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SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® REPORTER JIM GRAY CALLS INDUCTION INTO INTERNATIONAL BOXING HALL OF FAME AN ‘UNLIKELY AND TREMENDOUS HONOR’

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Veteran Reporter Joins Former Play-By-Play Announcer Steve Albert As Sixth From SHOWTIME Sports® Since 2012 To Be Presented With Boxing’s Highest Honor

 

NEW YORK (June 11, 2018) – SHOWTIME Sports® veteran reporter Jim Gray was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame on Sunday in Canastota, N.Y., joining former colleague and longtime SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING play-by-play announcer Steve Albert in receiving boxing’s most prestigious honor.

 

 

 

Gray and Albert became the fifth and sixth SHOWTIME Sports talent enshrined in the Hall of Fame since 2012. They join boxing analyst Al Bernstein (2012), ring announcer Jimmy Lennon Jr. (2013), analyst and historian Steve Farhood (2017) and play-by-play announcer Barry Tompkins (2017).

 

 

 

In front of a large crowd that included close friends Mike Tyson, Don King, Deontay Wilder, Julius Irving, Jerry Richardson, Stedman Graham, Bob Costas and many others, the 59-year-old Southern California resident Gray reflected on 40-plus years of covering the sport of boxing. “My journey today has been an unlikely one,” Gray said during his induction speech. “The Boxing Hall of Fame immortalized all of these great fighters. So this magnificent honor comes with tremendous humility. How could this happen? I never took a punch.”

 

 

 

Gray, who started with SHOWTIME in 1994, was honored with a Special Individual Achievement Emmy Award – he currently has 12 Emmy’s in total – in 1997 for his interview of Mike Tyson following the heavyweight’s second loss to Evander Holyfield, the infamous “bite fight.” The National Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association also named that interview the “Sports Broadcast Story of the Year.” Additionally, the American Sportscasters Association has voted Gray “Sportscaster of the Year” in 1998 and ‘99.

 

 

 

Gray chose Tyson to introduce him on Sunday during the induction ceremony. “It’s ironic,” said Gray. “The man who threatened to kill me in public is now inducting me into the Hall of Fame.”

 

 

 

“This award is way, way overdue,” an emotional Tyson said of his good friend. “I’m very proud of you. Well-deserved.”

 

 

 

With this past weekend’s induction ceremony, SHOWTIME Sports now boasts five current Hall of Famers featured on the network: Gray, Bernstein, Farhood, Tompkins and Lennon Jr.

 

 

 

“I am so pleased for Jim and Steve that they received this great honor,” said David Dinkins Jr., Senior Vice President and Executive Producer of SHOWTIME Sports. “Jim Gray’s interviews and reporting have been an integral part of our SHOWTIME telecast from the beginning. Because of his skills and instincts we have been able to cover the events in depth. There have been countless times that Jim’s dogged pursuit of a story has enabled us to paint the complete picture of the event.”

 

 

 

Gray has forged one of the most memorable sports broadcasting careers in recent history, which includes a deep boxing resume. Gray has worked more than 1,200 fights and interviewed over 1,500 fighters throughout his career, including 20 of his fellow Hall of Famers, such as Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, George Foreman and future Hall of Famer Floyd Mayweather Jr. and many others ringside.

 

 

 

Outside of the ring, Gray has covered nearly every sport and landed some of the industry’s most lucrative interviews, including sit-downs with Michael Phelps, Tiger Woods, Tom Brady and Michael Jordan.

 

 

 

Albert spent two decades calling fights for SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING. Albert called more than 300 fights during his tenure with SHOWTIME, including Julio Cesar Chavez vs. Greg Haugen in front of 130,000 fans at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, Tyson-Holyfield I & II and the epic Corrales vs. Castillo series.

 

 

 

“Steve Albert’s incredible preparation and perfect timing were the reasons for his memorable fight calls,” Dinkins said. “Steve was the voice of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING through the high profile fights of the Tyson and Chavez eras. He will be forever linked to those shows which helped establish our network as a major broadcaster of boxing.”

 

 

 

Both Gray and Albert earned induction into the Observer category, which recognizes outstanding achievements of print and media journalists, publishers, writers, historians, photographers and artists.

