Tag Archives: Hassan N’Dam

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Brant Waiting Eagerly to Face Winner of N’Dam vs. Murata Tomorrow Night

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No one is watching tomorrow night’s fight for the vacant WBA World middleweight title between Japan’s Ryota Murata #2-rated and France’s #1-rated Hassan N’Dam, at the Ariake Colosseum in Tokyo, Japan, more closely than WBA #3 contender Rob “Bravo” Brant and his promoter, Greg Cohen.
Brant (22-0, 15 KOs), of Saint Paul, Minnesota, is mandated by the WBA to face the winner within 120 days.
The fight, which will be Brant’s first for a world championship, will be the culmination of a fantastic 2016-2017, that saw him win the WBA-NABA Middleweight Championship via spectacular knockout over Decarlo Perez in January of last year and then go on to defend it successfully twice more.
Cohen, whose expert guidance has led Brant to fighting on national television numerous times while gaining a large following of fans, especially in his home state, says he’s probably more excited for Brant than he is.
“Rob is a special fighter and an outstanding person and I’m so happy for him,” said Cohen. “He has worked so hard to get here and after tomorrow night, he’ll know who he’s facing for his first world title. I have always believed in Rob Brant and I know he’ll be victorious when the day comes. He’s a winner. That’s what he does.”
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JULIAN WILLIAMS KNOCKS OUT MARCELLO MATANO,  CALLS OUT WORLD CHAMPION JERMALL CHARLO SATURDAY NIGHT ON SHOWTIME®

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Avantil Khurtsidze Shocks Previously Unbeaten Antoine Douglas,
Tony Harrison Dominates Fernando Guerrero In Action-Packed Tripleheader
 
Catch The SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION Replay
This Monday at 10 p.m. ET/PT On SHO EXTREME®
 
