Category Archives: boxing

LEO SANTA CRUZ MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES & PHOTOS

 
Santa Cruz Takes On Abner Mares In Battle Of Los Angeles’ Best On
Premier Boxing Champions on ESPN (10 P.M. ET/7 P.M. PT)
Saturday, Aug. 29 From STAPLES Center In Los Angeles
 
Click HERE For Photos From Suzanne Teresa/Premier Boxing Champions
 
LOS ANGELES (August 11, 2015) – Undefeated two-division world champion Leo “El Terremoto” Santa Cruz held a media workout Tuesday at the Who’s Next Boxing Academy in La Puente, Calif., before his showdown with Abner Mares on Premier Boxing Champions on ESPN on Saturday, August 29 airing live from STAPLES Center in Los Angeles.
Santa Cruz worked out for media, conducted interviews and was even presented with a birthday cake in celebration of his 27th birthday, which was Monday. The band Las Voces Del Rancho was on hand to sing him “Happy Birthday.”
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 Santa Cruz and his father had to say at the workout today:
LEO SANTA CRUZ
“We’re going to show everyone that we are on top when we’re in that ring. This has been a great promotion and we have hope that it’s going to be a big fight.
“I have been in other big fights and I’m doing everything to prepare for my audience and fans. They respect our team and they are the reason why we are doing this fight. I’m going to continue to fight for my fans and I’m going to do it until I’m the best in the sport.
“I’m 100 percent with my strength and conditioning. We’re ready to go 12 rounds if it takes that long.
“I’m very determined to win this fight. It’s the biggest fight of my career. I have a lot to lose I have a lot to prove. I want to prove to all of the fans that I deserve to be on this level. A win against Mares will put me on the level to get more big fights.
“I wanted this fight three years ago and they said I wasn’t on Mares’ level. I said I was going to work hard to get on that level so one day we can make it happen and here we are.
“This is the toughest fighter I’ve faced. A fight against him will be the biggest of my career. Even bigger than my first title. Mares has a bigger name, everything is bigger.
“With two Mexicans fighting, it’s always a war. There have been a lot of great battles like that in the past and I think this will be too. We could end up with a trilogy of fights.
“We both have our fan base in Los Angeles and this fight will determine who is the king and who gets all the fans.
“My dad has always been there since the beginning. I’ve always been comfortable with him. He’ll scream at me and tell it like it is.
“I think Abner moves more since his loss to Jhonny Gonzalez. He knows this fight is very important for him. There’s a lot to lose for him too. I think he’s going to bring everything this fight. That makes it an even better fight for the fans.”
JOSE SANTA CRUZ, Santa Cruz’s Father & Trainer
“Leo is ready in his diet and in the way he trains. He won’t play games. He listens to what I say because he is a good boxer and he will do whatever is needed because he knows Abner is strong.
“This is a huge party for Los Angeles. They are both from LA and everything about this fight is Los Angeles.
“He’s going to be on top of things the minute he needs to be. But he’s going to fight with intelligence. It’s a big fight, my son and Abner are very popular and I’m sure it’s going to be a great fight.”
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.

PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON SPIKE MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES & PHOTOS

 
Click HERE For Photos From Ed Diller/DiBella Entertainment
 
NORTH BERGEN, N.J. (August 11, 2015) – Fighters participating on Friday’s Premier Boxing Champions on Spike event held a media workout Tuesday at Global Gym in North Bergen, N.J. before their August 14 fights at Prudential Center in Newark.
Friday’s main event pits Antonio “Magic Man” Tarver (31-6, 22 KOs) against Steve “U.S.S.” Cunningham (28-7, 13 KOs) in a 12-round heavyweight bout with televised coverage beginning at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Also featured on Spike is cruiserweight world champion Marco “Captain” Huck (38-2-1, 26 KOs) defending his title against Polish contenderKrzyzstof Glowacki (24-0, 15 KOs) and Polish heavyweight Artur Szpilka (19-1, 14 KOs) taking on Cuba’s Yasmany Consuegra (17-1, 14 KOs).
Tickets for the event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Warriors Boxing and Huck Sports Promotion are priced at $150, $100, $70 and $45, not including applicable service charges and are on sale now viaTicketmaster.com, charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000 or any Ticketmaster outlet. Tickets may also be purchased at Prudential Center’s box office.
Here is what the participants had to say Tuesday, plus quotes from Tarver, who was unable to attend the workouts:
ANTONIO TARVER
“I’ve done enough talking.  Now, we are only three days from the fight.

