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TAMPA (July 9, 2015) – Two days before their primetime fights, televised fighters onPremier Boxing Champions on ESPN conducted a final press conference before theirSaturday, July 11 bouts at USF Sun Dome in Tampa.

While main event participants Keith “One Time” Thurman (25-0, 21 KOs) and Luis Collazo (36-6, 19 KOs) were calm and focused discussing their world title bout, Tony Harrison (21-0, 18 KOs) and Willie Nelson (23-2-1, 13 KOs) launched verbal jabs at each other during the formal portion of the press conference and through their face-offs.

Televised coverage begins on ESPN at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. Here is what the press conference participants had to say:

KEITH THURMAN

“I’m so blessed to be here. Some of you reporters remember me since I was a little boy, when Ben Getty went around and told everybody that I was going to be a champion and we are champion. Fighting right back here in my hometown.

“Tampa used to have a rich boxing history and I’m looking forward to bringing that back.

“Collazo is a solid fighter, with a great resume and he has something to prove. He’s trying to take my title home and I believe him. A hungry man is a dangerous man.

“I’m thankful for everyone who has come to support me and I can’t wait to see everybodyon Saturday night.

“This is going to be an exciting night of boxing. We have a lot of talent from Tampa on top of even more world class talent on the card. If you’re off the clock, get there at 6:30.

“July 4^th there were some nice fireworks, on July 11 there will be better ones.”

LUIS COLLAZO

“Keith Thurman is a champion, I can’t take anything away from him. He’s a champion in boxing but he still has more to learn. There’s not a day I go to the gym and don’t learn something new.

“I’ve had a great camp and I’m sure Keith has too. This is a fight you have to be ready for, not only physically but mentally as well.

“I’m not here for a handout. I’m coming here for win and to bring that belt back to Brooklyn.

“I’m a problem to a lot of fighters because of my style.

“I’m fighting to inspire all the kids who were counted out before they were even given a chance. I always want to help those who have been counted out.

“I’ve had a lot of experience coming into my opponent’s hometown and it can be tough having people against you. But at the end of the fight they could be with you.”

TONY HARRISON

“There’s nothing like the background I come from. There is no place like Detroit.  Everybody knows what I bring into the ring.

“I have what it takes to knock Willie Nelson out. Everyone knows he has a glass chin. I’m going out there to exploit it.

“I’ve had a great training camp and I thank my team for that. This fight is a challenge for me and that’s why I took it.  Anybody that tall at this weight is a challenge for everybody.

“I’m looking forward to fight and I’m looking forward to the challenge.  It’s not enough to just beat Willie Nelson, I have to knock him out. The challenge is to look good and steal the show from this great main event.”

WILLIE NELSON

“I’m the youngest of eight kids. I was raised by my sister. The dirt had more value than my life at times.  I have four kids, I’m not letting this guy beat me and take food off their plate.

“How many times do I have to prove everybody wrong? I’m going to do it, once again, on Saturday night.

“I wanted to get Tony pumped up today and get him off of his game plan so we can capitalize on fight night. It worked, I even had his team fired up. So I’m extremely confident, it’s on to the fight.”

# # #

“PBC on ESPN – THURMAN vs. COLLAZO,” a 12-round fight for Thurman’s Welterweight World Championship, takes place Saturday, July 11, at the USF Sun Dome in Tampa, Florida. The event is promoted by Warrior’s Boxing. In the co-main event, Tony Harrison will face Willie Nelson in a 10-round middleweight bout. It will air live on ESPN (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT).

For information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @KeithFThurmanJr, @RealLuisCollazo, @WarriorsBoxingProm and @ESPNBoxing and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/premierboxingchampions

and www.Facebook.com/WarriorsBoxingPromo.

