LAMONT PETERSON, ANTHONY PETERSON AND UNDERCARD FIGHTERS WASHINGTON, D.C. MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES‏

Fighters Preparing For Respective May 18 Bouts At Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City Doubleheader Headlined By Lamont Peterson vs. Lucas Matthysse To Be Televised Live on SHOWTIME®

IBF Junior Welterweight World Champion Lamont Peterson held an open workout in Washington, D.C. in preparation for his May 18 fight against WBC Interim Super Lightweight World Champion Lucas Matthysse at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey which will be televised live on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®. Lightweight contender and Lamont’s brother Anthony Peterson as well as Three-Time U.S. Olympian Rau’shee Warren and lightweight prospects Robert Easter and Jamel Herring joined Lamont at the Bald Eagle Recreation Center as they finalize preparations for their non-televised undercard bouts.

Here’s what the fighters and Lamont and Anthony’s trainer Barry Hunter had to say on Wendesday.

LAMONT PETERSON, IBF Junior Welterweight World Champion

“I’m not worried about Matthysse. I’ve known him for a while. He’s a strong guy. He’s going to bring it all night. Pretty much the way I like it to be and it’s going to be a great fight.

“Everyone keeps asking me about his [Matthysse] punching power. I know what I signed up for. I realize I’m going to get hit in the face, but I will be hitting him back. I’m not worried about taking a few punches. I’m prepared to go 12 rounds.

“I believe I’m at the top level, but at this point a win over Lucas [Matthysse] solidifies me as a top guy not only in the weight class, but a top 15 pound-for-pound guy in the game. It would lead to bigger fights. That’s where I want to land. If I were climbing a ladder, a win over Matthysse would be a big jump up to the top.

“I’ll feel my way through the fight in the first few rounds. We have game plans and will work through all of them, pick the best one and go from there.

“There is a lot of energy in the gym. The intensity is high. Everyday we train; everyone is encouraging each other inside and outside of the ring. We’re pushing each other and having fun at the same time. It’s always good to have fun while you’re working.

“I definitely wanted to get right back in the ring and capitalize on the performance I had in February. I’ve had a three-month layoff. I didn’t take too much contact in the Kendall Holt fight, so at I can’t wait to get out there and give a great performance.

“I think it will be a hard fought fight. We’re both going to be matching each other punch for punch. I’m not going to let him get an inch on me. I’m sure he is thinking the same thing.

“At the end of the day, I’m preparing for a hard fought 12 round fight. I’ll be there every step of the way. May the best man win, but I have more to my game and more strategies to work with.”

ANTHONY PETERSON, Lightweight Contender & Lamont’s Brother

“I’m preparing for a championship. That’s the ultimate goal.   I want to be one of the top 10 in my division.

“I never want to fight my brother. There is always competition between us, but brotherly competition.

“I’ve been fighting forever. A long layoff isn’t a problem for me. I’m in the gym everyday preparing for this.

“I haven’t fought in 17 months and I’m itching to get back in the ring, but I’m not going to rush it. I’m not going to go in there looking for the knockout. I’m going to go in there and take my time.

RAU’SHEE WARREN, Three-Time U.S. Olympian

“I’ve been thinking about training with these guys since I found out I was fighting on a card with Lamont. This is like family. We are all training with each other. We’re all pushing each other and we’re going to give the crowd a show from the beginning to the end.

“This is going to be a crazy show. I know I’ve got the best outfit for my ring walk, but everyone else here is telling me they have something in mind and that’s how we do it here. Friendly competition all day.

“This training camp has been looser and different. The talent here isn’t half stepping it. We’re pushing each other to the next level and I’m loving it. I can’t wait for fight night.

ROBERT EASTER, Lightweight Prospect

“Training with Lamont is great motivation because he’s a real champion. It motivates me and makes me train harder so I can get to where he is.

“I’ve been focusing on a lot of cardio to build stamina and strength. I need to get stronger in my weight division.

“My coaches [Mike Stafford and Barry Hunter] have been helping me a lot with my strength.

“I think it is going to be a quick fight because I have been preparing really well for this one. It should be a good fight for me.”

JAMEL HERRING, Lightweight Prospect

“The last time I fought in Atlantic City, I opened the show so I’m getting used to it. I just want to get everyone hyped up and start the night off right.

