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boxing, NBC, Premier Boxing Champions

BOXING COMES TO THE AT&T CENTER

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By: Lorne Chan Spurs.com
Blood spilled from Omar Figueroa’s nose the last time he was at the AT&T Center, his hands injured from throwing a thousand punches. Figueroa was exhausted, and it was all worth it when the championship belt was placed on his shoulder.
That was on July 27, 2013. Figueroa fought Nihito Arakawa and claimed the WBC Lightweight Title in a bout that topped many Fight of the Year lists.
Two years later, Omar “Panterita” Figueroa is coming back to the AT&T Center. Figueroa (25-0-1, 18 KOs) is headlining a Premier Boxing Champions card on Dec. 12, where he’ll fight Antonio DeMarco (31-5-1, 23 KOs).
Tickets starting at $31 are available at www.attcenter.com for the fights, which also includes Dominic “Trouble” Breazeale against “Prince” Charles Martin in a heavyweight bout and the return to the ring of former welterweight champion Victor Ortiz.
For Figueroa, his return to the AT&T Center ring means a return to the setting of one of the greatest nights of his life, when he defeated Arakawa in a decision.
“Going toe-to-toe, 12 rounds, it was like something in the Rocky movies,” Figueroa said. “It’s about having the courage and heart to stay in there and perform that way. To go in there, blood and broken hands, it was amazing. I was glad to be able to do that here at the AT&T Center.”
Figueroa, 25, is the pride of the Rio Grande Valley. He’s a native of Weslaco, about 250 miles south of the AT&T Center. He trains there with his father, Omar Sr., who first put gloves on his son when Jr. was 6.
Nicknamed “Panterita,” Figueroa developed his style in the ring through an estimated 200 amateur fights in Mexico and another 50 in the United States as a junior.
He’s a relentless puncher. He doesn’t mind taking a few hits if it means getting a few shots in himself. Fights with Figueroa become less about the “sweet science” and more about sheer willpower. That style led the greatest fight the AT&T Center had ever seen.
Figueroa and Arakawa traded punches for every second of their 12-round fight, with the AT&T Center crowd chanting “Omar! Omar!” throughout. Although Figueroa, an orthodox fighter, injured his hands punching Arakawa’s face and body, Arakawa would not go down. Both fighters persevered for 36 minutes, giving each other nods of respect at the end of each round.
When the fight was over and Figueroa was crowned the first world champion from the Rio Grande Valley, his courage through the fight earned him much more than a belt in boxing circles. According to CompuBox, which tallies punches thrown and landed, Figueroa connected on 450 power punches in the fight, the fourth-most all-time in any weight class in CompuBox’s 30 years of recording fights.
“In a sport that has produced many memorable chapters,” announcer Mauro Ranallo said during the fight, “here in San Antonio you can add another chapter to boxing’s beautiful and brutal legacy.”
Having moved up to the 140-pound weight class, Figueroa said this is the first time he’s felt fully healthy since the Arakawa fight. As Figueroa’s star continues to rise, DeMarco, a former WBC Lightweight champion himself from Sinaloa, Mexico, is standing in his way.
“This will be a very tough fight and will most likely be a war because of our fighting styles,” DeMarco said.
The Dec. 12 card is filled with big matchups, another main event bout feature sDominic “Trouble” Breazeale (16-0, 14 KOs) against “Prince” Charles Martin (22-0-1, 20 KOs) and Chris “The Nightmare” Arreola (36-4-1, 31 KOs) against Travis “My Time” Kauffman (30-1, 22 KOs).
Breazeale, a former quarterback at the University of Northern Colorado, took up boxing after his college career ended and became a 2012 Olympian. He has recorded a knockout in all but two professional fights, but faces his toughest test against Martin, who has gone more than four rounds just once in his last eight fights.
Victor Ortiz makes his return to the ring in the AT&T Center as well, as his career has taken a fascinating path since he fought Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2011. Ortiz appeared on “Dancing With The Stars” in 2013, and has acting roles in “The Expendables 3” and “Southpaw.” His San Antonio fight will be his first in 364 days, and Ortiz will be a fan favorite.
Leija/Battah Promotions have brought the fight card to San Antonio, as hometown son Jesse James Leija said he hopes to bring bigger and bigger fights to the AT&T Center.
“San Antonio’s probably the best city for boxing in the United States,” Leija said. “We want to keep giving the fans their money’s worth with some of the best fighters in Texas and elsewhere.”
The fights at the AT&T Center are also an opportunity for some local fighters to get in the ring on a broadcast that will be televised on NBC and NBCSN beginning at 5 p.m. CST.
Mario Barrios, a 20-year-old who attended Southwest High School in San Antonio, has already fought six times in 2015 and won all six fights. For Barrios (13-0, 7 KOs), walking into the AT&T Center is something he said his whole career has been building toward.
“I’ve fought in so many places where nobody knew me,” Barrios said. “To fight at home, in front of my family, it might be a little overwhelming. It’s going to feel for me like that point in your career that you’re really doing something.”
Twitter:@lornechan
boxing, NBC, Premier Boxing Champions

