All posts by FNU47

boxing, Showtime Boxing

JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ JR. vs. ANDRZEJ FONFARA AMIR IMAM vs. WALTER CASTILLO OFFICIAL WEIGHTS & PHOTOS 

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SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®  Live On SHOWTIME® Saturday, April 18, (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT) 

From StubHub Center In Carson, Calif. 

SHOWTIME BOXING ON SHO EXTREME Airs Live at 8 p.m. ET/PT

Click HERE To Download Photos From Friday’s Weigh-In
Photo Credit: Esther Lin/SHOWTIME

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING

JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ JR.: 171 ½ Pounds
ANDRZEJ FONFARA: 171 ½ Pounds

AMIR IMAM: 140 Pounds
WALTER CASTILLO: 138 Pounds

SHOWTIME BOXING ON SHO EXTREME:
OSCAR ESCANDON: 121 ¾ Pounds
MOISES FLORES: 121 ¼ Pounds

OMAR CHAVEZ: 159 Pounds
RICHARD GUTIERREZ: 158 ½ Pounds

(SHOWTIME EXTREME Swing Bout)
FABIAN MAIDANA: 146 ¼ Pounds
CORY VOM BAUR: 145 ½ pounds

# # #

“Chavez Jr. vs. Fonfara”, a 12-round light heavyweight bout co-promoted by Goossen Promotions and Chavez Promotions that takes place at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. and will air on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT). In the co-main event, Amir Imam faces Walter Castillo in a 10-round jr. welterweight showdown. The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast will also be available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP).

Tickets for the event are priced at $200, $150, $100, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes, fees and service charges, are available for purchase online at AXS.com.

For more information visit www.sports.sho.com, follow on Twitter at @SHOSports, @jcchavezjr1, @andrzej_fonfara, @StubHubCenter and @Swanson_Comm, follow the conversation using #ChavezFonfara, become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SHOBoxing or visit the SHOWTIME Boxing Blog athttp://theboxingblog.sho.com.

boxing, HBO Boxing

Matthysse v. Provodnikov Fight Card WEIGHTS FROM VERONA, NEW YORK

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Ruslan Provodnikov 139.5 – Lucas Matthysse 139

Vitaly Kopylenko 160 – Lekan Byfield 158
Vitor Jones De Oliveira 135 – Guillermo Sanchez 133
Patrick Teixeira 160 – Patrick Allotey 157
Paulo Souza 150.5 – Sidney McCow 146
Lamont Roach Jr. 132.5  – Jose Miguel Castro 133
Eddie Gomez 149 – Jonathan Batista 149.5

Venue:  Turning Stone Resort Casino
Promoters:  Banner Promotions, Golden Boy Promotions and Arano Box Promotions
Television:  HBO Boxing After Dark at 9:45 PM ET/PT
1st Bout:  6:50

Photos by Banner Promotions
In what is sure to be an all-action fight to remember and a treat all fight fans are excited for, Argentina’s Lucas “La Maquina” Matthysse (36-3, 34 KOs) will fight Ruslan Provodnikov “The Siberian Rocky” (24-3, 17 KOs), in what will be the ultimate test for both fighters. Due to unprecedented demand, tickets are now sold-out but fans can catch all the action live on HBO Boxing After Dark beginning at 9:45 p.m. ET/PT.

Due to the unprecedented demand to see this surefire “Fight of the Year,” tickets are completely sold out.

Doors on Saturday, April 18 open at 6:00 p.m. with the first bout scheduled for 6:50 p.m. and the HBO Boxing After Dark telecast at 9:45 p.m. ET/PT.
Matthysse vs. Provodnikov is a 12-round junior welterweight bout presented by Banner Promotions, Golden Boy Promotions in association with Arano Box Promotions and is sponsored by Corona Extra, Mexico, Live it To Believe It! and Khortytsa Vodka. Doors are currently scheduled to open at 6:00 p.m. ET with the first bout scheduled for 6:50 p.m. ET and the HBO Boxing After Dark telecast will being at9:45 p.m. ET/PT.
boxing, ESPN Friday Night Fights

ISHE SMITH TO HEADLINE “SIN CITY SHOWDOWN” WHEN HE BATTLES CECIL MCCALLA AT THE PEARL AT PALMS CASINO RESORT ON APRIL 30 LIVE ON A SPECIAL THURSDAY NIGHT EDITION OF ESPN FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS

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 Tickets Are On Sale Now!

 

LAS VEGAS (April 17, 2015) – Just two days before the historic showdown between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, Mayweather Promotions will give boxing fans a special treat on Cinco De Mayo weekend when they present the “Sin City Showdown” on Thursday, April 30 headlined by former world champion Ishe “Sugar Shay” Smith (26-7, 12 KOs) taking on the hard-fighting Cecil McCalla (20-1, 7 KOs) live on a special Thursday edition of ESPN Friday Night Fights from the Pearl at Palms Casino Resort.

