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BOXING RETURNS TO PRIMETIME NETWORK TELEVISION

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BOXING RETURNS TO

PRIMETIME NETWORK TELEVISION

 

PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS DEBUTS ON NBC WITH TWO STAR-POWERED MAIN EVENTS LIVE FROM THE MGM GRAND GARDEN ARENA

AT 8:30 P.M. ET/5:30 P.M. PT

 

Undefeated Welterweight Star Keith “One Time” Thurman Takes On Former Four-Division World Champion

Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero In Welterweight Action

 

The Evening‘s First Main Event Pits Former Three-Division World Champion Adrien “The Problem” Broner

Against Hard-Hitting Super Lightweight

John “The Gladiator“ Molina Jr.

LAS VEGAS (January 28, 2015) – The return of prizefighting to primetime network television has finally arrived as the recently announced Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) series is set to debut on Saturday, March 7 with an action-packed double main event on NBC, live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

 

The inaugural PBC on NBC fight night will feature two spectacular bouts worthy of this historic occasion. In the second main event of the evening, undefeated welterweight knockout artist Keith “One Time” Thurman (24-0, 21 KOs) will take on former four-division world champion Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero (32-2-1, 18 KOs) in a showdown where both men look to prove they are amongst the best fighters in the world on the biggest stage in recent boxing history.

 

The first main event of the evening will feature one of boxing’s biggest and most compelling stars, former three-division world champion Adrien “The Problem” Broner (29-1, 22 KOs) facing off against the always exciting John “The Gladiator” Molina Jr. (27-5, 22 KOs) in a super lightweight bout that will put the winner at the top of the division.

 

Tickets for the live event are priced at $400, $300, $100 and $50, not including applicable service charges and taxes, are on sale now.  To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets are also available at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

 

Don’t miss a minute of the PBC on NBC action as the first televised fight on NBC begins at 8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT SHARP!

 

“The team and I are extremely excited and we are all looking forward to this opportunity to fight on NBC. A lot of what my team keeps saying is that this is going to change the sport. It reminds me that my late trainer Ben Getty used to tell me, that all I needed to do was get on a big stage,” said Thurman. “I’m truly looking forward to headlining the first show. I’m happy to be back at MGM Grand and looking forward to a great knockout. This is the start of creating a household name.”

 

“It’s very refreshing to know that NBC is bringing boxing back to primetime television,” said Guerrero. “It’s an honor to be part of the first show, especially against an undefeated champion like Keith Thurman.  Everyone knows I always come to fight. Let’s hope Thurman has the same mindset.  He claims that he’s going to knock me out, but I see a totally different outcome. When this fight is over, everyone tuning in will know why boxing is one of the most exciting sports to watch, that I can guarantee.”

 

“This is the first big installment of ‘AB on NBC.’ There’s nothing I can’t do,” said Broner. “It’s a great fight not only for the fighters, but for the fans. Everyone knows that I always come to fight and I know John Molina Jr. is coming to fight. I look forward to stopping Molina on NBC. I love the support and anyone that supports me; I’m going to fight for them. This is just the start of the ‘AB Show’ in 2015.”

 

“I am extremely excited to be a part of the inaugural show on NBC and to be on this platform. I can’t wait to go out there and do what I do best in front of millions of people,” said Molina Jr. “I want to fight the best and Broner is one of the best. This is a fight that we asked for over a year ago and we finally got it. I am so excited. I’m not nervous at all. If I were nervous, I wouldn’t be in this industry. This is the type of thing that real fighters dream about. I’m counting down the days.”

 

The return of boxing to primetime on NBC is nearly 30 years in the making, with the last such fight night taking place May 20, 1985. That fight saw Larry Holmes win a 15-round decision and defend his IBF Heavyweight World Championship against Carl Williams in Reno, Nev.

 

Primetime national television was a long-time home for some of the most recognizable names in the history of the sport, with fighters such as Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, George Foreman and Mike Tyson making a name for themselves in front of a national audience.

 

The PBC on NBC series will feature a cast of familiar names and voices who will lend their immense talents to the broadcasts. Seven-time Emmy Award winner Al Michaels will host the series while Academy Award winning composer Hans Zimmer will compose the music that brings the series to life. In addition, legendary boxer Sugar Ray Leonard will serve as lead analyst.

 

“I’m so excited about PBC on NBC. I was shocked when I got the call, but right away I knew I wanted to be a part of this,” said Leonard. “This is what boxing needs, and this is what the boxing fans need.”

 

Los Angeles-based Goossen Promotions will promote this inaugural PBC on NBC event.