OMAR FIGUEROA TALKS TRAINING & FAMILY BEFORE PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON NBC PRIMETIME SHOWDOWN AGAINST ANTONIO DEMARCO SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12 FROM THE AT&T CENTER 

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Click HERE For Photos From Team Figueroa
WESLACO, TX (December 1, 2015) – Undefeated boxer Omar “El Panterita” Figueroa (25-0-1, 16 KOs) is going to close out his year with a ring return that will send him into 2016 as both a star in the sport, but also a new threat in the 140-pound division.
Figueroa headlines Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on NBC in primetime onSaturday, December 12. PBC on NBC will air live at 8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT from San Antonio’s AT&T Center when Figueroa battles former world champion Antonio DeMarco(31-5-1, 23 KOs).
South Texas’s “El Panterita” (little Panther) had a strong super lightweight debut in May against former titlist Ricky Burns and after being delayed by injuries, he is back, healthy and firing on all cylinders.
“I’m ready,” said Figueroa. “Since I’ve moved up to 140 I’ve felt stronger than ever. This week in camp, after my sparring sessions, I’ve felt that I was connecting more and that my velocity and power has increased. My May fight was a good indication of what I can do and this fight against DeMarco will be another one. This weight division feels natural to me.”
Having moved up a weight class in 2015, this year also finds Figueroa back training with his father, Omar Sr., in his hometown of Weslaco, TX.
“Boxing is in my family’s blood,” he said. “My father, sister, brother and mother are all involved with either training or fighting. Being able to train at home, surrounded by my family is important to me. Everything I do is for my family and my community.”
Growing up in both the U.S. and Mexico, Figueroa fought in over 200 amateur fights in Mexico and 100 in the U.S. before turning pro. A proud Mexican-American and Texan, the 25-year-old Figueroa is diversifying training this camp including sparring with a number of fighters from Texas as well as surrounding states.
“I’m sticking to the plan of training and conditioning this camp – cardio, sparring – but the big difference for me is really strengthening and taking care of my body through different preventative therapies. I’m icing, stretching and utilizing the Theraband in workouts. I’m also working with more recovery exercises – warm up and cool down, stimulation, ultrasound, I can tell my body and camp performance that it’s changing my body.”
Not one to sit still, the natural-born athlete takes note of some of the training regimens from past coaches in an attempt to “train smarter” and avoid overtraining.
The December 12 PBC on NBC fight will also be a family affair with his younger brother Brandon appearing on the NBCSN broadcast.
“I’m really grateful for my whole team and promoters Jesse Leija and Mike Battah. They’re giving a lot of talented Texas fighters a shot on a strong national card. Boxing needs to support and bring up talent from across all divisions, and it’s great to see some of my team as well as other top prospects getting a shot on a bill like this one. It’s helping to grow boxing.”
For more information, visit www.premierboxingchampions.com and www.nbcsports.com/boxing, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @LeijaBattahPR, , @OmarFigueroaJr, @NBCSports and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampionsand www.facebook.com/NBCSports. Highlights available at www.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions.
boxing, NBC, Premier Boxing Champions

FORMER WORLD CHAMPION VICTOR ORTIZ PLUS RISING STARS TERRELL GAUSHA, HUGO CENTENO JR., MARIO BARRIOS & BRANDON FIGUEROA FEATURED IN SEPARATE BOUTS ON ACTION PACKED NIGHT OF PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ACTION ON NBCSN

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12 FROM THE AT&T CENTER IN SAN ANTONIO
 
ACTION ON NBCSN BOOKENDS PBC ON NBC PRIMETIME EVENT 
WITH COVERAGE FROM 6 P.M. ET – 7:30 P.M. ET &
FROM 11 P.M. ET – MIDNIGHT ET
 
