Tag Archives: Junior Middleweight

boxing

Former WBO Jr. Middleweight champion Demetrius Andrade returns to the ring on Saturday, October 17 when he takes on Dario Fabian Pucheta for the WBO International title at The Mohegan Sun 

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Providence, RI (September 15, 2015)–It was announced today at the Rhode Island State House that undefeated former WBO Jr. Middleweight champion Demetrius Andrade will return to the ring on Saturday night, October 17 when he takes on Dario Fabian Pucheta that will take place at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut.

The bout will be contested for the WBO International Jr. Middleweight title.

Andrade (21-0, 14 KO’s) will be returning for the first time in 16 months, and the October 17th bout will be the fight that will springboard Andrade back to a world title.

Andrade defended his title with a 7th round stoppage over Brian Rose on June 14, 2014 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

Pucheta of Benos Aires, Argentina has a record of 20-2 with 11 knockouts. The 28 year-old has won three in a row which includes his last bout when he stopped Bethuel Ushona (32-2) on October 4, 2014 in Windhoek, Namibia.

The show is promoted by Jimmy Burchfield’s CES Boxing, with the Andrade – Pucheta bout being promoted by Banner Promotions and Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing.

“It’s about time that I get back in the ring. I am happy to be fighting at home in front of my fans. It is the most comfortable place in the world to be, and I look forward to regaining my title and defending in front all my loyal fans. I just want to thank them for their support during the last year. I look forward to seeing all of my fans at the fight,” said Andrade.

“I am looking forward to Demetrius getting back in the ring. We have been in the gym training hard, and he will be ready to put on a good performance on October 17,” said Andrade’s father/trainer, Paul Andrade

“I am very excited about Demetrius getting back in the ring. He is one of the top Jr. Middleweights in the world. I predict within a year that he will be fighting for and winning the Jr. Middleweight championship of the world for a second time,” said Banner Promotions President, Artie Pelullo.

Said Joe DeGuardia, president of Star Boxing, “I am thrilled that Demetrius is back. I have always felt he has the ability to be the best in the world, and I expect that within the next year he will be an undefeated 2-time World Champ.”

“We are thrilled to bring our Olympian and former world champion Demetrius Andrade back to New England. This is where Demetrius grew up, honed his skills and developed into the championship-caliber fighter he is today, both in and out of the ring. Furthermore, we’re honored to bring this event to one of our favorite venues, Mohegan Sun Casino, and to work in association with two of the most trustworthy, honest and hardest-working promoters in professional boxing, Artie Pelullo of Banner Promotions and Joe DeGuardia of Star Boxing. They are more than just colleagues; they are lifelong friends. With the three of us working together, this event will continue to raise the bar and set the standard for professional boxing in the northeast,” said Jimmy Burchfield, president of CES Boxing.

Ticket prices are $25, $50, $125 and $200 (VIP).

They can be purchased at www.cesboxing.com or www.mohegansun.com or by phone at 401-724-2243/2254.

For more information visit www.cesboxing.com, follow @CESBOXING on Twitter and Instagram and “like” the official CES Boxing Facebook fan page. Details also available at www.starboxing.com and www.banner-promotions.com.

Boxcino, boxing

Boxcino 2015 Jr. Middleweight champion, John “Apollo Kidd” Thompson to fight Liam Smith for vacant WBO Jr. Middleweight title on October 10 in Manchester, England

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Philadelphia, PA (August 24, 2015) – Boxcino 2015 champion John “Apollo Kidd” Thompson has signed to face undefeated Liam Smith for the vacant WBO world Jr. Middleweight title on October 10th in  Manchester, England.

Thompson joins Willie Monroe Jr. as the 2nd Boxcino champion to fight for a world title in a five month span.
Thompson (17-1, 6 KO’s) of Newark, New Jersey will participating in his first world title bout.
Thompson is co-promoted by Vito Mielnicki’s GH3 Promotions and Arthur Pelullo’s Banner Promotions.
Thompson gained the opportunity on the strength of winning the Boxcino 2015 Jr. Middleweight tournament with wins over Ricardo Pinell (10-1-1), Stanyslav Skorkhod (9-0) and a 2nd round stoppage over Brandon Adams (17-1).
“I am excited.  These doors keep opening, and I just walk through them and close them.  I have to do my job.  I am going into this fight making sure that I am in tip-top shape.  For me, the Boxcino tournament was a great opportunity to be established.  It is a strong platform to show my talents.  I fought very tough competition, and I knew from the beginning that’s how you get prepared for these types of fights,” said Thompson.
“I am very proud of John.  He was a last minute replacement in Boxcino.  He went on to win to the tournament in style by scoring a spectacular knockout over the heavily favored Brandon Adams.  When the opportunity came about to fight Liam Smith for the title, John jumped all over it and said make it happen.  John is a real fighter and understands when these types of opportunities come up, they are few are far between, and he jumped at the opportunity to fight for the WBO Jr. Middleweight world championship,” said Arthur Pelullo of Banner Promotions
Said Vito Mielnicki, President of GH3 Promotions, “John was the first fighter I signed at GH3 Promotions.  He always has taken the tough fights as you look at his history.  I feel he is by far the more dominant fighter in this fight, and he will show his talent on October 10.  It won’t matter that he his going into Smith’s Backyard, John will put on a great performance.”
The bout is promoted by Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions, in association with Arthur Pelullo’s Banner Promotions and Vito Mielnicki’s GH3 Promotions.
The Smith – Thompson bout will join the WBO Middleweight title fight between Andy Lee and Billy Joe Saunders, as well as Terry Flanagan defending his WBO Lightweight title against Diego Magdaleno, which wil make up a championship triple-header on October 10th from Manchester, England.
boxing

Melson to play in Heroes & Legends Charity Softball Game!

