 WEST JORDAN, Utah (December 18, 2017) – United States Boxing Association (USBA) featherweight champion Jose “Pepito” Haro (14-1-1, 8 Kos) is suffering from unfair blowback for the accidental role he played this past summer, in which his opponent, Daniel Franco, nearly died from injuries resulting from their nationally televised fight in Idaho.
Den 3-2 underdog Haro, fighting out of West Jordan, Utah, dropped Franco with a chopping right in the eighth round, soon followed by a crisp combination of devastating punches, which resulted in a knockout victory and the USBA title for Haro.
Tyvärr, Franco (16-2-3, 11 Kos) was sent to Mercy Medical Hospital, where he underwent two brain surgeries to relieve pressure caused by brain bleeds. He came out of a medically induced coma and, fortunately, Franco continues to recover at home in California from what his father/trainer, Al Franco, has described as a miracle.
“I can’t forget it,” Haro said about his last fight. “It’s been traumatic. I’m very happy Franco is recovering but, every time something comes up about him on social media, a lot of people tag me. I don’t answer, I just need to deal with it. My victory was taken away, I couldn’t enjoy it. I fought a clean fight, but some people blame me for what happened.”
Haro hasn’t fought since that fateful night in Iowa last June. Whitfield Haydon, who serves as Haro’s agent, is a veteran Southern California matchmaker, kanske, best known for discovering under-the-radar boxing talent such as Haro. It appeared that Haro was finally going to catch a big break in late October, when Haydon was contacted about a non-mandatory title fight for Haro with International World Boxing (IBF) Fjädervikt världsmästare “Blixtnedslag” Lee Selby (26-1, 9 Kos). The Selby vs. Haro world title fight contract was reportedly being drawn up and Team Haro had agreed to promotional options in the event of him winning. Suddenly, fast, communications with Team Selby went dark. Team Haro later learned that Selby had gone in another direction, Eduardo Ramirez, who Selby defeated by way of a 12-round unanimous decision December 9 i London.
“We were going to London for short money because the world title shot was worth it,” Haydon explained. “Haro would have been one helluva live dog in that fight. I must not have been the only one thinking that way. I’ve been hearing that, within the boxing industry, Haro has become a hot potato after his Franco fight. How ridiculous is this? Last time I checked, Haro’s a featherweight who’s also capable of fighting at junior lightweight or super lightweight. My phone has been silent, fast, other than for a late notice fight or a fight at lightweight. Boxing sometimes eats its own. This is a joke.”
Haro, who was a member of the USA Junior Olympic Boxing Team during his amateur days, isn’t 100-percent sure why he’s not being offered good fights, but he does blame most of it on boxing politics.
“After the Franco fight,” Haro remarked, “I feel like I’ve been benched. I think I’m not getting good fights is because I’m a high risk, no reward fighter. I’m depressed right now about it. I love boxing but, Jag är 30 with a wife and five kids. Boxing politics is the reason!”
Boxing is the most unforgiving sport, boxers risk their lives every time they walk up the three steps into the ring. The aftereffects of a boxing tragedy like this is traumatic for all parties involved. Nobody knows that better than the 30-year-old Haro.
Ranked No. 15 i världen av IBF, Haro works fulltime for Pepsi, putting product on shelves at supermarkets in Utah. The father of three girls and two boys, the hard-working Mexican-American starts at 3 a.m. and works until 12 middagstid, then goes home to watch his children because his wife, Yesenia, also needs to work to make ends meet.
 Haro has overcome so many obstacles during his career that some refer to him as, “Hard Luck Haro.” In addition to repercussions from the Franco fight, back in 2015, he was shot in both feet (see accompanying picture) in a parking lot after shopping by a stranger for no apparent reason. Haro noted, “I was tainted by that because only bad guys get shot, höger?”Losing the opportunity to fight in his world title fight against Selby was another example of what Haro’s been facing the past six months. “I’m not much of a talker,” han medgav, “but I won’t be used for leverage. I won’t’ be used as piece of meat. I’m not taking a fight just for the money, I’m going in the ring to give it my all to win for me, my family and team.
“I’m riding this out (boxing career) for my wife and children. I’m teaching my kids to never give up and to continue working hard no matter what life may throw you. It’s been rough. We’ve had our ups and downs, but I have to continue working until, hopefully, I get a big payday.”
For Haro and Haydon, they’re both due for a big break in 2018.
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Tag Archives: Daniel Franco
Jose Haro issues statement on tragic injury sustained by Daniel Franco
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New USBA Featherweight Champion Jose Haro has issued a brief statement regarding the status of his fallen opponent, Daniel Franco, through his promotional representative, Whitfield Haydon:
“I respect all fighters. My heart hurts knowing that my opponent from Lördag night is still in the hospital. I hope he has a full and speedy recovery. Nothing but love, brotha. We put everything on the line when we step inside the ring. I always tell my brother/trainer that I’m a father first, fighter second, and if he ever sees me badly hurt to stop the fight because my kids need their daddy. I’m very grateful that I won but it really doesn’t feel like I won. I always pray that my opponent and myself come out our fight in good health. Let’s go #TeamFranco, you got this!” |
“KO Night Boxing” results from Iowa
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New showdown announced for “KO Night Boxing: WAR In WinnaVegas”
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Juni 10 live from Iowa on CBS Sports Network
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SLOAN, IA (Maj 31, 2017) – An injury has forced NABO Junior Welterweight Champion Maurice “Mighty Mo” Hooker (22-0-3, 16 Kos) to withdraw from his scheduled “KO Night Boxing: WAR In WinnaVegas” headline event against Abdiel “Mortero” Ramirez, på Lördag, Juni 10, vädring (10 p.m. OCH / 7 p.m. PT) on CBS Sports Network live from WinnaVegas Casino Resort in Sloan, Iowa.
“KO Night Boxing: WAR In WinnaVegas” is presented by KO Night Boxing LLC, in association with Roc Nation Sports, Ringside Ticket Inc. and WinnaVegas Resort Casino. TITLE Boxing is the official gloves provider for KO Night Boxing.
WBC Oriental Super Lightweight Champion Zhimin Wang (8-1, 3 Kos), Kina, will face Dallas lightweight Manuel Rey Rojas (14-3, 4 Kos) as an addition to the card. Elevated to main event status is the original 10-round co-feature being contested for the vacant United States Boxing Association (USBA) featherweight title, matching former USBA champion Daniel “Twitch” Franco (15-1-3, 10 Kos), who fights out of Rancho Cucamonga, Kalifornien, and Utah favorite Jose Haro (13-1-1, 7 Kos).
The 25-year-old Franco (15-1-3, 10 Kos), who fights under the Roc Nation Sports banner, was a standout amateur boxer captured the vacant USBA featherweight title last November, knocking out previously unbeaten Derrick Murray (13-0-1) in four rounds. He lost the belt in his following fight, stopped by veteran Christopher Martin (29-8-3) in the third round of their non-title fight in Los Angeles on Mars 23. Franco is currently rated No. 5 by the USBA and No. 11 by the NABO.
