fight, losing a decision to undefeated WBC Super Middleweight Champion Nikki Adler in Germany.  The native of Miskolc, Hungary has faced two former world champions, Mikaela Lauren and Noni Tenge, and has won via knockout in three of her last five victories. 
 
In her U.S. debut, Szabados lost a 10-round decision to then-undefeated prospect Alicia Napoleon on January 29, 2016, in Queens, N.Y.  The 26-year-old has remained active since turning professional in 2014.  She fought eight fights in 2016, and already has a win in 2017 via fifth round KO over Diana Marcz in January in Budapest, Hungary. 
 
# # #
 
ABOUT SHIELDS vs. SZABADOS
Claressa Shields vs. Szilvia Szabados is the professional television debut of two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Claressa Shields against former world title challenger Szilvia Szabados.  The six-round women’s bout headlines a ShoBox: The New Generation telecast from MGM Grand Detroit in Detroit, Mich., and airs live on SHOWTIME at 10 p.m. ET/PT.  Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Salita Promotions, go on sale on Feb. 10 and are available at Ticketmaster.com.
 
About Salita Promotions
Salita Promotions was founded in 2010 by Dmitriy Salita, a professional boxer and world-title challenger who saw the need for a promotional entity to feature boxing’s best young prospects and established contenders in North America and around the world. Viewers watching fighters on worldwide television networks including Showtime, ESPN, Spike TV, Universal Sports Network and MSG have enjoyed Salita Promotions fight action in recent years. We pride ourselves on offering our fighters opportunities inside and outside the ring. Salita Promotions looks forward to continuing to grow and serve the needs of fight fans around the globe.
boxing, women's boxing

Selina Barrios Scores Spectacular Knockout in Pro Debut

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Photo Credit: Robert Elizando – Boxeo Y Mas
 
SAN ANTONIO, TX (January 23, 2017) – This past Saturday in her pro debut at the San Antonio Shrine Auditorium, on the “Famoso’s Night of Champions” card in San Antonio, TX, hometown native, Selina “Aztec Queen” Barrios (1-0, 1 KO), scored a spectacular first round knockout against, Tammy Franks (2-27-1).
Barrios took charge from the opening bell as she went right at Franks, looking for the knockout.  When the two fighters met in the middle of the ring, punches were exchanged and Selina landed a left hook to the chin of Franks, sending her to the canvas.  After the ref gave Franks an eight count, Barrios stormed on and ended the fight with a devastating left hook-straight right combination.
Franks, who went the distance with Mia St. John twice, was knocked out for the first time in eight years

.  Satisfied with her triumph, Barrios is ready to get back in the ring and keep the momentum going.

“I wanted to come out here tonight and give the fans a great show.” said Selina Barrios. “After I landed that left hook, I knew she was hurt.  My only thought was to go for the kill and end the fight.  This was my first fight as a professional and I’m happy with the result.”
“I want to thank all my family and friends who came out to support me tonight,” Barrios continued. “I also want to thank Carlos Famoso Productions for giving me the opportunity to fight in my hometown of San Antonio.  My goal is to get back in the ring as soon as possible and make my run toward a world title.”
Barrios’ trainer, former world champion, Carlos “Famoso” Hernandez, who also served as promoter for the event, was thrilled with Selina’s performance.  He sees a bright future for Barrios.
“I really believe Selina can become something special in this sport,” Hernandez said. “She has tremendous power in both hands and her boxing IQ is very high.  With hard work, I believe she’ll become a world champion.  She stole the show tonight with that mighty knockout.”
boxing, women's boxing

