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JAMES DeGALE VS. LUCIAN BUTE, ELEIDER ALVAREZ VS. ISAAC CHILEMBA MAIN EVENT PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES & PHOTOS

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“They think it’s going to be a boxing match, but it will be a destruction.

It will be explosive. Three rounds – place your bets. Trust me.”

– James DeGale

 

“I have the power to knock him out and the skills to box him.

I’m just ready to become world champion again.”

– Lucian Bute

 

Click HERE For Photos From Amanda Westcott/SHOWTIME

 

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® This Saturday, Nov. 28,

Live On SHOWTIME® at 11 p.m. ET/PT

From Vidéotron Centre in Quebec City, Canada

 

SHOWTIME BOXING ON SHO EXTREME Live at 9 p.m. ET/PT

 

QUEBEC CITY, Canada (Nov. 25, 2015) – Boldly predicting at least a sixth-round finish against hometown favorite Lucian Bute, a confident James DeGale held his IBF Super Middleweight World Championship belt high over his head during the main event press conference in advance of Saturday’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING event.

 

“Gonna be six rounds, but it may be three,” DeGale repeated over and over as the fighters concluded their final shots for a packed room of media members on Wednesday at the Le Bonne Entente Hotel.  DeGale (21-1, 14 KOs), from London, England, defends against the popular former 168-pound world champion Bute (32-2, 25 KOs), of Montreal, this Saturday from the Vidéotron Centre in Quebec City, live on SHOWTIME at 11 p.m. ET/PT. 

 

Also participating in the press conference were the two top ranked light heavyweights facing off in the co-feature.  WBC’s No. 1-ranked 175-pound fighterIsaac Chilemba (24-2-2, 10 KOs), of Montreal, meets unbeaten, No. 2-rankedEleider Alvarez (18-0, 10 KOs), of Johannesburg, South Africa, in a light heavyweight world title eliminator. The winner earns the right to become the mandatory challenger for WBC Light Heavyweight World Champion Adonis Stevenson, who is expected to be in attendance on Saturday night.

 

NOTE: A new opponent was announced on Wednesday for heavyweight Oscar Rivas (17-0, 12 KOs), of Montreal.  Joey Abell (31-8, 29 KOs), of Champlin, Minn., will square off with the undefeated heavyweight in the 10-round opening bout of SHOWTIME BOXING on SHO EXTREME. 

 

Here is what the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING participants had to say on Wednesday:

 

JAMES DeGALE

 

“It’s on – fight time is finally here.  I feel like a beast. 

 

“They think it’s going to be a boxing match, but it will be a destruction.  It will be explosive.  Three rounds – place your bets. Trust me.

 

“I fought the best super middleweight southpaw out there in Andre Dirrell and look what I did to him. Once he feels my power that will be it.  I’m going to start fast and throw loads of punches.

 

“I watched him against Carl Froch, watched him against (Librado) Andrade.  He’s great in the center of the ring, but I’m not going to stand there.  It won’t be a chess match.  I’ll start fast and we’ll see how he takes it.

 

“Carl exposed him and I’ll finish him. But I don’t care about Carl Froch – he’s old.  I’m the new champion.  If he wants this belt, he’ll have to come get it.

 

“I’m an old school fighter – I don’t mind travelling to fight in my opponents’ hometown. 

 

“He was a great champion who has fought some great fighters so I should get kudos when I beat him.”

 

LUCIAN BUTE

 

“It’s a great opportunity to fight for my old belt in front of my hometown fans.  I think they’ll push me toward the victory.  I’m looking forward to becoming world champion again.

 

“I think he’s the best super middleweight in the world right now, but I’m very confident in myself.

 

“I had a great camp.  I’m just ready to become world champion again.

 

“I’m healthy, I feel great physically.  I have the power to knock him out and the skills to box him.

 

“Now I have a chance to take back my belt against another English fighter.”

 

JIM McDONNELL, DeGale’s Trainer

 

“I’ve tried to come back and do what Lucian has done and it’s not easy. Tune in on Saturday night because what I’ve got is special, and you’ll enjoy what you see.

 

“It’s tough to win your world title back.  I respect Lucian for trying, but James is a world class fighter. He’s ready for everything.”

 

HOWARD GRANT, Bute’s Trainer

 

“We did everything we had to do.  Lucian is 100 percent prepared to surprise everyone on Saturday.  Lucian knows what wearing that belt is all about – he wore it for about five years and he’s coming on Saturday to take it back to where it belongs.”

 

ELEIDER ALVAREZ

 

“This is my chance right now. I’m hungry and I’ve done everything I had to do to have the best camp possible for this fight. I’m facing a very intelligent boxer who is technically excellent. But I’ve always said that if I don’t face the best, then I will stay an ordinary boxer. So I must face the best, to be the best.

 

“When I wake up on Sunday morning, I’m going to be the mandatory challenger for the title.”

 

ISAAC CHILEMBA

 

“I had a great camp in Burbank, Calif., training there for six or seven weeks. I believe I should have a shot at Stevenson, and if this is what it takes to get there I will do whatever possible to make it happen. I’m up for the challenge.

 

“I’m fighting a good fighter and he’s undefeated for a reason. But I’m here to prove that I’m the best light heavyweight in the world. I will put on a good show on Saturday night and everyone will see.

 

“I have a lot of trials in my life, but I think that’s what makes me stronger and has made me what I am today. I don’t look back on what has happened and I appreciate what life has given me.

 

“He is a great fighter and I know it won’t be an easy fight.  But I’ve put in the work and I’m ready.”

 

MARC RAMSAY, Alvarez’s Trainer

 

“This is the major leagues right now. These two are the best light heavyweights in the world. I’ve had the chance to work with Isaac because he has sparred in Montreal with Artur Beterbiev for two weeks. So I know him well. He’s a very complete and complex boxer. But I full trust my fighter to win this fight. It’s his chance.”

