Bernard Hopkins vs Karo Murat fight set for July 13 in Brooklyn

(photo of Bernard Hopkins; By Keisha Morrisey)

Light heavyweight titleholder Bernard Hopkins' first defense, which will come against mandatory challenger Karo Murat of Germany, will take place July 13 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., Golden Boy Promotions chief executive Richard Schaefer told ESPN.com on Monday.

The fight, agreed to three weeks ago, did not have a set date other than being penciled in for sometime in July or August.

"The fight was made and we were looking for a date and we were holding July 13 at the Barclays Center for quite awhile for a fight," Schaefer said. "I talked to Murat's promoter, Chris Myer from Sauerland Event, and they are OK with the date and I talked to Bernard and he was OK with it also, so since everyone was fine with it why not get it done? So I am finalizing everything for that date in that building."

Schaefer said the fight will be televised on Showtime, with whom he said he is wrapping up a deal.

Philadelphia's Hopkins (53-6-2, 32 KOs) outpointed Tavoris Cloud on March 9 at the Barclays Center to claim his 175-pound belt and, at age 48, become the oldest fighter in boxing history to win a world title breaking his own record, which he set when he was 46 by outpointing Jean Pascal on Pascal's turf in Montreal to win a title.

"The people at the Barclays Center are excited to have Bernard Hopkins back and Bernard is excited to go back to the Barclays Center," Schaefer said. "He told me he is already training for the fight."

Murat (25-1-1, 15 KOs), 29, will be fighting in the United States for the first time.

Schaefer said that featherweight Gary Russell Jr., the 2011 ESPN.com prospect of the year who has been beset by injuries, will likely be on the televised undercard.

"We feel that Gary Russell is ready to take on anyone," Schaefer said. "We want to see who is available and who will take the fight. It's not easy to make a fight for Gary Russell because not too many people want to fight him."

The 24-year-old Russell (22-0, 13 KOs), a 2008 U.S. Olympian from Capitol Heights, Md., has faced very soft opposition throughout his pro career. In a shutout 10-round decision win against Russia's Vyacheslav Gusev in Las Vegas on March 2, Russell fractured his left hand. He missed significant time in 2012 because of an ankle injury.

♔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.

FULL UNDERCARD ANNOUNCED FOR MARCH 2 SHOWTIME® EVENT AT HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO IN LAS VEGAS JORGE MELENDEZ-RYAN DAVIS & THOMAS WILLIAMS- KEVIN ENGEL HEAD UP SHOWTIME EXTREME® ACTION

FULL UNDERCARD ANNOUNCED FOR MARCH 2 SHOWTIME® EVENT

AT HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO IN LAS VEGAS JORGE MELENDEZ-RYAN DAVIS & THOMAS WILLIAMS- KEVIN ENGEL HEAD UP SHOWTIME EXTREME® ACTION 

Puerto Rican power puncher Jorge Melendez squares off against Granite City, Illinois' Ryan Davis and unbeaten light heavyweight prospect Thomas Williams of Fort Washington, Maryland puts his unbeaten record on the line in an eight round battle against St. Louis' Kevin Engel on Saturday, March 2 on SHOWTIME EXTREME just before the SHOWTIME® Boxing-Special Edition telecast from The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas featuring the lightweight world title fight between Richar Abril and Sharif Bogere and the featherweight battle between Gary Russell Jr. and Vyacheslav Gusev.

Abril vs. Bogere, a 12-round fight for Abril's WBA Lightweight World Championship, will take place Saturday, March 2 at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. The event is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, sponsored by Corona and will be televised live on SHOWTIME telecast beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) with preliminary fights to air live on SHOWTIME EXTREME at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast). The co-main event will be a 10-round featherweight bout between undefeated phenom Gary Russell Jr. and Russia's Vyacheslav Gusev.

