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Unbeaten IBF World Heavyweight Champion Anthony Joshua, Bất khả chiến bại, World-Ranked Challenger Dominic Breazeale International Media Conference Call Highlights

“That’s what the Americans love. They like knockouts and I won’t let them down” – Anthony Joshua

“I can’t wait to get in the ring and shock the world” – Dominic Breazeale

Breazeale Challenges Joshua This Thứ bảy, Tháng sáu 25,
On SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL Live on SHOWTIME®
From The O2 in London

NEW YORK (Tháng sáu 20, 2016) – Undefeated IBF Heavyweight World Champion Anthony Joshua (16-0, 16 Kos) will make the first defense of his title against fellow unbeaten Dominic Breazeale (17-0, 15 Kos) of Upland, Calif., điều này Thứ bảy, Tháng sáu 25 trên SHOWTIME BOXING QUỐC TẾ® từ The O2ở London, sống trên SHOWTIME® on at 5:15 giờ chiều. VÀ/2:15 giờ chiều. PT.

Just a few hours later in Primetime on CBS (9 giờ chiều. VÀ/6 giờ chiều. PT), Keith “One Time” Thurman will defend his WBA Welterweight World Title against former champ Shawn “Showtime” Porter in a welterweight blockbuster that headlines SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING trên CBS, presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

Both Joshua and Breazeale participated in an international media conference callvào thứ Hai. Also taking part were Stephen Espinoza, Phó chủ tịch và Tổng Giám đốc của SHOWTIME thể thao; Eddie Hearn, Managing Director of Matchroom Sport and Brittany Goossen-Brown of TGB Promotions introducing Breazeale.

Below are highlights of what the principals had to say on the conference call. A full transcript will be available in the coming days.

ANTHONY JOSHUA

Thoughts on his preparation for the fight:

“I feel great condition wise, and mentally I’m in a good place. I’ve never felt so relaxed because I just know I’m capable of doing it. I’ve trained weeks and years and it’s just about getting it right on the night of the fight. My tactics and my mind have not let me down so far, so that’s why I don’t want to change anything.

“I’m not putting too much pressure on myself. I’m going to attack the fight the same way I have my last 16 and put on an explosive show. That’s what the Americans love. They like knockouts and I won’t let them down.

“Every fight can be my last fight. As much as I would like to tell you I’m confident and ‘I’m going to do this, I’m going to do that’ I do understand I have to approach this as if it could be my last fight.

“I know he can hang around, he doesn’t go down easy. He’s a big guy, he can eat shots. The Dominic Breazeale I’m used to watching on YouTube and I’m reading about is the enhanced Dominic Breazeale – the Dominic Breazeale that is 50 percent better because I think he knows he wants to come prove himself on a global stage. And this is his chance come Thứ bảy, so I need to prepare for the best of Breazeale.”

On going from being the hunter as a challenger to being the hunted as a champion:

“I’m not the cream of the crop in the gym. I’m around guys that are achieving things on the same level so I’m still hunting. I still have that mentality as if I’m a main killer in the jungle. I haven’t lost that hunger.

On potential to fight in the US in the future:

“I just keep on hearing the United States is where it’s happening. And if I come to the U.S., I’m going to shut it down.”

Thoughts on Breazeale’s performance against Amir Mansour:

“He’s a tough guy. He managed to go out there and break Mansour’s jaw and capture a win, which has led him into where he is now. Whichever angels were floating in the ring with him that day have led him to this point, so I’ve got to put an end to his dream.”

On winning a piece of the heavyweight championship in just his 16th pro fight:

“It didn’t mean much. I still have another couple titles I need to get my hands on. I’m still hunting. There’s still work to be done. So it only ticked one of the boxes on my to-do list.”

DOMINIC BREAZEALE

“I’m out here very excited. I can’t wait to get in the ring Tháng sáu 25 and shock the world, đó là chắc chắn. I’ve been lucky enough to prepare for the biggest fight of my life and I’m really super excited about it.”

On why he thinks he was selected for this matchup:

"Thành thật mà nói, the way I see it is that someone didn’t do their research. They didn’t look deep enough. They didn’t find out enough about me and maybe they’re looking at me as just another football player that transitioned into boxing. And I’m hoping they’re overlooking me. It definitely can be a situation where they’re just watching one fight, especially my last fight. But there’s been a lot of tough ones. If they’re looking at that one situation, I’m glad because that’s to my liking.”