Boxcino, NBC, Premier Boxing Champions

DANNY GARCIA REMAINS UNDEFEATED WITH MAJORITY DECISION OVER LAMONT PETERSON DURING SATURDAY’S EDITION OF PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON NBC FROM BARCLAYS CENTER

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ANDY LEE AND PETER QUILLIN BATTLE TO DRAW

IN EXPLOSIVE BOUT

 

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Photo Credit: Lucas Noonan/Premier Boxing Champions

 

BROOKLYN (April 12, 2015) – Premier Boxing Champions on NBC returned with two exciting bouts Saturday night as Danny “Swift” Garcia (30-0, 17 KOs) defeated Lamont Peterson (33-3-1, 17 KOs) by majority decision and “Irish” Andy Lee (34-2-1, 24 KOs) and Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin (31-0-1, 22 KOs) fought to a split draw at Barclays Center.

 

The evening’s second main event saw the undefeated Garcia stalk the lightning quick Peterson around the ring while consistently attacking Peterson’s body. Peterson moved well in the first half of the fight, but did not begin engaging offensively until the later rounds.

 

The two exchanged blows throughout a raucous twelfth round that stirred the crowd of 12,300 at Barclays Center into a frenzy. The judges tallies ended at 115-113 for Garcia twice and one score of 114-114.

 

“I feel great. I prepared for a war. He was moving a lot. I thought it was close, not going to lie,” said Garcia. “It was definitely close the whole way through. I did enough to win and I’m happy with my performance.

 

[On going up in weight]  “I feel like I have to go up. It’s affecting my performance, but I feel like I did a great job.”

 

“I did my part. I’m not calling it a robbery but it was a good fight,” said Peterson. “I don’t expect an easy journey for me to get where I’m going. I feel great. That’s probably the least contact I’ve ever had in a fight.”

 

In the first main event, Quillin scored a huge knockdown in the first round and followed it up by putting Lee on the canvas in round three. Lee made adjustments as the fight went on and began to box Quillin effectively, even putting him down in the seventh round.

 

Lee and Quillin landed almost the same percentage of punches with Lee connecting on 38 percent and Quillin on 39 percent. One judge scored the bout 113-112 for Lee with another scoring the bout 113-112 for Quillin and the final had a score of 113-113.

 

“There’s a reason why judges are judges. They see it their way. I respect the decision,” said Quillin.

 

[On being knocked down] “There’s a first time for everything. I’m very thankful that I was able to get back up and keep fighting. I took a year off and I was able to go 12-rounds and I could have kept going.”

 

“It was a tough fight. He dropped me early because I was being lazy. I got my momentum late in the fight and I boxed consistently. I understand why with two knockdowns people felt he won the decision. I could have done better tonight. If my next fight is Peter Quillin.”

 

Premier Boxing Champions on NBC was promoted by DiBella Entertainment and sponsored by Corona.

 

For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com www.nbcsports.com/boxing,www.BarclaysCenter.com and www.dbe1.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @LouDiBella, @DannySwift, @KingPete26, @KidChocolate, @AndyLeeBoxing, @RealLuisCollazo, @NBCSports and @BarclaysCenter and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions,www.facebook.com/NBCSports and www.facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment. Follow the conversation using #PremierBoxingChampions and #BKBoxing.
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PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON NBC FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES & PHOTOS

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Photo Credit: Ed Diller/DiBella Entertainment

 

BROOKLYN (April 9, 2015) – As Saturday’s fight night rapidly approaches, fighters competing on Saturday’s Premier Boxing Champions on NBC night of fights held a final press conference Thursday at the Edison Ballroom in New York City.

 

PBC on NBC main event bouts at Barclays Center feature undefeated superstar Danny “Swift” Garcia (29-0, 17 KOs) facing Lamont Peterson (33-2-1, 17 KOs) and the middleweight championship bout between “Irish” Andy Lee (34-2, 24 KOs) and undefeated Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin (31-0, 22 KOs). The second installment of PBC on NBC begins at 8:30 p.m. ET.

 

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment, are priced at $300, $200, $150, $100, $80 and $50, not including applicable service charges and taxes, and are on sale now.Tickets are available at www.barclayscenter.com, www.ticketmaster.comand at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. To charge by phone, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. For group tickets, please call 800-GROUP-BK.

 

Here are what the fighters had to say at Thursday’s press conference:

 

DANNY GARCIA

 

“I’ve been working on fighting hard, but also smart. I’m going to go in there and dictate the pace and I’m always looking for the knockout. If I can’t knock him out then I’ll be ready to go 12 rounds.

 

“It’s always hard making weight, but I’m on weight now. Right now I’m growing into my prime and my body is getting bigger and it’ll be time soon for me to go up in weight.

