Press Releases

Quotes From Last Presser From Garcia, Morales, Malignaggi and More

Published

12 years ago

October 19, 2012

QUOTES FROM THE FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE FOR THIS SATURDAY'S FOUR WORLD TITLE FIGHT EXTRAVAGANZA AS BOXING RETURNS TO BROOKLYN AT THE BRAND NEW BARCLAYS CENTER LIVE ON SHOWTIME®

Danny Garcia, Unified Super Lightweight World Champion:

“Saturday night, at Barclays [Center], will keep these belts here on the East Coast. See you Saturday night.

“I want to thank God for giving me an opportunity to be here and showcase my skills on this level. I want to thank my dad, my family who helped me get through camp.??”I had about a 10-week camp, a hard, strong camp. Got my rounds in sparring and miles in running. Did my conditioning. I put in the hard work.??”I sacrificed all the things I love to do just to perform and give the fans at the Barclays Center a great fight.??”I'm ready. I'm going to keep the belts here on the East Coast, and I will see on Saturday.”?
?Erik Morales, Former World Champion and Future Hall of Famer:

“It is an honor to be in New York for the first time fighting to regain my title. It is hard to be in an arena with such of great fighters, but I'm here, and trust me I'm ready. And certainly, each and every one of them is going to do the best that they possibly can to steal the night.?
“I have been training very hard for Saturday. I've done tremendous preparation. I'll assure you it is going to be an explosive night. What you saw in March, it is definitely not what you are going to see on Saturday. I assure you I will regain my title.

“Many might ask, why do I keep fighting? Many of you question me, and I see it in your eyes. You wonder if I'm continuing because of economic status. And I tell you no. It's not for money.??”Others might ask if I am not leaving boxing because there is a resistance to leave it. I tell them no as well. We have it planned out, the retirement, and it will be soon.??”We're very relaxed. We're very happy with the work that we have done for this particular fight up to this moment. I'm ready. I have done a tremendous job in preparation. I have done all of the work.??”I invite you all to come out Saturday night because I assure you it's going to be an explosive night of boxing.”??
Paulie Malignaggi, WBA Welterweight World Championship:

“I am very fortunate and blessed to be part of this team. I get to reap the rewards through my hard work to now be a part of this tremendous show. It's pretty incredible.
?”You grow up and everybody wants to have a big fight in their hometown. Growing up in New York, the thing that we always dreamed about was Madison Square Garden, but it was because we did not have something like the Barclays Center to dream about. Now we do. I feel so hapoy.
?”Again, I am blessed and fortunate to be part of this opening show where I think that young kids will come out one day, and come out to the fights and, and dream to be part of big shows just like there in their future. It's no longer just Madison Square Garden.??”You can dream about being part of the Barclays Center and part of a big event here. We're coming with fireworks. We're coming with flash and with some big, big fights.??”And it's not just my fight. This is an unbelievable show. This is just the first one. I know Golden Boy will keep doing this on a huge level. And I intend to be part of it. I want to continue to be part of it and continue to be part of these huge shows. Being in bigger fights. And I want to be part of the centerpiece of bringing their thing here to the Barclays Center.??”It is a feeling that you have whenever they announce your hometown when you are fighting. Every fighter is proud of where they come from. And I get that extra charge when I'm in there, and they say Brooklyn, New York.??”I always get that extra charge. But, I know it's going to be that extra, extra charge on Saturday night when they say from Brooklyn, New York and I am fighting in Brooklyn, New York.

“And I am being announced as a world champion. I have got a worthy challenger in front of me. I know what it's like to have all these goals in front of you and all these dreams in front of you and want to accomplish big things. I know what Pablo Cesar Cano is going through and thinking, because I've been there, you know. And I know I have got motivate kid in front of me who will come with all his heart, and he's supposed to.??”I said a while ago, they did not give me for free, I had to go to the other side of the world and defeat a world champion for it, and I intend to keep it right here in Brooklyn. It's going to be a fight. He [Cano] keeps saying it will be a war. He's motivated, and that I made big mistake. Listen, man, we can do wars. We can do boxing matches.??”I have done it all. I have 35 pro fights. I'll be 32 next month, and I have been in there with the best and fought some of the best, won some, lost some. Won two world titles as you know. There is nothing that I have not seen. So, be at war, a tactical match.?
“So, there is nothing new on Saturday night that I can expect to see that I haven't already seen and that I'm not prepared to deal with.?Come and bring it on Saturday night. It's funny, I was talking to somebody the other day, and they were like, you must be so excited, and I am like, it's crazy.??”Are you sleeping at night? It must be keeping you up at night. Usually I don't lose sleep over fights. I am calm, but, I do keep waking up, and I keep like waking up and I'm burning myself at night. These guns, they are smoking, and they are ready to go. Saturday night, we are pulling the trigger. Oh, yeah. Smoking. Smoking.”