 

In the evening’s co-main event welterweight contender Ashley “The Treasure” Theophane (37-6-1, 11 KOs) will battle Mahonri Montes (29-4-1, 20 KOs). Also featured in televised action is exciting knockout artist Ronald “The Thrill” Gavril (11-1, 9 KOs) duking it out with Eddie Hunter (10-12-2, 3 KOs).

 

Live coverage will begin at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN2 and 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. In addition, ESPN Deportes’ Noche de Combates will carry the fights live.

 

Further undercard action features a slew of Mayweather Promotions rising stars including Lanell “KO” Bellows (11-1-1 7 KOs) taking on Tyrell Hendrix (11-6-2, 4 KOs), plus  Juan Heraldez (6-0, 5 KOs), Ladarius “Memphis” Miller (6-0, 1 KO) and Kevin “The Second Coming” Newman (1-0-1) competing in separate bouts against opponents to be determined.

 

Tickets for the live event are priced at $104.50, $79.50, $54.50, $29.50 and $19.50, plus applicable fees, are on sale now. Tickets may be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling the Pearl Box Office at 702-944-3200.

 

“Headlining in my hometown of Las Vegas is always a great thrill and I will not disappoint all the people who come out to watch me fight,” said Smith. “I have aspirations of getting another world title belt and this fight is my first step towards getting another opportunity.”

 

“I’m thrilled to get back in the ring and show the world what ‘The Treasure’ is all about,” said Theophane. “This is a tremendous opportunity for me and I am going to make the most of it.”

 

“While the fight the whole world is waiting for takes place Saturday, Mayweather Promotions is extremely pleased to put on a great night of fights at Palms Casino Resort just days before,” said Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions. “Ishe Smith is an accomplished former world champion and Ashley Theophane is an exciting welterweight who always comes to fight.”

 

“We’re thrilled to host another great match with Mayweather Promotions,” said Billy Conn, Vice President of Entertainment and Special Events for The Pearl at Palms Casino Resort. “There’s a lot of excitement in the air for boxing fans and this is a great opportunity to see some amazing fighters leading up to the big fight.”

 

After a long career that saw him go from the world of reality television as a star on “The Contender” to competing at the top level at 154 and 160 pounds, Smith, 36, finally put it all together in 2010, beginning a four-fight winning streak that culminated in a decision win over Cornelius Bundrage for the IBF super welterweight world title in Feb. 2013, becoming the first native Las Vegan to ever win a world title.  He subsequently lost his title on September 14, 2013 by a close split decision to the always-tough Carlos Molina. A knockout victory Ryan Davis gave Smith another title shot as he challenged Erislandy Lara in Dec. 2014. Smith fought well but was beaten by Lara via unanimous decision.

 

After an extended amateur career in which he competed in nearly 100 fights,  McCalla is looking to bounce back from his first career defeat when he battles Smith. He dropped a narrow split-decision in Jan. 2015 to Chris van Heerden but had won his previous 20 bouts to start his pro career. The 30-year-old fights out of Baltimore and will make his Las Vegas boxing debut on April 30.

 

An experienced contender from London but fighting out of Las Vegas, Theophane is looking to build on his current four fight win streak when he enters the ring on April 30. The 34-year-old has been in the ring with many 140 and 147-pound contenders including Danny Garcia and Pablo Cesar Cano, losing by narrow split-decision to both. Most recently he dominated Miguel Zuniga on his way to a unanimous decision in Dec. 2014.

 

Sporting a 55-5 record as an amateur, the heavy-fisted Montes looks to make it back-to-back wins when he takes on Theophane. The 25-year-old is experienced beyond his years as he has fought frequently since turning pro in 2006. He earned a shot at former world champion Humberto Soto in 2013 but dropped the bout by unanimous decision. Most recently the fighter out of Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico defeated previously undefeated Diego Cruz in Oct. 2014.

 

A threat to deliver a big knockout every time he enters the ring, Gavril hopes to bounce back from his first professional loss when he battles Hunter. The 28-year-old dropped a close decision to longtime contender Elvin Ayala on March 28 but had previously won nine of his first 11 pro fights by knockout. Born in Romania, but fighting out of Las Vegas, Gavril looks to get back on the right track on April 30.

 

The 28-year-old Hunter has lost his last three fights but has certainly faced tough competition having battled undefeated fighters in 13 of his pro fights. Fighting out of Seattle, Hunter will look to pull off an upset on April 30 in Las Vegas.

 

For more information follow on Twitter @MayweatherPromo, @PearlAtPalms and @ESPN and follow on Facebook at Facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions, Facebook.com/ESPN and Facebook.com/PalmsPearl.

boxing, Spike TV

Never Give Up: A Boxing Survival Story

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Premier Boxing Champions: Dirrell vs Jack – April 24 – Live on Spike

 

“Never Give Up: A Boxing Survival Story” is a compelling half-hour original Spike documentary featuring two of boxing’s true inspiring warriors – Daniel Jacobs and Anthony Dirrell.  

