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For more information visit worldboxingsuperseries.com or www.ringstar.com
Follow on Twitter @WBsuperSeries, @Ringstar and become a fan on Facebook at facebook.com/WBSuperSeriesand facebook.com/RingstarSports
16/09/17 – Super Middleweight Quarter-Final:
Callum Smith vs. Erik Skoglund (WBC Diamond)
Echo Arena, Liverpool, United Kingdom
23/09/17 – Cruiserweight Quarter-Final:
Yunier Dorticos vs. Dmitry Kudryashov (WBA World)
Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas, USA
30/09/17 – Cruiserweight Quarter-Final:
Mairis Briedis vs. Mike Perez (WBC World)
Riga Arena, Riga, Latvia
07/10/17 – Super Middleweight Quarter-Final:
Chris Eubank Jr vs. Avni Yildirim (IBO World)
Hanns-Martin-Schleyer Halle, Stuttgart, Germany
14/10/17 – Super Middleweight Quarter-Final:
George Groves vs. Jamie Cox (WBA Super)
The SSE Arena, Wembley, London, United Kingdom
TO BE CONFIRMED
Cruiserweight Quarter-Finals:
Murat Gassiev vs. Krzysztof Wlodarczyk (IBF World)
Super Middleweight Quarter-Finals:
Juergen Braehmer vs. Rob Brant
WORLD BOXING SUPER SERIES AT A GLANCE
Number of participants: 16
Number of belts: 7
Number of world champions: 6
Number of former world champions: 3
Number of undefeated fighters: 9
Combined Record of participants: 423 wins, 17 losses, 294 KOs
ABOUT THE WORLD BOXING SUPER SERIES
Organized by Comosa AG, the World Boxing Super Series will kick off in September 2017, featuring the Cruiserweight and Super Middleweight divisions. In each weight class, eight elite boxers will battle it out in a bracket-style elimination tournament, with four quarter-finals (fall 2017), two semi-finals (early 2018) and one final (May 2018). This makes for seven top fights per weight class, and a total of 14 fights in Season One to be staged in premier venues around the globe. The winners of the World Boxing Super Series will rightfully receive The Greatest Prize in Boxing, the Muhammad Ali Trophy. Please visit our website WorldBoxingSuperSeries
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Press Release
Monaco, July 9 2017
Click HERE for Photos from Mark Hermenau/World Boxing Super Series
For higher res images please email Matt Rich: MJR@WorldBoxingSuperSeries
The drama in Monaco unfolded when the super-middleweights were called onto the stage. As the top seed, WBA Super Champion George Groves had four opponents to choose from. He picked British rival Jamie Cox for a “domestic dust-up.” Second-seeded Callum Smith then selected Swedish sensation Erik Skoglund, with the WBC Diamond Championship on the line due to Smith´s status as the WBC´s top-ranked challenger. The third seed was given to the winner of next week´s showdown between Chris Eubank Jr. and Arthur Abraham. With both fighters in training, this pairing was represented by Chris Eubank Senior, who chose “The Dentist” Avni Yildirim. This set the stage for the fourth quarter-final between fourth-seed Juergen Braehmer and undefeated US challenger Rob Brant. The cruiserweight line-up featured all four reigning champions, two former champions, a KO king and a rising challenger. Second-seed Murat Gassiev, the IBF Champion, did not get to pick an opponent because he has to face mandatory challenger Krzysztof Wlodarczyk. This left Olympic gold medal winner Oleksandr Usyk, the first seed, with Marco Huck, Dmitry Kudryashov and Perez as potential opponents. Usyk selected Huck, with third-seed Briedis then picking Perez. This also set up the clash between fourth-seeded Dorticos and “The Russian Hammer” Kudryashov. “There could not have been a more exciting start to the World Boxing Super Series,” said Roberto Dalmiglio, Comosa`s Head of Management Board. “This tournament will change the face of boxing because it pits the best against the best in a fan-friendly way. The fans will get to see a lot of exciting fights in a very short time. Something like this has never been done before. We promised the best fighters out there and today we brought them all together live on stage in the stunning setting of the Grimaldi Forum.” Said Kalle Sauerland, Comosa`s Chief Boxing Officer: “The last couple of days have been filled with intriguing discussions and speculations about the picks. The waiting is finally over and we are proud to present eight amazing fights. The inaugural season of the World Boxing Super Series will feature nine undefeated fighters, seven belts, five world champions and three former champions. To see all those stars on one stage was incredible and it will be even more exciting to see all of them in the ring in September and October. There will not be a dull moment in the Muhammad Ali Trophy.” Said Richard Schaefer, Comosa`s Chairman of the Americas. “I was fortunate to be promoting many fights of Floyd Mayweather, Oscar de la Hoya and so many others but I have to tell you this beats them all. I really believe this has an opportunity to become the brand in the sport of boxing, the kind of tournament fighters really want to participate in because it will elevate their exposure and it will elevate their careers.” The quarter-finals will be held in September and October, the