Pablo Cesar Cano

“I'm very glad and motivated to be here in New York, and also to be part of this great card. To be participating in a card with such great champions and great fighters.
?”But I'm here because God put me on this road. Golden Boy gave me this opportunity. And I promise I'm not going to let it go. I want to thank the champion for giving me this opportunity. But I think he made big mistake because I'm ready. I'm prepared.??”And I'm going to be the next welterweight world champion.

Hassan N'Dam, WBO Middleweight World Champion??”To start, I speak here with my heart. I have dreamed of this. I thank you again. This is a dream. To go to United States to defend your belt.??”At the Barclays Center, many people don't know me in United States. It's an opportunity for them to know me because I want to be a King, a King of Middleweight, of this division.??”I do want you to see a show on Saturday night. I am a French showman.”?
?Peter Quillin, Undefeated Number One Rated WBO Middleweight Contender

“Thank you all so much. This is an historic event right here. This is an historic event and is something that everybody should be want to be part.??”I want to thank Hassan for giving me the opportunity to fight him. We are brothers in boxing. I don't look at him like I hate him because I don't know him. But I know when it's time to step in the ring, it's about business, and that's what I am [all about].?
“But, I am just very blessed. Like I said, I'm going to save the best for last, I want to thank God. I don't take anything for granted. I was sleeping on my boy's floor on the northeast side of Manhattan on his floor not knowing where I would be. If I would have questioned it, I would probably have doubts about today.??”But, I know that I have the skill to pay the bills. And come October 20, I will look you in the eye, Hassan, and you will see all the pain I will endure on you. ??”This is what it's about, about me working hard for this. I've been waiting for this opportunity, and I am glad I got it with you [to N'Dam], because I am going to show the world what I am all about.”

Devon Alexander, Former World Champion

“I'm here. This has been a long process, but I thank God for getting me here to another point in my career. I'm excited to be here to prove myself once again. I have a lot of doubters. I still have a lot to prove.
?”I am still going to prove myself by taking on Randall Bailey. You guys say that he's Knockout King Bailey, but Saturday night I will show you what I'm going to do to him.?
“I don't run from anybody. I will fight anybody. I'm a throwback fighter. And I'm ready to rock 'n' roll. I have been ready since September 8.

“I'm just like a cannon, shoot me out and I'm ready to blast.”

Randall Bailey, IBF Welterweight World Championship

“I've been getting a lot of phone calls, am I going to make it? Well I am here and it's going down on Saturday night. And you all forgot to mention one of the promoters of the show, Kevin Cunningham, he's been doing great job of promoting this show.??”So, I'm looking way too forward to Saturday night. It will be a great show. I plan on putting on a great show, along with all of the other fighters come Saturday night.”?

Danny Jacobs, Hot Middleweight Prospect

“Wow, a standing ovation. That means a lot to me.

“This moment wasn't promised, me standing before you. So to have an opportunity to perform Saturday night is a dream come true. As a professional, I never had the opportunity to fight in Brooklyn. So this is, this is my first fight back, so this is very special to me.??”We don't know what's going to happen Saturday night so thank you for believing in me and taking the chance.

“Brett [Yorkmark], thank you for your kind words. The friendship that we have had over the last two years has been — it means a lot to me, so I really thank you for sticking by my side.?
“Saturday night, Brooklyn is in the house! Do you understand? I'm a Brooklynite, so for me to be able to perform in front of these people means everything to me.