SAN ANTONIO (November 18, 2015) – Former world champion “Vicious” Victor Ortiz(30-5-2, 23 KOs), 2012 U.S. Olympian Terrell Gausha (16-0, 8 KOs), undefeated middleweight Hugo “The Boss” Centeno Jr. (23-0, 12 KOs), undefeated San Antonio-born prospect Mario Barrios (13-0, 7 KOs) and undefeated bantamweight prospect Brandon Figueroa (3-0, 2 KOs) will compete in separate undercard bouts as part of a full night of Premier Boxing Champions (PBC)on NBC and NBCSN action on Saturday, December 12 from the newly renovated AT&T Center in San Antonio.
The NBCSN coverage will bookend the PBC on NBC event headlined by undefeated star Omar “Panterita” Figueroa (25-0-1, 18 KOs), of Weslaco, Texas, taking on former world champion Antonio DeMarco (31-5-1, 23 KOs). Coverage on NBC begins at 8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT and will also feature a pair of heavyweight showdowns as undefeated 2012 U.S. Olympian Dominic “Trouble” Breazeale (16-0, 14 KOs) faces“Prince” Charles Martin (22-0-1, 20 KOs) and hard-hitting Mexican-American Chris “The Nightmare” Arreola (36-4-1, 31 KOs) battles Travis “My Time” Kauffman (30-1, 22 KOs).
NBCSN coverage will begin at 6:00 p.m. ET/3:00 p.m. PT and go until 7:30 pm ET/4:30 pm PT.   NBCSN coverage will resume at 11 p.m. ET/8:00 p.m. PT following the NBC broadcast and run to midnight ET/9:00 p.m. PT.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Leija Battah Promotions, are priced at $220, $112, $85, $58 and $31, not including applicable fees, and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased online by visiting www.ticketmaster.com, www.attcenter.com  or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Tickets can also be purchased by emailingm@leijabattahpromo.com or calling (210) 979-3302.
An exciting fighter who never shies away from action, Ortiz returns to the ring one year after injuring his hand in his last bout, a third round stoppage of Manuel Perez. The 28-year-old was a 147-pound world champion when he defeated Andre Berto in 2011 to set up a showdown with Floyd Mayweather. The Kansas-native has spent time in recent years to film roles in movies such as “Southpaw” and “The Expendables 3” but will returnDecember 12 healthy and ready to fight his way back to the pinnacle of his sport.
Born and raised in Cleveland, Gaushawas a decorated amateur who won gold medals at the U.S. National Championships in 2009 and 2012 and represented the US as part of the 2012 Olympic Team. The 28-year-old is undefeated since turning pro in 2012. In 2015 he has scored a knockout victory over Norberto Gonzalez and defeated Luis Grajeda and Eliezer Gonzalez by decision.
Oxnard, California’s Centeno has long been one of boxing’s top prospects with victories over Ayi Bruce, Keandre Leatherwood, Angel Osuna and Gerardo Ibarra. In December 2014 he faced his stiffest test to date against James De La Rosa and passed with flying colors, scoring a spectacular fifth-round knockout. Most recently, the 24-year-old took down Lukasz Maciec in September and looks to finish the year with another strong performance.
Fighting in his hometown of San Antonio, Barrioslooks for his seventh victory of 2015 onDecember 12. The 20-year-old hopes to build on his momentum after winning his first eight-round bout over Enrique Tinoco on November 10.
The brother of main event participant and former world champion Omar, the 18-year-old Figueroa turned pro in May by defeating Hector Gutierrez and has followed that up by stopping Ricardo Mena and Ramiro Ruiz. The Weslaco, Texas-product looks to make it a perfect 2015 when he enters the ring on December 12.
For more information, visit www.premierboxingchampions.com and www.nbcsports.com/boxing, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @LeijaBattahPR, , @OmarFigueroaJr, @NBCSports and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampionsand www.facebook.com/NBCSports. Highlights available at www.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions.
boxing, NBC, Premier Boxing Champions

UNDEFEATED STAR OMAR FIGUEROA TO FACE FORMER WORLD CHAMPION ANTONIO DEMARCO IN MAIN EVENT OF PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON NBC IN PRIMETIME SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12 FROM THE AT&T CENTER IN SAN ANTONIO 8:30 P.M ET/5:30 P.M. PT

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STACKED CARD FEATURES UNDEFEATED AMERICAN HEAVYWEIGHTS
DOMINIC BREAZEALE VS. CHARLES MARTIN
&
MEXICAN-AMERICAN BRAWLER CHRIS ARREOLA BATTLING
TRAVIS KAUFFMAN
 
 Tickets On Sale Now!
 