 

Heart is something that every fighter must have to win, to thrive, and to survive. This documentary focuses on the heart and grit displayed by two fighters as they overcome their most deadly opponent yet, cancer. Daniel Jacobs and Anthony Dirrell refused to go down without a fight, and both made miraculous recoveries en-route to becoming two of the best in their respective divisions.

 

“Never Give Up” recounts the parallel and amazing paths Dirrell and Jacobs have taken. From being teammates during amateurs and their early professional success; to their scary diagnosis and inspiring recovery; all the way until 2014 when they respectively won their first championships one week apart.

 

Enclosed is the entire half-hour program for you to embed. We are offering this to you prior to premiere on Spike (Friday, April 17 at 11:30pm ET/PT.)

 

On Friday, April 24 LIVE on Spike at 9:00pm ET/PT, for the first time, these two CHAMPIONS and SURVIVORS defend their titles on the same card when Jacobs fights Caleb Truax and Dirrell will takes on Floyd Mayweather Jr. protégée Badou Jack.

 

For more information, visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, www.spike.com/shows/premier-boxing-champions, or www.warriorsboxing.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @AnthonyDirrell, @BadouJack, @DanielJacobsTKO, @GoldenCalebT, @WarriorsBoxProm, and @SpikeTV. Or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxing, www.Facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions, www.facebook.com/WarriorsBoxingPromo and www.Facebook.com/Spike.
boxing

18 year-old sensation Milton Santiago Jr. looks for perfect 10 this Saturday night at Valley Forge Casino Resort

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Phillip Jackson Benson battles Darnell Boone in main event plus Jamal James,  Immanuwel Aleem, David Grayon, Jarrett Hurd, Ivan Golub and Dauren Yeleussinov

Valley Forge, PA (April 17, 2015)—Tomorrow night, April 18, at the Valley Forge Casino Resort, King’s Promotions will present an outstanding night of boxing that will be headlined by an intriguing 8-round super middleweight bout between Phillip Jackson Benson and Darnell Boone.
But one of the featured attractions will see the continued growth of 18  year-old jr. lightweight Milton Santiago jr (9-0, 3 KO’s)
Santiago of Warminster, PA will take on Ray Velez (3-6-1, 1 KO) in  a bout scheduled for six-rounds.
“My training went well.  I trained hard and I sparred with undefeated 130-pounder Jason Sosa, welterweight contender Ray Robinson and undefeated lightweight Angel Ocasio,” said Santiago.
As most 18 year-olds, Santiago is a student.  The senior at William Tennant High School is also a student of his craft and did some research on his opponent.
“I know he is from New York.  He is a rough fighter and he looks to be my toughest opponent to date.  I know I have to be smart and fight my heart out.”
As most kids his age, Santiago knows that the most important aspect of his career that while he stays undefeated he has to continue his growth as a fighter.
“I have improved on sitting on my shots.  The thing I been working on most is defense and changing it to offense.  Slipping shots and setting up for counters.”
With each, Santiago, who is managed by Moz Gonzalez and Eddie Woods, gets closer to a goal of being a world champion.
“I think in the next 12 months, I want to be fighting for some regional titles and hopefully they will lead to the biggest opportunities.  I am looking for another seven fights in 2015.”
“I have always had a high confidence level.  I still get nerves here and there but that is common in all fighters.  But I always have a lot of confidence.  I just want to thank everyone who has supported me and I know I will have continued success.”
In the eight-round co-feature, undefeated welterweight
Jamal James (15-0, 8 KO’s) of Minneapolis, Minnesota will see action againstDaniel Sostre (13-10-1, 5 KO’s) of Highland, New York
In eight-round bouts:
Immanuwel Aleem (11-0, 7 KO;s) of Richmond, VA. will take on Emmnauel Sanchez (6-2, 1 KO) of Laredo, Texas in a middleweight bout.
David Grayton (10-0, 8 KO’s) of Washington, D.C. will fight Grayson Blake (6-3, 2 Ko’s) of State College, PA. in a welterweight bout.
Jarrett Hurd (14-0, 8 KO’s) of Accokeek, MD. will battle tough veteran Eric Mitchell(23-11-2, 11 KO’s) of Philadelphia in a middleweight bout.
In six-round bouts:
Milton Santiago (9-0, 3 Ko’s) of Philadelphia will take on Ray Velez (3-6-1, 1 KO) of Brooklyn, NY. in a jr. welterweight bout.
Ivan Golub (6-0, 4 KO’s) of Brooklyn, NY will box Thomas Allen (4-7, 4 KO’s) of St. Joseph, MO. in a middleweight bout.
Dauren Yeleussinov (1-0, 1 KO) of Brooklyn, NY. will fight Julio Garcia (6-8, 3 KO;s) of Rinocn, PR.  in a super middleweight bout.