 

BUDDY McGIRT, Chilemba’s Trainer

 

“I just want to say it’s great to be a part of this event. Mr. DeGale is the champion and he’s coming to Mr. Bute’s country to fight him. That’s what boxing needs. It needs more fights like this to keep it on the rise.

 

“As far as our fight goes with Mr. Alvarez, I believe that besides (Sergey) Kovalev, these two are the best light heavyweights in the world. And I think they should be fighting for the title and not an eliminator to see who fights the champion.”

 

# # #

 

The event, billed as “THE RECLAMATION”, is a presentation of Vidéotron in collaboration with Mise-O-Jeu. Tickets are on sale at the Vidéotron Centre box office, on www.ticketmaster.ca, at GYM (514) 383-0666, at InterBox (450) 645-1077 or at Champion boxing club (514) 376-0980.

 

@butelucian, @jamesdegale1, @yvonmichelGYM, @interboxca,@stormalvarez, @SHOsports,

 

boxing, Showtime Boxing

SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION DEFENDS AGAINST FORMER TITLEHOLDER LUCIAN BUTE SATURDAY, NOV. 28, LIVE ON SHOWTIME®

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Photo Credit: Frank Coppi/Matchroom Boxing 

LONDON (Nov. 16, 2015) – Two days before he departs for Canada, IBF Super Middleweight World Champion James “Chunky” DeGale (21-1, 14 KOs) held an open media workout at the Stonebridge Boxing Club in London as he nears completion of a 10-plus week training camp for his title defense against former world champion and Canadian fan favorite, Lucian Bute (32-2, 25 KOs), of Montreal, on Saturday, Nov. 28, live on SHOWTIME (11 p.m. ET/PT) from the Vidéotron Centre of Quebec City.

 

The event billed as “THE RECLAMATION” is a presentation of Vidéotron in collaboration with Mise-O-Jeu.

 

Here’s what DeGale had to say on Monday:

 

JAMES DEGALE:

“I think I am the best super middleweight out there right now. There are hard fights in the division.  Badou Jack is a good fighter, but I think I beat him and beat him well if I stay switched on for the full 12 rounds.

 

“Arthur Abraham is still a tough customer and hopefully Martin Murray can do the business. I think he will beat him, although it’s hard to win in Germany.

 

“I want to prove I am the best, I will go anywhere to do it and that’s why I am defending my title in Canada. All the world champions in Britain have great rivals on the doorstep, so it’s a really exciting time domestically as well for boxing in Britain right now – but I firmly believe I beat everyone in this division.

 

“I like boxing away from home – maybe it’s time I started being called ‘the road warrior’.  I won my world title in Boston and now I am defending it in Canada against a classy opponent in Lucian Bute. I know it’s going to be a hard fight but I am ready for that.  My sparring has been great, I am hitting great times on the track, I feel strong in the gym and I am just looking forward to it.

 

“Nothing changes under Jim McDonnell – it’s all about hard work, long runs up Hampstead Heath, 15 round sparring sessions, five minute rounds in the gym – I’m always in great shape. We haven’t changed anything really.  If anything, we’ve had to just adjust the mindset and train like a challenger even though I am the champion.  That’s the way you have to think.

 

“I feel fresh, sharp and ready. I travel on Wednesday and I am raring to go.  I just can’t wait to get in there now. I wanted to get out there a good 10 days early to acclimate to the weather and the time.  Once I am there, I feel even more switched on.”

 

# # #

 

In the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® Nov. 28 co-feature, undefeated Eleider Alvarez (18-0, 10 KOs) meets Isaac Chilemba (24-2-2, 10 KOs) in a 12-round WBC Light Heavyweight Title Eliminatorn. The winner becomes the mandatory challenger to WBC 175-pound champion Adonis “Superman” Stevenson.

 

Preceding the SHOWTIME telecast will be fights on SHOWTIME EXTREME(9 p.m. ET/PT): Undefeated, world-ranked Amir Imam (18-0, 15 KOs) facesAdrian Granados (14-3-2, 9 KOs) in a 10-round super lightweight match, unbeaten Oscar Rivas (17-0, 12 KOs) collides with Curtis Harper (12-4, 8 KOs) in a 10-round heavyweight scrap and, time permitting, Custio Clayton(4-0, 3 KOs) will be opposed by Ivan Pereyra (19-5, 13 KOs) in a four-/six-round welterweight bout.

 

Tickets are on sale at the Vidéotron Centre box office, onwww.ticketmaster.ca, at GYM (514) 383-0666, at InterBox (450) 645-1077 or at Champion boxing club (514) 376-0980.

 

@butelucian, @jamesdegale1, @yvonmichelGYM, @interboxca,@stormalvarez, @SHOsports,

 

boxing, Showtime Boxing

UNDEFEATED WBC NO. 1 CONTENDER AMIR IMAM TO FACE ADRIAN GRANADOS ON SATURDAY, NOV. 28, ON SHOWTIME EXTREME®

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SHOWTIME BOXING ON SHO EXTREME® (9 p.m. ET/PT)

Amir Imam vs. Adrian Granados – 10 Round Super Lightweight Bout

Oscar Rivas vs. Curtis Harper – 10 Round Heavyweight Bout

 

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® LIVE ON SHOWTIME® (11 p.m. ET/PT)

James DeGale vs. Lucian Bute – IBF Super Middleweight World Championship

Eleider Alvarez vs. Isaac Chilemba – WBC Light Heavyweight Title Eliminator

 

NEW YORK (Nov. 10, 2015) –WBC No. 1 ranked super lightweight Amir Imam (18-0, 15 KOs) returns to face Adrian Granados (14-4-2, 11 KOs) in a 10-round bout on Saturday, Nov. 28 on SHOWTIME BOXING on SHO EXTREME.

