PHILADELPHIA (Dec. 5, 2016) Living legend and former two-division world champion Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins (55-7 2, 32 KOs) was recognized today by Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney with an honorary ceremonial Liberty Bell to commemorate his final career fight against Joe Smith, Jr. for the WBC International Light Heavyweight Championship set for Saturday, December 17 at The Forum in Los Angeles. The bout will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing®.

Oscar De La Hoya, chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, joined Hopkins and Mayor Kenney to celebrate the former’s legendary career that spans four decades.

Following the presentation with Mayor Kenney, Hopkins hosted a media workout in Philadelphia at Joe Hand Boxing Gym ahead of his “Final 1” 12-round fight with Joe Smith, Jr. for the WBC International Light Heavyweight Championship set for Saturday, December 17 at the “Fabulous” Forum in Los Angeles. The bout will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing®.

Hopkins was joined by his head trainer John David Jackson and his promoter Oscar De La Hoya at Joe Hand Boxing Gym for the media workout. Below are select photos from today’s events in Philadelphia:

(Left to Right) Two-division former world champion and Future Hall of Famer Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins (Right) is presented with an award by Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney on December 5, 2016 in Philadelphia prior to Hopkins 12-round fight for the WBC International Light Heavyweight title against hard-hitting Light Heavyweight contender Joe Smith, Jr. from Los Angeles’ iconic Fabulous Forum on Saturday, December 17 to be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing®.

(Left to Right) Two-division former world champion and Future Hall of Famer Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins (Right) and Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions Oscar De La Hoya (Left) pose on December 5, 2016 in Philadelphia prior to Hopkins 12-round fight for the WBC International Light Heavyweight title against hard-hitting Light Heavyweight contender Joe Smith, Jr. from Los Angeles’ iconic Fabulous Forum on Saturday, December 17 to be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing®.

(Left to Right) Two-division former world champion and Future Hall of Famer Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins hits the mitts during his media workout on December 5, 2016 in Philadelphia prior to Hopkins 12-round fight for the WBC International Light Heavyweight title against hard-hitting Light Heavyweight contender Joe Smith, Jr. from Los Angeles’ iconic Fabulous Forum on Saturday, December 17 to be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing®.

Hopkins vs. Smith takes place Saturday, December 17 on HBO World Championship Boxing® beginning at 10 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. PT from the “Fabulous” Forum in Los Angeles.

Hopkins vs. Smith is a 12-round WBC International Light Heavyweight Championship presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Star Boxing. Diaz vs. Garcia is a 10-round NABF featherweight title match presented by Golden Boy Promotions. Usyk vs. Mchunuis a 12-round WBO Cruiserweight World Title battle presented by K2 Promotions in association with Main Events. The event is sponsored by Cerveza Tecate, BORN BOLD and Casa Mexico Tequila. The event will be televised live on Saturday December 17, 2016 from Inglewood, California’s “Fabulous” Forum on HBO’s flagship series beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Tickets for Hopkins vs. Smith are now on sale and are priced at $25, $50, $75, $105 and $205, not including applicable service charges and taxes, with a total ticket limit of 12 per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 or the Forum Box Office (Monday through Friday 11:00am PST to 7:00pm PST) at (310) 330-7300. Tickets are also available for purchase at www.fabulousforum.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

B-roll and images of Hopkins vs. Smith are available for use and download HERE or by copying and pasting: bit.ly/HopkinsSmith. Video and photo credit must be given to Golden Boy Promotions.

LOS ANGELES (November 30, 2016)-Ahead of the highly anticipated “Final 1” battle between Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins and Joe Smith Jr., the fighters, along with their promoters Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions and Joe DeGuardia, President and CEO of Star Boxing, held a media conference call with a Q&A session for the media. Hopkins vs. Smith will be airing live on December 17th on HBO World Championship Boxing® beginning at 10 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. PT from the “Fabulous” Forum.

Below is what the fighters and their promoters had to say on the conference call:

Click here for full audio recording of the conference call.

OSCAR DE LA HOYA, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions:

“On December 17, a boxing legend will enter the ring for the final time as Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins, at 51 years young, steps into the ring at the Fabulous Forum against Joe Smith Jr., a rising contender in the light heavyweight division who was born three years after Bernard took his first fight. This fight can be seen live on HBO World Championship Boxing on Saturday, December 17.

“At 51 years young, Bernard is not fighting someone who is not a walk in the park. Joe Smith has every opportunity to take control of the fight and win. Hopkins is the type of man to challenge himself and fight the very best. This fight with Joe Smith is a very difficult fight. That is why Bernard Hopkins is a living legend, because he is willing to take on the best and challenge himself. On Dec 17th, Bernard will make history. We are calling it the “Final 1″ and from top to bottom it will be exciting, thrilling, and final fight. It is our plan to end the year of 2016 with a huge bang.”

BERNARD HOPKINS, Future Hall of Famer, Two Division World Champion:

“I want to thank Golden Boy Promotions and HBO that helped put together this legendary fight. It is definitely fighting action from top to bottom. I am very ready to have a final one. I’m in a competition with myself. To stay fresh in the game and to stay fresh in my mind on my end.

“I am challenging myself, as Oscar had mentioned, with Joe Smith Jr. who is one of the best options out there. I am ready, and we are on the final stretch. I’m feeling great as most fighters would say as they are about to get in the ring. I am telling you all to bring your notepads, because come December 17, I am about to bring the textbook about boxing. That’s what I’m going to show you all, so you can see it on Primetime. I am looking forward to the final 1. There will be no more like me.

“Even though I defeated John David Jackson, he is the very best out there and we wanted him in my corner. JDJ is much overlooked, but he is one of the top 3 or 4 trainers. He has known me since I was a younger fighter trying to make it into boxing. If you look at the craftsman ship of JDJ, when you see that a guy not only has the tools, the way to use them in the ring, and you as a fighter have the confidence and trust in your teacher-you’re in great hands. He’s been representing that for many years. We felt that it was a perfect transition, the transition in us knowing each other and working together… When you give your teacher – your coach — all that he wants while you train, come fight night he can give you what you need when you most need it.

“I am done. This will be the “Final 1”. Whether it was JDJ or Naazim [Richardson] in my corner, I will not fight, even if I feel that I can do a lot more. On December 17th, I want to give a performance where you beg me to stay, and it’s a challenge that Joe Smith will have to take on. For fighters to show their greatness, they need someone to bring it out. Timing is everything, and I am doing it in my calculation. I proved a bunch of people wrong already. There is no stone that has not been unturned, meaning that when I look back, I would have done everything that I wanted to.

“I’m also from a union, the state corrections union – it’s a brotherly hood, and some of the best diamonds come from under the rock. These are some of the base of fans for me – especially the young aspiring boxers who I tell to watch me.

“I’m in a competition with myself. When you reach this level of professionalism, you have done things that most fighters, especially the young fighters haven’t done yet. I want to overdo myself. Joe Smith is a hard puncher, he won’t run, is a union guy, he won’t lay back, and he won’t try not to execute me. However, Joe smith has to be trained to pass 4, 5, 6 different styles that I will utilize in the ring, and he is going to have to be smart.

“I will be the matrix, I will be the executioner. I will be everything that I need to be to win. The sweet science is something that I’ve always been addicted too. My fight will be like watching the last game of Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant.

“After this fight, I will be taking a larger role at Golden Boy Promotions. I will also be doing color commentating, and segments on the fight game. You can call me Houdini – I can do many things.”

JOE DE GUARDIA, President and CEO of Star Boxing:

“It’s a pleasure, we want to thank Golden Boy for giving us and Joe the opportunity for this fight. We echo the thoughts and sentiments about this December 17 fight. Bernard Hopkins is a real legend, and it is a privilege to be on this fight with such a great network. Looking forward, Bernard is going to be taking on a real hungry lion like Joe Smith. He is going to be up for a real surprise. I am proud to be associated with this fight. I know Joe has won the WBC against Andrzej Fonfara earlier this year and will be defending it against Bernard.

“Joe Smith Jr. is symbolic of the American spirit – working with the sledge hammer, a part of the union-and will bring all that hard work to the forum. After Joe Smith Jr. wins this fight, many doors will open, but he has to get through Bernard Hopkins first. Once he does that, every door in the world is his.

“The unions all have Joe on the agenda, and many different unions are supporting. The support has been tremendous-it is one of their own who represents them in the ring.”

JOE SMITH JR., WBC International Light Heavyweight Champion:

“I want to thank HBO, Golden Boy, and Star Boxing. We have been training hard and are ready for what is to come. I am mentally preparing for everything that Bernard Hopkins has for me. The date is almost here, and I am ready to put on a great show.”

“I am prepared to go 12 rounds, he is a tough guy. If I get the opportunity to take him out, I will do that. I go into every fight the same way; whether it is a legend or a nobody that is standing in front of me, they have the potential to hurt me. Each fight I push myself a little harder.

“We are always training and preparing the same like we do for all our fights-I don’t do anything different. When the call came for the title fight, I was working for the labor union, and trained for two months straight and that resulted in a win. The same thing happened when I got the call for this fight. I have been training in Long Island, so I have traveled to spar with different fighters throughout the area. I believe that I have some of the best jabs in boxing. Most of my fights end early, so I don’t get to show off my boxing capabilities. I think most people will be impressed by my boxing performance as I take on Bernard.

“To fight someone well known like Bernard is a privilege. I will be bringing my best, and will make sure that he doesn’t return. I will make sure he exits my way.”

Hopkins vs. Smith is a 12-round light heavyweight battle presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Star Boxing and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate, BORN BOLD and Casa Mexico Tequila. The event will be televised live on Saturday December 17, 2016 from Inglewood California’s “Fabulous” Forum on HBO’s flagship series beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Tickets for Hopkins vs. Smith are now on sale and are priced at $25, $50, $75, $105 and $205, not including applicable service charges and taxes, with a total ticket limit of 12 per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 or the Forum Box Office (Monday through Friday 11:00am PST to 7:00pm PST) at (310) 330-7300. Tickets are also available for purchase at www.fabulousforum.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

B-roll and images of Hopkins vs. Smith are available for use and download HERE or by copying and pasting: bit.ly/HopkinsSmith. Video and photo credit must be given to Golden Boy Promotions.

LOS ANGELES (November 22, 2016) – Rounding out a stacked card featuring boxing legend Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins, undefeated featherweight contender Joseph “JoJo” Diaz, Jr. and WBO Cruiserweight World Champion Oleksander Usyk, several red-hot prospects in the Golden Boy Promotions stable will look to move to the next level on December 17 at the “Fabulous” Forum in Inglewood, California.

Tickets for these action-packed fights are already on sale and available at Ticketmaster and the Forum Box Office.

“There is no promotional company with a deeper stable of prospects than Golden Boy Promotions, and fans are going to see a slew of them on the December 17 card,” said company CEO and Chairman Oscar De La Hoya. “I am confident that multiple future world champions are on this card; fans should come to the Fabulous Forum to see these rising stars as they continue to climb the ladder of our sport.”

Following back-to-back knockouts that earned him the WBC Latino Middleweight Title, undefeated southpaw Yamaguchi Falcao (11-0, 4 KOs)will return to the states for the first time since April, 2015 to put his title on the line against German “Zurdo” Perez (10-2-3, 3 KOs) of Los Mochis, Sinaloa in a 10-round match-up.

Staying in the middleweight division, Donegal, Ireland’s own Jason “El Animal” Quigley (11-0, 9 KOs) will continue his record of taking on tough challenges and step into the ring against the knockout artist Jorge “Destroyer” Melendez (28-7-1, 26 KOs) from Manati, Puerto Rico in a 10-round bout.

18-year-old lightweight Ryan “Kingry” Garcia (6-0, 5 KOs) will make his highly anticipated Golden Boy Promotions debut on the card against Durango, Mexico’s Antonio “Chore” Martinez (6-7, 5 KOs). In a professional career that just launched in June, the 15-time national champion has already won six fights, including five by way of knockout.
With the NABA Super Featherweight Title up for grabs, newly crowned champion Carlos “The Solution” Morales (14-1-3, 6 KOs) will look to make it 15 wins in a row after starting his career winless in four fights when he faces challenger Charles Huerta (18-4, 10 KOs) of Paramount, CA in a 10-round affair for Morales’ belt and LA bragging rights.

Back in the lightweight division, undefeated LA Fight Club favorite Ivan “Striker” Delgado (10-0-1, 3 KOs), will head southwest across the city from his adopted home at the Belasco Theater to take on Tijuana, Mexico’s Roberto Rivera (6-3, 5 KOs) in a six or eight round bout.

Staying with the lightweights, fan favorite and hard-hitting Christian “Chimpa” Gonzalez (15-0, 13 KOs) from Buena Park, California puts his perfect record on the line against a soon to be announced opponent.

Opening up the evening, undefeated Featherweight Joet Gonzalez (14-0, 6 KOs) from Glendora, California continues to take on rugged competition, as he squares off against Torreon, Mexico’s Jairo Hernandez (15-10, 8 KOs) in a six or eight round battle.

Hopkins vs. Smith is a 12-round light heavyweight battle presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Star Boxing. Diaz vs. Garcia is a 10-round NABF featherweight title match up presented by Golden Boy Promotions. Usyk vs. Mchunuis a 12-round WBO Cruiserweight World Title battle presented by K2 Promotions in association with Main Events. The event is sponsored by Cerveza Tecate, BORN BOLD and Casa Mexico Tequila. The event will be televised live on Saturday December 17, 2016 from Inglewood, California’s “Fabulous” Forum on HBO’s flagship series beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Tickets for Hopkins vs. Smith are now on sale and are priced at $25, $50, $75, $105 and $205, not including applicable service charges and taxes, with a total ticket limit of 12 per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 or the Forum Box Office (Monday through Friday 11:00am PST to 7:00pm PST) at (310) 330-7300. Tickets are also available for purchase at www.fabulousforum.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.starboxing.com, www.k2promos.com, www.mainevents.com,
www.hbo.com/boxing and www,fabaulousforum.com; follow on Twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @starboxing, @HBOBoxing, @therealbhop, @beastsmithjr, @JosephDiazJr, @TomLoeffler1, @OleksandrUsyk, @Main_Events, @ThabisoMchunu and @TheForum; become a fan on Facebook at www,facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www,facebook,com/StarBoxing, www.facebook.com/HBOBoxing and www.facebook.com/TheForum; and visit us on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing, @HBOBoxing. Follow the conversation using #HopkinsSmith

Los Angeles, CA (November 9, 2016) – Newly crowned World Boxing Organization Cruiserweight Champion, Oleksandr Usyk, (10-0, 9 KOs) of Kiev, Ukraine will make his highly anticipated United States debut in his first title defense against world ranked contender Thabiso “The Rock” Mchunu, (17-2, 11 KOs) of South Africa on Saturday, December 17 at the “Fabulous” Forum in Inglewood, CA and televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

The Usyk-Mchunu 12-round clash is presented by K2 Promotions in association with Main Events and will open the HBO telecast headlined by the light heavyweight clash between Two-Division World Champion and Future Hall-of-Famer Bernard Hopkins, (55-7-2, 32 KOs) and hard-hitting contender Joe Smith Jr., (21-1 18 KOs) and a 10-round co-main event between Joseph Diaz Jr. and Horacio Garcia who will clash for the NABF Featherweight Title.

“This is a great opportunity, I’m very excited to fight for the first time in the United States and on HBO,” said Usyk. “After winning the world title in September, fighting in America was the next goal and I promise the fans in Los Angeles and those watching on HBO a great performance,” said Usyk, known for his world class performances, heavy hands and his memorable victory dances.

“Against good opposition, I ‘The Rock’ always rise to the occasion, “said Mchunu. “I’m eagerly focused on the throne!”

“Oleksandr is very anxious to fight in the United States, he wants to be known as a true world champion, the same status the Gold Medal provided him as an amateur,” said Alexander Krassyuk of K2 Promotions Ukraine. “We’re very thankful to HBO for this opportunity and see this as just the first step towards Oleksandr becoming a superstar in the United States.”

