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Major statement made by Undefeated Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade

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PROVIDENCE (June 23, 2016) – A year after he was stripped of his world super welterweight title by the World Boxing Organization (WBO), undefeated super welterweight Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade has repositioned himself off of his sensational June 11 th stoppage of  Willle “The Great” Nelson on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®.
The 28-year-old Andrade (23-0, 16 KOs) decked Nelson (25-3-1, 15 KOs) four times, finishing off his game opponent who’d never been knocked out, in the 12th round of their fight at Turning Stone Casino (Verona, N.Y).
Andrade successfully defended his WBO International title and also gained several valuable options in terms of world title and/or major fights.  He is now the No. 1 mandatory contender in the World Boxing Council (WBC), waiting to challenge the winner of a mandated title fight between new champion Jermell Charlo and WBC Silver title holder Charles Hatley.  The 2008 U.S. Olympian is No. 2 in the WBO, No. 3 in the World Boxing Association (WBA), and Miguel Cotto is No. 1 in both of those sanctioning organizations.
After his sensational, statement-making performance against Nelson, Andrade said he wanted to fight anybody whose name started with “C” and ended in ‘O” – the Charlo brothers (IBF champion isJermall Charlo), Cotto and “Canelo” (Saul Alvarez).
“I am the best fighter in the 154-pound division,” Andrade proclaimed.  “I’m the No. 1 contender in the WBO.  Liam Smith is holding my belt but I don’t believe he’ll fight me.  I’m the WBC mandatory for the Charlo-Hatley winner.  Once I get that belt I’ll beat Charlo’s twin for the IBF title and I’ve been calling out (WBA champ Erislandy) Lara for a long time.  But ‘Canelo’ is the big money fight out there for me and who I want the most.  I can be ready for him in September for his next fight.  At the end of the day, we’ll see what’s up, but I want to get right back in the ring as soon as one of these guys step up to fight me.”
During his long layoff, Andrade made a conscious effort to be a more fan-friendly fighter, building up his strength to go along with his superior quickness.  Many called his last fight, ‘Mayweather-like,’ in which Demetrius displayed tremendous power and explosiveness, which complemented his incredible boxing skills and defense.
“When I first turned pro,” Andrade explained, “I was getting in the ring with some good fighters, so I was cautious and settled in on just getting a victory.  I learned that I needed to change in order to put butts in seats.  I don’t get hit and I also showed that I could go 12 rounds, good for experience, and still takeout a tough fighter like Nelson who had never been stopped.  I wasn’t going for the knockout but, after I caught him early with a right hook, I knew that it would come if I was patient and kept up the pressure. I think Willie can give any of the other top guys at 154 a good fight.  He has a big heart and came to win. It wasn’t as easy as it may have looked on the scorecards.  Willie pushed me to look good. During my layoff, I worked hard on my craft to be better, concentrating on strength and conditioning, and it really showed in my last fight. I worked on my fundamentals and had a lot of success going to the body.  I believe fans saw improvement in my performance and appreciated it.”
More comfortable knowing his promotional issues are now in the past (his A Team Promotions owns 50% of his rights to go along with 25% each for Banner Promotions (Artie Pelullo) and Star Boxing (Joe DeGuardia), Andrade is prepared to clean out the 154-division before eventually moving up in weight to take on Gennady Golovkin in what Andrade believes can be a mega-fight in due time.
“I’ve always known since I first saw Demetrius in the ring at 14 years old that he was going to become a superstar,” A Team Promotions president Ed Farris commented.  “There were so many doubters and obstacles along the way. It sure took a long time to get here but I’m so happy for him that his moment has finally arrived.  You don’t know how good it feels to see him fulfill his destiny.”
Andrade, in fact, hasn’t lost inside the ring in nearly eight years, when he was ripped off against Korean boxer Kim Jung-Joo, 11-9, in the quarterfinals of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China.  The boxer named “Boo Boo” – as a kid with cuts, bumps and bruises – doesn’t plan on changing his unbeaten script.
“I’m still untouchable,” Andrade concluded.  “I’ve shown my continued commitment to boxing.  It’s ‘Boo Boo’ time!”
INFORMATION
Twitter: @BooBooBoxing
Instagram:  @BooBooATeam
www.Facebook.com.DemetriusAndrade
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JOHN MOLINA OUTPOINTS RUSLAN PROVODNIKOV; DEMETRIUS ANDRADE DELIVERS STATEMENT KO VICTORY AND DEJAN ZLATICANIN WINS 135-POUND TITLE SATURDAY ON SHOWTIME®

