LOS ANGELES, May 24 – A full undercard of action is expected on Saturday, June 8 when a roster of top local talent and international contenders step into the ring at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. to lead up to the highly anticipated SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®tripleheader headlined by the WBA Intercontinental Welterweight title bout between Marcos “El Chino” Maidana and “The Riverside Rocky” Josesito Lopez.

A clash between welterweight contenders and a showdown of heavyweight power hitters will be on tap for SHOWTIME EXTREME® viewers when unbeaten Japanese standout Yoshihiro Kamegai faces Venezuela’s former World Champion Johan Perez in a ten-round bout. Also on SHOWTIME EXTREME, undefeated heavyweight prospect Gerald Washington meets Sherman “Tank” Williams in an eight round battle. With time permitting, 2012 United States Olympian Joseph Diaz Jr. will see action on SHOWTIME EXTREME® against an opponent to be determined. Also in action on the undercard will be some of California’s top pugilists including Luis Ramos, Ronny Rios, Jamie Kavanagh, Manuel Avila and Edgar Valero.

Maidana vs. Lopez, a 12-round fight for Maidana’s WBA Intercontinental Championship, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona. The tripleheader will take place on Saturday, June 8 at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. and will be televised live on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT. The event can be heard in Spanish using secondary audio programming (SAP). Maidana vs. Lopez is presented in association with Goossen Tutor Promotions and Thompson Boxing Promotions. Also featured will be a 12-round super welterweight showdown between all-action warrior Alfredo “El Perro” Angulo and top rated super welterweight contender Erislandy Lara and a 12-round fight between veteran Demetrius Hopkins and unbeaten phenom Jermell Charlo for Hopkins’ USBA Junior Middleweight Championship and Charlo’s WBC Continental Americas Super Welterweight Championship. Preliminary fights will air on SHOWTIME EXTREME at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

Tickets priced at $150, $75, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes, fees and services charges are available at AXS.com or by phone at 1-888-9-AXS-TIX (1-888-929-7849), as well as The Home Depot Center Box Office (Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. PT). VIP Suites are available by calling 1-877-604-8777. For more information on group discounts or VIP packages, please call 1-877-234-8425.

After engaging in a hard fought draw against Jorge Silva in Sacramento last October that impressed stateside fight fans, Sapporo, Japan’s Yoshihiro Kamegai (22-0-1, 19 KO’s) will return to the United States to battle Venezuelan Johan Perez. A punishing puncher with both hands, Kamegai most recently knocked out Jose Alberto Leal in two rounds on February 2. With 19 of his 22 wins coming by way of knockouts, it’s a safe bet that he’ll look to end his fight on June 8 early as well.

A former WBA Interim Super Lightweight World Champion from Caracas, Venezuela, Johan “El Terrible” Perez (16-1-1, 12 KO’s) bounced back from the lone loss of his career against Pablo Cesar Cano last July with a gritty 10 round win over former World Champion Steve Forbes on January 12. With his sites set on a title shot at 147 pounds, he hopes to make his case with a big win over Kamegai.

With the search for boxing’s next great American heavyweight always ongoing, fans may not need to look any further than Los Angeles, home to highly touted prospect Gerald Washington (7-0, 5 KO’s). Squaring off again Williams in his toughest test to date , the United States Navy veteran and former USC football player Washington hopes to keep his perfect record intact on June 8.

Unbeaten in 11 of his last 13 bouts dating back to 2005, Sherman “Tank” Williams (35-12-2, 19 KO’s) is a vet of the sweet science who shows opponents that life begins at 40. A native of the Bahamas, who now makes his home in Florida, the latest chapter in Williams’ 16-year career lands him in Carson, California for a pivotal bout against the unbeaten Washington.

In a fight that will air on SHOWTIME EXTREME time permitting, 2012 United States Olympian Joseph “Jo Jo” Diaz Jr. (4-0, 2 KO’s) of South El Monte, California will face an opponent to be named in a four or six-round junior featherweight contest. Diaz, who impressed fans and boxing insiders for years as an amateur, turned pro in December of last year and has shown no growing pains while transitioning to the pro game. Fresh off of a third round technical knockout win over Eric Gotay on May 3, Diaz is ready for battle once again.

Unbeaten in 20 pro bouts, 23-year-old Ronny Rios (20-0, 9 KO’s) has been steadily climbing up the world ratings, most recently defeating former World Champion Rico Ramos for the NABF featherweight title. On June 8, Santa Ana’s Rios collides with Sonora, Mexico southpaw Leonilo “Veneno” Miranda (32-5, 30 KO’s) in a 10-round junior lightweight bout.

A native of Dublin, Ireland, Jamie “The Nuisance” Kavanagh (13-0-1, 5 KO’s) has become a popular attraction in his adopted hometown of Hollywood, California. He will risk his undefeated record on June 8 against Tijuana veteran Sergio “Sirenito” Perez (27-14, 18 KO’s) in an eight-round lightweight match.

Also in action will be Fairfield, California’s Manuel “Tino” Avila (11-0, 4 KO’s) facing off against St. Louis’ Jamal Parram (6-7-1, 4 KO’s) an eight-round junior featherweight contest and Edgar Valero (2-0, 2 KO’s) of Los Angeles who will meet fellow Angelino David Reyes (2-3-1) in a four-round bantamweight bout.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.sports.sho.com and www.homedepotcenter.com, follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/shosports, www.twitter.com/HomeDepotCenter,
www.twitter.com/ChinoMaidana, www.twitter.com/JosesitoLopez, www.twitter.com/ElPerro82, www.twitter.com/LaraBoxing, www.twitter.com/TwinCharlo, follow the conversation using #MaidanaLopez or become a fan on Facebook www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.facebook.com/SHOBoxing and www.facebook.com/HomeDepotCenter.

LOS ANGELES (May 13, 2013) – A fan-friendly, action-packed fight card highlighted by three important 12-round bouts which is presented by Golden Boy Promotions on Saturday, June 8, live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT) from The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., was formally announced by Golden Boy Promotions President Oscar De La Hoya today at La Fonda Restaurant in Los Angeles.

In what should be a slugfest in the main event on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING, hard-hitting, former WBA Super Lightweight World Champion and current No. 2 rated WBA welterweight contender Marcos “El Chino” Maidana (33-3, 30 KO’s), of Santa Fe, Argentina will defend his WBA Intercontinental Welterweight Championship against tough-as-nails upset-minded Josesito Lopez (30-5, 18 KO’s) of Riverside, Calif.

In co-featured 12-round fights, top-rated super welterweight contenders Alfredo “El Perro” Angulo (22-2, 18 KO’s), of Los Angeles by way of Mexicali, Mexico and Erislandy Lara (17-1-2, 11 KO’s), of Houston by way of Guantanamo, Cuba square off while and Demetrius “The Gladiator” Hopkins (33-2-1, 13 KO’s), of Philadelphia takes on promising, undefeated Jermell “Iron Man” Charlo (20-0, 10 KO’s), of Houston, Texas, for Hopkins’ USBA Junior Middleweight Championship and Charlo’s WBC Continental Americas Super Welterweight Championship.

Tickets priced at $150, $75, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes, fees and services charges are available at AXS.com or by phone at 1-888-9-AXS-TIX (1-888-929-7849), as well as The Home Depot Center Box Office (Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. PT). VIP Suites are available by calling 1-877-604-8777. For more information on group discounts or VIP packages, please call 1-877-234-8425.

Live preliminary fights will be shown on SHOWTIME EXTREME at 8 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

See below for what the fighters, their camps and De La Hoya said on Monday:

MARCOS MAIDANA

“I know Josesito is a great fighter. I know he likes to stand and trade and fight. That’s what I do and that’s why it’s going to be such an exciting fight.

“My plan is to go toe-to-toe. I don’t know what Josesito is going to do, but that’s what I plan to do. Pressure is the key to the fight.

“I’m feeling great. I’ve been in Oxnard, California for over a month already. I love training there. The weather is great and it’s where my coach (Robert Garcia) is. It’s going to be a great fight and I’m going to defend the honor of Argentina.

“The 147-pound division is where I feel best. I didn’t feel that way at 140. Now I’m free and I can eat more. My body is different and you can see the definition.”

JOSESITO LOPEZ

“When you’re fighting a heavy puncher like Maidana, you have to be smart. The move up to 154 pounds helped me now that I’m back at 147. Now I feel I’m a true welterweight. I feel great in the gym; stronger and faster.

“I’m so excited about this fight and I’m the one receiving the punches. I can only imagine how excited the fans are. Years ago before I was at this level I thought, ‘Man, this would be an exciting fight. I would love to get in there and bang with him.’ Now we’re here. It’s a hell of a match-up. It could be the fight of the year.

“This is a fight I have to win. It’s a fight that keeps me on the map. This is where I want to be and I’m working my ass off.

“He’s a strong puncher and I like to think I have a little punch myself. In the ring I just have to be smart whether it’s defense on the inside or boxing on the outside. I have to be the smarter fighter and whatever works that’s what I’m going to have to do.

“We have to be smart and shoot our jab. We have to pick our spots and not let him. He’s an inside fighter and he likes to bang. Well, I like to bang too. I’ve got to be in a position where I want to be, not where he wants me to be.”

ALFREDO “EL PERRO” ANGULO

“This is my third fight after my time off and conditioning-wise I’m feeling like my old self, feeling like I used to feel. There’s no doubt I’ll be in better condition than I was for my last two fights. There was just too much time off. Now, I’m in a rhythm.

“It’s going to be a very good fight, the bull versus the matador. I have a lot of respect for Lara. He’s a really good fighter and he wants to show he’s the best, but he’s going to have to come out and fight.

“He may think he’s just going to box, but he’s going to fight.”

ERISLANDY LARA

“There’s always a lot at stake when I fight, so I know I can’t look ahead or take Angulo for granted. He is my total focus now. After I win on June 8; I can start thinking about a world title shot again.