Said Tom Loeffler, Managing Director of K2 Promotions, “We’re very happy to bring Oleksandr to the United States. He has drawn large crowds to his fights in Ukraine and there is much anticipation for him coming to America and to become the next boxing superstar. His entertaining, all-action style will be a thrill for fight fans at the Fabulous Forum and those watching on HBO. Having seen the Los Angeles fans’ reaction to both Gennady Golovkin and Roman Gonzalez’s fights at The Fabulous Forum with its rich boxing and entertainment history, this venue is a special place for star making performances.”

Stated Kathy Duva of Main Events, “Thabiso jumped at this opportunity the moment the offer was conveyed without hesitation. He is coming to win and it will be a great fight. I would also give all the credit in the world to Usyk for taking on such a tough challenge in his first defense of the title.”

The 29-year-old Usyk capped an extraordinary amateur career winning Olympic Gold at the London Games in 2012. Signing with K2 Promotions, Usyk scored knockouts in his first nine bouts in front of huge crowds in Ukraine and Germany. On September 17, 2016, Usyk won the WBO Cruiserweight World Title from champion Krzysztof Glowacki, brilliantly dominating the action over 12 rounds in Gdansk, Poland. The unanimous decision championship victory in Usyk’s tenth professional bout broke the previous record of twelve fights held by Future Hall-of-Famer Evander Holyfield. Usyk is currently world ranked in the cruiserweight division, #2 by ESPN and USA Today and #3 by Ring Magazine.

The 28-year-old Mchunu is world ranked #9 by the WBC, #13 by the WBO and #14 by the IBF. Although based in South Africa, he has fought and been victorious on three previous occasions in the United States. Making his U.S. debut on August 3, 2013, Mchunu won a 10-round decision over former world title challenger Eddie Chambers. In 2014, the southpaw also won 10-round decisions over Garrett Wilson and Olanrewaju Durodola. Most recently Mchunu knocked out Boniface Kabore in the second round on May 20, 2016 in South Africa.

Hopkins vs. Smith is a 12-round light heavyweight battle presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Star Boxing. Diaz vs. Garcia is a 10-round NABF featherweight title match up presented by Golden Boy Promotions. Usyk vs. Mchunu is a 12-round WBO Cruiserweight World Title battle presented by K2 Promotions in association with Main Events. The event is sponsored by Cerveza Tecate, BORN BOLD and Casa Mexico Tequila. The event will be televised live on Saturday December 17, 2016 from Inglewood California’s “Fabulous” Forum on HBO’s flagship series beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Tickets are now on sale and are priced at $25, $50, $75, $105 and $205, not including applicable service charges and taxes, with a total ticket limit of 12 per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 or the Forum Box Office (Monday through Friday 11:00am PST to 7:00pm PST) at (310) 330-7300. Tickets are also available for purchase at www.fabulousforum.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com,www.starboxing.com, www.K2promos.com, www.mainevents.com, www.hbo.com/boxing and www.fabulousforum.com; follow on Twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @starboxing, @HBOBoxing, @therealbhop, @beastsmithjr, @JosephDiazJr, @TomLoeffler1, @OleksandrUsyk, @Main_Events, @ThabisoMchunu and @TheForum; become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, https://www.facebook.com/StarBoxing/, www.facebook.com/HBOBoxing and www.facebook.com/TheForum; and visit us on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing, @HBOBoxing. Follow the conversation using #HopkinsSmith.

LOS ANGELES (November 7, 2016) –
Joseph “JoJo” Diaz, Jr. (22-0, 13 KOs) will look to defend his NABF Featherweight Championship for the fourth time this year, as the former 2012 U.S. Olympian steps into the ring for a 10-round slugfest againstHoracio “Violento” Garcia (30-1-1, 22 KOs) in the co-main event of Bernard Hopkins’s final fight on December 17 at the Forum in Inglewood, California. The event will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Tickets for these action-packed fights are already on sale.

“A world title has always been my goal and December 17, will be an incredible experience as I continue to pursue my dream of a being featherweight champion,” Diaz said. “Garcia is an extremely tough guy, but I am hitting my peak right now, and there’s nothing that’s going to stop me.”

“Joseph Diaz may be undefeated, but he’s never faced anyone like me,” Garcia said. “I am looking forward to coming to Los Angeles December 17, defeating Diaz and continuing my rise up the Featherweight division.”

“I have had a front-row seat to watch Joseph develop from an Olympian to a world-class professional fighter, and he is getting better each and every day,” said Golden Boy Promotions CEO and Chairman Oscar De La Hoya. “While JoJo will face one of his toughest challenges his in Garcia, I am confident he comes out victorious and earns a world title shot in 2017.”

Hopkins vs. Smith is a 12-round light heavyweight battle presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Star Boxing. Diaz vs. Garcia is a 10-round NABF featherweight title match up presented by Golden Boy Promotions. The event is sponsored by Cerveza Tecate, BORN BOLD and Casa Mexico Tequila. The event will be televised live on Saturday December 17, 2016 from Inglewood California’s “Fabulous” Forum on HBO’s flagship series beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Tickets for Hopkins vs. Smith are now on sale and are priced at $25, $50, $75, $105 and $205, not including applicable service charges and taxes, with a total ticket limit of 12 per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 or the Forum Box Office (Monday through Friday 11:00am PST to 7:00pm PST) at (310) 330-7300. Tickets are also available for purchase at www.fabulousforum.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com,www.starboxing.com, www.hbo.com/boxing and www.fabulousforum.com; follow on Twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @starboxing, @HBOBoxing, @therealbhop, @beastsmithjr, @JosephDiazJr, and @TheForum; become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, https://www.facebook.com/StarBoxing/, www.facebook.com/HBOBoxing and www.facebook.com/TheForum; and visit us on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing, @HBOBoxing. Follow the conversation using #HopkinsSmith.

Bernard Hopkins is scheduled to step into the ring one final time on December 17th. The 51-year-old boxing legend will face Joe Smith Jr. in a light heavyweight bout at the Forum in Inglewood, California. Hopkins is a shoo-in for the Boxing Hall of Fame five years after he retires. Here is a look back at the career of The Executioner.

Convict Turned Fighter
Hopkins began his boxing career in 1988 after he was released from prison. He served four and a half years for armed robbery, and it was in prison where he discovered his boxing ability. He immediately turned pro after his release, and he lost his first pro fight to Clinton Mitchell. The loss really discouraged him, and it would be 16 months before he would fight again.

First Win
Hopkins bounced back to win his second fight at middleweight, beating Greg Paige on February 22, 1990. This victory kicked off an incredible run for Hopkins. He won 22 straight fights to shoot up the middleweight rankings. This led to his first big fight, a matchup with Roy Jones, Jr. for the IBF Middleweight title on May 22, 1993. Hopkins lost in a unanimous decision.

Gaining the Middleweight Title
Later that year, Hopkins again fought for the IBF Middleweight title. This fight was against Segundo Mercado in Quito, Ecuador. Hopkins suffered from altitude sickness in the fight and was almost knocked out before he came back to earn a draw. The two met again on April 29, 1995, and Hopkins scored a TKO against Mercado to claim the title.

Middleweight Unification Fight
On September 29, 2001, Hopkins fought Felix Trinidad in a match to unify the various middleweight belts. Hopkins was an underdog in the fight for the first time in years, and he actually bet $100,000 on himself to win. Hopkins thoroughly outclassed Trinidad, knocking him out in the 12th round to shock the boxing world. This victory made Hopkins the first undisputed middleweight champion since Marvin Hagler held all the belts in 1987.

Hopkins vs. De La Hoya
The biggest fight of Hopkins’ career came on September 8, 2004 against Oscar De La Hoya. This was a huge payday for Hopkins, earning him $10 million. He knocked out De La Hoya with a vicious left hook to the body. The fight made them friends. Soon after, De La Hoya would invite to Hopkins to become his business partner in Golden Boy Productions.

Hopkins ended up successfully defending the middleweight title 20 times, which is a record. His eventually lost the title championship in a split decision against Jermain Taylor on July 16, 2005. He has fought sporadically over the last decade with most of his fights at light heavyweight.

No Easy Contest
Hopkins is a fighter who seeks out challenges. He is not going to ride off into the sunset against a patsy. His opponent Smith is a tough Irishman who has a 22-1 record with 18 knockouts. Hopkins wants to go out with a bang, saying his aim is to knock Smith out. With so much knockout power in this fight, it should be an exciting contest that ends with one fighter being counted out.

LOS ANGELES (October 24, 2016) – Former Two-Division World Champion and Future Hall of FamerBernard “The Executioner” Hopkins(55-7-2, 32 KOs) and Light Heavyweight Contender Joe Smith Jr. (22-1, 18 KOs) today hosted a Los Angeles press conference to discuss their 12-round battle set for December 17 at the Forum in Inglewood, Calif. and to be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing®. Also, in attendance for this press conference was Los Angeles-based undefeated Vyacheslav “Lionheart Chingonskyy” Shabranskyy (17-0, 14 KOs) as he takes on Cuban standout Sullivan Barrera (17-1, 12 KOs) for a 10-round bout for Shabranskyy’s WBC USNBC Light Heavyweight title on HBO Latino® Boxing on Friday, December 16 at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino. Also rounding out the HBO Latino® Boxing card, was Former WBC Silver featherweight titlist Ronny Rios (26-1, 11 KOs) against Roy “Pitbull” Tapia (12-1-2, 6 KOs).

Below is what the fighters, their trainers, managers and promoter had to say at today’s press conference:

BERNARD HOPKINS, Former Two-Division World Champion and Future Hall of Famer:

“This is history, we have been here many times where history has been made. This is obviously different than everything I have ever done, because it is the Final 1. To be able to have the Final 1 in LA, where the city of stars are trying to be stars, however you cut it, it couldn’t have been better with the history placed in the DNA that the Forum has produced.

“It is fitting that the end of a twenty-nine year career, since 1988 is in a historic place at the Forum in Inglewood, CA. This is something that came as an opportunity to be here. I couldn’t tell you that it would be in this arena-it just happened, and here I am against an incredible opponent.

“I don’t want anyone to say Joe Smith Jr. gave me anything-give me an opportunity and give me a door and I’ll open it myself. I don’t’ have to convince anyone of anything. This is not emotional. What I am going to do is show you why I have been named three different names in boxing from “The Executioner” to “B-Hop” to “The Alien” they all exist in me.

“On December 17th you will see “The Executioner,” it will all come full circle. This press conference is just a warm up. Win, lose or draw, there is no excuse-Final 1.”

JOE SMITH JR., Light Heavyweight Contender:

“I’m so glad I was chosen to fight Bernard Hopkins in his final fight on December 17th at the Forum. I’m going to train very hard for this fight and take full advantage of it. I’m looking forward to putting on a great show for everyone.”

OSCAR DE LA HOYA, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions:

“As you know, we are calling this the “Final 1,” and Bernard has expressed this is the final one. We are really excited to be putting together this card. We want to thank HBO for putting this card together.

“December 17th will be historical. I want to say coming out party, but it will be the last hoorah, as a champion goes out in his terms, in his way. Only legends can do that and superstars who transcend the sport.

“What excited me about this fight is that Bernard is not fighting someone who is a walk in the park, he is fighting a difficult fight, and this gentleman has every opportunity in the book to win and win a world title. This is Hopkins, this is who Hopkins chose. Joe Smith Jr. has an amazing record and an outstanding knockout percentage that is unheard of in his division.

“Hopkins will be an athlete that will transcend the sport, not just for what he has accomplished in the ring, but for outside of it, and that is huge. I am very excited and happy that this fight will be taking place in an arena where I began my professional career. It is an honor for me and thank you for giving Los Angeles and Angelenos an opportunity to watch this fight.

“Leading up to the event, we have some great events coming up. The annual Oscar De La Hoya Foundation Toy Giveaway will be taking place the day of the fight. We want to get the community involved, not only because yours truly is from here and I began my career here-but because we are celebrating a legend, such as Bernard in a way he should be honored.

“Part of the festivities leading up to the December 17th fight will be a card on December 16th on HBO Latino at one of the best casinos in California, Fantasy Springs Resort Casino,

“At Golden Boy, we are very proud to grow our young fighters. Rios vs. Tapia wasn’t an easy fight to make, because we have developed these fighters, but you have to make great fights for the fans and this will be an exciting fight to watch

“On December 16th, I think it is best to promote one of the best divisions in boxing today, the middleweight division. I acknowledge Jason Quigley, who is here today as an undefeated middleweight fighter.

“The main event fight on December 16th has a potential to be a Fight of the Year candidate, in a very hot division-light heavyweight division. Ever since I saw Shabranskyy, who I nicknamed ‘Chingonskyy’ I have seen something in him, with his finesse in the ring. He is a very special fighter and he is facing an experienced, durable fighter in Sullivan Barrera.

“Thank you to our sponsor, Tecate. I am proud to announce that Tecate will be sponsoring boxing in a whole new way in 2017, everyone will be blown away by how they will bring boxing to the next level.

“What makes Bernard Hopkins is that he doesn’t stop, he keeps going and surprises people. He would continue until he was 60 if he could, that’s what a legend is, he takes care of himself and keeps going.

JOE DEGUARDIA, President and CEO of Star Boxing:

“It is certainly great to be here in LA at the Forum where so much history has been made. This fight was really easy to male, and that is a testament to Bernard Hopkins, because most fighters would shy away from a puncher like Joe Smith Jr. It is an honor and I thank Bernard and Oscar for taking this fight.”

TONY WALKER, Director of HBO Sports:

“December 17th is our last broadcast of the year, and it is very special because it is the last time we will see Bernard Hopkins in the ring. This fight will be Bernard’s twenty-third fight on HBO, tying him with Lennox Lewis in appearances. Hopkins will join all of the boxing greats you can name. His traits of tenacity and endurance have been with him and we are going to celebrate Bernard with this Final 1 fight.”

JOSE “PEPE” SULAIMAN, JR., CEO of the WBC’s Los Angeles Office:

“With greatness comes great responsibility, Bernard Hopkins has taken this to very high levels. He is an ambassador for peace, and is an example in and outside the ring. He has a wonderful relationship with the WBC, and was a very great friend to my father.

“At the WBC, we are very proud to be a part of this fight. This is not another fight, this is not a farewell fight, this a real fight. We are very enthusiastic to be a part of this. Great champions fight great fights and great fighters. There will be two belts. One for the winner and one to celebrate a great champion.”

ANDY FOSTER, Executive Director of the California State Athletic Commission:

“One thing I can tell you, the California Commission does not care who wins, we want both fighters to go home safe. We look forward to a safe and successful event.”

NICK SPAMPANATO, Senior Vice President West Coast and General Manager of the Forum and MSG:

“The people up here are the best in the business. At The Forum, we are extremely excited to host this fight and have the historic Forum be the host. December 17th will be a great night of fights and we look forward to seeing everyone there.”

CHRIS LAVOIE, Public Relations Manager of Fantasy Springs Resort Casino:

“Fantasy Springs Resort Casino is proud to be hosting a great weekend in boxing, it will be broadcast live on HBO Latino. We are proud of our longtime relationship with Oscar and Golden Boy Promotions. Golden Boy boxing brings about ten to twelve shows a year to Fantasy Springs and Shabranskyy vs. Barrera will be an exciting fight on December 16th.”

VYACHESLAV SHABRANSKYY, WBC USNBC Light Heavyweight Champion:

“My next fight is December 16th on HBO Latino, and I am very excited to fight. This is a good opportunity for me and for the fans to witness a great fight. I will be ready”

RONNY RIOS, Former WBC Silver Featherweight Champion:

“First and foremost, thank you to HBO and Golden Boy for this great opportunity. December 16th and 17th will be a great night for boxing, as a legend says good bye to the sport. I never underestimate any opponent or fight, so Roy let’s put on a great show for everyone to see why Golden Boy is the best promoter in the sport.”

ROY TAPIA, Featherweight Prospect:

“What can I say, December 16th will be a great fight. I want to thank my manager and Golden Boy. It has been anything but a smooth path to get here, but on December 16th you will see who I am and what I can do. Like Bernard Hopkins just said up here, give me a door and I will knock it down.”

