According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, Manny Pacquiao is close to a deal to face Adrien Broner on January 19th in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao made the announcement Thursday during an appearance at a news conference in Manila for the non-profit International Sports Promotion Society, which named him an ambassador.

Pacquiao said he would be fighting Broner next, either on Jan. 12 or Jan. 19. The fight, which Pacquiao termed “90 percent” done, would likely take place in Las Vegas. However, a source with knowledge of the deal told ESPN the fight would be Jan. 19, not Jan. 12, though a fight likely wouldn’t be formalized until he settled his tax issues with the U.S. government.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, Adrien Broner turned down a lucrative offer from promoter Eddie Hearn and posted the possible deal on Twitter.

“I’m sorry Eddie Hearn you a good guy and all but you tried to give me a worst (sic) deal than Roc Nation offered me,” Broner wrote, adding #ThisS—IsOVA and #SlaveDeal.

Broner posted what he said was the one-year, $6.75 million offer sent to his camp by Hearn that read, “Further to our recent conversations, you may have seen our announcement last week for our new deal for 16 shows per year in the US. I would be very interested to offer Adrien a 3 fight promotional agreement.”

Terms of the deal called for Broner to fight in September for a purse of $2 million, followed by a second fight in March for $2.25 million, with the third fight in September 2019 for $2.5 million — higher than Broner’s previous best official purses.

“This will give AB security and also a concrete schedule to work from. 3 fights in 12 months! I will await your feedback and am here to answer any questions you have,” Hearn wrote.

“We’re definitely open to it and to hearing what he has to say, and me and my twin brother are willing to work something out if it makes sense,” Jermall Charlo said. “Of course, I want to hear what he has to say.”

By Bart Barry-

Saturday at Barclays Center overweight Ohio junior welterweight Adrien “About Billions” Broner lost a majority draw to Jessie “The Pride of Las Vegas” Vargas in a pair of unique six-round prizefights the men split, more or less, 6-6. Vargas brought a jab and proper technique, Broner supplied reflexes and a chin, and each man showed plenty of will. Neither man, though, willed himself to a convincing win in round 12, so a draw was just and just fine.

AB was in another excellent fight. That’s not all there is to it, not for this era’s sportsfan and not with a whole lot of blank page between here and column’s end, but that’s what’s important to this and any who should read this.

Broner grates on everyone – lest you think it’s an ethnic thing, look at Sam Watson’s uncharacteristically grim mug leaving the ring Saturday – and if such grating’s not exactly Broner’s appeal it is a sizable part of his staying power, and howsoever unjust it makes the universe, Broner does have staying power. Broner is a ham and a fraud. He’s been those things since we met him on HBO seven years ago, but by virtue of our still watching him seven years later, no matter how maniacal our hopedfor schadenfreude, he is a ham whose hamfattering overcomes its fraudulence in a reflexive way; the object of his hamming is retained visibility no matter how poorly he does at his dayjob. And check this: he’s a perfectly mediocre 6-3-1 (2 KOs) in the last 4 1/2 years and still attracting 13,000 Brooklynites to a catchweight match. He’s got something, in other words, tangible or otherwise, that makes him watchable, the genetic structure of which fully eludes men like Guillermo Rigondeaux and Erislandy Lara – men who follow the rules and bore our pants off.

The day Broner quits on his stool everything dissolves for him, and he absolutely gets this. So long as he gives us the pleasure of his atonement by ordeal every halfyear we inadvertently forgive his criminal acts and bottomless boorishness by paying him in the ratings currency that now rules the American realm. And before any fellow American takes his hindlegs to teeter on principle like a fatigued crossfitter at the stability ball, look around, look at our infatuation with branding, look at our President – in the world’s eyes AB isn’t nearly so much of a caricature as we content ourselves to think he is.

“Not my champion!”

You sure about that, bruh?

In this way Broner’s chin is his best asset; we may not relate to his buffoonery but when we allow our hypothetical selves to be him (and we should, too) we probably conclude like: I’d never wish to arouse so much disgust in so many strangers, but if by chance I did, I would hope I’d make it to the closing bell each time I got tested.

Perhaps by this model featherfisted Jessie Vargas was not the ideal inquisitor, no, but Mikey Garcia was, and Broner toed the line 12 times, then, too. Vargas, himself a mediocre 2-2-1 (1 KO) since 2014, transcended himself a goodish bit Saturday, and had he kept his jab pistoning he’d have won a decision lopsided. Instead he succumbed to who he is and will be: a 144-pound fighter who, on his best night, is equal to Adrien Broner. Every single round Saturday opened with a 10-second forecast of itself. If Vargas landed a jab, he won the round on any honest card. If he did not land an early jab, he made scoring the round the sort of subjective thing that invariably favors a ticketseller.

This was because Broner has no transition, defense to offense. Broner’s defense is a terrible mess concealed by a fabulous chin (which, were it found on an upstanding lad’s pink face, honestly, we’d attribute to incredible conditioning wrought by otherworldy discipline). Broner gets unsettled and imbalanced by other men’s punches so thoroughly he resorts to avoiding them by pocketing his gloves or throwing them overhead while he yanks himself backwards. There isn’t a contortionist the circus over who can throw from such a windup.

That Broner’s perennially overrated new trainer, Kevin Cunningham, installed no patches for this flaw in Broner’s operating system is likely the reason Broner, when asked to list Cunningham’s greatest effects, postfight, named only Cunningham’s giving Broner the chance to thank Broner’s old trainer for his graciousness. However uncouth Broner may be, he has a very high physical IQ – you cannot have his poor form and survive the opponents he’s survived without you read and understand other men’s bodies at least as well as they understand themselves – and Broner intuitively senses his technique is not improved and won’t be by an hysterical disciplinarian like Cunningham.

As an aside, how uncouth is Broner, truly? He appreciates another man’s graciousness, after all, and remains friendly with his former opponents, and holds Jim Gray in contempt.

A quick few words about that: Gray is now the only point of weakness on boxing’s best broadcast crew. Best by a noticeable margin. Al Bernstein has never not been better than Max Kellerman, and Paulie Malignaggi is three times better than an HBO threeway parlay of Jones-Ward-Hopkins, which brings us to Mauro Ranallo. He is hyperbolic at every turn, admittedly, but his heart is in the right place, he cares deeply about the language, and he makes his teammates look good. He is now better than Jim Lampley in the exact proportion Showtime boxing is better than HBO’s.

Bart Barry can be reached via Twitter @bartbarry

Follow all the action ringside from Barclays Center in Brooklyn as Adrien Broner takes on Jessie Vargas in a battle of former world champions.  In the co-feature, Jermall Charlo takes on Hugo Centeno, Jr. for the WBC Interim Middleweight title.  The action kicks off at 9 pm ET / 6 PM PT with Gervonta Davis taking on Jesus Cuellar for the WBA Super Featherweight championship.

NO BROWSER REFRESH NEEDED.  THE PAGE WILL UPDATE AUTOMATICALLY

Round 1: Vargas jabbing..Broner counters with the left..1-2.Jab from Vargas….Jab..

Round 2 Right from Vargas..Right..Right..Right to body and 2 jabs..Body

Round 3 Right from Vargas..Left from Broner..Trading body shots..Jab from Vargas,,2 body shots..Right from Broner..Left hook from Vargas..Sharp right from Broner..uppercut..Good exchange at the end of the round

Round 4 Right from Broner..Good right..Jab from Vargas..Right from Broner..Counter left..Good right from Vargas..Trading hard body shots..Body work from Vargas..Right from Broner..

Round 5 Left to body from Vargas..Chopping right from Broner on inside..Right from Vargas..another..Straight right from Broner..Counter left and right

Round 6 1-2 from Broner..2 lefts from Vargas..right..Counter right from Broner..Left to body..Left to head..Left from Vargas.Right from Broner..Left From Vargas..

Round 7 Right over the top from Vargas..Left..Counter left from Broner..Jab from Vargas..Right from Broner..

Round 8 Flush right from Vargas…1-2 from Broner..Good right..right..Left from Vargas..Left from Broner…Big left from Vargas..Body shot from Broner..

Round 9 Right from Broner..sraight right..Jab..Jab from Vargas..Hard left..Left to body from Broner..Right from Vargas..right and left..Right from Broner..another right./Hard uppercut..great toe to toe action

Round 10 Jab from Vargas…Body shot.Jab..Counter right..Good right from Broner..Straight right from Vargas..Right from Broner, and another

Round 11 Left and hard right from Vargas..Left..Vargas bleeding around the left eye…

Round 12 Left from Vargas..

115-113 BRONER; 114-114 TWICE —FIGHT IS A DRAW

Round 1 Left from centeno

Round 2 BIG RIGHT AND HUGE LEFT AND DOWN GOES CENTENO AND HE DOES NOT GET UP

Round 1 Jab from Cuellar..Body shot..Left to body from Davis..Straight left..Good counter left..Hard body shots..Cuellar backing up..hard right hook from Davis..Counter left to body

Round 2 Jab from Davis..Hard body shot..LEFT TI THE BODY AND DOWN GOES CUELLAR..Right to body..left to head..Sharp counter left..

Round 3 Hard right hook from Davis..Right to body..Quick jab..Uppercut..3 HARD PUNCHES..STRAIGHT LEFT TO BODY AND DOWN GOES CUELLAR..HUGE COMBINATION AND DOWN GOES CUELLAR…FIGHT OVER

Welterweight Main Event – 12 Rounds

Adrien Broner: 144

Jessie Vargas: 143 ¾

Referee: Charlie Fitch; Judges: Julie Lederman (N.Y.), Eric Marlinski (N.Y.), Kevin Morgan (N.Y.)

Interim WBC Middleweight World Title – 12 Rounds

Jermall Charlo: 160

Hugo Centeno, Jr.: 158 ½

Referee: Steve Willis; Judges: Don Ackerman (N.Y.), Carlos Ortiz, Jr. (N.Y.), Steve Weisfeld (N.J.)

WBA Super Featherweight World Championship

Gervonta Davis: 129

Jesus Cuellar: 129 ¼

Referee: Benjy Esteves; Judges: Glenn Feldman (Conn.), Waleska Roldan (N.Y.), Don Trella (Conn.)

FLASH QUOTES:

ADRIEN BRONER: “We had a helluva camp. It was the first time doing a full camp with Uncle Kev, which is what I call him. You know him as Coach Kevin Cunningham. It was very militant, but we got through it. It’s something that was always there [urgency]. You know, something had to be brought out of Adrien Broner and tomorrow night I will be victorious and I will put on a good show.”

JESSIE VARGAS: “All of the hard work is done. Now all I have to do is go out there and entertain my fans. I have a great team behind me that keeps me focused and helps me avoid any distractions or negativity.”

JERMALL CHARLO: “I was just frustrated at the moment [when the fight was postponed in March]. This time I’m having fun. Turn up Brooklyn!”

HUGO CENTENO JR.: “My last fight against Aleem gave me confidence and catapulted me back into the conversation of the best fighters in the division. My confidence is through the roof right now and I’m focused on the task at hand. I know the Charlo brothers like to play mind games but at the end of the day it’s me against Jermall.”

GERVONTA DAVIS: “I had a great camp and I’m focused. I’m a dangerous Tank. I’m ready. Moving my camp from Baltimore to Florida, there were no distractions. Just waking up boxing, and going to sleep boxing. I knew what I was going to do when I woke up in the morning. I’m ready.”

JESUS CUELLAR: “I feel very good. I had a great camp and I feel very sure of myself that I will become a world champion. We’ve done everything necessary in training camp to face Gervonta’s speed and power and I will show that on Saturday night.”

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For more information, visit www.SHO.com/Sports, and www.PremierBoxingChampions.com. Follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @AdrienBroner, @JVargasBoxing, @MayweatherPromo, @LouDiBella, @DiBellaEnt, @TGBPromotions, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing, www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions and www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment.PBC is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

BROOKLYN (April 19, 2018) – Fighters competing on Saturday’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING tripleheader, headlined by four-division champion Adrien Broner battling two-division champion Jessie Vargas, went face-to-face Thursday at a press conference in Brooklyn before they enter the ring this Saturday, April 21 at Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING™, in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

Live coverage on SHOWTIME begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and also features undefeated former world champion Jermall Charlo clashing with once-beaten Hugo Centeno, Jr. for the interim 160-pound world title and former champions Gervonta “Tank” Davis and Jesus Cuellar as they square off for the vacant WBA 130-pound Super World Championship.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Mayweather Promotions, DiBella Entertainment and TGB Promotions, start at $50 and can be purchased at ticketmaster.com, barclayscenter.com or by calling 800-745-3000. Tickets can also be purchased at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. Group discounts are available by calling 844-BKLYN-GP.

Also in attendance Thursday was popular local fighter and unbeaten contender Heather “The Heat” Hardy, who takes on Paola Torres in undercard action Saturday night.

Here is what the press conference participants had to say Thursday from Barclays Center in Brooklyn:

ADRIEN BRONER

“I’m just ready to fight. I’m not worried about Jessie. This is a very important fight for my career. I know that Jessie trained hard to beat me. This is a win that could take either of us to the next level. I’m ready to fight right now and get after it.

“When he stepped up and fought Tim Bradley and Manny Pacquiao, he lost. I’m a four-time world champion so I don’t want to hear anything about my losses. Jessie Vargas is not as good as those guys I lost to.

“I hope I get credit when I beat Jessie Vargas. I hope I get the credit I deserve. People want me to lose and go away, but guess what? I worked harder than ever for this fight. I’m not losing to Jessie Vargas. I’m a four-time world champion and soon to be five-time world champion this year.

“I’m still one of the best fighters of this era. When I’m done with my career, I will be one of the best to ever lace up a pair of boxing gloves. I just can’t wait to give everyone something to remember on Saturday.

“Being with Kevin Cunningham in camp changed a lot. It took a while to get used to it. This is the first camp I’ve done since I was kid with a new coach. There were no distractions down at camp. It was all work, no play.

“I’m on a different level than him. I’m going to prove it on Saturday. I don’t worry about any of the negativity that surrounds my name. I’m just ready to go put on a show.

“I’m taking over this year. It all starts with Jessie Vargas on Saturday night. I’m going to be myself, and put on a great show.”