Selina Barrios to Make Pro Debut Jan, 21 in San Antonio

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SAN ANTONIO, TX (January 11, 2017) – Amateur standout, Selina “Aztec Queen” Barrios, sister of undefeated lightweight sensation, Mario Barrios (17-0, 9 KOs), is set to make her pro debut on January, 21, 2017.  The fight will take place at the San Antonio Shrine Auditorium, on the “Famoso’s Night of Champions” card in San Antonio, TX, presented by former world champion, Carlos “El Famoso” Hernandez.  Selina will face,  ….. in a four-round bout.
Barrios, an amateur standout, has power in both hands.  Her crowd-pleasing style was admired by many in the amateurs.  As a teenager, Selina Barrios defeated the very talented Mikayla Meyer, who represented Team USA in 2016.  Barrios wants the city of San Antonio to know they will now have a female pugilist to get behind.  Look for Barrios to come out swinging.
“First off, I want to thank my family for all their support during my time away from boxing.” said an enthused Selina Barrios. “Everyone who’s seen me in the ring, knows I’m an aggressive fighter that throws a lot of power punches.  I’m always going to be looking for the knockout.  I’m very happy to be making my pro debut in San Antonio.  I want to build my fan base one fight at a time.  I’m inviting all boxing fans from San Antonio to come see me fight.  I’m only 22-years old, so I have plenty of time to make my mark in this sport.  I have dreams and ambitions of becoming a world champion.  God willing, I’ll reach that goal.”
Tickets for “Famoso’s Night of Boxing”, priced $25, $40, $50, $80 and $120 are on sale now, and can be purchased by calling Famoso Productions at (210) 240-2071 or (210) 422-8787.  For more information, visit www.famosoproductions.com.  The San Antonio Shrine Auditorium is located at 901 N Loop 1604 W, San Antonio, TX. Doors open at 5:00 P.M., first bell at 7:30 P.M.
boxing, Showtime, Showtime Boxing, women's boxing

Junior Featherweight World Champion Amanda Serrano Media Workout Quotes & Photos

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Four-Division World Champion Defends Her Title Against
Former World Champion Yazmin Rivas Saturday, January 14
From Barclays Center in Brooklyn
Live on SHOWTIME EXTREME®
 (7 p.m. ET/PT)
 
Click HERE for Photos from Ed Diller/DiBella Entertainment
 
Click HERE for Photos from Tom Casino/SHOWTIME®
 
BROOKLYN (January 5, 2017) — Four-division world champion Amanda Serranohosted media at the Mendez Gym in New York on Thursday as she nears her championship defense against former champion Yazmin Rivas on Saturday, January 14from Barclays Center in  Brooklyn and live on SHOWTIME EXTREME.
The Serrano vs. Rivas fight is the first nationally televised women’s world title bout in nearly a decade and will headline action on SHOWTIME EXTREME. Coverage starts at7 p.m. ET/PT and features Ievgen Khytrov battling Immanuwel Aleem in a 10-round matchup of undefeated rising middleweight contenders.
The January 14 event features a SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®doubleheader headlined by the super middleweight world championship unification showdown between Badou Jack and James DeGale.  Televised coverage on SHOWTIME® begins at 9:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. PT with super featherweight world champion Jose Pedraza defending against  undefeated contender Gervonta Davis.
Amanda, along with Pedraza and her sister, Cindy Serrano, are the only three current world champions that were born in Puerto Rico. They will look to represent the island when they fight in front of the many Puerto Rican boxing fans in New York. On Thursday, the sisters gave the media a treat and sparred each other ahead of the January 14event.
Here is what Amanda and Cindy had to say at the media workout on Thursday:
AMANDA SERRANO
“I’m excited and blessed to be fighting on SHOWTIME EXTREME. It’s a real honor to be in this position. I’m not going to disappoint come Saturday night.
“It’s going to be historic. This is a vintage Puerto Rican vs. Mexican rivalry. Neither one of us wants to give an inch or give a step back. It’s in my home and I can’t wait.
“I’ll be ready to go the distance. I’m always ready for it. We’re trained to go the distance every time; it just usually doesn’t come down to that. There’s never a day that we go into the gym and don’t prepare to go the distance.
“The first time I fought at Barclays Center I met Stephen Espinoza and he said my highlights might make the telecast. I told him that I was going to make sure that the whole fight is highlights. Now we’re here.
“It could be any other female in this position. I’m just glad that it’s happening. We fight in and out of the ring to get into this position. I’m not taking it for granted.
“Of course I feel the pressure of the moment, but I do all my hard work in the gym. I know that once I go in the ring, I just have to fight with all I have.
“Women have been here in boxing for a long time. Everyone has been fighting for this. This extra exposure is great for the sport. We want to make it as popular as the female fighting is in MMA. We’re getting punched in the faced too. I think our time is coming. The pressure is on me to showcase my sport on January 14.
“I’m hoping that with this fight, the ride doesn’t end here. I hope the exposure keeps growing and growing. I’m not going to give up on it. One day I hope to headline on a SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING card.”
CINDY SERRANO, WBO Featherweight World Champion
“That was a good sparring session. It’s always tough to get in there with her. She’s slick and powerful and we just tried to give the reporters a good show. We wanted to tease you and show a little bit of why women are worthy of being showcased on television. The real one comes January 14.
“I don’t know too much about Rivas but she’s definitely a tough fighter who has accomplished a lot. She’s a Mexican fighter so the Puerto Rican-Mexican rivalry will be on display. Hopefully she can last a few rounds and let Amanda show how talented of a fighter she is. It’s going to be a great fight.
“I’m on cloud-nine right now after winning my world title and I can’t wait to get back in the next couple of months and defend my belt.”
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Barclays Center’s BROOKLYN BOXING™ programming platform is presented by AARP.  For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports follow on Twitter @BadouJack, @JamesDegale1, @Sniper_Pedraza, @Gervontaa, @SHOSports, @MayweatherPromo, @LouDiBella,  @BarclaysCenter, and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports,  www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotionswww.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment, www.Facebook.com/barclayscenter. This event is sponsored by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.
boxing, Mayweather Promotions, Showtime, Showtime Boxing

