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Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Maidana vs. Soto Karass Added To September 15 Knockout Kings‏

The stacked September 15 "Knockout Kings"quadruple-header at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. just got another shot of pugilistic adrenaline, with the addition of former Super Lightweight World Champion Marcos "El Chino" Maidana. The champion continues his quest for a second world title at 147 pounds in what promises to be an action-packed showdown against Mexico's Jesus Soto Karass.
This 12-round special attraction is the third fight announced for what is shaping up to be the most exciting boxing event of 2012, with the fourth fight scheduled to be announced in the near future.
"Knockout Kings," headlined by Canelo Alvarez defending his WBC Super Welterweight World Championship against Josesito Lopez, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Canelo Promotions in association with Goossen Tutor Promotions and Thompson Boxing Promotions and sponsored by Corona, DeWalt Tools and AT&T. In the co-featured attractions, WBC Featherweight World Champion Jhonny Gonzalez defends his crown against former World Champion Daniel Ponce De Leon in fight presented in association with Promociones Del Pueblo and former World Champion Marcos Maidana faces perennial contender Jesus Soto Karass in a fight presented in association with Universum Box-Promotion. The Saturday, Sept. 15 quadruple-header, packed with Mexican pride and power, will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. and will be televised live on SHOWTIME.
SHOWTIME Sports will produce a new edition of its ALL ACESS sports documentary series. ALL ACCESS: Canelo vs. Lopez will premiere on SHOWTIME with multiple replays on additional SHOWTIME and CBS platforms. The exhibition schedule also will be announced shortly.
"This fight is a great match-up which has 'Fight of the Year' written all over it," said Oscar de la Hoya, president of Golden Boy Promotions. "Both of these fighters hit with power, have great chins and fight one way...coming forward. Mix in the fact that it's a must win fight for each of them and you have the recipe for a classic."
"I always appreciate the opportunity to fight on the big time boxing event like this one," said Maidana. "Throughout my career I have always heard I fight like the great Mexican fighters and that Mexican fans love to watch me fight. I will give them something to cheer about on September 15 when I win the fight and move one step closer to getting another world title."
"I am very fortunate to be fighting on this card alongside my fellow countrymen Canelo, Daniel and Jhonny," said Soto Karass. "We are going to represent Mexico well that night and I plan to be victorious against Maidana. I have worked hard my whole career to have my dream of being a world champion come true and I feel that with each fight, I get closer to it."
Buenos Aires, Argentina's Marcos "El Chino" Maidana (31-3, 28 KOs) has been a worthy member of his country's fighting fraternity, but one look at his style in the ring will make it evident that he is not satisfied with one world championship. Maidana held the WBA Interim Super Lightweight and WBA Super Lightweight World Championships from 2009 to 2010, a span during which he stopped "Vicious" Victor Ortiz and defended the belt three times before losing it to Amir "King" Khan in 2010's Fight of the Year. Maidana reclaimed the belt in 2011 with another classic against Erik "El Terrible" Morales, but after one defense, he moved up in weight to 147 pounds. After a loss to Devon Alexander "The Great" in February, the 29-year-old will seek his first welterweight victory on September 15.
Coming off one of his career-best performances on July 7, a blistering fifth round stoppage of Euri Gonzalez, 29-year-old Jesus Soto Karass (26-7-3, 17 KOs) looks like he has started the march to his well-deserved first world title shot. An 11-year professional who has collected an overflowing pile of regional titles, the native of Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico has bounced back from a recent cold spell to defeat hot prospect Said El Harrak and Gonzalez in consecutive 2012 fights. The next mountain to climb is taking on former World Champion Maidana and Soto Karass has every intention of keeping "El Chino" winless at 147 pounds.

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Antonio Demarco vs John Molina Jr. WBC Title fight on HBO‏

On September 8, 2012, Tijuana, Mexico's WBC Lightweight Champion, Antonio DeMarco (27-2-1, 20 KOs), will put his title on the line when he faces Covina, California's, John Molina, Jr. (24-1, 19 KOs). The 12-round championship bout will take place at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., as the co-feature to Andre "SOG'' Ward (25-0, 13 KOs) vs. "Bad" Chad Dawson (31-1, 17 KOs) promoted by Goossen Tutor Promotions and Gary Shaw Productions, televised live on HBO® World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:15 PM ET/PT.

After DeMarco dazzled the boxing world with his damaging triumph against Venezuela's Jorge Linares (31-3, 20 KOs), where he captured the vacant WBC lightweight title, Antonio came right back successfully defending his title against Mexico's Miguel Roman (37-10, 28 KOs).

