CHAMPIONSHIP DOUBLEHEADER VERNON FORREST vs. SERGIO MORA and CARLOS QUINTANA vs. PAUL WILLIAMS II; June 7, 2008 ● LIVE ON SHOWTIME ● Mohegan Sun

On Saturday, June 7, SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING will present a world championship doubleheader as Vernon Forrest (40-2, 29 KOs) defends his WBC super welterweight title against Sergio Mora (20-0-1, five KOs), while Carlos Quintana (25-1, 19 KOs) looks to defend his newly acquired WBO welterweight belt against the boxer he dethroned, previously unbeaten Paul Williams (33-1, 24 KOs) live at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast).

The event is promoted by Gary Shaw Productions, LLC, and Fight Nite, LLC, in association with Tournament of Contenders, LLC, DiBella Entertainment and Goossen Tutor Promotions in association with Northeast Promotions. It will emanate from Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn.

VERNON FORREST

“The fight is what it is. I’m going to put up a great fight, and it will be a great night. I will see you all there.”

Vernon Forrest shares his thoughts with the media at the podium Thursday at Gallagher’s Steak House as promoter Jeff Wald and Sergio Mora (far left) listen in.


“Jeff [Wald] stated today that he didn’t like me. I don’t know him and he doesn’t know me, so he wouldn’t have the knowledge to make that statement. I don’t even know what he means by that. He liked me, and now he doesn’t. I don’t know what that means.”

“I’m a heterosexual. This is no high school sweetheart thing. I’m like a jilted boyfriend. Whether Wald likes me or not, his fighter has got to fight me. All he has to do that night is pull out his pom pons because his fighter will be the one fighting.”

SERGIO MORA

“All of these fights are going to be exciting. As for me and Forrest, we don’t know how to lose. We’re both prideful, and we don’t back up.”

“I come to box, fight, bleed, whatever it takes to win. I don’t back down.”

“I’m excited about where I am, but I would have gotten here with or without ‘The Contender.’ God blessed me to be on that show and it gave me a head start. Because of it, I got here [world title opportunity] a little faster. But, I would have been here eventually.

Sergio Mora addresses the media during a press conference Thursday at Gallagher’s Steak House in New York, while promoter Gary Shaw and Vernon Forrest (far right) look on. Forrest will defend his WBC super welterweight world title against Mora this Saturday live at 9 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME.


“Forrest is a hell of a fighter. I know that I have to prove myself. I will prove myself.”

“I see the fight going the distance. I’ve never been down, and I don’t plan on going down. It’s going to the late rounds. We’re both arrogant fighters.”

(When asked about Forrest’s power and knockout history): “Power doesn’t matter. I worry about his right hand, but I’m the biggest guy he’s ever fought. I’m smarter than the others. I’m younger. These are the things that will be what changes the fight.”

CARLOS QUINTANA

“I want to thank SHOWTIME and all of the promoters. I prepared myself better this time around. Williams is good, he throws a lot of punches, but I am better prepared and I will win on Saturday.”

“I will be here with my belt for a long time. Williams said he wasn’t really himself for our last fight on February 6, but, this time, I am so prepared that even if he brought his best game, I can handle it.”

PAUL WILLIAMS

“I had an off night [during the first fight against Quintana]. I want to get back in the ring on Saturday night and get my title back.”

“My confidence level is through the roof. I can’t wait to get out there Saturday. I will show up. In February after they said I lost, I didn’t think about it anymore. I left it behind. That wasn’t me. The real Paul Williams will show up, and when he does, he will punish Carlos Quintana.”

Paul Williams (left) and Carlos Quintana (right) stare each other down at Gallagher’s Steak House while promoter Gary Shaw (middle back) observes the festivities.



GEORGE PATTERSON (Williams’ Manager/Trainer)

“We had fun in this training camp. We were more relaxed. It was different from the last camp. We have worked hard, done a good job, and we plan to get our title back.”

LOU DIBELLA (Promoter)

“I want to especially thank Ken Hershman and SHOWTIME for making this fight. I respect Paul Williams. Everyone was afraid to fight him. Quintana wasn’t afraid for the first fight and he’s not afraid of Williams this time.

JEFF WALD (Promoter)

“I can guarantee that Mora will not run. He has never run from anybody. He would rather die than run.”

“This is a hell of a night of boxing, and it is great for television. Forrest and Mora always bring it.”

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©®™ 2007, 2008 All photos by "EL Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Studios, for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved

Vernon Forrest will defend his World Boxing Council (WBC) super welterweight title against former Contender champion Sergio Mora

In a spectacular world championship doubleheader, Vernon Forrest will defend his World Boxing Council (WBC) super welterweight title against former Contender champion Sergio Mora, while Carlos Quintana looks to retain his newly acquired World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight belt in a rematch against the boxer he dethroned, the previously unbeaten Paul Williams, Saturday, June 7, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING (delayed on the west coast).

The event will be promoted by Gary Shaw Productions, LLC, and Fight Nite, LLC, in association with Tournament of Contenders, LLC, DiBella Entertainment and Goossen Tutor Promotions in association with Northeast Promotions. It will emanate from Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn.

