Tag Archives: Heather Hardy

boxing, Mayweather Promotions

MAYWEATHER PROMOTIONS IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THE 8TH TITANS OF THE TRADE: BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS AT MGM GRAND

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Click HERE for Photos from the last Titans of the Trade Event
Las Vegas (August 1, 2017) – Mayweather Promotions is preparing for this signature event for the 8th consecutive time! Titans of the Trade: Breakfast of Champions is set to take place on the morning of the Mayweather vs. McGregor weigh-in, Friday, August 25 at MGM Grand. This event celebrates the continuous achievements of individuals who are influencers the sports and entertainment world to make it what it is today.
This year’s theme is Dream, Conquer, and Sparkle-exemplifying the acknowledgement of those who have shined or sparkled in their respective professional fields. The ability to shine bright within the industry is noteworthy and deserves recognition and presentation of one of our prestigious awards.
Honorees from our 2016 Titans of the Trade affair include: first African American VP in Major League Baseball history; Marian Rhodes, former WBC World Champion; Alicia Ashley, 2016 Olympian; Vashti Cunningham, Chi-Town’s finest breakers; The Monster Kids, and Premier Boxing Champions’ President of Boxing Operations; Sylvia Browne-Owens. Honorees to be recognized at the upcoming event include: multi-talented musician and actress; Tally, undefeated boxing world champion and MMA fighter; Heather Hardy, UC-Riverside’s top performing female basketball player; Simone Decoud, former UNLV softball coach; Shan McDonald, and remarkable boxing referee; Sparkle Lee.
Honorees:
Young Trailblazer Award recipient- Tally is an up and coming multi-talented rap artist, songwriter, actress and musician from sunny Nashville, Tennessee.  Growing up, Tally took interest into becoming an artist when she began making YouTube covers, landed lead roles in her school plays, and starting playing the guitar, which helped her songwriting skills. Music always played an important role in her life and that landed her a star role in the second season of Lifetime’s The Rap Game. After being eliminated after the first episode, she didn’t let that deter her future success. She continued to focus on her music career, ultimately landed her another opportunity on the third season of The Rap Game, as well as performing at the 2017 Radio Disney Awards.
Young Trailblazer Award recipient- Simone Decoud has made headlines due to her continuous success as a point guard at UC-Riverside. This Riverside native has been a three-time, All-Big West Honoree, who has averaged 11.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game this season.  Simone has finished her junior year in college as the team’s seventh all-time leading scorer and second on the career assists list and expects to graduate with a degree in Media Cultural Studies. After graduating, she will look to begin her professional basketball career overseas.
Golden Glove Award recipient- Heather “The Heat” Hardy has let her talent do all the talking. She has contributed to diversifying the sports industry by her remarkable success as a female boxer and strength through her continuous achievements in the industry. Being a single mother and a professional boxer has come with a lot of hard-work and dedication but Heather has conquered her adversities through recognition in combat-sports. Her most recent achievement was her TKO win at her MMA debut against Alice Yauger on June 24th. Heather is also unbeaten in the boxing ring with 20 wins, 4 KO’s and the WBC super bantamweight & featherweight world titlesTitans of the Trade Award recipient- Shan McDonald was inducted into the UNLV Athletics Hall of Fame after leading the Rebels to 511 victories in 17 seasons, seven-straight NCAA tournaments from 1990-96, and three appearances in the Women’s College World Series. The former UNLV softball coach  drove her team to break, or tie, 30 school records, which helped earn her the ‘all-time winnings coach’s title. She has proven to be a true titan  in sports.
Meritorious Achievement Award recipient- Sparkle Lee has lead a reputable career as a boxing referee that has helped reshape the image of the ‘third man in the ring’ for all women. She has made history on countless occasions including as the first female referee to be inducted in the International Boxing Hall of Fame. Her love for boxing started as a routine workout at Gleason’s Gym in the 80’s and transpired into a career of 30+ years, paving the way for female referees to follow.
In addition to our honorees, the event will be hosted by, TV personality and fashion designer;Angel Brinks. Plus 2 special guest performances by talented Las Vegas native; Cabria Anderson and singer and songwriter, Jade Novah.
This year’s Titans of the Trade: Breakfast of Champions- Dream, Conquer, & Sparkle is sponsored by: The Money Team, Mayweather Sports, MGM Grand, SHOWTIME, FNOM, Screaming Images BoxRaw, Alexandre Crepin, Fight Label, Versace Fragrances, Smooth Operators Salon, Too Pretty Brand, and PINTA USA.  
Click HERE to purchase tickets to the most anticipated breakfast in the industry.
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In conjunction with this great event, those who have a strong desire to work and contribute their efforts within the Sports and Entertainment Industry, the Floyd Mayweather Jr. Foundation offers a scholarship for women on a bi-annual basis. This program is funded by the proceeds donated to the foundation as a result of the Titans of the Trade Breakfast. It is designed to offer assistance to women with the potential to make a positive impact, further their education, and benefit the profession as a whole. To apply for The Floyd Mayweather Jr. Foundation Advancement of Women in Sports & Entertainment Scholarship visit:http://tfmjf.org/scholarships/. The deadline to apply for the spring semester is November 15.
Bellator, boxing, Las Vegas, mixed martial arts, MMA, Rich Bergeron, Tom Padgett, Tony Penecale, UFC