GERVONTA “TANK” DAVIS: TRAINING CAMP QUOTES

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Mayweather Promotions’ Budding Superstar Risks Unblemished Record Against Undefeated, Respected IBF Junior Lightweight World Champion Jose Pedraza Saturday, Jan. 14, From Barclays Center in Brooklyn & Live on SHOWTIME
 
(Photo Credit: Amin Peters/Mayweather Promotions)
 
World Champions Badou Jack and James DeGale Clash
In Super Middleweight World Title Unification in Main Event
 
Click HERE for Training Camp Photos from
Premier Boxing Champions
 
BALTIMORE (Jan. 4, 2017) – Highly regarded Mayweather Promotions rising starGervonta “Tank” Davis (16-0, 15 KOs) is wrapping up training for his challenge of super featherweight world champion Jose “The Sniper Pedraza (22-0, 12 KOs) in the opener of a SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING world championship doubleheader on Saturday, Jan. 14, from Barclays Center in Brooklyn live on SHOWTIME (9:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. PT).
The 12-rounder between the unbeaten challenger (Davis) and world champion (Pedraza) will precede an eagerly awaited 168-pound world title unification showdown between WBC Super Middleweight World Champion Badou Jack (20-1-2, 12 KOs)andIBF Super Middleweight World Champion James DeGale (23-1, 14 KOs).

Tickets for the event promoted by Mayweather Promotions and DiBella Entertainment, start at $25. They can be purchased online (www.ticketmaster.com,www.barclayscenter.com) or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Tickets are also available at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. Group discounts are available by calling 844-BKLYN-GP.

Davis, 22, overcame a childhood filled with hardships to become a prolific amateur and has been virtually unstoppable as a professional. As an amateur (between 2006-2012), he entered nine tournaments and came away with gold medals in all but one. He won gold in his last four tourneys, including the 2012 National Golden Gloves Championship at 123 pounds.

Since going pro in February 2013, the strong, aggressive-minded southpaw has played smash-mouth against mostly outclassed opponents, winning 13 of his 15 knockouts inside four rounds. To many, Davis resembles a young, smaller version of Mike Tyson in the way he walks down foes, gets on the inside and unloads lethal hooks and uppercuts. He’s gone into the ninth round once and into the sixth round twice. A winner of six straight by knockout, Davis’ lone fight to go the distance came in his ninth outing, a six-round nod over German Meraz, who went down twice, in October 2014. Davis is coming off a 0:41, first-round KO over Mario Macias last June 3.

Although powerful, very fast and determined, the talented Davis is taking a significant leap in class and he may enter the ring as a slight underdog to Puerto Rico’s Pedraza, 27, a solid switch-hitter with first-rate skills, movement and punching power. This will be Pedraza’s third defense of the IBF 130-pound title. He’s gone the 12-round distance four times in a row and five times since his pro debut in February 2011. At 5-feet-8½, he is two-and-a-half inches taller than Davis.
 