“We both signed a contract to inflict bodily harm on each other for 12 or less rounds.  When the smoke clears, we’ll see who’s left standing.”

STEVE CUNNINGHAM
“I did the cruiserweight thing, I was the top of the food chain. I want to do it somewhere else. Heavyweight is the next challenge.
“This is a big challenge. Tarver has made history. That’s the kind of challenge I like. Heavyweight is a bigger challenge than cruiserweight. These guys are supposed to be bigger and stronger than me. I’m very competitive and that pushes me during training. The challenges keep me going.
“It’s great to be fighting again at Prudential Center. This is familiar territory for me. I’m trying to pick up another win. It’s right up the street from us and we’re looking to drive home happy Saturday.
“I fought in Europe so much, fighting this close to home is a little scary. There are a lot of eyes on you. But that’s what we do. We handle pressure and do what we do. If a fighter doesn’t have nerves they’re either lying or don’t have it in them.
“I just have to keep putting in work. I’ve had lot’s of close fights, everyone knows how it’s gone down and I’m good with it.
“I think I’m ready for a title right now, but it’s up to the media and fans. We’ll see how the performance goes. If you see a good performance and you demand it, I’m ready.”
MARCO HUCK
“I don’t really concern myself with my opponents. My only worry is if he is a southpaw or orthodox. A lot of people say they’re in they’re in the best shape of their lives, but they all come crashing down.
“The only thing I need to know is that I am going to beat him come Friday night. I want my opponents to adjust to me because I am the world champion.
“I take all of my opponents seriously. It is disrespectful not to and he’s very well-ranked.
“Training in Las Vegas was tough at first. Obviously coming over from Europe, we’re not used to the heat. I even doubted if this was the right decision but looking at it now it was the perfect decision. We’re in great shape and we adjusted well to the temperature.
“When I eventually go back up to heavyweight I want to fight the top guys right away. Maybe I’ll go fight Deontay Wilder, that is definitely an interesting option.
“All our focus is on Friday night and our victory.”
KRZYSZTOF GLOWACKI
“Huck is of course the favorite because he’s a world champion. After I beat him, I will be a favorite too.
“People are afraid of Huck’s power but I’m not.  What I want is a hard fought battle and winning by knockout in final round. This is my dream and I will make it happen.”
ARTUR SZPILKA
“My trainer Ronnie Shields is exactly right saying that I’m here to knock Consuegra out.  This is what I will do on Friday.
“I worked hard in Houston during training camp. I have the energy to fight 15 rounds if necessary. My speed and not wasting any of my punches will be the difference.”
KAMIL LASZCZYK
“It’s a big deal for me to fight in Prudential Center. I started my US career here in 2011 and now fighting in Newark means a lot to me.
“I would like to show everybody how good I am offensively. A little more time and I will be able to challenge for a world title.”
For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, www.dbe1.com, www.PruCenter.com andwww.spike.com/shows/premier-boxing-champions, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @AntonioTarver, @USSCunningham, @Szpilka_Artur, @LouDiBella, @PruCenter, @SpikeTV and @SpikeSports and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.Facebook.com/PruCenterandwww.Facebook.com/Spike.

SHOWTIME SPORTS® TO OFFER FANS A CHANCE TO RELIVE FLOYD MAYWEATHER’S BEST ALL ACCESS MOMENTS & WIN A VIP TRIP TO MAYWEATHER vs. BERTO IN LAS VEGAS

ALL ACCESS Mayweather Moments Sweepstakes To Let Fans Decide Their Favorite Moment From The Emmy Award-Winning Series

 

www.mayweathermoments.com

Photo Credit: Esther Lin/SHOWTIME

 

ALL ACCESS Mayweather Moments Sweepstakes will offer fans a chance to relive some unforgettable moments from the Emmy® Award-winning series ALL ACCESS and the opportunity to win a VIP trip to theSept. 12 showdown between Floyd Mayweather and Andre Berto at MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

 

The bracket sweepstakes from SHOWTIME Sports celebrates the sixth and final fight of a record-breaking deal between Mayweather and Showtime Networks Inc., as Mayweather takes on Berto in what is expected to be the last bout of his Hall of Fame career.