On his feelings about fighting overseas:

“The way I’m thinking about it is, Tháng sáu 25, I gain 20,000 người hâm mộ. I’m in a situation where I’m very confident going into this fight and I know for sure I’m going to put on a great show, come out victorious and go back to the U.S. với 20,000 UK fans.

“I definitely believe [Joshua] realizes; he understands that he’s got a big test in front of him. He’s got a big fighter in front of him. He’s got a guy that’s going to break him down, test his will and see if he is a true champion.

“I am coming into this fight very confident and I’ve got some things that I know are going to work for me, as well as some things that I plan on exploiting out of Joshua.

“I’m blessed to have been picked for this fight and am thankful for this opportunity. The way I look at it, and the way I look at every fight that I go into, is that as long as I do everything that I need to do in the gym as far as sparring, preparation and training, running my miles, sleeping right and eating right – I’ve crossed all of my T’s and dotted all of my I’s. I’ve got nothing to worry about. I’ve got nothing to second-guess. I’ve done everything I’m supposed to and I just can’t wait to shine.”

STEPHEN Espinoza, Phó chủ tịch và Tổng Giám đốc, SHOWTIME Sports

“Anthony quickly went from a diamond in the rough to really one of the foremost stars in the UK and Europe, and we are happy to be his partner as he establishes his presence in North America.

“We are particularly excited about this bout because we have, pardon the phraseology, two behemoths. There are two skilled boxers, really the epitome of what heavyweight boxing should be – lớn, strong athletes skilled in their sport, with amateur pedigree, meeting on the afternoon here in the US, evening in the UK to determine who is the best fighter.”

EDDIE HEARN, Chủ tịch, Matchroom thể thao

“Over here, the feeling is that it’s going to be quite a routine defense, but Anthony hasn’t trained like that. He is not expecting that. He knows the background and roots of Dominic Breazeale. He knows his skill, and he knows how dangerous he can be and he knows how hungry he is as well. I think you’re going to get a different kind of fight than the Charles Martin fight. I think you’re going to get a guy that’s not afraid to let his hands go. He’s not going to wait and the sold out O2 Arena is going to be an electric place to be.”

“SHOWTIME is a deal we are very excited about. To link up with an American broadcaster for us was an obvious move, but it was a move we had to choose carefully. And I think we chose very, very well in SHOWTIME.”

BRITTANY GOOSSEN-BROWN, TGB Khuyến mãi

“Over here in the U.S. we have gotten to see Dominic grow before our eyes. We know he is definitely capable of challenging for the world title. Vào ngày thứ bảy we expect him to be victorious and bring that back to America.”

Để biết thêm thông tin truy cập www.SHO.com/Sports, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing and @SHOSports, hoặc trở thành một fan hâm mộ trên Facebook tại www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing https://www.facebook.com/ShoSports

Also follow Dominic Breazeale on Twitter @TroubleBoxing, Anthony Joshua@AnthonyJoshua and use hashtag #JoshuaBreazeale to join the conversation.

ARTUR BETERBIEV WON’T FIGHT IN RIO OLYMPICS

MONTREAL, Canada (Tháng sáu 15, 2016) After careful consideration, rising Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM) star and double Russian Olympian, Artur Beterbiev, will not take part in the qualifying process to earn a spot to compete in the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

An Olympic qualifying tournament for professional boxers will be held Tháng bảy 3-8 in Vargas, Venezuela, following the decision of the International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA) to include professionals in the Olympic tournament.

Tuy nhiên, Beterbiev (10-0, 10 Kos), who made a triumphant return to the ring after a one-year absence on June 4 at the Bell Centre in Montreal against Argentinian Ezequiel Maderna (23-3, 15 Kos), will not be there.

After analyzing all situations, we came to the conclusion that the current situation was not favorable,” Chủ tịch GYM Yvon Michel explained. “The short-term goal for Artur Beterbiev is to become world champion in the pro ranks. He will be back in the ring in September.
Currently world ranked in the top 10 of the light heavyweight division — IBF # 2, WBC and WBA #4, WBO #7 và The Ringmagazine #9 — Beterbiev has already participated in the Olympics twice: 2008 ở Bắc Kinh (178 lbs.) và 2012 ở London (201 lbs.).

