Tag Archives: Felix Diaz Jr.

boxing, NBC, Premier Boxing Champions

LAMONT PETERSON SCORES A MAJORITY 12-ROUND DECISION IN TOUGH SCRAP AGAINST FELIX DIAZ IN PBC ON NBC MAIN EVENT

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TERREL WILLIAMS EMERGES VICTORIOUS FOLLOWING DISQUALIFICATION OF PRICHARD COLON
 
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Photo Credit: Suzanne Teresa/Premier Boxing Champions
 
For Fight Highlights Visit: www.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions 
 
FAIRFAX, VA (October 17) -In an entertaining 12-round scrap, hometown favorite Lamont Peterson (now 34-3-1, 17 KOs) edged out a majority decision over previously undefeated Olympic gold medalist Felix Diaz (now 17-1, 8 KOs) from EagleBank Arena at George Mason University. Peterson and Diaz stood and exchanged shots toe-to-toe for long periods, bringing the crowd into a frenzy time-after-time.  Peterson pressed the action for the majority of the fight, stalking the smaller Diaz to the ropes. Diaz was the busier of the two, countering and flurrying effectively. Sensing he needed a knockout to win, Diaz came out in the 12th and final round with a sense of urgency, taking the fight right to Peterson. In the end it was too little too late though, as Peterson was awarded the majority decision by scores of 114-114, 117-111, 116-112.
Peterson said of the fight, “Every time you hear close scores, you get nervous. I thought I controlled the fight and was ahead on points. Having that majority decision kind of shocked me a little bit.
“Diaz didn’t surprise me because I knew he would be difficult. I said in the fighter meetings, I’d rather fight taller fighters. He’s a southpaw and he has some great experience. I knew he would be tough because it was his big opportunity and he wanted to win.
“It was a good tough 12 round fight. I started out strong and faded in the middle rounds because I started to cramp and it lasted for the rest of the fight, but I knew I had done enough to win the fight. No more playing around, its time to move up in weight.
“I knew Diaz was a great fighter. He’s been boxing 20 years just like me. At the end of the day, a victory is a victory.
“He took good shots. I wasn’t able to get my shots off like I wanted to. I was able to block his shots and he never hurt me.”
“I thought it was a very tough fight. I thought he did good, of course he could have done better,” said Barry Hunter, Peterson’s Trainer. “I thought we were going to get him out of there in the fifth round, but Lamont started to cramp and the cramps lasted throughout the fight. That’s boxing. Just like life, you make adjustments and we did that. I thought Diaz fought great.”
“I fought a great fight. The decision didn’t go in my favor, but I did everything I could. The judges didn’t see it the way everyone else did,” said Diaz. “I am going to take a little vacation in the states and go back to the Dominican Republic and rest and figure out my next opponent. I just know I did everything I could.”
The televised co-feature saw a bizarre end to a hard-hitting bout that began with fast-paced action controlled by Prichard Colon(now 16-1, 13 KOs) against fellow undefeated fighter Terrel Williams (now 16-0, 12 KOs).Thebout took its first unusual turn when the referee deductedtwo points from Colon for a deliberate low blow in the fifth round. Following the point deduction, Williams became the aggressor, while Colon looked to box and counter from the outside. Williams seemed to be the fresher of the two as the fight continued, but with the fighters in a clinch in the 7th round, Williams landed a hard right hand to the back of Colon’s head that sent him to the canvas resulting in a one-point deduction. When action resumed, the fighters went toe-to-toe for the remainder of the round.
There was confusion at the end of the 9th round as Colon’s corner immediately began removing their fighter’s gloves, as they believed the fight had ended.  When the referee informed the corner that there was still one round left they frantically began to re-tape Colon’s gloves. The bell beginning round 10 sounded shortly after, with Colon unready to continue. As Colon was unable to answer the bell at the start of the 10th and final round, the referee awarded Williams a disqualification victory.
“I’ve been fighting for years on smaller cards building my resume,” said Williams. “I know how to stay composed.
“He [Colon] was just another fighter. People kept saying he was so much better, but he was 16-0 and I was 14-0, to me, that’s a 50-50 match up.”
“I thought Terrel’s performance was stupendous,” said Williams’ trainer Joe Goossen. “Colon was a very big threat, a great fighter at 16-0 undefeated. We knew we had our hands full. This is why we prepared so hard. Terrel’s a talented kid and he worked hard.”
Prior to the start of the main event, Colon was rushed to Inova Fairfax Hospital due to vomiting, fainting and dizzy spells in his dressing room. There is no further information on his condition at this time.
 