semi-finals in January and February and the finals in May in top venues around the globe SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS Groves vs Cox: George Groves: Me and Jamie are old buddies. We’ve known each other a long time now. I quite fancied a bit of a domestic dust up. I wanted to pick my countryman. I know he wanted to fight me. I’ve provided him a great opportunity. He’s fighting for a World title. It’s also a strategic move. It’s a long tournament so I picked the easy guy first. Jamie Cox: I was looking forward to getting a UK dust up. George picked me and that makes for a great fight. It’s time to bury a seed! Smith vs. Skoglund: Callum Smith: There were four really good fighters to pick from, three left for me. I just think stylistically Erik is the best fight for me. Erik Skoglund: To kick off the quarterfinals against an undefeated top guy for the WBC Diamond belt is massive. I couldn’t be happier with the choice. Winner of Eubank / Abraham vs. Yildirim: Chris Eubank: Avni is a come forward fighter. I don’t think he knows how to go back. He brings war, and that will make for a spectacular fight. Once my son gets past Arthur Abraham, he will do the same to Avni. Chris Eubank Jr is an upgraded version of me. Avni Yildirim: I am very happy to be here. Good luck to the winner of Eubank and Abraham because it is my time now. Braehmer vs. Brant: Since I could not pick any opponent any more, I got the strongest guy. The others apparently avoided him. I look forward to the start of the tournament and I am curious to find out when and where the fight will take place. Rob Brant: There’s not an easy fight in this tournament. Whether it was the first person to pick or the last person they are all champions. I’m ready to do my best. CRUISERWEIGHTS Gassiev vs. Wlodarczyk: Murat Gassiev I want to say thank you for everyone who made this tournament. I’m very happy to be here. I’m fighting Krzysztof because he is my number one contender. He is a tough opponent and I’m sure we give boxing fans a great fight. Krzysztof Wlodarczyk I’m very happy because Gassiev is a good fighter and a tough guy. We will give people a good fight. Oleksandr Usyk I picked him for my fans. Marco Huck This is my wish opponent. People say he is really good – an Olympic and World Champion – but we will see when he gets in the ring with me. Mairis Briedis He is a great fighter from Cuba. He comes from heavyweight division and will give me a tough fight. Mike Perez It’s a great challenge. He’s a champion so I’m looking forward to it. It’s going to be my first belt. I’m looking forward to the fight. Yunier Dorticos It’s going to be a great fight and something really interesting for the fans. Dmitry Kudryashov I’m happy with this opponent. It will be a good fight. WORLD BOXING SUPER SERIES AT A GLANCE
Participants confirmed: 16 of 16
Number of belts: 7
Number of world champions: 5
Number of former world champions: 3
Number of undefeated fighters: 9
Combined Record of participants: 398 wins, 16 losses, 275 KOs (not counting Eubank/Abraham)
Confirmed Cruiserweights (8 of 8)
Oleksandr Usyk (12-0, 10 KOs), WBO World Champion
Yunier Dorticos (21-0, 20 KOs), WBA World Champion
Murat Gassiev (24-0, 17 KOs), IBF World Champion
Mairis Briedis (22-0, 18 KOs), WBC World Champion
Krzysztof Wlodarczyk (53-3-1, 37 KOs), former IBF / WBC World Champion & IBF top-ranked challenger
Marco Huck (40-4-1, 27 KOs), former WBO World Champion
Dmitry Kudryashov (21-1, 21 KOs)
Mike Perez (22-2-1, 14 KOs)
Confirmed Super-Middleweights (8 of 8)
George Groves (26-3, 19 KOs), WBA Super Champion
Juergen Braehmer (48-3, 35 KOs), former WBA & WBO Champion
Erik Skoglund (26-0, 12 KOs)
Jamie Cox (23-0, 13 KOs)
Callum Smith (22-0, 17 KOs)
Rob Brant (22-0, 15 KOs)
Avni Yildirim (16-0, 10 KOs)
Winner of Eubank (24-1, 19 KOs) vs. Abraham (46-5, 30 KOs)
ABOUT THE WORLD BOXING SUPER SERIES
Organised by Comosa AG, the World Boxing Super Series will kick off in September 2017, featuring the Cruiserweight and Super Middleweight divisions. In each weight class, eight elite boxers will battle it out in a bracket-style elimination tournament, with four quarter-finals (fall 2017), two semi-finals (early 2018) and one final (May 2018). This makes for seven top fights per weight class, and a total of 14 fights in Season One to be staged in premier venues around the globe. The winners of the World Boxing Super Series will rightfully receive The Greatest Prize in Boxing, the Muhammad Ali Trophy. Please visit our website www.WorldBoxingSuperSe
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Kick off a great day of action-packed championship boxing on Saturday (tomorrow) by streaming the action of George Groves vs. Fedor Chudinov Super Middleweight World Championship live via Showtime Sports’ YouTube and Facebook platforms. Groves vs. Chudinov will serve as a prelude to the long-awaited SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®main event—the welterweight championship bout between British World Champion Kell Brook and undefeated American challenger Errol Spence Jr., which will air live on SHOWTIME at 5:15 p.m. ET/2:15 p.m. PT.