Dennis Galarza  (7-1, 4 KO’s) of Brooklyn, NY battles Jesus Lule (7-11, 1 KO) of Fort Myers, FL. in a lightweight fight.
In four-round bouts:
Kevin Garcia (0-1) of Philadelphia will take on Eric Hall (0-3) of Philadelphia in a lightweight bout.
Tickets for this great night of boxing are $100 for VIP (Includes 2 drinks and food), $75 for ringside and $50 for General Admission and be purchased by clicking www.vfboxing.eventbrite.com or calling King’s Promotions at 610-587-5950
M-1, M-1 Challenge, mixed martial arts

Behind the scenes and highlights of M-1 Challenge 56

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UPCOMING EVENT: M-1 Challenge 57, May 2, 2015 in Orenburg, Russia.

 

Information

www.mixfight.ru

www.wmmaa.org

www.M1Global.tv

 

Twitter & Instagram:
@M1GlobalNews

@VFinkelchtein

@M1Global

 

Facebook:

 

www.facebook.com/pages/M-1-Global/145250878842244

 

boxing, CBS Boxing

Undefeated Super Bantamweight to fight Phillip Adyaka Tonight in Hinckley, Minnesota

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San Antonio, Texas (April 17, 2015)— Tonight at the Grand Casino in Hinckley, Minnesota, undefeated Super Bantamweight Adam Lopez will be back in action when he takes on Phillip Adyaka in a bout scheduled for six-rounds on a card the will be televised by CBS Sports Network
The 24 year-old Lopez is promoted by GH3 Promotions and is coming off an impressive national television debut when he scored a 2nd round stoppage over previously undefeated Pablo Cruz that was televised on Sho Box: The New Generation on March 13 in Westbury, NY.
“Training has been really good,  I am confident because of my last fight.  For this I have had great strength and conditioning as well as sparring.”
Adyaka (4-4, 2 KO’s) was a good amateur in his native Uganda and now resides in St. Paul, Minnesota.
“I watched a little tape of him.  I know he was on the national team and then he defected.  He has won his last three bouts but he has only fought once in the last year.”
Because of the exposure of his last bout, Lopez has picked up a ton of fans who have contacted him via social media.
“A lot of people loved my knockout.  I gained a lot of fans and I think the liked me because the liked the power I displayed in the fight.”
Lopez believes that he has the right team behind him since signing with Vito Mielnicki’s GH3 Promotions.
“Vito is guiding me and he has a gameplan for me.”
“It is going to be a great fight.  I will do my thing and make him have a terrible night.”
Said GH3 Promotions Vito Milenicki, “Adam showed that he not has the talent be he has charisma that will take him a long way in boxing.  We have a ton of confidence that he can be come a star in the years to come.”
Lopez, who is scheduled to be back in the action on May 22 in Corona, CA weighed in at 124 pounds at Thursday’s weigh in.
GH3 Promotions features undefeated Middleweight Antoine Douglas, Super Middleweight’s Jerry Odom & Derrick Webster, undefeated Super Bantamweight Adam Lopez as well as Jr. Middleweight John Thompson, Jr., undefeated Welterweight Jerrell Harris, undefeated Super Bantamweight Qa’id Muhammad, undefeated lightweight Oscar Bonilla and Light Heavyweight Lavarn Harvell to the GH3 Promotions stable.
boxing, HBO Boxing

 MATTHYSSE VS. PROVODNIKOV FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES AND PHOTOS

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VERONA, NEW YORK (April 16) – Members of the media and fans got a preview of what to expect in the ring on Saturday with former World Champions Lucas “La Maquina” Matthysse and “The Siberian Rocky” Ruslan Provodnikov duringtoday’s final press conference for Matthysse vs. Provodnikov at the Oneida Nation’s Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, NY.

In what is sure to be an all-action fight to remember and a treat all fight fans are excited for, Argentina’s Lucas “La Maquina” Matthysse (36-3, 34 KOs) will fight Ruslan Provodnikov “The Siberian Rocky” (24-3, 17 KOs), in what will be the ultimate test for both fighters. Due to unprecedented demand, tickets are now sold-out but fans can catch all the action live on HBO Boxing After Dark beginning at 9:45 p.m. ET/PT.

Below is what the fighters, promoters and trainers had to say today at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, NY.

 
RUSLAN PROVODNIKOV, Former WBO Super Lightweight World Champion:
“I want thank everyone for being here and supporting this event, and I want to thank all who made this fight happen, Golden Boy Promotions, Banner Promotions and HBO.
“I am glad Lucas and team are so sure of themselves because I am positive that once I am in the ring my actions will speak for themselves. I am here to win and I will do everything to win this fight.
“I am positive that once I am in the ring, I am only there to win.
“I know I am only there to win the fight.  I will win the fight at any cost.

“No one can stop my will, my will, will not be broken.

“I fight for an idea, for myself, for the people and to make history. I am fighting one of the best fighters, and I feel like this will make history. I don’t do it for the fame or the money.