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Boyd Melson army photo.jpg


For Immediate Release

New York, NY (August 23, 2015) – WBC USNBC junior middleweight champion Boyd “Rainmaker” Melson will participate in the Heroes & Legends Charity Softball Game on Saturday, August 29 at First Energy Park in Lakewood, NJ.
Individual tickets for $10 and $40 VIP seats including dinner, drinks and time with the participants are available by calling 732-901-7000 or at https://www.ticketreturn.com/prod2/BuyClear.asp?EventID=149462&continue=buynew.asp#.VXC1Ps9Vikr. VIP seats are limited to the first 100 guests.
Gates open at 3 PM and there will be a home run derby at 4:30, followed by the softball game.
The event is presented by Oceans Six Real and Partners. Proceeds will benefit Sanctuary Island, a non-profit organization that serves Wounded Warriors and others disabled to enhance their health and self-esteem. The game was started to help veterans’ rehabilitative sports programs and assist various military-based organizations,
Melson will play for the Purple Heart Heroes, a team featuring many soldiers wounded serving our country. They will be opposed by The Legends, a squad made up of former athletes including major leaguers Jeff Frazier, Jay Johnstone and Andy Ashby plus Super Bowl XXV Champion Stephen Baker and members of the rock band Madison Rising.
Following the game, WBC Cares Foundation President Jill Diamond will hand out medals to the winning team.
“It is an incredible honor to be asked to play in the game,” said Melson, an Army Reserve Officer and 2003 West Point graduate who donates his fight purses to Team Fight to Walk to help cure Chronic Spinal Cord Injuries. “The Wounded Warrior Project has been close to my heart and my mother is also a huge supporter. These Purple Heart recipients deserve the absolute best and an event like this is the least we can do for those brave soldiers injured protecting our freedom.”
Fans can interact with Boyd via twitter @BoydMelson orhttps://www.facebook.com/boyd.melson.9.

 

boxing

Boxcino 2015 champions Andrey Fedosov and John Thompson crack world rankings

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Philadelphia, PA (July 2, 2015)–The two champions from the 2015 Boxcino tournament, Heavyweight Andrey Fedosov and Jr. Middleweight John Thompson have each entered the world rankings on the strength of their tournament wins.

Fedosov (28-3, 23 KO’s) of Russia defeated Donovan Dennis by 8th round stoppage on May 22nd and is ranked #7 by the WBO and #15 by the WBA.

Thompson (17-1, 6 KO’s) of Newark, NJ stopped the tournament favorite Brandon Adams with a sensational 2nd round knockout and is ranked ranked #4 by the WBO and #10 by the WBA.

“John and Andrey both did a great job in the tournament and they have bright futures ahead of them,” said Banner Promotions President, Arthur Pelullo.

boxing, Showtime Boxing

HOMETOWN HERO MAKES HISTORY: DEONTAY WILDER STOPS ERIC MOLINA, WINS BY 9TH-ROUND KNOCKOUT AT BARTOW ARENA 

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SHO letterhead

Jose Pedraza Claims Vacant Junior Lightweight Title

With Dominating Unanimous Decision Over Andrey Klimov

 

Catch Replay Sunday, June 14 at 9 a.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME® and Monday, June 15 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME®

 

Click HERE To Download Photos

Photo Credit: Stephanie Trapp/SHOWTIME®

 

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (June 13, 2015) – In the first title fight in the state of Alabama, Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder (34-0, 33 KOs), had to work harder than expected before dismantlingEric “Drummer Boy” Molina (23-3, 17 KOs) with a ninth round knockout Saturday night in the main event of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® live on SHOWTIME.

 

Hometown hero Wilder, who was born and still resides just 60 miles down the road in Tuscaloosa, dropped Molina, of Lyford, Texas, with a straight right hand 63 seconds in the ninth round, prompting referee Jack Reiss to call the fight off as a result of Molina’s fourth and final knockdown of the evening in front of a raucous sold out crowd of 9,347 at Bartow Arena on the campus of University of Alabama Birmingham.

 

A game Molina surprised Wilder with his stamina and heart. “I was surprised by Molina, he showed tremendous heart,” said an elated Wilder as roars from the crowd rang down from the rafters. “All the critics doubted him, but he showed that he was a very tough challenger. I needed a tough guy who had heart and who could get dropped and still come back up.”

 

Wilder knocked down Molina once in the fourth round with a left hook and twice in the fifth round with his deadly right hand, looking as if the fight would be stopped before the start of the sixth round. But Molina was determined to get up and was even able to land a big right hand in the eighth round, stunning a seemingly tired Wilder.

 

Although not the outcome he had hoped for, Molina was grateful for the opportunity. “I gave it everything I had,” a dejected Molina said. “It wasn’t the result I wanted, but what can I do. It was my dream to fight for the title. Wilder is a great fighter and I want him to be great.”