 

“It’s an honor to be a part of this extraordinary and highly anticipated event

on March 7, the debut of the ‘Premier Boxing Champions’ series on NBC,” said Tom Brown of Goossen Promotions. “These are two outstanding fights featuring four world class boxers and fans are in for a terrific night of action.”

 

Thurman has long proven his power by knocking out 18 of his first 19 opponents, but when he won the interim WBA Welterweight World Title with a 10th round knockout over Diego Chaves in July of 2013, he put himself in a position to fight the very best in the sport. The 26-year-old Clearwater, Florida native has since made three successful title defenses with knockouts over Jesus Soto Karass and Julio Diaz, before dominating Leonard Bundu on his way to a unanimous decision in December 2014. Now, Thurman looks to remain undefeated when he faces his toughest test to date in Guerrero.

 

A battle-tested veteran, Guerrero, of Gilroy, Calif., has been among the elite fighters in boxing for years. A southpaw boxer-puncher, Guerrero has won world titles in four weight classes from 130 to 147 pounds, beating the likes of Andre Berto, Joel Casamayor, Michael Katsidis and Selcuk Aydin along the way. His prowess across these weight classes earned him a fight with pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather in 2013, which he lost by unanimous decision. “The Ghost” bounced back nicely in June of 2014 with a hard-fought unanimous decision victory over Yoshihiro Kamegai.

 

One of boxing’s most well-known stars, Broner, the 25-year old phenom who has collected world titles at 130, 135 and 147 pounds, is setting his sights on the dangerous puncher John Molina Jr. on March 7. Broner has prevailed over the likes of Paulie Malignaggi, Daniel Ponce de Leon and Antonio Demarco on the way to becoming a three-division champion. Despite suffering his first loss to Marcos Maidana in December 2013, the Cincinnati-native rebounded with back-to-back victories over Carlos Molina and Emmanuel Taylor.

 

Molina Jr. from Covina, Calif., has had great success in the professional ranks including an impressive knockout victory over current world champion Mickey Bey that proved you can never count the powerful puncher out of a fight. The 32-year-old lost a scintillating Fight of the Year candidate to Lucas Matthysse in 2014 and is looking to start off 2015 with a big win against Broner.

 

A full night of exciting undercard bouts will be announced shortly.

 

PBC on NBC, will take place Saturday, March 7 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and is promoted by Goossen Promotions. The event will air live on NBC (8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT).

 

# # #

 

For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com,  www.nbcsports.com/boxing and www.goossenpromotions.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @KeithFThurmanJr, @GhostBoxing, @AdrienBroner, @JohnMolinaJr135, @NBCSports and @MGMGrand and become a fan on Facebook at  www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions  and www.facebook.com/NBCSports.
boxing, Showtime Boxing

BERMANE STIVERNE AND DEONTAY WILDER TALK TRAINING CAMP AND THEIR PLACE IN HEAVYWEIGHT HISTORY BEFORE THEIR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SHOWDOWN ON SATURDAY, JAN. 17 AT MGM GRAND GARDEN ARENA LIVE ON SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®

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1-17-15 LH

LAS VEGAS (Jan 9, 2015) – As we near the epic return of world championship heavyweight action in the United States, WBC Heavyweight World Champion Bermane Stiverne (24-1-1, 21 KOs) and unbeaten knockout specialist Deontay Wilder (32-0, 32 KOs) are deep in training camp for their championship showdown on SHOWTIME®.

 

Tickets for the event are on sale and priced at $500, $350, $250, $125 and $50, not including applicable service charges and taxes. Tickets are limited to eight (8) per person with a limit of four (4) at the $50 price range.  To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also are also available at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

 

Read below for what the fighters have to say about how training is going, what their place in heavyweight history is and what the fans can expect to see on Jan. 17 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas:

 

Q: Where have you been training? Who have you been training with? How has training been going?

 

Bermane Stiverne: I am in Vegas training at the Mayweather Gym.  I have had many sparring partners, seven total and they have been alternating since it has been a very long camp.  I began training camp in August because we didn’t even know when this fight was going to happen so we had to be ready for any time and we did better than ever.  It has been a long, long training camp and I am in the best shape I have ever been in.

 

I plan to go in the ring between 238 and 242 pounds.  We thought about going lower but I am a super heavyweight and that is the weight where I am best.

 

Deontay Wilder: Camp has been great.  It’s been a long hard road but we’re here now.  I had my whole team which was excellent — Jay Deas, Mark Breland, Russ Anber, Cuz Hill and my strength coach Peter Khoury, so it couldn’t have been any better.

 

Q: How do you feel about fighting on the big stage as the main event at the MGM Grand Garden Arena?