 

The undefeated Imam is the mandatory challenger to WBC 140-pound champion Viktor Postol, who won the vacant title with a 10th round TKO of Lucas Matthysse in October.

 

The SHOWTIME BOXING on SHO EXTREME telecast begins live at 9 p.m. ET/PT from the Vidéotron Centre in Quebec City prior to that evening’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast.  In the SHO EXTREME opener, undefeated heavyweight and former international star Oscar Rivas (17-0, 12 KOs) will face Curtis Harper (12-4, 8 KOs) in a 10-round bout.

 

IBF Super Middleweight World Champion James DeGale (21-1, 14 KOs) will defend his belt against former 168-pound champ Lucian Bute(32-2, 25 KOs) in the main event of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® live on SHOWTIME® (11 p.m. ET/PT).

 

In the co-feature, the WBC’s No. 1-ranked 175-pound fighter Isaac Chilemba (24-2-2, 10 KOs) will square off with No. 2-ranked Eleider Alvarez (18-0, 10 KOs) in a light heavyweight world title eliminator.  The winner earns the right to become the mandatory challenger for WBC Light Heavyweight World Champion Adonis Stevenson.

 

The event, billed as “THE RECLAMATION”, is a presentation of Vidéotron in collaboration with Mise-O-Jeu.

 

One of boxing’s fastest-rising contenders, the 25-year-old Imam has knocked out 15 of his 18 professional opponents since turning pro in 2011.  The Albany, N.Y., native is coming off a fourth-round knockout of former world title challenger Fernando Angulo on July 18 on SHOWTIME.

 

The 26-year-old Granados, of Chicago, has won three fights in a row since a close, split decision loss to undefeated welterweight prospectBrad Solomon on the undercard of the Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao PPV last May 2 in Las Vegas.  Granados’ only other defeat since 2011 was a majority decision loss to then-undefeated Felix Diazin 2014.  Granados, who holds a draw against former welterweight world champion Kermit Cintron, will move back down to 140 pounds for his bout with Imam.

 

The Montreal-based Rivas represented Colombia in the 2008 Olympic Games.  The 28-year-old is coming off a three-knockdown, first-round TKO of Jason Pettaway on July 26 in his U.S. debut on ShoBox: The New Generation.  Rivas returns to the province of Quebec, site of 16 of his 17 bouts, against the 27-year-old Harper, who is 5-1 in his last six fights.

 

Harper, of Jacksonville, Fla., is coming off a close decision loss to long-time heavyweight contender Chris Arreola on March 13.  Harper was knocked down in the first round against Arreola but rallied in an entertaining slugfest.

 

Tickets are on sale at the Vidéotron Centre box office, onwww.ticketmaster.ca, at GYM (514) 383-0666, at InterBox (450) 645-1077 or at Champion boxing club (514) 376-0980.

 

@butelucian, @jamesdegale1, @yvonmichelGYM, @interboxca,@stormalvarez, @SHOsports,

boxing, NBC, Premier Boxing Champions

PBC on NBCSN in Montreal  Final press conference quotes

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MONTRÉAL (August 12, 2015) – Only three days prior to their Premier Boxing Champions on NBCSN fights, participating boxers on the August 15 card at Bell Centre in Montreal held a press conference Wednesday at the Montreal Casino.
 
Televised coverage is headlined by a 10-round showdown between Lucian “Le Tombeur“ Bute (31-2, 24 KOs) and Andrea Di Luisa (17-2). Also featured on NBCSN is light heavyweight contender Eleider “Storm“ Alvarez (17-0) versus Isidro Ranoni “El Guerrero“ Prieto (24-0-3) in a 12-round bout for the WBC Silver belt.
LUCIAN BUTE
 
“I would like to thank Andrea Di Luisa for accepting this challenge and to fight me at home. My preparation was great. In the last few years, I had health problems that affected my performances. What I can say now is that I’m fully healthy. I did almost 100 rounds of sparring for this fight. I am back!“
 
ANDREA DI LUISA
 
“This bout is a rematch of an amateur fight we had 15 years ago. This is different this time because Bute is now a former world champion and a well know name in the sport. Make no mistake, I am here to fight.“
 
ELEIDER ALVAREZ
 
“This is the biggest challenge of my career. Prieto’s record says it all: he has 20 KO’s in 24 wins. The problem is that he will face a new Alvarez. Since my elbow surgery, my jab, which is my money punch, is amazing. I also want to look good in front of my fans in Montreal and on American television.“
 
ISIDRO RANONI PRIETO
 
“I will do my best to bring back the WBC light heavyweight Silver belt home to Argentina.“
 
Tickets for the event, which is promoted by Groupe Yvon Michel in association with InterBox,
are available to purchase at the Bell Centre box office, on www.evenko.ca, at GYM (514) 383-0666, at InterBox (450) 645-1077 or at Champion boxing club (514) 376-0980. Ticket prices range from $25 to $250 on the floor.
 
For more information, visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, www.nbcsports.com/boxing andwww.groupeyvonmichel.ca. Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @NBCSports, @InterBoxBute, @yvonmichelgym and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampionsand www.facebook.com/NBCSports.
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Lucian Bute back in the ring!

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Eleider Alvarez and Oscar Rivas also in action

MONTRÉAL (July 14, 2015) – Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM), in association with InterBox, is happy to announce the return to the ring of former IBF world super middleweight champion Lucian Bute, August 15 at Bell Centre, as part of Premier Boxing Champions series, airing live on NBC Sports. His opponent will be European super middleweight champion, Andrea Di Luisa, of Italy.

“I’m ready and looking forward to being back in the ring. I have not lost my passion and I train six days a week, twice a day,” said Bute (31-2, 24 KOs), who will be in his first fight since meeting Jean Pascal in front of a sellout crowd, January 18, 2014 at Bell Centre.