 

Boxing historian and SHOWTIME Analyst Steve Farhood provided interesting insight after the main event. “I thought this fight produced three winners. Deontay Wilder, the state of Alabama and believe it or not, Eric Molina. Expectations were low for Molina, but he is going to get more offers based off this fight. He presented a reasonable challenge and fought with a lot of heart. The crowd was fantastic and I think that everyone would like to see Deontay Wilder fight here again.”

 

In the opening bout of the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING doubleheader, Jose “The Sniper” Pedraza (20-0, 12 KOs) dominated Andrey Klimov (20-1, 9 KOs) from the opening bell to claim the vacant IBF Junior Lightweight Title with a unanimous decision victory.

 

Pedraza, making his 2015 debut, triumphed by the scores of 120-108 twice and 119-109.

 

Pedraza was all smiles afterward. “I was very happy because I have sacrificed my life for the last 14 years to become a world champion,” he said. “It wasn’t easy but it’s a dream come true, a dream every fighter thinks about to become a world champion.”

 

From the opening bell, Pedraza, of Cidra, Puerto Rico, used his superior hand speed, combination punching and body jabs to create distance and keep Klimov, of Klimovsk, Russia, at bay. Pedraza landed 50 percent of his power shots compared to a 26 percent rate by Klimov. The Puerto Rican becomes the 62nd fighter  who has appeared on ShoBox: The New Generation, to become world champion.

 

Pedraza used previous Puerto Rican champions as motivation in claiming his first title.“Becoming the seventh Puerto Rican Champion at 130 means the world to me,” he said. “I look up to Miguel Cotto and now young Puerto Rican boxers are going to look up to me.”

After the fight, Klimov revealed why he was covered in blood for most of the night. “On the very first punch of the fight, Pedraza broke my nose and from that point forward I was playing catch up,” he said. “My ability in the ring was hindered because of my nose, as it kept on swelling.”

Although the nose was a factor in the fight, a battered Klimov made no excuses. “Pedraza did an exceptional job, he is a really good, fast fighter.”

Opening the SHOWTIME BOXING on SHO EXTREME telecast undefeated Julian “J-Rock” Williams (20-0-1, 12KOs) of Philadelphia, Pa. delivered an impressive sixth-round TKO (2:43) over Armen Ovsepyan (14-5, 11 KOs) of Yerevan, Armenia, to retain his WBC Continental Super Welterweight Title.

 

Williams started strong knocking Ovsepyan down with a big right hand 35 seconds into the first round. He continued to outbox Ovsepyan, breaking him down with big and accurate body shots with both hands. By the time of the stoppage, Williams had landed 52 percent of his total punches, compared to Ovsepyan’s 19 percent.

 

“I probably could’ve finished him earlier, but I wanted to take my time,” said Williams. “Despite what people may think, he’s a decent fighter and a good puncher. I didn’t want to force the knockout, because that can make a boxer look unpolished.”

 

“I got the knockout and I’m ready for the next stage of my career. I am calling out the entire division, but I’d like to start with Austin Trout. I turned 25 in April and I need to start building my resume because I want to be in the Boxing Hall of Fame someday.”

 

In the SHOWTIME EXTREME main event, undefeated Montenegrin Dejan “El Dinamita” Zlaticanin (17-0, 10 KOs) delivered an upset with the second knockout of the evening, tarnishing the unblemished record of Ukrainian Ivan “El Terrible” Redkach (18-1, 14 KOs) with a TKO at1:24 of the fourth round with a devastating left hook.

 

Redkach had a six inch reach advantage over Zlaticanin, but the Montenegrin was the stronger more accurate man landing 33 percent of his total punches compared to Redkach’s 21 percent. Redkach took a knee in the third after a low blow and an accidental headbutt that led to a small cut. At the time of the stoppage, Zlaticanin was ahead on all the scorecards, 27-30 and 28-29 twice.

 

A virtual unknown to U.S. fans coming in, Zlaticanin couldn’t contain his excitement afterward. “I feel like I am living a dream, I am very happy,” he said. “I beat somebody who is a boxing standout in America. I knew going into the fight that I was the better fighter. I really wanted to hurt him in that ring. I heard that he was a great boxer and power puncher, but he underestimated my talents. I showed the American fan base what I am capable of.”

 

After the fight, Redkach was visibly distraught. “I am very disappointed,” he said. “This is my first professional loss. I don’t understand why the referee stopped the fight when there was still over a minute left in the round. I felt perfectly fine in the ring that was a bad stoppage.”

In a swing bout, promising undefeated prospect Ahmed Elbiale (11-0, 10 KOs) of Miami, Fla. by way of Egypt, scored a 1:04, first round knockout over Donta Woods (8-5, 7KOs) of Atlanta, Ga.

 

# # #

 

“WILDER vs. MOLINA,” a 12-round fight for Wilder’s WBC Heavyweight Championship, took place Saturday, June 13, at The Bartow Arena in Birmingham, Ala. DiBella Entertainment and Bruno Event Team joined forces to bring the event to Alabama. In the co-main event co-promoted by DiBella in association with Universal Promotions, Jose Pedraza faced Andrey Klimov in a 12-round bout for the IBF Junior Lightweight World Title. It aired live on SHOWTIME® (9 p.m. ET/ 6 p.m. PT). The telecast was available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP).  Preliminary bouts were televised live on SHOWTIME EXTREME (7 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).

boxing, Showtime Boxing

THE HOMECOMING: DEONTAY WILDER VS. ERIC MOLINA  FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES AND PHOTOS

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“Everybody knows that Deontay Wilder gets the job done. I worked too hard to get here to just give up the belt. I want all the belts, I’m greedy like that.” — Deontay Wilder

 

“When my dream becomes a reality on Saturday, I’ll come right back here and give Wilder the rematch.” – Eric Molina

 

THIS SATURDAY, JUNE 13, LIVE ON SHOWTIME®

FROM BARTOW ARENA IN BIRMINGHAM, ALA.