 

“I’m looking at this as a very big fight. So I’m going in there mentally and physically ready. He’s coming to fight and I’m coming to fight. Saturday is going to be about who can make the right adjustments.

 

“I love Brooklyn. This is my fourth fight here and I’ve heard that the tickets for this fight are selling faster than any other fight they’ve held here. So I must be doing something right in Brooklyn. The atmosphere is great at Barclays Center.

 

“I’ve always felt that I’m one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. I’ve won a lot of big fights with a lot of great fighters, and my goal is just continue winning one fight at a time.”

 

LAMONT PETERSON

 

“Danny’s talk makes no difference to me. I think I’m even more confident than him and I’ll get the victory Saturday night and that will be that.

 

“The stakes are high. This can definitely push me to the next level in this boxing game. I’ve been at the top for a while but there’s a difference between being at the top and being an elite fighter. I think this will solidify me as an elite fighter.

 

“I looked at a few of Danny’s fights but nothing really stood out to me. I know Danny is a counterpuncher, that’s what he does. We’ve come up with a game plan to stop that.

 

“I’m a different person than the other guys Danny has fought. I’m a different person with a different style. I trust myself to make adjustments in the ring.

 

“This fight will be different than either of our fights with Matthysse. It’s two different fights and styles make fights. There will be different results. I had to prepare for Danny Garcia and Danny Garcia had to prepare for me.

 

“There’s no pressure fighting on this big card, but I know what it brings. This brings more exposure and I want to use that exposure in the right way. I know I’m looked up to as a role model and I just want to use this exposure.

 

“This will put a big spotlight on boxing and I’m happy to be a part of it.

 

“I’m ready to fight, I’ve prepared well and I’m ready to put on a show.”

 

ANDY LEE

 

“I’m eager to fight and ready to go. I’m feeling very dangerous right now.

 

“My ring generalship is one thing, but overall I feel like I have a good idea of what I want to do in the ring. Peter has an idea too, but it’s more moment to moment for him, which can be good as well, when you improvise. I’m more of a guy who will set you up and work to a plan.

 

“Coming back and winning a fight really strengthens your resolve. You know in your mind that at any time, you have a chance of winning. I never plan to be behind but it happens. This time I plan to lead from the front.

 

“Peter is offensive, which leaves openings. He might be cautious for a while because both of us know that we might pay the price of being offensive. Eventually we’ll exchange and it will be explosive one way of the other.

 

“I’m a southpaw puncher who can box and I’ve never been in a dull fight. I have a ‘never say die’ attitude and I’m not someone who is just going to go out there and play it safe. I’ll risk it all to win.

 

“My confidence is very high. I’m the champion of the world and there’s no higher station than that in boxing. I’m the champion and he’ll have to come and take my title.”

 

PETER QUILLIN

 

“Everyone tune in on April 11 because we’re going to do more than just try to take that belt, we’re going to take that belt because that’s what we do.

 

“Andy is the champion of the world but this is the second time I’ve been the challenger to a world champion. I’ve been here before. I know he’s a newly crowned champion so I have nothing bad to say about him.

 

“Andy’s greatest strength is that he lost twice and was able to come back and make himself look very good.

 

“This is a totally different caliber fight than either of us has had. I’m not any of those fighters that he’s faced. I can’t go in there and try to fight like a Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.

 

“I’m only concerned about working hard, which I’ve done every day leading up to this fight. So I have no concerns at all.

 

“I’m motivated period. My heart is built on motivation in all things. Talking to media, being on NBC, fighting for the belt and being a positive person. I’m thankful that every day I can put out a positive story about myself.”

 

LOU DIBELLA, President of DiBella Entertainment

 

“We have a great night of boxing from beginning to end, you will be hearing a lot more from these young fighters.

 

“If you want to see everything, get there to Barclays Center at 5 p.m.

 

“We’re very thrilled that this is going to be televised in primetime on NBC. PBC on NBC. It has a nice ring to it.

 

“The first main event of the evening features Andy Lee, middleweight champion and the fighting pride of Limerick. He is a warrior, he’s at the most confident point of his career and he’s going to need to be because he’s fighting an undefeated champion.

 

“Peter Quillin makes Brooklyn his home. It’s his third fight at Barclays Center and he has a perfect record of 31-0. He’s going to try to take Andy’s belt, but it won’t be easy.

 

“The bout that will close the show is one of the most eagerly anticipated bouts in all of boxing. Lamont Peterson is noted for being one of the most technically sound boxers in the game and he has an outstanding record to a back it up.