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Andrade Knocks Out Willie Nelson: VIDEO:http://s.sho.com/1ZHD8CJ

Zlaticanin KOs Franklin Mamani: VIDEO:http://s.sho.com/28tCoqP

 

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® Tripleheader Replays Monday, June 13 at 10 p.m. ET/PT On SHOWTIME EXTREME®

 

Click HERE For Images; Credit Amanda Westcott/SHOWTIME

 

VERONA, N.Y. (June 11, 2016) – John Molina outpunched Ruslan Provodnikov in an all-action fight by revealing a new weapon in his arsenal, a sharp and steady  jab.  Molina captured a surprising unanimous decision in a 12-round junior welterweight bout that featured fierce exchanges throughout Saturday on SHOWTIME from Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y.

 

In the co-feature on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING, Demetrius Andrade delivered a statement, knockout victory over Willie Nelson, staking his claim as one of the world’s best in the stacked 154-pound division.  In the opening bout, Dejan Zlaticanin knocked out Franklin Mamani to earn the vacant 135-pound world title and make history as the first native of Montenegro to win a world championship.

 

Molina and Provodnikov promised a war, and they delivered.  But what surprised many was the volume of punches and effective jabbing from Molina (29-6, 23 KOs), a veteran more known for engaging in brawls than his boxing prowess.  Molina threw nearly 1,110 total punches, including 643 jabs compared to just 265 for Provodnikov, who failed to close the range on his naturally bigger opponent.

 

“We knew we had to outwork Provodnikov,” said the 33-year-old Covina, Calif., native.  “It was a fight that we needed.  Ruslan Provodnikov is a very notable name.  He’s a tough, tough guy.  He kept moving forward.

 

“People don’t realize I had my amateur career in the pros, and now it’s my time to step out and shine.  I have a new trainer.  Shadeed (Suluki) showed me how to throw punches and use my power.”

 

Molina vs. Provodnikov was scored 116-112, 117-111, 115-113.

 

“I think it (the scorecard) was self-explanatory.  A fighter knows when they won a fight.  I won that fight and it was going to be hard to take it away from me.”

 

The judges agreed on nine of the 12 rounds, a relatively high percentage according to SHOWTIME analyst Steve Farhood.

 

“Today the decision was the right one,” Provnikov said.  “Molina won the fight – he was better tonight.  Everything was scored the way it should have been.

 

“We expected that he was going to box, he was going to move.  We expected him to do that.  It wasn’t my night.  Maybe I don’t have the same hungriness as before.  I’m not going to make excuses, but it was hard for me to find my groove tonight.

 

“I don’t think it’s that (the layoff).  There are no excuses.  I lost the fighttonight.  I couldn’t find the hungriness.  I have to sit down and think of why that happened.

 

“I’m sorry if I disappointed.”

 

Undefeated former world champion Demetrius Andrade put on a masterful performance against top-10 ranked Willie Nelson, flooring the former world title challenger four times including once in the opening round and emphatically in the final round to close the show (TKO 12,1:38).

 

With the win, Nelson, who landed a staggering 57 percent of his power punches in just his second fight in two years, moved one step closer to earning another shot at a title fight.  Andrade, who never lost his belt in the ring, is now the second mandatory challenger for the WBC Super Welterweight World Title, currently held by Jermell Charlo.

 

“I’m coming to get those belts,” said the 28-year-old Andrade.  “People can’t run no more.  The best have to fight the best.  I’m coming for them.

 

“I came back, I’m stronger.  Me and my team worked hard.  We figured out what we need to do to take it to the next level.  I’m ready for the Charlo brothers.  I want them.”

 

Andrade was on his way to pitching a shutout, delivering a statement performance after months of frustration from “boxing politics.”  The former WBO 154-pound champion targeted the head and the body of Nelson, relying on a steady diet of combos to floor the 6-foot-3 Nelson in the first, 11th and twice in the 12th.