Twenty-four-year-old Jorge Melendez (25-2-1, 24 KO's) is bringing a 12-fight winning streak into his Las Vegas debut this Saturday and you can expect that he will be looking to add another victory and knockout to his record.  The winner of 17 bouts by stoppage in three rounds or less, the Manati, Puerto Rico knockout artist is on the fast track to big things in the coming years.  Hoping to slow Melendez' progress is 34-year-old "Dangerous" Ryan Davis (24-9-3, 9 KO's), a veteran of over 13 years in the sport.  Unbeaten in five of his last six bouts, the Illinois native once took Zab Judah the 12-round distance and is looking forward to scoring the upset this weekend.

Maryland's Thomas Williams Jr. (12-0, 9 KO's) earned rave reviews for a 2012 campaign in which he went 5-0 with four knockouts (three in the first round) and he got 2013 off to an equally impressive start in January with a third round technical knockout over fellow prospect Jason Smith.  On Saturday, the 25-year-old meets Missouri's Kevin "Hitman" Engel (20-7, 16 KO's), a hard-hitting 32-year-old who has won two of his last three heading into this pivotal matchup.

In other undercard action...

Unbeaten Jeffrey Fontanez (10-0, 9 KO's) of Caguas, Puerto Rico faces longtime standout Daniel Attah (27-13-1, 10 KO's) of Washington, DC by way of Calabar, Nigeria, in a six round lightweight bout.

Las Vegas super middleweight Luis Arias (3-0, 2 KO's) who fights under the Mayweather Promotions banner meets Mexicali, Mexico's Arsenio Terraza (9-3, 8 KO's) in a six round matchup and in the four round welterweight opener, Monongahela, Pennsylvania's Sammy Vasquez (6-0, 4 KO's) takes on Fort Lauderdale's Leandro Albornoz (15-2-1, 5 KO's).

♔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.

Five of the six fighters who will compete on a special world championship edition of ShoBox: The New Generation this Saturday, June 30, live on SHOWTIME^® (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) from Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, Calif. participated in an open workout Wednesday at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino Special Events Center.

In Saturday’s ShoBox main event, IBF Junior Middleweight World Champion Cornelius Bundrage (31-4, 18 KO’s), of Detroit, Mich., will defend his title against former Undisputed Welterweight World Champion and current IBF No. 1 rated junior middleweight contender, Cory Spinks (39-6, 11 KO’s), of St. Louis, Mo.

The co-feature will match 2011 Prospect of the Year, unbeaten Gary Russell Jr. (19-0, 11 KO’s), of Capitol Heights, Md., against Christopher Perez (23-2, 14 KO’s), of Culiacan, Mexico, in a 10-round featherweight bout.

The tripleheader will begin with a 10-round junior middleweight match between former international amateur standout and top rated 154-pound contender Erislandy Lara (16-1-1, 11 KO’s), of Houston, Texas, by way of Guantanamo, Cuba, against former world title challenger Freddy Hernandez (30-2, 20 KO’s), of Lynwood, Calif., by way of Mexico City.

CORNELIUS “K9’’ BUNDRAGE

“I’m telling people to tune in. I’ve been promoting this fight, so I’m quite sure a lot of people will be watching. I think it’s going to be a great performance. I’m going to go out there and give it my all.

“I didn’t expect I would fight Cory Spinks like that the first time. I expect to fight him differently this time, but I might just go out there and bulldog him again.

“Cory Spinks is not the champ anymore. I’m the champ now.

“I'm more experienced now. In my last fight I defended my belt against the guy I lost my first fight to (Sechew Powell) and went 12 rounds.”

CORY SPINKS

“Spinks is Spinks again. Spinks wasn’t Spinks the last time we fought. The first time, I didn’t train properly. I was sick. I had no mechanics. I don’t care who you are, if you aren’t right mentally and physically, you’re not going to be able to do anything.

“I want to fight for titles. It doesn't matter who it is. K-9 is still there on top, so he’s got to get it.

“Fans are going to see the total package on Saturday. I’m ready. I’ve been blessed with a gift. I didn’t have to learn how to box. I always could and I could fight anyway I wanted. I can sit down with you, I can box with you. I will do anything I have to [in order] to win this fight.”

GARY RUSSELL JR.

“There has definitely been more growth. I’m always learning. I’m more mature mentally and physically.

“I think it’s good to fight someone with confidence. I don’t want to compete against someone who thinks he’s going to lose. I want to fight against a guy who thinks he can win.