Haro (13-1-1, 7 Kos), USBA No. 14-Topplista, is an all-action fighter with tremendous potential. The 29-year-old is presently riding a six-fight win streak with five victories and one draw. His lone loss as a professional was to highly-touted prospect Toka Kahn Clary (11-0) by way of a six-round decision in 2014.
The new 10-round co-feature will be an exciting match-up between Wang and Rojas (14-3, 4 Kos). Last January in China, Zhimin defeated Aekkawee Kaewmanee (16-6), by way of a 10-round unanimous decision for the vacant WBO Oriental crown. The only blemish on Zhimin’s otherwise perfect pro record is a 10-round loss by decision last September, to then 12-0 Russian prospect Ivan Baranchyk in Oklahoma.
“I honestly felt that Haro vs. Franco was a legitimate main event fight as the co-feature,” promoter John Andersen. “Injuries are an unfortunate part of boxing and we’re disappointed to lose a world-class fighter like Hooker. Nu, fast, Haro-Franco gets top billing and we’re fortunate to have a solid co-feature added to a very competitive, entertaining card.”
The TV opener features Chicago super bantamweight prospect Giovanni Mioletti (7-0, 1 KO) taking on Las Vegas’ upset-minded Sal Lopez (4-1) i en sex-round bout. In a pair of four-round undercard matches, Sioux City, Iowa cruiserweight Shalyn Joseph will make his pro debut against Chicago’s Darrius Flowers (0-1), while Sioux Falls, South Dakota super welterweightKeith Cournoyer (0-0-1), fyrkanter av med Justin Likeness, of Minot, North Dakota.
Alla slagsmål och fighters är föremål för förändring.
Tickets are on sale at the WinnaVegas box office and online at www.tickets.winnavegas.biz. Advance ticket prices are $35.00 ringsiden (rader 1 & 2), $35.00 VIP Reserved Seating (rader 3 & 4), $20.00 General Admission Reserved Seating (rader 3 & 4) och $15.00 General Admission Standing Room Only. A special Resort/Hotel package for two is also available for $199.00, which includes two VIP Reserved Seats, WinnaVegas hotel room, two dinner vouchers and two $5.00 Söndag breakfast buffet-voucher.
Insläpp på 6:30 p.m. CT with the opening bout scheduled at 7:30 p.m. CT. It is an all-ages event.
INFORMATION:
Twitter: @KONightBoxing, @NeonStarSE, @WinnaVegasIA
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Two regional title fights featured on “KO Night Boxing: WAR In WinnaVegas”
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TWO-TIME WORLD CHAMPION ANDRE WARD AND POWER-PUNCHING COLOMBIAN ALEXANDER BRAND FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES AND PHOTOS
SHOWDOWN SET FOR SATURDAY, AUGUSTI 6
AT Oracle Arena i Oakland, KALIFORNIEN
TELEVISED LIVE ON HBO WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING ®
Klicka HÄR för bilder
Foto Credit: Roc Nation Sport / Tom Hogan – Hoganphotos
OAKLAND, SÅSOM (Augusti 4, 2016) - På torsdag, Augusti 4, Roc Nation Sports värd den avslutande presskonferensen för två-Time världsmästare och topprankad pund-for-pound fighter Andre Ward (29-0, 15 Kos) and power-punching Colombian Alexander Märke (25-1, 19 Kos) vid sjön Merritt amfiteater i Oakland, California in advance of their August 6 kämpa på Oracle Arena i Oakland. Ward and Brand will meet in 12-round WBO Intercontinental title fight televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing® beginning at 10:35 p.m. ET / PT.
Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf sent senior special advisor, Penny Moore, to kick off the press conference with an official proclamation honoring Ward’s contribution to the city and declaring August 4 as Andre Ward Day.
Below is what the fighters and dais guests had to say at the press conference:
Andre Ward, Två-Time världsmästare och topprankad pund-for-pound fighter:
“The Bay Area is a beautiful place. I’m blessed to be here in my city and to represent you all. I’ve gotten a lot of heat in the press about fighting here but I won’t apologize. I dreamed about fighting here and being a headliner. We’re going to continue to headline. I’m thankful for all the sponsors that were named, HBO and everybody who supported on a small and big level.
“I’m excited about the future. I want to be the lightweight champion of the world, a two division champion. Alla vet att, but it’s impossible for me to overlook this man (Brand). I’m not built like that. I wasn’t raised like that. I wasn’t groomed like that. As a young fighter, I don’t operate like that. This man is coming, this is his super bowl. Because this is his super bowl, it has to be my super bowl. My ribs are showing, Jag är hungrig. I’ll see you all Saturday night.”
ALEXANDER BRAND, Former WBC Latino Super Middleweight Champion:
“I want to thank you all for being here today. It’s a pleasure for me to be in this wonderful city. All I want to do is give a good show and make sure that I give that to my fans here in Oakland. I want to have a good fight and work hard. It’s really a true honor to be in the ring with a champion like Andre Ward.”
MICHAEL YORMARK, President och Chief of Branding & Strategy – Roc Nation:
“Over the last year and a half this city has become our home away from home, with Saturday marking Roc Nation Sports’ third big Bay Area fight in the last 16 månader. Viktigare, Oakland is also the home to the world’s greatest pound-for-pound boxer and Olympic gold medalist, your very own Andre Ward and now the new home of another Roc Nation star athlete, Kevin Durant. On Saturday at Oracle Arena and live on HBO, Andre looks to continue his conquest of the light heavyweight division when he takes on power-punching Colombian Alexander Brand.”
VIRGIL HUNTER, Andre Ward’s Trainer:
"Thanks to the city of Oakland for coming out and supporting Andre. We hope you continue to do that as we continue to grow in his career and his journey. Much respect for Team Brand. We consider him a very formidable opponent. He cannot be taken lightly. We know he can fight, we know he is a great competitor. It is also an honor for us to be in the ring with him and his team.”
JAMES PRINCE, Andre Ward’s Manager:
“I like to thank God for this opportunity, HBO, Roc Nation, Antonio Leonard Promotions and Team Alexander Brand. Alexander Brand has over 400 amateur fights so this is an opponent we’re not taking lightly. Anybody who has 400 fights has a lot of experience so we look forward to fighting him. We had him on our radar a few months ago but we didn’t reel him in. We were injured and he got away from us. Come Saturday night, we’re going to put an S.O.G brand on Alexander Brand.”
ALEX CAMPONOVO, Alexander Brand’s Manager:
“It’s been a long road for Alexander Brand. He’s worked very hard to get where he is today. He was given the opportunity by HBO last December for a fight in Florida on HBO Latino and he showed his true colors. This is a great opponent, one of the greatest of all time, in Andre Ward. We know that this champion probably has never lost a round inside the ring and that is what Brand is here to do, to prove himself and to show that if you try and work hard, you can go very far.”
