Tag Archives: Sam Soliman

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Unbeaten Sergiy Derevyanchenko Dominates Former Champion Sam Soliman on His Way to Second-Round Stoppage In PBC on ESPN & ESPN Deportes Main Event Thursday Night From Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, CT

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Ievgen Khytrov Picks Apart & Stops Paul Mendez in the Ninth-Round to Remain Undefeated
 
Click HERE For Photos From Will Paul/Premier Boxing Champions &
Ed Diller/DiBella Entertainment
 
Click HERE For Highlights From Premier Boxing Champions
 
MASHANTUCKET, CT (July 21, 2016) – Unbeaten rising middleweight Sergiy “The Technician” Derevyanchenko (9-0, 7 KOs) knocked down Sam “King” Soliman(44-14, 18 KOs) three times before stopping the former world champion in the second round of the main event of Premier Boxing Champions on ESPN and ESPN Deportes Thursday night from Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, CT.
A 2008 Ukranian Olympian, Derevyanchenko was in control from the start, standing his ground and delivering smart shots as Soliman attempted to flummox him with movement and awkward angles.
Soliman got caught with a missile right hand from Derevyanchenko that landed right on the chin and sent the off-balance Australian to the canvas. Soliman didn’t appear hurt however, as he continued to come forward to try to disrupt and frustrate the undefeated fighter.
Derevyanchenko continued to land effective shots and caught Soliman off-balance again in round two, this time with a left hook that put Soliman on the ground. Soliman again got to his feet but Derevyanchenko quickly stunned Soliman and put him into survival mode.
Soliman tried to tie up and avoid Derevyanchenko, but eventually the undefeated fighter training, who trains in Brooklyn, landed several right hands before a sweeping left hook sent Soliman to the ground hard and for the final time of the night. Referee Johnny Callas waved the fight off at 2:41 of the second round.
The opening bout of the evening saw hard-hitting Ievgen Khytrov (13-0, 11 KOs) lay a non-stop attack on Paul Mendez (19-3-2, 9 KOs) before eventually earning a stoppage in the ninth-round of their middleweight matchup.
Khytrov and Mendez went toe-to-toe from the first-round, exchanging flurries and showing a willingness to stand in front of their opponent. It was Khytrov who showed the more varied attack while getting out to a fast start and landing 50 percent of his power punches over the first three rounds.
Mendez stood tough and continued throwing punches, but was unable to land anything that bothered Khytrov. The Ukranian-born fighter who trains in Brooklyn attacked the body early while dazing Mendez with uppercuts and power hooks. Rounds seven and eight saw Khytrov increase his attack as he seemingly landed power punches at will.
The fight continued in that one-sided manner throughout the opening minute of round nine. Sensing an opportunity, Khytrov cornered Mendez and hit him with a series of unanswered hooks that forced referee Joe Lupino to stop the fight, at the recommendation of the ringside physician, 1:20 into the round. Khytrov ended the fight with a 482-125 advantage in punches landed while landing 50 percent of his total shots.
Here is what the fighters had to say Thursday:
SERGIY DEREVYANCHENKO
“I looked into his eyes after I knocked him down the first time and I knew he would continue coming forward. I wasn’t going to drop my guard. I didn’t even feel that punch on my glove because it was so clean to the chin. But I felt the final punch.
“I warmed up more than once and that broke my rhythm. In the ring I had to get my rhythm.
“Soliman came out nervous and not very coordinated, but that’s the way he usually fights. That’s his style.
“I’m going to keep moving forward. I can’t sit and wait. We will assess the situation and move from here.”
SAM SOLIMAN
“I’m doing well. I didn’t get to warm up, just a couple of minutes, but that’s no excuse. He did his job. That’s never happened before to me.
“He’s a good boxer who did what he had to do. I can’t take anything away from him.
“After every fight, fighters have to decide what to do next. I have a lot outside of boxing that makes me happy, and it takes the sting out of tonight.”
IEVGEN KHYTROV
“I love to fight and battle and go toe-to-toe. I executed the game plan. My defense was much better and I’ve worked hard on my defense. This was my best fight because that guy stood and fought, he didn’t run.
“I wasn’t surprised that Mendez took so many punches because I didn’t throw every punch hard, I mixed it up, but did throw some hard punches.
“I want a couple more fights then I want to fight for the world title. That’s what I’ve worked so hard to do. I’m not going to dodge anybody. I want to fight Gennady Golovkin and take his belts.”
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PBC on ESPN and ESPN Deportes was promoted by DiBella Entertainment.
For information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @LouDiBella, @FoxwoodsCT, @ESPNBoxing and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/premierboxingchampions.  Highlights available to embed at www.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions. PBC on ESPN is sponsored by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.
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Undefeated Prospects in Action as Alantez Fox Takes on Paul Valenzuela Jr. & Ivan Golub Battles Ernesto Ortiz in Undercard Action Thursday, July 21 From Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, CT

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Plus! Local Star Shelly Vincent & Mykquan Williams in Separate Bouts as Part of Exciting Night of Fights
 
PBC on ESPN & ESPN Deportes Begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT
 
MASHANTUCKET, CT (July 20, 2016) -Unbeaten middleweight Alantez Fox (19-0-1, 8 KOs) will meet Mexico’s Paul Valenzuela Jr. (17-3, 11 KOs) while undefeated welterweight Ivan Golub (11-0, 9 KOs) takes on Ernesto Ortiz (10-3, 7 KOs) in an eight-round bout that highlights undercard action on Thursday, July 21 from Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, CT.
The July 21 event is headlined by rising middleweight contender Sergiy “The Technician” Derevyanchenko taking on former world champion Sam “King” Soliman in the main event of Premier Boxing Champions on ESPN and ESPN Deportes. Televised coverage begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and features a middleweight showdown between hard-hitting Ievgen Khytrov and California’s Paul Mendez.
 