Click HERE For Photos From Amanda Westcott/SHOWTIME
BETHLEHEM, PA. (March 6, 2016) – Julian Williams secured the IBF’s No. 1 position at 154 pounds and called out Junior Middleweight World Champion Jermall Charlo after an impressive seventh-round TKO of Italian Marcello Matano Saturday on SHOWTIME from Sands Bethlehem Events Center in Bethlehem, Pa.  VIDEO OF WILLIAMS CALLING OUT CHARLO:http://s.sho.com/1UJo5bp
The undefeated Philadelphia native put on a clinic, breaking down his opponent from the opening bell until referee Gary Rosato stepped in to protect a defenseless Matano (16-2, 5 KOs) at 2:24 of the seventh.  Williams (23-0-1, 14 KOs) utilized a steady diet of combos, jabs and body shots in the middle rounds to weaken Matano and set up the big shots to close the show in the seventh.  VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS: http://s.sho.com/1QzbBBb
Williams landed 59 percent of his power shots, including a staggering 76 percent in the deciding seventh.
“Maybe people will think they saw a chink in the armor tonight,” Williams said.  “Maybe guys will come out from under the rock and get some of this West Philly work.
“Jermall has been watching my performances.  Him and his brother know exactly who I am.  He needs to fight or vacate now.  He needs to step up, but he’s already laying his groundwork and making excuses.
“Step up and fight me.  It’s two of the best junior middleweights in the world.  It’s about greatness.  I want to be great.  All of you turkeys at 154 pounds, let’s fight.”
After the fight, Matano took issue with the stoppage.
“He was pretty fast with his jab, but I felt like I was just getting into the fight,” Matano said.  “I felt the punch, but I felt like I could have kept going. I have a warrior heart and I never want to quit.
“I’m going to go back to Italy and take a little rest, then I’ll be right back in the gym.  It was a wonderful experience coming here to America. I got to fight a top-echelon fighter and I feel like I belong.”
Avtandil Khurtsidze, a human brick wall barreling forward, upset previously unbeaten middleweight contender Antoine Douglas with a thoroughly dominating 10th-round TKO.  VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS:http://s.sho.com/21er63g
The 35-year-old “mini-Mike Tyson” plowed forward from the opening bell until the TKO at 0:33 of the 10th.  The 6-foot Douglas had no answer for his 5-foot-4 opponent, a Brooklyn-based native of Georgia who is looking to become the first world champion from the former Soviet nation.
Khurtsidze (32-2-2, 21 KOs) hurt Douglas (19-1-1, 13 KOs) with a big left in the opening seconds of the third round, sending the 23-year-old face forward through the ropes.  Somehow, Douglas recovered from the first knockdown of his career and fought himself back into the fight.  The Washington, D.C., native rallied to win the fourth and the fifth rounds, and the all-action sixth could have gone either way.
Khurtsidze opened the seventh with a monstrous one-punch left to floor Douglas, who again somehow survived the round on failing legs as Khurtsidze threw over 100 total punches.  Khurtsidze, who showed unbelievable stamina to push the pressure throughout, started the 10th with a relentless attack, forcing referee Benjy Esteves to stop the fight at 0:33 of the with Douglas defenseless against the ropes.
“I knew he was going to get tired,” said Khurtsidze, who took the fight on less than three weeks notice.  “I felt like I was going to catch him. He’s a good fighter, but he’s not strong.
“I knew he was going to be hungry. But I also knew that I was going to beat him.  It was short notice but I did everything I could in the time we had. I stayed in the gym and stayed sharp.
“Whoever they put in front me, I’m ready for them. I love fighting. I’ll fight anybody.”
Douglas had entered the fight as a fast-rising 160-pounder on the cusp of a title shot.
“I feel OK,” Douglas told SHOWTME Sports analyst Steve Farhood after the fight.  “He definitely dictated.  He definitely had a better day today.  It’s not discouraging, we just weren’t able to execute.  Naturally, I’m crushed.  It’s back to the drawing board.”
In the opening bout of the telecast, middleweight contender Tony Harrison looked impressive in a sixth round TKO over former world title challenger Fernando Guerrero.
Harrison (23-1, 19 KOs) was the aggressor from the outset, jabbing at range to set up his favorite weapon – a powerful right.  The Detroit native floored Guerrero with a big right with 15 seconds to go in the second round.  The southpaw got up, but looked hurt and was saved by the bell.
Guerrero (28-4, 20 KOs) had his moments in the fourth and fifth rounds after some heedful advice from his corner, but he couldn’t get inside to escape Harrison’s powerful right. It was a clean left hook midway through the sixth that ultimately finished Guerrero.  After Harrison dropped Guerrero with the left, the Dominican Republic native beat the count but had no legs and went back to the canvas after four more consecutive shots from Harrison, forcing referee Gary Rosato to stop the bout at 1:56 of the sixth.
“I threw punches back and I finished the rounds stronger than him,” said Harrison, who landed 57 percent of his power shots.  “I dominated the fight.  My dad kept telling me to put the hook behind the right hand and if I had listened to him better I could have gotten the knockout much quicker.
“I was backing him up.  My game plan was to take advantage of the fact that southpaws don’t fight well going backwards.  I tried to just keep putting him back and discouraging him. I told everyone I was taking the fight to him. What’s not to like about me? I’m exciting.
“I want big fights, I want to go back to Detroit and I want the Willie Nelson rematch.”
Said Guerrero: “I wasn’t on today.  He wasn’t faster than me, stronger than me or more skilled. I just locked up. I wasn’t listening to my corner, I didn’t do anything tonight.
“It just happens. Sometimes you have a bad day. Today was as bad as I could ever imagine.
“We’ll go back to the drawing board.  I didn’t do what I was supposed to do. We trained so hard. He wasn’t as fast or strong as we thought he’d be. Today was a bad day for me to have a bad day.”
# # #
For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports and www.sandseventcenter.com, follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @JRockBoxing, @Action_Douglas,  @IAmBoxing, @FernandoDomini, @TheSBEC and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports
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JULIAN WILLIAMS OPENS UP IN ADVANCE OF HIS SATURDAY, MARCH 5 FIGHT AGAINST MARCELLO MATANO LIVE ON SHOWTIME®

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“Each fight, I just want to be better than the last fight … I want to go down as the best junior middleweight to ever lace up a pair of gloves.”

