Tag Archives: Las Vegas

boxing, Showtime Boxing

 FLOYD “MONEY” MAYWEATHER CONCLUDES REMARKABLE CAREER WITH WIN OVER ANDRE BERTO AND PERFECT 49-0 RECORD IN MAIN EVENT OF SHOWTIME PPV®  FOUR-FIGHT TELECAST FROM THE MGM GRAND GARDEN ARENA IN LAS VEGAS

Leave a comment
Click HERE For Photos – Credit: Esther Lin/SHOWTIME
Click HERE For Photos – Credit: Idris Erba/Mayweather Promotions
 
LAS VEGAS (Sept. 13, 2015) – Floyd “Money” Mayweather performed one last masterpiece on Saturday live on SHOWTIME PPV® in what he insists was the final fight of his distinguished 19-year career.
Before 13,395 fans at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Mayweather improved to 49-0 (26 KOs), matching the record of the late heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano with a 12-round decision over former two-time welterweight world champion Andre Berto (30-4, 23 KOs). In total control from the outset, Mayweather was victorious by the scores of 120-108, 118-110 and 117-111.
Following the final bell, Mayweather dropped to his knees in reflection of his final act.
“You have to know when to hang it up,” he told SHOWTIME’s Jim Gray in the ring afterward. “I’m knocking at the door; I’m close to 40 years old.
“I’ve been in this sport 19 years, been a world champion 18 years, broke all the records. There’s nothing else to prove in the sport of boxing.
“My 49-0 record is a part of boxing. Records are made to be broken. Hopefully someday we can find the next Floyd Mayweather.
“Now it’s time to spend time with my family and children, make sure they get the proper education. I also want to help the fighters under the Mayweather Promotions banner.
“I’m leaving the sport with all my faculties; I’m still sharp and smart. I’ve accomplished everything in this sport, there’s nothing else to accomplish.
“Money doesn’t make me. I make money.
“I don’t want to rank myself, but I am the best at boxing.
“I want to thank all the fans that came out to support this event. For 19 years I wouldn’t be able to do it without these fans.
“Andre Berto has heart, a tremendous chin. He wouldn’t lay down, it was a good fight. He was a tough competitor, but experience played a major role tonight. What can I say?  I was the better man tonight. It doesn’t matter if I hurt my left or my right hand, my career is over. It’s official.”
Berto was satisfied with his performance, but conceded he was not at Mayweather’s level.
“Experience played a big part in this fight,” he said. “I want to thank my entire team, my family and all of Haiti that is watching.
“I was in shape for this fight; he was just difficult to hold on to. He’s slippery. I used a lot of speed but he’s real crafty. He was using little things to get me off my rhythm.
“A guy like me has a lot of pride. I told him that every time I caught him with a good shot that I was here to stay.  I put on a great performance, pushed him to the limit. But, we fell short.”
In the second of two world title fights on the pay-per-view undercard, Roman “Rocky” Martinez (29-2-3, 17 KOs) retained his WBO Junior Lightweight title with a thrilling 12-round majority draw in a rematch against four-time world champion Orlando “Siri” Salido(42-13-3, 29 KOs).
Picking up where they left off when they fought in a Fight of the Year candidate last April, won by Martinez, both fighters exchanged punches for 36 minutes of ferocious action. Each went down in the third round. At the end of a slugfest, in which more than 1,700 punches were thrown, one judge scored it for Martinez (115-113), one had Salido (115-113) in front and the other called it even (114-114).
Both Martinez and Salido thought they should have got the decision and are in favor of a third fight.
“I definitely won the fight,” said Martinez, who was making the first defense in his third stint as WBO Junior Lightweight World Champion. “They counted a knockdown that wasn’t really a knockdown.
“He threw a lot of punches but most of them didn’t connect, they landed on my arms. Anywhere you want that third fight between us, I will take it.”
Said Salido, a two-time featherweight world champion who was the aggressor throughout and delivered more than 1,000 punches, “I did all the work and I thought I won the fight. I thought the first couple of rounds were even but then I took control of the fight afterwards.
“I was definitely looking for the championship. As you all saw I threw more of the punches and I thought I won the fight.
“I dedicated so much for this fight, for them to take it away from me is not fair. Definitely, I am ready for a third fight.”
In another world title fight, Badou Jack “The Ripper” (20-1-1, 12 KOs) successfully defended his WBC Super Middleweight World title with a hard-fought, crowd-pleasing 12-round majority decision over mandatory challenger “Saint” George Groves (21-3, 16 KOs). Jack, who dropped Groves late in the first round, triumphed by the scores of 116-111, 115-112 and 113-114. The hard-luck Groves, who abruptly fled the ring in disbelief after the announcement, fell to 0-3 in world title fights.
Jack was impressive in what may have been his toughest fight to date.
“Groves has a lot of heart,” said Jack, who was making the initial defense of the WBC belt he took from Anthony Dirrell in April.
“Body work is becoming my signature. I wasn’t effective enough because I couldn’t knock him out. I felt like after the first round I could but I just couldn’t. I didn’t go to the body enough.
“I haven’t thought about my next fight yet, but there’s a lot of big fights for me. I heard Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. wants to fight me. I want to enjoy this win but I will fight anyone.”
The victory was Jack’s fourth in a row since suffering the lone loss of his career on a shocking first-round knockout loss to Derek Edwards in February 2014.
Groves, whose only other losses were in back-to-back fights against then-world championCarl Froch, didn’t dispute the knockdown but had a problem with the decision.
“I thought I won the fight decisively,” he said. “I thought I controlled the fight with my jab and that I was in control throughout, though, it appeared closer to the judges.
“It was a legit knockdown in the first round. He landed the right hand over the top, but I have good fitness and I thought I got back in control of that round. But all credit to him though scoring the knockdown in the first round.
“Congrats to Badou. I hope he has a successful reign as champion. I’d love to fight him again and hopefully I will do better next time. I am going to take some time to work out what’s next. Losing a world title fight is the worst feeling in the world.”
Puerto Rico’s Jonathan “Polvo” Oquendo (26-4, 16 KOs) overcame a first-round knockdown, scored a knockdown of his own and upset former two-division world championJhonny Gonzalez (58-10, 49 KOs).  Oquendo won a 10-round majority decision in a good action fight that opened the pay-per-view telecast. Oquendo won the biggest bout of his career by the scores of 95-93, an out-of-line 98-90 and 94-94.
For Oquendo, the victory in his sixth appearance at MGM Grand Garden Arena was the 12th in his last 14 fights.
“I feel very happy,” said Oquendo, who was dropped by a left hook with about one minute left in the first. “Jhonny Gonzalez is a great champion. I knew I had to throw a lot of punches and work to get inside to get the victory. I was able to implement that game plan tonight.”
Gonzalez, a former two-time WBC featherweight and WBO Bantamweight World Champion, was displeased with the scoring as well as all the unintentional headbutts. He was dropped by a straight right hand at about the 2:00 mark of the second.
“The judges favored him too much,” Gonzalez said. “He kept head butting me. It just didn’t go well. As soon as he knocked me down, nothing happened. I just got right back up.”
In a fight Saturday that aired during “COUNTDOWN LIVE” on SHOWTIME before the pay-per-view telecast, longtime junior middleweight contender Vanes Martirosyan (36-2-1, 21 KOs), of Glendale, Calif., scored two knockdowns en route to winning a 10-round majority decision over former IBF 154-pound champion Ishe Smith (27-8, 12 KOs) of Las Vegas, by the scores of 97-91 twice and 95-95.
“I feel awesome.  I worked hard and it paid off.  I hadn’t seen my family in 10 weeks.  I was in training in the Bay Area,” Martirosyan said. “Ishe was eating 100 jabs a round.  I knew he was a Mayweather fighter and I was going into the fight already down five rounds.
“I knew I had to win. My corner told me to go in and have fun, but I wanted to knock him out.
“I knew as soon as I landed the first knockdown that I had to keep going. I didn’t think he would get up from the second knockdown. He had never been dropped before. He has fought a lot of great fighters and I dropped him twice.”
Smith, the first native Las Vegan to capture a world title, felt the fight was much tighter.
“The first knockdown wasn’t serious. He just caught me in the back of the head. The second one was legit, but I got up ready to come back at him,” Smith said.
“Six points is ridiculous. I thought it was closer to 95-95 or 95-94. I just thought it was a lot closer than those two judges, and my corner kept telling it was real close. But we expected a tough fight out of (Martirosyan). He’s long, rangy and a good puncher, but that’s why I wanted to get inside and fight him there.
“I just fought a hell of a fight against the No. 3-ranked fighter in our division. I have a lot left. I’m pushing these guys to the limit. I take nothing away from him. He’s one of the best in the world and I’m a former world champion. We gave the fans a great fight tonight and I’ll be back again soon.”
Also on “COUNTDOWN LIVE,” promising unbeaten lightweight Gervonta Davis of Baltimore improved to 12-0 with 11 knockouts by registering a 1:34, first-round TKO overRecky Dulay (8-2, 5 KOs), of Manila, Philippines.
# # #
“HIGH STAKES: Mayweather vs. Berto,” a 12-round welterweight world championship bout for Mayweather’s WBC and WBA 147-pound titles, was promoted by Mayweather Promotions LLC.  The event took place Saturday, September 12 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas and was televised by SHOWTIME PPV.  The undercard featured a WBO Junior Lightweight World Championship fight, which was a rematch between Roman Martinez and Orlando Salido.  Also featured on the PPV telecast was a WBC Super Middleweight title bout between Badou Jack and George Groves, which was promoted in association with Team Sauerland. The opening PPV bout pitted former world champion Jhonny Gonzalez against Puerto Rico’s Jonathan Oquendo in a 10-round super featherweight bout. SHOWTIME “Countdown Live” included a 10-round super welterweight showdown between Ishe Smith and Vanes Martirosyan.
For more information visit www.mayweatherpromotions.com, www.SHO.com/Sports andwww.mgmgrand.com and follow on Twitter at @floydmayweather, @AndreBerto, @BadouJack, @StGeorgeGroves, @Romancito77, @siri_salido, @jhonnygbox, @JonathanOquen @mayweatherpromo, @SHOSports and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FloydMayweather,www.Facebook.com/TheRealAndreBerto,www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions and www.facebook.com/SHOsports.
boxing, Showtime Boxing