 

Click HERE To Download Photos

Photo Credit: Stephanie Trapp/SHOWTIME

 

Tickets Still on Sale!!!

 

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (June 11, 2015) – Two days before the first-ever world title fight in the state of Alabama, undefeated heavyweight world champion Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder and challenger Eric Molina participated in a tense final press conference Thursday at Embassy Suites in Birmingham.

 

The hard-hitting Wilder (33-0, 32 KOs), of Tuscaloosa, Ala, will be making the first defense of the heavyweight title he won impressively from Bermane Stiverne in January, when he meets Molina (23-2, 17 KOs), of Lyford, Texas, this Saturday, June 13, in the main event on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® live on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) from the Bartow Arena in Birmingham, Ala.

 

In the co-feature on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING, undefeated Jose “The Sniper” Pedraza(19-0, 12 KOs), of Cidra, Puerto Rico, will be opposed by Andrey Klimov (19-1, 9 KOs), of Klimovski, Russia, in a 12-rounder for the vacant IBF Junior Lightweight World Championship.

 

In the main event on SHOWTIME BOXING on SHO EXTREME®, undefeated world-ranked contendersIvan “El Terrible” Redkach and Dejan “El Dinamita” Zlaticanin will square off in a 12-round eliminator. The winner between Redkach (18-0, 1 ND, 14 KOs), of Los Angeles, and Zlaticanin (16-0, 9 KOs), of Montenegro, becomes the mandatory challenger to Jorge Linares, the WBC 135-pound world champion.

 

Opening the SHO EXTREME telecast, unbeaten top 10-ranked super welterweight Julian “J Rock” Williams (19-0-1, 11 KOS, 1 ND), of Philadelphia, will be opposed by Armenia’s Armen Ovsepyan(14-4, 11 KOs), of Glendale, Calif., in an eight-round bout.  Time permitting, hard-hitting light heavyweights Ahmed Elbiali (10-0, 9 KOs, 1-1 WSB), of Miami, Fla, and Donta Woods (8-4, 7 KOs), of Atlanta, will collide in a four/six-round swing match.

 

Below is what the fighters and Hall of Fame promoter Don King had to say today:

 

DEONTAY WILDER, Heavyweight World Champion

 

“I’m thankful to everybody who has put together this great event. This is a dream come true for me. When I made my dream to become undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, I wanted to do something to change the Alabama sports landscape.

 

“People wanted me to rush my career, even I did at some points, but I’m a man who believes in timing and that there’s a moment when things should happen. We have to wait for our time.

 

“This is my destiny. Once I had my precious daughter she changed my life forever and she became my motivation to get here. She’s the reason I go hard in the gym, she’s the reason I carry myself the way I do.

 

“I worked too hard to get to this position. We’re not planning on this being the end.

 

“It’s a privilege to make history with the first world title fight in Alabama, in any division. I’ve been about making history my entire career since the amateurs.

 

“I love to fight, I love this sport. They say you have to eat, sleep and breathe it and I do. I’m never out of shape. This is my life.

 

“Everybody knows that Deontay Wilder gets the job done. I worked too hard to get here to just give up the belt. I want all the belts, I’m greedy like that.

 

“We respect Eric Molina and what he’s trying to do. It’s a great opportunity for him. I was once where he was, in my last fight.”

 

ERIC MOLINA, Heavyweight Contender

 

“I want to thank all the people of Alabama, who have made me feel right at home this week. My training team has been incredible.

 

“I’ve had Oliver McCall in my camp for four years, and he’s prepped me for my moment to shock the world, just like he did against Lennox Lewis.

 

“I’ve dreamed about that moment, I’ve thought about it since even before I got this fight. I was going to knock someone out and become heavyweight champion of the world. It seemed so real to me in my mind, and when we signed the fight it all came together.

 

“Everybody has written me off. I’ve never been undefeated and I’ve always been the underdog.

 

“When my dream becomes a reality on Saturday, I’ll come right back here and give Wilder the rematch.”

 

 

JOSE PEDRAZA, Undefeated Junior Lightweight Contender

 

“I’m very happy about this opportunity. I’m not worried about the big stage because I’ve been on the big stage before. I’ve been in the big fights before and I just want to make the most of this opportunity.

 

“It’s been a long camp this time but other than that there has been nothing different in training. It’s been the same great preparations as all my other fights.

 

“I have a different level of skills than Klimov. I’m fast and I can do it all. Right and left handed, you’ll see all my skills on Saturday.

 

“This means a lot to me and to the people of Puerto Rico. They want another champion and I’m going to be next. This is the most important fight of my career and I’m going to give it my all in there.

 

“Whoever says they don’t get butterflies before a big fight is lying, but I’ve been on this stage before so I know how to control them. One that bell rings I’m going for it.”

 

ANDREY KLIMOV, Junior Lightweight Contender

 

“I’ve been fighting in the U.S. for five years. I turned pro a little late but I always knew that I had the chance to be a world champion.