“Angulo is a good fighter. I give him a lot of credit. He always comes to fight. I’ve worked very hard and am preparing for the best Angulo possible.

“The fact that I’m favored to win means nothing. Once the bell rings, it doesn’t matter what the odds are. It’s what you do in the ring that counts.

“Style-wise this is a perfect fight for me because Angulo likes to come forward. It’s the classic boxer versus the puncher. I expect to put on a boxing clinic, so you can expect a smart fight from me.

“Obviously, the most important thing is for me to win, but I want to put on a great show for all the fans.”

OSCAR DE LA HOYA

“We should have called this ‘High Stakes’ because you have the welterweight division where you have Floyd Mayweather. The winner between Marcos Maidana and Josesito Lopez automatically puts himself in line and at the front door knocking to fight the very best.

“This is how important this event is. This is high stakes here for everyone on this card. Saturday, June 8 will be explosive, that’s for sure.

“What’s most exciting for Alfredo Angulo’s team is that he’s just now putting everything together and really learning the craft of boxing under Virgil Hunter. It’s going to be very exciting to see him fight such an incredible fighter like Erislandy Lara.

“Stephen Espinoza (Executive Vice President and General Manager of SHOWTIME SPORTS) has now taken SHOWTIME to a whole new level. This is the home of boxing and it will continue to be the home of boxing for many years to come.”

KEN THOMPSON, Josesito’s Lopez’ Co-Promoter

“Here we go again…one more time in L.A. and in every city thanks to SHOWTIME. We have the best fighter in the world in Josesito Lopez, the ‘Riverside Rocky.’

“When Josesito and Marcos Maidana enter the ring for the main event on June 8, no judges will be needed. This fight will end with one great fighter laying in the middle of the ring, while the other great fighter will be standing and getting his hand raised in victory and that fighter is the ‘Riverside Rocky,’ Josesito Lopez.”

LUIS DECUBAS JR., Erislandy Lara’s Manager

“This is going to be a great fight. We’re happy to be on such a great card. Erislandy is ready. He knows he is in with a very tough, aggressive fighter.

“Angulo is a hungry and determined fighter, but so is Erislandy. We’re excited about fighting on June 8.”

ROBERT GARCIA, Marcos Maidana’s Trainer

“We’re training hard for this fight and we know what type of fight we have in front of us. We cannot take this fight lightly.

“We’ve gotten some great sparring in for this fight and I know Josesito and his coach have done the same. We’re actually pretty good friends with Henry (Ramirez). We just know this is a fight that fans are really going to enjoy.

“We know both fighters’ styles and we know this could turn out to be one of the best fights of the year. As everyone who has seen the last few of Maidana’s fights knows, he is starting to use his jab a little more and using a little more footwork, in and out, so we’re going to fight smart. I know this will be end up in a war and whoever is the best conditioned has the best chance to win.

“I fought most of my fights on SHOWTIME so I’m just so happy to be part of SHOWTIME again.”

HENRY RAMIREZ, Josesito Lopez’s Trainer

“Josesito has been living with me at my place the last few weeks. He wanted to do it and it was his idea. This way there are no distractions. Just eat, sleep and think boxing. It’s been working out great.

“The return to 147 pounds will do him a lot of good. I think the time off will do him a lot of good, too, but we didn’t really plan to be off this long.

“This fight, Josesito and Maidana, is a Fight of the Year candidate. Robert Garcia and I are good friends, but this is a sport and I know he has been preparing Maidana like I’ve been preparing Josesito.

“This will be a terrific fight.”

VIRGIL HUNTER, Alfredo Angulo’s Trainer

“I want to thank SHOWTIME and Golden Boy. This is going to be a great fight. We have great respect for Lara, who’s a great Cuban fighter, but we know what a big chance this is for us.

“I believe Angulo has been judged a little harshly; after all, he has only had two fights after spending nine months in detention. That’s tough for a fighter to be away that long. His first comeback fight lasted a minute. The last fight, he went 12 strong rounds and closed the show. He’ll be even better on June 8.

“I don’t think the styles will make a difference. The winner will be who wants it more. I expect Alfredo to hit another level. He’s prepared and excited to fight Lara.

“Don’t miss it. Tell a friend.”

LOS ANGELES, April 17 – The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. will be the site of one of the most intriguing clashes of boxing’s summer season, as Argentinean knockout artist Marcos Maidana faces off against Southern California favorite Josesito Lopez in a 12 round fight for Maidana’s WBA Intercontinental Welterweight Championship in the main event of a SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING tripleheader set for Saturday, June 8.

The tripleheader will also feature a 12-round junior middleweight showdown between all-action warrior Alfredo “El Perro” Angulo and number one rated WBC super welterweight contender Erislandy Lara and a clash for the vacant WBC Super Middleweight World Championship between number one rated WBC super middleweight contender Sakio “The Scorpion” Bika and Mexico’s Marco Antonio Periban, the number four rated WBC super middleweight contender.

“If you’re a fan of action fights, there is no better card to see than this one on June 8th,” said President of Golden Boy Promotions, Oscar De La Hoya. “All three high-stakes bouts have the potential to be the main event and the winners who walk out of the Home Depot Center with their hands raised will know they’ve been in a fight.”

“Like all of our recent fights, the fight between Marcos Maidana and Josesito Lopez is a matchup in which there is no clear-cut favorite,” said Stephen Espinoza, Executive General Manager and General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports. “You can make a legitimate argument for either fighter. Maidana is one of the most exciting fighters in any division, and he’s facing an opponent, Josesito Lopez, who scored the biggest upset of 2012 and is now back in his most natural weight class.

“Top to bottom, this card is filled with fan-friendly, all-action fights. There is no question that Maidana vs. Lopez will be one of the most entertaining, hard-fought matchups of the year, and the Angulo-Lara and Bika-Periban are sure to be hotly contested and action-packed as well.”

“Outdoor boxing cards at The Home Depot Center’s intimate 8,000-seat outdoor stadium continue to be annual highlights on the southern California sports calendar,” said Katie Pandolfo, General Manager of The Home Depot Center. “With Golden Boy Promotions lining up this championship card, our fans are truly in for another great night of boxing.”

“Josesito Lopez is a tough challenge, but I’m ready for everything he will bring to the ring on June 8th,” Maidana said. “Beating him is the next step to getting a world title shot and I know I’ll get the victory.”

“I fight my best at home, and with the fans in my corner on June 8th, Maidana doesn’t have a chance,” said Lopez. “He’s going to push me hard from start to finish, but that’s when I truly shine. I promise this will be a great fight for the fans.”

“Lara is one of Cuba’s greatest talents, but I’ll have the California fans on my side and I’m determined to do whatever it takes to win,” said Angulo. “This is the most important fight of my career and I will perform like it when the bell rings.”

“Angulo hits hard and is a tough fighter making this a classic boxer vs. puncher match up,” said Lara. “I’m really excited for this fight. Come June 8th, I’m going to put on a boxing display and finally get the ‘W’ over a top fighter that has been taken from me in my past fights.”

“I’m thankful to Golden Boy Promotions and the WBC for giving me this opportunity and I will make the most of it,” said Bika. “Ever since I turned pro, my only goal was to win a world championship and on June 8th, Marco Antonio Periban won’t be able to stop me from getting that belt.”

“I’ve trained hard, I’ve made many sacrifices and I feel that my time is now to become Mexico’s next world champion,” said Periban. “Sakio Bika will be my toughest challenge, but I have the skills, determination and heart to beat him. I’ll beat him and become the first Mexican super middleweight world champion and make history for all of Mexico.”

Maidana vs. Lopez, a 12-round fight for Maidana’s WBA Intercontinental Championship, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona. The tripleheader will take place on Saturday, June 8 at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. and will be televised live on SHOWTIME Championship Boxing beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast). The event can be heard in Spanish using secondary audio programming (SAP). Maidana vs. Lopez is presented in association with Goossen Tutor Promotions and Thompson Boxing Promotions. Also featured will be a 12-round junior middleweight showdown between all-action warrior Alfredo “El Perro” Angulo and number one rated WBC super welterweight contender Erislandy Lara and a 12-round fight for the vacant WBC Super Middleweight World Championship between number one rated WBC super middleweight contender Sakio Bika and number four rated WBC super middleweight contender Marco Antonio Periban. Preliminary fights will air on SHOWTIME Extreme at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

Tickets priced at $150, $75, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes, fees and services charges, go on sale Friday, April 19 at noon PT and can purchase tickets at AXS.com or by phone at 1-888-9-AXS-TIX (1-888-929-7849), as well as The Home Depot Center Box Office (open Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. PT). VIP Suites are available for purchase by calling 1-877-604-8777. For more information on group discounts or VIP packages, please call 1-877-234-8425.

2012 was a busy year for former WBA Super Lightweight World Champion Marcos “El Chino” Maidana (33-3, 30 KO’s) as he began his quest for another world title, this one seven pounds north in the welterweight division. After a rough outing in his 147-pound debut against current IBF Welterweight World Champion Devon Alexander in February, the Argentinean knockout artist bounced back with an exciting, Fight of the Year candidate eighth round technical knockout win over rugged contender Jesus Soto Karass before finishing things off in December by defending his WBA Intercontinental Championship with a third round knockout over Angel Martinez in his native Buenos Aires. On June 8, the 29-year-old returns to fight in California for the first time since his breakthrough 2009 stoppage over former World Champion Victor Ortiz.

One of the toughest fighters in the fight game today, Riverside, California’s Josesito Lopez (30-5, 18 KO’s) has made a career out of beating the odds and he’s not about to stop now. The winner of several regional titles since turning professional in 2003, Lopez stunned unbeaten rising star Mike Dallas Jr. in 2011, stopping the highly touted prospect in seven rounds. Two fights later, Lopez stepped in on short notice to face former World Champion Victor Ortiz in June of 2012 at STAPLES Center and scored a huge upset win, spoiling Ortiz’ chance at a fight with Canelo Alvarez by halting him in nine rounds. The victory set up a bout between Lopez and Alvarez last September. Although he was giving up size and strength advantages to the WBC Super Welterweight World Champion, Lopez’s gutsy effort in defeat earned him praise from both fans and media alike. On June 8, Lopez returns to 147 pounds to take on Maidana.

