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Tag Archives: Al Bernstein
The “O” must go in co-feature showdown at “Knockout Night at the D” between Undefeated junior middleweight prospects Rolando Garza & Neeco Macias
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Live Sept. 9 on CBS Sports Network from the Downtown Las Vegas Event Center
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 LAS VEGAS (August 30, 2016) – In a classic match-up of contrasting styles, Rolando “Rola” Garza and Neeco “The Rooster” Macias will both put their undefeated records on the line in the “Knockout Night at the D” 8-round co-featured event, airing Friday night, September 9, on CBS Sports Network, live from the outdoor Downtown Las Vegas Events Center (DLVEC).
The “Knockout Night at the D” series, presented by
and DLVEC, is promoted by Roy Jones Jr. (RJJ) Boxing Promotions. Hall Of Fame announcers Jim “J.R.” Ross and Al Bernstein will call all of the action from ringside, starting at 11 p.m. ET / 11 p.m. ET, on CBS Sports Network. The 10-round main event pits unbeaten junior welterweights Emmanuel “Renegade” Robles (15-1-1, 5 KOs) and Steve “The Dragon” Claggett(23-4-1, 16 KOs),promoted in association with Bobby D Presents, for the vacant North American Boxing Association (NABA) – United States junior welterweight championship.
Garza and Macias (12-0, 6 KOs), who will be fighting for the vacant WBC – US junior middleweight championship, are exact opposites in and out of the ring. The winner will advance to the next level of competition in the 154-pound division.
A technically sound boxer, Garza had an extensive amateur background as a member of the Mexican National Team, finishing with a 120-12 record, before turning pro September 29, 2012. The quiet, unassuming fighter 24-year-old was impressive in his last fight, also at the DLVEC this past June 10, in which he dominated previously unbeaten Erasmo Garcia (5-0-1) on his way to an 6-round unanimous decision (59-54, 59-54, 58-56) victory.
“The opportunity that Roy Jones Jr Boxing Promotions and CBS Sports Network has presented me has boosted my confidence to another level,” Garza said. “I have never been more confident in my skills, my team and training. I’m going to show Las Vegas and the rest of country what my talent brings into the ring. Once Las Vegas witnesses my talent, fighting on national television, no one will be able to turn a blind eye. Not only will this fight put my name out there, but better opportunities will present themselves, and that keeps me motivated. “This fight will propel me into the 154-pound rankings. It’s high risk with an even higher reward: the WBC / US title. My opponent is a brawler; a non-stop, aggressive puncher who moves forward, which will make this fight nothing short of explosive fireworks in the ring.”
In the other corner, the non-stop Macias relies on conditioning and an aggressive, always coming forward approach to break down his opponent. The 25-year-old Macias, fighting out of Palm Desert, California, unlike Garza, who now lives and trains in Austin (TX), had only 30 amateur bouts having started boxing at the relative advanced age of 21. He did win gold medals at the National Blue & Gold Tournament, as well as Central California Golden Gloves and Desert Showdown. Macias is a showman, playing to the crowd before, during and after fights, crowing like a rooster, always with a broad smile on his face.
Macias’ last fight, also at the DLVE this past April 16, resulted in an action-packed fight against Limberth Ponce(10-2). Never tasking his foot off the pedal, Macias rolled to a win by 8-round unanimous decision (79-73 X 3), earning him a legion of new fans who were in attendance or watched the fight on CBS Sports Network. “Fighters don’t really care who they fight, they just want to fight,” Macias explained why his risking his undefeated record against an opponent who has never loss. “I had a fight fall through so, instead of waiting for another fight, when the opportunity to fight a 9-0 guy came, my coaches watched film of him and we agreed that I’m ready. This is the first time I’m fighting on the ‘B’ side, but we’re using that as motivation. I take one fight at a time but I know I’m fighting on TV and need to look good. I want to show everyone that all the hard work has paid off.
“I see this fight as my opponent probably having more skill, he’s technically sound and sets up his shots. But our plan is to take him out of his game plan, wear him down and have some fun doing it. My last fight was my first in Las Vegas and first time fighting on national television. It got a lot of notice. I’ve been through all of that now and will be even better prepared for this fight. It’s awesome fighting in Las Vegas on CBS Sports Network!”