Looking to keep his World Championship belt in his next defense, DeMarco will face the hard punching and highly respected Molina in a bout that is guaranteed to be explosive.

"I will represent my country of Mexico with courage and honor when I step in the ring with Molina," said DeMarco. "I accomplished my dream of becoming a world champion and now I will die in the ring to keep it. Molina is fighting for his first world title so he's going to bring a lot of heart into the ring, but my heart and desire to keep my belt will take me to victory. I will remain champion!"

"DeMarco is a Mexican warrior who has shown great resilience in the ring," said promoter Gary Shaw. "His hunger to stay on top will be evident in this fight. Both DeMarco and Molina like to come forward so I expect to see some fireworks on fight night. The fans will witness one of the best fights in 2012."

Goossen Tutor's Molina is riding a 5-fight knockout streak in his last 6-wins and is keen to show the boxing world why he belongs on the championship level. This will be his first opportunity to win a world title and he promises to leave it all in the ring when he challenges Demarco for his WBC belt.

Said Molina, "I'm glad to hear DeMarco will have courage and honor in the ring. I will leave it all in the ring that night and I will realize my dream of becoming a world champion. I promise you, when we're done, it will be considered a fight of the year candidate. I do not anticipate this fight going 12-rounds."

"These are the type of fights that gets everybody's heart beating faster," said promoter Dan Goossen. "You certainly won't see any hugging or high-fiving between these two punchers."

Other undercard bouts will be announced shortly

Boxers to look out for at the London 2012 Olympic Games - Part I

With just a few days to go until the biggest show on Earth gets underway in the British capital, we look at the men and women in each of the weight categories. Throughout history, the Olympic Games has brought the best of the best of our sport to the wider public, showcasing boxing in all its glory. This year, with women's boxing making its debut, the spectacle will be even more phenomenal. We will be here to give you continued and in-depth coverage of all things boxing in the build-up and when the competition begins on 28 July at the ExCeL London.

Men Light Flyweight (46-49kg)

2008 Olympic Title holder: Zou Shiming (CHN)

2011 AIBA World Champion: Zou Shiming (CHN)

Since bursting onto the scene as a precocious talent at the 2003 AIBA World Boxing Championships in Bangkok where he took a sensational silver medal as a 22-year-old, Zou Shiming from the People's Republic of China has come to dominate the Light Flyweight category for the best part of the last decade, becoming in the process a triple World Champion and taking gold at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on his home soil. Now 30, there is a long queue of talented fighters ready to challenge him. The big pretender to his throne is newly signed to the AIBA Professional Boxing (APB) program, 23-year-old South Korean Jonghun Shin, whom Shiming defeated in the AIBA World Boxing Championships Baku 2011 final, but is now a year older and wiser as he travels to London. Russian team

captain David Ayrapetyan will also be one challenging for honours this summer; the 28-year-old has the know-how to go all the way. Puerto Rico's Jantony Ortiz Marcano looked hungry for success at the AIBA American Olympic Qualifying Event in Rio in May. Patrick Barnes from Ireland could go deep into the competition whilst Italian rising star Manuel Fabrizio Cappai is maturing fast at this level. Last but not least, do not underestimate the class of Cuba's Yosbany Veitia Soto.

Men Flyweight (52kg)
2008 Olympic Title holder: Somjit Jongjohor (THA)
2011 AIBA World Champion: Misha Aloian (RUS)

There will be no defending champion so there will be the crowning of a brand new Olympic Champion in London. 23-year-old Russian Misha Aloian took gold in Baku and will be the man to beat in the British capital. The biggest threats to his crown will be the sublime and technically gifted Welshman Andrew Selby, who loves to continually switch stance, and the experience US veteran Raushee Warren, one of the stars of the World Series of Boxing. France's Nordine Oubaali is another who on his day can defeat anyone so if he hits form during the Olympic Games, he could go all the way. Uzbek teenager Jasurbek Latipov's development has really accelerated of late and he will definitely influence who is crowned champion. Irishman Michael Conlan has also big credentials at this level. One boxer in some form is Italy's Vicenzo Picardi who, after taking a bronze medal in 2008 in Beijing, will now seek to go all the way to the final in London.