JESSIE VARGAS

“Everything in training camp has gone fantastically. I can’t wait for this fight. This isn’t a game. I’m here to win and I plan to do that. This is going to be action.

“I’ve seen the mistakes Broner has made in the past. I have to come out and worry about my performance though. I’m versatile and I’ll do what I have to do. We’re both former world champions but at the end of the day there will only be one winner, and It’s going to be me.

“I think I have an advantage being the taller and stronger fighter. I’m a full grown welterweight. I’m ready for victory.

“We both bring experience and we’re both talented guys. We are definitely going to give the fans entertainment on Saturday night. I’m in a great part of my career because I haven’t received that much punishment. I’m a two-division world champion for a reason.

“My weight has been on point this camp. My nutritionist has done a great job and I’m going to be perfect on the scale tomorrow. My whole team has been perfect and it’s going to lead to the best Jessie Vargas you’ve ever seen on Saturday.

“Saturday night is going to be a great show. It’s a great card and then main event will be all fireworks. Come out and enjoy a great night of boxing and see me get the win.”

JERMALL CHARLO

“I’m looking to make a statement on Saturday night. I’ve been training hard since my last fight. I promised my fans something they’ll remember from this fight. You’ll have to wait and see.

“Once you step in front of me, it’s a fight. I put my life on the line each time. I’m just looking forward to even bigger things that are in front of me. I’m giving the fans something special to take home from my performance.

“I feel really good right now. It was another one of those camps that I was able to start early and get in the gym early. I can do whatever you need to do in the ring. I’m ready to make this fight all fireworks.

“I do a lot of good things in camp to make myself feel stronger. It was a little tough with the delay, but nothing that I couldn’t work through. I’m on weight right now this far out. I have a great team that’s helped me get there.

“I’m focused on what I have going on. Hugo thinks I’m overlooking him but that’s not happening at all. I want to take him out and make a statement that I’m ready for the big names in the division.

“We’re going to turn Brooklyn up. I want to really make a statement. No matter how I’m feeling throughout the fight, we’re going to make it rock.”

HUGO CENTENO JR.

“I feel like I’m being overlooked. I haven’t been able to make myself a household name by being on these platforms. Come April 21, I’m going to make my name known.

“The rib injury was tough to take at first. We were very close to the end, but once I resumed training, I was already in phenomenal condition. It took me to another level and now I’m in the best condition of my life.

“I feel perfect right now heading into this fight. We had great sparring in camp and I’m ready to step into the ring.

“Even just being in this position shows people that I’ve earned my way here. No one has handed me anything. This is one of the hardest divisions in the world and I’m here for a reason. This fight means the world to me. It’s been 20 years of hard work coming together Saturday.

“I know Charlo is coming to fight, and I’m definitely coming to fight. No matter what the strategy or style is, I’m going to be ready for whatever comes my way.

“I expect him to come out strong. We know he’s looking for a knockout. But I think if he doesn’t have the opportunity, it will come down to who is the smarter fighter.”

GERVONTA DAVIS

“Saturday night you can expect an action packed fight. I know Cuellar is going to come to fight. I’m definitely coming to fight. I’m ready to pick up where I left off, as a champion again.

“I had a lot of distractions last camp that led to me missing weight. From that day forward I was focused on getting back to a world title shot. I let people down when I lost the title on the scale, but now I’m more focused.

“It was great being in camp in Florida instead of back home in Baltimore. This way it’s only boxing that I’m worried about each day. I’m eating right and really just 100 percent focused on boxing. It was a great move and it’ll show on Saturday.

“I have the skills and the charisma to be at the top of the sport. I just need the right opponents, but I’m not going to rush it. I have to make smart decisions in this sport to get where I want. I want to continue to put on great performances.

“I believe this fight is going to put me back on the map as one of the youngest rising stars in boxing. I believe I have the skills to do that.

“I’ve been training so hard with Adrien in camp. We’ve been pushing each other and I just want to be able to look back at this fight and be able to say this was one of my best performances. I want to show that I have the skills and ability to take over the sport of boxing.”

JESUS CUELLAR

“I understand that Davis is a great opponent, but inside the ring, it will just be the two of us, going toe-to-toe. I know that it’s going to be a great fight.

“This is going to be all action. Expect to see a war with me raising my hand at the end of the night. I’m going to do whatever it takes.

“The plan is to go out there and win that belt. We’ve had great training and sparring to get us in this position. My coaches worked really hard to get me ready.

“This fight is very important for me. I want to become a two-division world champion and I have the chance I’ve waited for on Saturday night.

“I think I made the right decision to take some time away from boxing. Now I’m back stronger than ever. I feel great and everyone will see that on Saturday night.

“We have a game plan and we’re going to execute that. I’m going to be aggressive like I always am, but also show some new things that I’ve worked on.

“I’m ready to go 12 rounds if necessary, but If I have the opportunity early for a knockout, I’m going to take it. I’m here to give it my all and win this fight, that’s it.”

HEATHER HARDY

“There’s really nothing like fighting at home. As exciting as it was to be in the cage, this is like being in my backyard.

“This is always a dream to box at Barclays Center and there’s nothing like being here in front of my people. I hope that my opponent trained hard because I’m ready to brawl.

“I’m really excited to be back working on my boxing skills. I can’t wait to give my fans a great show. They know I always give it my all and leave it in the ring. I’m going to give my fans their money’s worth.”

LEONARD ELLERBE, CEO of Mayweather Promotions

“On Saturday night we have the biggest and baddest boxing card in the entire sport. It will be a great event right here in front of the passionate Brooklyn boxing fans.

“The main event has the four-division champion Broner taking on the two-division champion Vargas, in a fight that means a great deal to both fighters.

“Plus Jermall Charlo facing Hugo Centeno in a great middleweight fight to look to establish themselves as contenders in the star-studded middleweight class.

“The opener of our telecast will have a rising superstar in boxing in Gervonta Davis, battling former world champion Jesus Cuellar in an entertaining world title fight. This is what boxing is all about. It’s big time boxing here in Brooklyn.”

LOU DIBELLA, President of DiBella Entertainment

“This is a great fight card. That’s why tickets are selling. There are a lot of up-and-coming stars on this dais. It was put together to be great televised boxing, and that’s why we’ll have a full room on Saturday.

“Barclays Center truly is the home of big-time boxing. This is the venue with the most dedication to a regular boxing program and you see that with the great fights coming here month after month.

“This card is stacked from top to bottom. The off-television undercard is sensational and features a load of undefeated talent. Heather Hardy will make her return after two consecutive matches in the cage to step back into the ring on this show. We’re here to offer fans the best we can all night long.

“The first televised bout of the night has Gervonta Davis, one of the rising young stars of the sport, going for his second world title. He’s fighting a former world champion in Jesus Cuellar, who’s an accomplished guy in his own right. Gervonta has his hands full, but he’s going to have a lot of fans up from Maryland supporting him Saturday.

“There’s a lot of action and controversy in the middleweight division. Jermall Charlo might be the hardest puncher in that division. Him and his brother might be the most accomplished twins in the history of boxing already. He’s got a tough matchup because Hugo Centeno Jr. is also a terrific young fighter with power and great boxing ability. He has star potential if he can overcome this obstacle against Charlo.

“Adrien Broner is a terrifically skilled boxer, who has star power and brings a lot of attention. You don’t have to be loved by everybody, you have to have people want to see you. A lot of people want to see Adrien Broner. They’re going to see him in a tough fight on Saturday night. Jessie Vargas is already a two-time world champion, who’s had a terrific career and will arguably be the bigger and stronger guy on Saturday. Adrien knows that everything is on the line on Saturday night.”

STEPHEN ESPINOZA, President Sports & Events Programming, Showtime Networks, Inc.

“SHOWTIME Boxing is in the midst of an unprecedented run. It has been meaningful fight after meaningful fight.

“Back in January we made an unprecedented announcement of 11 events this first part of the year. I’m not sure any network has done that many events this year.

“Barclays Center, like SHOWTIME, has become home to the most meaningful fights in the sport. This isn’t happening by accident. This is an intentional strategy. It’s a plan to promote and elevate the sport and its’ fighters to heights we haven’t seen before. We’ve put real effort into elevating this sport.

“Saturday’s stacked card has three must-see matchups. These are star fighters versus star battles. There are no ‘no-names’ in this. All six fighters here have headlined fights. These fights are as good as any card that I can remember.”

BRETT YORMARK, CEO of Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment

“I’m excited about Saturday night’s fights. It’s packed from top to bottom and should be a great night of BROOKLYN BOXING. It’s a great tripleheader and in many respects this defines Brooklyn boxing. Evenly matched fights, the biggest stars in the sport, some established and some on the rise. You have a bit of everything this weekend

“We are so thrilled to have Heather Hardy back at Barclays Center on Saturday after a few fights in MMA. She’s a boxer and we can’t wait to have her here this weekend.

“A big thank you for everyone who has helped establish BROOKLYN BOXING and been partners with us here in Brooklyn. Everyone involved continues to elevate the sport and we’re looking forward to seeing you on Saturday night. Tickets are moving and this could be one of the biggest fights we’ve ever had at Barclays Center.”

# # #

For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports, www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @AdrienBroner, @MayweatherPromo, @LouDiBella, @TGBPromotions, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing, , www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions and www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment. PBC is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

LAS VEGAS (April 12, 2018) – Two-division world champion Jessie Vargas hosted a media workout in Las Vegas Thursday as he prepares for his main event showdown against four-division world champion Adrien Broner on Saturday, April 21 live on SHOWTIME from Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING.

The Premier Boxing Champions event will also feature unbeaten former champion Jermall Charlo and once-beaten Hugo Centeno Jr. squaring-off for the WBC Interim 160-pound title. The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT with former world champions Gervonta Davis and Jesus Cuellar battling for the WBA 130-pound Super Featherweight World Championship.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Mayweather Promotions, DiBella Entertainment and TGB Promotions, start at $50 and can be purchased at ticketmaster.com, barclayscenter.com or by calling 800-745-3000. Tickets can also be purchased at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. Group discounts are available by calling 844-BKLYN-GP.

The April 21 showdown against Broner will be Vargas’ second fight being guided by head trainer and former three-division world champion Mike “The Bodysnatcher” McCallum.

Vargas conducted the media workout from Mayweather Boxing Club as he prepares for the pivotal matchup against Broner. Here is what Vargas, McCallum and Mayweather Promotions CEO Leonard Ellerbe had to say Thursday:

JESSIE VARGAS

“Adrien Broner and I are entertaining fighters who come in and give it our all. This is a fight that will have a lot of fireworks.

“I brought in a nutritionist for camp who has done a great job informing me of some things that I’ve never done before in my career. I feel stronger and I’ve been finishing up this camp stronger than normal.

“If he comes to fight me on the inside then that’s going to feed right into my game plan. Bring it on. If he wants to come and fight, then we’ll pick him apart bit by bit. We’re ready for any type of fight. Once he feels my power, he’s going to back up and choose a better route.

“I’m going to switch it up. I’m here to give the fans entertainment. Some moments I’ll go after him and some moments I’ll be the counter-puncher. It’ll be based off what he brings to the ring and we’ll take it from there.

“If Broner feels that he’s going to perform better with coach Kevin Cunningham, then good for him. I want to face the best Adrien Broner. I don’t want any excuses after this. I’m looking forward to beating the best Broner possible on April 21.

“Adrien is fast and explosive, but we’re prepared for it. I have those same skills too. We’ve had great sparring including Devin Haney and Phil Lo Greco just to name a couple. These guys have been able to elevate my skills.

“I feel very fortunate that coach McCallum was able to take on the task of training me and I’m happy to be in my second fight with him. We feel like we’ve already accomplished so much in this relatively short amount of time we’ve been working together.

“Coach McCallum is a tremendous trainer who’s been able to teach me some different techniques. Obviously he’s known as ‘The Bodysnatcher’, so we’ve worked on body shots, but he also knew how to maintain his distance and he emphasizes the mental game. He tells me how he saw every situation during a fight.

“Throughout every round and every day coach is on top of me to make sure I’m feeling good and that my energy is at the right level. He tells me exactly what I need and it’s gotten me here and in the best shape of my career.

“This is a fight that should garner a lot of attention from boxing fans. They deserve a fight like this. It’s two guys coming in at the top of their game and only one of us can take this step forward in our career.

“I’m planning on having my hand-raised in victory. I’ve worked hard in camp so that I can go out there and prove to everyone that I’m a threat to any fighter out there.”

MIKE MCCALLUM, Vargas’ Trainer

“We picked up where we left off from Jessie’s last fight in December. He has all the tools he needs, I’m just here to make sure he knows how and when to use them in the ring.

“Everybody knows Broner is a good fighter. It’s going to be an exciting matchup because Jessie is in shape and ready to go.

“We’re ready to fight any kind of style that will beat Broner. We know we’re going to have to box, if he has to do it for 12 rounds, Jessie will be ready. Once they get in close, Jessie has a good punch too and that might surprise Broner.”

LEONARD ELLERBE, CEO of Mayweather Promotions

“This is the best card in the sport right now. The main event is a sensational bout. This is a 50-50 fight. Both guys need to win this. In Jessie’s case, this win will elevate him with the other elite welterweights that are out there.

“This is a huge fight. It’s a great fight for the fans and we’re very proud to be helping promote this event. It’s going to be a great night and thrilling main event.”

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For more information, visit www.SHO.com/Sports, and www.PremierBoxingChampions.com. Follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @AdrienBroner, @JVargasBoxing, @MayweatherPromo, @LouDiBella, @DiBellaEnt, @TGBPromotions, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing, www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotionsand www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment.PBC is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

WEST PALM BEACH, FL (April 11, 2018) – Four-division world champion Adrien Broner and unbeaten former champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis shared updates from their training camp in West Palm Beach, Florida as they prepare for their respective showdowns on Saturday, April 21 live on SHOWTIME from Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING.