‘Knockout Night at the D” returns Friday, Sept. 30
Hanzel Martinez (23-2, 18 KOs) vs. Emmanuel Quartey (20-2, 19 KOs)
Vacant WBA International Super Bantamweight Championship
Tony Lopez (11-1, 4 KOs) vs. Stephon Young (14-0-3, 6 KOs)
Vacant WBA / NABA Bantamweight Championship
John Vera (14-0, 9 KOs) vs. Milorad Zizic (12-1, 6 KOs)
WBA / NABA Super Welterweight Championship
TICKETS ON SALE NOW AT TICKETMASTER.COM or DLVEC.COM
Las Vegas favorite Jeremy “J-Flash” Nichols (5-0, 2 KOs) battles TexanSteve Belmonte (2-0) in a 4-round bout to open the television broadcast.
Also scheduled to fight on the undercard is undefeated Ugandan lightweight prospect Ismail “Sharp Shooter” Muwendo (17-0, 11 KOs), fighting out of Minneapolis, in a 6-rounder versus dangerous Mexican fighter Eliseo “Lobo” Cruz (9-1-1, 6 KOs). In 4-round fights, 20-year-old junior lightweightRandy Moreno (3-0, 2 KOs), of Las Vegas, will square off with Gaige Ireland (2-0-2, 2 KOs), of Australia by way of Ireland, 18-year-old Las Vegas bantamweight Max “Baby Faced Assassin” Ornelas (3-0, 2 KOs) meetsJohnathan Quiroz (6-4, 1 KO), of Oceanside, California, and Las Vegas junior flyweight Marina Ramirez (1-0) faces New Jersey’s Rachel “The Black Widow” Sazoff (0-1).
All fights and fighters are subject to change.
Tickets, priced at $99.99 VIP ringside, $49.99 ringside, $24.99 and $14.99 general admission (seated), are on sale at www.Ticketmaster.com orwww.DLVEC.com. Taxes and fees apply to all sold tickets.
Doors open at 5:00 p.m. PT with the opening bout scheduled at 6:30 p.m. PT.
The “Knockout Night at the D” series was developed in partnership with DLVEC and Neon Star Media.
CBS Sports Network is available across the country through local cable, video and telco providers and via satellite on DirecTV Channel 221 and Dish Network Channel 158. For more information, including a full programming schedule and how to get CBS Sports Network, go towww.cbssportsnetwork.com.
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Robles vs. Claggett crossroads fight Headlines Sept. 9th “Knockout Night at the D”
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“Cancun Boxing” on CBS Sports Network June 4th replay airing this Friday night
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Mijares vs. Gutierrez main event ended in controversy
YOU BE THE JUDGE!
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CANCUN, Mexico / LAS VEGAS (July 18, 2016) – The next edition of “Cancun Boxing,” presented by Pepe Gomez Boxing in association with Neon Star Media, will air Friday, July 22 at 9:30 p.m. ET / 6:30 p.m. PT on CBS Sports Network from Grand Oasis Cancun the Hotel Complex in Cancun, Mexico. Encore presentations are scheduled forSaturday, July 23 at 11 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. PT and Saturday, July 30 at 2 a.m. ET / 11 p.m. PT.
Hall-of-Famer announcers Jim “JR” Ross and Al Bernstein handle blow-by-blow and color commentary, respectively, from ringside.
The event, which took place June 4, 2016, is the first in the “Cancun Boxing” series that will air on CBS Sports Network in 2016. Grand Oasis Cancun and Hotel Complex, Cancun`s ONLY Ultimate All-Inclusive Entertainment Resort, will play host to all events in the series.
 Mexico’s 3-time world super flyweight champion Cristian “El Diamante” Mijares (53-8-2, 26 KOs) took on his fellow countryman, undefeated Andres “Jaguarito” Gutierrez (34-0-1, 24 KOs), in the 12-round main event for the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) Silver Featherweight Championship. The outcome was controversial and now American viewers can be the judge.
