Month: June 2014

Catch Behind-the-Scenes Footage of Mexican Superstar Canelo and Cuban Champion Lara in 30-Minute Special Ahead of Their July 12 SHOWTIME PPV® Event

LAS VEGAS (June 19, 2014) – In preparation for what will be a match-up of the two best junior middleweights in the world Canelo Alvarez and slick Cuban star Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara, Golden Boy Promotions and Leigh Simons Productions will present “Countdown to Canelo vs. Lara.” This primetime special 30-minute preview show will air on various FOX Sports platforms beginning next Wednesday, July. 2 and will feature never-before-seen footage of Canelo, Lara and the SHOWTIME PPV-televised undercard fighters including Abner Mares, Jonathon Oquendo, Juan Manuel Lopez, Francisco Vargas, Johan Perez and Mauricio Herrera.

Tune into any of the FOX Sports Network channels: FOX Sports, FOX Sports 1, FOX Sports 2 and FOX Deportes (check your local listings) for a behind-the-scenes look at the stars of this highly anticipated pay-per-view event taking place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

The countdown show, brought to life by Producer and Creative Director of Golden Boy Promotions Leigh Simons, will provide audiences with exclusive analysis and commentary leading up to the PPV-event.

“They both knocked down and decisioned Austin Trout and they both stopped Alfredo Angulo in round 10, which makes for an unbelievable match-up,” said Simons. “This show explores how their recent successes against common opponents could play out against each other on July 12.”

Below is a collection of links, which preview various parts of the special and fight highlights:

– Canelo vs. Lara press tour recap and Trout and Angulo fight recaps – http://youtu.be/r2tMYj1LMak

– Oscar De La Hoya and boxing experts talk about how Canelo vs. Lara came to be – http://youtu.be/EJSzI5eamPo

– Inside Canelo and Lara’s camps – http://youtu.be/INP8UnHTMvo

– Canelo, Lara and boxing experts talk about each fighters’ style – http://youtu.be/gIbq21HS2fw

– Dramatic profile of the three exciting fights on Canelo-Lara undercard: Abner Mares vs. Jonathon “Polvo” Oquendo, Juan Manuel “JuanMa” Lopez vs. Francisco “El Bandido”Vargas, and Johan “El Terrible” Perez vs. Mauricio “El Maestro” Herrera. -http://youtu.be/5neyd-mr_Do

Honor & Glory: Canelo vs. Lara” a 12-round junior middleweight fight taking place Saturday, July 12 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Canelo Promotions and sponsored by Corona and AT&T. In theco-main event Abner Mares returns to face Puerto Rico’s Jonathan Oquendo in a 10-round featherweight bout. In the SHOWTIME PPV opening bout, Johan Perez defends his interim WBA World Junior Welterweight Title against Mauricio Herrera in a 12-round match up. Also featured, Juan Manuel “JuanMa” Lopez meets Francisco “El Bandido” Vargas of Mexico in a 10-round bout for the WBO International Super Featherweight Title.

Tickets are still available at the $750, $500, $250, $150 and $75 price ranges, not including applicable service charges. Tickets are limited to eighteen (18) per person with a limit of eight (8) at the $75 price ranges. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also are available for purchase at http://www.mgmgrand.com or http://www.ticketmaster.com.

The event will be produced and distributed live by SHOWTIME PPV beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. The event can be heard in Spanish using secondary audio programming (SAP). For information visit http://www.SHO.com/Sports. Canelo vs. Lara will be shown on the big screen in movie theaters across the country via Fathom Events. Information will be available at http://www.fathomevents.com.

For more information, visit http://www.goldenboypromotions.com, and http://www.mgmgrand.com, follow on Twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @CaneloOficial, @LaraBoxing, @abnermares00, @jonathanoquen, @juanma_lopez, @elbandido130, @elmaestro1, @mgmgrand,@SHOSports and @Swanson_Comm, follow the conversation using #CaneloLara and become a fan on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing andwww.facebook.com/SHOBoxing.

By Damon “Latinbox” Gonzalez
Photo by Bret Newton

The WBO Middleweight Champion of the World Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin (31-0, 22 KO’s) born in Chicago, Illinois currently lives in Brooklyn,NY.is of Cuban descent.