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment, are priced at $150, $75 and $45 not including applicable service charges and taxes and are on sale now. Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com and www.foxwoods.com or by visiting the Foxwoods’ Box Office. To charge by phone call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000.
Additional action inside the arena features local favorite Shelly Vincent (17-0, 1 KO) out of Providence in an eight-round featherweight fight against San Antonio’s Christina Ruiz (7-8-3, 4 KOs) and Connecticut’s Mykquan Williams (2-0, 2 KOs) facing Colorado’s Isaac Johnson (2-3) in a four-round welterweight attraction.
Rounding out the night of fights is the pro debut of Christopher Davis Fogg in a four round middleweight bout.
A slick-boxer who fights out of Forestville, Maryland, Fox began 2016 by stopping veteran Milton Nunez in the fourth round of their January bout. The 24-year-old was victorious five times in 2015 and is unbeaten since turning pro in 2010. He will be opposed by Valenzuela who fights out of Santa Rosalia, Mexico and most recently knocked out Armando Corral in the second round.
Originally from Ukraine but now fighting out of Brooklyn, Golub has fought exclusively in the U.S. since turning pro and comes off of a hard fought stoppage victory over previously unbeaten Marlon Aguas in March. The 27-year-old southpaw has stopped his last five opponents inside of the distance. He takes on the 22-year-old Mexican Ortiz, who made his U.S. debut in September 2015.
For information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @LouDiBella, @FoxwoodsCT, @ESPNBoxing and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/premierboxingchampions.  Highlights available to embed at www.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions. PBC on ESPN is sponsored by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.
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Connecticut’s top all-time great fighters & Foxwoods’ best fights

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PBC on ESPN & ESPN Deportes Doubleheader 
Thursday, July 21
From Foxwoods Resort Casino – 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT
 