 

“Danny Garcia really embodies what it means to be a Philadelphia fighter. He’s a tough guy with an undefeated record. He’s going to look to keep that record perfect against Lamont Peterson.”

 

JON MILLER, President, Programming, NBC Sports & NBCSN

 

“On behalf of NBC Sports we’re thrilled to be a part of this and to be in our own backyard. We couldn’t pick a better venue than Barclays Center. The card put together is spectacular. There are great fights once again and we’re excited about the progress that this new property has taken for us.

 

“I think one of the most unique things about this Saturday night is that it’s going to make history in television because three of the most venerable and outstanding sports television personalities will be working together for the first time as Al Michaels will be our host, Marv Albert will be doing play-by-play and for the first time ever they will be joined by Bob Costas.

 

“These three iconic figures have worked Olympics and Super Bowls but it’s the first time they’ve ever worked together on one event and that is a tribute to what the entire has put together in delivering this great card.”

 

BRETT YORMARK, CEO of Barclays Center

 

“This Saturday marks a historic moment for Barclays Center as we host our 11thprofessional boxing event and our first Premier Boxing Champions event.

 

“When you combine the talent in the ring, the production of the show and the iconic broadcasting team of Al Michael, Bob Costas and Marv Albert plus boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard this will be one of the best fight nights that New York has hosted in decades.

 

“Signifying the magnitude of the event, tickets have sold faster than at any other boxing show Barclays Center has hosted.

 

“At Barclays Center, we have not only served as a launch pad for many local boxers’ careers, but have relished in the role of becoming the home for Champions.”
boxing, NBC, Premier Boxing Champions

PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON NBC MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES & PHOTOS

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Photo Credit: Angela Cranford/Barclays Center

 

BROOKLYN (April 7, 2015) – Fighters competing on Saturday’s Premier Boxing Champions on NBC night of fights participated in a media workout today at Barclays Center in anticipation of their upcoming bouts.

 

PBC on NBC main event bouts at Barclays Center feature undefeated superstar Danny “Swift” Garcia (29-0, 17 KOs) facing Lamont Peterson (33-2-1, 17 KOs) and the middleweight championship bout between “Irish” Andy Lee (34-2, 24 KOs) and undefeated Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin (31-0, 22 KOs). The second installment of PBC on NBC begins at 8:30 p.m. ET.

 

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment, are priced at $300, $200, $150, $100, $80 and $50, not including applicable service charges and taxes, and are on sale now.Tickets are available at www.barclayscenter.com, www.ticketmaster.comand at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. To charge by phone, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. For group tickets, please call 800-GROUP-BK.

 

Here are what the fighters had to say at Tuesday’s workout:

 

DANNY GARCIA

 

“I just want to give the fans a great fight. I want them to see the best Danny Garcia. At the end of the day, this is the fight the fans want to see. My main focus is putting on a great show for the fans.

 

“I’ve faced a lot of skillful boxers in my career and I’m still undefeated. That should tell the fans around the world who has more skill. Come April 11 when he’s feeling these two bombs on his face he’s going to forget about his skill.

 

“I just want to give fans a great fight. I’m not too worried about the ‘0’ on my record. I fight hard to protect it but my main focus is to go in there and get the job done one fight at a time.

 

“Everything I’ve done in my career is for a reason. Now I’m here on NBC fighting on this big playing field. This is great for boxing and a breath of fresh air for the sport.

 

“I just want to be confident and humble at the same time. I want the fans to love me because I’m being myself. It’s very important for a young champion.

 

“I’m going to try to dictate the pace, be smart, move my head, use my feet and land good punches. I can’t try to chase him down.

 

“I used to love other great Puerto Rican boxers like Felix Trinidad, Miguel Cotto and Hector Camacho. I feel like I’m definitely working my way up into the ranks with them and following their footsteps.

 

“I have to be smart in the ring. I have to go in there and be Danny Garcia. I’m here because I’m a smart fighter. Everyone knows that. I have power. I’m going to find my opening and capitalize on his mistakes.”

 

 

LAMONT PETERSON

 

“This is just another fight for me. I’m not worried about being the main event. I just love to fight. As long as I’m fighting I’m happy.

 

“A lot of people see us fight and see us take punches, but that’s just the easy part. The sacrifice in the gym and putting my body through punishment is the rough part.

 

“I’m not trying to prove anyone wrong, but this fight is important to me and I want to win it. I want to be the top guy and that means beating the top guy.