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The Premier Boxing Champions on NBC event was promoted by DiBella Entertainment, in association with HeadBangers Promotions.
For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, www.nbcsports.com/boxing, andwww.dbe1.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing,  @DiBellaEnt, @KingPete26, @NBCSports, @EagleBankArena and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/NBCSports, www.facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment andwww.facebook.com/EagleBankArena.
boxing, NBC, Premier Boxing Champions

LAMONT PETERSON VS. FELIX DIAZ JR. FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES & PHOTOS

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“Fighting in front of a hometown crowd is exciting just like it is in any other sport. You have a home field advantage, a home court advantage and in boxing, you have home ring advantage.” – Lamont Peterson
 
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Photo Credit: Delane Rouse
WASHINGTON, DC (October 15) – Two days before former world champion Lamont Peterson (33-3-1, 17 KOs) and Olympic Gold Medalist Felix Diaz Jr.(17-0, 8 KOs) are set to enter the ring at EagleBank Arena at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA, the fighters hosted a press conference at The Hamilton Live in downtown Washington, DC. The Saturday afternoon Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on NBC event will air live with televised coverage beginning at 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT.
The two co-main event fighters, rising star Prichard Colon(16-0, 13 KOs) and the undefeated Terrel Williams(14-0, 12 KOs)were also in attendance along with undercard fighters super lightweight contender Anthony Peterson (35-1, 23 KOs) and undefeated prospect Alantez Fox (16-0-1, 6 KOs).
Here’s what the fighters had to say just days before their October 17 showdowns:
LAMONT PETERSON
“I had a very healthy and productive training camp. I’m looking forward to this fight. I always look forward to fighting. I wish I could fight every month, I swear I do. But I understand it’s a business.
“I’m looking for a tough fight. I know he’s prepared. I did my homework on him though. I wish we could fight tonight…but I guess I can wait.
“It’s the best to fight in front of a hometown crowd. It’s the best for me, and it’s the best for my fans. It’s always great to walk to the ring and have those familiar faces in the crowd.
 “Fighting in front of a hometown crowd is exciting just like it is in any other sport. You have home field advantage, home court advantage and in boxing, you have home ring advantage.  I’m blessed to be fighting at home, and I’m blessed to be fighting again.
“It’s going to be really exciting to have my daughter at my fight for the first time. She’ll be at the weigh-in too, so I’m happy I can have here there with me.
 
FELIX DIAZ JR.
“I like the opportunity but the pressure is on Lamont fighting in his hometown. I don’t feel any pressure coming into his hometown.
“I don’t feel any pressure to keep my undefeated record because I trained to win. The Olympics were the most pressure I’ve ever felt and it was my proudest moment as a fighter and as a man. It’s one of my biggest achievements.
“After this fight, I want to spend time with my family and see Halloween for the first time in the United States. My kids are excited to dress up and I’m excited to eat the candy.”
 
PRICHARD COLON
“I had a great training camp in Puerto Rico for about four to five weeks. I recently just fought in September and I was in great condition. This fight is a great opportunity for me to be seen on national television.
“I always a look for the win. Looking for that ‘W,’ that’s how we work. If the knockout comes beautiful, I’m coming off of three knockouts in a row. I’m looking to add another one to my record.
“He’s a great opponent. He’s undefeated. I know he’s hungry. I’ve faced big fighters in my career in the amateurs. No worries he’s just another fighter and I know I’m going to be the one with my hand raised on Saturday.
“I want to make my own fighting style. I just want to be me. When I started my career I wanted to be like Tito Trinidad and Hector Camacho Sr. Those were my favorite fighters growing up, but now I want to make my own brand, and that’s what I’m going to do on Saturday.
“Everybody in the area come to EagleBank Arena Saturday. Doors open at 1 p.m. and if you cant make it, tune in on NBC at 4 p.m.“
TERREL WILLIAMS
“I’m ready to go.  This is a huge opportunity for me.  I know I have a lot of support with my family, friends and fans behind me.
“I have a tough task in front of me. Prichard is a great up and coming undefeated fighter, but I’m ready.
“This is the challenge that I’ve always dreamed. I’m ready to rock and roll on Saturday.
 