“I have a lot of pride saying that I come from Brooklyn. You know, and a lot of great Brooklyn fighters have never the opportunity to have an opportunity such as this.??”So, I'm very honored and humbled to be able to say I was a part of this first historic event. God is good. I want to thank for your support, and Saturday night you will see the return of Danny Jacobs. Thank you very much and God bless.”

Eddie Gomez, Rising Junior Middleweight Star?
“Let me catch my breath. What can I say? I'm honored to be fighting on this card with all of these great champions. Once they open the doors, I am ready for the fight. I am excited. Come October 20, I want everybody to come out and support us.”?

Luis Collazo, Former World Champion

“I am not much of a talker, but if you're looking for a fight, I'll give you one.

“Thanks for my trainers. As a fighter, there are many ups and downs, but you keep moving forward and it helps to have a great team to keep me focused.

“This is a great opportunity. And I will represent Brooklyn until the day that I die.”

?Dmitry Salita, Former World Title Contender

“I want to thank God for giving me the opportunity to be on this great show. It's a great honor to be on this card. I look forward to putting on a great performance.

“I know that I have to look impressive. I have to look great to put myself in title contention. And can that's what I plan to do on Saturday night.??”I also want to say that three fighters on the show, myself, Luis Collazo and Danny Jacobs are from the City Boxing Club. And, and boxing people from New York City, Jimmy O. passed a year and a half ago, so you know, his memory lives on. I will also represent them on Saturday night.”

Boyd Melson, Rising Junior Middleweight Prospect

“Most importantly, this is an incredible chance for me in boxing. I am wearing this band (on his left wrist) to remind me of why I'm here – to donate my winnings to a clinical trial to cure spinal cord injuries.

“I am hoping that I can unite my boxing career with my 'Team Fight to Walk' efforts for this cause. We have already raised $100,000 but we have lofty goals that keep me motivated and strong.”

*Oscar De La Hoya announces he will match Boyd's purse and make a personal donation to “Team Fight to Walk.”

Oscar De La Hoya, President, Golden Boy Promotions

“There is a buzz in the air with Golden Boy, Showtime and Barclays bringing championship boxing back to Brooklyn. People are talking about this event all over New York and we are excited to be a part of it. Making history Saturday night, four world title fights, championship boxing back in Brooklyn. You really don't want to miss it.

“We are proud to be putting this event on regular Showtime rather than pay-per-view.

“It could have easily have been on pay-per-view because of the magnitude of this event?
“Thank you very much to the Barclays Center, and thank you very much to all the champions who are here.

“Tomorrow we do have the weigh-in taking place at the Barclays Center. It's open to the public, so come down, meet the fighters, watch them weigh in.

“I will be there signing autographs, taking pictures and we're looking forward to all the fans coming down there Friday at 1:00 p.m.”

Brett Yormark, CEO Barclays Center

“Four title fights, which is unprecedented and extremely exciting for us. Our goal is to bringing boxing back to Brooklyn, to this area and make it strive. We want to make the Barclays Center your home.

“You know, that's been our goal from day one, and obviously, sitting to my right and left and behind me are great Brooklynites that have called Brooklyn home and are now, in some respect, fighting for the first time in front of their home crowd, so we're really excited about that.”

Melvina Latham, NYSAC Chairman

“Be still my heart. This is so exciting to have boxing back in Brooklyn. As the New York State Athletic Commission Chairman, I'm your welcoming committee and you are here. What else do I need to say?”

Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President and General Manager, SHOWTIME

“On October 20th, these young men will be making history. We at Showtime are very proud to be part it. As we all know by now this is the first boxing event at the Barclays Center.
“Which means these fighters, the fans in attendance, our TV viewers at home will be part of history. There is only one first. And this is it.??”On the card we have melting pot of ethnicities, personality, lifestyles. We have Puerto Rican fighters. We have Mexican fighters. We have an Italian American fighter, a Cuban American, a cancer survivor and an orthodox Jew. It's perfectly suited for this dynamic and ever changing borough and for this dynamic city.??”Showtime as a network has never televised four world title fights in its history. So, we're making history on our network as well. Showtime is televising more boxing programming and more high quality boxing than at any time in the history of the network.”