 

“People talk about him beating Matthysse and Matthysse beating me, but anyone who knows about boxing knows that doesn’t mean anything. Come Saturday night I will prove to everyone that I’m a better fighter than Danny Garcia.

 

“Angel Garcia has his opinion on this fight, and I respect it. He can go on record and say anything he wants, but if he says Danny Garcia is stronger than me, I’ll tell you that’s a lie.

 

“We’re not worried about Danny’s power. A lot of people have asked me about that but I’m not worried. Danny Garcia had a split decision with Kendall Holt, who I knocked out. No one seems to mention that.

 

“I’m comfortable with whatever way this fight goes. I’m almost guaranteeing the win.

 

“I don’t think they’re taking me lightly. At the end of the day, Garcia knows this is a fight and he knows he hasn’t fought anyone like me. I’m expecting a big victory Saturday night.

 

“You never know what you’re going to see with me. Whatever I feel like I need to do to win, that’s what I’ll do. I’m prepared 100 percent. I’m in shape for 30 rounds and I’ll be ready for anything. ”

 

ANDY LEE

 

“We’ve made unbelievable progress in the last year on my skills and everything has really just clicked for me and my team and now we’re seeing the results in the ring.

 

“I’m very proud to be an Irishman from Limerick defending his world championship in New York, it doesn’t get much better than that.

 

“There’s been a huge weight lifted off my shoulders since winning the world-title. It’s what I always wanted to do and I’ve been touted as a champion for years and if I never got it I would have been disappointed. Now the monkey is off my back and I can just box and show people who I am.

 

“We’ve made physical and tactical improvements in the gym since the last fight and hopefully they’ll show up in the ring on Saturday.

 

“I think this could be a technical fight or it could be a bit of a fire fight. It’s going to be a little of both at times. There will be moments where we’re looking at each other, figuring each other out, but once we exchange it could be explosive.

 

“Quillin is sure of himself, but he has to be, I have the same mentality. You have to be to compete in this sport.

 

“Fighting at home like Quillin is on Saturday, brings a different kind of pressure to the table, it’s the pressure of expectations and people you know coming to the fights. That’s also pressure and I know all about that.

 

“I haven’t needed to build up my confidence for this fight. It’s not time to think. It’s time to do what I’ve been doing every day in the gym.”

 

PETER QUILLIN

 

“I never trailed in a fight and came back and won like Lee. I’ve just won all the time right out of the gate. Those other guys aren’t ‘Kid Chocolate’ so I think that’s why this fight was made.

 

“It’s a big fight for him and a big fight for me. He’s a smart fighter when he’s in trouble so I have to watch out for that. Most importantly I just need to be true to myself.

 

“A lot of people had Lee as the underdog in his last fight but he came out and did great. That’s the thing about boxing; one punch can change the fight.

 

“I’m getting paid for 12 rounds so I’m preparing for 12 rounds but if I can get him out of there early I will.

 

“My whole life has been struggles and I’ve had to overcome every single one of those struggles. This is going to be no different from that.

 

“Being a father of course made me more inspired and watching my uncle pass has made me more motivated than ever to accomplish everything I want.

 

“When I gave up the belt I learned that I can be a bigger man and make tough decisions like that all of the time. People think losing is easy, but winning all the time is a different kind of pressure.”

 

ERROL SPENCE JR.

 

“I am the best young prospect in the game. I’m on the borderline of contender status and I believe I’m one fight away from being a contender.

 

“I’m a little bit of a mix style-wise. I’m a boxer, I can punch and I can fight if I have to.

 

“The fight I learned the most from was with Emanuel Lartey, he was undefeated along with me and it was my first real fight and first time going the distance.

 

“I see myself fighting all the top guys in the welterweight division. I see myself with Keith Thurman, Amir Khan and any top welterweight.

 

“I’m going to look good as always on Saturday night, It’s going to be fantastic and I’m going to come out with the victory.”

 

MARCUS BROWNE

 

“I’m just blessed to have this opportunity to fight at Barclays Center for the eighth time in front of my hometown fans.

 

“I love performing in in Brooklyn. The fans here are fantastic and they know when I get in the ring they’re going to see something special.

 

“I have a tough opponent in front of me. He’s experienced, very lanky fighter but we’ve trained very hard and I’m ready for anything he’s got.

 

“Saturday is going to be a great night for Team Browne, Staten Island and all of my fans. Don’t blink cause you might miss it!”

 

LUIS COLLAZO

 

“I’ve spent some time with the family, regrouping and making sure I still have the same passion for this sport. I’m excited to be back and I jumped at the opportunity to be on this card.