In his last bout, Di Luisa (17-2, 13 KOs) defeated his compatriot, Roberto Cocco, by 11th round technical knockout to capture the EBU-EU Europe title. Di Luisa has won his last four fights.

“I’m very happy about this opportunity,” Di Luisa commented. “I know Bute because I fought him in the amateurs. He is very good and I respect him. But I don’t fear him.”

 

“We are delighted that Lucian can finally return to the ring. This fight is very important for the rest of his career,” said InterBox president Jean Bedard.

“We are very proud to present the first event of the Premier Boxing Championsseries in Montreal. This will also be the first time that NBC Sports will be present in Montreal to broadcast a boxing event,” added GYM President Yvon Michel. “I am also very happy to support the return of Lucian Bute and I thank InterBox for allowing us to participate.”

Serious test for Alvarez

In addition to Lucian Bute, fans will see unbeaten Colombian Olympians Eleider Alvarez and Oscar Rivas, in action. They will both face the biggest challenge of their young career.

Alvarez (17-0, 10 KOs) will face an undefeated, WBO #6 rated Paraguayan-born slugger Isidro “El Guerrero” Prieto (24-0-3, 20 KOs). The Argentina-based boxer is trained by none other than the mentor and first coach of former world championSergio Martinez, Raul Paniagua.

“Prieto is a very serious opponent, undefeated and world-ranked, ” head trainer Marc Ramsey analyzed. “He beat everyone in South America, often by KO. He has a strong right hand, in addition to being young and hungry. He will try to use Eleider as a stepping stone to the big leagues.”

Rivas (17-0, 12 KOs) will lace his gloves against an opponent yet to be determined.

Alvarez and Rivas have both been impressive in their last outing this past June in the United States. They respectively knocked out Anatoliy Dudchenko and Jason Pettaway.

Other fighters on the card

In addition to the three aforementioned featured fights, five other bouts will be presented.

Russian super bantamweight Vislan Dalkhaev (2-0, 0 KOs), Romanian heavyweightBogdan Dinu (12-0, 8 KOs), Montreal super lightweight Yves Ulysse (8-0, 5 KOs), Sorel-Tracy super lightweight David Theroux (6-1, 4 KOs) and Laval light heavyweight Erik Bazinyan (8-0, 5 KOs) are all scheduled to be in action.

Dalkhaev, a friend of fellow boxer Artur Beterbiev, will attempt to add a third win in the pro ranks. In his last outing, the Chechen-born pugilist defeated Frenchman Adel Hadjouis by unanimous decision on April 4, in Quebec City.

Dinu, a compatriot of Bute, will fight for the first time in 2015. His last encounter occurred December 6, 2014, when he stopped Frenchman Mickael Vieira in the first round.

Ulysse, a former member of the Canadian National Amateur Boxing Team, recorded the easiest win of his career on June 20 at Bell Centre, when Frenchman Renald Garrido was disqualified before the start of the confrontation. This time, though, Ulysse is likely to have a rival who really wants to fight.

Theroux, the pride of Sorel-Tracy, fought in a fierce battle against former Spanish champion Ignacio Mendoza, on June 17 in Sorel-Tracy. Even if the result was not the one hoped for, the 21-year-old boxer in no quitter and he wants to redeem himself in front of his Montreal fans.

As for Armenian-born Bazinyan, he is trained and managed by the Grant brothers. The 20-year-old fighter will jump into the ring for the second time in 2015. On March 27 at Olympia Theatre, he stopped Frenchman Morgan Le Gal in the fifth round.

Tickets go on sale Wednesday, July 15 at 10:00 a.m. ET, at the Bell Centre box office, on www.evenko.ca, at GYM (514) 383-0666, at InterBox (450) 645-1077 or at Champion boxing club (514) 376-0980. Ticket prices range from $25 to $250 on the floor.
boxing, NBC, Premier Boxing Champions

CANADIAN STAR LUCIAN BUTE FACES ITALY’S ANDREA DI LUISA ON PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON NBCSN

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ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 15 FROM THE BELL CENTRE IN MONTREAL

AT 9 P.M. ET/6 P.M. PT

 

Plus Undefeated Light Heavyweights Collide As

Eleider Alvarez Meets Isidro Ranoni Prieto

 

Oscar Rivas Also In Action!

 

Tickets On Sale Tomorrow!

 

MONTREAL (July 14, 2015) – Former world champion Lucian Bute (31-2, 24 KOs) returns to the ring to face Italy’s Andrea Di Luisa (17-2, 13 KOs) in a 10-round super middleweight showdown on Premier Boxing Champions on NBCSN on Saturday, August 15 from the Bell Centre in Montreal with televised coverage beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

 

Another televised bout will pit a pair of undefeated light heavyweights against each other as 2008 Colombian Olympian Eleider Alvarez (17-0, 10 KOs) takes on Paraguayan knockout artist Isidro Ranoni Prieto (24-0-3, 20 KOs) in a 12-round battle. Additionally, 2008 Colombian Olympian Oscar Rivas (17-0, 12 KOs) will compete on the card.

 

“I’m ready and looking forward to going back in the ring,” said Bute. “I have not lost my passion and I train six days a week, twice a day. I am excited to perform on the big stage on August 15.”

 

“We are very proud to present this great event in Montreal,” said GYM President Yvon Michel. “This will also be the first time that NBCSN will be in Montreal to broadcast a boxing event and I’m also happy to support the return of former world champion Lucian Bute.”

 

Tickets for the live event, promoted Group Yvon Michel (GYM) in association with InterBox, are priced from $25 to $250, not including applicable service charges and fees, and are on sale Wednesday, July 15 at 10 a.m. ET. Tickets can be purchased at the counters of the Bell Centre, on www.evenko.ca, at GYM (514) 383-0666, at InterBox (450) 645-1077 or at Champion boxing club (514) 376-0980.