SAN ANTONIO (November 5, 2015) – Undefeated star Omar “Panterita” Figueroa(25-0-1, 18 KOs), of Weslaco, Texas, returns to take on former world champion Antonio DeMarco (31-5-1, 23 KOs) in a super lightweight battle that headlines Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on NBC in primetime, Saturday, December 12 from the newly renovated AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas with televised coverage beginning at 8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT.
PBC on NBC will feature a stacked tripleheader of action featuring multiple exciting heavyweight showdowns. In a battle of undefeated American heavyweights 2012 U.S. Olympian Dominic “Trouble” Breazeale (16-0, 14 KOs) faces “Prince” Charles Martin (22-0-1, 20 KOs) in a 10-round contest and the action continues with hard-hitting Mexican-American Chris “The Nightmare” Arreola (36-4-1, 31 KOs) against Travis “My Time” Kauffman (30-1, 22 KOs) in 10-rounds of action.
“I’m excited to once again be fighting in my home state of Texas, in front of my fans who know what to expect from me,” said Figueroa. “I’m going to fight smart, it’s going to be exciting and I will slowly break down DeMarco and give the fans and myself a win. I can box straight forward and also trade fire with fire. As we say in Spanish, ‘si, se puede’, yes we can. I am ready to get in the ring, risk it all and be the man who wins. Don’t miss it.”
“This will be a very tough fight and will most likely be a war because of our fighting styles,” said DeMarco. “I will do everything I can to give a great show and a great fight. My objective is to win.”
“Charles Martin has nowhere near the experience I have, it’s like night and day,” said Breazeale. “I do everything better than him and am in much better condition. I’m looking to end 2015 with a bang and get ready to kick-off my 2016 campaign in style. I want to move toward challenging for a world title.”
“I’m looking forward to a big night on December 12,” said Martin. “I know Dominic very well and have a lot of respect for him, so I know it’s going to be a tough fight. This fight is about two of the best young heavyweights in the world fighting each other. I won’t let anything stand in my way of becoming heavyweight champion.”
“I’ve known Kauffman for a long time and very well but once the bell rings, it’s time to go to work,” said Arreola. “I’m a beast when I’m in great shape and that’s what I will be for this fight. I haven’t fought in San Antonio but I look forward to fighting in front of the loyal-Mexican-American boxing fans.”
“This is a fight that I’ve been wanting,” said Kauffman. “I know how tough Chris is and how great his desire to win is. This is my toughest test to date, but it is my time to shine. I believe that I will be a world champion and to do that I have to win this fight.”
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Leija Battah Promotions, are priced at $220, $112, $85, $58 and $31, not including applicable fees, and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased online by visiting www.ticketmaster.com, www.attcenter.com  or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Tickets can also be purchased by emailingm@leijabattahpromo.com or calling (210) 979-3302.
Figueroa made his 140-pound debut on May 9 when he took down former world champion Ricky Burns in a scintillating toe-to-toe battle that featured great action throughout. The 25-year-old won a 135-pound world title in 2013 when he outslugged Nihito Arakawa in a brutal “Fight of the Year” battle before defending his title against Jerry Belmontes and Daniel Estrada. Born in Weslaco, Texas, he is looking to continue his impressive rise to the top of the 140-pound division.
A former world champion in the lightweight division, the 29-year-old DeMarcosteps back into the ring in San Antonio on December 12. Fighting out of Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico, he owns victories over John Molina Jr. and Jorge Linares. He looks to take advantage of another shot at one of the best in the game as he takes on the undefeated Figueroa.
Since representing the U.S. at the 2012 Olympics, Breazealehas been nearly perfect in recording knockouts as a pro, having only gone the distance in two fights, including his last contest which saw him defeat the very difficult Fred Kassi in another primetime NBC battle. The 30-year-old played quarterback at the University of Northern Colorado before he began boxing and looks to keep his undefeated record intact on December 12 when he faces the toughest challenge of his career in a fellow undefeated American. In 2015 the Glendale, California native recorded stoppages over Victor Brisbal and Yasmany Consuegra before taking down Kassi.
Born in St. Louis, Missouri, but fighting out of Carson, California, Martin has stopped his last 11 opponents within the distance. The 29-year-old who stopped Vicente Sandez in September, looks to remain undefeated against Breazeale.
Making his first appearance in San Antonio, Arreola will fight in front of the passionate Texas boxing fans for the second straight time after earning a draw against Fred Kassi onJuly 18 in El Paso. On March 13 he was victorious against Curtis Harper in an outstanding slugfest that featured excellent back-and-forth action throughout. A native of Riverside, Calif., Arreola has challenged the top heavyweights over the last decade and is regarded as one of the most feared punchers in the division.  
An experienced fighter with a family history in the sport, the 30-year-old Kauffman steps up and faces the most threatening opponent of his career on December 12. Kauffman won the first 18 fights of his career after turning pro in 2006.
For more information, visit www.premierboxingchampions.com andwww.nbcsports.com/boxing, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @LeijaBattahPR, @OmarFigueroaJr, @NBCSports and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions andwww.facebook.com/NBCSports. Highlights available at www.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions.
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King’s Promotions Weigh in Video plus Interviews with Travis Kauffman and Eddie Chambers

