WARD-KOVALEV 2: “THE REMATCH” SET FOR Sábado, Xuño 17, 2017 AT MANDALAY BAY EVENTS CENTER, LAS VEGAS PRESENTED LIVE BY HBO PAY-PER-VIEW®

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MIAMI, FL (Maio 19, 2017) – Yesterday, reigning WBA World Super Bantamweight Champion Guillermo “El Chacal” Rigondeaux (17-0, 11 Kos) and USBA Middleweight Champion Luís "Cuba" Arias (17-0, 8 Kos) participated in a media workout at the historic Tropical Park boxing gym in Miami. Both fighters are preparing for championship defenses on the HBO Pay-Per-View telecast of Andre Ward vs. Sergey Kovalev 2: “The Rematch” on Sábado, Xuño 17 no Centro de Eventos Mandalay Bay en Las Vegas. Rigondeaux will face interim WBA title holderMoises “Chucky” Flores (25-0, 17 Kos), while Arias takes on rising prospect Arif “The Predator” Magomedov (18-1, 11 Kos). O evento do campionato, Presentado por Corona Extra, will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View® beginning at 9:00 p.m. E/6:00 p.m. PT.

The fighters put on a showcase that included shadow boxing, heavy bag, mitt work and stretching. They were joined by Roc Nation Latin artist Victoria La Mala, who will be the national anthem performer for Xuño 17.

Below is what the fighters and La Mala had to say during the media workout:

Guillermo Rigondeaux, WBA World Super Bantamweight Champion:

“Training has been going excellent in Miami, we have been preparing for a great battle with Moises Flores. I respect Chucky, he’s a great fighter and these are the types of big fights that are great for boxing. Nothing better than two undefeated fighters putting their records on the line.

“Flores is going to come prepared for the fight of his life and so am I. We never underestimate anyone and two undefeated warriors will be getting in the ring for an exciting fight on June 17.

“I have been constantly avoided by all the fighters in my division. I am the best in the world at 122 pounds and one of the top pound-for-pound fighters. I can’t wait to show the world that I am still the best. I thank Flores for having the courage to get in the ring with me unlike many top contenders that have avoided the challenge. Tune in Xuño 17 to watch two fighters bring all that they have to the ring. It’s going to be an exciting co-main event on this year’s biggest boxing card.

“I’m happy for the opportunity to be part of such a big Pay-Per-View event, one of the biggest anticipated fights of the year – Ward vs. Kovalev 2. I’m very grateful to fight on such a big platform, and I want to let boxing fans know to expect nothing but an exciting fight. My opponents feel my power and run after the first round. Chucky Flores is a brave undefeated boxer that is coming with all he has, and we’re ready to show why each of us is the best come Xuño 17.

“I’ve had everyone in my division run away from any mentions of me in the ring with them. My team is first focused on the Flores fight, and we’re ready to come and fight the best names in my division so that we can give the fans what they pay big Pay-Per-View money for, big exciting fights.

“I’m grateful to be a part of such a close community here in Miami, FL especially my boxing family at Tropical Park Boxing Gym. Miami is my home and I have all the support with me down here. I’m thankful for all the support that my fans brought during my training camp here in Miami. We have been able to bring boxing back here in Miami and make a great impact on the community, especially all the families that come to the park.”

LUIS ARIAS, USBA Middleweight Champion:

"Xuño 17, I start cementing my name and legacy in this game! I’m ready to steal the show and prove that I stand amongst the best in the division.

“I’ve stepped up all levels of training. I train six days a week with two hours of boxing, one hour of strength and conditioning, and run 3.5 - 5 miles on average. I’m also working with one of the top nutritionists, Chris Alergi. He helps me with what to eat and how to monitor my weight. Can’t wait to show all of my progress on Xuño 17.

“My message to Magomedov is simple…I hope he comes ready. He better be doing ‘em sit-ups. I’m coming!

“When I step in the ring, it’s not just about getting a win anymore. It’s about winning and looking good. I’ve built up my record. Agora, I’m looking to put on an A-class performance. That’s what is going to make me stand out.

“My goal for the second half of 2017 is to put myself in top ‘contender’ position for what is probably the most stacked division in professional boxing. GGG, Canelo, Lemieux…bring them on!"

VICTORIA LA MALA:

“It’s an honor to be singing the national anthem at such an anticipated boxing event. Being from a Mexican family, I grew up watching boxing and am a huge fan of Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. I can’t wait to cheer on my Roc family–Outro, Rigo and Luis–en Xuño 17."

Ward vs. Kovalev 2: “A revancha," Unha mega-loita de 12 roldas para os Campionatos do Mundo de peso pesado lixeiro WBO/IBF/WBA, é presentado por Roc Nation Sports, Principais eventos, Promocións de Andre Ward, Promocións de Krusher e Corona Extra, sponsored by Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, Jetlux, Life10 Water, Zappos and Powered by Monster. Ten lugar o evento do campionato Sábado, Xuño 17 no Mandalay Bay Events Center de Las Vegas e será producido e distribuído en directo por HBO Pay-Per-View® a partir 9:00 p.m. E/6:00 p.m. PT. Entradas para Ward-Kovalev 2: “The Rematch” are available on AXS.com e na taquilla do centro de eventos de Mandalay Bay.

