Category Archives: boxing

ROMAN MARTINEZ vs. ORLANDO SALIDO I “THE WAR” FULL FIGHT AVAILABLE ONLINE IN ADVANCE OF “HIGH STAKES” REMATCH ON SATURDAY, SEPT. 12 ON SHOWTIME PPV®

 
Click HERE To Watch Martinez-Salido I On The SHOWTIME Sports® YouTube Page:http://s.sho.com/1K5XnVv
 
 
“THE WAR” – Roman Martinez vs. Orlando Salido I – is available via SHOWTIME Sports YouTube page in advance of their upcoming rematch on the undercard of the Floyd Mayweather vs. Andre Berto Welterweight World Championship taking place Saturday, Sept. 12, live on SHOWTIME PPV (8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT) from MGM Grand in Las Vegas.  A leading candidate for the 2015 Fight of the Year, Martinez and Salido brawled over 12 action-packed rounds on April 11 in Puerto Rico, with hometown favorite Martinez dethroning Mexican champion Salido of his WBO Junior Lightweight crown.  Martinez knocked Salido down multiple times to begin his third reign as 130-pound champion.
“HIGH STAKES: Mayweather vs. Berto,” a 12-round welterweight world championship bout for Mayweather’s WBC and WBA 147-pound titles, is promoted by Mayweather Promotions LLC.  The event will take place Saturday, September 12 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas and will be televised by SHOWTIME PPV.  The undercard features a WBO Junior Lightweight World Championship fight, which is a rematch between Roman Martinez and Orlando Salido.  Also featured on the pay-per-view telecast will be a WBC Super Middleweight title bout between Badou Jack and George Groves, which is promoted in association with Team Sauerland. The opening PPV bout pits former world champion Jhonny Gonzalez against Puerto Rico’s Jonathan Oquendo in a 10-round junior lightweight bout.

MEXICAN POWER-PUNCHER & FORMER THREE-TIME WORLD CHAMPION JHONNY GONZALEZ TAKES ON PUERTO RICO’S JONATHAN OQUENDO TO ROUND OUT MAYWEATHER VS. BERTO STACKED FOUR-FIGHT SHOWTIME PPV® TELECAST LIVE FROM THE MGM GRAND GARDEN ARENA IN LAS VEGAS 8 P.M. ET/5 P.M. PT

 
Tickets Are On Sale Now!
 