Men Bantamweight (56kg)

2008 Olympic Title holder: Badar-Uugan Enkhbat (MGL)

2011 AIBA World Champion: Lazaro Alvarez Estrada (CUB)

With 28 boxers battling it out in the category, there promises to be a few surprises along the way and without the defending Olympic Champion competing, it is an opportunity for someone to imprint his name in the pages of history. 21-year-old Cuban Lazaro Alvarez Estrada (photo) is the overwhelming favourite after his sensational run in Baku saw him take the gold medal, however this year the fledgling talented southpaw will not have the element of surprise. One man who will look to stop the agile Cuban is Great Britain's Luke Campbell, a compact fighter with a stinging jab. Add Algeria's combative Mohamed Ouadahi, classy Shiva Thapa of India and Irish record-breaker John Joe Nevin to the mix, there promises to be fireworks. Kazakhstan's Kanat Abutalipov, who qualified by winning the WSB Individual Championships in 2011, and the impressive Tajik Anvar Yunusov have the armoury to do some serious damage in what will be another hotly contested category.

Monday, July 23, 2012

Prescott: I Need a New Claim to Fame!

Miami (via Colombia) power puncher Breidis Prescott (25-4, 18 KOs) says he has mixed emotions about no longer being the only fighter to ever put Amir Khan to sleep.

While Prescott did it to Khan in 2008 in less than one round, Danny Garcia was able to join the exclusive club last Saturday when he laid out the now-former champion in four rounds.

Prescott is currently in hard training for his upcoming junior-welterweight battle against Francisco "Gato" Figueroa (20-4-1, 13 KOs) of Bronx, New York in the main event of Warriors Boxing's "Miami Warfare II" event at the MACC at the Doubletree Hotel in Miami, Florida, on Saturday, August 18.

"In a way, I enjoyed the notoriety of being the only fighter to ever knock him out," explained Prescott, "but it was also pretty clear he was never going to face me again. I chased him for years offering him the chance to redeem himself and he was always too frightened to take it. Now that there's a new guy at the top of the division, maybe he'll have a little more courage to take the tough fights against guys like me."

Before actively pursuing a match between the two "Khanquerors", himself and Garcia, Prescott must first get by a very talented Figueroa in a fight that is not a mere tune-up.

"He's a good fighter," said Prescott of Figueroa, "but he can't take my power. No one can when I'm feeling as good as I am now."

Prescott says seeing Khan again get stretched in a fight has given him new motivation: "I need a new claim to fame! I'm going to have to knock out somebody else at the top of the division. I like being the first to knock someone out. I'm the power punching pioneer!"

In the eight-round super featherweight co-main event that night will be Miami (via Cuba) power puncher Rances "Kid Blast" Barthelemy (16-0, 11 KOs) facing Mexico's Alejandro Rodriguez (14-6, 7 KOs).

Also scheduled for action will be a host of local and international prospects and contenders including super middleweight Roberto J. Acevedo 5-0 (4 KOs) of Bayamón, Puerto Rico, who will fight a four-rounder vs. TBA; Zenica, Bosnia's light heavyweight up-and-comer Radivoje Kalajdzic (6-0, 4 KOs), who will fight a six-rounder vs. TBA; light heavyweight bomber Vilier Quinonez 3-0 (2 KOs) of Cienfuegos, Cuba, who will fight a six-rounder vs. TBA; undefeated light heavyweight Yunieski Gonzalez (8-0, 5 KOs) of Havana, Cuba, who will fight a six-rounder vs. TBA; and middleweight Leosvy Mayedo (2-0, 2 KOs) of Miami, who will fight a four-rounder vs. TBA.

Sunday, July 22, 2012

UNDEFEATED HEAVYWEIGHTS COLLIDE ON AUGUST 4 WHEN DEONTAY WILDER AND KELVIN PRICE MEET; SHOWDOWN TO AIR LIVE ON FOX SPORTS NET, FOX DEPORTES & FUEL TV

With 23 wins and no losses and all of his victories coming by way of knockout, 2008 United States Olympic Bronze Medalist Deontay "Bronze Bomber" Wilder is seen by many as the spark that can ignite the heavyweight division once again. On Saturday, August 4 "The Bronze Bomber" will step into the ring in front of his home state fans at the Mobile Civic Center Arena Expo Hall in Mobile, Alabama to face fellow unbeaten heavyweight Kelvin "Price Is Right" Price, who hails from just down the road in Pensacola, Florida, in a showdown that will be televised live on FOX Sports Net and FOX Deportes and FUEL TV.

The fight is Wilder's first since his biggest win to date, a third round technical knockout over longtime heavyweight contender Owen Beck on June 23. Now Price is next in line to try and chop down the 6-foot-7 rising star.