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Atlantic City, NJ (September 17, 2015)– Below is the video from Thursday’s weigh in at the Claridge Hotel where on Friday night King’s Promotions will present a big night of boxing.
In the 8-round main event, Travis Kauffman will take on Epifanio Mendoza while in the 8-round co-feature, former Heavyweight title challenger Eddie Chambers battles Galen Brown.  Below is the weigh in video, plus interviews with both Kauffman and Chambers.
Media outlets may use the weigh in video on their websites by copy/pasting the embedded code.   The show begins at 7 PM ET and will be streamed on GFL.TV
King's Promotions weigh in, September 17, 2015
King’s Promotions weigh in, September 17, 2015
Interview with Travis Kauffman
Interview with Travis Kauffman
Interview with Eddie Chambers
Interview with Eddie Chambers
Tickets can be purchased for $100, $75 and $50 by clickingwww.claridgeboxing.eventbrite.com or by calling  609 868 4243
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Back in America, Chambers gearing up for run at Heavyweight title

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Eddie Chambers takes on Galen Brown this Friday at the Claridge in Atlantic City
Atlantic City, NJ (September 16, 2015)– This Friday night at the Claridge in Atlantic City, former world Heavyweight title challenger, Eddie Chambers will be fighting as a Heavyweight in the United States for the first time in over three years when he takes on Galen Brown in the 8-round co-feature on a card promoted by King’s Promotions.

The show will be headlined by another 8-round Heavyweight bout that will pit Travis Kauffman (29-1, 21 KO’s) taking on Epifanio Mendoza (41-21-1, 35 KO’s).

Chambers of Philadelphia, challenged for the Heavyweight championship of the world in 2010 when he was topped by Wladimr Klitschko in Dusseldorf, Germany.
Since then, Chambers has been trying to get back to that lofty perch but a disputed loss to Tomasz Adamek and a loss to Thabiso Mchunu in Chambers’ one appearance at Cruiserweight seemed to impede his rise back to the top.
Chambers gathered himself and spent ample time in England to train in the camp of mandatory title challenger Tyson Fury and was able to win five straight (4 by knockout) in the United Kingdom.
Now he is back and focusing on once again being a top Heavyweight contender and earning another chance at Heavyweight glory.
“Everything is going pretty good.  It has been a smooth transition coming back here,” said Chambers.
“When I went to England, I went with the intention of campaigning there and getting big fights over there.  I learned a great deal of boxing, life and about myself from Peter Fury and the rest of the guys.  I was creating a life there.  I just want to come back here now but I do plan to fight in England again.  They have knowledgeable fight fans and they really embraced me.”
Now back in the States, Chambers has inked up with Al Haymon and he feels that this is the right time to make another move in the Heavyweight division.
“Fighting close to home is a good situation to come back to.  I have been able to train in familiar surroundings and I am just going to do my thing.”
In Brown, he is fighting a grizzled veteran who has fought 75 times and has taken on many former champions, title challengers and top contenders.
“He is a journeyman, but I respect all fighters.  Anyone who gets in the ring, you must respect.  He has fought 75 times and knows a lot of tricks and is awkward and unconventional.”
Chambers believes that he is close to getting back in position and it won’t be long that he is back fighting for the title.
“I am staying at Heavyweight.  I want the bigger fights as soon as I can.  I think because of my name, experience and ability, that opportunity will come sooner rather than later and I look forward to that.  I want to thank my team and fans for the continued support and look for me to get back into a big fight real shortly.”
Also appearing in an 8-round bout will be Cruiserweight Keith Tapia (15-0, 10 KO’s) of Santurce, Puerto Rico taking on Anthony Caputo Smith (15-5, 10 KO’s) of Kennett Square, PA

Ivan Golub (8-0, 6 KO’s) of Brooklyn, NY will fight Pavel Miranda (19-10-1, 9 KO’s) of Tijuana, Mexico  in a Super Welterweight bout.

In 6-round bouts:
Dauren Yuleussinov (3-0, 2 KO’s) of Brooklyn, NY fighting Justin Williams (4-10-2, 2 KO’s) of Beaumont, Texas in a Super Middleweight fight.
Danny Kelly (8-1-1, 7 KO’s) of Washington, DC will battle Jimmy Suarez (3-6, 3 KO’s) of Aguada, PR in a Heavyweight bout.