TONY WALKER, Vice President, HBO Betala-Per-View:
“On behalf of our executive Vice President Peter Nelson and the rest of the HBO Sports staff, I’d like to say that we’re very happy to be here in Oakland. We are looking forward to a great card on Saturday night. We’ve done three shows from Oracle, and each time, Andre Ward has put on an outstanding performance and showcased his skills as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. We consider Andre one of the HBO family as he’s been able to showcase his skills, become one of the best boxers of this generation, recognized as a champion and he’s all done it with great character and great professionalism. He’s a joy to work with us at the network.
“I’d like to welcome Alexander Brand to the network as he’s here to spoil the party. Anytime you get in the ring, anything can happen as we’ve seen in boxing over the years. We welcome him and know that he’s going to give a great performance as he tries to elevate his own career.
“There seems to be an opportunity that people have been talking about this fall for Andre. With what we’ve seen in boxing over the past few years, I think we should wait to see what happens Saturday night, then start talking about what happens after that. The telecast starts at 10:35 p.m. ET / PT. We have a great broadcast crew, we guarantee you some informative and exciting discussion on boxing and a great night of television.”
Ward vs. Brand is a 12-round fight for the WBO Intercontinental title, presented by Roc Nation Sports and sponsored by Corona Extra, Verizon, ProSupps, Corporate Travel Management Solutions (CTMS), Jordan Brand, Shoe Palace, Kingsford, Autocom Nissan, Ticketmaster and The Clorox Company, supporting the Bay Area Community for over 100 år. The event will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing®beginning at 10:35 p.m. ET / PT.
Biljetter kostar $250, $100, $70, $40 och $30, tillämpliga serviceavgifter och skatter exklusive, are available at all Ticketmaster locations, online på Ticketmaster.com och laddning via telefon på (800) 745-3000.
För mer information, besök www.rocnation.com. Följ Roc Nation på Twitter och Instagramrocnation och på Facebook på www.facebook.com/RocNation.
För mer information, besök www.hbo.com/boxing, follow on Twitter and Instagram at @HBOBoxing and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HBOBoxing.
Follow the conversation using #WardBrand.
TWO-TIME WORLD CHAMPION ANDRE WARD AND POWER-PUNCHING COLOMBIAN ALEXANDER BRAND MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES AND PHOTOS
SHOWDOWN SET FOR LÖRDAG, AUGUSTI 6 AT Oracle Arena i Oakland, KALIFORNIEN; TELEVISED LIVE ON HBO WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING ®
Klicka HÄR för bilder
Foto Credit: Roc Nation Sport / Tom Hogan – Hoganphotos
OAKLAND, SÅSOM (Augusti 3, 2016) - På tisdag, Augusti 2, Två-Time världsmästare och topprankad pund-for-pound fighter Andre Ward (29-0, 15 Kos) and power-punching Colombian Alexander Märke (25-1, 19 Kos) deltagit i en medie träningspass på Kings gym i Oakland, Kalifornien i förväg Augusti 6kämpa på Oracle Arena i Oakland. Ward and Brand will meet in 12-round WBO Intercontinental title bout televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing® beginning at 10:35 p.m. OCH/PT.
Efter shadowboxing i ringen och några rundor på slagsäckar, both fighters participated in interviews with media members in attendance. Also on hand to catch the hometown hero were a dozen members of the West Oakland Boys and Girls Club chapter. Ward surprised the group of local youths with tickets to Lördagens slagsmål.
Nedan är vad de stridande hade att säga under den sista medie träning:
Andre Ward, Två-Time världsmästare och topprankad pund-for-pound fighter:
“It was good to get back in camp right after the last fight. I was a lot sharper early in camp than I normally am. The last couple of years, typically, you have to get the rust off first, then work on getting sharp, work on technique and the game plan. This training camp was continuous of the last training camp, I probably put in over 130 rundor. Jag känner mig riktigt bra.
“I know enough about Brand. He’s got everything to gain and nothing to lose. He swings for the fences with every punch. He’s a dangerous guy to fight.
“It feels good to be back at Oracle Arena multiple times this year. I don’t know how much stock you can put into the last couple of years. A lot of people are talking about it, but people have to weigh in the amount of time I have been doing this, which is all my life. You look at Floyd Mayweather, he took a couple of hiatuses and it may have given him two or three more years. It was a mental break and it was a physical break. Taking those couple years where maybe you’re not fighting as frequently, it’s not always a bad thing, especially late in your career.
“I came up a little different in my Olympic days. Virgil Hunter is the type of coach who will get you away from everybody and turn your phone off. We didn’t have snapchat in 2004, we didn’t have Instagram in 2004. We had a room that we all had to huddle around with desktop computers where we all had to get news about what was going on. But now, i 2016, I see the USA team snapchatting and Instagramming. Part of you wants to tell them to shut it down and do it like I did it, but that may not be the right thing. Understand why you’re there, understand you’re not going to get this moment again. You don’t typically repeat when you go for the Olympics. Understand why you’re there, take it seriously and everything else will fall in place.
“The key is to have a good team. I’ve got a great lawyer, a great manager and a great promotional team in Roc Nation Sports. They are going to make sure the details are right. This is a very much a business, and before there’s combat, business has to be handled and taken care of. I think fighters and all athletes should be unapologetic about taking care of business. På så sätt, when you get into that ring or field or court, your mind can be free.
“Unfortunately, our women don’t get the respect they deserve, they don’t get the notoriety. They don’t get the exposure that they probably should get. Raquel Miller, who will be on the card, and other female fighters, they do what we do. They’re training and grinding but they are not always noticed. I remember the Christie Martin days where she fought on the Mike Tyson undercards with Laila Ali. They got some good publicity and shine. Emellertid, there are so many other young female fighters coming up, ones who are established and have been fighting, whom people don’t know about. It’s a beautiful thing. I’m happy for Raquel and excited to have her on the card. I don’t believe when people say there is no market for women’s boxing. Let’s create a market then, let’s create some buzz!
“Sergey Kovalev is not on my mind at all. I’ve got a job to do. I haven’t even talked about Kovalev. We can talk about Kovalev on August 7th, that’s what I told my team. I didn’t watch his last fight, he’s not my next opponent but I know what happened and what people are saying about it.
“I’ve never seen Brand in person. It’s tricky, in my last fight, Sullivan Barrera was a little bit bigger than me. Everyone made a big deal about that, and Brand is smaller than me. You’ve got to be able to get it done, short or tall, explosive or wild. Brand is wild, so it’s going to take a few rounds to break him down and tame him before we start doing what we want to do. As a championship-caliber fighter, you’ve got to be able to deal with everything, every style and size. I’ve never seen the guy in person, so it’s hard to gauge.