“He’s used to guys pressing the action, so I’m not going to press the action. I’ll use my power and speed.

“I’m a versatile fighter. I’m definitely not one-dimensional.

“I’m always anxious to get in the ring. I love the ring. I’m always in the gym…always ready and in shape.”

CHRISTOPHER PEREZ

“No doubt there have been a lot of upsets in boxing over the last few months. I’m hoping that I can be the next.

“On Saturday night, boxing fans will know who I am. I know Russell has fast hands, but I have my game plan to be victorious.’’

ERISLANDY LARA

“If I go out there and do what I did to Ronald Hearns (KO 1), no one is going to want to fight me.

“Freddy Hernandez is a very good fighter. I’m prepared for anything he’s going to bring, but he needs to be worried about what I plan to bring.

“I’m not frustrated that fighters avoid me. I just have to keep working hard and taking care of the fighters my promoter puts in front of me. The big fights will come sooner or later. These guys can run but they can’t hide.”

Bundrage vs. Spinks, a 12 round fight for Bundrage’s IBF Junior Middleweight World Championship, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona. Doors open at 3:30 p.m. and the first fight begins at 4:00 p.m. The ShoBox: The New Generation tripleheader, which will also feature rising featherweight star Gary Russell Jr. facing contender Christopher Perez and top rated junior middleweight contender Erislandy Lara squaring off against former world title challenger Freddy Hernandez, will air live on SHOWTIME at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast). The broadcast will also feature highlights of the eight-round fight between rising star Antonio Orozco and Albert Cruz Jr.

♔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.

OFFICIAL BOUT SHEET FOR KHAN VS. JUDAH WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP UNIFICATION BOUT

♔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.

ABREGU KNOCKS OUT GARCIA IN THRILLER; QUINTERO EARNS UNANIMOUS WIN OVER FERGUSON; DON’T MISS THE REPLAY WEDNESDAY MAY 6, 10 P.M., ON SHOWTIME

SANTA YNEZ, Calif.– Undefeated Carlos Abregu met the canvas twice Friday night before sending Irving Garcia there with just one second remaining in the fourth round for a TKO win in the welterweight main event on ShoBox: The New Generation. It was an action-packed fight that had the Chumash Casino Resort crowd on its feet cheering for more.

Abregu vs Garcia – Irving Garcia surprised everyone, especially Carlos Abregu, with his first-round knockdown Friday night on ShoBox: The New Generation. But it was Abregu who got the win with a technical knockout when referee Jack Reiss called the fight at 2:59 in the fourth round. Abregu vs Garcia – Carlos Abregu recorded the knockout punch with just one second remaining in the fourth round against Irving Garcia. Abregu vs Garcia – Carlos Abregu said after the fight he was surprised by the speed and power of his welterweight opponent, 30-year-old Irving Garcia.
Photo Credit:Tom Casino

Abregu (27-0, 22 KOs), of Salta, Argentina, overcame two knockdowns in the first and fourth rounds, finally connecting on a straight right followed by a right uppercut sending Garcia (17-4-3, 8 KOs) to the ground before referee Jack Reiss stopped the fight to Garcia’s visible displeasure.

“That was one of the most wildly entertaining fights I’ve seen in years,” SHOWTIME announcer Nick Charles said afterward. “Wow. Some guys would have come unwound after being hit like that. It was all bullets and gun smoke tonight."

Abregu said he “just got caught” in the first round on a right counter by Garcia but came back in the second round with a flurry of combinations that had Garcia off balance the entire round. “I don’t know how I survived that second round,” said Garcia, of Vega Baja, Puerto Rico. “I’m very disappointed

Said Abregu, sent to the floor on a left hook by Garcia with 1:27 in the fourth: “I thought my hand was going to hurt I was hitting him so hard in the second round. I knew I had hurt him, but he kept coming. He wouldn’t go down.”

Abregu said he was surprised with the performance of the 30-year-old Garcia. “On the tape I watched of him I didn’t think he would be that fast,” he said.