In 4-round Bouts:

Alex Barbosa (4-2-1, 1 KO) of Philadelphia, PA will fight Jose Garcia (0-4) of San Juan, Puerto Rico in a Featherweight contest
Pavlo Ishchenko of Brooklyn, NY will make his pro debut against Nicholas Rodriguez (0-2-1) of Somerset, KY in a Featherweight contest.
Tickets can be purchased for $100, $75 and $50 by clickingwww.claridgeboxing.eventbrite.com or by calling call 610 587 5950 or 609 868 4243
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Travis Kauffman eyeing Mendoza clash this Friday night at The Claridge in Atlantic City

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Photo by Joe Tarlecky

Reading, PA (September 14, 2015)– On Friday night, September 18, boxing returns to the Claridge Hotel in Atlantic City as Kings Promotions returns for a big night of action.

In the main event, Travis Kauffman will take on former world title challenger Epifanio Mendoza.

Kauffman of Reading, PA has a record of 29-1 with 21 knockouts and is riding an 11-fight win streak that has spanned 5 and a half years.

Kauffman has defeated the likes of Malachy Farrell (16-1), William Shahan (7-1), Chris Koval (24-6), Vincent Thompson (13-1) and in his last bout he took out Richard Carmack in one-round on August 14 in Newark, New Jersey.

Kauffman got right back into the gym following the Carmack bout and is continuing to round into shape after a 19-month layoff.

“The fact that I kept in the gym is helping me big time. I think I will be a couple pounds less than the Carmack fight when I weighed 239 pounds. I am able to run more and more following the surgery and It has helped me with my conditioning,”said Kauffman.

In Mendoza, he is facing a guy who has a record of 41-21-1 with 35 big knockouts and has wins over undefeated fighters Tokunbo Olijade, Rubin Williams, Carlos Negron & Ray Recio plus solid wins over Rito Ruvalcalba, Alejandro Luis Garcia, and has fought for the Light Heavyweight championship.

“He has been around a long time. He has the most experienced guy on my resume. He is a big puncher and has been able to stop good fighters, so I have to take him seriously.”

Kauffman is trying to pick up where he left off with the Carmack fight, when he dropped the 300-plus pounder twice with body shots.

“This is basically round two for me. But this time, I would not be upset if I got some rounds in to work off ring rust.”

Kauffman, who signed to Al Haymon, has seen some fighters in the Heavyweight division get some opportunities on the Premier Boxing Champions series and the 30-year is ready for the fight’s that will put him in contention for world title shot.

“I am hoping in November that these big fights will be there. After this fight, I will be 30-1 and I am looking for those kind of fights. I feel I will be ready.”

“I am happy to be staying busy. The injuries are behind me and now I am a mature 30 year-old fighter. I know I am not getting younger, but it is the perfect age for a Heavyweight. I am starting to get noticed again like it was in 2009 but now I have much more experience both in and out of the ring so I know the best is still in front of me. I am a lot more dedicated and after this fight, I am going back down to Texas to work on my conditioning and prepare for November.”

“I want to thank my team which includes my father Marshall Kauffman, Naazim Richardson and Jeff Negrelli. Also Al Haymon for believing in me. ”

The co-feature will be an 8-round Heavyweight bout that will feature the American return of former world title challenger “Fast” Eddie Chambers (41-4, 22 KO’s) taking on Galen Brown (41-31-1, 25 KO’s) of St. Joseph, Missouri.

Also appearing in an 8-round bout will be Cruiserweight Keith Tapia (15-0, 10 KO’s) of Santurce, Puerto Rico taking on Anthony Caputo Smith (15-5, 10 KO’s) of Kennett Square, PA

Ivan Golub (8-0, 6 KO’s) of Brooklyn, NY will fight Pavel Miranda (19-10-1, 9 KO’s) of Tijuana, Mexico in a Super Welterweight bout.

In 6-round bouts:

Dauren Yuleussinov (3-0, 2 KO’s) of Brooklyn, NY fighting Justin Williams (4-10-2, 2 KO’s) of Beaumont, Texas in a Super Middleweight fight.

Danny Kelly (8-1-1, 7 KO’s) of Washington, DC will battle Jimmy Suarez (3-6, 3 KO’s) of Aguada, PR in a Heavyweight bout.

In 4-round Bouts:

Alex Barbosa (4-2-1, 1 KO) of Philadelphia, PA will fight Jose Garcia (0-4) of San Juan, Puerto Rico in a Featherweight contest

Pavlo Ishchenko of Brooklyn, NY will make his pro debut against Nicholas Rodriguez (0-2-1) of Somerset, KY in a Featherweight contest.