“Taking away my opponents’ best weapon away is a skill that I developed as a kid, right here at King’s Gym. Virgil was a really, really good coach. He’s probably the last of the great teachers. I’ve been in here with pros at 13 och 14 år gammal. Seasoned veterans hitting me on my head, trying to discourage me, trying to bully me. I would go back to the corner and say, ‘Man he hit me on my head. Man he’s pushing my head back.’ And Virgil would say, ‘Then make him stop.’ In other words, I had to figure it out. Having those sessions here year after year, I had to get my respect in here first before I could even fight others. I had to learn to adjust here first before I had the chance to adjust in a big fight. Så, it started here. Och, it carried over. Även i dag, we bring in top sparrers. Sparring is different than a fight, but we bring in top sparrers to make sure my senses are on point. I don’t like to lose a second of a round so even when I am tired, I try to figure it out mentally. What can I do to offset him? How can I take that away from him? Exploit his weakness? That is constantly on my mind. I think it shows when the lights come on.
“Being back at home, it’s two-fold. Part of me wants to stop and take it in. Go down memory lane and remember all the times I’ve walked into the gym, all the battles I’ve had in here. Remember the good days and the bad days. Then there is another part of me that doesn’t like looking back too soon. I’ve got to stay in the moment. It’s kind of surreal. It’s surreal to be in the arena that I have driven past for years. Driving down 880 and wishing I could headline. Jag är välsignad. Not a lot of people get the opportunity. I know a lot of great fighters who didn’t get the opportunity for one reason or another. And to have that opportunity, I don’t take it lightly.
“I’ve been given a tremendous opportunity. God has blessed me a lot. There’s an inscription in the bible that says to whom much is given, much is acquired. He’s given me a talent, and I’m probably not the most talented, but I want to make sure I use it the best I can. I’m running my race right now in this professional game, and when I look back I want to say that I didn’t cheat anybody, that I gave everything that I had, and this is what I have to show for it. Finishing strong is really important to me. Becoming an all-time great is really important to me. I’m just giving God a return on his investment, because he’s invested a lot in me. I’m thankful.”
ALEXANDER BRAND, Former WBC Latino Super Middleweight Champion:
“I didn’t want to show too much at this media workout but I’ve got something in store for the day of the fight.
“It doesn’t really matter that the fight is in Ward’s hometown, it’s going to be a fight. Wherever it is, whether it’s in his backyard or anywhere else, I’m coming to fight and that’s the most important thing.
“It’s nothing new for me, Jag slogs på 175 pounds in the amateurs. My last fight in December was at 175 pounds against an undefeated Russian when Andre Ward got hurt and couldn’t fight me on the Cotto-Canelo card.
“Whatever Ward brings, I’m going to have something for him.
“Ward still has 12 rounds to fight before he can think about Kovalev.”
Ward vs. Brand is a 12-round fight for the WBO Intercontinental title, presented by Roc Nation Sports and sponsored by Corona Extra, Verizon, ProSupps, Corporate Travel Management Solutions (CTMS), Jordan Brand, Shoe Palace, Kingsford, Autocom Nissan, Ticketmaster and The Clorox Company, supporting the Bay Area Community for over 100 år. Evenemanget kommer att sändas i TV live på HBO VM Boxing början på 10:35 p.m. ET / PT.
Biljetter kostar $250, $100, $70, $40 och $30, tillämpliga serviceavgifter och skatter exklusive, are available at all Ticketmaster locations, online på Ticketmaster.com och laddning via telefon på (800) 745-3000.
För mer information, besök www.rocnation.com. Följ Roc Nation på Twitter och Instagramrocnation och på Facebook på www.facebook.com/RocNation.
För mer information, besök www.hbo.com/boxing, follow on Twitter and Instagram at @HBOBoxing and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HBOBoxing.
Follow the conversation using #WardBrand.
Raquel Miller Added to Ward vs. Brand Undercard
Roc Nation Sports is pleased to announce the addition of San Francisco’s Raquel Miller (1-0, 1 KO) to the undercard of Andre Ward vs. Alexander Brand at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California on Augusti 6, 2016. This will be the first Roc Nation card to feature a female fighter.
Bayview-Hunters Point native Raquel “Pretty Beast” Miller will be making her second professional start since debuting against Sara Flores on May 21, 2016 in Richmond, Kalifornien. In her augural pro fight, the former amateur standout wasted no time, scoring a technical knockout over her opponent within the first minute and 14 sekunder av den första rundan. Miller was the 2012 Women’s World Championships Silver Medalist, 2012 USA Boxing Women’s National Champion and 2012 US. Olympic Team Trials Bronze Medalist, serving as the U.S Women’s Olympic alternate in the London Games. Miller will be taking on an opponent to be determined on Augusti 6 på Oracle Arena.
Two-Time World Champion and top-rated pound-for-pound fighter Andre Ward (29-0, 15 Kos) kommer att återvända till ringen på Lördag, Augusti 6, to continue his conquest of the light heavyweight division when he takes on power-punching Colombian Alexander Brand (25-1, 19 Kos) på Oracle Arena i Oakland, Kalifornien. Ward vs. Brand is a 12-round fight for the WBO Intercontinental title, presented by Roc Nation Sports and sponsored by Corona Extra, Verizon, ProSupps, Corporate Travel Management Solutions (CTMS), Brand Jordan, Shoe Palace, Kingsford, Autocom Nissan, Ticketmaster and The Clorox Company, supporting the Bay Area Community for over 100 år. Evenemanget kommer att sändas i TV live på HBO VM Boxing början på 10:35 p.m. OCH/PT.
Biljetter kostar $250, $100, $70, $40 och $30, tillämpliga serviceavgifter och skatter exklusive, are available at all Ticketmaster locations, online på Ticketmaster.com och laddning via telefon på (800) 745-3000.
ROC NATION SPORTS ANNOUNCES NON-TELEVISED UNDERCARD FIGHTERS FOR ANDRE WARD VS. ALEXANDER BRAND
PÅ LÖRDAG, AUGUSTI 6 AT Oracle Arena i Oakland, KALIFORNIEN
WARD VS. BRAND TO BE TELEVISED LIVE
ON HBO WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®
BEGINNING AT 10:35 p.m. OCH/PT
NEW YORK, NY (Juli 26, 2016) – Two-Time World Champion and top-rated pound-for-pound fighter Andre Ward (29-0, 15 Kos) kommer att återvända till ringen på Lördag, Augusti 6, to continue his conquest of the light heavyweight division when he takes on power-punching Colombian Alexander Brand (25-1, 19 Kos) på Oracle Arena i Oakland, Kalifornien. Händelsen, which will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:35 p.m. OCH/PT, will now include six bouts of non-televised action for ticketed fans to enjoy before the main showdown.
The promising undercard lineup will feature East Bay familiar, Bilal Mahasin and a collection of Roc Nation Sports’ brightest prospects including, Daniel "Twitch" Franco, Rudy “The Revelation” Puga Jr. och Darmani “Rock Solid” Rock. Roc Nation Sports’ sparkplug Maurice “Mighty Mo” Hooker also looks to ignite Oracle Arena as the card’s co-feature in a 10-round NABO Junior Welterweight Title clash against Tyrone Barnett.