LAS VEGAS (August 20, 2015) – Former three-time world champion and Mexican power-puncher Jhonny Gonzalez (58-9, 49 KOs) will take on Puerto Rico’s Jonathan “Polvo” Oquendo (25-4, 16 KOs) in a 10-round junior lightweight showdown that will open up HIGH STAKES: Floyd Mayweather vs. Andre Berto, the live, four-fight, SHOWTIME PPV® event on Saturday, September 12 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas beginning at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Mayweather Promotions LLC., are priced at $1,500, $1,000, $750, $500, $300 and $150 and are on sale now. Tickets are limited to eight (8) per household for all ticket prices except the $150 ticket category, which is limited to four (4) per household. To charge by phone or with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also are available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.
“This will be an attractive fight for the fans as we all know that the sporting rivalry between Mexico and Puerto Rico always generates great battles,” said Gonzalez. “Oquendo is a fighter who always goes forward and who likes to exchange blows.  I will demonstrate that I have the desire to return to the top and fight for a world championship. Participating on a Floyd Mayweather event is a great opportunity for me and I will make the most of it.”
“This opportunity against Jhonny Gonzalez is very important because I will face a former world champion and will be part of a great show headlined by Floyd Mayweather,” said Oquendo. “It’s an honor for me to be part of the undercard of this event. I’m excited to share the stage with my countryman Rocky Martinez, who also has a big fight against Orlando Salido, so there are two wars between Puerto Rico and Mexico. We are training hard to get in top condition for this fight.”
“Boxing fans are in for a great night of action from start to finish with the addition of the Jhonny Gonzalez vs. Jonathan Oquendo matchup,” said Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions. “This will be another chapter in the Mexico vs. Puerto Rico boxing rivalry. I have no doubt that both men will leave it all in the ring on September 12 and live up to the historic event.”
The main event features the final fight in the extraordinary career of boxing’s pound-for-pound king Floyd “Money” Mayweather (48-0, 26 KOs) as he takes on former two-time welterweight champion Andre Berto (30-3, 23 KOs) in a 12-round battle for Mayweather’s WBC and WBA 147-pound titles. Mayweather will look to match the 49-0 mark of late heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano and reaffirm his claim as “The Best Ever.”
Two stellar world championship fights will also be included on the pay-per-view telecast.
Roman “Rocky” Martinez (29-2-2, 17 KOs) will risk his WBO Junior Lightweight title in a rematch against the boxer he dethroned, four-time world champion Orlando “Siri” Salido (42-13-2, 29 KOs). Their first fight in April of this year is considered by many to be a leading candidate for Fight of the Year. In addition, Badou Jack “The Ripper” (19-1-1, 12 KOs) will make the first defense of his WBC Super Middleweight World title against mandatory challenger “Saint” George Groves (21-2, 16 KOs).
With the Gonzalez vs. Oquendo fight added to the jam-packed SHOWTIME PPV telecast, boxing fans are in for a night of action from top to bottom that features two more additions to the Mexico vs. Puerto Rico boxing rivalry, three world championship fights and the final bout of the greatest fighter of this generation.
One of the best Mexican fighters of this era, Mexico City’s Gonzalezhas held world championships at 118 and 126 pounds, defeating the likes of Hall-of-Famer Mark “Too Sharp” Johnson and former world champions Fernando Montiel, Irene Pacheco, and Hozumi Hasegawa along the way. His most recent championship winning performance came via a stunning first round knockout of three-division champion Abner Mares which earned him the WBC Featherweight World Title. He would defend the title twice before losing to Gary Russell Jr. but the 33-year-old bounced back earlier this month by knocking out Kazuki Hashimoto.
A top contender from Bayamon, Puerto Rico Oquendo has won 11 of his last 13 fights, including his most recent victory over Gabino Cota in March. The 32-year-old owns victories over Joe Luis Araiza, Eden Sonsona, Alejandro Montiel and top prospect Guillermo Avila. He will fight for the sixth time in his career at MGM Grand when he enters the ring on September 12.
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“HIGH STAKES: Mayweather vs. Berto,”a 12-round welterweight world championship bout for Mayweather’s WBC and WBA 147-pound titles, is promoted by Mayweather Promotions LLC.  The event will take place Saturday, September 12 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas and will be televised by SHOWTIME PPV.  The undercard features a WBO Junior Lightweight World Championship fight, which is a rematch between Roman Martinez and Orlando Salido.  Also featured on the pay-per-view  telecast will be a WBC Super Middleweight title bout between Badou Jack and George Groves, which is promoted in association with Team Sauerland. The opening PPV bout pits former world champion Jhonny Gonzalez against Puerto Rico’s Jonathan Oquendo in a 10-round junior lightweight bout.
For more information visit www.mayweatherpromotions.comwww.SHO.com/Sports andwww.mgmgrand.com and follow on Twitter at @floydmayweather, @AndreBerto, @BadouJack, @StGeorgeGroves, @Romancito77, @sirisalido, @jhonnygbox, @JonathanOquen @mayweatherpromo, @SHOSports and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FloydMayweather,www.Facebook.com/TheRealAndreBerto,www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions and www.facebook.com/SHOsports

HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION DEONTAY WILDER COMES TO PRIMETIME NBC AS HE FACES FRENCHMAN JOHANN DUHAUPAS AS PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS COMES TO  LEGACY ARENA IN BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26TH LIVE AT 8:30 P.M. ET/5:30 P.M. PT

 
PLUS! UNDEFEATED STAR OMAR FIGUEROA TAKES ON FORMER WORLD CHAMPION ANTONIO DEMARCO IN SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT ACTION!
 
Tickets On Sale Now!
 