 

“This is what I live for. Boxing is my life.

 

“After the Khan fight I took about a month off and then I went straight to the gym. I couldn’t go out like I did against Khan. No excuses, but it was time to go back to the drawing board and stay motivated throughout the whole year.

 

“The fans can expect the same excitement I always bring. I’m more motivated now and hopefully after this fight I can get a big fight and give the fans what they want.”

 

HEATHER HARDY

 

“I have the same mindset going into every fight. I train to fight my fight and make adjustments when get in there.

 

“I feel strong and I feel capable of whatever needs to be done.

 

“I’ve only been boxing for four years so I’m still learning a lot of boxing technique in camp plus working three or four days a week with my strength and conditioning coach.

 

“Fans can expect a good show and a big win out me on Saturday.”
boxing, NBC, Premier Boxing Champions

PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON NBC FIGHTERS ANDY LEE, PETER QUILLIN, MARCUS BROWNE & HEATHER HARDY RING NYSE CLOSING BELL®

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Photo Credit: NYSE/Valerie Caviness

Click HERE for Replay Of The Ceremony

 

BROOKLYN (April 6, 2015) – Fighters Andy Lee, Peter Quillin, Marcus Browne and Heather Hardy, who are fighting on Saturday night on the Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on NBC show at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, participated in the ringing of the NYSE Closing Bell® today. Fighters were joined by Barclays Center CEO Brett Yormark, DiBella Entertainment President Lou DiBella, Swanson Communications President Kelly Swanson, Barclays Center Chief Communications Officer Barry Baum, and Haymon Boxing Vice President of Communications Tim Smith for the ceremony.

 

Click to see photos and a replay from today’s ceremony at NYSE.

 

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment, are priced at $300, $200, $150, $100, $80 and $50, not including applicable service charges and taxes, and are on sale now. Tickets are available at www.barclayscenter.com, www.ticketmaster.com and at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. To charge by phone, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. For group tickets, please call 800-GROUP-BK.

 

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For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com www.nbcsports.com/boxing,

www.BarclaysCenter.com and www.dbe1.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @LouDiBella, @DannySwift, @KingPete26, @KidChocolate, @AndyLeeBoxing, @RealLuisCollazo, @NBCSports and @BarclaysCenter and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions,www.facebook.com/NBCSports and

www.facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment. Follow the conversation using #PremierBoxingChampions and #BKBoxing.
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DANNY GARCIA MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES & PHOTOS

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Photo Credit: Jeff Fusco

 

PHILADELPHIA (April 1, 2015) – As fight week nears for the second installment of Premier Boxing Champions on NBC (8:30 pm ET/5:30 p.m. PT), undefeated superstar Danny “Swift” Garcia held a media workout in his hometown of Philadelphia in preparation for his showdown with fellow world champion Lamont Peterson on Saturday, April 11 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

 

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment, are priced at $300, $200, $150, $100, $80 and $50, not including applicable service charges and taxes, and are on sale now.Tickets are available at www.barclayscenter.com, www.ticketmaster.com and at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. To charge by phone, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. For group tickets, please call 800-GROUP-BK.

 

Check out what Garcia and his father and trainer Angel had to say on Wednesday.

 

DANNY GARCIA

 

“Training is going well, I’ve done everything I have to do and I’m still focused. It’s a week and a half until the fight and I’m ready to go. If the fight were tomorrow I’d be ready.

 

“It’s a big fight and it’s the fight that the fans wanted. We’re going to give the fans a great night of boxing on NBC and it’s time the show the world that Danny Garcia is the star of NBC.

 

“We have common opponents like Khan and Matthysse and we’ve had different results.  They say styles make fights so those results don’t matter. Well, my style is to kick his butt.

 

“I know that this second PBC on NBC show is going to be even bigger and I just feel blessed to be a part of it and I can’t wait to go out there and showcase my skills.

 

“I’m ready for whatever Peterson brings. If he tries to box then I’m going to go with that and if he wants to fight, I’ll be ready. I’m not going to go in and just try to knock his head off, I’m going to be Danny Garcia.

 

“I’d love to be fighting on the biggest stage in boxing against the Mayweather and Pacquiaos, but for now it’s just about taking it one fight at a time, this is history in the making.

 

“A lot of things have changed for me in the last few years, everybody knows me now. A lot of people look at you different now but it doesn’t make my head bigger, it just motivates me to work hard.

 

“I love Brooklyn, it’s my fourth fight at Barclays Center and I’m looking to make it 4-0 on April 11.

