American Heavyweight World Champion Deontay Wilder hosted a media conference call to give his thoughts on Saturday’s heavyweight blockbuster between undefeated IBF Champion Anthony Joshua and long-reigning kingpin Wladimir Klitschko live on SHOWTIME® (4:15 p.m. ET/1:15 p.m. PT) from sold-out Wembley Stadium in London.

Wilder (38-0, 37 KOs), who won his WBC belt in January 2015 on SHOWTIME and has since made five defenses, will serve as an analyst for Sky Sports Box Office for Joshua vs. Klitschko.

The British sensation Joshua (18-0, 18 KOs) and Klitschko (64-4, 54 KOs) will unify the heavyweight division as they meet for Joshua’s IBF World Championship and the vacant WBA World Championship in front of record-setting 90,000 fans at Britain’s largest stadium.

Here is what Wilder had to say on the call on Monday:

DEONTAY WILDER:
“I love this fight for these guys. I love it for the sport of boxing. The fans seem to be well in-tune with it and I think this is a super fight for the heavyweight division.

“I can’t wait for it. I can’t wait to see what happens and hopefully those guys go in healthy and come out the same way. This is a very dangerous sport, especially when you’re trying to perform and put on a show.”

On what Wilder sees as vulnerabilities in Joshua…
“There’s a lot of flaws that Joshua has, but Joshua is still young in the game as well. A lot of people look at Joshua and they’re going off of his physique and they’re going off of the hype that their countryman has brought to them.

“If you really look deep down and soul search and look at his resume, with all of the guys he’s fought … that sometimes makes a person look busier than what he is. There’s a lot of flaws in all of us though, to be honest. Nobody will ever be perfect in the ring. We only try to be our best and that’s the only thing you should go off of.

“I am looking forward to this fight and I can’t wait. I want Klitschko to come in and fight. You can always be hyped for a big fight but it’s all going to boil down to what fighter is going to bring what to the fight. I think he’s ready and he’s going to show a lot of things. He’s going to teach Joshua a lot of different things in the ring, as well, and we’ll see if Joshua has any flaws or not.”

On potentially fighting the winner later this year…
“Hopefully. There are a lot of people that are involved in this. If it were just solely up to me then I’d be 1,000 percent confident, but it’s not just me. That’s what the fans want. I’ve been wanting to give the fans what they want my entire career. Unfortunately, I am one of those fighters that’s always getting the short end of the stick. I only can work with what I can work with.

“I am very confident that I am the best in this division. I am very confident that I will unify this division. I am very confident that I will retire on top, undefeated as well. I’m just waiting for my moment. I’ve been sitting patiently all of this time, even in the start of my career and I’m sitting patient now. I’m just looking forward to my turn.”

On why it’s important for him to be ringside in London…
“When you have guys that are competing against each other at the top, it’s only right for me to be there. I’m not just going out there to be on Sky Sports, I am for sure going there to scout. All the other heavyweights come to my fights. They’re not just there to be a fan. They’re there to scout and look for different openings and certain signs.

“I am definitely going over to scout. And maybe we can make a mega-unification bout.

“I want to go get [Joseph] Parker. Parker doesn’t have an opponent right now. I’m fresh. I’m ready and what would be better than me and Parker fighting for the unification and then have another unification where winner takes all at the end of the year? Then, 2018 you can start off the year with nothing but mandatories.

“The heavyweight division is getting exciting. This is the heavyweight division, and we’re already coming out of that dark place and we finally got light. Don’t take it back. Don’t go backwards when we’re moving so freshly forward. With that, I want to move it more forward. I want to give the fans what they want, and they want a unification. They want one champion and I’m trying to make that happen. So here I am Joseph Parker.”

On breaking down Joshua-Klitschko…
“With Klitschko I definitely feel that the teachings of Emanuel Steward are lacking a little bit, but he’s not to blame. Steward was a very, very smart trainer. The things that he could see and the things that he can get in the heads of the fighters, that was unbelievable. He wasn’t a great trainer for no reason and that’s when I thought Klitschko was the best when he had Emanuel in his corner. Not only when he’s inside of the ring but when he’s on the outside too. Now, I just feel since he’s gone, it’s more about what Wladimir wants to do, not what his trainers see.

“With Joshua, he’s got the height and he’s got the power. In the heavyweight division, you don’t need skills. As long as you have the power, that’s what makes up the heavyweight division. You’re in the game once you’ve got that power….They’re going to have to play a forward fight to feel a little bit of each other out.

“If Joshua wants to be successful, he’s definitely going to have to move and take angles and be smart with Klitschko. Because Klitschko is very smart, he’s been around the block, he’s got an excellent jab, and he’s going to set Joshua up. His smartness is going to play in a lot.

“Joshua is not as flexible. I don’t think he’s super athletic and doesn’t have that much coordination because of the stiffness. But he definitely has a great shot in this fight and I’d love to see what happens, and hopefully everything comes through with having a mega-fight at the end of the year.”

On Klitschko’s loss to Fury…
“Klitschko didn’t lose by not being able to compete with Tyson Fury, or do the things he had to do. He lost because he didn’t throw no damn punches. I want him to fight in this fight. I don’t want him to hold back, because Fury was bigger than him or this and that. Forget all of that. You got to go in there and fight. You’re the champ. You don’t care about nobody being bigger than you. You go in there and you forget all of that and defend your title because you’re the king and you’re not going to let nobody take it… And that’s how he should come in there.

“There’s a time and a place to be nice. You can’t always be nice. You’ve got to go in there and let them know ‘I’m still a monster, I’m still a beast, I’m still that lion and I’ll eat you up alive when I get you in there.’ And that’s just what he has to come to bring to the table.

“I’m so ready for this fight. I’m looking forward to what’s after this to come. I’m looking forward to unifying this division and bringing it back to America – where it once was and where it’s always going to remain once I bring all the belts. It’s going to be back, I promise you that.

“Age is only but a number and if you feel like you still have it in you and have confidence in yourself, then that’s what you’re going to do. The mind is a powerful thing to lose. And when you lose your mind, you lose your body.

“With Klitschko, he feels like he’s dedicated himself back to the sport and that’s why he says he’s obsessed. He’s obsessed with retaining his titles, he’s obsessed with rising in boxing again. He’s like a new fighter. He needed that loss to Tyson Fury because he forgot to be humble. He forgot about that.

“Now that he’s rebuilt himself, he’s got that hunger, that fire. At the end of the day, all that matters is on the night of the fight. He can come to us with another Tyson Fury fight, talking about height and weight, or he can bring that Klitschko like we’ve always seen with the jabs and setting up with the right hands… We’ll see what happens.”

On his prediction for the winner and why…
“I’m going to continue with my statement as I’ve been saying it. My heart is for Joshua, but my mind is for Klitschko. My heart is for Joshua because I would love to fight him – I think that would be a mega-fight. Even though Joshua is fighting Klitschko, people are still talking to this day about a Wilder and Joshua fight. It’s almost demanded. If this kid beats Klitschko it’s like the only fight he can have is me, because it’s been so demanded.

“My mind goes to Klitschko, because he’s very smart. People talk about age, but like I said, age can play an advantage too. Klitschko has seen every style there is…And when you see it again, you know how to handle it and adapt to it. You know what you got to do.

“He knew what he had to do against Fury, he just didn’t pull the trigger because he was scared of being punished. That was his fault. Now that’s a shame on him. Now he’s coming back for a second time for a title, so if he does it again, he’s going to need to give it up. For those reasons, my heart goes to Joshua but my mind goes to Klitschko.”

By Bart Barry-

Saturday at England’s Wembley Stadium British heavyweight Anthony Joshua will fight Ukraine’s Wladimir Klitschko. One week later at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena Mexican Saul “Canelo” Alvarez will fight Mexican “Son of the Legend” Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. Both matches have their charms.

But one undefeated man to be found in the fourman bunch, too. Aficionados didn’t care much about undefeated marks before Money May – the fixation on Rocky Marciano’s record never felt like a product of aficionados so much as what casuals necessarily predominated a sport that dominated American culture in that time (like nonmusicians harping on albumsales because they have to have an opinion on what’s current and can’t very well muse about chord progressions) – and evidently don’t care much in our wasteland of a post-Money sport.

Look how quickly Mexicans forgave Canelo’s moneymaker of a whitewash against Money May. Too they forgave Son of the Legend’s loss to Maravilla Martinez; there was no dishonor in being wholly outclassed by a superior athlete and nothing but honor in that final round – which, for whatever we opined of Chavez every day before and every day since, nevertheless yielded the most suspenseful 90 seconds of prizefighting anyone has seen in a generation at least.

Hating Canelo or Chavez has never enchanted anyone the way he hoped it might. Canelo exudes professionalism, shows up ontime and ripped for every weighin, fights with reliable intensity, and stiffens lesser opponents with a quickness (and count me among those who verily do not hold it against Canelo he’s yet to move up in weight to fight a man who’s never moved up in weight). Son of the Legend, meanwhile, is nearly a legend in his own right – a different sort of legend, granted, but, well. For all his tries at channeling Dad’s pride and intensity Junior will ever be a raspberry-briefed cereal-scarfing goofball to the rest of us, and bless his heart, he knows it. You glare contemptuously at Junior for squandering his birthright, and he looks back at you through puffy bloodshot eyes and says, “Dude, what’s your problem?” – and if that doesn’t disarm you giggling, you’re wound too tight, and that’s not Junior’s problem either.

Both guys can fight a bit too. Canelo is a b-level novelty act in any good era, as Juan Manuel Marquez bitterly exclaimed years ago, and Chavez is a backup accordion player lipsynching on Televisa for Banda Ensalada de Fruta in that same era, but chance has put them together in this unserious era and they’re here to party and have some fun – which is about all the hundreds of thousands of Mexican fans who’ll buy their pay-per-view want anyway. There’s no sense scolding los mexicanos; they know better, obviously, but why not buy the fight – it’ll be fun!

Less fun but indeed more serious is Saturday’s spectacle between a perfectly untested British heavyweight and Wlad Klitschko, whom a panel of experts just rated the 16th greatest heavyweight of all time for “The Ring” – which means, conceivably, the future ratings of James Jefferies (15), John L. Sullivan (14) and Gene Tunney (13) could be at stake if Klitschko upsets Joshua, though Lennox Lewis (T-11) and Evander Holyfield (T-11) are right to rest easy. Truthfully, Klitschko might’ve jab-jab-held his way to a decision victory against at least a few of the top-10 guys on that list, but what is most clearly reflected in Klitschko’s lowly seeding is: Wlad has brought to sport a larger ratio of size-to-risktaking than any fighter, nay professional athlete, before him. Even in Klitschko’s greatest wins, whatever those were, one got the sense the physical advantage Klitschko enjoyed was preposterous – and yet there was nervous Wlad, chin 40 inches behind his lead foot, rippling quadriceps primed for a balletic leap backwards at an opponent’s first twitch.

