Tag Archives: Mexico

FITE TV announces television carriage deal for the WMMAA Pan-American Division Championships October 8-9 in Chile

             
Go to FITE TV interview with host Jim “J.R.” Ross and
WMMAA Pan-American Division president Tomas Yu
NEW YORK, NY  (August 26, 2016) — FITE TV, in conjunction with the World MMA Association (WMMAA), announced today that it will be broadcasting the inaugural WMMAA Pan-American Division Championships live on FITE TV starting with the preliminary matches Saturday, October 8, and the final Sunday October 9, 2016.
FITE is a television network, via a downloadable app, that specializes in all things fighting, including boxing, wrestling, MMA and Martial Arts.  FITE is a free app that is available for download at the Google Play or iTunes app stores.
On Oct. 8-9, the WMMAA is bringing the top amateur MMA competitors from around the world to Santiago, Chile for a two-day competition.  More than 12 countries will be represented in eight different weight classes (6 men, 2 women classes).  Michelle Bachelet, the President of Chile, is slated to participate in the opening ceremonies and preside over the closing of the event.  In addition to the in-ring MMA competition, the weekend will feature a fitness expo and Ring Girl Latina 2016 pageant.  As of today, 12 countries have committed to participating in the event, including the United States, Mexico, Cuba, Aruba, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Colombia, Chile, Paraguay, Argentina, Bolivia, and Brazil.
“We are thrilled to be able to offer free viewing of one of the most anticipated MMA events in the Pan-American region each year on the innovative FITE TV app,” WMMAA Pan-American Division President Tomas Yu commented.  “Now, if you are not able to be at the event to watch the action live, you can now see it anywhere in the world.”
 “With the addition of such a prestigious event to FITE TV, we continue to increase the diversity of the combat fighting programming, now offered live and on a VOD basis on the app,” said Michael Weber, Senior Vice President of Marketing for FITE.  “It is a honor to work with MMA professionals such as Tomas Yu and his team who continue to increase the visibility of their organization worldwide.”
The television programming schedule and additional participating countries will be announced in the immediate future.
About FITE TV: FITE TV is a product of Flipps Media and is a free mobile app that is a one-stop shop for viewing all sports within the fighting discipline globally including MMA, professional wrestling, boxing, and traditional martial arts. With only access to a smartphone and a connected TV, with the FITE app, viewers can watch live events, on-demand programming, interviews and fighting sports related movies and documentaries on the big TV screen.  More information can be found at www.fite.tv.
 
About Flipps Media: Flipps delivers on-demand entertainment to any nearby connected TV from your mobile device without any additional hardware. The company has offices in San Mateo, New York and Sofia, Bulgaria and is backed by Tim Draper, Earlybird Venture Capital, Aslanoba Capital and LAUNCHub. Flipps’ patented technology immediately works with over 350+ million connected TVs and is compatible with over 7,000 manufacturer models requiring no set up, no pairing devices, no cables, no dongles and no set top box. The Flipps mobile application is free and available on iTunes and Google Play. More information can be found at www.flipps.com.
About WMMAA: The goal of the World MMA Association is to provide unbiased structure and guardrail the growth of MMA as the official world governing body for Mixed Martial Arts.  A non-profit organization founded in 2012, WMMAA is on a mission to develop a standardized and regulated organization, including competition, training, officiating, testing and growth when necessary.  More than 50 countries have been granted WMMAA membership.

Del Valle on bout with De La Hoya: “Expect fireworks”

 

Bayamon, PR (August 23, 2016) – Super bantamweight contender Luis “Orlandito” Del Valle is not one to waste time in the squared circle.

Currently the International Boxing Federation’s #8 ranked contender, Del Valle scored 16 of his 22 victories by knockout including nine within the first three rounds. Known for bringing the heat to his foes from the opening bell, Del Valle is accustom to partaking in exciting fights and most recently dropped hard-hitting Thomas Snow twice en route to a unanimous decision victory.

On September 17, Del Valle faces unbeaten and highly touted Diego De La Hoya in a ten round contest. The bout opens up the Saul Alvarez-Liam Smith pay per view telecast from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. It is also renewing boxing’s oldest rivalry as Del Valle represents Puerto Rico while De La Hoya fights out of Mexico. The nephew of boxing legend Oscar De La Hoya, Diego’s 15-0 with 9 wins by knockout. In May, he battered previously unbeaten Rocco Santomaruo en route to a 7th round stoppage.

Del Valle, who is seven years De La Hoya’s senior, serves as a notable step up in class. Del Valle respects De La Hoya’s ability and believes it will be a classic Puerto Rico vs Mexico type battle while it lasts before his experience ultimately powers him to victory.

“The fans can expect fireworks on the 17th,” Del Valle said of his upcoming showdown with De La Hoya. “We’re both warriors and know that something bigger will follow if we win in a high profile fight like this. He is a good young fighter that has talent but I’m battle tested. I’ve fought former world champions and learned from my past bouts where I was matched tough. My experience will be a key for me in this fight. I can’t wait to put on a show for boxing fans all over the world!”