Regardless of my boxer’s objectives, ” Beterbiev’s head trainerMarc Ramsey nói, “I’m behind him 100-percent. Tuy nhiên, the main goal remains the conquest of a World title.
THÔNG TIN:
Twitter: @YvonMichelGYM, @ABeterbiev
Instagram: @YvonMichelGYM, @ArturBeterbiev

DOMINIC “TROUBLE” BREAZEALE TRAINING CAMP NOTES # PROVIDES INSIGHT ON EXCHANGE WITH JOSHUA, TRAINING CAMP AND UPCOMING IBF WORLD TITLE BOUT


Photo courtesy of Timothy Hernandez. For more photos click
HERE
Vùng cao, California (Tháng sáu 9, 2016)It has been roughly five weeks since WBC Continental Americas Heavyweight Champion Dominic “Khó” BREAZEALE (17-0, 15 KO của) was notified that he would be facing newly crowned IBF world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua (16-0, 16 KO của). Trong luc đo, Breazeale has been continuing to train diligently with world renowned trainer Manny Robles in preparation for his upcoming IBF world heavyweight title challenge.

The heavyweight challenger from Alhambra, California and his trainer from East Los Angeles took some time out of Breazeale’s busy schedule to answer some questions about his training camp and the bout with Anthony Joshua on June 25th.
When you first found out that you were selected as Joshua’s opponent, what were your initial thoughts?
When I received a call from my advisor Al Haymon and he told me the good news, I was excited. I immediately told my wife and then notified my team that we got the fight. I knew I was one of three possible opponents and I was happy that I got it. Ever since 2008 when I started getting into boxing, it was a dream of mine to be the world heavyweight champion. Eight years later, I’m here.
Back on May 4th, you traveled to London for the press conference to announce the fight. There was clearly a heated discussion between you and Joshua. What happened?

“Tốt, prior to going into the press conference, we took some photos outside of the building. Then we had the stare down. I guess he didn’t like that when he looked away, I kept staring at him. Như vậy, since he was in front of the cameras, he started acting tough.

I just let him know that he was in for a dog fight. I’m not going to back down and he clearly saw that. I’m not coming for a check; I’m coming for that title and bringing it back to the United States where it belongs.

How is training camp going?
Training camp has been going really well. I was actually in camp before the fight was announced so I am in great shape. My coaches Manny Robles and Edgar Jasso have a great fight plan for me and we are working hard in the gym. I have great sparring partners and they are helping me as well.

My stable mates are also pushing me to train as hard as I can. I’m getting better every day and I couldn’t ask for anything more.

Coach Manny: how are things going in training camp?
Everything is going as expected. This camp is far beyond better than the last camp. Dominic will tell that this is beyond his best camp ever. Bạn biết, in his past camps he knew there was a routine every day. The last two camps, he expects something different every day. The variation of training keeps him focused and motivated and he is doing very well. I’m seeing overall improvements, from his ring generalship to his defense and footwork, putting punches together along with his balance and his jab.
I see improvement in every aspect of his game and he is becoming a better overall boxer. We are working to win. We are working hard in the gym and that is where the fights are won. Our sparring is going really well as is the training. Strength and conditioning coach Darryl Hudson is doing a phenomenal job with Dominic and the results are showing. We’re coming to win.
Dominic: How does it feel to be going back to London fighting for a world title?
“Nó cảm thấy tuyệt vời. I couldn’t have written the script any better. This is unfinished business. Quay trở lại 2012, I earned a spot on the Olympic team after just a year and half of boxing as a competitive amateur. But everyone knows that the amateur ranks are nothing like the professional ranks. So far in my professional career, I have learned to impose my will on my opponents and that’s why I’m fighting Joshua for the world title. I’m looking forward to going back to London to finish what I didn’t four years ago.
What are your thoughts on the current state of the heavyweight division?
The heavyweight division is ripe for the pickings. You have an out of shape fighter like Tyson Fury who now holds two titles after getting a decision over Wladimir Klitchko, who clearly had an off night. I believe Klitchko will KO Fury and Fury retires.

Then you have the controversy between Deontay Wilder and Alexander Povetkin. I was really looking forward to that bout. I sparred with Povetkin in Russia a few years ago and I know what he is capable of. I have a lot of respect for Deontay Wilder and it’s too bad that fight didn’t happen.

