SHOWDOWN SET FOR SATURDAY, Lúnasa 6

AG ORACLE Arena I OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA

TELEVISED LIVE ON HBO WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING ^®

Cliceáil ANSEO do Grianghraif

Photo Creidmheasa: Roc Nation Spóirt / Tom Hogan – Hoganphotos

OAKLAND, SIN MAR (Lúnasa 4, 2016) – On Thursday, Lúnasa 4, D'óstáil Roc Nation Spóirt an preasagallamh deiridh do Dhá-Ama Champion Domhanda agus barr-ráta punt-do-punt Trodaire Andre Ward (29-0, 15 Kos) and power-punching Colombian Alexander Brand (25-1, 19 Kos) ag Loch Merritt amphitheatre i Oakland, California in advance of their August 6 troid ag 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, Dhá-Ama Champion Domhanda agus barr-ráta punt-do-punt Trodaire:

“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. Everyone knows that, 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, Tá ocras orm. 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, Uachtarán agus Príomh-de Brandáil & 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 mhí. Níos tábhachtaí fós, 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, Nation Roc, 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, Leas-Uachtarán, HBO Pá-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, curtha i láthair ag Roc Nation Sports agus urraithe ag Corona Extra, Verizon, ProSupps, Management Solutions Taisteal Chorparáideach (CTMS), Jordan Brand, Pálás bróg, Kingsford, Autocom Nissan, Ticketmaster agus The Clorox Company, ag tacú le Pobal Cheantar Bhá le breis 100 bliana. The event will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing®beginning at 10:35 p.m. ET / PT.

Ticéid praghas $250, $100, $70, $40 agus $30, gan muirir seirbhíse is infheidhme agus cánacha, ar fáil ag gach ionad Ticketmaster, ar líne ag Ticketmaster.com agus muirear ar an bhfón ag (800) 745-3000.

Le haghaidh tuilleadh eolais a fháil, tabhair cuairt ar www.rocnation.com. Lean Náisiún Roc ar Twitter agus Instagramrocnation agus ar Facebook ag www.facebook.com/RocNation.

Le haghaidh tuilleadh eolais a fháil, cuairt a thabhairt ar www.hbo.com/boxing, lean ar Twitter agus Instagram ag @HBOBoxing agus bí i do lucht leanúna ar Facebook ag www.facebook.com/HBOBoxing.

Follow the conversation using #WardBrand.

SHOWDOWN SET FOR Dé Sathairn, Lúnasa 6 AG ORACLE Arena I OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA; TELEVISED LIVE ON HBO WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING ^®

Cliceáil ANSEO do Grianghraif

Photo Creidmheasa: Roc Nation Spóirt / Tom Hogan – Hoganphotos

OAKLAND, SIN MAR (Lúnasa 3, 2016) - Ar an Máirt, Lúnasa 2, Dhá-Ama Champion Domhanda agus barr-ráta punt-do-punt Trodaire Andre Ward (29-0, 15 Kos) and power-punching Colombian Alexander Brand (25-1, 19 Kos) páirt i workout meáin ag Giomnáisiam Rí i Oakland, California roimh a Lúnasa 6troid ag 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. AGUS/PT.

Tar éis Shadowboxing i an fáinne agus roinnt babhtaí ar na málaí punching, 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 Dé Sathairn gcomhrac.

Anseo thíos tá an méid a bhí an trodaithe a rá le linn an workout meáin deiridh:

ANDRE WARD, Dhá-Ama Champion Domhanda agus barr-ráta punt-do-punt Trodaire:

“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 babhtaí. Is dóigh liom gur maith.

“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. Ach anois, 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. Sa chaoi sin, 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. Mar sin féin, 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 7^ú, 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 agus 14 bliain d'aois. 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. Mar sin,, it started here. Agus, it carried over. Fiú sa lá inniu, 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. Tá mé beannaithe. 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, throid mé ag 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, curtha i láthair ag Roc Nation Sports agus urraithe ag Corona Extra, Verizon, ProSupps, Management Solutions Taisteal Chorparáideach (CTMS), Jordan Brand, Pálás bróg, Kingsford, Autocom Nissan, Ticketmaster agus The Clorox Company, ag tacú le Pobal Cheantar Bhá le breis 100 bliana. Tabharfaidh an ócáid ​​seo imreofar beo ar HBO Domhain Craobh Dornálaíochta tús ag 10:35 p.m. ET / PT.