 

“This is a blessing for the sport of boxing. Millions of fans haven’t had the opportunity to watch boxing on primetime in years and this is great for the sport.”

 

ANGEL GARCIA

 

“I’ll give Peterson credit for putting the gloves on. He thinks it’s going to be an easy night for him. He sees himself already on top of the mountain. It’s not going to happen like that, we’re going to ruin his party.

 

“I want Peterson to act confident and come forward. They’re talking like Danny isn’t special but he lost to the guys we beat.

 

“It doesn’t matter what anyone says as long as Danny is in here putting in 100 percent every day. It’s all about April 11.

 

“We’re not going to train for eight weeks to go in there and worry about what Peterson is going to do, we’re going to do what we have to do. We train to go in there and win on April 11.”

 

 

#       #       #

 

For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com www.nbcsports.com/boxing,www.BarclaysCenter.com and www.dbe1.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @LouDiBella, @DannySwift, @KingPete26, @KidChocolate, @AndyLeeBoxing, @RealLuisCollazo, @NBCSports and @BarclaysCenter and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions,www.facebook.com/NBCSports and www.facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment. Follow the conversation using #PremierBoxingChampions and #BKBoxing.
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BOB COSTAS, AL MICHAELS & MARV ALBERT TO WORK TOGETHER FOR FIRST TIME EVER ON  APRIL 11 “PBC ON NBC”  PRIMETIME SHOW  LIVE FROM BROOKLYN

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Legendary Announce Trio Has Combined to Work 

25 Super Bowls, 25 NBA Finals, 

23 Olympics & 19 World Series

 

Costas to Present Feature on History of Boxing in New York

 

PBC on NBC Returns Saturday, April 11, Live at 

8:30 PM ET on NBC, Featuring 

Danny “Swift” Garcia (29-0) vs. Lamont Peterson (33-2-1) & 

“Irish” Andy Lee (34-2) vs. Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin (31-0)

 

STAMFORD, Conn. – March 31, 2015 – One of America’s iconic big-event broadcast voices, Bob Costas, will serve as a special contributor for NBC’s Saturday, April 11 primetime telecast of Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on NBC, it was announced today.

 

Costas, host Al Michaels, and blow-by-blow announcer Marv Albert will work together on a broadcast for the first time ever on the PBC on NBC show Saturday, April 11 live at 8:30 p.m. ET from Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Costas will present a feature on the long and storied history of boxing in New York.

 

Returning to their native New York for the telecast (Albert and Michaels are from Brooklyn, Costas from Commack, Long Island), the trio is synonymous with the biggest events in sports – combining to work 25 Super Bowls, 25 NBA Finals, 23 Olympics, 19 World Series, and numerous championship boxing events on television and radio.

 

“We are thrilled to have three of sports’ all-time broadcasting heavyweights – in prominence, not weight – working together on TV for the first time,” said Sam Flood, Executive Producer, NBC Sports and NBCSN.  “Appropriately, these three are teammates on a primetime NBC boxing telecast.”

 

“While I have done many broadcasts with Al and with Marv, this is a one-time opportunity to work on the same broadcast with two of the all-time greats, plus it’s a chance for me and Al to renew our ongoing debate with Marv as to which was the greater cinematic achievement – BASEketball or The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh,” said Costas, who at the 2014 Sochi Winter Games became U.S. television’s first 10-time Olympic primetime host (Jim McKay hosted eight times for ABC).

 

“I never could have imagined this,” said Michaels, who in 2015 on Sunday Night Football begins his record 30th consecutive season as the play-by-play voice of the NFL’s premier primetime broadcast package. “And to have it all happen close to where we all grew up makes it that much more special. Very, very cool.”

 

“It is an honor to be a part of this group,” said Albert, who has been the most recognizable national voice of the NBA since 1990 in addition to his 37 years as the radio and TV voice of the New York Knicks. “I’ve always had great admiration for the work that Al and Bob have done through the years, and I’m proud to call them friends.”

 

Michaels, Albert, and Costas will be joined on the telecast by analyst and six-time world champion “Sugar” Ray Leonard, corner analyst B.J. Flores, and reporter Kenny Rice.

 

The Saturday, April 11 PBC on NBC primetime show features four boxers with a combined 127-4-1 record and 80 KOs – undefeated superstar Danny “Swift” Garcia (29-0, 17 KOs) vs. Lamont Peterson (33-2-1, 17 KOs), and middleweight champion “Irish” Andy Lee (34-2, 24 KOs) vs. Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin (31-0, 22 KOs).