 

“Coming in as an underdog is nothing new to me. It’s happened over and over. I’m going to be there to fight, I’ll never give up.

 

“The loss was a learning experience. It was my first time under the real bright lights. I took the fight because I wanted to prove something. I was upset because I knew I could do better.

 

“People are going to talk about me differently after I win this world title. I’ve worked together great with my team. All the bumps in the road have gotten us to here.

 

“Pedraza was a great amateur and a very good fighter. Everyone at this level is a good fighter. If you look at who we fought, my level of competition has been much higher.”

 

JULIAN WILLIAMS, Undefeated Junior Middleweight Contender

 

“We had a very tough training camp. It seems like Ovsepyan comes forward a lot and throws a lot of punches. I’m going to just keep it simple, use the jab and work punches off of that.

 

“I haven’t thought about any other opponents besides Ovsepyan for the past three or four weeks because he’s the guy that I’m fighting, he’s the guy that’s gloved up. Nobody else will be in that ring besides him on Saturday night, so he is who I am worried about.

 

“I definitely tailor my training camp based on the opponent I will be fighting. I get certain guys to come in and spar with me that have similar fighting styles and body types as my opponent. I try to get the closest thing to my opponent in my sparring partners so that I can get a good feel for what the fight will be like.”

 

ARMEN OVSEPYAN, Junior Middleweight Contender

 

“I’m feeling prepared, boxed over 60 rounds for this fight and I’m definitely ready to go.

 

“I’m a fighter; I take hard fights, that’s what real fighters do.

 

“He’s very well-regarded but we’ll see how he likes it when I put a lot of pressure on him from the start. We both have two hands, I can win this fight.

 

“It’s going to be the best fight of the night, whether we need to go the distance or if we get the knockout early.”

 

 

IVAN REDKACH, Undefeated Lightweight Contender

 

“I’m excited for this; I’m never scared of the big moment. June 13 is going to be the most important date of my career.

 

“I’ve been in camp for four months and feel 120 percent that I’m ready to fight.

 

“My opponent always tries to go forward and is very strong. He’s always trying to throw, sometimes weird punches from bottom to side to top.

 

“I have harder fights ahead of me but we’ll see after this one if this is my toughest test so far.

 

“I’m very happy for this chance to fight on SHOWTIME, my teammates have prepared me very well for this and I’m excited.”

 

DEJAN ZLATICANIN, Lightweight Contender

 

“I’m not a novice, I’ve been around and I know how to fight. I’m strong and I’m not afraid to come forward. I know Ivan is the same way, so you know it’s going to be a great fight.

 

“In my mind, I’ve already seen Ivan knocked out. I’ve seen it happen and I’m going to see it again on Saturday.

 

“I’m going to come to work hard. I come from a small country in Montenegro and I’m not here to give anything away, I’m taking full advantage.”

 

 

DON KING, Hall Of Fame Promoter

 

“We’re going to have a terrific fight here in Alabama on Saturday night.

 

“Deontay Wilder has proven to be a tremendous fighter and he last proved it on January 17. I’m certain that Wilder doesn’t mean to transfer the belt like Bermane Stiverne did.

 

“Texans have an out of the box way of thinking, they just take what they want. You’re going to have an unstoppable force against the unmovable object. Only one will win.”

 

 

# # #

“WILDER vs. MOLINA,” a 12-round fight for Wilder’s WBC Heavyweight Championship, takes place Saturday, June 13, at The Bartow Arena in Birmingham, Ala. DiBella Entertainment and Bruno Event Team have joined forces to bring this event to Alabama. In the co-main event co-promoted by DiBella in association with Universal Promotions, Jose Pedraza will face Andrey Klimov in a 12-round bout for the IBF Junior Lightweight World Title. It will air live on SHOWTIME® (9 p.m. ET/ 6 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 (7 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).

 

WILDER vs. MOLINA Official Weigh-In will be available for viewing across multiple platforms, including LIVE via satellite feed and the SHO Sports YouTube Page.  Friday’s feed from Birmingham City Hall will be hosted by Mauro Ranallo and will be available in High Definition.

 

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Bruno Event Team are on sale now.  Tickets start at only $25 with the best seats in the house going for $200.  VIP packages are also available.  To purchase tickets fans should visit alabamatitlefight.com.  Tickets are selling fast and a sellout is anticipated.

 

For more information visit www.sports.sho.com and www.dbe1.com follow on Twitter at @SHOSports, @BronzeBomber, @LouDiBella and @Swanson_Comm, follow the conversation using #WilderMolina, become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SHOBoxing or visit http://shosportspoundforpound.tumblr.com/
boxing, Showtime Boxing

HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION DEONTAY WILDER,CHALLENGER ERIC MOLINA AND UNDERCARD FIGHTERS MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES & PHOTOS

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Click HERE For Photos From Stephanie Trapp/SHOWTIME®

 

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (June 11, 2015) – Unbeaten Heavyweight World Champion Deontay Wilder, heavyweight challenger Eric Molina, along with co-headliners Puerto Rican junior lightweight Jose Pedraza and Russian amateur standout Andrey Klimov,kicked off fight week working out for the press at Round 1 Gym in Birmingham, Ala. in advance of their SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® bouts this Saturday, June 13, live on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) at Bartow Arena in Birmingham, Ala.

 

Also in attendance Wednesday were, undefeated world-ranked contenders Ivan “El Terrible” Redkach and Dejan “El Dinamita” Zlaticanin, who will square off in a 12-round eliminator earlier that night in the main event of SHOWTIME BOXING on SHO EXTREME® (7 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).