Hopkins vs. Smith is a 12-round light heavyweight battle presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Star Boxing and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate, BORN BOLD and Casa Mexico Tequila. The event will be televised live on HBO’s flagship series beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Tickets for Hopkins vs. Smith are priced at $25, $50, $75, $105 and $205, not including applicable service charges and taxes, with a total ticket limit of 12 per person, go on sale Monday, October 24, 2016 at 10:00 am PST. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 or the Forum Box Office (Monday through Friday 11:00am PST to 7:00pm PST) at (310) 330-7300. Tickets will also be available for purchase at www.fabulousforum.comor www.ticketmaster.com.

Shabranskyy vs. Barrera is a 10-round super lightweight bout for the WBC USNBC Light Heavyweight championship, presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Main Events and sponsored by “Tecate, BORN BOLD,” and Casa Mexico Tequila Doors open at 4:00 p.m. PT and the first fight begins at 4:15 p.m. PT. The HBO Latino® Boxing telecast begins at 10:00 p.m. (live ET/tape-delayed PT). Ticket information to be announced shortly.

LOS ANGELES (October 17, 2016) – A boxing legend will look to add an exclamation point to end his professional career with the same style, speed and slickness that has defined him in the ring for nearly three decades, as 51-year-old, two-division former world champion and Future Hall of Hamer Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins (55-7-2, 32 KOs) prepares to square off against hard-hitting Light Heavyweight contender Joe Smith, Jr. (21-1, 18 KOs) in a 12-round fight from Los Angeles’ iconic Fabulous Forum. The bout will take place Saturday, December 17 and will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing®.

Tickets for the fight – named, “The Final One” — will go on sale Monday, October 24th at 10:00 a.m. PT.

Hopkins’ resume reads like a Hall-of-Fame induction ballot. Between holding the record for the record number of title defenses as middleweight champion of the world (20) and moving up to light heavyweight to capture multiple belts in that division, Hopkins fought and defeated a who’s who of boxing world champions throughout his remarkable 28-year career.

Roy Jones, Jr., John David “Action” Jackson, Glen “Road Warrior” Johnson, Felix “Tito” Trinidad, Antonio “Magic Man” Tarver, Kelly “The Ghost” Pavlik, Jean Pascal, Chad “Bad” Dawson, and Golden Boy Promotions business partner Oscar De La Hoya all tasted defeat at the hands of the executioner.

“While ‘The Alien’ may be retired, the ‘Executioner’ has one fight left, and Joe Smith Jr., is going to find out the hard way how well prepared I am for my final fight,” Bernard Hopkins said. “A lot of people will focus on my age, the history of my run in the sport, the titles, etc…but I’m focused on one thing – knocking Joe Smith out.”

Joe Smith Jr., who was born in 1989, nearly three years after Hopkins had his first fight, is coming off the victory of his career, delivering a brutal first-round knockout of established contender Andrzej Fonfara in June and earning the WBC International Light Heavyweight Championship. The belt will not be at stake in this fight.

“I’m very excited about fighting on HBO,” said Joe Smith Jr. “I know now all my hard work and dedication has paid off. I am looking forward to retiring a boxing legend”

“To accomplish what Bernard has over the course of nearly 30 years inside the ring and still competing at the highest level of the sport at the age of 51; what else can you call him but a bona fide legend,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. “All of us at Golden Boy Promotions are so proud to work with Bernard each and every day and can’t wait to give him the send-off he deserves with an incredibly, dynamic promotion over the next two months.”

“I’m thrilled that we have put together this exciting fight,” said Joe DeGuardia, President and CEO of Star Boxing. “What a great opportunity for Joe Smith Jr. to follow-up on his sensational victory on national TV with a fight against a legend like Bernard Hopkins on HBO. ”

“For any generation and in any sport, Bernard Hopkins is an athletic marvel who has defied time and the odds as deftly as he has his critics, and he returns to HBO for the 23rd time when he faces Joe Smith in the iconic setting of the Forum in Inglewood, CA,” said Peter Nelson, executive Vice President, HBO Sports. “Bernard’s mark on the sport is already an indelible one, and one day he’ll be enshrined in the Hall of Fame. Dec. 17 will be a memorable night of boxing for everybody associated with Team Hopkins, and we are excited to telecast his farewell fight.”

“We are proud to welcome our friends at Golden Boy Promotions and HBO back to the ‘Fabulous’ Forum when we host this highly-anticipated Dec. 17th battle between light heavyweights Bernard Hopkins and Joe Smith Jr.,” said Nick Spampanato, Senior Vice President West Coast and General Manager of The Forum and MSG.

Golden Boy Promotions is currently working on a new co-main event, as an injury to Orlando “Siri” Salido’s back has forced him off the card. Golden Boy will announced the co-main and full card in the coming weeks.

Hopkins vs. Smith is a 12-round light heavyweight battle presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Star Boxing and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate, BORN BOLD and Casa Mexico Tequila. The event will be televised live on HBO’s flagship series beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Tickets priced at $205, 105, $75, $50, and $25, not including applicable service charges and taxes, with a total ticket limit of 12 per person, go on sale Monday October 24, 2016 at 10:00 am PST. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also will be available for purchase at www.fabulousforum.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com,www.starboxing.com, www.hbo.com/boxing and www.fabulousforum.com; follow on Twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @starboxing, @HBOBoxing, @therealbhop, @beastsmithjr and @TheForum; become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, https://www.facebook.com/StarBoxing/, , www.facebook.com/HBOBoxing and www.facebook.com/TheForum; and visit us on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing, @HBOBoxing. Follow the conversation using #HopkinsSmith.

LOS ANGELES (October 7, 2016) — Damon “No Smilin” Allen will look to continue his move from prospect to contender tonight at the Belasco Theater, as the Philadelphia lightweight serves as the co-main attraction in his 11th bout. The distinguished young talent follows in the steps of those who have come out of Philadelphia – from the iconic Smokin’ Joe Frazier to the Olympic Gold Medal Meldrick “TNT” Taylor to the future Hall of Famer Bernard “The Alien” Hopkins – the sky is the limit from the versatile and skillful “No Smilin” Allen.

In an exclusive interview with Ring TV, Allen revealed that his idol and mentor is a familiar face around Golden Boy Promotions – GBP partner and former middleweight and light heavyweight World Champion Bernard “The Alien” Hopkins.

“I look up to Bernard Hopkins, and I am thankful for the doors he has opened for me and my career,” Allen said. “His career motivates me to make the sacrifice to do what I love. I spend countless hours, multiple times a day, training and practicing my craft. While some days I’m tired and exhausted I still go 100 percent day in and day out – and that is Bernard’s influence.”

Allen was on hand at the parade that Philadelphia threw for “The Alien” following his 2004 defeat of Golden Boy Chairman and CEO Oscar De La Hoya, with the then 12-year-old Allen posing for photos with Hopkins as he delivered a speech to thousands of well-wishers.

“It’s not every day that you come across talent who has the dedication, discipline and natural skill that Damon has,” spoke GBP Partner and future Hall of Famer Bernard Hopkins. “I look back at the day in Philadelphia where that young boy looked up at me with his fists raised, and see where he is now – who knows where he will be in the years to come as he fertilizes his talent.”

Bernard Hopkins will be sitting ringside as he watches Allen take another step in the ladder to solidify himself as a prospect this Friday, October 7 at LA Fight Club at the Historic Belasco Theater in downtown Los Angeles.

The full interview with Allen can be found HERE.

Damon Allen Stats:
DOB: 09/02/1992
Age: 24
Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
Fight record: 10-0 (4 KO)
Height: 5 ft 8 in. / 173cm
Weight Division: Lightweight
Twitter: @damon_allenjr
Instagram: @damon_allenjr
SnapChat: @damon_allenjr

ARLINGTON, TX (Sept. 15, 2016) – Canelo Alvarez (47-1-1, 33 KOs) and Liam “Beefy” Smith (23-0-1, 13 KOs) held their final press conference, today at the great AT&T Stadium, ahead of their highly anticipated showdown that will be aired live on Saturday, September 17, presented by HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 6:00 p.m. PT/9:00 p.m. ET. The fighting stars were joined by Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, Oscar De La Hoya, Future Hall of Famer and Golden Boy Promotions Partner, Bernard Hopkins, Dallas Cowboys Owner, President and General Manager Jerry Jones, Director of HBO Sports Tony Walker, and the full pay-per-view undercard.

Below is what the fighters had to say at today’s press conference.

OSCAR DE LA HOYA, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions

“This Saturday night-over Mexican Independence weekend-former two-division world champion, Canelo Alvarez will look to reclaim the holiday for all Hispanics fight fans. Many boxing legends such as Julio Cesar Chavez himself have fought over Mexican Independence weekend, which has been a time for all boxing fans to gather with their friends and family and enjoy a great night.

“We are overjoyed to be bringing this fight to all of Canelo’s many fans here in Texas to one of the biggest and most iconic sporting stadiums in the nation-AT&T Stadium, home to America’s team, the Dallas Cowboys. They say everything is bigger in Texas, and this certainly couldn’t be truer with this venue for Canelo vs. Smith.
“For this particular fight, the stakes are high and everything is on the line for both Canelo Alvarez and Liam Smith, as these fighters seek to establish themselves as the true WBO Junior Middleweight Champion of the world.

“Tickets are still available for purchase and sales have been through the roof, we are already close to 40,000 have been outpacing Manny Pacquaio’s last two fights held at AT&T Stadium, but luckily there are still some available for the Saturday night showdown. So get them while you can by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000, or visiting www.ticketmaster.com. Additionally, walk up purchases are available at the AT&T Stadium Box Office.”

JERRY JONES, Dallas Cowboys Owner, President and General Manager:

“I dreamed I was going to spend my days around men and women that could or would be world champions. Men and women who were willing to lay on it all on the line, athletically. I wanted to rub elbows with the top. Oscar the fact that I get to stand with you, have your fighters stand in this stadium chief combatants: Canelo Alvarez and Liam Smith, has been a fulfillment on that dream.

“We had Oscar talk to the Dallas Cowboys, and he mentioned that ‘There’s a champion in each of you. You’ll find out when you get ready.’ When I think about the legacy and how you’re moving, you really encourage a whole team; that is not only because of this particular fight, but you really are a leader in this.

“The biggest source of pride for me and one of the our largest dependencies are on the Latino fans. The Cowboys depend on them, and they love boxing, so the cowboys love boxing. Saturday night, will be one of the best-selling boxing events for this stadium and we are all looking forward to an exciting night.”

CANELO ALVAREZ, Former Two-Division World Champion:

“Thank everyone for coming and supporting this great event.

“We know how dangerous and difficult Liam Smith will be. We have not taken him lightly and we know he will come to fight on Saturday.

“But that will make a great night of boxing for Mexicans and boxing fans all over. Hopefully by the end of it, I will have my hand in the air screaming Viva Mexico!”

EDDY REYNOSO, Head Trainer of Canelo Alvarez:

“Thank you to all of you who are involved in this great event. There is nothing left to say, we’ve had a great camp, and thanks again for all the help and support.”

JOSE “CHEPO” REYNOSO, Manager and Trainer of Canelo Alvarez:

“Thank everyone for coming and attending this great show. We are coming off a tremendous 10 week training camp.

“We have great goals and one is to break the attendance record in a boxing match here at this great stadium.

“This is another opportunity to become a world champion, another opportunity to continue to make history.

“We can’t wait to hear all the people yell at the end of this fight Viva Mexico and Viva Canelo Alvarez!”

LIAM “BEEFY” SMITH, WBO Junior Middleweight World Champion:

“Thank everyone, team Canelo and my team for this opportunity. We are very calm about entering this fight.

“Canelo is an elite fighter and this is my chance to go up in the ladder.

“I look forward to Saturday and the show we are going to put on for all the fans.”

FRANK WARREN, President of Box Nation and Promoter of Liam Smith:

“Thank Oscar, Eric, and Robert. Thank you Jerry Jones for the stadium and to the

“Liam is a great fighter, a come forward fighter, he has the style of Mexican brawlers something we call in Liverpool a Scousce fighter. This is a great battle, potentially ‘Fight of the Year.’

“You guys are going to be great fans of him. He is coming in as a lion, an undefeated fighter on an eight-fight knock out streak.”

JOE GALLAGHER, 2015 Ring Magazine Trainer of the Year and trainer of Liam Smith:

“This is going to be a great fight, he’s a superstar.

“We know that Saul wants to be a world champion, but Liam is ready to stay that way.”

“KING” GABE ROSADO, Former World Title Challenger:

“I want to thank god for this opportunity, without him noting would be possible and I want to thank Golden Boy Promotions. I wasn’t spoon fed coming up, but this is a new and approved Gabriel Rosado.

“Vargas and I work well together, he lit up the fighter in me. I know this is a fight, but this is also entertainment. I’m going to bring a knock out on the 17th.”

WILLIE “EL MONGOOSE” MONROE, JR. Former World Title Challenger:

“I come from nothing and I want to thank my team and my brother for everything.

“We worked hard for these opportunities, we gave gone from fighting out of the garage and living off of food stamps and now we are on the big stage. This is one of the biggest stage and I want to thank you all for your support today.”

JOSEPH “JOJO” DIAZ JR, NABF Featherweight Champion:

“I want to thank Golden Boy Promotions, Jerry Jones, HBO, Adriana’s Insurance and my team for this great opportunity.

“This is the biggest stage in my career, thus far, and I promise all my fans to expect the best from me. I will put on a great fight and show all the fans who Jose Diaz, Jr. is! See you all in two days.”

ANDREW “EL CHANGO” CANCIO, Featherweight Contender:

“Stylistically, it’s a great match up. I am well prepared and I’m thankful for this fight. I am excited to brawl and to showcase myself in front of all the fans at this great stadium.”

DIEGO DE LA HOYA, WBC Youth Super Bantamweight Champion:

“I am very excited for this opportunity and I am very thankful to Golden Boy Promotions.

“This fight is going to open many doors for me and I can’t wait to give everyone a good show.”

ORLANDO ‘ORLANDITO’ DEL VALLE, Super Welterweight Contender:

“I guarantee you fireworks on Saturday, September 17. I want to thank all my sponsors and my team for this great opportunity.

“The Puerto Rico vs. Mexico, rivalry always grantees action, and Fireworks on fight night.

“I know the odds are crazy against me, but encourage you all to bet on me, because I am going to win on Saturday night.”

ARTHUR R. PELULO, President of Banner Promotions:

“Most great fighters enter the ring knowing they’re going to be great fighters and that is who Willie Monroe, Jr. is. He is a very entertaining fighter, a young man who I know as family.

“I know he will be giving all boxing fans a great show this Saturday.

“Eight months ago I was in Manchester, my guy was fighting Liam Smith, challenging him for the vacant title. I figured I was going to win, I was told we are going to win, but my guy was knocked out in the fifth round. And let me tell you, Liam is the real deal. I have been promoting for 30 years, and I have no skin in this, but Liam Smith just keeps coming, he is the real deal. I am not promoting the fight, Oscar is, but Liam Smith took the victory that night and I know he is an intense fighter. Fans will be in for a great fight.”

FERNANDO VARGAS, Former World Champion and Trainer to Gabriel Rosado

“We are excited, ready, Gabriel is a great listener. Starting at 18 and being where he is and his boxuing IQ has improved.

“We’ve worked hard and are ready.”

TONY WALKER, Director of HBO Sports:

“On behalf of Peter Nelson and the staff at HBO, it’s an honor to be a part of so many premiere organizations and to be able to open up this grand palace.

“Thank you Liam and Canelo for taking this challenge and reach in to fans on this great weekend of boxing.”

GREG ALVAREZ, Combative Sports Manager of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation

“There’s a lot of work that goes into these fights, to make them all happen. Watch these guys back here, they are great fighters and this is going to be a great event. Let’s buy more tickets and create bigger and better fights.”