Yory Boy Campas farewell fight against Anthony Bonsante to be streamed LIVE, this Saturday onGFL.TV

   
Long Island, NY (January 20, 2016) – This Saturday night in Butte, Montana, former world junior middleweight champion “Yory Boy” Campas will make his 126th and final ring appearance when he takes on former participant of The Contender, Anthony Bonsante.
The action will get underway at 10 PM ET / 7 PM PT on GFL.TV for a suggested retail price of $14.99.
Fans can order the event by clicking HERE
Campas of Navojoa, Mexico and now residing in Montana has a record of 105-17-3 with an astronomical 81 knockouts.
To say he has faced everybody in the Welterweight through Middleweight divisions is an understatement.
Campas won the IBF Junior Middleweight title with a 8th round stoppage over previously undefeated and former U.S. Olympian Marquez on December 6, 1997.  He made 3 successful defenses of the title before being stopped by Fernando Vargas.
On four more occasions, Campas challenged for a world championship but came up short against Felix Trinidad, Oscar De La Hoya, Jose Luis Lopez and Daniel Santos.
Campas is undefeated since 2012 and will look to close out his storied career against the veteran Bonsante.
Bonsante of Shakopee, Minnesota has a record of 34-12-3 with 19 knockouts, appeared on The Contender in 2004 has wins over Tony Ayala (31-1), Brent Cooper (20-2-2), Troy Lowry (27-6) & Matt Vanda (35-2).
Bonsante is on 2 fight winning streak with his latest being a 8-round unanimous decision over David Gonzalez on September 26, 2015.
He is a former IBA Super Middleweight champion & Minnesota State Middleweight champion.
A full undercard will also take place:
Daniel Gonzalez takes on Jesse Uhde in a 10-round bout for the Montana State Super Welterweight title.
Jered Lunceford battles Mickey Walker in a 4-round Light Heavyweight bout.
Anthony Curtiss and Aaron Snow will make their pro debut in a Super Lightweight contest.
Eric Hempstead will fight Anthony Sullivan in a 4-round Cruiserweight bout.
Jacob Szilasi boxes Jake Fowler in a 4-round Super Welterweight bout.

Sampson Boxing Signs Promotional Agreement with Undefeated Featherweight Mario Munoz

Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing proudly announces the signing of undefeated featherweight Mario “Yayo” Munoz to a promotional contract.
25-year-old Munoz, from Guadalajara, Mexico, currently sports a record of 16-0-1, 10 KOs and has been a professional since 2011. He will make his promotional debut under the Sampson Boxing banner onFebruary 19 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City when he takes on fellow unbeaten Adam Lopez (14-0, 7 KOs).
The fight against Lopez will be Munoz’s first outside Mexico. To prepare for this tough assignment, Munoz is working hard with trainer/manager Rafael Guzman and world-class Sampson Boxing stablemates Hugo “Cuatito” Ruiz (35-3, 31 KOs) and Jorge “Pilon” Lara (27-0-2, 19 KOs) in Guadalajara.
“I am proud to have a great promoter like Sampson helping me now,” said Munoz. “It will make me fight that much harder knowing I have the backing to become a world champion behind me. I will train to the top of my ability for February 19and for every fight I have with my new promoter. Together we will become world champion.”
“Sampson is my trusted friend and I feel this agreement will help Mario very much,” said Rafael Guzman. “Mario is very talented and determined and will go far in the sport. We needed the right promotional backing to take the next step and we now have it.”
“I am very happy to be adding another proud Mexican warrior to my stable of fighters,” said Sampson Lewkowicz. “Along with Mario and Cuatito Ruiz and Pilon Lara I have the Red Flag, David Benavidez. Those are four very talented fighters and it makes me proud to be their promoter. Mario Munoz has a bright future in boxing if he keeps working as hard as he does and it’ll be a pleasure to help him with his career. It is my vision to continue to find new Mexican stars like him and welcome them to the Sampson Boxing family.”
About Sampson Boxing
After a very successful run as a matchmaker and adviser, Sampson Lewkowicz switched over to the promotional side of professional boxing in January 2008.
Sampson Boxing has grown into one of the world’s most prestigious promotional firms, representing many of the world’s best fighters and most promising young contenders.

Sampson Boxing has promotional partners all over North and South America, Africa, Asia, New Zealand, Australia, Europe and Central America and Sampson Boxing events have been televised on such premiere networks as HBO, Showtime, ESPN, VS. and several international networks.

Cotto vs.        Alvarez ** In-Depth Preview and Analysis **

 

 

By Tony Penecale

 

There are rivalries that are legendary throughout history.  The Hatfields and The McCoys, The Capulets and The Montagues and The New York Yankees and The Boston Red Sox are all bitter rivalries.  It can be argued that the most brutal is the long-standing boxing rivalry between Puerto Rican fighters against their Mexican counterparts.  The next chapter matches the experience and heavy hands of Puerto Rican icon Miguel Cotto against the youth and power of Mexican dynamo Saul “Canelo” Alvarez.  When they meet on Saturday night, both fighters will be carrying the pride of their country into the ring and in the mantra of Spartan warriors, they will emerge from battle with a shield or on it.  Who will be carrying his shield at the end of their encounter and who will be carried out on his?

 

AGE, RECORD, AND STATS

 

Cotto:   Age:  35 years old

Record:  40-4 (33 Knockouts)

Height:  5’7”

Weight:  153   * * Weight for last bout (6-6-15)

Reach:  67”

 

Alvarez: Age:  25 years old

Record:  45-1-1 (32 Knockouts)

Height:  5’9”

Weight:  154   * * Weight for last bout (5-9-15)

Reach:  70”

 

RING ACCOMPLISHMENTS

 

Cotto:

WBO Junior Welterweight Champion (’04-‘06)

WBA Welterweight Champion (’06-‘08)

WBO Welterweight Champion (’09)

WBA Junior Middleweight Champion (’10-‘12)

WBC Middleweight Champion (’14-Pres)

 

Alvarez:

WBC Junior Middleweight Champion (’11-‘13)

WBA Junior Middleweight Champion (’13)

 

STYLE

 

Cotto:  

A physical stalker who boxes from the orthodox stance, Cotto has developed better boxing skills but still prefers to come straight ahead, and wear opponents down with a vicious body attack.  Cotto favors hooks and uppercuts to straight punches and turns every bout into a war of attrition.  Doesn’t have lights-out punching power but is very punishing.  Most of his stoppage victories have come late, after his opponent has been worn down.  Will often leave himself open to counters when trying to unleash his offense.  