 

SHOWTIME Sports will support the historic Sept. 12 event with the latest installment of ALL ACCESS.  The first of multiple episodes ofALL ACCESS: MAYWEATHER vs. BERTO premieres on Friday, Aug. 28 at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT, immediately prior to the live presentation ofShoBox: The New Generation.

 

With ALL ACCESS Mayweather Moments Sweepstakes, fans can choose their favorite moments from the flashy and unpredictable pound-for-pound champ.  Highlights from the bracket challenge include Mayweather throwing verbal jabs at Canelo Alvarez before dismantling him in the ring in their 2013 showdown, Mayweather overlooking his adopted hometown of Las Vegas from a helicopter and “Money” practicing yoga as only he can – surrounded by $100 bills.

 

ALL ACCESS earned a Sports Emmy for the second consecutive year this May, taking home the honors for “Outstanding Sports Documentary Series” at the 36th Annual Sports Emmy Award ceremony in New York City.

 

The revealing documentary series, which chronicles the buildup and aftermath of boxing’s biggest prizefights, won its first Sports Emmy at the 2014 ceremony for Outstanding Edited Sports Event Coverage with“ALL ACCESS: Mayweather vs. Canelo Epilogue.”

 

Mayweather (48-0, 26 KOs) will put his undefeated record on the line against the all-action Berto (30-3, 23 KOs), a world-class welterweight and veteran of eight world title fights who has long been considered a potential opponent for Mayweather.  If triumphant, Mayweather would match the record of the late heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano, who retired in April 1956 with a record of 49-0.

 

For a full list of rules, restrictions and details, visithttps://mayweathermoments.com.

TOP POLISH FIGHTERS KRZYSZTOF GLOWACKI, ARTUR SZPILKA & KAMIL LASZCZYK  MEDIA LUNCHEON QUOTES 

 

(Left to Right: Laszczyk, Glowacki & Szpilka. Photo Credit: Przemek Garczarczyk)
 
Click HERE For Photos From Fan Meet & Greet
Photo Credit: Przemek Garczarczyk
 
Glowacki Takes on Cruiserweight World Champion Marco Huck
While Artur Szpilka Faces Cuban Heavyweight Yasmany Consuegra On Premier Boxing Champions on Spike
Friday, Aug. 14 From Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.
 
