Canelo Alvarez vs. Austin Trout - Sat April 20th - SHOWTIME

WBC SUPER WELTERWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION

CANELO ALVAREZ AND WBA SUPER WELTERWEIGHT

WORLD CHAMPION AUSTIN “NO DOUBT” TROUT OFFICIALLY SET

TO UNIFY 154-POUND DIVISION ON SATURDAY, APRIL 20

AT THE ALAMODOME IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS

LIVE ON SHOWTIME^®

 Unbeaten Mexican superstar and WBC Super Welterweight World Champion Canelo Alvarez and undefeated WBA Super Welterweight Champion Austin “No Doubt” Trout are set to square off in a 12-round, WBC and WBA Super Welterweight World Championship Unification fight on Saturday, April 20 from the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas in a fight which will be televised live on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING^® (10:00 p.m. ET/ 7:00 p.m. PT).

 Canelo vs. Trout, a 12-round WBC and WBA Super Welterweight World Championship Unification fight, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, Canelo Promotions and Leija & Battah Promotions and sponsored by Corona and AT&T.  The fight will air live on SHOWTIME and is presented in association with Greg Cohen Promotions.

 Canelo, who started training for the fight in his hometown of Guadalajara before moving camp to Santa Monica, Calif., is already familiar his opponent’s fighting style and abilities as he was ringside for Trout’s December 1, 2012 victory over Miguel Cotto in New York and also watched Trout defeat his older brother Rigoberto Alvarez in Guadalajara in February of 2011. 

“Austin Trout impressed me with his win over Miguel Cotto and my brother,” said Canelo, who will be making his sixth title defense against Trout.  “But I feel that in boxing, it’s my time now, and I will show Trout why I am the best in the division.  Champions should fight each other because that’s what true champions do.  I know he will be a tough challenge, but I’m confident I will be the unified champion at the end of the night.  Beating him will make a statement, and in so doing, I plan to avenge my brother’s loss to him and bring victory home to Mexico too.”

The WBA Super Welterweight World Champion Trout, whose performance over Miguel Cotto in December helped further establish him as a force to be reckoned with, is ready for his next contest against Canelo. 

“I’m absolutely ready to face Canelo and all of his fans who will be out in full force in San Antonio that night,” said Trout, the 27-year old southpaw from Las Cruces, New Mexico who will be making his fifth title defense.  “Although he is a true champion, I don’t believe he has had the ring experience or has faced the competition he should have in order to be able to handle the skills that I will show him when we fight April 20.  I have already defeated his brother and taken his belt, and I plan on making it two for two against the Alvarez’s in my in my quest to be the best.  I have no doubt that I will retain my title and takes his with me too.  I can’t wait.”

“Canelo has proven with each challenge he has faced that he is getting better and has fast become a superstar in the sport not only because of his talent, but also because of his unbelievable fan base that continues to grow every time he fights,” said Oscar De La Hoya, president of Golden Boy Promotions. “Austin Trout is an incredible fighter with superb boxing skills and a great champion in his own right.  I’m very excited to see what happens when these two fighters meet in the ring on April 20.  Golden Boy is going back to Texas in true Texas fashion with a huge fight at the Alamodome in San Antonio, the home of great boxing fans who love and appreciate the sport.  It’s going to be a great night for everyone involved.”

“We are very excited to work with Oscar de la Hoya, the entire Golden Boy Promotions team, Canelo Promotions and SHOWTIME on this sensational event,” said Texas boxing legend and former World Champion Jesse James Leija of Leija and Battah Promotions.  “Boxing fans in Texas have a terrific opportunity to be part of a memorable evening headlined by two of the sports finest competitors.”

“At just 22 years of age, Canelo’s appeal is undeniable and still growing,” said Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President and General Manager for SHOWTIME Sports.  “His first appearance on SHOWTIME last fall resulted in record ratings for SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING.  We are thrilled to have him headlining once again when he will face the toughest opponent of his career.  Austin Trout, likewise, helped set a ratings record on our network last December when he upset future Hall of Famer Miguel Cotto with an impressive, coming-of-age performance.  Canelo vs. Trout is exactly the type of fight that SHOWTIME has become known for - a match-up between two of boxing’s brightest stars in which the outcome is impossible to predict.  Naturally, as a programmer, I am thrilled to deliver this world championship unification to SHOWTIME subscribers.  As a fight fan, I can’t wait to be ringside at a raucous Alamodome.”

“We are pleased to join Golden Boy Promotions, Canelo Promotions and Leijah & Battah Promotions in bringing this highly coveted match-up to our city,” said Michael Sawaya, Convention, Sports, & Entertainment Facilities Director of the Alamodome.  “San Antonio has long been a host for many championship events and this world title bout continues our long tradition.”