# # #

World championship boxing returns to Brooklyn with an inaugural night of fights at the new Barclays Center on October 20 headlined by Unified Super Lightweight World Champion Danny “Swift” Garcia against future Hall of Famer Erik “El Terrible” Morales presented by Golden Boy Promotions and supported by Golden Boy Promotions sponsors Corona, DeWalt Tools and AT&T. In the co-featured attractions, Brooklyn's own Paulie “Magic Man” Malignaggi puts his WBA Welterweight World Championship on the line against hard-hitting Pablo Cesar “El Demoledor” Cano, undefeated number one rated WBO middleweight contender Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin of Manhattan takes on unbeaten Hassan N'Dam for N'Dam's WBO Middleweight World Championship and Devon Alexander “The Great” faces Randall Bailey for Bailey's IBF Welterweight World Championship in a bout presented in association with DiBella Entertainment. The SHOWTIME® CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins live at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast). Preliminary fights will air live on SHOWTIME EXTREME® beginning at 7:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

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The Sweet Science

Argentina

Three Punch Combo: What’s in the Cards for Spence, Kell Brook, and Cotto?

Published

7 years ago

May 28, 2017

Matt Andrzejewski

THREE PUNCH COMBO: Errol Spence Jr. scored an impressive knockout victory against Kell Brook on Saturday to take Brook’s IBF welterweight title. Both fighters now face interesting possibilities as they move forward in their respective careers.

Spence, who entered the fight with a lot of questions, not only showcased his tremendous skills but proved he has a very good chin as well as the willingness to dig deep when needed. He is without a doubt a future superstar in this sport. With momentum strong right now, he would be wise to be as active as possible even if not landing one of the big names his next time out.

I sense that Spence’s advisor, Al Haymon, will in fact get him back in the ring this summer. One name I would speculate as an opponent is Adrian Granados. Coming off a debatable loss to Adrien Broner, Granados has earned another shot at a top fighter. Granados is not a big puncher, but will put forth a good effort. The translation here is that he is someone that can be sold to the public as an opponent for Spence while bigger names are lined up, and also someone against whom Spence can in all likelihood look impressive once again.

After a summer tilt, I would expect to see Spence back in action towards the end of the year in a more substantial fight. Keith Thurman will still be on the mend at this point, recovering from elbow surgery, so that fight is out until next year. But Haymon has plenty of other welterweights and one that I suspect he steers toward Spence will be Lamont Peterson. Peterson is a name and has a belt. He also has a stated desire to want one of the big names next along with the payday that it would command. With Thurman out, this would seem the likely immediate path for Spence as such a fight would draw plenty of attention and be easy to sell.

As for Brook, he is going to need an extensive rest before restarting his career. He suffered a beating as well as an eye injury in September against Gennady Golovkin and then suffered another beating as well as injuring his other eye against Spence. After a rest, expect to see a tune- up bout followed by a massive fight in the UK against Amir Khan. The Khan fight has always been big and one of the reasons it has not been made is that it could frankly be made anytime with it still being a very significant event. Considering where both fighters are presently in their respective careers, the timing seems right for it to happen sooner rather than later. They both get a big payday and the winner gets well positioned for another big payday in what is a loaded territory at welterweight and junior middleweight.

Errol Spence Jr. and Kell Brook gave us a great fight on Saturday. While their career paths will head in different directions, expect to see both involved in big events once again down the road.

Miguel Cotto’s Future

Miguel Cotto announced this week that he would be returning to the ring on August 26^th to face Japanese brawler Yoshihiro Kamegai for the vacant WBO junior middleweight championship. Cotto, who split from his promoter Roc Nation last week, will work with Golden Boy Promotions for this fight which will be televised by HBO.

This is an interesting development in the career of Cotto. Reportedly HBO had not been interested in televising the proposed Kamegai fight unless it received assurances from Cotto that it would lead to a bigger fight to be televised by the network. Also, Golden Boy’s involvement in the promotion signals that they could be involved in Cotto’s future. Obviously, this would mean the opponent for a big fight for Cotto would come from under the Golden Boy banner.