In Joshua, though, Wlad faces a second consecutive opponent over whom he enjoys less than his career-standard sixinch height advantage, and worse yet for Wlad’s chances, a man whose physique looks every bit enhanced as Wlad’s always has. It’s improper to note this, of course, but with 70,000 attending Super Bowl LI and 90,000 about to attend Joshua-Klitschko, it doesn’t look like 2017’ll be the Year of the Antidoping Crusader, does it?

Maybe Joshua-Klitschko will deliver in a way Klitschko-Haye disastrously did not, maybe Klitschko, stripped of his physical advantages and sympathetic officiating and hometown scorekeepers, will reveal a sinister ferocity that makes all gasp as he chops down the Joshua tree then steelhammers a dozen drunken Brits at ringside in a rage only brother Vitali (17) can extinguish.

No probably not. It’ll be incumbent on Joshua to supply all the meaningful aggression Saturday, and across from a man roughly 50-times accomplished as anyone he’s faced heretofore, chances are good, Joshua’s going to need to warm to the task. If the final bell rings on this fight stamp an L in the column of public perception for Joshua; if Klitschko stays upright for 36 minutes nobody will leave Wembley Stadium satisfied. Drunk, yes, but not satisfied.

The same cannot be said quite of how Mexican fans will perceive Canelo if he fails to circuitbreak Chavez a week later. Chavez hasn’t the defense to make a fight boring, and if Canelo is dumb enough to retreat for long Chavez will catch him and cream him. What’s far more likely is a far better fight than Joshua-Klitschko.

All this haggling is ungrateful. Both fights promise suspenseful moments because both fights’ outcomes are unknowable. Let’s take it, say thank you, and walk away smiling.

Bart Barry can be reached via Twitter @bartbarry

NEW YORK (April 17, 2017) – SHOWTIME Sports has unveiled the network’s complete spring 2017 boxing schedule following today’s earlier announcement that the heavyweight boxing event of the year will be televised live on SHOWTIME. The stacked lineup includes seven world championship fights across eight live boxing telecasts over an eight-week span.

On Saturday, April 29, Anthony Joshua will face Wladimir Klitschko in the most significant heavyweight world championship fight in more than a decade. The event will air live on SHOWTIME at 4:15 p.m. ET/1:15 p.m. PT from a sold-out Wembley Stadium, where a record crowd of more than 90,000 spectators is expected.

Also announced today, SHOWTIME and Premier Boxing Champions will present the rematch between WBC Light Heavyweight Champion Adonis Stevenson and Andrzej Fonfara on Saturday, June 3. This bout is an encore of a 2014 action-packed fight in which Stevenson edged Fonfara to defend his 175-pound crown.

The SHOWTIME boxing lineup also includes two significant welterweight bouts with world title implications: Andre Berto vs. Shawn Porter (April 22) and Kell Brook vs. Errol Spence Jr. (May 27). Both events are presented in association with Premier Boxing Champions. The April 22 Berto vs. Porter event will feature an anticipated 154-pound world title fight between Jermell Charlo and Charles Hatley as well as world champion Amanda Serrano attempting to become the first woman—and first fighter of Puerto Rican decent—to win a world title in five different weight classes.

On Saturday, May 20, SHOWTIME will present a unique twin-bill of world championship fights. First, boxing’s hottest young star, newly minted world champion Gervonta Davis, will make his first world title defense against Liam Walsh from London. Later that evening, featherweight world champion Gary Russell Jr. and former world champion Andre Dirrell will be featured in separate bouts. Start times for both live telecasts are to be determined.

In all, SHOWTIME Sports will present one live SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL telecast, one live ShoBox: The New Generation telecast, and five SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecasts, all free to network subscribers. Plus, SHOWTIME is in the early stages of planning for the return of four-division world champion Adrien Broner and undefeated star Mikey Garcia in separate events this summer.

The spring lineup complements the network’s robust 2017 boxing schedule. In the first 10 weeks of the year, SHOWTIME Sports presented eight world championship fights, including two world title unification bouts (Jack vs. DeGale and Thurman vs. Garcia, SHOWTIME Boxing on CBS), two world title rematches (Frampton vs. Santa Cruz II and Linares vs. Crolla II), the live-stream of the first-ever boxing event on Twitter (Broner vs. Granados), the resurgence of women’s boxing (Serrano vs. Rivas) and the first women’s boxing main event in premium television history (Shields vs. Szabados).

“SHOWTIME continues its unrivaled commitment to the sport. There simply is no other network in boxing delivering world-class events on a consistent basis,” said Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President & General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports.

“Our 2017 schedule already includes some 17 live boxing telecasts, 15 world championship fights, with the top-rated fighters squaring off in boxing’s deepest weight divisions. We continue to break the glass ceiling on women’s boxing, deliver the biggest bouts from overseas and see champions take on champions to unify divisions. We are proud to be re-shaping the boxing landscape both in and out of the ring.”

See below for the SHOWTIME boxing spring calendar. This is the network’s third major boxing schedule announcement of the past 13 months.

Saturday, April 22 – SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING
Presented by Premier Boxing Champions
Main Event: Andre Berto (31-4, 24 KOs) vs. Shawn Porter (26-2, 16 KOs) – WBC Welterweight World Title Eliminator

Co-Feature: Jermell Charlo (28-0, 13 KOs) vs. Charles Hatley (26-1-1, 18 KOs) – WBC Super Welterweight World Championship

SHOX: Amanda Serrano (31-1-1, 23 KOs) vs. Dahiana Santana (35-8, 14 KO’s) – 10-Rd. WBO Bantamweight World Championship

Start Time: 9:30 p.m. ET / 6:30 p.m. PT (SHO Boxing on SHO EXTREME, 7:30p ET/PT)
Venue: Brooklyn’s Barclays Center
Notes: · The winner of Berto-Porter becomes the WBC mandatory challenger to Unified World Champion Keith Thurman.
· Berto-Porter is the fourth welterweight world title/title eliminator fight televised on SHOWTIME/CBS in the last 10 months.
· Charlo-Hatley is the eighth world title/title eliminator in the 154-pound division on SHOWTIME/CBS in the last 13 months
· Serrano attempts to become the first woman to win world titles in five different weight classes

Saturday, April 29 – SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING
Main Event: Anthony Joshua (18-0, 18 KOs) vs. Wladimir Klitschko (64-4, 53 KOs) – IBF and vacant (Super) WBA Heavyweight World Championship

Start Time: 4:15 p.m. ET/1:15 p.m. PT, live on SHOWTIME
Venue: Wembley Stadium, London
Notes: · Most significant heavyweight world title fight in 15 years—since Lennox Lewis vs. Mike Tyson in June, 2002
· Officially sold out more than 90,000 tickets; set to smash the attendance record at Wembley and join the ranks of the biggest events in boxing history

Saturday, May 20 – SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL
Main Event: Gervonta Davis (17-0, 16 KOs) vs. Liam Walsh (21-0, 14 KOs) – IBF Super Featherweight World Championship

Start Time: TBD, live from London
Venue: Copper Box Arena in London, England
Notes: · Matchup of undefeated fighters. Champion vs. No. 1-ranked contender
· Davis is the youngest reigning American titlist and second youngest in the world (Kosei Tanaka)

Saturday, May 20 – SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING
Main Event: Gary Russell Jr. (21-1, 16 KOs) vs. Oscar Escandon (25-2, 17 KOs) – WBC Featherweight World Championship

Co-Features: Andre Dirrell (25-2, 16 KOs) vs. José Uzcátegui (26-1, 22 KOs) – IBF Super Middleweight Interim World Championship

Rances Barthelemy (25-0, 13 KOs) vs. Kiryl Relikh (21-1, 19 KOs) – WBA Super Lightweight Eliminator

Start Time: TBD

Venue: MGM National Harbor in Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area

Notes: · Sixth featherweight title fight on SHOWTIME since Feb. 2016, and second this year.

· The winner of Dirrell-Uzcátegui becomes the mandatory for IBF Super Middleweight World Champion James DeGale

· The winner of Barthelemy-Relikh becomes the mandatory challenger to WBA Super Lightweight Champion Ricky Burns

Saturday, May 27 – SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING
Main Event: Kell Brook (36-1, 25 KOs) vs. Errol Spence Jr. (21-0, 19 KOs) – IBF Welterweight World Championship

Start Time: TBD, live from England
Venue: Bramall Lane Football Ground in Sheffield, England
Notes: · World Champion vs. IBF No. 1-ranked contender
· No. 3-ranked vs. No. 5-ranked welterweights (via Transnational Boxing Rankings)

· Six of the consensus top-10 welterweights in the world featured on SHOWTIME/CBS events in the first half of 2017

Saturday, June 3 – SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING
Presented by Premier Boxing Champions
Main Event: Adonis Stevenson (28-1, 23 KOs) vs. Andrzej Fonfara (29-4, 17 KOs) II – WBC Light Heavyweight World Championship

Co-Main: Eleider Alvarez (22-0, 11 KOs) vs. Jean Pascal (31-4-1, 18 KOs) – WBC Silver Light Heavyweight Title

Start Time: TBD

Notes: · Stevenson-Fonfara II is a rematch of 2014 all-action championship bout in which both fighters scored knock downs

Friday, June 9 – ShoBox: The New Generation (Hall of Fame Induction Weekend)
Main Event: Joel Diaz Jr. (23-0, 19 KOs) vs. Abel Ramos (17-2-2, 12 KOs) – 10 Round Super Lightweight Bout

Start Time: 10 p.m. ET/PT

Venue: Turning Stone Resort & Casino in Verona, N.Y.

Notes: · International Boxing Hall of Fame Induction Weekend
· The lead announce team for ShoBox, legendary sportscaster Barry Tompkins and boxing historian Steve Farhood, to be inducted to the Hall in nearby Canastota, NY.

Expected This Summer
Four-division world champion Adrien Broner and WBC Lightweight World Champion Mikey Garcia in separate events live on SHOWTIME.

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

Matchroom Sport, Klitschko Management Group (KMG) and K2 Promotions have reached agreement with U.S. premium television giants Showtime and HBO to televise the most significant heavyweight world championship match in more than a decade. On Saturday, April 29, IBF Heavyweight World Champion Anthony Joshua will face former unified world champion Wladimir Klitschko from a sold-out Wembley Stadium Connected by EE in London.

Showtime is the exclusive U.S. television partner of Joshua, while HBO has an exclusive agreement with Klitschko in the States. Each premium network will produce its own separate telecast of the main event match for the U.S. audience. SHOWTIME will televise its SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING presentation live at 4:15 p.m. ET/1:15 p.m. PT, while HBO will televise its WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING production at approximately 10:45 p.m. ET/PT.

Joshua (18-0, 18 KOs) and Klitschko (64-4, 53 KOs) will meet for Joshua’s IBF World Championship and the vacant IBO and WBA World Championships. The British sensation Joshua has knocked out all 18 of his professional opponents in a meteoric rise to stardom, while the long-reigning world champion from Ukraine, Klitschko, aims to win back titles he previously held in his 11-year rule as heavyweight world champion. Joshua vs. Klitschko is promoted by Matchroom Boxing, KMG and K2 Promotions and has officially sold out Wembley Stadium with a record-setting 90,000 tickets sold.

