Press Releases
Shawn Porter-Julio Diaz II on Fox Sports 2, Sept. 12
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LAS VEGAS, NEV. (August 22, 2013) – It's boxing's biggest week, an opportunity for the stars of entertainment and sports to descend on Las Vegas for “THE” fight of 2013, the championship showdown between unbeaten icons Floyd “Money” Mayweather and Canelo Alvarez. However, before the world turns its eyes to the MGM Grand Garden Arena to watch these two warriors collide Saturday, Sept. 14, Mayweather Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions kick off festivities two days earlier, on Thursday, Sept. 12, with a special three-and-a-half hour, action-packed broadcast on FOX Sports 2 and FOX Deportes from MGM Grand Las Vegas' Premier Ballroom.
It's the rematch fight fans have demanded, as unbeaten Shawn “Showtime” Porter faces former World Champion Julio “The Kidd” Diaz in the 10-round welterweight bout as the main event of the tripleheader. The co-featured bout showcases Las Vegas up and comer Badou Jack as he takes on Mexico's Marco Antonio Periban and in the opener boxing's top prospects Julian “J-Rock” Williams faces Hugo “The Boss” Centeno Jr. in a 10-round junior middleweight clash.
Porter vs. Diaz II will take place on Thursday, September 12 at MGM Grand Las Vegas' Premier Ballroom located in the MGM Grand Conference Center on the third level. The event is presented by Mayweather Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona and O'Reilly Auto Parts. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. PT on fight night and the first bell rings at 6:00 p.m. PT. The FOX Sports 2/FOX Deportes broadcast airs live at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT.
Tickets priced at $100, $75, $50 and $25, not including applicable service charges and taxes are on sale now. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also will be available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com. Additionally, with the purchase of a ticket, fans will be given a reserved seat for the “THE ONE: Mayweather vs. Canelo” Official Weigh-In taking place Friday, September 13 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Fans will also receive a 10 percent discount on tickets for closed circuit viewing of the Mayweather vs. Canelo mega-event on Saturday, September 14.
“Two days before boxing's biggest night, this is the kind of event that will get things started off in the right way,” said Mayweather Promotions CEO Leonard Ellerbe. “There are exciting and evenly matched fights on this card that will give fans another opportunity to enjoy a great night of boxing while they anticipate the outcome of who “The One” will be in Mayweather vs. Canelo.”
“This is the perfect way to kick off the festivities for Mayweather vs. Canelo and I know all boxing fans will love this card,” said Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. “Shawn Porter vs. Julio Diaz is a rematch the fighters and the fans demanded and as good as their first fight was, I think this one will be even better. In addition, we've got Marco Antonio Periban facing Badou Jack in an important super middleweight bout with title implications and there will definitely be fireworks between two of the sport's top prospects, Hugo Centeno Jr. and Julian Williams.”
“Getting a full card of quality fights on FOX Sports 2 and FOX Deportes, tapping into the energy being created by the Mayweather vs. Canelo bout later in the week, is a strong offering,” said FOX Sports SVP Programming & Research Patrick Crakes. “We will continue to work with our partners at Golden Boy Promotions to put together packages for fight fans across the country.”
“When I was approached with this rematch, there was no question in my mind about taking it,” Porter said. “We had a great fight the first time, but this time around I want a knockout. I'm looking to make a statement on September 12 and I will.”
“I think I won the first fight and I'm not the only one who feels that way,” Diaz said. “But I give Porter credit for agreeing to this rematch so we can settle things. He's a good fighter, but on September 12, I'm going to prove that I'm better.”
“Marco Antonio Periban is one of the top super middleweights in the world, and I respect him for his accomplishments,” said Jack. “This is the big fight I've wanted though, and I won't let this opportunity pass me by because when I win, I'll be one step closer to becoming a world champion.”
“I believe I should be the super middleweight champion right now, but this is boxing,” Periban said. “So to get back to a title fight, I have to make sure I leave no doubts in my fights.” “Badou Jack is a good fighter with a bright future, but he's in my way and I have to remove him on September 12.”
“This is the kind of fight that boxing needs, two undefeated fighters putting it all on the line and having the confidence to back up their talent,” said Williams. “Centeno's a tough guy and I know he's going to bring it on September 12, but I have more tools than he does and more ways to win and he's going to find that out once we're in the ring.”
“I'm really excited about this fight and this event, because the world is going to be watching,” Centeno Jr. said. “We're both unbeaten and rising up the ladder, and this fight will prove who's going to keep going forward. I expect it to be me.”
On December 15, 2012, Akron, Ohio's Shawn “Showtime” Porter (21-0-1, 14 KO's) looked to add the name of former World Champion Julio Diaz (40-8-1, 29 KO's) to his list of accomplishments, but the veteran from Coachella had other plans and the two went to battle for 10 exciting rounds before a draw verdict was rendered. Since then, the 25-year-old Porter scored a dominant win over previously unbeaten Phil LoGreco and the 33-year-old Diaz gave Amir Khan all he could handle before losing a close decision, setting up the rematch the fighters and the fans wanted.