 

Here is what the fighters had to say Wednesday:

 

Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder

 

“This week has been fun. It’s been exciting. Even to see the people and faces. I’m looking forward to Saturday. It’s always the hard part when you have to wait. Especially when you’ve been training hard and it’s real intense. Everything has been great so far, and I’m glad it’s finally here. I’m looking forward to making history being that this is the first title fight in the state of Alabama. And I’m gonna put my name on it first.

 

“Training camp has been just like any other camp. When I’m at camp, I’m always giving my all, 110 percent. Because when it’s time to go battle, I gotta give 110 percent. I have to perform better than I did the last time. But this is what I do. I love it and enjoy every moment it.

 

“Molina’s height is something to watch out for. Everybody likes two tall guys in the ring. I’m definitely going to find out if his bark is as big as his bite. Right now his bark is loud. But we’ll see if his bite is as loud as his bark.

 

“I don’t watch video or study my opponents because the way you may see them fight someone else is not the same way that they’re going to fight you. I let my people do that and break them down. I trust in believe in them, and I like the challenge as well. That’s another reason I don’t look at film. We’ll find out what he’s about on Saturday.”

 

 

Eric “Drummer Boy” Molina

 

“Deontay is a very strong fighter,a big puncher and a big presence. But just as many strengths as he has, he also has weaknesses. We’re just trying to key in on those weaknesses.

 

“I know this is a big fight for Alabama. I respect that and it’s an honor, but I’m also trying to make history. I plan on being the first Mexican-American Heavyweight World Champion.

 

“My mental focus is on the heavyweight world title. When you expect to fight for the world title, you have to come into someone’s backyard and do what you have to put up with pressure. I can handle pressure.

 

“I’ve accepted my role as the underdog. The whole world has written me off. I’ve embraced the role. I’m used to motivating myself. I’ve never been stronger, more focused. I’ve never been more physically, mentally, spiritually strong. I’m ready to go. I’m ready to fight.

 

“This is two big guys in the ring, and I can punch just like he can punch. It’s going to be a very exciting fight.”

 

Jose “The Sniper” Pedraza

 

“This was a long, hard training camp. We began training for this shot in December. We have worked extremely hard and are ready to show the world on Saturday night.

 

“We have seen video of Klimov and know what to expect on Saturday night. We will take it round by round and break him down.

 

“We can box, or we can bang. Whatever Klimov brings to the table we will be ready for. I plan on using my boxing technique to control the pace, but if he wants to stand there toe-to-toe, we are fine with that as well.

 

“It is important for me to look better than Crawford did in his victory over Klimov. I want to show the world that I am one of the best fighters in the entire sport.”

 

Regarding the comparisons to fellow Puerto Rican Star Felix Verdejo – “Verdejo is a good fighter and a good guy, but Jose Pedraza will be the next world champion to represent the great country of Puerto Rico.”

 

Andrey Klimov

 

“This was a great camp. We worked very hard, and trained with a lot of different champions. I came out 100 percent mentally and physically ready to go.

 

“I feel that the fight with Crawford actually worked to my advantage more than my disadvantage. I learned a lot in that fight and I will use that on Saturday night against Pedraza. What Pedraza brings to the table on Saturday night I will be ready for it. There will be no surprises on Saturday night, I am ready.

 

“I am very confident going into this fight. Pedraza is a tough opponent but I don’t think he is ready for what I am going to bring.

 

“It is an honor to be here and fighting at this level. On Saturday night you will see a spectacular performance.”

 

Ivan “El Terrible” Redkach

 

“This was the hardest training camp I have ever had. I have been training four hard months for this fight and I am in the best shape of my career.

 

“Dejan is a very tough opponent. He comes forward and is very aggressive, but he is not as good as me. The world will see that come Saturday night. There is no doubt in my mind that I will be victorious.

 

“This fight brings me one step closer to a world title shot, something I have been dreaming about my entire life, and there is no way he is going to stop me from achieving that. The fans are not going to want to miss this fight on Saturday night, because it’s going to be a war.”

 

Dejan Zlaticanin

 

“We had great sparring for this camp and it has helped us become the absolute best possible fighter we can be going into Saturday night.

 

“I have no doubt and no fear. I am the better, more superior fighter.

 

“This fight will not go to the final bell. I am going to knock Ivan Redkach out. There is no doubt in my mind.

 

“The winner of this fight earns the shot to fight Jorge Linares for the world title, and that is exactly the fight I want. On Saturday night I will stop Redkach and earn the right to challenge for the world title.”

 

“It is very important for me to bring this victory back to Montenegro to all my fans and countrymen who are cheering me on.”

 

# # #

“WILDER vs. MOLINA,” a 12-round fight for Wilder’s WBC Heavyweight Championship, takes place Saturday, June 13, at The Bartow Arena in Birmingham, Ala. DiBella Entertainment and Bruno Event Team have joined forces to bring this event to Alabama. In the co-main event co-promoted by DiBella in association with Universal Promotions, Jose Pedraza will face Andrey Klimov in a 12-round bout for the IBF Junior Lightweight World Title. It will air live on SHOWTIME® (9 p.m. ET/ 6 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 (7 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).