FNU Combat Sports Show With Special Guest Richard Barrientes, Pound For Pound Boxing Gym Coach

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Tom, Tony and Rich interview an up-and-coming Vegas boxing coach who is starting to make some real waves with his amateur and pro pupils. Richard Barrientes is obviously doing a great job with his students, and we had to know what his secret was. He points to “consistency” and “fundamentals” as the foundation for a great fighter, and he also puts a lot of work in every day to put his Las Vegas Pound 4 Pound gym on the world stage in a huge way. This was a fantastic interview with a man who obviously cares deeply about the sport and wants to make a positive impact on society. His hard work paid off in giving him a group of kids who could become future world champions in their respective divisions. He is indeed, doing something right in Las Vegas, and he explains everything about his program in this interview.

Tom, Tony and Rich also discussed Mayweather vs. McGregor, Tim Hague’s recent death after a brutal defeat in boxing, Female Boxer Heather Hardy’s pro MMA debut for Bellator, and Matt Hughes’ tragic accident in the first part of the broadcast. We also chat about Tony Penecale’s Boxing 101 video with his trainees and Hank Cisco:

We wrap up the show with a recap of last week’s UFC Fight Night and all the boxing action, plus we look ahead to this weekend’s boxing matches and the stacked MMA lineups for Bellator and the UFC.

Bellator, boxing, Gleason's Gym, mixed martial arts, MMA

News From Gleason’s Gym

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  1. Heather “The Heat” Hardy will make her MMA debut at Madison Square Garden on Saturday, June 24th.

Heather is a two sport woman. She is the WBC International Female Featherweight Champion with a 20-0-0 record. Purchase tickets at Gleason’s Gym or at  www.heather-hardy.com/events

2. Sonya “The Scholar” Lamonakis Sonya Lamonakis 10-2-2 will be boxing June 10 in Worcester Massachusetts at the DCU for the UBF WORLD TITLE. Tickets are $45 if interested please call 6468950890.
3. 31 Years Later, Boxing Returns to the Coliseum on July 15
After a 31-year absence, professional boxing returns to NYCB LIVE, home of the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum with PBC on FOX on July 15, 2017. Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment proudly announces the first professional boxing match at the Coliseum since Mike Tyson knocked out Steve Zouski on March 10, 1986.
Opening night of Brooklyn Boxing On Long Island will be headlined by a welterweight battle between former champions
Omar Figueroa and Robert Guerrero. Long Island favorite Seanie Monaghan will face Staten Island’s Marcus Browne in a collision of undefeated light heavyweights. The card also includes a heavyweight brawl between Artur Szpilka and Adam Kownacki.
Tickets are on sale now.
4. USA Boxing Alumni Association   USA Boxing is establishing a formal USA Boxing Alumni Association.  The goal is to increase the relationships amongst fellow alumni and with USA Boxing as a whole.  In order to launch this association, they need to collect a sufficient amount of responses form their survey.  If we achieve a certain response rate, we’ll get the funding we need from the donors. Please take five minutes and complete this survey. It will only be up for two weeks.   http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Boxing/Features/2017/May/24/USA-Boxing-Needs-Your-Help