“I’m extremely happy and thankful that our respective U.S. TV partners Showtime and HBO reached an agreement,” said Bernd Boente, Managing Director of Klitschko Management Group. “This happened before in the Mayweather vs. Pacquiao and the Lewis vs. Tyson fights and shows you the magnitude of our event at Wembley Stadium on April 29.”

“I’m delighted to announce this historic deal that will see Britain’s biggest ever fight shown on both HBO and SHOWTIME in the U.S.,” said Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Sport. “It takes a special fight to break down barriers and boundaries but also networks and executives who believe in working with the best interest of fight fans in mind. With the obstacles in place it would have been any easy resolution to not air the fight in the States but I want to thank HBO and Showtime for their perseverance and allowing America to see one hell of a fight at our national stadium in front on 90,000 passionate fans. Joshua vs. Klitschko is a fight for the ages and we look forward to the show!”

“We are thrilled to be delivering Joshua vs. Klitschko to the U.S. audience live on SHOWTIME,” said Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President and General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports. “On the afternoon of April 29, U.S. sports fans will be able to tune in to SHOWTIME to join a record-breaking crowd of 90,000 at Wembley Stadium and a worldwide television audience in witnessing an event that represents not only the contesting of the heavyweight world championship, but potentially the changing of the guard in the most influential division in boxing. We are proud to be Anthony Joshua’s exclusive U.S. television partner as he attempts to establish his legacy against the legendary Wladimir Klitschko, live on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING, as Showtime continues its unrivaled commitment to the sport.”

Said Peter Nelson, executive vice president, HBO Sports: “Both promoters and both networks have found a solution that enables boxing fans in the U.S. to watch the world heavyweight championship. This agreement ensures that our subscribers have access to same-day primetime coverage of the fight. It will mark Wladimir Klitschko’s 22nd appearance on HBO and the first for Anthony Joshua.”

The 27-year-old Joshua has been perfect since turning professional shortly after winning Gold at the 2012 Olympics for Great Britain. Joshua, of Watford, England, won the IBF Heavyweight World Championship with a second-round knockout of defending champion Charles Martin in April 2016, earning a heavyweight belt in the fewest number of fights in more than 20 years. He has since successfully defended the title twice—against Dominic Breazeale in June and Eric Molina in December.

Joshua is just the sixth Olympic Gold Medalist at super heavyweight to go on to win a professional heavyweight world title, joining Joe Frazier, George Foreman, Lennox Lewis, Alexander Povetkin and his rival on April 29, Wladimir Klitschko.

HBO has been the long-time home of Klitschko’s professional boxing career in the States. The 41-year-old has been a kingpin in the heavyweight division since winning Gold at the 1996 Olympic Games. He turned pro shortly after the Atlanta games and ran an undefeated campaign for 24 fights before suffering his first defeat to experienced veteran Ross Puritty. Klitschko quickly rebounded by winning 10 in a row and captured his first world title (WBO) with a unanimous decision victory over Chris Byrd in 2000, a win which avenged a loss by his brother, Vitali, earlier that year.

Klitschko’s most recent reign at heavyweight began in 2006 when he captured the IBF and IBO belts via knockout in a rematch against Chris Byrd. He went on to make 17 consecutive defenses of the IBF and IBO crowns, 13 consecutive defenses of the WBO belt, and eight consecutive defenses of the WBA title. Along the way, he amassed victories over Sultan Ibragimov, Hasim Rahman, Ruslan Chagaev, David Haye, Samuel Peter, Alexander Povetkin, Kubrat Pulev and more. In total he has fought in 28 total world title fights – a unique record in the history of the heavyweight division – compared to just 18 total professional fights for Anthony Joshua. He was the longest reigning world champion (2006-2015) after Joe Louis.

This will be Klitschko’s first outing since losing the IBF, IBO, WBA and WBO titles to Tyson Fury in 2015, his first defeat in 11 years.

By Bart Barry

The biggest prizefight since Froch-Groves II, as measured by ticketsales (an idea at once novel and ancient), is nearly upon us, but near as anyone can tell Americans don’t yet know on which channel we may watch British heavyweight Anthony Joshua against Ukraine’s Wladimir Klitschko. This may well be a plot to drive the last 50,000 committed boxing fans in our nation to pirated streams, but it probably isn’t – though it does ask a question like: If Showtime and HBO wanted to send what few subscribers of theirs still subscribe because of boxing to unauthorized outlets, how would they behave differently?

Nope, I can’t think of any ways either.

This latest premium-cable conflict is the sort that happens in an environment of mutual distrust where public facesaving is a higher priority than it should be. HBO, long supposed to be the A-side of American cable boxing providers, found itself some years back, with Manny Pacquiao’s departure for a fight preceding Floyd Mayweather’s departure for many fights, the B-side, and its esteem as a network has yet to recover.

Showtime has problems of its own, obviously, with its boxing content provider now succumbing to the inevitable – or did anyone really think PBC’s powertrident of inconstant matchmaking, oversized purses and contempt for unbought media was a visionary approach? – but it also has exclusivity with the heavyweight division’s two ascendent names, Anthony Joshua, who probably can fight a bit, and Deontay Wilder, who absolutely positively cannot.

Meanwhile HBO has its aged Ukrainian – along with every other prizefighter raised in the former Soviet Union – and not a whole lot else going on. Never stronger, never better, I know, but HBO Sports is about to join the downward spiral if it hasn’t already: Budget reductions to ensure profitability lead to subscriber departures that lead to further budget reductions to stave away takeovers or supplement “Game of Thrones” or somesuch and that leads to more cablecutting, and before you know it a $3 million licensing fee to broadcast the best-attended heavyweight prizefight since Tunney-Dempsey II is worth a 100-day catfight with a network that used to be your farm-league affiliate for both prizefighter and executive talent.

Some mediation is required, clearly, and that will be the case, still, when this issue gets resolved acrimoniously this week or next. It shouldn’t’ve come to this; it makes the participant leaders of Showtime and HBO look tiny. As one reads over the rumored obstacles in this negotiation, who gets to announce the results of the fight, who gets to announce the results of the negotiation, it reads like so much Money May branding, and we used to laugh about that stuff. The absurdity of it hasn’t changed nearly so much as the players and stakes have – and both for the smaller.

How these details get negotiated by dealmakers in New York didn’t matter to a single generation of fight aficionados until this one, but this generation of American aficionados, for all our suffering, at least preceded the country’s exasperation at giving one’s hopes to a dealmaker from New York.

Likely what is most needed in these negotiations between Showtime and HBO now and in the future is a little magnanimity, a little farsightedness. Regardless of what happens in Joshua-Klitschko I there’s no chance Wlad Klitschko is the future of boxing and at least a fair chance Anthony Joshua is. So negotiate the future accordingly.

If you’re HBO recognize you’ve got the weaker hand here and give away your overpaid veteran for some future draft picks – when Showtime’s beneficiary-cum-sponsor-cum-beneficiary auctions off his assets in 2018. Add a lunacy clause, though, à la Michael Lewis’ “Big Short,” whereby, in the unlikely event both Joshua is a fraud and British judges are honest, and Klitschko somehow decisions Joshua at Wembley Stadium, you rip Showtime’s guts out with rematch fees. Showtime’ll probably sign-on because catastrophes are necessarily improbable; some combination of Showtime’s inevitable dismay with the Joshua product and the disaster insurance you bought from them in negotiating the first fight will lead Showtime to give you full rights to the rematch to do with as you wish (pay-per-view).

If you’re Showtime, realize you’ve got the better product and will have for the next five years at least, and show a willingness to let HBO stay afloat with premier nonheavyweight talent till 2022 or so. When PBC collapses and its fighters return to the predations of the open market, you’re going to have more money than you know what to do with, which matters little ultimately, and the heavyweight division cornered, which matters greatly – or as New York’s most famous dealmaker’d put it: Bigly.

Take your eyes off this moment, in other words, and show some vision, both of you.

The respective heads of Showtime and HBO boxing are young enough to have to make deals with one another for the foreseeable future and the benefit brought by a bit of good faith could be disproportionate. That’s a soft idea, of course, which means a mediator better than a network executive should introduce it. Eleanor Roosevelt, though, had a durable line about such things:

“Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.”

Klitschko and Joshua are people; Klitschko versus Joshua is an event; good faith negotiating is an idea. Probability says the winner of the Joshua-Klitschko negotiation will be the longterm loser, anyway, so either HBO or Showtime should recognize this, advise the other side of it, and then let the other side win, let them enjoy their big event unencumbered by pettiness and subversion, and then enjoy the fruits of that choice for years to come.

Bart Barry can be reached via Twitter @bartbarry

Olympians Lawrence Okolie, Joe Cordina and Josh Kelly have been added the undercard for the Heavyweight blockbuster between Anthony Joshua MBE and Wladimir Klitschko on April 29 at Wembley Stadium Connected by EE, live on Sky Sports Box Office.

The trio represented Team GB in Rio last summer before turning to the paid ranks, with Okolie the first to make his debut and in spectacular fashion in Manchester earlier this month.

Kelly will make his pro bow next weekend in Glasgow on the undercard of Ricky Burns’ World Super-Lightweight title unification battle with Julius Indongo, while Welshman Cordina steps through the ropes for the first time for money a week later in Liverpool where Martin Murray and Gabriel Rosado top the bill in a tasty Middleweight battle.

One of the fighters will follow in Joshua’s footsteps and open the show, just like the London 2012 gold medal hero did in 2014 before Carl Froch knocked out George Groves.

Promoter Eddie Hearn revealed that the trio will draw lots ahead of the event, with the man that picks number one out grabbing the first spot on the bill while numbers two and three will be TV floats.

“I’m delighted to add these outstanding young fighters to a historic night of boxing at Wembley on April 29,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “In terms of platform and experience, there is no better stage for their career. It was nearly three years ago that Anthony Joshua kicked the night off at Wembley Stadium for Froch vs. Groves II and I believe all three of these fighters have the ability to headline there in years to come. We will draw numbers on fight week with the number one spot kicking off the night and the other two sitting tight for the knock on the changing room door as the huge 90,000 crowd begins to build.”

Okolie, Cordina and Kelly are the latest fighters to be added to the Joshua Klitschko show after the announcement that former World Super-Bantamweight king Scott Quigg continues his quest to become a two-weight champion by facing Viorel Simion at Featherweight, with more fights to be announced shortly.

Quigg boxes at Featherweight for the second time having landed the WBA International title in his first fight at his new weight in December in Manchester with a ninth round stoppage.

Wembley Stadium represents another first for Quigg as he has future hall of fame trainer Freddie Roach in his corner for the first time as he takes on Simion.

The Romanian has just the one blemish on the record from his last trip to the UK, where he severely tested Lee Selby over 12 rounds in Hull in 2013, and the 35 year old is ranked number five in the IBF having picked up and defended the International title last year.