HIGH STAKES: MAYWEATHER VS. BERTO FINAL UNDERCARD PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES AND PHOTOS AT MGM GRAND IN LAS VEGAS

Leave a comment
 
This Saturday, September 12 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT
Live on SHOWTIME PPV®
 
Click HERE For Photos From Esther Lin/SHOWTIME®
Click HERE For Photos From Idris Erba/Mayweather Promotions
LAS VEGAS, Nev.  (Sept. 10, 2015) – The fighters who will appear on the stacked, action-packed “HIGH STAKES: Mayweather vs. Berto” undercard this Saturday, September 12 live onSHOWTIME PPV(8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT) from the MGM Grand Garden Arena took part in their final press conference Thursday at MGM Grand.
In the three pay-per-view fights preceding Saturday’s main event between Floyd “Money”Mayweather (48-0, 26 KOs) and Andre Berto (30-3, 23 KOs), Roman “Rocky” Martinez (29-2-2, 17 KOs) will defend his WBO Junior Lightweight Title in a rematch against four-time world championOrlando “Siri” Salido (42-13-2, 29 KOs), Badou Jack “The Ripper” (19-1-1, 12 KOs) will make the first defense of his WBC Super Middleweight World Title against mandatory challenger “Saint” George Groves (21-2, 16 KOs) and former three-time world champion and Mexican power-puncherJhonny Gonzalez (58-9, 49 KOs) will be opposed by Puerto Rico’s Jonathan “Polvo” Oquendo(25-4, 16 KOs) in a 10-round 130-pound match.
Former IBF World Champion Ishe “Sugar Shay” Smith (27-7, 12 KOs) and longtime top-10 contender Vanes Martirosyan (35-2-1, 21 KOs), who will clash in a scheduled 10-round junior middleweight fight during  “COUNTDOWN LIVE: Mayweather vs. Berto” telecast live on SHOWTIME® (6:30 p.m./3:30 p.m. PT), were also in attendance.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Mayweather Promotions LLC. are priced at $1,500, $1,000, $750, $500, $300 and $150 and are on sale now. Tickets are limited to eight (8) per household for all ticket prices except the $150 ticket category, which is limited to four (4) per household. To charge by phone or with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also are available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.
Here is what the fighters had to say Thursday:
 
ROMAN MARTINEZ
“I understand that Salido is a strong fighter. We know each other well. That is why we trained very hard for this fight, even harder than for our first. I look forward to gaining this victory for all of Puerto Rico.
“The exposure for this fight is amazing; the entire world is going to be watching. We are so accustomed to each other and we understand that we have to put forth a tremendous performance on a card of this magnitude.
“I want to continue to be a world champion for all of Puerto Rico. I’m in peak condition and I’m ready to get the win.
“Salido can say whatever he wants. I know him and I was able to knock him down in the first fight. I’m confident I can go finish him.
“I understand why this fight is happening. Who wouldn’t want to see us go at it again? But I thought I clearly won the first time, and I am confident I will win again on Saturday.”
 
ORLANDO SALIDO
“You saw what happened the last time we fought. You know this is going to be a spectacular matchup. I know Rocky very well and I know he is a smart fighter. Last time I got out of my game plan. This fight, I’m focused and looking forward to a great fight.
“I’m a better fighter than he is. I know that Martinez is going to run, but I’m in great condition to seek him and get the victory.
“It’s about getting on the inside for me. Martinez is an intelligent fighter and he knows how to use his reach. If I can get inside his chest and attack the body I will get the win.
“It’s going to be the best fight of the night. We’re going to exchange blows and pick up where we left off. I’m treating this like it is the biggest fight of my career and I can’t wait to demonstrate my skills one more time.”
 
BADOU JACK
“I’m very excited for this fight. We had a tremendous camp. We’re ready to go. I don’t talk much. I’m all about fighting.
“Groves is absolutely not in my head. I’m focused and mentally strong on my task at hand. I won my biggest fight that I’ve had up to date, he didn’t. He has had two shots at the title and has lost them both.
“Groves got famous for getting knocked out by Carl Froch. He’s a good fighter, but I’m very comfortable that I’m going to beat him.
“I just stay focused on what I have to do. No one is getting under my skin.
“I’ve always believed in myself. Things happen in boxing. I worked hard and that’s how I got to this moment.
“I’ve always been the underdog in my opinion. I like it. It motivates me. I’m going to prove my worthSaturday night.”
 
GEORGE GROVES
“It’s great to be here. I’m happy to have my shot at the title. We’re ready. I’ve been traveling to Vegas to box since I was 13-years-old. Year after year I’ve always been successful out here, always with knockouts.
“British boxers have been doing well in the ring as of late, but there is no extra pressure or incentive.  We’re very prepared. We know what we need to know about Jack. We wish him luck, because he’s going to need it.
“It’s a huge fight for me with the title on the line. I’ve been involved with higher competition but I haven’t taken my eye off of Badou Jack. We’re looking forward to a good win on Saturday.
“Training up in Big Bear was great. The first week I realized the difference in the heat and altitude. But mostly I love being isolated. Out here it’s peace, I’m purely in camp. No other distractions.
“I’m confident of winning. I’m always confident of winning. The best way to describe this fight is that Badou Jack is a good fighter, but I’m a better fighter. I’m better than him at every phase of the game.
 
JHONNY GONZALEZ
“This is my second fight at 130 pounds and I feel much more comfortable, stronger, confident and secure than I did at 126.
“It is tremendous to be on this fight card. This is going to be a terrific fight. I’ve trained hard and I’m ready to go on Saturday. The reality is, this is the type of fight that can bring me a step closer to in another world title.”
 
JONATHAN OQUENDO
“The main key, whether I box or slug, is to fight smart.  I’m very excited for this opportunity. It means a lot to me to be on a card of this magnitude. I’m excited to weigh in tomorrow.
“When you have Mexico vs. Puerto Rico, you get a war. I have no doubt there will be blood in the ring. Jhonny Gonzalez is very experienced and was a great champion, and I thank him for taking this fight. I look forward to getting in the ring Saturday.”
 
ISHE SMITH
“When I fought Cornelius Bundrage for the title, I knew I had to win. I had a lot of pressure on me. There was no doubt I had to win. It’s the same thing now. Vanes is a good fighter, but I have to win. I’ve had to bring myself up from the bottom.
“All of the other promoters gave up on me, but Leonard Ellerbe and Floyd took a chance on me and I’ll always be grateful.
“Vanes is a good fighter. It’s going to be a hell of a fight. I have to win. I have no choice. “
 VANES MARTIROSYAN
“Ishe is a good fighter. He’s been in with a lot of tough guys. I have a lot of respect for him. It’s going to be a really good fight.
“It’s a blessing to be here. I had a really good camp and I’m excited that the fight is here. It’s great to be a part of a show like this.
“I can’t wait for this fight. You’re all going to see ‘The Nightmare’ on Saturday night.”
# # #
“HIGH STAKES: Mayweather vs. Berto,” a 12-round world championship bout for Mayweather’s WBC and WBA Welterweight World Titles takes place Saturday, Sept. 12 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas and is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and sponsored by Tecate. The event will be produced and distributed live by SHOWTIME PPV® (8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT). The co-main event will feature a rematch between Roman Martinez and Orlando Salido for the WBO Junior Lightweight World Title.  The Martinez vs. Salido fight will follow Mayweather Promotions’ own Badou Jack “The Ripper” making his first defense of the WBC Super Middleweight World title against mandatory challenger “Saint” George Groves. The Jack vs. Groves fight is presented in association with Team Sauerland. The first pay-per-view televised fight is a 10-round super featherweight showdown featuring Mexican power puncher Jhonny Gonzalez against Puerto Rico’s Jonathan Oquendo. The event will be available in Spanish through secondary audio programming (SAP).
Mayweather vs. Berto will be shown on the big screen in theaters across the country via Fathom Events. For more information visit www.FathomEvents.com
For more information visit www.mayweatherpromotions.com, www.SHO.com/Sports andwww.mgmgrand.com and follow on Twitter at @floydmayweather, @AndreBerto, @BadouJack, @StGeorgeGroves, @Romancito77, @siri_salido, @jhonnygbox, @JonathanOquen @mayweatherpromo, @SHOSports and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/FloydMayweather,www.Facebook.com/TheRealAndreBerto,www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions and www.facebook.com/SHOsports.
boxing, Showtime Boxing