MASHANTUCKET, CT (July 19, 2016) — Connecticut may not have equal status with New York City or Las Vegas in terms of being a fight capital, but the Nutmeg State has produced five Hall-of-Famers with Foxwoods Resort Casino, located in Mashantucket, CT, hosting many of the sport’s greatest fighters and fights over the past two decades.
The tradition continues on Thursday, July 21, as rising middleweight contender Sergiy “The Technician” Derevyanchenko (8-0, 6 KOs) faces former world champion Sam “King” Soliman (44-13, 18 KOs) in the 10-round main event of Premier Boxing Champions on ESPN & ESPN Deportes.
Televised coverage begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, and features a 10-round middleweight clash between powerful Ievgen Khytrov (13-0, 11 KOs) and California’s Paul Mendez (19-2-2, 9 KOs).
Connecticut’s all-time greatest boxer is the late Willie “Will ‘o the Wisp” Pep (229-11-1, 65 KOs), who was born in Middletown and lived in Rocky Hill. Pep, who fought professionally between 1940 and 1966, was a two-time world featherweight champion who had an epic rivalry with Sandy Saddler.
Other Hall-of-Famers from Connecticut are world heavyweight champion (1926-28)Gene “The Fighting Marine” Tunney (65-1-1, 48 KOs), of Greenwich, who defeated the legendary Jack Dempsey twice; Ukrainian-born world featherweight (1925) titlist Louis “Kid” Kaplan (108-22-12, 72 KOs), from Meriden; world light heavyweight champion (1933) “Slapsie” Maxie Rosenbloom (222-42-31, 2 NC, 19 KOs), of Leonard Bridge; world light heavyweight titleholder (1926-27) Jack “Bright Eyes” Delaney (73-11-2, 43 KOs), who was born in Canada but lived in Bridgeport.
Over the year, many other Connecticut fighters have made an impact on the sport including Hartford’s NBA featherweight champion Battling Battalino (57-26-3, 26 KOs), who was the first world champion to lose his title on the scale, Hartford’s two-time world welterweight titlist Marlon “Magic Man” Starling (45-6-12, 27 KOs), Norwalk’s WBA junior middleweight champion “Tremendous” Travis Simms (28-1, 21 KOs), New Haven’s three-time world light heavyweight champion “Bad” Chad Dawson (33-4, 18 KOs) and world welterweight contender Gaspar “El Indio” Ortega (131-29-6, 69 KOs), Stamford’s world No. 1-ranked welterweight Chico Vejar (92-20-4, 43 KOs), and Bloomfield’s 1996 Olympic Team USA captain Lawrence Clay-Bey (21-3-1, 16 KOs).
The No. 1 Foxwoods fight of all-time, held on April 16, 2011, was also promoted by DiBella Entertainment, and was selected as the 2011 Ring Magazine and BWAA Fight of the Year. Defending champion Andre Berto (27-0) and challenger Victor Ortiz (28-2-2) battled for 12 rounds, each getting dropped twice, with Ortiz winning a hard-fought decision (114-111, 114-112, 115-110) for the WBC welterweight title.
A close second place is the 2003 BWAA Fight of the Year, in which future Hall-of-FamerJames Toney (65-4-2) won a 12-round decision over reigning IBF cruiserweight champion Vassiliy Jirov. The action started days earlier at the pre-fight press conference when a skirmish erupted as tables were overturned and glasses thrown. The animosity continued between the two fighters and their respective camps right up to the final bell. Previously undefeated, Jirov (31-0) started fast but faded, getting decked in the final round.
In 2004, New England favorite Scott “The Sandman” Pemberton, hailing from nearby New Bedford, MA, was involved in a great 12th round, come-from-behind knockout of always-tough Omar Sheika in a rematch of a previous draw, for a regional super middleweight title.
Two other N.E. fan favorites who fought regularly at Foxwoods were multiple-time world champion Vinny Paz (Pazienza during his boxing career), fighting out of Cranston, RI, and New Bedford’s all-action “Sucra” Ray Oliveira. Paz had a 13-3 record at Foxwoods, highlighted by his 1998 decision over Glenwood Brown and his 50thcareer win in his retirement fight against Tocker Pudwill in 2004. Oliveira was only 6-7-1 fighting at Foxwoods, but he faced nothing but iron and he did defeat a world champion, Vince Phillips, in their 2000 non-title fight that produced the second-most total punches (2,989) recorded at that time.
Brazilian boxing fans always turned out in force when countryman Acelino “Popo” Freitas fought at Foxwoods, primarily because of the large Brazilian community in Connecticut. Freitas fought there four times, all in lightweight world title fights, defeatingZahir Raheem and Artur Grigorian and losing to Juan Diaz and Diego Corrales.
Other great fights at Foxwoods include future world middleweight champion Andy Leecoming back from the brink of possibly getting knocked out to stop Craig McEwan in the 10th round of their 2011 fight, Carl Froch‘s dramatic late surge in 2009 to knock outJermain Taylor (who was well ahead on the scorecards) in the 12th round for the WBC super middleweight championship, Pernell Whitaker taking a close decision fromAndrey Pestryaev (115-113, 115-112, and 114-113) in their 1997 WBA eliminator (later ruled a No Decision due to Whitaker’s failed drug test), and Ike Quarteyovercoming two knockdowns to successfully defend his WBA welterweight title versusJose Luis Lopez in 1997 (Quartey was originally awarded a win by majority decision, but a scoring error was discovered and the fight was ruled a majority draw).
Two of the greatest boxers in modern boxing history, Floyd Mayweather, Jr. and Roy Jones, Jr., both fought at Foxwoods in 1998. In his 15th pro fight, Mayweather registered a third-round technical knockout of Miguel Melo, while Jones successfully defended his WBC/WBA light heavyweight titles with a 10th-round TKO of Otis Grant. In the Jones-Grant co-feature, IBF lightweight champion Shane Mosley successfully defended his title against Jesse James Leija, who was unable to answer the bell for the 10th round.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment, are priced at $150, $75 and $45, not including applicable service charges and taxes, and are on sale now. Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com and www.foxwoods.com or by visiting the Foxwoods’ Box Office. To charge by phone, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000.
For more information, visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @LouDiBella, @DiBellaEnt, @FoxwoodsCT, @ESPNBoxing and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/premierboxingchampions. Highlights are available to embed at www.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions. PBC on ESPN is sponsored by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.
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Unbeaten Contender Sergiy Derevyanchenko Meets Former World Champion Sam Soliman in Main Event of Premier Boxing Champions on ESPN & ESPN Deportes Thursday, July 21 from Foxwoods Resort Casino  in Mashantucket, CT (8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT)

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Plus! Undefeated Brawler Ievgen Khytrov Meets
Middleweight Contender Paul Mendez in Co-Main Event
 
Tickets on Sale Now!
 