WBC top 10 rated Mijares (pictured to left), 34, is a former IBF, WBA Super and WBC super flyweight world champion. The future Hall of Fame candidate is 11-5 in world title fights with key victories over Chatchai Sasakul,Jorge Arce and Katsushige Kawashima (twice).
 The 22-year-old Gutierrez (pictures to right), rated No. 6 by the WBC, turned pro at 15. The hot prospect has collected numerous title belts, including WBC Silver and Caribbean Boxing Federation super bantamweight, International Boxing Federation (IBF) bantamweight, and WBC FECARBOX and World Boxing Association (WBA) Fedecentro featherweight.In a battle of typically tough Mexican welterweights, Ivan “Zurdo” Alvarez (23-5, 16 KOs), a southpaw who was riding a 10-fight win streak into his June 4th match up, met former World Boxing Federation (WBF) champion Jose “Piston” Lopez (25-4-2, 15 KOs) in a scheduled 8-round bout.
Also airing is a scheduled 8-round showdown between dangerous Mexican and Filipino rivals, Edgar “Power” Jimenez (21-11-2, 15 KOs) and Jovylito “J-Flash” Aligarbes (12-3, 6 KOs). The 23-year-old Jimenez is a former FECARBOX bantamweight and Mexican flyweight champion who, two fights ago, took a 10-round decision from 28-0 Ivan Morales. The highlight of Aligarbes’ pro career to date is stopping Angelito Merin in the second round of their WBC Youth World super flyweight title fight in 2013.
CBS Sports Network is available across the country through local cable, video and telco providers and via satellite on DirecTV Channel 221 and Dish Network Channel 158. For more information, including a full programming schedule and how to get CBS Sports Network, go to www.cbssportsnetwork.com
INFORMATION
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SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL® CHARLES MARTIN vs. ANTHONY JOSHUA IBF HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TO AIR LIVE ON SHOWTIME® AT 5 P.M. ET/2 P.M. PT ONSATURDAY, APRIL 9 FROM THE O2 IN LONDON
Encore Presentation At 8 P.M. ET/PT On SHOWTIME EXTREME®
NEW YORK (March 29, 2016) – The SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL presentation of the IBF Heavyweight World Championship between undefeated American titlist Charles Martin and fellow unbeaten British Olympic Gold Medalist Anthony Joshua will air live on SHOWTIME at 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT onSaturday, April 9 from The O2 in London.
An encore presentation will air later that evening on SHOWTIME EXTREME at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
The SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL telecast will be hosted by Brian Custer with analysis from Al Bernstein and Paulie Malignaggi. Coverage of the event will be provided by Sky Sports with the play-by-play call from Nick Halling, analysis from Jim Watt and Carl Froch and post-fight interviews from Andy Scott.
The SHOWTIME telecast will include extensive highlights and analysis of the IBF Featherweight World Championship between defending titlist Lee Selby and American challenger Eric Hunter.
(EDITORS NOTE: Due to a change in the bout order at The O2 in London, SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL is unable to provide live coverage of this bout.)
Martin vs. Joshua is the third of four heavyweight title bouts in five months on SHOWTIME (see details below). The scheduled 12-round matchup is the toughest test to date for both Martin (23-0-1, 21 KOs) and Joshua (15-0, 15 KOs), two bombers who boast a combined 94 percent knockout ratio.
Selby (22-1, 8 KOs) vs. Hunter (21-3, 11 KOs) is the second of five scheduled featherweight title bouts in 2016 (details below), a lineup showcasing many of the world’s best 126-pounders aiming to unifying one of boxing’s deepest divisions.
“The heavyweight division is experiencing an incredible resurgence, and the featherweight division is rife with compelling matchups,” said Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President & General Manager of SHOWTIME Sports. “Martin vs. Joshua is a can’t-miss showdown between a newly minted American champion and one of the sport’s fastest-rising stars. And Selby vs. Hunter has major implications in the talent-rich division. We are proud to work with Matchroom Sport to deliver these pivotal matchups to the U.S. audience.”
“I’m the Heavyweight Champion of the World, and that’s why I have no problem traveling to England for my first title defense,” Martin said. “I only want to fight the best, and I plan on knocking Anthony Joshua out and taking his fans and the belt back with me.”