NEW YORK (August 11, 2015) – Top Polish fighters Krzysztof Glowacki (24-0, 15 KOs), Artur Szpilka (19-1, 14 KOs) and Kamil Laszczyk (20-0, 8 KOs) held a media luncheon in Manhattan Monday to discuss their respective Friday, August 14 bouts at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
Later in the day, the fighters hosted a fan meet and greet at the Amsterdam Alley Lounge in Linden, New Jersey where they signed autographs and chatted with fans before their upcoming Friday night bouts.
Glowacki will battle cruiserweight world champion Marco Huck (38-2-1, 26 KOs) in the Premier Boxing Champions onSpike co-featured event while Szpilka will take on Cuban heavyweight Yasmany Consuegra (17-1, 14 KOs) in the 10-round televised opener beginning at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Laszczyk takes on fellow unbeaten Oscauris Frias (16-0, 6 KOs) in an eight-round featherweight attraction. The main event of the night features a heavyweight showdown between Antonio “The Magic Man” Tarver (31-6, 22 KOs) and Steve “U.S.S.” Cunningham (28-7, 13 KOs).
Tickets for the event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Warriors Boxing and Huck Sports Promotion are priced at $150, $100, $70 and $45, not including applicable service charges and are on sale now viaTicketmaster.com, charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000 or any Ticketmaster outlet. Tickets may also be purchased at Prudential Center’s box office.
Here is what the participants had to say Monday:
KRZYSZTOF GLOWACKI
“I read that Marco Huck said he could bet all his money on defeating me, so I will say the same – I’m betting all my money that I will be a new world champion on August 14.
“This is how it looks in my head. Everything went perfectly. I came a here couple of weeks before the fight, no problems at all.
“I’m a very quiet man, but when I step into the ring, I’m a different man. I’m a beast with no fear at all.
“People are asking me if this fight will be between Huck’s raw power and my ring intelligence. I agree, but what else happens at Prudential Center, you will have to see for yourself.”
ARTUR SZPILKA
“I don’t pay attention to what Consuegra is saying about my skills. In the past, maybe I would explode with some expletives, but now I’m saving my energy for the ring for August 14.
“I know exactly what I will do to him. This is my coming out party for U.S. viewers and they will not be disappointed. I worked to hard in Houston to blow this opportunity.
“Don’t get me wrong – I appreciate Consuegra as a fighter, but I also know what I can do.”
KAMIL LASZCZYK
“I know that I’m fighting a tough fighter who has more knockouts than I have fights. I know that I’m ready to fight the best in the world.
“I will be doing my thing and I’m not going to get crazy in the ring and I will not give up my zero in the loss column. I had a great sparring sessions and great camp fighting with Olympians.
“After this fight, I plan to stay longer in the United States, maybe a year or two to get my experience for world championships fights.”
RONNIE SHIELDS, Szpilka’s Trainer
 “Szpilka is ready. He’s in great shape and camp was really good. The most important thing – he’s confident.
“Consuegra had a good amateur career. But this is not the amateurs anymore. You get paid, this is when it all counts. He’s going to be in the ring with the beast, Artur Szpilka, who is going to knock his head off.
“This is the fact; this is what will happen in Prudential Center.  Let’s see who will do the running when the fight starts. If he’s a man of his words, Consuegra will stand up and fight. It will be great for us and the fans.”
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For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, www.dbe1.com, www.PruCenter.com andwww.spike.com/shows/premier-boxing-champions, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @AntonioTarver, @USSCunningham, @Szpilka_Artur, @LouDiBella, @PruCenter, @SpikeTV and @SpikeSports and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxing, www.Facebook.com/PruCenterand www.Facebook.com/Spike.

EXPANDING SALITA PROMOTIONS BOOSTING PROFILE ON FIGHT NETWORK

WATCH “BROOKLYN BRAWL” RUMBLES ON AUGUST 29
For Immediate Release
Brooklyn, NY (August 11, 2015) –Dmitriy Salita has for the past few years been putting on action-packed fight cards, featuring evenly-matched bouts which showcase champions, contenders and prospects looking to claw their way up the fistic ladder of success.

Now, even more fight fans will get a chance to check out Salita’s “Brooklyn Brawl” fare; The promoter is proud and excited to announce that the latest Salita card, showing off talent like future heavyweight champion Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller, cruiserweight contender Steven Geffrard and middleweight up-and-comer Akil Auguste, will be televised on Fight Network.

Tussles from Brooklyn’s Paramount Theater will premiere on Fight Network on Aug. 29 at 10 p.m. ET and can also be seen on Aug. 30 at 2 p.m. ET.

“We are a growing organization with an expanding roster of talented boxers,” Salita said. “We’re excited to have our “Brooklyn Brawl” event televised on Fight Network, which continues to expand in the U.S. market with a longstanding presence in Canada and abroad. Fight fans will be pleased with the talent on display and they can expect much more of the same moving forward. And for people around the world able to see that historic scene at that fabled venue, I am beyond pleased!”

About Fight Network:
Fight Network (www.fightnetwork.com) is the world’s premier combat sports network dedicated to complete coverage of combat sports, including fights, fighters, fight news and fight lifestyle. The channel is available on Cablevision’s Optimum TV, Suddenlink Communications, Grande Communications and Armstrong Cable in the U.S., all major carriers in Canada, over 30 countries across Europe, Africa and the Middle East, a programming block on Pursuit Channel (www.pursuitchannel.com), on TSN Radio in Canada via its program “Live Audio Wrestling,” and its programming on Sirius XM Channel 167. Fight Network’s parent company Anthem Sports & Entertainment Corp. launched Fantasy (FNTSY) Sports Network (www.fantasysportsnetwork.com) across North America in March 2014 and also holds a significant ownership interest in Pursuit Channel.

Female Boxing: Marston, Smith and Brown In Action In London, Aug 29th

Promoters Mark Lyons and Billy James-Elliott today announced that they have added two further Female professional bouts, in addition to the one already on the card, to their upcoming LORDS OF THE RING II event, which takes place at the famous York Hall in Bethnal Green, London on Saturday August 29th.