Canelo vs. Smith, a 12-round fight for the WBO Junior Middleweight World Championship, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Frank Warren and Canelo Promotions. Gabriel Rosado vs. Willie Monroe, Jr. is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Banner Promotions and Diego De La Hoya vs. Luis Orlando Del Valle is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Roc Nation Sports. The event is sponsored by “Tecate, BORN BOLD,” O’Reilly Auto Parts, “Hennessy. Never Stop. Never Settle,” “Adriana’s Insurance, El seguro que necesitas Al precio que quieres pagar,” “AT&T, mobilizing your world,” and Casa Mexico Tequila and will take place on Saturday, September 17 at AT&T Stadium. Doors open at 2:00 p.m. CT, first fight and the RingTvLive.com live stream begins at 3:20 p.m. ET/2:20 p.m. CT/12:20 p.m. PT; the preliminary live stream begins at 6:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. CT/3:30 p.m. PT; with the main show produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/8:00 p.m. CT/6:00 p.m. PT.

B-roll and images of the fighters are available for use and download HERE or by copying and pasting: bit.ly/CaneloSmith. Video and photo credit must be given to Golden Boy Promotions.

Tickets are priced at $750, $500, $300, $200, $100, $85, $50 and $40, not including applicable service charges with a total ticket limit of 8 per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also will be available for purchase online at www.ticketmaster.com. Additionally, walk up purchases are available at the AT&T Stadium Box Office (Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. CT to 5:00 p.m. CT).

LAS VEGAS (May 6, 2016) – On the eve of the Canelo vs. Khan showdown, Golden Boy Promotions gave back by to boxing fans by offering a day full of excitement free and open to the public. First, fans onsite were able to witness the final face-off between Canelo Alvarez and Amir Khan at the new Toshiba Plaza in from of the T-Mobile Arena, in Las Vegas. Immediately after, a free three-title fight night was staged featuring Marvin Quintero vs. Petr Petrov for the NABA and NABF Lightweight Titles. Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions’Oscar De La Hoya and future hall of famer and Golden Boy Promotions business partner Bernard Hopkins were in attendance enjoying the action packed fights, along with WBC Lightweight World Champion Jorge “El Nino de Oro” Linares, and Golden Boy Promotions stablemates WBC Silver Featherweight Champion Ronny Rios, NABF Featherweight Champion Joseph “Jojo” Diaz, and Eddie “E-Boy” Gomez.

Headlining the televised main event in a fight for Marvin “Cachorro” Quintero’s (28-7, 6 KOs) NABF Lightweight title, Petr “Zar” Petrov (37-4-2, 17 KOs) put his NABA Lightweight Tile on the line and gave every ounce of his strength and power to defeat his opponent. Quintero battled against Petrov’s jabs and hooks suffering from a dangerously swollen left eye starting in the fourth round. By the end of the sixth round and before the beginning of the seventh round, the doctor stopped the fight from moving forward due to the left eye swelling impairing Quintero’s vision, ultimately awarding Petrov the victory by technical knockout in the sixth round.

“This was a great fight for me, my opponent was a strong fighter and I give my respect to him and his team. I have been off for over a year and half and I did feel sluggish and slow at times, but the win is all that matters,” said Petrov of his NABF/NABA victory. “I feel honored to have fought in Las Vegas on Cinco de Mayo weekend as the first boxing event at the new Toshiba Plaza and I hope this is the first of many more fights in Las Vegas.”

“I am very disappointed with the doctor’s decision, I had been fighting like this for two rounds and physically felt strong to continue, but they made the decision and that is something that I cannot control,” said Marvin Quintero of his technical knockout. “It’s the Mexican blood in me that wills me to continue fighting and never give up. I will not stop fighting for my dream to one day become a world champion.”

In the co-main event, the vacant WBC Continental Americas Welterweight title was on the line as, Pablo Cesar “El Demoledor” Cano (29-5-1, 21 KOs) of Tlanepantla, Mexico went head to head against Fairfield, CA’s Alan Sanchez (18-3-1, 9 KOs) in scheduled 10-round welterweight fight. Going the distance, the exciting match incited cheers from boxing fans in the crowd which heavily favored Cano. The judges awarded the belt to Sanchez, via split decision who proudly displayed his new title in the ring to show off for his newfound fans.

“I’m going home with my belt! This is just the beginning, and I am excited for the doors that will be opened because of this,” said Alan Sanchez of his big victory. “I want the big title and I want to be a world champion one day–this is the first step to achieving that goal.”

“I don’t feel the decision was a good one, because I felt I was ahead in the rounds, landing more of my punches harder and more effectively,” said Pablo Cesar Cano. “I felt that my opponent was running most of the time, and I didn’t get a chance to hurt him the way I wanted to.”

In the televised swing bout of the night, rising southpaw standout star Alexis Rocha (2-0, 2 KOs) of Santa Ana, CA knocked out San Juan, Puerto Rico’s Abdel Vera (0-3) in the first round showing Rocha’s sheer strength and power punches.

“When the referee made the call, I felt so excited because I knew all of my hard work paid off. I knew I was coming in to the ring with more experience so I was able to dominate the round. I wanted to start the fight with ferocity on my terms to control the fight. Looking forward, I’m very excited for more fights.”

Opening the televised fight night was Guadalajara, Mexico’s Horacio “Violento” Garcia (30-1-1, 21 KOs) facing Erik “El Trompo” Ruiz (15-5-1, 6 KOs) of Oxnard, CA battling it out over the vacant NABF Super Bantamweight title. The crowd couldn’t get enough of the quick exchanges between both fighters eager to take a home a belt during their 10-round scrap. For every punch thrown by “Violento,” “El Trompo” effectively counterpunched. In a shocking split decision draw, the judges gave 92-98 to Ruiz and 97-93 to Garcia and 95-95.

“My opponent started out slow, and my game plan was to build out more momentum in the fight,” said Horacio Garcia of the split decision draw. “I feel that I needed more rounds to get the job done, but I respect the judge’s decision. Next time, I hope to take more chances and throw more punches when I can.”

“After this fight, I want a rematch,” said Erik Ruiz of the decision. “I want to take home my belt because I know I made cleaner and harder punches. I am extremely disappointed with the results of the fight.”

Capturing the opening victory of the night in the first boxing event to ever take place at the newly opened Toshiba Plaza was the always swift Joet Gonzalez (13-0, 6 KOs) of Glendora, CA against Chihuahua, Mexico’s own Ricardo “Cepillo” Proano (11-4, 9 KOs) in an eight round featherweight fight. With his consistent counterpunches against Proano, Gonzalez was able to corner his opponent in almost every round. Never one to back down, Proano came back with his consistent head shots to Joet who used his blocks awarding him the win by unanimous decision.

“During the fight, I was very angry because my opponent kept head-butting me,” said Joet Gonzalez of the bout. “At one point during the fight, I was unable to see from my right eye. However, I could tell he was nervous and he really made me work for the victory so I kept my distance and tried to neutralize his hits.”

Marvin Quintero vs. Petr Petrov was a 10-round fight for the NABF and NABA Lightweight title and was presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Banner Promotions and sponsored by “Cerveza Tecate, Born Bold.” The first bout began at 4:30 p.m. The Estrella TV Boxeo Estelar broadcast will aired on Friday, May 6 at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT and streamed live simultaneously on estrellaTV.com and on YouTube via Fenomeno Studios: youtube.com/FenomenoStudios. The Ring TV live stream began at approximately 4:30 p.m. PT through 9:00 p.m.

For more information visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.estrellatv.com, follow on twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @EstrellaTV and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.facebook.com/EstrellaTVNetwork, visit us on Instagram at @GoldenBoyBoxing, and @EstrellaTV, follow the conversation using #BoxeoEstelar.

LOS ANGELES (Jan. 20, 2016) – Golden Boy Promotions has a great reputation in the sport as one of the leading promoters as well as a skill for creating and promoting world champions and boxing superstars. Having worked and promoted multi-divisional world champions including: Bernard “The Alien” Hopkins, Erik “Terrible” Morales, Juan Manuel “Dinaminta” Marquez, Miguel Cotto, Marco Antonio “Baby Face Assassin” Barrera, Sugar Shane Mosley, Canelo Alvarez, Lucas “La Maquina” Matthysse, Jorge “El Nino De Oro” Linares, Randy “El Matador” Caballero, Abner Mares, Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder, Danny “Swift” Garcias, Keith “One Time” Thurman, Daniel “Miracle Man” Jacobs, Leo “Terremoto” Santa Cruz, Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin, and Adrien “The Problem” Broner. In 2016, Golden Boy Promotions is looking to the future to usher in the New Era of Boxing spearheaded by current WBC, RING Magazine and Lineal Middleweight World Champion Canelo Alvarez (46-1-1, 32 KOs).

For 2015, Golden Boy Promotions received extraordinary media acclaim for exciting fights year-round and was awarded the honors of Promoter of the Year, Event of the Year, Fight Cards of the Year, Fight of the Year, Fighter of the Year, and Knockout of the Year. Also, top prospects Joseph “Jo Jo” Diaz Jr. (19-0, 11 KOs), Vyacheslav “Lion Heart-Chingonsky” Shabranskyy (15-0, 12 KOs), Jason “El Animal” Quigley (9-0, 8 KOs), and Diego De La Hoya (13-0, 7 KOs) not only graduated into contender territory, but also received honorable mentions for Prospect of the Year while Shabranskyy debuted at number nine on the light heavyweight pound-for-pound list.

Luis “The Real King Kong” Ortiz (24-0, 21 KOs), also debuted on the pound-for-pound list at number five in the heavyweight division after defeating former world champion challenger Bryant “By-By” Jennings via seventh-round technical knockout. Other fighters on the divisional pound-for-pound list include Canelo Alvarez, Francisco “El Bandido” Vargas (23-0-1, 17 KOs), Jorge “El Nino de Oro” Linares (40-3, 27 KOs), Bernard “The Alien” Hopkins (55-7-2, 32 KOs), Lucas “La Maquina” Matthysse (37-4, 34 KOs), Sadam “World Kid” Ali (22-0, 13 KOs), Mauricio “El Maestro” Herrera (22-5, 7 KOs), Randy “El Matador” Caballero (22-0, 13 KOs), Antonio “Relentless” Orozco (23-0, 15 KOs), Ronny Rios (25-1, 10 KOs), David Lemieux (34-3, 31 KOs), Sergio “Yeyo” Thompson (30-4, 26 KOs), and Jayson “Star” Velez (23-1-1, 16 KOs).

Golden Boy Promotions’ top picks for “Fighters to Watch in 2016” include (in alphabetical order):

WORLD TITLE CONTENDERS:

WBA International Welterweight Champion, Sadam “World Kid” Ali

Sadam “World Kid” Ali: A member of the 2008 United States Olympic team fighting out of Brooklyn, New York, Sadam “World Kid” Ali (22-0, 13 KOs) impressed boxing fans with his unanimous decision victory over Francisco “Chia” Santana in April, 2015 that earned him the WBA International Welterweight Title and also made him the mandatory challenger for the WBO Welterweight World Championship.

Randy “El Matador” Caballero: Indio star Randy “El Matador” Caballero (22-0, 13 KOs) hit the heights of the boxing world in 2014 when he defeated Stuart “Stuey” Hall for the vacant IBF Bantamweight World Championship. In 2015, forced Caballero to vacate the title, however, 2016 looks promising for the fighter as he prepares his big return to the ring on February 5 against Ruben Garcia at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino.

Pablo Cesar “El Demoledor” Cano: Already a respected welterweight contender after bouts against the likes of Erik “El Terrible” Morales, Paulie “Magic Man” Malignaggi and “Sugar” Shane Mosley, Mexico’s Pablo “El Demoledor” Cesar Cano (29-4-1, 21 KOs) kept his march to a world title going in 2015, as he went unbeaten in three bouts against Jorge “Pantera” Silva, Juan Carlos “Merengue” Abreu and Silverio “Chamaco III” Ortiz.

Robinson “Robin Hood” Castellanos: The mandatory

WBC Featherweight World Championship Mandatory Challenger, Robinson “Robin Hood” Castellanos

challenger for the WBC featherweight world title, Celaya, Mexico’s Robinson “Robin Hood” Castellanos (23-11, 13 KOs) started his journey to become a champion very differently in 2014. Coming off a loss to Rene “Gemelo” Alvarado in February 2014, Castellanos followed it up with a dominant victory over Ronny Rios in October 2014, stopping the then-unbeaten prospect in the fifth round. Castellanos continued to show his power in January of 2015 facing the warrior Rocky Juarez for the chance to win the WBC Silver Featherweight title and become the mandatory challenger for the WBC Featherweight World Championship. Both fighters showed a lot of heart and put on one of the bloodiest fights of 2015, but it was Castellanos’ dominance that was on display as his powerful jabs, brutal uppercuts and well-timed counter-punching knocked down Juarez in the fifth and twice in the 10th round to win via unanimous decision with scores of 118-106, 118-106 and 118-107. Now, Castellanos is the WBC Feather World Championship mandatory challenger.

Mauricio “El Maestro” Herrera: One of the truest warriors in the sport today, Mauricio “El Maestro” Herrera (22-5, 7 KOs) continued to show his supreme boxing skills and heart in a decision win over “Hammerin'” Hank Lundy in July to win the vacant NABF Super Lightweight title, and in 2016, big things are expected from Riverside’s “El Maestro” once more.

Tureano Johnson: A native of Nassau in the Bahamas, 31-year-old Tureano Johnson (19-1, 13 KOs) proudly represented his nation in the 2008 Olympics, making it to the quarterfinals in Beijing. In 2010, he turned professional and soared up the middleweight ladder before a controversial 2014 loss to Curtis Stevens. Undeterred, Johnson has since won five fights, four by knockout, and is one of the newest members of the Golden Boy Promotions roster. In his first fight since signing with Golden Boy Promotions, Johnson gave the fans a thrilling performance in the undercard of Gennaday Golovkin vs. David

Antonio “Relentless” Orozco

Lemieux at Madison Square Garden on October 17, 2015. Johnson faced Ireland’s Emmon O’Kane for the IBF Middleweight Title Eliminator, knocking down O’Kane twice in the first round and winning the fight via unanimous decision with scores of 118-108, 117-109, 119-107. Now the Nassau native is next in line for a shot at the unified middleweight championship in 2016.

Antonio “Relentless” Orozco: Unbeaten as a professional, San Diego’s Antonio “Relentless” Orozco (23-0, 15 KOs) made his move to the elite level of the super lightweight division in 2015. In May, Orozco defeated fellow rising star Emmanuel “Tranzformer” Taylor in Phoenix, but the best was yet to come, as he decisioned multi-division world champion Humberto “La Zorrita” Soto in their October bout at StubHub Center.

Luis “The Real King Kong” Ortiz: On Dec. 19, at Turing Stone Resort Casino inVerona,New York, Luis “The Real King Kong” Ortiz (24-0, 21 KOs) defended his WBA Interim Heavyweight World Championship against one of the toughest fighters in the division, Bryant “By – By” Jennings in a fantastic display of boxing skill with a dramatic seventh round knockout of the former world champion challenger Jennings. Ortiz, dominated the fight early on with powerful hooks, uppercuts and jabs that kept him in

WBA Interim Heavyweight World Champion,
Luis “The Real King Kong” Ortiz

control of the pace throughout the 12-round heavyweight brawl. The victory allowed Ortiz to keep his undefeated status but also made a loud announcement to the boxing community that a new heavyweight threat had arrived to the division. This fight catapulted Ortiz on the heavyweight pound-for-pound list debuting at number five.

Michael “The Artist” Perez: Undefeated since 2012, exciting New Jersey native Michael “The Artist” Perez (23-1-2, 11 KOs) had one of the biggest years of his career in 2015, as he decisioned always toughMiguel “Aguacerito” Acosta in January and then knocked out Luis “Chespi” Sanchez in six rounds in July to win the vacant NABO lightweight title.

Ronny Rios: After suffering the first loss of his career to Robinson “Robin Hood” Castellanos in 2014, Santa Ana, California’s Ronny Rios (25-1, 10 KOs) came back more determined than ever in 2015, and his performances in defeating Sergio “El Frio” Frias and previously unbeaten Jayson “Star” Velez proved that this 25-year-old was ready for prime time again.