 

Alvarez:

An aggressive, physical fighter with underrated boxing skills and quickness, Alvarez often wears opponents down with consistent pressure and heavy-handed punches.  Will use feints and counters to throw is opponents timing off and create openings for a strength-sapping body attack.  Carries fight-changing power in both hands but sometimes doesn’t throw enough punches.  While he is most known for his offensive skills, Alvarez has decent, but not great, defensive skills slipping and blocking punches.

 

STRENGTHS

 

Cotto:

* Body Attack – Cotto is quite possibly the best body puncher in the sport today.  He wings thunderous hooks on the inside that make contact with whatever is available: ribs, shoulders, torso, chest, and arms, with punishing results.  

 

* Strength – Cotto is a strong and physical fighter.  Even as he has grown from junior welterweight up to middleweight, he remains a physical force, capable of wearing down larger adversaries.

 

* Heart – Cotto carries a lot of pride when he steps into the ring.  He has been in a number of wars where he’s been cut, knocked down, or in other adverse situations, and Cotto has shown a champion’s heart.

 

Alvarez:  

* Punching Power – Alvarez carries thunder in both fists.  He is knockout power in either hand, but his most devastating weapon resides in his left hook.  A single left hook rendered the iron-jawed Carlos Baldomir unconscious and his knockout of James Kirkland was a potential knockout of the year candidate.

 

* Strength – Alvarez is a physically-maturing and thickly-built fighter with uncanny strength.  He is effective in backing fighters up, even when not landing flush punches.  Against the smaller Josesito Lopez, he lifted him off his feet and sent him to the canvas with punches that landed against his opponent’s chest.

 

* Punishing Body Attack – Alvarez prefers to wear his opponents down in the traditional Mexican fashion of punishing the body.  While he is economical with his punches, he delivers maximum leverage on each punch, especially the crushing left hook to the liver.

 

WEAKNESSES

 

Cotto:

* Effects of Wars – Cotto has been competing against world-class opposition for over a decade.  He suffered two brutal losses to Antonio Margarito and Manny Pacquiao and suffered punishment in his wins over Ricardo Torres, Zab Judah, and Shane Mosley.  While he has had a resurgence working with Freddie Roach, the cumulative effects of his prior wars can be a detriment.

 

* Easy to Hit – Cotto has made improvements with his defense but still has the mindset that his best defense is a good offense.  His wide open offense and relentless body attack often leaves him open to be hit with counterpunches, primarily hooks and uppercuts.

 

* Chin – Combined with an offense that leaves him prone to counter punches, Cotto’s shaky chin can be a recipe for disaster.  Cotto was wobbled or dropped in several of his earlier fights and then battered, bloodied and TKO’d in his fights against Margarito (1st fight) and Pacquiao.  Even the light-punching Floyd Mayweather staggered him late in their fight.

 

Alvarez:

* One Dimensional – Alvarez does not adapt well in mid-fight.  He comes in with a single game-plan and has not shown the ability to adjust even when his tactics are not working.  He struggled in his wins over Austin Trout and Erislandy Lara and was easily out-boxed against Mayweather.

 

* Fatigue – Alvarez works hard in the gym and is always in great shape but often finds it hard to go full tilt for an entire round, especially as his fights go into the middle or later rounds.  In his match with Austin Trout, Alvarez showed serious fatigue at times and even found himself backing up.

 

* Easy to Hit –Alvarez is still an offense-first type of fighter who likes to apply pressure to his opponents.  He will leave himself open to counter punches, especially right hand and counter left hooks.

 

PREVIOUS BOUT

 

Cotto:  

(6/6/15) – Cotto demolished Australian Daniel Geale in a middleweight title defense, knocking him out in four rounds.  After winning the first three rounds, Cotto floored Geale twice in the 4th round, forcing him to surrender.

 

Alvarez:

(5/9/15) – Alvarez won the potential Fight-of-2015 with a candidate for Knockout-of-the Year, destroying James Kirkland in three rounds.  The limited but dangerous Kirkland attacked early and the slugfest was initiated.  Alvarez scored three knockdowns including a final right hand the rendered Kirkland unconscious.

 

3 BEST PERFORMANCES

 

Cotto:

* Sergio Martinez (6/7/14) – Cotto upset the highly-regarded but aging and injury-prone “Maravilla” Martinez.  Cotto started quickly flooring the middleweight champion three times in the opening round and punished him throughout until the bout was halted in the 10th round.

 

* Zab Judah (6/9/07) – Cotto had to endure some difficult moments early against the speedy southpaw, getting rocked and suffering a cut under his lip.  Cotto’s relentless pressure gradually broke down Judah, sapping his strength.  Cotto finished the show, dropping Judah in the 9th round before finally stopping him in 11 rounds.

 

* Alfonso Gomez (4/12/08) – Cotto put on a stunning display, mixing boxing skills with a vicious body attack to completely obliterate popular “Contender” alum Gomez by 5th round TKO.  Cotto dominated the action and scored knockdowns in the 2nd, 3rd, and 5th rounds, beating Gomez into submission.