Maurice “Mighty Mo” Hooker (20-0-2, 15 Kos) was born and raised in Oak Cliff, Texas, a suburb of Dallas, where he found a boxing home at Maple Avenue Boxing Gym by way of an outreach program for at-risk youths. His natural talent was soon noticed resulting in him competing as an amateur, during which time he participated in over 100 slagsmål, compiling a record of 97 segrar och bara 7 förluster, med 67 victories coming by way of knockout. Hooker turned professional on April 29, 2011, taking on the vastly more experienced Tyrone Chatman at the Orpheum Theater in St. Louis. After four rounds, the judges saw the fight 40-36, 37-39 och 38-38, making the fight a split draw. Undeterred, in his next fight on June 24, 2014, Hooker scored his first professional win, knocking out Wilbert Mitchell in the first round at the Dr. Pepper Arena in Frisco, Texas. Eleven wins (eight by knockout) later, he took on undefeated Abel Ramos on January 17, 2014 in a bout that was featured on ShoBox from the Cook Convention Center in Memphis. After eight close, hard-fought rounds, the judges saw the fight a draw. Four consecutive knockout victories would follow before he took on fellow undefeated prospect Eduardo Galindo on June 26, 2015 at the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center in Dallas for the vacant NABO Junior Welterweight Championship. “Mo” did not disappoint his legion of hometown fans who saw him capture the title with a sixth round technical knockout victory. På Oktober 17, 2015, Hooker successfully defended his title at Madison Square Garden in New York City against his toughest opponent to date in Ghislain Maduma. The 10-round decision win came on the undercard of Gennady Golovkin vs. David Lemieux and was featured on the event’s “freeview” as well as streamed online around the world. “Mighty Mo” made his debut under the Roc Nation Sports banner on the undercard of Andre Ward vs. Sullivan Barrera, this past March at Oracle Arena in Oakland, SÅSOM, where he annihilated opponent Wilfrido “La Roca” Buelvas of Columbia in the first round of a 10-round junior welterweight bout by way of technical knockout. Hooker looks to advance his undefeated record when he takes on Tyrone Barnett (23-4-1, 15 Kos) på Augusti 6 på Oracle Arena. Barnett was in action this past February, with a technical knockout victory over Daniel Attah at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The D.C. native is eager to stop Maurice Hooker’s momentum and take home the NABO title.
Hailing från Riverside, Kalifornien och slåss ut ur boxning grogrund för Oxnard, obesegrad junior lättvikts Daniel "Twitch" Franco (13-0-3, 8 Kos) började boxning vid åtta års ålder, amassing en amatör register över 67-15, vinna Oxnard PAL Championship 2006 och California State Silver Gloves Championship i 2007 längs vägen. Under Francos professionella debut på December 18, 2010, Han besegrade Emanuel Machorro på Club 401 i Ontario, Kalifornien via en tredje omgången teknisk knockout. Franco imponerade i början av sin karriär, sammanställa en obesegrad rekord med två oavgjorda på platser över hela Kalifornien i slutet av 2013. En av dem drar kom mot Alejandro Ochoa på Quiet Cannon i Montebello, Kalifornien september 20, 2013, but in a rematch three months later, Franco outmatched Ochoa scoring en sex-runda enhälligt beslut seger på Westin Bonaventure Hotel i Los Angeles. På Juni 20, 2015, during Ward’s return to the ring at Oracle Arena, Franco saw action in an eight round junior lightweight bout against Jonathan Alcantara and won by unanimous decision. In his most recent fight on March 26, 2016 på Oracle Arena i Oakland, California on the Andre Ward vs. Sullivan Barrera undercard, the unbeaten Twitch met Mexico’s German “Panteonero” Meraz in an eight-round featherweight bout. Franco scored a technical knockout over the veteran fighter in the final round of the fight.Augusti 6 will be Franco’s third appearance at Oracle when he takes on Renton, Washington’s Marcelo Gallardo (7-3-2, 3 Kos). The 26-year-old Gallardo has been known to play the spoiler role, scoring unanimous decision victories over unbeaten prospects Christopher Diaz and Vic Pasillas in 2015.
Having compiled an exceptional amateur record of 99-8, Rudy “The Revelation” Puga. Jr. (8-0, 7 Kos), the promising prospect from Salinas, California made his professional debut on September 2, 2011, scoring a fourth round technical knockout victory over Raul Talamontes at the Sports Complex in his hometown. Back in the ring less than two months later, Puga Jr. raised his record to 2-0 with a first round technical knockout of Jose Jesus Hurtado at the Sherwood Inn in Salinas. I juni 2012, he sent Thomas Turner to the mat four times scoring a second round technical knockout win at the Joint at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. After a little more than a year away from the ring, he rededicated himself to the “sweet science” with a vengeance and on February 17, 2014, Puga Jr. made his comeback stopping Charon Spain in the third round with an overpowering body shot at the Salinas Storm House in his native Salinas. Puga Jr. rounded out 2015 with a four-round technical knockout of Katrell Straus and a six-round unanimous decision over Juan Carlos Rojas. På Februari 12, Puga Jr. extended his undefeated streak to 7 fights by knocking out Alejandro Osuna in two rounds at the Double Tree Hotel in Ontario, Kalifornien. In his most recent fight on March 26, 2016 på Oracle Arena i Oakland, California on HBO’s Andre Ward vs. Sullivan Barrera undercard, Puga Jr. extended his undefeated streak against Carlos “Kalimba” Lozano by way of a technical knockout in the sixth round. The Southern California native returns to the Bay Area on Augusti 6 to face an opponent to be announced.
Brooklyn’s undefeated Junior “The Young God” Younan (9-0, 7 Kos) is considered one of New York City’s best boxing prospects. Younan, trained by his father Sherif, a former professional boxer himself, began fighting competitively at age eight and only two years later was called a “boxing prodigy” by the New York Times. He compiled an amateur record of 90-5, racking up an impressive series of titles along the way including nine Junior Olympic championships, nine Junior Metro championships, eight New York State Silver Gloves championships and five Regional Silver Gloves championships. I 2011, he was crowned National Junior Golden Gloves champion and was U.S.A. Boxing’s number one rated junior boxer in his weight class. Less than a month after his 18th födelsedag, Younan made his professional debut on November 9, 2013, at the Aviator Sports and Events Center in Brooklyn, New York, stopping Kenneth Schmitz in the first round. During his recent match up on the Andre Ward vs. Sullivan Barrera undercard that took place March 26, 2016, Younan scored a four round unanimous decision over Christian Solarzano, pitching a shutout on all three scorecards. Facing his stiffest test to date on May 13, 2016 on the undercard of throne boxing’s Dusty Hernandez-Harrison vs. Mike Dallas, Jr. on BET and Tidal.com, Younan overwhelmed Rodrigo Almeida of Woburn, Massachusetts with a technical knockout in the first round at the DC Armory in Washington, D.C. Returning to Oakland on the Ward vs. Brand undercard, Younan is set to take on Jaime “Zarco” Solorio (5-2-2, 4 Kos) på Augusti 6. Fighting out of Baja, Kalifornien, the Mexico native is riding an undefeated streak in his last six fights.