 

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I AM A FIGHTER: JULIAN WILLIAMS

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From a single parent household in West Philadelphia, life has always been tough for Julian Williams. At a young age, he was constantly getting into fights with his brothers and at school, until he set foot in the gym at age 12 and unveiled his love for boxing. Williams has set his goals high and is determined to set records and break barriers while giving his all on each on of his fights.

 

“Each fight, I just want to be better than the last fight and I’m on the cusp of being a contender and getting the title shot. When I win the title, I want to break the title defense record which is held by Terry Norris. I want to go down as the best junior middleweight to ever lace up a pair of gloves.”

 

Check out this I AM A FIGHTER feature on Julian Williams, the undefeated super welterweight who is up against Marcello Matano in an IBF Super Welterweight Eliminator bout tomorrow night in the main event of SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION, live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).

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JULIAN WILLIAMS VS. MARCELLO MATANO FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES & PHOTOS

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Click HERE For Photos From Amanda Westcott/SHOWTIME
 
BETHLEHEM, PA. (March 3, 2016) – Undefeated top contender Julian “J-Rock” Williams and Italy’sMarcello Matano went face-to-face for the first time Thursday at the final press conference before they meet with the IBF’s No. 1 spot at 154-pounds on the line this Saturday, March 5 live on SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/PT) from Sands Bethlehem Events Center in Bethlehem, Pa.
Saturday’s SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION® tripleheader features middleweight matchups between rising contender Antoine Douglas and Avtandil Khurtsidze and exciting Detroit prospect Tony Harrison against former title challenger Fernando Guerrero.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by King’s Promotions, are priced at $100, $75 and $50, not including applicable service charges and taxes and are on sale now. Tickets are available HEREat www.ticketmaster.com. To charge by phone call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000.
Here is what the fighters had to say Thursday:
JULIAN WILLIAMS
“I want to thank Matano and his team for coming all the way over here. We’ve had a difficult time getting opponents for different reasons, but I’m excited to headline this stacked card.
“When I win this fight I’ll be able to accomplish my dream of being a world champion. It’s one step closer.
“I’m going to attack the head and body as much as I can. I’ve got enough film on him to see what he’s got. He’s pretty solid. He got better each time out. But those guys in Italy don’t have the skills that I have. I think he’s going to bring it for as long as he can handle it.
“He’s an awkward fighter. He’s definitely a boxer and he can be a little skittish in the ring. I know I’ve fought the better competition and I’ve trained my hardest for this.
“I’m ready to make a statement. I’m not worried about a knockout. However the win comes, it’s great. I’m just looking to win and beat him down.
“I’m expecting a good Philadelphia crowd to be out here supporting me. Ninety percent of my career I’ve been on the West Coast and other places. But now fighting in front of my hometown fans, there’s nothing better. It’s perfect.”
MARCELLO MATANO
“I feel very good. I’ve been here since Friday so I have gotten used to the time zone difference and I’m ready to fight. My American experience is just starting and I’m looking forward to it.
“It’s been a hard two months of training for this fight. This is by far the most important fight of my career so I’ve trained even harder than I usually do.
“I know that Julian Williams is a top-notch athlete and that he is coming to give his best, just like I am. It’s going to be an exciting fight because we both want to get to the top.
“I can adapt myself to any opponent. I can be a boxer or I can be a brawler. But in my heart, I am a warrior and I will come forward all fight. I am coming to leave that ring victorious.
“This is a dream come true to come here to the United States. I’ve always worked hard and it’s gotten me here. I will put all of my heart into the ring on Saturday night.”
ANTOINE DOUGLAS
“You can always look forward to an action-packed fight when I step into the ring. I have an admirable opponent who I know is coming to fight.
“I’ve grown into this role and into who I am. If you asked me earlier in my career, I would have never thought I’d be here. This is great and it comes from all the hard work I’ve put in over the years.
“You will see my growth Saturday night in the ring. I plan on being victorious. The work I put in won’t let me be any less than that. I’m looking forward to the action.
“I have a very strong opponent and I think it will make for a more exciting fight than Sam Soliman.
“I just always have to be prepared for whatever is thrown at me.  This is boxing – there are no guarantees.  We just have to be prepared for everything and do our best.
“The styles of Soliman and Khurtsidze are completely different, but we always base our offense and defense off a fighting at range and working the jab.  I’m not going in blind – I’ve faced opponents who come forward.  We’ll be ready for him and ready to make the adjustments in the ring.
“A win on Saturday will definitely put me in a position for a title shot.  We just take it day-by-day.  It’s not about looking at future opponents. We take each step successfully and see where it puts us.”
AVTANDIL KHURTSIDZE
“I’m very happy to be here and I’m grateful for the opportunity. I’m fighting a very strong fighter. Once I step into the ring I’m expecting a good challenge and I can’t wait for Saturday night.
“Everything in training went well. We’ve trained really hard and we’re ready for Saturday night.
“Douglas is a good fighter. He’s a good boxer and he has a good left hook. But none of that means anything until you get in the ring.
“Once I step into the ring, I will bring 100 percent. I am not going to stop swinging until Douglas goes down.”
FERNANDO GUERRERO
“We’re ready to fight. We had a great training camp and there’s not too much to say. It’s warrior time.
“I’ve been through my ups and downs, but I’m still here and I’m not going anywhere. This is for my whole nation, everyone in the Dominican Republic who is watching. You have to step in that ring for something.
“This isn’t a game. This is the only sport that you cannot play. I’m going to make this one of those fights that will be one of the best of the year. It will either be the best knockout or the best fight of the year. This is going to be memorable.
“This is the kind of opponent who will bring out the best of me. Everybody has to watch out for me. I’m coming to make a statement on Saturday.”
# # #
For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports and www.sandseventcenter.com, follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @JRockBoxing, @Action_Douglas,  @IAmBoxing, @FernandoDomini, @TheSBEC and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports
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JULIAN WILLIAMS MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES & PHOTOS