“Working along side Barry Hunter and Lamont Peterson has been so intense, but we’ve had fun overall.

“This camp has been a chance for me to learn and get great advice. Barry’s a great trainer and Lamont is a world champion. I’ve gotten a lot of experience in this camp. It’s a great atmosphere.”

BARRY HUNTER, Lamont & Anthony Petersons’ Trainer

“Lamont is a fighter that can make all kinds of adjustments in the ring. There are a lot of fighters that can’t go toe to toe [like he can].

“Lamont is a little more versatile than other fighters that I have seen and definitely more versatile than other fighters Matthysse has faced in the past.

“This fight ends with us raising our hands and going on to the next one.

“We’re approaching this fight differently than fights in the past. If you look around in the gym, there are a lot of people that Lamont has been sparring with – junior middleweights, middleweights and even light heavyweights.

“This isn’t anything that we can’t handle.

“All of Lamont’s other fights leading up to this point have been very good fights, some of them even great fights, but I believe this is the fight that can totally take him over the top and put him in the lotto for a fight with someone like a Floyd Mayweather.

“Lamont has had to deal with pressure his whole life. This fight, as opposed to some of the things he’s gone through as a kid, won’t get to him or shake his confidence.”

Peterson vs. Matthysse, a 12-round 141 pound catch-weight fight, will take place Saturday, May 18 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey.  The event is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, sponsored by Caesars Atlantic City, Corona and AT&T and will be televised live on SHOWTIME® at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast)  immediately following ALL ACCESS: MAYWEATHER vs. GUERRERO Epilogue.  In the co-main event, IBF Welterweight World Champion Devon Alexander defends his title against  IBF number four rated welterweight contender Lee Purdy.  SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® is available in Spanish on secondary audio programming (SAP).  Preliminary fights will air live on SHOWTIME EXTREME® at 7:00 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, 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.

Introducing Starpower Boxing!‏

When lifelong boxing fan and successful club promoter Michael Grace opened Starpower Boxing Management in 2013, his goal was to enhance the careers of talented fighters that have either been overlooked or misguided.

 

A self-professed boxing junkie, Grace’s personal relationships and time spent around the gyms in Cincinnati, OH helped him find a number of quality fighters that needed a push to get their careers going in the direction they expected upon turning pro. Currently, Grace has four fighters in his stable hailing from the Queen City.

 

Inactive since 2012 due to prior managerial issues, lightweight Mel “Black Diamond” Crossty is 5-0 as a professional. Many fight fans may not be aware of the soft-spoken 27-year-old yet, but those who’ve been around the sport have heard the name Mel Crossty for years. A successful amateur, Crossty is a sharp boxer who has been in training camps with Andre Ward, Devon Alexander, Sharif Bogere and Cincinnati’s very own Adrien Broner. Crossty spends time training in Cincinnati with Brandon Bush as well as Las Vegas with Floyd Mayweather Sr., who personally invited him to the famed Mayweather Boxing Gym.

 

Welterweight hopeful William “Action” Jackson brings a 10-1-1 record to the table with 5 wins by knockout. The popular 24-year-old fought all 12 of his bouts in Cincinnati, including a knockout victory over previously unbeaten Edward Ochoa, before promotional problems forced him out of action 1 ½ years ago. With Grace in his corner, Jackson will have the opportunity to get right back into the mix when he meets perennial contender Michael Clark in the main event of a card in Columbus, OH May 18.

 

As an amateur, 25-year-old super featherweight Jesse Carradine notched victories over notables Duran Caferro, Brandon Bennett, Walter Sarnoi and Archie Ray Marquez. Unfortunately, the paid ranks haven’t been as easy. A participant at the 2008 Olympic Trials, Carradine’s taken fights wherever he could find them, showcasing his skills in New Jersey, Florida, North Carolina, Georgia and Ohio. His two defeats came against top level opponents in current world champion Evgeny Gradovich and unbeaten rising star Karl Dargan. His record stands at 8-2-1 with 4 victories by knockout.

 

Rounding out the Starpower stable is 24-year-old DeVonte Allen, 4-1-1 (3 KO’s). Like his new stablemates, Allen’s had issues out of his control and hasn’t fought since July.

 

Crossty, Carradine and Allen are also slated to fight on the 18^th in Columbus.