 

After an accomplished amateur career representing his native Romania, Bute moved to Montreal, Quebec, Canada and began his pro career in 2003 with 30 straight victories. Among those victories, the 35-year-old won a super middleweight world title over Alejandro Berrio. Bute owns victories over Sakio Bika, William Joppy, Edison Miranda and Jesse Brinkley and will be returning to the ring for the first time since Jan. 2014 on August 15.

 

A professional since 2008, Di Luisa will be making his North American debut on August 15when he travels to Canada to challenge Bute. The 33-year-old racked up 12 wins to start his career including victories over previously unbeaten fighters Alessio Rondelli and Giuseppe Brischetto. Fighting out of Lazio, he enters this fight on a four-fight win streak, including his last two by knockout.

 

A 2008 Colombian Olympian fighting out of Montreal, Alvarez defeated Anatoliy Dudchenko by second round knockout on June 12. That fight marked the pro debut for the 31-year-old, after recording 15 victories in Canada and one in Monaco. The owner of victories over and Edison Miranda, Alexander Johnson and Ryno Liebenber, he looks to keep his perfect record intact on August 15. .

 

Born in Paraguay but making his home in Buenoas Aires, Argentina, Prieto has never lost as a pro and has won his last eight fights heading into August 15. The 29-year-old will be making his North American debut and fighting as a pro outside of South America for the first time. The heavy-fisted fighter has recorded three straight knockouts entering this fight.

 

Another 2008 Colombian Olympian, Rivas has also made his home in Montreal since turning pro. The exciting 28-year-old rides an impressive six-fight knockout streak into this fight and he hopes to build on the success he had in his U.S. debut, a first round knockout over Jason Pettaway in June 2015.

 

For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, www.nbcsports.com/boxing and www.groupeyvonmichel.ca. Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @NBCSports, @InterBoxBute, @yvonmichelgym and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampionsand www.facebook.com/NBCSports.
boxing, Showtime Boxing

DOMINIC WADE TAKES A 10-ROUND SPLIT DECISION OVER FORMER WORLD CHAMPION SAM SOLIMAN TO REMAIN UNDEFEATED IN MAIN EVENT OF SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION TRIPLEHEADER

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 Unbeatens Erickson Lubin, Oscar Rivas, Win by First-Round Knockout

Over Ayi Bruce, Jason Pettaway, Respectively, in Televised Co-Features

 

Watch The Replay Of The ShoBox: The New Generation Tripleheader

Monday, June 29, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHO

 

Click HERE To Download Photos

Credit: Stephanie Trapp/SHOWTIME®

 

SHELTON, Wash, (June 26, 2015) – In an extremely close fight to score, undefeated middleweight Dominic “Lights Out” Wade (18-0, 12 KOs), of Washington, D.C., escaped with a split 10-round decision over former world champion Sam “King” Soliman (44-13, 1 NC, 18 KOs), of Melbourne, Australia, in the main event Friday on ShoBox: The New Generation live on SHOWTIME from Little Creek Casino.

 

Wade, who scored a disputed knockdown in the fourth round, won by the scores of 97-93, 95-94 and 93-96.

 

“This was by far my toughest fight, and my best win as a pro,’’ Wade said afterward. “I knew there was going to be a problem fighting an experienced, totally awkward guy like that. Really, it’s impossible to prepare for a fight like this. But I kept my poise throughout and that was a key.

 

“Soliman was physically fit, but not one thing he did surprised me. His punches weren’t anything. I thought it was a close fight, but I knew I landed the harder, cleaner shots. I wasn’t worried at all about the decision.

 

“I have more respect for Soliman now that I’ve fought him. He sure doesn’t fight like somebody that is 41-years-old. But I did what I had to do to get the win and take the next step up me.’’

 

Soliman, making his first start since suffering a knee injury last Oct. 14in an IBF title defense decision loss to Jermain Taylor, fought his fight. An energetic, herky-jerky veteran, who constantly moves, feints, charges in with punches, holds, grabs, hugs and sometimes even tackles.

 

His mauling unconventional style makes it almost impossible to look good against, but many, including Soliman, felt he landed enough clean punches to deserve the decision.

 

“I definitely felt I won, and I think Wade knows I won, too,’’ Soliman said. “He never hurt me once. My knee held up 100 percent. The knockdown that he got credit for wasn’t even a knockdown. It didn’t come from a punch. He literally pushed me down.

 

“That everyone after the fight came up to me and said I won takes some of the sting out of not getting the decision. These kinds of decisions can bring some fighters down, but this will only make me stronger. I don’t agree with the decision at all, but this is boxing and I have to accept it.

 

“I really want to thank SHOWTIME for giving me the opportunity to fight on ShoBox. I think I showed the world tonight that I have a lot left.’’

Boxing historian and ShoBox expert analyst Steve Farhood afterward: “It was a very difficult fight to score. It was very close. It turns out the difference was somehow controversial: Unofficial knockdown in round four. If you scored that round 10-8 for Wade, that was the margin of victory, one extra point that he got for round four.

“A good win for [Dominic] Wade, not a pretty win. He’s a legitimate Top 10 contender now because he beat a legitimate top 10 contender. And for [Sam] Soliman, he’s 41-years-old and he’s going to keep going. He’s not going to stop. Overall, it was a good learning experience for Wade and a very very difficult ugly fight that could have gone either way.”

There was much less drama in the two other televised fights presented by TGB Promotions.

 

In the co-feature, 19-year-old former amateur standout and talented unbeaten super welterweight Erickson “Hammer” Lubin (11-0, 8 KOs), of Orlando Fla., scored two knockdowns en route to a 2:49, first-round knockout over Ayi Bruce (23-10, 15 KO’s) of Albany, N.Y., who was fighting for the first time in 16 months.

 

“I expected to take him out, maybe in a couple of rounds, but not that fast,’’ said the up-and-coming southpaw who is one of the youngest boxers to appear on ShoBox. “I took my time and was pacing myself. I don’t think he hit me once.