“I met Bernard a long time ago and he told me: ‘make your own history,’ and I feel like I have been doing that.

“This is going to make a great fight, the fans have waited long for, and let the best man win.”

LUCAS MATTHYSSE, Former Interim WBC Super Lightweight World Champion:

“I want to thank Oscar and Mario for making this fight happen. I want to thank Ruslan for accepting the fight. I am very happy.

“We did a great job in training camp, and I am prepared and ready for Ruslan. I am going to give a great performance on Saturday.”

ARTIE PELULO, President of Banner Promotions:

“This is going to be the best fight of the year.
“I have had the good fortune to co-promote Corrales-Castillo I and this could be that.
“It is great that two fighters in the prime of their career to be in the ring.

“I have to thank my partners at Golden Boy Promotions, Oscar De La Hoya and Eric Gomez. It’s very rare and great that two fighters in their prime have decided to face each other in the ring.

“I want to thank Turning Stone Resort Casino, they are a first class operation.
“Both these fighters have gotten here fighting tough, top fighters. They want to fight the best just like Oscar and Bernard who are here today. Ruslan and Lucas believe that they are the best, they are fighting each other in their prime, something that is very rare in the sport.”
“Both of these men have gotten here by fighting very good guys.
OSCAR DE LA HOYA, President and Founder of Golden Boy Promotions:
“It’s a pleasure to be working side by side with Banner Promotions and HBO, making this great fight, the fight that the fans want to watch.

“When I was here at Turning Stone Resort Casino last year for the International Boxing Hall of Fame induction, I stood up and preached on how we should put aside our egos to make fights for the fans. This is the perfect example of what boxing can be when you have two great fighters face each other in the ring. Putting on the great fight is what Banner Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions is all about.

“HBO is one of the best partners in the business, they are committed to putting on the best fights on television. When you watch HBO, you know it’s the best.

“Mario is the top promoter in Argentina, a partner who understands our philosophy, and he trusts us.  They have been instrumental to put on the best boxing in the last 10 years.  We have to thank partners like him for our success.

“Lucas is one of the best fighters to come out of Argentina. He has a great fighting spirit. He has the best combination of being a brawler and can also box and move when he wants to. This great combination makes him a boxer-puncher, which makes him fun to watch.

“Lucas’ record speaks for himself, with one of the best percentages of knockouts in the sport.”

VADIM KORNILOV, Manager for Ruslan Provodnilkov:

“I want to thank the whole team for making this fight happen.

“Ruslan is ready for this fight, this is something he has been waiting for to show that be is the best in his weight class.
” Oscar De La Hoya for saying that the winner of Matthysse – Provodnikov should fight the winner of Mayweather -Pacaquio, Oscar that fighter will be Ruslan.”
ANDREI NAPOLSKIKH, Co-manager for Ruslan Provodnikov:

“This is one of the fights Ruslan has been waiting for,.  That has caused a lot of motivation on our side and we are looking forward to a good fight on Saturday, April 18.”
BERNARD HOPKINS, Future Hall of Famer and Golden Boy Promotions Partner:
“We are here to make the best fights. The kinds of fights the fans want to see.

“I want to address the media: you all get a chance to write about good fights, you follow them and you know who the fighters need to fight to be on the highest level.  To be able to continue to put on the best fights, we need you to put pressure on us to continue to do strive to put on the fights the fans want to see.

“Here, you have two great warriors in Lucas and Ruslan. The fight was talked about and then it was done, and that is what boxing is all about. We want to start a good vibe in the boxing world.

“Write something good about us.”

MARIO ARANO, Manager to Lucas Matthysse:

“We are very happy and thankful to be here. I want to thank HBO, Golden Boy Promotions and Banner Promotions for making this fight happen.  I want to personally thank Artie Pelullo and Ruslan for accepting the fight.

“Team Matthysse has done a great job in getting Lucas in the best shape for this fight.  Lucas has worked really hard and is prepared to bring the best possible fight against Ruslan on Saturday.

“Lucas belongs in the major leagues, and on Saturday he will show the world why.”

MARVIN SOMODIO, Trainer of Ruslan Provodnikov:
“I would like to thank Oscar, Golden Boy Promotions and Banner Promotions for the opportunity.  For me it is an honor to be part of this.I also want to thank Freddie Roach for having us be part of his team.  This is a big responsibility.

“This is my third time at Turning Stone Resort Casino. The first two times we were 1st round knockouts and Saturday night, I am looking for out 3rd first-round knockout.
LUIS “CUTY” BARRERA, Trainer to Lucas Matthysse:

“On Saturday, Lucas will prove he belongs with all the greats in the sport.”

RAY HALBRITTER, Oneida Nation Representative and Nation Enterprises CEO:

“We are honored to be hosting these two great fighters, and we are happy they chose Turning Stone Resort Casino.