GLEASON’S INTERNATIONAL MASTER TOURNAMENT June 15-17, 2017

15th Annual Gleason’s Fantasy Camp August 10 through 13, 2017
boxing, CBS Boxing, CBS Sports Network, Premier Boxing Champions, Showtime, Showtime Boxing

CBS SPORTS NETWORK TO AIR ENCORE PRESENTATION OF THURMAN vs. GARCIA WELTERWEIGHT UNIFICATION TONIGHT AT 10 P.M. ET

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Re-Watch Keith Thurman’s Split-Decision Victory Over Danny Garcia In Main Event of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING on CBS, presented by Premier Boxing Champions

 

Photo Credit: Amanda Westcott/SHOWTIME

 

CBS Sports Network will air an encore presentation of Saturday’s razor-close welterweight unification between Keith Thurman and Danny Garcia tonight/Monday at 10 p.m. ET.  Thurman and Garcia landed within five punches of each other across all 12 rounds of their showdown for the WBA and WBC 147-pound crowns, with Thurman narrowly edging Garcia to unify the division via split decision in front of a record crowd at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

 

Monday’s encore presentation of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING on CBS, presented by Premier Boxing Champions, will also feature Erickson Lubin’s one-punch KO of Jorge Cota in a WBC 154-pound title eliminator, a victory which sets the 21-year-old on a path to become the youngest world champion in boxing today.

 

Thurman vs. Garcia will be available commercial free to SHOWTIME subscribers next week.  This offering, including bonus coverage from between rounds of the main event, will be available on SHOWTIME ON DEMAND®, SHOWTIME ANYTIME® and on the SHOWTIME Streaming Service.

 

The entire two-fight broadcast will also be available on CBS ALL ACCESS.

boxing, CBS Boxing, Premier Boxing Champions, Showtime, Showtime Boxing

CBS Earns Highest-Rated Primetime Broadcast with SHO BOXING on CBS

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NEW YORK (March 5, 2017) – CBS was the No. 1 network in prime time on Saturday night, according to Nielsen overnight ratings, with the live broadcast of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING on CBS, presented by Premier Boxing Champions.  The broadcast, which was produced by SHOWTIME Sports, featured a welterweight world championship unification fight between undefeated champions Keith Thurman (WBA) and Danny Garcia (WBC).  Thurman won a close split decision to unify the belts.

 

The broadcast earned a 2.2 rating from 9 p.m. – 11:15 p.m. ET, up 22% over the previous June 25, 2016 SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING on CBS broadcast featuring Keith Thurman vs. Shawn Porter (1.8 rating).

 

*Full data including viewership for the boxing broadcast on CBS will be available in the coming days.

 

BOXING DETAILS:

Keith Thurman (28-0, 22 KOs) of Clear Water, Fla., defeated Danny Garcia (33-1, 19 KOs) of Philadelphia via split decision to become the Unified Welterweight World Champion.  The main event aired live on CBS and took place at Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING™.

 

The broadcast was produced by SHOWTIME Sports® for the CBS Television Network.  The event was held at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY, before a record-setting crowd of 16,533, the largest crowd for a boxing event in that arena.

 

The close fight, which was only the third time undefeated champions came together to unify the 147-pound division, was scored 116-112 Thurman, 115-113 Thurman and 115-113 Garcia.