One of boxing’s most popular warriors, Mexicali’s Alfredo “El Perro” Angulo (22-2, 18 KO’s) thrilled his avid followers in 2012, knocking out Raul Casarez and decisioning Jorge Silva in his first bouts after a year out of the ring due to immigration issues. Now back in the ring and eager to take on all comers, the 30-year-old knockout artist will face his toughest puzzle to date in Cuba’s dynamic Erislandy Lara.

A product of the legendary Cuban amateur boxing program, Erislandy Lara (17-1-2, 11 KO’s) garnered a host of amateur titles and accolades before defecting and beginning his quest for gold as a professional. Now living in Miami, Florida, the 29-year-old Lara rebounded from a highly controversial decision loss to former World Champion Paul Williams in 2011 to knock out Ronald Hearns and outpoint Freddy Hernandez, only to battle to a disputed draw with Vanes Martirosyan last November. On June 8, Lara vows to keep the judges out of matters against Angulo.

A respected veteran who has earned his stellar reputation with a hard-nosed attitude and exciting fights, 2000 Cameroon Olympian Sakio Bika (31-5-2, 21 KO’s) believes that after tough world championship bouts with Markus Beyer, Joe Calzaghe and Andre Ward, his fourth shot at the belt on June 8 will be the one he capitalizes on. The winner of three straight, stopping Alfredo Contreras and Dyah Davis and scoring a punishing decision win over Nikola Sjekloca, the 33-year-old “Scorpion” is ready to sting Periban and capture his first world championship.

Mexico City’s Marco Antonio Periban (20-0, 13 KO’s) has impressed fight game insiders and boxing fans ever since his pro debut in 2008 and less than five years later, he’s on the verge of becoming a world champion and adding to his country’s championship heritage. The 28-year-old Periban went 4-0 in 2012 and got 2013 off to a sizzling start on March 16 with a second round knockout over Colombia’s Samuel Miller to win the NABF Super Middleweight Championship. Now he will look to add the WBC belt to his collection on June 8.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.sports.sho.com and www.homedepotcenter.com, follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/shosports, www.twitter.com/HomeDepotCenter, www.twitter.com/ChinoMaidana, www.twitter.com/JosesitoLopez, www.twitter.com/ElPerro82 and www.twitter.com/LaraBoxing, follow the conversation using #MaidanaLopez or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.facebook.com/SHOBoxing and www.facebook.com/HomeDepotCenter.

Two action filled fights have been added to the June 8th card that will feature Marcos Maidana and Josesito Lopez card in Carson, California on Showtime according to Dan Rafael of espn.com

In a Jr. Middleweight bout, Erislandy Lara will take on Alfredo Angulo while Super Middleweights Marco Antonio Periban and Sakio Bika will slug it out.

“Angulo and Lara is an evenly matched fight,” said Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer. “Lara is technically better, but Angulo is a much bigger puncher. If he can get Lara in trouble, it could go his way, and if Lara decides to box him, it could go Lara’s way. Can Alfredo Angulo catch him, and if he does, how is Lara going to react?”

“We’re really excited about the opportunity. Angulo is one of the top guys in the division,” Luis DeCubas Jr., Angulo’s manager, told ESPN.com. “This is going to be his fourth top-10 contender in six fights — Paul Williams, Carlos Molina, Vanes and now Angulo. That’s four very solid top-10 guys. It just goes to prove that Lara is always willing to fight the best guys in the division.

“Angulo is definitely a guy who can turn the fight around with one shot, which makes it interesting. But Lara will hold his ground, so Angulo better be ready because he has to realize that Lara can hurt him as well. It’s a real interesting matchup. The winner of this fight will be in a great, great position to fight the winner of Canelo Alvarez and [Austin] Trout [who meet to unify titles on April 20] or to have some other big fight at 154. We’re just excited that Angulo stepped up to the plate to fight Lara because not too many people are keen on fighting him.”

“Angulo wanted a big fight, this is a big fight,” Schaefer said. “It’s not an easy fight for Alfredo. If he comes out and presses the action and catches Lara, it can be a short night. Lara, at this point, needs to step up his game. He looked average in his last two fights. He has the opportunity to look great against Angulo.”

“Bika and Periban, I expect fireworks in that one, too,” Schaefer said.

Golden Boy Promotions won the purse bid to stage the rematch of the WBC Super Welterweight elimination bout between Vanes Martirosyan and Erislandy Lara according to Dan Rafael of espn.com

Golden Boy won the bid with $410,000 offer to Top Rank’s bid of $62,500

The two fought to a technical draw on November 10th in a bout that was supposed to give champion Saul Alvarez a mandatory challenger.

“It’s the fight we want, the fight we want to go back and do,” said Luis DeCubas Jr., Lara’s manager. “I think everyone had Lara winning the fight the first time around except two of the judges. We haven’t spoken on dates yet with Golden Boy. They said they would go out and win the purse bid and that’s exactly what they did. Lara will be ready to fight tomorrow, in 60 days, in 90 days, whenever.”

“HBO showed zero interest in the fight; mainly and rightfully so because of Lara’s style,” said Top Rank’s Carl Moretti. “Can’t blame them. They actually are cognizant of what they air and we respect that.”

DeCubas said whatever network puts on the fight, he was happy that Golden Boy made a commitment to it with its strong bid.

“There are a few networks I think that would buy the fight,” he said. “Golden Boy put up a great number, which we are happy about. So let’s see where it winds up

Former Olympians Vanes Martirosyan and Erislandy Lara battled to a technical draw after a cut over the left eye of Martirosyan forced the bout to be stopped in the ninth round of their WBC Super Welterweight elimination bout at the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas.

It was a close fight that saw Martirosyan fight well early and Lara coming on late before a headbutt caused a nasty cut above the left eye of Martirosyan.

At the time of the stoppage the scores read 86-85 Martirosyan, 87-84 Lara and 86-86.

Martirosyan, 153 lbs of Glendale, CA is 32-0-1NC while Lara, 153 1/2 lbs Guantanamo, CUB is 17-1-1-1NC

Mikey Garcia scored a eighth round stoppage over Jonathan Barros in round eight of a scheduled ten round Super Featherweight bout.

It was a competitive bout that saw Garcia get ahead with combination punching while Barros was effective at times with body punches. Barros had a good round seven when he landed a left that startled Garcia.

The following round saw Garcia land a perfect left hook that deposited Barros on the canvas. When he got to his feet referee Robert Byrd asked hi if he wanted to continue but his body language said otherwise and the bout was stopped at 2:24.

Garcia, 128 1/2 lbs of Moreno Valley, CA will now look for a world title shot with Orlando Salido with a record of 30-0 with twenty-six knockouts. Barros, 128 lbs of Santa Fe, ARG is now 34-4-1.

Vanes Martirosyan 153 – Erislandy Lara 153.5
Mikey Garcia 128.5 – Jonathan Barros 128.5
Jesse Hart 167.5 – Joshua Meyers 165

LOS ANGELES, November 1 – After two years of talking, the wait is almost over and Vanes Martirosyan, will finally fight Cuban star Erislandy Lara. Lara, who is recognized as one of the best fighters in the world, and Martirosyan, an unbeaten 2004 United States Olympian, will put everything on the line in a 12 round WBC Super Welterweight World title elimination fight that will headline the Saturday, November 10 edition of HBO Boxing After Dark at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT. from the Lafite Ballroom at Wynn Las Vegas.

“The fight is almost here and the fans are in for a great night of action,” said the number one rated WBC super welterweight contender who has wanted to corner the trash-talking Martirosyan in the ring since 2010. “My goal is to punish Vanes in this fight because he’s been talking so much trash. This fight has been a long time in coming and I’m going to make him pay for his disrespect.”

“I’m extremely focused and mentally prepared to give fans a great performance on November 10th,” continued Lara. “I’ve worked hard my entire life to get into position to fight for a world championship and Martirosyan stands in my way. Like all Cuban fighters, we bring a lot of heart and soul into the ring and this fight will be no different. I’m coming to establish myself as the best super welterweight in the world.”

“This fight is dedicated to all those who are suffering and have lost their lives to Hurricane Sandy including the 11 Cubans who were killed by the storm,” continued Lara. “My prayers go out to all of their families. God Bless!”

“I’m excited to see Lara show his skills on November 10th against Martirosyan,” said Oscar De La Hoya, president of Golden Boy Promotions. “This fight has been a long time coming and we’re excited it is finally happening. I have full confidence that Lara will come out victorious and make a statement that he is a force in the 154 pound weight class.”

“Lara and Martirosyan are two of the top fighters at 154 pounds,” said Lara’s manager Luis DeCubas Jr. “I can guarantee they will put on a great show for everyone watching on HBO. Lara is ready to show the world he’s the best fighter in the division. The winner of this fight will be in a great position and that will be Erislandy Lara!”

A decorated member of the renowned Cuban amateur boxing program, 29-year-old Erislandy Lara (17-1-1, 11 KO’s) is one of the most respected-and avoided-fighters in the world today. In 2011, Lara was on the short end of one of boxing’s most controversial decisions in a July 2011 loss against Paul Williams after which all three judges were suspended indefinitely. Undeterred, the slick and powerful southpaw rebounded in 2012 with a 94 second technical knockout win over Ronald Hearns and a 10-round decision victory over Freddy Hernandez. Now he looks forward to his upcoming November 10 title elimination bout against number two rated WBC super welterweight contender Vanes Martirosyan (32-0, 20 KO’s), a 26-year-old Californian who is coming off of a third round technical knockout win over Troy Lowry in February.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/LaraBoxing or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing.