Former WBA Super-Bantamweight king Quigg is gunning for a shot at becoming a two-weight World champion, and he believes that a big win in his first ever stadium fight will put him at the front of the queue.

“This is a fight I’m really looking forward to,” said Quigg. “It’s my first fight working with Freddie and training team and it’s a fight that will catapult me right in the mix for a World title fight.

“Simion is an experienced, skilful and strong fighter and his only blemish on his record is against the current IBF champion Lee Selby, who he pushed all the way. I’m expecting and preparing for a very tough fight but one I’m very confident in and expect to put in the best performance of my career and put myself in line for shot at one of the champions.

“Training camp couldn’t be going any better. The switch out to L.A has been a breath of fresh air. The change of environment working with Freddie and the quality of sparring has really freshened things up and I’m excited to show the improvements made on such a massive platform at Wembley Stadium.”

Quigg’s desire to box for world honours at 126lbs could be boosted ahead of the fight as his promoter Eddie Hearn is looking to get the bout official eliminator status.

“This is a great fight for Scott and the last hurdle before he hunts his second World title,” said Hearn. “Simion gave Selby a great fight on our Hull show a few years back and is an all action fighter that will bring the heat on April 29.

“Because of both fighters’ rankings, we are looking to apply to the WBA or the IBF to make this fight an official eliminator for the World title and if victorious I expect Scott’s next fight to be for a Featherweight World crown.”

Quigg’s clash with Simion is the first undercard fight confirmed for the sold-out blockbuster battle between IBF king Joshua and former lineal World ruler Klitschko, with the WBA and IBO straps also up for grabs.

Sky today joined forces with IBF World Heavyweight champion boxer and Olympic gold medallist Anthony Joshua MBE, who has become a Sky Ambassador.

Joshua joins Sky and its award-winning products, services and content, from Sky Q and Sky Go to Sky Atlantic and Sky Sports. Fighting on Sky and Sky Sports Box Office, the Heavyweight champion has been a constant fixture on screens over the past five years, with this news cementing a long-standing relationship.

The partnership will also see Joshua play a leading role in supporting Sky’s commitment to helping young people reach their potential across the UK and Ireland. By the end of this academic year, over half a million young people will have been involved in Sky Academy initiatives.

The news comes ahead of Joshua’s world heavyweight unification title fight – the biggest of his professional career to date – against Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley Stadium live on Sky Sports Box Office. After winning Olympic gold at the London Olympics in 2012, Joshua turned professional and has since won all 18 of his professional bouts by knockout.

IBF Heavyweight World Champion and Olympic gold medallist Anthony Joshua MBE said: “Sky have been with me since the start of my professional career. They’ve followed me every step of the way and I am pleased to be joining such a great and ambitious organisation. As a Sky Ambassador I believe I’m in an incredibly strong position to inspire others, especially the next generation, to unlock their future potential and give something back. I want to reach out to people, use the progress I am making in the ring as a platform to complete a number of projects globally, and this partnership with Sky will help unlock that work.”

Sky UK & Ireland Chief Executive Stephen van Rooyen added: “Welcoming an Olympic gold medallist and heavyweight world champion to the team at Sky is incredibly exciting. Anthony has a fantastic story to tell and the power to excite and inspire both in the ring and outside of it. The platform that comes with being a Sky Ambassador will enable us to tell that story together.”

About Sky
Sky is Europe’s leading entertainment company, serving 22 million customers across five countries – UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria and Italy. The company has annual revenues of £12 billion and is Europe’s leading investor in television content with annual programming spend of over £5 billion.
From exclusive partnerships with HBO and Showtime, to Sky’s own original programming, Sky offers the best and broadest range of content along with the best viewing experience to suit each and every customer. Whether that’s through the multi-award winning next generation box, Sky Q, or Sky’s contract-free online streaming service, NOW TV, customers have access to the latest movies, drama, sports and kids entertainment wherever and whenever they like. This is all supported by Sky’s best in class customer service.
Sky’s success is not just based on what the company does but how it does it. Named as one of the Top 10 Green Companies in the World by Newsweek, one of the world’s most recognised rankings of business’s environmental performance, Sky ensures its responsible business strategy is embedded right across the group.
Sky has over 30,000 employees and is listed as one of The Times Top 50 employers for women. Sky is listed on the London Stock Exchange (SKY).

Only 1,000 coach packages are left on sale for the blockbuster World Heavyweight title clash between Anthony Joshua MBE and Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley Stadium Connected by EE on Saturday April 29, live on Sky Sports Box Office.

Joshua puts his IBF crown on the line for the third time against former lineal Heavyweight ruler Klitschko, with the vacant WBA Super and IBO Heavyweight crowns up for grabs.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan recently announced that 90,000 fans will be able to attend the historic event and now just 1,000 seats remain via coach packages via this link: http://www.seetickets.com/event/joshua-v-klitschko-ticket-and-coach-package/wembley-stadium/1057044/?src=Seesocial

The coaches will depart from the following locations: Chelmsford, Colchester, Hull, Luton, Maidstone, Milton Keynes, Oxford, Reading and Stoke on Trent.

Please select the same amount of coach tickets as you have fight tickets.

Includes Return coach travel from your chosen departure town to Wembley Stadium on Saturday April 29.

Fight tickets will only be distributed on the coach. If you do not travel to Wembley Stadium on the coach then you will not receive your fight ticket.

Exact times of departure and your pick up point will be confirmed no later than 30 days prior to the event. Confirmation of your journey will be printed on physical coach tickets and delivered to you no later than 2 weeks before the event.

By Norm Fraienheim-

Anthony Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko arrived in New York this week for a timely news conference that helped deflect attention on the bizarre circumstances that continue to unfold in the wake of Alexander Povetkin’s positive test for a banned substance in December.

The prospect of Joshua-Klitschko on April 29 in front of a projected crowd of 90,000 at London’s Wembley Stadium offers some hope in what looks like the most compelling heavyweight fight in years. The flip side is Povetkin, a mystery wrapped in a mess.

Two days after Joshua and Klitschko met the media at Madison Garden, there were reports from Russia that Povetkin’s B-sample came up positive for the PED that forced a cancellation of his Dec. 17 bout against Bermane Stiverne for the World Boxing Council’s interim belt in Ekaterinburg, Russia.

It’s hard to know what to make of the early reports from Russia. Donald Trump might believe them. Without some confirmation from The Associated Press or some other mainstream outlet, however, it’s wise to be skeptical. The test of the B-sample was conducted in Los Angeles. The original test was reportedly done on Dec. 6, presumably in Russia.

I tend to believe initial stories abut the B- sample, which confirmed that there were traces of Ostarine, a steroid, in Povetkin’s A-sample. Here’s why: Quotes defending Povetkin and questioning the integrity of the testing process from promoter Andrey Ryabinsky and a Russian lawmaker were included in reports about the B-sample.

It was as if they knew what the result would be.

Ryabinksy said Povetkin came up clean in “alternative tests” conducted in Lausanne. Somehow, this sounds like those “alternative facts” that Trump staffer Kellyanne Conway introduced to today’s Orwellian rhetoric.

Then, there was a reported lawmaker and chairman of a sports committee, Mikhail Degtyaryov, who was quoted as saying: “The provocation against Povetkin exposed the fragility and weakness of the anti-doping system.’’

The Russian lawmaker didn’t mention that other system, state-sanctioned doping, which The New York Times exposed in May 2016. Not even Vladimir Putin could completely deny that report. It resulted in a partial ban of the Russian track-and-field team at last summer’s Rio Olympics. Ramifications continue.

On the same day that there were reports from Russia about Povetin’s B-sample, Reuters reported that the International Olympic Committee stripped the Russian women of the 400-meter relay silver medal from the 2012 Olympics after Antonina Krivoshapka’s B-sample came up dirty.
https://sports.yahoo.com/news/ioc-sanctions-three-athletes-anti-doping-breaches-092922488–oly.html

It’s impossible to separate Povetkin, a 2004 Olympic gold medalist, from the rest of Russia’s sports system. I don’t know him. I’ve never met him. I liked his boxing skills and he might have beaten Deontay Wilder in Moscow last May. But that one got cancelled, too, when Povetkin tested positive for meldonium.

Regardless of whether he gets sanctioned or suspended, the best guess is that Povetkin will simply fade from the scene, forgotten amid all the attention on Joshua and Klitschko. The game will move on.

The question is whether Wilder can regain the momentum he had before the cancellation. It cost Wilder a reported $4.5 million and a lot more. In an effort to stay busy, he fought and beat Chris Arreola in July, but he suffered costly injuries to his right hand and biceps.

He’ll test the hand and arm in a Feb. 25 return against former football player Gerald Washington, who replaced Poland’s Andrzej Wawrzyk. Wawrzyk got bumped off the card because – yeah, you guessed it – he came up dirty in drug testing.

It’s fair to wonder whether Wilder would have beaten Povetkin in a Moscow victory big enough to put him first in line for Joshua. Could it have been Wilder at New York’s news conference instead of Klitschko? We’ll never know. Then again, we’ll never know a lot of things in a world growing curiouser and curiouser.

NEW YORK CITY (February 1, 2017) On Tuesday, January 31, IBF Heavyweight World Champion ANTHONY JOSHUA, (18-0, 18 KO’s) and long reigning Former Unified Heavyweight World Champion WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO, (64-4-0, 53 KO’s) hit New York City for media appearances and to hold a press conference to discuss their April 29 massive international boxing clash set for London’s Wembley Stadium where a sold-out crowd of 90,000 will bear witness.

The press conference was held at Madison Square Garden, known as The Mecca of Boxing, where Klitschko was been victorious four times in his illustrious career.

ANTHONY JOSHUA
“This is all about the mind games now, but as we know I’m a man who likes to perform. The obsession has always been there for me and not just in boxing. It starts with self, boxing is a representation of who I am. I’m determined to become the best. That’s my obsession.”

“I’m a man who likes to perform and entertain and that’s away been there. I’ve always want to take on the best.”

“The questions are correct, is it too soon, have my opponents prepared me for this” God would never put me in a position I couldn’t handle, fighting Wladimir Klitschko in front of 90,000 people. But the objective still remains the same.”

WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO
“I first fought here in 2000 on the undercard of Lennox Lewis vs. Michael Grant, Anthony was 10, it’s crazy to think about time and how fast it runs. When I fought Samuel Peter, his promoter called me dead-man walking, but that man kept walking for a very long time.”

“I understand and know why this press conference is here in New York City. I know a lot of fans will be watching on TV and in the arena. I’ve fought in front of huge crowds but 90,000 is my biggest arena.”

“I’m fighting a man that I was, is and will be a fan of since I watched Anthony Joshua win his Olympic Gold Medal in 2012. He was my sparring partner in 2014 when I trained for Kubrat Pulev.”