“This is Turning Stone’s 50th nationally broadcasted fight in two years.

“The build up for this fight is warranted, and we look forward to an exciting night on Saturday, April 18.”

Photos by Banner Promotions
Due to the unprecedented demand to see this surefire “Fight of the Year,” tickets are completely sold out.

Doors on Saturday, April 18 open at 7:00 p.m. with the first bout scheduled for 8:00 p.m. and the HBO Boxing After Dark telecast at 9:45 p.m. ET/PT.
Matthysse vs. Provodnikov is a 12-round junior welterweight bout presented by Banner Promotions, Golden Boy Promotions in association with Arano Box Promotions and is sponsored by Corona Extra, Mexico, Live it To Believe It! and Khortytsa Vodka. Doors are currently scheduled to open at 6:00 p.m. ET with the first bout scheduled for 6:50 p.m. ET and the HBO Boxing After Dark telecast will being at9:45 p.m. ET/PT.
boxing, CBS Boxing

Weights from Grand Casino Hinckley in Hinckley, Minnesota

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Dennis Hogan 153.5 vs. Tyrone Brunson 153

Ismael Barroso 135 vs. Ira Terry 130.5

Rob Brant 161.5 vs. Dionisio Miranda 165

Jarrell Miller 283.5 vs. Raymond Ochieng 244

Adam Lopez 124 vs. Philip Adyaka 119.5

Joey Abell 239.5 vs. Travis Fulton NA

Van Goodman 299.5 vs. Brett Murphy 316.5

 

Promoters: Greg Cohen Promotions in association with Adam Wilcock’s Fight Card Promotions and produced by David Schuster’s Winner Take All Productions

 

Venue: Grand Casino Hinckley in Hinckley, Minnesota

 

TV: CBS Sports Network (10 pm EST) 

Tickets for “Championship Boxing on CBS Sports Network” start at $35 and can be purchased at the Grand Casino Hinckley Box Office from 8 am to 10 pm (1-800-GRAND21) or at all Ticketmaster outlets, or online atwww.ticketmaster.com.




 

###

 

About Greg Cohen Promotions

 

One of boxing’s premier promotional outfits, Greg Cohen Promotions (GCP) is a well-respected name for staging world-class professional boxing events and promoting elite professional fighters throughout the world.

 

Founder and CEO Greg Cohen has been involved with professional boxing in various capacities since the late 1980s, honing his craft and establishing himself as a shrewd international boxing businessman.

 

Distinguished by his ability to spot and develop raw talent, Cohen made headlines for his expert guidance of, among many others, former WBA Junior Middleweight Champion Austin “No Doubt” Trout, who Cohen helped guide from unknown New Mexico prospect to elite pay-per-view level superstar.

 

In addition to Trout, Greg Cohen Promotions has worked with established names such as former unified and two-time heavyweight champion Hasim “The Rock” Rahman (50-8-2, 41 KOs); and all-time-great multiple-weight class world champion James “Lights Out” Toney (74-7-3, 45 KOs).

 

Current world-rated contenders in the GCP roster include Arash Usmanee, universally recognized as a top-10 super featherweight; former WBA International Middleweight Champion and world-rated middleweight contender Jarrod Fletcher; top-rated featherweight Joel Brunker; cruiserweight Lateef Kayode; Canadian lightweight and TV action hero Tony Luis, and WBA and five-time Irish National Amateur Champion, Dennis Hogan; and Rising Welterweight sensation Cecil McCalla.

 

Greg Cohen Promotions has hosted world-class boxing events in the finest venues throughout the United States and the world and has also proudly provided talent and/or content for several television networks including HBO, Showtime, ESPN, NBC Sports Network, MSG and FOX Sports Net.
boxing, Showtime Boxing

JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ JR. VS. ANDRZEJ FONFARA, AMIR IMAM VS. WALTER CASTILLO FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES & PHOTOS

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“I know that this is a new weight class for me. I realize that Fonfara is very tough and bigger than me, but I am up for the challenge.”

– Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.

 

“I want to show the whole world how good I am when I win this fight on Saturday.” — Andrzej Fonfara

 

Click HERE For Photos From Esther Lin/SHOWTIME

 

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® This Saturday, April 18,

Live On SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT)

From StubHub Center in Carson, Calif.

 

SHOWTIME BOXING ON SHO EXTREME Airs Live at 8 p.m. ET/PT

 

INSIDE MAYWEATHER vs. PACQUIAO Premieres Immediately
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LOS ANGELES (April 16, 2015) – Popular Mexican superstar and former middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and dangerous brawler Andrzej Fonfara participated in the final the final press conference Thursday at Crowne Plaza Hotel LAX, just two days before Saturday’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING doubleheader.

 

Chavez (48-1-1, 32 KOs) of Culiacan, Mexico, and Fonfara (26-3, 15 KOs) of Chicago by way of Radon, Poland, will meet in the 12-round light heavyweight main event live on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING (10 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. PT) from StubHub Center in Carson, Calif.  Chavez will make his eagerly awaited return to the ring and first start for new trainer Joe Goossen.