Premier Boxing Champions on ESPN Is Headlined By Undefeated Star

Keith Thurman Taking on Luis Collazo &

Rising Star Tony Harrison Battling Willie Nelson

Coverage Begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT

TAMPA (July 6, 2015) – An exciting night of undercard fights comes to the USF Sun Dome in Tampa on Saturday, July 11 featuring matchups between Edner Cherry (33-6-2, 18 KOs) fighting Luis Cruz (21-3, 16 KOs) in a 10-round lightweight battle and Anthony Peterson (34-1, 22 KOs) facing Ramesis Gil (8-11-5, 5 KOs) in a 10-round super lightweight bout.

Televised coverage of Premier Boxing Champions on ESPN begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT with an explosive junior middleweight showdown between Tony Harrison (21-0, 18 KOs) and Willie Nelson (23-2-1, 13 KOs). The night is headlined by undefeated welterweight star Keith “One Time” Thurman (25-0, 21 KOs) facing former world champion Luis Collazo (26-6, 19 KOs). Door open at USF Sun Dome at 6 p.m. with the first fight beginning at 6:30 p.m.

The night of action will also feature Walter Castillo (25-3, 18 KOs) who takes on Amet Diaz (32-11, 23 KOs) in a 10-round super lightweight attraction and undefeated prospectPatryk Syzmanski (13-0, 8 KOs) facing off against Maurice Louishomme (8-2, 4 KOs) in an eight-round super welterweight bout.

Also showcased will be the brother of world champion Gary Russell Jr., 22-year-old Washington, D.C. prospect Antonio Russell who takes on 23-year-old Puerto RicanJaxel Marrero in a six-round bantamweight attraction and the pro debut of Chicago’sBruno Brecidean as he faces 21-year-old Brad Sustad out of Orlando in a super welterweight tilt scheduled for four rounds.

Rounding out the scheduled fights are Antonio Tarver Jr. (2-0, 2 KOs), the 27-year-old out of Orlando and son of boxing superstar Antonio Tarver who takes on 29-year-oldJulian Valerio (2-3) of Orlando in a four round super welterweight bout and undefeated 28-year-old super welterweight Manny Woods (13-3-1, 5 KOs) out of St. Petersburg who takes on 26-year-old Puerto Rican Carlos Garcia (7-14-1, 7 KOs)

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Warriors Boxing, are priced at $200, $150, $75, $50 and $25, not including applicable service charges and taxes, and are on sale now. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets are also available at www.ticketmaster.com or by visiting the Sun Dome box office.

An experienced fighter who has made appearances in the ring for over a decade as a professional, the 32-year-old Cherry will make his 2015 debut on July 11 in Tampa. Owner of victories over Vicente Escobedo, Monta Meza Clay and Wes Ferguson, Cherry was born in the Bahamas but now fights out of Wauchula, Florida. He takes on the 29-year-old Puerto Rican Cruz.

The brother of former world champion Lamont Peterson, the 30-year-old Peterson hopes to soon make a name for himself on the big stage. Owner of wins over Daniel Attah, Dominic Salcido and Marcos Leonardo Jimenez, the Washington, D.C. product is looking to win his fifth consecutive fight on July 11. He faces the 32-year-old Gil out of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

The 26-year-old Castillo is an exciting brawler who never takes a step back and will look to put on a show for fans in Tampa. The Managua, Nicaragua-born knockout artist ended 12 of his first professional 14 victories inside of the distance. He will face 32-year-old former title challenger Diaz out of Panama City.

Miami-based fighter, Hernandez will be able to compete not far from his home when he hits the ring in Tampa on July 11. The 30-year-old will bring his straight ahead style up against the 22-year-old Tercero out of Mexico City.

Undefeated at just 22-years-old, Szymanski will look to build on his recent success on July 11. The Konin, Poland-born fighter made his 2015 debut in March with a second round TKO over Yoryi Estrella. He is set to face the 37-year-old Louishomme out of Colorado Springs.

For information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @KeithFThurmanJr, @RealLuisCollazo, @WarriorsBoxingProm and @ESPNBoxing and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/premierboxingchampions

and www.Facebook.com/WarriorsBoxingPromo.