Tag Archives: Jimmy Smith

boxing, Premier Boxing Champions, Spike TV

ANDRE BERTO STOPS JOSESITO LOPEZ IN DEBUT PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON SPIKE TV SHOW IN FRONT OF A BOISTEROUS CROWD AT CITIZENS BUSINESS BANK ARENA IN ONTARIO, CALIF.

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SHAWN PORTER GETS THE STOPPAGE AGAINST AN IMPRESSIVE ERICK BONE

 

HEAVYWEIGHT CHIRS ARREOLA WINS A UNANIMOUS DECISION AGAINST A TOUGH CURTIS HARPER

ONTARIO, CALIF. (March 13, 2015) – The first Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) card on Spike TV delivered on it’s promise to bring fight fans a great night of boxing match-ups.  The night’s main event featured Andre “The Beast” Berto (30-3, 23 KOs), who recorded an impressive stoppage of Josesito “Riverside Rocky” Lopez (33-7, 19 KOs) in front of a very lively crowd at Citizens Business Bank Arena.

 

The opening televised bout saw Shawn “Showtime” Porter (25-1-1, 16 KOs) stop a spirited Erick Bone (16-2, 8 KOs), who was tabbed to fill in as the last-minute replacement for Roberto “La Amenaza” Garcia.

 

In the swing bout, heavyweight sensation Chris “The Nightmare” Arreola (36-4, 31 KOs) managed to win a hard fought battle against Curtis Harper (12-4, 8 KOs). It appeared that the bout was destined for early stoppage after a near KO by Arreola in the first round. However, Harper was able to compose himself and force the fight to go the distance.

 

Below are some notable comments from the televised fighters regarding their performance tonight:

 

ANDRE BERTO

 

“I thought I did OK tonight. I was getting in my groove those first couple rounds, and then I realized he couldn’t hurt me. Then I let my hands go.

 

“The jab kept him away. I was using it to beat him up and get to his face. I was catching him with the jab all night. I felt strong after that first time I knocked him down.

 

“Josesito is a tough fighter. He took all my jabs and more.

 

“This is an amazing opportunity. I can’t wait for the numbers. They’ll show that PBC is for real.

 

“I don’t know what’s next just yet. I’m going to relax with my family and then talk to Al Haymon and see what he has in store for me.”

 

JOSESITO LOPEZ

 

“I wasn’t 100% tonight. I ruined my left hand in the third round. I just wasn’t at my best. I had opportunities. I just couldn’t get to him.

 

“I wasn’t doing much well for the ability that I have. I just couldn’t snap off the punches that I wanted to. He was there to get hit, but I couldn’t get it done.

 

“The first knockdown he caught me and I rolled my ankle a little, but I was fine. This stoppage was 10 times worse than the Maidana stoppage. I wasn’t unstable or hurt tonight and I could have kept going.

 

“Berto is just tough. I didn’t see anything that I couldn’t beat though. If it wasn’t for the stoppage then I think I could have beat him. He was resilient, but his jabs weren’t great.

 

“I want to keep fighting the best. Losing sucks and I wasn’t ready for it tonight. I bring out my best when I fight the best.”

 

SHAWN PORTER

 

“I thought I gave a great performance tonight, but I could have done a better job of listening to what my corner was asking of me. I could have been a lot sharper tonight.

 

“The faints worked for me. We wanted to mix it up and set him up with the jab. Once I got to his body it was over. My mistake was taking shots to give shots.

 

“Bone was impressive on tape, but I wasn’t really sure what to expect tonight. He was strong and quick though. He came to fight.

 

“I don’t know what happened with Garcia. I think it’s unprofessional not making weight. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family though because I know they were looking forward to tonight.

 

“We did it our way tonight. I hope I was able to please the fans. At the end of the day we’re going to learn from what happened here tonight.

 

“I’m not sure what’s next, but I’m healthy and ready to get back in the ring as soon as possible. We’ll take all comers.”

 

ERICK BONE

 

“Everything was going well and then in the second round my knee gave out and it affected my performance the rest of the fight. I don’t want to make any excuses though. I tried to give it my all.

 

“I normally fight at 140. So again I don’t want to make excuses, but my opponent had a lot of leverage tonight.

 

“Tonight I learned to stick to my weight class at 140. It’s very tough to jump a weight class overnight, but I did what I could.

 

“It’s an honor to be showcased like this. Where I come from these things don’t happen very often and I consider this a blessing.

 

“We’re going to keep fighting at 140. Whoever they want to put in front of me at 140 I’ll welcome the fight.”

 

CHRIS ARREOLA

 

“I give myself a “D” overall tonight. I just wasn’t throwing enough combos.

 

“Whenever I threw punches it was working for me. I just have to stay more active in the ring.

 

“Harper is a tough man. I caught him with a lot of good punches and he hung in there very well.

 

“PBC has a great new platform for the masses to see me do what I do. It’s great to have the sport of boxing back in primetime!

 

“I want to get back in the ring the sooner the better. I’m ready to get back in the gym and work as soon as possible.”

 

CURTIS HARPER

 

“I came in sluggish. I’ve got to perform better. All the action in the first round did help to get the nerves out of the way though.

 

“I was doing well establishing the jab, but I need to move my head more. I was too patient overall. I’ve got to be more aggressive.

 

“Chris is a tough, strong kid. Considering where he’s been and who he’s fought I think I did well tonight.

 

“I’m blessed and happy to be here on this stage. I’d love to keep fighting on PBC cards.

 

“Thanks to PBC and all the fans. This is another day and another dollar, but I’m ready for more.”