The Premier Boxing Champions event is headlined by Adrien Broner battling former welterweight world champion Jessie Vargas in a 12-round bout. The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and features Davis meeting Jesus Cuellar as they square off for the WBA 130-pound Super Featherweight World Championship plus undefeated former world champion Jermall Charlo clashing with once-beaten Hugo Centeno Jr. for the interim 160-pound world title.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Mayweather Promotions, DiBella Entertainment and TGB Promotions, start at $50 and can be purchased at ticketmaster.com, barclayscenter.com or by calling 800-745-3000. Tickets can also be purchased at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. Group discounts are available by calling 844-BKLYN-GP.

Broner and Davis are sharing camp in West Palm Beach for the first time under the guidance of head trainer Kevin Cunningham, a former St. Louis police officer who has worked with former world champions Devon Alexander and Cory Spinks.

Here is what the fighters, plus coach Cunningham, had to say about camp, April 21 and more:

ADRIEN BRONER

On changing trainers…
“I felt like it was time to change. I hear people say, ‘You are expected to change but you don’t, that’s why you end up in the same spots over and over’. So, I have to change something to get a different result. That’s why I had to step outside of the box and go for it.

“I had to change things. I had to add to my repertoire because I’m getting all that I can do out of what I’m doing but I keep coming up short for these fights that I’m supposed to be winning. So, it was time for a change.

“Looking back at all of my defeats, the only real punishment that I’ve taken in this sport was against [Marcos] Maidana-I got a fractured jaw. In the Shawn Porter fight, he outwrestled me and in the Mikey [Garcia] fight, he just outworked me. So, it’s time to add to my team and that’s why I got coach Kevin Cunningham. He’s going to bring out the best of Adrien Broner.”

On why he chose Kevin Cunningham?
“I’ve known Coach Cunningham since my amateur days. We used to go up to St. Louis all the time and fight in his tournaments, on his shows. I have even fought for St. Louis in the Ringside Tournament. It was a great experience.

“I’ve known Coach Cunningham for a long time. He is the real deal He is not going to B.S. me. He’s going to keep me on my toes. I need that.

“There are coaches that change when their fighters get to certain levels. They still coach, but they don’t provide the structure the fighter needs. When I was fighting at 130, 135, Coach Mike [Stafford] will be at my door yelling ‘Get your butt up. We have to run. We have to train. Get up! Get up!’ But time went by and things changed.

“Coach Mike stopped being a coach and started being more of a friend. I needed him to keep being my coach. I need someone to keep me in line. Don’t get me wrong, he’ll always be like a father figure but when it comes to training and my career. I needed a change.”

On training camp…
“I’m very happy with this camp. It’s just what I needed. I’m catching up with sleep, eating well. The isolated training is really good. I love everything about this camp.

“Training in isolation is really good for me. I told everybody that they were not coming to Florida with me, that I will see them all after the fight and that if they really love me they will understand the situation and they will be cool with it.

“I actually did a camp with Coach Kevin before when Devon Alexander fought Timothy Bradley. And I’ve seen the way he is. We had our arguments and he cussed me out almost every day, but I was just missing the structure and that’s what I need.”

On how he felt after losing to Mikey Garcia…
“I was upset. At the end of the day, nobody fixes my problems but me. I can take care of everybody when they have a problem, but nobody fixes my problems. There are one or two people that are there for me but at the end of the day, I told myself I have to get my life and career together.”

Reflecting on his career…
“I started my career young. I won titles in four weight classes. I’ve accomplished a lot and there’s still more to come. I got a lot of fighting left to do.”

GERVONTA DAVIS

On why he decided to do training camp with Kevin Cunningham…
“I was actually going to go to Colorado to train, but Adrien invited me to come down here to West Palm Beach to check out the camp. He said I should come to Florida to train with him and Kevin. So I came down, I saw Kevin’s routine and I really liked it.

“There were a lot of distractions in Baltimore and I think they were a problem for me. I needed to straighten my head and focus on the things I have to work on. It was time to set my camp somewhere else.

“I needed a change after my last fight. I let myself down. I learned to be a different fighter, more responsible. I let others down, but think I let myself down more than anything.”

On becoming one of the youngest champions in boxing…
“I was one of the youngest world champions in boxing. It is not that I was not prepared for it. I was just so young and it happened so quickly. I had to adapt to it. Live up to the hype. It was hard.”

On his opponent, Jesus Cuellar…
“I’m not really into researching my opponents-or other fighters other than the ones that I like. I just train hard and fight who is in front of me. I know a little bit about him [Jesus Cuellar]. I know that he can hit, that he’s not going to back down and that he’s a tough opponent. I believe he’s my toughest opponent to date. On April 21, we will see if he is ready. I know for sure I will be.”

On life in training camp when not at the gym…
“We have a big house that the coach provided for us. We all live together-Adrien and I. We go swimming and to the movies. We just chill. We are being responsible. No South Beach, no clubbing. Just training hard.”

On his relationship with Adrien Broner…
“What people don’t know is that I’ve been around Adrien since I was younger. I looked up to him. When Adrien came on the scene, he was super sharp and fast. I remember him. He used to come to the amateur tournaments.

“Adrien is like a big brother to me. We are just like a little brother, big brother. We are very competitive. We do not say it but we always want to outdo each other. For example, I usually run faster than he does, but sometimes he beats me. Yesterday he ran so fast I could not catch him. So today, I took the lead and ran even faster. We push each other to our best.”

On his plans for the future…
“I want to win more belts. I want to become a big star in boxing. I am going to put my work in the gym, put on a great performance in the ring and get back on track to become a world champion again.

“Being a world champion again is just a step closer towards my goal: I want to be a pay-per-view star. I want to be able to fight on pay-per-view against the big fighters and do big numbers.”

KEVIN CUNNINGHAM

On his relationship with Adrien Broner…
“I’ve known Adrian Broner for a very long time. I think I’ve known him since he was like eight years old and 60 pounds. He’s always been an extremely talented fighter. When he was a kid he was one of the most talented kids. He has always had boatloads of talent.”

On Broner’s shortcomings as a fighter…
“I think sometimes, he could be a little more focused and have a little more discipline in a lot of the different things he’s doing. I think he’s trying to turn the corner and get things moving in the right direction.”

On what caused Broner to come up short in recent big fights at higher weights…
“There are several things that could cause him to lose focus and come up a little short in some of the major fights. Some of it is the focus but there needs to be a little more discipline in terms of the training aspect and more structure. I think that’s what we’re working on here.”

On what he can do to improve Broner’s game…
“I think coming over here with me, he’s finding a lot more structure in the training aspect. It’s a totally different training program that I have him doing. I think that he’s ready for some new leadership. He’s ready to be a little more disciplined in his profession and I think it’s going to show on the 21st.”

On why this time will be different…
“I’ve heard from him like everybody has, but this time Broner really has done everything possible to rectify the situations that needed to be straightened out to help him propel his career and get back moving in the right direction – and it’s not just his boxing career; it’s also as a person – his personal life – and I’m here to help him out with that. He’s really working hard to get it right this time.”

On his history and background as a trainer and how it applies here…
“I’m known to be a stern and disciplined trainer, coach, and teacher. I’ve got a military and police background, so I don’t play a lot of games. We’re serious and we’re about business. When Broner made the decision to come with me, I knew that he was ready to take his career seriously because he knows what it’s like being here with me. He has to be about business, he has to be serious, and he has to be focused and disciplined. He made the choice to have me take over his training and take the lead as his head trainer and that’s what he’s getting when he’s dealing with me.”

On how he and Broner came together…
“A couple of weeks after the Mikey Garcia fight, he called me and he told me he was thinking about making some changes and that he wanted me to consider being his guide and taking the lead as head trainer. He asked me what I thought about that and I said, ‘You know what you’re getting when you come to me and if you’re going to be serious and focused about this, I’ll give you all I’ve got.’ And he said, ‘I’m serious.’ We started training together before camp started and I just saw a different look in his eyes. Ever since camp started he’s been nothing but hard work, dedication, and focus.”

On if he had any fears about their partnership…
“I told him upfront what I expected and what we needed to do and how things had to go. I told him that if he wasn’t ready to adhere to what I’m expecting, he shouldn’t waste his time or mine. He has done everything I’ve asked of him. Everything and more. He’s going to show that he’s ready to get himself together. He’s going to show the world on April 21 that he’s rededicated himself, he’s ready to reclaim the thrown.”

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For more information, visit www.SHO.com/Sports, and www.PremierBoxingChampions.com. Follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @AdrienBroner, @JVargasBoxing, @MayweatherPromo, @LouDiBella, @DiBellaEnt, @TGBPromotions, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing, www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotionsand www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment.PBC is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

BROOKLYN (March 5, 2018) – Four-division champion Adrien Broner will battle former welterweight world champion Jessie Vargas in the 12-round main event of a SHOWTIME tripleheader on Saturday, April 21 in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions from Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING™.

Former champion Omar Figueroa suffered a shoulder injury in training that forced him to withdraw from his previously scheduled showdown against Broner.

Undefeated former world champion Jermall Charlo clashes with once-beaten Hugo Centeno, Jr. for the interim 160-pound world title in the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING co-feature. Also featured on the telecast, which begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT, are former champions Gervonta “Tank” Davis and Jesus Cuellar as they square off for the WBA 130-pound Super World Championship.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Mayweather Promotions, DiBella Entertainment and TGB Promotions, start at at $50, go on sale Wednesday, March 7 at 10 a.m. ET, and can be purchased at ticketmaster.com, barclayscenter.com or by calling 800-745-3000. Tickets can also be purchased at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center starting Thursday, March 8 at noon. Group discounts are available by calling 844-BKLYN-GP.

“The April 21 card features Adrien Broner, Jermall Charlo and Gervonta Davis – three of boxing’s “must-see” attractions – in highly competitive matchups against top contenders,” said Stephen Espinoza, President, Sports & Event Programming, Showtime Networks Inc. “Adrien Broner is once again proving that he’s willing to take on the toughest available opponent in consensus top-10 welterweight Jessie Vargas. Hugo Centeno Jr. represents another tough challenge for knockout artist Jermall Charlo as he continues his quest to become a two-division champion. Gervonta Davis vs. Jesus Cuellar is another great matchup, with two power-punchers facing off for the 130-pound world title.”

Broner (33-3, 24 KOs) is one of the most gifted boxers in the sport, having won world titles in four different weight classes by the age of 28. The Cincinnati, Ohio native has won championships at 130, 135, 140 and 147 pounds while facing top competition across the various divisions. In his last fight, Broner lost a unanimous decision to Mikey Garcia on July 29 at Barclays Center after previously defeating Adrian Granados earlier last year.

“I’m feeling really good and I’m excited that this is an even bigger fight than Figueroa,” said Broner. “I had to switch up some sparring partners but everything is going great in camp. We’re fighting at 144 pounds, so he’ll have a slight weight advantage, but it won’t matter. I’m going to be in great shape for this fight. Coach Kevin Cunningham is my head coach for this camp, but I did not fire Mike Stafford. I just added to my camp, because I needed the help. I know what I have to do at the end of the day to get back on top where I belong.”

Vargas (28-2, 10 KOs), a 28-year-old former welterweight champion who was born in Los Angeles and now lives in Las Vegas, is always up for a challenge. His only two losses have come in welterweight title matches against pound-for-pound greats. He lost a controversial fight to Timothy Bradley, Jr. and dropped a unanimous decision Manny Pacquiao in a world title defense. Vargas won the welterweight title with a TKO victory over Sadam Ali in 2016 prior to the Pacquiao fight. Vargas is coming off a unanimous decision victory over Aaron Herrera in December as he works toward another world title opportunity.

“This is a fight that should garner a lot of attention from boxing fans and they deserve a fight like this,” said Vargas. “We are two entertaining fighters who come in and give it their all. This is a fight that will have a lot of fireworks. I respect Broner and his skills, but he’s very beatable. The fight was presented to me and I didn’t think twice about taking it.. We as fighters and entertainers have to give the fans what they want. We had a fantastic fight on Saturday in Brooklyn and we’ll have another one in April. I will have my hand raised and let everyone know I’m still a danger to anyone I face.”

Charlo (26-0, 20 KOs) won his super welterweight title with a dominant knockout of Cornelius Bundrage in 2015 and eventually achieved the distinction of holding a world title in the same weight class (154 pounds) as his twin brother after Jermell won a title in 2016. After successfully defending his 154-pound title three times, Charlo of Houston, Texas, made the move to 160 pounds with the goal of becoming a d-division world champion. In his debut at 160-pounds, the 27-year-old scored a TKO victory over Jorge Sebastian Heiland at Barclays Center on July 29. Charlo vs. Centeno was originally scheduled for March 3 before being rescheduled due to a rib injury suffered by Centeno.

“I really love fighting in Brooklyn and at Barclays Center,” said Charlo. “The fans in Brooklyn always show me a lot of love. Since my last fight I’ve had a chance to work on my patience and work on improvements to my game. Before the injury to Centeno, I was having the best camp of my life. I’ve got the same feeling that I had before I won my first world title. I want to be a champion at 160 more than I did the first time at 154. Centeno is a tough fighter. He’ll be a hard test but he’s someone who isn’t at my level. I’m not taking anything away from him. But he’s just another fighter that’s in my way.”

The 26-year-old Centeno (26-1, 14 KOs) caught everyone’s attention when he scored a stunning knockout of Immanuwel Aleem in his last fight on Aug. 25. It was enough to springboard Centeno into middleweight title contention. Centeno of Oxnard, Calif., successfully rebounded from a tough TKO loss to Maiej Sulecki on June 18, 2016 with a victory over Ronald Montes before his match against Aleem. Centeno expects to be 100 percent healed and ready for the challenge by fight night.

“I’m excited for the opportunity,” said Centeno. “I was really devastated when we had to reschedule the fight, but I know I have to be 100 percent for this challenge. I think my last outing had a lot to do with me getting this fight. It helped to put me in this position. Charlo is a great fighter with a lot of talent. I feel like we have similar statures. It’s going to be an interesting fight. I think it’s going to come down to who is the smarter fighter that night and who has more left in the tank toward the end. This is a life-changing, career-changing fight for me that could lead to bigger and better things. I’m coming to win.”