LAS VEGAS, NEV. (October 15, 2012) – Thanksgiving arrives early when knockout artists top-rated super welterweight contenders VANES “The Nightmare” MARTIROSYAN and ERISLANDY “El Oro del Guantanamo” LARA and undefeated No. 1 featherweight contender MIGUEL “Mikey” GARCIA and former World Featherweight Champion JONATHAN “Yoni” BARROS, look to knock the stuffing out of each other on an explosive card that will take place Saturday, November 10, in the Lafite Ballroom at Wynn Las Vegas. Both fights will be televised live on HBO Boxing After Dark®, beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast.) Martirosyan and Lara will battle in a 12-round World Boxing Council (WBC) super welterweight title elimination bout with the winner being declared the division’s mandatory challenger. Garcia and Rojas will open the HBO telecast in 10-round featherweight rumble. The undercard will feature undefeated contenders, Las Vegas native JESSIE MAGDALENO, and Philadelphia fireball JESSE HART, son of the great middleweight contender Eugene “Cyclone” Hart, in separate super bantamweight and super middleweight bouts, respectively.

These six warriors boast a combined record of 126-4-2 (84 KOs), — a winning percentage of 95% with victory by knockout ratio of 67%.

Promoted by Top Rank®, in association with Tecate and Wynn Las Vegas, tickets to this all-action event go on sale Tomorrow! Tuesday, October 16 at 10 a.m. PT. Tickets are priced at $125, $75 and $40, plus a $3 service fee, and are inclusive of applicable taxes. Tickets can be purchased by calling (702) 770-7118, through the website wynnlasvegas.com or by visiting the Wynn Ticket Office (Friday-Tuesday: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. PT / Wednesday-Thursday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. PT) or the Wynn Concierge (Daily: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. PT.)

“This card will be a treat for fight fans who will be able to watch great fight action in the elegant environment of the Wynn Resort,” said Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum.

Martirosyan (32-0, 20 KOs), a native of Armenia who fights out of Glendale, Calif., is one of the super welterweight division’s most promising contenders. A member of the 2004 U.S. Olympic team, Martirosyan’s amateur resume boasts victories over future world champions Timothy Bradley, Jr., Austin Trout and Andre Berto. Trained by Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach, Martirosyan captured his first title in 2009, knocking out defending NABA/NABO champion Willie Lee. He successfully defended the title in his next fight, in 2010, a 10-round unanimous decision victory over former IBF junior middleweight champion Kassim Ouma. He added the NABF title to his trophy case with another 10-round unanimous decision later that same year, at Yankee Stadium, this time over previously undefeated Joe Greene, serving up the Bronx bomber his first loss in 33 professional fights. Martirosyan captured the World Boxing Council (WBC) Silver super welterweight title in 2011, via a seventh-round TKO of Saul Roman. Currently world-rated No. 2 by the WBC, Martirosyan returns to the ring fresh from knocking out Troy Lowery, his sixth knockout victim in his last nine fights.

Lara (17-1-1, 11 KOs), a former international standout and a native of Cuba, is now fighting out of Houston under the tutelage of world-renowned trainer Ronnie Shields. A five-year veteran of the powerhouse Cuban national amateur team which included, Yuriorkis Gamboa, Guillermo Rigondeaux and Odlanier Solis, Lara was a gold medalist in the 2005 World Championships, the 2006 Central American Games and the 2007 Pan American Games Qualifier. After turning professional in 2008, Lara was fighting in 10-rounders in only his ninth bout. The only blemish on his professional ledger, a disputed 12-round majority decision loss, in Atlantic City, to former world champion Paul Williams in 2011, was considered so heinous that New Jersey officials suspended all three judges for their scorecards, an unprecedented move. Since the Williams fight, Lara has scored a first-round knockout of Ronald Hearns and a 10-round unanimous decision over veteran Freddy Hernandez, both this year, en route to becoming the WBC’;s No. 1-rated super welterweight contender.

Garcia (29-0, 25 KOs), of Oxnard, Calif., returns to a Las Vegas ring for the first time in four years, having won 13 of his past 14 bouts by knockout. Considered to be one of boxing’s top young prospects, Garcia, 24, had a career-best year in 2011, knocking out previously undefeated contender Matt Remillard in the 10th round in March to capture his NABF and NABO title belts. He followed that with four-round knockout title defense victories of Rafael Guzman and Juan Carlos Martinez in June and October, respectively. Guzman and Martinez had a combined record of 47-14-1 when they fought Garcia. This year he continued his winning ways, knocking out one-time world title challenger Bernabe Concepcion and former world champion Mauricio Pastrana, in the seventh and second rounds, respectively. Trained by his father Eduardo Garcia and co-managed by his brother Robert Garcia, the former IBF junior lightweight champion, Garcia is currently the World Boxing Organization’s (WBO) No. 1-rated featherweight contender.

Barros (34-3-1, 17 KOs), Mendoza, Argentina, brings his own brand of excitement into the ring. He captured the vacant World Boxing Association (WBA) featherweight title in 2010, knocking out Irving Berry in the seventh round. Barros successfully defended the title two times, via 12-round decisions over Miguel Roman and Celestino Caballero, before losing the title in a rematch to Caballero the following year. Barros returns to the ring after unsuccessfully challenging Juan Salgado for the International (IBF) junior lightweight title in August.

Magdaleno (11-0, 8 KOs), of Las Vegas, NV., was an accomplished amateur fighter, having won gold medals at the 2009 U.S. National Championships and the 2009 National Golden Gloves Championships en route to a 120-16 record. He enters this fight having won his last three fights by knockout.

Hart (3-0, 3 KOs), of Philadelphia, PA, is the son of Eugene “Cyclone” Hart, a highly-rated middleweight contender in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s who in 2003 was named to the The Ring’s list of 100 greatest punchers of all time. Hart, 22, compiled an amateur record of 85-11, highlighted by a stellar 2011 which included winning the National Golden Gloves at 165 lbs., the USA National Tournament at 178 lbs and going undefeated at the double elimination USA Olympic Trials box-offs.

For fight updates go to www.toprank.com or www.hbo.com/boxing.

October 9, 2012 – Golden Boy Promotions super-welterweight contender, Erislandy Lara (17-1-1, 11 KOs) ranked No. 1 in the WBC, and his team are preparing for war as they get ready for their upcoming title elimination bout against WBC No. 2 rated, Vanes Martirosyan (30-0, 20 KOs).

Team Lara is training in Houston, Texas, where his trainer Ronnie Shields is putting together a superb game plan to face the undefeated Top Rank fighter.

“Lara is looking sharp right now and he’s going to make a statement when he steps in the ring with Vanes,” said Shields, who has trained Martirosyan in the past and knows him very well. “Although I think Vanes is a good fighter, Lara is on another level. We are working hard and it will show on fight night”

After defeating Freddy Hernandez (30-3, 20 KOs) and Ronald Hearns (26-3, 20 KOs) in his last two fights, Lara feels his relationship with Shields is growing stronger every day.

“I have a ton of respect for my team because they give me all the right advice to be successful,” stated Lara. “The trust we have for one another makes for a great partnership. They know how bad I wanted this fight. Martirosyan doesn’t know what he’s got himself into and I will punish him on fight night.”

“My strength and conditioning coach, Edward “Jack” Jackson, has got me in tip top shape and Ronnie Shields with assistant coach Hylon Williams Sr. are doing their part as well to make sure I’m 100% ready for this fight. I’m happy with my team and together we are unstoppable.”

Erislandy and Vanes are fighting each other on a Top Rank card who won the purse bid to promote the fight, which takes place at the Wynn Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada on November 10, 2012. This will be the first time in two years that these two heated rivals will have their fighters facing off against one another. The fight will be televised by HBO.

“Lara is in top physical and mental form for this fight. He is the best Jr. Middleweight in the world and he’ll keep proving it fight by fight,” said manager Luis DeCubas Jr. “We will make a statement on HBO November 10th!”

Dan Rafael of espn.com is reporting that a solid doubleheader has been consummated for November 10th on HBO that will originate from Las Vegas as WBC Super Welterweight eliminator between Erislandy Lara and Vanes Martirosyan as well as WBO Featherweight champion Orlando Salido defending against Mikey Garcia.

“Showtime informed our attorney that they are passing on the match,” said Top Ranlk’s Carl Moretti, adding that the card will take place in a 3,500-seat ballroom at the Wynn.

“This is a fight that matches Garcia’s youth against Salido’s experience,” Moretti said. “It’s boxer-puncher (Garcia) versus brawler (Salido). Clearly, whoever wins the fight establishes himself as probably the best featherweight in the world.”

Top Rank, which promotes 2004 U.S. Olympian Martirosyan (32-0, 20 KOs), won the right to the fight by winning a purse bid in July. Top Rank’s offer of $405,000 topped the $326,000 bid made by rival Golden Boy, which has Lara (17-1-1, 11 KOs), a former world amateur champion who defected from Cuba, under contract.

“It’s a very interesting fight,” Moretti said. “Both guys are quality contenders and both guys had stellar amateur backgrounds. There is a lot on the line for both of these guys. The winner of this fight will have truly earned the title fight. Vanes is really pumped for it.”

Said Martirosyan, “I’m bringing a big wagon so after I beat Lara people can jump on the Team Vanes Wagon. I can’t wait.”

“This is a great opportunity for Mikey even though Salido is not the guy we originally wanted,” manager Cameron Dunkin said. “This is the toughest featherweight in the world. It’s a very, very tough fight for Mikey. Believe me, there are other guys we would have rather fought but we needed somebody who would show up. Mikey wanted to fight for a title and with the other fight (against Caballero) falling apart, we all talked about it — me, Mike, his father (Eduardo) and (trainer and brother) Robert — and we decided we needed to go and make this fight.