BIRMINGHAM, AL (August 20, 2015) – Heavyweight world champion Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder (34-0, 33 KOs) will make the second defense of his title when he faces France’s Johann “Reptile” Duhaupas (32-2, 20 KOs) in primetime on Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on NBC Saturday, September 26 from Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama.
Televised coverage begins at 8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT with exciting undefeated brawler Omar “Panterita” Figueroa (25-0-1, 18 KOs) returning to the ring to battle former world champion Antonio DeMarco (31-5-1, 23 KOs) in 12 rounds of super lightweight action.
This fight will signify the return of heavyweight world championship boxing in primetime on NBC. This is the first heavyweight title bout in primetime on NBC since May 20, 1985, when another undefeated American heavyweight world champion, Larry Holmes, defended his title against Carl Williams in Reno, Nevada with legendary broadcaster Marv Albert on the call, just as he will be on September 26. Now, Wilder looks to pick up where Holmes left off and deliver world-class heavyweight action right into sports fans’ living rooms.
Wilder returns to his home state to defend his title for the second time this year after knocking out Eric Molina in the ninth round of their June bout. Wilder won his world title with a dominating performance against former champion Bermane Stiverne in January and became the first undefeated American to win a heavyweight title since Michael Moorer in 1994 and the first U.S. born heavyweight champion since Shannon Briggs in 2006.
“Fighting at home last time exceeded my expectations and coming back again is a blessing upon my life,” said Wilder. “I’m looking forward to bringing more boxing to Alabama and introducing the entire state to this great sport.”
“I know my opponent has great size and that’s what we’re looking for in opponents. He has a great record and he’s never been knocked out…until he faces me,” added Wilder. I know Duhaupas is tough and he comes to fight and that’s exactly what we need.”
“I am very happy to be challenging Deontay Wilder for the heavyweight world title,” said Duhaupas. “This is a huge opportunity and I will make the most of it on September 26. Deontay is a good boxer, but I have the heart of a lion and the mental fortitude to handle anything in the ring.”
“Deontay Wilder is one of the brightest stars in boxing,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “September 26 will mark his third heavyweight championship fight of 2015 and the second defense of his title. It’s great for boxing to have an American heavyweight champion make a defense in his hometown, on free television, in primetime. In heavyweight years, Deontay is a young champion and it’s great to see him fighting so often and continuing to grow and improve as a champion.”
“The first heavyweight championship fight in Alabama this summer was a huge success and we expect nothing less this time around,” said Gene Hallman, president and CEO of Bruno Event Team. “When the heavyweight champ says he wants to fight in Birmingham, you make it happen. We are looking forward to another incredible display of support for Deontay by the people of Alabama.”
“From Holmes in ’85 to Wilder in ’15, NBC Sports continues its rich boxing heritage with a heavyweight championship fight in primetime,” said Jon Miller, President, Programming, NBC Sports and NBCSN. “This broadcast will introduce Deontay to a whole new group of sports fans, which is what we set out to do when we first partnered with PBC.”
Tickets for the event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Bruno Event Team, start at only $25 and are on sale now. For Tickets please visit www.alabamatitlefight.com.
Born and raised in Tuscaloosa, Wilder is the fighting pride of Alabama having fought four times in his hometown, once in Mobile and now twice in Birmingham. The 29-year-old began boxing at the age of 21 after his daughter Naieya was born with spina bifida. Despite the late start in this sport, Wilder would go on to represent the U.S. in the 2008 Olympic Games, where he won a bronze medal. He is the last American male boxer to medal in the Olympics.
Before winning his title via a 12-round decision, Wilder had not allowed an opponent to get past the fourth round in any of his pro fights. Over that time Wilder racked up victories over Audley Harrison, Siarhei Liakhovich, Jason Gavern and Malik Scott.
An experienced fighter standing 6’5″ with 20 knockouts to his name, Duhaupas makes his U.S. debut on September 26 looking to realize his heavyweight championship dreams. After turning pro in 2004, the 34-year-old won his first 17 professional fights and has picked up French, South American and the Mediterranean heavyweight titles over his 11-year career. Having fought in 10 different countries throughout his career, the fighter out of Abbeville, Somme, France has been in every kind of sporting environment and will not be phased by the bright lights of primetime when he enters the ring onSeptember 26.
Figueroa made his PBC and 140-pound debut on May 9 when he took down former world champion Ricky Burns in an exciting battle that featured great two-way action throughout. The 25-year-old won a 135-pound world title in 2013 when he outslugged Nihito Arakawa in a brutal “Fight of the Year” battle before defending his title against Jerry Belmontes and Daniel Estrada. Born in Weslaco, Texas, he is looking to be a dominant force in 140 lb. weight division.
A former world champion in the lightweight division, the 29-year-old DeMarcosteps back into the ring in Birmingham on September 26. Fighting out of Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico, he owns victories over John Molina Jr. and Jorge Linares. He looks for another shot at one of the best in the game as he takes on the undefeated Figueroa.
For more information, visit www.premierboxingchampions.comwww.nbcsports.com/boxing,www.alabamatitlefight.com and www.dbe1.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @LouDiBella, @BronzeBomber and @NBCSports and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/NBCSports and www.facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment.

Baltimore Boxing to host Olympic Qualifiers September 8-11!