Davis (19-0, 18 KOs) is a proof that dynamite can come in a 130-pound package. The 23-year-old, of Baltimore, fought three times last year and ended all of his fights by stoppage. He won the 130-pound world title with a TKO victory over Jose Pedraza in a star-making performance at Barclays Center on Jan. 14, 2017. He traveled to London for his first title defense and stopped Liam Walsh by TKO on his home turf to retain the title on May 21, and most recently scored a knockout victory over Francisco Fonseca on Aug. 26 on the Mayweather vs. McGregor PPV undercard. Davis look to recapture a title in the 130-pound division after failing to make weight prior to the Fonseca fight.

“I’m the most exciting and skilled fighter on television and in 2018 I plan to show it,” said Davis. “On April 21 I’ll be back in the ring, live on SHOWTIME. Jesus Cuellar is arguably my toughest opponent to date. He is rough and tough, but I’m looking forward to the challenge. I’m more than happy to be fighting at Barclays Center where I won my first world title. Brooklyn is very close to Baltimore, so all of my people will be there to witness me become a world champion again.”

Cuellar (28-2, 21 KOs) is seeking to win a world title in a second weight class when he takes on Davis. A native of Buenos Aires, Argentina, the 31-year-old Cuellar won a featherweight world title with a TKO victory against Vic Darchinyan on June 6, 2015. Six months later he made a successful defense by winning a unanimous decision against Jonathan Oquendo before losing the belt to Abner Mares by split decision on December 10, 2016.

“The time I’ve had off since the Mares fight has refreshed me for this new opportunity,” said Cuellar. “It took a lot out of my body to make 126 pounds for all of those years. Now I feel fresher and hungrier than ever before. I’ve been offered fights against lesser opponents in the last year but I’ve preferred to wait a little longer so that I can get a chance to fight the best. Gervonta Davis is one of the best in the world, so he’s the one I want to face and beat. Davis has never faced a fighter like me and he will see me at my very best on April 21.”

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For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports, www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @MikeyGarcia, @AdrienBroner, @MayweatherPromo, @LouDiBella, @TGBPromotions, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing, , www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions and www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment. PBC is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, four-division world champion Adrien Broner has been charged with sexual battery in Atlanta.

According to the jail records, the incident occurred on Monday, and Broner had been released on $2,000 bail by Tuesday afternoon after a morning court appearance.

Broner, 28, of Cincinnati, was accused of groping a woman at Lenox Square, an Atlanta shopping mall, according to TMZ Sports.

“We’re very concerned about the reported behavior and will continue to monitor the situation, as well as potential repercussions for his scheduled fight,” a Showtime spokesman told ESPN in a statement.

NEW YORK – January 24, 2018 – SHOWTIME Sports and Premier Boxing Champions have announced the television lineup for SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® for the first half of the year. Airing 10 live world-class boxing events – featuring 12 world champions and 12 world title fights – PBC and SHOWTIME are establishing an industry standard for a top-flight boxing season and a level of organization never before seen in the sport.

The schedule features more than two dozen elite fighters competing in boxing’s deepest and most talent-laden weight divisions and boasts the largest collection of stars in the sport today. The slate offers seven matchups of top-10 ranked fighters, four matchups of top-five ranked fighters, four top-10 pound-for-pound rated world champions and one world title unification bout.

Led by SHOWTIME and PBC, boxing experienced a renaissance in 2017 with established world champions Mikey Garcia, Keith Thurman, Danny Garcia, Deontay Wilder, Leo Santa Cruz and Anthony Joshua, alongside budding stars Gervonta Davis, Errol Spence Jr., Jermell and Jermall Charlo and David Benavidez. In 2018, all are taking center stage in the wake of the retirement by Floyd Mayweather, Wladimir Klitschko, Miguel Cotto and others.

“The stars have truly aligned, and SHOWTIME and PBC will once again set the pace for a landmark year in boxing,” said Stephen Espinoza, President, Sports & Event Programming, Showtime Networks Inc. “To continue with the positive momentum, our goal is to deliver the very best fights on a consistent basis to the broadest possible audience. This lineup delivers pivotal bouts with frequency and purpose – all free to our subscribers. SHOWTIME is far and away the No. 1 destination for boxing fans nationwide.”

The 27 fighters unveiled in this industry-leading lineup own 731 total wins, 106 world title victories and a staggering win percentage of .957. Fourteen of the fighters are undefeated and all but four have earned at least one world championship. Also included in this lineup are four of the consensus top-10 ranked welterweights, two of the consensus top-five ranked featherweights, and three of the consensus top-five fighters in the 154-pound division.

The full slate of boxing events airs live across all SHOWTIME platforms – television, mobile and the network’s internet streaming service.

In 2017, SHOWTIME Sports delivered the industry’s most significant and consistent schedule – 25 nights of live boxing featuring 33 world championship fights and more than 70 bouts in all. Once again, the brightest stars will face off as the network presents the most comprehensive and compelling schedule in boxing, shown below:

2018 SHOWTIME BOXING SCHEDULE
Presented by Premier Boxing Champions

Jan 20 SPENCE vs. PETERSON Brooklyn
IBF Welterweight World Championship
EASTER JR. vs. FORTUNA
IBF Lightweight World Championship

Feb 17 GARCIA vs. RIOS Las Vegas
WBC Welterweight Title Eliminator
BENAVIDEZ vs. GAVRIL II
WBC Super Middleweight World Championship

Mar 3 WILDER vs. ORTIZ Brooklyn
WBC Heavyweight World Championship

CHARLO vs. CENTENO JR.
WBC Interim Middleweight Championship

Mar 10 GARCIA vs. LIPINETS San Antonio
IBF Junior Welterweight World Championship
BARTHELEMY vs. RELIKH II
WBA Super Lightweight World Championship

April 7 LARA vs. HURD
154-Pound World Championship Unification

April 21 BRONER vs. FIGUEROA
WBC Super Lightweight Title Eliminator

GERVONTA DAVIS

May 19 KEITH THURMAN Brooklyn
WBA/WBC Welterweight World Championship

May 19 STEVENSON vs. JACK Canada
WBC Light Heavyweight World Championship

June 9 SANTA CRUZ vs. MARES II Los Angeles
WBA Featherweight World Championship
JERMELL CHARLO
WBC Super Welterweight World Championship

June 16 ERROL SPENCE JR. Dallas
IBF Welterweight World Championship

2018 Event By Event
Jan. 20: Spence vs. Peterson – Barclays Center in Brooklyn
One of boxing’s most highly regarded young champions, unbeaten IBF Welterweight World Champion Errol Spence Jr. (22-0, 19 KOs) kicked off the schedule with an eighth-round TKO of former two-division world champion and top-10 ranked welterweight Lamont Peterson (35-3-1, 17 KOs) in Spence first title defense. In the co-feature, undefeated IBF Lightweight World Champion Robert Easter Jr. (20-0, 14 KOs) won a close, split-decision victory over former world champion Javier Fortuna (33-1-1, 23 KOs) in an action-packed fight.

Feb. 17: Garcia vs. Rios – Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas
Two-division world champion Danny Garcia (33-1, 19 KOs) returns to the ring to begin his quest toward another welterweight world championship. Garcia’s long reigns at 140 and 147 pounds ended last March in a close decision loss to unified champion Keith Thurman. Now, Garcia will challenge tough former world champion Brandon Rios (34-3-1, 25 KOs), an all-action fighter who has fought the best in the sport. In the co-main event, boxing’s youngest world champion, 21-year-old David Benavidez (19-0, 17 KOs), will make his first title defense in a rematch against top contender Ronald Gavril (18-2, 14 KOs). The super middleweights fought a thrilling fight last September that ended in a controversial decision for Benavidez.

March 3: Wilder vs. Ortiz – From Barclays Center in Brooklyn
The revival of the heavyweight world championship division continues. America’s undefeated, No. 1 heavyweight, WBC World Champion Deontay Wilder (39-0, 38 KOs),will face fellow unbeaten challenger Luis Ortiz (28-0, 24 KOs) in an anticipated matchup of consensus top-5 ranked heavyweights. Wilder has held the coveted green belt since January 2015 and made six successful title defenses. Now, Wilder faces a highly skilled Cuban pugilist with big punching power in Ortiz. The co-main event will feature former super welterweight champion and top middleweight contender Jermall Charlo (26-0, 20 KOs) taking on once-beaten contender Hugo Centeno Jr. (26-1, 14 KOs)for the Interim WBC Middleweight World Championship.

March 10: Garcia vs. Lipinets – Freeman Coliseum in San Antonio
One of the top pound-for-pound fighters in boxing, Mikey Garcia (37-0, 30 KOs) will attempt to make history by capturing a world title in a fourth weight class. Standing in his way is unbeaten power-puncher and IBF Jr. Welterweight Champion Sergey Lipinets (13-0, 10 KOs), who is making his first title defense. Two 140-pound titles will be on the line as two-division champion Rances Barthelemy (26-0, 13 KOs)looks to become the first Cuban boxer to ever win world titles in three different weight classes when he faces Kirly Relikh (21-2, 9 KOs) in a rematch of their controversial May bout, this time for the vacant WBA Super Lightweight title.

April 7: Lara vs. Hurd – Location TBD
WBA World Champion Erislandy Lara (25-2-2, 14 KOs) and IBF World Champion Jarrett Hurd (21-0, 15 KOs) will meet to unify titles in a defining moment for the 154-pound division. In 2017, SHOWTIME televised eight matchups featuring all of the top-five ranked super welterweight champions and challengers in an unofficial tournament. This unification match will pit the technical wizardry of Cuba’s Lara against the strength and determination of Hurd.

April 21: Broner vs. Figueroa – From Barclays Center in Brooklyn
Four-division world champion Adrien Broner (33-3, 24 KOs) has established himself not only as one of the biggest draws in the sport, but as a fighter who is always willing to face the toughest competition. That will continue when he takes on undefeated former world champion Omar Figueroa (27-0-1, 19 KOs), an all-action brawler who never takes a step backward, as the former champions meet in a WBC Super Lightweight Final Eliminator. The co-main event will feature one of boxing’s brightest young stars in Gervonta Davis (19-0, 18 KOs) as the 23-year-old undefeated former champion looks to regain his title.

May 19: Thurman Defends Worlds Titles – From Barclays Center in Brooklyn
Keith Thurman is the only unified 147-pound world champion and the consensus No. 1-ranked fighter in boxing’s preeminent weight division. The undefeated Thurman(28-0, 22 KOs) has held the WBA title since 2015. He claimed the WBC belt with a decisive win over previously undefeated Danny Garcia last March in the most watched bout of the year, a presentation of SHOWTIME Boxing on CBS. Following an elbow injury that required surgery, Thurman will return to action against an opponent to be determined.

May 19: Stevenson vs. Jack – From Canada
WBC Light Heavyweight World Champion Adonis Stevenson (29-1, 24 KOs) has scored knockouts in six of his eight title defenses and will face perhaps his toughest challenge when he battles two-division champion Badou Jack (22-1-2, 13 KOs).Jack captured a 175-pound world title in his light heavyweight debut in August and relinquished the belt in order to immediately make this matchup of top-five ranked light heavyweights.

June 9: Santa Cruz vs. Mares II – From Los Angeles
After their 2015 title showdown brought the Staples Center crowd to its feet, WBA Featherweight Champion Leo Santa Cruz (34-1-1, 19 KOs) and three-division world champion Abner Mares (31-2-1, 15 KOs) will meet again in their shared hometown of Los Angeles. Santa Cruz, who also has held titles in three divisions for the past six years, remains one of the most prolific fighters in the sport today. Mares, a former world champion at bantamweight, super bantamweight and featherweight, aims to exact revenge after the close majority decision loss to Santa Cruz in 2015. This high-stakes matchup between consensus top-five ranked featherweights will give further clarity to a stacked division that includes Gary Russell Jr., Carl Frampton and Lee Selby. The consensus No. 1 fighter at 154 pounds, Jermell Charlo (30-0, 15 KOs) will defend his WBC Super Welterweight World Championship in the co-feature against an opponent to be determined.

June 16: Spence Defends Welterweight Title – From Dallas
Fresh off a dominating performance against a top-10 former welterweight champion, pound-for-pound great Errol Spence Jr. (23-0, 20 KOs) returns to his hometown of Dallas for the second defense of the IBF Welterweight World Championship.

About Showtime Networks Inc.
Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation, owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ and FLIX®, and also offers SHOWTIME ON DEMAND®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ ON DEMAND and FLIX ON DEMAND®, and the network’s authentication service SHOWTIME ANYTIME®. Showtime Digital Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of SNI, operates the stand-alone streaming service SHOWTIME®. SHOWTIME is currently available to subscribers via cable, DBS and telco providers, and as a stand-alone streaming service through Apple®, Roku®, Amazon, Google, Xbox One and Samsung. Consumers can also subscribe to SHOWTIME via Hulu, YouTube TV, Sling TV, DirecTV Now, Sony PlayStation® Vue and Amazon Channels. SNI also manages Smithsonian Networks™, a joint venture between SNI and the Smithsonian Institution, which offers Smithsonian Channel™, and offers Smithsonian Earth™ through SN Digital LLC. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV®. For more information, go to www.SHO.com

By Jimmy Tobin-

Saturday night, at Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn, New York, Mikey Garcia dealt Adrien “The Problem” Broner a wide and comprehensive 12-round defeat in a fight of little fire and scant revelation. Garcia is Broner’s fighting superior at any weight the two might conceivably meet at, a reality that speaks little to professionalism, however much Broner’s detractors might wish to see that flaw of his precipitate his undoing. No, Broner, on weight, clean shaven, and thus motivated anew (!), was found wanting (again) because he stepped up in class (again).

Since living too large for lightweight, where his imposing physicality acted as a force-multiplier for a handful of appreciable tricks, Broner has been anything but a problem. Like a ship in the swath of a lighthouse, Broner has spent years moving in and out of the spotlight, advancing on a course set for his own wreckage. Unfortunately for him, the response to his first defeat was so ecstatic that future ones will be fractionally satisfying.

If one does not go in for his antics, there is little that is particularly fetching about Broner, save for when he is matched appropriately: which is to say a few rungs below where his ego would prefer and even an hour or so earlier than a headliner hits the stage. But a fighter who makes for a few thrills, a nod, an appreciative smile or two, when matched against the mediocre; a fighter who loses conclusively against the best, who serves at best to confirm that his conquerors warrant consideration for if not membership in an elite fraternity—what title is ascribed to such fighters? Is “opponent” too harsh?