boxing, CBS Boxing, Premier Boxing Champions, Showtime, Showtime Boxing

MARIO BARRIOS REMAINS UNDEFEATED WITH SIXTH-ROUND TKO

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Photo Credit: Stephanie Trapp
BROOKLYN, NY (March 5, 2017) – Last night at the Barclays Center in New York, San Antonio native, Mario Barrios (18-0, 10 KOs), remained undefeated with a stellar performance, defeated his opponent Yardley Suarez (20-7, 11 KOs) by sixth round TKO.
With newly acquired trainer, Virgil Hunter, in his corner, Barrios was able to execute his game plan to perfection from the opening bell.  After landing plenty of head shots early, Barrios went to the body and ended the fight with a barrage of punches, forcing the referee to stop the bout in the sixth round.  With the victory, Barrios is now 2-0 at super-lightweight.
“I felt really strong going into this fight and it showed tonight as I was able to get the stoppage,” said Mario Barrios. “I was having success early in the fight, landing a lot of solid head-shots.  Then I started going to the body and got him out of there.”
Barrios, who recently moved up from super-featherweight to super-lightweight, feels comfortable fighting at 140-pounds.
“I plan to stay at this weight and make a run toward a world title in this division” Barrios continued. “I feel with a few more fights at super-lightweight, I’ll be able ready to fight for a world title.  The road to the top is not going to be easy, but I’m certain I’ll be ready to fight any of the champions once I climb up the rankings.”
boxing, CBS Boxing, Premier Boxing Champions, Showtime, Showtime Boxing

KEITH THURMAN UNIFIES WELTERWEIGHT DIVISION WITH SPLIT-DECISION OVER DANNY GARCIA SATURDAY IN PRIMETIME ON CBS AT BARCLAYS CENTER

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Press Release
For Immediate Release
Erickson Lubin Knocks Out Jorge Cota in WBC Super Welterweight Title Eliminator: VIDEO
Watch The Replay Monday at 10 p.m. on CBS Sports Network
Click HERE for Photos from Tom Casino/SHOWTIME &
HERE for Photos from Amanda Westcott/SHOWTIME
 
Click HERE for Photos from Ed Diller/DiBella Entertainment
 
Click HERE for Photos from Andy Samuelson/Premier Boxing Champions
 
BROOKLYN (March 5, 2017) – Keith Thurman is the unified welterweight world champion.
Thurman (28-0, 22 KOs) unified boxing’s glamour division with a split-decision victory over Danny Garcia (33-1, 19 KOs) on Saturday, defending his WBA belt and picking up Garcia’s WBC crown on boxing’s biggest stage in primetime on CBS from Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING™.
The event, which was produced by SHOWTIME Sports® for the CBS Television Network, marked the highest-attended boxing event in Barclays Center history with 16,533 fans witnessing just the 10th unification in division history.
The close affair, which was only the third time undefeated fighters unified the 147-pound division, was scored 116-112 Thurman, 115-113 Thurman and 115-113 Garcia.
                              
The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING on CBS main event, which was presented by Premier Boxing Champions, was a tale of effective aggression and ring generalship. Thurman came out swinging and was the busier and more accurate fighter in nine of the 12 rounds.  “One Time” Thurman was more tactical in the second half of the fight, utilizing lateral movement and working off his jab.  Garcia picked up the pace and was more active in the final rounds, but it was too little too late for the previously undefeated Philadelphia native.
“I thought I out-boxed him.” said Thurman, who likely earned a spot on boxing’s mythical pound-for-pound list with the impressive victory.  “I thought it was a clear victory, but Danny came to fight.  I knew when it was split and I had that wide spread, I knew it had to go to me.
“I was not giving the fight away. I felt like we had a nice lead, we could cool down.  I felt like we were controlling the three-minute intervals every round.  My defense was effective – he wasn’t landing.”
A former unified champion at 140-pound, Garcia was aiming to be the first fighter in history to unify titles at 140 and 147 pounds.
“I came up short tonight,” said Garcia, who entered the bout with a 7-0 record in world title bouts.  “I thought I was the aggressor.  I thought I pushed the pace.  But it didn’t go my way.
“I thought I won and I was pushing the fight.  But it is what it is. I’ll come back strong like a true champion. I would love a rematch to get these titles.”
SHOWTIME Sports analyst and unofficial scorer Steve Farhood scored the fight 116-112 for Thurman.
Undefeated super welterweight Erickson Lubin (18-0, 13 KOs) knocked out Jorge Cota (23-2, 20 KOs) in a WBC 154-pound title eliminator, dropping the previously once-beaten Cota with a flush overhand left at 1:25 (TKO) of the fourth round.
Lubin now becomes the No. 2 challenger to WBC Welterweight World Championship Jermell Charlo, who is due a mandatory bout against No. 1 contender Charles Hatley.
The Orlando-native Lubin landed 47 percent of his power shots across four rounds of shutout boxing.
“I baited him with the jab.  I knew he was going to come with the big shots early,” Lubin said to reporter Jim Gray.  “I put a few tricks on him, I landed that overhand and it was night-night.  I put my hands down to bait him in, I did a squat and then it was night-night.  I was ready to follow-up with a right but he was already out.”
At just 21-years-old, Lubin now has an opportunity to become the youngest world champion in boxing today.
“That would mean a lot to me; that would mean a lot to Orlando, Florida,” Lubin said.  “This is my second time knocking someone out in front of Ray Leonard.  He’s one of my favorite fighters of all time.  It’s an honor to do this on CBS.”
#  #  #
ABOUT THURMAN vs. GARCIA
Keith Thurman vs. Danny Garcia is a welterweight world title showdown between undefeated 147-pound titlists. The 12-round bout headlines SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING on CBS, presented by Premier Boxing Champions, Saturday March 4 from Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING™. In the co-main event undefeated rising star Erickson Lubin battles once-beaten knockout artist Jorge Cota in a super welterweight title eliminator bout on CBS at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.
For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @KeithFThurmanJr, @DannySwift, @LouDiBella, @BarclaysCenter and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports, www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment, www.Facebook.com/barclayscenter. PBC is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.
boxing, CBS Boxing, Premier Boxing Champions, Showtime, Showtime Boxing