What are your expectations for how the bout with Anthony Joshua plays out?
I’m coming to London to win, đồng bằng và đơn giản. I’m going to pressure Joshua and just keep punching. He is going to think that he is fighting two or three Dominic “Khó” Breazeale’s and I expect to knock him out in the 6th or 7th round. Như vậy Như June 25th, I will have a place in history as the new IBF world heavyweight champion.

Do you have anything is closing?

I want to take the time to offer my condolences to the Ali family. We lost a true legend and the greatest of all time. There will never be another man of his figure. Ông. Ali always inspired me to not only be the best in the ring, but the best human being possible. The world has lost a great man. My fight will be the first heavyweight bout since his passing and I intend to make him happy.

“Here Comes Khó
#

Baltimore Boxing’s Donald Wallace to make pro debut Saturday in Virginia

 

Baltimore, MD (Có thể 18, 2016) – Baltimore Boxing middleweight prospect “Dangerous” Donald Wallace is slated to make his pro debut against fellow newcomer Brian Straus in a four round match up Thứ bảy evening at the ABC Sports Complex in Springfield, VA.

In the last year, Wallace went from a virtual unknown to a respected up and comer in the notoriously tough Baltimore-Maryland-DC region. A participant in the 2016 Vòng loại Olympic, Wallace exceeded expectations but ultimately came up short after dropping a debatable decision to well-regarded Sharif Rahman.

Since the defeat to Rahman, Wallace has been fighting with a chip on his shoulder and the kind of hunger necessary to make it in a sport brutal as boxing. Now that his brief but successful amateur career is behind him, Wallace is focused on his future in the paid ranks.

“I’m excited and have been working on getting my weight down,” said Wallace. “My last few amateur fights I fought too heavy but that’s no longer an issue. I’ve already had experience boxing without the headgear during the Olympic Qualifiers so I’m not worried about that aspect. I actually like that the gloves are smaller in the pros because I’m looking for a knockout or stoppage in the first round to enter the pros in style!"

Jake Smith, Wallace’s manager and trainer, has been involved in the fight game for more than three decades and is a firm believer in him.

“Donald came to me with no experience but the desire to learn and improve. He is an incredibly hard worker and has come very far in a short period of time. I believe his work ethic alone will take him places in this sport and I’m looking forward to Thứ bảy ban đêm. "

Tickets are available by calling 410-375-9175.

Fans can interact with Donald on Twitter @Wallytbe and for more information on Baltimore Boxing, thăm Baltimoreboxing.com.

Báo giá & PHOTOS FROM TODAY’S SHOWTIME SPORTS/ANTHONY JOSHUA ANNOUNCEMENT & KICKOFF PRESS CONFERENCE FOR IBF HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD TITLE FIGHT VS. DOMINIC BREAZEALE

Joshua and Breazeale Engage in Heated Exchanges

Tháng sáu 25 Event Marks Joshua’s Initial Title Defense & Đầu tiên Fight
Of Exclusive U.S. Television Agreement With SHOWTIME Sports
®

PHOTO DOWNLINK: HERE; Thẻ tín dụng: Matchroom thể thao

JOSHUA KO HIGHLIGHT VIDEO: http://s.sho.com/1q11DOF

LUÂN ĐÔN (Có thể 4, 2016) – Undefeated IBF Heavyweight World Champion Anthony Joshua and unbeaten American challenger Dominic Breazeale had an intense face-to-face meeting on Wednesday before a contingent of major sports media outlets in London to formally announce their Tháng sáu 25 showdown. The two were joined by SHOWTIME Sports Executive Vice President & Tổng Giám đốc Stephen Espinoza and Matchroom Sports President Eddie Hearn, as the executives announced Joshua’s new exclusive U.S. television deal. All four participants later took part on a teleconference with U.S. phương tiện truyền thông.

Highlights from today’s press conference at Hilton London Syon Park and teleconference are below.

Joshua (16-0, 16 Kos) will make the first defense of his heavyweight title against Los Angeles’ Breazeale (17-0, 15 Kos) live on SHOWTIME at the sold-out The O2 arena in London. The heavyweight showdown is the first of a multi-fight licensing agreement for Showtime Networks Inc., to be the exclusive U.S. television partner of Joshua, các 2012 Olympic Gold Medalist from London.

Before the press conference, Breazeale and Joshua had to be separated. Breazeale approached Joshua and was asked if there was a problem. “I don’t know, brother, I’ve just come here to get the belt,” Breazeale said. "On Tháng sáu 25, you’ve got a problem. You’re a bad man because you’ve got a belt now.