 

“I want to keep moving up and fighting better competition so I can become a true contender. I’m ready to fight again tomorrow. Tonight, actually.’’

 

In the ShoBox opener, former international amateur star Oscar “Kaboom” Rivas (17-0, 12 KOs), a Montreal-based Colombian who represented Colombia in the 2008 Olympic Games, remained undefeated with a devastating 2:25 first-round TKO over outclassedJason Pettaway (17-3, 10 KOs), of Camp Lejeune, N.C.

 

A brutal, vicious puncher, Rivas was impressive in his United States andShoBox debut. He overwhelmed Rivas from the outset, scoring three knockdowns. He had two points taken away for hitting Pettaway late and while he was down after the first knockdown, but it hardly mattered.

 

While delighted with his performance, Rivas felt the points’ deduction was unwarranted. “I didn’t think he was on the floor,’’ he said. “I didn’t think his knee was down and he was holding on to the ropes. So he wasn’t down and I kept punching.

 

“I feel very happy about my fight tonight. This was the opportunity I’ve been waiting for, fighting on a great network like SHOWTIME. I’m ready for bigger challenges now. I don’t care against who. I’m ready to take on the world.’’

 

Said Pettaway: “I definitely felt I was down and that it was a late shot. It definitely affected me. I never got a chance to show anything.’’

 

Rivas, looking to become the first boxer from Colombia to win a heavyweight world title, may have had something to do with that.

 

Unbeaten lightweight and former Marine and 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Captain Jamel Herring (12-0, 7 KOs), of Cincinnati, Ohio, whose scheduled ShoBox fight against Mexico’s Oscar Cortes was cancelledThursday when Cortes came in overweight, fought on the non-televised portion of the event and won a lopsided eight-round decision over Tijuana’s Hector Velasquez (56-26-3, 38 KOs).

 

Barry Tompkins called the ShoBox blow by blow at ringside with boxing historian Steve Farhood and former world champion Raul Marquezserving as ringside analysts. The executive producer is Gordon Hallwith Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

 

 

The ShoBox:The New Generation tripleheader will re-air this week as follows:

 

DAY                                                                            CHANNEL

Monday, June 29, 10 p.m. ET/PT                       SHOWTIMEEXTREME®

 

Friday’s three-fight telecast will be available at SHOWTIME ON DEMAND® beginning tomorrow, Saturday, June 27.

boxing, ShoBox, Showtime Boxing

 SHOBOX SHUFFLE DOMINIC WADE-SAM SOLIMAN IN MAIN EVENT, TWO NEW FIGHTS ADDED TO SHOBOX TRIPLEHEADER

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Unbeaten Erickson Lubin Will Face Ayi Bruce in Co-Feature,
Heavyweights Oscar Rivas and Jason Pettaway Clash
In Telecast Opener; Jamel Herring Fight Is Cancelled
After Opponent Oscar Cortes Comes In Overweight

Weights and Boxers’ Final Thoughts For
ShoBox:The New Generation Tomorrow/Friday, June 26,
At 10:35 p.m. Live on SHOWTIME® From Little Creek Casino

Click HERE To Download Photos

Credit: Stephanie Trapp/SHOWTIME

 

SHELTON, Wash. (June 25, 2015) – The ShoBox: The New Generation tripleheader tomorrow, Friday, June 26, live on SHOWTIME (10:35 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) from Little Creek Casino in Shelton, Wash., will feature promising undefeated middleweight prospect Dominic “Lights Out” Wade (17-0, 12 KOs), of Washington, D.C., against Sam “King” Soliman (44-12, 1 NC, 18 KOs), of Melbourne, Australia in the 10-round main event.

 

But the scheduled co-feature between unbeaten lightweight and former Marine and 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Captain Jamel Herring (11-0, 7 KOs), of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Mexico’s Oscar Cortes (25-2, 13 KOs) was cancelled Thursday when Cortez came in overweight. Armed Forces Network will air the ShoBox telecast despite the Herring-Cortes fight getting scrapped.

 

“I’m very disappointed that I didn’t get to fight,’’ Herring said. “I was really looking forward to it.  I’ll be back in the ring in no time and I will continue my march of becoming a world champion one day.”

 

The new co-feature will pit unbeaten promising Erickson “The Hammer’’ Lubin (10-0, 7 KO’s) of Orlando, Fla., against Ayi Bruce (23-9, 15 KO’s) of Albany, N.Y., in a super welterweight scrap. The telecast opener will match heavyweights Oscar “Kaboom” Rivas (16-0, 11 KOs), a Montreal-based Colombian, and Jason Pettaway (17-2, 10 KOs), of Camp Lejeune, N.C. Both fights are slated for eight rounds.

 

Wade, who’ll take on the toughest opponent of his career when he steps up in class to face the vastly more experienced former world champion Soliman, also came in heavy. He weighed 162.5 pounds on his first attempt. When he returned to the scale, he weighed 161 pounds. Soliman, tipped the scale at 161.4 pounds, on his first attempt.

 

Southpaw Lubin, 19, a sensational amateur, will be making his ShoBoxdebut and 11th start since turning pro in November 2011. He weighed 152.4 pounds. Bruce, who has fought top prospects throughout his career but is coming off a lengthy layoff, weighed 151.4 for the super welterweight bout. In the heavyweight match added to the telecastThursday morning, the physically strong and powerful Rivas, a former international amateur standout, weighed 244 pounds. Pettaway, who is looking to regain his winning ways after losing his last start, tipped the scale at 222.

 

What the fighters said Thursday:

 

DOMINIC WADE

 

“For me this is a big step up in class. Soliman is a very experienced fighter; I definitely don’t look at him as just some 41-year old who still fights. He’s a spoiler. He’s the kind of fighter that is difficult to look good against because he’s so awkward. I expect him to jump and throw punches and then hold, but I’ve trained to control him from the outside with my jab.