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WILLIAMS FACES MARCELLO MATANO IN SUPER WELTERWEIGHT TITLE ELIMINATOR THIS SATURDAY LIVE ON SHOWTIME® FROM SANDS BETHLEHEM EVENTS CENTER
IN BETHLEHEM, PA.
 
Click HERE For Photos: Amanda Westcott/SHOWTIME
 
Click HERE For A Short Video Feature On Julian Williams: http://s.sho.com/21HzF8I
 
Philadelphia, Pa. (March 2, 2016) – Julian “J-Rock” Williams (21-0-1, 13 KOs) held a media workout on Tuesday in Philadelphia at James Shuler Boxing Gym as he prepares to put his undefeated record on the line in a 154-pound world title eliminator this Saturday, March 5, live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).
The SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION® main event pits Williams against Italy’s Marcello Matano(16-1, 5 KOs) as part of a tripleheader live from Sands Bethlehem Events Center in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
Also featured on the telecast will be middleweight contender Antoine Douglas (19-0-1, 13 KOs) facing off against Avtandil Khurtsidze (31-2, 20 KOs)in a 10-round middleweight bout and exciting Detroit prospect Tony Harrison (22-1, 18 KOs) battling former title challenger Fernando Guerrero (28-3, 20 KOs) in a 10-round super welterweight matchup.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by King’s Promotions, are priced at $100, $75 and $50, not including applicable service charges and taxes and are on sale now. Tickets are available HEREat www.ticketmaster.com. To charge by phone call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000.
Here is what Julian and his trainer, Stephen Edwards, had to say Tuesday:
 