“This is not acting, it’s heavyweight boxing. You can act all big and bad in front of all these cameras and your promoters, but in the end you’ve got to put a mouthpiece in your mouth and gloves on your hands.”

Joshua then told Breazeale if he had a problem, they could “settle it man to man.”

Here’s what Joshua and Breazeale had to say from the podium on Wednesday in London:

ANTHONY JOSHUA:

“There are a lot of positive things happening in boxing and a lot amazing things happening in my career at the moment. But I know enough to realize that this is a dangerous sport and you are only as good as your last fight. I fought and lost in the amateurs, and I know how quickly this can all change. It’s my job now to prepare myself properly and to keep this momentum rolling.

“Dominic and I are equals in many ways. He came up around the same time I did, through the Olympic Games and all. Hiện nay, with this U.S. TV deal with SHOWTIME and the deal with Sky Sports, Dominic Breazeale gets a chance to announce himself on the UK scene. And I have the chance to do the same in the U.S.”

“I’ll never overlook, never drop the ball. Theo như tôi đang quan tâm, Tôi là kẻ yếu. I know every day of training camp and every hour of every day, where I am in my preparations leading up to a fight. We have less than seven weeks to go and we will be ready.”

DOMINIC BREAZEALE:

“I am not here looking to see the final round. I’m not here to look at the judges’ scorecards. I am here to knock Anthony Joshua out. Period.

“I am very excited. I wish this fight was this weekend.”

When asked if he expected to fare better than his counterpart, Charles Martin.

“We are two totally different fighters. Anthony Joshua knows he is now getting in there with a beast. He knows he is in for a dog fight. He’s going to hit me and I am going to hit him. And whoever’s will breaks first will lose this fight.

“Charles Martin wasn’t prepared. He dropped the ball. He fought the wrong fight at the wrong time. He had just won the belt, was excited about that, and he took the wrong fight. I haven’t made that mistake. I won’t make that mistake.”

Here’s what the principals had to say during Wednesday’s teleconference with U.S. phóng viên:

STEPHEN Espinoza, SHOWTIME SPORTS Executive Vice President

“UK boxing is on fire right now. There are more UK champions than any other country right now and at SHOWTIME we pride ourselves on bringing our viewers the best fights and the best boxers on the planet, whether they be American, British or from any other country. It is no surprise that our desire, our quest to seek out the most talented and most exciting boxers on the planet, has led us to Eddie’s doorstep and to this deal with Anthony Joshua. We have been discussing this for quite some time. Eddie is a great advocate and ultimately Anthony’s performances have spoken for themselves.

“We had originally intended to put Anthony on SHOWTIME two fights ago but the logistics just didn’t work out, so we were fortunate enough to make his U.S. TV debut with the title fight against Charles Martin and now we’ve done a deal in which we’ve hopefully laid a foundation for hosting Anthony on SHOWTIME for the remainder of his career.

“It was bold of them for entrusting this portion of their career to SHOWTIME. There’s a wealth of good fights in the heavyweight division and most importantly of all, Eddie and Anthony are willing to take all of them.

“I’m not the biggest fan of multi-fight deals but when you have a promoter and a boxer who have committed to taking the best fights available, big or small, tại Hoa Kỳ. or the UK and anywhere else, it brings a lot of comfort to the network in doing those types of deals. From that perspective it was a no-brainer. We’re thrilled to have them.”

ANTHONY JOSHUA:

On coming to American and making statement:

“It’s a great opportunity to be on SHOWTIME because when I look back at my amateurs, I think that’s why I’ve had such a good career in Great Britain so far. It’s because people have been out to follow me since I was an amateur fighter. SHOWTIME worked with me on my first defense and now I get to build with the Americans. I’ve got friends out there and we’re going to build to a wider audience. If we can keep on building and growing organically, by the time I come out there it will be unbelievable. Just like I’m at home.”

On who he thinks will be his biggest challenge:

“I would have to say, Klitschko or Wilder. Klitschko because of the experience and Wilder because he’s the heavyweight champion of the world who’s defended his belt on multiple occasions. So I have to give him credit as the strong force of the division right now because he’s the only other champion who has defended his belt. As far as Klitschko, he’s won the belt and defended it time and time again. Those two are the main names I’m looking at.”