 

“I’m young enough and my reaction time is still going,” Andrade said.  “Willie Nelson is a true champion.  He pushed me to the limit where I had to figure out what punches to throw.  But I put the pieces of the puzzle together and got the knockout, baby.

 

Nelson, of Cleveland, dropped to 25-3-1 with 15 KOs.

 

“He was tough,” Nelson said.  “I was forcing my shots too much. I felt like I was getting back into the fight, but he was crafty and mobile.

 

“I am ready for whatever is next and, despite what happened tonight, I am here to stay.  My career won’t end like this.”

 

In the opening bout of the SHOWTIME telecast, Zlaticanin blasted late-replacement Mamani with a third round TKO (:54) to win the vacant WBC Lightweight World Championship.

 

The 32-year-old Zlaticanin (18-0, 10 KOs) became the first native of the Southeastern European country of Montenegro to capture a world championship.

 

“I’m very proud.  I made Montenegro proud,” Zlaticanin said.  “I want to thank my fans that came to support me.  I think I made my country proud.  I think they will be delighted.  I don’t think they know what this means, but in a few days they will know.”

 

The southpaw Zlaticanin pounced with a powerful straight left that had Mamani in trouble just seconds into the fight.  The Bolivian, who was also aiming to become the first native of his homeland to win a title, survived the round but he was in trouble again in the third.  Zlaticanin staggered with an overhand left and followed with a series of unanswered blows that forced referee Charlie Fitch to halt the contest with Mamani (21-3-1, 12 KOs) defenseless against the ropes.

 

“I knew that I would knock him out.  He stood too close to me.

 

After the fight, Zlaticanin called out Jorge Linares, the WBC Lightweight “Champion in Recess”, who pulled out of a tentatively scheduled match with Zlaticanin due to an injury.

 

“I want Linares next.  He can’t run from me anymore.

 

In undercard action on SHO EXTREME, Willie Monroe Jr. (20-2, 6 KOs) won a unanimous decision (96-92, 95-93, 99-89) over John Thompson (17-2, 6 KOs) in a 10-round middleweight matchup of former world title challengers.  Monroe scored two knockdowns, one in the second and another with a straight right jab in the fifth.

 

In the opening bout on SHOWTIME BOXING on SHO EXTREME, Russian heavyweight Andrey Fedosov (29-3, 24 KOs) scored four knockdowns en route to a sixth round TKO (1:33) of Mario Heredia (11-2, 9 KOs, 1-2 in WSB).

 

Saturday’s event from Turning Stone Resort Casino was promoted by Banner Promotions and DiBella Entertainment.

 

Saturday’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING tripleheader replaysMonday, June 13 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME.  The SHOWTIME BOXING on SHO EXTREME telecast replays Tuesday, June 14 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHO EXTREME.

 

Brian Custer hosted the SHOWTIME telecast, with Mauro Ranallo calling the action, Hall of Fame analyst Al Bernstein and former two-time world champion Paulie Malignaggi commentating and Jim Gray reporting. Barry Tompkins and Steve Farhood called. the SHOWTIME EXTREME action.  In the Spanish simulcast, Alejandro Luna called the blow-by-blow and former world champion Raul Marquez served as color commentator. The executive producer of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING was David Dinkins Jr. with Bob Dunphy directing.

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RUSLAN PROVODNIKOV & JOHN MOLINA JR., DEMETRIUS ANDRADE & WILLIE NELSON, DEJAN ZLATICANIN & FRANKLIN MAMANI OFFICIAL WEIGHTS & PHOTOS

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SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® Live on SHOWTIME®Tomorrow From Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y. During International Boxing Hall of Fame Weekend

 

Click HERE For Photos Amanda Westcott/SHOWTIME

 

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING – 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT

 

Junior Welterweight Main Event – 12 Rounds

Ruslan Provodnikov – 140 Pounds

John Molina – 140 Pounds

REFEREE: MARK NELSON; JUDGES: DON ACKERMAN (N.Y.), GLENN FELDMAN (Conn.), JOHN MCKAIE (N.Y.)

 

WBC Super Welterweight Title Eliminator – 12 Rounds

Demetrius Andrade – 154 Pounds

Willie Nelson – 154 Pounds

REFEREE: RICHARD PAKOZDI; JUDGES: WYNN KINTZ (N.Y.), JOHN MCKAIE (N.Y.), TOM SCHRECK (N.Y.)