Vid en ålder av 20, Darmani Rock (3-0, 3 Kos) is already drawing comparisons to former heavyweight greats of the past. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Rock was brought to a local boxing ring by his father at age twelve after he lost a street fight to neighborhood bullies. Standing at 6’4”, he moves with an unparalleled lightness and speed for a fighter his size. Rock earned nation-wide accolades following a banner year in 2014 when he took home the USA Boxing Junior and Youth Open, Youth Continental and Youth World super heavyweight titles. During the 2014 Junior and Youth Open in Reno, Nevada, Rock shut out the 2013 National Youth Champion, John Luna, 3-0. This impressive performance was followed by another super heavyweight title at the Youth Continental Championships in March 2014 in Quito, Ecuador where he defeated Argentina’s Kervin Espinola 3-0. Rock then took home the gold medal at the prestigious World Youth Championships in Bulgaria in April 2014 by a 2-1 decision over Germany’s Peter Kadiru. Rock also took home the 2014 World Junior Amateur Championship and capped off 2014 by being named Philadelphia’s Amateur Boxer of the Year at the annual Briscoe Awards. His most noteworthy win, emellertid, came in May 2015 when he beat Cam Awesome in Las Vegas for the National Golden Gloves title. Rock also captured the 2015 US. National Amateur super heavyweight championship. He ended his amateur career as the number one rated super heavyweight in the United States (and the number five rated super heavyweight in the world) gå 19-5 in national tournaments. Rock made his highly anticipated professional debut, after signing an exclusive promotional agreement with Roc Nation Sports, against Rockville, Maryland’s Carlos Black on May 13, 2016, as the co-feature of Roc Nation’s throne boxing card at the Armory in Washington, D.C. Following a devastating left hook, Rock brought his opponent to the floor with a right-left combination at the 1:54 markera av den första rundan. Without wasting any time, Rock followed his impressive debut by demolishing his next two opponents, Bobby Favors and Hassan Lee, both by way of knockout in the first round of the respective bouts. Making his Oracle Arena debut on Augusti 6, Rock looks to keep his fierce win streak alive when he takes on Mike Kyle (1-2-1, 1 KO). The Boise, Idaho native seeks to reaffirm the impression he has set on Oakland where he scored his first career win and knockout over James Kirby this past January.
Bilal “Rebellious” Mahasin (8-3-1, 1 KO) is no stranger to Oakland fight fans. A resident of the Bay Area’s eastern shore, Mahasin made his professional debut in 2002 with great promise, winning his first three fights. På November 10, 2013, he fought one of the area’s top junior welterweight fighters, Moris Rodriguez, at the Red Lion Hotel in Sacramento, Kalifornien. East Bay supporters made the trek to the state’s capital for Mahasin’s triumphant return which came by way of a six-round unanimous decision. Mahasin has accrued a ring record with a majority of the results coming as wins, and has transitioned up a weight class to super welterweight. He last fought on June 11, 2016 vid 16th Street Rail Station in Oakland, going the distance with a six-round unanimous decision over Vincente Guzman. Mahasin is ready to take on journeyman Luis Alfredo Lugo (14-25-1, 5 Kos) på Augusti 6 at Oracle Arena in front an ever-steadied fanfare.
Ward vs. Brand is a 12-round fight presented by Roc Nation Sports and sponsored by Corona Extra, Verizon, ProSupps, Corporate Travel Management Solutions (CTMS), Brand Jordan, Verizon, Shoe Palace, Ticketmaster and The Clorox Company, supporting the Bay Area Community for over 100 år.
Biljetter kostar $250, $120, $90, $40 och $30, tillämpliga serviceavgifter och skatter exklusive, are available at all Ticketmaster locations, online på Ticketmaster.com (http://bit.ly/WardBrandPR) och ladda via telefon (800) 745-3000.
För mer information, besök www.rocnation.com. Följ Roc Nation på Twitter och Instagramrocnation och på Facebook på www.facebook.com/RocNation.
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Ward vs. Barrera + Diaz Jr. vs. Velez Final Presskonferens Citat och foton
TVÅ-världsmästaren Andre Ward VS. UNDEFEATED SULLIVAN BARRERA
NABF fjäderlätta mästaren JOSEPH DIAZ JR. VS. JAYSON VELEZ
Sista presskonferensen Citat och BILDER
Uppgörelser SET FÖR LÖRDAG, MARS 26
AT Oracle Arena i Oakland, KALIFORNIEN
TV LIVE PÅ HBO®
Klicka HÄR för bilder
Foto Credit: Roc Nation Sport / Tom Hogan – Hoganphotos
OAKLAND, SÅSOM (Mars 23, 2015) - På onsdag, Mars 23, Roc Nation Sports värd den avslutande presskonferensen för två-Time världsmästare och topprankad pund-for-pound fighter Andre Ward(28-0, 15 Kos) och nummer ett nominellt IBF lätt tungvikt utmanare Sullivan Barrera (17-0, 12 Kos) vid sjön Merritt amfiteater i Oakland, Kalifornien i förväg Mars 26 kämpa på Oracle Arena i Oakland. Ward och Barrera kommer att mötas i 12-runda IBF nummer ett och obligatorisk läge eliminator bout TV live på HBO VM Boxing® börjar vid 9:45 p.m. OCH/PT. NABF fjäderlätta mästaren Joseph "Jojo" Diaz Jr. (19-0, 11 Kos) och topprankade fjäder utmanare Jayson "La Maravilla" Velez (23-1-1, 16 Kos) var också närvarande på presskonferensen podiet med utsikt över sjön Merritt före sin 10-runda NABF fjäderlätt titel kamp som kommer att öppna upp HBO-utsändning.
Ward vs. Barrera ser ut att vara en mycket omtvistad kamp mellan två soldater som båda har siktet inställt på en match-up mot Unified Lätt tungvikt världsmästare Sergey Kovalev.
Nedan är vad de stridande, promotorer, utbildare, chefer och andra Dais gäster hade att säga vid presskonferensen:
Andre Ward, Två-Time världsmästare och topprankad pund-for-pound fighter:
"Jag vill tacka alla för att komma ut som vanligt. Bay Area är en vacker plats. Vi får inte ofta tillräckligt med kredit för talang som kommer ut härifrån, men för fans, Det är enorm. Jag är bara tacksam för att vara från en plats som denna och tacksamma att ha kärlek och stöd vid varje händelse som vi tar här. Jag är tacksam att jag själv och killar som Marshawn Lynch, Damian Lillard och Warriors sätta denna plats på kartan och människor tar tillkännagivande om nationella scenen. Det är verkligen viktigt för mig.
"När det gäller kampen själv, det är mycket enkelt för mig ... någon som känner mig, de vet hur jag arbetar och de vet hur jag kryssa. Jag inte fastna i vad som händer. Jag inte fastna i vad folk säger. Jag är medveten om vad som sägs. Jag vet vad min motståndare har sagt och jag tar honom på hans ord. Jag har gjort allt som jag ska göra, som jag alltid gör och som jag har gjort den sista 10 år av min karriär. Jag har tagit på bästa ... om det inte är en mästare så är det en utmanare ... och detta är inte annorlunda. Ni vet bara att jag är fokuserad och låst in som jag alltid. Jag är beredd och jag är redo för krig kommer Mars 26."