WARD-KOVALEV 2: “THE REMATCH” SET FOR Sábado, Xuño 17, 2017 AT MANDALAY BAY EVENTS CENTER, LAS VEGAS

PRESENTED LIVE BY HBO PAY-PER-VIEW®

Nova York, Nova York (Abril 27, 2017) - USBA Middleweight Champion Luís "Cuba" Arias (17-0, 8 Kos) and prime contender Arif “The Predator” Magomedov (18-1, 11 Kos) will lead off the HBO Pay-Per-View lineup for Andre Ward vs. Sergey Kovalev 2: “The Rematch” on Sábado, Xuño 17 no Centro de Eventos Mandalay Bay en Las Vegas. O evento do campionato, Presentado por Corona Extra, producirase e distribuirase en directo mediante paga por vista HBO^® comezando o 9:00 p.m. E/6:00 p.m. PT.

Arias will be defending his title and undefeated record against one of the division’s top prospects. Magomedov has previously held the WBO’s Inter-Continental, Youth and NABO middleweight titles with only a single career loss coming against Andrew Hernandez for the vacant WBC USNBC middleweight title. Both fighters are eager to make an impression during their Las Vegas debut.

“Finally my opportunity has come. The road to the big stage has been long but it’s here and I’m ready. It’s time to prove to the world that I am a threat to anyone in this division. I have been saying it for some time, my record shows it, but now I’ll get the chance to prove it,” said Arias. “I’m coming to make a statement on Xuño 17! My opponent has been beat before and will be beat again. Thanks to Roc Nation Sports and my handlers for making this happen. A new star will be born.”

“My goal is to be a world champion. I have been waiting for a fight like this. Arias is a tough opponent but I will be ready for him,” said Magomedov. “I am so excited to work with my new trainer, Marco Contreras and to fight on HBO Pay-Per-View. Be ready for ‘The Predator’ on Xuño 17."

“If the heat between the Ward-Kovalev rivalry hasn’t been felt yet, then the cross promotional matchup of Roc Nation Sports’ Luis Arias and Main Events’ Arif Magomedov will certainly add fuel to the fire,” said Roc Nation President & Chief of Branding and Strategy Michael R. Yormark. “We are excited to have USBA Middleweight Champion Luis Arias make his Las Vegas debut and open the HBO Pay-Per-View telecast with a title defense on June 17 against Arif Magomedov.”

“Arif has been ready for this fight since the first Kovalev-Ward card in November. We are so pleased to finally give him this match-up,” said Main Events CEO Kathy Duva. “This is a huge opportunity for both Arif and Luis to test themselves on such a big stage. A win or a good showing by either fighter could catapult them in the rankings and put them on the map in this stacked middleweight division.”

USBA Middleweight Champion Luís "Cuba" Arias (17-0, 8 Kos), 26, takes great pride in his Cuban heritage. The Milwaukee-native chose his nickname in homage to his father’s homeland and its people, honoring them each time he steps into the ring. A former USA junior amateur standout, Arias made his professional debut on November 10, 2012 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, where he defeated Josh Thorpe via a four-round unanimous decision. Since joining Roc Nation Sports in February of 2015, Arias has advanced his undefeated record, paving way for his first title shot on August 20, 2016. In a homecoming at the Milwaukee Center, Arias captured the vacant USBA Middleweight title with a stoppage of Detroit’s Darryl Cunningham at the 1:11marca da cuarta rolda. Arias successfully defended his title on March 31, 2017 at the Carnegie Music Hall in Pittsburgh, winning a 10-round unanimous decision over Virginia’s Scott Sigmon. Os tres xuíces marcaron a loita 99-91 for Arias who put on a potent body punching display to settle a long-standing grudge with Sigmon.

Arif “The Predator” Magomedov (18-1, 11 Kos), 24, is a middleweight from Kizlyar, Rusia. He made his professional debut in January of 2013 when he earned a decision win over Ruslan Sirazhev in Russia. Magomedov would go on to finish 2013 cun estrondo, posting a record of 8-0 con 6 KOs and none of those six opponents made it past the third round. He made his US debut in April of 2015 when he unanimously outpointed tough journeyman Derrick Findley. En maio de 2015, he earned one of the biggest wins of his career when he scored a first-round knockout over the always tough and durable Darnell Boone. In July of 2015, Magomedov cruised to a unanimous decision win over previously undefeated and rising prospect Derrick Webster. Na súa loita máis recente, Magomedov scored a second-round TKO over Chris Herrmann in Moscow, Rusia. Arif is co-promoted by Main Events and Shamo Boxing and managed by Egis Klimas.

Ward vs. Kovalev 2: “A revancha," Unha mega-loita de 12 roldas para os Campionatos do Mundo de peso pesado lixeiro WBO/IBF/WBA, é presentado por Roc Nation Sports, Principais eventos, Promocións de Andre Ward, Promocións de Krusher e Corona Extra, sponsored by Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, e Powered by Monster. Ten lugar o evento do campionato Sábado, Xuño 17 no Mandalay Bay Events Center de Las Vegas e será producido e distribuído en directo por HBO Pay-Per-View® a partir 9:00 p.m. E/6:00 p.m. PT. Entradas para Ward-Kovalev 2: “The Rematch” are available on AXS.com e na taquilla do centro de eventos de Mandalay Bay.