 

WBC Lightweight World Championship – 12 Rounds

Dejan Zlaticanin – 134 Pounds

Franklin Mamani – 133 ½ Pounds

REFEREE: CHARLIE FITCH; JUDGES: DON ACKERMAN (N.Y.), GLENN FELDMAN (Conn.), JOHN MCKAIE (N.Y.)

 

SHOWTIME BOXING on SHO EXTREME – 7 p.m. ET/PT

 

Middleweights – 10 Rounds

Willie Monroe Jr. – 160 Pounds

John Thompson – 159 Pounds

REFEREE: MARK NELSON; JUDGES: DON ACKERMAN (N.Y.), GLENN FELDMAN (Conn.), WYNN KINTZ (N.Y.)

 

Heavyweights – 10 Rounds

Andrey Fedosov – 225 ½ Pounds

Mario Heredia – 286 Pounds

REFEREE: RICHARD PAKOZDI, JUDGES: WYNN KINTZ (N.Y.), JOHN MCKAIE (N.Y.), TOM SCHRECK (N.Y.)

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Banner Promotions, Inc., are priced at $85, $60, $45 and $35 and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Turning Stone Box Office, by calling 877.833.SHOW, or online at Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com).

 

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John Thompson chimes in on his bout with Willie Monroe Jr. that takes on on June 11 on SHOWTIME EXTREME®

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For Immediate Release
Verona, NY (June 10, 2016)–They were Boxcino champions, and in each of their last bouts,Willie Monroe Jr. and John Thompson fought for world titles. This Saturday night, June 11 they will meet in a very important bout at the Turning Stone Resort Casino.
Monroe and Thompson will fight in a middleweight bout scheduled for 10 rounds and will be televised live on SHOWTIME EXTREME® (7 p.m. ET/PT).
Both have been training hard for this important bout, for which the winner will most likely land a big opportunity or another shot at a world title.
John “Apollo Kidd” Thompson (17-2, 6 KO’s)–Newark, NJ
“Everything is going great in camp. I am ready to get this party rolling,” said Thompson, who is coming off a 7th round stoppage defeat to Liam Smith in Manchester, England for the WBO Junior Middleweight world title. “In that fight, I learned some good and bad stuff. The only things that make you better is fighting better opposition. I know that after this win in June 11, I will be back in a big fight and I look forward to seeing everyone in Verona.”
On Saturday, June 11, Ruslan Provodnikov (25-4, 18 KOs), a former WBO Junior Welterweight World Champion, and former world title challenger John Molina Jr. (28-6, 23 KOs), of West Covina, Calif., will face each other in the 12-round main event. In the co-feature, undefeated former 154-pound world champion and 2008 U.S. Olympian Demetrius Andrade (22-0, 15 KOs), of Providence, R.I., will face Willie Nelson (25-2-1, 15 KOs) of Cleveland, Ohio, in a 12-round WBC Super Welterweight Title Eliminator.
Opening the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® tripleheader is a battle for the vacant WBC Lightweight World Championship between No. 1 ranked Dejan Zlaticanin (17-0, 10 KOs), of the Southeastern European country of Montenegro, and WBC No.5-ranked Franklin Mamani (21-2-1, 12 KOs) of Bolivia. In the SHOWTIME BOXING on SHO EXTREME® opener, heavyweight Andrey Fedosov (28-3, 23 KOs) takes on Mario Heredia(11-1, 9 KOs, 1-2 in WSB) in a 10-round heavyweight bout.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Banner Promotions, Inc., are priced at $85, $60, $45 and $35 and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Turning Stone Box Office, by calling 877.833.SHOW, or online at Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com).
Turning Stone Resort Casino is no stranger to hosting high caliber nationally televised boxing events. Last year, Turning Stone hosted the epic battle between Provodnikov and Matthysee, selected over arenas in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Miami. When Provodnikov returns to Turning Stone on June 11th, it will mark Turning Stone’s 18th nationally-televised boxing event, cementing the resort as a mecca for knockout fights. Located in Upstate New York, Turning Stone is an award-winning destination resort, offering world-class amenities including four hotels, 21 restaurants and dining options, two luxurious spas, five beautiful golf courses, and several bars, cocktail lounges and nightlife venues.
For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports, follow on Twitter @SHOSports, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports.
Visit Banner Promotions at www.banner-promotions.com, follow on Twitter at @BannerBoxing, follow on Instagram at @BannerBoxing, become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BannerPromotions, follow on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/banner-promotions-inc-?trk=biz-companies-cym, and watch on Youtube at www.youtube.com/user/bannervideo.
For Turning Stone Resort Casino: www.turningstone.com ; Twitter: @turningstone ; Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/TurningStoneResort/
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RUSLAN PROVODNIKOV & JOHN MOLINA JR., DEMETRIUS ANDRADE & WILLIE NELSON, DEJAN ZLATICANIN & FRANKLIN MAMANI FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES & PHOTOS