The pride of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, 22-year-old Canelo Alvarez (41-0-1, 30 KO’s) has proven himself worthy of standing side by side with his country’s modern day boxing greats, both in the ring and outside of it.  A fighting phenom who has been a pro since 2005, Canelo ran through all comers on the local circuit before winning the NABF welterweight title in 2009, before beginning his attack on the international boxing scene.  In 2010, Canelo had a breakout year with wins over Jose Miguel Cotto,Luciano Cuello, Carlos Baldomir and Lovemore N’dou, and by 2011 he was a world champion, defeating Matthew Hatton for the WBC Super Welterweight World Championship.  Canelo, who has truly become a superstar in Mexico with millions tuning in every time he fights, has since defended his title successfully five times, defeating Ryan Rhodes, Alfonso Gomez, Kermit Cintron, Sugar Shane Mosley and Josesito Lopez.  On April 20, he will look to unify the division against Austin Trout in front of an adoring crowd as he fights in Texas for the first time.

Long considered one of boxing’s most underrated gems, Las Cruces, New Mexico’s Austin “No Doubt” Trout (26-0, 14 KO’s) took the long road to recognition in his pro career after a successful run as an amateur.  Willing to go anywhere to fight anyone, the talented Trout built up win after win while waiting for his shot at the gold.  That shot came in February of 2011 when he faced Canelo’s older brother Rigoberto for the WBA Super Welterweight World Championship.  Despite fighting in Alvarez’s backyard in Guadalajara, Trout’s boxing skills prevailed as he won a 12-round decision and the title.  Still looking to convince the boxing world that he was the real deal, Trout successfully defended his title with wins against David Lopez, Frank LoPorto and Delvin Rodriguez, setting up a December 2012 showdown with Puerto Rican icon Miguel Cotto.  Again, Trout stepped up when the pressure was highest, winning a 12 round unanimous decision over Cotto in a career best performance that he hopes to top on April 20.

♔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.

Abril-Bogere & Russell-Gusev Final Press Conference Quotes‏

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 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.

RICHAR ABRIL:

"I've waited for this fight a long time because of the postponements, so I'm happy we're just two days away.

"I don't really understand why Bogere talks so much (on Twitter), but I can tell you one thing: on Saturday, I am not going to run.

"I respect Bogere, I respect all fighters, but I'm just saying let's put on a good show for the fans.

"He's a lion, but I'm a tiger, and the real king of the jungle is the tiger."

SHARIF BOGERE:

"I want to thank everyone for being here today. I knew if I stayed positive my time would come and now it's almost here. I want to thank Golden Boy and my team for making this fight happen.

"On Saturday night, I'm going to take care of business. I'm 100 percent prepared and ready to go. On Saturday, I'll become champion of the world.''

GARY RUSSELL JR.:

"I think I trained for six and a half or seven weeks, so I am definitely ready to go. I'm looking forward to Saturday, fighting again and fighting on SHOWTIME again.

"I had a good, exciting knockout in my last fight, but I don't put pressure on myself to duplicate that kind of fight. My job is to perform and win fights."

VYACHESLAV GUSEV:

"I came all the way from Russia for this fight and I'm here to put on a really great fight. I've trained very hard for this. I know Russell is a good fighter. I'm excited about the opportunity that I'm getting."

 ♔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.

Ishe Smith Wins First World Championship With Split Decision Over Cornelius Bundrage Saturday on SHOWTIME

VETERAN ISHE SMITH WINS FIRST WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

WITH SPLIT DECISION OVER CORNELIUS BUNDRAGE

Smith Becomes First Las Vegas Native To Capture A World Title

 Replay 

  Tuesday, Feb. 26 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME

Ishe Smith captured the IBF Junior Middleweight World Championship and became the first Las Vegas native to win a major world title when he scored a split decision victory over Cornelius “K9” Bundrage in the main event of a special edition of SHOWTIME BOXING at the Masonic Temple Theatre in Detroit, Mich. 

The fight was scored 116-111 Smith, 114-113 Bundrage and 116-111 Smith, who became the 48^th ShoBox: The New Generation alum to win a world title.

In a fight that started slow and was tough to score in the early rounds, Smith (25-5, 11 KO’s) was the more active fighter and took over in the second half of the bout.  With Bundrage backing up and mostly on the defensive, Smith moved forward and found success with his right hand. 

The 34-year-old Smith, a protégé and close friend of Floyd Mayweather, whose Mayweather Promotions promotes Smith, seemed to be the hungrier fighter and fought with a sense of urgency, knowing that he had to capitalize on his first championship opportunity in his 13^th year as a pro. 

“Thirteen years, man.  That’s all I can say,” said an emotional Smith fighting back tears of joy immediately after the bout.  “It means everything.  Five years ago I was about to kill myself and I thought about my children growing up without a dad and I didn’t do it.  I don’t know what to say.   I didn’t think I’d be here.  I’m so happy for the opportunity. 

“I got hurt in camp and Floyd asked me if I wanted to pull out, but I knew I couldn’t give up.  This was my chance to become a world champion.”