 

Following is an additional look at the legendary sports broadcasting trio working its first event together.

 

TALE OF THE TAPE

 

As play-by-play announcer or host, on television or radio, Costas, Michaels and Albert have each worked the Super Bowl, Olympics, NBA Finals and World Series on multiple occasions. Following is a breakdown

 

Announcer Events worked
Bob Costas 11 Olympics, 11 NBA Finals, 7 Super Bowls, 7 World Series
Al Michaels 10 Super Bowls, 8 Olympics, 8 World Series, 2 NBA Finals
Marv Albert 12 NBA Finals, 8 Super Bowls, 4 Olympics, 4 World Series

 

MEMORABLE CALL

 

AL MICHAELS — “Do you believe in Miracles? Yes!” – 1980 Winter Olympics, U.S. Hockey team defeats Soviet Union in semifinal

 

MARV ALBERT – “Yes, and it counts!” – Numerous NBA telecasts

 

BOB COSTAS – “The New York Yankees…World Champions….Team of the Decade…most successful franchise of the century.” – Final out as Yankees sweep Braves in 1999 World Series

 

GREAT TRIOS

 

While we will resist the temptation to compare the Costas-Michaels-Albert broadcasting trio to the equally esteemed Three Tenors (José Carreras, Plácido Domingo, and Luciano Pavarotti), following is a sampling of great sports trios that at least one of the three has covered:

 

LeBron James-Dwayne Wade-Chris Bosh – Led by the All-Star trio, the Miami Heat  advanced to four consecutive NBA Finals, winning two (2012 and 2013).

 

Greg Maddux-John Smoltz-Tom Glavine – From 1993-2002, the pitching trio led the Atlanta Braves to the playoffs every season, won three National League pennants and captured the 1995 World Series title.

 

Troy Aikman-Emmitt Smith-Michael Irvin — Nicknamed “The Triplets,” the Hall of Fame quarterback-running back-wide receiver combination led the Dallas Cowboys to three Super Bowl victories in four seasons (1992-95).

 

Magic Johnson-Kareem Abdul-Jabbar-James Worthy – The Hall of Fame Los Angeles Lakers trio advanced to six of seven NBA Finals from 1983-89, winning three titles with each earning NBA Finals MVP honors once.

 

Wayne Gretzky-Mark Messier-Jari Kurri – The Hall of Fame Edmonton Oilers front line trio won four Stanley Cups in five years between 1984-88.

 

“Sugar” Ray Leonard-Thomas “Hitman” Hearns-“Marvelous” Marvin Hagler – Hall of Fame welterweight/middleweight trio captured 15 boxing titles in late 1970s and 1980s.

 

Larry Bird-Kevin McHale-Robert Parish – The Hall of Fame front court led the Boston Celtics to three NBA titles and two additional trips to the NBA Finals in the 1980s.

 

Pete Rose-Joe Morgan-Johnny Bench – Stalwarts of the “The Big Red Machine,” led Cincinnati Reds to three consecutive National League pennants, winning the World Series in 1975 and 1976.

 

Willis Reed-Walt Frazier-Dave DeBusschere – Trio led the New York Knicks to the franchise’s only two NBA titles in a four-year span (1970 and 1973).

 

The debut PBC on NBC telecast on Saturday, March 7 averaged 3.4 million viewers, ranking as the most-watched professional boxing broadcast in 17 years (“Oscar De La Hoya’s Fight Night” on FOX, 5.9 million, Mon., March 23, 1998). The PBC on NBC debut also led NBC to a Saturday primetime victory among Adults 18-49, with a 1.08 rating in the demographic.

 

NBC and NBCSN will present 20 live “PBC on NBC” boxing events in 2015. Within the 20 live shows, NBC Sports Group will present more than 50 hours of PBC coverage, including NBCSN pre- and post-fight programming for NBC telecasts. The Premier Boxing Champions series is created for television by Haymon Boxing.  The PBC on NBC will feature many of today’s brightest stars, in their most compelling matches.

 

All PBC on NBC shows will be streamed live on NBC Sports Live Extra via “TV Everywhere,” giving consumers additional value for their subscription service, and making high quality content available to MVPD customers both in and out of the home and on multiple platforms. NBC Sports Live Extra is available for desktops at NBCSports.com/liveextra. The NBC Sports Live Extra app is available on the iTunes App Store, Google Play and Windows Store.

 

–NBC SPORTS GROUP–