FLOYD MAYWEATHER AND ANDRE BERTO FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES AND PHOTOS AT MGM GRAND IN LAS VEGAS

Leave a comment
 
“HIGH STAKES: MAYWEATHER VS. BERTO”
This Saturday, Sept. 12, Live on SHOWTIME PPV®
 
Click HERE For Photos From Idris Erba/Mayweather Promotions
 
Click HERE For Photos From Esther Lin/SHOWTIME
LAS VEGAS (Sept. 9, 2015) – Floyd Mayweather and Andre Berto participatedin the finalpress conference for”HIGH STAKES: Mayweather vs. Berto” on Wednesday at the David Copperfield Theatre at the MGM Grand ahead of their major showdown taking place thisSaturday, Sept. 12 live on SHOWTIME PPV(8 p.m. E/5 p.m. PT) from the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
In what is expected to be the final fight of his illustrious 19-year career, boxing superstar and pound-for-pound king Mayweather (48-0, 26 KOs) will put his undefeated record and WBC and WBA Welterweight World Championships on the line when he faces power-punching, two-time welterweight world champion Berto (30-3, 23 KOs). Three days before they meet in the ring, the two fighters and their camps were business-like and confident as they took their turns at the podium.
Here is what the fighters and executives had to say Wednesday:
 
FLOYD MAYWEATHER
“We’ve been here so many times. I know talking doesn’t win fights. I know trainers don’t win fights. It comes down to the two competitors. I’m always prepared, physically and mentally. We have a remarkable game plan.
“I want to thank everyone that has covered this event and my career over 19 years. Whether it was a good story or a bad story, you guys wrote about me and kept me relevant. That’s how I was able to do record breaking numbers.
“Training camp was unbelievable, like always. I was asked if I’d be able to get in top condition after the Pacquaio fight and I absolutely did. No matter who I chose, the critics would have something to say.
“I know what it takes for a fight at this magnitude. No matter what anyone says, it comes down to the two competitors and I know what I can do. One thing I can do, I can fight.
“When we talk about landing the highest percentage, I’m that guy. When we talk about doing the highest gate or PPV, I’m that guy.
“I can’t say I’m going out 49-0 because you can’t overlook anyone.
“Every fight played a major key. It’s not just the intelligence; it’s the sharp mind, the good chin, the tremendous heart. I never overlooked an opponent. I trained for every fighter the same way, by pushing myself. I believe in my skills and I believe in my talent. I’ve been in there with the best, and the results are always the same.
“You have fighters that may be faster than me, there are fighters that may hit harder than me, you have fighters who are very athletic, but you don’t have a fighter who can make adjustments like me. You don’t have fighters that can be on my level mentally.
“It’s never personal for me, it’s always business. Everyone fights for what they fight for. My thing is this; I keep my eyes on the prize. I don’t focus on things outside the ring. I focus on the guy in front of me.
“You get to where you get to by staying focused. My dream was to be the best. No matter what happens Saturday, when it comes to boxing, I’m the best at this.
“Some guys wanted to rush me, well what’s plan B? Pacquiao could set traps for other fighters, but he couldn’t set traps for Floyd Mayweather. You need a plan A, a plan B and a plan C. I’ve never beaten a fighter with my plan A.
“Berto you’ve had a hell of a career. You’re a tough fighter and competitor. It’s obvious you’ve done something right. My thing is, just put guys in front of me, and we’ll rate him after they face me.
“To be in the sport of boxing and make upwards of $800 million, my team has done their job. I’ve never focused on things on the outside. I’ve never put anything before boxing. At 4:30 in the morning when my opponent is sleeping, I’m working. I don’t want to leave anything in this sport.
“No fighter in history has been in bigger fights than me. No fighter in history has beat more champions than I’ve beat. But it’s not over yet. I’m going to push myself.  I can go to places where no fighter can go mentally.
“The sport of boxing needs this. Berto is a tough, young, hungry fighter and that’s what we need to bring the best out of us. I’m going to come forward and be Floyd Mayweather. Trainers and fighters try to find ways to throw fighters off, but I know what to do when it’s all said and done.
“I want my legacy to be of a remarkable fighter inside the ring and a great businessman outside of it.
“We’re going for the knockout. I’m pretty sure he’s going for the knockout. It’s going to be something special.”
ANDRE BERTO
“It’s funny, when it comes to the media and critics. They’re not in that gym working and knowing the feeling of being a fighter. They don’t know the miles we run and the sacrifices that we have to make to become a world champion or come up to this level of fight.
“This camp has been intense. It has definitely taken me up to levels that I’ve never achieved. We’ve left no stone unturned, I’ve busted my ass for the last couple months.
“Anybody that steps in the ring, I have to respect. When it’s time to fight, I’m coming for my respect. Saturday night is going to be a good one I promise you.
“I’ve given my whole life to this sport. I’ve come in and I’ve entertained the people. That’s what I do. That’s why I came into this game. I’ve been counted out from day one coming from where I come from.
“I’m just coming for my respect. I’m coming for everything that I deserve.
“At the end of the day, I have to be able to take my game to a whole other level. Sometimes you need that opponent to get you to that point, and Floyd is the one.
“He has a great IQ, but one shot can change it all.
“You can be smart, you can be fast, but this is boxing.
“Floyd is sharp of course, but I have certain tools that I believe will make it a real difficult Saturday night. We’re going for the knockout. You definitely don’t want to miss it.
“This is huge for Haiti. The country of Haiti is just elated right now and Saturday night they will definitely be in the building. Saturday night will be historical for the country. This is the first time that an individual has been on this level to represent the country.
FLOYD MAYWEATHER SR., Mayweather’s Father & Trainer
“I see a real fight on Saturday. Don’t get me wrong because I don’t know what’s going on but I really think Floyd is coming to fight.
“I know Berto’s coming to fight. One thing I’ve seen from Berto is that he has no defense – and he’s messing with a defensive whiz.
“I definitely think Floyd will trap him somewhere along the way.
“Floyd respects Berto and is not overlooking him, but he might just stop him, it’s very possible.”
VIRGIL HUNTER, Berto’s Trainer
“There are some things that a lot of people don’t understand. When you have two guys who were born in situations where they try to prove who the king of the school is, you get some real fights.
“I think about Joe Frazier in the “Thrilla in Manila”, when people thought he was done, but he fought over his head. Does Andre Berto have that capability? Yes, of course he does. We see it all the time in sports. There are nights when it just happens. Andre Berto is going to take it over his head and that’s what he intends to do and what he has to do.
“We can’t match his IQ, but there are other elements that make a successful fight. There is something brewing in the air. I’ve been around a long time and I know when something is personal. You better tell your people to tune-in for this fight. Trust me; it’s going to be a rumble.
“I’ve seen Floyd’s Plan B. I’ve seen him go to war. I’ve seen him rumble with guys bigger than him. I’m not going to be swayed by his skill. This fight is going to be fought from way deep down.”
LEONARD ELLERBE, CEO of Mayweather Promotions
“We are thrilled that this fight night will be filled with high stakes matchups all night. We have a tremendous fight card. Of course, the main event has the highest stakes of them all as Andre Berto will be taking on the undefeated Floyd Mayweather.”
STEPHEN ESPINOZA, Executive Vice President and General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports
 “Six fights in 30 months. Floyd, they said you wouldn’t do it, they said you couldn’t do it and once again you proved them wrong. The first five fights yielded nearly 10 million PPV buys, $750 million in PPV receipts and it’s all led here to fight number six, fight number 49.
“19 years undefeated, 17 consecutive years as world champion, 16 consecutive opponents who are former or current champions. On Saturday night none of that matters. Andre Berto isn’t fighting a legacy or a record book or history, he’s fighting a man, and men can lose.
“The conventional wisdom is that Floyd is going to win this fight, but conventional wisdom said that the first Maidana fight would be easy for Floyd. It said Canelo would be Floyd’s toughest challenger and it said Pacquiao could beat Mayweather. It didn’t account for Hasim Rahman or Buster Douglas and it certainly won’t account for Andre Berto’s heart or desire to rewrite boxing history on Saturday night.
“Like you, I don’t know what will happen on Saturday night. I do know that Berto is more athletic than any fighter Floyd has fought recently. One thing I do know, it’s not going to be boring. When you have fighters like our entire PPV card has, it’s a night not to be missed.”
RICHARD STURM, President of Entertainment & Sports for MGM Resorts International
“We’re thrilled to be a part of this championship fight between Mayweather and Berto that will kick off a sensational fall lineup of entertainment at MGM. We all look forward to history as Floyd looks to end his career at 49-0 and equal the record of Rocky Marciano that has stood since September 1955.
“We are pleased to welcome back Andre Berto. Berto will take on one of the sport’s greatest champions and there is no doubt he will be prepared for the challenge.”
BOB BENNETT, President of the Nevada State Athletic Comission
“There is no doubt that any commission in the world would be elated to have this fight, just like we are. We’re very appreciative of Floyd Mayweather for having this show in our backyard. The NSAC actually commissioned Floyd’s first fight 19 years ago and to date we have regulated 25 out of 49 of Floyd’s fights come this Saturday night when he tries to tie Rocky Marciano’s record.
“It’s been our honor and privilege to regulate these fights. Our officials spend a lot of time in training and we’re ready to go to work come Saturday night.”
*          *          *
“HIGH STAKES: Mayweather vs. Berto,” a 12-round world championship bout for Mayweather’s WBC and WBA Welterweight World Titles takes place Saturday, Sept. 12 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas and is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and sponsored by Tecate. The event will be produced and distributed live by SHOWTIME PPV® (8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT). The co-main event will feature a rematch between Roman Martinez and Orlando Salido for the WBO Junior Lightweight World Title.  The Martinez vs. Salido fight will follow Mayweather Promotions’ own Badou Jack “The Ripper” making his first defense of the WBC Super Middleweight World title against mandatory challenger “Saint” George Groves.The Jack vs. Groves fight is presented in association with Team Sauerland. The first pay-per-view televised fight is a 10-round super featherweight showdown featuring Mexican power puncherJhonny Gonzalez against Puerto Rico’s Jonathan Oquendo. The event will be available in Spanish through secondary audio programming (SAP).
Mayweather vs. Berto will be shown on the big screen in theaters across the country via Fathom Events. For more information visit www.FathomEvents.com
For more information visit www.mayweatherpromotions.com, www.SHO.com/Sports andwww.mgmgrand.com and follow on Twitter at @floydmayweather, @AndreBerto, @BadouJack, @StGeorgeGroves, @Romancito77, @siri_salido, @jhonnygbox, @JonathanOquen @mayweatherpromo, @SHOSports and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/FloydMayweather,www.Facebook.com/TheRealAndreBerto,www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions and www.facebook.com/SHOsports.
boxing, Showtime Boxing