Wilder vs. Price is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with DiBella Entertainment and sponsored by Corona, DeWalt Tools and the Mobile Sports Authority. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. CT on fight night and the first bell rings at 7:00 p.m. CT. The FOX Sports Net, FOX Deportes and FUEL TV bilingual simulcast will air live at 10:00 p.m. ET/9:00 p.m. CT/7:00 p.m. PT.

Tickets, priced at $77, $42 and $22, go on sale on Saturday, July 14 at 10:00 a.m. CT and will be available for purchase at the Mobile Civic Center Box Office and by calling (251) 208-7906 or via Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 or at.

26-year-old Deontay Wilder (23-0, 23 KO's) put his hometown of Tuscaloosa, Alabama on the boxing map in 2008 when he earned a Bronze Medal at the Beijing Olympics as the only United States boxer to medal at the games. Later that year, he turned professional with a second round technical knockout over Ethan Cox. Since then, no one has gotten out of the fourth round against the exciting knockout artist. He has gone 3-0 in 2012 thus far, with the big win over Beck proving that he's ready for prime time. Wilder is not about to let his fans in Alabama down on August 4 or in the future.

One of the few heavyweights that match Wilder with not only an unbeaten record, but in size, Pensacola's 6-foot-7 Kelvin Price (13-0, 6 KO's) will present some difficulties for the Olympian that has yet to see in his professional career. A six-year veteran who got a late start in the sport, the 37-year-old is perhaps best known for spoiling the perfect record of hot prospect Tor Hamer in 2010. He's ready to play that spoiler role again next month in Wilder's back yard.

A co-featured bout and a full undercard will be announced shortly.

Tomasz Adamek vs Travis Walker Official for September 8

Tomasz Adamek returns to Prudential Center in Newark, NJ on the afternoon of Saturday, September 8th when he takes on Travis Walker of Houston, the #12 contender, for the IBF's North American Heavyweight Title.

Standing nearly 6'5", Walker (39-7-1, 31 KO's) is coming off a big TKO win over Kali Meehan in Australia. A true road warrior known for his size and punching power, Walker has gone the distance with #3 contender Kubrat Pulev and Ruslan Chagaev in Germany. In addition to Meehan, Walker defeated Alonzo Butler, who was 28-1 at the time.

The bout will be promoted by Main Events and Ziggy Promotions and televised in Poland via PPV. Arrangements to televise the fight in the US have not yet been made. Doors open at 1:30 PM. First bout will be at 2 pm.

"Tomasz has expressed his desire to face tall opponents in order to better prepare for inevitable future fights with the many super-sized heavyweights who are in the division," said promoter Kathy Duva of Main Events. "Travis Walker is a top 12 contender coming off a big win who is eager to face Adamek's challenge. We expect another great event at Pru Center. The only difference will be that this show will take place in the afternoon to accommodate Polish television."

Walker expressed his confidence in winning this fight, "Adamek thinks that I will be an easy win for him, but he will be greatly surprised at the combination of finesse, strength and power that I will utilize in this fight. I'm going to stop him, period."

Walker's promoter, Adrian L. Patrick, CEO of KO KINGS PROMOTIONS, added, "I predict that Travis will stop Adamek. At some point in the 12 rounds, Adamek will slip and Travis will destroy him."

In his most recent bout, Adamek (46-2, 28 KO's) captured the IBF North American heavyweight championship title when he defeated Eddie Chambers of Philadelphia, who suffered a bicep tear early in the fight.

Adamek said, "I like Travis as an opponent because he is a tough fighter and all his fights are interesting. Every fight he fights is for the fans, like me." He added, "I have fought at Prudential Center eight times and I am excited to come back to give my fans a good fight and another exciting win."

The undercard bouts will be announced in the coming weeks. It is expected that Philadelphia's fast rising star, Heavyweight contender Bryant Jennings (IBF #8) will appear.

“Knockout Kings” to be Headlined by Canelo Alvarez Facing Josesito Lopez for theWBC Super Welterweight World Championship onSeptember 15 at MGM Grand

“Knockout Kings” to be Headlined by Canelo Alvarez Facing Josesito Lopez for theWBC Super Welterweight World Championship onSeptember 15 at MGM Grand Live on Showtime®

WBC Featherweight World Champion Jhonny Gonzalez To

Take on Former World Champion Daniel Ponce De Leon

Mexican Independence Day weekend will come alive in one-of-a-kind fashion on Saturday, September 15 when “Knockout Kings” featuring undefeated Mexican sensation Canelo Alvarez taking on boxing’s breakout star and upset-minded Josesito Lopez for Canelo’s World Boxing Council (WBC) Super Welterweight World Championship, takes place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, live on SHOWTIME. Fans can expect fireworks all night long with the unparalleled quadruple-header, which also features WBC Featherweight World Champion Jhonny Gonzalez defending his title against former World Champion Daniel Ponce De Leon.