MASHANTUCKET, CT (June 27, 2016) – Rising middleweight contender Sergiy “The Technician” Derevyanchenko (8-0, 6 KOs) will take on former world champion Sam “King” Soliman (44-13, 18 KOs) in the 10-round main event of Premier Boxing Champions on ESPN & ESPN Deportes on Thursday, July 21 from Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, CT.
Televised coverage begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and features a middleweight showdown between hard-hitting Ievgen Khytrov (13-0, 11 KOs) and California’s Paul Mendez (19-2-2, 9 KOs) in 10-rounds of action.
“I’m excited about this opportunity to headline against an experienced former champion,” said Derevyanchenko. “Soliman has accomplished a lot, but right now he is standing in the way of me being a world champion. You will see the best version of me on July 21 and I will show why I am a dangerous fighter in this division.”
“This is a crossroads fight so I am leaving nothing to chance and will do every bit of training needed to win this fight,” said Soliman. “We are both fighting for world title position and I know Sergiy will fight hard for this win. This all makes it a great contest.”
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment, are priced at $150, $75 and $45 not including applicable service charges and taxes and are on sale now. Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com and www.foxwoods.com or by visiting the Foxwoods’ Box Office. To charge by phone call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000.
“On July 21, PBC on ESPN will feature two Ukrainian amateur prodigies and former Olympians who are now tearing through the middleweight division,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “Sergiy Derevyanchenko, just eight fights into his pro career, will meet the experienced former champion Sam Soliman in a world title eliminator. The explosive Ievgen Khytrov, known as the ‘Ukranian Lion’, will open the telecast facing contender Paul Mendez in the toughest test of his career.”
“Foxwoods Resort Casino continues to offer the most compelling nationally-televised boxing events, featuring the very best fighters in the world,” said Felix Rappaport, President & CEO of Foxwoods Resort Casino. “For nearly 25 years, Foxwoods has been considered the ‘Fight Capital of the Northeast,’ and our Summer Boxing Series will only build upon that fact. In true Foxwoods fashion, boxing fans can expect non-stop action and excitement from the moment the bell rings.”
A highly decorated amateur who represented his native Ukraine in the 2008 Olympics, Derevyanchenko now lives and trains in Brooklyn. The unbeaten 30-year-old defeated a slew of experienced contenders in 2015 with wins over Elvin Ayala, Alan Campa, Vladine Biosse and a thrilling third-round stoppage of Jessie Nicklow. He began 2016 by stopping Mike Guy in March and will look to keep that momentum going on July 21.
An experienced fighter who was once a kickboxing champion, Soliman won his middleweight world title in 2014 when he defeated Felix Sturm in Germany. Representing Melbourne, Australia, Soliman owns a victory over former world champion Sakio Bika in addition to triumphs over veterans Enrique Ornelas, Les Sherrington, Giovanni Lorenzo and Sean Sulivan.
Another Olympian who represented his native Ukraine, Khytrov also won an Amatuer World Championship before turning pro in 2013. Since then, the 27-year-old has dominated on his way to stopping contenders Josh Luteran and Nick Brinson in addition to previously unbeaten fighters Maurice Louishomme and Aaron Coley. Now training out of Brooklyn, his last outing saw him dominate Kenneth McNeil in his first 10-round bout.
Fighting out of Delano, Calif., Mendez is undefeated in his last 15 bouts including four victories in 2015. A pro since 2009, the 27-year-old will be making his east coast debut on July 21 after stopping Andrik Saralegui in August and defeating veteran David Alonso Lopez.
For information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @LouDiBella, @FoxwoodsCT, @ESPNBoxing and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/premierboxingchampions.  Highlights available to embed at www.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions. PBC on ESPN is sponsored by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.
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JULIAN WILLIAMS KNOCKS OUT MARCELLO MATANO,  CALLS OUT WORLD CHAMPION JERMALL CHARLO SATURDAY NIGHT ON SHOWTIME®

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Avantil Khurtsidze Shocks Previously Unbeaten Antoine Douglas,
Tony Harrison Dominates Fernando Guerrero In Action-Packed Tripleheader
 
Catch The SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION Replay
This Monday at 10 p.m. ET/PT On SHO EXTREME®
 