 

“I feel like it’s time for a real test. It’s time to see where I’m at. I could have fought easier, but I’ve been working hard at the gym and this is the time for me to start moving toward a world title shot.

 

“Going 10 rounds with Nick Brinson [in his ShoBox debut in June 2014] was a good learning experience. I thought I was going to stop him for sure, probably early, but he was tougher than I thought. He surprised me. Nothing Soliman will do will surprise me and I am 100 percent ready for Friday.’’

 

SAM SOLIMAN

 

“The right knee that I hurt against Jermain Taylor is 100 percent. I’ll be wearing a brace but it is nothing I’ll be thinking about. I had four months of rehab, but I’ve been injury-free in the seven months since.

 

“As a former kickboxer, I have been in a million wars, so this wasn’t even the worst injury I’ve ever suffered. You can’t compare it to what I went through as a kickboxer so I feel great. There are no mental fears or anything.

 

“I don’t want to be a stepping stone for anybody. I feel his promoters and advisors made a mistake in picking me. I still have plenty of fight left. They could have picked a lot of other fighters if they were looking to make a name for Wade.

 

“For me to still be fighting has nothing to do with age or special genes. It’s all about how you live your life.

 

“Wade is a good boxer, a smart kid who will try and keep you at bay. But I’ve fought 30-40 guys with that style. He’s talented and I don’t want to take anything away from him, but you need to have some tough fights. I know they see me as their ticket to a world ranking, a 41-year-old former champion. But they picked the wrong guy.’’

 

ERICKSON LUBIN

 

“I’m just here to fight. This is my first time on SHOWTIME and I’m really looking forward to it.

 

“I feel like my career is going just great. I fought a lot last year and hope to fight four-five times this year. I want to be labeled as a contender real soon, so I just keep fighting. I can fight at super welterweight or welterweight with no problems weigh-wise.

 

“I’m in a good division. I’ve been watching all the young guys. I feel I could fight any of them now, but I know I have to be patient. Still, if I had my way, I’d fight every month if I could.

 

“I’m still learning, of course, but I know I am getting there.  I feel one of my greatest strengths is my ability to make adjustments. If one thing isn’t working I can adjust it to something totally different.’’

 

AYI BRUCE

 

“I can box or slug and have faced some tough guys. I’ve been off but that’s because a couple of fights fell out on me. I feel really strong and very prepared.

 

“Lubin is only 19. I’m going to show him my experience in the ring. I’ve fought lefties before so that will not be a problem.

 

“I’m coming to fight. I’m coming to win. I need to win. On Friday, I’m going to be the teacher and he is going to be the pupil. I’ll be taking him to school.’’

 

OSCAR RIVAS

 

“This is a great opportunity for me fighting on ShoBox. I want America to see me, I want to show the people what I’ve got. I’ve been waiting for an opportunity like this for a long time.

 

“I’m strong, but I think I’m a better boxer than people expect. I feel I have a lot of ability. All that international amateur experience made me well-rounded. I’m not just a pressure guy. I’ve got good movement and I throw a lot of combinations with speed.

 

“I’m happy with the way my career is going. They’re taking their time with me but I feel I’m ready to step up against tougher opposition. At 6-foot-1, I’m short for a heavyweight but I’m a tough fighter for guys taller than me.

 

“There has never been a heavyweight champion from Colombia. To become the first is a great motivation for me.

 

“I look forward to fighting the biggest names in the division. I’ve been waiting for the time and the time is now to move up. I feel I’m going to be a part of the heavyweight dance for a long time.

 

“But I’m not underestimating Pettaway. I look at him as a complete boxer who can take a punch and has good speed and power.’’

 

JASON PETTAWAY

 

“This is the opportunity of a lifetime, what I have been working for my whole life. I feel like this is a big step up for me, but it is also a big step up for him. I don’t think he has ever fought anybody as good as me.

 

“I know that a lot of people haven’t heard of me, but a win on Friday, and a couple more right after that, will put me right in the thick of the heavyweight mix.

 

“I’m definitely in great shape. I’m improving and getting more comfortable with each fight. I think nerves and fighting under the big lights has cost me before, but I’m over that now.

 

“I am really looking forward to fighting a guy like Rivas.’’

 

Barry Tompkins will call the ShoBox blow by blow with boxing expertSteve Farhood and former world champion Raul Marquez serving as ringside analysts. The executive producer is Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

 

Tickets for “Little Creek Brawl VII” from Skookum Creek Event Center start at $20 and are available online at www.little-creek.com or by calling1.800.667.7711.  Doors will open at 5 p.m. PT, with the first fight tentatively set to begin at 6 p.m.  Live coverage will begin at approximately 7:35 p.m. local time (PT).

 

For more information about Little Creek Casino Resort and its full line-up of upcoming acts that includes Paul Rodgers, Trace Adkins, Dwight Yoakam, Cherry Poppin’ Daddies, YES and Toto, please call 800-667-7711 or visit online at www.little-creek.com

 

boxing, CBS Boxing, Premier Boxing Champions

ADONIS STEVENSON WINS THRILLING BATTLE OVER SAKIO BIKA IN DEBUT OF PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON CBS IN FRONT OF A RAUCOUS CROWD AT THE PEPSI COLISEUM IN QUBEC CITY

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 (PHOTOS BY: Amanda Kwok / PBC on CBS)

ARTUR BETERBIEV SECURES KNOCKOUT OVER GABRIEL CAMPILLO

 

JULIAN WILLIAMS WINS AGAINST A TOUGH JOEY HERNANDEZ

QUEBEC CITY (April 4, 2015) – The inaugural Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) onCBS card brought fight fans a very exciting afternoon of boxing matchups from Quebec City’s Pepsi Coliseum. The main event featured Adonis “Superman” Stevenson (26-1, 21 KOs) in a thrilling 12-round unanimous decision (115-111, 116-110 and 115-110) win over Sakio “The Scorpion” Bika (32-7-3, 21 KOs).