MAYWEATHER PROMOTIONS STARS CHRIS PEARSON, RONALD GAVRIL, GERVONTA DAVIS & ASHLEY THEOPHANE FEATURED IN UNDERCARD ACTION ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 FROM THE MGM GRAND GARDEN ARENA

Leave a comment
 
Exciting Fights Precede HIGH STAKES: Floyd Mayweather vs. Andre Berto
Live on SHOWTIME PPV® at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT
 
LAS VEGAS (September 8, 2015) – Exciting stars from the Mayweather Promotions stable of fighters will fill out the action-packed day of undercard bouts on Saturday, September 12 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena preceding the SHOWTIME PPV event HIGH STAKES: Floyd Mayweather vs. Andre Berto.
Featured undercard action pits Chris “Young King” Pearson (12-0, 9 KOs) against Janks Trotter (9-1-1, 9 KOs) in a 10-round middleweight bout, Ronald “The Thrill” Gavril (13-1, 9 KOs) as he takes on Scott “Cujo” Sigmon (25-7-1, 14 KOs) in 10-rounds of super middleweight action and Ashley “Treasure” Theophane who will face Steve Upsher (25-4-1, 6 KOs) in a 10-round junior welterweight attraction.
Further action will see undefeated 20-year-old prospect Gervonta Davis (11-0, 10 KOs) out of Baltimore taking on 23-year-old Mexican Guillermo Avila (14-4, 11 KOs) in an eight-round lightweight affair and the pro debut of Atlanta’s Trakwon Pettis against 22-year-old Devante Seay (0-0-1) of Martinsville, Virginia in a four-round super lightweight showdown.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Mayweather Promotions LLC., are priced at $1,500, $1,000, $750, $500, $300 and $150 and are on sale now. Tickets are limited to eight (8) per household for all ticket prices except the $150 ticket category, which is limited to four (4) per household. To charge by phone or with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also are available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.comor www.ticketmaster.com.
Born in Dayton, Ohio, Pearson has impressed with strong victories over Steve Martinez, Said El Harrak, Lanardo Tyner and previously unbeaten Acacio Joao Ferreira in his last four fights. The 24-year-old looks to further prove his contender status when he takes on the powerful Trotter out of Alberta, Canada. The 31-year-old is coming off of back-to-back knockout victories in 2014.
A power-punching Romanian fighting out of Las Vegas, Gavril returns to the ring looking for his third straight victory. He scored decision victories in his last two bouts over Jessie Nicklow and Oscar Riojas and also owns knockout victories over Jose Berrio, Thomas Falowo and Tyrell Hendrix. The 29-year-old will square-off against Lynchburg, Virginia’s Simon on September 12. The 28-year-old is coming off of a June stoppage of Jonathan Reid.
An experienced contender from London but fighting out of Las Vegas, Theophane is looking to build on his current five-fight win streak when he enters the ring on September 12. The 35-year-old has been in the ring with many 140 and 147-pound contenders including Danny Garcia and Pablo Cesar Cano, losing by narrow split-decision to both. He started his 2015 campaign with a victory over Mahonri Montes in April. He shares the ring with the 30-year-old Upsher who has challenged former world champions Andre Berto and Luis Collazo throughout his career. Fighting out of Philadelphia, he most recently defeated Alejandro Rodriguez in May and owns a victory over previously unbeaten Bayan Jargal.
# # #
“HIGH STAKES: Mayweather vs. Berto,” a 12-round welterweight world championship bout for Mayweather’s WBC and WBA 147-pound titles, is promoted by Mayweather Promotions LLC.  The event will take place Saturday, September 12 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas and will be televised by SHOWTIME PPV.  The undercard features a WBO Junior Lightweight World Championship fight, which is a rematch between Roman Martinez and Orlando Salido.  Also featured on the PPV telecast will be a WBC Super Middleweight title bout between Badou Jack and George Groves, which is promoted in association with Team Sauerland. The opening PPV bout pits former world champion Jhonny Gonzalez against Puerto Rico’s Jonathan Oquendo in a 10-round super featherweight bout. SHOWTIME “Countdown Live” begins 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT with a 10-round super welterweight showdown between Ishe Smith and Vanes Martirosyan.
For more information visit www.mayweatherpromotions.com, www.SHO.com/Sports andwww.mgmgrand.com and follow on Twitter at @floydmayweather, @AndreBerto, @BadouJack, @StGeorgeGroves, @Romancito77, @siri_salido, @jhonnygbox, @JonathanOquen @mayweatherpromo, @SHOSports and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FloydMayweather,www.Facebook.com/TheRealAndreBerto,www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions and www.facebook.com/SHOsports.
boxing, Showtime Boxing