Ticéid praghas $250, $100, $70, $40 agus $30, gan muirir seirbhíse is infheidhme agus cánacha, ar fáil ag gach ionad Ticketmaster, ar líne ag Ticketmaster.com agus muirear ar an bhfón ag (800) 745-3000.

Le haghaidh tuilleadh eolais a fháil, tabhair cuairt ar www.rocnation.com. Lean Náisiún Roc ar Twitter agus Instagramrocnation agus ar Facebook ag www.facebook.com/RocNation.

Le haghaidh tuilleadh eolais a fháil, cuairt a thabhairt ar www.hbo.com/boxing, lean ar Twitter agus Instagram ag @HBOBoxing agus bí i do lucht leanúna ar Facebook ag www.facebook.com/HBOBoxing.

Follow the conversation using #WardBrand.

Tá áthas ar Roc Nation Sports a fhógairt go bhfuil San Francisco curtha leis Raquel Miller (1-0, 1 KO) chuig fochárta Andre Ward vs. Alexander Brand ag Oracle Arena i Oakland, California ar Lúnasa 6, 2016. Is é seo an chéad chárta Roc Nation a mbeidh trodaire baineann ann.

Beidh Raquel “Pretty Beast” Miller ó dhúchas Bayview-Hunters Point ag déanamh a dara tús gairmiúil ó thosaigh sí in aghaidh Sara Flores ar Bealtaine 21, 2016 i Richmond, California. Ina troid pro uatha, níor chuir an t-iar standout amaitéarach am amú, scóráil buille teicniúil thar a chéile comhraic laistigh den chéad nóiméad agus 14 soicind an chéad bhabhta. Bhí Miller an 2012 Buaiteoir Bonn Airgid Chraobh Dhomhanda na mBan, 2012 Curadh Náisiúnta na mBan Dornálaíochta SAM agus 2012 U.S. Bonn Cré-umha na dTrialacha Foirne Oilimpeacha, ag fónamh mar mhalartach Oilimpeach na mBan SAM sna Cluichí Londain. Beidh Miller ag glacadh le chéile comhraic le bheith cinnte faoi Lúnasa 6 ag Oracle Arena.

Curadh Domhanda Dhá-Am agus an trodaire barr-ráta punt ar phunt Andre Ward (29-0, 15 Kos) Beidh filleadh ar an fáinne ar Dé Sathairn, Lúnasa 6, chun leanúint ar aghaidh lena ghabháil ar an rannán éadrom trom-mheáchan nuair a bheidh sé i mbun punchála cumhachta Colóime Alexander Brand (25-1, 19 Kos) ag Oracle Arena i Oakland, California. Ward vs. Is troid 12 bhabhta é Branda don teideal WBO Intercontinental, curtha i láthair ag Roc Nation Sports agus urraithe ag Corona Extra, Verizon, ProSupps, Management Solutions Taisteal Chorparáideach (CTMS), Branda Jordan, Pálás bróg, Kingsford, Autocom Nissan, Ticketmaster agus The Clorox Company, ag tacú le Pobal Cheantar Bhá le breis 100 bliana. Tabharfaidh an ócáid ​​seo imreofar beo ar HBO Domhain Craobh Dornálaíochta tús ag 10:35 p.m. AGUS/PT.

Ticéid praghas $250, $100, $70, $40 agus $30, gan muirir seirbhíse is infheidhme agus cánacha, ar fáil ag gach ionad Ticketmaster, ar líne ag Ticketmaster.com agus muirear ar an bhfón ag (800) 745-3000.