Baltimore, MD (August 20, 2015) – Jake Smith’s Baltimore Boxing Promotions in association with USA Boxing and Under Armor will host the Eastern Regional Olympic Trials Women’s Qualifiers September 8-11 at the beautiful Baltimore Harbor Hotel in Baltimore, MD.
Dubbed as “Pathway to Glory”, the event will feature hundreds of women from various states vying to get one step closer to their dream of representing the United States during the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil. Local notables include Baltimore’s very own Franchon Crews and Red Lion PA’s Brittany Inkrote.
The opening rounds of “Pathway to Glory” take place on 8th and 9th, with the semi finals and finals slated for the Thursday the 10th and Friday the 11th respectively. Doors open at 6:30 and the first fight begins at 8:15 pm sharp all four days. Complementary tickets for the opening rounds are available on Baltimoreboxing.com. Individual tickets for the semi finals starting at $15 and finals from $25 can also be purchased at Baltimoreboxing.com or by calling 410-375-9175. VIP tables, including complementary hors dourves and the best seats in the house, are available for the finals from $350. The Baltimore Harbor Hotel is located at 101 W Fayette St.
As part of this special multi-day event, Baltimore Boxing is proudly teaming up to help multiple organizations raise funds and awareness for their cause.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, The House of Ruth will be recognized by Baltimore Boxing in association with the Olympic Qualifiers. One of the nation’s leading intimate partner violence centers, The House of Ruth helps thousands of battered women and children find safety and security. Thursday’s organization of honor is the American Breast Cancer Foundation. Established in 1997, the American Breast Cancer Foundation (ABCF) provides financial assistance for breast cancer screening and diagnostic tests for uninsured or underprivileged individuals. In October 2011, Baltimore Boxing donated a percentage of their proceeds from a fight card to the ABCF. Friday evening’s group will be the South Atlantic Amateur Boxing Association, which oversees all amateur boxing in the state of Maryland.
This is the most excited I’ve ever been for a boxing event and I’ve been around the sport most of my life,” said Smith, a former prizefighter who has promoted hundreds of shows in addition to training boxers at the Baltimore Boxing Club. “These four days will be memorable for the State of Maryland and City of Baltimore. Fans will not only have the opportunity to see four straight days of action but they may very well be watching the next Olympic gold medalist. If you’re in or near Baltimore, make sure to come out and see history!”
For more information, go to Baltimoreboxing.com or USABoxing.com.

 

EXCITING WELTERWEIGHT CONTENDER SAMMY VASQUEZ RETURNS TO HIS HOMETOWN TO TAKE ON JOSE LOPEZ AS PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONSON FOX SPORTS 1 COMES TO THE CALIFORNIA UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA CONVOCATION CENTER IN CALIFORNIA, PA. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 AT 9 P.M. ET/6 P.M. PT

 
Plus Thomas Williams & Umberto Savigne Square-Off
In Light Heavyweight Rumble
 
Tickets Are On Sale Now!
 
PITTSBURGH, PA (August 19, 2015) – Undefeated hometown favorite Sergeant  Sammy “The Who Can Mexican” Vasquez (19-0, 13 KOs) will enter the ring in his own backyard as he battles it out with Jose “Piston” Lopez (25-3, 15 KOs) in a 10-round welterweight match-up on the September 15 edition of FS1’s TOE-TO-TOE TUESDAYS.
The event will air live from the California University of Pennsylvania Convocation Center in California, PA. with televised coverage beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.
This fight is the second installment of Premier Boxing Champions’ FOX Sports 1 series and is set to bring another exciting world-class fight to weekday television. The co-main event on September 15 will see a 10-round light heavyweight clash between Thomas Williams (18-1, 12 KOs) and Umberto Savigne (12-2, 9 KOs).
“The best feeling in boxing is fighting back in your hometown,” said Vasquez. “To be on FOX Sports 1 and to be headlining in my hometown, there isn’t anything better. I’m truly blessed to have this opportunity.”
“I’m very excited for this opportunity,” said Lopez. “I know I will be the underdog and the fans will start out rooting for Vasquez, but I will show them I have the heart of a champion. It will be a great fight for all the fans watching.”
Vasquez is coming off of a victory over Nigerian knockout artist Wale Omotoso in June in a bloody brawl that Vasquez won by unanimous decision. His toughest challenge to date, Vasquez showed that he has the skills to box on the outside and bang inside when necessary. With another victory over the tough “Piston”, he hopes to prove that he is ready for top welterweights such as Keith Thurman, Shawn Porter and Danny Garcia.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Team Vasquez Promotions, are priced at $200, $100, $60 and $30, not including applicable service charges and taxes and are on sale now. Tickets are available at www.eventbrite.com. To charge by phone call Team Vasquez at (724) 797-8694.
The 29-year-old Vasquez has fought professionally since 2012, after serving two tours of duty in Iraq as a member of the National Guard. He made it to the semifinals of the 2012 U.S. Olympic trials and won gold at the 2010 and 2011 Armed Forces Boxing Championships. The fighter out of Monessen, Penn., has not lost as a professional and looks to further improve his stock in the welterweight division.
A slugger who always competes in action-packed fights, Lopez will make his U.S. debut on September 15. Fighting out of Coahuila de Zaragoza, Mexico, the 24-year-old has racked up wins over Jorge Paez Jr., Jhonny Navarrete, Jose Emilio Perea and Mahonri Montes over his five-year career. He hopes to make a strong impression on American audiences when he tries to upset the hometown fighter Vasquez.
At 27-years-old, Williams is looking to take out another tough contender on his road to title contention. The Fort Washington, Maryland-born fighter owns victories over Enrique Ornela, Cornelius White and Yusaf Mack throughout his career. He most recently dominated Michael Gbenga on his way to earning a unanimous decision in December 2014.
Born in Cuba but fighting now out of Miami, Savigne won a gold medal at the 1999 Pan American Games and the 2000 Cuban National Championships. He has beaten Jeff Lacy, Maxell Taylor and previously unbeaten fighters Jackson Junior and Quinton Rankin since turning pro in 2009. The 36-year-old fights for the second time in Pittsburgh on September 15.
For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com andhttp://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage and www.TGBPromotions.com. Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @SammyV2112, @TopDoggJr, @FoxSports1, @TGBPromotions and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook atwww.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions.