JULIAN WILLIAMS
“I am extremely focused.  There is a lot at stake this Saturday.  I am finally in the position I wanted to be in since turning pro.
“I have come to a conclusion that if people don’t have to fight Julian Williams then they won’t.  It hasn’t been that frustrating though because I always have a fight on the books.  I can’t worry about the people who won’t fight me. I just have to stay ready and put myself in the mandatory spot. That’s what I am going to do on Saturday night.
“It’s never any challenge fighting at home.  I know exactly what I have to do. I don’t cut any corners in camp.  The biggest challenge is the waiting because I am so anxious to get in there and get a win, especially in front of my home crowd.
“I always knew I wanted to pursue a boxing career, so I treat it like I want it. I’ve been dreaming about this for a long time and my opportunity is finally here.
“I’ve been a student of the game since I started watching boxing. I want to learn and I want to know everything about boxing.
“It means everything to have my biggest fight to date in my backyard. I know my fans cheer loud and it feels great to have their support in my corner.
“I know everything about my opponent. I probably know what kind of toothpaste he used this morning. I searched high and low for videos of Matano. I am ready because I know he is ready.
“He is a little bit awkward. He seems to have a really good gas tank.  He said he wants to take me the distance, so we’ll see.
“The last fight solidified the things that I already knew about myself. I know I am fundamentally sound and I know I am the hungriest fighter in the world.
“I always want to put on an explosive performance. It’s always about a win.
“In about nine months, Philadelphia will have it’s fourth IBF super welterweight champion after David Reid, Robert Hines and Buster Drayton.”
STEPHEN EDWARDS, Williams’ trainer
“We are ready. It’s been a long four-month camp. We thought were going to fight in January, so we’ve been grinding through this rough weather early in the morning.  Julian is chomping at the bit and ready to rock ‘n roll.
“We thought we were going to fight Austin Trout in December, and he saw that Julian gave his opponent a concussion and said I don’t want to fight him. It’s just that simple.  We have to get past Matano and then we can talk about (super welterweight champion Jermall) Charlo.
“Anybody with two hands and a heartbeat can fight. Matano is ranked and just because he isn’t well known, it doesn’t mean he can’t fight. He is 16-1 and they didn’t have a hard time convincing him to take the fight. The best soldiers are volunteers. Any time someone willingly comes to someone else’s country, you have to take him seriously.
“I don’t want to make a prediction, but Julian will hurt this guy very bad.”
# # #
For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports and www.sandseventcenter.com, follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @JRockBoxing, @Action_Douglas,  @IAmBoxing, @FernandoDomini, @TheSBEC and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports
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UNBEATEN MIDDLEWEIGHT PROSPECT IEVGEN KHYTROV TAKES ON KENNETH MCNEIL IN UNDERCARD ACTION THIS SATURDAY, MARCH 5 FROM  SANDS BETHLEHEM EVENTS CENTER IN BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA

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Plus! Heavyweight Battle Between Philadelphia’s Joey Dawejko and
Ecuadorian Olympian Ytalo Perea
 
Exciting Night Of Fights Features SHOWTIME® Tripleheader Headlined
By Unbeaten Rising Star Julian Williams Taking On Marcello Matano
In IBF Super Welterweight Eliminator
 