“The O2 is going to be rocking on April 9 and the U.S. fans are in for a treat when they see Charles and I clash,” Joshua said. “Credit to him for coming over after calling me out, but he doesn’t know what he’s getting himself in for. I am going to show all my power, all my speed and all my accuracy to put on the best display of my life and become the Heavyweight Champion of the World by knocking him out. I’m delighted that fans in the U.S. will be able to witness it.”
“After a great experience in my first defense in Arizona against Fernando Montiel, it’s nice to be back in front of my home fans at The O2 in London,” Selby said. “It’s going to be a crazy atmosphere with a 20,000 person sold-out arena. Hunter has talked a lot of trash and I’m looking forward to showing him what it’s like at the world championship level. He’s in for a shock.”
“He’s got a belt I want, and that’s all I know about him,” Hunter said. “My team knows more about him than I do. It’s their job to come up with a game plan. My job is train and get ready to perform my best. I can adjust to anything in the ring. I’m just here at the gym working my butt off to get the job done. I’m going to be more focused than I ever have been for this fight.”
The 6-foot-5 Martin won the IBF championship on Jan. 16 when Vyacheslav Glazkov suffered a knee injury in the third round of their vacant world title fight. In capturing the IBF belt, Martin, of St. Louis, Mo., became just the sixth southpaw heavyweight champion in boxing history and the second current American heavyweight titlist.
While Martin has stopped his last 13 opponents and was the aggressor against Glazkov, the undefeated champ remains virtually untested. His first title defense and initial start outside the U.S., will take place at what is expected to be a pro-Joshua arena in London that sold out in just 90 seconds. The 29-year-old Martin, who is trained by U.S. Olympian Henry Tillman in Big Bear, Calif., will be Joshua’s first professional southpaw opponent.
Joshua had a standout amateur career that culminated with an Olympic Gold Medal at super heavyweight in the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Since turning professional in July 2013, the 6-foot-6 Joshua has steadily climbed through the ranks.
One of boxing’s most promising prospects, Joshua is coming off consecutive victories over previously undefeated opponents. In his last bout, the 26-year-old was pushed past the third round for the first time in his career. Joshua defeated Dillian Whyte via seventh-round knockout on Dec. 12. Now, Joshua returns to The O2, the site of his professional debut and five of his 15 professional bouts, in a bid to join Tyson Fury as the second current reigning British heavyweight champion.
Joshua is also looking to become the sixth super heavyweight Olympic Gold Medalist to win a heavyweight world title. If successful, he will join an impressive group that includes George Foreman, Joe Frazier, Lennox Lewis andWladimir Klitschko.
Born in Barry, Wales, Selby won his world title with a dominant technical decision over previously undefeated Evgeny Gradovich in May 2015. The slick boxer made his first title defense in his U.S. debut last October, capturing a unanimous decision over former three-division champ Fernando Montiel.
The 29-year-old owns a slew of victories over previously unblemished fighters including Joel Brunker, Ryan Walsh, Viorel Simon, Corey McConnell andStephen Smith. He has won 18 straight since the lone blemish of his career, and six of his last eight victories came over previously undefeated opponents.
Hunter, who will take a four-fight win streak into his initial start outside the U.S., has always possessed an abundance of talent. Before turning pro, the Philadelphia native was an outstanding amateur and an alternate on the U.S. Olympic team.
The fast-handed 29-year-old has scored some solid victories as a pro, and his biggest enemy in a nine-year career has been himself – the switch-hitter doesn’t always keep his composure in check and allows his emotions get the best of him. Two of Hunter’s three losses came by disqualification, the last coming via DQ in 2013 against Mike Oliver for hitting at the break. The other came againstLuis Franco in 2010, when he had a point deducted in the second and was DQ’d in the eighth after repeated low blows.
If Hunter can keep his hot head from getting him in trouble, he’s confident he can upset Selby and join Leo Santa Cruz and Gary Russell Jr. as U.S.-born world champion at 126 pounds.