“We wanted to fight Caballero but it didn’t materialize for different reasons. So here we are. We know Salido is a warrior. We know it’s a really hard fight, but Mikey is ready. This is what he’s wanted. Salido was willing to give Mikey the opportunity and he can’t wait.”

A fight that will potentially pit top Super Welterweight contenders Erislandy Lara and Vanes Martirosyan has been ordered by the WBC according to Dan Rafael of espn.com

If the two camps cant agree to a deal by July 27th a purse bid will be ordered.

The winner of the proposed fight will be the mandatory challenger for champion Saul Alvarez

In a series of entries on his Twitter account, Martirosyan wrote this on Thursday: “Now [it’s] time to focus on Saturday night, then we focus on this Lara fight. … Guys, there is no ifs. I said yes to the Lara fight. Already 100 percent. I’m [on] board. I just wanna focus on Saturday night, then we get back to Lara.”

Martirosyan is scheduled to face Ryan Davis (24-9-3, 9 KOs) in what should be a walkover on Saturday night at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., in the untelevised portion of the Nonito Donaire-Jeffrey Mathebula junior featherweight unification bout that headlines an HBO card.

“I’m waiting to see Vanes on Friday so we can talk about it and see what he wants to do,” saids Top Rank’s Carl Moretti. “It came as a surprise to us.”

“We’ll see what’s the best thing to do for Lara’s career, but he is willing to fight anybody,” said Lara’s manager Luis DeCubas Jr.. “We have to see what Al (Haymon) advises. We brought him in as an adviser [last week] and now we’ll see where we go.”

BILOXI, Miss. (April 21, 2012) – Jermain Taylor found himself in a very familiar place late in his fight – the canvas – but unlike in the past, Taylor returned to his feet and took home the victory. Taylor controlled a large majority of the 10-round middleweight bout before Caleb Truax floored him with a right hand early in the ninth. Taylor won the second straight fight of his comeback campaign via unanimous decision by the scores of 98-91, 97-92 and 97-94 in the main event of tonight’s ShoBox: The New Generation doubleheader. In the SHOWTIME®-televised co-feature, Erislandy Lara demolished Ronald Hearns via TKO at 1:34 of round one in a scheduled 10-round junior middleweight bout from Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi, Miss.

Fighting for only the second time in the last thirty months, Taylor (30-4-1, 18 KO’s), of Little Rock, Ark., started slowly, using his signature jab to dictate an effective tempo and put rounds in the bank early. Truax (18-1-1, 10 KO’s), of Osseo, Minn., fought tentatively throughout the fight before gaining some confidence by engaging Taylor on the inside in the eighth round. The two met in the middle of the ring to start the ninth and, after Taylor lazily returned his left after throwing a jab, Truax landed a perfect right hand to Taylor’s chin that sent him to the floor.

Instead of suffering another knockout loss, a well-conditioned, resilient Taylor returned to his feet and kept the fight – and his career – alive through rounds nine and 10 with heart, hope and holding. The defeat was Truax’ first as a professional.

Following the bout, an ecstatic Taylor was unfazed by the knockdown. “I got back up and did my thing,” said the former undisputed middleweight world champ. “I’ve been knocked out a few times. This is what I’ve been thinking about. This is what I’ve worked for. This is what I planned. Now I’m in shape so I can get back up from a knockdown.”

The co-feature ended almost as quickly as it began when Lara (16-1-1, 11 KO’s), of Houston by way of Cuba, steamrolled through Hearns inside the first round. Hearns (26-3, 20 KO’s), of Detroit, Mich., attempted to use his long jab to keep away his shorter opponent but Lara’s lefts shattered Hearns in short order.

After a clean left to the head sent Hearns flat on the canvas, Hearns was able to rise off the floor – if not to the occasion. Following the knockdown, the 29-year-old Lara had Hearns in trouble with an attack against the ropes. Referee Keith Hughes gave Hearns a standing eight count but allowed the bout continue. Lara had other plans. The former Cuban amateur standout landed two more flush lefts to Hearns’ head before Hughes halted the bout.

CompuBox recorded that Lara connected on 10 of 13 power punches compared to Hearns’ performance of 0 for 9.

The special edition of ShoBox: The New Generation was promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Golden Boy Promotions.

Barry Tompkins called the action from ringside with Steve Farhood serving as expert analyst. The telecast will replay this Thursday, April 26 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME®.

For information on SHOWTIME Sports, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video and photo galleries, complete telecast information and more, please visit the website at http://sports.SHO.com.

About ShoBox: The New Generation
Since its inception in July 2001, the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series, ShoBox: The New Generation has featured young talent matched tough. The ShoBox philosophy is to televise exciting, crowd-pleasing and competitive matches while providing a proving ground for willing prospects determined to fight for a world title. The growing list of fighters who have appeared on ShoBox and advanced to garner world titles includes: Leonard Dorin, Scott Harrison, Juan Diaz, Jeff Lacy, Ricky Hatton, Joan Guzman, Juan Urango, David Diaz, Robert Guerrero, Kelly Pavlik, Paul Malignaggi, Kendall Holt, Timothy Bradley, Bernard Dunne, Yonnhy Perez, Yuri Foreman, Andre Ward, Cornelius Bundrage and, most recently, Rico Ramos.

About Showtime Networks Inc.:

Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation, owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ and FLIX®, as well as the multiplex channels SHOWTIME 2™, SHOWTIME® SHOWCASE, SHOWTIME EXTREME®, SHOWTIME BEYOND®, SHOWTIME NEXT®, SHOWTIME WOMEN®, SHOWTIME FAMILY ZONE® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ XTRA. SNI also offers SHOWTIME HD™, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ HD, SHOWTIME ON DEMAND® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ ON DEMAND, and the network’s authentication service SHOWTIME ANYTIME®. SNI also manages Smithsonian Networks, a joint venture between SNI and the Smithsonian Institution, which offers Smithsonian Channel™. All SNI feeds provide enhanced sound using Dolby Digital 5.1. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV®.

LOS ANGELES, January 26 – To round out the SHOWTIME Championship Boxing tripleheader headlined by the highly-anticipated rematch between Victor Ortiz and Andre Berto, Golden Boy Promotions and DiBella Entertainment have announced two more high-impact fights from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. on Saturday, Feb. 11..

In a 10-round junior middleweight showdown before the main event, Cuban star Erislandy Lara returns for the first time since his controversial fight against Paul Williams to battle fellow contender Ronald Hearns. Opening the SHOWTIME Championship Boxing broadcast will be a 10-round featherweight matchup which will see unbeaten Gary Russell Jr., the consensus 2011 “Prospect of the Year” award winner, look to continue his meteoric rise against Dat Nguyen.

“Repeat or Revenge: Ortiz vs. Berto II” is the highly anticipated 12-round welterweight rematch of USA Today and Ring Magazine’s 2011 Fight of the Year between former World Champions “Vicious” Victor Ortiz and Andre Berto which will take place Saturday, Feb. 11 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. The co-featured fights will see top contenders Erislandy Lara and Ronald Hearns square off and 2011 “Prospect of the Year” Gary Russell Jr. take on Dat Nguyen. The event is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and DiBella Entertainment and will air live on SHOWTIME at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast). A special three-fight undercard telecast will air live on SHOWTIME EXTREME® beginning at 7:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast).

Tickets, priced at $300, $150, $100 and $50, are on sale and are available at all Las Vegas Ticketmaster locations (select Smith’s Food and Drug Centers and Ritmo Latino). Ticket sales are limited to eight per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also are available for purchase atwww.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

One of Cuba’s greatest amateur boxers and the owner of three consecutive national championships and one world championship, Erislandy Lara (15-1-1, 10 KO’s) defected from his homeland in order to chase glory as a professional and he is well on the way to achieving that goal. Unbeaten in his first 16 professional fights, Lara was the victim of one of the most controversial decisions in recent history last July when judges awarded former World Champion Paul “The Punisher” Williams a 12 round decision win in a fight most observers believed the Guantanamo native won. Undeterred, the 28-year-old will be back in the ring on Feb. 11 and is determined to be the lone judge on fight night.

The name “Hearns” is royalty in boxing circles thanks to the exploits of soon-to-be inducted Hall of Famer Thomas “The Hitman” Hearns. The Hitman’s son, 33-year-old Ronald “The Chosen One” Hearns (26-2, 20 KO’s), is doing his best to continue the family business into the next generation. A professional since 2004, the lanky boxer-puncher has won five of his last six fights, with the only loss coming in a middleweight title bout against Felix Sturm in 2011. Now back at 154 pounds, Hearns feels stronger, faster and ready to issue Lara his second straight defeat.

Named the 2011 “Prospect of the Year” by ESPN, Sports Illustrated and The Ring Magazine, 23-year-old Gary Russell Jr. (19-0, 11 KO’s) earned those accolades the old fashioned way – by fighting. The Maryland southpaw was 6-0 last year, fighting as often as possible, dazzling fans and opponents alike along the way. Now ready to make his move on the featherweight elite, Russell can’t wait to surpass his 2012 campaign with even more big wins.

Vietnam native Dat Nguyen (17-2, 6 KO’s) is an ultra-tough competitor known for his straight-ahead style and willingness to go toe-to-toe with anyone who dares step into the ring with him. Winner of six of his last seven bouts, the 29-year-old, who now makes his home in Vero Beach, Florida, is hoping that a win over the unbeaten Russell will be the catalyst for a 2012 to remember for him.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.dbe1.com, www.mgmgrand.com, http://Sports.SHO.com, follow us on Twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @VICIOUSOrtiz, @AndreBerto, @OscarDeLaHoya, @loudibella, @SHOsports, @mgmgrand; or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.facebook.com/lou.dibella or www.facebook.com/ShoBoxing.

Dan Rafael of espn.com is reporting that Jr. Middleweight Erislandy Lara will take on former world title challenger Ronald Hearns plus undefeated Featherweight prospect will see action on the Victor Ortiz – Andre Berto undercard that will take place on February 11th on Showtime. All three bouts will be televised.