“Knockout Kings,” a tremendous evening of pure Mexican power and pride, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Canelo Promotions in association with Goossen Tutor Promotions and Thompson Boxing Promotions and sponsored by Corona, DeWalt Tools and AT&T. The quadruple-header will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. and will be televised live on SHOWTIME. Additional co-featured fights will be announced soon.

SHOWTIME Sports will also produce a new edition of its ALL ACESS sports documentary series. ALL ACCESS: Canelo vs. Lopez will premiere on SHOWTIME, with multiple replays on additional SHOWTIME and CBS platforms. The exhibition schedule will be announced shortly.

“We know the exceptional talent we have in Mexican superstar Canelo, and certainly Josesito Lopez deserves the opportunity to face him after his stunning upset victory over Victor Ortiz on June 23,” said Oscar de la Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions. “It is going to be another prideful Mexican Independence Day weekend for Mexican and Mexican-American fans having their most celebrated fighter, Canelo, fighting that night along with Jhonny Gonzalez and Daniel Ponce De Leon, who are going to deliver their own electrifying championship battle.”

“It is a great pleasure for Golden Boy Promotions to be working with MGM Resorts International and SHOWTIME Sports on this exciting night of boxing,” said Richard Schaefer, CEO, Golden Boy Promotions. “To be able to showcase top-caliber boxing talent in Canelo, Josesito Lopez, Jhonny Gonzalez and Ponce De Leon on the same show packs a lot of power and pride into a tremendous evening for attendees and viewers watching at home. It’s also a special gift for Mexican and Mexican American fans who have supported the sport for so long to have Canelo appear once again on Mexican Independence Day weekend. If there is anyone who deserves a shot at Canelo, it’s Josesito because he showed that heart and will can determine the outcome of any fight. I’ve never seen a fighter show that.”

“SHOWTIME has fully committed to promoting this tremendous night of boxing as if it were a pay-per-view, but instead is offering this quadruple-header to all boxing fans across the country,” continued Schaefer. “We are very pleased that CBS will also be committed to promoting this event on various platforms.”

“We are excited to be able to offer SHOWTIME subscribers a chance to see boxing’s newest star, Canelo Alvarez, in what promises to be a dramatic fight,” said Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President and General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports. “Canelo’s talent and charisma has re-energized boxing and drawn legions of casual fans to the sport. Josesito Lopez may not be as well-known as Canelo, but he has already shown that it would be a mistake for any opponent to overlook Josesito Lopez. Many counted him out in his last fight against Victor Ortiz, but he stunned the SHOWTIME audience and boxing fans worldwide with his gutsy performance and earned his shot at Canelo. This match-up, and this entire card as a whole, promises to be non-stop action and we are proud to deliver explosive fights to our viewers.”

Richard Sturm, president of sports and entertainment for MGM Resorts International, said, “We look forward to celebrating Mexican Independence Day weekend with one of the most exciting events of the summer. There is no doubt that Golden Boy Promotions will deliver a fight that has a major impact on boxing fans worldwide.”

Already a phenom in his home country of Mexico, Canelo turned professional at the age of 15 and has amassed a record of 40-0-1, with 29 knockouts. Since 2008, he has knocked out 14 of 18 opponents and is coming off of a dominant unanimous decision win over future Hall of Famer and former Three-Division World Champion Sugar Shane Mosley in May. Now, the 21-year-old considered to be one of boxing’s fastest-rising stars will make his SHOWTIME debut on Mexico’s biggest holiday weekend of the year, Mexican Independence Day weekend. Canelo will look to continue his meteoric rise to international superstardom as he follows in the footsteps of De La Hoya, his childhood idol and current promoter.

“I am happy to be fighting Josesito Lopez on Mexican Independence Day weekend and to give all of our fans a tremendous battle,” said Canelo. “I was ringside for his fight against Victor Ortiz and saw the talent he possesses. It will be very competitive, but nothing can take away my desire to be the best in the sport. I am also excited to be fighting for the Mexican people and Mexican American fans on Mexican Independence Day weekend. I look forward to showing so many people who will be watching me across the United States that I love being a champion. I want them to think of me as one of the greatest fighters ever.”