FLOYD MAYWEATHER MEDIA CONFERENCE CALL TRANSCRIPT

Leave a comment
Leonard Ellerbe       
I’d like to thank everyone for calling in today to hear the one and only Floyd “Money” Mayweather. But before we get to Floyd, I’d like to introduce the Executive Vice President and General Manager of SHOWTIME, Stephen Espinoza, who’s going to make a few comments.
Stephen Espinoza    
Thanks very much Leonard. As most of you know, Episode 1 of ALL ACCESS “Mayweather vs. Berto” premiered last Friday. We had tremendous viewership numbers on the network for the premiere night. In fact, premiere night viewing of that episode was on par with the viewership for the premiere of “Inside Mayweather vs Pacquiao.”
So we’re very happy with the amount of attention that that ALL ACCESS is generating. If you haven’t seen it, it is available just on the SHOWTIME website, on the YouTube channel, and of course repeated across the network many times.
Episode 2 of ALL ACCESS “Mayweather vs. Berto” will air this Friday at 10:35 p.m. ET with a third episode premiering on Friday immediately preceding the weigh-in.
As we get into fight week, as usual SHOWTIME and CBS are supporting this fight across all platforms. We’ll be offering live streams of virtually every fight week event including both the press conferences for both the main event and the undercard, the weigh-in and Countdown Live on Saturday immediately preceding the pay-per-view which will include a live fight between Ishe Smith and Vanes Martirosyan.
SHOWTIME and CBS Sports Network are also airing classic fights from Floyd’s career, from Andre Berto, and the undercard fighters including might be the Fight of the Year this year, the first bout between Rocky Martinez and Orlando Salido. That’s available on SHOWTIME on Demand and CBS Sports Network. Leonard, take it away.
L. Ellerbe      
Okay thank you Stephen for those comments. We’re going to cut straight to the chase. I’d like to introduce none other than 12-time world champion, five different weight classes, Floyd “Money” Mayweather.
Floyd Mayweather
Hey everybody. Thank you Leonard. Thank you Kelly. Thank you Steve. Thanks everybody that’s on the line. I appreciate you guys covering me throughout the years. Let’s get on with the call.
Q
What are your thoughts on the athletes like Serena Williams in her pursuit of her record path as well as you on September 12?
F. Mayweather
I’m very pleased with Serena Williams. They say records are made to be broken. I’m just very proud of her and what she’s done during her career. She’s done some amazing things in her career. It’s just marvelous what she did. I’m behind her 100%. If she stays focused she can continue to break records.
Q
Both you and Serena are deep into your thirties, what does that say for the level of dedication that both of you guys have shown to your craft?
F. Mayweather         
Genetics. I think that the older you get, the harder you have to work. That’s what I’ve done. The older I get, the harder I work.
Q
Would you ever consider the winner of the Canelo-Cotto fight as your 50th opponent – as your 50th fight rather?
F. Mayweather
Are you just getting into the Floyd Mayweather business? You should know what I’ve done to Canelo, Pacquiao, and Cotto. So I’m through with them, why would I fight them in my 50th fight?
Q
I heard you just say, “Why would I fight one of them in my 50th fight?” which seems to sound like you think there will be a 50th fight. Are you having a change of heart on your retirement plans?
F. Mayweather
No. 49 is my last fight. Before you go on with a question, I want to thank you for a positive article that you wrote that someone brought to me.
Q        
Thank you. Are you having second thoughts because of your previous comment about there possibly being a 50th fight?
L. Ellerbe      
Like I’ve said and Floyd has said a number of times, this will be his last fight. Why can’t a man go out when he’s had an illustrious career, accomplished everything that he needs to accomplish and be done? And he’s done it his way.
Q
Are there any other things that you have in mind that you’d like to do in retirement?
F. Mayweather
Well we’ve got The Money Team music group. I’ve also been working for years on concert promotions. The Mayweather Music Group, we have several different artists that we’re working with.
We’ve got the Bad Medina makeup line. She is working on four or five different clothing stores. She already has one. She’s got the “Bad” Medina makeup line. We’re also working on my shoe line. Also watching my kids go through college. I think their school is very important.
Q
Do you think that you’ll get that itch to come back like the last time you retired and you’ll want to do it again? Is that something that you leave open the possibility of?
F. Mayweather
No I’m going to just push the limit for this fight and see what I can accomplish.
L. Ellerbe      
Let me touch on this.  Just over the last week I received three major movie offers. So we fully expect that Floyd could be heavily involved in the entertainment industry because this is what he does. As I said, I know for a fact that with the significant entertainment offers coming our way that it’s definitely something that is going to occupy a lot of his time.
Do you understand why that there are people that can’t imagine why you would leave the sport at the top of the game?
F. Mayweather
Well no one is in my shoes. My health is more important. If you stick around anything too long, anything can happen. I’m not really worried about losing, but I want to have a sharp mind. You can make a lot of money, but you still want to be able to talk, walk, and have a sharp mind.
Q
What do you think you’ll miss about boxing after you retire?
F. Mayweather
Really I’m still in the sport. I’ve got so many fighters, so there’s nothing that I’m going to really miss about the sport. I have fighters that I’m working with on a daily basis. There’s still going to be the next world champions coming from Mayweather Promotions. We got a lot of fighters. I think J’Leon Love is up next. So we’ll just see how everything plays out.
Q
Which of your opponents most resembles Berto, anyone you fought before?
F. Mayweather
I’m really not sure. After the fight is over you can ask me that question and then I can kind of enlighten you and let you know.
Q
Is there any one thing that you consider the greatest accomplishment of your career?
F. Mayweather
I think every fight played a major key. All 48 fights played a major key. Every fight, number 49 is extremely important also. Every fight was important in playing a major key in my career. One more though, my career’s not over it. You can never overlook anyone.
Q
Do you have any regrets from your career?
F. Mayweather
I regret not having Al Haymon from the beginning.
Q
Did anyone approach you about being the first to christen the new MGM Arena?
L. Ellerbe      
As always there’s a lot of speculation out there and I just want to clear that up. We have not been approached by MGM about anything as it relates to the opening of the arena. As I’ve said a number of times this will be Floyd’s last fight. MGM has significant plans with their opening of their arena and we have a great relationship with them and I’m sure whatever they come up with, it will turn out great.
Q
Is being an actor in some motion pictures something that you’d want to get into?
F. Mayweather
I’ve been approached on numerous occasions. But I’d rather be behind the scenes. I just feel like I had my time to shine in this world of boxing. But we never know what the future holds. Just keeping my fingers crossed and anything that comes my way then we’ll take full advantage of it.
Q
Are you surprised at all the criticism that your selection of Andre Berto has gotten for this fight?
F. Mayweather
I didn’t even know. All I do every day is I go to the gym, I train. I leave, I go eat, and go see shows on the strip, go to the movies, go bowling, go shopping. That’s really about it, and just being at home resting. It really don’t matter who I choose. They’re going to always criticize. That comes with the territory.
Q
Does it bother you, all the criticism that you can get about your career?
F. Mayweather
No. I don’t read it. I don’t know about it. I could care less. Nobody’s forced to watch. Watch if you want to watch. If you don’t want to watch, don’t watch. Write about it if you want to write about it. If you don’t want to write about it, don’t. I’m not saying if you write good or bad, just continue to write. Keeps me relevant.
Q
Is that another reason why you consider this your last fight? To not be criticized anymore?
L. Ellerbe
No, obviously the criticism that might be out there, that’s just negativity, people are entitled to have their opinion. What Floyd has been able to do with his career, he’s been able to do it his way. His way is being focused on what he has to do, the task at hand, and not worrying about what anybody else says.
Q
What’s the number of pay-per-view buys that would make this fight a big success for you personally?
F. Mayweather
The numbers will be what they are. Only thing I can do. I can’t say any particular number, but we’ll just have to see.
Q
How do you grade in a package this six-fight deal that you’ve done?
F. Mayweather
I just want to win and go out on top.
Q
If this is your last fight, what’s the significance of that number 49 on your way out?
F. Mayweather
Everybody and every fight played a major key and this is number 49.
Q
Do you feel like because Andre Berto has nothing to lose at the moment and everyone is counting him out, do you think that that makes him a more dangerous opponent?
F. Mayweather
Absolutely. He feels like he has nothing to lose, and I think that when you got a guy that’s put in that situation, it makes him work that much harder because he got a chance to be one of the top guys in the sport when I’m through.
It’s like they say in football, any given Sunday. I say any given Saturday, anything can happen. So I’m prepared. I’m prepared mentally and physically. I’m in top shape. I’m ready. I’m pretty sure he’s in top shape and he’s ready. But I’m not going to overlook him.
Q
Can you tell us how you’re staying focused and making sure all this other stuff doesn’t slow you down or cause you to overlook him?
F. Mayweather
I want to win just like he wants to win. I’m working out, I’m pushing myself every day. As I get older I’m working harder. Actually I think this camp I sparred a lot more, I pushed myself a lot more. This fight, I think I worked harder this fight than I did for the Pacquiao fight.
Q
Is your state of mind that this is going to be a more exciting fight for the fans because of the opponent that you chose?
F. Mayweather
Well, of course. It’s always about self-preservation, but I appreciate the fans. I do. I’m not Nostradamus but if you go look at an old interview, I talked about Pacquiao, what they were going to say, what they were going to do and how that fight was going to go.
Now you got to realize probably almost everybody on the phone chose Pacquiao. Everybody that said that throughout the years that I was a coward, I was scared, he couldn’t beat Pacquiao. They gave him this. They gave him so many accolades and he’s an all-time great.
But all these people had to eat their words. So if he’s an all-time great, then what does that make me? If they’re saying he’s the fighter of the century, what does that make me? So when they do rate me and when my fight is over, the only thing I can do is believe in myself and believe in my skills. I’m going to be The Best Ever till the day I die.
L. Ellerbe
I’d just like to thank everyone for calling in and we look forward to seeing everyone on fight week. It’s going to be an exciting week and we’re going to have a great night of fights come next Saturday night.
For more information visit www.mayweatherpromotions.com, www.SHO.com/Sports andwww.mgmgrand.com and follow on Twitter at @floydmayweather, @AndreBerto, @BadouJack, @StGeorgeGroves, @Romancito77, @sirisalido, @jhonnygbox, @JonathanOquen @mayweatherpromo, @SHOSports and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/FloydMayweather,www.Facebook.com/TheRealAndreBerto,www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions and www.facebook.com/SHOsports.
boxing, Showtime Boxing

“ALL ACCESS: MAYWEATHER vs. BERTO” EPISODE 2 CLIP:

Leave a comment

“I’m ready to hang it up and spend time with my children….Most fighters that are retired didn’t have a choice.” – Floyd Mayweather

 

“ALL ACCESS: Mayweather vs. Berto” Episode 2

Premieres Tonight at 10:35 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME®

 

Click HERE to watch, share and embed this video: http://s.sho.com/1NSUBW5

 

Floyd Mayweather has been reflective on his career and place in history as he prepares for what is expected to be his final fight next Saturday against Andre Berto.  Check out this clip from the Sports Emmy® Award-winning series ALL ACCESS to hear Floyd’s thoughts on retirement and don’t miss Episode 2 of ALL ACCESS: Mayweather vs. Berto tonight at 10:35 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME.