 

Also participating in today’s press conference was undefeated top 10-ranked super lightweight Amir Imam (16-0, 14 KOs), of Davie, Fla., by way of Albany, N.Y. who will put his unblemished record on the line against fellow power-puncher Walter Castillo (25-2, 18 KOs) (25-2, 18 KOs), of Managua, Nicaragua, in the 10-round co-feature on SHOWTIME.

On SHOWTIME EXTREME® (8 p.m. ET/PT) this Saturday, WBA Interim Super Bantamweight World Champion Oscar Escandon (24-1, 16 KOs), of Tolima, Colombia, will make the first defense of his 122-pound title when he faces undefeated Moises “El Chucky” Flores (22-0, 1 NC, 16 KOs), of Guadalajara, Mexico.

 

In the SHOWTIME EXTREME co-feature, Omar “El Businessman” Chavez (32-3-1, 22 KOs), of Culiacan, the younger brother of Chavez, Jr. and son of legendary Julio Cesar Sr., will face Richard Gutierrez (28-15-1, 17 KOs), of Arjona, Colombia, in an eight-round middleweight fight. Also featured on the telecast, time permitting, will be a six-round match between unbeaten Argentine welterweight Fabian “TNT” Maidana, of Santa Fe, Argentina, the brother of former world champion Marcos Maidana, who’ll be opposed by Cory Vom Baur (2-2, 0 KOs), of Vancouver, Wash.

 

Tickets for the event co-promoted by Goossen Promotions and Chavez Promotions are priced at $200, $150, $100, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes, fees and service charges, and are on sale online at AXS.com.

What the fighters, trainers and executives said Thursday:

 

JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ JR., Former World Champion

“I had a great training camp. I feel better than ever. I am ready for the fight.

 

“I know that this is a new weight class for me. I realize that Fonfara is very tough and bigger than me, but I am up for the challenge.

 

“I have worked on my boxing during my one year off, and I am very excited and motivated to get back in the ring.

 

“I have worked so hard for this fight because I am fighting in a new weight class. I must punch harder, so I have focused on getting stronger during this training camp.

 

“I have a great chin, I know how to take punches and my conditioning is great. A lot of fighters can take a punch, but I can take multiple punches and not be hurt.

 

“I think that Andrzej Fonfara is one of the best fighters in the light heavyweight division. Inside of boxing, everyone knows who Fonfara is. He knocked down one of the best boxers in the world in Adonis Stevenson.

 

“Fonfara is disciplined in the ring, but he doesn’t vary his punches.

 

“I understand that my dad didn’t want me to take this fight. I had bigger names I could’ve fought, but I think that Fonfara is a great challenge for me and I like the challenge.

 

“I would like to thank SHOWTIME for making this fight happen.”

 

 

ANDRZEJ FONFARA, World Title Challenger

“I’m prepared very well and I’m ready for this fight. It’s been a great camp like always. I train hard for each fight.  I’m a tough boxer who is feeling great. The weight is good and everything is perfect.

 

“I must put everything into Saturday night and I will win the fight.

 

“I must look even better than I did against Stevenson. Everyone said I looked good, but I lost the fight. I didn’t want congratulations because I did not win the fight. But this time I will win the fight.  I’m ready for a decision or for a knockout.

 

“I’m ready with a couple of plans. I don’t want to run around the ring, I want to fight tough. I’m going to use my jab and my right hand, which is my best punch.

 

“I’m not worried about what his father said about not fighting me. Chavez Jr. wants to fight and I will show him that his father was right.

 

“It doesn’t matter how I win, I want to win this fight and get my rematch with Adonis Stevenson.

 

“Chavez Jr. is a great fighter. He uses a lot of combinations and has a powerful punch that I must be ready for. I want to show the whole world how good I am when I win this fight on Saturday.

 

“If I get the chance, I’m going to knock him out. It’s boxing so you never know what will happen. I want to box round-by-round and win this fight.

 

“I lost the fight with Stevenson but I showed that I was a good boxer. I’m a much smarter fighter now because of that experience. That was a fight at the top championship level.

 

“It doesn’t matter what Chavez Jr. says at a press conference, we’ll be in the ring Saturdayand everything will happen there.

 

“Fan’s can expect heavy punches, knockdowns and a great fight.”

 

AMIR IMAM, Undefeated Super Lightweight Contender

“I’m confident going into this fight because of how I train. I have put my heart and soul into this sport since I moved to Florida three years ago. I left everything behind to better myself.

 

“I’m going to stay smart and composed in there and do everything I can to get the win.

 

“I don’t feel like I need the knockout to come away with a successful fight. But, you better believe that if there is an opportunity to knock him out, then I will take advantage of it.

 

“In 2015, I want to become a world champion. This is my breakout year. A lot of people have been buzzing about me. I want to become the WBC world champion, that’s what I’m heading for.