Quillin stands tall in the division orthodox fighter promoted by Golden Boy Promotions. Looking to keep his WBO title and fight for more. Quillin like a ticking bomb training in California a fast starter training hard and knowing the phone is going to ring he will be back in the ring very shortly.

A entrance worthy of a Middleweight champion with the hopes of challenging Gennady Golovkin, Miguel Cotto, Marcos A. Rubio, Sam Soliman all title belt holders in the 160lbs division.

There is legitimate competition in the division, Quillin physically and mentally strong enough to take on those challenges.

Photo by: Victor M. Planas

World contenders McWilliams Arroyo, from Puerto Rico, and Froilan Saludar, from Philippines, will face in an International Boxing Federation (IBF) flyweight elimination bout this Thursday, June 19, at the Ruben Rodriguez Coliseum in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, in a Golden Boy Promotions presentation, in association with PR Best Boxing Promotions (PRBBP), to be broadcasted on Fox Sports 1 and Fox Deportes at 8:00 p.m. (ET).

Also in the show, world title challenger Cesar Seda Jr. will return to the action in Puerto Rico, along with prospects Prichard Colon, Milton Saniago and Jose Lopez, among others.

“This Thursday we will back to the Ruben Rodriguez Coliseum with a great show and a big fight that will define the future of McWilliams Arroyo, who fight against Froilan Saludar for the top of the IBF flyweight rankings. It is an important step for McWilliams on his way to a world opportunity, and the fans can enjoy the fight live in the arena or on TV on Fox Sports 1 and Fox Sports”, promoter Ivan Rivera, president of PRBBP, said. “Also in the show world contender Cesar Seda Jr., who is in his way to return to a world fight, and young fighters like Prichard Colon, who will try to extend his unbeaten record. It will be a great night with Golden Boy Promotions and again on Fox Sports 1 and Fox Deportes”.

The main event will have McWilliams Arroyo (14-1, 12 KOs), a 2008 Puerto Rican Olympian and a 2009 World Amateur Championships gold medal, facing Froilan Saludar (19-0-1, 12 KOs), in a 12 round fight that will define the #1 ranked of the IBF in the flyweight division. Arroyo is ranked #8 and Saludar #12 by the IBF in the 112 pounds right now.

In the co-main event, Cesar Seda Jr. (25-2, 17 KOs), a world title challenger in 115 and 122 pounds, will fight in a 10 rounds superbantamweight bout against Mexican Alex Rangel (15-2-2, 9 KOs). Seda Jr., who came off an unanimous decision defeat on December, 2013, against the WBC superbantamweight champion Leo Santa Cruz, is ranked #6 by this entity in the 122 pounds.
In a fight scheduled to eight rounds in the super welterweights, Prichard “Digget” Colon (9-0, 9 KOs) will fight for the fifth time this year when he faces veteran Carlos Garcia (7-12-1, 7 KOs).

In four rounds fights, Milton Santiago (5-0, 3 KOs) will face Carlos Lopez (4-4) in the junior welterweights; Jose “El Chino” Lopez (2-0, 2 KOs) against Rafael Vazquez (1-0) in the lightweights; Rafael Gonzalez (8-2, 6 KOs) will face Eric de Jesus (1-1, 1 KOs) in the junior welterweights; debutants Jean Carlos Lopez and Juan Figueroa will fight in the bantamweights, and debutant Miguel Canino will face Luis Ortiz (0-2) in the lightweight division.

Prospect John Karl Sosa (10-0, 6 KOs) will not fight because he is sick with a virus.

Brooklyn – In front of a huge crowd at the
Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, and an audience watching the telecast around the world including HBO in the United States, Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing had a night to remember as “The Pride of Huntington, New York” Chris Algieri shined in a twelve round split decision over World Boxing Organization (‘WBO’) Junior Welterweight Champion Ruslan Provodnikov.

In the televised co-feature Star Boxing’s WBO Junior Middleweight World Champion Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade was dominant in his first title defense, stopping mandatory contender Brian ‘The Lion” Rose of England at the 1:19 mark of the seventh round.

Now 20-0 with eight knockouts, Algieri talked on Sunday about the fight. “Ruslan’s whole plan was to run right through me, after the first round I just boxed smartly and stuck to my game plan. I get the sense he didn’t have a plan B me.”