USNBC Light Heavyweight Champion, Vyacheslav “Lion Heart-Chingonsky” Shabranskyy

Vyacheslav “Lion Heart – Chingonsky” Shabranskyy: People might have troublespelling the name of Vyacheslav Shabranskyy (15-0, 12 KOs), but among boxing fans, his name spells action, and he continued to deliver the goods in 2015, moving to 15-0 with wins against Garrett “The Ultimate Warrior” Wilson, Fabiano “Pit Bull” Pena, Paul “Pay Per View” Parker and Yunieski “El Monstro” Gonzalez, the latter three foes owning a combined 34-1-1 record and breaking him into the top 10 light heavyweight rankings on USA Today’s Boxing Junkie and ranking number 12 on the WBC’s rankings.

Patrick Teixeira: Brazil’s best boxing import since beloved former champion Acelino Freitas, unbeaten southpaw Patrick Teixeira (26-0, 22 KOs) fought twice in the United States in 2015, impressing fans in New York and California with knockouts of Patrick Allotey and Don Mouton that sent a warning to his fellow 154-pound fighters that he was here to stay.

CONTENDERS TO WATCH:

Manuel “Tino” Avila: Fairfield, California’s Manuel “Tino” Avila (19-0, 8 KOs) has long been one of the most exciting prospects on the local scene, and in 2015, he made his name on the national scene with wins over Erik Ruiz, Yoandris “El Nino” Salinas and Jose Angel “Pepe” Beranza, the Salinas fight earning him the interim NABF super bantamweight title.

WBC Youth Super Bantamweight Champion,
Diego De La Hoya

Diego De La Hoya: Highly-touted super bantamweight Diego De La Hoya (13-0, 7 KOs)made the jump to eight and ten-round bouts in 2015 and he continued to impress every step of the way en route to five more victories. In September, De La Hoya won his first pro title, decisioning against former world title challenger Jesus “Estrella” Ruiz for the vacant WBC Youth World Super Bantamweight belt.

Joseph “Jo Jo” Diaz Jr.: A member of the 2008 United States Olympic team, South El Monte, California’s Joseph “JoJo” Diaz Jr. (19-0, 11 KOs) won his first professional title in his fifth victory of 2015, as he impressively stopped Hugo “Olimpico” Partida in December to win the vacant NABF featherweight title and an honorable mention as one of ESPN.com’s 2015 Top 20 Rising Stars.

KeAndre “Black Magic” Gibson: 24-year-old welterweight undefeated fighter, KeAndre “Black Magic” Gibson (14-0-1, 6 KOs), who now makes his home in Las Vegas, has become quite popular with impressive victories over John Nater, Jose Hernandez and Nelson Lara. In his second fight of 2015, Gibson faced Jorge Ramos in an eight round fight winning the bout via unanimous decision in the undercard of Canelo-Kirkland on May 9.

Frankie “Pitbull” Gomez: East LA’s Frankie “Pitbull” Gomez (19-0, 13 KOs) is known for his exciting style and powerful punches. He is the owner of 13 knockouts in three rounds or fewer and can also box, as shown in his near-shutout victories over longtime contenders Vernon “Ice Man” Paris in July of 2014 and Jorge “Pantera” Silva in October of 2015. A decorated amateur who won the 2009 United States Championship and earned a Silver medal in the 2009 World Championships, Gomez is ready to face the top opposition in the division and chase his dreams of a world championship in 2016.

Gilberto “El Flaco” Gonzalez: A former WBC Youth World Lightweight champion,

Abraham “Chamaco” Lop
Gilberto “El Flaco” Gonzalez (25-3, 21 KOs) picked up two early knockout wins in 2015, halting David “Nene” Rangel and Hevinson Herrera to set up a big 2016 for the Mexico City native.

Abraham “Chamaco” Lopez: Featherweight standout Abraham “Chamaco” Lopez (19-0-1, 14 KOs) returned from three years away from the sport in 2015 and the El Puente product picked up where he left off with knockout victories over former Ghana Olympian Alfred “The Stinging Bee” Tetteh and Jorge “King” Diaz and a draw against Juan “El Pez” Carlos Martinez.

Marcelino “Nino” Lopez: The latest star to emerge from the boxing hotbed of Argentina, Buenos Aires’ Marcelino “Nino” Lorenz (32-1-1, 17 KOs) continued dominating the local scene in his home country, but in October of 2015, he finally got the chance to introduce himself to United States fans when he knocked out David Rodela in three rounds at the StubHub Center in Carson, California.

Roberto “Tito” Manzanarez: Los Mochis, Mexico native Roberto “Tito” Manzanarez (32-1, 26 KOs) continued romping through the lightweight division in 2015, adding to his stellar record with a decision over Edgar “Lupillo” Ramirez and knockouts of Daniel “El Mulato” Valenzuela and Cristian “Veneno” Lopez.

NABF Lightweight Champion, Marvin “Cachorro” Quintero

Marvin “Cachorro” Quintero: Born in Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico, but now making hishome in Tijuana, Marvin Quintero is a former world title challenger whose first title fight was a razor-thin split decision loss to Miguel Vazquez in 2012. Since then, the 29-year-old southpaw has won two fights by knockout over Carlos Sanchez and Cesar De la Mora. In September of 2015 the veteran fighter proved he still had what it takes to chase championship gold when he defeated Puerto Rico’s Jeffery Fontanez via fifth-round knockout to gain the NABF Lightweight Title.

PROSPECTS TO WATCH:

Damon Allen: 23-year-old Philadelphian Damon Allen (8-0, 3 KOs) stepped through the ropes twice in 2015, stopping Luis “Yeye” Rodriguez in three rounds at home in Philly before making his Los Angeles debut in November with a decision victory over Oscar Santana.

Nick Arce: Hard-hitting 19-year-old Nick Arce (6-0, 6 KOs) didn’t stick around long for his five wins in 2015, as he knocked out each of his opponents before the final bell. This power and finishing ability has made this featherweight a must see for California fight fans, and the rest of the country should get introduced to him in the coming year.

D’Mitrius “Big Meech” Ballard

D’Mitrius “Big Meech” Ballard: 2015 was a pivotal year for Maryland supermiddleweight D’Mitrius Ballard (11-0, 7 KOs), and he passed his tests with flying colors, showing that he could box as well as bang in decision victories over Josue “Chiquilin” Ovando, Juan Carlos “Chiflado” Rojas and Fabiano “Pit Bull” Pena.

Ivan “Striker” Delgado: Keeping a steady pace throughout 2015, 25-year-old lightweight prospect Ivan “Striker” Delgado (8-0-1, 2 KOs) won five more bouts, and with fans packing the Belasco Theater in Los Angeles to see him fight on the LA Fight Club events, the future is bright for this up and comer.

Christian “Chimpa” Gonzalez: 20-year-old Christian “Chimpa” Gonzalez (12-0, 11 KOs) added four more wins to his perfect pro record in 2015, and while he went the distance for the first time against Darryl Hayes in June, he closed out the year with a pair of second-round knockouts of Luis “Lichito” Lizarraga Jr. and Alejandro Ochoa.

Joet Gonzalez: Former amateur standout Joet Gonzalez (12-0, 6 KOs) is finding his way onto many hot prospect lists after a 2015 campaign that saw him go 4-0 with three knockouts. Included on that slate is a third-round KO of 12-0-1 prospect Marcos Rios in November.

Rashidi “Speedy” Ellis: A swift and ferocious striker, the undefeated Rashidi “Speedy”

WBA Fedecentro & WBC Interim Latin Welterweight Champion,
Rashidi “Speedy” Ellis

Ellis (14-0, 11 KOs) has repeatedly showcased his skills to audiences, most recently with a fourth-round technical knockout victory in Puerto Rico over Victor “Pambele” Gonzalez in March 2015 to claim the vacant WBA Fedecentro and the WBC Interim Latin Welterweight titles. Ellis won his three previous fights via technical knockout, defeating Joseph De los Santos and Joanthony Vazquez in Puerto Rico and Jose Martinez in the Dominican Republic. Later in 2015, Ellis played a key part in the training camp of Golden Boy Promotions fighter and now WBC, RING Magazine and Lineal Middleweight World Champion Canelo Alvarez. The 22-year-old Ellis trained with Canelo as a sparring partner in preparation for Alvarez’s November 21 super fight against Miguel Cotto. After “Speedy” put Alvarez to the test with his notoriously fast fists in training camp, Alvarez defeated Cotto via unanimous decision.

Travell “Black Magic” Mazion: 20-year-old Travell “Black Magic” Mazion (10-1, 10 KOs) is one of the top prospects in boxing, a fact evidenced by his a perfect professional record and knockout ratio, ending six fights in the first round. Now ready for his biggest year yet, Mazion is looking forward to start off the year strong in 2016.

Oscar “El Jaguar” Negrete: Now making his home in Los Angeles, 27-year-old Colombia native Oscar “El Jaguar” Negrete (12-0, 5 KOs) was a stellar amateur before turning professional on May 24, 2013 with a four-round decision victory over Cristian Ciciliano. Two more wins would follow in 2013 for Negrete, but it was in 2014 that he began to get noticed in his adopted home state of California, as he stepped up to the plate four times and hit it out of the park with each appearance, decisioning unbeaten Carlos

Zachary “Zungry” Ochoa

Medina and stopping Pablo Cupul, Gabriel Braxton, Salvador Perez. 2015 proved to be a
busy year for Negrete as he fought five times winning all his bouts via decision excluding the most recent in December, where he defeated Ernesto Guerro via third-round technical knockout.

Zachary “Zungry” Ochoa: After winning the first nine fights of his professional career onthe east coast, Brooklyn’s Zachary “Zungry” Ochoa (13-0, 6 KOs) took his show on the road in 2015 and he continued to show off the skills that have made him a top prospect as he picked up four wins, including a big victory in Los Angeles over David Rodela and Alejandro “Soma” Rodriguez.

Jason “El Animal” Quigley: Former Irish amateur star Jason Quigley (9-0, 8 KOs) began his professional career in the United States in 2014, and he never left, learning his craft in Southern California. In 2015, Quigley scored five more wins by knockout before decisioning Marchristopher Adkins on November 20 and earning an honorary mention by Boxing News Magazine UK as one of the top prospects in the sport.

Julian “El Camaron” Ramirez: 22-year-old southpaw sensation Julian Ramirez (15-0, 8 KOs) kept piling the wins on in 2015, with his victories over seasoned veterans Raul “Bule” Hidalgo and Hugo “Olimpico” Partida setting Los Angeles’ “El Camaron” up for even bigger bouts when 2016 rolls around.

Lamont Roach Jr.

Lamont Roach Jr.: Washington D.C.’s Lamont Roach Jr. (9-0, 3 KOs) nearly doubled his
professional experience in 2015 with four victories that proved this 20-year-old super featherweight prospect is the real deal and a fighter to watch in 2016 and beyond.

Emilio Sanchez: Popular 21-year-old featherweight Emilio Sanchez (10-0, 7 KOs) had a busy year fighting in Golden Boy Promotions’ LA Fight Club series, going 5-0 with three knockouts at downtown Los Angeles’ Belasco Theater. The wins helped build Sanchez’ following and set the stage for another big year in 2016.

Hector “El Finito” Tanajara Jr.: Hailing from San Antonio, Hector “El Finito” Tanajara Jr. (4-0, 3 KOs) has been fighting since 2007 and during that time has won eight national championships. In 2012, he qualified to attend the Veles Cup in Kurgan, Russia and took the gold medal in his weight class and was selected as one of seven to go to the 2016 Olympic trails. Decinding instead to become a professional boxer and sign with Golden Boy Promotions in 2014, Tanajar Jr. is now the owner of an undefeated record of 4-0 with three knockouts. Tanajara will look to continue his winning streak in 2015 when he fights on Feb.5.

ABOUT GOLDEN BOY PROMOTIONS:
Los Angeles-based Golden Boy Promotions was established in 2002 by 10-time world champion in six divisions Oscar De La Hoya, the first Hispanic to own a national boxing promotional company. Golden Boy Promotions is one of boxing’s most active and respected promoters, presenting shows in packed venues around the world and has worked with networks such as HBO, HBO Latino, Estrella TV, ESPN, TeleFutura, FOX Sports 1, FOX Deportes, Televisa and TV Azteca. The company has also promoted some of the top boxing events in the history of the sport including De La Hoya vs. Mayweather, Mayweather vs. Canelo and other notable pay-per-view fights featuring fan-favorites Bernard “The Alien” Hopkins, Juan Manuel “Dinamita” Marquez, Miguel Cotto, Marco “Baby Faced Assassin” Antonio Barrera, Erik “El Terrible” Morales and Sugar Shane Mosley. For more information, visit www.GoldenBoyPromotions.com, or follow on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube @GoldenBoyBoxing.

LOS ANGELES (September 29, 2015) Golden Boy Promotions will open an intense fight weekend beginning with LA FIGHT CLUB on Friday, October 2 live on Boxeo Estelaron Estrella TV at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT at the historic Belasco Theater. LA FIGHT CLUB, featuring the next generation of rising boxing stars, kicks off the first of back-to-back fight nights in downtown Los Angeles, followed by the highly-anticipated Lucas Matthysse vs. Viktor Postol card at the StubHub Center on Saturday, October 3. Fans with tickets to the event will be joined by confirmed guests Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, Future Hall of Famer and Golden Boy Promotions Partner Bernard Hopkins, current IBF Bantamweight World Champion Randy Caballero and legendary boxer Erik “El Terrible” Morales.

In the main event of the evening, Matthysse’s training partner Patrick Teixeira (25-0, 21 KOs) will collide with Don Mouton (13-9-1, 11 KOs) in an exhilarating 10-round middleweight bout. The televised co-main event of the night will feature Brooklyn, New York brawler Zachary “Zungry” Ochoa (12-0, 5 KOs) squaring off against Alejandro “Soma” Rodriguez (24-18-1, 14 KOs) of Guadalajara, Mexico in an eight-round super lightweight fight, both the toughest match of each fighters’ career. Opening up the LA FIGHT CLUB telecast, Tijuana, Mexico native Antonio “Tony” Gutierrez (18-1-1, 8 KOs) is scheduled for a six-round featherweight against Victor “Sina” Fonseca. (9-5-1, 7 KOs) of San Diego, Calif.

Featured on The Ring TV live stream, Francisco Ochoa (2-0, 1 KO) of Los Angeles, will face newcomer Edgar Galvez (0-1) of Phoenix, Arizona in a four-round lightweight bout, and Los Angeles favorite Pablo Rubio Jr. (2-0, 2 KOs) is scheduled for a four-round super bantamweight fight against Adrian Rodriguez (1-7-1) of Guadalajara, Mexico. Joshua Franco (1-0) will trade punches with Tijuana, Mexico’s Saul “Bebe” Hernandez (5-7-1, 3 KOs) in a four-round super flyweight matchup; and a four-round clash of super lightweights will kick off the night as Abraham Lopez (1-1) of Rowland Heights, Calif. will take on Galveston, Texas native Andrew Gomez (0-2). Fights can be viewed via The RingTV’s Roku channel, www.ringtvlive.comand on The Ring TV’s YouTube channel. The live stream will begin at approximately 5:30 p.m. PT through 7:00 p.m. PT

LA FIGHT CLUB: Teixeira vs. Mouton is a 10-round middleweight bout and is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona Extra. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. and the first bout begins at 5:30 p.m. The Estrella TV Boxeo Estelar broadcast will air live on Friday, October 2 at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT., and will also be simultaneously streaming live on estrellaTV.com and on YouTube via Fenomeno Studios: youtube.com/FenomenoStudios. The Ring TV live stream will begin at approximately 5:30 p.m. PT through 7:00 p.m.

Tickets, starting at $20 are available for purchase online at www.goldenboypromotions.com or by visiting the Golden Boy Promotions Facebook page. For ticket information, email us at LAFightClub@goldenboypromotions.com.