The obvious choice for Cotto’s big fight opponent is David Lemieux. Lemieux has been chasing a fight with Canelo Alvarez. However, with Alvarez deciding to go after Gennady Golovkin, Lemieux gets left on the outside looking in. In need of a big fight for Lemieux, Golden Boy saw an opportunity with Cotto having been previously negotiating the Kamegai fight with Roc Nation. A fight between Cotto and Lemieux makes sense for both as Cotto wants a name who isn’t a slick boxer and Lemieux wants a big fight with the payday it commands as well as the opportunity to put a signature win on his resume to bolster his future ambitions.

But I also think Golden Boy has another potential plan for Cotto. Golden Boy’s main cash cow, Canelo Alvarez, is in a high risk, high reward fight with Golovkin in September. There is no rematch clause if Alvarez wins and, of course, a win by Alvarez cements him as a mega star in the sport. He will be eyeing a return in May 2018 during Cinco de Mayo weekend. With momentum behind him, Alvarez would be wise to seek a name opponent to further boost the event. A rematch with Cotto would not only do huge business but keep the momentum going. For Cotto, it would be a chance to avenge the loss from 2015 to Alvarez and give him one massive payday as his career nears a conclusion.

Miguel Cotto is determined to close his career out with something big and it appears likely he will get his wish.

Kudos to Golden Boy

When Golden Boy announced its new series on ESPN this winter, I was cautiously optimistic in the fights they would produce. I must say that the matchmaking thus far on this series has been superb and is getting even better with some recently announced cards. These are the types of televised shows the sport needs to generate some badly needed positive buzz.

On June 17^th, Pablo Cesar Cano takes on Fidel Maldonado in a junior welterweight contest. This fight is not only very evenly matched but can’t be anything except a slugfest given the styles of the two fighters. Cano is a high pressure fighter who is willing to exchange to get his own punches home. Maldonado has the ability to box, but often gets drawn willingly into wars. In 2015, he had a back and forth shootout with Amir Iman in a fight that got some talk in fight of the year chatter. As a matter of fact, round three was probably round of the year that year. Maldonado has a tendency to fire back when he gets hit and with Cano’s style Maldonado is going to get hit a lot. This one is guaranteed action and a perfect fight for television.

About two weeks later, Golden Boy returns with another ESPN card featuring a high stakes junior featherweight contest between Randy Caballero and Oscar Negrete. Caballero is an undefeated former bantamweight belt holder and is a very skilled boxer puncher. Negrete, also undefeated, has shown much improvement inside the ring in his last few contests. The styles of these two should mix well to provide an entertaining fight. It is also evenly matched, and with so much at stake we should see the best of both men inside the ring.

One point I harp on a lot is the importance of good matchmaking, especially in televised fights. Golden Boy is doing an excellent job so far with their new ESPN series providing high quality, well-matched fights. The boxing public is taking notice and Golden Boy deserves much praise in delivering excellent events for the fans.

Check out more boxing news on video at The Boxing Channel.

IBF welterweight title

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Canada and USA

George Foreman Youth Center in Houston Hosts Amateur Event

Published

8 years ago

October 10, 2016

The Sweet Science

George Foreman Youth Center – -Starting with the ring of the bell on October 22nd, local area boxers will be fighting for a spot to represent the Gulf Coast Region at the USA Boxing National Championships & in International Travel.

Weight categories will include: Pee Wee 8-9, Bantam 10-11, Intermediate 12-13, Juniors 14-15, Youth 15-16, & Elite 18-40 in both Open and Novice divisions. Winners will represent the Gulf area at the 2016 USA Boxing Elite, Youth and Junior National Championships to be held in Kansas City Missouri December 4-10, 2016. This tournament is a sanctioned event through USA Boxing the National Governing Body of Amateur Boxing and is a feeder to National and Olympic recognition.

The George Foreman Youth and Community Center was founded 32 years ago in 1984 by Olympic Gold Medalist and 2-time heavy weight champion George Foreman. The GFYCC is dedicated to providing a safe and secure location for youth to participate in sports and after school activities.