 

WILDER vs. MOLINA Official Weigh-In will be available for viewing across multiple platforms, including LIVE via satellite feed and the SHO Sports YouTube Page.  Friday’s feed from Birmingham City Hall will be hosted by Mauro Ranallo and will be available in High Definition.

 

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Bruno Event Team are on sale now.  Tickets start at only $25 with the best seats in the house going for $200.  VIP packages are also available.  To purchase tickets fans should visit alabamatitlefight.com.  Tickets are selling fast and a sellout is anticipated.

 

For more information visit www.sports.sho.com and www.dbe1.com follow on Twitter at @SHOSports, @BronzeBomber, @LouDiBella and @Swanson_Comm, follow the conversation using #WilderMolina, become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SHOBoxing or visit http://shosportspoundforpound.tumblr.com/
boxing, Showtime Boxing

BORN TO BE WILDER: 10 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW  ABOUT HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION DEONTAY WILDER

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Undefeated, Hard-Punching, Local Favorite

Defends Against Eric Molina This Saturday, June 13,
Live On SHOWTIME® From Bartow Arena in Birmingham, Ala.; 

Photo Credit: Stephanie Trapp/SHOWTIME

 

Click HERE To Watch A Video About Wilder’s Return To His Homestate Of Alabama:http://s.sho.com/1FGY1D5

 

NEW YORK (June 9, 2015) – Unbeaten Heavyweight World Champion Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder (33-0, 32 KOs), of Tuscaloosa, Ala., risks his perfect record and title against  Eric “Drummer Boy” Molina (23-2, 17 KOs), of Raymondville, Texas, this Saturday, June 13, in the main event on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® live on SHOWTIME® (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) at Bartow Arena in Birmingham, Ala.

 

To kickoff fight week events, below are 10 fast facts you should know about Deontay Wilder (with his comments):

 

1. He has spent more than 1,000 hours getting tattoos covering his body, including one of the WBC heavyweight championship belt on his left thigh …

 

“It’s probably been more than 1,000 hours. Tattoos are a hobby for me. I enjoy putting my life story on my body.”

 

2. Has sparred over 50 rounds with Wladimir Klitschko, who holds the WBO, IBF, and WBA titles and is a potential future opponent …

 

“It was a great experience. I learned a lot of things from him. Overall it was a great camp. One of the best camps I’ve ever been in. He was preparing for Mariusz Wach (November 2012).”

 

3. He worked at IHOP, Red Lobster and Budweiser after dropping out of college to help pay his daughter’s medical expenses …

 

“I went from IHOP, to AI-Three Company (Mercedes company), Red Lobster and Budweiser. The most interesting job was a delivery driver for Budweiser. I was still an amateur boxer. I had to get up at 4:30-5 a.m. every morning and I had to lift multiple amounts of beer. They probably put 1,000 cases of beer on my truck. I considered that a morning workout.”

 

4. He wrote a children’s book about winning the heavyweight championship …

 

“It’s more of an inspirational book to let kids know that you have to work hard for whatever you want and can’t give up. Don’t let peer pressure stop you from accomplishing your goals. I probably will write another children’s book, because I love kids and I love being a father.”

 

5. He financially supports the Coffeyville (Alabama) gym for kids. It’s located in one of the schools that the town closed. He also helps teach the kids boxing …

 

“We saw an opportunity to help Coffeyville out. It started when they closed the Coffeyville High School. A lot of kids had to wake up earlier than they would normally to travel miles and miles to school. The city was getting a bad rap. We did it to bring positivity to a small city. We wanted to bring something to do to the town. We did it to get the kids off the street and give them something to do. We got with the city and made the high school a gym. We enjoy working with the kids. They were never introduced to boxing. It does our hearts good to see the kids involved in a physical activity and being happy. Who knows? They might become champions one day.”

 

6. He was one of the athletes chosen to be a model for Ralph Lauren’s line of clothing at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing …

 

“They let me model the clothes. I was one of the most handsome 2008 Olympic guys (he laughs). My coach met me one day and told me they wanted me to represent the clothes. I said yes, like I was getting married. It was a great proposal. I didn’t get to keep any of the clothes. I took modeling for granted. Getting into it, I thought it would easy. I understand what those guys go through. I respect models. I doubt you’ll see me on the runway. That was the beginning and the end of my modeling career.”

 

7. Wilder is often/always mistaken for NBA superstar LeBron James when he goes out in public …

 

“All the time. I just smile. When they say I look like him, I politely disagree. The only similarities is our big smiles. I politely exit from that situation.”

 

8. He won the WBC heavyweight title on the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Muhammad Ali (who turned 73 that day) …

 

“That was definitely a special moment for me to do that. Ali is my all-time favorite fighter. I have tapes of him when he was going up in the Olympics. I respect what he’s done in the sport. That was such a happy moment for me. With Martin Luther King, Jr. being one of our great civil right leaders, that did my heart good. It was a historical moment for me. How could I have lost that fight? It was once in a lifetime to get a fight on two special people’s birthdays. I’m still amazed now.”

 

9. His grandmother would not allow anyone to spank him because she said he was special and would grow up to do great things …

 

“She always said I was anointed by God and destined to be great and do great things in the world. She’s not alive now to see what I’ve accomplished. I missed those homemade biscuits, peppermint tea and homemade chicken and dumplings that she used to make.”