Perennial gatekeeper Marcus Upshaw Opens gate to new chapter

MIAMI (August 19, 2015) – Perennial middleweight/super middleweight gatekeeper Marcus Upshaw finally opened the gate to the next chapter of his career last Saturday, knocking out previously undefeated Turkish prospect Bugra Oener at Wynwood Stadium in Miami, to capture the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) interim Mediterranean super middleweight title.
The 35-year-old Upshaw (18-4-4, 9 KOs) fought in his home state for the first time in 2 ½ years.  He was on a seek-and-destroy mission against reigning WBC Youth super middleweight champion Oener (9-1, 3 KOs).
Upshaw admitted considering retirement after his previous fight, in which he dropped Las Vegas hometown favorite Lanell Bellows (12-1-1) three times yet lost an eight-round decision.
“I’ve been the gatekeeper for so long but I finally opened the gate,” Upshaw said.  “This fight felt awesome, especially after my long, long journey.  I was stressed out after my last fight.  I beat myself up and felt there was no reason for me to continue my boxing career.  I felt used and was ready to quit, but I was convinced to give it one more shot. I was ready to put my life on the line, going for it and not worrying about getting hit or hurt.
“I knew that I had to finish this time.  My opponent was related to one of the promoters and, along with my history, I knew that I had to keep going to finish the job.  I knew I had to knock him out and I trained hard to do just that.  I’ve put the past behind me.  The problem was always me.  This fight was fun.  I stepped into the devil’s playground and that brought out the ugly in me to get the job done.”
It may seem strange that a life-long Floridian like Upshaw is the interim WBC Mediterranean super middleweight champion, but he proudly displays his second title belt (see accompanying picture with Upshaw and manager Si Stern), to go along with the Florida State middleweight strap he won in 2009, when he knocked out another unbeaten prospect at the time, Ahsandi Gibbs (10-0). Equally strange were the cheers he heard from the crowd that serenaded him with chants of “USA, USA” as he entered the ring with Florida promoter Dave Johnson waving an American flag as he led the team walk to Upshaw’s corner.
“For a change I was fighting in my backyard and hearing fans shout, ‘USA, USA’ motivated me a lot,” Upshaw noted.  “They had my back.  I was honored and it got me extra psyched for the fight.  I knew had to prove myself.  I’m really a middleweight but I took this fight at super middleweight because it was a good opportunity for me.”
Upshaw has always been known for his toughness, going the distance, albeit in losses, with champions, contenders and prospects such as Mario Antonio Rubio,David Lemieux, Gilberto Ramirez Sanchez, Edwin Rodriguez, Patrick Majewski and Tarvis Simms.
“I’m very happy for Marcus after all he’s been through,” Upshaw’s longtime managerSi Stern (SHS Boxing Management) added.  “Marcus was a different fighter in the ring this time….like he was a completely different guy,”  “Marcus had been mistreated by people in the early part of his career who threw him in against guys weighing up to 175 pounds, fighting them on late notice in their backyards, and a lot of his losses were to world champions.
“Marcus has always had the power he showed against Oner, but he wasn’t taught how to properly use his power until he started working with (head trainer) Orlando(Cuellar).  Marcus is very, very strong and he’s never been in a bad fight. He’s lost some fights he should have won, but that’s all behind him now.  Coming off this fight, I believe we can get him to fight for a regional title, and then we’ll go from there”
INFORMATION:
Twitter @MarcusUpshaw or @MarcusArilliusUpshaw

Let’s Hear It From The Girls – Marston, Smith & Brown Presser Quotes

There was more than a hint of glamour in attendance at the recent press conference, for the upcoming Mark Lyons and Billy James-Elliott promoted LORDS OF THE RING II event, which took place at The Square Pie in Spitalfields Market, as all three female boxers that will be taking part were in attendance, along with other boxers that will be competing at this historic event.