Vernon and Team Forrest


In his last start, Forrest (40-2, 29 KOs), of Atlanta, successfully defended his WBC belt with an 11th-round TKO over Michele Piccirillo Dec. 1, 2007, on SHOWTIME. A former three-time welterweight champion, Forrest won the vacant crown with a 12-round unanimous decision over Carlos Baldomir on July 28, 2007.

Mora (20-0-1, five KOs), of Los Angeles, won The Contender television series on Oct. 15, 2005, with an entertaining and hard-fought split decision over Peter Manfredo, Jr. The fight with Forrest is exactly what Mora has been aiming for and should prove to be his toughest challenge to date.

The Quintana-Williams bout is a rematch of a WBO welterweight title fight that Quintana won in a shocking upset on Feb. 9, 2008. Williams, who came into the fight confident and an 8-1 favorite, lost a 12-round unanimous decision by the scores 116-112 twice and 115-113.

Vernon Forrest and Kimbo Slice


Quintana, of Puerto Rico, is 25-1 with 19 knockouts. The only blemish on his record came in a hard-fought loss to Miguel Cotto for the WBA welterweight title Dec. 2, 2006 on SHOWTIME.

Williams (33-1, 24 KOs), of Augusta, Ga., captured the WBO belt with a close decision over Antonio Margarito, who had made seven successful defenses, on July 14, 2007.

Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience The Video Channel Online http://www.youtube.com/ELEmpress1

EL Boxing Empress Keisha Morrisey's Myspace http://www.myspace.com/Keishadivine

Honorable Keisha Morrisey http://www.keishamorrisey.com/

©®™ 2007, 2008 All photos by "EL Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Studios, for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved

Vernon Forrest vs. Sergio Mora and Carlos Quintana vs. Paul Williams II; World Championship Doubleheader, June 7 at 9:00 pm on Showtime

Forrest will defend his WBC super welterweight title against Mora and Quintana will look to defend his newly acquired WBO welterweight belt against the boxer he dethroned, the previously unbeaten Williams. The event, will be promoted by Gary Shaw Productions, LLC, and Fight Nite, LLC, in association with Tournament of Contenders, LLC, DiBella Entertainment and Goossen Tutor Promotions in association with Northeast Promotions. It will emanate from Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn.

Vernon Forrest and Team Forrest


In his last start, Forrest (40-2, 29 KOs), of Atlanta, Ga., continued his rebirth atop the 154-pound division when he successfully defended the WBC belt against Michele Piccirillo with an 11th round TKO on SHOWTIME on Dec. 1, 2007. Forrest, a former three-time welterweight champion, won the vacant crown with a 12-round unanimous decision over Carlos Baldomir on July 28, 2007.

(Photo courtesy of CBS, Showtime-Tom Casino)Vernon Forrest and Kimbo Slice


Mora (20-0-1, 5 KOs), of Los Angeles, Calif., won The Contender television series on Oct. 15, 2005 with an entertaining and hard-fought split decision over Peter Manfredo, Jr. The fight with Forrest is exactly what Mora has been aiming for and should prove to be his toughest challenge to date.

The Quintana-Williams bout is a rematch of a WBO welterweight title fight that Quintana won in a shocking upset on Feb. 9, 2008. Williams, who came into the fight confident -- perhaps looking past Quintana, an 8-1 underdog -- lost a 12-round unanimous decision by the scores of 116-112 twice and 115-113.

Quintana, of Puerto Rico, is 25-1 with 19 knockouts. The only blemish on his record came in a hard-fought bout to Miguel Cotto for the WBA welterweight title on Dec. 2, 2006 on SHOWTIME.

Williams (33-1, 24 KOs), of Augusta, Ga, captured the belt with a close decision over Antonio Margarito, who had made seven successful defenses, on July 14, 2007.
About Showtime Networks Inc.

Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation, owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL® and FLIX®, as well as the multiplex channels SHOWTIME 2™, SHOWTIME® SHOWCASE, SHOWTIME EXTREME®, SHOWTIME BEYOND®, SHOWTIME NEXT®, SHOWTIME WOMEN®, SHOWTIME FAMILY ZONE® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL® XTRA. SNI also offers SHOWTIME HD®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL® HD, SHOWTIME ON DEMAND® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL® ON DEMAND. SNI is also an owner and manager of SUNDANCE CHANNEL®, a venture of NBC Universal, Robert Redford and SNI. SNI also manages Smithsonian Networks, a joint venture between SNI and the Smithsonian Institution. All SNI feeds provide enhanced sound using Dolby Digital 5.1. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV®.

©®™ 2007, 2008 All photos by "El Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Studios, for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience all rights reserved

2004 U.S. OLYMPIAN ANDRE DIRRELL TO TAKE ON ONCE-BEATEN ANTHONY HANSHAW ON SHOBOX

NEW YORK– In a match-up of top super middleweight prospects, undefeated 2004 Olympic bronze medalist Andre Dirrell (14-0, 9 KOs) will take on once-beaten Anthony Hanshaw (21-1-1, 14 KOs) in a 10-round showdown Friday, May 2, live on SHOWTIME (ShoBox: The New Generation, 11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast).