The “Knockout Experience VIP Package” is also available for an additional $25 upgrade and includes VIP entrance, access to an exclusive lounge offering food and beverages for purchase; a meet and greet opportunity with fighters and celebrities attending the event, past guests have included Oscar De La Hoya, Kate Del Castillo, Mario Lopez, George Lopez, Lucas Matthysse, Randy Caballero and other stars have all made appearances in the past; an automatic entry into the LA FIGHT CLUB grand prize drawing, which can include but is not limited to: autograph gloves, picture in the ring, backstage access, tour of locker rooms, fighter ring walk, tickets to upcoming boxing events and additional merchandise and prizes.

LA FIGHT CLUB is a monthly boxing series featured on the first Friday of each month, with upcoming shows including Nov. 6 and Dec. 4. The series showcases the brightest stars in the sport and present these exciting matchups in a nightclub atmosphere with an original setup. The boxing ring is set on the main floor of the Belasco Theater with on-camera standing room for fans in front of the ring similar to a concert pit, as well as reserved balcony and floor seats. Los Angeles’ own DJ Ray of Big Boy’s Neighborhood spins music during the fights and fans are able to dance and mingle with the fighters when the venue converts into a night club, in a VIP experience not matched by any promoter in the industry.

Media interested in attending the October 2 installment of LA FIGHT CLUB must be pre-approved for credentials. Credential applications are now closed. Media will not be credentialed on-site, no exceptions.

For more information visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.belascous.com, www.estrellatv.com, follow on twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @EstrellaTV, and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing,www.facebook.com/TheBelascoLA, http://www.facebook.com/EstrellaTVNetwork,visit us on Instagram at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @belascola and @EstrellaTV, follow the conversation using #LAFIGHTCLUB #BoxeoEstelar.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (May 15th, 2015) – The heart of boxing in the northeast used to beat the loudest in Philadelphia, where ring warriors such as Sonny Liston, Joe Frazier and Bernard Hopkins are rightfully considered among the all-time greats, not to mention New York, the home of legendary champions Rocky Graziano, Mike Tyson and “Sugar” Ray Robinson, among others.

Just 200 miles north, away from the constant clamor and commotion of the urban lifestyle, tucked along the beautiful shoreline of the Atlantic Ocean, there’s a new bounding pulse making noise on the surface of boxing’s vast landscape, its rhythmic throbbing too loud and too prominent to ignore.

With three of New England’s top professionals entering the prime of their careers and new talent developing under the watchful eye of longtime promoter Jimmy Burchfield Sr., CES Boxing has reestablished its footing as the region’s No. 1 promotion.

CES’ top prospects, Jimmy Williams of New Haven, Conn.; Khiary Gray-Pitts of Worcester, Mass.; and Nick DeLomba of Cranston, R.I., enter the summer of 2015 a combined 23-0-1 with 11 knockouts. Unmatched in its eye for talent and volume of crowd-pleasing events, CES has also signed amateur standout Julio Perez of Massachusetts to a promotional agreement while putting the finishing touches its 2016 schedule, which will feature 11 shows.

CES Boxing returns to Twin River Casino in Lincoln, R.I., on July 17th for the second installment of its 2015 Twin River Fight Series, which also includes events Sept. 4th and Nov. 13th.

“We’ve been at this a long, long time and no one knows this area or has their finger on the pulse of boxing in the northeast the way CES does,” Burchfield said. “We’re in the business of making champions and I fully believe our young crop of talent will develop into the elite fighters you will one day see on every major network.

“The sky’s the limit, not only for the fighters under the promotional guidance of CES Boxing, but for our company itself as we continue to bring our loyal fans the best this sport has to offer.”

The most established of CES’ young guns, Williams (9-0-1, 5 KOs) is coming off his most impressive win to date, a fourth-round knockout over tough veteran Eddie Caminero in February, a stoppage so picturesque it landed a spot later that night among ESPN SportsCenter’s Top 10 highlights.

“That was a good fight for me. It showed my fans what I’m made of,” said Williams, a former college football standout in Connecticut now fighting in the junior middleweight division at 154 pounds. “I can do it all. Boxer, slugger, whatever it takes to win a fight.”

With five consecutive wins under his belt since his lone blemish (a draw against Greg Jackson in 2013), Williams is preparing to return to the ring this summer as he continues his quest toward cracking the 154-pound world ratings while eventually challenging for – and winning – a world title.

“That’s the goal, but I’m taking it one fight at a time,” he said. “I’ve just got to keep focusing and keep winning. There’s a lot of great talent here in New England, a lot of good, young fighters trying to make a name for themselves.”

Among them is DeLomba (7-0, 1 KO), the 25-year-old welterweight protégé of Gary Balletto who has finally found stability both in and outside of the ring.

Having endured turmoil within his camp during the early stages of his professional career, DeLomba has formed an unbreakable bond with his new trainer, Victor Fagnant. His newfound dedication and focus has shown in the ring, where DeLomba earned his first career knockout in April, pummeling Connecticut vet Joe Wilson Jr. in a third-round stoppage.

“I worked on sitting down on my punches and getting the maximum amount of leverage on each punch,” explained DeLomba.

“I feel like now that we’ve got a complete team, everything is starting to fall into place. I’ve got the right people backing me. Everything from cutting weight to personal training to boxing with Coach Vic, everything is falling into place. I’m a much more complete fighter.”

With wins over four New England welterweights already on his resume, DeLomba will return to the ring July 17th at Twin River to put his unbeaten record on the line.

“New England is definitely on the rise. Boxing, period, is on the rise,” DeLomba said. “We’ve got a lot of great fighters. I’ve fought a ton of them, both with and against them. There’s a lot of talent out here and a lot of great things to come for each and every one of us.”

Arguably the most electrifying prospect in New England, Gray-Pitts (7-0, 5 KOs) has kept the beat going with five knockout wins since making his professional debut in June of 2014. Having fought an unprecedented seven times within the last 11 months, Gray-Pitts boasts an impressive streak of four consecutive first-round knockouts fighting in the junior middleweight division.

“I feel like I’m getting better with each fight,” he said. “Each win is a step in the right direction.”

His success has struck fear in the hearts of New England’s fellow junior middleweights and earned Gray-Pitts a reputation as one of the most feared – and avoided – fighters in the region.

“I dealt with that in the amateurs, too,” Gray-Pitts said. “When I started getting knockouts fight after fight, no one in New England wanted to fight me. I fought tournaments in New York and even went to Washington just to get fights.

“I’ve seen a lot of changes since my first fight,” he continued. “I’m throwing more punches and putting more behind each punch. I just want to stay active, stay busy and keep my record up.”

The signing of Perez, an amateur vet born in Puerto Rico and raised in Marlboro as a teenager, is one of many additions CES plans to announce in the near future, in addition to its complete 2016 schedule. A former Southern New England Golden Gloves champion, Perez will make his professional debut this summer.

For more information on CES Boxing and its upcoming schedule, visit www.cesboxing.com, follow @CESBoxing on Twitter and Instagram and join the official CES Boxing fan page on Facebook.

LOS ANGELES (May 12) – After an electrifying night at Minute Maid Park in Houston where more than 31,000 fans gathered to watch live on May 9, Canelo vs. Kirkland brought in a stunning number of viewers on HBO World Championship Boxing (WCB) with an average viewership of 2,146,000 for the live, first-time airing on HBO and peaked at 2,296,000 viewers. Canelo vs. Kirkland is the top-performing bout on HBO’s flagship boxing platform since the Antonio Tarver-Bernard Hopkins light heavyweight title battle delivered 2,460,000 viewers in 2006. This also marked the Mexican superstar’s first appearance as a headliner on the HBO WCB platform.

“With more than 31,000 people coming to Minute Maid Park and more than 2.1 million tuning in to watch on HBO, Canelo Alvarez is quickly making the leap from the biggest boxing star of the future, to the biggest boxing star of the present,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Founder and President of Golden Boy Promotions. “Given his sizzling, fan-friendly performance in knocking out James Kirkland, attendance and viewership will only continue to soar. Boxing’s future is now.”

Canelo Alvarez vs. James Kirkland was a 12-round super welterweight bout presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Canelo Promotions, SMS Promotions and Leija*Battah Promotions. The fight took place Saturday, May 9 at Minute Maid Park in Houston Texas and was sponsored by Corona Extra, Mexico – Live it to Believe it!, Fred Loya Insurance and O’Reilly Auto Parts. Alvarez vs. Kirkland is available on the HBO ON DEMAND®, HBO GO® and HBO NOW® platforms.

LOS ANGELES (March 13) – Golden Boy Promotions today announced the full card for an exciting March 20 return to Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, Calif. where former world title contender Alfonso Gomez (24-6-2, 12 KOs) of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico will take on Japan’s Yoshihiro Kamegai (25-2-1, 22 KOs) in an exciting 10-round super welterweight bout. Airing live on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes, Kamegai vs. Gomez is part of the fan-favorite Golden Boy Live! series. In addition to the stacked card, Golden Boy Promotions Partner and future boxing Hall of Famer, Bernard “The Alien” Hopkins will be in attendance to meet and greet with fans at the Special Events Center from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Southern California native Ronny Rios (23-1, 10 KOs) will take on Guadalajara’s Sergio “El Frio” Frias (16-4-2, 8 KOs) in the co-main event 10-round featherweight bout, and former Irish national championship fighter Jamie “The Nuisance” Kavanagh (17-1-1, 8 KOs) is set for an eight-round televised lightweight match against power puncher Miguel Zamudio (29-6-1, 17 KOs) of Los Mochis, Mexico.

Fighting for airtime, Irish and European championship fighter Jason Quigley (4-0, 4 KOs), fresh off of his March 6 victory at the premiere of LA FIGHT CLUB, will face an opponent yet to be named in a six-round middleweight television swing bout.

In the non-televised undercard, Los Angeles-based Rafael Gramajo (1-1-1, 1 KO) will face an opponent yet to be named in a four-round featherweight bout. Starting off the night for the March 20 card, Albert “Baby Dynamite” Herrera (9-10-1, 5 KOs) of Riverside, Calif. will fight in a six-round welterweight brawl against relative newcomer Jose Marrufo (4-2-2) of Phoenix, AZ.

In addition, the undefeated Abraham Lopez (17-0, 12 KOs) will take on Mexico’s Juan Carlos “El Pez” Martinez (20-15-1, 7 KOs) in an eight-round featherweight bout on March 20 at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino.

Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico’s Sergio “El Frio” Frias is rising featherweight who has established a successful career in his native country. In 2014, Frias stayed busy taking on three tough fighters Albert Pacheco, Manuel Avila and Claudio Hurtado. Fighting in the U.S. for the second time in is career, Frias is looking to establish a fan base when he faces Ronny Rios on March 20.

The young yet seasoned fighter Miguel Zamudio of Los Mochis, Mexico, will make his sixth U.S. professional appearance on the undercard of Kamegai vs. Gomez. Zamudio will work to keep his 2015 winning streak going on March 20 at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino when he faces the less experienced but fierce Irish champion Kavanagh.

Hailing from Balleybofey in County Danegal, Ireland, the 22-year-old Jason Quigley had an outstanding amateur career becoming the first Irish fighter to win a Silver medal at the AIBA World Amateur Boxing Championships in 2013. He started his professional career in 2014 and quickly garnered attention by ending each fight via knockout against Howard Reece, Fernando Najera, and Greg McCoy. Quigley continued his wins-by-knockout streak by taking down Lanny Dardar less than two minutes into the first round at the March 6 debut of LA FIGHT CLUB..
Hailing from the Westside Boxing Club, Rafael Gramajo will have the fourth professional fight of his career on March 20. Gramajo, a Garden City, Kansas native, who now makes his home in Los Angeles, will make his California debut at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino.

In his first fight of 2015, Jose Marrufo of Phoenix, AZ will face off against local favorite Albert “Baby Dynamite” Herrera. Marrufo will seek to get the win after settling for a draw in his last match to claim the vacant WBC U.S. National Boxing Championship welterweight title. Motivated by a thirst for victory, Marrufo will make a war in the ring on March 20 that will not disappoint.

Kamegai vs. Gomez is a 10-round super welterweight bout promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona Extra and Mexico – Live It To Believe It!. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. and the ?rst bell rings at 6:00 p.m. The FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes broadcast airs live at 11 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. PT.

Tickets for the event, priced at $25, $35, and $45, are on sale now and available for purchase from the Fantasy Springs Box Office, by calling (800) 827-2946 or online at www.fantasyspringsresort.com.

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For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.FOXSports.com/FOXSports1, www.FOXDeportes.com, follow on Twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @FOXSports, @FOXSports1, @FOXDeportes and, become a fan on Facebook at Golden Boy Facebook Page, www.facebook.com/FOXDeportes and visit us on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing.

March 5, 2015 – Ring legend Bernard Hopkins, who knows a thing or two about the light heavyweight division, will be ringside on Saturday, March 14 at the Bell Centre in Montreal working as the expert analyst for the HBO World Championship Boxing® telecast. Hopkins will work alongside Jim Lampley, Max Kellerman and Harold Lederman.

The live tripleheader (9:45 p.m. ET/PT) is headlined by the 2015 ring debut of light heavyweight champ Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev defending his title belts against the formidable Jean Pascal. Hopkins has faced both of these elite fighters in the ring. Bernard fought Pascal in Quebec in 2010 and 2011, registering a majority draw and a win. He lost a unanimous decision to Kovalev last November in Atlantic City in one of the year’s most intriguing events.

“We are delighted to have a personality as engaging as Bernard Hopkins filling in on such a terrific and important fight card,” said Rick Bernstein, executive producer, HBO Sports.

The telecast opens up with a light heavyweight bout between Isaac Chilemba and Vasily Lepikhin followed by the evening’s co-feature an important heavyweight tilt between Vyacheslav Glazkov and Steve Cunningham.

LOS ANGELES (Jan. 19) – The 50th birthday celebration for future Hall of Famer Bernard “The Alien” Hopkins will have even more fireworks with the addition of Philadelphia favorites Raymond “Tito” Serrano and Avery Sparrow, plus several other exciting undercard bouts featuring East Coast talent on Golden Boy Live! at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia on Tuesday, January 20, airing on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes.

In a six-round welterweight bout between Pennsylvanian fighters, Philadelphia’s Raymond “Tito” Serrano (19-2, 9 KOs) takes on Allentown’s Jerome Rodriguez (6-1-3, 2 KOs). The 25-year-old Serrano bounced back from losses to Emmanuel Taylor and Karim Mayfield with a fourth-round stoppage of Wilfredo Acuna last November, and he wants to keep the momentum going in 2015.

A four-round swing bout will see local Philadelphia favorite Avery Sparrow (3-0, 1 KO) meet up with Pennsauken, N.J.’s Pedro Andres (1-1). The 21-year-old Sparrow is a former amateur standout coming off a four-round win over Jesus Lule on November 25.

Manassas, Va’s Robert Sweeney (3-1) will kick off his 2015 year with a six-round junior middleweight bout against Camden, N.J.’s Gilbert Alex Sanchez (4-6-1, 2 KOs), and in the four-round junior lightweight opener, Pennsauken, N.J.’s Carlos Rosario (1-1) squares off with Snow Hill, N.C’s Timothy McNair (0-2).

This special Golden Boy Live! installment celebrates the “The Alien’s” landmark moment with a main event 10-round featherweight bout that puts Philadelphia’s Eric “The Outlaw” Hunter (18-3, 9 KOs) against WBC International Silver Super Featherweight champion, Nicaragua’s Rene “Gemelo” Alvarado (21-3, 15 KOs). In the co-main event, Newark, N.J.’s Michael “The Artist” Perez (21-1, 10 KOs) meets Venezuela’s former world champion Miguel “Aguacerito” Acosta (29-7-2, 23 KOs) of Venezuela in a 10-round junior welterweight matchup, and unbeaten lightweight Lamont Roach Jr. (5-0, 2 KOs) of Washington, D.C. puts his perfect record on the line in the six-round televised opener against Baltimore’s Herbert Quartey (8-10, 7 KOs).

Tickets for the event are priced at $75 for ringside, $50 for general reserved and $35 for reserved corner and are on sale now. Tickets are available by calling (215) 364-9000, online at www.wanatix.com or at 2300 Arena, 2300 S. Swanson St., Philadelphia, PA 19148.