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SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® Tripleheader
Live on SHOWTIME® This Saturday Night
From Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y.
During International Boxing Hall of Fame Weekend
Click HERE For Photos Amanda Westcott/SHOWTIME
VERONA, N.Y. (June 9, 2016) – The six fighters, including main eventers Ruslan “The Siberian Rocky” Provodnikov and John “The Gladiator” Molina, who will compete on this Saturday’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® tripleheader live on SHOWTIME® (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT), participated in the final press conference Thursday at Turning Stone Resort Casino here.

Russia’s Provodnikov (25-4, 18 KOs) and Molina (28-6, 23 KOs) of Covina, Calif., clash in an eagerly awaited matchup in the main event. Provodnikov, a former WBO Junior Welterweight World Champion, was involved in the Fight of the Year in 2013 with Tim Bradley; former world title challenger Molina was in the 2014 Fight of The Year with Lucas Matthysse.

A can’t-miss co-feature at Turning Stone Casino will match unbeaten former 154-pound world champion and 2008 U.S. Olympian Demetrius Andrade (22-0, 15 KOs), of Providence, R.I., against Willie Nelson (25-2-1, 15 KOs) of Cleveland, Ohio, in a 12-round WBC Super Welterweight Title Elimination bout. The telecast will begin with a 12-rounder for the vacant WBC lightweight world championship between undefeated No. 1 ranked Dejan Zlaticanin(17-0, 10 KOs), of the Southeastern European country of Montenegro, and Franklin Mamani(21-2-1, 12 KOs) of Bolivia.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Banner Promotions, Inc., are priced at $85, $60, $45 and $35 and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Turning Stone Box Office, by calling 877.833.SHOW, or online at Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com).

Also this Saturday, from Turning Stone, former world title challengers Willie Monroe Jr. (19-2, 6 KOs, of Rochester, N.Y. and John Thompson (17-2, 6 KOs), of Newark, N.J., clash in a 10-round middleweight bout in the main event on SHOWTIME EXTREME (7 p.m. ET/PT). In the SHO EXTREME opener, heavyweight Andrey Fedosov (28-3, 23 KOs), of Hollywood, Calif., meets Mexico’s Mario Heredia (11-1, 9 KOs, 1-2 in WSB) in a 10-round heavyweight bout.

Below is what the fighters said Thursday:

RUSLAN PROVODNIKOV

(On training camp) …

“This camp went very well. Everything went great. Now I’m just waiting for Saturday.”

(His thoughts on Molina) …
“I have a lot of respect for Molina and his team. He’s a great fighter. These are the types of opponents I like. Most of the fights I’ve had are fights like this, opponents like this. This actually motivates me. I don’t have a problem with getting into a fight like this. This is what I’m looking for. This is the type of fight I expect.”

(On his determination and will to win) …
“Words are not so much associated with explaining this because anybody can talk and anybody can say words. I think the fans or the people have to see how my fights have been and the way that I’ve fought those fights. For me to say right now that I’m going to ‘die in the ring’, they’re words right now. The fight will show, then the fans will have an understanding in their mind of was I just saying that or is that really the way it is. The actions show, not the words.”

(On how he sees the fight playing out) …
“It’s very hard to predict and I usually don’t make predictions. I never make predictions for my fights. Let’s just wait on June 11 and see.

(Final thoughts) …
“I want to take this moment to thank everybody that has to do with this fight. All the people that made this happen.”

JOHN MOLINA JR.