 

Alvarez:

* James Kirkland (5/9/15) – It was the 2015 version of Hagler-Hearns.  Kirkland attacked relentlessly at the bell and Alvarez responded in kind.  Alvarez scored a knockdown in the 1st round and thwarted Kirkland’s brief moments of success, flooring him with an uppercut in the 3rd round, before finishing him with a picturesque right hand only moments later.

 

* Kermit Cintron (11/26/11) – Making his 3rd title defense, Alvarez made it look easy against the faded former welterweight champion.  Alvarez made Cintron appear older than his true age of 32, and punished him with ease.  Alvarez scored a knockdown in the 4th round before battering him mercilessly and forcing a stoppage in the 5th.

 

* Carlos Baldomir (9/18/10) – Alvarez was a 20 year old prodigy facing a durable former world champion in Baldomir.  Alvarez was successful boxing early and using his advantages in speed and skill to sweep the first five rounds.  But it was his display in the 6th that was memorable.  Alvarez rocked Baldomir before finally dropping with a left hook, rendering him unconscious before he hit the mat and dealing him his only stoppage loss in a 16-year career.

 

KEYS TO VICTORY

 

Cotto:

* Use footwork and angles to keep Alvarez off balance

 

* Do not stand toe-to-toe with the naturally larger Alvarez

 

* Land early to gain Alvarez’s respect

 

Alvarez:

* Keep the pressure on Cotto and cut off the ring

* Out jab Cotto and force him to trade punches

 

* Be patient early and wear Cotto down

 

QUESTIONS

 

Cotto:

* Can Cotto stand up to a younger and larger opponent?

 

* Were his last two victories more of a case of facing faded or limited opposition?

 

* How much does Cotto really have left?

 

Alvarez:

* Can Alvarez change his gameplan if he is falling behind early?

 

* Will his defensive liabilities be exposed against such a dangerous puncher?

 

* Is Alvarez still improving?

 

PENECALE PREDICTION

 

Cotto will open utilizing his underrated boxing skills and quickness, moving laterally, and jabbing in an effort to keep Alvarez from setting his feet.  Alvarez will advance trying to establish his own jab and work the body.  Whenever Alvarez gets too close, Cotto will pivot away and step on angle with a few hard jabs.  The first two rounds will be strategical but tense.  The eruption can happen at any time.

 

The action will start to intensify in the 3rd round as Alvarez continually gets closer and forces Cotto to start to stand his ground.  Like a couple of mountain rams butting heads and locking horns, the power punches will start to fly.  Cotto will throw flashier combinations, featuring overhand rights to the head, left hooks to the body, and hard jabs to the face and torso.  Alvarez will dig his toes in and throw thumping single shots, uppercuts and hooks, both to the head and body, which result in an abrasion under Cotto’s left eye and blood seeping from his mouth.

 

Throughout the middle rounds, Cotto’s superior boxing and skillset will have him slightly ahead on the scorecards but Alvarez’s size and strength advantage will be, slowly and surely, wearing Cotto down.  Cotto’s three-and-four-punch combinations will gradually reduce to two-punch combinations and single hooks to the body.  The slower pace will favor Alvarez and he will be able to control the tempo and dig in with hard punches to the body and right hands to the face.

 

Going into the 7th round, with the bout virtually even and sensing he cannot hurt the larger Alvarez, Cotto will revert his focus back to boxing on the outside.  The change in tactic will momentarily bewilder Alvarez, who was becoming comfortable trading in the trenches.  The brief momentum shift will allow Cotto to regain a slight lead on the scorecards.

 

Realizing that he is behind and facing an opponent who is slowly fading, Alvarez will apply blistering pressure in the 9th round, stalking Cotto, forcing him to move or punch to survive, and causing him to expend precious energy in doing so.  Whenever they get close, Alvarez will use his shoulders to muscle Cotto and clip him with short hooks and uppercuts, momentarily staggering him in the 10th round.

 

With his face morphing into a grotesque mask of blood and swelling, a seemingly spent Cotto will go for broke in the 11th, attacking desperately and winging some of his best hooks to the body and head.  Alvarez will be happy to trade hooks with him and the action will be intense.  Late in the round, Alvarez will land a flush uppercut as Cotto is wide open and the Puerto Rican fighter will drop to his knees, his left eye nearly shut and his mouth leaking blood.  His heart will pull him to his feet and Alvarez will come in for the kill, backing Cotto to the ropes where the exchange of punches is only halted by the bell.

 

After touching gloves to start the final round, Alvarez will attack Cotto from the onset.  A pair of right hands to the side of the head will wobble Cotto, forcing him to stagger to the ropes and fall to his knees.  Referee Robert Byrd will administer the count with Cotto rising at the count of 8, vehemently contending that he is OK to continue.  As soon as Byrd waves the fighters back together, Alvarez will spring across the ring, landing a right hand and left uppercut.  As Cotto falls back against the neutral corner, Byrd will step in between them and stop the fight, signaling Alvarez as the winner.

 

The winner by TKO at 59 seconds of the 12h round will be Saul “Canelo” Alvarez!!!!