 

The opening televised bout saw Artur Beterbiev (8-0, 8 KOs) in an impressive fourth round knockout win over Gabriel “The Handsome Man” Campillo (25-7-1, 11 KOs).

 

The telecast also featured highlights from Julian “J Rock” Williams (19-0-1, 11 KOs) win over Joey “Twinkle Fingers” Hernandez (24-3-1, 14 KOs).

 

Below are some notable comments from the televised fighters regarding their performancetonight:

 

ADONIS STEVENSON

 

“I worked hard to be able to go for 12 rounds. I dropped him twice. He’s never been knocked out and I knew he’d come prepared to fight.

 

“I said I would be happy with a knockout or going the distance to get the win. So I’m very happy with how I fought today and with the result.

 

“Bika used his head a bit and tried to brawl, but I was able to control the fight. I knew he didn’t just come to Canada for fun, but to win.

 

“Being involved with Premier Boxing Champions and fighting on CBS has been a great experience. This is fantastic for boxing and we’re hoping more and more kids will start getting involved in the sport.

 

“As far as what’s next, I’ll wait and see what Al (Haymon) has for me. I’ll be ready to go again by June or July.”

 

SAKIO BIKA

 

“Adonis deserved to win this fight. I can’t take anything away from him. He fought very well.

 

“I got caught with a right and slipped the first time I went down. When he caught me with the left and I went down later on it didn’t really affect me that much actually. He’s the champ though and he fought a great fight today.

 

“Fighting on CBS has been an amazing highlight for my career. I didn’t get the win, but I put on a great fight for the public to see.

 

“For now, I’ll head back home and enjoy my family. Then I’ll see about another fight.”

 

ARTUR BETERBIEV

 

“In this fight I was able to really show what I’m capable of and my experience paid off.

 

“When I watched footage of Campillo I noticed that he did a lot of running. I wasn’t trying to be the aggressor. I just stuck to my game plan.

 

“I’m very happy to be on the big stage on CBS at such an early point in my professional career. This all came together very quickly and I hope to be back soon.

 

“We’re planning to fight again in May and I’ll leave whoever my opponent will be in God’s hands.”

 

GABRIEL CAMPILLO

 

“I really wanted to push Beterbiev into the late rounds of this fight to see how he’d handle that, but I wasn’t able to get it done.

 

“The most important punch was the first time he caught me in round one. After that shot I wasn’t able to regain myself.

 

“I was thrilled to get this opportunity to fight on CBS. This PBC production was very nice to be a part of and I think the series will do a lot to help grow the sport.

 

“My plan for now is to rest. Then we’ll revisit the situation and see about fighting again.”

 

JULIAN WILLIAMS

 

“There was no underestimating Hernandez for this fight. We studied a lot of film on him and had a pretty good idea of what he would bring into the ring today.

 

“I thought that my jab and my movement were my two biggest strengths in this fight. Cutting off the ring was key.

 

“This PBC series and having the fights on a major network like CBS is huge for the sport of boxing. It’s great to get into so many more homes, and I hope that it helps make the sport more popular. Hopefully this reaches those kids who can’t afford premium cable and helps encourage more young kids to get into the sport.

 

“I’m not sure what’s next. I’ll wait for Al (Haymon) to let me know, but I’m really hoping for a shot at a top 10 fighter before the year’s over.”

 

JOEY HERNANDEZ

 

“Williams is probably the best fighter I’ve faced so far. He’s not the hardest hitter, but he fought a very smart fight. He used his height and reach to keep me off my jab and stay out of my range.

 

“Unfortunately I had to take punches to give punches in this fight. When I got inside I was able to get my punches off, but I couldn’t do enough to get the win.

 

“This was a great fight for the fans and fighting on CBS gave me a great opportunity for so many more people to see these fights.

 

“I’m still young at 30-years-old. I know I’ll be back in the ring. I do this because I want to and I love it, not because I need to.”

 

# # #

The card was promoted by Groupe Yvon Michel. For more information visit www.sports.sho.com, www.premierboxingchampions.com andwww.groupeyvonmichel.ca, follow on Twitter at @SHOSports, @premierboxing and @yvonmichelgym, become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SHOBoxing or visit the SHOWTIME Boxing Blog at http://theboxingblog.sho.com.
boxing, CBS Boxing, Premier Boxing Champions

ADONIS STEVENSON vs. SAKIO BIKA ARTUR BETERBIEV vs. GABRIEL CAMPILLO OFFICIAL WEIGHTS & PHOTOS

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Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) On CBS Saturday, April 4, At 3 p.m. ET/Noon PT From Pepsi Coliseum In Quebec City, Canada

WEIGH-IN PHOTOS: (Photo Credit: Amanda Kwok / PBC on CBS)

BEHIND THE SCENES PHOTOS: (Photo Credit: Amanda Kwok / PBC on CBS)

 

OFFICIAL WEIGHTS:

ADONIS STEVENSON: 174 ½ Pounds

SAKIO BIKA: 174 ½ Pounds

 

ARTUR BETERBIEV: 175 Pounds

GABRIEL CAMPILLO: 174 ½ Pounds

 

(TV Swing Bout)

JULIAN WILLIAMS: 154 ½ Pounds

JOEY HERNANDEZ: 155 pounds

 

# # #

 

PBC on CBS, headlined by the light heavyweight world championship fight between Stevenson and Bika, is promoted by Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM) and presented by Videotron and in association with Mise-O-Jeu.  Tickets are on sale now at the Pepsi Coliseum box office in Quebec, by calling (418) 691-7211 or (800) 900-7469, online at www.billetech.com, at GYM (514) 383-0666 and Champion Boxing Club (514) 376-0980. Ticket prices range from $25 to $250 on the floor.