On how his life has changed since becoming a heavyweight champ:

“I’ve had no time. It has been three weeks since the belt was won and I know it was nice for my family. They all had a great time and my mom is telling everyone. So it’s nice to see her enjoy the fruits of labor, but for me, we got straight to organizing the next project, which is why we’re here now.

“You’re not a real deal until you fight in the states, so I thought there was a plan. Eddie has been doing a great job in the background while I’ve been in the gym and they (Hearn and SHOWTIME) pulled something together that is unprecedented, historical. Như vậy, credit to the guys that put it together while we’re in the gym putting in the work. At first I was surprised because I didn’t understand the capacity of it, but now I’m looking forward to seeing how we build up things in America.”

On how it is being written about and talked about by credible boxing writers that he is the next big thing in boxing:

“I think that’s why it is important to stay fighting and in the gym. If you spend too long out of the gym then one event turns to two events; turns into the club after the event; turns into all of these expectations and promises, glitz and glamour get to you and I like to keep things (in place). I’ve got an unbelievable family, I’ve got friends around me that count as my family. I’ve got really good people that see me as the same Anthony that was a kid with them running around in the streets. The belt is a great achievement but I feel that why I’ve been so calm is that I think the sky is the limit, what we’re achieving so early on.

“I think I am capable of doing great things if I stay locked away in the gym and I think that is what is so important. To keep on improving time after time. I’ve got a long career ahead of me so I can’t let the expectations and the glitz and glamour get to me right now because it’s way too early for that right now.’’

On if he’s fighting to do something spectacular or look good:

"Do Not, đừng, đừng. What I’ve been doing has been working, which has led me to this position. Như vậy, all the expectations can’t put pressure on me because it may lead to something that we’re not used to, like a slugfest or a type of fight like that. I need to maintain composure but I definitely need to be effective because I feel like I’ll win but what’s important is how I win. The pressure for me is trying to impress my coach. That is one of my main pressures.”

DOMINIC BREAZEALE:

On the heavyweight division having a bad rep in the past and on how Joshua and Breazeale are different than recent previous fighters:

“I think the biggest difference is that we are separating ourselves with being big athletic guys. Trước, in the past, there were just big, mạnh, aggressive guys in the ring just slugging it out. We are showing some athletic ability as far as using the jab, moving around the ring, throwing combination punches and things like that. We’re kind of taking it back to the days when you saw heavyweight fights like Riddick Bowe and Evander Holyfield. Not necessarily just big stiff guys that are kind of stuck in the mud. I am fortunate to be in the division at the time being right now and I am looking forward to it.”

Thoughts of Martin-Joshua clash, Martin’s performance and what he will do differently:

“I was very upset with Charles Martin’s performance against Anthony Joshua. I was expecting him to put out a lot more, give it a lot more, but unfortunately he didn’t. That four minutes in two rounds were very, very disturbing. One of the differences between me and Charles is that I am not Charles Martin. I’m a big statured guy, a big athletic guy and a strong guy and Joshua knows best that he’s going to be in the ring with somebody who mirrors his image and just a little bit bigger than him, just a little bit heavier and just a little bit stronger than him. Như vậy, I plan on finding out if Anthony Joshua has got the legs and the lungs to go five, sáu, maybe seven rounds but at the same time I want to test his chin, test his body and see if he is the true heavyweight champ.’’

EDDIE HEARN, Matchroom Boxing

“Probably for three years now, I’ve been knocking on the doors of American networks, telling them about this great young fighter. They’ve all been keeping an eye on Anthony Joshua, for sure and the victory on April 9 over Charles Martin to become the IBF Heavyweight champion really opened the doors.

“Anthony Joshua is the biggest star in world boxing and now we have a position with Stephen Espinoza and SHOWTIME where we will move forward together in a multi-fight deal which we hope will not be five, sáu, or seven fights, we hope it will be for the entire career of Anthony Joshua, for the unification of the heavyweight division. And as I have I said, the birth and the evolution of the biggest star in world boxing today.

“SHOWTIME in my opinion is at the forefront of dynamic boxing programs in the U.S. I think the fights and the shows are continuously pushing the boundaries, not just in America, but outside of America as well. We were privileged to have Quigg vs. Frampton on SHOWTIME and Andy Lee against Billy Joe Saunders recently. They’re picking up the biggest fights in world boxing in many different territories.