“I took the knee in the first just to check on my eye and although he did crack me in the ribs while I was down I think it was inadvertent. It was never a dirty fight, no low blows or anything.”
Despite being knocked down in the first and also taking a knee in the same stanza, Algieri boxed beautifully throughout the duration of the fight winning a split decision by scores of 114-112 (twice) and 109-117.

Despite being knocked down in the first and also taking a knee in the same stanza, Algieri boxed beautifully throughout the duration of the fight winning a split decision by scores of 114-112 (twice) and 109-117.

About giving Ruslan a rematch if requested and his future plans, Algieri stated, “He didn’t want to fight me in the first place, I doubt he’d want a second fight. Bob Arum had mentioned he’d like to promote a fight between Manny Pacquiao and myself. I’m ready to go straight into that fight for the fall.”

“These last couple of years I’ve move exponentially to the right fights, last night was a continuation of that and going forward that’s the plan I want to keep.”

“It was one of the biggest nights in Star Boxing’s 22 years. We knew Chris was in a very tough fight against Ruslan who is one of the sport’s most aggressive, hard hitting fighters,” said DeGuardia. “But Chris and I accepted the fight right when it was offered because we knew Chris had the skill set, as he showed last night to defeat Provodnikov and win the world title.”

“And Demetrius truly defended his title in style. He rose to the occasion and showed the world why he’s the best junior middleweight in the world. No hesitation whatsoever, he will fight anyone next at 154.”

Making the first defense of his world title earned by defeating Vanes Martirosyan in November, Andrade improved to 21-0 with 14KO’s by dropping Rose hard in the first and third rounds. Relentlessly keeping the pressure on and scoring at will, Andrade earned the stoppage when Rose’s corner smartly threw in the towel.

By: Damon “Latinbox”Gonzalez

Lightweight rising star Jose “Lil Pacquiao” Resendiz (3-0,1 KO) from Bradenton, Florida. Gets his 1st KO win last night at the Tampa Bay Times Forum against Kherani Kessoon stoping him at .51 seconds of round one. Resendiz promoted by OnePunch Boxing Promotions & Management jumped on Kessoon right from the opening bell with an attack sealing the victory quickly.
Photo credits: Robert Richards

Photo credits: Ed Mulholland
Chris Algieri, The World Will Know His Name June 14th
By Keith Yazdanseta New York, New York

Saturday, June 14th could come close enough as fight fans clamored for HBO’s double-header at the Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn, New York. Long Island’s own Chris Algieri challenges Ruslan “The Siberian Rocky” Provodnikov for the WBO Junior Welterweight championship. The co-main event features WBO Junior Middleweight Champion Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade defending his title against England’s Brian “The Lion” Rose. In addition Long Beach native Seanie Monaghan and Brooklynight Heather Hardy will be fighting on tonights undercard.

Algieri heads into the main event a perfect 19-0 with 8 opponents unable to reach the final bell. His opponent, a man who has stated in the promotion to this fight and his past bouts as well; he is willing to die in the ring to defend his championship. The cards are stacked against Algieri, but he remains cool, calm, and collected. After speaking with Algieri, it seems as if he is completely impervious to the enormity of the situation.

Algieri was very confident during our meeting; he stated that this training camp was the best of his career. The Long Island pugilist knows that he and his opponent are polar opposites stylistically. Chris understands that he must assume the role of the matador and evade the brutal bull like attack of Ruslan Provodnikov. Algieri plans to use his educated jab and lightening quick combinations to not only stave off the Russian, but if the opportunity arises: put him down for good. In addition the change of venue (originally scheduled to take place at Nassau Coliseum but moved to The Barclay’s Center) to accommodate the champion’s fan base, has not fazed the Huntington born boxer. “My fans will be the majority at The Barclay’s, many people will commute from Long Island”.

Algieri not only enters the ring undefeated, but he also brings with him a strong academic background. The Long Island based fighter graduated from Stony Brook University (the Harvard of Long Island) with honors and attained his Master’s Degree in Nutrition at NYIT. He believes his cerebral approach will assist him to victory.

Chris fought intelligently in February, dominating a solid opponent in Emmanuel Taylor, which served as the precursor for this fight. Despite conceding the edge in power and possibly hand speed, Algieri painted a two fisted masterpiece out boxing Taylor intelligently to a unanimous decision victory. Chris believes that Provodnikov will be no different; his astute knowledge of the sweet science will out shine the bright lights in the Barclay’s Center.

