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boxing, Showtime Boxing

BERMANE STIVERNE, DEONTAY WILDER, PROMOTER DON KING AND “RETURN TO GLORY” UNDERCARD FIGHTERS MAKE GRAND ARRIVALS AT MGM GRAND IN LAS VEGAS

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Photo Credit: Esther Lin/SHOWTIME

 

LAS VEGAS (Jan. 13, 2015) – “RETURN TO GLORY: Stiverne vs. Wilder” fight week is officially here as WBC Heavyweight World Champion Bermane “B. Ware” Stiverne, undefeated No. 1 challenger Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder, Hall of Fame promoter Don King, WBC Super Bantamweight Champion Leo “Terremoto” Santa Cruz and all the fighters on the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® tripleheader live on SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT) this Saturday, Jan. 17, made their grand arrivals at MGM Grand this afternoon.

 

Here is what the fighters had to say upon their arrivals in Las Vegas Tuesday:

 

BERMANE STIVERNE , WBC Heavyweight World Champion

 

“I really don’t feel any emotions towards Deontay Wilder. The most important thing is for me to defend my world title.

 

“All the trash talking that he does doesn’t worry me. He doesn’t have anything that I want. I am the champ. This is fighting, this is boxing, this is for real. I keep my concentration on the fight.

 

“We trained like he was the champion. We didn’t talk about his past experience. We trained like he has gone 12 rounds before.

 

“I’m here to fight for the people. I fight to inspire people anywhere in the world, that’s my responsibility since I am the world champion.”

 

DEONTAY WILDER, Undefeated No.1 WBC Heavyweight Contender

 

“I need to let this beast inside of me out. I am so ready for this fight. We are bringing back the heavyweight division.

 

“Once I knock this guy out it will be on to the next guy for me. He will definitely go down, I’m going to hurt him bad.

 

“He has never faced someone with my athletic skills. My athleticism alone is going to hurt him.

 

“There is no better place to have a fight of this magnitude than in Las Vegas. The fight will be explosive, exciting and I will be bringing this heavyweight belt back to America.

 

“When you have so much animosity towards someone it makes for a great fight. Everything that I’ve said about him and all he has said about me will be settled on Saturday.”

 

LEO SANTA CRUZ, WBC Super Bantamweight World Champion

 

“I am always prepared going into every fight. I never underestimate any fighter because those are the ones that can hurt you.

 

“When you give them the opportunity they come prepared and hungry because they want to take the title away from you.

 

“Any fighter is dangerous in the ring; one punch could change a fight. Ruiz is a good fighter.

 

“I trained really hard for this fight as I always do. I am mentally and physically strong, and I’ve been working much more on my power heading into this fight.”

 

JESUS RUIZ, Super Bantamweight Contender

 

“I am very excited to be here. I promise you, come Saturday you will have a new world champion.

 

“I am motivated and looking forward to this fight. It’s an honor for me to be here and I am grateful for the opportunity.

 

“He’s [Santa Cruz] a fighter that we’re well aware of. I know his style and the way he fights but we’re ready and prepared to win.

 

“He is an explosive fighter and so am I. I don’t think either fighter has an advantage over the other. I think you’re going to see two strong Mexican fighters going at it, it’s going to be an exciting fight.”

 

AMIR IMAM, Super Lightweight Contender

 

“I’m really excited to be on the undercard of a big American heavyweight title fight. I’m coming here to take care of business and get out of there. I’m coming here to do what I do best.

 

“Boxing is what I do and we’re ready. All that matters is that I get the victory, but I definitely want to win impressively.

 

“I have big things lined up for 2015, but I need to first take care of business on Saturday.

 

“[Maldonado Jr.] is no pushover. I don’t look over any fighter. I take everybody seriously.”

 

FIDEL MALDONADO JR., Super Lightweight Contender

 

“I am very confident going into this fight. This has been my best training camp that I have had in my professional career, I’m ready.”

 

“This is the biggest fight I have ever been in and my best opportunity to prove that I belong and get exposure.

 

“I know that [Imam] was an Olympic alternate, he’s a good fighter. People are underestimating me, so I’m going to go in there and knock him out.”

 

DON KING, Hall of Fame Promoter

 

“This is the heavyweight title fight. We are bringing Las Vegas back again.

 

“We are happy to be back at the world capital of boxing. The current Mike Tyson, Bermane Stiverne, will be defending his world title here at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. If Bermane wins, we’re going to bring Tyson back out of retirement to fight him. This fight is the ‘Return to Glory.’ Boxing goes as the heavyweights go, and the heavyweight division is back. This is one of the biggest fights we have had in years.”