ANTHONY PETERSON
“Its fight time. Make sure you tune in. It’s going to be a great show.
“Boxing in DC definitely took a big turn in 2011 when Lamont kicked in the front door and beat Amir Khan. It was a big victory for the Headbangers and a big victory for the city. Boxing is definitely big in DC again with local fights in small venues and fights like we have Saturday night at EagleBank Arena.
“I feel very sharp. I’m ready to go.  I haven’t been this focused in a long time.
“Lamont is more than a best friend. I can’t explain or describe it. I’m so excited my niece is going to come watch us fight for the first time. She’s my heart.”
ALANTEZ FOX
“It’s an honor and privilege to be on the same card as Lamont and Anthony Peterson. They are two hometown heroes that we have all looked up to in some form or another.
“I am still here to put on a show, but it is still an honor and a privilege to be on this card.”
 
BARRY HUNTER, Peterson’s Trainer
“This is what we do. Fighting has been a part of our lives for I don’t know how many years. I would like to thank Felix and his trainer. Felix is a good young man. He comes with a very good pedigree. I had a chance to hang out with them in Florida about a year or two ago and they treated us with respect and kindness.
“Fighting is what we do damn near all day everyday. It’s in the bloodline. Come Saturday, we look forward to a good fight. I don’t make predictions, but its going to be a great night for DC, and a great night for the DMV.”
# # #
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with HeadBangers Promotions, are priced at $250, $150, $85, $65 and $40, plus applicable service charges, and are on sale now. Tickets will be available through all Ticketmaster outlets including the EagleBank Arena box office, online at www.ticketmaster.com and via Phonecharge at 1-800-745-3000. Accessible seating is available for patrons with disabilities by calling 703-993-3035. Please visit www.eaglebankarena.com for more information.
For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.comwww.nbcsports.com/boxing, andwww.dbe1.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing,  @DiBellaEnt, @KingPete26, @NBCSports, @EagleBankArena and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/NBCSports, www.facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment andwww.facebook.com/EagleBankArena.
boxing, NBC, Premier Boxing Champions

LAMONT PETERSON VS. FELIX DIAZ JR. MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES & PHOTOS

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Photo Credit: Delane Rouse
ALEXANDRIA, VA (October 14) – Former world champion Lamont Peterson (33-3-1, 17 KOs) and Olympic Gold Medalist Felix Diaz Jr.(17-0, 8 KOs), who will headline this Saturday’s Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on NBC event airing live from the EagleBank Arena at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA, hosted a media workout today at the Alexandria Boxing Club. They were joined by Lamont’s brother, Anthony Peterson (35-1, 23 KOs), local favorite Jimmy Lange (38-6-2, 25 KOs) and undefeated prospect Alantez Fox (16-0-1, 6 KOs), who will also fight October 17 in separate bouts.
The fighters worked out for media and met with dozens of children from the Charles Houston Recreation Center and the nearby Boys & Girls Club to sign autographs and take photos.
Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on NBC televised coverage beginning at 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT.
LAMONT PETERSON
“I’ve seen Diaz and I think he can fight. It’s obvious he can fight. He’s undefeated, but I really think when we get in the thick of this, experience is going to take over and I don’t think he is going to have enough to finish.
“It’s times like this when you’re with kids that you really see how important it is to be around positive role models. How you can make a difference by just being there. It is always important for me to give back and fighting in my hometown lets me do that.
“When I’m on the road, you have to move around a lot and workout in a hotel gym, but the benefit of being at home is that I get to sleep in my own bed, work out at my own gym and its 100 times better for me. At the end of the day, I love to fight in front of my hometown fans.”
FELIX DIAZ JR.
 