“We are happy to have Lara back in the ring and I have a feeling it will be a great 2012 for him. This fight is only going to be the start of a great year for him,” said Richard Schaefer of Golden Boy Promotions. “At 154 pounds he is a threat to anyone and we are also excited about having Gary on the card. He’s one of the best prospects in boxing.”

“I think it’s a good fight and a good fight for Lara to stay sharp in and then move on to bigger and better things,” said Luis DeCubas Jr. who manages Lara. “We’re really pleased to be on such a big card. Ronald comes from a good background. He’s tall and lanky and has good power like his dad (newly elected International Boxing Hall of Famer Thomas Hearns) and I think Lara deals well with tall, lanky guys. I just have to get the kid back in the ring. I would love a huge fight for him, but he has to just get back in the ring.”

“Ronald is the right guy for Lara to shine against,” DeCubas said. “Lara wants to fight the best guys in the world but they won’t fight him, so let’s see where this takes us. Lara is willing to move up a few pounds to show he would be a good candidate to fight (middleweight champ) Sergio Martinez or any other top middleweight.

“It’s an interesting fight because Ronald can really punch and he is the bigger man than Lara,” said Lou DiBella, Hearns’ promoter. “This is definitely a winnable fight for Ronald and I know he’s going there to win.”

If it isn’t the biggest upset in many years, New Jersey’s suspension of the three scorekeepers in the decision given to Paul Williams and stolen from Erislandy Lara is a stunner that is laudable for its immediacy, yet incomplete in its scope, language and accountability.

To wit: It is hard to judge, which is something Al Bennett, Hilton Whitaker and Don Givens were not able to do on cards that must have made Lara feel like a bank teller with a note from a guy in a ski-mask.

In a letter Wednesday to Lara’s reps at Golden Boy Promotions and Williams promoter Dan Goossen, New Jersey Commissioner Aaron Davis told them of the indefinite suspensions after a review that did not turn up “evidence of bias, fraud, corruption or incapacity.’’

For now, we’ll have to take New Jersey’s word on the first three. But incapacity? It can mean a lot of things. Presumably, New Jersey meant to say that the scorekeepers were capable enough to know which end of a pencil to use.

But “being incapable” is part of Merriam-Webster’s primary definition. Synonyms include inability, incompetence and ineptitude. The three scorekeepers were all of that in scoring a majority decision Saturday for Williams in an Atlantic City bout dominated by Lara, who from opening bell through the 12th repeatedly rocked Williams by landing 49 percent of his power punches.

Davis’ letter, which included an apology, said New Jersey was “unsatisfied” by the scoring. But “unsatisfied’’ is not a satisfactory explanation for New Jersey’s assignment of three scorekeepers to a high-profile, HBO-televised bout. Bennett, Givens and Whitaker will have to undergo further training before they are issued another scorecard, according to Davis’ letter. Left unexplained is what kind of training they underwent in the first place.

A lot already has been said about their relative lack of experience. It’s been reported that Bennett, who scored it a 114-114 draw, had never worked a title fight televised by HBO or Showtime. OK, but does that explain how not one of the threesome knew that Lara was winning? Bennett was closer to reality than either Whitaker (115-114) or Givens (116-114), but all three might as well have been watching waves from a seat on the boardwalk instead of a one-sided fight from a perch at ringside.

The training, assignment and identity of judges has always been a murky process — different from state-to-state, nation-to-nation. HBO does a good job in providing some details about their respective records, including scores in significant fights. Yet, there are still nights when the three judges might as well be Manny, Moe and Jack.

Who are these guys?

For Williams-Lara, it looks as if the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board had no clue. It’s no surprise that Bennett, Givens and Whitaker didn’t either.

REMEMBERING KIMBALL
I couldn’t help watching the Lara-Williams controversy without thinking about what George Kimball would have written. It would have been uniquely his and his alone. Through the terrible toll of cancer, Kimball never lost his ability to express outrage or be outraged. I suspect it kept him alive long after doctors told him he had six months to live in 2005 when he was diagnosed with a death sentence. Kimball, who died on July 6, just loved a good fight.

Kimball was a fellow Army brat. I went to more high schools than he did. But he had more of everything else.

He became a mentor for me and then a friend during two weeks in Athens for the 2004 Olympics. During the preliminary rounds of boxing at a rundown gym in a lousy Athens neighborhood, I bet him 50 Euros that the U.S. wouldn’t win a single medal. Kimball, then a Boston Herald columnist, looked at me like the fool I was, took the American field and collected the 50 Euros on the night Andre Dirrell won bronze, two nights before Andre Ward won gold.

As I paid him off, he gave me a shrewd, amused look – pure Kimball.

“Why don’t you pay me after we get back to the Olympic Village?’’ he said. “That way, I won’t get robbed while we try to get out of this place.’’

For anybody who loves great writing from irreplaceable characters, his death robs us all.

AZ NOTES, ANECDOTES
· The Arizona market, dormant for the last few years, continues to heat up. On Friday, July 22, two cards are scheduled, one in Phoenix and one in Tucson. Longtime promoter Don Chargin is in Tucson at Casino del Sol with a card scheduled for seven fights and featuring super-bantamweight Christopher Martin (22-0-2, 6 KOs) of San Diego against Mexican Jose Silviera (12-3, 4 KOs). In Phoenix, Michele Rosado of Face II Face Events is at Madison Events Center with a card that includes two bantamweight bouts, featuring Emilio Garcia in one and Alexis Santiago in the other. If a large, noisy crowd at a Phoenix news conference Wednesday is a sign, both are becoming local attractions.

· Phoenix super-middleweight Jesus Gonzales, entertaining and gutsy in an ESPN2 victory last Friday, got six stitches for a cut over one eye suffered in an apparent heat butt with Francisco Sierra. Gonzales is expected to fight again in Phoenix sometime in the fall. Another fall fight is also expected for 19-year-old Phoenix prospect Jose Benavidez, Jr., who pushed his junior-welterweight record to 12-0 in his hometown debut six weeks ago. Benavidez fought with injuries to both hands in his last victory. The hands have healed. He’s back in the gym.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, the three judges for this past Saturday’s Jr. Middleweight bout that saw Paul Williams win a controverisal majority decision over Erislandy Lara in Atlantic City have been suspended by New Jersey boxing Czar Aaron Davis.

This reporter had a five point win for Lara from ringside.

In a letter obtained by ESPN.com, New Jersey commissioner Aaron M. Davis wrote to Lara promoter Dave Itskowitch of Golden Boy Promotions and Williams’ promoter Dan Goossen informing them of the decision, which came after a video review of the fight with the judges.

“The New Jersey State Athletic Control Board was responsible for assigning all three judges who scored this contest and decided the outcome,” Davis wrote in the letter. “At the conclusion of the contest, this agency had concerns about the final scores. Due to these concerns we decided to conduct a full review of the scoring.

“As part of this review, the NJSACB called in all three judges to our Trenton offices and conducted a full analysis of the scoring of each round.”

“The NJSACB does not have the legal authority under these circumstances to invalidate the official result. This is due to the fact that all scoring is a matter of subjective judgment. In a similar fashion we cannot mandate a rematch. However, our opinion is that a rematch may be warranted.

“This agency has placed all three judges on indefinite suspension. Further, all three judges will be required to undergo additional training prior to their return to professional boxing judging.”

“Any contestant who enters a ring or cage in our state deserves the best officiating that we can provide,” Davis wrote. “While we do not mean to diminish Mr. Williams’ competitive spirit and exciting style, we feel that we did not provide our best officiating on July 9. Because we have a rich history of boxing and combat sports in New Jersey, we aspire to consistently improve in our officiating and strive to learn from this situation. We have no further comment on this matter at the current time.”

Although Lara would like a rematch, Goossen has not shown any interest, mainly because of the continuing difficulty Williams has when fighting a left-hander. Both of his official losses were to southpaws. He also won a controversial majority decision against Martinez in their first fight in addition to the hard time he had with Lara.

As for New Jersey suspending the judges, Goossen told ESPN.com, “The only thoughts I’ve had are what I’ve had from the beginning, which is what I said after the fight, that it could have gone either way. I’ve heard people say there was corruption in the decision, but we’ve got a good sport. There is no corruption here. It was a tough fight that could have gone either way.

“My difference of opinion that I argue is against those who thought Lara won by such a wide margin. Lara did an excellent job and so did Paul. As far as I’m concerned, if New Jersey felt this was appropriate, they’re a good commission, and there’s nothing more for me to say on it.”

PART 2

PART 3

It’s been 8 months since we last saw Paul “The Punisher” Williams in action. On July 9th he makes his much anticipated return. For several weeks several guys were linked with Williams before it was announed he would be fighting Japan’s Nobuhiro Ishida who was coming of a stunning first round KO over James Kirkland, however many felt this wasn’t a fight worthy of HBO who promply brought in unbeaten Cuban Erislandy Lara instead. It’s not something that concerns him, he’s hungry to get back to doing what he does best and wants to make a statement following his brutal loss to Sergio Martinez. Still only 29, with an imposing 6’1 frame to go along with a wing span of 82 inches, he’s a southpaw with a high work rate making him a nightmare for pretty much everyone from 147-160. Here’s what Williams had to say ahead of his comeback.

Hello Paul, welcome to 15rounds.com

Anson Wainwright – You’re returning to action 9 July on HBO. Can you tell us about this?

Paul Williams – I’ll be fighting the Cuban Erislandy Lara in Atlantic City. I don’t want to say to much about him. I respect his ability and am looking forward to the fight but wont get caught up in a war of words with him. I am a professional and will handle myself like a gentleman. I’ll let my fists do my talking.

Anson Wainwright – What are you looking at from your performance in this fight to move forward?