 

# # #

 

The fight card was promoted by Goossen Promotions. For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com,www.spike.com/shows/premier-boxing-champions, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing and @SpikeTV and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxing and www.Facebook.com/Spike.
boxing, NBC, Premier Boxing Champions

HEAVYWEIGHT STAR CHRIS ARREOLA SET TO MAKE RETURN ONMARCH 13 FROM THE CITIZENS BUSINESS BANK ARENA IN ONTARIO, CALIF.

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ONTARIO, CALIF (Feb. 27, 2015) – Chris “The Nightmare” Arreola (35-4, 31 KOs) returns to the ring on Friday, March 13 at the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, Calif.

 

The action-packed card features a pair of exciting main events as Andre Berto goes up against Josesito Lopez and Shawn Porter battles Roberto Garcia on the debut of PBC on Spike TV. The televised bouts on Spike TV begin at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT.

 

“I’m itching to get back in the ring and show that I’m still going after my dream of being heavyweight champion of the world,” said Arreola. “This is a wonderful platform for me to fight with Premier Boxing Champions and I couldn’t be more excited to fight in front of my fans here in California.”

 

Born in Escondido, Calif. but fighting out of Los Angeles, Arreola has long been one of the most feared punchers in the heavyweight division. He was a 2001 National Golden Gloves champion who turned pro in 2003 and slowly began his rise up the heavyweight rankings. In 2009, having already captured a number of regional belts, Arreola challenged Vitali Klitschko for the heavyweight world title at Staples Center in Los Angeles. He took the champ deep into the fight before retiring in the tenth round, but he did not let that deter him from continuing towards his championship goals.

 

After dropping a tough decision to Tomasz Adamek in 2010, Arreola pushed his way back into title contention with six-straight victories before he got a chance against Bermane Stiverne in 2013. In their first fight, Arreola lost a unanimous decision but earned himself another fight against Stiverne, this time for the heavyweight world championship. In an action-packed fight, Arreola was stopped in the sixth-round.

 

Now, Arreola looks to return to his winning ways in a familiar setting. This will be the 33-year-old’s fifth time fighting at Citizen’s Business Bank Arena and his tenth time fighting in Ontario, Calif. If his winning ways return, he could put himself back in the world title mix.

 

The fight card is promoted by Goossen Promotions, which has promoted all of Arreola’s professional fights.

 

Tickets for the live event are priced at $150, $100, $75, $50 and $25, not including applicable service charges and taxes are on sale now and are available for purchase at www.axs.com.

 

For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com,www.spike.com/shows/premier-boxing-champions, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @AndreBerto, @JosesitoLopez, @ShowtimeShawnP, @AmenazaGarcia and @SpikeTV and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxing andwww.Facebook.com/Spike.
boxing, Premier Boxing Champions, Spike TV

ANTONIO TARVER AND JIMMY SMITH NAMED COLOR ANALYSTS FOR “PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS” SERIES ON SPIKE TV

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New York, NY, February 19, 2015 – Spike TV has added some serious punch to their “Premier Boxing Champions” series announce-team. Five-time, two-division world champion boxer Antonio Tarver and popular Bellator announcer and former professional MMA fighter, Jimmy Smith, will serve as color analysts for Spike TV’s inaugural season of “Premier Boxing Champions.”
Spike TV’s first “Premier Boxing Champions” event will take place on Friday, March 13 at 9:00pm ET/PT from the Citizens Bank Arena in Ontario, CA. The event will showcase two marquee match-ups including Andre Berto vs. Josesito Lopez and Shawn Porter vs. Robert Garcia. Spike will announce the color commentator shortly.
Tarver and Smith complete Spike’s “Premier Boxing Champions” announce team which includes Dana Jacobson as host and Scott Hansen as blow-by-blow announcer.
“We are thrilled to add two dynamic and knowledgeable voices who each possess their own unique perspectives of combat sports,” said Jon Slusser, Senior Vice President, Sports and Branded Entertainment. “Antonio delivers a huge personality with a championship pedigree and Jimmy will bring his incredible insight and energy that he has for MMA to boxing.”
Antonio “The Magic Man” Tarver, from Tampa Fla, had one of the sport’s most-decorated amateur careers. In 1995, he became the only fighter to have won the Pan American, U.S. National Championships, and World Championships in the same year.  After winning the bronze medal in 1996 Olympics, he turned pro and ascended the ranks of light heavyweight division. In 2003, Tarver defeated Montell Griffith in the biggest win in his career up to that point to claim the IBF and WBC title belts. After a tough 12-round decision loss to Roy Jones Jr, Tarver avenged that bitter defeat with an incredible 2nd round knockout of Jones Jr., shocking and amazing boxing fans worldwide. After splitting two fights with Glen Johnson, Tarver topped Jones Jr. with a 12-round decision victory in the third fight of their memorable trilogy. The 46-year-old Tarver (31-6, 22 KOs) is on a mission to become the oldest heavyweight champion of the world.  He is currently world-rated in the heavyweight division at No. 5 by the IBO and No. 9 by the WBA. His last fight (Dec. 11, 2014) resulted in an impressive seventh-round knockout of 29-2-1 Johnathon Banks. He has also served as a color commentator for Showtime Championship Boxing and starred opposite Sylvester Stallone in the feature film “Rocky Balboa” as the character “Mason Dixon.”
Jimmy Smith is currently the color analyst for Bellator MMA on Spike TV. Smith began training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in in 2000 while at UCLA and became a professional MMA fighter in 2003.  Smith compiled a 5-1 record before retiring in 2006 to focus on a television career. Smith starred in the Discovery Channel show, “Fight Quest,” where he traveled the world learning different fight disciplines. He joined Bellator in 2010 and has served as its lead color analyst ever since, partnering with blow-by-blow announcer, Sean Wheelock.
About Spike TV:
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