SULLIVAN BARRERA, Nummer ett nominellt IBF lätt tungvikt utmanare:
"Jag ville säga tack för att ni kom hit. Jag vill säga tack HBO, Tack alla. Tack Andre Ward för att acceptera min kamp. Jag lovar alla som kommer till arenan som jag har haft stor förberedelse och detta är en stor dröm. På natten, Jag kommer att ha en stor show för alla. "
DAVID ITSKOWITCH, COO Boxning - Roc Nation Sports:
"Två av de bästa lätta tungviktarna på planeten kommer att kollidera på Mars 26. De har en kombinerad register över 45-0 med 27 Kos och onödigt att säga, varken har smakade nederlag som en professionell. Även om varje människa har en formidabel motståndare framför honom, de båda har sina ögon på Sergey Kovalev och hans tre VM-titel bälten, men först de har företag att sköta på lördag natt.
"När jag kommer ut till Oakland för en händelse och jag är med Andre på en funktion där han talar till media, Det slår mig som uppenbarligen, han är en speciell talang athletically, men han är också en speciell person och jag hoppas att alla här i Oakland förstår och uppskattar att. Han är en principfast familj man som alltid försöker att göra det rätta och det är något som är sällsynt i livet i dessa dagar, men det är särskilt sällsynt i idrott. Jag hoppas att ni uppskattar honom. Boxning karriär varar inte för evigt. Han kommer inte att slåss för evigt, så att alla ska uppskatta vad du har här i Andre Ward.
"Andre fångade en guldmedalj vid OS i Aten och är den sista US. boxare att ha gjort så. Hans lista över besegrade fiender ser ut som en som är vem av super mellanvikt. Han dominerade också och slog ut tidigare ljus mästare tungvikt världen, Chad Dawson i deras 2012 kraftmätning. I hans sista match, han dominerade två-tiden världsmästare titel utmanare Paul Smith Juni 20 på Oracle Arena. Han ger sig ut på nästa kapitel i sin karriär på Mars 26, återvänder till Oracle Arena gång, som han gör sin flytta upp till lätt tungvikt divisionen redo att göra vad han gjorde i super mellanvikt ... rengöring ut och dominera alla som står i hans väg. "
NICOLE DUVA, Vice VD för marknadsföring och chefsjurist - Main Events:
"Jag skulle verkligen vilja tacka Andre Ward. Han behövde inte ta på undefeated fighter i sin första kamp på lätt tungvikt, men han gjorde det och jag tror att det är lovvärt.
"I sin sista match, Sullivan blev obligatoriska utmanare till Sergey Kovalev s IBF bälte. Han kunde ha satt tillbaka och väntade på sin titel kamp, men han såg denna kamp mot Andre Ward som en möjlighet att verkligen nå för storhet och han gjorde det. Som ni alla vet, Main Event och Roc Nation Sports har stora planer för Andre Ward och Sergey Kovalev senare i år och Sullivan Barrera kan verkligen upprörd att äpple vagn.
"Båda dessa män, Sullivan och Andre, har allt rider på resultatet av Lördagens slagsmål. I det klimat som vi har i boxning just nu, Det är uppfriskande att se riktiga krigare som inte är rädda för att ta risker. De båda förtjänar vår respekt och beundran för det. Detta är vad vår sport skulle vara om.
"Sullivan Barrera är obesegrad med ett register över 17-0 med 12 vinner kommer genom knockout. Han blev bara 34, en månad sedan, som du kanske tror är lite gammal för denna punkt i sin karriär. Vad du kanske inte vet är att han hade en framgångsrik amatörkarriär i Kuba och sedan förlorade flera år av hans främsta medan han avhoppad till USA. Han har kommit riktigt långt att vara här i dag för detta ögonblick och denna möjlighet. Han är hungrig, han är säker och han är redo. "
VIRGIL HUNTER, Andre Ward tränare:
"Detta är en fantastisk kort med fantastiska idrottsmän som försöker ta sig i en värld av boxning. Om denna kamp ägde rum i någon annan stad, det skulle vara en stor händelse. Vad vi vill göra är att se till att Oakland förstår, och att den omgivande Bay Area förstår, omfattningen av denna händelse så att vi kan fortsätta att föra världsklass boxning till Oakland. Oakland är en grogrund för de bästa fighters och vi redan har dem. Ju mer du stödja oss, desto mer att dessa slagsmål blir synlig och du kommer att se den stora tiden på toppen.
"De säger att andra nätverk gör fighters, men HBO gör stjärnor, så vi är glada att vara en del av detta. Vi ber dig att komma ut och stödja denna kamp. Kom ut Lördag natt och njuta av er för en god natts topp boxning. "
BEN lire, Sullivan Barrera tränare:
"Jag vill tacka alla de människor som sätter ihop denna super händelse på lördag. Vi är här för att sätta på en stor show och Sullivan har gjort allt för att förbereda sig för den här händelsen. Han vet utmaningarna framför honom, men han tror på sig själv och han anser att detta är hans tid att visa allmänheten och publik att det är där han är. Han är där för att göra ett uttalande.
"Mer än någonting, vi respekterar Mr. Ward för sina insatser, hans trovärdighet och han är en super kille i sporten. Det är bra att vara en del av detta. Vi beredda väl och vi har gjort allt som vi måste inte komma Lördag att ge åskådarna en super stor show eftersom detta är vad boxning handlar om. Det handlar om prestanda och båda kämpar får utföra på denna nivå vid en stor händelse. Vi är hedrade att vara en del av denna händelse. Vi har gjort allt som är möjligt för att säkerställa att vi kommer att komma ut och sätta på en fantastisk show. "
JAMES PRINCE, Andre Ward chef:
"Detta är ett historiskt ögonblick för oss. Vi går in i 175 pound lätt tungvikt divisionen. Detta är ett ögonblick som staden inte vill missa. Detta är ögonblicket vid början av en rörelse. Barrera råkar bara vara det första offret och vi kommer att ta itu med honom i enlighet. Vi har hört mycket prat och samtal äger rum där han är oroad, och vi vet att han tror allt han säger. Än en gång, Vi är glada över denna möjlighet och du inte vill missa detta historiska ögonblick på lördag natt. "
JOSEPH DIAZ JR., NABF fjäderlätta mästaren:
"Komma Mars 26, Jag vet att jag har en riktigt tuff kamp framför mig. Jag vet Jayson Velez är en erfaren veteran i ringen. Han är en krigare. Han har en sex-tums nå fördel över mig så det kommer att bli en riktigt bra kamp. Jag vet att han är på väg bort en förlust, så jag vet att han verkligen vill att studsa tillbaka och visa alla att han fortfarande är en VM-titel utmanare.