Paul Williams – What I’m looking for is me to go out there and put on a good show. Like that last fight I had with Sergio Martinez they wanna know how I’m going to perform after that. I’m going to go in there and do my thing. I got caught, the best get caught. It’s not like I got beat up. For me I know there’s a possibility that can happen in a fight so I’m not worried. I just want to get in there and go to work again.

Anson Wainwright – What weight will this fight take place at? What weigh class are you intending to fight in for the foreseeable future?

Paul Williams – I don’t know it could be 54 or 60 for me it really don’t matter.

Anson Wainwright – What weigh class are you intending to fight in for the foreseeable future?

Paul Williams – I want to keep doing what I’m doing now go up and down the weight classes. Wherever we can get a big name fighter, if the money’s right and everything. If that’s the move we’re gonna make I’m game for it. I’m a fighter that’s what I do, that’s how I make my living.

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about your team; who is your manager, trainer & promoter? Also what gym do you train at?

Paul Williams – My manager is Mr Peterson, my trainer is Mr Peterson. Everybody knows him as George “Jumbo” Peterson and Al Haymon and Dan Goossen there my promoters. Well we’re down here in Washington D.C and we go to every gym around. Right now we’re actually at Club 150 Center. We go to different gyms, where the works at, we keep on the move.

Anson Wainwright – Last year you fought Sergio Martinez in a rematch, he stopped you in the second. What are your thoughts and feelings on that looking back? How difficult was this for you to deal with?

Paul Williams – After the fight we still had our party as we would if we’d won, nothing changed. I joked around with the guys. You know when you play Fight Night video games and you try to get up and put everything back together that’s how it is. Line everything back up, by that time they’d stopped the fight. I was like I’m good. I saw the doctor to make sure I was clear. Right after that fight everything went out the window, I was like it is what it is. I wasn’t crying or sad, I would have been mad if I wasn’t in shape but I was in the best shape. That first round was going to be like the second round, third round, fourth round and pick it up till the fight was over but I got caught and I have to live with it. But did I dwell on it or beat myself up on it? No I went out had my fun just like when I lost to Quintana, I had my fun. When I get back in there you better believe who ever it is is going to pay for it. As I tell everybody you can’t accept winning if you can’t accept losing. I deal with it, its business. I’d of been happy if I’d of won just like he was its competion.

Anson Wainwright – You’ve lost twice in 41 fights but have victories over both Carlos Quintana & Sergio Martinez who beat you. You have beaten Margarito, Cintron, Winky Wright etc who would you say has been the best fighter you have ever fought to date?

Paul Williams – To be honest I put all them in the same category. Not down playing their skills or anything. I never got in the ring with a guy I couldn’t do anything to, I never got in with a guy I couldn’t get off with , I always get mine in. They all have their skills. I really don’t know I just go in there to fight.

Anson Wainwright – What goals do you have in Boxing?

Paul Williams – The goals I have in Boxing. I’ve accomplished just about all my goals, becoming a world champion, that’s the main thing you want to do. And becoming a 2 time champion. Now I want to fight the best out there. I’d love to get in there with Manny Pacquiao. I call out these guys’ names but you never hear these guys call out Paul Williams’s name. You know he’s (Pacquiao) the best out there and my thing is who else can you fight who is a big name besides me only Martinez and Martinez ain’t no big name. He got a big win over me but his last fight not to down play it, I saw it on TV it seemed like the whole building could of fell in and it wouldn’t of hurt anyone cos there wasn’t that many people there.

Anson Wainwright – You were born in Aitken, South Carolina. Can you tell us about your younger days and what it was like for you growing up?

Paul Williams – I was born in Augusta, Georgia but raised in Aitken, South Carolina. I didn’t really have a tough upbringing. My mom raised us good, working 2 jobs to keep me and my two brothers and sisters. I can’t say any of my family were locked up or any bad stuff. We’re a pretty good family. My mom did the best she could. When I started to get to my teens I started hanging with my friends a little more but we never had any issues with the law or anything like that. I had a good upbringing, it made me who I am today, I wouldn’t change it for the world. I had a few street fights with my friends and other friends coming up in the neighbourhood that made me tougher like any normal kid would go through but nothing bad like real poor or anything like that. My mom did her best and put food on the table for us.

Anson Wainwright – How did you first become interested and then take up Boxing?

Paul Williams – I used to be on the school bus and the driver called Lee Wells was a friend of the family, my mom knew his wife. I used to get on the bus be bad fighting and he thought I had a lot of energy. (So he said) Hell put him in Boxing. He asked me and my older brother if we wanted to box. I was like sure I’ll do it. Then we got into it and I fell in love with it.

Anson Wainwright – What do you like to do away from Boxing. What are your hobbies & Interests?

Paul Williams – I like to get in my old school car and ride up and down the highway. Go to the gun range, shoot my gun you know a little fishing. Ride my bike, be out clear my head away from Boxing. Actually I plan on doing 3 more fights then hang them up. Do my Real Estate; I’ve got some houses and apartments that’s my plan. That’s what I’m already doing so I’ll keep with that.

Anson Wainwright – Would you stay involved in Boxing in some capacity?

Paul Williams – To be honest I probably wouldn’t. I don’t want to get the urge to comeback and not be hungry and get hurt. Right now I’m hungry and want to get what I can get out of it before I get old. I’ve been doing it since I turned 17 and now I’m 29 about to be 30 on July 27. This sports for the young guys. I’ve got Mr Peterson we have a good thing going on he taught me the business side and what to do with my money. So I’ve got a good nest egg with my Real estate and Property I’m renting out. I feel like 3 more big fights then I can hang my gloves up. I’d rather be home with my kids.

Anson Wainwright – You’ve had 2 fights with Martinez would you like to do a third? Who would you like to fight?

Paul Williams – My fans would like to see it, I ain’t got to say I want him. He knows if he wants big money there ain’t nobody but me, he knows that I beat him the first time and he beat me the second time. Let’s make a third fight. There’s no way he set that punch up. It was just a lucky punch that landed but I can’t knock him for it, it landed. Don’t go saying you set it up, everybody knows that bull. It is what it is. I’d love to do a Pacquiao fight a Martinez fight.

Anson Wainwright – How about Floyd Mayweather Jnr. I know he’s with Al Haymon is that a doable fight?

Paul Williams – Everything is doable I think, lets make it.

Anson Wainwright – Finally do you have a message for your fans ahead of your return?

Paul Williams – Oh to my fans, I’m doing good. I’m blessed. I bought some more property to rent out to people who want to live down south. They’ll see the same Paul Williams, doing the same thing putting on a good show for my people and fans, you’re going to see a good fight.

Thanks for taking time out to speak to us Paul.

Anson Wainwright

15rounds

Dan Rafael of espn.com is reporting that former two-division champion Paul Williams will take on undefeated Cuban, Erislandy Lara on July 9 at the Adrian Phillips Ballroom in Atlantic City.

Williams was originally penciled in to fight Nobouhiro Ishida but after HBO first approved the Japanese fighter, pulled the plug on that bout.

“Erislandy is another outstanding Cuban amateur that has been put on the fast track in the pros along with his former teammates Yuriorkis Gamboa and Odlandier Solis,” said Dan Goossen, who promotes Williams. “We’re looking forward to getting Paul back into the ring, especially against a young, hungry tiger like Lara. We have all the confidence in Paul overcoming all the odds and fighting his way back to the top.”

In what is considered an upset, Carlos Molina held the heralded an undefeated Erislandy Lara to a ten round draw in a Jr. Middleweight bout at the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Las Vegas.

Molina pressed the action and gave Lara his toughest test to date and the score cards proved that. It took a late rally from Lara to even get a draw that had the pro-Molina crowd booing the decision that read 97-93 for Molina and 95-95 on two cards.

Molina of Chicago is now 17-4-2. Lara of Miami is 15-0-1.

Cuban Jr. Middleweight Yudel Jhonson stopped Richard Gutierrez in round seven of their scheduled ten round bout.

Jhonson rocked Gutierrez with a right hook and landed five more shots before referee Russell Mora stopped the fight maybe a little prematurely at 1:09 of round seven.

Jhonson, 153 lb of Miami is now 10-0 with seven knockouts. Gutierrez, 156 lbs of Cartegena, Colombia is now 26-6-1.

Yunier Dorticos kept his perfect knockout streak intact as he stopped Jose Luis Herrera in round two of a scheduled six round Cruiserweight bout.

Dorticos dropped Herrera in round and a follow up flurry made referee Tony Weeks stop the bout at 2:36 of round two.

Dorticos, 199 lbs of Miami is now 12-0 with twelve knockouts. Herrera, 202 lbs of Colombia is now 16-11.

Erislandy Lara made short work of Delray Raines by stopping him in round one of their scheduled ten round Middleweight bout at the Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, California

Lara was winning the opening frame with precision shots and then caught Raines with a right hook/straight left combination that dropped Raines for the ten count at 2:59 of round one.

Lara, 152 1/4 lbs of Miami, FL is now 15-0 with ten knockouts. Raines, 155 1/2 lbs of Paris, AR is now 19-9-1

Super Prospect Frankie Gomez remained undefeated as he scored a six round unanimous decision over Luis Lugo in a Welterweight bout.

Gomez dominated the bout and scored a knockdown in round three from a left hook to the body.

Gomez, 146 1/4 lbs of East Los Angeles, CA is now 8-0. Lugo, 143 1/4 lbs of Los Mochis, MX is now 11-15-1.

Randy Caballero scored a knockdown in round two en route to a four round unanimous decision over Manuel Ortega in a Featherweight bout.

Caballero dropped Ortega with a right to the head in round two.

Caballero, 122 1/2 lbs of Cochella, CA is now 7-0. Ortega, 125 1/2 lbs of Seattle, WA is now 1-4

Roman Valadez scored a third round stoppage over Cesar Garcia in a scheduled four round Lightweight bout.

Garcia was bloodied and battered when he ate a big four punch combination that stopped the fight in round three.

Garcia, 134 1/2 lbs is 5-1 with two knockouts. Garcia, 134 1/2 lbs is now 3-7.