 

Heading up the female contingent on the Capital City’s new season opener, is British #1 ranked (Super Bantamweight & Pound For Pound) and reigning MBC International Super Bantamweight Champion Marianne Marston.

 

This will be the first chance for Marston’s fans to see her in action this year, as she suffered a relapse to the severely damaged piriformis muscle she tore during the buildup to the WBU European title challenge against Hana Horakova in March last year.

 

Marston will be looking to be on her best form, now the injury is completely healed, as the Londoner has been lined up to challenge for a World title later this year.

 

Joining Marston on the LORDS OF THE RING II event will be unbeaten Lightweight Sam Smith from Leeds and a fellow Londoner Shaunagh Brown, who will be making her professional debut.

 

Smith, who fights out of the Bethlehem Gym in Leeds, has made quite a statement, since turning pro in March this year, scoring three stoppage wins as well as already securing her first Championship accolade, when she beat Zsofia Bedo by third round stoppage to secure the International Masters Bronze Lightweight title.

 

Making her professional debut on the event is Team GB Athlete Shaunagh ‘The Hammer’ Brown from Peckham, South London.

 

Brown, who is coached by former Commonwealth Champion Mark Reefer at the Champions TKO gym in Hackney, has enjoyed enviable success throughout her athletics career, including winning the Gold medal (Discus) at the ESAA Championships in both 2005 and 2006, Silver at the AAA U20 Championships also in 2006.

 

At the England Athletics U20 Championships in 2008, Brown secured not one but two medals in different disciplines, Gold for the Discus and Silver for the Shot Put. In 2009, at the Aviva England Athletics U20 Championships, Brown then added the Gold Medal for Shot Put to her collection.

 

Speaking earlier promoter Mark Lyons made it clear he and his business partner Billy James-Elliott are elated to be at the forefront of Women’s boxing in the UK,

 

“This is the new season opener for boxing in London and we decided that new season, new start so what better than to bring to the fore some of the magnificent female fighters we have in this country.

 

Without doubt it’s about time there were more female fights in the pro ranks, over the past few years about the only British female fighters that have seen regular action are Marianne (Marston) and Angel McKenzie, but now with Sam (Smith), Shaunagh (Brown) and others such as Juliette Winter coming on board, Women’s boxing can really start to gain some momentum.

 

It’s unheard of to have three female bouts on a pro event in the UK, after the 29th August hopefully this will no longer be the case and we get to see these young women in action, as well as getting the media coverage they deserve.

 

Marianne has more than proved she is Championship level and rightly has earned a shot at the World title later this year and I don’t doubt for one minute that Sam will also be challenging for major titles in the near future too, as will Shaunagh.

 

Shaunagh has enjoyed success in the sporting arena previously, Discus, Shot Put and Hammer Throwing, both Nationally and Internationally, the girl’s a winner and am sure she will be just as successful as a boxer as she was is in her other chosen sports.

 

It’s going to be a great event, besides the three female bouts, there’s a lot of great fights lined up that feature some top fighters, such as WBF World Champion Chris Goodwin, former Team GB star Iain Weaver and Jimmy Campbell, Jimmy has been in with the best of his division, such as World Champions Anthony Dirrell and Virgil Hill.

 

On top of that we have a card rammed with upcoming young talents, as well as some future stars making their pro debuts, so it definitely is an event that caters for all boxing fans, young, old, male or female there’s something for everyone.”

 

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.