 

Top Venezuelan prospect Juan ‘El Niño’ Ruiz will face Juan Marquez in Culiacan

 
 
One of the most prominent fighters from Venezuela, Juan ‘El Niño’ Ruiz (14-0, 8 KO’s) is set to return to the ring this Friday, August 21 at the Revolution Park in Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico.
Ruiz will face Mexican fighter, Juan Carlos Márquez ( 11-8-4, 5 KOs) in a fight scheduled six rounds bout at the welterweight division.
In his last fight, Marquez was victorious against former undefeated fighter Gael Cota by unanimous decision in an exciting fight, held in Los Mochis.
“I’m prepared to take this challenge against an opponent who knows his stuff, and is coming off a good win. I’ve had an excelent training camp with my trainer Rene Miranda in Tijuana, and I feel very confident that I will bring back the victory for Venezuela. We believe that my time is now, and I will overcome any challenge”- stated Juan ‘El Niño’ Ruiz, who finished his amateur boxing career with 214 wins and only 6 losses.
After a 17-month layoff, due to management problems, the quoted Venezuelan boxer, managed to return to the ring last July 9 in Tijuana, where he scored a first round knock out against Charly Valdez.
In 2013, Ruiz was ranked number 11 by the World Boxing Association (WBA) after knocking out Nelson Lara  in the fifth round, which earned him the Fedelatin belt.
Ruiz is managed by Ben Lieblein and Alfredo Rodriguez.

Miguel ‘Zurdo’ Sanchez returns this Friday

Roc Nation Sports newest acquisition, Miguel ‘ Zurdo’ Sanchez from Culiacan, will be back in action this Friday, August 21 in Corona, California.
Sanchez (10-0, 8 KO’s) will be facing the experienced Francisco ‘Pantera’ Reza (14-14, 11 KO’s) of Torreon on a six-round scheduled bout at the Omega Products Outdoor Arena.
“I have not stopped training since my last fight in April. We are complementing work with swimming, focusing on enhancing stamina, endurance and strength. Each day I’m evolving as a fighter, I feel better every day I train. This Friday I’m ready for whatever my opponent brings”, said Sanchez, who knocked out Yair Aguilar in the first round in last April.
The pride of Culiacan Sinaloa, Mexico is campaigning at the welterweight division and trains in the ‘House of Boxing Training Center’ gym located in San Diego, California under the leadership of Carlos Barragan, who also trains Antonio Orozco (22-0 15 KO’s).

ANDRZEJ FONFARA STOPS JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ JR., WINS BY 9TH-ROUND TKO AT STUBHUB CENTER

Amir Imam Remains Unbeaten

With Unanimous Decision Over Walter Castillo

 

Unbeaten Moises Flores Outpoints Oscar Escandon To Win

WBA Super Bantamweight Interim World Title; Omar Chavez Triumphs

By Decision, Fabian Maidana by Knockout on SHO EXTREME

 

Catch SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING Replay
Monday, April 20, at 10 p.m.ET/PT on SHO EXTREME

 

 Click HERE To Download Photos

Photo Credit: Esther Lin/SHOWTIME

 

CARSON, Calif. (April 18, 2015) – Confident and determined, Andrzej “The PolishPrince” Fonfara (27-3, 16 KOs) spoiled the ring return of Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (48-2-1, 32 KOs) in resounding fashion Saturday night, flooring the former middleweight champion one time en route to a one-sided ninth-round TKO in the main event ofSHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING live on SHOWTIME.

 

Fonfara, of Chicago by way of Radon, Poland, dropped Chavez, of Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico, with a wide left hook 50 seconds into the ninth round before a boisterous crowd of 8,636 predominately-Chavez fans at StubHub Center. It was the first time in 52 professional fights that Chavez had hit the canvas from a punch.

 

Upon returning to the corner, Chavez could be heard on the telecast telling trainer Joe Goossen that he had hurt his right leg and could no longer continue. Moments later, the fight was halted. The busier and more accurate fighter throughout, Fonfara was comfortably ahead on the three judges’ scorecards by scored of 89-80 and 88-81 twice after nine full rounds.

 

Offered an ecstatic Fonfara, who had his fair share of Polish fans at the venue: “I knew he was a tough fighter, quick and in good shape but when he hit me for the first time in the first round, I knew I was going to win this fight. He didn’t punch as hard as everybody said he did.

 

“I saw his punches easily coming in. I know I threw more punches. I was a little surprised that he did not come out for the (10th) but he was cut, had been getting beat up and had just got knocked down, so he knew what would happen if he came out.

 

“Chavez said before the fight that he didn’t think I could take his body punches. I think I took them pretty good and passed that test.

 

“I know there are things I can still work on in training to become a more complete boxer, buttonight was a dream come true. I want a rematch with (Light Heavyweight World Champion) Adonis Stevenson.

 

Said Chavez, the son of legendary Mexican icon, Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. in the ring afterward and before he was taken to the hospital as a precautionary measure, “Maybe 170,172 pounds is too big for me, maybe I’ll go back down. I’m not sure what my future holds. It was a very tough fight. But I congratulate Andrzej.”

 

Goossen told reporters afterward that he had “stopped the fight. It was my decision. I didn’t like what I saw. ”

 

In the first half of a SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING doubleheader, undefeated world-ranked super lightweight Amir Imam (17-0, 14 KOs), of Davie, Fla., by way of Albany, N.Y., won a lopsided 10-round decision over Walter “The Hammer” Castillo.

 

The talented, versatile, Imam, 24, controlled a fight that featured numerous exchanges especially early on with a left jab and straight right hand.

 

“My combinations were effective the whole night, we stuck to our gameplan and came out victorious,” said Imam. “I want any of the world champions next”.

 

Castillo, who saw a nine-fight winning streak come to an end, said “I thought I won the fight. I didn’t get credit for the punches I threw. The judge who scored it 100-90; well, that gives me no chance to win here. The cut bothered me in the early rounds, but was not a factor after.”