“I believe this man has a lot of skills, maybe yes, maybe not he will be the biggest star in boxing. I know there are plans to fight Wilder after me, it’s good to be young and ambitions, but I believe this fight has a lot of questions. Is it too early for him, too late for me?”

“All those questions will be answered on April 29, do I still got it or is it too late? I’m looking forward to his challenge, I have my goal to become three-time world champion and I’m obsessed with it.”

EDDIE HEARN, Matchroom Boxing
“A pleasure to be involved the biggest boxing event in British boxing history. It would be so easy for Anthony Joshua to continue selling out the biggest arenas in the UK while fighting less that world class competition and do what every other fighter has done, keep knocking out the easy targets, it’s not what Anthony Joshua is all about.”

“In his 19th fight, Anthony Joshua is stepping up to fight a true legend in Wladimir Klitschko and isn’t that what boxing’s all about? What’s sports is all about? Create nights and moments that people will never forget, 90,000 people in the biggest stadium in the UK.”

“Anthony Joshua has set a frightening pace but I believe on April 29 it will be the crowning of the new worldwide sensation n boxing.”

BERND BOENTE, KMG Management Group
“It’s great to be back here at the Garden with the success of Wladimir and Vitali in the past and now we have a bigger event in a bigger arena with Anthony Joshua. On April 29 at Wembley Stadium with 90,000 people, a true promoter’s dream fight.”

“We have the young, undefeated champion Anthony Joshua against the longtime ruler of the heavyweight division, Wladimir Klitschko. This will be Wladimir’s 29th world title fight which is a record for the heavyweight division.”

“We are looking forward to a fantastic fight with great TV partners, Sky in the UK, RTL in Germany and we will sort out the US TV partner shortly.”

ADAM SMITH, Sky Sports (Moderator)
“Wladimir’s back as he challenges the new generation, Anthony Joshua, the IBF Champion of the World. They lock horns in a battle for the ages in front of a record 90,000 people at our national stadium, Wembley in London on April 29. A multi unification and a fantastic fight. The buildup is going to be immense.”

JOSHUA vs. KLITSCHKO is presented by Matchroom Boxing, K2 Promotions and KMG Management Group.

The biggest boxing crowd Wembley Stadium Connected by EE has ever seen – a record 90,000 capacity – will watch the heavyweight clash between Anthony Joshua MBE and Wladimir Klitschko live on Sky Sports Box Office, the Mayor of London announced today.

Sadiq Khan stepped in to ensure the fight for Joshua’s IBF title and the vacant WBA Super and IBO Heavyweight crowns on April 29 will be seen by a post-war record crowd of 90,000.

Reaffirming his commitment to stage the biggest sporting events in the capital, Sadiq answered the call of boxing fans by boosting capacity for the fight by 10,000, after boxing promoter Eddie Hearn secured permission for 80,000.

The new batch of tickets will go on sale at 10am on Wednesday February 1 from www.stubhub.co.uk priced at £40 upper tier and £60 and £80 in the lower tier. Limited coach packages also remain on sale via See Tickets at http://www.seetickets.com/event/joshua-v-klitschko-ticket-and-coach-package/wembley-stadium/1057044/?src=Seesocial

The London showdown, which will be broadcast around the world, will break the post-war British record for attendance at a boxing match for the rematch between Carl Froch and George Groves at Wembley in 2014. It equals the British record of 90,000 when Len Harvey fought Jock McAvoy at White City in London in 1939.

The Mayor brought together officials from Network Rail, Transport for London and Wembley Stadium to explore ways to increase capacity for the fight by committing more overground trains and London Underground services to get fans safely to and from the venue.

Network Rail agreed to temporarily postpone planned engineering works on the day, while the Mayor instructed TfL to increase capacity on the Jubilee and Metropolitan lines to help transport boxing fans home from Wembley. Chiltern Railways has also prepared an enhanced and later train service to help with egress.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I can’t wait to see the fight of the year here in London and it’s fantastic that a post-war record crowd will get to watch it at a world-class venue like Wembley.

“I’m delighted Transport for London and Network Rail have pulled out all the stops to make this happen so we can move 90,000 people around the capital quickly and safely. Like me, they have recognised the importance to the capital of staging this epic showdown of the best two fighters in the heavyweight division and I look forward to our great city staging more great fights in the future.”

Eddie Hearn, Managing Director of Matchroom Sport, said: “I’m delighted that the capacity for Joshua vs Klitschko has been increased to 90,000 making it the biggest live gate of all time at the new Wembley stadium. I want to thank Wembley, TfL and Brent Council and particularly the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, who has fought our corner to ensure a capacity crowd will get the opportunity to watch this event live in the capital.

“At the boxing writers’ dinner last year, Sadiq urged me to bring the biggest fights possible to the city and I’m delighted to have the biggest fight in British boxing history at Wembley Stadium on April 29.”

Bernd Boente, Managing Director of Klitschko Management Group said: “This world championship at the sold out Wembley stadium will be one of the biggest event worldwide this year.” I

Mark Wild, Managing Director for London Underground, said: “Helping people travel around London safely so that they can see the best of what the capital has to offer is one of our top priorities. By working closely with Wembley Stadium and Network Rail we’ll now be able to run more Tube and Overground services to make sure that those going to the boxing will be able to get home safely and more easily.”

Martin Frobisher, manager director for Network Rail’s London North Western route, said: “Our primary focus is helping train customers travel where they want when they want with the greatest of ease.

“That’s why shifting our railway upgrade at North Wembley from April to August was the obvious move.

“We hope fight fans have a great night on Saturday 29 April, including smooth journeys to and from Wembley Stadium.”

Julie Harrington, FA Group Operations Director, said: “Wembley Stadium is a world-class venue and we are delighted to stage this highly anticipated heavyweight world title fight. We look forward to utilising the stadium’s full capacity and welcoming 90,000 people to watch one of the sporting events of the year.”

Cllr Muhammed Butt, Leader of Brent Council, said: “Wembley is a world class venue that has hosted many historic sporting and entertainment events over the years and this record attendance for a boxing match will be yet another chapter in its long and glorious history.

“It just goes to show that when it comes to competing with other stadiums in cities around the world to stage the biggest bouts, Wembley Stadium in Brent can deliver the knock-out blow to its rivals, helping to ensure that London remains the number one choice for event organisers and fans alike.

“We have been home to the national stadium for nearly a century and this record-breaking boxing match builds on our international reputation for hosting such cultural and sporting events.”

By Michael Serra-

On April 29th at Wembley Stadium, Anthony Joshua defends his IBF heavyweight championship against former champion Wladimir Klitchsko.

The general consensus is that Joshua despite winning the title, is largely untested, and still has lots more to learn! Question marks loom over the champion.
In recent performances Joshua has at times looked a tad crude for better use of the word and in winning the title last April, had very little to beat in the champion Charles Martin whom contented himself by taking the count and making no attempt whatsoever to get up and continue.

Last time out Joshua looked a lot more mature, better defensively and looked much better but in all fairness, Eric Molina provided very little and soon folded once Joshua landed, yet again it told us nothing and proved little more than a routine defence for the likeable Hertfordshire man!

Klitchsko hasn’t boxed since losing to Tyson Fury back in November 2015! That night he seemed out of sorts, letting the Mancunian spoil and grab his way through a lackluster twelve rounds.
This is a typical match up of the changing of the guard, the old lion versus the young lion.

This is definitely what the American’s would call ‘a pick em’ while Joshua has youth on his side, Klitchsko has experience.

Joshua’s best chance of victory is going to be by the short route, he has what we call the proverbial punchers chance, and if he can land clean enough he may well be with in a chance of stopping the Ukranian.

Remember back in 2003 when Wladimir defended his WBO title against Corrie Sanders! This is I feel Joshua’s best chance of victory, however if Klitchsko get’s into a rhythm and starts to work that left jab of his, then the Englishman could be in for a long and painful evening.

I’m going to stick my chin out here and go for a stoppage in favour of Joshua, I feel ring rust and father time won’t help and I feel Johshua hits as hard if not harder than Sanders! And that was almost 14 years ago! Joshua for me in six rounds!

For ticket details please visit www.matchroomboxing.com

The World Heavyweight unification blockbuster between Anthony Joshua MBE and Wladimir Klitschko has broken box office records with over 80,000 tickets sold for the April 29 super fight at Wembley Stadium Connected by EE, live on Sky Sports Box Office.

The second batch of tickets for the blockbuster fight sold inside one hour when they released at lunchtime on Monday and the total tickets now sold has exceed the record set by Carl Froch’s World Super Middleweight title rematch against George Groves in 2014.

Promoter Eddie Hearn said: “The demand for tickets for Joshua vs Klitschko is phenomenal – this is unquestionably the biggest fight in British boxing history and we would have sold out Wembley twice over.

“We have put a request in to Brent Council, the Mayor’s office and TFL to increase the capacity by a further 5,000 tickets. We are confident of a positive answer and we will release further news shortly. Roll on April 29!”

Joshua MBE will face former World ruler Wladimir Klitschko for his IBF World Heavyweight title and the vacant IBO Championship as well as the WBA Super Championship on April 29, 2017 at Wembley Stadium Connected by EE, live on Sky Sports Box Office.

A limited number of coach and ticket packages remain on sale via See Tickets at http://www.seetickets.com/event/joshua-v-klitschko-ticket-and-coach-package/wembley-stadium/1057044/?src=Seesocial

50,000 tickets were sold in first period of ticket sales for the World Heavyweight unification blockbuster between Anthony Joshua MBE and Wladimir Klitschko on April 29 at Wembley Stadium Connected by EE.

Tickets which were available across Club Wembley, Matchroom Fightpass and on general sale via Wembley and StubHub have now sold out with the second batch of tickets to be released on January 16.

Coach packages have been made available in order to maximise the available capacity at Wembley and remain on sale via See Tickets by calling 0844 871 8808 or at www.seetickets.com with various pick up/drop off locations available.
A second batch of tickets will go on sale at midday on Monday 16th January 2017 exclusively via StubHub fromwww.stubhub.co.uk with tickets in all price brackets available. Tickets are priced £40, £60, £80, £100, £150, £200, £400, £800 and £2,000 VIP plus booking fees.

Joshua MBE will face former World ruler Wladimir Klitschko for his IBF World Heavyweight title and the vacant IBO Championship as well as the WBA Super Championship on April 29, 2017 at Wembley Stadium Connected by EE, live on Sky Sports Box Office.

Anthony Joshua retained the IBF Heavyweight title with a 3rd round stoppage over Eric Molina at a sold out crowd at the Manchester Arena in Mancherster, England.

Joshua floored Molina with a powerful right in the 3rd round. Molina was hurt and ate a huge combination and the fight was stopped at

Joshua will now fight Wladimir Klitschko in Wembley Stadium, and now has a record of 18-0 with 18 knockouts. Molina is now 25-4.

MANCHESTER, England (Dec. 8, 2016) – IBF Heavyweight World Champion Anthony Joshua and American challenger Eric Molina met for their final press conference on Thursday in Manchester, England, as they prepare to square off this Saturday at Manchester Arena live on SHOWTIME® (5:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. PT).

The SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL® presentation originates from Galen Center at USC in Los Angeles, site of that evening’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast. WBC Heavyweight World Champion Deontay Wilder will join host Brian Custer and analysts Al Bernstein and Paulie Malignaggi as part of the SHOWTIME announce team for Joshua vs. Molina.

“It’s not so much about who I’m fighting, it’s about myself,” Joshua told the British press. “I’m not really worried about what Eric’s camp is doing. God willing I go out there to do my job. I’m just really worried about myself. I’ll make Eric look like a novice.”

Molina said he wants to duplicate the feat of his long-time mentor Oliver McCall, who in 1994 upset Lennox Lewis for the WBC Heavyweight title at Wembley Stadium in London. “I always envision myself having that moment that he had here in England,” Molina said. “He had that big win and it just shows the world that in this heavyweight division anything is possible.”

Added Molina: “If you slip-up one second you’ll be dancing and the world will be talking.”

Undefeated sensation and 2012 Olympic Gold Medalist Joshua (17-0, 17 KOs) will make the second defense of his title against Molina (25-3 19 KOs), a Texas native getting his second shot at a belt in his quest to become the first Mexican-American heavyweight world champion.

An encore presentation of Joshua vs. Molina will air as part of the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast later that evening, following the main event showdown between WBA Featherweight World Champion Jesus Cuellar and three-division former champ Abner Mares. In the co-feature, Jermall Charlo will defend his IBF Junior Middleweight World Championship against fellow-undefeated challenger Julian Williams.

NEW YORK (Dec. 2, 2016) – WBC Heavyweight World Champion Deontay Wilder will join the SHOWTIME announce team as a guest analyst for the IBF Heavyweight World Championship fight between undefeated champion Anthony Joshua and American challenger Eric Molina on Saturday, Dec. 10, live on SHOWTIME (5:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. PT).

Wilder (37-0, 36 KOs) will join host Brian Custer and analysts Al Bernstein and Paulie Malignaggi for the SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL® presentation from Galen Center at USC in Los Angeles, site of that evening’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast.

The “Bronze Bomber” just completed rehab for a fractured right hand and torn right bicep (see video above) as he (Wilder) sets his sights to unify the division in 2017. Wilder is acutely familiar with Molina, having defeated the fellow-American in the first defense of his title in June, 2015 on SHOWTIME.

“I know firsthand just how tough Eric Molina is,” Wilder said. “He’s coming to win because it’s a chance for him to win a world title, and he’ll definitely push Joshua. Whoever wins will have to see me eventually because it’s my goal to collect all the belts and become the undisputed heavyweight champion.”

Joshua is making the second defense of his title against Molina, who is getting his second shot at a belt in his quest to become the first Mexican-American heavyweight world champion.

An encore presentation of Joshua vs. Molina will air as part of the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast later that evening, following the main event showdown between WBA Featherweight World Champion Jesus Cuellar and three-division former champ Abner Mares. In the opening bout, Jermall Carlo will defend his IBF Junior Middleweight World Championship against fellow-undefeated challenger Julian Williams.

17,000 tickets were sold on the opening day of sales for Anthony Joshua’s IBF World Heavyweight title defence against Eric Molina at the Manchester Arena on December 10, live on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK and on SHOWTIME in the US.

Joshua defends his crown for the second time in his third fight in a row against American opposition – with limited tickets remaining on sale priced £40 to £500 from http://www.manchester-arena.com/ and on 0844 847 8000. VIP tickets are £800 and available exclusively from Matchroom Boxing www.matchroomboxing.com.

Joshua’s clash with Molina tops a huge night of action in Manchester as Dillian Whyte faces bitter London rival Dereck Chisora in an official eliminator for the WBC title.

Scott Quigg returns to action after treatment on his broken jaw following his unification blockbuster with Carl Frampton, and the Bury star moves up to Featherweight as he looks to regain his status as a World champion.

Kal Yafai can become Birmingham’s first World champion but the unbeaten 27 year old faces a tough task to rip the WBA Super-Flyweight title against Luis Concepcion, the two-weight World champion that will enter the ring in his 11th World title outing.

Irish amateur sensation Katie Taylor boxes for the second time in the paid ranks after making her pro debut at The SSE Arena, Wembley on November 26, Heavyweight wrecking ball ‘King Kong’ Luis Ortiz fights in Europe for the second time after clashing with Malik Scott in Monte-Carlo on November 12 and Hosea Burton will defend his British Light-Heavyweight title against Frank Buglioni.

Face value tickets for December 10 are also be available from http://www.stubhub.co.uk/matchroom-boxing-tickets/ . StubHub is the official ticket partner and marketplace of Matchroom Boxing and Anthony Joshua.

LONDON (Nov. 4, 2016) – Undefeated IBF Heavyweight World Champion Anthony Joshua (17-0, 17 KOs) and challenger Eric Molina (25-3, 19 KOs) went face-to-face Friday at the kickoff press conference at Dorchester Hotel in London to formally announce their heavyweight world title fight on Saturday, Dec. 10, live on SHOWTIME from Manchester Arena in Manchester. There were 17,000 tickets sold on the first day to purchase tickets.

Joshua, a British sensation and the 2012 Olympic Games heavyweight gold medalist, will be making the second defense of the title he won over Charles Martin last April 4. Joshua knocked out previously unbeaten Dominic Breazeale in the seventh round last June 25 in his initial defense.

Molina will be getting his second opportunity at a world title. Molina has won two straight since challenging WBC title holder Deontay Wilder in 2015, including a 10th-round TKO over former world champion Tomasz Adamek last April 4 in Poland.

Here’s what the heavyweights said:

ANTHONY JOSHUA:
“I don’t think that I’ll be rusty. I’m not going to say camp is smooth or great because it’s always tough and exhausting for the body. I needed a break because I live in the gym, it’s what I’ve been doing since I was 18 and I haven’t taken my foot off the gas since. The task is to express myself under the bright lights in the arena and show what we’ve worked on in the dark corners of the gym.

“I started preparing my body for camp and then training for this date. I don’t want to mention Wladimir Klitschko too much because that’s not the relevant opponent – Eric Molina is the man that will stand across the ring from me on December 10. He’s a tough competitor and represents a strong challenge to me. We are competing for my belt and the guys that want to become world champion raise their levels by 50-60 percent.

“There’s nowhere to hide on fight night. There’s no change in my focus for Eric. Wladimir doesn’t enter the equation for me. People will talk about him and I’ll answer the questions, but that’s as far as it goes. He’s not in my mind, Eric is.

“It takes courage to step into the ring. Deontay Wilder is known as a one-punch KO artist and Eric stood up to his power, so it shows that he’s here to push the champion and take my title.

“I don’t get involved in other people’s issues or stories, it’s nothing to do with me. It wasn’t that long ago that no one cared what I was doing, so I don’t really have to prove myself to anyone aside from myself.

“The division has been blown wide open but they’ve been saying that for a while and they will keep saying it until someone dominates the division again. It’s not so much about brand and hype, it’s about guys like Eric that come with true heart and are gladiators and fight for the love of the sport, and leave everything in the ring on fight night.

“There’s a lot at stake and with Sky Sports and SHOWTIME behind us, this is a big stage to show what you have got. I’m serious about what I do and about moving forward. I don’t have a script, I can only speak from the heart; whatever Eric’s destiny is, that’s what will happen on the night. If his destiny is to become heavyweight champion, so be it. But my destiny is to carry on the path I am on and put in a dominant performance on an explosive night of boxing in Manchester.”

ERIC MOLINA:
“I’ve been in these fights before. I have no amateur experience so I’m learning no the job — and I’m getting better every fight. I fought five rounds against Wilder with a busted ankle, so everything you saw from me was done on one ankle. That’s the kind of guy this young man is facing. I fight with everything I’ve got. Even if I’m hurt, I still fight, because I know that one punch at any given moment can win me the fight. Anything can happen in the heavyweight division.

“I knew this fight was coming my way because nobody wants to fight him. Let’s be real. All the other fighters want to go and fight other guys and for the other belts and not face Anthony Joshua. I’m a guy that’s been in with Wilder – no one wants to fight Wilder, but I did, and that’s why I’m in London today and will be in Manchester on Dec. 10 putting it all on the line, body and soul. I want that IBF belt, I don’t have the option to go for another belt or down another route. This is it for me, and that means he’s going to have the toughest fight of his career, I can guarantee that.

“Tomasz Adamek had never been KO’d, so the momentum from that win in Poland was big. I felt it was time to take time off from work and put 100 percent into this.

“Back home, people know me as a certain type of fighter. On day one of my career I lost in the first round and that’s why on the back of my shirt it says ‘The Art Of Bouncing Back.’ Those aren’t just words. Boxing is the most brutal sport when it comes to trying to bounce back. Once you lose, everybody is gone from your side. There are fighters out there that say they want to bounce back but they don’t have the guts to put themselves in a position to do it. I put myself in the fight with Wilder and I went to Poland and beat Adamek to bounce back and show people who I am.

“You have to prove yourself in this sport and then you can claim the rewards. I didn’t have an easy road to get here, I’ve had to do it the hard way and I’ve earned my way here.’’

About Showtime Networks:
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 and Google. Consumers can also subscribe to SHOWTIME via Hulu, Sony PlayStation® Vue and Amazon Prime Video. 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.

The WBA have officially sanctioned a blockbuster battle between Anthony Joshua MBE and Wladimir Klitschko for the spring of 2017 for the Super title – but only if Joshua successfully defends his IBF World Heavyweight title against Eric Molina at the Manchester Arena on December 10, live on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK and on SHOWTIME in the US.

Joshua defends his crown for the second time in his third straight clash with American opposition having ripped the strap from Charles Martin with a second round KO win in February at The O2 and defending the belt against Dominic Breazeale with a seventh round stoppage at his London fortress in June, extending his impressive run of KO wins to 17 in the paid ranks.

The 27 year old Olympic hero now faces his toughest test to date knowing that his clash with Klitschko is on the line along with his precious IBF belt.

Klitschko ruled the Heavyweight division for 15 years after landing the WBO crown on October 14 2000 and over that stretch adding the IBF, WBA, IBO and Ring magazine titles over a stunning career, before defeat to Tyson Fury in November. The 1996 Olympic gold medal hero fights in the UK for the second time in his glittering career having beaten Monte Barrett in London in July 2000 in his last fight before he became World king and his incredible domination of the Heavyweight scene began.

“It’s been an arduous wait to gain official approval but we were delighted to receive the news that the WBA will official sanction the fight between Anthony Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko for the WBA super title,” said Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn.

“We will now move forward with Bernd Boente and Team Klitschko in planning the date and venue knowing that victory against Eric Molina in Manchester on December 10 is more important than ever.”

There’s a huge card in support of the main event as Dillian Whyte defends his British Heavyweight title against bitter London rival Dereck Chisora in an official eliminator for the WBC title. Whyte makes the second defence of his strap after seeing off fellow Brixton man Ian Lewison in Glasgow last month, while former World title challenger Chisora can get his hands on the Lord Lonsdale belt for the second time.