One-Punch KO for Louisiana Lightweight Prospect ‘Rock Hard Mighty’ Mason Menard

 
First Fight Under the GCP Promotional Banner a Smashing Success!
Last Saturday, August 8, lightweight contender “Rock Hard Mighty” Mason Menard (30-1, 22 KO’s) made his debut fighting under the Greg Cohen Promotions banner a memorable one by knocking out veteran Jesus Lule with one punch in the first round.
Fighting for the first time in over a year, in the co-main event of an event entitled “Summer Slugfest II” at the Evangeline Downs Casino in his home state of Opelousas, Louisiana, Menard caught Florida’s Lule with a huge left hook and that was it.
The impressive stoppage was Menard’s 28th consecutive victory.
Lule, who had fought to a draw with 7-0 Antonio Dubose in his previous fight, was no match for the world-class skills of Menard. “Mason was a big acquisition for us andtonight he fought like it,” said promoter Greg Cohen. “He’s been fighting mostly close to home but tonight it was once again apparent that he’s a talent on the world level. I am happy to have him back in the ring and scoring impressive victories and will be looking to move him up the lightweight ladder at a steady pace.”
The event was a complete sell-out for promoter Chad Broussard and his Boxncar Promotions.
“Chad Broussard is an absolute pleasure to work with,” continue Cohen. “He put the event together and it was truly a world-class show. We look forward to working with him again.”
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, CBS Sports Network, MSG and FOX Sports Net.

For more information, visit gcpboxing.com. Find us on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/GCPBoxing. Twitter: @GCPBoxing.

MIDDLEWEIGHT STAR PETER QUILLIN HEADLINES ACTION PACKED PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON NBC CARD AS HE FACES AUSTRALIAN MICHAEL ZERAFA

 
PLUS CORNELIUS BUNDRAGE TAKES ON JERMALL CHARLO
IN A SUPER WELTERWEIGHT TITLE FIGHT ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 AT 4 P.M. ET/1 P.M. PT
AT FOXWOODS RESORT CASINO IN MASHANTUCKET, CONNECTICUT
 
Tickets on Sale Now!
 
MASHANTUCKET, CT (August 10, 2015) – Undefeated middleweight star Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin (31-0-1, 22 KOs) will headline in a 12-round middleweight bout against Michael Zerafa (17-1, 9 KOs) while super welterweight world champion Cornelius “K-9” Bundrage (34-5, 19 KOs) defends against undefeated rising star Jermall Charlo (21-0, 16 KOs) on an action-packed edition of Premier Boxing Champions on NBC Saturday, September 12 live from Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut starting at 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT.
“I’m ready and excited to return to the ring on NBC on September 12,” said Quillin. “I’m already deep into training camp and preparing to be in the best shape of my career. I know my opponent is dangerous and he’s coming to make a name for himself.  I’m at the top of my game and I plan to stay there.”
“I’m excited for this fight. This sport is all about fighting the best and giving the fans what they want to see,” said Zerafa. “This is a great opportunity and I’m looking forward to coming over there and putting on a show.”
“It’s a blessing to be the junior middleweight world champion,” said Bundrage. “I want to thank my entire team for making this fight happen. I’m looking forward to my debut on PBC and successfully defending my second world title. Detroit is where the title is at, it’s not going anywhere. I will be ready to give my supporters all around the world a great performance, in victory.”
For Charlo this is a long-awaited title shot. He and his brother, Jermell, are both top prospects in the 154-pound division.
“This is my time, I’ve never been more ready for a fight,” said Charlo. “I’ve dreamed about a fight like this for a long time and it’s here in front of me. I will be spectacular and I will finish Cornelius Bundrage.”
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment, are priced at $150, $85 and $45, not including applicable service charges and taxes and are on sale now. Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com and www.foxwoods.com or by visiting the Foxwoods’ Box Office. To charge by phone call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000.
“Peter Quillin is coming off the toughest fight of his career. We are looking forward to him getting back in the ring, in anticipation of the long-awaited showdown with Daniel Jacobs later this year,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “Young, hungry Michael Zerafa is looking to upset the apple cart. With no pressure and nothing to lose, he will try to throw a wrench into Kid Chocolate’s lofty plans. Young Jermall Charlo looks to put his name on the 154-pound map by taking a world title from veteran champion and puncher Cornelius ‘K9’ Bundrage. We are thrilled to bring this PBC event to DiBella Entertainment’s New England home, Foxwoods.”
“For 23 years, Foxwoods has been the East Coast capital for the best in entertainment and sports, especially boxing, where we have been privileged to host hundreds of fights featuring the best fighters in the world,” said Felix Rappaport, President and CEO Foxwoods Resort Casino. “On September 12, continuing in that rich tradition, The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation and Foxwoods will be honored to work with the best in the business, Lou DiBella and Premier Boxing Champions series, as they present a nationally televised afternoon of championship boxing live coast-to-coast on NBC.”
Quillin returns to action on September 12 fresh off of a hard-fought draw against middleweight world champion Andy Lee looking to keep his undefeated record intact. He won a middleweight belt in 2012 with his star-making, six-knockdown performance against Hassan N’Dam in the first boxing card hosted at Barclays Center. Born in Chicago but fighting out of New York City, the 31-year-old went on to defend that title against strong contenders Fernando Guerrero, Gabriel Rosado and Lukas Konecny. Now, “Kid Chocolate” looks to show off his superstar skills on network television for the second time.
After turning pro at 18-years-old, Zerafa won the first 15 starts of his career while fighting out of his native Australia. At 23-years-old Zerafa will make his U.S. debut on September 12 when he comes to Connecticut to take on Quillin. He owns wins over previously unbeaten fighters Bruno Carvalho and Luke Sharp and is coming off of a fourth round TKO over Yodmongkol Singmanasak in March.
Bundrage’s career has skyrocketed in recent years since a world title winning performance in 2010 over Cory Spinks. The Detroit-native went on defend the title against Sechew Powell and Spinks. He would lose the title in 2013 but quickly earned another shot against Carlos Molina, who he would defeat by unanimous decision to become a two-time world champion. He defends against the very hungry Charlo on September 12.
Highly regarded and undefeated,the 24-year-old Charlois primed for his first world title opportunity. He remained undefeated in 2014 with dominant victories over Hector Munoz, Norberto Gonzalez and Lenny Bottai and started 2015 by shutting out Michael Finney in March. Fighting out of Houston, Charlo will no doubt look to be impressive in his first PBC opportunity.
For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com,www.dbe1.comand www.nbcsports.com/boxing,follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @KidChocolate @K9Boxing, @FutureOfBoxing, @LouDiBella, @FoxwoodsCT and @Swanson_Comm,