In June, Lopez emerged from relative obscurity and scored the biggest win of his career over the heavily favored Ortiz in the main event of a SHOWTIME Championship Boxing. Lopez shocked the boxing world by stopping Ortiz, one of today’s most popular and talented fighters. Lopez (30-4, 18 KO’s) of Riverside, Calif., has the opportunity to recreate his “Rocky moment” on Sept. 15, when he challenges for his first world title against a man that many believe to be boxing’s next superstar.

“I am so happy to have the chance to continue my career fighting another great champion in Canelo Alvarez especially on such a big weekend like Mexican Independence Day,” said Lopez. “I know they put me in the ring with Victor Ortiz to have me beat and now they are doing the same thing with Canelo. I was a big underdog with Ortiz and now I’m a bigger underdog with Canelo, but I’m up for the challenge.”

Also featured on the SHOWTIME telecast will be reigning Mexico City’s Jhonny Gonzalez (52-7, 45 KO’s) who once ruled the bantamweight division with his iron fists, winning two world titles and defeating the likes of Fernando Montiel, Irene Pacheco and recently inducted Hall of Famer Mark “Too Sharp” Johnson. Reinventing himself at featherweight, where he has gone 12-0 with 11 knockouts, he won the WBC 126-pound title by stopping Hozumi Hasegawa in the fourth round in April 2011. Four title defenses, including an April 2012 decision over Elio Rojas, have followed, and on September 15, the 30-year old will seek a fifth successful defense against De Leon.

“This is a fight I have been wanting for a long time and now to have the opportunity to do it for my Mexican people is so great,” said Gonzalez. “That is a big weekend for everyone and I am going to show the world why I am still the best in the division.”

Power puncher Daniel Ponce De Leon (43-4, 35 KO’s) has long been one of boxing’s most dependable warriors. Former WBO Junior Featherweight World Champion De Leon defended his crown six times during his 2005-08 reign. After losing the title to Juan Manuel Lopez in 2008, he began the next chapter of his career, winning nine of his next 11 fights following that defeat. In 2012, wins over Omar Estrella (KO6) and Eduardo Lazcano (W10) at featherweight have put him in line for a shot at 126-pound gold, but to get it, he will have to beat countryman Gonzalez on the 15th of September.

“Gonzalez is a very good fighter, but I have the experience and ability to beat him and take his title from him,” said De Leon. “The Mexican fans will all be watching and there is going to be tremendous pressure on all of us to win our bouts and look great doing it. I will become the new champion that night and my career will move up to a new level.”

WARD vs DAWSON Oakland Press Conference (CHAD DAWSON)

WARD vs DAWSON Oakland Press Conference (ANDRE WARD)

Harsh Words At Ward vs Dawson Press Conference

Andre Ward and trainer Virgil Hunter get in a heated verbal altercation with Gary Shaw and Chad Dawson at the opening press conference for their September 8, 2012 title fight on HBO. Oracle Arena in Oakland CA., Will host this BIG fight.

Antonio Leonard Promises Ward Will Beat Anyone at 175lb or 168lb/Andre Ward's Manager James Prince Speaks at Ward/Dawson Presser

Antonio Leonard Promises Ward Will Beat Anyone at 175lb or 168lb

Chad Dawson - Andre Ward Press Conference Quotes

Chad Dawson - Andre Ward Press Conference Quotes

Undefeated WBA and WBC super-middeweight champion, Andre "S.O.G." Ward (25-0, 13 KOs) and WBC light-heavyweight champion, "BAD" Chad Dawson (31-1, 17 KOs) hosted a press conference to discuss their upcoming championship bout, taking place September 8, 2012 at Oracle Arena televised live on HBO Championship Boxing.

"This is a big fight for me. I know there will be a huge crowd for Andre, but I'm not afraid. I'm happy to be the underdog in this fight. I haven't been the underdog in a long time and I'll do what I have to do to win this fight" - Chad Dawson

"The road I've taken to this point has not been easy. Being back on HBO is a big thing, but fighting on HBO in my hometown is huge. To be great you have to fight the best. Chad has beaten the best so these are the type fights I want to take. I will put on a great show for all the fans that come out to Oracle Arena." - Andre Ward

Camp Notes; Guerrero vs. Aydin,

Camp Notes

Robert "The Ghost" Guerrero is deep into Training Camp in Lake Tahoe, while Selcuk "Mini Tyson" Aydin Settles into Last Month of Training Camp in San Jose for their July 28 Showtime-Televised Fight at HP Pavilion

Guerrero: California Living in Lake Tahoe Mountains

A former three-division world champion, the talented Guerrero is ready for the difficult challenge of moving up in weight to face number one rated WBC welterweight contender Aydin in hopes of winning a world championship in a fourth weight class.