Hunter vs. Alvarado, a 10-round featherweight bout, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Joe Hand Promotions and sponsored by Corona Extra, O’Reilly Auto Parts and Mexico – Live It To Believe It! Doors open at 6:00 p.m. and the first bell rings at 7:00 p.m. The FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes broadcast airs live at 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.FOXSports.com/FOXSports1, www.FOXDeportes.com, follow on Twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @Swanson_comm,@FOXSports, @FOXSports1, @FOXDeportes, @JoeHandPromo and, become a fan on Facebook at Golden Boy Facebook Page, www.facebook.com/FOXDeportes, www.facebook.com/JoeHandPromotions
and visit us on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing, @JoeHandPromo

LAS VEGAS (Jan. 17) – Golden Boy Promotions alongside Eye of the Tiger Management held an intimate roundtable at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, to discuss the recent signing of David Lemieux (33-2, 31 KOs) to Golden Boy Promotions. The impressive middleweight contender Lemieux, Founder and President of Golden Boy Promotions Oscar De La Hoya, Future Hall of Famer and Golden Boy Promotions Partner Bernard Hopkins, President of Eye of the Tiger Management Camille Estephan, and Senior Vice President of Golden Boy Promotions Eric Gomez were all in attendance.

The hard-hitting Montreal native’s next bout was confirmed to be broadcasted on HBO and Lemieux expressed his interest in fighting the best in the middleweight division. Below is what the Montreal native, his promoters and his management had to say:

DAVID LEMIEUX, Middleweight Contender

“I have put in the work. What you saw in Brooklyn was only 50 percent of what I can do and I feel like I can be a lot better. I want to show that in my next fight.

“I fear no man, I want to go after the top of the food chain. Oscar and Bernard came up fighting the best and I am of the same mind.

“Canelo is a younger, hungrier fighter. He is explosive. He is a tough fighter and it would be a good match up.

“Everyone is on the list. I want to fight the best.

“The reason I started so young was because I was a trouble maker. I was fighting in the streets. My neighbor was a boxer and he told me to come fight real fighters. I got my ass kicked a few times but I fell in love with it.

“We want to make a good run at 160 and then think about moving up in weight.

“I have always liked power punchers and I respect others’ styles and other champions, but I never mimic them.”

OSCAR DE LA HOYA, Founder and President of Golden Boy Promotions

“We are exploring every option. We can go to Montreal, we can go back to New York City, we can come to Las Vegas; that’s the beauty of David. He can fight anywhere and people will come out to watch him.

“He’s still growing. We haven’t seen his full potential which is very exciting. He has explosiveness and power.

“We will be working hand and hand with Eye of the Tiger Management. We are partners and we want the best fights, the best deals. We will be working together in the best interest for David.

“A future fight with Canelo is possible. Canelo wants to fight the best. Lemieux wants to fight the best. For now we want to focus on 160-pounds weight class and on Cotto, Andy lee and Golovkin.”

BERNARD HOPKINS, Future Hall of Famer and Golden Boy Promotions Partner

“We got this guy [Lemieux], he is tough. I know Gabriel Rosado and he handled him easily. I know what I am looking at. I have an eye for talent and he has it.

“We are going to continue and show you that we will put on the best fights and give the fans quality. I’m in it to make the best fights. The ratings speak for themselves. The fans speak for themselves. Judge us by the quality of the matches you see and don’t get caught up in the ‘feelings’ of it.

“I want to put a call out to everyone, that is how Oscar was brought up, that is how I was brought up, fighting the best.

“Three things about David: one, he signed with Golden Boy Promotions; two, he has talent in many ways, not only is he a fan favorite he is a good defensive fighter; three, he has good looks.

“I am seeing now the molding of another legacy, his legacy. But at the end of the day he has an opportunity in the middle weight division, I am glad to be here with a middleweight who I feel already has a lot of respect.

CAMILLE ESTEPHAN, President of Eye of the Tiger Management

“Canelo is on the list. Cotto is on the list. Golovkin is on the list. Andy Lee is on the list. Everyone is on the list.

“I definitely think he is the most popular boxer, the numbers prove it. He has a lot of potential and the sky is the limit.

“I got a call yesterday from someone in the boxing world about how exciting it is to be working with Golden Boy and he said ‘David is like a sunshine that beams on the world of boxing’ and it is very heartwarming. It’s heartwarming to sit down with Oscar, Bernard and Eric, whom I have gotten to know very well since the Rosado fight. This is great group of people and I think that we can build something together that will make a huge impact in the boxing world.

“David is the one guy, that as soon as I saw him the first time in the gym, the first sit-up he did and the last sit-up he did were exactly the same, he doesn’t cheat. He has the ultimate confidence because he doesn’t cheat himself and I have the ultimate respect for him. I am very proud of him as a person.

ERIC GOMEZ, Senior Vice President of Golden Boy Promotions

“After the Rosado fight, Lemieux was impressive and we began talks with Camille. People love David and it made sense. David has an exciting style.

“We are looking at HBO, the ratings against Rosado were some of the best all year. They are very excited about David.”
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For more information visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and www.eottm.com on Twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing, @OscarDeLaHoya, @EOTMVD, @lemieuxboxing, become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing and www.facebook.com/EyeoftheTigerManagement or follow on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing, @OscarDeLaHoya and @DavidLemieuxBoxing.

LOS ANGELES (Dec. 30) – On Tuesday, Jan. 20, Golden Boy Promotions will celebrate Bernard Hopkins’ 50th birthday with a night of boxing fit for a legend. This special Golden Boy Live! installment is set to give fans something to celebrate along with the “The Alien’s” landmark moment. The night of fights will air on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes live from the 2300 Arena in Bernard’s hometown of Philadelphia.

In the main event, Philly’s own Eric “The Outlaw” Hunter (19-3, 10 KOs) faces highly regarded Nicaraguan junior lightweight contender Rene “Gemelo” Alvarado (21-3, 14 KOs) in a 10-round featherweight bout. In the super lightweight co-main 10-round event, rising junior welterweight star Michael “The Artist” Perez of Newark, New Jersey looks to extend his current unbeaten streak to eight fights, he will face a to be announced opponent. Plus, Opening the televised action is Washington, D.C.’s undefeated fighter Lamont Roach Jr. (5-0, 2 KOs) in a six-round junior lightweight battle against an opponent yet to be named.

“I’m so excited that Golden Boy has decided to honor my birthday in this way,” said Hopkins. “The best present that they can give me is to bring a great night of fights to my hometown and give Philly boxing fans something to celebrate.”

Hopkins, fresh from his hard-fought 12-round title fight with Sergey Kovalev on November 8, turns 50 on January 15. “The Alien” will attend the event held in his honor and will be featured on the television broadcast.
Hunter vs. Alvarado, a 10-round featherweight bout, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Joe HandPromotions and sponsored by Corona Extra, O’Reilly Auto Parts and Mexico – Live It To Believe It! Doors open at 6:00 p.m. and the first bell rings at 7:00 p.m. The FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes broadcast airs live at 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT.

Tickets for the event are priced at $75 for ringside, $50 for general reserved and $35 for reserved corner. Tickets are available by calling (215) 364-9000, online at www.wanatix.com or at 2300 Arena, 2300 S. Swanson St., Philadelphia, PA 19148.

Hard-nosed Philly native Eric “The Outlaw” Hunter (19-3, 10 KOs) is a popular local hero who is ready to make his name on the national and international scene. Unbeaten in four of his last five fights, the 28-year-old won the USBA title last March with a win over Yenifel Vicente and in his most recent outing, he stopped 11-1 prospect Daniel Ramirez in six rounds.

Managua, Nicaragua’s Rene “Gemelo” Alvarado (21-3, 14 KOs) has won four of his last five bouts, most recently bouncing back from an upset loss to Rocky Juarez by defeating Juan Pablo Sanchez for the WBC International title in October. Eager to get back into the title race in 2015, the 25-year-old wants to deliver the kind of performances that guarantee a shot at the 130-pound crown.

Hailing from Newark, New Jersey, Michael “The Artist” Perez (21-1, 10 KOs) is excited to take the trip to Philadelphia for what is close enough to be called a home game. With a record of 6-0-1 in his last seven bouts, the 24-year-old is coming off of two successful defenses of his WBA Fedelatin Title in 2014 when he defeated Jorge Romero and Jared Robinson. Currently ranked sixth in the world by the WBA, Perez wants to make a statement in his first fight of 2015 that he’s ready for a shot at the world championship.

Undefeated newcomer, Lamont Roach Jr. (5-0, 2 KOs) is quickly becoming an exciting fighter to watch in the sport. Hailing from Washington D.C., Roach Jr., scored a knockdown and dominated a four-round decision over Puerto Rico’s Alexander Charneco in his Dec 6 bout.

An all-star undercard also includes Avery Sparrow (3-0, 1 KO, Philadelphia), Ismael Garcia (7-0-1, 3 KOs, Vineland, NJ) and Raymond Serrano (19-2, 9 KOs, Philadelphia)

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.FOXSports.com/FOXSports1, www.FOXDeportes.com, www.JoeHandPromotions.com, follow on Twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @Swanson_comm, @FOXSports, @FOXSports1, @FOXDeportes, @JoeHandPromo and, become a fan on Facebook at Golden Boy Facebook Page, www.facebook.com/FOXDeportes, www.facebook.com/JoeHandPromotions
and visit us on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing, @JoeHandPromo

LOS ANGELES (Dec. 24) – On Tuesday, Jan. 20, Golden Boy Promotions will celebrate Bernard Hopkins’ 50th birthday with a night of boxing fit for a legend. This special Golden Boy Live!installment is set to give fans something to celebrate along with the “The Alien’s” landmark moment. The night of fights will air on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes live from the 2300 Arena in Bernard’s hometown of Philadelphia.

In the main event, Philly’s own Eric “The Outlaw” Hunter (19-3, 10 KOs) faces highly regarded Nicaraguan junior lightweight contender Rene “Gemelo” Alvarado (21-3, 14 KOs) in a 10-round featherweight bout. In the super lightweight co-main 10-round event, rising junior welterweight star Michael “The Artist” Perez of Newark, New Jersey looks to extend his current unbeaten streak to eight fights, he will face a to be announced opponent. Plus, Opening the televised action is Washington, D.C.’s undefeated fighter Lamont Roach Jr. (5-0, 2 KOs) in a six-round junior lightweight battle against an opponent yet to be named.

“I’m so excited that Golden Boy has decided to honor my birthday in this way,” said Hopkins. “The best present that they can give me is to bring a great night of fights to my hometown and give Philly boxing fans something to celebrate.”

Hopkins, fresh from his hard-fought 12-round title fight with Sergey Kovalev on November 8, turns 50 on January 15. “The Alien” will attend the event held in his honor and will be featured on the television broadcast.

Hunter vs. Alvarado, a 10-round featherweight bout, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Joe HandPromotions and sponsored by Corona Extra, O’Reilly Auto Parts and Mexico – Live It To Believe It! Doors open at 6:00 p.m. and the first bell rings at 7:00 p.m. The FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes broadcast airs live at 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT.

Tickets for the event are priced at $75 for ringside, $50 for general reserved and $35 for reserved corner. Tickets are available by calling (215) 364-9000, online at www.wanatix.com or at 2300 Arena, 2300 S. Swanson St., Philadelphia, PA 19148.

Hard-nosed Philly native Eric “The Outlaw” Hunter (19-3, 10 KOs) is a popular local hero who is ready to make his name on the national and international scene. Unbeaten in four of his last five fights, the 28-year-old won the USBA title last March with a win over Yenifel Vicente and in his most recent outing, he stopped 11-1 prospect Daniel Ramirez in six rounds.

Managua, Nicaragua’s Rene “Gemelo” Alvarado (21-3, 14 KOs) has won four of his last five bouts, most recently bouncing back from an upset loss to Rocky Juarez by defeating Juan Pablo Sanchez for the WBC International title in October. Eager to get back into the title race in 2015, the 25-year-old wants to deliver the kind of performances that guarantee a shot at the 130-pound crown.

Hailing from Newark, New Jersey, Michael “The Artist” Perez (21-1, 10 KOs) is excited to take the trip to Philadelphia for what is close enough to be called a home game. With a record of 6-0-1 in his last seven bouts, the 24-year-old is coming off of two successful defenses of his WBA Fedelatin Title in 2014 when he defeated Jorge Romero and Jared Robinson. Currently ranked sixth in the world by the WBA, Perez wants to make a statement in his first fight of 2015 that he’s ready for a shot at the world championship.

Undefeated newcomer, Lamont Roach Jr. (5-0, 2 KOs) is quickly becoming an exciting fighter to watch in the sport. Hailing from Washington D.C., Roach Jr., scored a knockdown and dominated a four-round decision over Puerto Rico’s Alexander Charneco in his Dec 6 bout.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.FOXSports.com/FOXSports1, www.FOXDeportes.com, follow on Twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @Swanson_comm,@FOXSports, @FOXSports1, @FOXDeportes, @JoeHandPromo and, become a fan on Facebook at Golden Boy Facebook Page, www.facebook.com/FOXDeportes, www.facebook.com/JoeHandPromotions
and visit us on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing, @JoeHandPromo

Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev – WBO, WBA and IBF Light Heavyweight World Champion

“Hello everyone thank you so much for everything. I already changed diapers. I already lost track of how many diapers, maybe 15 or so. It is easy because I have experience with my nephews. My older sister has two babies so I have done this a lot. Beating Hopkins is a little bit more dangerous than changing diapers but he peed on my hand when I changed him. It is most important to be here with my family.

“My counsel for Bernard is that he needs to stop his career. He is already not young man and he lost to Kovalev not because of his age. He feels great, he feels good, he feels he is in good shape, and he feels young in his body. He can get a lot of wins against a lot of good fighters including [Adonis] Stevenson and other top ten fighters. It is not my job right now. It is his job. He is feeling very good. I think he needs to stop and give the opportunity to younger boxers to be fighting on the top stage.

[on a fight against Stevenson] “I don’t know how to answer. I am ready for everyone if it is the right fight. It is interesting fight for everyone. This is the job for my promoter and my manager. I don’t think about next fight, right now I want to spend time with my family. I am going to fly to Russia for a couple weeks to be with my parents.

[on light heavyweight division] “I making my weight. Five years ago it is was much easier and now it is a little bit harder to make 175 but it is right weight for my body. My body needs more attention. It is good for me for boxing. I can show how good I am. No for super middleweight it is not possible. It will be too much for my body. Cruiserweight is a big weight for me. I am walking 190 and cruiserweight is 200. I would be fighting against fighters much bigger than me. If it were 4-5 rounds it might be ok but 12 rounds will be much harder. I haven’t cleaned up this division yet. I have goal to get WBC title.

“Yes I would like to get WBC title. I don’t know what will be in the future. Right now it is job of my promoter and manager. For me it doesn’t matter I just need to get one more title.

“I made a lot of mistakes in this fight. I don’t open my mistakes to everyone in public. I know what they are and I will work on them in the gym for my next fight. First of all, Bernard is a professor of boxing. I had to be ready for this fight mentally. It was a lot of pressure on me and for my family. I had a lot of pressure for everything. It was more difficult.

[on dealing with the pressure] “I felt responsible for everything that happened in the fight. I am responsible in my fight and that push me.

[on trying for the knockout] “I was going into the ring for boxing. I was going to get victory from my boxing. I did not have a goal to knockout my opponent. If you try to knockout opponent you won’t do it because your opponent will see your hard punch. When I dropped Bernard first round I was not surprised. I was glad that it was the result of my workout in the gym. It is the result of my strategy. That I showed 12 rounds of boxing. I show the world how I can box. It was not fair that if I will knock him out he has a big experience and big respect from me and everyone in the boxing world. I am very happy that this fight went all 12 rounds.

[going past 8 rounds for the first time] “I felt very great. I did last 12 rounds. I wanted to beat Hopkins more effective. I punch him a couple times when I tried to give him knockdown but he has great and hard head. Very hard head. He was still on his legs. He didn’t drop on the floor and I was surprised. ”

John David Jackson – Kovalev’s Trainer

[on possible trainer of the year honor] “It will be great if I can get it but I can live without. If I get it will be a feather in my cap. I love boxing; it is my life. I am grateful for the fighters that I work with for getting me this level. Thanks to Sergey and to Egis for believing in me. Thanks Kathy for giving her blessing and for believing in me. To get it would be phenomenal.