 

LORDS OF THE RING II is secured it’s place in the history books of the sport as this will be the first professional boxing event, in the UK, to feature three female combatants.

 

The first to speak was Team GB athlete Shaunagh Brown, from Peckham, London, a successful athlete in three disciplines, Shot Putt, Hammer Throw and Discus, who makes her professional debut on August 29th.

 

“I’m excited to be making my pro debut next week, I can’t wait.

 

I’ve always worked hard to prepare for a competition, but the work you have to do as a boxer is another level altogether.

 

My coach Mark (former Commonwealth Champion Mark Reefer) has been brilliant, I’ve learned so much from him, he really has made this move from athletics to boxing much easier than it should have been.

 

I’m just looking forward to getting in the ring now and do just what Mark has taught me to do”

 

Next to speak was Leeds, Yorkshire’s Sam Smith, who recently beat Zsofia Bedo to secure the International Masters International title, on just her third professional bout.

 

“It’s been a long journey to get here today but it’s been worth it, it’s been my dream to fight at York Hall one day and now I am.

 

This has all happened so fast, I fought on August 2nd and was going to take a week off from training, but when Lee (former Irish Champion Lee Murtagh) said he could get me on the show that went straight out the door, I had to take it, so just took a couple of days off and then straight back in the gym to get ready.

 

I’m ready and raring to go, can’t wait.”

 

Finally British #1 and reigning MBC International Champion, Woolwich, London’s Marianne Marston took to the mike.

 

“I would not only like to thank Mark and Billy (promoters Mark Lyons and Billy James-Elliott) for giving myself the opportunity to fight on their August 29th show, but also thank them for unwavering support of Women’s boxing.

 

It’s an honour to be involved in such an historic event, have to say though it’s been a rather long time coming.

 

Everyone expected that Women’s boxing would take off here, after the success of the sport at the London 2012 Olympics, but it’s only now that it is, although saying that I must stress that this is only possible because of the MBC (Malta Boxing Commission), as they are the only pro organization operating in the UK that actively encourage and support Women’s Professional Boxing.

 

Hopefully this is the start of big things for us, last year we had myself and Angel (McKenzie) fighting on the same show, now we have Sam, Shaunagh and myself all fighting on the same event, hopefully by this time next year we will create even more history with an all female event.

 

I can’t wait to get back in the ring, it’s been nearly ten months since I last fought, which is way too long.

 

I’m pleased to say that the injury that stopped me fighting earlier in the year is now healed, so I have been able to train fully for next Saturday’s fight.

 

We’re all hoping that there will be some good support from the fans, not only is it the new season opener and the first chance to catch some boxing action in the Capital after the summer break, but also it’s the first time ever that there are three Women’s boxing bouts on a pro show.

 

So get your tickets now, this is definitely a not to be missed show.”

 

The Mark Lyons and Billy James-Elliott Wise Guys promotions LORDS OF THE RING II event will take place at York Hall, Bethnal Green, London on Saturday 29th August 2015.

 

This event is sanctioned courtesy of the Malta Boxing Commission (MBC) www.maltaboxingcommission.com

 

Tickets, priced £35 (standard seated) and £65 (Ringside) are available from any of the boxers taking part, on-line atwww.tkoboxoffice.com and www.wiseguypromotions.com or call 07960 850645 or 07807 282559.