 

“I know he’s [Castillo] a good opponent, he’s got a great resume, and he’s coming to fight. He has a great record, so that alone shows what he’s capable of. Come Saturday night may the better man win.

 

“I’ve boxed styles like [his] plenty of times, but you never know, he could come out different Saturdaynight.

 

“I’m ready to put on a great show for the SHOWTIME audience.”

 

WALTER CASTILLO, Super Lightweight Contender

“I’m coming here to fight. I can tell you one thing, Amir Imam made a big mistake by taking this fight.

 

“I’ve fought a lot of tough fighters; my two losses were by decisions where I feel I was robbed. I’ve fought better fighters than Amir has.

 

“Come Saturday, I’m going to announce to the whole world that Walter Castillo is here to stay and he’s going to be a world champion.”

 

JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ SR.

“Being in Los Angeles is like being in Mexico for me; I have had many great memories. I became the world champion for this first time here and my son also became the world champion for the first time here, too.

 

“Julio definitely has a very difficult fight ahead of him.

 

“If I was Julio’s manager, I wouldn’t have taken this fight. Fonfara is a difficult and tough fighter.

 

“My son wants to fight fighters of quality and wants credibility in boxing.

 

“Julio has worked and trained very hard for this fight .He has the capability to win and we expect that it will go very well.”

 

JOE GOOSSEN, Chavez’ Trainer

“Julio has a window here the next five, six, seven years that he can capitalize on.

 

“I think he’s left the childish stuff behind, and we’re all guilty of being childish.

 

“I think that Julio has surprised his father with his determination heading into this fight.

He’s got a left hook to the liver that just sends a shock through your body.

 

“He’s not soft. He’s a real fighter. I have been around enough fighters to know that he’s a real fighter.  Number one, he has the never-say- die attitude in there.

 

“We’re up against a very well-schooled, blue collar, workmanlike  fighter in Fonfara.

 

“He is an athletic, improvisational fighter, in that you don’t know where everything’s coming from.

 

“I’ve watched a lot of Fonfara tape, and he pretty much repeats what he does, but he repeats it well.

 

“This is going to be a battle. You’ve got two contrasting styles and personalities.

 

“Julio has 51 fights under his belt. He’s no rookie and he comes from a great bloodline.  (In the short time I’ve been with him, it has been) more of an association than a dictatorial effort between the two of us.

 

“Based on former camps, he’s never really extracted himself from comfortable surroundings and put himself in a position where he is completely isolated like he was in Lake Tahoe.”

 

SAM COLONNA, Fonfara’s Trainer

“Fonfara could turn it up whenever. He could be down on the scorecards and one punch he throws could change someone’s world. He’s proven in the past that he has power in both hands.

 

“The styles in this fight are perfect for each other. When people ask about the fight I say it could go either way, it depends on who catches the other first.

 

“I’m looking for Fonfara to dominate, but Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. is a warrior, he comes to fight, he knows how to go to the body like his father used to, so we’ve been working on all of these strategies.

 

“A knockout win would be a dream come true to me. That’s what I’ve been looking for all these years. Winning this huge fight would change everything for Fonfara and myself.

 

“This camp that Andrzej had was the best we’ve ever had. He worked hard, he had time to train and there’s no excuses.

 

“We’re coming to fight a war. Don’t forget that wars are won by strategy.

 

“People say to listen to your father. His father told him not to take this fight, but he took it anyway and that was a mistake.

 

“I see this fight not going past 10 rounds,  with us getting the knockout.”

 

 

STACY  MCKINLEY, Imam’s Trainer

“Amir has always trained very hard, but I did see a change in him in this training camp after the last fight. He has stepped up his training by two levels.

 

“He learned a lot about his fight against [Fidel Maldonado] under the bright SHOWTIME lights at the MGM Grand.

 

“Amir is always confident going into each fight, but he made a mistake in the Maldonado fight. He rolled his right hand and forgot about  the left hand and was knocked down. He had to pay for his mistakes but it’s all a learning experience, he still has only 16 professional fights under his belt.

 

“Castillo has a great jab and good combinations. A guy like that throws a lot of punches, but there is a technique to breaking down a fighter like that.

 

“We can’t spend a lot of time on the ropes, and we must go after his body because his body is weak. Castillo is going to get knocked out on Saturday.

 

“I think that Amir is going to open up a lot of eyes on Saturday.”

 

# # #

 

“Chavez Jr. vs. Fonfara” is a 12-round bout that takes place at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. and will air on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT). The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast will also be available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP).

 

For more information visit www.sports.sho.com, follow on Twitter at @SHOSports, @jcchavezjr1, @andrzej_fonfara, @StubHubCenter and @Swanson_Comm, follow the conversation using #ChavezFonfara, become a fan on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/SHOBoxing or visit the SHOWTIME Boxing Blog athttp://theboxingblog.sho.com.