AR Dé Sathairn, Lúnasa 6 AG ORACLE Arena I OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA

WARD VS. BRAND LE TEILIFÍS BEO

AR HBO CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®

TÚS AG 10:35 p.m. AGUS/PT

NUA-EABHRAC, NY (Iúil 26, 2016) – Curadh Domhanda Dhá Uair agus an trodaire barr-rátáil punt ar phunt Andre Ward (29-0, 15 Kos) Beidh filleadh ar an fáinne ar Dé Sathairn, Lúnasa 6, chun leanúint ar aghaidh lena ghabháil ar an rannán éadrom trom-mheáchan nuair a bheidh sé i mbun punchála cumhachta Colóime Alexander Brand (25-1, 19 Kos) ag Oracle Arena i Oakland, California. An ócáid, a chraolfar beo ar HBO World Championship Boxing ag tosú ag 10:35 p.m. AGUS/PT, Áireofar anois sé bhabhta aicsean neamhtheilifíse a bhféadfaidh lucht leanúna ticéad sult a bhaint astu roimh an bpríomhchoimhlint.

Beidh an undercard lineup bhfuil tuar dóchais inti gné eolach ar East Bay, Bilal Mahasin agus cnuasach de na hionchais is gile ag Roc Nation Sports lena n-áirítear, Daniel "bpreabfaidh" Franco, Rudy “An Revelation” Puga Jr. agus Darmani “Rock Solid” Rock. Sparkplug Roc Nation Sports Maurice “Mighty Mo” Húicéir féachann sé freisin le Oracle Arena a adhaint mar chomhghné an chárta i gcruinneas 10 mbabhta NABO Sóisearach Teidil Meáchan Welter in aghaidh Thír Eoghain Barnett.

Maurice “Mighty Mo” Húicéir (20-0-2, 15 Kos) rugadh agus tógadh i Oak Cliff, Texas, bruachbhaile de Dallas, áit ar aimsigh sé teach dornálaíochta ag Giomnáisiam Dornálaíochta Maple Avenue mar chlár for-rochtana do dhaoine óga i mbaol. Ba ghearr go raibh a thallann nádúrtha faoi deara agus bhí sé san iomaíocht mar amaitéarach dá bharr, le linn an ama a ghlac sé páirt i os a chionn 100 troideanna, taifead a thiomsú de 97 Bhuaigh agus ní raibh ach 7 caillteanais, le 67 bua ag teacht trí knockout. D'iompaigh Hooker gairmiúil i mí Aibreáin 29, 2011, ag tabhairt aghaidh ar an Tyrone Chatman i bhfad níos mó taithí ag an Orpheum Theatre i St. Louis. Tar éis ceithre bhabhta, chonaic na breithiúna an troid 40-36, 37-39 agus 38-38, tarraingt scoilte a dhéanamh den troid. Gan staonadh, ina chéad troid eile ar Meitheamh 24, 2014, Scóráil Hooker a chéad bua gairmiúil, ag bualadh Wilbert Mitchell sa chéad bhabhta ag an Dr. Pepper Arena i Frisco, Texas. Bhuaigh aon cheann déag (ocht ag bualadh) níos déanaí, chuaigh sé i ngleic le Abel Ramos nach raibh buaite aige i mí Eanáir 17, 2014 i bout a bhí le feiceáil ar ShoBox ó Cook Convention Centre i Memphis. Tar éis ocht dhúnadh, babhtaí troda crua, chonaic na breithiúna an troid a tharraingt. Leanfadh ceithre bua as a chéile sula nglacfaidh sé le comh-ionchas Eduardo Galindo i mí an Mheithimh. 26, 2015 ag Ionad Comhdhála Kay Bailey Hutchinson i Dallas le haghaidh Craobhchomórtais Sóisearach Meáchan Welter NABO atá folamh. Níor chuir “Mo” díomá ar a legion de lucht leanúna an bhaile dhúchais a chonaic é ag gabháil leis an teideal le bua teicniúil sa séú babhta. Deireadh Fómhair 17, 2015, D’éirigh le Hooker a theideal a chosaint ag Madison Square Garden i gCathair Nua-Eabhrac i gcoinne a chéile comhraic is deacra go dtí seo i Ghislain Maduma. Tháinig an bua cinnidh 10 mbabhta ar bhunchárta Gennady Golovkin vs. David Lemieux agus bhí sé le feiceáil ar “freeview” na hócáide chomh maith le craoladh ar líne ar fud an domhain. Rinne “Mighty Mo” a chéad tús faoin mbratach Roc Nation Sports ar fhochárta Andre Ward vs. Sullivan Barrera, an Mhárta seo caite ag Oracle Arena in Oakland, SIN MAR, nuair a scrios sé a chéile comhraic Wilfrido “La Roca” Buelvas of Columbia sa chéad bhabhta de bout 10-bhabhta welter meáchain sóisearach trí knockout teicniúil. Féachann Hooker lena thaifead nach bhfuil bainte amach aige a chur chun cinn nuair a ghlacfaidh sé leis Thír Eoghain Barnett (23-4-1, 15 Kos) ar Lúnasa 6 ag Oracle Arena. Bhí Barnett i mbun gnímh i mí Feabhra seo caite, le bua teicniúil ar Daniel Attah ag Ionad Walter E. Washington Coinbhinsiún Center. Tá an D.C. Tá fonn ar dhúchas stop a chur le móiminteam Maurice Hooker agus an teideal NABO a thabhairt abhaile.