Coachella's Julio “The Kidd” Diaz (40-8-1, 29 KO's) may have initially made his mark in the lightweight division, where he won the IBF World Championship twice and defeated fighters like Javier Jauregui, Jesus Chavez and Ricky Quiles, but it appears that at welterweight, Diaz is even more dangerous. After a yearlong layoff, Diaz is winner of two fights by knockout with the only blemishes coming in controversial bouts against Amir Khan and Shawn Porter. Now, he looks to avenge his draw with Porter by defeating his unbeaten foe on September 12.
A 2008 Olympian for Gambia, Swedish-born Las Vegas resident Badou “The Ripper” Jack (15-0, 10 KO's) has become an international boxing sensation in recent years and the 29-year-old is just approaching his fighting prime. A pro since 2009, Jack scored a third round knockout over Michael Gbenga on the undercard of his promoter Floyd Mayweather's fight against Robert Guerrero. After his July 19 victory against Farah Ennis, “The Ripper” is looking for another quick finish on September 12.
Mexico City's Marco Antonio Periban (20-1, 13 KO's) looks to bounce back from his controversial majority decision loss to Sakio Bika in their June battle for the vacant WBC Super Middleweight Title by taking on undefeated young warrior Jack in a 10-round clash at 168 pounds. The 28-year-old Periban is a crowd-pleasing battler who can do it all in the ring.
Opening the night of fights will be a rare meeting of undefeated top junior middleweight talents is another proud graduate of Philadelphia boxing's School of Hard Knocks, 23-year-old Julian “J-Rock” Williams (13-0-1, 7 KO's). Having already faced a stellar level of competition thus far in his career, Williams stepped up even more in June when he faced former World Champion Joachim Alcine, dropping him three times en route to a unanimous decision victory. On September 12, he meets fellow unbeaten Hugo Centeno Jr.
Oxnard, California's Hugo Centeno Jr. (19-0, 10 KO's) has spent time making his name known among 154-rising stars, with the 22-year-old scoring a near shutout of fellow prospect KeAndrae Leatherwood in March. Now Centeno Jr. has the opportunity to make his record 20-0 when he faces Julian Williams on September 12.
# # #
“THE ONE: MAYWEATHER VS. CANELO,” a 12-round fight for Canelo's WBC, WBA and Ring Magazine Super Welterweight World Championships and Mayweather's WBA Super Welterweight Super World Championship taking place Saturday, Sept. 14 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, is promoted by Mayweather Promotions, Golden Boy Promotions and Canelo Promotions and sponsored by Corona, O'Reilly Auto Parts, AT&T, Valvoline, Mexico Tourism, Fred Loya Insurance and Nature Nutrition. In the 12-round co-featured attraction, WBC, WBA Super and Ring Magazine Super Lightweight World Champion Danny Garcia and thunderous puncher WBC Interim Super Lightweight World Champion Lucas Matthysse square off in a fight presented in association with Swift Promotions and Arano Box Promotions. Also, Ishe Smith vs. Carlos Molina square off in a 12-round battle for Smith's IBF Junior Middleweight World Title which is promoted in association with Warriors Boxing. The opening bout on SHOWTIME PPV features a 10-round welterweight showdown between Pablo Cesar Cano and Ashley Theophane. The mega-event will be produced and distributed live by SHOWTIME PPV® beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT. The event can be heard in Spanish using secondary audio programming (SAP).
Less than 24 hours after going on sale on June 25, the event was sold out, but six MGM Resorts properties will host live closed circuit telecasts of “THE ONE.” Properties showcasing the event include ARIA, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, The Mirage, Monte Carlo and New York-New York. General admission tickets for the closed circuit telecasts are priced at $100, not including handling fees, and are available for purchase at each individual property's box office outlets and also are available for purchase by phone with a major credit card at 866-799-7711. Closed circuit ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. Tickets also will be available through Ticketmaster by calling (800) 745-3000 or online at www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets for closed circuit viewing at MGM Grand, ARIA, Mandalay Bay, The Mirage, Monte Carlo and New York-New York are now on sale.
Argentina
Three Punch Combo: What’s in the Cards for Spence, Kell Brook, and Cotto?
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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 26th 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 17th, 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.
Canada and USA
George Foreman Youth Center in Houston Hosts Amateur Event
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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.
Press Releases
Michelle Corrales-Lewis Named New CEO of NV Boxing Hall of Fame
![Michelle Corrales-Lewis](https://tss.ib.tv/boxing/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/NevadaBoxingHallFameInductionCeremonyg24I26x-tTZl.jpg)
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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