 

HIGH STAKES: Mayweather vs. Berto – Saturday, September 12, LIVE on SHOWTIME PPV® From MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

 

# # #

 

ABOUT “HIGH STAKES: MAYWEATHER VS. BERTO”:

“HIGH STAKES: Mayweather vs. Berto,” a 12-round world championship bout for Mayweather’s WBC and WBA Welterweight World Titles takes placeSaturday, Sept. 12 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas and is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and sponsored by Tecate. The event will be produced and distributed live by SHOWTIME PPV® (8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT). The co-main event will feature a rematch between Roman Martinez and Orlando Salido for the WBO Junior Lightweight World Title.  The Martinez vs. Salido fight will follow Mayweather Promotions’ own Badou Jack “The Ripper” making his first defense of the WBC Super Middleweight World title against mandatory challenger “Saint” George Groves. The Jack vs. Groves fight is presented in association with Team Sauerland. The first pay-per-view televised fight is a 10-round super featherweight showdown featuring Mexican power puncher Jhonny Gonzalez against Puerto Rico’s Jonathan Oquendo. The event will be available in Spanish through secondary audio programming (SAP).

 

Tickets for the live event at MGM Grand are on sale now and are priced at $150, $300, $500, $750, $1,000 and $1,500.

 

Mayweather vs. Berto will be shown on the big screen in theaters across the country via Fathom Events. For more information visit www.FathomEvents.com

 

Uncategorized

Make your picks at ThrowdownFantasy.com For Upcoming fights featuring Mayweather-Berto

Leave a comment

Draft Fighters, Track Scores & Win!
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
NEW YORK (September 4, 2015) – Boxing’s newest way to back up fight predictions, as well as to earn bragging fights and cash winnings, is to register and play Throwdown Fantasy Boxing online at www.ThrowdownFantasy.com.
The upcoming game, highlighted by the Mayweather vs. Berto pay-per-view card, features five world title fights among the 11 matches (see below) for Sept. 11-12, showcasing nine reigning or past world champions in tremendous televised match-ups from three different North American sites.
“We are very excited to have another quality group of fights for our upcoming games,” Throwdown Fantasy Boxing founder Nic Canobbio said. “It’s always exciting when Floyd Mayweather fights and now fight fans have a way of making some real ‘Money’ by putting their boxing knowledge to the test.”
There are three easy ways to play: 1.  Using the $25,000 salary cap, five fighters from the game group are selected; 2. Scoring may be tracked in real time, earning points for wins, knockouts and CompuBox statistics, 3. Scoring the most points wins. Most games last a week and each has multiple winners.
Fighters receive points based for how they perform, rewarding each style of boxing, and CompuBox fight statistics are available for research atwww.ThrowdownFantasy.com.
This weekend’s action kicks-off Friday night at Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto with the Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) series on Spike TV, headlined by a 12-round world light heavyweight title fight between defending WBC World Champion Adonis “Superman” Stevenson (26-1, 21 KOs) and upset-minded challenger Tommy “Kryptonite” Karpency (25-4-1, 14 KOs).
Also The Ring magazine and lineal 175-pound champion, Haiti-native Stevenson is a Canadian fan favorite who lives in Montreal.  Karpency, fighting out of Adah, Pennsylvania, hopes to parlay his stunning upset by decision last October of “Bad” Chad Dawson, who, ironically, Stevenson defeated in 2013 by first-round knockout to originally capture his world title belt.  In the 10-round co-feature, 2012 U.S. Olympian Errol Spence (17-0, 14 KOs) – recognized as the future of the welterweight division – faces the toughest test of his young professional career, South African invader Chris “The Heat” Van Heerden (23-1-1, 12 KOs).
On the same night at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, two-time Mexican OlympianOscar Valdez (17-0, 14 KOs) faces challenger Chris “The Hitman” Avalos (26-3, 19 KOs) in the 10-round main event.
Headlining on the live truTV broadcast, Valdez is in the latest wave of standout Mexican fighters, while Lancaster, California’s Avalos has an experience advantage having fought Chris Frampton for a world title earlier this year in a losing effort.  The 10-round co-feature showcases sons of famous former boxers as defending USBA junior middleweight champion Jesse Hart (17-0, 14 KOs), of Philadelphia, puts his crown on the line versus Aaron Pryor, Jr. (19-8-1, 12 KOs), of Cincinnati.  Hart is trained by Philly great, “Cyclone” Hart, while Pryor is the son of Hall-of-FamerAaron “Hawk Pryor.
Saturday afternoon switches to Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut with PBC on NBC.  In the 10-round main event against Australian middleweight Michael “Pretty Boy” Zerafa (17-1, 9 KOs), former WBO middleweight champion Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin (31-0-1, 22 KOs) risks a planned All-Brooklyn title fight this December against  WBA “regular” championDaniel Jacobs.
Quillin has everything to lose and Zerafa, who will be making his U.S. pro debut, is all in with nothing to lose.  Ageless IBF junior middleweight champion Cornelius “K9” Bundrage (34-5, 19 KOs), of Detroit, defends his title against favored No. 1 contender Jermall Charlo (21-0, 16 KOs), of Houston, in the 12-round co-feature.
The weekend concludes Saturday night at MGM Grand in Las Vegas with an explosive Showtime PPV card, featuring three world title fights in the four-fight Throwdown Fantasy Boxing group.
WBC and WBA super welterweight champion Floyd “Money” Mayweather, Jr. (48-0, 26 KOs) faces two-time world welterweight champion Andre Berto (30-3, 23 KOs) in the 12-round headliner, which Mayweather claims will be the last of his incredible career.
Mayweather, fighting once again at home in Las Vegas, with a victory will tie the late, great Rocky Marciano for the greatest record upon retirement.  Whether or not Mayweather will come back to break the record remains debatable, but 2004 Haitian Olympian Berto, who fights out of Winter Haven, Florida, vows to silence his many critics.
WBC super featherweight champion Roman “Rocky” Martinez (29-2-2, 17 KOs) defends his title belt in a Puerto Rico vs. Mexico rivalry fight, respectively, against the same opponent he took it from, five-time, two division world champion Orlando “Siri” Salido (42-13-2, 29 KOs) in a potential war that isn’t expected to last the full 12 rounds like their first fight did this past April.
Former IBF junior middleweight champion and Las Vegas native, Ishe “Sugar Shay” Smith (27-7, 12 KOs), and 2004 U.S. Olympian Vanes “Nightmare” Martirosyan (21-2, 16 KOs) square off in an interesting 10-round bout.  Smith starred in the original The Contenders reality television show, while the Armenian-born, Glendale, California resident Martirosyan is a past world title challenger.
Rounding out this week’s Game Group fights is a 10-round super featherweight throwdown between three-time, two-division world champion Jhonny Gonzalez (58-9, 49 KOs), the Mexican knockout artist, and Puerto Rican Jonathan “Polvo” Oquendo (25-4, 16 KOs) in another powerful ethnic rivalry match up.
 