 

Earlier Saturday, on SHOWTIME EXTREME, undefeated Moises “El Chucky” Flores (23-0, 16 KOs), of Guadalajara, Mexico, captured the WBA Super Bantamweight Interim World Championship with a thrilling 12-round split decision over defending champion Oscar Escandon (24-2 16 KOs), of Tolima, Colombia.

 

Flores, making his 2015 debut and third start in a row in the United States, triumphed by the scores of 116-112 twice and 113-115.

 

An emotional Flores was near tears afterward. “This is a dream come true – more than a dream come true – for me,” he said. “I saw my family on the beach, eating meat. I saw my babies better dressed. For me this is a life-changing victory and, yes, I thought it was very, very close but I absolutely feel I won.

 

“I want to fight the best next, the top guys at 122 pounds and right now the top guy is Leo Santa Cruz. That’s who I’d like to fight next. I really want to thank all my team, from top to bottom, for giving me this wonderful opportunity. We’re very happy that we joined the Al Haymon team. We’re very loyal and we just really appreciate everything they’ve done for us.”

 

Escandon felt he’d done enough to win despite injuring the right index finger on his right hand in the seventh round.

 

“I did all that I could, everything was in my reach, but I think I broke or fractured my finger,” he said. “In boxing things happen that are out of your control. Because I hurt my hand, I couldn’t throw punches the way I wanted to with my right hand. I tried to do all I could with it. But I didn’t want to injure it further. I’m OK, but I definitely would love a rematch.”

 

In the SHOWTIME EXTREME co-feature, super welterweight Omar “El Businessman”Chavez (33-3-1, 22 KOs), of Culiacan, the younger brother of Chavez, Jr. and son of legendary Julio Cesar Sr., won an exciting, hard-fought, give-and-take eight-round unanimous decision over Richard Gutierrez (28-16-1, 17 KOs), of Arjona, Colombia.

Chavez won by the scores of 78-75 twice and 77-74. There were no knockdowns.

 

Unbeaten Argentine welterweight Fabian “TNT” Maidana (6-0, 5 KOs), of Santa Fe, Argentina, the brother of former world champion Marcos Maidana, registered a second-round TKO (32 seconds into the round) over outclassed Cory Vom Baur (2-3), of Vancouver, Wash.

 

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING doubleheader will re-air this week as follows:

 

DAY                                                                 CHANNEL

Monday, April 20, 22, 10 p.m.. ET/PT  SHOWTIME Extreme

 

Tuesday, June 24, at 10 p.m. ET/PT                SHO Extreme

 

Saturday’s two-fight telecast will be available at SHOWTIME ON DEMAND beginning Sunday, June 22 27.

 

Mauro Ranallo called the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING action with Hall of Fame analyst Al Bernstein and former world champion Paulie Malignaggi commentating and Jim Gray reporting. In Spanish, Alejandro Luna called the blow-by-blow with former world champion Raul Marquez serving as color commentator. Barry Tompkins called the SHOWTIME EXTREME action from ringside with boxing historian Steve Farhood serving as expert analyst.

 

The executive producer of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING is David Dinkins Jr. with Bob Dunphy directing.

 

# # #

Chavez Jr. vs. Fonfara” was a 12-round bout that took place at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. And aired on SHOWTIME.

 

For more information visit www.sports.sho.com, follow on Twitter at @SHOSports, @jcchavezjr1, @andrzej_fonfara, @StubHubCenter and @Swanson_Comm, follow the conversation using #ChavezFonfara, become a fan on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/SHOBoxing or visit the SHOWTIME Boxing Blog athttp://theboxingblog.sho.com.

JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ JR. vs. ANDRZEJ FONFARA AMIR IMAM vs. WALTER CASTILLO OFFICIAL WEIGHTS & PHOTOS 

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®  Live On SHOWTIME® Saturday, April 18, (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT) 

From StubHub Center In Carson, Calif. 

SHOWTIME BOXING ON SHO EXTREME Airs Live at 8 p.m. ET/PT

Click HERE To Download Photos From Friday’s Weigh-In
Photo Credit: Esther Lin/SHOWTIME

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING

JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ JR.: 171 ½ Pounds
ANDRZEJ FONFARA: 171 ½ Pounds

AMIR IMAM: 140 Pounds
WALTER CASTILLO: 138 Pounds

SHOWTIME BOXING ON SHO EXTREME:
OSCAR ESCANDON: 121 ¾ Pounds
MOISES FLORES: 121 ¼ Pounds

OMAR CHAVEZ: 159 Pounds
RICHARD GUTIERREZ: 158 ½ Pounds

(SHOWTIME EXTREME Swing Bout)
FABIAN MAIDANA: 146 ¼ Pounds
CORY VOM BAUR: 145 ½ pounds

# # #

“Chavez Jr. vs. Fonfara”, a 12-round light heavyweight bout co-promoted by Goossen Promotions and Chavez Promotions that takes place at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. and will air on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT). In the co-main event, Amir Imam faces Walter Castillo in a 10-round jr. welterweight showdown. The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast will also be available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP).

Tickets for the event are priced at $200, $150, $100, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes, fees and service charges, are available for purchase online at AXS.com.

For more information visit www.sports.sho.com, follow on Twitter at @SHOSports, @jcchavezjr1, @andrzej_fonfara, @StubHubCenter and @Swanson_Comm, follow the conversation using #ChavezFonfara, become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SHOBoxing or visit the SHOWTIME Boxing Blog athttp://theboxingblog.sho.com.

JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ JR. VS. ANDRZEJ FONFARA, AMIR IMAM VS. WALTER CASTILLO FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES & PHOTOS

“I know that this is a new weight class for me. I realize that Fonfara is very tough and bigger than me, but I am up for the challenge.”

– Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.

 

“I want to show the whole world how good I am when I win this fight on Saturday.” — Andrzej Fonfara

 

Click HERE For Photos From Esther Lin/SHOWTIME

 

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® This Saturday, April 18,

Live On SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT)

From StubHub Center in Carson, Calif.

 

SHOWTIME BOXING ON SHO EXTREME Airs Live at 8 p.m. ET/PT

 

INSIDE MAYWEATHER vs. PACQUIAO Premieres Immediately
Following SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING TELECAST

 

Tickets for Saturday’s StubHub Fights Are On Sale!

 

LOS ANGELES (April 16, 2015) – Popular Mexican superstar and former middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and dangerous brawler Andrzej Fonfara participated in the final the final press conference Thursday at Crowne Plaza Hotel LAX, just two days before Saturday’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING doubleheader.

 

Chavez (48-1-1, 32 KOs) of Culiacan, Mexico, and Fonfara (26-3, 15 KOs) of Chicago by way of Radon, Poland, will meet in the 12-round light heavyweight main event live on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING (10 p.m. ET7 p.m. PT) from StubHub Center in Carson, Calif.  Chavez will make his eagerly awaited return to the ring and first start for new trainer Joe Goossen.

 

Also participating in today’s press conference was undefeated top 10-ranked super lightweight Amir Imam (16-0, 14 KOs), of Davie, Fla., by way of Albany, N.Y. who will put his unblemished record on the line against fellow power-puncher Walter Castillo (25-2, 18 KOs) (25-2, 18 KOs), of Managua, Nicaragua, in the 10-round co-feature on SHOWTIME.

On SHOWTIME EXTREME® (8 p.m. ET/PT) this Saturday, WBA Interim Super Bantamweight World Champion Oscar Escandon (24-1, 16 KOs), of Tolima, Colombia, will make the first defense of his 122-pound title when he faces undefeated Moises “El Chucky” Flores (22-0, 1 NC, 16 KOs), of Guadalajara, Mexico.

 

In the SHOWTIME EXTREME co-feature, Omar “El Businessman” Chavez (32-3-1, 22 KOs), of Culiacan, the younger brother of Chavez, Jr. and son of legendary Julio Cesar Sr., will face Richard Gutierrez (28-15-1, 17 KOs), of Arjona, Colombia, in an eight-round middleweight fight. Also featured on the telecast, time permitting, will be a six-round match between unbeaten Argentine welterweight Fabian “TNT” Maidana, of Santa Fe, Argentina, the brother of former world champion Marcos Maidana, who’ll be opposed by Cory Vom Baur (2-2, 0 KOs), of Vancouver, Wash.

 

Tickets for the event co-promoted by Goossen Promotions and Chavez Promotions are priced at $200, $150, $100, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes, fees and service charges, and are on sale online at AXS.com.

What the fighters, trainers and executives said Thursday:

 

JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ JR., Former World Champion

“I had a great training camp. I feel better than ever. I am ready for the fight.

 

“I know that this is a new weight class for me. I realize that Fonfara is very tough and bigger than me, but I am up for the challenge.

 

“I have worked on my boxing during my one year off, and I am very excited and motivated to get back in the ring.

 

“I have worked so hard for this fight because I am fighting in a new weight class. I must punch harder, so I have focused on getting stronger during this training camp.

 

“I have a great chin, I know how to take punches and my conditioning is great. A lot of fighters can take a punch, but I can take multiple punches and not be hurt.

 

“I think that Andrzej Fonfara is one of the best fighters in the light heavyweight division. Inside of boxing, everyone knows who Fonfara is. He knocked down one of the best boxers in the world in Adonis Stevenson.

 

“Fonfara is disciplined in the ring, but he doesn’t vary his punches.

 

“I understand that my dad didn’t want me to take this fight. I had bigger names I could’ve fought, but I think that Fonfara is a great challenge for me and I like the challenge.

 

“I would like to thank SHOWTIME for making this fight happen.”

 

 

ANDRZEJ FONFARA, World Title Challenger

“I’m prepared very well and I’m ready for this fight. It’s been a great camp like always. I train hard for each fight.  I’m a tough boxer who is feeling great. The weight is good and everything is perfect.

 

“I must put everything into Saturday night and I will win the fight.

 

“I must look even better than I did against Stevenson. Everyone said I looked good, but I lost the fight. I didn’t want congratulations because I did not win the fight. But this time I will win the fight.  I’m ready for a decision or for a knockout.

 

“I’m ready with a couple of plans. I don’t want to run around the ring, I want to fight tough. I’m going to use my jab and my right hand, which is my best punch.

 

“I’m not worried about what his father said about not fighting me. Chavez Jr. wants to fight and I will show him that his father was right.

 

“It doesn’t matter how I win, I want to win this fight and get my rematch with Adonis Stevenson.

 

“Chavez Jr. is a great fighter. He uses a lot of combinations and has a powerful punch that I must be ready for. I want to show the whole world how good I am when I win this fight on Saturday.

 

“If I get the chance, I’m going to knock him out. It’s boxing so you never know what will happen. I want to box round-by-round and win this fight.

 

“I lost the fight with Stevenson but I showed that I was a good boxer. I’m a much smarter fighter now because of that experience. That was a fight at the top championship level.

 

“It doesn’t matter what Chavez Jr. says at a press conference, we’ll be in the ring Saturdayand everything will happen there.