[on Hopkins’ comments at press conference] “After the second Roy Jones’ fight I told him to retire. That was the last talk we had together. He couldn’t get into Sergey’s head so he tried to get into my head. He didn’t need to worry about me he needed to worry about Sergey. He knew that I know him very well and I was getting in his head better than anyone.

[on the game plan] “The way he wore Bernard down that was the game plan. He dissected him going to the body, the shoulder and the chest. Break Bernard down systematically was the plan.

“The more pressure Sergey brought the more he wore Bernard down. He is an old man in a young man’s sport. Sergey made him fight at a pace he didn’t want to fight at. He underestimated him. Sergey is a superior boxer. He showed the world that on Saturday night. He out-boxed a supposed master boxer. Bernard underestimated his abilities and that hurt him.

[working on next] “For me no one can fight him on the inside in the future he may meet someone who has a good inside game and he will need to work on that. That is the only thing he would need to work on.

[on getting into Bernard’s Head] “I kept reminding Sergey that Bernard is old. I told him where to hit him. It is common sense. He is an old man. You fight an old man by treating him like an old man.

“Sergey is very intelligent. He works on things on his own as well as with me. He works on all aspects to make sure he is a complete fighter. Sometimes he will retreat and make the opponent come to him. He will be here as long as he wants to be here. Anyone that sells him short is in for a rude awakening.

“Sergey’s timing is phenomenal. I asked Sergey to slow down and just keep boxing. If the knockout comes great, if not he was going to win the fight either way. The way he won was more satisfying anyway. He shut him out 12-0.

“I told Bernard to retire. He has had a great career and why cheapen it by hanging on too long. He said his comments at the press conference were for promotion. He can’t get in my head because he wasn’t fighting me. He was going after me because he couldn’t get into Sergey’s head. He was looking for a kink in the armor. He was apologetic afterwards. We are friends. This is business. He can’t be mad at me. He didn’t believe me when I said Sergey was a hell of a fighter. We are still friends. We probably won’t hang out but that’s okay.”

Kathy Duva – CEO of Main Events

“Thanks to everyone for joining us. This has been an auspicious month for Sergey Kovalev. He became a father, a unified champion and then got to meet his son for the first time. I am so proud of him. I am so proud of John David Jackson and Egis Klimas too. I am calling them the dream team now. They put together this great plan and Sergey executed it perfectly.

“He is going to fight again in March but it is too early to say who his opponent might be. I am going to sit down with Egis and then once we make the decision we will let you all know.

[on Stevenson] “At this point I just don’t know. It is too soon to say. Obviously [Nadjib] Mohammedi is in the picture at some point because he is the mandatory. All I see are stories that say they want to fight Sergey in 2015. They know how to reach me. No one has called me. It is still 2014 and no one has made any overtures towards any fights.

[on fighting in another weight class] “No one has talked to us about any fight at any other weight either. I have learned to never say never but it would not be any time soon. It is not really worth talking about. He wants to own the division. He wants to keep the belts he has and that means he will have to do the mandatories. He has to take care of them.

[on ratings for the fight against Hopkins] “We are very pleased with the numbers especially considering the late start due to football. It is about giving the fans a great show.

“John David Jackson choreographed the fight and Sergey executed the plan perfectly. Egis should be manager of the year. He finds all these great fighters. Sergey should be fighter of the year for the way he beat Hopkins and John David should be trainer of the year.

“I want to congratulate Sergey and his wife Natalia for their beautiful son Aleksandr and we will let you know as soon as we know what is next for Sergey.”

Egis Klimas – Sergey Kovalev’s Manager

“We are interested in WBC title. We will fight whoever will be holding that title. That is who we will be aiming for. If someone had told me earlier this year that Sergey would fight Bernard Hopkins and earn two more titles I would have asked them what are they were smoking. Things change every day. We are working towards becoming undisputed champion.

[on a fight with Golovkin] “Let’s not talk about the crazy stuff. Why should we go after Golovkin? I cannot see two different weight classes. I don’t see that fight happening because it is a different weight class. Of course we are looking for the big fights but in our weight class.”

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By Norm Frauenheim-

Sergey Kovalev’s victory over Bernard Hopkins was one thing. His dominance was something else. After awhile, the benefit of hindsight will make Kovalev’s win look predictable. Nobody ever whips the clock, although Hopkins did it longer than anyone ever has. The shutout on the scorecards, however, was a stunning testament to a Kovalev skill set that had been unappreciated as much as it had been unexpected. It meant something else, too.

If there was ever a time and place to say that the ex-Soviet fighter has arrived, it was there, Saturday night in Atlantic City, with Kovalev’s thorough and patient triumph over an acknowledged master. There was an underlying assumption that the clever Hopkins would force Kovalev into an adjustment that would result in a critical mistake. There was a lot of talk about how Kovalev had never been beyond eight rounds. Translation: In the end, he would fight like a Russian. Didn’t happen, mostly because that stereotype no longer exists. For years, Soviet fighters were said to be tough, well-conditioned and powerful. But they were robotic and unable to think on their feet.

Like the Berlin Wall, that stereotype has fallen onto history’s scrapheap, gone for good. By going a full 12 rounds against Hopkins, Kovalev scored a symbolic stoppage of an assumption that might still linger had he knocked out a man just two months shy of his 50th birthday.

Kovalev proved himself to be more than a power puncher. He went the distance for a thorough, light-heavyweight victory over one the smartest guys ever in the ring. Fighters from the old Soviet Union aren’t thinkers? Think again.

Wladimir Klitschko has long been a thinking man’s fighter. For some reason, however, his smarts never captured
the U.S. imagination, perhaps because all of America’s best heavyweights are middle-linebackers and defensive ends these days. But Kovalev’s victory over Hopkins might awaken new found respect for Klitschko, who hopes to extend his eight-and-half-year-long heavyweight reign Saturday against Kubrat Pulev in Germany.

In the days since beating Hopkins, Kovalev has begun to show up in the pound-for-pound debate. P4P is an overrated exercise, to be sure. But it’s noteworthy this week, simply because of who else is already in many of the mythical ratings. In the ESPN edition, Kovalev is a new addition at No. 9. He’s one of three fighters from the old Soviet empire among the top 10. Middleweight Gennady Golovkin, of Kazakhstan, is No. 6. Klitschko, of the Ukraine is No. 8. Three fighters from old the Soviet bloc amount to more than from any other region in the world on a list hat includes two Americans, Floyd Mayweather Jr. at No. 1 and Timothy Bradley at No. 4.

There’s a theory that fighters from the discarded Soviet system are emerging because they now are forced to be creative. Dmitriy Salita, today a promoter and a former welterweight from the Ukraine, once told me that under the Soviet style every step in a fighter’s plan was marked down, rehearsed and memorized. Even the footwork was programmed, Salita said. But with the end of Soviet control, fighters, like entrepreneurs, had to hustle, which meant thinking for themselves. Hence, we have a Kovalev, a Golovkin, a Klistchko and others who one day might be included in the pound-for-pound debate. Featherweight Vasyl Lomachenko is a good possibility.

In 2014, it mean just one thing:

The collective — no pun intended — face of the fighter from the old Soviet Union should be Fighter of the Year.

Totowa, NJ:Main Events continues to add to an already impressive light heavyweight stable with the signing of Nadjib Mohammedi, the 29-year old from Gardanne, Bouches-du-Rhône, France who earned the #1 position in the IBF earlier this year with his seventh round knockout of Anatoliy “The Gladiator” Dudchenko in his US debut. Mohammedi was announced as the mandatory challenger for IBF belt in July, but then-IBF and WBA Light Heavyweight Champion Bernard Hopkins instead elected to fight a title unification bout against Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev, which took place last weekend. Kovalev defeated Hopkins in a wide decision to become the IBF, WBO and WBA Unified Light Heavyweight Champion.

While waiting for his chance at the IBF belt, Mohammedi knocked out Demetrius Walker at 2:16 in the first round on Saturday as part of the Hopkins-Kovalev undercard. With Kovalev’s unanimous decision defeat of Hopkins, Kovalev inherited Mohammedi as his mandatory challenger for the IBF belt.

Mohammedi vs. Walker
Photo Credits: Mike Gladysz/Main Events

“Signing with Main Events was one of my dreams come true,” explained Mohammedi. “I finally have the opportunity to show the world that Nadjib Mohammedi is the best light heavyweight in boxing today. I was unknown before, but now with Kathy and her staff’s work everyone will know my name.” He added, “It is an honor to now be part of an organization that has the top fighters in my division and now everyone will now know the name Nadjib ‘Irondjib’ Mohammedi. The only trajectory is the victory!”

Main Events’ CEO Kathy Duva said, “When Sergey Kovalev won the WBO Light Heavyweight Title from Nathan Cleverly in August of 2013, we began investing heavily in the light heavyweight division. Nadjib is a very welcome addition to our roster and there are big things for him right around the corner in 2015.”

NEW YORK (Nov. 10, 2014) – Undefeated welterweight and newly crowned WBO Intercontinental Welterweight Champion Sadam “World Kid” Ali made a statement Saturday night with a remarkable ninth-round technical knockout victory over Argentine slugger Luis Carlos Abregu. Ali, a hot prospect in the welterweight division, may have broken into the boxing mainstream Saturday night with his dominating performance as the co-featured event on the “Bernard Hopkins vs. Sergey Kovalev” undercard. It was his first fight on HBO World Championship Boxing® and a major step up in competition for the fighter who upped his record to 21-0 with 13 knockouts.

While Ali has much to be proud of as he enjoys his recent victory, he will take time to honor our nation’s military veterans as he participates in the annual New York City Veteran’s Day Parade also known as “America’s Parade.” As a native of Brooklyn and a 2008 U.S. Olympian, Ali is a great addition to the day’s festivities.

He will ride on a float as a guest of Wounded Warrior Project® amidst 1,000 soldiers and 600,000 spectators.

“It’s an honor to be able to pay homage to the great men and women who support our country,” said Ali. “They fight for our freedom and are true champions. I’m thrilled to be included and I hope New Yorkers come to the parade and show their support.”

“We can take for granted the veterans who risk their lives to protect the things that make this country so great and I’m happy to be able to give back,” said Ali.

Ali (21-0, 13 KOs) took a slow and steady approach to his professional career, but since signing with Golden Boy Promotions in 2013, Ali has been fighting in the fast lane and continues to impress including his major win on Saturday night. Other wins include recent bouts over Jay Krupp, Jesus Selig, Michael Clark and Jeremy Bryan, the dynamic Ali heads into 2015 with open options in one of the most divisions in boxing.

For more information follow www.twitter.com/realworldkidali, www.twitter.com/goldenboyboxing, @theworldkidali and @goldenboyboxing on Instagram or go to www.goldenboypromotions.com

By Bart Barry-

The most unexpected thing shared by guys who hit hardest is rarely how hard they hit or the speed of their attack. No, what surprises most about those guys is the nimbleness with which they take a backwards step the first three or four times you try to attack and smother them, their balletic willingness to move away from you in a tactical retreat and geometric adjustment that puts you at the end point of their punches. Where it hurts the most.

It was that willingness and ability with a backwards step or two, Saturday night in Atlantic City, that allowed Russian light heavyweight titlist Sergey “The Krusher” Kovalev to toss a shutout at American titlist Bernard “The Alien” Hopkins, in a unification match official scorekeepers had 120-106, 120-107 and 120-107.

Kovalev-Hopkins was, is, our sport’s fight of the year. Not its best fight, no, much nearer its worst, in fact, but the fight that best represented the state of our sport in 2014, the year a man nearing his 50th birthday challenged and imperiled himself more than any of our standard bearers in their primes. Sergey Kovalev, an elite-level fighter, was unable to knock-out Bernard Hopkins, despite trying to do so sporadically in the fight and sustainedly in its closing minutes. Hopkins is extraordinary, yes, but any path to alien extraordinariness is eased when one’s era is so fantastically ordinary.

There is a heaviness and a dullness, an ache more than a pang, about treating Saturday’s light heavyweight unification match. Postfight, the highest tribute paid its winner, a 31-year-old known as “Krusher,” was that he was disciplined in his pursuit of a 49-year-old man, that he did not do anything rash like throw a hundred punches every round or run his fellow titlist into retirement, that he demonstrated prudence in becoming the unified world champion of a storied division. So it goes this year: Prudence against a man Hopkins’ age is a blazon of excellence.

Is that revisionist? Yes, but only slightly. There was a healthy percentage of knowledgeable boxing folks, myself included, who thought Hopkins might beat Kovalev, when Saturday’s opening bell rang. But those ideas disappeared, went wanting in full, fewer than 60 seconds later. Following something like the strategy he followed against Kelly Pavlik, flying at a younger man with an unexpected aggressiveness he expected to have a disruptive effect, Hopkins wheeled and crossed-over, trying to hit Kovalev on his second or third step. But Kovalev was three steps out of Hopkins’ range before Hopkins’ back foot completed its odyssey to front. Hopkins moved – in Larry Merchant’s memorable phrase – like a man “in amber.”

It was a moment of instant sadness. That quickly, the air became full of worry those viewing the match were about to see a man well past his physical prime assaulted to unconsciousness or worse by someone 18 years his junior. Nearly worse still was the possibility a man so exaggeratedly beyond his physical prime might somehow become a unified world champion, through force of wiles, yes, but even more through opponent incompetence.

“I feel bad for watching this, jeez” – that was the first comment I heard after the opening bell, Saturday, in a roomful of knowledgeable boxing people, the majority of whom still attend boxing gyms regularly, and it was said by an astute observer who gave Hopkins a chance to win the match only a minute before.

It was that sort of start for Hopkins. He got dropped by a counter righthand thrown by Kovalev as the Russian hopped backwards in round 1. Hopkins rose and looked at the canvas, a tick of embarrassment more than a try at fooling referee David Fields, a man unknown to viewers as what three judges got assigned to the main event, and concluded the round, and the round after that, with a look that was more frightened than concentrated or studious.

Under John David Jackson’s tutelage, Kovalev took Hopkins’ strategy away from him, by quickly giving Hopkins a thought he’d not seriously had before – I could get hurt very badly tonight – and then using that disruption to keep Hopkins from ever executing anything the way he wished to. There were 10 or 15 seconds, in a fight comprising 2,160 of them, when Hopkins made an offensive maneuver that went according to plan, catching Kovalev with a left hook here and counter right there, but those punches had no effect on Kovalev, save provocation.

When Hopkins got Kovalev with a punch that stung, the Russian went after Hopkins, making him fight at a pace, and with a series of consequences, Hopkins wanted no part of. Kovalev succeeded, mostly, by taking Hopkins more seriously than any opponent Kovalev faced before, by giving Hopkins’ power considerably more leeway than it merited, and by mixing his flurries with enough inactivity that Hopkins never recognized a rhythmic pattern enough to do anything disruptive himself.

The fight’s final round was almost good enough to make folks forget how dreadful its 11 predecessors were, as Hopkins fought to win something much more important to him, by then, than his fight with Kovalev; Hopkins fought the final round to win a right to choose his retirement date. Had Hopkins, whose head got snapped in a bunch of directions by Kovalev’s fists in round 12, been dropped awkwardly or severed from his consciousness long enough to get a doctor in the ring, nothing about Hopkins’ pending retirement would have been voluntary.

Athletic commissions, even those representing poleis desperate for revenue as Atlantic City’s, would have banded together and helped Hopkins out of the sport, on terms other than his own. Journalists, too, might have followed Carlos Acevedo’s admonishment and asked how a PED-free athlete could improve after his 35th birthday in an era dominated by PED-using athletes.

Instead, by fighting fully the most-feared prizefighter in his division, and absorbing dramatically that man’s best punches, Hopkins won for himself a chance to announce his retirement at a leisurely pace. One hopes that pace nevertheless ends before 2014 does.

Bart Barry can be reached via Twitter @bartbarry