"It's been a grueling training camp since I arrived four weeks ago," said Guerrero. "There's no cable TV, no busy streets, nothing, just a whole lot of forest and mountains."

Guerrero continued, "I get up at 5:00 a.m. every morning to start my road work. I follow that by a hard workout in the middle of the day, then end with push-ups and sit-ups at night. I'm getting the proper sparring and amount of rounds to get me ready for Aydin, who I know is coming to rip my head off. I'm expecting a rough, rugged fight and the fans will not want to miss it, I can guarantee that!"

When asked about Aydin and his come-forward style, Guerrero said, "My team and I have been studying all of Aydin's fights and we know where we can take advantage of his flaws. Aydin is very strong and puts a tremendous amount of pressure on all of his opponents. I can see why he's been avoided, but I'm ready to take him on even though nobody else wants to."

Guerrero's father, Ruben Guerrero, who also is his trainer, said, "Robert is looking sharp and I'm confident we will win this fight. We've been studying Aydin and we have the perfect game plans for him. I know my son is hungry to take care of his family and believe me; he's going to leave it all in the ring on fight night. This training camp has been very productive."

"I can see Robert's body getting stronger and stronger as each day goes by," manager and nutritionist Bob Santos said. "I think people will be surprised at how Robert's body will look on fight night. We took this risky fight because we believe Robert is on the level of Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao. A win against Aydin puts us in a wonderful position to challenge the best fighters in boxing."

Guerrero went on to say, "I want to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for getting me to this point in my career. I have tremendous support from my wife Casey, who's been through a lot. I also want to say that no man in boxing is hungrier than I am. On July 28, everyone is going to see a man that will be fighting to take care of his family, a wife who has battled cancer and is now healthy, a tremendous team who's stuck by my side through thick and thin and a hometown crowd that will be cheering for me to bring it home. Aydin is going to give it absolutely everything he has, just like me, so this fight will most likely be a 'Fight Of The Year' type fight, because neither of us is going to back down. Everyone is in for a treat when we battle at HP Pavilion on SHOWTIME!"

Aydin: From Germany to California

The offensive-minded, hard-hitting Aydin, who hails from Trabzon, Turkey, has been the WBC's number one rated welterweight contender and mandatory challenger for the 147-pound title for almost three years and is eager to showcase his skills and ability to fans and experts all over the world.

"This is the big chance and the big fight I have been waiting and working for," Aydin said. "I will not let this opportunity pass. I give my respect to Robert Guerrero for fighting me when so many other so-called champions have ducked me for years. Unfortunately, Guerrero will find out the hard way why nobody wants to fight me. I will walk right through "The Ghost" and take the belt back home to Turkey! "

To achieve a lifelong goal, Aydin and his team left nothing to chance. The former European champion started training on May 1 in Stuttgart, Germany and moved his training camp to San Jose, Calif., on July 1. He'll spend the last couple weeks winding down his preparation while continuing to acclimate himself.

"When we have to go to the lion's den, we go all the way, " Aydin's promoter Ahmet Oner said. "By coming to San Jose so early, Selcuk wanted to make a statement and show everybody that he is not afraid of Guerrero's hometown advantage. Of course, we know that it is always tough to win in your opponent's backyard, but Selcuk is a true warrior. It doesn't matter where he's fighting, he is always ready for war. "

"Moving training camp from Germany to the United States had different benefits for us, " Aydin's head coach Conny Mittermeier said. "Of course, we wanted to get adjusted to the time difference and the weather conditions over here, but it's also easier to find high-quality sparring partners in the United States than it is in Europe. Especially when you're looking for slick, fast welterweight southpaws."

Aydin has already completed more than 50 rounds of sparring and will end up having done about 100 rounds before wrapping up training camp.

"I had no problems adjusting to everything here in California," Aydin said. "I have trained and fought in the United States before and it feels natural to be here. Boxing is an international sport and the United States is the place to be for big fights and big money. Of course, Turkey is my home country and Trabzon is my hometown, which I am very proud of, but I am also happy and proud to be here. Not many fighters get the chance to prove themselves on the big stage and I thank everybody for giving me this opportunity."