 

“Fan’s can expect heavy punches, knockdowns and a great fight.”

 

AMIR IMAM, Undefeated Super Lightweight Contender

“I’m confident going into this fight because of how I train. I have put my heart and soul into this sport since I moved to Florida three years ago. I left everything behind to better myself.

 

“I’m going to stay smart and composed in there and do everything I can to get the win.

 

“I don’t feel like I need the knockout to come away with a successful fight. But, you better believe that if there is an opportunity to knock him out, then I will take advantage of it.

 

“In 2015, I want to become a world champion. This is my breakout year. A lot of people have been buzzing about me. I want to become the WBC world champion, that’s what I’m heading for.

 

“I know he’s [Castillo] a good opponent, he’s got a great resume, and he’s coming to fight. He has a great record, so that alone shows what he’s capable of. Come Saturday night may the better man win.

 

“I’ve boxed styles like [his] plenty of times, but you never know, he could come out different Saturdaynight.

 

“I’m ready to put on a great show for the SHOWTIME audience.”

 

WALTER CASTILLO, Super Lightweight Contender

“I’m coming here to fight. I can tell you one thing, Amir Imam made a big mistake by taking this fight.

 

“I’ve fought a lot of tough fighters; my two losses were by decisions where I feel I was robbed. I’ve fought better fighters than Amir has.

 

“Come Saturday, I’m going to announce to the whole world that Walter Castillo is here to stay and he’s going to be a world champion.”

 

JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ SR.

“Being in Los Angeles is like being in Mexico for me; I have had many great memories. I became the world champion for this first time here and my son also became the world champion for the first time here, too.

 

“Julio definitely has a very difficult fight ahead of him.

 

“If I was Julio’s manager, I wouldn’t have taken this fight. Fonfara is a difficult and tough fighter.

 

“My son wants to fight fighters of quality and wants credibility in boxing.

 

“Julio has worked and trained very hard for this fight .He has the capability to win and we expect that it will go very well.”

 

JOE GOOSSEN, Chavez’ Trainer

“Julio has a window here the next five, six, seven years that he can capitalize on.

 

“I think he’s left the childish stuff behind, and we’re all guilty of being childish.

 

“I think that Julio has surprised his father with his determination heading into this fight.

He’s got a left hook to the liver that just sends a shock through your body.

 

“He’s not soft. He’s a real fighter. I have been around enough fighters to know that he’s a real fighter.  Number one, he has the never-say- die attitude in there.

 

“We’re up against a very well-schooled, blue collar, workmanlike  fighter in Fonfara.

 

“He is an athletic, improvisational fighter, in that you don’t know where everything’s coming from.

 

“I’ve watched a lot of Fonfara tape, and he pretty much repeats what he does, but he repeats it well.

 

“This is going to be a battle. You’ve got two contrasting styles and personalities.

 

“Julio has 51 fights under his belt. He’s no rookie and he comes from a great bloodline.  (In the short time I’ve been with him, it has been) more of an association than a dictatorial effort between the two of us.

 

“Based on former camps, he’s never really extracted himself from comfortable surroundings and put himself in a position where he is completely isolated like he was in Lake Tahoe.”

 

SAM COLONNA, Fonfara’s Trainer

“Fonfara could turn it up whenever. He could be down on the scorecards and one punch he throws could change someone’s world. He’s proven in the past that he has power in both hands.

 

“The styles in this fight are perfect for each other. When people ask about the fight I say it could go either way, it depends on who catches the other first.

 

“I’m looking for Fonfara to dominate, but Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. is a warrior, he comes to fight, he knows how to go to the body like his father used to, so we’ve been working on all of these strategies.

 

“A knockout win would be a dream come true to me. That’s what I’ve been looking for all these years. Winning this huge fight would change everything for Fonfara and myself.

 

“This camp that Andrzej had was the best we’ve ever had. He worked hard, he had time to train and there’s no excuses.

 

“We’re coming to fight a war. Don’t forget that wars are won by strategy.

 

“People say to listen to your father. His father told him not to take this fight, but he took it anyway and that was a mistake.

 

“I see this fight not going past 10 rounds,  with us getting the knockout.”

 

 

STACY  MCKINLEY, Imam’s Trainer

“Amir has always trained very hard, but I did see a change in him in this training camp after the last fight. He has stepped up his training by two levels.

 

“He learned a lot about his fight against [Fidel Maldonado] under the bright SHOWTIME lights at the MGM Grand.

 

“Amir is always confident going into each fight, but he made a mistake in the Maldonado fight. He rolled his right hand and forgot about  the left hand and was knocked down. He had to pay for his mistakes but it’s all a learning experience, he still has only 16 professional fights under his belt.

 

“Castillo has a great jab and good combinations. A guy like that throws a lot of punches, but there is a technique to breaking down a fighter like that.

 

“We can’t spend a lot of time on the ropes, and we must go after his body because his body is weak. Castillo is going to get knocked out on Saturday.

 

“I think that Amir is going to open up a lot of eyes on Saturday.”

 

# # #

 

Chavez Jr. vs. Fonfara” is a 12-round bout that takes place at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. and will air on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT). The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast will also be available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP).

 

For more information visit www.sports.sho.com, follow on Twitter at @SHOSports, @jcchavezjr1, @andrzej_fonfara, @StubHubCenter and @Swanson_Comm, follow the conversation using #ChavezFonfara, become a fan on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/SHOBoxing or visit the SHOWTIME Boxing Blog athttp://theboxingblog.sho.com.