Tickets can be purchased for $100, $75 and $50 by clicking www.claridgeboxing.eventbrite.com or by calling call 610 587 5950 or 609 868 4243

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Travis Kauffman takes on Epifanio Mendoza on Friday, September 18 at the Claridge in Atlantic City

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Plus the return of former Heavyweight title challenger Eddie Chambers as well as undefeated Dauren Yeleussinov, Keith Tapia, John Magda, Earl Newman and Carlos Gongora
For Immediate Release

 
 
Reading, PA (August 26, 2015)– On Friday night, September 18, boxing returns to the Claridge Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City as Kings Promotions returns for a big night of action.
In the main event, Travis Kauffman will take on former world title challenger Epifanio Mendoza.
Kauffman of Reading, PA has a record of 29-1 with 21 knockouts and is riding an 11-fight win streak that has spanned 5 and a half years.
Kauffman has defeated the likes of Malachy Farrell (16-1), William Shahan (7-1), Chris Koval (24-6), Vincent Thompson (13-1) and in his last bout he took out Richard Carmack in one-round on August 14 in Newark, New Jersey.
Mendoza is a grizzled veteran has fought everybody from Jr. Middleweight to Heavyweight.  He has prodigious knockout power as his record stands at 41-21-1 with 35 knockouts.
The native of Baranquilla, Colombia has wins over Tukunbo Olajide (17-0), Rubin Williams (19-0), Alejandro Garcia (7-1), Carlos Negron (13-0) & Ray Recio (6-0).  He is coming off a 3rd round stoppage over Tomas Orozco Rodriguez on July 25 in Barinquilla, Colombia.
The co-feature will be an 8-round Heavyweight bout that will feature the American return of former world title challenger “Fast” Eddie Chambers (41-4, 22 KO’s) taking on Galen Brown (41-31-1, 25 KO’s) of St. Joseph, Missouri.
Also appearing in an 8-round bout will be Heavyweight Keith Tapia (15-0, 10 KO’s) of Santurce, Puerto Rico taking on Roberto Santos (12-2, 5 KO’s) of Nuevo Laredo, Mexico.

Ivan Golub (8-0, 6 KO’s) of Brooklyn, NY will fight Javier Castro (27-8, 22 KO’s) of Chihuahua, Mexico in a Super Welterweight bout.

John Magda (11-0, 7 KO’s) of Rutherford, NJ will fight Francisco Reza (14-14, 11 KO;s) of Nuevo Laredo, Mexico in a Super Middleweight bout.
In 6-round bouts:
Dauren Yuleussinov (3-0, 2 KO’s) of Brooklyn, NY fighting Miguel Munguia (31-33-1, 25 KO’s) in a Super Middleweight fight.
Earl Newman (6-0, 5 KO’s) of Brooklyn, NY will fight Ricardo Campillo (9-8-1, 7 KO’s) of Sonora, Mexico in a Cruiserweight bout.
Danny Kelly (8-1-1, 7 KO’s) of Washington, DC will battle Jimmy Suarez (3-6, 3 KO’s) of Aguada, PR in a Heavyweight bout.
Former Olympian, Carlos Gongora (2-0, 2 KO’s) will take on Juan Carlos Rojas (10-12-1, 8 KO’s) of Saltillo, Mexico in a Super Middleweight bout.
Tickets can be purchased for $100, $75 and $50 by clickingwww.claridgeboxing.eventbrite.com or by calling call 610 587 5950 or 609 868 4243
Photo by Joe Tarlecky
boxing

Heavyweight Travis Kauffman return after 19-month layoff this Friday night against Richard Carmack in Newark, New Jersey

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Reading, PA (August 11, 2015)–This Friday night at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, Heavyweight contender Travis Kauffman (28-1, 20 KO’s) will be back in action for the first time in 19 months when he takes on Richard Carmack in a bout scheduled for 8-rounds.

The bout will take place on a card that is headlined by former world champions Antonio Tarver and Steve Cunningham.

The card will be televised by Spike TV, although Kauffman’s bout is not scheduled to make air as of this time.

Kauffman of Reading, PA has been out of action due to knee surgery to repair a torn Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL).

Kauffman has been rehabbing very hard for the better part of 2015 as he started his journey in Houston, Texas and continued his boxing training in Reading and Philadelphia.

“I am feeling good and honestly I am a little anxious,” said Kauffman. “I am more excited for this fight on Friday then any of my previous bouts. I have been training real hard. My knee feels good. I have the usual soreness that comes with training but nothing major.”

In facing Carmack, Kauffman will be facing a man who has a record of 13-6 and weighs in excess of 300 pounds.

“From what I have seen of Carmack, he can fight. Don’t be deceived by his appearance. He can fight. I have worked real hard and this is my first full training camp with Naazim Richardson and my father Marshall Kauffman. Naazim is the best when it comes to breaking down opponents so I know I will be fully prepared for Carmack.”

Before the injury, Kauffman was ranked in the top-five by the WBA and he believes it wont be long before he rises back up to that lofty status.

“I am hoping for one more tune up. Possibly on September 18 in Atlantic City. I am back with Al Haymon so whatever he has lined up for me. I know he will get me the fights that will put me in position for the fights that I need to get me back into the top-five. Fights with Chris Arreola and Artur Szpilka could be those ind of fights.”

Kauffman is excited to be back with Haymon and to compete on PBC cards.

“I know he will get me where I need to be. That is why i re-signed with him. He believes in me. I am excited and am looking forward for what my future holds.”

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment, are priced at $150, $100, $70 and $45, not including applicable service charges and are on sale now via Ticketmaster.com, charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000 or any Ticketmaster outlet. Tickets may also be purchased at Prudential Center’s box office.

Boxcino, HBO Boxing

Klitschko – Jennings Press Conference Photos & Quotes From Madison Square Garden

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Photo Credit, Will Hart / Klitschko Management Group

New York City (February 4, 2015) – IBF/WBA/WBO/IBO and “The Ring Magazine” World Heavyweight Champion WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO and top rated challenger BRYANT JENNINGS along with their respective teams held the Kick-Off Press conference for their highly anticipated battle set for Saturday, April 25 at Madison Square Garden, “The World’s Most Famous Arena.”

 

“THE CHAMPION RETURNS” will be televised Live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT in the United States and RTL in Germany among the more than 150 countries which will telecast the event.

 

Presented by K2 Promotions and Klitschko Management Group in association with Gary Shaw Productions, tickets priced at $1000, $600, $300, $200 and $100 can be purchased through the Madison Square Garden Box Office,www.TheGarden.com and www.Ticketmaster.com.

 

WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO

“Let us, Bryant and me, entertain you on April 25th here in New York at Madison Square Garden. I see how Bryant Jennings acts. I see how he walks, I see how he shakes hands, I see how he speaks, and he has the qualities of Rocky Balboa from Philadelphia.”

 

“Thank you to HBO. Eventually you believed in me. I’m back on your network and I’m happy about it. Like Sinatra said, ‘If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere. Right event, right venue and right city. I fought here for the first time 15 years ago and I’m so happy to come back here and fight.”

 

BRYANT JENNINGS:

“This is it.  I like to thank everyone involved with this promotion and my city of Philadelphia.  It took a long time to make this fight happen and through it all I stayed calm.  I commend my team for allowing me to be the athlete that I am while these negotiations were going on. On April 25th history will definitely be made and it will be made by me.  One of us has to lose and it isn’t going to be me. Enough of the talking, I’m ready to fight.”

 

BERND BOENT/CEO, KMG Management:

“This is Wladimir’s 27th world title fight, it was 15 years ago when he first fought here. I’d like to thank Joel Fisher and his terrific team here at Madison Square Garden, this venue truly is the home of heavyweight champions and we are very excited to have this event here. I’d also like to thank our broadcast partners HBO and RTL without whom events like this would be possible.

 

TOM LOEFFLER/K2 Promotions:

“This is K2 Promotions’ eighth event at Madison Square Garden and we’re honored to work with the outstanding team here. We’ve already sold over 5,000 tickets which is just an incredible response to announcing this event.”

 

GARY SHAW/Gary Shaw Productions:

“Madison Square Garden is the mecca of boxing, the ring is in the Hall of Fame, this is what heavyweight boxing is all about.  25 years ago on February 11, 1990, Buster Douglas knocked out Mike Tyson. I believe on April 25th history will once again be made for an American heavyweight to do something spectacular, but this time instead of being overseas, it will be here in the United States at the Madison Square Garden. I believe Bryant Jennings will become the unified heavyweight champion of the world on April 25th.”

 

JAMES PRINCE, Manager of Jennings:

“This is a dream come true for us and we can’t wait.  There are a lot of doubters out there right now and they believe there is no way Bryant Jennings is going to be able to deliver a victory on April 25th.  I would like for you all to show up because Bryant Jennings is going to show out, and we shall be champion.”

 

FRED JENKINS, Trainer of Jennings:

“I do know the pedigree of where Bryant Jennings comes from, he’s going to give it all he’s got.  This is a one sided fight and I believe its going to be all Bryant “By-By” Jennings.”