 (respective salary amount listed in parenthesis)
Adonis Stevenson ($6,000)                       vs.               Tommy Karpency ($3,900)
Errol Spence ($5,300)                                                 Chris Van Heerden ($4,600)
Oscar Valdez ($5,500)                                                          Chris Avalos ($4,300)
Jesse Hart ($6,000)                                                          Aaron Pryor, Jr. ($3,800)
Floyd Mayweather, Jr. ($5,900)                                             Andre Berto ( $4,100)
Roman Martinez ($5,000)                                                   Orlando Salito ($4,600)
Ishe Smith ($4,500)                                                     Vanes Martirosyan ($4,800)
Badou Jack ($4,900)                                                         George Groves ($4,800)
Jhonny Gonzalez ($4,900)                                          Jonathan Oquendo ($4,300)
Peter Quillin ($5,100)                                                         Michael Zerafa ($4,500)
Cornelius Bundrage ($4,600)                                             Jermall Charlo ($5,300)
New players who sign up now receive FREE entry into Throwdown Fantasy Boxing’s monthly Freeroll game.  Throwdown Fantasy also provides a $250 free roll that players may enter using Throwdown Points (3 free entire upon registration) and $25.00 free game. Signing up and playing is free. People have the opportunity to register and play for free and then move onto paid games.
boxing, Showtime Boxing

ANDRE BERTO MEDIA CONFERENCE CALL TRANSCRIPT

Leave a comment
Leonard Ellerbe
I’d like to thank everyone for calling in today to hear from our main event fighter, Andre Berto who will be fighting Floyd “Money” Mayweather Saturday, September the 12th.
HIGH STAKES: Mayweather vs. Berto is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and it’ll be shown live on SHOWTIME PPV. Just a reminder, the PPV broadcast will begin at 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT.  Our event is sponsored by Tecate, we still have tickets on sale at the MGM now and tickets are priced at $150, $300, $500, $750, $1,000 and $1,500.
Mayweather vs. Berto will be shown live in select movie theaters all across the country with our partners at Fathom Events Tickets and they’re on sale now at FathomEvents.com
The main event features Floyd “Money” Mayweather, he’ll be fighting Andre Berto, who is on our call today, in a high stakes matchup that will definitely be Floyd’s last and Berto will have the chance to finally put an end to Floyd’s undefeated record.
Our co-main event will feature a very exciting WBO Junior Lightweight Title fight between Roman “Rocky” Martinez and Orlando Salido. This is a rematch of their fight of the year from this past April.
The Martinez vs. Salido fight is followed by Mayweathers Promotions’ own Badou Jack “The Ripper” making his first title defense of his 168-pound world title. He’ll be fighting George Groves out of the UK. The Jack vs. Groves fight is presented in association with Team Sauerland.
As I announced last week the first PPV televised opener is a 10-round Junior Lightweight showdown featuring Mexican power puncher Jhonny Gonzalez and he’ll be fighting Puerto Rico’s own Jonathan Oquendo.
Then next up I’d like to introduce the man of the hour, former two-time world champion out of Winter Haven, Florida, he’ll be representing his country, Haiti, and he’ll be looking to upset Floyd come Saturday, September the 12. He’ll use his power that in my eyes makes this a very exciting fight because as you all know Berto’s never in a boring fight. So here he is, none other than Andre Berto himself.
Andre Berto
Hello. What’s going on? I’m still at camp now, we’ve had a tremendous camp, a long camp and probably one of the best camps that I have ever been a part of. I am probably in the best shape that I have ever been in so I’m just looking forward to next Saturday.
 
Q
Everyone agrees that in order to beat Floyd you have to be able to cut off the ring on him. How have you been working on to do that?
A. Berto
You know we’ve been working on a lot of different tactics, we work with a lot of different sparring partners as well. I’m just working just a lot of different things. Floyd, he’s a very knowledgeable fighter and fighting in the squared circle and you’d have to know how to incorporate a lot of different things and if it’s cutting the ring off or even if it’s fighting in the middle of the ring, you just have to be ready for anything.
Q
How is your approach to Floyd going to be different from other opponents?
A. Berto
I think my combination of speed and power that I bring to the table and at same time I believe I have the athletic ability to keep up with Floyd as well.
I believe that’s one thing with him, that has served him well throughout the years, is he has skill, he has speed but, but he has aerobic and athletic ability to get out of the way of punches, be able to move his feet, and just do a lot of the different things that make it very difficult on guys that are just straight up and down as he likes to say.
Q
Andre how do you think a win against Floyd Mayweather would change your life?
A. Berto
It’ll be something huge. Not just for me but for the sport. Floyd, he has been an icon for some time now and now you know he’s on his way to try to actually match a record.
So for me being the young hungry fighter coming in, taking that away from him would be huge and that’s the mindset.
Q
Andre are you, are you surprised by all the criticism that your selection as Floyd’s opponent has caused?
A. Berto
No I mean I believe right now anybody in this position would get a nice bit of criticism, especially coming off of Floyd beating Pacquiao. As a fighter you have to prepare yourself for it. So I prepare my mind and body. I prepare myself for it and you can’t go into the situation thinking about the critics.
The critics talking that way, they’re not in the gym training with us. They do something completely different than what we do. We’re fighters and we’re able to do things that these critics can’t do, so I don’t get affected by the critics.
Q
Do you think that Floyd might be looking past you at all in this fight? Based off some of the things we saw on “ALL ACCESS.”
A. Berto
I haven’t even watched the “ALL ACCESS” show. I’ve just been dialed in doing what we’re supposed to be doing and I don’t need to be caught up in all that, and I don’t need to be caught up in all the hoopla and all the crazy stuff.
At the end of the day, this right here is a huge opportunity for me. I don’t want to get caught up and caught off guard just by all the extra stuff or the media. I’m dialed in and, and I’m on a mission. The whole team’s just focused on one thing.
Q
What areas has Virgil Hunter made you a better fighter and when you look back on the decision why was it the right one?
A. Berto
Virgil Hunter is just a very technical trainer, my previous trainer he did a great job and he got me the world title, I just thought that you needed something different.
I just needed another small piece to the puzzle. There was a reason why I took certain losses to some guys that I knew I shouldn’t have. I should’ve got myself out of situations but I just didn’t know.
I hadn’t been in the gym when it feels like you’re in school every day. I’ve picked up a lot of knowledge and technical IQ.
Q
In getting you ready for this fight have you prepared dramatically differently than you had in the three other fights that Virgil has worked with you on?
A. Berto
Yes, this is a different fight, different fighter, so it’s a completely different type of camp, a very intense camp. The main thing is just staying focused on the goal. Just not veering off and getting involved in anything else.
Q
How much input did you have in the game plan or was it mostly Virgil saying here’s what you need to do to win this fight?
A. Berto
Yeah I had some input because Floyd is a guy I’ve known for a long time. He’s the guy that I’ve watched for a very long time so you know I know is style very well.
So certain things I can go in the ring, and mimic certain things that he does. So me and Virgil, we definitely bounce off a lot of different ideas and he watches a lot of tape and we just put it together.
Q
Leonard I have a question just regarding the tickets, there are still tickets available. Approximately how many tickets are available?
L. Ellerbe
I haven’t read my report today, but I don’t see why that would be a concern.
Q
Can you talk about what happened in the Guerrero and Soto Karass fights and the criticism that comes because of the losses?
A. Berto
I don’t ever really care too much about people who are hating on my situation. I’ve had haters since I was in middle school. They’re going to be around you.
I don’t care too much about criticism and all that but with the Guerrero fight I took some thumbs in the eye. In, the second and third round both of my eyes closed up on me and I never been in that type of situation before, I’ve never had to encounter anything like that before. But I never thought about stopping.
I let him just walk me back to the ropes because that’s the only way I knew that he was in front of me to hit because I couldn’t see him. I threw upper cuts and I hit him with certain shots and the only way I could know that I hit him with a good shot was if I could hear the crowd.
It was just real freaky little stuff that was just happening and I just didn’t understand. I never got poked in my eye before, not even training, not even fighting and sparring whatever, and I used to hear about how bad it could be but to get poked in both of your eyes, it’s crazy.
The Soto Karass fight same thing, my shoulder popped out and I slightly tore it the week before the fight but I fought with injuries plenty of other times and I didn’t know how bad it can get, I didn’t think it was too bad, I thought it probably a torn muscle in there or something small.
I hit him solid for the first time in that second round and that shoulder, it just went and it just tore it all apart and I kept fighting.
I kept fighting, I kept throwing it and every time I threw it I, it would hurt to hell, I’d yell out or the referee would see me making a sound and you know Karass would see that my shoulder’s hurt and I didn’t want to stop, I still thought I could’ve beat him with the left hand.
That’s just my situation and I can’t really explain it. Those are guys I should have beat, but some things are out of your control.
Q
Should we expect to see you try to pressure him, particularly in the early going?
A. Berto
I don’t fight like Maidana, I don’t fight like Castillo, I’m a different fighter, I don’t have that type of style. Maidana, his style works for him, he’s very reckless and, not too much speed, a lot of power and he comes from every angle. That’s not me.
Castillo same thing, you get a classic Mexican fighter that walks to you and gives you lefts and swings and that’s not me as a fighter. I’m saying I’m fast, I got power, and then I can move my feet, I can do a lot more as well.
I believe I can apply pressure and box and both will be effective for me.
Q
I know you really can’t let it consume you or anything but when you see the odds in this fight how do you not take that personally and now allow that to effect you?
A. Berto
I don’t know even know what the odds are. I’m over here training for a full fight to make this a war. I don’t take time out of my day to sit down and look at the odds and see what other people think. If that was the case I shouldn’t have made it out of where I came from because making it out of there is slim to none.
I didn’t go by those odds either and the same thing in this situation. Where my people come from is a lot worse than anything in that ring. I just train hard, ride hard and I just push it to the limit, that’s it.
Q
Why will you beat Floyd Mayweather?
A. Berto
End of the day it’s what I believe and what my team believes. We do put in work, we have the ability to come out victorious September 12th and, and that’s the only confirmation that we need.
I have that rare combination of speed and power and I’m in incredible shape. I’m younger, I’m hungry and it’s a great recipe for victory.
Q
Andre have you noticed any slippage in Floyd, it doesn’t look like it to most of us but have you noticed any slippage in him at all or no?
A. Berto
There’s definitely been some slippage throughout the years, the last couple fights but like I said he’s one of those guys doesn’t abuse his body.
He’s always going to respect his sport so if you respect the sport the sport’s going to respect you. He hasn’t really been taking too much of a toll in the ring and he hasn’t really abused himself outside the ring.
He’s going to stay as sharp as he’s been the last few years but you can be as sharp as you are but all it only takes is one single moment you know for somebody to capitalize on it.
Q
When you first hooked up with Virgil Hunter what was your time frame or when you expected to be back on this stage?
A. Berto
We didn’t really have a timeframe, I was just excited to be in a new team and with a new coach and just to learn new things and, and to be able to use the new things you see to reach your full effectiveness in the ring.
Q
When you took the fight with Josesito Lopez earlier this year was the expectation that with the win would come a big fight?
A. Berto
I just take it one fight at a time, so I didn’t know what would come after this fight, after the Josesito fight. I don’t know what the situation was but I know I had situations lined up for me.
I was just excited just to be back in the mix man, at the end of the day to be realistic I was just happy to be able to come back from this injury and to be able to come back in and be focused and put on some good exciting performances.
It didn’t really matter who was next but this is a blessing for sure.
K. Swanson
Andre, final comments?
A. Berto
I want to thank everybody for being on the call. Thank you for all your comments and it’s going to be an exciting weekend next weekend. You want to definitely come see a great display of speed, power and skill. You’re set for an exciting stage for everybody tuning in on PPV or definitely come out to Vegas and check out the show.
Maybe after the fight Leonard can take me to where he shops and get his suits so I can catch a ride and get fresh like this cat and you know we’ll have a good time.
K. Swanson
Make sure we’re going to put that in the transcript too okay? All right. Thanks everybody. We will see you next week if you’re coming to the fight and watch out for your fight week schedule.
“HIGH STAKES: Mayweather vs. Berto,” a 12-round welterweight
world championship bout for Mayweather’s WBC and WBA 147-pound titles, is promoted by Mayweather Promotions LLC.  The event will take place Saturday, September 12 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas and will be televised by SHOWTIME PPV.  The undercard features a WBO Junior Lightweight World Championship fight, which is a rematch between Roman Martinez and Orlando Salido.  Also featured on the PPV telecast will be a WBC Super Middleweight title bout between Badou Jack and George Groves, which is promoted in association with Team Sauerland. The opening PPV bout pits former world champion Jhonny Gonzalez against Puerto Rico’s Jonathan Oquendo in a 10-round super featherweight bout.
For more information visit www.mayweatherpromotions.com, www.SHO.com/Sports andwww.mgmgrand.com and follow on Twitter at @floydmayweather, @AndreBerto, @BadouJack, @StGeorgeGroves, @Romancito77, @sirisalido, @jhonnygbox, @JonathanOquen @mayweatherpromo, @SHOSports and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FloydMayweather,www.Facebook.com/TheRealAndreBerto,www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions and www.facebook.com/SHOsports.
mixed martial arts, World Series of Fighting