“Just like everything in life, we have to climb. Beating Lamont would be reaching new heights in my career and my life.
“After the Olympics I took a year off to think about my future. And that break led me here.
“I know what the whole world knows about Lamont Peterson. He’s a tremendous fighter…but that doesn’t matter. I’m still going to beat him.
“A world title shot is in my future and I think this fight is what’s going to open the door for me.”
 
ANTHONY PETERSON
 
“We get our work in everyday. This is a whole family type of atmosphere.
“I’ve seen tapes on my opponent. He’s a tough southpaw. I’m looking forward to fighting him on Saturdaynight.
“I love supporting my brother. He is my best friend and I’m so happy we are on the same card and representing DC and Headbangers in front of a hometown crowd.
“I definitely want a world title shot soon and I’m staying at 135. It’s where I’m comfortable and where I will continue to become better and better.”
 
JIMMY LANGE
“I prepared for this fight the same way I prepare for every fight. There’s no film on my opponent [Mike Sawyer], so I prepared for King Kong and got in the very best shape.
“It’s an honor [to fight on a card headlined by Lamont Peterson] because he has brought boxing back to DC and the DC metropolitan area.
“I am absolutely honored to be on this card, because Lamont is a real champion in and out of the ring. You don’t hear anything bad about him, because there isn’t anything bad to say.”
ALANTEZ FOX
 
“Training camp went really well. I feel very strong. I’ve got a few more pounds to cut and that’s it.
“I know my opponent [Eric Mitchell] is tough. Normally Philly fighters are always tough.
“It’s going to be easy from round one to the end. You’re not going to want to turn away because, if you do, you could miss something good.
“Every time I fight, I want to entertain the fans, like I’m the main event, even if I’m not the main event.”
 
# # #
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with HeadBangers Promotions, are priced at $250, $150, $85, $65 and $40, plus applicable service charges, and are on sale now. Tickets will be available through all Ticketmaster outlets including the EagleBank Arena box office, online at www.ticketmaster.com and via Phonecharge at 1-800-745-3000. Accessible seating is available for patrons with disabilities by calling 703-993-3035. Please visit www.eaglebankarena.com for more information.
For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, www.nbcsports.com/boxing, andwww.dbe1.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing,  @DiBellaEnt, @KingPete26, @NBCSports, @EagleBankArena and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/NBCSports, www.facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment andwww.facebook.com/EagleBankArena.
boxing, NBC, Premier Boxing Champions

LAMONT PETERSON MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES & PHOTOS

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Click HERE For Photos
Photo Credit: Wallace Barron
WASHINGTON, D.C. (October 9) – Hometown hero Lamont Peterson (33-3-1, 17 KOs) worked out for the media Thursday at the Bald Eagle Recreation Center in Southeast Washington, D.C. as he prepares for 12-round showdown against Olympic Gold Medalist Felix Diaz Jr.(17-0, 8 KOs).  The PBC on NBC main event bout takes place next Saturday, October 17 at EagleBank Arena at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA. Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on NBC televised coverage beginning at 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT.
Peterson’s younger brother Anthony (35-1, 23 KOs), who will also be featured on next weekend’s fight card, also worked out and spoke to the media about his own fight and supporting his brother.
Below are what Lamont and Anthony Peterson had to say as well as their trainer Barry Hunter:
LAMONT PETERSON
“I’m still a 140 pounder. Any fight that comes in at 140 pounds, I will take it. If there’s no title involved or anything like that, I would fight anyone at 147, 154, any opportunity that makes sense, I will take it.
“I know a little bit about my opponent. I remember him from the amateur days. Fighting on the Dominican team in the Pan Am games and places like that where he would compete.
“I remember watching him fight. He is a pretty tough guy. He was losing big and he actually came back and won the fight so I know he has a lot of heart. At the end of the day, I don’t think if he has enough experience. He might show some experience, but I’m not going to look at it
“Its going to get tough in there. Fighting me is like being thrown into cold water…it shocks you.
“I love action and my game plan is to go in there and give fans a fun fight and show them some drama. It’s a great night of boxing over all.
“Boxing is always going to give me motivation. I love it. I am a prideful person so I am going to train hard no matter who it is. I’m going to train hard. Fans know and the boxing world knows I’m still here and I’m still learning and always getting better.
“October 17 I am anxious to show that I still want to get better and show that there are still a lot of things that people haven’t seen me do.
“I would like to avenge some defeats that I’ve had. I’m better than anyone I’ve ever lost to…I’d like to have the opportunity to go out and prove that I’m better than the people I lost to.
“I am going to show that I am confident and conditioned. This fight I trained just as hard as I have for any other fight.
“I’m sure I’ve sparred at least 500 rounds this camp. There were some weeks this camp that I would spar up to 20 rounds every day.”
ANTHONY PETERSON
“Its going to be a great event for all of us. Lamont and I fought on the same card back August at Barclays Center, but the time before that was December 2011 at the Convention Center in DC, so it is going to be a great night for both of us.
We are grown men now. We are experienced veterans. We know what goes on in this sport and we are going to go in there and handle our business.
“I am going to be a lightweight for a long time.
“There are only two fighters in this world I will not fight – my brother and my newphew and that’s it.”
 