(Thoughts and reflections on Muhammad Ali) …

“The world lost a great human being, not only inside the ring but outside the ring. A champion is the best way to describe him. The greatest of all time. An innovator. Somebody that changes the world in and out. My heart goes out to his family.”

(On whether he’s the underdog or this is a 50-50 fight?) …

“In the grand scheme of things, the boxer – experts if you will – I don’t know how many times they’ve been in the ring but for what they do in boxing, they seem to have him as the favorite but rightfully so. In a sense because of the personality and persona that he’s portrayed in past times. I don’t think too much about the hype. We’ve prepped for war on Saturday night. We would be doing ourselves a disservice if we didn’t prepare right for someone like Ruslan. He’s a hell of a fighter, a hell of a competitor and we were both in a Fight of the Year. What people don’t realize is we were both in Fight of the Year on the losing side and now we’re going to be in a Fight of the Year, but both of us going for the winning side. I think the fans are going to be pleasantly surprised. I’m ready. The stage is set to showcase my capabilities Saturday night.”

(On how you prepare for a fighter like Provodnikov) …
“Just like you prepare for a fighter like everybody I’ve faced. Whether it be someone like Matthysse. Whether it be other fighters, I don’t want to go into names because right now my undivided attention is on Ruslan Provodnikov but the preparation is like that of any other man. I hate comparing the guy’s style to other people because again, the whole disservice you’d be doing is to yourself. You can study their style and get used to their mannerisms and what they portray in the ring and you can prepare yourself. With that being said, June 11 will be the first time I ever face Ruslan Provodnikov so what I do to prepare myself is work on my strong points and make sure those are up to par and make sure my energy is set and ready to fire on all cylinders Saturday night and I can tell you that they are set right.”

(On what fans should expect) …
“Fireworks. Like I said, every word that we use in the thesaurus is an understatement. Boxing is a ‘what have you done for me lately’ sport and Saturday night is no different. I believe in my heart of hearts the fans are going to get a treat with Ruslan Provodnikov coming forward, not wanting to take a backward step with myself coming forward not wanting to take a backward step. We’re both going to try and go in there and pose our will on each other and you’re not going to see a boring fight. It won’t be Dancing With The Stars, it’s going to be a fight.”

DEMETRIUS ANDRADE

(On his opponent and his quality of opposition) …

“Tony Harrison is definitely not Demetrius Andrade. Yes, he’s probably a prospect and doing good things but everybody sounds good, everybody’s a prospect until you get in there with somebody that knows how to fight. They can try to bring the will out of you and that’s what Willie did is bring the will out of himself to beat somebody like Tony Harrison, but Tony Harrison’s definitely not me.

“Willie Nelson, yeah he’s tall, they say he’s strong but I’m all that too. My IQ is greater, smarter and this is my time. This is it. This is something that either makes or breaks me. It’s a good challenge so the people get to see that, due to the layoff and everything. I came back to fight a guy like this and I came back to win the 154 division.

“I came here, chewing bubble gum and kicking ass. I ran out of bubble gum so come June 11, I will be kicking some ass. I am happy that SHOWTIME gave me this opportunity and put me back on the network, put me back on prime TV.

“There’s definitely going to be violence to open up the main event show with Provodnikov and John Molina, which is going to be a tremendous fight. Thanks for everybody coming out … and I am the greatest alive.”

(On the division and possible future opponents) …

“I think that I’m going to make history by beating two twins that hold title belts and it’s going to be a legendary thing for me. So, I’m tuned in, I’m ready and I’m focused. This is my division, it’s my war.”

(On what he sees playing out on fight night) …

“I’m just going in and do my thing, you know, I’m the type of person with character. I’ve been in the ring for many years through the amateur program and fought 300-400 times, against everybody in the whole world. So, there’s not nothing I haven’t seen or fought. A tall guy like Willie Nelson with no legs or upper body, I’m going to push him to the limit. That’s pretty much the plan. I’m going in and its knockout season for me.”

WILLIE NELSON

(On fans not expecting him to win) …

“It’s what happens all the time. I’m always the underdog. It’s OK and I try not to worry about it much.

“I’m not one to predict the fights; about what can and can’t happen, but it’s going to be an interesting fight. We know each other’s background and we have sparred before at the U.S. Training Camp.”