KEITH THURMAN vs. DANNY GARCIA FINAL WEIGHTS, PHOTOS & COMMISSION OFFICIALS FOR SATURDAY’S WELTERWEIGHT WORLD TITLE UNIFICATION

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 SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING on CBS, presented by Premier Boxing Champions, Live in Primetime on CBS at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT from Barclays Center In Brooklyn

 

Click HERE For Photos; Credit Amanda Westcott/SHOWTIME

 

WBA & WBC WELTERWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP UNIFICATION – 12 Rounds

Keith Thurman:  146 ¼ pounds

Danny Garcia: 146 ½ pounds

Referee: Michael Griffin; Judges: John McKaie (N.Y.), Kevin Morgan (N.Y.), Joseph Pasquale (N.J.)

 

WBC SUPER WELTERWEIGHT ELIMINATOR – 12 Rounds

Erickson Lubin: 153 ¾ pounds

Jorge Cota: 153 ¾ poounds

Referee: Earl Brown; Judges: Frank Lombardi (Conn.), Alan Rubenstein (Penn.), Tom Schreck (N.Y.)

 

 

# # #

 

ABOUT THURMAN vs. GARCIA

Keith Thurman vs. Danny Garcia is a welterweight world title showdown between undefeated 147-pound titlists. The 12-round bout headlinesSHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING on CBS, presented by Premier Boxing Champions, Saturday March 4 from Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING™. In the co-main event undefeated rising star Erickson Lubin battles once-beaten knockout artist Jorge Cota in a super welterweight title eliminator bout on CBS at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

 

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment, start at $50 (not including applicable fees) and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased online by visiting www.ticketmaster.com, www.barclayscenter.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Tickets are also available at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. Group discounts are available by calling 844-BKLYN-GP.

 

For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @KeithFThurmanJr, @DannySwift, @LouDiBella, @BarclaysCenter and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports, www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment, www.Facebook.com/barclayscenter. PBC is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

 

boxing, CBS Boxing, Premier Boxing Champions, Showtime, Showtime Boxing

Keith Thurman vs. Danny Garcia Final Press Conference Quotes & Photos

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Welterweight World Title Unification Headlines
SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING on CBS,
Presented by Premier Boxing Champions, Saturday, March 4
From Barclays Center in Brooklyn
 