BETHLEHEM, PA. (March 1, 2016) – Unbeaten middleweight prospect Ievgen Khytrov (12-0, 11 KOs) takes on Alabama’s Kenneth McNeil (9-1, 6 KOs) in a 10-round bout that highlights an exciting undercard taking place this Saturday, March 5 from Sands Bethlehem Events Center in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
The card features an exciting tripleheader of action live on SHOWTIME® at 10 p.m. ET/PT and is headlined by undefeated rising star Julian “J-Rock” Williams in an IBF eliminator for the top ranking at 154 pounds against Italy’s Marcello Matano. Also featured on the telecast is fast-rising middleweight contender Antoine Douglas against Avtandil Khurtsidze and exciting prospect Tony Harrison battling former title challenger Fernando Guerrero.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by King’s Promotions, are priced at $100, $75 and $45, not including applicable service charges and taxes and are on sale now. Tickets are available HEREat www.ticketmaster.com. To charge by phone call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000.
In other action, Philadelphia’s Joey Dawejko (16-4-2, 9 KOs) will compete in an eight-round heavyweight showdown against 2012 Ecuadorian Olympian Ytalo Perea (6-2-1, 4 KOs).
Also in a non-televised bout is unbeaten Terrance Williams (4-0, 1 KO), who faces Anthony Miller (2-1, 2 KOs) in a four-round middleweight contest and the pro debut of Brooklyn’s Chordale Booker against Patrick Kehoe (1-2) in a four-round heavyweight fight.
Rounding out the night of fights is super welterweight prospect Oshaquie Foster (10-1, 7 KOs) in a six-round bout against Brazil’s Claudinei Lacerda (17-14-1, 12 KOs) and Philadelphia’s Amir Shabazz (2-0) against Atlanta’s Hakeem Atkinson (2-1, 1 KO) in a four-round light heavyweight contest.
An Olympian for his native Ukraine, Khytrov also won an Amatuer World Championship before turning pro in 2013. Since then, the 27-year-old has dominated on his way to stopping contenders Josh Luteran and Nick Brinson in addition to previously unbeaten fighters Maurice Louishomme and Aaron Coley. Now training out of Brooklyn, he will be opposed by the 25-year-old McNeil out of Birmingham, Alabama who enters this fight on a six-bout winning streak.
An exciting brawler out of the great fighting city of Philadelphia, Dawejko looks to make it three in a row after delivering stoppages of Natu Visinia and Robert Dunton his last two times out. The 25-year-old has shared the ring with heavyweight world champion Charles Martin and contender Amir Mansour. He faces a stiff test in the 22-year-old Perea. The Ecuadorian Olympian trains out of Howard Beach, New York and picked up his last win via knockout over Oswaldo Sanchez.
For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports and www.sandseventcenter.com, follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @JRockBoxing, @Action_Douglas,  @IAmBoxing, @FernandoDomini, @TheSBEC and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports
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ANTOINE DOUGLAS TO FACE AVTANDIL KHURTSIDZE IN MARCH 5 SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION® CO-FEATURE

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Khurtsidze Replaces The Injured Sam Soliman

 

Julian Williams Takes On Marcello Matano In 154-Pound Eliminator In Main Event Of Tripleheader Live On SHOWTIME® From Sands Bethlehem Events Center in Bethlehem, Pa.

 

NEW YORK (Feb. 23, 2016) – Undefeated middleweight contenderAntoine Douglas will face hard-hitting Avtandil Khurtsidze in the co-feature of SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION® on Saturday, March 5, live on SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/PT) from Sands Bethlehem Events Center in Bethlehem, Pa.

 

Khurtsidze (30-2-2, 20 KOs) steps in to face GH3 Promotions’ Douglas (19-0-1, 13 KOs) in a 10-round middleweight bout for the WBO International title after Sam Soliman pulled out of the fight last week with a knee injury.

 

Khurtsidze, of Brooklyn, N.Y. by way of Kutaisi, Georgia, has won eight straight – including six by knockout – since dropping a controversial decision to then-unbeaten Hassan N’Dam in a bout for the vacant interim WBA World Middleweight Title in Paris in 2010.

 

Khurtsidze was scheduled to face N’Dam in a rematch last November 21 in Paris, but the event was cancelled following the tragic November 13 terror attacks in France.  The rematch with the former world champion was to be contested for the IBF No. 2 spot at 160 pounds.

 

A pressure fighter, Khurtsidze was also slated to fight last week on a DiBella Entertainment Broadway Boxing event and has been training since the fight with N’Dam was called off.  The 36-year-old, who has also campaigned at super middleweight, is coming off a knockout victory over Melvin Betancourt last August.

 

“Avtandil is a world class guy, a former silver titlist and has been at the top of the division for years,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “This is a great opportunity for him and a huge step up for Douglas.  Avtandil had been on his way to France to fight for the No. 2 ranking against N’Dam when the tragic terrorist attacks hit Paris, which was a terribly unfortunate situation for all.  Now, he looks to impress in this fight against the highly regarded Douglas.  The winner of this bout moves up significantly in the middleweight world rankings and will be in line for a major fight in the 160-pound division later this year.”

 

In the main event of the SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION tripleheader, Julian “J-Rock” Williams and once-beaten Italian Marcello Matano will square off in a 12-round IBF eliminator for the No. 1 ranking at 154 pounds. In the opening bout of the telecast, hard-hitting prospect Tony Harrison will face veteran former world title challenger Fernando Guerrero in a 10-round super welterweight contest.