FIGHT NETWORK BOXING PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE (Aug. 10-16, 2015)

(U.S. only schedule.  For full Canadian schedule, please visit tv.fightnetwork.com from your region.)
Fight Network is a 24/7 television channel dedicated to complete coverage of combat sports. It airs programs focused on the entire scope of the combat sports genre, including live fights and up-to-the-minute news and analysis for boxing, mixed martial arts, kickboxing, professional wrestling, traditional martial arts, fight news, as well as fight-themed drama series, documentaries and feature films.
Below find highlights of this week’s programming:
Monday, Aug. 10
7:30 p.m. ET – Fight New Now Extra – The latest news, recaps, features and inside analysis of the fight game.
9:00 p.m. ET – Ronald Cruz vs. Allen Conyers – Featuring Ronald Cruz vs. Allen Conyers from Feb. 25, 2012 in Atlantic City, NJ.
Tuesday, Aug. 11
6:00 p.m. ETKOTV Boxing Classics – Reliving memorable boxing fights from the past two decades.
8:30 p.m. ETFight News Now Extra – The latest news, recaps, features and inside analysis of the fight game.
Wednesday, Aug. 12
7:00 a.m. & 10:00 p.m. ETKOTV Boxing Classics – Reliving memorable boxing fights from the past two decades.
7:30 p.m. ET — Fight New Now Extra – The latest news, recaps, features and inside analysis of the fight game.
Thursday, Aug. 13
1 a.m. ET, 2:30 p.m. ET & 5:30 p.m. ETKOTV Boxing Weekly Covering all the latest news in professional boxing, featuring full recent fights and highlights from the sweet science.
8:30 p.m. ET — Fight News Now Extra – The latest news, recaps, features and inside analysis of the fight game.
Friday, Aug. 14
12:30 p.m. ET KOTV Boxing Weekly Covering all the latest news in professional boxing, featuring full recent fights and highlights from the sweet science.
7:30 p.m. ETFight News Now Extra – The latest news, recaps, features and inside analysis of the fight game.
Saturday, Aug. 15
4:00 a.m. ET & 11:30 p.m. ET KOTV Boxing Weekly Covering all the latest news in professional boxing, featuring full recent fights and highlights from the sweet science.
11:00 p.m. ETPressure To Win – Enter the world of sports medicine and performance enhancing drugs. An honest look at the world of sports, money and pressure to win.
Sunday, Aug. 16
7:00 p.m. ETKOTV Boxing Classics– Reliving memorable boxing fights from the past two decades.
8:00 p.m. ETUltimate Classic Boxing: Ortega vs. Fernandez II – Featuring Gasper Ortega vs. Florentino Fernandez II from Oct. 30, 1959 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
INFORMATION:
Twitter & Instagram @fightnet
ABOUT FIGHT NETWORK:  Fight Network is the world’s premier combat sports network dedicated to 24/7 coverage, including fights, fighters, fight news and fight lifestyle. The channel is available in the U.S. on Cablevision in parts of New York, Connecticut and New Jersey, Texas-based Grande Communications, Armstrong Cable in Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio, as well as on Shentel Cable in Virginia, West Virginia and portions of western Maryland, and Suddenlink Communications in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana and North Carolina.. Fight Network is also on Roku set top boxes in the U.S. and Canada, streamed live on website KlowdTV.com, and available on all major carriers in Canada and more than 30 countries across Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