Click HERE for Photos from Amanda Westcott/SHOWTIME
 
Click HERE for Photos from Ed Diller/DiBella Entertainment
 
BROOKLYN (March 2, 2017) – Undefeated welterweight world champions Keith Thurman and Danny Garcia went face-to-face Thursday at the final press conference before they headline SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING on CBS, presented byPremier Boxing Champions, this Saturday, March 4 in primetime from Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING™.
Also in attendance Thursday and opening the broadcast at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT were undefeated rising star Erickson Lubin and once-beaten knockout artist Jorge Cota, who meet in a super welterweight world title eliminator.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment, start at $50 (not including applicable fees) and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased online by visiting www.ticketmaster.com, www.barclayscenter.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Tickets are also available at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. Group discounts are available by calling 844-BKLYN-GP.
Here is what the participants had to say:
KEITH THURMAN
 
“This fight has been brewing for a long time. Both of us wanted this fight. There’s a reason why this fight is happening. We’re young, we’re hungry and we’re not trying to wait around. It’s time for this to go down.
“I’ve had a great camp. This is nothing new to me. I’m happy to be in this moment with all these people here. I’ve had a dream since I was a little boy to be not just your average champion, but to be a great champion. Before I had that dream, Ben Getty believed in me and it’s because of him that I’m where I’m at today. He predicted this before anyone.
“Danny is a smart fighter. He’s swift. He keeps rising to the top. He knows he has people underestimating him now and that fuels him. For me, I’m fueled by legacy. I want greatness for myself.
“It’s Danny’s reputation against my reputation. We’re both prideful fighters. You’re putting two of the best together. He wants to prove that he can be a unified champion in two divisions and I’ve been waiting for this opportunity to get fights like this. I want to show how and why I’m better than my competition. Saturday night is my platform to show the world how great of a champion I am.
“Danny looks ready. But I stay true when I look at you. His eyes wandered, so I wondered a little what that means. What really matters is how the fight starts. You find out if the fighter carries momentum, or if it shifts. What happens, when we land our first big punches?
“He feels confident and I feel confident. I believe that I have more to offer. I feel that I can box my way to victory. I visualize outcomes. I don’t think Danny wins without a stoppage. If it goes to the scorecards, it’ll favor me.
“There hasn’t been one opponent who’s gotten in the ring with me and said that my power isn’t for real. I think my power and my boxing IQ will be the same. I can change it up. I can do what I need to do, so you are unable to do what you want to do.
“This is going to be a fight that you can’t miss. It’s going to be right in your house. If you can’t make it to the arena, you can make it to the couch. This is elite world class championship boxing in primetime. This is for all sports fans.”
 