Tonight, do not be surprised if you hear “And the new WBO Junior Welterweight Champion of the World!” announced by Michael Buffer. Chris Algieri plans to fulfill his life long dream at the Barclay’s Center, regardless of his underdog status. June 14th marks the day the world will know Chris Algieri.

Doors will open 7:00 P.M., the first bout will begin at 8:00 p.m. The Media Center will open at 6:00 P.M.

A World Boxing Federation Heavyweight Title event

The Tampa Bay Times Forum and Panda 5 Star Productions partner to present THUNDER AT THE FORUM, a World Boxing Federation event, on Friday, June 13, at 7:45 p.m. This high-voltage event boasts a 10 round main event face-off for the North American WBF Heavyweight Title with China “The Dragon” Smith (34-4, 27 KOs) vs West Virginia’s Mike Sheppard.

In a unique twist, the co-main event will be a female match-up featuring local favorite “Fists of Steel” Chevelle Hallback (28-8-2, 11 KOs). Hallback was recognized on Ring Magazine’s Top Ten Women’s All Time Pound for Pound list and is considered one of the top female fighters of all time.

The fight card is as follows:

1: JOSE RESENDEZ (ST. PETERSBURG, FL) 127.8 lbs VS KHERANI KESSOON (LONG ISLAND, NY) 125.8

2: JUSTIN PAULDO (ORLANDO, FL) 132.6 VS COLEMAN JOHNSON (BATON ROUGE, LA) 133.4

3: NOEMI BOSQUES (ST PETERSBURG, FL) 117.0 VS ELIZABETH ANDERSON (SALT LAKE CITY, UT) 116.0

4: DEVON MONCRIEFFE (KINGSTON, JAMAICA) 159.2 VS ANGEL MARTINEZ (N. MIAMI BEACH. FL) 158.4

5: CHEVELLE HALLBACK (TAMPA, FL) 138.4 VS DOMINGA OLIVO (BROOKLYN, NY) 137.2

6: CHINA SMITH (TAMPA/SARASOTA, FL) 222.4 VS MIKE SHEPPARD (PARKERSBURG, WV) 227.0

FREDDIE ROACH: “Winning this fight will be bout ring generalship. Miguel must keep himself in good position and control the ring. This is what we have worked on for nine weeks in training camp. Miguel never knew how to do this before we began working on it. Miguel will have to cut the ring off, stay off the ropes and stay out of the corners. He now knows how to do it. He is a great student and one of the most disciplined fighters I have ever trained. Sergio is in over his head on this one. We worked on fighting southpaws and have it down to a science now. Miguel will have no trouble with Sergio’s style. Working opposite Miguel with Manny Pacquiao gave me great insight to Miguel’s flaws. It taught me his weaknesses and during this camp I was able to eliminate them. The wear and tear of the Julio Cesar Chavez Jr fight ruined Martinez. He has nothing left. Miguel is the fresher fighter.”

MIGUEL COTTO: “Can I carry my power up to 160? I’m a puncher and my power has come with me from 140 to here at 160….It’s going to be a great weekend for Puerto Rico with the fight the Festival and Tito Trinidad’s induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame….It’s a lot easier to make weight and do my job at 160 pounds. Weight isn’t a big issue for this fight….I’m not worried about Sergio and what he has done or what he will do. I’m only worried about what I need to do…what Freddie has taught me…what we worked on in training camp. The man with the best skills will win this fight….This was the best training camp I’ve ever had because of my team – Freddie, Gavin and Marvin. A lot of people say Michael Jordan wouldn’t be Michael Jordan without Scottie Pippen. Freddie Roach is my Scottie Pippen. Our chemistry together has been great.

“To be the first Puerto Rican to win a world title in four divisions would be an achievement. Gomez, Benitez, there have been a lot of good fighters from Puerto Rico before me. When I started boxing, Tito Trinidad was our big star. A victory on Saturday night would make me feel happy and proud. I would like to be remembered as a boxer who tried to do his best.”