Hailing ó Riverside, California agus troid as an hotbed dornálaíochta na Oxnard, undefeated sóisearach lightweight Daniel "bpreabfaidh" Franco (13-0-3, 8 Kos) Thosaigh dornálaíochta ag aois ocht, amassing taifead amaitéarach ar 67-15, bhuaigh an Craobh Oxnard PAL i 2006 agus an Craobh Lámhainní California Stáit Silver i 2007 feadh na slí. Le linn tús gairmiúla Franco ar Nollaig 18, 2010, defeated sé Emanuel Machorro ag Club 401 i Ontario, California via tríú knockout teicniúil babhta. Franco tógtha go luath sa a ghairm bheatha, thiomsú taifead undefeated le dhá Tarraingíonn in ionaid ar fud California faoi dheireadh 2013. Ceann de na Tarraingíonn tháinig i gcoinne Alejandro Ochoa ag Cannon Ciúin i Montebello, California Meán Fómhair 20, 2013, ach i rematch trí mhí ina dhiaidh sin, Franco outmatched Ochoa scór bua chinneadh d'aon toil de shé-bhabhta ag Westin Bonaventure Óstán i Los Angeles. Ar Meitheamh 20, 2015, le linn do Ward filleadh ar an bhfáinne ag 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 ag 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.Lúnasa 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 mí an Mheithimh 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. Ar Feabhra 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, California. In his most recent fight on March 26, 2016 ag 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 Lúnasa 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 18^ú lá breithe, Younan made his professional debut on November 9, 2013, at the Aviator Sports and Events Center in Brooklyn, Nua-Eabhrac, 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) ar Lúnasa 6. Fighting out of Baja, California, the Mexico native is riding an undefeated streak in his last six fights.

Ag an aois 20, Carraig Darmani (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 ag 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, áfach, came in May 2015 when he beat Cam Awesome in Las Vegas for the National Golden Gloves title. Rock also captured the 2015 U.S. 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) dul 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 marc an chéad bhabhta. 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 Lúnasa 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. Ar Samhain 10, 2013, he fought one of the area’s top junior welterweight fighters, Moris Rodriguez, at the Red Lion Hotel in Sacramento, California. 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 ag an 16^ú 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) ar Lúnasa 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, Management Solutions Taisteal Chorparáideach (CTMS), Branda Jordan, Verizon, Pálás bróg, Ticketmaster agus The Clorox Company, ag tacú le Pobal Cheantar Bhá le breis 100 bliana.

Ticéid praghas $250, $120, $90, $40 agus $30, gan muirir seirbhíse is infheidhme agus cánacha, ar fáil ag gach ionad Ticketmaster, líne ag Ticketmaster.com (http://bit.ly/WardBrandPR) agus muirear Teideal (800) 745-3000.

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