FACEBOOK LINK: https://www.facebook.com/ShoBoxing
YOUTUBE EVENT PAGE: https://youtu.be/DgnLttF8gzE
George Groves vs. Fedor Chudinov
Vacant WBA Super Middleweight World Championship
To Stream Live Exclusively in the U.S. Via Facebook Live and YouTube
At Approximately 4:30 p.m. ET/1:30 p.m. PT
Kell Brook Defends IBF Welterweight World Championship Against Errol Spence Jr. Live on SHOWTIME® At 5:15 p.m. ET/2:15 p.m. PT
NEW YORK (May 25, 2017) – SHOWTIME Sports will offer a fully-produced Facebook and YouTube live stream of George Groves vs. Fedor Chudinov Super Middleweight World Championship bout this Saturday, May 27 from Sheffield, England. Groves vs. Chudinov will serve as a prelude to the long-awaited SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® main event—the welterweight championship bout between British World Champion Kell Brook and undefeated American challenger Errol Spence Jr., which will air live on SHOWTIME at 5:15 p.m. ET/2:15 p.m. PT.
Live coverage of Groves vs. Chudinov will be provided by Sky Sports Box Office with sportscasters Adam Smith and Carl Froch and will begin at approximately 4:30 p.m. ET/1:30 p.m. PT exclusively in the U.S. on the SHOWTIME Sports Facebookpage and the SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel. Fans can follow all SHOWTIME Sports social accounts (@SHOsports) on Saturday afternoon for the precise start time to Groves vs. Chudinov following undercard action from Bramall Lane stadium in Sheffield, England. These platforms will be geo-blocked for U.S. only.
“When we saw the opportunity to deliver this great super middleweight championship fight to the U.S. audience, we jumped at it,” said Executive Vice President and General Manager of SHOWTIME Sports, Stephen Espinoza. “We thank Matchroom Sport for making it possible for us to carry this bonus coverage to the U.S. Doing so compliments our robust digital and social media content plan serving boxing fans online and attracting new ones. This further demonstrates our unrivaled commitment to the sport. No one is making a more significant and impactful contribution to boxing’s momentum than SHOWTIME.”
Former three-time title challenger Groves and former champ Chudinov (14-1, 10 KOs) will meet for the vacant WBA Super Middleweight World Championship in a matchup of the WBA’s No. 1 and No. 2 challengers in a co-featured bout at Bramall Lane.
Groves (25-3, 18 KOs) has won four straight since teaming up with 2016 Trainer of the Year Shane McGuigan following a close split-decision loss to then-WBC Champion Badou Jack in 2015. The only other blemishes on his record came in title challenges to long-time 168-pound champ Carl Froch.
“I believe this is the best opportunity for me to achieve my dream and become world champion,” Groves said earlier this week. “Time is on my side. I had a good year last year, and I’m in a good place. I’ve put in the work, and now, I need to make this count.
“Everything that’s happened in the past has just made me more determined. I know the pressure is on, and I can’t afford to make any more mistakes. This might be my best chance to win a world title, but it could also be my last.”
Chudinov (14-1, 10 KOs) originally won the WBA Super Middleweight Title with a split-decision victory over Felix Sturm in 2015 and made one successful defense before losing via controversial majority decision in a rematch with Sturm in 2016. Sturm later vacated the belt due to injury, opening up the opportunity for Chudinov to win back his title this Saturday against Groves. Chudinov is ranked No. 1 by the WBA while Groves is ranked No. 2.
FACEBOOK LINK: https://www.facebook.com/
YOUTUBE EVENT PAGE: https://youtu.be/DgnLttF8gzE
Tomorrow/Saturday, May 27 At 5:15 p.m. ET/2:15 p.m. PT
Click HERE To Download Photos by Amanda Westcott/SHOWTIME
SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® Live At 5:15 p.m. ET/2:15 p.m. PT
Kell Brook vs. Errol Spence Jr. – IBF Welterweight World Championship
Kell Brook – 146 ½ pounds
Errol Spence Jr. – 146 ¼ pounds
Live at approximately 4:30 p.m. ET/1:30 p.m. PT exclusively in the U.S. on theSHOWTIME Sports Facebook page and the SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel.
George Groves vs. Fedor Chudinov – vacant WBA Super Middleweight World Championship
George Groves – 167 ¼
Fedor Chudinov – 167