DANNY GARCIA
“This deserves all the media attention that it’s getting. I’ve been a champion for five years already and I’ve been a unified champion. Saturday I have an opportunity to unify another division. It’s always been a dream to unify multiple divisions and now I have my chance.
“We put in all the hard work. We did everything we had to do. I feel really good and I feel confident. On Saturday night, I’m going to be a unified champion again.
“I fight to win. I fight to secure my family’s future and that’s what it’s all about. That’s what we train so hard for. I’m going to give the fans something to watch on Saturday.
“Legacy is very important to me. I have more milestones than Thurman. This is his biggest fight. I’ve been in big fights before. Every championship fight is a part of history.
“People say he’s the bigger man because he’s been at this weight longer than me. I’m taller than him, I’m wider than him and I have a bigger back than him. I feel like I’m the fresher welterweight.
“You can’t chase a legacy or money. When you get desperate, you’ll try to take a shortcut. Everything I do is for the love of the sport. I’ve been blessed to be in this position.
“I started boxing because I wanted a trophy. I wanted to show my friends a trophy. I didn’t know the value of a dollar, that came later.
“I’ve been the underdog before. All ‘underdog’ means is that there are a whole bunch of people who don’t know what I can do. I rise to the occasion every time. I win because I’m better. On Saturday night I’m going to prove it again.”
ERICKSON LUBIN
“I made sure that I ate the right things and done everything perfectly during camp. This training camp went great thanks to my team and you’ll see the results on Saturday.
“If you don’t know me now, you will after Saturday night. This fight is in honor of my dear friend and cutman, Todd Harlib. I wish he could have seen this, but I know he’s looking down on me,
“Come Saturday night I’m going to make my mark in the division. I will become the youngest champion this year. Mark my words. We know my opponent is coming to fight. I’ve proven myself in past fights but I’m still young. I will become the mandatory challenger on Saturday night.
These type of fights bring the best out of me. I’m young, fierce and hungry. I’m excited to get in the ring and perform.
JORGE COTA
“I’m very thankful for this opportunity. I’m coming to fight and I’m coming to win.
“This is a big opportunity for me and I’m going to take full advantage. My dream is to win a world title and I know I have what it takes.
“I know I have a tough opponent Saturday night who people think very highly of. I have to believe in my training and keep throwing punches until I get the victory.
“I’m very happy to be fighting in New York city as part of this great card and I’m going to put on a show.”
LOU DIBELLA, President of DiBella Entertainment
“It really doesn’t get better than this for a boxing fan. This is as significant a fight as you can make in boxing right now and it might be the best fight you can make in boxing.
“The fact that this fight is on broadcast television on CBS is a huge plus for our business and anyone who loves boxing, For a fight of this magnitude available to so many people is a tremendous thing for boxing.
“Were on pace to set all sorts of records in terms of attendance and gate for boxing in the history of the great borough of Brooklyn.
“The main event on Saturday doesn’t need a lot of hype. It’s just the second primetime fight on CBS in 40 years and the most significant fight on network television in a generation.
“Keith and Danny have been on a collision course for their whole careers. These guys wanted to fight each other. This is one they both really wanted to happen now.”
STEPHEN ESPINOZA, Executive VP & General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports
“The sport of boxing is on the rise and SHOWTIME is proud to be a part of it. We are leading the industry with the strongest lineup of fights in boxing. No one is doing for boxing what SHOWTIME is. We’re doing everything possible to spread the word about these great events to fight fans.
“We’re delivering the best fights and bringing it to the widest audience possible. Saturdayis no exception. Two undefeated champions in the prime of their careers. It’s elite fighter versus elite fighter and on free television, not PPV.
“When two fighters meet at Barclays, it is always special. In June, Thurman vs. Shawn Porter was a Fight of the year candidate, In July, Santa Cruz vs. Frampton was a Fight of the Year candidate. January of this year, Badou Jack vs. James DeGale was another Fight of the Year candidate. On Saturday night, this will be another special fight.
“When the best fight the best, special things happen. Leonard vs. Hurns, Trinidad vs. De La Hoy, Mayweather vs. Pacquiao. Big fights and memorable fights. This has always been boxing’s glamor division. On Saturday night you will found out who the top fighter in this division is.
“The co-feature we have one of boxing’s brightest, most talented prospects in Erickson Lubin. If you don’t know him, you should. He’s taking on the toughest opponent of his career. An experienced fighter, a monster puncher and a real tough test. This whole card is worthy of this slot on CBS.”
BRETT YORMARK, CEO of Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment
“This Saturday the nation will see world class championship boxing at its best and on display at Barclays Center in front of millions of primetime viewers on CBS. These are two undefeated superstars in the ring and we are proud to be the host.
“We will have our biggest crowd ever for a boxing event on Saturday, by far. It’s on pace to be one of the biggest non-Nets sporting event, in terms of gross revenue, in Barclays Center history.
“Barclays Center is Danny’s home away from home. Since fighting in our first event in 2012 he has gone on become one of the sport’s biggest names
“Keith has fought twice in Brooklyn and cemented his legacy in the sport and brought himself new fans. We’re thrilled to have him back for this great event.”
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ABOUT THURMAN vs. GARCIA
Keith Thurman vs. Danny Garcia is a welterweight world title showdown between undefeated 147-pound titlists. The 12-round bout headlines SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING on CBS, presented by Premier Boxing Champions,Saturday March 4 from Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING™. In the co-main event undefeated rising star Erickson Lubin battles once-beaten knockout artist Jorge Cota in a super welterweight title eliminator bout on CBS at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.
For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @KeithFThurmanJr, @DannySwift, @LouDiBella, @BarclaysCenter and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports,www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment, www.Facebook.com/barclayscenter. PBC is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.