“For us this is a groundbreaking day. For a UK promoter and a UK fighter to sign a multi-fight agreement with SHOWTIME, gives me a huge amount of great pleasure commercially. I think it’s a groundbreaking day for British boxing as well, I think we’re on fire at the moment. We’ve got 12 vô địch thế giới; James DeGale just defended his world title on SHOWTIME last weekend and we have another world champion fight this week with [Anthony] Crolla, Ricky Burns and Tony Bellew are both fighting for world titles to become the 13th and 14th Brits to win world titles. I really feel like the atmosphere, the energy and the vibes of the show that we’re producing are second to none. The atmosphere is electric, the passion is through the roof of the arena and now the U.S. man is going to get a chance to witness it time and time again with Anthony Joshua.

“The plan for us is to evolve Anthony Joshua in various different markets which will lead to U.S. fights as well and I will work closely with Stephen [Espinoza] to see if that’s possible perhaps even in November of this year, but we want to make Anthony Joshua a global star and that includes fighting in America. I am so pleased that the U.S. public will get the opportunity to watch Anthony Joshua on the No. 1 boxing network in America.”

SHOWTIME SPORTS® SIGNS HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION ANTHONY JOSHUA TO EXCLUSIVE U.S. TELEVISION AGREEMENT

Britain’s Joshua To Defend IBF World Title Against American Dominic Breazeale

Thứ bảy, Tháng sáu 25 at The O2 in London In First Fight Of New Deal

 

LUÂN ĐÔN (Có thể 4, 2016) – SHOWTIME Sports and Matchroom Boxing announced on Wednesday a multi-fight licensing agreement for Showtime Networks Inc., to be the exclusive U.S. television partner of undefeated heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua. The announcement was made today at the Hilton Syon Park outside London by Stephen Espinoza, Phó chủ tịch và Tổng Giám đốc, SHOWTIME Sports and Eddie Hearn, President of Matchroom Sports.

 

The multi-fight agreement kicks-off on Thứ bảy, Tháng sáu 25 when Joshua, a British sensation, attempts to make the first defense of his IBF Heavyweight World Championship against undefeated American challenger Dominic Breazeale at the sold-out The O2 arena in London. The addition of this heavyweight title fight, airing live on Showtime Networks in the late afternoon, bolsters a big day for boxing as later that evening on CBS, SHOWTIME will present the first live primetime boxing event on the CBS Television Network in nearly 40 năm.

 

Joshua, 26, has compiled a perfect knockout record of 16-0 với 16 knockouts since turning professional shortly after winning the 2012 Olympic Gold Medal. Đầu năm nay, Joshua earned the IBF world championship with a second-round knockout of defending champion Charles Martin on SHOWTIME, earning a heavyweight belt in the fewest number of fights in more than 20 năm. Hơn nữa, Joshua is just the sixth Olympic Gold Medalist at super heavyweight to go on to win a professional heavyweight world title joining Joe Frazier, George Foreman, Lennox Lewis, Wladimir Klitschko and Alexander Povetkin.

 

The 30-year-old Breazeale (17-0, 15 Kos) has knocked out nearly 90 percent of his opponents since turning professional after representing the United States at the 2012 Olympics. Standing at 6-foot-7, the Los Angeles native is one inch taller than the 6-foot-6 Joshua. The former NCAA football quarterback is coming off a career-best victory of previously once-beaten Amir Mansour on Jan. 23.

 

Joshua vs. Breazeale will be the fifth heavyweight title bout to air live on SHOWTIME in the first six months of 2016, joining a stellar schedule that features many of the top-rated fighters in boxing’s deepest and most exciting divisions.

 

Cũng trong ngày Thứ bảy, Tháng sáu 25, Keith Thurman will defend his WBA Welterweight World Championship against former titlist Shawn Porter in a blockbuster matchup of two of the world’s best 147-pound fighters, Sống ở 9 giờ chiều. VÀ/6 giờ chiều. PT. In the co-main event of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING on CBS, presented by Premier Boxing Champions, WBA Featherweight World Champion Jesus Cuellar will defend his title against former three-division world champion Abner Mares.

 

EDITORS NOTE: A press conference is currently underway in London. Quotes and photos to follow. A media teleconference for U.S. press with Joshua, Stephen Espinoza (Phó chủ tịch điều hành & General Manager of SHOWTIME Sports) and Eddie Hearn (President of Matchroom Sport) bắt đầu vào 1 giờ chiều. VÀ/10 a.m. PT.

 

Nhấn vào đây HERE For Joshua Images Courtesy Matchroom Sport