 

10. He punched Bermane Stiverne so hard in the world championship fight that he bent the metal rods in his surgically repaired right hand …

 

“That is true. Somewhere in the third or the fourth round. I realized it because my hand started going numb. I knew what it was, because I had it happen before. The first time I did it I knocked him out and I didn’t have to go through the entire fight. With this one it felt OK during the fight. It just let me know that through adversity anything is possible if you have the will and the mind to accomplish your goal. That’s what champions are made of. When you go to battle you’re going to do everything you have to do to win. That wasn’t the only injury. I had one eye going into the fight. I was handicapped the whole fight. The night before the fight I was stretching with a band. It came off my feet and hit me in the eye. When I woke up the next day I couldn’t see anything. Good thing I had my private doctor there. He treated the eye. I was seeing black and white before the fight, but I was already there and I was going to go through with the fight.”

 

# # #

“WILDER vs. MOLINA,” a 12-Round fight for Wilder’s WBC Heavyweight Championship, takes placeSaturday, June 13, at The Bartow Arena in Birmingham, Ala. DiBella Entertainment and Bruno Event Team have joined forces to bring this event to Alabama. In the co-main event co-romoted by DiBella in association with Universal Promotions, Jose Pedraza will face Andrey Klimov in a 12-Round bout for the IBF Jr. Lightweight World Title. It will air live on SHOWTIME® (9 p.m. ET/ 6 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 (7 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).

 

For more information visit www.sports.sho.com and www.dbe1.com follow on Twitter at @SHOSports, @WilderVSMolina, @BronzeBomber, @LouDiBella and @Swanson_Comm, follow the conversation using #WilderMolina, become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SHOBoxing or visithttp://shosportspoundforpound.tumblr.com/
boxing, Showtime Boxing

Julian “J Rock” Williams returns this Saturday, June 13 against Armen Ovespyan on Wilder – Molina undercard in Birmingham, Alabama

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Fight to be broadcast live on Showtime Extreme    
Philadelphia (June 8, 2015)–This Saturday, June 13 one of the hottest names in boxing will be back in action as undefeated Jr. Middleweight, Julian “J-Rock” Williams (19-0-1, 11 KO’s) will take on Armen Ovespyan (14-4, 11 KO’s) in a 10-round bout for the WBC Continental America’s Jr. Middleweight title.
The bout will take place in Birmingham, Alabama and be part of the Deontay Wilder – Eric Molina WBC Heavyweight title card that will be televised on Showtime Championship Boxing.
Williams – Ovespyan will be shown live on Showtime Extreme.
“I wanted a bigger fight but if the other top guys are not available,” said Williams.
“I can’t just sit around and be inactive. I’m still improving. I still have to work on my craft. I still have to make money. So sitting around is not an option for me. At one time people had high hopes for Ovespyan. He’s not a bum and I’m definitely not overlooking him,” said the 25 year-old. “At one point during camp I thought I was fighting Frank Galarza in Brooklyn so I was locked in. Then I thought it would be Jan Zaveck. Who is an ex world champion and took Keith Thurman the 12 round distance so I was still super focused. I’ve been told I will get a big fight in September maybe even a title shot, so there is no way I will have a let down against Ovespyan because if I don’t win I won’t get what I have been asking for. I haven’t lost a round in 2 years since the Joachim Alcine fight and I want to continue to build on that and perfect my craft.”
Williams has earned the moniker, “Mr. Do It All” for his versatility in the ring.  Williams has proven to be a master boxer and high quality banger when need be.
Williams is currently ranked #8 by the WBC, #10 by the WBA and #10 by ESPN.com
Williams of Philadelphia has been credited for willingness to take step up fights such as wins over former world champ Joachim Alcine (32-4) Orlando Lora (29-4-2), Freddy Hernandez (30-6), Michael Medina (26-4-2), Eliezer Gonzalez (14-0), Jamar Freeman (13-3-2) and Joey Hernandez (24-2-1).  Williams was also dominating undefeated Hugo Centeno (19-0) before the fight was stopped due to a cut and ruled a no-contest.

 

Boxcino, boxing

Boxcino 2015 Jr. Middleweight champion John “Apollo Kidd” Thompson ready for next opportunity

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For Immediate Release
 
Newark, NJ (June 3, 2015)–Just two weeks after winning the 2015 Boxcino Jr, Middleweight tournament, John “Apollo Kidd” Thompson (17-1, 6 KO’s) is already getting back in shape and wants a quick ring return.
Thompson won his title by stopping Brandon Adams in two rounds on May 22 in Corona, California, in what was the last show of ESPN Friday Night Fights.
“Everything is going well.  I am already back working out.  I have been receiving a lot of calls to do interviews and being acknowledged,” said Thompson.
“I am going back to down to camp this weekend and start preparing for my next fight.”
Thompson credits his self belief for his success and knows that the best is yet to come.
“I always had big confidence in myself.  If you don’t believe in yourself, you already lost.  My goal is to be number-one.”
“I am just ready to get back in the ring and put on a good show, entertain and continue to win,” finished Thompson.
Thompson is promoted by GH3 Promotions and Banner Promotions.
GH3 Promotions features undefeated Middleweight Antoine Douglas, Super Middleweight’s Jerry Odom & Derrick Webster, undefeated Super Bantamweight Adam Lopez as well as Jr. Middleweight John Thompson, Jr., undefeated Welterweight Jerrell Harris,undefeated Super Bantamweight Qa’id Muhammad, undefeated lightweight Oscar Bonilla and Light Heavyweight Lavarn Harvell to the GH3 Promotions stable.