WORLD BOXING CHAMPION AMIR KHAN ENTERS THE MMA BUSINESS AS NEW CO-OWNER OF SUPER FIGHT LEAGUE

LOS ANGELES, CALIF. (August 10, 2015) – Decorated world boxing champion Amir Khan has stepped into the Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) business as a new owner and promoter of world championship MMA sports franchise Super Fight League.

Khan, a former, two-time world champion, will join a new, blue-chip ownership and management team dedicated to expanding the former India-based Super Fight League’s footprint in The U.S., beginning with a television distribution agreement that the company expects to announce soon.

“I am extremely excited about this new venture and chapter in my career that will allow me to utilize my experience and relationships in the fight world to further the mission of, what I believe, is a company that has tremendous growth potential in the MMA and sports entertainment space,” said Khan, who will also continue his career in boxing where he has won his last five bouts, and holds an outstanding career record of 31-3, with 19 of his victories having come by way of (T)KO.

“Under the management of our new team of veterans from both the MMA and media industries,” continued Khan, “Super Fight League will unveil a new platform as well as an unprecedented new format for MMA competition in 2016 and, in doing so, will provide a potentially career-changing opportunity to hundreds of professional athletes in this great sport.”

Joining Khan at the helm of the franchise is new Super Fight League CEO and business tycoon Bill Dosanjh; digital media executive George Chung, whose expertise lies in international (Europe, Asia, Latin America, India and The Middle East) content aggregation and monetization; and Brian Halquist a Seattle, Wash.-based veteran promoter of over 140 live combat sports events who, among other feats, was a partner in the “STRIKEFORCE at the Dome” fight card that set a new record for live gate receipts for a combat sports event in the state of Washington on Feb. 23, 2008.

Super Fight League was founded in 2012 and has since produced 41 live events, including 5 in the U.S, and generated dozens of millions of views of its video content through a strategic, digital partnership with YouTube.

The promotion has been a home to a number of MMA champions and other superstars, including Olympic Judo medalist Satoshi Ishii, Trevor Prangley, Todd Duffee, Jeff Monson and Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou.  The next Super Fight League live event in the U.S. will be announced soon.

About Super Fight League
Super Fight League (www.superfightleague) is a world championship Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) sports franchise that was founded in 2012, and has since produced 41 live events in India, Dubai and the U.S., and showcased its product to tens of millions of fans through content partnerships with YouTube and STAR Sports Network in Asia.  The company is dedicated to placing competitors from around the world in fiercely competitive matchups held inside its circular cage.

About Amir Khan
Amir Khan is an athlete, businessman and humanitarian. A former two-time world champion, having won the WBA and WBC and IBF Light Welterweight titles. He currently holds the WBC Silver Welterweight title and has fought at three weight classes lightweight, light welterweight and welterweight.

Khan is the youngest British Olympic boxing medalist winner silver at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games at the age of 17. He is also one of the youngest British World champions of all time winning the WBA Light Welterweight title at age 22.  His professional record stands at 31-3 with 19 wins coming by way of knock out.

His charity worked has been noted by press and royalty with his contributions both monetary and personal time. Noted groups include NSPCC, Pakistan Earthquake Relief, BGC Charity Day, Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Unicef and OxFam Aide.  The Amir Khan Foundation has built orphanages around the world, beginning with Gambia Africa.