 

BS: Fighting at the MGM Grand is a dream come true.  I have been dreaming of becoming a champion my whole life.  When I think of the MGM I think of all the history and I want to write a new chapter.

 

DW:  I’m super excited about fighting on the big stage.  The bigger the better!  The more attention and people watching, the more I like it.  We’ve been working towards this for a long time, and I am glad we have gotten to this level.

 

Q: If you could meet any heavyweight champ who would it be? Is there a heavyweight that you would say you emulate?

 

BS: Muhammad – he was the greatest, he called himself “The Greatest” before he even knew he was The Greatest.  He worked hard every single day to fulfill it and that is what I do.  No corners cut.

 

DW: I’ve never patterned myself after any other heavyweight, but if I could meet one from the past it would be Joe Louis.  He’s part of my nickname.  He was the ‘Brown Bomber’ and since I’m from Alabama like he was and I won the Bronze medal at the Olympics, I’m the ‘Bronze Bomber.’

 

Q: How do you feel about being in the biggest heavyweight title fight in the United States in a decade?

 

BS: The Heavyweight Champion is what it’s all about.  It’s the King of the Jungle.  It is the Champion of all the Champions.  I am happy to bring it back.  Boxing is alive and well.

 

DW: It’s time for the heavyweight division to be important again and I’m the guy to do it, so I can’t wait.

 

Q: Which heavyweights inspired you or did you admire on your climb to this point?

 

BS: Iron Mike Tyson and James Toney – I really admire the way they fought.  I loved Iron Mike’s explosiveness and speed and his fast hands.  Tyson could hurt you with any punch at any angle and that is my forte.  When I hit somebody, I see it in their eyes and their legs and I feel their pain.

 

DW: My daughter is my inspiration.  I always admired guys like Muhammad Ali and Larry Holmes though.

 

Q: Is there any extra motivation fighting for the WBC title that has been held by so many of the greatest including Muhammad Ali?

 

BS: The WBC heavyweight belt has been held by many great champions. It’s the biggest prize out there.

 

DW: A lot of great champions have held the WBC title belt, so it’s the big one and I’m honored and excited to be fighting for it.

 

Q: How important is it for you to represent your home country in this fight? Do you feel any additional pressure because of it?

 

BS: I am blessed to have been born in Haiti and lived in Quebec, Canada and now Las Vegas and I like to think of myself as an inspiration to kids in Haiti that have suffered so much – just like me.  I want them to know that if they work hard they can achieve their dreams.

 

DW:  Like I said, I am honored and excited.  A lot of greats have held the belt and I am ready to make history and be one of the greats.  Representing the U.S. in a heavyweight fight, bringing it back home, it’s an honor.

 

Q: What do you think of your opponent, does anything he does concern you?

 

BS: I think Wilder is a clown.  Wilder thinks this is the WWE.  He acts like it’s the WWE. This is for real.  It is going to hurt very bad.

 

DW: I have no thoughts about Bermane Stiverne.  I’m just ready to fight and leave it all out in the ring.

 

Q: What should the fans expect on Jan.  17? Do you have a prediction?

 

BS: On Jan.  17 I will hurt Wilder and I will knock him out and it will be a lasting image in peoples’ minds for a very long time.

 

DW: Fans should expect a great night of boxing and everyone will see Jan. 17. -.  Be there or tune in on TV if you can’t.  You don’t want to miss it!

 

# # #

 

SHOWTIME Sports® will present ALL ACCESS: STIVERNE VS. WILDER  tonight,Friday, Jan. 9 at 10:45 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME.
“RETURN TO GLORY”:  STIVERNE VS. WILDER, a 12-round fight for Stiverne’s WBC Heavyweight Championship taking place Saturday, Jan. 17 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, is co-promoted by Don King Productions and Golden Boy Promotions.  In the 12-round co-feature, unbeaten WBC Super Bantamweight World Champion Leo Santa Cruz defends against Jesus Ruiz and undefeated Amir Imam meets Fidel Maldonado Jr. in a 10-round super lightweight bout. The event will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev., and will air live on SHOWTIME® (10:00 p.m. ET/ 7:00 p.m. PT). The telecast will also be available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP). Preliminary bouts will be televised live on SHOWTIME EXTREME (8:00 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).

 

For more information visit www.donking.com, www.goldenboypromotions.com and www.sports.sho.com, follow on Twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing, @BStiverne, @BronzeBomber, @SHOSports and @MGMGrand and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing and www.facebook.com/SHOBoxing, or visit SHOWTIME Boxing Blog at http://theboxingblog.sho.com/.