"Thanks to our wonderful hosts at San Jose Boxing & Fitness," added Mittermeier. "We've had ideal conditions for our training. The sparring partners are doing a great job. We have some guys over here who worked with Miguel Cotto for his fight against Floyd Mayweather and with Timothy Bradley for when he prepared for Manny Pacquiao. It doesn't get much better than this. Selcuk is in great shape. Sometimes I have to stop him a little to make sure that he doesn't tear somebody's head off. I have never seen him as focused and as fired up for a fight."

"The Thunderstorm from the Black Sea" ("Karadeniz Firtinasi"), as Selcuk is called in his hometown of Trabzon, knows that it could be difficult to win a decision.

"I am not planning to leave the decision to the judges," Aydin said. "I didn't come to California to outbox or outscore Guerrero. I am on a very simple mission...seek and destroy! Every other day I read somewhere that Guerrero is dreaming of fights against Mayweather and Pacquiao. He can dream whatever he wants when I put him to sleep. 'The Ghost' has no idea what's coming to him. He may have been featherweight and junior lightweight champion, but now he's playing with the big boys. The first time I hit him, he will regret moving up in weight and accepting to fight me."

Guerrero vs. Aydin, a 12-round fight for the vacant WBC Interim Welterweight World Championship, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Arena-Box Promotion and sponsored by Corona, DeWalt Tools and AT&T. The SHOWTIME Championship Boxing telecast will air live at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) with co-featured events to be announced and preliminary fights to air live on SHOWTIME EXTREME® at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT

No Holds Barred: Adrien Broner, Vicente Escobedo

No Holds Barred: Adrien Broner, Vicente Escobedo http://nhbnews.podomatic.com/entry/2012-07-19T17_34_07-07_00
On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman speaks with boxers Adrien Broner and Vicente Escobedo, who meet this Saturday, July 21, for Broner's WBO junior lightweight title. This fight will be televised live in the U.S. on HBO and takes place at the U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio.

The 22-year-old Broner (23-0, 19 KOs) is considered to be one of the rising stars of boxing. The 30-year-old Escobedo (26-3, 15 KOs), a 2004 U.S. Olympian, has recently fought as a lightweight and has never lost at junior lightweight.

We spoke with Adrien Broner and Vicente Escobedo on a media conference call on Wednesday to get their views on what to expect in what is the biggest fight this coming weekend. We also examine the careers of both fighters, why this is likely to be the biggest test yet for Broner, why Broner is being pushed as a budding superstar, and why this fight has all the earmarks of being particularly noteworthy.

ABOUT "BATTLE ON THE BANKS: BRONER VS. ESCOBEDO":

"Battle On The Banks: Broner vs. Escobedo," a 12-round fight for Broner's WBO Junior Lightweight World Championship will take place Saturday, July 21 at U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio. The event is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and R&R Promotions and sponsored by Corona and AT&T. The HBO Boxing After Dark® telecast begins at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Mike Tyson on ABC Nightline

"Salita Promotion and Fight Factory Gym Start a New Brooklyn Based Boxing Series"‏

"Salita Promotion and Fight Factory Gym Start a New Brooklyn Based Boxing Series"

Salita Promotion and Fight Factory Gym are teaming up to start a new Brooklyn based boxing series dubbed "Brooklyn Brawl." Shows will be held at The Fight Factory, all the matches will be between top and upcoming boxers. Featured fighters will include Golden Gloves Champions, National Champions, and local talent all participating in fights that promise to be exciting.

The goal of this series is to help fighters build a fan base at the grass roots level, and for fans, community leaders, and sponsors to have an opportunity to connect with the stars of today and champions of tomorrow.

Like the beautiful borough of Brooklyn, boxing is a multi cultured sport that attracts boxers from different backgrounds. The diversity of the fighters is a reflection of their origin, background and lifestyle.

In addition all shows will have live performances by a popular artist and include ringside celebrities, radio/TV personalities and politicians to create an exciting one of a kind fight night experience.

The next show is scheduled to take place at the Fight Factory Gym, 24 Cobek Ct., Brooklyn, NY 11223, on Thursday, Aug 23rd. The show will feature twelve exciting matches along with a special performance by Brooklyn’s own Hip Hop artist Rice Maniac fresh off his new video; "The Misfits" which was filmed in Brooklyn. Rice Maniac will entertain the crowd with some of his hit songs.