“This year for the first time in Houston boxing history, we are developing an elite international youth boxing team,” said George Foreman, IV. “The team will be selected for the sole purpose of training and traveling to other countries to gain experience on an international platform and promote cultural diplomacy! Utilizing grant and donor funding this team will be representing the George Foreman Youth and Community Center and will be announced Saturday October 22, at the Gulf Region’s Boxing Championship. The team will be reviewed by my father, 1968 Olympic Gold Medalist and 2-Time Heavyweight Champion, George Foreman Sr. The first international trip for this new Houston team is scheduled for Jan. 2017.”

Doors open for the Gulf Gloves Championships on Saturday October 22nd at 11:00 am with announcements and the presentation of the colors by the United States Army Houston Recruiting Command Baytown Beaumont Company at 12:45 pm. The national anthem will be performed by the internationally acclaimed Houston Brass Quintet! Boxing will begin at 1:00 pm. Championship finals will begin at 1:00 pm on Sunday October 23rd.

Media open workouts for Houston amateur standout boxers will be held Wednesday October 19th at the George Foreman Youth and Community Center at 2202 Lone Oak Road Houston, Texas 77093 at 4:00 pm.

Confirmed attendees for interviews will be:

George Edward Foreman IV: Son of 2 Time Heavy Weight Champion, President of Foreman Public Relations

Marlen Esparza: 2012 Olympic Games Bronze Medalist, 2014 Amateur World Champion, 2006 & 2016 Amateur World Championships Bronze Medalist, Nine-Time USA Boxing National Champion.

Rocky Juarez: 2000 Olympic Games Silver Medalist, 1999 Amateur World Champion, WBC Silver Featherweight World Champion.

Raul Marquez: 1988 Amateur World Championships Bronze Medalist, 1992 Olympic Games Quarter-finalist, IBF Light Middleweight World Champion.

Frank Tate: 1984 Olympic Games Gold Medalist, IBF Middleweight World Champion, NABF Light Heavyweight Champion.

Juan “Baby Bull” Diaz: WBA Lightweight World Champion, WBO Lightweight World Champion, WBA Super-Lightweight World Champion, IBF Lightweight World Champion.

“Sweet” Reggie Johnson: WBA Middleweight World Champion, IBF Light Heavyweight World Champion.

In addition to many Houston area professional boxers and Gulf Boxing Association alumni. Event is sanctioned by USA Boxing – Gulf LBC: 16-25-14268

George Foreman Youth Center / Check out more boxing news and videos at The Boxing Channel.

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Press Releases

Michelle Corrales-Lewis Named New CEO of NV Boxing Hall of Fame

Published

8 years ago

October 5, 2016

Miguel Iturrate

LAS VEGAS, NV (October 5, 2016) – The Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame (NVBHOF) a non-profit charitable organization which donates to boxing-related causes, is happy to announce Michelle Corrales-Lewis as its new CEO/President. Respected boxing announcer, Rich Marotta, who founded the NVBHOF in 2012, steps down after devoting years of his life to get the organization off the ground.

With a number of boxing greats already inducted, which include world champion fighters, judges, coaches and promoters, the NVBHOF has rapidly established itself as prestigious group not only here in Las Vegas, but around the world. The NVBHOF has multiple fundraising events throughout the year, helping local boxing organizations fulfill their goals to keep boxing alive within the community.

“I took this organization as far as I could and I’m very comfortable where it is at today,” said Rich Marotta. “Michelle is on the scene in Las Vegas, has a myriad of contacts, both in business and with the boxing community, especially the fighters, and is more than ready to completely run the company. She is incredibly capable and has been an indefatigable agent for growth of the NVBHOF the past three years, taking on additional responsibilities each and every year. It brings me great pleasure to announce her as the new CEO of the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame.”

After serving as the NVBHOF Chief Operating Officer for many years, Michelle Corrales-Lewis, is thrilled at her new position within the organization.

“It’s an honor to be chosen as the new CEO of the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame,” said Michelle Corrales-Lewis, widow of former multiple world champion and 2013 NVBHOF inductee, Diego Corrales. “Rich Marotta did a fantastic job building the organization from ground up. His immense work ethic is a great example of how I plan to continue the vision he set forth. My goal is to find a home for the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame, one where fans from all around the world can visit on regular basis. The boxing community is filled with wonderful people that we will honor as inductees each year. I’m truly grateful for the wonderful opportunity that has been presented to me by my dear friend Rich Marotta.”

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