"Jag hade en riktigt bra träningsläger. Jag har tränat i åtta veckor. Detta är min första gången slåss på HBO, så jag vill verkligen visa vem jag verkligen är. Jag är 110% färdig. Jag är redo att ge kampen fans ett krig om Jayson Velez vill ha ett krig. Jag är redo att visa upp för alla alla förmågor jag har inne i ringen. Jag är mycket glada över att vara med och slåss om Andre Ward och Sullivan Barrera kort. De är två elitidrottare och jag är mycket hedrad över att vara co-main event för denna kamp. Såsom Mars 26, Jag lovar att jag kommer att ge dig en stor show. "
JAYSON VELEZ, Topprankade fjäder utmanare:
"Jag vill först tacka Gud, uppenbarligen han gör allting möjligt. Jag vill tacka mina promotorer, Miguel Cotto Kampanjer och Golden pojkePromotions och hela mitt team. Jag har inte för mycket att säga förutom att detta är en stor kamp. Joseph kommer att kämpa. Jag kommer att kämpa. Vi båda vill vinna. Vi båda ta utmaningar. Folk frågar mig varför jag tog denna farliga kamp och svaret är enkelt ... om jag vill bli bäst, Jag måste kämpa bäst. Joseph är en av de bästa.
"Jag förlorade min sista match, så jag behöver för att vinna. Jag vill vinna. Jag kan inte säga vem som kommer att vinna denna kamp, eftersom vi båda är stora krigare och krigare. Han är mexikanska, Jag är puertoricansk, och när du har en puertoricansk och en mexikansk i samma ring, du kommer att se ett krig. Du kommer att se hastighet, ström, allt i denna kamp. Han är en stor kämpe och jag är så glad. Tack till alla och håll ögonen öppna denna lördag och tack till HBO förstås. "
ROBERT DIAZ, Head Matchmaker - Golden pojkePromotions:
"Självklart den viktigaste händelsen talar för sig själv. Du har Andre Ward kontra en ung obesegrad kille som Sullivan Barrera, men co-main event kommer att grop två unga, hungriga kämpar mot varandra i Jayson Velez och Joseph Diaz. De är båda unga. De är båda beredda att ta på de bästa slagsmål, de tuffaste slagsmål och bevis på det är hur lätt det var att göra denna kamp.
"Jag är mycket glada över denna kamp. Du vill inte missa 10 rundor för NABF titeln.
"Jayson Velez är en ung, hungrigt lejon som vill komma tillbaka upp på scenen och vet hur viktig en seger över Josef Diaz är. Han förstod möjlighet att kämpa på HBO och på detta enorma kort. Jag vill påminna er om karaktären av Jayson Velez. I en dag och ålder där en fighter som förlorar vill ta kanske en comeback eller ställa upp, eller två eller tre, innan de tar en högrisk kamp och Jayson Velez gör det direkt efter. Det visar att han vill komma tillbaka på toppen och han vet vad han måste göra för att komma dit ... det måste vara genom att stoppa en toppnivå fighter som Joseph Diaz. "
RALPH HEREDIA, Joseph Diaz manager:
"Det är en ära att vara här, en stor möjlighet och förmånen att få denna möjlighet att visa upp en begåvad, 2012 Olympian. Josef, detta är vad vi pratade om, Tack för ditt tålamod, du är redo för möjligheten. Vi vet vad en speciell ung man och begåvad människa du är, men nu hela världen kommer att få se på den stora scenen vad en talang, vad en riktig gentleman och vad en kämpe borde vara ... som Joseph Diaz.
"Vad kan jag säga om Jayson Velez? Han är en gentleman som vet vad som står på spel och har erfarenhet. Tro mig, du inte vill missa detta. Lördag, du måste ställa in. Det kommer att bli en fartfylld kamp. "
JOSE "ATT DET" SANCHEZ, Jayson Velez tränare:
"Jag ser Diaz som en stor kämpe, men jag har Jayson i mycket gott skick och han är redo för kampen. Jag vet att det kommer att bli en bra kamp eftersom de är redo, och samma sak gäller för min jaktplan Jayson Velez. Han har arbetat mycket hårt för denna kamp och jag vet att han är redo för strid. "
TONY WALKER, Direktör, HBO Sports:
"På uppdrag av vår vice VD Peter Nelson, Vi är mycket glada över att vara här i Bay Area, med en stor folkmassa och stora boxning fans, när vi ser att komma med dig denna doubleheader på lördag natt.
"Det är inte lätt att dra ihop en stor boxningsmatch och dessa lag har dragit ihop en stor kort från topp till botten, så även om alla slagsmål inte kommer att vara på HBO, Om du vill titta på några stora boxning, gå till Oracle Arena och om du måste vara hemma, kolla upp det på HBO.
"Under vår 43 år av programmering på HBO, boxning har alltid varit en integrerad del av det vi gör. Vi har alltid berömde oss på att ha de bästa fighters och de bästa matcherna, och vi känner mycket bra att denna tradition kommer att hålla igen när Andre Ward gör sin 2016 debut i ringen. I boxningsringen, det är aldrig rekommenderat att du har utsikt över en hungrig, obesegrad fighter som vi har i Sullivan Barrera, så jag vill välkomna Sullivan till nätverket och tacka honom för att ta på denna utmaning.
"Öppna TV-utsändning blir Joseph Diaz mot Jayson Velez, två up-and-coming unga killar, två unga vapen, som tror att de är redo för den stora scenen. Allt som allt, det kommer att bli en stor TV-utsändning, 9:45 PM ET Vi lovar dig en informativ och underhållande kväll med vår sändning laget. "
Ward vs. Barrera, en 12-runda IBF nummer ett och obligatorisk läge eliminator som presenteras av Roc Nation Sports tillsammans med Main Event, sker Lördag, Mars 26, 2016 på Oracle Arena i Oakland, Kalifornien. The event is sponsored by Corona Extra, Ticket, Corporate Travel Management Solutions (CTMS), Glad, Lyft, Zappos, BodyArmor, SAN Nutrition, Shoe Palace, The Waterfront Hotel och Visit Oakland. Evenemanget kommer att sändas i TV live på HBO VM Boxing början på 9:45 p.m. OCH/PT. Öppna HBO-utsändning blir Joseph Diaz Jr. vs. Jayson Velez i ett 10-runt kamp för NABF fjäderlätt titel presenteras av Golden pojkePromotions tillsammans med Miguel Cotto Promotions.
Biljetter kostar $300, $150, $100, $50 och $25, inte inklusive tillämpliga serviceavgifter och skatter finns på alla Ticket platser, online på Ticketmaster.com (bit.ly/WardBarreraTix) och ladda via telefon (800) 745-3000.
Följ konversationen på Twitter genom att använda #WardBarrera.
För mer information, besök www.rocnation.com, www.mainevents.com,www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.promocionesmiguelcotto.com, www.hbo.com/boxing, Följ oss på Twitter och Instagram @rocnation, @huvudevenemang, @goldenboyboxing, @cottopromotions och @HBOBoxing och bli ett fan på Facebook på www.facebook.com/RocNation, www.facebook.com/MainEventsBoxing, www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing och www.facebook.com/HBOBoxing.