He is not yet an opponent, though his showing against Garcia smacked of a man who ranks preservation ahead of victory. Perhaps a forgivable order of concerns provided it be arranged under duress, such a change in priorities is hardly endearing when not prompted by pain (and whatever Garcia’s dominance, he appeared to hurt Broner not once). Speed, power, determination, Broner flashed all enough to remind us that there is a quality fighter under the patina of disorder and buffoonery that, more than anything he has done in the ring, have been his hallmarks. Outfitted with those glimpses of Broner’s best self, a commentary team equally concerned with preservation could encourage viewers to wonder what might happen if Broner were to next time or even the time after that, suddenly not be himself anymore. But at this point no one, not even his bandmates, can resuscitate such delusion. And why should they? Better to match Broner appropriately and drain what value from him you might. A stoppage of Broner? Why that still would mean something.

Is it any wonder then that Garcia agreed to fight him? Back but a year from a two-and-a-half year self-imposed retirement, a recently crowned lightweight titlist who, at least early in the promotion, made clear his plans to return to 135 pounds, why would Garcia accept the fight if not because he and his team recognized an easy mark? By fight time the odds may not have reflected the mismatch that was to unfold, but odds do not reflect competitiveness so much as promote gambling. Provided he did not get hit with something disastrous there was little chance Garcia would lose. Hit with something disastrous; wording the puncher’s chance in the would-be victim’s perspective does not alter whatsoever the message implied.

A counter-puncher by nature and craft, Garcia was able to eschew his trademark style and play the aggressor against Broner, figuring quite rightly that both the pace and Broner’s stiff switches between defense and attack would keep Garcia safe. If there was anything new learned Saturday night it was that Garcia is capable of initiating the action—a revelation that might shrink considerably the list of things he cannot accomplish in the ring—though the question of whether he could employ such a strategy against a more formidable opponent will linger until he finds one.

And should he find one, more vulnerability might come to bear. There was a tremor in Garcia’s resolve when Broner came for him late in the fight; typically unflappable, Garcia wavered, became hurried, a little too concerned with what damage might be accruing on his face. These were signs Broner intimated but could not fully exploit, but they showed Garcia vulnerable in ways his supporters might prefer to ignore for the moment. There is plenty of room for error in reading such behavior, of course, especially with the evidence Garcia has given to the contrary, but that behavior is there. Might he go to pieces should the right kind of fighter unnerve him? Perhaps, though there is likely only one fighter below welterweight with the skill and power to make Garcia consider again the lure of the badge.

His post fight comments, where Garcia expressed his desire to fight anyone willing and able to fight on Showtime were curious for the same reason that Adonis Stevenson’s talk of network/promotional allegiance was curious. Garcia understands the business, which bodes poorly for interest in his future. For the sake of that interest, one would hope the business allows ESPN fighters to fight on Showtime once or twice.

By Bart Barry–

Saturday in Brooklyn a junior welterweight special attraction broadcast by Showtime saw California’s Mikey Garcia decision Cincinnati’s Adrien Broner by three fair if fairly generous (to Broner) scorecards. There were no knockdowns, no kneetremblers and only a trickle of noseblood in 36-minutes of fistfighting.

It was an average fight, however much reporting so betrays the narrative.

Garcia, who has long been considered at least as good as he is and on occasion considerably better, decisioned convincingly a b-grade fighter and a-grade selfpromoter without once imperiling either man. It was, in other words, about the best fare for which one dares hope from PBC and its many broadcasting benefactors and affiliates and aliases. Now aficionados’re expected to attempt a contortion like: It was a great fight between two great fighters that lacked action because Garcia’s extraordinary class neutralized Broner till he was the sort of mediocre fighter who might get decisioned 8-4 or 9-3 in a championship match.

Afterwards Garcia’s brother and trainer said Mikey only looks basic when you watch him, 1-1-2 and 1-2 and 1-2-1-1, but in the ring, where we might assume none of us will spend time with Mikey, he’s altogether more complicated. Perhaps. But truly there’s nothing wrong with basic boxing – in fact in just about any confrontation any man is likely to have in any lifetime basic boxing beats the stripes off its myriad of alternatives. Even in prizefighting.

There was absolutely nothing wrong with Garcia’s performance Saturday. It was perfect for those who want to build Garcia as an undefeated attraction and for familiars who of course wishn’t see their brother or son elephantgunned, but it left a goodish amount to be desired by aficionados who watch for what entertainment spontaneity brings, which is different from watching to confirm one’s own expertise.

Broner never lacked offensive artistry and made himself famous in large part by being a large part bigger than his opponents; much of his early run happened via his ability to absorb others’ punches to deliver his own. It happened so fast, oftenly, and others’ punches so lacked effect, it was unapparent Broner traded evenly. Then Marcos Maidana, a slugger considered limited even by his fans then, exposed Broner in the fairest sense of the word and made 12,000 San Antonians euphoric in so doing. That win got Chino a chance at Floyd Mayweather that went so much better than expected Maidana got a second chance at Mayweather, but aficionados’ collective estimation of Broner improved little along the way. Maidana, after all, hit Floyd with sky hooks and sundry oddities, not clean lefthook leads – Broner’s defense against which was a stiffarmed thing he flashed in his other loss, to Shawn Porter.

Whether he extended his arms downwards, elbows locked knuckles ogling the canvas, or upwards, elbows locked knuckles saluting the ceiling, Broner did not have a fundamental sense of what to do when a likesized man charged him. Even the forearm shimmy Mayweather mentored him worked less well against a man of comparable strength. Broner ever suffered the imitator’s dilemma: He could passably ape an innovator like Floyd without understanding why. Where Floyd successfully improvised defensive adjustments, Adrien queried the database first what Floyd would do and when a nullset came back Adrien tried to improvise himself – which victoried his hands overhead or downed them pistonpopping.

Had he a classic sense of discipline Broner might’ve stayed at 135 pounds and enjoyed a historic run as a lightweight anyway but AB was about billions not selfrestraint which kept him in his best weightclass for merely a twofight.

Long forgotten in the Mikey remake is Garcia’s own struggles with discipline, specifically a 2013 featherweight title defense against cult hero Juanma Lopez that saw Mikey miss weight by 32 full ounces after comporting himself questionably enough against Orlando Salido five months before th’t aficionados who took him for boxing’s future in 2012 took a harder look. That harder look was only commencing when Garcia disappeared in a contractual conflict. Garcia’s comeback is but three fights along and in 37 prizefights Adrien Broner marked his sternest test; let us not hyperbole just yet.

There’s a frontrunner’s perfection about Garcia but nary an adjustment to be found. This makes him less entertaining than Terence Crawford, even while future comparisons of their reigns should prove apt. Crawford mightn’t have stopped Broner Saturday either but at least would’ve switched stances a halfdozen times between southpaw and orthodox. Garcia made no offensive adjustments and showed no creativity in the championship rounds because he was unsure his footing – whatever private desire he had to finish Broner stayed altogether private because after 30 minutes with Mikey’s fists Broner was not shaped half badly as expected.

Bullies and buffoons be expected to fold, but no matter Broner’s buffoonery the man does not fold. Ask anyone at Alamodome for Broner’s first loss: Aside from Richard Schaefer everyone in attendance was there to see Broner get jigsawed proper, so everyone in attendance was more than a bit tense after round 11. If this reads like a nostalgic sendoff for AB it shouldn’t; yes, there’s a wee bit of nostalgia one should give any man who courts others’ hatreds and does not bend, but no, Broner’s not going anywhere. Hell, PBC’s braintrust fully expected Broner to prevail Saturday because the company’s cultural cornerstone is a concert promoter, not a matchmaker.

Probably Broner’ll fight again before Garcia does, and probably Garcia’s next opponent won’t be anyone you want him to be. When 2018 begins Broner will remain about billions and Garcia will remain undefeated.

Bart Barry can be reached via Twitter @bartbarry

Follow all the action LIVE from Ringside at Barclays Center when Adrien Broner meets Mikey Garcia in a 140-lb showdown.  The action begins at 9 PM ET / 6 PM PT with a WBC Middleweight elimination bout between Jermall Charlo and Jorge Sebastian Heiland

THE PAGE WILL UPDATE AUTOMATICALLY..NO BROWSER REFRESH NEEDED

Round 1: Right from Broner..Left from Garcia…Right and left from Garcia..

Round 2:  Broner jabs..2 left hooks from Garcia..Right to body..

Round 3:  Left hook from Broner..Jab from Garcia..Harc counter left hook..Right..Hard combination on the ropes..

Round 4 Quick counter from Broner..Right,,Left to body and uppercut from Garcia,,,Left

Round 5: Left hook from Broner..left..Right from Garcia..Right..Jab from Broner…Right to body and straight right from Garcia (snaps Broner head back)

Round 6 Jab from Garcia,,Kab from Broner,,,Right to body from Garcia

Round 7 Right from Broner…Jab…Jab..Right and left from Garcia…Right from Broner,..Right to body from Garcia..Right..Flush right

Round 8 Good counter right from Broner…Right from Garcia,,Jab from Broner..Right from Garcia,,4 punch combination..

Round 9 Right and jab from Broner,,Counter right,Uppercut from Garcia..Body work and a right from Broner,,Good counter left hook

Round 10 Garcia jabbing..Jab from Broner,,Hard right to body from Garcia,,Right to body,,Body shot and right,,straight right..

Round 11 Body shot from Garcia,,counter right..right,,right to body..combination

Round 12 Lead right from Broner…Left from Garcia…straight right…Right from Broner…Blood dripping from nose of Garcia..Body combination from Broner..Good flurry at the end of round

117-111, 116-112 TWICE FOR MIKEY GARCIA 

Round 1 Jab from Charlo

Round 2 Hard right from Charlo..HARD RIGHT AND DOWN GOES HEILAND..Hard left and uppercut from Charlo…Big right..Right buckles Heiland..5 hard shots on the ropes

Round 3 Right from Charlo..uppercut..

Round 4 Doctor checking on Heiland before round starts…Left from Heiland..Right from Charlo..Hard uppercut..HUGE LEFT HOOK AND DOWN GOES HEILAND AND FIGHT IS OVER

BROOKLYN, NY — In the highly anticipated main event witnessed live by 12,084 fans at the Barclay’s Center, Mikey Garcia (37-0, 30KO) had no issues dealing with Adrien “The Problem” Broner (33-3, 24KO).  Apart from a first round that Broner may have won on jabs alone, it was the Oxnard, CA native, Garcia, who dictated and controlled the fight for the majority of the twelve round super lightweight bout.

Early and often the 29 year old former three-division world champion, Garcia, walked down Broner, waited until him to retreat into a defensive shell, then unleashed thumping body shots and straight rights that occasionally broke through Broner’s high-guard.  It was a scene that would play out time and time again over the course of the contest.

The Cincinnati native, Broner, who was previously unbeaten at 140lbs., found success in the fourth, snapping crisp jabs that would momentarily disrupt Garcia’s rhythm.  But like waves lapping on a shoreline, Garcia kept plodding forward, patiently waiting for openings in Broner’s guard before unloading.

Likely sensing he was behind on the scorecards, Broner began to show urgency in the ninth round.  The former four division world champ began became more aggressive, willing to meet Garcia, a super lightweight debutant, in the middle of the ring, and exchange blows with his Mexican-American counterpart.  Toward the end of the ninth, Broner hammered Garcia’s body before coming back upstairs shortly after, connecting with a clean left hook just as the round came to a close.

Again in the tenth Broner found success with the left, landing another clean uncontested hook to Garcia’s jaw that stopped the former three division champion in his tracks.  Garcia took the shot well, and Broner was unable to capitalize on any openings.

After stringing together two straight effective rounds, any momentum that Broner might have been building was quickly squashed by Garcia in the championship rounds.  The always-composed Garcia continued to walk down Broner, working behind his jab, and getting the better of the exchanges with Broner.

At the end of twelve, it went to the scorecards.  Judge Eric Marlinski scored it 117-111 and judges Don Ackerman and Steve Weisfeld saw it 116-112, all in favor for the still undefeated Garcia.

15rounds.com scored the bout 117-112, Garcia, with the first round being scored 10-10.

“This is definitely one of my best performances ever. I think I controlled the fight in the early rounds and I kept the activity up. [Broner] is a great fighter who has great skills,” Garcia said post-fight.  “I was the superior fighter tonight.

He continued, “We trained for 10 weeks, we had a great training camp and great sparring. We knew it was going to be a tough fight so we had to be in great shape.”

As to what weight class he’ll fight in in the future, Garcia said, “Maybe I’ll go down to 135, stay at 140 or go up to 147.”

Broner also spoke after the fight, congratulating Garcia on his win before talking about his previous career accomplishments.

“At the end of the day I’m still a four-time world champion at four different weight classes and I’ll still be in the history books.”

Charlo Blasts Past Heiland In Middleweight Debut

In his first fight at middleweight Jermall Charlo (26-0, 20KO) walked through Argentine southpaw Jorge Sebastian Heiland (29-5-2, 16KO) en route to a fourth round stoppage.  From the onset, Heiland’s legs looked stiff, his movements were jagged and robotic; and as a result, his punches lacked conviction.  It would later be revealed that Heiland was suffering from a left knee injury.  The veteran southpaw attempted to enter the ring with a taped left knee, but the brace was removed by the New York State Athletic Commission.

Charlo, fresh off a monumental 2016 where he outpointed Austin Trout and KO’d Julian Williams, started composed, feeling out his awkward opponent.  In the second, the Texan turned up the heat and caught Heiland with a short right that exploded on his chin and collapsed him to the canvas.  Heiland, whose signature win came in 2014 against Matthew Macklin, survived the round, but his inability to plant his left leg worried ringside physicians enough to examine his knee between rounds.

Once cleared, the gutsy Heiland continued on, but it was only to absorb punishment from the explosive Charlo.  In the fourth, after connecting with a flurry of punches, Charlo finished the debilitated Heiland off with a crisp left hook that sent the Argentine to the mat.  After initially beating referee Benjy Esteves’ 10 count, Heiland stumbled backwards and was help upright by the ropes.  Esteves stepped in at that moment and immediately stopped the contest at the 2:13 mark of round four.