 

# # #

 

“RETURN TO GLORY”:  STIVERNE VS. WILDER, a 12-round fight for Stiverne’s WBC Heavyweight Championship taking place Saturday, Jan. 17 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, is co-promoted by Don King Productions and Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona and Mexico – Live It To Believe It!.  In the 12-round co-feature, unbeaten WBC Super Bantamweight World Champion Leo Santa Cruz defends against Jesus Ruiz and undefeated Amir Imam meets Fidel Maldonado Jr. in a 10-round super lightweight bout for the WBC Continental Americas Super Lightweight Title. The event will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev., and will air live on SHOWTIME® (10:00 p.m. ET/ 7:00 p.m. PT). The telecast will also be available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP). Preliminary bouts will be televised live on SHOWTIME EXTREME (8:00 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).

 

Tickets for the event are on sale and priced at $500, $350, $250, $125 and $50, not including applicable service charges and taxes. Tickets are limited to eight (8) per person with a limit of four (4) at the $50 price range.  To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000.  Tickets also are available at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

 

For more information visit www.donking.com, www.goldenboypromotions.com and www.sports.sho.com, follow on Twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing, @BStiverne, @BronzeBomber, @SHOSports and @MGMGrand and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing and www.facebook.com/SHOBoxing, or visit SHOWTIME Boxing Blog a thttp://theboxingblog.sho.com/.

boxing, Showtime Boxing

WBC CONTINENTAL AMERICAS SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE WILL BE ON THE LINE WHEN UNDEFEATED AMIR IMAM FACES FIDEL MALDONADO JR. SATURDAY, JAN. 17

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LIVE ON SHOWTIME® FROM THE MGM GRAND GARDEN ARENA IN LAS VEGAS

 

 WBC Heavyweight World Champion Bermane Stiverne Defends Against Unbeaten No. 1 Mandatory Challenger, Deontay Wilder; 

Undefeated Leo Santa Cruz Risks WBC Super Bantamweight World Crown Against Jesus Ruiz

Tickets on Sale Now!!!

 

LAS VEGAS (Jan. 12, 2015) – The fight this Saturday, Jan. 17, between undefeated super lightweight Amir “Young Master” Imam (15-0, 13 KOs) and hard-hitting Fidel “The Atrisco Kid” Maldonado Jr. (19-2, 16 KOs) will now be for the WBC Continental Americas Super Lightweight Championship, it was announced today.

 

The 10-rounder, which will open the live SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® tripleheader on Saturday, Jan. 17 at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT, will precede two world title bouts on a fight card at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas co-promoted by Don King Productions and Golden Boy Promotions

 

In Saturday’s highly anticipated main event, hard-hitting WBC Heavyweight World Champion Bermane “B.Ware” Stiverne (24-1-1, 21 KOs), of Las Vegas, will defend against unbeaten knockout specialist and mandatory challenger Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder (32-0, 32 KOs), of Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Crowd-pleasing unbeaten WBC Super Bantamweight World Champion Leo “Terremoto” Santa Cruz (28-0-1, 16 KOs), of  Los Angeles, will risk his belt against Jesus “Estrella” Ruiz (32-5-5, 22 KOs) in the co-feature.

 

Tickets for the event are on sale and priced at $500, $350, $250, $125 and $50, not including applicable service charges and taxes. Tickets are limited to eight (8) per person with a limit of four (4) at the $50 price range.  To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000.  Tickets also are available at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com. The first non-televised preliminary bout will begin at 3 p.m. PT.

 

Imam (pronounced “EE-mom”), of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., by way of Albany, N.Y., was an amateur standout and silver medalist at the 2011 U.S. Olympic Trials. As a professional, the talented Imam, 24, has mostly had his way; 11 of his fights have ended in the first or second round.

 

The always-willing Maldonado Jr., 23, had won six straight bouts, five by knockout, before his last outing ended in a third round no contest on Dec. 20, 2014, in Cancun, Mexico.

***

 

“RETURN TO GLORY”:  STIVERNE VS. WILDER, a 12-round fight for Stiverne’s WBC Heavyweight Championship taking place Saturday, Jan. 17 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, is co-promoted by Don King Productions and Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona and Mexico – Live It To Believe It!.  In the 12-round co-feature, unbeaten WBC Super Bantamweight World Champion Leo Santa Cruz defends against Jesus Ruiz and undefeated Amir Imam meets Fidel Maldonado Jr. in a 10-round super lightweight bout for the WBC Continental Americas Super Lightweight Title. The event will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev., and will air live on SHOWTIME® (10:00 p.m. ET/ 7:00 p.m. PT). The telecast will also be available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP). Preliminary bouts will be televised live on SHOWTIME EXTREME (8:00 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).