Andre Dirrell


In the co-feature, the promising and once-beaten Antonio DeMarco (18-1-1, 13 KOs) will take on undefeated Juan Castaneda (12-0, 9 KOs) in an eight-round lightweight bout.

The SHOWTIME event will be promoted by Gary Shaw Productions, LLC and originate from the Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, Calif.

Dirrell, who won the bronze medal at the Athens Olympic Games, will continue his recent step-up in opposition. The hard-hitting southpaw is coming off of a third-round TKO over Shannon Miller on Feb. 1, 2008.

According to Dirrell’s trainer and grandfather, Leon Lawson, the former Olympian and 24-year-old Flint, Mich., native is ready for the next step.

“Andre has looked good with everyone he steps in the ring with,” said Lawson, who also trains Andre’s brother and fellow undefeated super middleweight prospect, Anthony. “He has been sparring with the best, and I know he can fight with the best.”

In June 2007, Dirrell faced his toughest opponent to date when he scored a 10-round unanimous decision over fellow prospect Curtis Stevens on national television. The fans and many at ringside voiced their displeasure at the lack of action throughout the contest.

“A lot of the fans know that wasn’t me, but people are going to criticize,” Dirrell said. “I can understand how everybody felt about the fight, but that wasn’t me that night. They will see a lot better performance from me this time.”

Dirrell has studied Hanshaw’s fights on tape in preparation for their upcoming bout.

“I am just going to keep Hanshaw on the outside and put my punches together,” Dirrell said. “I will come away with a good outcome and a really good, crowd-pleasing performance. Just look out for a new Andre.”

Currently training at the Police Athletic League Gym in Winter Haven, Fla., Dirrell praised his upcoming opponent.

“Hanshaw is a good fighter. I have known him since the amateurs, and remember that he won five or six Ohio State Fair championships. Nobody else had done that. He is going to be my toughest opponent yet. There is no doubt about it.”

Hanshaw, a once-beaten legitimate prospect of Warren, Ohio, has an impressive training regimen of his own. He has been training in Houston, Texas, with 2003 World Boxing Hall of Fame Trainer of the Year Ronnie Shields.

Despite the fact that his upcoming opponent won a bronze medal at the 2004 Olympics, Hanshaw said that his resume is more impressive.

“Dirrell is up and coming, but he is going to be a little bit too small,” Hanshaw said. “I am going to be too strong for him, especially with me coming back down from light heavyweight to my natural weight.

“Dirrell is a runner, but I’m going to be right on him. He still fights like an amateur. After I slow him down with the body shots, I’ll knock him out in the sixth or seventh round.”

Under the tutelage of Shields, the 30-year-old Hanshaw is in good company. The former three-time light welterweight Golden Glove Champion has trained Mike Tyson, Vernon Forrest, Pernell Whitaker and Evander Holyfield.

“Shields and I have been working on what we are going to do, and I’m going to be right there in Dirrell’s face,” Hanshaw said. “It is going to be a hell of a fight. I am going to take him out of there.

“Being trained by a guy like Ronnie gives me extra motivation. Knowing that he was worked with some of the best fighters in history makes me push it even harder. He is a hell of a trainer.”

A good judge of talent, Shields knows that Hanshaw has the skills to move to the next level.

“Hanshaw has a lot of potential, he always has,” said the renowned trainer. “The thing is you have to bring it out of him. That’s what we are trying to do now.

“Of course I’m confident that he has the abilities to beat Dirrell. Andre moves a lot and is a sneaky counter puncher, but I think Hanshaw is the bigger stronger guy and he should be able to impose his will. Dirrell wants to move, but Hanshaw will make him exchange punches.”

The sole blemish on Hanshaw’s record is a decision loss to future Boxing Hall of Famer Roy Jones, Jr., on July 14, 2007. Hanshaw was impressive in the bout, which was fought at 175 pounds.

Shields knows that this is an important fight for Hanshaw, especially coming off of the loss to Jones, Jr.

“Dirrell is a good fighter and this is a big step up,” Shields said. “Outside of Roy Jones, this is the biggest fight of his career. Hanshaw is focused and ready to prove that he has what it takes to become a champion.”

Play-by-play announcer Nick Charles and expert analyst/boxing historian Steve Farhood will call the action from ringside. The executive producer of ShoBox is Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

For information on Showtime Sports, including exclusive video, photos and news links on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING and EliteXC mixed martial arts telecasts, please go www.SHO.com/sports.

About ShoBox: The New Generation

Since its inception in July 2001, the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series ShoBox: The New Generation has featured young, talented fighters matched tough. The ShoBox philosophy is to televise crowd-pleasing and competitive fights while providing a proving ground for willing prospects determined to fight for a world title. To date, 24 fighters who have appeared on ShoBox have advanced to garner world titles includes Scott Harrison, Juan Diaz, Jeff Lacy, Ricky Hatton, Joan Guzman, Juan Urango, David Diaz, Robert Guerrero, Kelly Pavlik, Paulie Malignaggi and Paul Williams.

©®™ 2007, 2008 All photos by "El Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Studios, for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience all rights reserved