HUGO RUIZ BATTLES JULIO CESAR CEJA IN SUPER BANTAMWEIGHT WORLD TITLE FIGHT ON PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON ESPN SATURDAY, AUG. 29 FROM STAPLES CENTER IN LOS ANGELES 10 P.M. ET/7 P.M. PT

 
Full Night Of Undercard Action Features Mexican Star Alfredo Angulo & Local Favorites Alejandro Luna, Jessie Roman & Paul Mendez
 
LOS ANGELES (August 20, 2015) – Mexican power-punchers Hugo Ruiz (35-2, 30 KOs) and Julio Cesar Ceja (28-1, 26 KOs) square off in a super bantamweight world title match as the televised opener for Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on ESPN and ESPN Deportes on Saturday, August 29 from STAPLES Center in Los Angeles beginning at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.
The evening’s main event features the highly anticipated featherweight showdown between undefeated two-division world champion Leo “El Terremoto” Santa Cruz (30-0-1, 17 KOs) and former three-division world champion Abner Mares (29-1-1, 15 KOs).
Also featured as part of this great night of boxing will be popular Mexican star Alfredo “El Perro” Angulo (23-5, 19 KOs), who will compete in a middleweight bout against Hector Munoz (23-15-1, 14 KOs).
Additionally, a slew of top prospects will be featured including local favorites Alejandro Luna (18-0, 13 KOs) who battles Yakubu Amidu (19-7-2, 17 KOs) in a 10-round lightweight attraction, Jessie Roman (19-2, 9 KOs) who takes on Hector Serrano (17-4, 5 KOs) in an eight-round welterweight battle and Paul Mendez (19-2-2, 9 KOs) who squares off against Andrik Saralegui (19-2, 15 KOs) in 10-rounds of super middleweight action.
Further action will see 25-year-old Argentine Brian Castano (12-0, 9 KOs) in middleweight action against the Domincan Republic’s Jonathan Batista (14-6, 7 KOs), plus his brother, 22-year-old Alan Castano (8-0, 5 KOs) taking on 23-year-old Michigan native Thomas Howard (8-4, 4 KOs) in a six-round middleweight bout. Rounding out the action will be fights featuring 25-year-old Anthony Flores (8-0, 5 KOs) out of Los Angeles taking on 32-year-old New Yorker Curtis Morton (3-4-3) in a welterweight battle, and the pro debut of Leo Santa Cruz’s cousin Antonio Santa Cruz who takes on Isaiah Najera(0-1)in a four round bantamweight bout.
A 28-year-old fighting out of Sinaloa Mexico, Ruiz enters this fight on a four-fight win streak and as winner of 26 of his last 27 fights. He owns victories over the likes of Jean Sampson, Yonfrez Parejo and Francisco Arce throughout a pro career that began in 2006. He most recently knocked out Carlos Medellin in November 2014 and will be making his U.S. debut on August 29.
The 22-year-old Ceja has won five-fights in a row and is looking to make the most of this world title opportunity. The fighter out of Atizapan de Zaragoza, Mexico will make his U.S. debut August 29 and is coming off of a victory over Oscar Blanquet in March of this year. He has taken down Jesus Acosta, Juan Jose Montes and Henry Maldonado as a pro.
A hard fighting Mexican warrior born in Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico but fighting out of Coachella, Calif., Angulois looking for another big victory in front of his Southern Californian fans. Always ready to challenge the best in the sport, the 33-year-old has gone toe-to-toe with some of the best fighters in the world and holds knockout victories over Gabriel Rosado, Joachim Alcine and Joel Julio while most recently earning a knockout victory over Delray Raines in June. He takes on the brawler Munoz out of Albuquerque, New Mexico.
At just 23-years old, Lunahas already put together an impressive 18 professional wins since turning pro in 2010. Fighting out of Bellflower, California, he most recently defeated former world champion Cristobal Cruz over eight rounds in June. Before that he had put together victories over experienced fighters Daniel Attah and Sergio Rivera while knocking out six of his last nine opponents. He takes on the experienced 30-year-old Amidu who fights out of Los Angeles by way of his native Ghana.
A tall lightweight at 5″10″, the 24-year-old Roman looks for his third straight victory onAugust 29. Fighting out of nearby Santa Ana, California, Roman has already won twice in Southern California this year, earning a pair of eight-round decisions over Donald Ward and Evincii Dixon. He takes on the 30-year-old Serrano out of Huntingon Beach, California who enters this fight on a five-fight win streak.
Another local prospect, fighting out of Delano, California, the 26-year-old Mendez looks for his sixth straight victory when he gets in the ring on August 29. He comes into this fight off of victories over David Alonso Lopez, Santiago Perez, Raul Casarez and Ernesto Berrospe twice. He will take on Saralegui out of Los Mochis, Mexico.
For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, www.staplescenter.comand www.TGBPromotions.com. Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @LeoSantaCruz2 @AbnerMares, @ESPNBoxing, @STAPLESCenter, @TGBPromotions and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/STAPLESCenter andwww.facebook.com/ESPN. Follow the conversation using #PBConESPN.

GH3 Promotions Keenan Smith scores 2nd round stoppage over previously undefeated Lavelle Hadley in Atlantic City

Nutley, NJ (August 19, 2015) – This past Saturday night at the Playground in  Atlantic City, Welterweight Keenan Smith (8-0, 3 KO’s) remained perfect by scoring a 2nd round stoppage over previously undefeated Lavelle Hadley in a bout scheduled for six-rounds.

Smith landed a flurry of body and head punches that sent Hadley down to a knee for which he did not beat the referee’s count at 1:56 of round two.

“He was tall but he he didin’t have much for me.  It was an easy fight.  I used my jab and I saw he was open for the left hand. I applied the pressure and I saw that he could not fight on the inside,” said Smith.

With the win, fans all over the country can expect to see more of Smith as he is penciled in to fight on September 18 on CBS Sports Network and November 6 on ShoBox.

“I am excited.  I get to show the world my talent.  This is what I have been waiting for.  It is a blessing.  I want to thank GH3 Promotions for the opportunity to be on television.  I have a lot of tricks up my sleeve that I am ready to show everyone.  I also want to thank my managers D & D Management and  Hotty M & M Boxing Gym.”

Said GH3 Promotions Vito Mielnicki, “We are pleased with Keenan.  He is always ready to fight.  We are looking to move him at a nice pace and he is up for the two television fights that he will participate in the next three months.  He has the talent to do big things.”

GH3 Promotions features undefeated Middleweight Antoine Douglas, Super Middleweight’s Jerry Odom & Derrick Webster, undefeated Super Bantamweight Adam Lopez as well as Boxcino 2015 Jr. Middleweight Champion John Thompson, Jr., undefeated Welterweight Jerrell Harris,undefeated Super Bantamweight Qa’id Muhammad, lightweight Bienvenido Diaz, Heavyweight Natu Visinia, Light Heavyweight Lavarn Harvell, Jr. Lightweight O’Shanique Foster & Super Middleweight Andrew Hernandez to the GH3 Promotions stable.

ABNER MARES LOS ANGELES MEDIA DAY QUOTES & PHOTOS

Three Division World Champion Mares Takes On Undefeated Leo Santa Cruz In Battle For Los Angeles On Premier Boxing Champions On ESPN Saturday, August 29 Live From STAPLES Center In Los Angeles
10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT
 
Click HERE For Photos From Abel Madrid
 
LOS ANGELES (August 18, 2015) – Former three division world champion Abner Mares was joined by dozens of Los Angeles media members today during his open media workout at his Del Mares Gym. Mares is preparing for his Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on ESPN showdown with Leo “El Terremoto” Santa Cruz onSaturday, August 29 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles.
Mares went through a full training session as media members watched on and documented the event. In addition, the Mexican band Banda Culiacansito performed a private concert as he went through his workout.
Tickets for the event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, are priced at $25, $50, $75, $150 and $300, not including applicable fees and service charges, and are on sale at AXS.com or by phone at 888-929-7849 or at STAPLES Center.
Here is what Mares had to say Tuesday:
ABNER MARES
“All the work is done. I could go this whole week, not train and just recover because I’m that ready. I’ve done what I have to do.
“I feel really good. No injuries, no illness; I’m just really ready for August 29.
“I’m really excited. I know fans are excited but I’m also really excited to be fighting Leo Santa Cruz at STAPLES Center. I’m really looking forward to it.
“I cant think about the past because this fight is happening now. It’s finally here. Less than two weeks away.
“We’ll find out how our styles mesh on August 29. In my mind, I know I’m ready and I know his style. He is a high-volume puncher but we’ve prepared very well for that.
“It’s two well-prepared fighters in their prime. Expect fireworks. This is something fight fans have been asking for. I hope my fight can be considered one of the best once it’s done.
“It’s great to be here at my gym on my home turf. I started the hashtag #ThisIsMyTown because L.A. is my town. Leo can say whatever he wants but I’m at home and ready to put on a show.
“This is definitely the biggest fight of my career. I’m ready to fight anyone. I want Gary Russell Jr. and all the great fighters at this weight. It’s just a matter of taking care of business one by one.
“In my mind, after the loss, I left the top level of the game. I had to overcome some issues mentally, but now I’m back better than I ever have been. I’m going to go in there August 29ready to prove that. I’m going to make a statement that Abner Mares is back.”
For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, www.staplescenter.comand www.TGBPromotions.com. Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @LeoSantaCruz2 @AbnerMares, @ESPNBoxing, @STAPLESCenter, @TGBPromotions and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/STAPLESCenter andwww.facebook.com/ESPN. Follow the conversation using #PBConESPN.