 

For more information visit www.donking.com, www.goldenboypromotions.com andwww.sports.sho.com, follow on Twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing, @BStiverne, @BronzeBomber, @SHOSports and @MGMGrand and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing and www.facebook.com/SHOBoxing, or visit SHOWTIME Boxing Blog athttp://theboxingblog.sho.com/.

boxing, Showtime Boxing

Bermane ‘B. Ware’ Stiverne Proud to be 1st Haitian & Quebecer Heavyweight Champion of the World

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LAS VEGAS (January 12, 2015) – Although he has lived in Las Vegas for the past decade, Bermane “B. Ware” Stiverne (24-1, 21 KOs) is extremely proud to be the first world heavyweight champion from his native Haiti, as well as the first from the Province of Quebec to hold that coveted title.

 

Today, Stiverne is a role model in his native Haiti, as well as in his second home, Quebec, where he trained for many years as an amateur and professional, in addition to fighting in Montreal twice as a pro.

 

Stiverne makes the first defense of his World Boxing Council (WBC) heavyweight title, which he captured last May with an impressive sixth-round technical knockout of dangerous Chris Arreola (35-4), this Saturday night (Jan. 17) against undefeated, mandatory challenger Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder (32-0, 32 KOs), airing live on Showtime Championship Boxing (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT) from MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Stiverne-Wilder is also airing live in Canada on TVA Sports.

 

Born in Haiti as the youngest boy and 11th of 13 children, “B. Ware” moved with his family at the age of 10 to Miami, where, ironically, he was bullied at school. He resettled in Montreal, Quebec, often going back and forth between there and Miami, before moving to Las Vegas in 2004.

 

“I’ve lived here in the United States since 1988,” Stiverne said. “My parents moved to Miami and then back and forth between Miami and Montreal. After school, when I was older, I moved to Las Vegas to pursue my boxing career.

 

“I represent the country I was born in, Haiti, and then Quebec, but I also love the United States. But, first, I’m from Haiti and I want to give hope to those Haitians who don’t have a lot. I want to inspire people there by letting them know it doesn’t matter where you are born, that dreams can come true like it has for me. There aren’t a lot of opportunities there and I hope Haitians pursue their dreams like I did.”

 
(L) WBC heavyweight champion Bermane Stiverne and his manager Camille Estephan

“I know how proud Bermane is to be the first Haitian and first guy from Quebec to be heavyweight champion of the world,” Stiverne’s manager Camille Estephan added. “It really means the world to him. Quebec is a hotbed for boxing and the heavyweight division is the flagship of boxing. We’ve proven that and silenced those who say boxing is dying. The record number of media credentials request for this fight at an international level is crazy.”

 

“B. Ware” of Stiverne!

 

For further information visit www.eottm.com, or follow on Twitter @eotmvd and @BStiverne.
boxing, Showtime Boxing

BERMANE STIVERNE AND DEONTAY WILDER TALK TRAINING CAMP AND THEIR PLACE IN HEAVYWEIGHT HISTORY BEFORE THEIR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SHOWDOWN ON SATURDAY, JAN. 17 AT MGM GRAND GARDEN ARENA LIVE ON SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®

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LAS VEGAS (Jan 9, 2015) – As we near the epic return of world championship heavyweight action in the United States, WBC Heavyweight World Champion Bermane Stiverne (24-1-1, 21 KOs) and unbeaten knockout specialist Deontay Wilder (32-0, 32 KOs) are deep in training camp for their championship showdown on SHOWTIME®.

 

Tickets for the event are on sale and priced at $500, $350, $250, $125 and $50, not including applicable service charges and taxes. Tickets are limited to eight (8) per person with a limit of four (4) at the $50 price range.  To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also are also available at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

 

Read below for what the fighters have to say about how training is going, what their place in heavyweight history is and what the fans can expect to see on Jan. 17 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas:

 

Q: Where have you been training? Who have you been training with? How has training been going?

 

Bermane Stiverne: I am in Vegas training at the Mayweather Gym.  I have had many sparring partners, seven total and they have been alternating since it has been a very long camp.  I began training camp in August because we didn’t even know when this fight was going to happen so we had to be ready for any time and we did better than ever.  It has been a long, long training camp and I am in the best shape I have ever been in.

 

I plan to go in the ring between 238 and 242 pounds.  We thought about going lower but I am a super heavyweight and that is the weight where I am best.

 

Deontay Wilder: Camp has been great.  It’s been a long hard road but we’re here now.  I had my whole team which was excellent — Jay Deas, Mark Breland, Russ Anber, Cuz Hill and my strength coach Peter Khoury, so it couldn’t have been any better.

 

Q: How do you feel about fighting on the big stage as the main event at the MGM Grand Garden Arena?

 

BS: Fighting at the MGM Grand is a dream come true.  I have been dreaming of becoming a champion my whole life.  When I think of the MGM I think of all the history and I want to write a new chapter.

 

DW:  I’m super excited about fighting on the big stage.  The bigger the better!  The more attention and people watching, the more I like it.  We’ve been working towards this for a long time, and I am glad we have gotten to this level.

 

Q: If you could meet any heavyweight champ who would it be? Is there a heavyweight that you would say you emulate?

 

BS: Muhammad – he was the greatest, he called himself “The Greatest” before he even knew he was The Greatest.  He worked hard every single day to fulfill it and that is what I do.  No corners cut.

 

DW: I’ve never patterned myself after any other heavyweight, but if I could meet one from the past it would be Joe Louis.  He’s part of my nickname.  He was the ‘Brown Bomber’ and since I’m from Alabama like he was and I won the Bronze medal at the Olympics, I’m the ‘Bronze Bomber.’

 

Q: How do you feel about being in the biggest heavyweight title fight in the United States in a decade?

 

BS: The Heavyweight Champion is what it’s all about.  It’s the King of the Jungle.  It is the Champion of all the Champions.  I am happy to bring it back.  Boxing is alive and well.

 

DW: It’s time for the heavyweight division to be important again and I’m the guy to do it, so I can’t wait.

 

Q: Which heavyweights inspired you or did you admire on your climb to this point?

 

BS: Iron Mike Tyson and James Toney – I really admire the way they fought.  I loved Iron Mike’s explosiveness and speed and his fast hands.  Tyson could hurt you with any punch at any angle and that is my forte.  When I hit somebody, I see it in their eyes and their legs and I feel their pain.

 

DW: My daughter is my inspiration.  I always admired guys like Muhammad Ali and Larry Holmes though.

 

Q: Is there any extra motivation fighting for the WBC title that has been held by so many of the greatest including Muhammad Ali?

 

BS: The WBC heavyweight belt has been held by many great champions. It’s the biggest prize out there.

 

DW: A lot of great champions have held the WBC title belt, so it’s the big one and I’m honored and excited to be fighting for it.

 

Q: How important is it for you to represent your home country in this fight? Do you feel any additional pressure because of it?

 

BS: I am blessed to have been born in Haiti and lived in Quebec, Canada and now Las Vegas and I like to think of myself as an inspiration to kids in Haiti that have suffered so much – just like me.  I want them to know that if they work hard they can achieve their dreams.

 

DW:  Like I said, I am honored and excited.  A lot of greats have held the belt and I am ready to make history and be one of the greats.  Representing the U.S. in a heavyweight fight, bringing it back home, it’s an honor.

 

Q: What do you think of your opponent, does anything he does concern you?

 

BS: I think Wilder is a clown.  Wilder thinks this is the WWE.  He acts like it’s the WWE. This is for real.  It is going to hurt very bad.

 

DW: I have no thoughts about Bermane Stiverne.  I’m just ready to fight and leave it all out in the ring.

 

Q: What should the fans expect on Jan.  17? Do you have a prediction?

 

BS: On Jan.  17 I will hurt Wilder and I will knock him out and it will be a lasting image in peoples’ minds for a very long time.

 

DW: Fans should expect a great night of boxing and everyone will see Jan. 17. -.  Be there or tune in on TV if you can’t.  You don’t want to miss it!

 

# # #

 

SHOWTIME Sports® will present ALL ACCESS: STIVERNE VS. WILDER  tonight,Friday, Jan. 9 at 10:45 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME.
“RETURN TO GLORY”:  STIVERNE VS. WILDER, a 12-round fight for Stiverne’s WBC Heavyweight Championship taking place Saturday, Jan. 17 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, is co-promoted by Don King Productions and Golden Boy Promotions.  In the 12-round co-feature, unbeaten WBC Super Bantamweight World Champion Leo Santa Cruz defends against Jesus Ruiz and undefeated Amir Imam meets Fidel Maldonado Jr. in a 10-round super lightweight bout. The event will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev., and will air live on SHOWTIME® (10:00 p.m. ET/ 7:00 p.m. PT). The telecast will also be available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP). Preliminary bouts will be televised live on SHOWTIME EXTREME (8:00 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).

 

For more information visit www.donking.com, www.goldenboypromotions.com and www.sports.sho.com, follow on Twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing, @BStiverne, @BronzeBomber, @SHOSports and @MGMGrand and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing and www.facebook.com/SHOBoxing, or visit SHOWTIME Boxing Blog at http://theboxingblog.sho.com/.