 

“There are so many good fighters out there who don’t get a fair shake,” said Grace, whose built a close relationship with each of his boxers. Not everybody is going to be promoted the right way and get signed by Golden Boy or Top Rank off the bat. William, Mel, Jesse and DaVonte are all very good fighters. People who have been in the gym with them, and I’m talking quality fighters and top trainers, can vouch for these guys. I know what I’ve got here and I’m excited about giving these guys the opportunity they deserve while getting their careers on the right path.”

 

Starpower Boxing is a Cincinnati-based management company established by Michal Grace in 2013. Grace grew up in English Woods, a tough crime-stricken neighborhood that also produced world champion Adrien Broner, three-time Olympian Rau’shee Warren and unbeaten prospect Brandon Bennett. As a die-hard fan of the sport, Grace became a manager to further indulge his passion for boxing. As CEO of Starpower Boxing, Grace is committed to representing his fighters’ best interests to allow them to maximize their potential both in and out of the ring.

♔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.

Jamel Herring Punches His Ticket for the 2012 Olympic Games in London While Michael Hunter Advances‏

Team USA added a fifth member to their Olympic boxing team on Tuesday evening as light welterweight Jamel Herring (Coram, N.Y.) qualified his spot in London. Herring won his third bout in four days to qualify the light welterweight division for the United States squad. Heavyweight Michael Hunter (Las Vegas, Nev.) notched his second win of the tournament to advance to the semifinal round but has not officially qualified his spot yet/

The United States Marine Corps Sergeant faced off with Yoelvis Hernandez of Venezuela in light welterweight quarterfinal action with the winner earning a berth in London and the loser going home empty handed. The bout was a close contest throughout the nine minutes of action with Herring taking the critical first round lead by a 5-3 margin. Hernandez pulled it to a 7-6 margin with only the final round remaining, but Herring refused to give up his lead and his Olympic dream. He staved off a late comeback, winning a 12-10 final decision and a berth on the 2012 Olympic Team.

“I can actually say that hard work pays off,” Herring said after his bout. “I turned a dream into a reality, especially since about a year ago, not too many people gave me a chance.”

Hunter recorded his second straight convincing victory of the tournament, defeating Figueroa by a 25-7 margin. Once again, Hunter enjoyed a big first round, taking a 10-4 lead after one. He continued to pour on the points in the second, claiming an 18-6 advantage as the final round begin. Hunter went on to win the bout 25-7 to join Herring and Browne in the semifinals. As his weight division requires a top three finish, he is not qualified for the Olympic Games with Tuesday’s victory.

Herring is the second of three Olympic Trials winners to qualify his spot at the Americas Qualifier after falling short at the 2011 World Championships, the first international qualifying tournament for the 2012 Olympics. Herring earned his spot at the Americas Qualifier by winning the 2012 USA Boxing National Championships in the deepest weight class in the tournament. A two-time Armed Forces National Champion, Herring won a silver medal for the United States at the 2010 World Military Championships.

He is a member of the Marine Corps boxing team led by Head Coach Jesse Revelo, and has served two tours of duty in service to the United States. The United States has never failed to qualify the light welterweight division with the most recent Olympic medal in the weight class coming at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney with a silver medal performance by Ricardo Williams.

Team USA now has five qualified athletes with Herring joining flyweight Rau’shee Warren (Cincinnati, Ohio), bantamweight Joseph Diaz, Jr. (S. El Monte, Calif.), welterweight Errol Spence(Desoto, Texas) and light heavyweight Marcus Browne (Staten Island, N.Y.).

Lightweight Jose Ramirez (Avenal, Calif.) and middleweight Terrell Gausha (Cleveland, Ohio) will look to join them when they take the ring for their qualifying bouts on Wednesday. Ramirez will take on Alejandro Rynn of Canada while Gausha battles Puerto Rico’s Enrique Collazo. Super heavyweight Dominic Breazale (Alhambra, Calif.) will compete in Wednesday’s action as well, facing home nation boxer Gidelson Silva of Brazil. As Breazale must place in the top three with Hunter, Wednesday’s bout will not be his qualifying contest.

U.S. Results

141 lbs: Jamel Herring, Coram, N.Y./USA dec. Yoelvis Hernandez, VEN, 12-10

201 lbs: Michael Hunter (Las Vegas, Nev.) dec. Marcio Figueroa, VEN, 25-7

♔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.