BARRY PINCUS JOINS WORLD SERIES OF FIGHTING AS CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICIER (CFO)

Leave a comment

Pincus previously served as CFO for IMG Artists, the New York Yankees and Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, among others

LAS VEGAS (Sept. 3, 2015) – World championship Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) sports franchise World Series of Fighting (WSOF.com) announced today the addition of Barry Pincus as its’ Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Pincus brings with him over 20 years of experience serving as a Senior Executive/CFO of major sports and entertainment brands including IMG Artists, the New York Yankees and Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia.

“Barry is a terrific addition to the World Series of Fighting management team, bringing a wealth of knowledge and financial experience, as well as a dynamic approach to brand development to our growing sports property,” said CEO, Carlos Silva.

Pincus most recently served as CFO for IMG Artists (2012 – 14), the global leader in performing arts management, tours, festivals, events and consulting. Prior to IMG Artists, Pincus worked in a variety of senior-level management and consulting roles for over a decade including leading brand development for Dennis Publishing for seven years. His impressive career in financial management includes serving as CFO/VP of Finance for one of the crown jewels in sports; the New York Yankees (1991 – 97), as well as serving as CFO for media conglomerate Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia (1997 – 99).

The World Series of Fighting cards air exclusively on NBCSN and NBC. Its next fight card, “WSOF 23 Gaethje vs. Palomino,” is headlined by this exciting lightweight rematch scheduled for Friday, Sept. 18 at 10 PM ET/7 PM PT from Comerica Theatre in Phoenix, AZ.

About “World Series of Fighting” (WSOF)
“World Series of Fighting” (WSOF) is a world wide premier professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fight promotion dedicated to delivering the best action-packed fights for fight fans by producing the best possible match-ups between elite fighters from around the world. For more information please visit WSOF.com. Follow “World Series of Fighting” on Twitter @MMAWorldSeries and “World Series of Fighting” President Ray Sefo @SugarRaySefo.
boxing, Showtime Boxing

ROMAN MARTINEZ AND JONATHAN OQUENDO PUERTO RICO MEDIA DAY QUOTES & PHOTOS

Leave a comment

 

Description: 9-12 High Stakes LH

 

Click HERE To Download Photos & Video

Credit: Angel Vazquez/PR Best Boxing Promotions

 

DORADO, PR (Sept. 1, 2015) – WBO Junior Lightweight Champion Roman “Rocky” Martinez (29-2-2, 17 KOs) and WBO/IBF featherweight world-ranked Jonathan “Polvo” Oquendo (25-4, 16 KOs) worked out for the press in Puerto Rico on  Monday, Aug, 31 in advance of their SHOWTIME PPV® fights against former world champions Orlando “Siri” Salido (42-13-2, 29 KOs) and Jhonny Gonzalez (58-9, 49 KOs), respectively. The event will take place on Saturday, Sept. 12 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas highlighted by HIGH STAKES: Floyd Mayweather vs. Andre Berto.

 

Martinez and Oquendo worked before the media at the Dorado Municipal Gym in Dorado, Puerto Rico. Both fighters completed a full training session with their respective trainers Raul Torres and Dennis Pantojas.

 

This is what the fighters had to say during Monday’s workout:

 

Román “Rocky” Martínez

“I’m preparing for a big fight on September 12. Everyone saw that the first fight against Salido was a true ‘War.’ This time around, I’m planning to give my fans the same type of fight. I predict a non-stop action slugfest.

 

“My team and I are working and have been working really hard in training camp. I believe that we are doing everything that needs to be done. I’m in the best shape of my career and I’m planning to win once again, either by knockout or decision, but I’ll win.

 

“We have worked more on side-to-side and in-and-out movement. If I see him hurt early I’m going to finish him.”

 

Raul Torres, Martinez’s Trainer

“Rocky is a 100 percent prepared for [Orlando] Salido. I have no doubt that we will emerge victorious once again.

 

“[Orlando] Salido is a fighter that likes to go forward. He stands in front of you and he goes at it. He’s tough, but we are tougher. We are ready.”

 

Jonathan Oquendo

“This is very important fight for me.  This is my opportunity to put myself in the world title landscape. I’m not going to let this opportunity slip away from me.

 

“Jhonny Gonzalez is a veteran of 60 fights, so you can’t take him lightly. Preparation is key.

 

“This will be the first fight at 130 pounds for me and I can say that the training camp has been very good, better than expected.

 

“I’m feeling strong. I think this is a good weight for me, I’m comfortable because I don’t have to lose much weight and can train better.”

 

Dennis Pantojas, Oquendo’s trainer

“We have had a very good training camp. Jonathan [Oquendo] has not had any problems and he’s right on weight that we want.

 

“I see Jonathan [Oquendo] more focused and stronger than ever. We are not only hitting the gym, we are also swimming a lot and that has helped him lots. “

 

# # #

 

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Mayweather Promotions LLC., are priced at $1,500, $1,000, $750, $500, $300 and $150 and are on sale now. Tickets are limited to eight (8) per household for all ticket prices except the $150 ticket category, which is limited to four (4) per household. To charge by phone or with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also are available for purchase atwww.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

 

“HIGH STAKES: Mayweather vs. Berto,” a 12-round welterweight world championship bout for Mayweather’s WBC and WBA 147-pound titles, is promoted by Mayweather Promotions LLC.  The event will take place Saturday, September 12 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas and will be televised by SHOWTIME PPV.  The undercard features aWBO Junior Lightweight World Championship fight, which is a rematch between Roman Martinez and Orlando Salido, which is promoted in association with PR Best Boxing.  Also featured on the PPV telecast will be a WBC Super Middleweight title bout between Badou Jack and George Groves, which is promoted in association with Team Sauerland. The opening PPV bout pits former world champion Jhonny Gonzalez against Puerto Rico’s Jonathan Oquendo in a 10-round junior lightweight bout.