 

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by King’s Promotions, are priced at $100, $75 and $45, not including applicable service charges and taxes and are on sale now. Tickets are available HEREat www.ticketmaster.com. To charge by phone call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000.

 

For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports and www.sandseventcenter.com, follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @JRockBoxing, @Action_Douglas,  @IAmBoxing, @FernandoDomini, @TheSBEC and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports

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Hassan N’Dam promises world-class performance Tonight in Montreal vs. David Lemieux

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PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release

MONTREAL (June 19, 2015) – Former World Boxing Organization (WBO) 160-pound division champion Hassan N’Dam (31-1, 18 KOs) has promised a world-class performance in tomorrow night’s (Saturday, June 20) showdown with David Lemieux (33-2, 31 KOs) for the vacant International Boxing Federation (IBF) middleweight title at the famed Bell Centre in Montreal, Canada.

 

A 2004 Olympian who represented his native Cameroon, N’Dam is the IBF No. 1-ranked, mandatory contender, who now fights out of France. Lemieux is ranked No. 4 in the world by the IBF.

 

“I promise a world-class performance tomorrow night in Montreal against hometown favorite David Lemieux for the IBF middleweight world championship,” N’Dam said earlier today in Montreal. “I will adapt to whatever style Lemieux brings. I can KO him in round one, or in any other round. He has never fought anyone with my skill set. Lemieux is coming into the deep end and I will prove he doesn’t belong here. I will show his handlers that he doesn’t belong at the top tier of world-class boxing.”

 

N’Dam’s victims, among the more notables, include Max Bursk, Curtis Stevens,Fulgencio Zuniga, Giovanni Lorenzo, Omar Weiss and Autandil Khurtsidze.

 

“Hassan has had the best training camp of his career and he’s going to put on the performance of his life tomorrow night,” N’Dam’s manager Gary Hyde added. “When he is crowned IBF world middleweight champion, Hassan will be right in the mix of the most exciting weight division in boxing. We are not happy with the appointment of a Canadian judge and Canadian referee, but I have been assured by Quebec Commissioner Michel Hamelin that they will do a good, honest job. I accept that this will be the case. We have a world title to win and that is what we will do. Hassan will be crowned world champion for the second time, against all odds, because he’s just too good.”

 

Follow on Twitter at @HassanNdam and @NoWhere2Hyde.
boxing

 Team N’Dam objects to officials named for IBF middleweight world title fight in Montreal: N’Dam vs. Lemieux, June 20 in Montreal

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PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release

   
L-R) – Hassan N’Dam & Gary Hyde

 

CORK, Ireland (June 10, 2015) – Gary Hyde, manager of International Boxing Federation (IBF) No. 1-ranked, mandatory middleweight contender Hassan N’Dam (31-1, 18 KOs), has objected to two officials named to work the June 20th IBF world middleweight title fight between N’Dam and David Lemieux (33-2, 31 KOs) at the famed Bell Centre in Montreal, Canada.

 

Cameroon-native N’Dam, promoted by King Sports, is a former World Boxing Organization (WBO) 160-pound division world champion. The IBF No. 4-ranked Lemieux was born and lives in Montreal, Quebec.

 

“On June 2nd,” Hyde explained, “I learned who the officials were for theJune 20th fight at the Bell Centre. I contacted the IBF and objected to two officials who are from Montreal, Quebec, the same city Lemieux is from. Referee Marlon Wright has refereed five of Lemieux’ fights and the judge in question, Benoit Roussel, has worked no fewer than 12 of Lemieux’ fights.

 

“I also objected to the Quebec Commission on the appointment of the two Canadian officials. The selection of two officials from the same city as one of the fighters in an international world championship bout indicates a flawed and unfair procedure and undermines the appearance of fairness and impartiality. In my experience in world championship bouts the officials must always be neutral.

 

“We are hopeful that the Quebec Boxing Commission will replace both Canadian  officials with a pair of neutral officials, so that we can concentrate solely on the job at hand, to beat Lemieux.