(On Muhammad Ali)…

“It hasn’t really affected my mindset in terms of this fight. With the passing of Muhammad Ali it’s very sad for boxing, and for the world. Because he wasn’t only a great fighter but also a great icon, a great man and a great leader.”

DEJAN ZLATICANIN

(On what fighting for a world title means to him) …

“I’ve prepared for this hard fight for a long time because they changed opponents and it’s hard to be prepared for that. But I have waited for this opportunity for a long time. This is the most important fight of my life, and I am going to win this fight.”

(His prediction) …

“I don’t like to talk too much. I will talk in the ring and I promise I will knock out Franklin Mamani.”

FRANKLIN MAMANI

(On this opportunity)…
“This is the chance of a lifetime, I feel like I have the winning lotto ticket and I just need to cash it in Saturday night. I come for a boxing family of 9 brothers, I have been in boxing since I was 12 years old and I always dreamed of fighting for a world title in the United States. My country (Bolivia) and my family will be watching and I will not disappoint them.”

(On his opponent)…
Zlaticanin is an aggressive, strong and talented fighter. It will be an honor to trade leather with him inside the ring and be able to win the WBC lightweight championship of the world against the number one contender in my division.”
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WBC No. 5 RANKED CONTENDER FRANKLIN MAMANI TO FACE NO. 1 CONTENDER DEJAN ZLATICANIN FOR VACANT WBC LIGHTWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP ON SATURDAY, JUNE 11, LIVE ON SHOWTIME®

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Mamani To Replace Emiliano Marsili, Who Pulled Out Of The Fight With An Illness

Zlaticanin vs. Mamani Opens The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING Tripleheader Live at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT From The Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y.
For Immediate Release
NEW YORK (June 2, 2016) – WBC No. 5-ranked lightweight contender Franklin Mamani will face No. 1-ranked lightweight Dejan Zlaticanin for the vacant WBC 135-pound title on Saturday, June 11, live on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) from The Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y.
Mamani (21-2-1, 12 KOs), who is the leading available contender in the WBC rankings,  replaces the injured Emiliano Marsili, who pulled out of the fight on Tuesday with an illness.
Mamani, of La Paz, Bolivia, was in camp training to fight Chad Bennet for the WBC Silver Lightweight World Title in early July.  Now, the 29-year-old Mamani gets a shot at the vacant WBC Lightweight World Championship in his U.S. debut.  The aggressive-minded Mamani has won 10 straight, including his last three by knockout.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Banner Promotions, Inc., are priced at $85, $60, $45 and $35 and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Turning Stone Box Office, by calling 877.833.SHOW, or online at Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com).
In the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING main event, Ruslan Provodnikov (25-4, 18 KOs), a former WBO Junior Welterweight World Champion, and former world title challenger John Molina (28-6, 23 KOs), of West Covina, Calif., will face-off in a 12-round super lightweight bout.  In the June 11 co-feature, undefeated former 154-pound world champion and 2008 U.S. Olympian Demetrius Andrade (22-0, 15 KOs), of Providence, R.I., will face Willie Nelson (25-2-1, 15 KOs) of Cleveland, Ohio, in a 12-round WBC Super Welterweight Title Eliminator.
Also on June 11, former world title challengers, Willie Monroe Jr., (19-2-0, 6 KOs), and John Thompson, (17-2-0, 6 KOs,) will meet in a 10-round middleweight bout in the main event on SHOWTIME EXTREME® (7 p.m. ET/PT).  In the SHOWTIME BOXING on SHO EXTREME® opener, heavyweight Andrey Fedosov (28-3, 23 KOs) takes on Mario Heredia (11-1, 9 KOs, 1-2 in WSB) in a 10-round heavyweight bout.
Turning Stone Resort Casino is no stranger to hosting high caliber nationally televised boxing events. Last year, Turning Stone hosted the epic battle between Provodnikov and Matthysee, selected over arenas in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Miami. When Provodnikov returns to Turning Stone on June 11th, it will mark Turning Stone’s 18th nationally-televised boxing event, cementing the resort as a mecca for knockout fights. Located in Upstate New York, Turning Stone is an award-winning destination resort, offering world-class amenities including four hotels, 21 restaurants and dining options, two luxurious spas, five beautiful golf courses, and several bars, cocktail lounges and nightlife venues.

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