“My coach told me to stay behind my job like I did; continue to work and it’s going to come,” Charlo said afterward.

“I’m ready, bring on the biggest names at 160… I’m the real Tommy Hearns… I feel like it’s my turn and I’m going to go get it,” he continued.

A disappointed Heiland also spoke afterward and addressed his injury.  “I turned my left knee in the first round, but I did not want to give up. I tried to give it my all, but it was not my night. I had bad luck but I am going to work harder than ever to get back and get another opportunity to achieve my dream and win a world title.”

It’s Miller Time; Big Baby Blasts Washington

Jarrell Miller (19-0-1, 17 KOs) remained undefeated by stopping former world title challenger Gerald Washington (18-2-1) after round seven of their scheduled ten round heavyweight clash

Miller came stalking and landing hard shots that had Washington on the defensive from the get-go.  In round four, Miller opened up and landed several bombs that drew “Ooohs and Ahhs from the crowd.  In round six, Washington mounted a furious rally where handed ten flush shots to the head and ample body of Miller.  Miller was able to gain his 2nd wind, as at the end of the round he landed some head snapping punches in the corner.

Miller continued to beat down Washington until the bout was stopped in the corner after round seven.

Adrien Broner 138 3/4 – Mikey Garcia 139 1/2

https://www.facebook.com/ShoBoxing/videos/10150947475984963/

By Norm Frauenheim-

Adrien Broner looks at Mikey Garcia and says he see no hints of his past. There’s nothing in Garcia that looks, or fights, or wins like Marcos Maidana, says Broner, who has been trying to resurrect his career ever since a 2013 loss to Maidana.

“He ain’t no effin Maidana,’’ Broner said Thursday at the final news conference before the Showtime telecast of the crossroads confrontation with Garcia Saturday night at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center. “He’s nowhere near Maidana.

No, he’s not. He’s better.

The real question is whether Broner (33-2, 24 KOs) is any better than he was against Maidana on that December night in a stunner at San Antonio’s Alamodome. He’ll have to be against Garcia (36-0, 30 KOs), who appears to have all Maidana’s power and is more fundamentally sound than the Argentine ever was.

If anything, the Maidana-Garcia comparison seems to have annoyed, if not rattled, Broner. It’s in his head and probably for good reason. Been there, done that and he definitely doesn’t want to have to endure it all over again. That’s just one compelling stake among many in the junior-welterweight bout (6 p.m. PT/9 p.m. ET). Beat Garcia, and Broner can finally declare that he’s back, all the way back.

“I don’t think that he’s going to be desperate, but he knows that I’m not an easy opponent,’’ Garcia said during his turn at the speaker’s dais Thursday. “That’s why he’s taken camp so seriously. I expect him to be at his best and be ready. He knows if he beats me he can launch his career back to where it was.’’

On paper at least, Broner appears to have a key advantage. Broner, who lost to Maidana at 147 pounds, is back at 140, a weight at which he has never lost. Still, there are some questions about whether he’ll make weight Friday. If he doesn’t, he pays a $500,000 fine, according to his contract. That’s plenty of motivation, he said.

“I ain’t giving nothing back,’’ Broner said last week during a conference call.

The guess here is that Broner won’t eat any cake before he steps on the scale. His birthday is Friday. He’ll be 28 at opening bell, presumably smarter and better prepared for the tactical savvy possessed by the favored Garcia.

“I’m going to lo look to box effectively and show that I’m the better fighter,’’ said Garcia, whose brother and trainer, Robert Garcia, was in Maidana’s corner. “We’re both smart fighters but neither of us will run from the other. When you have styles like ours, with two guys who like to exchange punches, you’re in for a great battle.

“I think Adrien will be fine with the weight. He’s a pro and he knows that he really has to make weight. He’s learned from his mistakes. Sometimes he jokes around but that’s just part of his character. He takes things a lot more seriously because he’s facing me.’’

Broner is facing somebody who hopes to enhance his pound-for-pound credentials. There’s talk about Garcia in a fight against Terence Crawford and/or Vasyl Lomachenko. Garcia, who has a lightweight belt, has doubts about both. There are differences in weight. Crawford, a 140-pound champion, appears headed for 147. Lomachenko is still at 130. More problematic, both are Top Rank fighters. Garcia left Top Rank in a divorce that kept him out of the ring for more than two years.

For now, Garcia appears more interested in a lightweight unification bout against the Jorge Linares-Luke Campbell winner on Sept. 23 at The Forum in Inglewood, Calif.

“I won’t let Adrien Broner stand in my way,’’ Garcia said. “This is my chance to show the best version of myself.”

A version that won’t look anything like Maidana.
Attachments area

BROOKLYN (July 27, 2017) – Four-division world champion Adrien Broner and three-division world champion Mikey Garcia went face-to-face Thursday at the final press conference two days before they headline a Premier Boxing Champions event Saturday, July 29 live on SHOWTIME from Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING®.

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT with unbeaten former world champion Jermall Charlo meeting top contender Jorge Sebastian Heiland in a middleweight world title eliminator.

Undercard action on “SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING Prelims” will stream live on Facebook and YouTube and will feature heavyweight contenders Gerald Washington and Jarrell Miller in a 10-round match, plus Irish sensation Katie Taylor in her U.S. debut.

Tickets to the event, which is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and DiBella Entertainment, start at $50 (not including applicable fees), are on sale now, and can be purchased at ticketmaster.com, barclayscenter.com or by calling 800-745-3000. Tickets can also be purchased at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. Group discounts are available by calling 844-BKLYN-GP.

Here is what the press conference participants had to say Thursday from Dream Hotel Downtown:

ADRIEN BRONER

“Just know that I’ll be ready on Saturday night. I’m not worried about how much he’ll weigh when we step into the ring. I’m ready for anything.

“Camp was tough, but it was great. I did a lot of things differently and made sure that I was doing everything right. I made sure not to cut any corners this camp.

“This is going to be a great fight for boxing. I’ve done my due diligence. I’m going to take care of business. I just know myself and know what I’m capable of.

“Every fight is a must-win in this sport. There’s no fight you go into with a loss on your mind. I’m going to put on a show on Saturday.

“I laugh when people write me off. I’m used to being the underdog coming from where I come from. People don’t know what I’ve been through to get to this point. I’m blessed to be where I’m at. Saturday night there will be a lot more room on the bandwagon.

“We’ll see who’s on the pound-for-pound list after Saturday night. We could have fought years ago but the time is now and I’m ready.

“I’m glad that the Garcia team took this fight as quickly as we did. I’ve been taking everything seriously in Colorado. I know Mikey will be ready too. Robert Garcia definitely has some confidence from beating me with Marcos Maidana. But Mikey is not Maidana.

“I just don’t feel like Mikey will be able to do anything to stop me from getting the victory. I’m sure he’s confident too. After I make it look easy, I want everyone to write about it and say something good.

“I can make anybody quit in the ring. Mikey is no different. If I execute and stay focused, don’t be surprised. I’m ready for this fight.

“Saturday is going to be a special day for me. My birthday is tomorrow. I’m almost 30. I want to dedicate this victory to my twin brother Andre. Seeing his smile will make it even more special for me.”

MIKEY GARCIA

“I’m prepared to go 12 hard rounds with Adrien Broner. This is a high profile fight. Probably more than my other fights. It’s created a lot of buzz amongst fans and media. Everyone is anticipating a great fight. This is a great matchup that can take me to the next level.

“I don’t think that he’s going to be desperate but he knows that I’m not an easy opponent. That’s why he’s taken camp so seriously. I expect him to be at his best and be ready. He knows that if he beats me he can launch his career back to where it was.

“He’s a four-division world champion so clearly he has the skills. I need someone who is hungry and motivated to bring out the best in me. My main focus is getting the win by any means necessary.

“I’m going to lo look to box effectively and show that I’m the better fighter. We’re both smart fighters but neither of us will run from the other. When you have styles like ourselves, with two guys who like to exchange punches, you’re in for a great battle.

“I think Adrien will be fine with the weight. He’s a pro and he knows that he really has to make weight. He’s learned from his mistakes. Sometimes he jokes around but that’s just part of his character. He takes things a lot more seriously because he’s facing me.

“If I can get this win, I just want to keep moving forward and fulfilling my dreams. I want to be in huge fights consistently. This is a crossroads fight for both of us to get to that level.

“I’m very excited to be here. Brooklyn was very kind to me when I fought here last year. I expect the fans to be here and show up like they always do on Saturday. There are incredible boxing fans in New York.

“I’m here to prove that I’m back and stronger than ever. This is another opportunity to show the kind of fighter that I am. I won’t let Adrien Broner stand in my way. This is my chance to show the best version of myself.”

JERMALL CHARLO

“I feel great and ready to make my debut at 160 pounds. Camp has gone smoothly. I’m ready to dominate this division like I did 154 pounds. My plan is to care of Heiland and then everything else will fall into line from there.

“This is a bigger, better and stronger version of Jermall Charlo. Everything has come together during camp. Ronnie Shields runs a great camp and I believe he’s continuing to bring the best out of me.

“I’m completely focused on this matchup. I know that I can’t get any of the big fights that I crave without taking care of Heiland. I’m going to break him down and if the knockout comes, I’ll make sure to take advantage.

“My hat is off to Adrien Broner and Mikey Garcia for bringing out all the fans and media for this great show. It’s a real thrill to be a part of this event.”

JORGE SEBASTIAN HEILAND

“I’m thankful to everyone who has welcomed me to New York. I’m happy to have this big opportunity and I’m 100 percent prepared for whatever Jermall Charlo brings. Jermall is a great fighter and I know that he is going to bring everything he has.

“I’ve had an amazing camp and I’ve never felt more prepared for an opportunity than this. I was very patient and I will take full advantage. My plan is to leave everything in the ring on Saturday.

“My team has been with me for a long time as I waited for this opportunity. Be ready because it’s going to be a battle and a great matchup on Saturday. You won’t want to miss it.”

GERALD WASHINGTON

“I came here to go to work. I’m going to shut that big mouth of his up. I hope someone is holding him accountable for all the words he’s been saying. You’re in there with a real one on Saturday night. I’m going to welcome you to this game for real.

“I’m sure he’ll try to bring some extra pressure. I’m going to introduce him to a new class of boxing. I’ve taken a lot from my experiences in training camp with Wladimir Klitschko and in the ring with Deontay Wilder. You’ll see the difference on Saturday.

“I’m still growing in this sport. I’ve been learning on the job this whole time and each experience just means so much to me. I wanted to take on a tough undefeated fighter because I knew that it would make it a great fight.

“This is most definitely ending inside of the distance. I’m coming after him. I’m going to wear him out. Then it’s time to take him out.”

JARRELL MILLER

“If you don’t know who “Big Baby” is, you soon will. I’ve never seen anyone get knocked out and get praised for it, but that’s what people are doing for Washington. I’ve never been hurt in my life in the ring and I’ll prove it on Saturday.

“This guy said he’s going to introduce me to big-time boxing. I’ve been in front of huge crowds and I’ve come through with knockout wins. I’ll be more than ready on Saturday night.

“I’ve got big plans in this sport and this is only the start. Brooklyn fans loved their hometown heavyweights Mike Tyson and Riddick Bowe. I’m going to be next in that line and this city will love me.”

KATIE TAYLOR

“It’s incredible to be here in New York and to make my US debut on this incredible card. It’s truly a privilege.

“Training has gone so well and I’m so happy that SHOWTIME will stream the fight. It’s incredible for my fans overseas and all fans of women’s boxing.

“I hope to make a strong statement this weekend and I hope everyone enjoys the fight on Saturday night.”

LOU DIBELLA, President of DiBella Entertainment

“A month from now there will be a huge event in Las Vegas, but two days from now there is the best fight card of the summer, the best fight of the summer, and a great show from top to bottom at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

“This is a great summer of boxing for SHOWTIME and it’s great to be in this room and see all the great attention that this fight card is getting. This is one of the best representations that we can have of our sport. This is one of the most stacked cards I’ve ever been involved with.

“There are a lot of good reasons to get a ticket and come to Barclays Center on Saturday night. There will be a strong Irish presence on the card Saturday with both Katie Taylor and Noel Murphy entering the ring.”

LEONARD ELLERBE, CEO of Mayweather Promotions

“This is definitely a must-see event on Saturday night. Two great fighters, fighting at the right time, both in the prime of their careers. It’s going to be a great show.

“One of the main reasons why boxing is going to the next level is because the people at the top have a vision of seeing great fights. We have another great example of that this Saturday night at Barclays Center

“Anytime you have a great event, it’s going to start with the undercard. We have a lot of young fighters looking to show off their skills. We’re thrilled to have our very own Richardson Hitchins and Kenny Robles competing in exciting undercard action.”

STEPHEN ESPINOZA, Executive VP & General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports

“Saturday is a testament to SHOWTIME’s commitment to boxing and boxing fans. We’ve worked hard to deliver the most important bouts from around the world. We have three separate telecasts, five fights, across two continents.

“We will also be streaming Katie Taylor’s U.S. debut. People know Katie from reputation alone, and we thought it was important to have her fight seen. The heavyweight fight between Gerald Washington and Jarrell Miller is another one that deserves to be seen and I think it could be the fight that steals the show.

“The main event has two of the brightest young stars in boxing. They both feel like they’ve been on this stage for a while. You know their resumes and you have to give them all of the credit in the world for taking this fight. Neither had to take this fight, but it will be one of the most exciting matchups of the summer.

“We have had 19 live presentations and 15 world title fights so far and we’re proud of what we’ve done accomplished so far. Boxing has had a great year and much of that has been carried by SHOWTIME boxing. That will continue this Saturday.”

BRETT YORMARK, CEO of Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment

“This card is our fourth major card this year. It’s been an incredible year for BROOKLYN BOXING. We’ve made a commitment to bring the best boxing to the borough. With all of our partners help, we have been able to accomplish that.

“We welcome both of these fighters back to Brooklyn. They’ve both built fan bases and we’re excited to see both of them back in the building and in the ring on Saturday.

“The whole night of boxing is going to be incredible. I welcome Jermall Charlo to Brooklyn, your brother had a great night in April and I’m sure you will follow in his footsteps.”