The 39-year-old Bundrage (32-5, 19 KO’s) was disappointed in his performance in front of his hometown fans. 

“Ishe fought a good fight, he won fair and square,” Bundrage said.  “He was the better fighter tonight.  Of course I’ll fight again.  I just need to take it to the next level like when I won the world title.  I didn’t listen to my trainer tonight or follow my game plan.”

In an interview with SHOWTIME reporter Jim Gray, Mayweather explained his loyalty to his fellow Las Vegas resident.

“Ishe is my guy.  I love him,” Mayweather said.  “When everybody turned their back on Ishe, I stuck with him.  Everyone turned their back on him and I don’t believe in turning my back on anyone.  SHOWTIME gave him a chance and I have to thank K9 for giving him a chance, too.”

In Saturday’s co-main event, undefeated middleweight prospect J’Leon Love kept his undefeated record intact with a hard-fought unanimous decision victory (100-90, 99-91 twice) over the tough Derrick Findley.

After three fairly even rounds, Love (15-0, 8 KO’s), of Las Vegas, Nev., by way of Detroit, stepped on the gas in the fourth and staggered Findley with a series of punishing combinations that opened up a cut under Findley’s right eye.  While it seemed as if Findley (20-9, 13 KOs), of Gary, Ind., barely survived the round, the bulking boxer bounced back and looked to gain momentum in a few of the latter rounds.

In the 10^th, Love, who was pushed past the eighth round for the first time in his career, kept the pressure on and closed strong with a steady dose of right hands and shots to the body.

“It was a tough learning experience,” Love said.  “Derrick Findley is a tough fighter, but we asked for Derrick Findley.  We asked for a tough fighter.  I’d rather have a tough fighter on my resume than some slouch. 

“He was very, very aggressive.  He gave me some close rounds. but keeping your composure and sticking to the game plan is what I learned.”

The 25-year-old Love had his promoter Mayweather also working as his trainer between rounds in the absence of his usual trainer Roger Mayweather for what proved to be the toughest fight of his career.

“He knows the experience and he knows what I’m going through so there’s nobody better than that,” Love said.

Findley, 28, complained that he got caught with a thumb in his eye early in the bout and that affected his vision. 

“I couldn’t’ see after that,” Findley said.  “He can’t punch.  If he could, I wouldn’t’ have gone forward like I did, but no excuses, he’s the better man tonight.” 

Said Mayweather: “It was rough fight.  We chose Findley because he’s a rough fighter, but when J’Leon faces a tough fight later on down the road, he’ll be ready for that.”

The fights will replay SHOWTIME on Sunday, Feb. 24 at 9 a.m. ET/PT, on Tuesday, Feb. 26 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME and will be available at SHOWTIME On Demand from Sunday, Feb. 24 through Saturday, March 23.    

Brian Kenny served as host of SHOWTIME BOXING with Mauro Ranallo calling the action, Al Bernstein and Paulie Malignaggi serving as expert analysts with Jim Gray reporting.  The telecast was produced by Raymond Smaltz III, with Bob Dunphy directing.

ABOUT “BUNDRAGE VS. SMITH”:

Bundrage vs. Smith, a 12-round fight for Bundrage’s IBF Junior Middleweight World Championship, took place Saturday, February 23 at the Masonic Temple Theatre in Detroit, Michigan.  The event was promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Mayweather Promotions, sponsored by Corona and MGM Grand Detroit and was televised live on SHOWTIME.  The co-main event was a 10-round middleweight bout between Detroit’s undefeated rising star J’Leon Love and Derrick Findley of Gary, Indiana.

♔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.

All Access: Floyd Mayweather - Tease Promo - SHOWTIME Boxing

♔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.

All Access: Victor Ortiz - Full Episode

Premiere episode of the new docu-series in anticipation of rising superstar Victor Ortiz' June 23 bout against Josesito Lopez, viewers will get a firsthand look at Ortiz' rollercoaster past year. The charismatic former welterweight world champion seeks to reclaim his place atop the division.

♔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.

Cornelius K9 Bundrage vs. Cory Spinks for the IBF Jr Middleweight World Championship

6/30 come see Cornelius K9 Bundrage fight Cory Spinks for the IBF Jr Middleweight World Championship - a Showtime Boxing event - and meet Oscar De La Hoya.

♔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.

SNEAK PEEK VIDEO: Saturday's In-Show Feature Detailing The Events Leading Up To Antonio Tarver vs. Lateef Kayode

Rarely in sports are athletes afforded the opportunity to take their critics to task on the field of battle.

After receiving some words of advice following his appearances on ShoBox: The New Generation,

Unbeaten Lateef Kayode felt slighted by IBO Cruiserweight Champion and SHOWTIME Analyst Antonio Tarver.

This Saturday, June 2, Tarver and Kayode will settle the score in the ring.

Take a sneak peek at Saturday’s in-show feature segment

to witness what transpired leading up to this compelling matchup of teacher vs. student.

♔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.