Scott Quigg returns to action after treatment on his broken jaw following his unification blockbuster with Carl Frampton, and the Bury star moves up to Featherweight as he looks to regain his status as a World champion.

Kal Yafai can become Birmingham’s first World champion but the unbeaten 27 year old faces a tough task to rip the WBA Super-Flyweight title against Luis Concepcion, the two-weight World champion that will enter the ring in his 11th World title outing.

Irish amateur sensation Katie Taylor boxes for the second time in the paid ranks after making her pro debut at The SSE Arena, Wembley on November 26, Heavyweight wrecking ball ‘King Kong’ Luis Ortiz fights in Europe for the second time after clashing with Malik Scott in Monte-Carlo on November 12 and Hosea Burton will defend his British Light-Heavyweight title against Frank Buglioni.

Tickets go on sale to Matchroom Boxing Fight Pass members at midday on Thursday November 3 from the Fight Pass members via this link: bit.ly/JoshuaMolina. Tickets are priced at £40, £60, £80, £100, £150, £200, £300 and £500, with Inner Ringside VIP tickets priced at £800 – due to the high demand for the event, tickets are capped at FOUR per Fight Pass member.

Tickets go on general sale at midday on Friday November 4. Tickets priced £40 to £500 will be available from http://www.manchester-arena.com/ and on 0844 847 8000 VIP tickets are £800 and available exclusively from Matchroom Boxing www.matchroomboxing.com.

Face value tickets for December 10 are also be available from http://www.stubhub.co.uk/matchroom-boxing-tickets/ . StubHub is the official ticket partner and marketplace of Matchroom Boxing and Anthony Joshua.

Anthony Joshua MBE is set to defend his IBF World Heavyweight title against Eric Molina at the Manchester Arena on December 10, live on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK and on SHOWTIME in the US.

Joshua puts his crown on the line for the second time and fights his third American in a row having destroyed Charles Martin inside two rounds to rip the title from the St Louis man in April at The O2 in London and then stopping Dominic Breazeale in the seventh round at the same venue in June, extending his unbeaten run in the paid ranks to 17 wins, all inside the distance.

Molina becomes the latest man to attempt to derail the Olympic Gold medal hero, the Texan is looking to get his hands on the top prize in his second World title tilt after challenging Deontay Wilder for the WBC crown in June 2015. The 34 year old enters the bout full of confidence after travelling to Poland and knocking out Tomasz Adamek in the tenth round of their clash for the IBF Inter-Continental strap in April.

“I am pleased that everything is now set for December 10 and I can concentrate on getting the business done in the ring,” said Joshua. “There has been plenty of talk about who I may face but all I’m doing is concentrating on finishing Molina in style and putting on a great show.

“Every fight is dangerous in this division and this is no exception. I saw Molina have a great fight with Wilder and he is now coming off a strong KO win against Adamek in Poland.

“I’m expecting this to be the toughest fight of my career so far and I will be ready for an all-out war.”

“There is no Heavyweight in the world that has bounced back like I have,” said Molina. “That’s the man that Joshua faces on December 10 and that man is a very dangerous one.

“He’ll fight the toughest Molina that anybody has ever seen, just like Adamek fought the toughest Molina.

“I’m confident. These type of fights don’t shake me up, I’m a very strong mental fighter. I know exactly what I’ve got to do to prepare myself in the amount of time. I know exactly what I’ve got to do, mentally, physically, to go there and perform.

“When you walk out into the atmosphere, half the battle is the mental battle, and if you can stay in the moment mentally you have a shot in any fight.”

There’s a huge card in support of the main event as Dillian Whyte defends his British Heavyweight title against bitter London rival Dereck Chisora in an official eliminator for the WBC title. Whyte makes the second defence of his strap after seeing off fellow Brixton man Ian Lewison in Glasgow last month, while former World title challenger Chisora can get his hands on the Lord Lonsdale belt for the second time.

Scott Quigg returns to action after treatment on his broken jaw following his unification blockbuster with Carl Frampton, and the Bury star moves up to Featherweight as he looks to regain his status as a World champion.

Kal Yafai can become Birmingham’s first World champion but the unbeaten 27 year old faces a tough task to rip the WBA Super-Flyweight title against Luis Concepcion, the two-weight World champion that will enter the ring in his 11th World title outing.

Irish amateur sensation Katie Taylor boxes for the second time in the paid ranks after making her pro debut at The SSE Arena, Wembley on November 26, Heavyweight wrecking ball ‘King Kong’ Luis Ortiz fights in Europe for the second time after clashing with Malik Scott in Monte-Carlo on November 12 and Hosea Burton will defend his British Light-Heavyweight title against Frank Buglioni.

“The Heavyweight division has been turned on its head in the last few months and while many are standing still waiting, I’m delighted to get this huge card up and running in Manchester,” said promoter Eddie Hearn.

“I have spoken to Eric Molina at length and I know this is going to be a big test for Anthony. We saw in the Wilder fight that he can punch and doesn’t give in and is coming off a strong knockout win against Adamek in his back yard in Poland. We have requested an exception from the IBF for this fight and although the plans are for a major unification in the spring this fight requires Anthony’s full focus.

“The card is one of the strongest we have produced, supported by a huge all-British Heavyweight grudge match between Dillian Whyte and Dereck Chisora which will be an official eliminator for the WBC World title.

“We are delighted to see the return of Scott Quigg who will now campaign at Featherweight and Birmingham’s Kal Yafai has a chance to make history in a brutal fight against World champion Luis Concepcion.

“One of the most exciting Heavyweights in world boxing Luis Ortiz will feature and Ireland’s Katie Taylor will continue to break the mould in front of a sold out 21,000 crowd. The re-scheduled British Light-Heavyweight clash between Hosea Burton and Frank Buglioni is sure to produce fireworks and there will also be further names added in the following weeks.”

Tickets go on sale to Matchroom Boxing Fight Pass members at midday on Thursday November 3 from the Fight Pass members via this link: bit.ly/JoshuaMolina. Tickets are priced at £40, £60, £80, £100, £150, £200, £300 and £500, with Inner Ringside VIP tickets priced at £800 – due to the high demand for the event, tickets are capped at FOUR per Fight Pass member.

Tickets go on general sale at midday on Friday November 4. Tickets priced £40 to £500 will be available from http://www.manchester-arena.com/ and on 0844 847 8000 VIP tickets are £800 and available exclusively from Matchroom Boxing www.matchroomboxing.com.

Face value tickets for December 10 are also be available from http://www.stubhub.co.uk/matchroom-boxing-tickets/ . StubHub is the official ticket partner and marketplace of Matchroom Boxing and Anthony Joshua.

Hosea Burton will defend his British Light-Heavyweight title against Frank Buglioni at the Manchester Arena on December 10.

Burton landed the crown with an impressive sixth round stoppage win over Miles Shinkwin at the same venue in February but two scheduled defences were cancelled through injuries to his opponents.

Burton was set to meet Tony Dodson at Goodison Park in Liverpool in May but Dodson snapped his Achilles, then Buglioni was slated to meet Burton in September but the Londoner pulled out of their Manchester meeting after sustaining a cut in sparring. Burton boxed on both occasions, with a third round stoppage over Fernando Castaneda a ninth win inside the distance in 18 pro outings.

Former World Super-Middleweight title challenger Buglioni fights for the British strap for the first time in his career, but unbeaten champ Burton

“Frank is a good lad but this is business and I want to go forward so I need to beat him,” said Burton. “This is my division, my weight and I am the man in the Light-Heavyweight division – I’ll show that on December 10.

“I was frustrated that he pulled out of the last one with four weeks to go with a tiny nick over his eye. It was hard to stay motivated for the last fight but I had too good a training camp to mess it up so I stayed focused and got another stoppage win.”

Burton’s clash with Buglioni is part of a blockbuster night of action in Manchester as Anthony Joshua MBE defends his IBF World Heavyweight title for the second time and Kal Yafai aims to become Birmingham’s first World champion as he challenges WBA Super-Flyweight champion Luis Concepcion.

Further details on the card and tickets will be released soon.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, a bout between IBF Heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua and Wladmir Klitschko appears to be close to fruiyion provided the WBA will sanction the bout.

“We will go with the WBA ruling,” Klitschko manager Bernd Boente said. “We hope they rule quickly because Dec. 10 is not far away.”

“For Wladimir it is very important to have the WBA title in a fight with Joshua,” Boente said. “We made a deal with Eddie easily. We tried to find an agreement and we made a deal. If the fight doesn’t happen now and Wladimir and Joshua both win their next fight, we can do the fight under the same deal next year and it would be even bigger. The framework is there.”

“For Wladimir, it’s also about the WBA title. For him, this is important,” Boente said. “It is his mission. He is serious when he says it is not only about the money.”

“The WBO wants a tournament, which is up to them,” Boente said. “We love the WBO. Wladimir held the WBO title for a long time and it was the first world title he won. He respects the WBO, but if they do a tournament Wladimir would not participate. At this stage of his career it makes no sense.”

Matchroom Boxing and the IBF World Heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua MBE have both agreed to extend their long-standing partnerships with the world’s largest ticket marketplace, StubHub.

Matchroom Boxing and Anthony Joshua will continue to transparently list face value tickets on StubHub. StubHub will also serve as the Official Ticket Marketplace for all Matchroom Boxing and Anthony Joshua fights. StubHub will continue to have a broad range of branding, digital, social and activation rights, including access to Anthony for promotional video content, building on the success of the No Hype video released in November 2015.

For the first time, Matchroom Fight Pass members will be able to purchase face value tickets directly through StubHub during a pre-sale window ahead of each bout covering Matchroom’s stable of boxers including the undefeated Joshua.

Nick Harford, Head of Business Development & Partnerships at StubHub International said: “This is an exciting time for British boxing and we are delighted to extend our partnerships with both Matchroom Boxing and Anthony Joshua Anthony’s progress has been extraordinary and his undefeated record remains after an impressive performance against Dominic Breazeale. We are looking forward to further developing our successful partnerships with Anthony and his team, alongside our partners at Matchroom Boxing.”

Eddie Hearn, Group Managing Director, Matchroom Sport said: “I am delighted that we have agreed to extend our long-term partnership, which allows StubHub to provide fans with a safe and secure platform to buy face-value tickets for our events. In addition, StubHub have taken over hosting the Matchroom Fight Pass presale ticketing which will make the process smoother for our loyal members, who can now pick their seats via an interactive seat-mapping tool.”

IBF Heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua said: “I am very pleased to be renewing my partnership with StubHub. We have developed a very strong relationship from an early stage in my professional career and I thank them for the continued support. It is key for me to be able to give my fans a safe and reliable platform to purchase face value tickets to my fights.”

StubHub’s UK partnerships include: The O2, The SSE Wembley Arena, Tottenham Hotspur, Everton, Global Radio Summertime Ball and Jingle Bell Ball.