In an entertaining co-feature lightweight bout, Marvin Quintero (16-1, 12 KOs) of Tijuana, Mexico, dominated Wes Ferguson (20-4-1, 6 KOs) of Las Vegas, over eight rounds winning on all three scorecards, 78-74, 79-73, 78-74. The evening was presented by Gary Shaw Productions.

Marvin Quintero dominated Wes Ferguson for eight of 10 rounds, winning the lightweight bout Friday night by scores of 78-74, 79-73, 78-74 in the co-feature.

At the end of the second round Ferguson staggered Quintero and then swung big, missing and slipping to the canvas. “I had my opportunities to knock him out but I wanted to prove to people that I could box,” Quintero said. “It was a very tough fight but none of his punches really hurt me. I give myself a nine out of 10. I could have worked harder training for this fight.”

Undefeated super middleweight Andre “The Matrix” Dirrell was in the stands watching his brother Anthony win a super middleweight undercard bout in a first-round knockdown against Alexander Quiroz of Miami, Fla., in just under a minute. Andre was interviewed by SHOWTIME’s Steve Farhood between the telecast’s two fights about his future plans.

Dirrell grew up in the same gym as Ferguson in Flint, Mich. “I’ve known Wes since he was 8 years old,” said Dirrell, who hopes to fight again at the end of June. “I thought he hit the jab perfect tonight. He just didn’t counter. He’s slick enough to be a top prospect. I think he can do it.”

Dirrell last fought on SHOWTIME in March, winning a sixth-round TKO over Derrick Findley to improve to 18-0 with 13 knockouts.

2008 Olympian Gary Russell Jr. fought on the undercard, beating Alvaro Muro (6-14, 5 KOs) of Moreno Valley, Calif., in a four-rounder by decision, 40-35 on all three judges’ scorecards. It was the third straight win to no defeats for Russell, who turned pro in January. Russell was interviewed between fights Friday.

Russell vs Muro – Olympian Gary Russell Jr., won a unanimous decision over Alvaro Muro, 40-35, on all three judges’ scorecards.

“I give myself a B tonight,” Russell said. “I’m glad I fought someone who didn’t just go down right away. He was tough.”

Charles called Friday’s action from ringside with boxing historian Farhood serving as expert analyst. The executive producer of ShoBox was Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

“That was the most exciting fight I’ve seen in my eight years doing ShoBox,” Farhood said after the Abregu fight.

Friday’s ShoBox telecast will re-air on SHOWTIME 2® on Wednesday, May 6 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. The telecast also will be available ON DEMAND from May 4-May 31.

Mixed Martial Arts is up next on SHOWTIME as the network will premiere a new series for the next generation of MMA stars entitled Strikeforce Challengers. The debut of Strikeforce Challengers will take place on Friday, May 15 at Save Mart Center in Fresno, Calif. In the main event, unbeaten 155-pound sensation Billy Evangelista (9-0) will face BJ Penn protégé “Iron” Mike Aina (11-6-1). The SHOWTIME telecast will air live beginning at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast) and feature up to five fights.

In a special primetime edition of ShoBox: The New Generation on Saturday, May 16 (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast), undefeated and No. 1 ranked 2004 Olympic Gold medalist Andre Ward (18-0, 12 KOs) defends his North American Boxing Organization (NABO) and North American Boxing Federation (NABF) super middleweight titles against Colombian knockout artist Edison Miranda (32-2, 28 KOs) at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif. Also, undefeated John Molina (16-0, 12 KOs) will fight an opponent to be determined and Shawn Estrada (5-0, 5 KOs) takes on Tony Hirsch (8-1-1, 4 KOs) in a four-round super middleweight fight.

MMA resumes on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT) on Saturday, June 6, when Robbie Lawler throws down with Jake Shields in the Strikeforce main event at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis. In one of the co-featured fights, Nick Diaz takes on hard-hitting KO artist Scott Smith.

On Saturday, July 11, on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING, Vic Darchinyan (32-1-1, 26 KOs) will attempt to become a world champion in a third weight class when he challenges IBF bantamweight champion Joseph Agbeko (26-1-22 KOs) live on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast).

See you at the Fights.
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