Click HERE For Photos From Amanda Westcott/SHOWTIME
BETHLEHEM, PA. (March 6, 2016) – Julian Williams secured the IBF’s No. 1 position at 154 pounds and called out Junior Middleweight World Champion Jermall Charlo after an impressive seventh-round TKO of Italian Marcello Matano Saturday on SHOWTIME from Sands Bethlehem Events Center in Bethlehem, Pa.  VIDEO OF WILLIAMS CALLING OUT CHARLO:http://s.sho.com/1UJo5bp
The undefeated Philadelphia native put on a clinic, breaking down his opponent from the opening bell until referee Gary Rosato stepped in to protect a defenseless Matano (16-2, 5 KOs) at 2:24 of the seventh.  Williams (23-0-1, 14 KOs) utilized a steady diet of combos, jabs and body shots in the middle rounds to weaken Matano and set up the big shots to close the show in the seventh.  VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS: http://s.sho.com/1QzbBBb
Williams landed 59 percent of his power shots, including a staggering 76 percent in the deciding seventh.
“Maybe people will think they saw a chink in the armor tonight,” Williams said.  “Maybe guys will come out from under the rock and get some of this West Philly work.
“Jermall has been watching my performances.  Him and his brother know exactly who I am.  He needs to fight or vacate now.  He needs to step up, but he’s already laying his groundwork and making excuses.
“Step up and fight me.  It’s two of the best junior middleweights in the world.  It’s about greatness.  I want to be great.  All of you turkeys at 154 pounds, let’s fight.”
After the fight, Matano took issue with the stoppage.
“He was pretty fast with his jab, but I felt like I was just getting into the fight,” Matano said.  “I felt the punch, but I felt like I could have kept going. I have a warrior heart and I never want to quit.
“I’m going to go back to Italy and take a little rest, then I’ll be right back in the gym.  It was a wonderful experience coming here to America. I got to fight a top-echelon fighter and I feel like I belong.”
Avtandil Khurtsidze, a human brick wall barreling forward, upset previously unbeaten middleweight contender Antoine Douglas with a thoroughly dominating 10th-round TKO.  VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS:http://s.sho.com/21er63g
The 35-year-old “mini-Mike Tyson” plowed forward from the opening bell until the TKO at 0:33 of the 10th.  The 6-foot Douglas had no answer for his 5-foot-4 opponent, a Brooklyn-based native of Georgia who is looking to become the first world champion from the former Soviet nation.
Khurtsidze (32-2-2, 21 KOs) hurt Douglas (19-1-1, 13 KOs) with a big left in the opening seconds of the third round, sending the 23-year-old face forward through the ropes.  Somehow, Douglas recovered from the first knockdown of his career and fought himself back into the fight.  The Washington, D.C., native rallied to win the fourth and the fifth rounds, and the all-action sixth could have gone either way.
Khurtsidze opened the seventh with a monstrous one-punch left to floor Douglas, who again somehow survived the round on failing legs as Khurtsidze threw over 100 total punches.  Khurtsidze, who showed unbelievable stamina to push the pressure throughout, started the 10th with a relentless attack, forcing referee Benjy Esteves to stop the fight at 0:33 of the with Douglas defenseless against the ropes.
“I knew he was going to get tired,” said Khurtsidze, who took the fight on less than three weeks notice.  “I felt like I was going to catch him. He’s a good fighter, but he’s not strong.
“I knew he was going to be hungry. But I also knew that I was going to beat him.  It was short notice but I did everything I could in the time we had. I stayed in the gym and stayed sharp.
“Whoever they put in front me, I’m ready for them. I love fighting. I’ll fight anybody.”
Douglas had entered the fight as a fast-rising 160-pounder on the cusp of a title shot.
“I feel OK,” Douglas told SHOWTME Sports analyst Steve Farhood after the fight.  “He definitely dictated.  He definitely had a better day today.  It’s not discouraging, we just weren’t able to execute.  Naturally, I’m crushed.  It’s back to the drawing board.”
In the opening bout of the telecast, middleweight contender Tony Harrison looked impressive in a sixth round TKO over former world title challenger Fernando Guerrero.
Harrison (23-1, 19 KOs) was the aggressor from the outset, jabbing at range to set up his favorite weapon – a powerful right.  The Detroit native floored Guerrero with a big right with 15 seconds to go in the second round.  The southpaw got up, but looked hurt and was saved by the bell.
Guerrero (28-4, 20 KOs) had his moments in the fourth and fifth rounds after some heedful advice from his corner, but he couldn’t get inside to escape Harrison’s powerful right. It was a clean left hook midway through the sixth that ultimately finished Guerrero.  After Harrison dropped Guerrero with the left, the Dominican Republic native beat the count but had no legs and went back to the canvas after four more consecutive shots from Harrison, forcing referee Gary Rosato to stop the bout at 1:56 of the sixth.
“I threw punches back and I finished the rounds stronger than him,” said Harrison, who landed 57 percent of his power shots.  “I dominated the fight.  My dad kept telling me to put the hook behind the right hand and if I had listened to him better I could have gotten the knockout much quicker.
“I was backing him up.  My game plan was to take advantage of the fact that southpaws don’t fight well going backwards.  I tried to just keep putting him back and discouraging him. I told everyone I was taking the fight to him. What’s not to like about me? I’m exciting.
“I want big fights, I want to go back to Detroit and I want the Willie Nelson rematch.”
Said Guerrero: “I wasn’t on today.  He wasn’t faster than me, stronger than me or more skilled. I just locked up. I wasn’t listening to my corner, I didn’t do anything tonight.
“It just happens. Sometimes you have a bad day. Today was as bad as I could ever imagine.
“We’ll go back to the drawing board.  I didn’t do what I was supposed to do. We trained so hard. He wasn’t as fast or strong as we thought he’d be. Today was a bad day for me to have a bad day.”
# # #
For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports and www.sandseventcenter.com, follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @JRockBoxing, @Action_Douglas,  @IAmBoxing, @FernandoDomini, @TheSBEC and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports
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JULIAN WILLIAMS OPENS UP IN ADVANCE OF HIS SATURDAY, MARCH 5 FIGHT AGAINST MARCELLO MATANO LIVE ON SHOWTIME®

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“Each fight, I just want to be better than the last fight … I want to go down as the best junior middleweight to ever lace up a pair of gloves.”

 

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I AM A FIGHTER: JULIAN WILLIAMS

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Photo Credit: Amanda Westcott/SHOWTIME

 

From a single parent household in West Philadelphia, life has always been tough for Julian Williams. At a young age, he was constantly getting into fights with his brothers and at school, until he set foot in the gym at age 12 and unveiled his love for boxing. Williams has set his goals high and is determined to set records and break barriers while giving his all on each on of his fights.

 

“Each fight, I just want to be better than the last fight and I’m on the cusp of being a contender and getting the title shot. When I win the title, I want to break the title defense record which is held by Terry Norris. I want to go down as the best junior middleweight to ever lace up a pair of gloves.”

 

Check out this I AM A FIGHTER feature on Julian Williams, the undefeated super welterweight who is up against Marcello Matano in an IBF Super Welterweight Eliminator bout tomorrow night in the main event of SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION, live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).

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JULIAN WILLIAMS VS. MARCELLO MATANO FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES & PHOTOS

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Click HERE For Photos From Amanda Westcott/SHOWTIME
 
BETHLEHEM, PA. (March 3, 2016) – Undefeated top contender Julian “J-Rock” Williams and Italy’sMarcello Matano went face-to-face for the first time Thursday at the final press conference before they meet with the IBF’s No. 1 spot at 154-pounds on the line this Saturday, March 5 live on SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/PT) from Sands Bethlehem Events Center in Bethlehem, Pa.
Saturday’s SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION® tripleheader features middleweight matchups between rising contender Antoine Douglas and Avtandil Khurtsidze and exciting Detroit prospect Tony Harrison against former title challenger Fernando Guerrero.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by King’s Promotions, are priced at $100, $75 and $50, not including applicable service charges and taxes and are on sale now. Tickets are available HEREat www.ticketmaster.com. To charge by phone call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000.
Here is what the fighters had to say Thursday:
JULIAN WILLIAMS
“I want to thank Matano and his team for coming all the way over here. We’ve had a difficult time getting opponents for different reasons, but I’m excited to headline this stacked card.
“When I win this fight I’ll be able to accomplish my dream of being a world champion. It’s one step closer.
“I’m going to attack the head and body as much as I can. I’ve got enough film on him to see what he’s got. He’s pretty solid. He got better each time out. But those guys in Italy don’t have the skills that I have. I think he’s going to bring it for as long as he can handle it.
“He’s an awkward fighter. He’s definitely a boxer and he can be a little skittish in the ring. I know I’ve fought the better competition and I’ve trained my hardest for this.
“I’m ready to make a statement. I’m not worried about a knockout. However the win comes, it’s great. I’m just looking to win and beat him down.
“I’m expecting a good Philadelphia crowd to be out here supporting me. Ninety percent of my career I’ve been on the West Coast and other places. But now fighting in front of my hometown fans, there’s nothing better. It’s perfect.”
MARCELLO MATANO
“I feel very good. I’ve been here since Friday so I have gotten used to the time zone difference and I’m ready to fight. My American experience is just starting and I’m looking forward to it.
“It’s been a hard two months of training for this fight. This is by far the most important fight of my career so I’ve trained even harder than I usually do.
“I know that Julian Williams is a top-notch athlete and that he is coming to give his best, just like I am. It’s going to be an exciting fight because we both want to get to the top.
“I can adapt myself to any opponent. I can be a boxer or I can be a brawler. But in my heart, I am a warrior and I will come forward all fight. I am coming to leave that ring victorious.
“This is a dream come true to come here to the United States. I’ve always worked hard and it’s gotten me here. I will put all of my heart into the ring on Saturday night.”
ANTOINE DOUGLAS
“You can always look forward to an action-packed fight when I step into the ring. I have an admirable opponent who I know is coming to fight.
“I’ve grown into this role and into who I am. If you asked me earlier in my career, I would have never thought I’d be here. This is great and it comes from all the hard work I’ve put in over the years.
“You will see my growth Saturday night in the ring. I plan on being victorious. The work I put in won’t let me be any less than that. I’m looking forward to the action.
“I have a very strong opponent and I think it will make for a more exciting fight than Sam Soliman.
“I just always have to be prepared for whatever is thrown at me.  This is boxing – there are no guarantees.  We just have to be prepared for everything and do our best.
“The styles of Soliman and Khurtsidze are completely different, but we always base our offense and defense off a fighting at range and working the jab.  I’m not going in blind – I’ve faced opponents who come forward.  We’ll be ready for him and ready to make the adjustments in the ring.
“A win on Saturday will definitely put me in a position for a title shot.  We just take it day-by-day.  It’s not about looking at future opponents. We take each step successfully and see where it puts us.”
AVTANDIL KHURTSIDZE
“I’m very happy to be here and I’m grateful for the opportunity. I’m fighting a very strong fighter. Once I step into the ring I’m expecting a good challenge and I can’t wait for Saturday night.
“Everything in training went well. We’ve trained really hard and we’re ready for Saturday night.
“Douglas is a good fighter. He’s a good boxer and he has a good left hook. But none of that means anything until you get in the ring.
“Once I step into the ring, I will bring 100 percent. I am not going to stop swinging until Douglas goes down.”
FERNANDO GUERRERO
“We’re ready to fight. We had a great training camp and there’s not too much to say. It’s warrior time.
“I’ve been through my ups and downs, but I’m still here and I’m not going anywhere. This is for my whole nation, everyone in the Dominican Republic who is watching. You have to step in that ring for something.
“This isn’t a game. This is the only sport that you cannot play. I’m going to make this one of those fights that will be one of the best of the year. It will either be the best knockout or the best fight of the year. This is going to be memorable.
“This is the kind of opponent who will bring out the best of me. Everybody has to watch out for me. I’m coming to make a statement on Saturday.”
# # #
For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports and www.sandseventcenter.com, follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @JRockBoxing, @Action_Douglas,  @IAmBoxing, @FernandoDomini, @TheSBEC and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports
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JULIAN WILLIAMS MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES & PHOTOS

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WILLIAMS FACES MARCELLO MATANO IN SUPER WELTERWEIGHT TITLE ELIMINATOR THIS SATURDAY LIVE ON SHOWTIME® FROM SANDS BETHLEHEM EVENTS CENTER
IN BETHLEHEM, PA.
 
Click HERE For Photos: Amanda Westcott/SHOWTIME
 
Click HERE For A Short Video Feature On Julian Williams: http://s.sho.com/21HzF8I
 
Philadelphia, Pa. (March 2, 2016) – Julian “J-Rock” Williams (21-0-1, 13 KOs) held a media workout on Tuesday in Philadelphia at James Shuler Boxing Gym as he prepares to put his undefeated record on the line in a 154-pound world title eliminator this Saturday, March 5, live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).
The SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION® main event pits Williams against Italy’s Marcello Matano(16-1, 5 KOs) as part of a tripleheader live from Sands Bethlehem Events Center in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
Also featured on the telecast will be middleweight contender Antoine Douglas (19-0-1, 13 KOs) facing off against Avtandil Khurtsidze (31-2, 20 KOs)in a 10-round middleweight bout and exciting Detroit prospect Tony Harrison (22-1, 18 KOs) battling former title challenger Fernando Guerrero (28-3, 20 KOs) in a 10-round super welterweight matchup.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by King’s Promotions, are priced at $100, $75 and $50, not including applicable service charges and taxes and are on sale now. Tickets are available HEREat www.ticketmaster.com. To charge by phone call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000.
Here is what Julian and his trainer, Stephen Edwards, had to say Tuesday:
 
JULIAN WILLIAMS
“I am extremely focused.  There is a lot at stake this Saturday.  I am finally in the position I wanted to be in since turning pro.
“I have come to a conclusion that if people don’t have to fight Julian Williams then they won’t.  It hasn’t been that frustrating though because I always have a fight on the books.  I can’t worry about the people who won’t fight me. I just have to stay ready and put myself in the mandatory spot. That’s what I am going to do on Saturday night.
“It’s never any challenge fighting at home.  I know exactly what I have to do. I don’t cut any corners in camp.  The biggest challenge is the waiting because I am so anxious to get in there and get a win, especially in front of my home crowd.
“I always knew I wanted to pursue a boxing career, so I treat it like I want it. I’ve been dreaming about this for a long time and my opportunity is finally here.
“I’ve been a student of the game since I started watching boxing. I want to learn and I want to know everything about boxing.
“It means everything to have my biggest fight to date in my backyard. I know my fans cheer loud and it feels great to have their support in my corner.
“I know everything about my opponent. I probably know what kind of toothpaste he used this morning. I searched high and low for videos of Matano. I am ready because I know he is ready.
“He is a little bit awkward. He seems to have a really good gas tank.  He said he wants to take me the distance, so we’ll see.
“The last fight solidified the things that I already knew about myself. I know I am fundamentally sound and I know I am the hungriest fighter in the world.
“I always want to put on an explosive performance. It’s always about a win.
“In about nine months, Philadelphia will have it’s fourth IBF super welterweight champion after David Reid, Robert Hines and Buster Drayton.”
STEPHEN EDWARDS, Williams’ trainer
“We are ready. It’s been a long four-month camp. We thought were going to fight in January, so we’ve been grinding through this rough weather early in the morning.  Julian is chomping at the bit and ready to rock ‘n roll.
“We thought we were going to fight Austin Trout in December, and he saw that Julian gave his opponent a concussion and said I don’t want to fight him. It’s just that simple.  We have to get past Matano and then we can talk about (super welterweight champion Jermall) Charlo.
“Anybody with two hands and a heartbeat can fight. Matano is ranked and just because he isn’t well known, it doesn’t mean he can’t fight. He is 16-1 and they didn’t have a hard time convincing him to take the fight. The best soldiers are volunteers. Any time someone willingly comes to someone else’s country, you have to take him seriously.
“I don’t want to make a prediction, but Julian will hurt this guy very bad.”
# # #
For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports and www.sandseventcenter.com, follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @JRockBoxing, @Action_Douglas,  @IAmBoxing, @FernandoDomini, @TheSBEC and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports
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UNBEATEN MIDDLEWEIGHT PROSPECT IEVGEN KHYTROV TAKES ON KENNETH MCNEIL IN UNDERCARD ACTION THIS SATURDAY, MARCH 5 FROM  SANDS BETHLEHEM EVENTS CENTER IN BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA

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Plus! Heavyweight Battle Between Philadelphia’s Joey Dawejko and
Ecuadorian Olympian Ytalo Perea
 
Exciting Night Of Fights Features SHOWTIME® Tripleheader Headlined
By Unbeaten Rising Star Julian Williams Taking On Marcello Matano
In IBF Super Welterweight Eliminator
 