2016 Heavyweight Title Bouts (NOTE: all on SHOWTIME))
· Jan. 16 WBC Heavyweight World Championship Deontay Wilder vs. Artur Szpilka
· Jan. 16 IBF Heavyweight World Championship Charles Martin vs. Vyacheslav Glazkov
· April 9 IBF Heavyweight World Championship Charles Martin vs. Anthony Joshua
· May 21 WBC Heavyweight World Championship Deontay Wilder vs. Alexander Povetkin
2016 Featherweight Title Bouts (All on SHOWTIME with the exception ofJune 25 “SHOWTIME BOXING on CBS”)
· Feb. 27 WBA (Super) Featherweight World Championship Leo Santa Cruz vs. Kiko Martinez
· April 9 IBF Featherweight World Championship Lee Selby vs. Eric Hunter
· April 16 WBC Featherweight World Championship Gary Russell Jr. vs. Patrick Hyland
· June 25 WBA (Regular) Featherweight World Championship Jesus Cuellar vs. Abner Mares
· Summer 2016 WBA (Super) Featherweight World Championship Leo Santa Cruz vs. Carl Frampton
BILLY JOE SAUNDERS DETHRONES ANDY LEE SATURDAY TO BECOME 12th CURRENT BRITISH WORLD CHAMPION ON SHO EXTREME® FROM MANCHESTER,ENGLAND
NEW YORK (Dec. 19, 2015) – Billy Joe Saunders dethroned WBO Middleweight World Champion Andy Lee with a 12-round majority decision Saturday on SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL from Manchester, England.
The fight, which was scored 115-111, 114-112 and 113-113, will re-air tonight at 9 p.m. ET/PT on SHO EXTREME.
In a matchup of tactical southpaws, an explosive third round from Saunders (23-0, 12 KOs) was the difference. The British challenger floored Lee twice – first with a big right hook and again with a counter right just 30 seconds later – and a dazed Lee somehow survived the 10-7 round. VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS: http://s.sho.com/1OfibYe
The Irish Lee (34-3-1, 24 KOs) fought his way back and was the more aggressive fighter in the championship rounds, but it wasn’t enough to make up for a slow start and the two knockdowns.
With the win, Saunders became the 12th current British world champion.
“I’m world champion,” Saunders said. “I beat a good champion today, a good sturdy champion. I used his power against him. When I was boxing he got a little bit careless and dropped his lead hand and I caught him with the hook.
“I’m not going to start running my mouth, but it was a good shot. With someone as fast as me you have to keep your hands up. I’m not the biggest puncher in the world, but I showed you there that I can punch.”
WBA Middleweight World Champion Daniel Jacobs, fresh off a first round knockout of Peter Quillin two weeks ago on SHOWTIME, was a guest analyst on Saturday from New York.
“I thought he was going to be a big brawler, I thought he had better assets,” Jacobs said of Lee. “He didn’t do enough for me. He was too complacent and after the knockdown you didn’t see that sense of urgency that a fighter has to have on the comeback trail.
“All credit due to Billy Joe, but it wasn’t an impressive victory.”
After watching the fight, Jacobs wasn’t ready to commit to a unification showdown in 2016 with the winner.
“We’ll do whatever makes sense,” Jacobs said. “I think it’s time to sit-down and figure what makes sense. Obviously it’s a good time to be a middleweight champion.”
ANDY LEE & BILLY JOE SAUNDERS MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES FOR WBO MIDDLEWEIGHT WORLD TITLE FIGHT
THIS SATURDAY LIVE ON SHO EXTREME®
SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL® Lee vs. Saunders
Airs Live at 5 p.m. ET/PT on SHO EXTREME; Encore Presentation at 9 p.m. ET/PT
“He’s not good enough to beat me.” – Andy Lee
“I’m not going to leave that ring without the title.” – Billy Joe Saunders
SHO VIDEO: http://s.sho.com/1ROfSkF
NEW YORK (Dec. 15, 2015) – WBO Middleweight World Champion Andy Lee and undefeated challenger Billy Joe Saunders held separate media workouts in Manchester, England, as they conclude preparations for their eagerly awaited showdown this Saturday, Dec. 19, live on SHO EXTREME (5 p.m. ET/PT)from Manchester Arena.
Ireland’s Lee (34-2-1, 24 KOs) will make the first defense of his 160-pound title against England’s Saunders (22-0, 12 KOs), the WBO’s No. 1 middleweight contender.
The SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL offering of theBoxNation telecast will feature analysis from SHOWTIME boxing experts Brian Custer, Al Bernstein and Paulie Malignaggibefore and after the world championship showdown. An encore presentation of the bout will air on SHO EXTREME later that evening at 9 p.m. ET/PT.
Here’s what Lee and Saunders had to say at their media workouts on Tuesday and Monday, respectively:
ANDY LEE:
“I have a punch that can end a fight, lights out, in any given second.
“I won’t rely on the punch. I will look to dominate from the start with educated pressure.
“I’m feeling very dangerous at the moment.
“Saunders’ unbeaten record is a disadvantage. He’s always been in fights he’s expected to win and has been well managed by(Frank) Warren.
“I’ve never lost a fight on points and I never will on points. If I’m down on the cards I will go out swinging in the last round.
“Saunders being a fellow traveler does add another layer, but at the end the day it’s about how good you are and he’s not good enough to beat me.”
BILLY JOE SAUNDERS:
“I’m ready to go for Saturday night. This is the best camp that I’ve ever had. I’m prepared for the toughest test of my career, but I know that I’m in excellent shape to win this fight and become world champion.
“Andy Lee is a tough fighter – he’s proved that by becoming world champion and having the type of career he has had. But I’m undefeated and hungry and know that I’m on the brink of fulfilling a childhood dream. I’m not going to leave that ring without the title.
“Training in Spain allows me to lock myself away from all distractions and focus solely on the fight. It’s hard being away from home, but it’s all part of boxing. It’s been a long camp, a tough camp, but after that I know that I’m ready to go through hell to make sure that I’m successful come fight night.
“The middleweight division is one of the hottest around and I’m prepared to fight any of the other champions in there once I win the title.
“Danny Jacobs had a great win against Peter Quillin, and then there is Canelo (Alvarez) and (Gennady) Golovkin. I know the importance of this fight for the division and I want my name to be among the very best. I’m taking it one step at a time, but I’m open to fight anyone.
“There has been no trash talk with Andy because we know what each person is about. We share a similar background and neither of us is going to take a back step.
“This is going to be a very exciting all-action fight because we’re going to leave it all in the ring. I know I have the skills to beat him and I intend to show the world why I’m among the best around.”
Saunders on fellow Brit Chris Eubank Jr.:
“The truth of the matter is that Eubank Jr. does not belong at the world level – he’s a phony. It’s as simple as that. I wasn’t impressed with his win over Gary O’Sullivan, who I’ve already beat. He thinks he can fool the public with a win like that, but he can’t.
“His aim now is to move up and fight the best guys in the world, but we saw what happened the last time he stepped up a notch and faced me: he was badly exposed. The same thing will happen with him if he fights someone like Danny Jacobs for the WBA title.
“You’re not the best middleweight in your own country and you want to fight a world champion and say you’re going to beat him? I think it’s a delusion and he thinks he’s greater than he actually is.
“Sooner rather than later he’s going to get exposed again as the fraud that he is. You can keep talking, but eventually you have to back it up in the ring against top-level fighters. He’s won his last fight and now he’s back talking (expletive) again like he’s the best fighter in history.
“If he has the balls to fight again, which I doubt, I would happily hand him another beating, this time in even more convincing fashion.”
SHOWTIME SPORTS® TO TELEVISE WBO MIDDLEWEIGHT WORLD TITLE FIGHT BETWEEN ANDY LEE AND BILLY JOE SAUNDERS ON SATURDAY, DEC. 19, LIVE FROM MANCHESTER, ENGLAND
SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL® Lee vs. Saunders
Airs Live At 5 p.m. ET/PT on SHO EXTEME
NEW YORK (Dec. 1, 2015) – SHOWTIME Sports® will present the WBO Middleweight World Championship between defending titlist Andy Lee and unbeaten challenger Billy Joe Saunders on Saturday, Dec. 19, live on SHO EXTREME (5 p.m. ET/PT) from Manchester, England.
The SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL offering of the Box Nation telecast will feature analysis from SHOWTIME boxing experts Brian Custer, Al Bernstein and Paulie Malignaggi before and after the world championship showdown. An encore presentation of the bout will air on SHO EXTREME later that evening at 9 p.m. ET/PT.
“We’re excited to deliver this important matchup of top middleweights to the U.S. audience,” said Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President and General Manager of SHOWTIME Sports. “The 160-pound class is one of boxing’s hottest and deepest divisions right now, and the winner of this fight should position himself for a major showdown or unification in 2016.”
Ireland’s Lee (34-2-1, 24 KOs) won the vacant WBO title with a sixth-round TKO of then-undefeated Matt Korbov in December 2014. The 6-foot-2, 31-year old was on a six-fight win streak before boxing a split 12-round draw with undefeated former champion Peter Quillin on April 11, 2015, in Brooklyn. Both fighters went down in a highly competitive scrap that was scored 113-112 for Quillin, 113-112 for Lee and 113-113.
Before turning pro Lee was a top amateur and represented Ireland in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.
“It’s great that my fans in the U.S. will get to see the fight between me and Saunders and I guarantee it’s going to be exciting,” Lee said.
Saunders (22-0, 12 KOs), of Hatfield, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom, is the WBO’s No. 1 middleweight contender. The 26-year-old is coming off a fourth-round TKO over Yoannan Bloyer last July 24 in London.
Two starts ago, in the most note-worth victory of his career, the 5-foot-11, Saunders took a 12-round split decision over Chris Eubank Jr. on Nov. 29, 2014, in London. All but one of Saunders’ fights have taken place in England; the other was Northern Ireland.
Saunders was also an accomplished amateur; he represented England in the 2008 Olympic Games as a welterweight at the age of 18. Saunders is the great-grandson of one of Britain’s most famous gypsy bare-knuckle champions, Absolom Beeney.
“This is a massive night for me and I’m excited that it’s going out live to America,” Saunders said. “The U.S. viewers will get to see just what I can do when I face Lee and become world champion. It’s a big boost for me and takes the fight to another level when American TV comes on board and then you know it’s a big fight on the world stage. I hope that (Gennady) Golovkin and (Miguel) Cotto will be both watching because I’m fast approaching their level and they’ll get to see what I’m all about.”
Promoter Frank Warren said, “I’m delighted that SHOWTIME will now be televising Lee vs. Saunders live in the U.S. as it confirms the importance of this fight on the world scene. My relationship with the network goes back many years with fights like Joe Calzaghe vs. Jeff Lacy, Ricky Hatton vs. Kostya Tszyu, Frank Bruno vs. Oliver McCall, plus Naseem Hamed and Nigel Benn fights. I believe that Lee vs. Saunders will be another great fight to add to that list because of what’s at stake for both fighters. What lies ahead for the winner will make them fight to their very best.”
USA BOXING NEW ENGLAND TO HONOR 5 RETIRED N.E. PRO BOXING CHAMPIONS Awards dinner Nov. 8 in Malden, Mass.
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Vinny Paz, Micky Ward, Joey Gamache, Jose Antonio Rivera & John Ruiz
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BOSTON (Oct. 21, 2015) — USA Boxing New England, established in 1880 as the official governing body of amateur boxing in the region, will honor five former amateur standouts, who went on to become World Champions as professional boxers, Sunday, November 8 at Anthony’s in Malden.
Vinny Paz (Cranston, RI), Micky Ward (Lowell, MA), Joey Gamache (Lewiston, ME), Jose Antonio Rivera (Worcester, MA) and John Ruiz (Chelsea, MA) will receive awards for their outstanding accomplishments in the world of boxing.
USA Boxing New England will also present its inaugural Skeets Scioli Lifetime Achievement Award. Scioli served as President of USA Boxing New England, off and on, during an iconic 70-year period. He passed away in 2010 at the age of 97.
The Skeets Scioli award will be presented to referee/judge Mike Ryan (Tyngsboro, MA) and coach Carlos Garcia (Worcester, MA) for their long time contribution to the sport of amateur boxing.
Al Bernstein, Showtime Championship Boxing commentator and International Boxing Hall of Fame inductee, will serve as event emcee. “This is a tribute to some of boxing’s best,” Bernstein said. “New England has played a major role in boxing, not only here in America, but globally. I am thrilled to participate in this event and I am looking forward to connecting with the boxing fans in that region.”
USA Boxing will also pay tribute to current athletes and members. The event is a fundraiser to assist young amateur athletes with travel expenses to regional and national tournaments.
The event starts with cocktails at 2 p.m., followed by dinner at 3 p.m. Live and silent auctions along with raffles will take place.
Limited tickets are still available to purchase by calling USA Boxing New England at 781-329-9577.
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SHOWTIME® TO TELEVISE KELL BROOK VS. DIEGO CHAVES IBF WELTERWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP ON SATURDAY, OCT. 24, LIVE FROM SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND
SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL® Brook vs. Chaves Airs
Live at 5:45 p.m. ET/ 2:45 p.m. PT with an Encore Presentation at 9 p.m. ET/PT
NEW YORK (Sept. 29, 2015) – SHOWTIME Sports® will present the IBF Welterweight World Championship between undefeated defending champion Kell Brook and contender Diego Chaves on Saturday, Oct. 24, live on SHOWTIME at 5:45 p.m. ET / 2:45 p.m. PT from Motorpoint Arena in Sheffield, England.
The SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL presentation of the Sky Sports telecast will feature analysis from SHOWTIME boxing experts before and after the world championship showdown. An encore presentation of the bout will air on SHOWTIME later that evening at 9 p.m. ET/PT.
“I’m delighted that my fight with Chaves is going to be shown in the U.S.,” said Brook, who hails from Sheffield and will be the favorite in this fight. “I was thrilled when I saw my name in the top 10 of the pound-for-pound list in The Ring Magazine, and now is the time that I need to show the fans in the U.S. that I am a must-see fighter.
“Chaves is an all-action boxer who always comes to fight, and that is the perfect style for me to shine on Oct. 24. I look forward to putting on an explosive performance and making the U.S. stand up and take notice that I am the best welterweight in the world.”
“We know Brook is a tough fighter, very technical,” said Diego Chaves. “But he is not a fast fighter and he is easily bothered by body punches, which is one of our strengths. I believe he has problems going backwards, and we are going to test his punching power, too.
“I feel that my confidence grows with this challenge, knowing that I will have to face a champion like Kell Brook in his home country in England. This raises the stakes for me, going up there as an Argentine and as a huge underdog. We know all the bad blood that exists between Argentina and England and this will give me much more strength. I will make history if I defeat an Englishman in his own country.”
“We’re excited to be back in business with Kell Brook, Matchroom Boxing and Eddie Hearn and to deliver this exciting matchup of top 10 welterweights to the U.S. audience,” said Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President and General Manager of SHOWTIME Sports. “Kell won the world title on SHOWTIME in an action-packed victory over Shawn Porter last fall, establishing himself as one of the top welterweights in the world – but Diego Chaves is a rugged fighter who has also proven that he can compete with the elite of the division.”
Brook (35-0, 24 KOs) will make his third consecutive title defense of 2015 in his native England after coming to the U.S. and dethroning previously undefeated IBF Welterweight World Champion Shawn Porter in August 2014 on SHOWTIME. The Sheffield native has scored knockouts in each of his defenses – a fourth round TKO of Jo Jo Dan on March 28 and a sixth round TKO of Frankie Gavin on May 30. Brook aims for a similar result against the veteran Chaves, who has faced some of the top fighters in the 147-pound division.
Chaves (23-2-1, 19 KOs), of Buenos Aires, Argentina, has been a road warrior in recent fights, facing favored Americans on the road in three of his last four bouts. He challenged 147-pound titlist Keith Thurman in July 2013 and, after winning by knockout in a hometown fight in Argentina, was ahead on the judges’ scorecards against Brandon Riosin August 2014 until he was disqualified for an intentional elbow to the face. In his last fight, Chaves fought to a draw against perennial welterweight champion Timothy Bradley.