# # #

ABOUT BRONER vs. GARCIA
Adrien Broner vs. Mikey Garcia is a 12-round super lightweight showdown that headlines SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING Saturday, July 29 live on SHOWTIME. Broner vs. Garcia is presented by Premier Boxing Champions at Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING®. PBC is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina and this event is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and DiBella Entertainment.

For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports,www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @MikeyGarcia, @AdrienBroner, @MayweatherPromo, @LouDiBella, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing, , www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotionsand www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment

BROOKLYN (July 26, 2017) – Fighters competing on the Adrien Broner vs. Mikey Garcia undercard this Saturday, July 29 at Barclays Center held an open-to-the-public media workout Wednesday at Modell’s Sporting Goods in Brooklyn before they enter the ring this weekend.

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast is headlined by a showdown between four-division world champion Adrien Broner and three-division world champion Mikey Garcia. Participating in Wednesday’s workout and kicking off televised action at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT are unbeaten former champion Jermall Charlo and top contender Jorge Sebastian Heiland, who meet in a middleweight world title eliminator.

Tickets to the event, which is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and DiBella Entertainment, start at $50 (not including applicable fees), are on sale now, and can be purchased at ticketmaster.com, barclayscenter.com or by calling 800-745-3000. Tickets can also be purchased at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. Group discounts are available by calling 844-BKLYN-GP.

Also in attendance Wednesday and competing in “SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING Prelims” on Saturday are heavyweight contenders Gerald Washington and Jarrell Miller, plus Irish sensation Katie Taylor. These two fights will stream live on the SHOWTIME Boxing Facebook page and the SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel beginning at 7:15 p.m. ET/4:15 p.m. PT.

Rounding out the group of fighters participating in the workout Wednesday and competing in undercard action Saturday night are unbeaten prospects Noel Murphy from Ireland, 2016 Haitian Olympian Richardson Hitchins and heavyweight George Arias.

Here is what the fighters had to say Wednesday:

JERMALL CHARLO

“I know that Jorge is a come forward kind of fighter. He’s going to try to put a lot of pressure on me. It’s my debut at 160 pounds so I get a chance to go up against someone who’s never been knocked out before and who has knocked out known fighters. I’m preparing for the best of him.

“I want to continue to move up to the bigger names, like I’ve been doing. Hopefully my performance in this fight will get me more notice from those big names and get me those fights.

“This is a new Jermall Charlo who’s better, bigger, faster and stronger. It’s my job to show everyone that on Saturday night.

“There are a lot of big fights at 160 pounds for me. I paid my dues at 154 pounds. I stuck around there so that I could climb up the ranks. The timing is perfect.

“My job is to go in there and do what I know how to do. Hopefully I can corner one of those big names soon. I’m not running from anyone. I’m here to fight the best in the world.

“The weight naturally comes off during camp, but now that I don’t have to stress as much for it, it feels like the way it always should have been.

“Me and my brother both have been through adversity and our time is now. I want to be one of the best fighters in the world and my job is to take care of this step right here.

“I love being here in New York. This is one of those dreams come true moments. I’ve always wanted to fight in New York.”

JORGE SEBASTIAN HEILAND

“I am so thankful for this opportunity to be on such a big card. I’m really happy with how welcoming everyone in New York has been. I couldn’t be happier or more focused on this fight. This is a crucial fight for me and I can’t wait until Saturday.

“The key for Jermall will be his speed. He’s a fast boxer but he’s jumping up a division. I’ve been at this weight almost my whole career. I know he will be prepared, so I have to be too. Without a doubt, it will be a battle.

“I’ve tried different methods of training to improve my punching power and I think it’s worked. The training has given me more strength and power in my punches.”

JARRELL MILLER

“I can’t wait to get in the ring in my hometown. There’s going to be great energy and great excitement on Saturday. I’m in killer mode right now but inside I’m jumping for joy.

“Gerald Washington is a good opponent for me coming back from a layoff. Most people wouldn’t go right into a fight so challenging. I’m warrior-built. I’ve been doing this for a long time.

“My main thing is to go in there and knock him out. However the knockout comes, it comes. This is boxing so anything can happen in there. Deontay Wilder is different than me. I’m going to show that on Saturday.

“I hope that I can get a fight with Deontay Wilder after this one. If he’ll come to New York, then even better. I think my progression is ahead of where he was. We’re going to keep fighting, getting knockouts and eventually a world title fight.

GERALD WASHINGTON

“I had a great training camp. We put in all the work and pushed ourselves. I stepped out of my comfort zone for this one. We’re ready to rock.

“I did a training camp with Wladimir Klitschko, which was amazing. I learned so much from watching him train. The focus that he has and the dedication that he shows is inspiring. It was a great experience to be there and soak it all up.

“I’m just looking to keep focused on Saturday. I’m going to fight hard from bell to bell to get the win.

“Miller is a big tough guy. We expect that from him. We’re in his backyard so I know he’s going to come in 100 percent. We’re here to handle business. All I’m thinking about is Jarrell Miller and taking him out.”

KATIE TAYLOR

“We prepare for every fight like it’s a world title fight so I’m feeling fantastic heading into this one. It’s great to be on such a big card as well. I’m very excited for Saturday night.

“I’ve been based in Connecticut since my pro career started so I’ve settled in well and I’m feeling ready for the fight. It’s great to finally have an opportunity like this stateside.

“Since the fight was announced I’ve gotten a great reaction from the public. I think a lot of Irish people will be there for both me and Noel Murphy. It’s going to be a great crowd.

“I can be quite aggressive in the ring at times. I think my style is exciting. I’ve also been working on a few new things that I hope people will be impressed by as well. I’m looking forward to showcasing women’s boxing.

“Women’s boxing is on a high at the moment. There have been so many great pros recently and so many big fights being made. It’s only going to get bigger and bigger. I truly believe the best is yet to come for women’s boxing.”

NOEL MURPHY

“I had another great training camp and I’m in excellent shape heading into the fight. This is my third fight at Barclays Center and they just get bigger and bigger each time. I can’t wait to get another win.

“I try to be clever with my work, while also being aggressive. I want to throw a lot of punches. I also have the ability to box and not get hit. Anyone who is seeing me for the first time will see an exciting style and enjoy the fight.

“It’s an honor to be on this card with Katie Taylor. She’s probably the greatest Irish athlete ever. Male or female. She’s the reason women’s boxing is in the Olympics. She’s a star in Ireland and I’m thrilled to be on the same card as her.

“I’m very thankful to the fans who have supported me and I’m going to make sure they enjoy Saturday night.”

RICHARDSON HITCHINS

“I’m preparing to put on a show on Saturday night. I always prepare to be at my best and treat every fight like a title fight.

“It feels great to have the support of my promoter Floyd Mayweather. I just want him to live up to his word and I’ll live up to mine. I’ve always believed that I’m going to be a world champion one day, and he’s going to help me make it happen. I believe I’m going to be a special star in boxing.

“I’m trying to build experience and step up as I go. I’ll step up when my team is ready. Whenever it is, I’ll be ready to go.”

GEORGE ARIAS

“I’m a fan-friendly fighter. I like putting on pressure and punching non-stop. I can switch it up to movement and boxing if I have to. You can see my past fights are very entertaining.

“I’m really excited for Saturday night. Training was really tough, as it should be. We did everything you’d want to get ready. It should be harder than the fight and it was. I had to train hard for the intensity of my style.

“I’m preparing for my opponent to be ready and hit hard. You always want to prepare for the best opponent possible. I’ll be ready for him.

“Fighting at home is going to be really great. It will probably be the biggest crowd I’ve ever fought in front of and I’m looking forward to celebrating with them after I win.”

# # #

ABOUT BRONER vs. GARCIA
Adrien Broner vs. Mikey Garcia is a 12-round super lightweight showdown that headlines SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING Saturday, July 29 live on SHOWTIME. Broner vs. Garcia is presented by Premier Boxing Champions at Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING®. PBC is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina and this event is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and DiBella Entertainment.

NEW YORK (July 25, 2017) – SHOWTIME Sports will offer three separate boxing presentations on Saturday, July 29, delivering two digital live streams preceding the evening’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING televised doubleheader. The digital-only offerings will be available on Facebook Live and YouTube prior to the live SHOWTIME® telecast at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT, as the network continues its unrivaled commitment to boxing.

The full day of high-stakes boxing will begin at approximately 5:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. PT with streaming coverage from Belfast, Ireland as 2016 Fighter of the Year Carl Frampton makes his long-awaited homecoming. The former two-division titlist Frampton (23-1, 14 KOs) will face once-beaten Andres Gutierrez (35-1-1, 25 KOs) in a 12-round featherweight bout, his first since splitting a par of slugfests with three-division world titlist Leo Santa Cruz. Coverage of Frampton vs. Gutierrez will be provided by Channel 5, a television station in Northern Ireland.

SHOWTIME Sports will then deliver live coverage from Barclays Center in Brooklyn beginning at 7:15 p.m. ET/4:15 p.m. PT with “SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING Prelims”. The two-fight live stream will feature former world title challenger Gerald Washington (18-1-1, 12 KOs) against Brooklyn native Jarrell Miller (18-0-1, 16 KOs), plus the U.S. debut of female boxing star and Irish Olympic Gold Medalist Katie Taylor (5-0, 3 KOs). Hall of Famer Barry Tompkins will call the live streaming fights from Brooklyn alongside former world champion Daniel Jacobs.

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING Prelims and Frampton vs. Gutierrez will be available to U.S. audiences only.

The July 29 SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast is headlined by a blockbuster matchup between two of boxing’s biggest stars as three-division world champion Mikey Garcia moves up to 140 pounds to face four-division champion Adrien “The Problem” Broner. Televised coverage begins live on SHOWTIME at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT as unbeaten former world champion Jermall Charlo returns to face Jorge Sebastian Heiland in a middleweight world title eliminator. The event is presented by Premier Boxing Champions from Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING Prelims is an extension of SHOWTIME BOXING on SHOWTIME EXTREME, which is the first premium television series to offer live undercard coverage. Both offerings provide bonus bouts to viewers at home, delivering an experience that was previously available only to fans in arena. Via SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING Prelims, viewers are afforded the unique opportunity to interact with the boxing community during the event in real time.

SHOWTIME Sports also will live stream the Broner vs. Garcia final press conference on Thursday and the official weigh-in on Friday across digital platforms, including Facebook Live and YouTube.

About Showtime Networks Inc.
Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation, owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ and FLIX®, and also offers SHOWTIME ON DEMAND®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ ON DEMAND and FLIX ON DEMAND®, and the network’s authentication service SHOWTIME ANYTIME®. Showtime Digital Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of SNI, operates the stand-alone streaming service SHOWTIME®. SHOWTIME is currently available to subscribers via cable, DBS and telco providers, and as a stand-alone streaming service through Apple®, Roku®, Amazon, Google and Samsung. Consumers can also subscribe to SHOWTIME via Hulu, YouTube TV, Sling TV, Sony PlayStation® Vue and Amazon Channels. SNI also manages Smithsonian Networks™, a joint venture between SNI and the Smithsonian Institution, which offers Smithsonian Channel™, and offers Smithsonian Earth™ through SN Digital LLC. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV®. For more information, go to www.SHO.com

By Norm Frauenheim-

They’re promising a new and improved Adrien Broner on July 29 against Mikey Garcia, but Broner is promising what he has always promised.

“I’m coming to eff him up,’’ Broner said Thursday during a conference call for his intriguing 140-pound bout with Garcia at Brooklyn’s Barclays’ Center.

First, full disclosure: Broner didn’t really say eff. But you get the idea. Broner says he is older and wiser, but he’s as profane as ever in a business punctuated by punches and profanity.

“The hurt business,’’ says Broner, who repeated Mike Tyson’s apt summation of a brutal craft once known as The Sweet Science.

Not so sweet anymore, at least not for Broner, whose ups and down in and of the ring are an inseparable part of his story, perhaps his temperament and probably his motivation.

Maybe, he’s more mature, but there’s no doubt about the anger. Besides, you just wouldn’t know him without the F-bombs.

Any doubt about that was eliminated in the way he opened his segment of the conference call.

“At this point, eff the press,’’ he said. “They’re all against me. I’m ready to fight. …So, I’m ready to to get the eff off this call.’’

He didn’t, of course. Too effing much to say. Broner loves to talk. That said – and plenty was, Broner said he has worked to get beyond a long list of problems, including jail time. He has talked about leaving the “ghetto stuff” behind.

By that, he says he means to take “boxing more seriously.’’

Against Garcia, he’ll have to. Garcia, unbeaten and an emerging pound-for-pound contender in a talked-about fight with Vasyl Lomachenko, is the favorite.

According to some betting sites, odds favoring Garcia are as high as 7-1, despite a couple of key advantages that Broner holds in his capable hands.

He’s younger. Broner will celebrate his 28th birthday next Friday, the day before opening bell in Brooklyn. Twice beaten at 147 pounds, he’s unbeaten at 140. Garcia, a 29-year-old lightweight champion, has never been more than 138 pounds at a weigh-in.

The theory, however, is that Garcia has a more varied skill set. He has said he will outbox Broner.

“That’s a damn lie,’’ Broner said. “…He knows he’s not a better boxer than me.’’

Throughout the call, Garcia did most of the listening and some of the talking. He says he wants to fight the best possible Broner and all of the profanity seemed to say that he would.

“That’s exactly the Broner I want to hear,’’ said Garcia, who figures to hear a lot effing more next week.

BROOKLYN (July 20, 2017) – Former world champion Rau’shee Warren will return to the ring in a junior bantamweight world title eliminator against former 115-pound champion McJoe Arroyo as part of undercard action on Saturday, July 29 from Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING™.

The July 29 event is headlined by a super lightweight showdown between four-division world champion Adrien Broner and unbeaten three-division world champion Mikey Garcia, in a 12-round bout presented by Premier Boxing Champions. The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast will also feature unbeaten Jermall Charlo facing Argentina’s Jorge Sebastian Heiland plus highlights of the heavyweight matchup between former title challenger Gerald Washington and unbeaten Jarrell Miller.