SERGIO MARTINEZ: “There are no issues with the sheath I will be using for my knee on fight night. Once the commission saw what it actually was I was using, they were completely ok with it. It was very hard for me to come back from this, (the knee and shoulder injury) but I have an excellent team behind me, and more than that I have my ego and that is what drove me to get back to where I was before the injuries occurred. I don’t know who brought up the issue about the sheath I am wearing on my knee. Whether it was the commission or Cotto’s team directly I am not sure. The only one who will pay for it though is Miguel Cotto on June 7th. I feel great, and you will see that come Saturday night. I am totally 100% healthy. My doctor who is here with me told me that I only need to wear it as a precaution, so I am following my doctor’s orders. I am very motivated for this fight….I am getting asked the same questions over and over again about my knee, and I know that the media is just doing their job. I can assure you though that I am 100%. I am old, but not by that much. I am totally on my game and everyone will see that on June 7th.

“Not all Argentineans are looking forward to the World Cup, as not everyone is a soccer fan but I can assure you that everyone in Argentina is definitely looking forward to and paying attention to this fight….It is not only about just me or Chino Maidana, but it is about all of the fighters and champions in our country right now. We are all representing our country at the highest level and this is great for Argentina.

“Cotto has taken a lot of punishment in his fights but I am expecting the best Cotto on Saturday night….It is not only Austin Trout that made it a difficult fight for Cotto, but Mayweather and Pacquiao as well. We have looked at all of those fights, and picked up on different things that have worked against Cotto. My trainer Pablo Sarmiento has come up with a great game plan and you will see me execute it perfectly on Saturday night.”

“I don’t hate Cotto, never. I get upset with some of the things that he does and says, but I don’t hate him. We are professionals and we must act like professionals…..Regardless of what Freddie Roach says, Cotto will get beat up on Saturday night. Freddie Roach is a joker and a big talker. He was saying how a cyclist can not beat a world champion, and look at what happened with Chavez. He says Chavez only trained for 5 days for that fight, but that is not my fault, it is both Chavez and his team’s fault. Freddie is a good trainer and a good business man, he knows how to sell a fight.”

“I will never stop doing what I do. It has been very painful and I have suffered a lot, but to be the best, these are the type of things that you have to go through and sacrifice. After this fight I will sit down with my team and we will discuss the future. I have one fight left with HBO and I am 100 percent going to fulfill that. So for anyone saying that this is my last fight, they are wrong.”

“My style is the style that I have used since the amateurs. I have done this for the past 17 years and I won’t change. It has always worked for me so why change now? My best defense is with my legs not with my arms….Many people in the press and the boxing world say that my style is not likeable, but I enjoy it. I am different and I am very happy with the way I am. The critics follow me because I bring something different in the ring than any other boxer. I am unique.

“Regarding getting knocked down: It is not how you get knocked down, it is how you get up and I always get up. That’s what makes me the champion that I am.”

LOU DIBELLA: “We got a request a couple months ago that we had to have Sergio get a MRI on both his knee and hand. It is interesting that this have never come up before in the past. It was the commission’s request though, and we abided by it. I commend David Berlin and the NYSAC though as he came to a very quick decision and determined that the sheath is ok for Sergio to wear on fight night….Do I think people were messing with us regarding the whole issue with the knee and sheath? Yes, absolutely….When watching Sergio train in Miami, Sergio was working with a young fighter and he was telling him to think with his feet. A lot of fighters miss this concept. Sergio has perfected it.

Photo credits: Marylin Paulino MVP Pics

World Boxing Council (WBC)/The Ring middleweight champion and Argentina’s favorite son SERGIO “Maravilla” MARTÍNEZ at Modells Sporting Goods in Times Square, NYC. having his media workout for this Saturdays anticipated fight for the World Middleweight Championship. Martinez addressed the press with his thoughts. Martinez: I love New York City. It is one of my favorite cities in the world. I am so excited to be here and fight at one of the most famous arenas in the entire world. This is a dream come true for me.

Camp was phenomenal. The gym was excellent, Miami was perfect. This is the best training camp that I have ever had in my entire career. I said it before and I am saying it again, there is no possible way that Cotto will make it out of the 9th round.

On Freddie Roach predicting a KO victory for Cotto:

Freddie Roach is excellent at telling jokes and this is one of the best jokes he has ever told. Cotto vs. Martínez will take place on Saturday, June 7, at the “Mecca of Boxing,” Madison Square Garden. The fight will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View®, beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.