Once again Mexican Legend Juan Manuel Marquez 52-5-1(38) proved that age is no obstetrical as he went toe toe with teek tough Michael Katsidis 27-3(22). The give and take action finally came to an end with the champion retaining his WBA & WBO titles via ninth round TKO at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas

The first round is pretty busy with both guys going straight to work, Marquez is more accurate and picks his openings while Katsidis closes the distance and stays in close to Marquez. The second see’s Marquez stay on the outside allowing Katsidis to come forward behind a high held guard. Marquez known as one of the games best counter puncher picks his way through Katsidis porous defense. Too his credit Katsidis continued to pressure Marquez landing some body punches. Nearly a minute into the third Katsidis lands a huge left hook that drops Marquez hard, to his credit he rides out the pressure and fires back his own combination’s. The third round is a contender for round of the year. Marquez enjoys a good fourth landing several eye catching combination’s to head and body. The fifth is much of the same, with Katsidis looking like a man who wont be denied walking through fire trapping Marquez on the ropes toward the end of the round. Katsidis makes Marquez work every second of the sixth & seventh rounds barreling forward pushing the hard nosed Mexican back. The war of attrition is well and truly on. Both guys have there moments in the eighth, Katsidis is marked under both eyes. Finally in the ninth when something had to give Marquez breaks through landing left uppercut hurting the brave Australian who backpedaled. Marquez jumped on his opponent and with plenty of time in the round picked his way through Katsidis until Kenny Bayliss stopped the action a 2.14 of the ninth round.

Afterwards Marquez said with regards a muted third fight with nemesis Manny Pacquiao “It’s what the public wants”

A gracious Katsidis afterward congratualted Marquez and spoke of the sad loss of his brother.

Andre Berto 27-0(21) made quick work of Freddy “El Riel” Hernandez 29-2(20) to retain his WBC Welterweight title for the fifth time. Catching him with a left hook followed by a right hand which punctured Hernandez guard sending Hernandez went down hard in the ring centre, to his credit he got up but referee Russell Mora waved the action over at 2.07 of the first round.

With none of the top guys at Featherweight willing to face Celestino Caballero 34-3(23) he moved up to Super Featherweight in an experiment that ultimately failed as he lost a close split decision to Jason Litzau 28-2(21) when the scores were totaled Litzau won 96-94 & 97-93 while the third judge scored it 96-94 for Litzau. On the HBO on the night scales Litzau weighted 140 while Caballero was 135.

Minnesota’s Litzau started well pressuring Caballero back for most of the first round. Caballero content having seen what Litzau could do picks up the pace. Both guys start fast throwing bombs, a big left from Caballero mid way through the round hurts Litzau, who quickly returns fire. Both guys look like they feel they have the power to take the other out. Caballero takes the fourth with a barrage of punches after shaking Litzau up with a solid right hand. The fifth see’s Litzau get back into the fight, again both guys trade punches with Litzau getting greater success, Caballero’s face is starting to swell. Litzau again enjoys a good round, his greater strength seems to be effecting Caballero in the sixth. The seventh is fairly scrappy round with Litzau pushing forward. Caballero regains a foot hold in the fight landing a solid left hook early in the round and another impressive combination in the middle of the round. The ninth & tenth see both guys land good shots with the momentum going back and for, in what’s a tough round to score.

Campbell Shocked – Nate Campbell dropped back down to Lightweight after a brief sojourn to Light Welterweight when he was unsuccessful against Victor Ortiz. He was expected to get back to winning ways, it didn’t prove that way as he was out hustled over 8 rounds by perennial journeyman Walter Estrada who won his third fight in a row to move to 38-13-1(25). Campbell 38, looked flat and was beaten to the punch by the Colombian on several occasions even getting rocked in the second round. Estrada was deducted a point in the third for hitting and holding. Estrada won a split decision 77-74×2 & Campbell took the other 76-75.

Cuban sensation Erislandy Lara 14-0(9) didn’t need long to dispose of Tim Connors 10-2(7). The end came at 1.38 when Lara first dropped Connors with a stiff jab. To his credit Connors rose but clearly shaken walked into a barrage of shots and was on his way down when the fight was called off. With the win Lara collects Vacant WBA Fedalatin Light Middleweight title.

Florida’s Keith Thurman 15-0(14) kept him impressive unbeaten record when he took apart Favio Medina 23-3-3(8) stopping him in the fourth with a right hand.

In Middleweight action Bastie Samir advanced to 7-0(7) when he battered Billy Cunningham into submission at 1.56. Cunningham was down 3 times before referee Jay Nady halted proceedings.

Michael Finney impressively moved to 6-0(6) when he stopped Clayvonne Howard 2-5-1(1) at 1.26 of the second round. Howard was hurt by a left hook at the end of the first round. Finney pounced on his man in the second pushing him back mixing head and body shots landing 3 hard left hooks that prompted the referee to stop the fight with Howard slumped on the ropes.

Former Cuban amateur star Erislandy Lara need under one round to stop veteran Willie Lee in a Jr. Middleweight bout at the Civic Center in Monroe, Louisiana.

Lara dropped Lee with a hard one-two just moments into the contest. Lara ended things as he landed a hige uppercut and straight left that drove Lee to the ropes and he was all over Lee until referee Laurence Cole stopped the bout at 1:48 of round one.

Lara, 153 1/2 lbs of Miami is now 13-0 with eight knockouts. Lee, 152 1/4 lbs of Gulfport, MS is now 17-7

Former Cuban Olympian Yordanis Despaigne scored a ten round unanimous decision over previously built up undefeated Frank Paines.

Despaigne dominated the action and scored a knockdown in round two from a left hook. Paines tried to come forward in spots but simply doesnt have the skills to compete with the Despaigne. In round five, Despaigne was cut around his right eye from a headbutt as Despaigne crouched down into Paines head. Over the last couple rounds, Despaigne was confident enough to showboat a little as he cruised down the stretch

Despaigne, 174 1/2 lbs of Miami won by scores of 100-89;96-93 and 99-90 and is now 7-0. Paines, 171 1/4 lbs of Los Angeles is now 11-1.

Yordenis Ugas scored a second round stoppage over Marquis Jackson a welterweight bout scheduled for four rounds.

Ugas dropped Jackson from a big right hand that was followed by a combination in the second frame. Ugas was all over Jackson as he dropped him again from a flurry of punches and the fight was stopped at 1:23 of round two.

Ugas, 146 1/2 lbs of Miami is now 3-0 with two knockouts. Jackson, 146 1/2 lbs of Atlanta is now 2-2.

Former Cuban Olympian Erislandy Lara scored an easy first round knockout over William Correa in a scheduled ten round Middleweight bout in Denver, Colorado

Lara was all over Correa in round one as he dropped him with a perfect straight left that sent him face down. Correa got to his feet only to suffer more abuse. Lara was all over Correa and a big flurry sent Correa down for a second time. Again Correa got to his feet but the referee waved the bout off at 2:34 of round one.

Lara, 155 lbs of Mimi is now 9-0 with seven knockouts. Correa is now 8-4.

Derrick Wilson scored two first round knockdown en route to a six round majority decision over previously undefeated Ricky Lopez.

Wilson dropped Lopez early in round one from a big left hook and again from a right.

Wilson, 123 lbs of Fort Myers, FL won by scores of 58-54, 57-55 and 56-56 and is now 7-1-2. Lopez, 122 lbs of Denver, CO is now 7-1

Raul Carillo remained undefeated as he stopped Joel Vargas in round two of a scheduled four round Welterweight bout.

Carillo battered Vargas until finally putting him down in the second frame and the fight was stopped.

Carillo, 145 lbs of Longmont, CO is now 7-0 with six knockouts. Vargas, 148 lbs of Dodge City, KS is now 2-1-1.

Nohime Dennison scored a four round unanimous decision over Brittany Cruz in a four round ladies Jr. Featherweight bout.

Scores were 40-36, 40-36 and 39-37

Cuban import, Erislandy Lara scored a ten round unanimous decision over veteran Danny Perez at the Joint at The Hard Rock in Las Vegas.

Lara boxed very well as he mixed in some solid combinations and dived them up between two, three and four punch quick flurries to bot the body and head.

Perez had a few moments of success as he used nice nice body work in round five. Lara then coasted down the stretch as he moved very well and showed terrific hand speed and put his hand together but he didint seem to take many chances as he felt he had the felt in hand.

All three judges scored the bout 99-91 for Lara, 156 lbs of Miami and is now 11-0. Perez, 155 1/2 lbs of San Diego is now 34-7.

Lara refused to back down and was awarded the unanimous decision with all three judges scoring the fight 99-91. After the fight he only had praise for his team and his new trainer Ronnie Shields. “I felt great. I can really feel the difference my new team has made. My preparations were strong and we executed it tonight, especially now that I have Ronnie in my corner. I know my team will guide me to my dream of a world title this year.”

Puerto Rican Super Featherweight prospect Carlos Velasquez stopped Ira Terry in four rounds of their scheduled eight round bout.

Velasquez was dominant with body work that set up some nice shots to the head. At the end of round three, Velasquez landed a hard straight right that had Terry in trouble. The momentum continued in the next round as Velasquez landed a big right hand that sent down Terry for referee Vic Drachulich’s ten count just twenty seconds into round four.

Velasquez, 127 1/2 lbs of Catao, PR is now 12-0 with ten knockouts. Terry, 128 lbs of Covington, TN is now 24-3.

Ten seconds into the fourth round Velasquez unleashed a hellacious flurry of punches that sent Terry to the canvas where Terry was counted out just 20 seconds into the round. The super featherweight bout was scheduled for eight rounds. After the fight Velasquez spoke about his victory. “I felt great in there. I worked really hard for this fight. I knew he was getting tired because I kept hitting his body with shots. This was the biggest fight of my career. It meant a lot to me because I haven’t fought in a while. But I came back strong with a big knockout.”