Warren (14-2, 4 KOs) and Arroyo (17-1, 8 KOs) will meet in a 12-round battle to determine who will be the IBF’s mandatory challenger for the junior bantamweight belt currently held by Jerwin Ancajas.

“I’m hungry to get back in the ring and get myself back into world title contention with a win on July 29,” said Warren. “I know that I’m going to be a world champion again and that all starts with this fight. I’ve been working hard in the gym and getting comfortable at the smaller weight. I’m going to be ready to perform when fight night comes.”

“I’ve been training a long time for this matchup as we awaited the official fight date,” said Arroyo. “This is a good opportunity for me and I am going to be at my best to win this fight and get a world title opportunity. I know Warren is a good boxer, so I will be in great shape.”

Tickets to the event, which is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and DiBella Entertainment, are priced at $950, $750, $350, $300, $250, $150, $75, and $50 (not including applicable fees), are on sale now, and can be purchased at ticketmaster.com, barclayscenter.com or by calling 800-745-3000. Tickets can also be purchased at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. Group discounts are available by calling 844-BKLYN-GP.

“The fight taking place on July 29th between Adrien Broner and Mikey Garcia is already worth tuning in for,” said Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions. “Fight fans can expect pure entertainment all night, and the excitement leading up to the main event continues with the addition of the always exciting contender Rau’shee Warren vs. McJoe Arroyo who will meet in a title eliminator. Both fighters have a lot to prove and are extremely hungry, so it will be exciting to see who comes out on top come July 29th in front of thousands of fans at Barclays Center.”

“Both Rau’shee Warren and McJoe Arroyo are Olympians and former world champions. They are also all-action fighters,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “This is a can’t-miss fight that makes a great boxing card even better. Working with PBC and Mayweather Promotions, we have put together one of the best off-TV undercards in memory. SHOWTIME has a great card, but people should be flocking to Ticketmaster to join us at Barclays Center for a night of incredible action.”

A three-time Olympian, Warren competed for the U.S. in the 2004, 2008 and 2012 games before turning pro. The 30-year-old picked up victories over veterans Jose Luis Araiza, Javier Gallo, German Meraz and Jhon Alberto Molina leading up to his first world title shot in 2015. After dropping a controversial split-decision in their first fight, Warren defeated Juan Carlos Payano by majority decision in the rematch in June 2016 and became the first member of the 2012 U.S. Olympic team to win a world title. After dropping a split-decision to Zhanat Zhakiyanov in February, Warren will look to put himself right back in title contention against Arroyo.

A 2008 Olympian for his native Puerto Rico, Arroyo won bronze medals at the 2007 World Amateur Championships and the 2006 Central American Games. The 31-year-old was unbeaten in his first 17 professional bouts including a technical decision victory over Arthur Villanueva in 2015 that earned him a vacant super flyweight world title. After losing a decision to Ancajas last September, Arroyo seeks another world title fight and a rematch with Ancajas if he is able to defeat Warren on July 29.

# # #

ABOUT BRONER vs. GARCIA
Adrien Broner vs. Mikey Garcia is a 12-round super lightweight showdown that headlines SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING Saturday, July 29 live on SHOWTIME. Broner vs. Garcia is presented by Premier Boxing Champions at Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING®. PBC is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina and this event is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and DiBella Entertainment.

For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports,www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @MikeyGarcia, @AdrienBroner, @MayweatherPromo, @LouDiBella, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing, , www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotionsand www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment

Katie Taylor will make her US debut on Saturday July 29 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, on Sky Sports.

Irish amateur sensation Taylor has impressed since joining the professional ranks in November, winning all five of her fights to date with three inside the distance, and moved into line for a WBA World Lightweight title shot in her last outing in April when the Bray favourite stopped Nina Meinke at Wembley Stadium in London to collect the WBA Inter-Continental strap into the bargain.

Taylor fights over eight rounds on her bow on American soil, and the 31 year old is excited to be on the bill topped by the Super-Lightweight showdown between four-division World champion Adrien Broner and unbeaten three-division World Champion Mikey Garcia.

“I’m really excited about boxing in the US because I’ve been training in Connecticut for all my fights to date,” said Taylor. “It’s great now to actually have a fight over here and especially on such a big card.

“The Barclays Center is a fantastic arena. I was there to see the DeGale – Jack fight in January, that was a great fight and the Broner – Garcia fight is another terrific matchup so it’s brilliant to get the opportunity to be part of that event.

“It’s great to see two top fighters like Broner and Garcia willing to fight each other. That’s what boxing should be about, the best fighting the best and that’s really something I want to do throughout my career as well.

“The last time I fought in the US was almost 10 years ago when I was invited to take part in a demonstration bout at the Men’s World Championships in Chicago. It was part of the campaign to convince the IOC to include women’s boxing in the Olympics.

“I stopped my opponent inside a round that night but hopefully I’ll get the chance to get a few more rounds under my belt at The Barclays Center and showcase my ability to a new audience. I’m sure that there’s going to be lots of Irish fans in the crowd on July 26 and I can’t wait to hear them cheering me on.”

Promoter Eddie Hearn added: “I’m so pleased to see Katie make her American debut on such an outstanding card. I believe Katie is the most entertaining and dangerous fighter in women’s boxing and has already lit up many venues in her professional journey, most recently Wembley Stadium on the Joshua v Klitschko card in front of 90,000. She is one of the biggest stars in Ireland and we are expecting fantastic support from the Irish community on the east coast for her first US experience.”

LAS VEGAS (June 29, 2017) – Fast on the heels of an exhilarating slate of shows in June, Premier Boxing Champions roars into July with five shows that feature action-packed matches in some of the hottest divisions in boxing.

“July isn’t typically one of the busiest months for boxing, but Premier Boxing Champions is challenging that notion with a fully loaded schedule of big time matches during the month,” said Tim Smith, Vice President of Communications for Haymon Boxing. “Adrien Broner versus Mikey Garcia, Jermall Charlo making his debut at 160 pounds against Jorge Sebastian Heiland and the return of Victor Ortiz offers some intrigue to the run of shows during the month.”

Kicking off the slate of shows is an all-action card that features Omar Figueroa versus Robert Guerrero in a 147-pound clash of former champions; Marcus Browne taking on Seanie Monaghan in a battle of unbeaten light heavyweights and Artur Szpilka against Adam Kownacki in an all-Polish heavyweight showdown at NYCB LIVE at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on Long Island, New York on July 15 in primetime on FOX and FOX Deportes starting at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

On the same night and from the same location Jamal James takes on Jo Jo Dan in a 147-pound match and Brandon Figueroa meets Eliecer Aquino in a 118-pound match on FS1 and FOX Deportes beginning at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT from Long Island.

Three days later featherweight prospect Miguel Flores looks to bounce back from the first loss of his professional career when he meets former title challenger Chris Avalos in a 10-round, 126-pound match from Rapides Parish Coliseum in Alexandria, Louisiana on TOE-TO-TOE TUESDAYS on FS1 and BOXEO DE CAMPEONES on FOX Deportes on July 18 at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. In the co-feature a pair of 175-pound prospects clash when Ahmed Elbiali meets Leo Hall in a 10-round contest.

In what has all the earmarks of an instant classic, lightweight world champion and unbeaten three-division champion Mikey Garcia jumps up to 140-pounds to take on four-division champion Adrien Broner in a main event showdown presented by Premier Boxing Champions from Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York and live on SHOWTIME on Saturday, July 29. In the co-feature, former 154-pound champion Jermall Charlo meets Jorge Sebastian Heiland in a 12-round, 160-pound title elimination bout. Additional action will see highlights of former heavyweight title challenger Gerald Washington battling Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller in a 10-round heavyweight showdown.

The next night former 147-pound world champion Victor Ortiz returns to the ring to take on Saul Corral in a 10-round welterweight bout from Rabobank Theater in Bakersfield, California in a special Sunday edition of PBC on FS1 and FOX Deportes beginning at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on Sunday, July 30. In the co-feature, 154-pound contender Justin DeLoach clashes with Fernando Guerrero. Also on the card is 2016 Olympian Karlos Balderas in his second pro fight.

LOS ANGELES (June 20, 2017) – Four-division world champion Adrien Broner and three-division world champion Mikey Garcia completed a two-day media tour that took them from coast-to-coast and culminated with a Los Angeles press conference Tuesday to discuss their super lightweight showdown that headlines SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING Saturday, July 29 live on SHOWTIME. Broner vs. Garcia is presented by Premier Boxing Champions at Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING®.

Tickets to the event, which is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and DiBella Entertainment, are priced at $950, $750, $350, $300, $250, $150, $75, and $50 (not including applicable fees), are on sale now, and can be purchased at ticketmaster.com, barclayscenter.com or by calling 800-745-3000. Tickets can also be purchased at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. Group discounts are available by calling 844-BKLYN-GP.

The fighters spoke to media at the Conga Room in L.A. Live as they prepare for the 12-round matchup that serves as one of the summer’s premier fights. Here is what the participants had to say Tuesday:

ADRIEN BRONER

“I don’t shy away from fighting anyone. I will fight anyone they bring to the table. I said yes to this fight immediately and hung up.

“I’m going to do whatever I have to do to get the victory. Mikey Garcia says he has great power, but I would like to see what his opponents would do if I hit them. Give me all 36 of his opponents and give him all of my opponents, let’s see what our records would be.

“I broke my hand in my last fight but I’m feeling good right now. I’m going hard in sparring with some great, undefeated fighters. I’m full-focused heading into this fight. I’m going to get up for this fight and show that I’m still one of the best out here.

“I’m always going to be me. Right now I’m just focused on boxing and getting this victory on July 29.

“Mikey is a great fighter. I just feel like I’m on a different level. The best is fighting the best right here and it’s going to be explosive.

“I’m thankful. I’ve been through a lot of things in my 27 years of life. And I have another opportunity to show what I’m made of. I’m not missing weight on my birthday. You can bet on that. July 29 I’m going to be victorious.

“Anyone can get hit if you let them. Everyone Mikey has put down has been at 135-pounds and under. I’ve already been a champion there. After this fight I think he’s going to go back to where he belongs…in the lower weight classes.”

MIKEY GARCIA

“I’m very happy to be here and get back in the ring. This is the kind of fight that I deserve and the kind of fight that will please the fans.

“Everybody already knows what kind of fighter Adrien Broner is. He’s a champion for a reason, the skills and talent are there. I’m undefeated and you can’t deny my skills either. That’s going to make this a great fight.

“This is really two of the best fighters matching up against each other. This is what boxing is all about. That’s what I want to give the fans. I’m not taking on any easy opponents, I’m here to challenge and be in big fights.

“I want the fans to be able to appreciate the sport of boxing. These are the kind of fights that fans will remember for years. This could be the Fight of the Year. We’re very even when it comes to our accolades and achievements.

“When Adrien is at his best he’s a fantastic fighter. I’m always at my best. You can never doubt that. You’re going to see an incredible fight. I want to win this fight and open up bigger opportunities. Adrien knows it’s the same for him, that’s why he moved his camp to Colorado.

“This has all the ingredients of a great fight. On July 29 Barclays Center is going to be the place to be at. If you can’t make it, make sure you watch on SHOWTIME. Don’t miss it. People are going to be talking about it for years to come.”

MIKE STAFFORD, Broner’s Trainer

“Adrien has to use his speed to his advantage. We have to use our smarts in the ring and make sure we’re the bigger man. More power and more speed will get us to victory.

“Mikey tries to set traps and tries to counter with the hook or the right hand. We throw too many combinations for that. With Adrien being the bigger man, he has to use the quick jab and set up the right hand.

“Mikey is a slick boxer. He definitely has skills. That’s what we want. We never really liked fighting a brawler. I always train my guys to box. Styles make people seem different ways and I think this is the perfect style for Adrien.”

ROBERT GARCIA, Garcia’s Brother & Trainer

“We’re getting ready for the best Adrien Broner possible. We know he’s already out in Colorado for training camp because he knows it’s not an easy fight. This is do or die for him so he’s taking it seriously.

“When they brought up the name of Adrien Broner, it took no time for us to agree. This was an easy fight to make.

“Inside of the ring I think we’re going to see a great Adrien Broner. When Mikey beats him, I want Mikey to get the credit for beating a great fighter.”

LEONARD ELLERBE, CEO of Mayweather Promotions

“This is a tremendous matchup. Both of these guys have had outstanding careers so far. This is what our sport is all about, bringing two great champions together, fighting in the prime of their careers.

“On paper, this a 50-50 fight. I think both guys are fighting the best opponent they’ve seen in their career. Adrien is going to have to be on his A-game, and I expect him to be at his best for a guy with the talent of Mikey. But Adrien Broner is the real deal too. Not too many can deal with him at his best.

“If you look back at all the outstanding programs that SHOWTIME has brought to us and continues to bring to us, this is what boxing is all about. Champions fighting champions. The vision is to bring big-time boxing back with great events like this.”

STEPHEN ESPINOZA, Executive VP & GM, SHOWTIME Sports

“This is a special fight. You have two of the brightest young stars in boxing sharing the ring. A few years ago Adrien decided that he was going up to 147-pounds. He took one of Robert Garcia’s fighters, Marcos Maidana. They obviously had a great training camp because Marcos looked fantastic and it just wasn’t Adrien’s night. Most fighters would have packed it in after the first three or four rounds. That’s not what Adrien did though, he fought even harder. What I saw that night, was Adrien Broner’s heart. I will never doubt what Adrien Broner brings to the table.

“Mikey is in his own quiet way very similar. There are a lot of situations where fighters aren’t happy with a promoter. More often than not the fighter doesn’t stick to his principles. What Mikey did for two and a half years, shows you what kind of backbone he has. He knew what was right and what was wrong. Now, he’s in charge of his own career.

“I’m here today because I know this will be a good fight. I know that neither guy will back down, they’re both going to give it their all and they’re going to bring out the best in each other.”

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ABOUT BRONER vs. GARCIA
Adrien Broner vs. Mikey Garcia is a 12-round super lightweight showdown that headlines SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING Saturday, July 29 live on SHOWTIME. Broner vs. Garcia is presented by Premier Boxing Champions at Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING®.

For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports, www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @MikeyGarcia, @AdrienBroner, @MayweatherPromo, @LouDiBella, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing, , www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions and www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment PBC is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.