Davis, the IBF’s No. 8-ranked super featherweight, who was born and resides in Baltimore, shared thoughts on his upcoming fight from the Uptown Boxing Center in Baltimore:

You’ve been a professional for less than three years, yet you’re less than two weeks away from getting a crack at a world title. What are your thoughts about that?

“It’s been my goal to fight for a world title. I’m very confident. I’ve worked hard in the gym for over two months for this fight. I’ve put in the hours. I’ve had a great camp with great sparring. I’m not surprised the fight is almost here. This is perfect timing for me.”

Have you done anything differently in this camp?

“Maybe some little things, but not really. We take training seriously. We take all our opponents very seriously. But I have to treat it as just another fight, against another opponent. We know Pedraza is a world champion, a great fighter that comes to fight and we give him his respect as a world-class fighter. I know he’s going to be ready. He’s always ready when it’s time to get in there and do his job. But I’m prepared for him. He doesn’t know what we bring to the table.”

Are you surprised you’re not favored? When was the last time you were an underdog?

“I’m the underdog because he’s the world champion, that’s the reason. Other than that, I feel deep inside that he’s the underdog, but that’s just my assessment. He won’t be showing me anything I haven’t already seen before.

 “I’ve never been the underdog in a fight, so this is a first for me.”

When’s the last time you lost a fight?

“I’m competitive all around and don’t like losing. I can’t remember exactly the last time I lost a fight, maybe it was three years ago. All I know for sure is that my mind entering this fight is all about winning.”

Critics talk of your level of competition, or lack of. What’s your opinion of the fighters Pedraza’s successfully defended against lately?

“I’m not taking anything away from Pedraza; he’s beat Stephen Smith and Edner Cherry but those guys don’t bring the power, speed, elusiveness and angles that I do. I’m not downgrading anybody, but they’re mostly average.”

Are you looking at this as an opportunity to showcase your overall skills, durability, etc.?

“A lot of people don’t realize the skills and talent that I have. They see me just going in there like a little Tyson or someone like that. But I have all the tools. I know how to box, how to move my feet. I have good hand speed. I work my angles and things like that. I’m an overall sound fighter, a boxer-puncher.

“I think this will be a wakeup call for boxing, a chance to show that I’m the one. But I’m not coming to be just the top guy. I want to be a superstar and bring joy and entertainment to the sport. Pedraza will bring out the best in me and I will steal the show.”

How do you manage to stay in the moment, and not look back, or can you?

“I’m so thankful that I am part of a strong team, and that I have such a great team. I believe we have the greatest team in boxing. They keep me grounded, focused. They keep me from getting distracted. We all know what the main goal is. I can’t do it all myself, my coach can’t do it all himself, my manager can’t do it all himself. We believe totally in each other as a team. I listen to everything they say.”

How much is your past a motivation, or is it? When you look back at your life do you have memories or nightmares?

“I believe I’ve accomplished a lot. Me just being alive today, me not being in jail or in trouble outside the ring, it’s hard from where I come from. But it’s all helped me handle situations well. I’m so used to dealing with situations. I’m older and know what’s right from wrong. There’s never any pressure when I fight. I’ve won so many fights already I know what to do when I get in the ring.”

How long have you known Floyd? When did you meet him and how would you describe your relationship? What does it mean for Floyd to be your promoter?

“The first time I talked to Floyd (at length) was at the Adrien Broner-Shawn Porterfight (June 20, 2015). Me and Adrien, we’re friends and he flew me out to Las Vegas for the fight. I worked out at the Mayweather gym and Floyd liked the way I fought, my heart. But the first time I actually met and talked to him came when one of Floyd’s press tours came to Washington, D.C.

“Floyd has always had a major impact on me and my career. I grew up around him. All of us wanted to be like him. Like Tyson and Ali were to the generations of boxers before me, Floyd was our superstar. For him to bring me under his wing, to fight for him, is unbelievably great.”

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Barclays Center’s BROOKLYN BOXING™ programming platform is presented by AARP.  For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports follow on Twitter @BadouJack, @JamesDegale1, @Sniper_Pedraza, @Gervontaa, @SHOSports, @MayweatherPromo, @LouDiBella,  @BarclaysCenter, and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports,  www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotionswww.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment, www.Facebook.com/barclayscenter. This event is sponsored by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.