BARRY HUNTER, Petersons’ Trainer
“I think sometimes we put too much emphasis on belts. The fight game is the fight game and it should be the best against the best.
“Training camp was great. This is what we do all day is everyday. Attitude is everything. Lamont has a fighter’s mentality. For the most part, between fighting and being with his daughter – these are the two things that make him the most happy.
“People don’t realize that before Lamont fought Amir Khan in DC, there was a 20 year window that we had big time fighting in the DC area. A lot of what you see in this area by way of fighting, you have to give Lamont and this squad a whole lot of credit for bringing boxing back to DC.
“If you look at the #FreeBoxingForAll t-shirts that a lot of fighters and fans wear, it doesn’t say boxing for me, or for Lamont – it says boxing for all. In the past it has been treated like an underground sport and people didn’t really know what was going on. Since the start of PBC, it is starting to get more exposure.”
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Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with HeadBangers Promotions, are priced at $250, $150, $85, $65 and $40, plus applicable service charges, and are on sale now. Tickets will be available through all Ticketmaster outlets including the EagleBank Arena box office, online at www.ticketmaster.com and via Phonecharge at 1-800-745-3000. Accessible seating is available for patrons with disabilities by calling 703-993-3035. Please visit www.eaglebankarena.com for more information.
For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, www.nbcsports.com/boxing, andwww.dbe1.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing,  @DiBellaEnt, @KingPete26, @NBCSports, @EagleBankArena and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/NBCSports, www.facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment andwww.facebook.com/EagleBankArena.
boxing, NBC, Premier Boxing Champions

RISING STAR PRICHARD COLON FACES UNDEFEATED TERREL WILLIAMS TO REPLACE ANDRE DIRRELL VS. BLAKE CAPARELLO BOUT ON PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON NBC SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17 FROM EAGLEBANK ARENA AT GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY  IN FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA

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Plus! Local Talent Including Anthony Peterson, Jimmy Lange
& David Grayton In Undercard Action
 
FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA (October 5, 2015) – Rising star Prichard “Digget” Colon (16-0, 13 KOs) faces undefeated Terrel Williams (14-0, 12 KOs) on Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on NBC Saturday, October 17 from EagleBank Arena at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia.
The 10-round welterweight bout between Colon and Williams will replace the previously announced battle between Andre Dirrell and Blake Caparello after Dirrell had to withdraw for medical reasons.
The October 17 event is headlined local favorite and former world champion Lamont Peterson (33-3-1, 17 KOs) taking on 2008 Olympic Gold medalist from the Dominican Republic Felix Diaz Jr. (17-0, 8 KOs) with televised coverage beginning at 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT. Peterson’s brother, Anthony Peterson (35-1, 23 KOs) will be featured in a 10-round super lightweight bout as part of the exciting lineup of undercard fights.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with HeadBangers Promotions, are priced at $250, $150, $85, $65 and $40, plus applicable service charges, and are on sale now. Tickets will be available through all Ticketmaster outlets including the EagleBank Arena box office, online at www.ticketmaster.com and via Phonecharge at 1-800-745-3000. Accessible seating is available for patrons with disabilities by calling 703-993-3035. Please visit www.eaglebankarena.com for more information.
Peterson, the younger brother of main event participant Lamont, is the owner of wins over Daniel Attah, Dominic Salcido and Marcos Leonardo Jimenez, the Washington, D.C. product is looking to win his six consecutive fight on October 17. Most recently he stopped Ramesis Gil in the sixth-round on July 11.
Adding to the local flavor is Virginia’s-own Jimmy Lange (38-6-2, 25 KOs), who will be fighting for the 17th time at EagleBank Arena, as he takes on Mike Sawyer (6-4, 4 KOs) in an eight-round light heavyweight bout, undefeated 28-year-old D.C.-product David “Day-Day” Grayton (12-0, 9 KOs) taking on 26-year-old Mexican Christopher Degollado (13-5, 11 KOs) in an eight-round welterweight affair and 22-year-old Demond Nicholson (14-1, 14 KOs) facing 28-year-old Colombian Milton Nunez (28-14-1, 25 KOs) in an eight-round super middleweight contest.
Rounding out the action is undefeated 30-year-old Brooklyn-native Lenox Allen (19-0-1, 12 KOs) against 25-year-old Hungarian Istvan Zeller (24-8, 7 KOs) in a 10-round super middleweight bout, 20-year-old D.C.-native Kareem Martin (6-0-1, 3 KOs) in a six-round welterweight fight, 26-year-old Tommy Logan (3-1, 3 KOs) out of Winter Haven, Florida in a four-round lightweight affair and undefeated 23-year-old Alantez Fox (16-0-1, 6 KOs) of Forrestville, Maryland in an eight-round middleweight bout.
As an amateur, Colon was a five-time Puerto Rican national champion prior to turning pro in 2013. Trained by his father, Colon has been stylistically compared to fellow countryman Felix Trinidad, with all but one of his knockouts coming in five rounds or less. The 23-year-old scored a spectacular knockout over tough veteran Michael Finney in August and in September he knocked out former world champion Vivian Harris.
An undefeated fighter out of Los Angeles, Williams looks to make his mark when he faces Colon on October 17. The hard puncher has already picked up two victories in 2015 with a stoppage of Tavorus Teague and most recently, a decision over John Williams in August. Prior to the decision in his last bout, Williams had racked 12-straight victories within the distance.
# # #
For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.comwww.nbcsports.com/boxing, and www.dbe1.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing,  @DiBellaEnt, @KingPete26, @NBCSports, @EagleBankArena and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions,www.facebook.com/NBCSports, www.facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment andwww.facebook.com/EagleBankArena.
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FORMER WORLD CHAMPION LAMONT PETERSON RETURNS TO TAKE ON UNBEATEN OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST FELIX DIAZ JR. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17 AS PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON NBC COMES TO EAGLEBANK ARENA AT GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY IN FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA 4 P.M. ET/1 P.M. PT

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PLUS! U.S. OLYMPIC BRONZE MEDALIST ANDRE DIRRELL FACES
AUSTRALIA’S BLAKE CAPARELLO IN THE CO-MAIN EVENT
 
Tickets on Sale Tomorrow At 10 a.m. ET!
 
FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA (September 4, 2015) – Former world champion Lamont Peterson(33-3-1, 17 KOs) will return to the ring near his Washington D.C. home as he takes on 2008 Olympic Gold medalist from the Dominican Republic Felix Diaz Jr. (17-0, 8 KOs) in a 12-round bout on Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on NBC on Saturday, October 17 from EagleBank Arena (formerly the Patriot Center) at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia.
The televised co-main event begins at 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT and pits Olympic Bronze medalist Andre “The Resurrected” Dirrell (24-2, 16 KOs) against Australia’s Blake “Il Capo” Caparello (21-1-1, 6 KOs) in a 10-round super middleweight bout.
“I’m very excited to be back in the ring, especially close to home in Virginia and fighting on NBC,” said Peterson. “I’m happy just to be doing what I love to do. I’ve been in the gym and I’ve stayed ready so I’m prepared to give the fans the kind of show they deserve.”
“I am very thankful for this opportunity and I know that Lamont Peterson will be my toughest battle so far,” said Diaz. “I am confident that at the end of the fight, I will have my hand raised. No disrespect to Lamont, but he has had his opportunity, now it is my time to show the world who Felix Diaz is. I can assure you that the fans will not be disappointed onOctober 17.”
“My motivation to succeed only gets stronger with each fight,” said Dirrell. “I fight to win. All I want to see is a belt around my waist. Whatever it takes, whatever I have to do, it’ll get done. I will be a world champion! This fight is the next step.”
“This is a huge opportunity for me to show the world that I am one of the best 168-pounders in all of boxing,” said Caparello. “This is the weight class where I belong. Dirrell is a former Olympian and, like myself, a world title challenger. I expect a very tough fight onOctober 17, but I know that I will be victorious.”
“Lamont Peterson is an elite fighter. He proved it in his disputed loss to Danny Garcia and will come back to face an undefeated Felix Diaz in what should be a great scrap,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “Diaz is an Olympic gold medalist from the Dominican Republic with a fan-friendly style; he will bring that to the fight and I expect great action. In the opening bout, coming back from a hard-fought battle with James DeGale, Andre Dirrell returns to action against former world title challenger Blake Caparello, who is now campaigning as a world-rated super middleweight. I expect an excellent night of fightsOctober 17.”
“We are thrilled to host the first Premier Boxing Champions telecast in the Washington D.C. area on October 17th,” said General Manager of EagleBank Arena Barry Geisler. “The PBC series is leading a renaissance of boxing and EagleBank Arena is excited to participate in their efforts.”
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with HeadBangers Promotions, are priced at $250, $150, $85, $65 and $40, plus applicable service charges, and are on sale tomorrow, September 4 at 10 a.m. ET/. Tickets will be available through all Ticketmaster outlets including the EagleBank Arena box office, online at www.ticketmaster.com and via Phonecharge at 1-800-745-3000. Accessible seating is available for patrons with disabilities by calling 703-993-3035. Please visitwww.eaglebankarena.com for more information.
The 31-year-old Peterson will be fighting just minutes outside of his native Washington D.C. and looks to pick up his fifth career victory in the DC metropolitan area. Discovered as a child by trainer Barry Hunter while homeless on the street with his brother Anthony, Peterson has one of the best rags to riches stories in the sport. A pro since 2004, he owns victories over Victor Manuel Cayo, Kendall Holt and Dierry Jean in addition to the world title winning performance against Amir Khan, which he successfully defended three times.
A two-time Olympian representing the Dominican Republic, Diaz Jr. won a gold medal at his second Olympic games in 2008 in Beijing. Now fighting out of the Bronx, the 31-year-old has slowly increased the level of his competition, as he owns victories over Emmanuel Lartey, Adrian Granados and most recently Gabriel Bracero in a dominating performance on April 11. Now, he will jump to the world-class level as he looks to prove he belongs at the top of the sport when he takes on Peterson.
An amateur standout ßthat won two U.S. Amateur World Championships in addition to his Olympic Bronze medal, the 31-year-old Dirrell looks to work towards another world-title opportunity on October 17. The fighter out of Flint, Michigan holds victories over Arthur Abraham and Curtis Stevens and only has two narrow losses on his resume.
A crafty fighter out of Victoria, Australia won his first 20 pro fights primarily fighting out of his home country. He owns victories over Michael Bolling, Jorge Olivera, Allan Green and previously unbeaten Robert Berridge. The 29-year-old most recently scored a unanimous decision over Affif Belghecham in June and looks to make it three wins in a row onOctober 17.
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