Anthony Joshua MBE will defend his IBF World Heavyweight title at the Manchester Arena on Saturday November 26.

Joshua landed the strap with a brutal second round KO win over former champion Charles Martin at The O2 in London in April and defended it with a seventh round stoppage win over Dominic Breazeale at his Greenwich fortress in June.

The 2012 Olympic hero puts the belt on the line for a second time in his second outing at the famous Manchester venue where he stopped Konstantin Airich in three rounds in September 2014 in his eighth pro outing.

“When I first started my professional career I travelled all round the country fighting, which I loved, this is taking me back to the grass roots,” said Joshua. “I can’t wait to get back up north and show the people of Manchester how much I have improved since the last time I was there. I have been inspired over the summer by the fighters in the Olympics, it has given me a new perspective and huge hunger to get back in ring.

“It has taken a bit of time to officially announce the fight, we want this to be a spectacular show, all the way up the card and it takes time to get these things right.”

An announcement on the opponent and ticket details will be released the week commencing September 26.

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (Aug. 18, 2016) – The eight fighters who’ll be fighting on ShoBox: The New Generation tomorrow/Friday, Aug. 19, live on SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/PT) at Rhinos Stadium in Rochester, N.Y., all made weight Thursday.

Undefeated Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller (17-0-1, 15 KOs) faces his toughest test to date in veteran Fred Kassi (18-5-1, 10 KOs) in the main event, which will take place at the outdoor USL soccer venue here. The co-main event features promising Louisiana lightweight “Rock Hard Mighty” Mason Menard (31-1, 23 KOs) facing his most dangerous foe to date in Bahodir “Baha” Mamadjonov (18-2, 11 KOs) of Houston, Texas, by way of Uzbekistan in a 10-round battle for the WBO NABO Lightweight title.

Plus, undefeated welterweight knockout artist Bakhtiyar Eyubov (10-0, 10 KOs) of Brooklyn, N.Y., by way of Kazakhstan, steps up to face veteran Karim Mayfield (19-3-1, 11 KOs) of San Francisco in a 10-round clash. And unbeaten Antonio Nieves (16-0-1, 8 KOs) of Cleveland will square off against Mexico’s Alejandro Santiago (11-2-1, 3 KOs) in a 10-round bantamweight bout for Nieves’ WBO NABO Title.

The Weights: Miller tipped the scales at 296 ½ pounds, while Kassi weighed 237 ¼ pounds. Menard weighed 134 ½ pounds, while his opponent, Mamadjonov, measured half pound over the limit on his first try, but hit the 135 mark half an hour later. Nieves weighed 117 even, while Santiago weighed 117 ½ pounds. Eyubov weighed 142 ½, while Mayfiled measured at 142 ¾ pounds.

The event is presented by Salita Promotions and Greg Cohen Promotions.

Here’s what the principals had to say prior to the weigh-in:

Jarrell Miller, Undefeated Heavyweight Prospect

“Mike Tyson was a freak of nature. Vitali Klitschko was a freak of nature. I’m also a freak of nature. I’m 6’ 4” and pushing 280. I’m a big guy, but I’m athletic. I can move. I can punch, and I was a kickboxer. I’m not your average heavyweight. I’m not trying to change the blueprint of how heavyweights should be. I’m just being myself and doing my job.

“They are like, ‘we’ve seen his body, we’ve seen his size. We’ll outwork him,’ but they are wrong. Never can judge a book by its cover. I’ll outwork him in the ring. I’m fast, I’m good and I can punch. He’s not going to see me coming.

“Don’t let my weight fool you. I’ve been doing cardio. I’m in really good shape and I’m ready to go the distance.

“Every fight, I have to know how to adjust. I feel like Fred has never been in with a guy like me. He’s been with [Chris] Arreola, who doesn’t move as much, and he also fought [Dominic] Breazeale, who doesn’t have good footwork. I’m telling you, he’s never fought a big athletic body like me. He’s in for a surprise.

“I know my jab is going to be on his face. For me, it’s not just about winning, it’s about performance. Every fight in my career from now on it’s about more than winning. Now I have to prove myself. I have to prove I’m worthy of a title shot.

“I wasn’t happy with my [Jan. 22] win over Donovan Dennis. I knew I could’ve done better than a seventh-round TKO. That’s why I’m pushing myself on this fight. I want to win convincingly and I will.

“Anthony Joshua is a punk. Deontay Wilder, don’t get me started. Now, Tyson Fury can actually punch. I’ll give him that. From all of them, Fury in my opinion is the better one. That’s why I want to fight him. I believe you should go for the hardest ones first. You take the biggest guy out first and then, you go for the easy ones. That’s how it’s supposed to be and that’s what I’d like to do. Take the hard ones out first. Fury, you are next.”

Fred Kassi, Heavyweight Prospect

“I’ll be a little bit heavier than usual for this fight, but I’m feeling good. I’m feeling ready. I hope the judges see that. I have had some bad experiences with judges recently.

“I have had some big fights. I dealt with big guys and talkers, but that doesn’t concern me because in the ring it’s going to be just the two of us. That is when the real fight is going to happen.

“I did my job against Arreola, I did what I had to do against Dominic Breazeale. I got robbed.

I’ve never fought a heavyweight shorter than me. I’m usually the shorter one in the ring, but I know my game. I know what I’m doing.”

“I’ve gotten robbed so many times. I was coming on hard against Hughie Fury. I didn’t do great in the first rounds, but I was leading in the late ones, and he was slowing down. The stoppage was a relief for him. He was running out of gas.

Mason Menard, Lightweight Prospect

“After that last knockout, so many people were actually exhilarated about it. People that didn’t even know me, they’d come up and say, ‘Are you Mason? Man, I saw that KO [and show me the video]. I’ve watched it a thousand times.’”

On his opponent…

“He’s one of those guys that no one wants to fight. I took this fight as soon as it was offered because it’s another step up for me. I have to beat guys like this to get to the A-class of fighters. He’s not a bad fighter but he’s not A-class. I simply have to beat guys like this.

“Hand speed and foot speed, those are my difference makers.”

On his growth beyond the La., circuit now, after 35 fights:

“I am glad to be getting the national exposure now. We had some step up fights in Louisiana at first. Now, we are right where we need to be. It’s all happening now.”

Bahodir Mamadjonov Lightweight Prospect

“Menard fought many of the same fighters that we have. Many guys in the same class as we did. So, we are not impressed with his record or his knockouts. We prepared for seven or eight weeks. Although we only knew of this opponent for two-three weeks. At this level, this is no surprise. We are ready.

“We tried to fight him years ago. He was 17-1 or 18-1 at the time and he didn’t want the fight. Now, he’s out of options. I am by far the toughest test of his career.

“We are close to a world title now. A win here, our third appearance on SHOWTIME, and against a world-rated lightweight…. “I will bring the fight to Mason Menard. That is my style and it doesn’t change for this fight. He’s fighting to prove he’s legitimate. I am here to earn my title shot.”

Antonio Nieves, Bantamweight Prospect

“When they tell you are going to fight and then you hear your opponent got injured, you get a little bit down. Thankfully, Alejandro Santiago was ready to step up.

“We’ve noticed he’s successful when the fighter gets in his face, and I have the right strategy for that.

“From my last fight I took two weeks off, and then back in the gym. I didn’t even know the name of my opponent. I just wanted to be ready to go when the fight was set.

“I’m ranked fifth in the WBO, after Santiago I want to fight for the WBO bantamweight title and then, I will probably look for Rau’shee Warren to unify the titles. I think there’s not enough action in my division and I’m ready to change that.”

Alejandro Santiago, Bantamweight Prospect

“I’ve known about this fight for two months. I was about 130 pounds when I found out. I’ve been training hard and I feel ready to move up in weight. I’m ready for my opponent.

“I like to box. I like to get in my opponent’s face. I like to hit and not get hit. I’ve worked a lot on my defensive skills.

“I know Nieves is a tough fighter. He’s skilled. But I have a good strategy. I’ll approach him smartly, and I’ll get the decision.”

Bakhtiyar Eyubov, Undefeated Welterweight Prospect

“We have been training in a large ring, specifically to prepare to cut the ring off. We are prepared to go 10 rounds, to go 15 rounds. We are not worried about going rounds.”

(Re: only 10 fights so far in career):

“I grew up in the gym, had a great amateur career. I expect to progress quickly just like the great amateurs before me. I am at the peak of my strength and I am ready. Karim has never been stopped, never been dropped. He’s a real test.

“I grew up in a rough environment, in the streets. I am not intimidated. If not for boxing, I would be in a very bad situation back home (Kazakhstan).”

(Re: Mayfield)

“It will be a real fight. I hope he is ready 100 percent because we are. I am not a God, we can’t predict, but know this, it will be a good show. Let him do his job. I will do my job. And I will have him out of there within five rounds.”

Karim Mayfield, Welterweight Prospect

“I’m a world class opponent. I’ve fought better fighters than him. He will be taking his first loss.

“For those that say it’s too late at 36, I tell them they are wrong. I’m not worn out. I haven’t been in one-sided wars or beatings. I’ve been taking care of myself. I’m experienced and I know my craft.

“I’m planning to show my opponent I know how to utilize the ring. I’ve only been down once. I know my opponent is a strong fighter and that he’s going to come strong, but he’s not going to take me down.

“I’m used to training late. I hit the gym at 7 or 8 o’clock at night. Our fight is late tomorrow, but I’m used to it. At that time Eyubov is going to sleep. So, I’m going to do him a favor and I’ll put him to sleep.

“I feel that I still have the opportunity to thrive, to move forward in my boxing career. There’s still a lot of me left.”

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About ShoBox: The New Generation
Since its inception in July 2001, the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series, ShoBox: The New Generation has featured young talent matched tough. The ShoBox philosophy is to televise exciting, crowd-pleasing and competitive matches while providing a proving ground for willing prospects determined to fight for a world title. Some of the growing list of the 67 fighters who have appeared on ShoBox and advanced to garner world titles includes: Andre Ward, Deontay Wilder, Erislandy Lara, Shawn Porter, Gary Russell Jr., Lamont Peterson, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Omar Figueroa, Nonito Donaire, Devon Alexander, Carl Froch, Robert Guerrero, Timothy Bradley, Jessie Vargas, Juan Manuel Lopez, Chad Dawson, Paulie Malignaggi, Ricky Hatton, Kelly Pavlik, Paul Williams and more.

About Salita Promotions
Salita Promotions was founded in 2010 by Dmitriy Salita, a professional boxer and world-title challenger who saw the need for a promotional entity to feature boxing’s best young prospects and established contenders in North America and around the world. Viewers watching fighters on worldwide television networks including Showtime, ESPN, Spike TV, Universal Sports Network and MSG have enjoyed Salita Promotions fight action in recent years. We pride ourselves on offering our fighters opportunities inside and outside the ring. Salita Promotions looks forward to continuing to grow and serve the needs of fight fans around the globe.