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LAS VEGAS (April 29, 2016) – World Boxing Association (WBA) Interim cruiserweight world champion Beibut Shumenov (16-2, 10 KOs), the only Kazakhstan-native to hold world titles in two different weight classes, is disputing the WBA’s sanctioning of the WBA “regular” cruiserweight world championship fight, May 20 in Paris, between two lower-ranked WBA fighters, No. 2 Yunier Dorticos and No. 5 Youri Kalenga (recently upgraded to No. 3).
Last July, Shumenov defeated B.J. Flores by way of a 12-round unanimous decision to become the mandatory challenger for WBA “regular” cruiserweight champion Denis Lebedev, who was later elevated to “Super” champion.
Lebedev hasn’t fought a mandatory defense in one year, ironically, when he won a 12-round decision over Kalenga, who had earned his world title shot, like Shumenov, by becoming WBA Interim world champion. The WBA granted Lebedev an extension in terms of his due mandatory defense because of the Russian’s unification fight May 21 in Moscow against International Boxing Federation (IBF) title-holder Victor Emelio Ramirez.
“I’m very disappointed the WBA is sanctioning Dorticos-Kalenga for its ‘regular’ cruiserweight title, when I am the No. 1 ranked and current WBA Interim champion,” Shumenov said. “I repeatedly informed the WBA through emails, texts and verbally that I was ready to fight back in January. I preferred to fight Lebedev but I was willing to fight Dorticos or anybody else in the top 15. For the past few months, I’ve been laboring over what I believe is a very bad decision, letting two lower-ranked fighters, the No. 2 and No. 3 guys, fight for the WBA ‘regular’ title. I am shocked and bewildered and do not understand the WBA’s rationale to have either of these fighters declared the WBA ‘regular’ champion without first defeating either Lebedev or me, the Interim champion and No. 1 rank contender.
“I appealed the decision but, so far, the WBA has done little in response to my appeals other than delay and stall before finally ruling that I will fight the Lebedev-Ramirez winner months from now, yet, ignoring my appeal to stop the regular title status of Dorticos-Kalenga and still sanction a fight between them, its No. 2 and No. 3 rated fighters, for the WBA ‘regular’ title. This is unfair to fans, who deserve to watch the best fighting the best, especially when a world championship is at stake! We now have this odd situation where there will be three separate WBA cruiserweight fights in May, all for a different version of WBA world title I just don’t feel anyone should get the WBA ‘regular’ title without first defeating a champion or at least the top-ranked fighter in the division. The WBA knew I was and am ready to fight. Its decision makes no sense and, in my opinion, diminishes the prestige and meaning of the title. I have respect for Dorticos and Kalenga but I think the legitimacy of any world title resulting from a fight between the No. 2 and No. 3 ranked contenders, when the No 1 mandatory contender who already holds the WBA Interim champion is ready and available, to say the least, is highly questionable.
“The WBA told me and announced to the media that it was working to have only one world champion in each division. While I’ve been sitting out the last four months waiting to fight, the WBA has decided to allow six different guys to fight for three WBA cruiserweight world titles, practically on the same day, instead of crowning only one WBA cruiserweight world champion. I look forward to returning to the ring and my manager, Al Haymon, has advised me that I will fight in May and we will announce next week. I want to thank everyone for their support and I apologize to my family, friends, fans and my country, Kazakhstan, for this chaos the WBA has caused that has damaged and delayed my professional boxing career. I will move forward and continue to fight inside the ring, letting my attorneys and manager fight this unfair situation outside the ring.”
Fans may friend Beibut Shumenov on his Facebook Fan Page at www.facebook.com/
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Encore Presentation of SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL®
Airs Immediately Following Tonight’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® Telecast
Click HERE For Photos Credit Matchroom Boxing
NEW YORK (Feb. 27, 2016) – IBF 122-pound world champion Carl Frampton unified the super bantamweight division with a split decision victory over WBA titlist Scott Quigg Saturday on SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL from Manchester, England.
An encore presentation of Saturday’s telecast will re-air later this evening immediately following the live SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast headlined by three-division world champion Leo Santa Cruz and former titlist Kiko Martinez. The SHOWTIME telecast begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.
The long-awaited matchup of unbeaten champions got off to a slow and tactical start, but Belfast native Frampton (22-0, 14 KOs) established himself as the aggressor and worked his jab to pocket the early rounds. Quigg didn’t come alive until after the seventh, when trainer Joe Gallagher warned his charge that he was likely down big on the judges’ scorecards.
Quigg (31-1-2) pounded the body and was the aggressor in rounds eight through 11, but it was too little, too late for the Lancashire, England native. Frampton won the 12th and walked away the unified champion by scores of 115-113 for Quigg, but 116-112 twice for Frampton.
“I couldn’t believe it was a split,” Frampton said. “I don’t know what that lad was watching, but as long as I got my hand raised at the end of the fight, that’s the main thing.
“We have a great rivalry, and it was a great fight at the end. The start wasn’t great, but of course I would do it again. I’m happy to campaign at super bantamweight, but if a big fight comes calling at featherweight – Santa Cruz, Selby, any of these guys – I’m ready for them.”
Quigg admitted he should have pushed the action in the early rounds, but still thought he did enough to get the decision.
“I felt comfortable,” Quigg said. “The judges must have been counting his punches as scoring, but I thought I was blocking them. I should have started faster. I felt comfortable and I thought I was winning the rounds because he wasn’t winning clear. I’m not going to complain. I want a rematch. Maybe next time I’ll start a bit earlier.”
SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL® Live At 5:30 p.m. ET/PT
From Manchester Arena In Manchester, England;
Encore Presentation Saturday Evening On SHOWTIME®
Click HERE For Photos. Credit: Matchroom Boxing
Undefeated 122-pound world champions Carl Frampton (IBF) and Scott Quigg (WBA) had to be separated at their final press conference on Thursday in Manchester, England, as they faced-off for the long-awaited super bantamweight unification showdown this Saturday, Feb. 27 at Manchester Arena.
The unification between Frampton (21-0, 14 KOs), of Belfast, Ireland, and Quigg (32-0-2, 23 KOs), of Lancashire, United Kingdom will be televised live on SHO EXTREME at 5:30 p.m. ET/PT.
After jarring over who deserves the home dressing room at the sold-out, 21,000 seat Manchester Arena, the 122-pound rivals had to be separated by Hall of Famer Barry McGuigan and promoter Eddie Hearn.
“It’s going to be a great fight, one for the ages,” said Frampton, the IBF champion. “I’ll win. It doesn’t matter how, KO or clear points decision.”
“I’m going to prove I’m the best super bantamweight,” said Quigg, the WBA titlist. “I’m going to win by knockout.”
The SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL® offering of the Sky Sports telecast will feature analysis from SHOWTIME Sports® hostBarry Tompkins, analyst Steve Farhood and special guest and WBA Middleweight World Champion Daniel Jacobs. An encore presentation of the bout will air on SHOWTIME® immediately following Saturday’slive SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast headlined by three-division world champion Leo Santa Cruz and former titlist Kiko Martinez. The SHOWTIME telecast begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.
Here’s what Frampton, Quigg and their trainers and promoters had to say in Manchester on Thursday:
CARL FRAMPTON:
“I’m better in every department, plain and simple.
“Because of the magnitude of this fight, everything had to be perfect. I’ve done everything right this time,”
“This means so much; there is a lot at stake. It’s more than titles – it’s pride and bragging rights. It’s proving who is the best. Reputation is a big deal, so there is so much on the line.
“I’m prepared to do whatever it takes to win. I’ve punching power to KO him in any round and I’ve the boxing brain to win on points.
“I’ve spent 17 weeks in camp, the longest ever. I missed my son’s first steps and both my kids’ birthdays. I did that because this could be my toughest fight. I’m not going to let Scott Quigg make all that be for nothing.”
“It’s going to be a great fight, one for the ages. I’ll win. It doesn’t matter how, KO or clear points decision.
On the home-team dressing room:
“I’m contractually the A-side. It’s a question of principle.”
SCOTT QUIGG:
“Nobody does what I do in terms of dedication to the sport. I’ll win because of boxing brain and ability.
“It’ll mean everything to win. Since the age of 15, all I have done is eat, sleep and train.
“Saturday is my moment of destiny and, believe me, I will win this fight. I’ve put in too much for anyone to stop me.”
“Tune in for a great fight. I’m going to prove I’m the best super bantamweight. I’m going to win by knockout.
On the home-team dressing room:
“It’s my arena, I’m the home fighter. I want the home dressing room.”
SHANE MCGUIGAN, Frampton’s Trainer:
“They are two legitimate, world class fighters and there is maybe only 2 percent difference at the top level – Carl has that extra percent.
“As a trainer you are only as good as your fighters and I’m lucky to have Carl.”
JOE GALLAGHER, Quigg’s Trainer
“He (Shane McGuigan) was a nutritionist a few years ago who asked to help Gerry Storey. He’s only famous because of his dad.
“They are underestimating Scott’s boxing brain and being disrespectful throughout the build-up.”
BARRY MCGUIGAN, Frampton’s Promoter
“There has never been a bigger super bantamweight fight of this magnitude in Europe. It’s got a Barrera-Morales feel to hit and is going to be a magnificent occasion.
“I think Carl will have too much for him, but it has the potential to be a great fight.”
EDDIE HEARN, Quigg’s Promoter
“It’s bigger than Froch vs. Groves, because it is a global event.
“I’m proud to have made the fight happen. This can ignite the sport and keep it alive.
“The atmosphere and passion will eclipse all that has gone before. It just doesn’t get any bigger than this.
“I can’t see anything other than a great fight. With two fighters this talented, so much on the line and so much passion from teams and fans, you’re going to get something very special.”
We’ve been chasing these boys for years… Scott is in for a big, big shock.” – Carl Frampton
“I’ve always wanted the chance to prove I’m the best…I can win on points, but I will knock out Carl Frampton. – Scott Quigg
Click HERE For Photos From Matchroom Boxing
Undefeated 122-pound world champions Carl Frampton (IBF) and Scott Quigg (WBA) held media workouts on Tuesday in Manchester, England, as they finalize preparation for their long-awaited super bantamweight unification showdown this Saturday, Feb. 27 atManchester Arena.
The massive unification between Frampton (21-0, 14 KOs), of Belfast, Ireland, and Quigg (32-0-2, 23 KOs), of Lancashire, United Kingdom will be televised live on SHO EXTREME at 5:30 p.m. ET/PT.
The SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL® offering of the Sky Sports telecast will feature analysis from SHOWTIME Sports®analysts Barry Tompkins, Steve Farhood and guest analyst and WBA Middleweight World Champion Daniel Jacobs.
An encore presentation of the bout will air on SHOWTIME® immediately following Saturday’s live SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®telecast headlined by three-division world champion Leo Santa Cruzand former titlist Kiko Martinez.
Here’s what Frampton and Quigg had to say as they approachSaturday’s fight:
CARL FRAMPTON:
“I have wanted this fight for a long, long time. I thrive on the big occasions and there are not many bigger than a domestic super fight.
“I won my world title on a massive stage, Scott Quigg was handed his title after a draw. He has fought on big cards but not as a bill-topper and I genuinely don’t know if he will be able to handle this level of pressure. I’m going to use all of my experience to outbox, outfight and outgun Scott Quigg.
“We’ve been chasing these boys for years. They didn’t want it, end of story. Then all it took was one below par performance from me to convince his team that they should finally take the fight. If that first round in my last fight is what they’re basing their hopes of victory on then Scott is in for a big, big shock.
“I’ve had the best training camp of my career, I’m in the shape of my life and I’m going to become the unified Super Bantamweight World Champion.
“First and foremost I’m doing this for my family. I have two beautiful kids and both Christine (Frampton) and I want the best for them, that’s what drives me and makes me so focused on being the best in the world.
“I am 100 percent dedicated to the sport of boxing, I spend twelve-weeks in training camp in London away from home, only getting to go home a handful of times and I do this so I can be the best I possibly can.
“People have said Quigg trains like a machine. I can tell you I train every bit as hard if not harder, but I’m no machine. I don’t need to be programmed in order to perform.
“Shane (McGuigan) is a brilliant coach, I’ve been saying it all along. But now people are sitting up and taking notice. Shane and I work hard on tactics and techniques when we approach every fight, but we both know that if tactics need tweaking mid fight I can think my way through a contest. Scott Quigg can’t.”
SCOTT QUIGG:
“This is the perfect time now for this fight. We’re both world champions, we’re both undefeated, and I believe this is the perfect time for me to go out there and do a job on him.
“It’s a fight I’ve wanted for a long time. It’s a fight that’s been brewing for a long time. Seeing Carl sign on the dotted line meant that I was one step closer to achieving everything I’ve worked towards; becoming the best.
“I’ve always wanted the chance to prove I’m the best. Now the fight’s been made, I’m one million per cent confident that I’m going win in spectacular fashion. I can win on points, but I will knock out Carl Frampton.
“No-one expected me to get Kiko out of there early. If I’d have stopped him late or won on points, then Carl had already done that, so the only way I could get credit or show people what I am capable of was KO him early.
“With Carl and his performance in the States, they handpicked (Alejandro) Gonzalez from a list of opponents because they thought that he would be the easiest one. They wanted to go over there and look good in his U.S. debut so the Americans would rave about him – and he nearly came unstuck.
“We respect each other as fighters. You don’t become a world champion by chance, there’s a lot of hard work and a lot of talent involved. But they are in for a shock because they think I can only fight one way. They don’t think I can’t adapt and I’ll just come steaming forward. Maybe I will do that, but if I do come steaming forward, it’s because I am going to KO him.
“People are saying now that because I’ve been knocking guys out quite early that I’ve been going out for the stoppages, but that’s not the case. I’ve been going out and I’ve been boxing.
“If I land clean on any super bantamweight or featherweight in the world, I will knock them out. So, it’s about just making sure I pick the right time and I open the gaps. And when the gaps are there then I’ll take them.
“I don’t take any notice of whether I’ve got the crowd behind me or whether it is behind my opponent, but I know for a fact that he takes comfort from having a lot of support. When he’s taken away from that, he shows his vulnerabilities. I think that will affect him.
“The Irish are very passionate about the sport and they know their boxing inside-out. They get behind their man and they will create a great atmosphere. The atmosphere is going to go off even more because we’re both at the top of our game and there’s a lot riding on this. There’s a lot of pride at stake – it’s going to be electric.”
“I got into boxing to become world champion. I’ve done that and now I’ve set new goals to reach greater heights because I want to challenge myself every day.
“Ricky Hatton became a crossover star and was a hit in the US. He took 40,000 Brits to Las Vegas and became a global star. That’s the next goal that I’ve set for myself and I can make it if I keep working hard, maintain my dedication and focus.
“Getting this fight now on SHOWTIME in the U.S. is the first step. I’ll go out and do a job on Carl, win in a spectacular fashion and that’s going to give me a boost for my profile in the U.S.
“I am not going to give the WBA belt up. I want to fight the best. Guillermo Rigondeaux is next because that’s what the WBA have ordered.
“My focus is on beating Carl. We’ll look at fighting the best out there after that. I’ve always said, ‘I’m out to fight the best and beat the best.’ So, I’m obviously going to fight Rigondeaux. I’m not scared of fighting him. I’m not shying away from the challenge. I thrive on that sort of task and fighting Rigondeaux – who’s rightly so ranked No. 1 in the division because of what he’s achieved – would be a huge challenge. I honestly believe that if the time comes and we fight, I can beat him.”
SHANE MCGUIGAN, Frampton’s Trainer:
“There is a lot of debate about who hits harder between Frampton and Quigg. I know Carl Frampton is the hardest punching Super Bantamweight in the world.
“One thing you can’t argue about is who has the better pedigree and who has the better boxing brain. Carl wins hands down in both departments and he is going to show this in brutal and clinical fashion.
“Carl can box off the back foot, he can fight on the front foot and he has devastating one-punch power.”
BARRY MCGUIGAN, Frampton’s Promoter:
“Carl is always so cool when the heat is on him, he steps up to the plate and delivers.
“Even in his last fight when he didn’t get off to a great start, Carl still managed to pull himself together and do what was needed to get the win.
“He’s a natural born winner. I had to work very hard just to be able to compete at world level. I think the same can be said of Scott Quigg, but for Carl it comes more naturally. Couple this with his incredible work ethic and that is why Carl Frampton is the best in the world.”
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Long Island, NY (January 21, 2016) – On Thursday, night at Chickie’s & Petes in South Philadephia, Angel Ocasio (8-0-2, 2 KO’s) of Philadelphia & Reynaldo Blanco (9-2, 4 KO’s) of Puerto Rico got into a heated exchange at the final press conference
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Viewers Can Watch The All-Brooklyn Showdown In Virtual Reality On Multiple Platforms
Photos: Esther Lin/SHOWTIME
NEW YORK, NY – December 8, 2015 – For the first time ever, a boxing match has been released in its entirety in 360 degree immersive virtual reality, as SHOWTIME captured the shocking first round TKO from Saturday night’s main event between WBA Middleweight World Champion Daniel Jacobs’ and previously undefeated challenger Peter Quillin. The all-Brooklyn main event has been made available in 360 video from ring-side, giving fans an unprecedented boxing experience. The virtual reality video engrosses viewers in the matchup of the top middleweights, facing off in the prime of their career, where Brooklyn’s Jacobs (31-1, 28 KOs) won the “Battle For Brooklyn.” The 360 footage is viewable on the SHOWTIME Sports’ YouTube channel*, the SHOWTIME Boxing Facebook page, on the Samsung Gear VR via the MILK VR app and Littlestar VR apps for Samsung Gear VR, iOS and Android.
The telecast is currently available On Demand, on SHOWTIME ANYTIME® and on the SHOWTIME streaming service. The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING event happened live on SHOWTIME on Saturday night at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. One minute into the fight, Jacobs landed a straight right to Quillin’s temple and pounced with an onslaught of punches while his opponent was against the ropes. Quillin stumbled forward and referee Harvey Dock looked in Quillin’s eyes and halted the fight without the challenger ever touching the canvas.
The executive producer of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING is David Dinkins Jr. with Bob Dunphy directing. Barclays Center’s BROOKLYN BOXING™ programming platform is presented by AARP. For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports, follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @DanielJacobsTKO, @KidChocolate, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports.