THE BATTLE OF BROOKLYN IN ON! Former World Champions Zab Judah & Paulie Malignaggi Set To Fight on Dec. 7 At Barclays Center Live on SHOWTIME

THE BATTLE OF BROOKLYN IN ON! Former World Champions Zab Judah & Paulie Malignaggi Set To Fight on Dec. 7 At Barclays Center Live on SHOWTIME

THE BATTLE OF BROOKLYN IS ON! 

FORMER FIVE-TIME, TWO-DIVISION WORLD CHAMPION ZAB "SUPER" JUDAH TO FIGHT FOR BROOKLYN BRAGGING RIGHTS AGAINST FORMER TWO-TIME, TWO-DIVISION WORLD CHAMPION PAULIE "THE MAGIC MAN" MALIGNAGGI ON DEC. 7 AT BARCLAYS CENTER LIVE ON SHOWTIME^® 

PLUS, WBA SUPER WELTERWEIGHT INTERIM CHAMPION

ERISLANDY LARA TO MAKE HIS FIRST TITLE DEFENSE AGAINST FORMER WBA SUPER WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPION AUSTIN "NO DOUBT" TROUT AND 2012 U.S. OLYMPIAN MARCUS BROWNE SCHEDULED TO FIGHT

 Barclays Center will host two of the borough's favorite sons, former Five-Time, Two-Division World Champion Zab "Super" Judah and former Two-Time, Two-Division World Champion Paulie "The Magic Man" Malignaggi, on Saturday, Dec. 7 todecide who is the true King of Brooklyn. The 12-round welterweight bout will be televised live on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT).

"I am happy to be back fighting in front of my hometown crowd," said Judah, who is from Brownsville. "Paulie and I have known each other for a long time and we have a mutual respect for each other, but with this fight on Dec. 7 it is going to be like the ancient Roman days. There has to be a leader and that position belongs to me."

"I have always admired Zab's skills and his resume speaks for itself," said Malignaggi, a native of Bensonhurst. "But this is the 'Battle of Brooklyn' and winning this fight is worth more than any world title." 

"In a year of great fights, I have to say that this one is high on my list of the most anticipated," said CEO of Golden Boy Promotions Richard Schaefer. "Paulie and Zab are two of the slickest, fastest and most charismatic boxers in the world today and when you add in the fact that they're fighting for Brooklyn bragging rights, it's going to be an early holiday gift for boxing fans."

 "Judah vs. Malignaggi promises to be a high intensity chess match between two master boxers," said Vice President of Super Judah Promotions Bill Halkias. "This fight is not only special to Brooklyn boxing fans, but also a highly anticipated fight for boxing fans in general. Who wouldn't want to see two highly skilled and experienced world champion boxers go at it for the right to be crowned 'The King of Brooklyn'? I believe Dec. 7 will be a night to remember."

"We've hosted some great fights at Barclays Center in our first year, but this one is different - this fight is about two Brooklyn-born-and-raised fighters proudly representing their respective neighborhoods," said Barclays Center CEO Brett Yormark. "Paulie and Zab are pros at captivating audiences with their big personalities and boxing skills. We are delighted that they will once again step into Brooklyn's most celebrated ring for what is sure to be another memorable night of boxing at Barclays Center."

"Highly competitive, hard-fought, exciting fights have been the hallmark of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING all year long, and the December 7 card is no different," said Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President and General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports. "If you want tune-ups, appearance fights or mismatches, then look elsewhere.  But if you're looking for evenly matched, meaningful fights featuring four of the most skilled boxers in any division, then the December 7 edition of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING is a can't-miss."

In the 12-round co-main event, the WBA Super Welterweight Championship is on the line as interim titleholder Erislandy Lara battles former champion Austin "No Doubt" Trout. The Cuban star, Lara, is coming off a 'Fight of the Year' candidate in his 10th -round title-winning stoppage of Alfredo Angulo in June, but the gifted Trout is hungrier than ever to regain his world title. Additionally, 2012 U.S. Olympian Marcus Browne, who will be featured at Barclays Center for the fifth time in his professional career, will face an opponent to be determined.

"This is a great matchup with Austin Trout and I respect his skills in the ring," said Lara. "He knows the art of boxing like I do, and the fans will see the sport at its highest level when we fight."

"It's only been a few months, but I already miss being called 'champ,'" said Trout. "So I'd like to thank Lara, Golden Boy, and the WBA for this opportunity to get my belt back and I will get it back this December."

"Barclays Center has truly become my second home," said Browne. "Having the opportunity to fight there more times than any one else is an honor. I look forward to making another appearance there on Dec. 7."

Judah vs. Malignaggi is a 12-round welterweight fight taking place on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2013 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The event is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and supported by Golden Boy Promotions' sponsors Corona and AT&T. The SHOWTIME telecast begins at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) and will be available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP). In the co-featured bout, Erislandy Lara defends his interim WBA Super Welterweight Championship in a 12-round fight against Austin "No Doubt" Trout. Preliminary fights will air on SHOWTIME EXTREME at 7 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

Blessed with the speed, power and ring savvy that long ago earned him the nickname "Super,"Zab Judah (42-8, 29 KO's) has been dazzling fight fans in New York and beyond since 1996, winning world titles at 140 and 147 pounds along the way. Owner of wins against Micky Ward, Junior Witter, Cory Spinks and Lucas Matthysse, the 35-year-old southpaw has also squared off with the best of this era, including Floyd Mayweather, Kostya Tszyu, Miguel Cotto, Amir Khan and Danny Garcia, who he recently extended the 12-round distance in a memorable championship bout in April. But to get back into a title fight, Judah must first successfully defeat Malignaggi.

A former junior welterweight and welterweight world champion known as "The Magic Man,"Paulie Malignaggi (32-5, 7 KO's) built an early reputation for talking a good game, but when the bell rang, his skills backed up his boasts. Despite his flashy style in and out of the ring, the 32-year-old has proven himself to be a true warrior, as evidenced by his victories over Juan Diaz, Lovemore Ndou, Vyacheslav Senchenko and Pablo Cesar Cano, and his battles with Miguel Cotto, Ricky Hatton and Amir Khan. Coming off of a razor-thin split decision loss to Adrien Broner in June, Malignaggi's return to the ring has him more amped up than ever.

After graduating from the legendary Cuban amateur boxing program, Guantanamo's Erislandy Lara (18-1-2, 12 KO's) began his quest for professional glory in 2008, eventually settling in Miami. By 2011, he was one of the sport's unsung heroes, with the only blemishes on his record being a controversial draw with Carlos Molina and a majority decision loss to Paul Williams that most consider to be one of the worst decisions in recent history. Since then, Lara has done his best to take matters out of the judges' hands, going 3-0-1 with technical knockouts of Ronald Hearns and Alfredo Angulo. Lara's win over Angulo in June of this year earned the 30-year-old southpaw the interim WBA Championship, and he will look to defend his interim title on Dec. 7.

Slick southpaw Austin "No Doubt" Trout (26-1, 14 KO's) operated under the mainstream radar for many years, but the Las Cruces, New Mexico native never lost sight of his goals, knowing that he would capitalize on his first big opportunity. That opportunity came in February of 2011, when he traveled to Guadalajara, Mexico to take on Rigoberto Alvarez. In that bout, Trout won a 12-round unanimous decision and the vacant WBA Super Welterweight title, a crown he successfully defended four times with victories over David Lopez, Frank LoPorto, Delvin Rodriguez, and Miguel Cotto. In April, Trout lost his title in a hard-fought match with WBC champion Canelo Alvarez, but this December, the 28-year-old gets his chance to take the belt back.

After blasting through his first six opponents as a professional, Staten Island's "Sir" Marcus Browne (7-0, 6 KO's) proved that he could go the distance as well in his most recent bout, as he pounded out an eight-round unanimous decision victory over Lamont Williams at Barclays Center. On Dec. 7, the 22-year-old former Olympian seeks his eighth consecutive win.

 ♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time. EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 All photos other than those specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Impress Photo-Studios♔ and KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Blog-Online Publication all rights reserved.

Canelo Alvarez vs. Austin "No Doubt" Trout & Undercard San Antonio Workout Quotes

 

Canelo vs. Trout, a 12-round Super Welterweight World Championship Unification fight for

Canelo's WBC title, Trout's WBA title and the vacant Ring Magazine title, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, Canelo Promotions and Leija & Battah Promotions and sponsored by Corona and AT&T.  The co-main event will be a 10-round fight between undefeated prospects Omar Figueroa Jr. of Weslaco, Texas and Abner Cotto of Caguas, Puerto Rico which is presented in association with Miguel Cotto Promotions and will be a WBC lightweight semi-final elimination bout for the vacant NABA Lightweight Championship and Cotto's WBC FECARBOX Lightweight Championship.  The fights will air live on SHOWTIME at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT with Canelo vs. Trout being presented in association with Greg Cohen Promotions. SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® is available in Spanish on secondary audio programming (SAP).  Preliminary fights will air on SHOWTIME EXTREME at 8 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

CANELO ALVAREZ, WBC Super Welterweight World Champion 

"If  I want to win this fight, I have to move fast.  I have to watch out for Trout's left.  I've been studying his style and I can definitely adapt to it.  It's going to be tough, but I know I can beat him.  I trust I have what it takes to beat him.

"On Saturday, after defeating Trout, I will raise my hand and my belt and will be thinking of my brother.  That belt is his.

"I'm 100 percent ready for Trout.  He's a world-class boxer and an undefeated world champion.

"I'm thankful to the people of San Antonio.  They give me great motivation and they have an amazing energy.

"I'm very grateful and happy to be here.

"I'm maintaining weight.  I'm training hard.  I'm ready.

"I'm visualizing the fight.  I'm very focused and very determined.  Saturday is going to be my night.

"I'd like to thank my fans for their support.  I'm anxious to give them the show they want on Saturday.

"I'm excited to be part of all this.  I feel motivated that Oscar De La Hoya is part of all this.  It makes me happy to be part of his team.

"I'm the type of boxer that adapts well to other styles.

"When I step into the ring, the best of me comes out.

"I'm ready for Trout.  I'm ready to not let my fans down.  I'm ready to win."

AUSTIN "NO DOUBT" TROUT, WBA Super Welterweight World Champion

"We just want to up the intensity from the Miguel Cotto fight.  Even though they're not the same fighter, they have similar styles.  We want to up the intensity because Canelo is a bit more intense of a fighter than Miguel Cotto. 

"He's an all-around fighter and he doesn't have many faults, but he's not as strong in some areas as others and we're going to exploit that.  We're preparing for the total package.

"Canelo's a world champion so he has to have what it takes.  They wouldn't have given him the belt otherwise.

"I'm ecstatic to be the focal point of over 38,000 people.  It's wonderful.  I really just can't wait to be in that atmosphere.

"If Canelo's not ready now, he's never going to be.  I'm excited to get in there and I'm glad he put his foot down to make this fight happen.

(On the public turnout at Wednesday's workout) "It's love.  I appreciate all the love.  They're the reason that boxing is going to thrive for ages.  It's one of the oldest sports and it's not dying anytime soon.  This is evidence of it right here.

"Anything is possible.  We've done things that people said couldn't be done.  I believe God does miracles everyday.  I'm not saying it's going to beat the man, but it can be done.  Impossible is a mind state and I don't have that type of mind state.

"My focus is to just be in shape.  We know he's going to bring it, so we want to make sure we can up the intensity when we need to.

"I don't think it's going to be difficult at all fighting in front of these fans.  It's the opponent that's going to make it difficult.  The crowd isn't going to make it harder or easier.  Canelo is going to make it harder.  So the crowd is not going to stray me or bother me one bit.

"My hometown is really divided being that it's a mostly Latin area, but we have a lot of support coming from Las Cruces.  Mexican blood is thick and it's hard to divide that.  They're the best fans to have.  If I could have them adopt me as their own champion, I'd be ecstatic because they're loyal and they fight for their guys.  My whole goal is to just take that love and push it onto me.

"Canelo is a champion and he wants to please his fans.  If his fans didn't say that he needed to fight me to prove that he's the true champion, then I don't think he would have done it.

"My strategy is to win by any means possible.  Whether it is brawling, boxing, moving, sticking there, staying there, whatever I need to do.  We're going to win.

"I want to be a legend in this game.  I don't want to be a one-hit wonder.

"I've been the underdog a lot.  What they think doesn't bother me.  I think 'underdog' is a mind state.  I'm here to win.  I'm here to win decisively.  What the odds say, what the people say, is not really going to affect what happens in the ring.

"I've prepared for it and the way I'm feeling right now in my heart and in my mind, that's what is going to affect the fight.

"The formula is the same (as against Miguel Cotto), but we know they're not the same fighter.  Canelo is in his prime, he's undefeated and he's not battle worn.  He's still got a lot of pop and life left in him.  Although the formula is the same, we have to up the intensity and we're not treating him as the same fighter.

"I fought his style of fighter my whole life being from Las Cruces, New Mexico, and fighting around the area.  I'm not sure if he's fought my style, though and we'll see the difference come Saturday."

ABNER COTTO, WBC FECARBOX Lightweight Champion

"First, I want to thank the public of San Antonio for being here.  Then, I want to thank Golden Boy Promotions for giving me this opportunity.  I'm so proud that I'm fighting at the Alamodome in front of over 30,000 people.  It's a true honor.

"It's truly an honor to fight on the same card as Canelo Alvarez and Austin Trout.  They're both great boxers.  It's not going to be easy for Canelo.  Trout is a tough fighter.  After all, he beat my cousin [future Hall of Famer Miguel Cotto].  To be honest, I don't know who's going to win.  I'm not going to make a prediction.

"When I have to fight, I'm always ready to fight at my best.

"I'll be representing my people from Puerto Rico on Saturday at the Alamodome and I won't let them down."

OMAR FIGUEROA JR.,

Undefeated Lightweight Contender

"I'm excited for the fight.  This is what I've been waiting for.  It's a good match-up featuring two undefeated fighters.  Neither of us has a blemish in our record.

"The main event is a super-mega fight, but I am going to do my best to give the fans their money's worth.

"Right now we are just focusing on the last couple of pounds.  The hard work is already done.  We left all of that in the gym.  We are waiting for the weigh-in and then the fight.

"I've been told that I'm going to have a lot of fans there.  I'm not too far from home and I think that's amazing.  Fans get to come support their hometown guy and also get to see a great main event.

"I'm excited to fight in front of such a big crowd.  I'm going with the flow and enjoying the experience."

JERMELL CHARLO, Top Super Welterweight Prospect

"I'm so happy to come back to San Antonio.  I really enjoy the boxing fans here.  They're so nice and excited about boxing in this city.

"I feel good.  I've been training hard.  I'm focused and I'm ready.

"This is my shot...my first real shot.  This is my chance to show not only San Antonio, but also the boxing world, what I'm made of and what I can do."

RAUL MARTINEZ, Top Bantamweight Prospect

"I'll be in my prime in a couple years.  I'm training very hard.  This fight means a lot to me.  It's my chance to move forward.

"I've had tough times, but boxing is a tough sport.

"I don't have a promoter right now, but I have a great trainer, Jesse James Leija.  He's truly an inspiration to me.

"It's an honor to be here working out at The Alamo.  I've been to workouts before, but none like this one.  This is awesome.  Being in front of my people is an amazing feeling.

"To me, if you go by what you believe and you put a lot of effort and pride into it, you will get something out of it.

"I look up to Jesse [James Leija].  He gives me energy and he motivates me.  When we're training, I want to show him what I have and what I'm made of.  He makes me want to punch harder."

OSCAR DE LA HOYA, President of Golden Boy Promotions

"This fight will truly show the world what Canelo is made of.  This is the opportunity he has needed to prove himself.

"I can't wait to be in that arena on Saturday night.  With almost 40,000 people in the Alamodome, it's going to be rocking 

"It's just amazing the draw that Canelo is.  At 22 years old, his following is unlike anything I have seen in a long time.

"This is going to be a tough, tough fight.  Canelo has his work cut out for him.  Trout showed what he is made of when he fought Cotto and he is going to have to bring that intensity and more on Saturday night."

JESSE JAMES LEIJA, President of Leija Battah Promotions and Texas Boxing Legend

"We brought the big fight here and San Antonio responded.

"Not only was I proud to fight here every time I stepped into the ring to fight, I am proud as a promoter to bring big fights here now.

"This is such a tough fight.  I can't pick a winner.

"If the energy in the arena is anything like it was 20 years ago when Julio Cesar Chavez fought Pernell Whitaker, you will be able to feel the electricity through your body."

♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time. EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2021, 2013 All photos other than those specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Impress Photo-Studios♔ and KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Blog-Online Publication all rights reserved.

STREAM: COTTO vs. TROUT WEIGH-IN

SHOWTIME SPORTS TO STREAM COTTO VS. TROUT WEIGH-IN

LIVE FROM THE AFFINIA MANHATTAN HOTEL 
FRIDAY, NOV. 30 AT 1 P.M. ET / 10 A.M. PT ONLINE AT SPORTS.SHO.COM 

SHOWTIME^® Sports will offer a live stream of Friday’s weigh-in for the world championship showdown between Four-Time and Three-Division World Champion Miguel Cotto and WBA Super Welterweight World Champion Austin Trout.  Fans can go tosports.sho.com/live at 1 p.m. ET/ 10 a.m. PT to watch the fighters hit the scales live from the Affinia Manhattan Hotel in New York. Fans can follow the action and interact on Twitter using the hashtag #CottoTrout, or on Facebook at Showtime Boxing.

“Cotto vs. Trout” is a 12-round battle between Four-Time and Three-Division World Champion Miguel Cotto and undefeated WBA Super Welterweight World Champion Austin Trout taking place on Saturday, December 1 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.  The co-featured fights will see Jayson Velez take on Salvador Sanchez in a 10-round fight for the vacant WBC Silver Featherweight title and Danny “Miracle Man” Jacobs battle Chris “The Irish Ghost” Fitzpatrick in an eight-round middleweight fight.  The event is promoted by Miguel Cotto Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions in association with Greg Cohen Promotions, sponsored by The Puerto Rican Tourism Board and Corona and will be televised live on SHOWTIME at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast).

♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time. EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.