BETHLEHEM, PA. (March 1, 2016) – Unbeaten middleweight prospect Ievgen Khytrov (12-0, 11 KOs) takes on Alabama’s Kenneth McNeil (9-1, 6 KOs) in a 10-round bout that highlights an exciting undercard taking place this Saturday, March 5 from Sands Bethlehem Events Center in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
The card features an exciting tripleheader of action live on SHOWTIME® at 10 p.m. ET/PT and is headlined by undefeated rising star Julian “J-Rock” Williams in an IBF eliminator for the top ranking at 154 pounds against Italy’s Marcello Matano. Also featured on the telecast is fast-rising middleweight contender Antoine Douglas against Avtandil Khurtsidze and exciting prospect Tony Harrison battling former title challenger Fernando Guerrero.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by King’s Promotions, are priced at $100, $75 and $45, not including applicable service charges and taxes and are on sale now. Tickets are available HEREat www.ticketmaster.com. To charge by phone call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000.
In other action, Philadelphia’s Joey Dawejko (16-4-2, 9 KOs) will compete in an eight-round heavyweight showdown against 2012 Ecuadorian Olympian Ytalo Perea (6-2-1, 4 KOs).
Also in a non-televised bout is unbeaten Terrance Williams (4-0, 1 KO), who faces Anthony Miller (2-1, 2 KOs) in a four-round middleweight contest and the pro debut of Brooklyn’s Chordale Booker against Patrick Kehoe (1-2) in a four-round heavyweight fight.
Rounding out the night of fights is super welterweight prospect Oshaquie Foster (10-1, 7 KOs) in a six-round bout against Brazil’s Claudinei Lacerda (17-14-1, 12 KOs) and Philadelphia’s Amir Shabazz (2-0) against Atlanta’s Hakeem Atkinson (2-1, 1 KO) in a four-round light heavyweight contest.
An Olympian for his native Ukraine, Khytrov also won an Amatuer World Championship before turning pro in 2013. Since then, the 27-year-old has dominated on his way to stopping contenders Josh Luteran and Nick Brinson in addition to previously unbeaten fighters Maurice Louishomme and Aaron Coley. Now training out of Brooklyn, he will be opposed by the 25-year-old McNeil out of Birmingham, Alabama who enters this fight on a six-bout winning streak.
An exciting brawler out of the great fighting city of Philadelphia, Dawejko looks to make it three in a row after delivering stoppages of Natu Visinia and Robert Dunton his last two times out. The 25-year-old has shared the ring with heavyweight world champion Charles Martin and contender Amir Mansour. He faces a stiff test in the 22-year-old Perea. The Ecuadorian Olympian trains out of Howard Beach, New York and picked up his last win via knockout over Oswaldo Sanchez.
For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports and www.sandseventcenter.com, follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @JRockBoxing, @Action_Douglas,  @IAmBoxing, @FernandoDomini, @TheSBEC and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports
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ANTOINE DOUGLAS TO FACE AVTANDIL KHURTSIDZE IN MARCH 5 SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION® CO-FEATURE

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Khurtsidze Replaces The Injured Sam Soliman

 

Julian Williams Takes On Marcello Matano In 154-Pound Eliminator In Main Event Of Tripleheader Live On SHOWTIME® From Sands Bethlehem Events Center in Bethlehem, Pa.

 

NEW YORK (Feb. 23, 2016) – Undefeated middleweight contenderAntoine Douglas will face hard-hitting Avtandil Khurtsidze in the co-feature of SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION® on Saturday, March 5, live on SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/PT) from Sands Bethlehem Events Center in Bethlehem, Pa.

 

Khurtsidze (30-2-2, 20 KOs) steps in to face GH3 Promotions’ Douglas (19-0-1, 13 KOs) in a 10-round middleweight bout for the WBO International title after Sam Soliman pulled out of the fight last week with a knee injury.

 

Khurtsidze, of Brooklyn, N.Y. by way of Kutaisi, Georgia, has won eight straight – including six by knockout – since dropping a controversial decision to then-unbeaten Hassan N’Dam in a bout for the vacant interim WBA World Middleweight Title in Paris in 2010.

 

Khurtsidze was scheduled to face N’Dam in a rematch last November 21 in Paris, but the event was cancelled following the tragic November 13 terror attacks in France.  The rematch with the former world champion was to be contested for the IBF No. 2 spot at 160 pounds.

 

A pressure fighter, Khurtsidze was also slated to fight last week on a DiBella Entertainment Broadway Boxing event and has been training since the fight with N’Dam was called off.  The 36-year-old, who has also campaigned at super middleweight, is coming off a knockout victory over Melvin Betancourt last August.

 

“Avtandil is a world class guy, a former silver titlist and has been at the top of the division for years,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “This is a great opportunity for him and a huge step up for Douglas.  Avtandil had been on his way to France to fight for the No. 2 ranking against N’Dam when the tragic terrorist attacks hit Paris, which was a terribly unfortunate situation for all.  Now, he looks to impress in this fight against the highly regarded Douglas.  The winner of this bout moves up significantly in the middleweight world rankings and will be in line for a major fight in the 160-pound division later this year.”

 

In the main event of the SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION tripleheader, Julian “J-Rock” Williams and once-beaten Italian Marcello Matano will square off in a 12-round IBF eliminator for the No. 1 ranking at 154 pounds. In the opening bout of the telecast, hard-hitting prospect Tony Harrison will face veteran former world title challenger Fernando Guerrero in a 10-round super welterweight contest.

 

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by King’s Promotions, are priced at $100, $75 and $45, not including applicable service charges and taxes and are on sale now. Tickets are available HEREat www.ticketmaster.com. To charge by phone call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000.

 

For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports and www.sandseventcenter.com, follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @JRockBoxing, @Action_Douglas,  @IAmBoxing, @FernandoDomini, @TheSBEC and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports