Feb. 19, 2015 – HBO Boxing presents “Road to Kovalev-Pascal,” a compelling special spotlighting the upcoming light heavyweight championship bout between undefeated knockout artist Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev defending his crown against Canada’s Jean Pascal. Their highly anticipated slugfest takes place Saturday, March 14 at the Bell Centre in Montreal and televised live on HBO WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®.

The “Road to Kovalev-Pascal” special will premiere Saturday, February 28 at 12:15 a.m. ET/PT on HBO. It will preview the hot 175-pound title showdown between these two ring warriors who are making their 2015 debuts in this high-stakes battle. Kovalev, one of the sport’s top attractions, enjoyed a brilliant 2014 campaign, earning ‘Fighter of the Year” honors from Bleacher Report, USA TODAY, New York Post, Sports Illustrated.com, The RING, SherDog.com and UCNLive.com.

The 15-minute special will also be available on the HBO On Demand® service, HBO GO® and at www.hbo.com/boxing as well as various other new media platforms that distribute the series.

Other HBO playdates: March 3 (11:00 a.m.), 5 (10:00 p.m.), 8 (10:45 a.m.), 9 (3:45 a.m. & 11:45 a.m.), 11 (6:00 p.m. & 10:45 p.m.), 13 (1:15 a.m.) and 14 (10:00 a.m.).

HBO2 playdates: March 1 (12:00 a.m.), 2 (3:30 p.m.), 4 (1:10 a.m. & 5:00 p.m.) 6 (11:10 a.m.), 7 (7:00 p.m.), 10 (1:00 a.m), 13 (10:45 p.m.) and 14 (7:45 p.m.).

All times are ET/PT.

Vyacheslav “Czar” Glazkov, 19-0-1, 12 KOs, #2 in IBF heavyweight rankings and Steve “USS” Cunningham, 28-6-0, 13 KOs, USBA Heavyweight Champion, will be the co-feature on the Saturday, March 14 Kovalev vs. Pascal light heavyweight championship from the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The twelve-round heavyweight fight is for the mandatory position in the IBF and the USBA Heavyweight Title. The fight will be the co-feature on the Kovalev vs. Pascal light heavyweight championship from the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The HBO World Championship Boxing live triple header telecast will begin at 9:45 p.m. ET/PT.

Earlier today Glazkov and Cunningham took part in an international conference call to discuss their upcoming fight.

Here are some of the quotes from that call.

Czar Glazkov, #2 in IBF Heavyweight Rankings
“It was a very busy year for me last year as a fighter and in my personal life. The most important fight from last year was the one against Tomasz Adamek. It was the first time in my career facing a fighter like Adamek. He has won so many title and he was a good fighter. It was a very big experience for me to learn something in that bout. After that I went through the training process that was very disruptive on my personal life with the war in Ukraine but I don’t want to talk in detail about that. It was a good year for me. There was gaps between my bouts but I was busy and was always training.”

On the unrest in Ukraine, which was at one of its worst points before and during Glazkov’s fight against Derric Rossy in August 2014: “It was pretty hard in the beginning. It was upsetting my concentration and interrupting my training. I lost my grandmother; she was killed in the street during one of the bombings. Of course it was always distracting to talk with my family back there. Right now I am concentrated 100% and I am here, I am training, I am ready.”

On his size: “If you are smart in the ring, you can overcome a size disadvantage.”

On reconnecting with his old trainer: “Everything is going very well. We are closer together. We understand each other. He sees a lot of my mistakes and we are working on them.”

On fighting Klitschko or Jennings: “I can’t run in front of the wagon. I am a fighter. I am a boxer. My career is in the hands of my manager and my promoter. I know I have to face Cunningham on March 14 and this is my priority right now.”

Steve Cunningham, USBA Heavyweight Champion
“I have been with Naazim [Richardson] for some years now and he is such a mad scientist when it comes to figuring guys out, so I just let him do his job. He is one of the best trainers in the world, in history, for a reason. He looks at the fighter and he tells me what we are going to do. He tells me what [my opponent] does and this is what you do, so it is still like I am in the military taking orders. Whatever commander Naazim tells me to do, if he tells me to take that hill, I am going to take that hill. That’s the faith and the trust I have in my team.”

On Glazkov’s performance against Adamek: “I thought he did a damn good job. He did very well. I was the color commentator on that fight where I stated it was like the old lion getting beat by the young lion. It was a very entertaining fight. He showed heart. He dug deep. Adamek did come on heavy in those last two rounds to show he was the champion, but before that Glazkov bagged so many rounds that Adamek just couldn’t get the nod. I thought he did a great job. Adamek was definitely getting older so you have to factor that in. Adamek has been in war after war and his defense is getting punched. He never really blocked punches or slipped punches. He ate punches, but he gave back just as much as he received. After he fought Vitali [Klitschko] he was basically beat up and it was only a matter of time. When Glazkov got to him, he was already damaged goods. I don’t want to diminish the victory that Glazkov had against Adamek because Adamek is still a formidable heavyweight. He could beat most of those heavyweights out there, so Glazkov beat a top ten heavyweight in Adamek.”

On his loss to Adamek: “I believe I won that fight every time I look at that fight. We know there is politics in this business. Adamek had a huge fan base and Steve Cunningham really didn’t. There is just a lot of other aspects. At the end of that fight I walked away very comfortable and it seemed like a victory to me. There are things I will take away from that fight. There is things I did with Adamek I won’t do with Glazkov. Naazim comes up with the game plan. If Naazim says spin backwards and flip three times and that is what is going to knock Glazkov out; that is what Steve Cunningham is going to do. I let Naazim look at the guy and analyze and break him down. He comes to the gym and tells me what we need to work on. Every fighter needs a game plan. They want a game plan and they should have a game plan. I believe I have a game plan mastermind in Naazim.”

“I think my size is going to help me get a world title. I don’t consider myself a heavyweight at all, period. I am just a fighter. I’ve gotten in there with huge monsters but performed greatly. Even with the loss to Fury, I’ve done things that people didn’t even dream I’d do. I am a fighter. You put a challenger in front of me and I am going to do what a fighter does which is try my best to kick that guy’s butt. I’m a smart fighter and I think my science is what is going to help me get to a world title. I have a great team and they emphasize different things about my strengths and my weaknesses. Throughout camp we have worked to strengthen those weaknesses. I have gotten better and better with each fight. I think my size is a plus. Being big does stop fighters from being able to do certain things but they do have that power. This is the heavyweight division and one shot can change the night or change your life. Glazkov is a small heavyweight too so this is going to be like two cruiserweights fighting.”

On Klitscko vs. Jennings: “Vladmir is a historic fighter. He does things many haven’t done. You can’t deny his pedigree. I have seen how he works. Jennings is young, hungry which could be a plus for him. So he can be ignorant to the scariness of fighting at that level. Wladimir doesn’t have the greatest chin so Jennings has a chance in there. If Jennings wins it would great to face him in Philly. After that fight we can take each other’s kids out to Dorney Park and spend all that money together. I think it would be a good fight for Philly. It would be a revitalization for Philly boxing. But I am a fighter and, if you put a challenge in front of me, that is a force that I can’t even explain. If I get to face Wladimir, if you beat the man, then you are considered the man. Going up against Wladimir would be like a dream come true. I am an old school fighter’s fighter. I want to fight the champion. I want to fight the biggest guy; the best guy. I want to be put into a challenge where people think Cunningham can’t make it out and then get in there and have people looking at me sideways when the fight is over. I want people saying, ‘This dude is crazy.’ I love challenges. I love to fight, period. It doesn’t matter who I am facing I love to fight. I love a challenge.”

On his daughter, Kennedy: “My daughter is nine years old. We have been dealing with this situation for nine years. It has just been the last year and a half that the boxing world has really heard about this. I have fought all over the world while I have been dealing with this. This is my life. I have been a two-time world champion with this in my life. I use it as energy. I use it as fuel and I press on. There’s a job that I must do. I have three children, not just Kennedy, so I have to provide for my entire family. I can’t just shut down. I have two sons and a nephew that I have to take care of. I got a job to do and a family to take care of. During this whole ordeal I have seen her face things that would make grown men shake in their bones, but she takes them on with a smug smirk on her face and says, ‘let’s go!’ I do remember that look on her face going down to the transplant and I have visited that look in my memory when times have gotten hard in training camp. If she can go in there and get a transplant with that much heart, then me going into these fights is nothing.”

On his age: “I have been in some good fights but I wouldn’t call them wars. Hunger drives me. I feel like I am getting better. I am still learning and that drives me to perfect what I am learning.”

Egis Klimas, Manager for Glazkov
“I was talking to him (Glazkov) about being too nice of a guy in the ring. He is a very nice guy outside and when he gets in the ring he keeps up the niceness. We are trying to put him where he has to be mean in the ring. No matter how good you are when you get in the ring you have to be mean. You have to be aggressive. You have to have a sportsman’s anger. That is what we have been working on with Czar in the last few months.”

“We are trying to work on his strategy. He never had a good teacher. He always had trainers. He was at one time with Don Turner, which I think is one of the best trainers but he’s always in Ukraine. He comes here and Don can’t change him in the two weeks before the fight; it’s impossible. So then we went to John David Jackson, but John David Jackson was away with Sergey preparing for Pascal so John David Jackson cannot pay attention. So this time we brought his old trainer. They know each other from Russia. Now his trainer is working with him in Oxnard getting good sparring and a longer preparation time.”

“Glazkov moved to the United States with his family, his wife for almost six months. He is not coming back and forth anymore. So right now his preparation is 100%. For Rossy and Malik Scott he was not ready mentally. Now he understands what this is all about.”

When asked how they are going to make Glazkov meaner in the ring: “I feed him raw meat!”

Kathy Duva, CEO of Main Events
“Both of these guys are warriors. They are both fighters. It is kind of sad in this day in age that this is considered remarkable. They are remarkable; both of them. They are going to offer the fans a great fight. I think they are part of one of the best triple-headers anyone is going to see on television anywhere.’

About Kovalev vs. Pascal
Kovalev vs. Pascal is a 12-round fight for the WBO, WBA and IBF Light Heavyweight World Championship Titles. The fight will be televised as part of a live triple header on HBO World Championship Boxing® on March 14, 2015 from the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Tickets are on sale now at the Bell Centre ticket office, at www.evenko.ca, by telephone at 1-855-310-2525 or through Club de Boxe Champion (514-376-0980). This event is a co-promotion of Main Events and InterBox, presented by Vidéotron in association with Mise-O-Jeu.

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Boucherville, Wednesday, February 18, 2015 – Main Events and Interbox announced today that the NABF Light Heavyweight Title fight between Isaac “Golden Boy” Chilemba vs. Vasily “The Professor” Lepikhin will be the opening bout of the HBO World Championship Boxing tripleheader featuring the Unified Light Heavyweight Champion Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev vs. Jean Pascal in the main event and heavyweights Vyacheslav “Czar” Glazkov vs. Steve “USS” Cunningham in the co-feature on Saturday, March 14 live from the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The HBO® telecast begins at 9 :45 p.m. ET/PT.

Main Events, German Titov Promotions and Interbox are also pleased to announce they have have agreed on a partnership and will join forces together in the promotion of Vasily Lepikhin moving forward.

A top ten light heavyweight, Chilemba (23-2-2, 10 KOs), 27, is originally from Malawi but currently resides in Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa. He has won all of his fights and has been quietly rising through the rankings in the light heavyweight division since suffering a decision loss to Tony Bellew in London two years ago. Currently, he is ranked #2 by the WBC, #6 by the WBO, and #7 by the IBF, as well as #6 by Ring Magazine and #8 by ESPN. Chilemba is known as a skilled boxer with a history of marring the records of undefeated opponents; he’s taken on five undefeated boxers in his pro career, suffering only one draw (Thomas Oostguizen)and no losses. Unbeaten prospect and amateur standout Artur Beterbiev passed on the opportunity to fight Chilemba on March 14th, clearing the way for Lepikhin to move in and seize the opportunity. Isaac will once again train with former WBC Welterweight World Champion James “Buddy” McGirt.

According to Isaac, “I am ready for this fight and happy to step into the ring with anyone that’s put in front of me. I never underestimate my opponents and I always come prepared. I am looking forward to March 14. I have trained hard and I will get the job done.” His manager, Jodi Solomon, added, “Isaac is a hardworking, disciplined athlete. He is serious about boxing and even more serious about winning. This fight is a great opportunity for him to showcase his dedication to the sport. I believe it’s very well matched, both fighters being accomplished in their own right. It should make for a very exciting fight.”

In the other corner, Interbox, Main Events and German Titov Promotions have joined forces in the promotion of undefeated Russian blue chip prospect Vasily “The Professor” Lepikhin (17-0, 9 KOs). Lepikhin, 29, is ranked #7 by the WBO and #12 in the WBA. “The Professor” is from Gelendzhik, Russia and is trained by his father Andrey Lepikhin. Vasily made his US debut in August of last year with a fifth round stoppage against New Zealand native Robert Berridge to secure the WBO Oriental and PABA Light Heavyweight Titles. The undefeated Lepikhin returned stateside in November and defeated Jackson Junior from Brazil in November. This will be his first fight in Canada.

“I am very excited about fighting on HBO and this new opportunity with Interbox,” explained Lepikhin. “I am looking forward to showcasing my skills on this large international scale.”

Lepikhin is managed by Egis Klimas, the same manager who has steered Sergey Kovalev’s career from the very beginning. Klimas added, “This is a great opportunity for Vasily. He is ready for a great fight on March 14 in Canada.”

“It is very important for us to offer our fans a quality product on March 14th and the addition to the card of a boxer with such enormous potential such as Vasily Lepikhin in a match against a world-rated contender is as exciting as it is strategic. We are also very happy to be able to further build on our relationship with Main Events moving forward past March 14th,” said Interbox President Jean Bedard.

Kathy Duva, CEO of Main Events, added, “We had a great opportunity with this opening bout for Isaac to be on HBO and move up in the rankings and the eyes of the boxing public. In a fortuitous turn of events, Vasily will get the same opportunity and Main Events and German Titov Promotions will grow what has become a great working relationship in Canada with Interbox.”

Tickets
Tickets are on sale now at the Bell Centre ticket office, at www.evenko.ca , by telephone at 1-855-310-2525 or through Club de Boxe Champion (514-376-0980). This event is a co-promotion of Main Events and InterBox, presented by Vidéotron in association with Mise-O-Jeu.

About Main Events
Main Events was founded in 1978 by the late Dan Duva and is now run by his widow Kathy Duva. As one of the top promotional companies in the world Main Events has promoted boxing legends Evander Holyfield, Arturo Gatti, Lennox Lewis, Pernell Whitaker and many more. Currently Main Events promotes WBO, IBF and WBA Light Heavyweight World Champion Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev who just defeated legendary light heavyweight Bernard “The Alien” Hopkins in one of the highest-rated fights of 2014 in November in Atlantic City, NJ. Main Events is committed to promoting quality fights that boxing fans want to see.

About InterBox
InterBox, founded in Québec in 1997, and acquired by Groupe Sportscene in 2004, is recognized throughout Québec and the world as a respected boxing organization. InterBox’s goal is to promote professional boxing locally and internationally via talented boxers supported by top-drawer trainers using cutting edge techniques. InterBox regularly promotes and presents elite events in cooperation with such significant corporate sponsors as Vidéotron, the Cage aux Sports restaurant chain, Coors Light and Mise-O-jeu.

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New York, NY: Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev (26-0-1, 23 KOs), the current WBO, WBA and IBF Light Heavyweight World Champion, and Jean Pascal (29-2-1, 17 KOs), the former WBC and Lineal Light Heavyweight Champion and Current holder of the WBC Diamond Belt, addressed the U.S. media in New York City in advance of their March 14 fight for the WBO, WBA and IBF Light Heavyweight Championships. Kovalev has been named The Fighter of the Year by the WBO, Sports Illustrated, BleacherRepor, New York Post, USA Today and many others and today received his WBA and IBF Light Heavyweight World Championship Ring from Kathy Duva, CEO of Main Events.

Also in attendance were Vyacheslav “Czar” Glazkov (19-0-1, 12 KOs) and Steve “USS” Cunningham (28-6, 13 KOs) who were announced as the co-feature for the Kovalev-Pascal card. The two will fight for the #1 position in the IBF.
Below are the quotes from the press conference:

Glazkov, Kovalev, Pascal & Cunningham
Photo Credits: David Spagnolo/Main Events

Kathy Duva, CEO of Main Events
“Welcome to the press conference where everyone is invited! One of the joys of my life is to present an interesting and big event with two fighters where the outcome is doubt. On March 14 we will present two such fights. The Kovalev-Pascal fight is a throwback fight in the truest sense of the word. A reigning World Champion who is willing to fight a worthy challenger in the challenger’s hometown. And if that wasn’t enough, in the co-feature Czar Glazkov and Steve Cunningham will face off for the #1 position in the IBF and the winner will face Wladimir Klitschko or whomever is the IBF Heavyweight Champion at the end of the year.”

Jean Bedard
Photo Credits: David Spagnolo/Main Events

Jean Bedard, President of Interbox
“It is a privilege for Interbox to work with Kathy and Main Events because we share the same vision – to bring the best fights to the fans. Saturday is usually hockey night in Canada but, on March 14, Kovalev and Pascal will replace the Canadiens. The Bell Centre is one of the busiest sporting venues in the world and we are so proud to bring this event there. Thank you also to HBO.”

Duva
“Main Events and HBO have worked together since the 1980s probably before Peter Nelson was even born, but he has brought so much to the sweet science in a short period of time. It is a pleasure to work with again to bring another great night of boxing to the fans.”

Peter Nelson, Vice President of Programming, HBO Sports
“I wrote that for Kathy (laughing). I want to thank the media for coming today. I want to thank Kathy Duva. She has done a great job with Sergey Kovalev’s career. We were privileged to be part of his win over Bernard Hopkins and this is just the next installment in an amazing career. This fight is a signature event, it is not another check-in-the-box. This is two elite fighters looking to establish their legacies. We are privileged to be associated with events that not only have great main events but great co-features. The co-feature has an amazing story as well. Start time is 9:45 and we look forward to a great event. Sergey Kovalev and Jean Pascal always look to fight the best and I would like to thank the press for rewarding them for doing so.”

Duva
“In the co-feature, all of you will watch while I cover my eyes. We wanted to bring the heavyweight division back to life. Who knew that last year we would be here with two of our own facing each other for the #1 position? Then Steve Cunningham defeated Amir Mansour and Czar Glazkov defeated Tomasz Adamek and those victories have brought us here to this moment. The fans are the ones who will win when this fight ends but I won’t be able to watch. Steve’s legendary trainer, Brother Naazim Richardson is one of the best in the business. He is a member of Steve’s family and they have been living together through all the joy and all the sorrows. It is much better to be working together with Naazim on the same side this time instead of against him like with the fight against Hopkins. Steve has faced some incredible challenges in the boxing ring but he has faced even bigger challenges outside the ring. When he faced Mansour he was told his daughter Kennedy, who was born with a congenital heart defect, was going to die. Last month she proved the doctors wrong when she received a successful heart transplant. Her father shares her same fighting spirit to defy the odds and he is looking to show that on March 14.”

Steve and Cruz Cunningham
Photo Credits: David Spagnolo/Main Events

Steve “USS” Cunningham, USBA Heavyweight Champion
“Thanks Kathy for making me tear up. I would like to thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Main Events and HBO. I am finally getting on HBO! I gave up that I would ever get here so I am excited and happy to be on HBO finally. I know everyone talks about the situation with my daughter and the strength it took for us to survive it, but we have done nothing more than what anyone else would have done in the same situation. I want to thank everyone who gave to her fund and helped us get here. I am fighting my fourth undefeated heavyweight. I am here to show. Boxing is the show business. I have to show every time I get in that ring. I want to be the heavyweight world champion. Czar is an Olympian and he is undefeated and whatever plan Naaz comes up with I am going to execute it. You have seen the heart and the skill and I am going to bring that on March 14.”

Duva
“I didn’t know that the day that I met Egis Klimas that it would be one of the luckiest days of my life. He convinced me to look at Sergey Kovalev and I am so glad he did. Egis handles three world champions and now he is looking to get his first heavyweight world champion.”

Nelson, Glazkov and Klimas
Photo Credits: David Spagnolo/Main Events

Egis Klimas, Manager of Sergey Kovalev and Czar Glazkov
“For me March 14 is going to be a double pleasure night. Me and Czar started working together when I convinced a Russian promoter to bring him to the United States. He just moved from the Ukraine to the United States. For this fight he relocated to Oxnard, CA and he is working with a new trainer, Victor Petrochenko. He has already started camp. It is going to be a good night and hopefully he can win and be IBF champion in the heavyweight division.”

Duva
“While Czar Glazkov was here in the United States becoming the NABF heavyweight champion, his friends and family were suffering through the conflict in the Ukraine. He wants a shot at his fellow countryman Wladimir Klitschko and he is willing to take on any challenge to get there. When he was originally scheduled to fight Tomasz Adamek and Adamek had fallen out, he was so disappointed that we had to replace him with Garret Wilson. However, he only asked me one question – is he right handed or left handed? That is what makes him the type of competitor he is.”

Czar and Steve
Photo Credits: David Spagnolo/Main Events

“Czar” Glazkov, NABF Heavyweight Champion
“I am very sorry to speak Russian but I am still learning English. I want to thank Kathy Duva and Main Events, HBO and Peter Nelson for giving me this opportunity to fight on the biggest boxing network. Steve Cunningham is a good fighter and this is his last chance to show something in boxing but my goal is to show that I am better. Now I am training with my new trainer, Victor Petrochenko. He is showing me something new. We are getting good workout and I will show March 14. It is going to be a good show.”

Greg Leon, CEO of Jean Pascal Promotions
“I want to thank HBO, Main Events, and Interbox. Interbox is a first class organization across the board. This fight is about the best versus the best. They are the two best light heavyweights willing to fight each other. Jean Pascal has never seen anyone as strong as Sergey Kovalev and Sergey Kovalev has never seen anyone as athletic as Jean Pascal. Pascal was shocked the odds have him four to one but we welcome the challenge. We are looking forward to a great night of boxing.”

Marc Ramsay, Trainer of Jean Pascal
“Thank you everyone. I would like to thank HBO, Main Events and Interbox for giving us this opportunity. I am proud to be part of this fight. So many fighters like to escape the big challenge. Sergey Kovalev is not afraid to travel and Jean Pascal is not afraid of this challenge. The real training camp starts next Monday. There is always a way to beat every fighter and Jean Pascal has all the tools to achieve it.”

Pascal with Kovalev and Duva
Photo Credits: David Spagnolo/Main Events

Jean Pascal, Former WBC, IBO and The Ring Light Heavyweight Champion
“I want to thank God for giving us this opportunity as well as Interbox and Main Events. This fight was an easy fight to make. Titles and money come and go but history doesn’t. We want to make history. HBO wants to make the best fight possible and that is why they made this fight. I don’t have Showtime no more. They show boring fights. Sergey Kovalev is a great champion; a solid champion. He can punch, he has good speed, he is good with his distance, he does everything well, he has good technique and I love to be the underdog. I loved watching when Balboa fought the crushing Russian in Rocky IV and now this is my real life and I am going to be the black Balboa.”

Duva
“I want to recognize the best training staff in the business John David Jackson and Derik Santos, Sergey’s training team. They could not be here but they prepared him for his stellar appearance against Bernard Hopkins and they will have him ready for Pascal.”

Klimas
“It is a pleasure to represent a fighter who is USA Today, Sports Illustrated, and New York Post Fighter of the Year (to name a few). I believe truly he has proved that. Everyone thought that he could only knock people out but he outboxed Bernard Hopkins. Jean Pascal is a good fighter. He is the best challenger in the division for Sergey Kovalev. The two good men are going to meet. In the end talk is cheap let’s bring these guys in the ring and let that speak for itself. Nobody believed me when I brought Sergey Kovalev through 18 fights with my own money without a promoter. Thank you Kathy for bringing us to this level.”

Duva
“So many recognize why Sergey Kovalev should be the Fighter of the Year is not because he defeats everyone he faces but the way he does it. He outboxed a legendary fighter. It takes more than talent to make a champion, add drive, ambition and a work ethic that is second to none. He is charming and one of the nicest people in the world. He is the most electrifying fighter I have ever worked with (and I have worked with some electrifying fighters!) and he is just beginning. Before I ask him to speak I have a little surprise for him. Main Events has a tradition of creating rings when our fighters win a world championship. Joel McFadden is the artist who created your WBO ring. The good news is they created a wonderful new ring, that bad news is because you won two belts at once there is only one ring. Everything was designed by hand.”

Klimas and Kovalev with World Championship Ring
Photo Credits: David Spagnolo/Main Events

Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev, WBO, WBA and IBF Light Heavyweight World Champion
“Hello everybody. Thanks for this great ring, it is very complimentary from jewel masters. I always wear my WBO ring. I sleep with it and now I will have to sleep with both together. Next, I know I was named Fighter of the Year but I didn’t know how many media chose me. I am happy and this push me more to show what I am a real Fighter of the Year. This year will be more big fights. I am starting with a very big fight with Jean Pascal. Thank you for taking this fight. For me it doesn’t matter where I fight. If I am true champion, I am fighting anyone anywhere. I want to thank HBO and Peter Nelson personally for this opportunity to give me big chance in my life. Where I am it is because of my team: Kathy Duva and Main Events, Egis Klimas and HBO. That is my team I love you and bless you. Everybody say before the fight was made that I will win. I never say never; this is boxing. This isn’t sprinting or bicycling. I never say never. You can go to Big Bear and repeat my preparations but no one can repeat my style. It is my thinking in me that gave me all victories and will give more.”

Duva
“I want to thank Le Parker Meridien, HBO and Hortitsia vodka, our sponsor. We look forward to a great night of boxing on March 14. Thank you.”

About Kovalev vs. Pascal
Kovalev vs. Pascal is a 12-round fight for the WBO, WBA and IBF Light Heavyweight World Championship Titles. The fight will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing® on March 14, 2015 from the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Tickets are on sale now at the Bell Centre ticket office, at www.evenko.ca, by telephone at 1-855-310-2525 or through Club de Boxe Champion (514-376-0980). This event is a co-promotion of Main Events and InterBox, presented by Vidéotron in association with Mise-O-Jeu.

FOLLOW US:
kovalboxer.com
Twitter: @krusherkovalev
Facebook: facebook.com/shopkrusher
www.mainevents.com
Twitter: @main_events
Facebook: facebook.com/MainEventsBoxing

BOUCHERVILLE, Quebec, Canada, Dec. 22, 2014 – In the first face-off between the triple light heavyweight champion and the former holder of several belts in the same weight division, there was nothing but respect all around at a press conference that was held Monday to officially kick off the unified Light Heavyweight World Championship fight that will take place between Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev (26-0-1, 23 KO) and Jean Pascal (29-2-1, 17 KO). The bout is to be televised on HBO on March 14, 2015 at the Bell Center.

Even though he holds the unified WBO, WBA and IBF Light Heavyweight World Champion title belts, Kovalev praised Pascal highly at Monday’s press conference. “He’s the best possible opponent I could face in the weight division,” said Kovalev, who was named Sports Illustrated’s 2014 Fighter of the Year Monday.

“I respect Sergey Kovalev because he is the king of the light heavyweight division,” said Pascal, the former WBC, IBO and The Ring Light Heavyweight champion. “This will be the greatest challenge ever faced by a Quebec-based boxer, but with discipline and hard work, as well as the support of local boxing fans, nothing is impossible.”

The champ vs the local favourite
Kovalev said he won’t be bothered by the fact that the fight will take place in Montreal, where Pascal is one of the most popular boxers on the local scene.

“The ring is the same everywhere”, he said. “I plan to show who I am to Canadian boxing fans, and I aim to do the things they like to see in a ring.” Pascal also promised this will be a fight not to be missed. “If you’re a boxing fan, this is the perfect Christmas gift to give to someone you love, because it will be one of the greatest fights ever – and the greatest ever held in Canada.”

“This is not my first time in Canada, but each time I come here I’m greatly impressed to see to what extent boxing is a major sport in the Quebec province,” said Kathy Duva, CEO of Main Events, Kovalev’s promoter. “This will be a high-quality event, and I’m delighted to be working with a first-rate promoter in InterBox and a great network in HBO for this fight that will bring together two great boxers.”

“What a great way to end 2014 with this announcement of a such a great fight for the New Year,” said InterBox President Jean Bédard. “Sergey Kovalev is the holder of three world titles, but he is first and foremost the boxer that no one wants to face. But it is with great enthusiasm that Jean Pascal has accepted this challenge.”
“Sergey Kovalev and Jean Pascal are first-rate competitors who always look to fight against the best and, on March 14, that’s exactly what they will do against one another in a World Championship bout,” said Peter Nelson, Vice President of Programming at HBO Sports. “Following a key win for his career against Bernard Hopkins, Kovalev will put his three unified titles on the line, which Jean Pascal will try to take away. And let’s not forget that the winner will be able to proclaim himself king of the light heavyweight division. This event is absolutely not to be missed!”

Kovalev back in North America
The unified WBO/IBF/WBA Light Heavyweight champion is back from a small vacation in Russia and spending quality time with his wife and infant son, who was born right in the middle of his last training camp. After a short rest, Sergey is now ready to start training for his fight against Jean Pascal. Kovalev is anxious to defend his WBO title for the fifth time, as well as the IBF and WBA titles he wrestled from Bernard Hopkins (55-7-2, 32 KOs) in a wide unanimous decision win on November 8th.

Pascal’s sole objective: To become World Champ again
Following the unfortunate turn of events during his December 6th fight, Jean Pascal is hungrier than ever to attain his ultimate objective of becoming world champion again. Marc Ramsey, who accompanied David Lemieux to Brooklyn last December 6th for his bout against Gabriel Rosado will be back in Pascal’s corner for the March 14th bout. Roy Jones Jr. and Russ Anber will be assisting Pascal during camp and during the bout.

Tickets on sale
Tickets for the unified Light Heavyweight World Championship fight between Kovalev and Pascal are on sale at the Bell Centre ticket office, at www.evenko.ca, by telephone at 1-855-310-2525 or through Club de Boxe Champion (514-376-0980).

About Main Events
Main Events was founded in 1978 by the late Dan Duva and is now run by his widow Kathy Duva. As one of the top promotional companies in the world Main Events has promoted boxing legends Evander Holyfield, Arturo Gatti, Lennox Lewis, Pernell Whitaker and many more. Currently Main Events promotes WBO, IBF and WBA Light Heavyweight World Champion Sergey « Krusher » Kovalev who just defeated legendary light heavyweight Bernard « The Alien » Hopkins in one of the highest rated fights of the year last month in Atlantic City, NJ. Main Events is committed to promoting quality fights that boxing fans want to see.

About InterBox
InterBox, founded in Québec in 1997, and acquired by Groupe Sportscene in 2004, is recognized throughout Québec and the world as a respected boxing organization. InterBox’s goal is to promote professional boxing locally and internationally via talented boxers supported by top-drawer trainers using cutting edge techniques. InterBox regularly promotes and presents elite events in cooperation with such significant corporate sponsors as Vidéotron, the Cage aux Sports restaurant chain, Coors Light and Mise-O-jeu.

Boucherville, Wednesday December 17th 2014 – Main-Events and InterBox announced that the Montréal Bell Centre will host the March 14th 2015 boxing Gala that will feature the reigning unified WBO, IBF and WBA Light Heavyweight World Champion, Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev (26-0-1, 23 KOs) vs. former WBC, IBO and The Ring Light Heavyweight Champion, Jean Pascal (29-2-1, 17 KOs). Tickets to this megafight, which will also be broadcast on HBO World Championship Boxing throughout the United States, go on sale Saturday, December 20th 2014 as of 10 AM. A press conference is scheduled to take place early next week.

Three of the 4 major titles on the line
Kathy Duva, CEO of Main-Events, received the exception from the IBF that she and Sergey requested. Therefore, the IBF title will be on the line on March 14th when Kovalev faces Pascal. Mandatory IBF contender Najib Mohammedi is happy with the outcome because it will give him more time to work with his new trainer. Mohammedi will appear on the undercard of Kovalev-Pascal. Therefore, three of the four major world title belts will be on the line: The IBF and WBO World Light Heavyweight titles, as well as the WBA Super Light Heavyweight belt.

« After a tough 2014, we are extremely proud to bring to our fans one of the very best fights that can be made at Light Heavyweight. We all intend to start off the New Year with a bang, and Kovalev vs. Pascal will certainly deliver fireworks. Our fans deserve the very best fights, and those are the fights we will concentrate to make » states InterBox President Mr. Jean Bedard. Mr. Bedard continues by stating « The undercard is yet to be determined, but we are already at work with Main Events to match the best vs. the best. One thing is for sure, our athletes will have to be ready for some major challenges if they want to box on this card »

Kathy Duva said, « I received a very warm welcome in Montreal when I attended Pascal’s last fight at the Bell Centre. I’m excited to return with Sergey and to work with Jean Bedard and his staff at Interbox. I’m sure we will put together the best fight card of the year! »

Kovalev back in North America
The unified WBO/IBF/WBA Light Heavyweight champion is back from a small vacation in Russia and spending quality time with his wife and infant son, who was born right in the middle of his last training camp. After a short rest, Sergey is now ready to start training for his fight vs. Jean Pascal. Kovalev is anxious to defend his WBO title for the fifth time, as well as the IBF and WBA titles he wrestled from Bernard Hopkins (55-7-2, 32 K.-O.) in a wide unanimous decision win last November 8th.

Pascal’s sole objective: To become World Champ again
Following the unfortunate turn of events during his December 6th fight, Jean Pascal is hungrier than ever to attain his ultimate objective of becoming world champion again. Marc Ramsey, who accompanied David Lemieux to Brooklyn last December 6th for his bout vs. Gabriel Rosado will be back in Pascal’s corner for the March 14th bout. Roy Jones Jr. and Russ Anber will be assisting Pascal during camp and during the bout.

Exclusive pre-sale from December 18th -December 19th

For those fans who just can’t wait until December 20th to buy their tickets for the Kovalev vs. Pascal bout/Event, please note that there will be an exclusive pre-sale from December 18th at 10 AM until December 19th at 6 PM. Please communicate with InterBox at 450-645-1083, or contact Club de Boxe Champion at (514) 376-0980, or for those with a subscription, check the Evenko Info-letter.

Tickets on sale December 20th
Tickets for the general public will go on sale on Saturday, December 20th as of 10 AM. Those wishing to purchase tickets can do so via the Centre Bell ticket office, by visiting www.evenko.ca, or by dialing 1-855-310-2525.

About Main Events
Main Events was founded in 1978 by the late Dan Duva and is now run by his widow Kathy Duva. As one of the top promotional companies in the world Main Events has promoted boxing legends Evander Holyfield, Arturo Gatti, Lennox Lewis, Pernell Whitaker and many more. Currently Main Events promotes WBO, IBF and WBA Light Heavyweight World Champion Sergey « Krusher » Kovalev who just defeated legendary light heavyweight Bernard « The Alien » Hopkins in one of the highest rated fights of the year last month in Atlantic City, NJ. Main Events is committed to promoting quality fights that boxing fans want to see.

About InterBox
InterBox, founded in Québec in 1997, and acquired by Groupe Sportscene in 2004, is recognized throughout Québec and the world as a respected boxing organization. InterBox’s goal is to promote professional boxing locally and internationally via talented boxers supported by top-drawer trainers using cutting edge techniques. InterBox regularly promotes and presents elite events in cooperation with such significant corporate sponsors as Vidéotron, the Cage aux Sports restaurant chain, Coors Light and Mise-O-jeu.

FOLLOW US:
http://kovalboxer.com/en.html
Twitter: @krusherkovalev
Facebook: facebook.com/shopkrusher
www.mainevents.com
Twitter: @main_events
Facebook: facebook.com/MainEventsBoxing

WHO: Main Event — Light Heavyweights (10) — PPV
JEAN PASCAL (29-2-1, 17 KOs), Laval, Quebec, Canada 179.6 lbs.
ROBERTO BOLONTI (35-3, 24 KOs), Buenos Aires, Argentina 179 lbs.
(180. lbs catchweight)

Jean Pascal

Roberto Bolonti

Co-Feature – WBC International Super Middleweight Championship (12) – PPV
SCHILLER HYPPOLITE (13-1, 9 KOs), Montreal, Quebec, Canada 168.7 lbs.
NORBERT NEMESAPATI (15-1, 14 KOs), Budapest, Hungary 167.6 lbs.

Super Featherweights (8) – PPV
JOEL DIAZ, JR. (17-0, 13 KOs), Palmdale, California, USA 129.7 lbs.
PEDRO NAVARRETE (28-19-3, 17 KOs), San Juan Zitaltepec, Mexico 129.5 lbs.

Super Welterweights (6/8) – PPV
STEVEN BUTLER (8-0, 7 KOs), Montreal, Quebec, Canada 151.7 lbs.
LYES CHAIBI (12-7-2, 2 KOs), Saint-Etienne, Loire, France 149.6 lbs.

Welterweights (8)
YVES ULYSSE, JR. (4-0, 3 KOs), Montreal, Quebec, Canada 143.8 lbs.
LUKASZ JANIK (12-7-1, 8 KOs), Katowice, Poland 145 lbs.

Heavyweights (8)
BOGDAN DINU (11-0, 7 KOs), Montreal, Quebec, Canada 237.6 lbs.
MIKAEL VIEIRA (14-4-1, 7 KOs), Montlucon, Allier, France 227 lbs.

Super Lightweights (6/8) – Swing Bout
DAVID THEROUX (4-0, 3 KOs), Sorel-Tracy, Quebec, Canada 141.7 lbs.
MAURYCY GOJKO (22-44-3, 8 KOs), Lublin, Poland 141.4 lbs.

WHAT: Pascal-Bolonti PPV

WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014

WHERE: Bell Centre, Montreal, Canada

PROMOTER: Interbox

PPV: Available throughout North America.Integrated Sports Media will distributed in the United States for live viewing at 8:00 p.m. ET – 5:00 p.m. PT on both cable and
satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, DirecTV, DISH, and Vubiquity for a suggested
retail price of only $24.95. Plus viewers in the US can order on-line by going to
www.GFL.tv. Saturday night’s event will be available on PPV in Canada on Indigo
and Bell in French and English, as well as via Rogers, Shaw and Sask-Tel in English
only.

ANNOUNCERS: Corey Erdman (blow-by-blow) & Benny Ricardo (color analyst)

INFORMATION: www.InterBox.ca or www.integratedsportsnet.com
and follow on Twitter @IntegratedPPV @InterBoxCA and @JeanPascalChamp.

TICKETS: On sale and available to purchase by visiting www.evenko.ca, or calling
1.855.310.2525 and Club de boxe Champion (1.514.376.0980)
ABOUT INTEGRATED SPORTS MEDIA:
North America’s leading distributor of International Pay-Per-View and Closed Circuit sports events has presented World Championship and world-class boxing matches featuring Gennady Golovkin, Carl Froch, Erik Morales, Vitali Klitschko, Ricky Hatton, Cristian Mijares, Evander Holyfield, Roy Jones, Jr., Tomasz Adamek, Paulie Malignaggi, Ivan Calderon, Rocky Martinez, Nicolai Valuev, Amir Khan, Marco Antonio Barrera, Arthur Abraham, David Haye, John Ruiz, Wilfredo Vasquez, Jr., Brian Viloria, Giovani Segura and Ruslan Chagaev, as well as World Championship and world-class mixed martial arts shows featuring Fedor Emelianenko, Tim Sylvia, Bobby Lashley, Mirko Filipovic, Bob Sapp, Jeff Monson and Roy Nelson, in addition to In addition, Integrated Sports Media has distributed numerous International soccer matches featuring teams like Real Madrid, Club America of Mexico and the National Teams of Argentina, Honduras, El Salvador and the USA. For more information on upcoming Integrated Sports events visit
www.integratedsportsnet.com or follow on Twitter @IntegratedPPV.

ABOUT INTERBOX:
InterBox was founded in Montreal, Quebec, in 1997 and acquired by Groupe Sportscene in 2004. InterBox is internationally recognized as one of the most respected boxing organizations in Quebec and throughout the World. InterBox’s main objective is to organize top quality events, both locally and internationally. InterBox’s success is due in large part to a growing pool of elite athletes and top quality trainers to support them and their ascension to the elite. InterBox promotes, produces and presents first quality events on a regular basis thanks to the very important corporate sponsors Videotron, the Cage-aux-Sports restaurant chain, Coors Light and Mise-O-Jeau.

Jean Pascal:
(about his decision to not trash-talk Thursday)
“Everything in its time. Everything I do is calculated. People think I’m unpredictable, but my strategies all well-planned with my sports psychologist. Now, for this fight, there isn’t any battle of wills, so there’s no point in trying to intimidate my opponent. We have another plan on the psychological front, but intimidation is not part of it.”

(about Bolonti)
“He’s a boxer with stamina. He has 35 wins, 24 by knock out. He’s never lost by KO, which means he’s coming here to go the distance. He’s had three months to prepare because he was initially set to fight Lucian Bute. He says the fight will be easier from a strategic standpoint because I’m a right-hander, so I know he’ll be ready. He’s here to try and surprise everyone. A win would allow him to be noticed at the international level.”

(On Bolonti lasting 12 rounds vs Braehmer on three weeks notice)
“Going the distance against a world champ, that says he’s a quality boxer. He has experience, he has stamina, so we’re in for a good fight at the Bell Centre on Saturday night.”

(Pascal says not thinking about Kovalev fight just yet)

“All I’m thinking about is this fight. I know Bolonti is the ideal opponent for me to prepare for the next bout, whoever it will be, against any right-hander, and allow me to go to the next level.”

Jean Pascal

Roberto Bolonti:
“I was preparing to fight Lucian Bute and, suddenly, he got injured. I know many people from Montreal follow him and that when he fights, the arena is full, so, I was quite disappointed. But it’s always easier to fight a right-handed boxer (like Pascal) than it is a left-hander (like Bute). The strategy will change, but it’s nothing to worry about. I’m looking forward to the fight.”

Roberto Bolonti

The Staredown

The Main Event.

WHAT: Pascal vs. Bolonti PPV

WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014

WHERE: Bell Centre, Montreal, Canada

WHO: Main Event — Light Heavyweights (10) — PPV
JEAN PASCAL (29-2-1, 17 KOs), Laval, Quebec, Canada
vs.
ROBERTO “The Beast” BOLONTI (35-3, 24 KOs), Buenos Aires, Argentina

Co-Feature – WBC International Super Middleweight Championship (12) – PPV
SCHILLER “Batman” HYPPOLITE (13-1, 9 KOs), Montreal, Quebec, Canada
vs.
NORBERT “Noble” NEMESAPATI (15-1, 14 KOs), Budapest, Hungary

Super Featherweights (8) – PPV
JOEL DIAZ, JR. (17-0, 13 KOs), Palmdale, California, USA
vs.
PEDRO “Cowboy” NAVARRETE (28-19-3, 17 KOs), San Juan Zitaltepec, Mexico

Junior Middleweights (6/8) – PPV
STEVEN “Bang Bang” BUTLER (8-0, 7 KOs), Montreal, Quebec, Canada
vs.
LYES CHAIBI (12-7-2, 2 KOs), Saint-Etienne, Loire, France

Welterweights (8)
YVES ULYSSE, JR. (4-0, 3 KOs), Montreal, Quebec, Canada
vs.
LUKASZ JANIK (12-7-1, 8 KOs), Katowice, Poland

Heavyweights (8)
BOGDAN DINU (11-0, 7 KOs), Montreal, Quebec, Canada
vs.
MIKAEL VIEIRA (14-4-1, 7 KOs), Montlucon, Allier, France

Super Lightweights (6/8) – Swing Bout
DAVID THEROUX (4-0, 3 KOs), Sorel-Tracy, Quebec, Canada
vs.
MAURYCY GOJKO (22-44-3, 8 KOs), Lublin, Poland

PROMOTER: Interbox

PPV: Available throughout North America.Integrated Sports Media will distributed in the United States for live viewing at 8:00 p.m. ET – 5:00 p.m. PT on both
cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, DirecTV, DISH, and Vubiquity for a suggested retail price of only $24.95. Plus viewers in the US can order on-line by going to www.GFL.tv. Saturday night’s event will be available on PPV in Canada on Indigo and Bell in French and English, as well as via Rogers, Shaw and Sask-Tel in English only.

ANNOUNCERS: Corey Erdman (blow-by-blow) & Benny Ricardo (color analyst)

INFORMATION: www.IntegratedSportsnet.com, www.InterBox.ca or www.integratedsportsnet.com, and follow on Twitter @IntegratedPPV @InterBoxCA and @JeanPascalChamp.

TICKETS: On sale and available to purchase by visiting www.evenko.ca, or calling 1.855.310.2525 and Club de boxe Champion (1.514.376.0980)
ABOUT INTEGRATED SPORTS MEDIA:
North America’s leading distributor of International Pay-Per-View and Closed Circuit sports events has presented World Championship and world-class boxing matches featuring Gennady Golovkin, Carl Froch, Erik Morales, Vitali Klitschko, Ricky Hatton, Cristian Mijares, Evander Holyfield, Roy Jones, Jr., Tomasz Adamek, Paulie Malignaggi, Ivan Calderon, Rocky Martinez, Nicolai Valuev, Amir Khan, Marco Antonio Barrera, Arthur Abraham, David Haye, John Ruiz, Wilfredo Vasquez, Jr., Brian Viloria, Giovani Segura and Ruslan Chagaev, as well as World Championship and world-class mixed martial arts shows featuring Fedor Emelianenko, Tim Sylvia, Bobby Lashley, Mirko Filipovic, Bob Sapp, Jeff Monson and Roy Nelson, in addition to In addition, Integrated Sports Media has distributed numerous International soccer matches featuring teams like Real Madrid, Club America of Mexico and the National Teams of Argentina, Honduras, El Salvador and the USA. For more information on upcoming Integrated Sports events visit
www.integratedsportsnet.com or follow on Twitter @IntegratedPPV.

ABOUT INTERBOX:
InterBox was founded in Montreal, Quebec, in 1997 and acquired by Groupe Sportscene in 2004. InterBox is internationally recognized as one of the most respected boxing organizations in Quebec and throughout the World. InterBox’s main objective is to organize top quality events, both locally and internationally. InterBox’s success is due in large part to a growing pool of elite athletes and top quality trainers to support them and their ascension to the elite. InterBox promotes, produces and presents first quality events on a regular basis thanks to the very important corporate sponsors Videotron, the Cage-aux-Sports restaurant chain, Coors Light and Mise-O-Jeau.

WHAT: Pascal vs. Bolonti PPV

WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014

WHERE: Bell Centre, Montreal, Canada

WHO: Main Event — Light Heavyweights (10) — PPV
JEAN PASCAL (29-2-1, 17 KOs), Laval, Quebec, Canada
vs.
ROBERTO “The Beast” BOLONTI (35-3, 24 KOs), Buenos Aires, Argentina

Co-Feature – WBC International Super Middleweight Championship (12) – PPV
SCHILLER “Batman” HYPPOLITE (13-1, 9 KOs), Montreal, Quebec, Canada
vs.
NORBERT “Noble” NEMESAPATI (15-1, 14 KOs), Budapest, Hungary

Super Featherweights (8) – PPV
JOEL DIAZ, JR. (17-0, 13 KOs), Palmdale, California, USA
vs.
PEDRO “Cowboy” NAVARRETE (28-19-3, 17 KOs), San Juan Zitaltepec, Mexico

Junior Middleweights (6/8) – PPV
STEVEN “Bang Bang” BUTLER (8-0, 7 KOs), Montreal, Quebec, Canada
vs.
LYES CHAIBI (12-7-2, 2 KOs), Saint-Etienne, Loire, France

Welterweights (8)
YVES ULYSSE, JR. (4-0, 3 KOs), Montreal, Quebec, Canada
vs.
LUKASZ JANIK (12-7-1, 8 KOs), Katowice, Poland

Heavyweights (8)
BOGDAN DINU (11-0, 7 KOs), Montreal, Quebec, Canada
vs.
MIKAEL VIEIRA (14-4-1, 7 KOs), Montlucon, Allier, France

Super Lightweights (6/8) – Swing Bout
DAVID THEROUX (4-0, 3 KOs), Sorel-Tracy, Quebec, Canada
vs.
MAURYCY GOJKO (22-44-3, 8 KOs), Lublin, Poland

PROMOTER: Interbox

PPV: Available throughout North America.Integrated Sports Media will distributed in the United States for live viewing at 8:00 p.m. ET – 5:00 p.m. PT on both
cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, DirecTV, DISH, and Vubiquity for a suggested retail price of only $24.95. Plus viewers in the US can order on-line by going to www.GFL.tv. Saturday night’s event will be available on PPV in Canada on Indigo and Bell in French and English, as well as via Rogers, Shaw and Sask-Tel in English only.

ANNOUNCERS: Corey Erdman (blow-by-blow) & Benny Ricardo (color analyst)

INFORMATION: www.IntegratedSportsnet.com, www.InterBox.ca or www.integratedsportsnet.com, and follow on Twitter @IntegratedPPV @InterBoxCA and @JeanPascalChamp.

TICKETS: On sale and available to purchase by visiting www.evenko.ca, or calling 1.855.310.2525 and Club de boxe Champion (1.514.376.0980)

ABOUT INTEGRATED SPORTS MEDIA:
North America’s leading distributor of International Pay-Per-View and Closed Circuit sports events has presented World Championship and world-class boxing matches featuring Gennady Golovkin, Carl Froch, Erik Morales, Vitali Klitschko, Ricky Hatton, Cristian Mijares, Evander Holyfield, Roy Jones, Jr., Tomasz Adamek, Paulie Malignaggi, Ivan Calderon, Rocky Martinez, Nicolai Valuev, Amir Khan, Marco Antonio Barrera, Arthur Abraham, David Haye, John Ruiz, Wilfredo Vasquez, Jr., Brian Viloria, Giovani Segura and Ruslan Chagaev, as well as World Championship and world-class mixed martial arts shows featuring Fedor Emelianenko, Tim Sylvia, Bobby Lashley, Mirko Filipovic, Bob Sapp, Jeff Monson and Roy Nelson, in addition to In addition, Integrated Sports Media has distributed numerous International soccer matches featuring teams like Real Madrid, Club America of Mexico and the National Teams of Argentina, Honduras, El Salvador and the USA. For more information on upcoming Integrated Sports events visit
www.integratedsportsnet.com or follow on Twitter @IntegratedPPV.

ABOUT INTERBOX:
InterBox was founded in Montreal, Quebec, in 1997 and acquired by Groupe Sportscene in 2004. InterBox is internationally recognized as one of the most respected boxing organizations in Quebec and throughout the World. InterBox’s main objective is to organize top quality events, both locally and internationally. InterBox’s success is due in large part to a growing pool of elite athletes and top quality trainers to support them and their ascension to the elite. InterBox promotes, produces and presents first quality events on a regular basis thanks to the very important corporate sponsors Videotron, the Cage-aux-Sports restaurant chain, Coors Light and Mise-O-Jeau.

Boucherville, December 2, 2014
Main Events and InterBox are proud to announce that an agreement has been reached to present a fight between the reigning unified WBO, IBF and WBA Light Heavyweight World Champion, Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev (26-0-1, 23 KOs) and former WBC and The Ring Light Heavyweight Champion, Jean Pascal (29-2-1, 17 KOs). The fight is to take place in Montréal or Québec City on Saturday, March 14, 2015, but it is contingent on Pascal prevailing over Bolonti on December 6 and on the IBF granting Kovalev a special exception to postpone his mandatory title defense against Nadjib Mohammedi. This mega-bout will be televised live in the United States on HBO. Further details will be announced at a later date.

Pascal’s fight at the Bell Centre December 6 was already a very important one for his career, but this possibility brings it to a whole new level. Kathy Duva, CEO of Main Events, will be watching the fight with Jean Bédard, as she has accepted the invitation extended by the InterBox president to join him ringside at the gala.

“The negotiation with Main Events went quickly and smoothly, so I know we’ll be able to organize a high calibre fight and a great night of boxing. After a pretty mediocre 2014 so far, we’re preparing to offer Québec boxing fans one of the best fights we could make in the entire division,” said Jean Bédard.

Kathy Duva said, “Sergey has made it very clear since the moment we signed him that he only wants to fight the best fighters. I promised after his demolition of Bernard Hopkins that the next one would be for the money. I’m thrilled to work with Interbox to bring boxing fans the Krusher versus Jean Pascal, which delivers on both fronts! The truth is that these fights are easy to make when both fighters want to be in the big fights and the promoters and managers are willing to be reasonable and work together.”

Kovalev brings it all back home
After a grueling year that included being at a United States training camp when his wife gave birth to their first child, the WBO/IBF/WBA Super Light Heavyweight World Champion is currently in Russia enjoying some well-earned downtime. On November 8, Kovalev cruised to a shutout decision against Bernard Hopkins, adding the IBF World Light Heavyweight and WBA Super World Light Heavyweight belts to his own WBO Light Heavyweight Championship.

Pascal wants it more than ever
This InterBox agreement with Main Events has already visibly given the Laval native an extra shot of motivation – as if he needed it – as he moves into the last rounds of preparation for the upcoming bout with Roberto Bolonti. Pascal is certainly looking to a bright future. As former WBC and IBO Light Heavyweight World Champion, Jean Pascal plans to demonstrate his superiority in the division against a well prepared Bolonti up as he works his way to the summit of his sport. Note that he’ll be supported by Roy Jones and Russ Anber in his corner on December 6, after a mutual decision to have coach Marc Ramsay join David Lemieux in Brooklyn.

Tickets for the Pascal vs. Bolonti gala
Tickets for the December 6, 2014 boxing gala are still available at www.evenko.ca; by phone at 855-310-2525 or at the Club de Boxe Champion 514.376.0980

About InterBox
InterBox, founded in Québec in 1997, and acquired by Groupe Sportscene in 2004, is recognized throughout Québec and the world as a respected boxing organization. InterBox’s goal is to promote professional boxing locally and internationally via talented boxers supported by top-drawer trainers using cutting edge techniques. InterBox regularly promotes and presents elite events in cooperation with such significant corporate sponsors as Vidéotron, the Cage aux Sports restaurant chain, Coors Light and Mise-o-jeu.

About Main Events
Main Events was founded in 1978 by the late Dan Duva and is now run by his widow Kathy Duva. As one of the top promotional companies in the world Main Events has promoted boxing legends Evander Holyfield, Arturo Gatti, Lennox Lewis, Pernell Whitaker and many more. Currently Main Events promotes WBO, IBF and WBA Light Heavyweight World Champion Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev who just defeated legendary light heavyweight Bernard “The Alien” Hopkins in one of the highest rated fights of the year last month in Atlantic City, NJ. Main Events is committed to promoting quality fights that boxing fans want to see.

Information:
438-394-2775 / ccouturier@cage.ca

FOLLOW US:
http://kovalboxer.com/en.html
Twitter: @krusherkovalev
Facebook: facebook.com/shopkrusher
www.mainevents.com
Twitter: @main_events
Facebook: facebook.com/MainEventsBoxing

MONTREAL (Dec. 2, 2014) – A strong undercard featuring some of North America’s top prospects has been announced by the event promoter, Interbox, for this Saturday night’s pay-per-view card, headlined by former world light heavyweight champion Jean Pascal (29-2-1, 17 KOs) against Roberto “The Beast” Bolonti (35-3, 24 KOs) in the 10-round main event, at the famed Bell Centre in Montreal.

The four-fight PPV card is available throughout North America.Integrated Sports Media will distribute it in the United States for live viewing at 8:00 p.m. ET – 5:00 p.m. PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, DirecTV, DISH, and Vubiquity for a suggested retail price of only $24.95. Plus viewers in the US can order on-line by going to www.GFL.tv. Saturday night’s event will be available on PPV in Canada on Indigo and Bell in French and English, as well as via Rogers, Shaw and Sask-Tel in English only.

In the 12-round co-feature, Montreal by way of Haiti super middleweight Schiller “Batman” Hyppolite (13-1, 9 KOs) takes on Hungarian invader Norberto “Noble” Nemesapati (15-1, 14 KOs) for the World Boxing Council (WBC) International super middleweight title.

Hyppolite, promoted by Eye of the Tiger Management (EOTTM), is ranked No. 15 by the International Boxing Federation (IBF). He’s riding an eight-fight win streak, highlighted by his most recent action, in which he won a unanimous 10-round decision over former Irish super middleweight champion JJ McDonough. Nemesapati is the WBC Youth Silver 168-pound champion.

Undefeated California super featherweight Joel Diaz, Jr. (17-0, 13 KOs), arguably one of the most exciting prospects in the U.S., faces Mexican veteran Pedro “Cowboy” Navarette (28-19-3, 17 KOs) in an eight-rounder.

Diaz, only 22, has already beaten some name fighters such as Tyler Asseltine, Emmanuel Lucero and previously unbeaten Guy Robb. Diaz is a banger who has stopped 13 of his 17 opponents as a professional. Navarrette has become a gatekeeper, of sorts, and is a former WBC FECOMBOX super featherweight and Interim WBC Caribbean Boxing Federation champion.

In the fourth PPV fight, Montreal junior middleweight sensation Steven “Bang Bang” Butler (8-0, 7 KOs) meets the toughest test of his young career to date, Lyes Chaibi (12-7-2, 2 KOs), of France, in a 6/8-round match.

A year ago at 18, Butler was the youngest member of the Canadian National Boxing Team. His promoter, EOTTM, has this Phenom on the fast track with this being his ninth pro fight since he turned pro this past March 28. Chaibi is a rugged, experienced fighter who hasn’t been stopped in 21 pro career fights.

Highlights of three other fights scheduled for the live card, showcasing local fighters, may air pending time considerations: Montreal welterweight Yves Ulysse, Jr. (4-0, 3 KOs) vs. Poland’s Lukasz Janik (12-7-1, 2 KOs) and Montreal heavyweight Bogdan Dinu (11-0, 7 KOs) vs. France’s Mickael Vieira (14-1-1, 7 KOs) in a pair of 8-round fights; Sorel-Tracy super lightweight David Theroux (4-0, 3 KOs) vs. Poland’s Maurycy Gojko (22-44-3, 8 KOs) in a 6/8-round swing bout.

Tickets are on sale and available to purchase by visiting www.evenko.ca, or calling 1.855.310.2525 and Club de boxe Champion (1.514.376.0980).

For additional information please visit www.IntegratedSportsnet.com, www.InterBox.ca or www.integratedsportsnet.com, and follow on Twitter @IntegratedPPV @InterBoxCA and @JeanPascalChamp.
ABOUT INTEGRATED SPORTS MEDIA:
North America’s leading distributor of International Pay-Per-View and Closed Circuit sports events has presented World Championship and world-class boxing matches featuring Gennady Golovkin, Carl Froch, Erik Morales, Vitali Klitschko, Ricky Hatton, Cristian Mijares, Evander Holyfield, Roy Jones, Jr., Tomasz Adamek, Paulie Malignaggi, Ivan Calderon, Rocky Martinez, Nicolai Valuev, Amir Khan, Marco Antonio Barrera, Arthur Abraham, David Haye, John Ruiz, Wilfredo Vasquez, Jr., Brian Viloria, Giovani Segura and Ruslan Chagaev, as well as World Championship and world-class mixed martial arts shows featuring Fedor Emelianenko, Tim Sylvia, Bobby Lashley, Mirko Filipovic, Bob Sapp, Jeff Monson and Roy Nelson, in addition to In addition, Integrated Sports Media has distributed numerous International soccer matches featuring teams like Real Madrid, Club America of Mexico and the National Teams of Argentina, Honduras, El Salvador and the USA. For more information on upcoming Integrated Sports events visit
www.integratedsportsnet.com or follow on Twitter @IntegratedPPV.

ABOUT INTERBOX:
InterBox was founded in Montreal, Quebec, in 1997 and acquired by Groupe Sportscene in 2004. InterBox is internationally recognized as one of the most respected boxing organizations in Quebec and throughout the World. InterBox’s main objective is to organize top quality events, both locally and internationally. InterBox’s success is due in large part to a growing pool of elite athletes and top quality trainers to support them and their ascension to the elite. InterBox promotes, produces and presents first quality events on a regular basis thanks to the very important corporate sponsors Videotron, the Cage-aux-Sports restaurant chain, Coors Light and Mise-O-Jeau.

MONTREAL (Nov. 25, 2014) — Jean Bédard, the president of InterBox, announced
that the NABF Light Heavyweight Champion, Jean Pascal (29-2-1, 17 KOs), will combat Argentina’s Roberto Bolonti (35-3, 24 KOs), instead of Donovan George (25-4-2, 22 K-.O.) next December 6, at the Bell Centre. This decision was taken after careful consideration following long negotiations with Donovan’s team. Boxing fans will also be thrilled by the undercard, which features locals Shiller Hyppolite (13-1-0, 9 K-.O.), Steven Butler (8- 0-0, 7 K-.O) and Ulysse Jr (4-0-0, 3 K-.O), among others.

Early on in the re-negotiations, InterBox inquired about Bolonti’s interest in going up against Pascal, so Bolonti’s team has been ready from the beginning – only awaiting a positive response from InterBox. The Argentinian, who has been training hard for the last two months, is motivated and looking forward to taking on the considerable challenge.

“There comes a time when negotiations have to stop and you’ve got to move forward. Pascal versus Bolonti was a scenario we’d already considered, and we think it’s the right one. Plus, it’s important for Jean Pascal to fight so he can direct his career,” Bédard explained.

“This time, I was lucky to have a good, long-term training camp for combat outside Argentina,” Bolanti said. “It would have been a shame not to have the opportunity to fight. Although his style is different than Bute’s, Pascal is just as big a challenge for me.”

So, these two fighters who were going to be in the ring with other opponents on the same evening, will – in the end – fight each other in a grand finale at the Bell Centre. Though they lost their respective adversaries, Pascal and Bolonti are both eager to win. Roberto ‘the Beast’ Bolonti comes into the fight with imposing record: 35 wins including 24 by knockout.

A striking undercard

Steven Butler vs. TBA
Never having been beaten, Steven ‘Bang-Bang’ Butler (8-0, 7 KOs) is definitely a rising star in the boxing world. This former Canadian senior champion, who will be in the ninth fight of his career, has been pretty busy since he started professional boxing on March 28 of this year.

Shiller Hyppolite vs. Norbert Nemesapati
‘Batman’ had to pass on his fight scheduled for November 21 in Sorel-Tracy, as his adversary bowed out. Now Montrealers have a chance to see him strut his stuff in the ring; this time against Norbert Nemesapati (15-1, 14 KOs). Shiller has also made it clear he’s gunning to take on Bolonti soon.

Joel Diaz Jr vs. Pedro Navarrete
The protégé of the Jean Pascal Promotions stable, Joel Diaz Jr (17-0, 13 KOs), will weigh-in on Canadiens’ territory for the first time, against Mexico’s Pedro Navarrete (28-19-3, 17 KOs).

Bogdan Dinu vs. Mickael Vieira
The scion of Stéphan Larouche and InterBox, now settled in Montréal with his family, will be concentrating on keeping his perfect record when he goes up against Frenchman Mickael Vieira (14-4, 7 KOs).

Ulysse Jr vs. Lukasz Janik
Poland’s Lukasz Janik (12-7-1, 6 K-O.), having already gone up against Jo Jo Dan, will be fighting the so-far-unbeaten boxer known for his lightning fists: Ulysse Jr (4-0, 3 KOs).

Zewski
InterBox is currently awaiting confirmation that Mikaël Zweski will be at the Bell Centre on December 6, rather than in Vegas.

Tickets on sale
Tickets for the December 6, 2014 boxing gala are available at www.evenko.ca; by phone at 1-855-310-2525 or at the Club de Boxe Champion 514.376.0980.

PPV in North America

The Canadian light heavyweight doubleheader card is also being distributed in the United Statesby Integrated Sports Media for live viewing at 8:00 p.m. ET – 5:00 p.m. PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, DirecTV, DISH, and Vubiquity for a suggested retail price of only $24.95.

The Dec. 6 card in Montreal, featuring Bute and Pascal in co-main events, will be available on a pay-per-view basis in Canada on Indigo and Bell in French and English, as well as via Rogers, Shaw and Sask-Tel in English only.

For additional information please visit www.IntegratedSportsnet.com or www.InterBox.ca, follow on Twitter @IntegratedPPV @InterBoxCA @InterBoxBute @JeanPascalChamp.
ABOUT INTEGRATED SPORTS MEDIA: North America’s leading distributor of International Pay-Per-View and Closed Circuit sports events has presented World Championship and world-class boxing matches featuring Gennady Golovkin, Carl Froch, Erik Morales, Vitali Klitschko, Ricky Hatton, Cristian Mijares, Evander Holyfield, Roy Jones, Jr., Tomasz Adamek, Paulie Malignaggi, Ivan Calderon, Rocky Martinez, Nicolai Valuev, Amir Khan, Marco Antonio Barrera, Arthur Abraham, David Haye, John Ruiz, Wilfredo Vasquez, Jr., Brian Viloria, Giovani Segura and Ruslan Chagaev, as well as World Championship and world-class mixed martial arts shows featuring Fedor Emelianenko, Tim Sylvia, Bobby Lashley, Mirko Filipovic, Bob Sapp, Jeff Monson and Roy Nelson, in addition to In addition, Integrated Sports Media has distributed numerous International soccer matches featuring teams like Real Madrid, Club America of Mexico and the National Teams of Argentina, Honduras, El Salvador and the USA. For more information on upcoming Integrated Sports events visit www.integratedsportsnet.com or follow on Twitter @IntegratedPPV.

ABOUT INTERBOX: InterBox was founded in Montreal, Quebec, in 1997 and acquired by Groupe Sportscene in 2004. InterBox is internationally recognized as one of the most respected boxing organizations in Quebec and throughout the World. InterBox’s main objective is to organize top quality events, both locally and internationally. InterBox’s success is due in large part to a growing pool of elite athletes and top quality trainers to support them and their ascension to the elite. InterBox promotes, produces and presents first quality events on a regular basis thanks to the very important corporate sponsors Videotron, the Cage-aux-Sports restaurant chain, Coors Light and Mise-O-Jeau.

“We highly dispute any reports that Donovan George pulled out of this fight. It’s true that he juts had twins, but as of late this afternoon, on our end, we are still a go. We were still negotiating the final details with Interbox. Since Bute pulled out of his fight, there’s been a lot of confusion as to how to elevate this fight to the main event. A lot of people were muddying the waters on how to make this thing happen, but at the end of the day Pierre Duc, his team and I put this fight back together. We have flight arrangements, and we are scheduled to arrive in Montreal on the 30th of November, and we intend on fulfilling that. These reports have been manufactured to try to add confusion to his training camp, but I can guarantee you this: Pascal better get ready, because Donovan’s coming to knock him out.”

MONTREAL (Nov. 12, 2014) – InterBox held a press conference today in Montreal to announce that fans at the Bell Centre on December 6 will be able to watch three major fights: light heavyweights Lucian Bute (31-2, 24 KOs) vs. Roberto Bolonti (35-3, 24 KOs) and Jean Pascal (29-2-1, 17 KOs) vs. Donovan George (26-4-2, 22 KOs), as well as the NABF middleweight title fight between David Lemieux (32-2, 20 KOs) vs. Gabriel Rosado (21-8, 13 KOs) on big screens live from Brooklyn, New York.

“We have a former IBF champion in Lucian, a former WBC champion and Ring champion in Pascal and one of the most exciting middleweights in the World in David Lemieux – all on the same night,” InterBox president Jean Bedard commented. “It’s the type of card the fans deserve and get excited to see.”

Lucian in the Philippines: A different style of training

Under the watchful eyes of multiple-time Trainer of the Year Freddie Roach, who is training multi-division world champion Manny Pacquiao, Lucian is refining his tools ahead of his Dec. 6 bout. Lucian may be halfway around the world in the Philippines but he quickly got comfortable with such prestigious company. “It is an honor to train with these two legends,” Bute said from the Philippines. “There are so many good people here who stop by and watch us. It feels great. It’s like I am training for the public every day.” Bute will stay at Pacquiao’s camp until Manny and Roach leave for Pacquaio’s Nov. 22 fight vs. Chris Algieri in Macau, China. Bute will return to Montreal at the end of November.

Pascal: Waiting for offers

WBC Diamond and NABF light heavyweight champion Jean Pascal is in an excellent position. As he stated to the media, Jean is currently the mandatory contender for WBC champion Adonis Stevenson and Jean will meticulously study all fight possibilities during the next few months. Pascal’s coach, Marc Ramsey, will be accompanying Lemieux to Brooklyn to work his corner Dec. 6. Pascal, who immediately agreed for Ramsey to work with Lemieux, will have Russ Anber and Roy Jones, Jr in his corner against George. Pascal also decided to set up training camp on Montreal instead of at Big Bear in California.

PPV in North America

The Canadian light heavyweight doubleheader card is also being distributed in the United Statesby Integrated Sports Media for live viewing at 8:00 p.m. ET – 5:00 p.m. PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, DirecTV, DISH, and Vubiquity for a suggested retail price of only $24.95.

The Dec. 6 card in Montreal, featuring Bute and Pascal in co-main events, will be available on a pay-per-view basis in Canada on Indigo and Bell in French and English, as well as via Rogers, Shaw and Sask-Tel in English only.

Neither PPV will include Lemieux vs. Rosado.

For additional information please visit www.IntegratedSportsnet.com or www.InterBox.ca, follow on Twitter @IntegratedPPV @InterBoxCA @InterBoxBute @JeanPascalChamp.
ABOUT INTEGRATED SPORTS MEDIA: North America’s leading distributor of International Pay-Per-View and Closed Circuit sports events has presented World Championship and world-class boxing matches featuring Gennady Golovkin, Carl Froch, Erik Morales, Vitali Klitschko, Ricky Hatton, Cristian Mijares, Evander Holyfield, Roy Jones, Jr., Tomasz Adamek, Paulie Malignaggi, Ivan Calderon, Rocky Martinez, Nicolai Valuev, Amir Khan, Marco Antonio Barrera, Arthur Abraham, David Haye, John Ruiz, Wilfredo Vasquez, Jr., Brian Viloria, Giovani Segura and Ruslan Chagaev, as well as World Championship and world-class mixed martial arts shows featuring Fedor Emelianenko, Tim Sylvia, Bobby Lashley, Mirko Filipovic, Bob Sapp, Jeff Monson and Roy Nelson, in addition to In addition, Integrated Sports Media has distributed numerous International soccer matches featuring teams like Real Madrid, Club America of Mexico and the National Teams of Argentina, Honduras, El Salvador and the USA. For more information on upcoming Integrated Sports events visit www.integratedsportsnet.com or follow on Twitter @IntegratedPPV.

ABOUT INTERBOX: InterBox was founded in Montreal, Quebec, in 1997 and acquired by Groupe Sportscene in 2004. InterBox is internationally recognized as one of the most respected boxing organizations in Quebec and throughout the World. InterBox’s main objective is to organize top quality events, both locally and internationally. InterBox’s success is due in large part to a growing pool of elite athletes and top quality trainers to support them and their ascension to the elite. InterBox promotes, produces and presents first quality events on a regular basis thanks to the very important corporate sponsors Videotron, the Cage-aux-Sports restaurant chain, Coors Light and Mise-O-Jeau.

HOBOKEN, NJ (October 30, 2014) – Integrated Sports Media (ISM), North America’s undisputed leader of major boxing pay-per-view distribution, announced today that it will deliver the “Bute vs. Bolonti” double feature to United States fans, Saturday, December 6, live from historic Bell Centre in Montreal.

Bute vs. Bolonti is being distributed in the U.S. by ISM for live viewing at 8:00 p.m. ET – 5:00 p.m. PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, DirecTV, DISH, and Vubiquity for a suggested retail price of only $24.95.

Former International Boxing Federation (IBF) super middleweight champion Lucian “Le Tombeaur” Bute (31-2, 24 KOs), currently the World Boxing Council (WBC) No. 5 world rated light heavyweight, headlines in a 10/12 round bout against former world title challenger Roberto “La Bestia” Bolonti (35-3, 24 KOs). In the 10/12 round co-feature, former WBC light heavyweight champion Jean Pascal (29-2-1, 17 KOs) will risk his world No. 1 ranking against Donovan “Da Bomb” George (25-4-2, 22 KOs), fighting out of Chicago.

“We’re excited to bring this great card to American fight fans,” ISM president Doug Jacobs said. “Bute and Pascal are still two of the top, most popular light heavyweights in the world. They both have incredibly passionate fan bases. There’s nothing more exciting than broadcasting a major boxing event from Bell Centre in Montreal. We’re happy that InterBox has given ISM an opportunity to showcase Bute, Pascal and others in the United States.”

“InterBox is proud to have reached an agreement with Doug Jacobs and ISM to present our December 6th Bell Centre card throughout the United States of America,” InterBox president Jean Bedard commented. “Our Team is working hard on all facets of this promotion. We are looking forward to offering our American fan base a quality event with top rated boxers in meaningful fights.”

Romanian-born Bute has reached cult status in Quebec. He was the IBF super middleweight champion for five years from 2007 through 2012, when he lost to Carl Froch. During his aforementioned stretch of dominance (10-0, 8 KOs), Bute defeated world champions such as Alejandro Berrio, William Joppy and Glen Johnson, in addition to Librado Andrade (twice), Edison Miranda, Jessie Brinkley, Brian Magee and Jean-Paul Mendy.

Bute moved up to fight as a light heavyweight in 2012, winning a 12-round decision against previously unbeaten Denis Grachev for the North American Boxing Federation (NABF) title, which he lost in his last fight (Jan. 18, 2014) by decision to his Montreal arch-rival Pascal.

Bolonti is a 35-year-old Argentinian whose last fight was a loss by 12-round decision to World Boxing Association (WBA) light heavyweight champion Juergen Braehmer last June in Germany. Bolonti, who has never been stopped as a professional boxer, is a former WBC Latino, South American and Argentina 175-pound division champion. His only two fights outside of Argentina, however, resulted in losses to Braehmer and in two years ago to former world lightweight contender Tony Bellow
in the United Kingdom by way of a 12-round decision.

Pascal has won three straight fights, including his last to Bute in this past January, since losing his WBC title to living legend Bernard Hopkins in 2011. The Haitian native who has lived in Montreal for many years is presently the No. 1 world rated light heavyweight contender by the WBC and World Boxing Organization (WBO), as well as ranked No. 3 by the IBF. He was the first to defeat multiple world champion Chad Dawson, as well as former world champions Silvio Branco and Adrian Diaconu (twice), during his outstanding 9 ½-year pro career in which he’s never been knocked out.

Additional PPV fights will soon be announced. All fights and fighters are subject to change.

Tickets are on sale and available to purchase by visiting www.evenko.ca, or calling 1.855.310.2525 and Club de boxe Champion (1.514.376.0980).

For additional information please visit www.IntegratedSportsnet.com or www.InterBox.ca, follow on Twitter @IntegratedPPV @InterBoxCA @ButeLucian @JeanPascalChamp.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, former Light Heavyweight champion Jean Pascal will take on Donovan George on December 6 at Bell Centre in Montreal as part of the Lucian Bute – Roberto Boloni undercard.

The signing “will place Pascal in a better position with regards to high-profile fight opportunities in the future,” said Interbox President Jean Bedard.

“Two big fights such as Bute versus Bolonti and Pascal versus George on the same card is a very rare occurrence in Quebec,” Bedard said.

“I always had a great respect for Jean Bedard. My company [Jean Pascal Promotions] is thrilled to be working alongside InterBox for my next four fights,” Pascal said.

“I am very happy to be fighting George,” Pascal said. “He took (reigning world champion) Adonis Stevenson to the 12th round and I plan to do better so that fight fans can use this as a measuring stick for an eventual fight between Stevenson and I.”

“I am coming to win and to shock Quebec,” George said. “I jumped on the fight versus Pascal the very minute it was proposed to me.”

New York, NY (4/29/14) – DiBella Entertainment and Jean Pascal Promotions have announced that they will be joining promotional forces, beginning with the exclusive signing of highly regarded super featherweight Joel Diaz Jr. (15-0, 12KO’s). Diaz Jr. had received offers from every major promotional outfit in boxing, but decided that DBE and Jean Pascal were the best fit. Diaz is set to make his much anticipated co-promotional debut when he headlines the upcoming May 16th ShoBox: The New Generation card at the Foxwoods Resort and Casino in Connecticut.

“I am thrilled to be signing with DBE and Jean Pascal Promotions. This is where I belong and this is the promotional team that will get me the opportunities that I want and need in my career. I couldn’t be happier to be joining their stables and I’m looking forward to becoming their next world champion,” said Diaz Jr.

“I am excited to be working with Joel Diaz Jr., who I consider to be one of the brightest young stars in all of boxing. This collaboration with Jean Pascal Promotions will increase Joel’s exposure and allow him to be promoted in an unprecedented way throughout all of North America,” said Lou DiBella.

“I have been a big fan of Joel Diaz Jr. ever since I saw him fight Guy Robb. The way he responded to adversity in that fight at just 19 years old really showed me something. I’m extremely proud that he is the first fighter to sign with Jean Pascal Promotions. I look forward to working with DiBella Entertainment on this international co-promotion and expect this to be the first of many deals that our two companies make,” said Jean Pascal.

“It was a pleasure to negotiate this deal with DiBella Entertainment, Joel and his manager Mike Criscio. Jean Pascal Promotions would like to thank Gordon Hall, Stephen Espinoza and everyone at Showtime for giving Joel Diaz Jr. another ShoBox date. We at Jean Pascal Promotions have no doubt that Joel will be graduating toward Championship Boxing dates and world title opportunities in the near future and are expecting a historical run to commence on May 16 at Foxwoods,” said Greg Leon, CEO of Jean Pascal Promotions.

“Joel Diaz Jr. is one of the best young fighters in the world. He is now starting to come into his own and I expect him to be a world champion by the end of next year. I would like to thank DiBella Entertainment, Jean Pascal Promotions and Greg Leon for making this deal possible. We feel very comfortable working with everyone, now it’s time to bring Joel Diaz Jr. to the next level,” said manager Mike Criscio.

Diaz is set to take on once-beaten prospect Tyler Asselstine in the 10-round main event live on SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) on May 16 at the beautiful Foxwoods Resort and Casino in Mashantucket, CT.

Tickets are priced at $125, $85 and $45, and may be purchased online at Foxwoods.com, by calling the Foxwoods’ box office at 800-200-2882, or in person at the Foxwoods box office. Tickets may also be purchased through any Ticketmaster outlet or online at Ticketmaster.com.

For fight updates go to www.dbe1.com, www.jeanpascalboxing.com www.sho.com/sho/sports/home, and www.foxwoods.com. Facebook at facebook.com/DiBellaentertainment, facebook.com/ShoBoxing, facebook.com/foxwoods, and on Twitter at twitter.com/dibellaent, twitter.com/LouDiBella, twitter.com/jeanpascalchamp, twitter.com/ShoSports and twitter.com/FoxwoodsCT. You can also follow Joel Diaz on twitter @realjoeldiaz

MONTREAL (April 16, 2014) — This afternoon at La Cage aux Sports Boucherville, Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM) and InterBox announced that they had reached an agreement with Jean Pascal Promotions to ensure the services of the NABF Champion and WBC Diamond Belt light heavyweight champion Jean Pascal (29-2-1, 17 KOs), who recently defeated Lucian Bute.

The multi-fight agreement was signed last Saturday between President Yvon Michel of GYM, InterBox President Jean Bédard and Chief Operating Officer (CEO) of Jean Pascal Promotions, Greg Leon.

WBC #1 contender Pascal became a promotional free agent after his fight this past January 18 in Montreal. During the nine years since his first professional fight Feb. 3, 2005, the 31 years old athlete fought all of his 32 fights under the aegis of Groupe Yvon Michel. During this period he won many titles highlighted by his conquest of popular WBC light heavyweight champion Adrian Diaconu at Montreal’s Bell Centre in June 2009. The following year, in the same arena against Chad Dawson, he added the prestigious “Ring Magazine” and IBO titles, and was recognized as the lineal 175-pound champion. Last January, he won his clash against Bute in front of more than 20,000 spectators gathered in the castle of the Montreal Canadiens.

Greg Leon, CEO of Jean Pascal Promotions, said, “”I want to thank Group Yvon Michel and InterBox for making our negotiation smooth and seamless. Jean Pascal Promotions and I are truly looking forward to promoting with such outstanding organizations. Jean Pascal is already the box office champion of the Canadian market and without question that is a position that he will only have a firmer stronghold of following these next two events. We are looking forward to giving the fans the fights they are craving and I have no doubt that Jean Pascal will be the last man standing when all is said and done.”

“We will work closely with GYM and InterBox across all platforms to design an integrated strategy that grows Jean Pascal’s brand globally. Our entire team is very excited with the deal we have concluded,” added Raven Brosier, consultant for Jean Pascal Promotions.

“At GYM, we are particularly pleased to continue our association with Jean Pascal, thru his company Jean Pascal Promotions, which began when he was 22, in 2005,” GYM president Yvon Michel commented. “Our alliance with InterBox in this project is not the result of a contextual improvisation but a long reflection that began at the end of last summer. Now, GYM and InterBox will join forces to offer the best opportunities for our boxers and to give our fans the best shows.”

“For us at InterBox, we are excited to implement our agreement with GYM, to combine the respective talents of both organizations and work to present to boxing fans major fights. It is in this perceptive that fits the agreement with Jean Pascal Promotions. Our first goal was to keep this talented Quebec athlete here in Quebec,” InterBox President Jean Bedard stated.

“As President of Jean Pascal Promotions,” Pascal remarked, “I have many new challenges ahead of me, but like I’ve done many times before, I plan on making history both inside and outside of the ring. I will be taking on the best challenges and give the fans their monies worth like I always do, but this time I will be doing so as a promoter and a boxer.”

“This opportunity is like a dream come true for me. I’m very excited about working with and learning from Groupe Yvon Michel and InterBox to make our events something the fans will never forget. I have to thank Yvon Michel, Jean Bedard, and Jean Pascal Promotions CEO Greg Leon for making this deal possible. The rest of my staff – Antonio Decarie, Feymie Ze Lou and Raven Brosier – deserve great thanks also for being involved on every step of this new journey.

The objective is to make two more fights in 2014 for Jean Pascal, the next scheduled for September. Discussions on the potential opponent are already underway and those for a U.S. broadcast will follow.

Jean Pascal scored a decisive 12 round unanimous decision over Lucian Bute in a Battle of former Montreal based world champions before a sold crowd of 20, 479 at the Bell Centre in Montreal.

Pascal came out working the body. In round two, Pascal shook Bute with a flurry of punches that also produced a mouse under the left eye of Bute. Pascal was effective with the right in round three. Bute scored later in the round with an uppercut and straight left. In round four, Pascal landed another hard flurry for which Bute looked shaky but took well. Pascal continued to dominate the action for which Bute had no answer for. In fact, there were times were Bute looked like he was there just to watch Pascal as his punch about was around 25 punches per round for the first 11 frames.

Bute had his fire lit before the final frame as he ferociously came out and landed many hard blows on Pascal in thee corner which was much to the delight of the massive crowd assembled at Bell Centre. That rally was too little and much too late for Bute, who may have saved a little face with the attempt of the late heroics.

Pascal, 175 lbs of Montreal won by scores of 116-112, 117-110 and 117-111 and is now 29-2-1. Bute, 173.6 lbs of Montreal is no 31-2.

Undefeated Heavyweight Mike Perez and Carlos Takam battled to a 10 round draw.

It was a tale of two fights as Perez seized a slight advantage early by landing some short shots inside and was effective with the overhand left. In round three, Perez was cut around the right eye from an accidental headbutt. That gave Takam the confidence to begin coming forward and dominated the fight on the inside. Takam clearly had the advantage in the later rounds but in the judges eyes, Perez took enough rounds early to salvage a draw by scores of 96-94 and 95-95 twice.

Perez of Cork, Ireland is now 20-0-1. Takam, 256 lbs of France is now 29-1-1.

Saturday’s HBO World Championship Boxing doubleheader telecast airs at 10:15 p.m. (ET/PT).

The HBO telecast kicks off live from the Bell Centre in Montreal when heavyweights Mike Perez and Carlos Takam square off for 10 rounds.

The evening’s main event features a light heavyweight matchup as Canadian stars Jean Pascal and Lucian Bute lace up their gloves for a 12-round showdown.

Official Weights from Montreal:

Jean Pascal: 175 lbs.
Lucian Bute: 173.6 lbs.

Mike Perez: 231.2 lbs.
Carlos Takam: 256.2 lbs.

Join the conversation on Twitter: #PascalBute

American fight fans will see the biggest bout in Canadian boxing history when the action-packed tripleheader WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING: JEAN PASCAL VS. LUCIAN BUTE, ELEIDER ALVAREZ VS. THOMAS OOSTHUIZEN AND MIKE PEREZ VS. CARLOS TAKAM is presented SATURDAY, JAN. 18 at 10:15 p.m. (live ET/tape-delayed PT) from the Bell Centre in Montreal, exclusively on HBO. The HBO Sports team will call all the action, presented in HDTV and in Spanish on HBO Latino.

Other HBO playdates: Jan. 19 (8:30 a.m.) and 21 (midnight)
HBO2 playdates: Jan. 19 (4:00 p.m.) and 20 (11:00 p.m.)
In the historic main event, the country’s top rivals, Jean Pascal (28-2-1, 17 KOs) and Lucian Bute (31-1-0, 24 KOs), meet in a 12-round, 175-pound spectacle originally slated for May 2013. The 31-year-old Pascal has never backed down from a challenge, confronting American stars Bernard Hopkins and Chad Dawson with supreme confidence. Bute, 33, has displayed flashes of brilliance as a super middleweight, and will now test his power in the light heavyweight division.
The preceding bout features Montreal’s Eleider Alvarez (13-0-0, 8 KOs) and Thomas Oosthuizen (22-0-2, 13 KOs) of Boksburg, Gauteng, South Africa in a 12-round light heavyweight title clash. The undefeated Alvarez, 29, who has fought his last ten fights at the Bell Centre, will have the backing of fight fans around the country. Returning to HBO after recording a draw against Brandon Gonzales in June, Oosthuizen, 25, is making the transition from super middleweight to the highly competitive 175-pound division.
The evening opens with a battle of highly touted heavyweights, as Mike Perez (20-0, 12 KOs) of Cork, Ireland, takes on Carlos Takam (29-1, 23 KOs) of Noisy-le-Grand, Seine-Saint-Denis, France in a scheduled ten-round bout. Coming off a November win, Perez, 28, seeks to preserve his undefeated record and power-punch his way to a shot at a heavyweight crown. Boasting an impressive 11-fight win streak, including eight by knockout, Takam is making his HBO and Canadian debuts. He is sharp having scored a third round KO win over Jakov Gospic on Dec. 20.
All HBO boxing events are presented in HDTV. HBO viewers must have access to the HBO HDTV channel to watch HBO programming in high definition.
Follow HBO boxing news at hbo.com/boxing, on Facebook at facebook.com/hboboxing and on Twitter at twitter.com/hboboxing.
® WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING is a registered service mark of Home Box Office, Inc.

MONTREAL (October 31, 2013) – InterBox and Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM) are very pleased to confirm the rescheduled date for the much anticipated Light Heavyweight bout featuring Jean Pascal (28-2-1, 17 KO) vs. Lucian Bute (31-1-0, 24 KO). This local bout with high International intrigue will take place on Saturday, January 18th 2014 at the Montreal Bell Centre. HBO World Championship Boxing will televise.

This high profile bout between two former World champions was originally scheduled to take place last May 25th, but was postponed due to an injury to Lucian Bute’s left hand.

Yvon Michel, President of GYM, is very enthusiastic that this long awaited bout is finally rescheduled: “We are preparing for an event like no other in Canadian history. This event will be the new measuring stick for us in our sport, and this statement is true as much for boxing fans as it is for the fight itself and the intensity surrounding it”.

“We are excited to finally present this event. Our fans have waited a long time for this. Both boxers are ready so believe me, nobody will regret the wait,”adds InterBox president Jean Bedard.

“Finally! I have been waiting for this fight for years,” states former World Light Heavyweight champion Jean Pascal, who celebrated his 31st birthday on Monday. “I believe my opponent’s team conspired to postpone the fight in an attempt to demoralize me. Believe me, it did not work! On January 18th the ring will be too small for the both of us. Bute will not be able to hide. I will expose him”.

“As you all know already, I will arrive to the ring very well prepared. This is a fight that I wanted. I am going to have fun on January 18th, and so are the majority of Quebecers present at the Bell Centre,” declares former Super Middleweight champion Lucian Bute, who will be stepping up to Light Heavyweight for the bout.

Boxing in Quebec is surging more than ever!

Over the last few years, Quebec has become the International reference point for the quality of its boxers, the Champions it has developed, as well as the competencies of the two biggest promoters, GYM and InterBox.

It has now become second nature for boxing fans throughout Quebec to expect thrilling fights and intriguing boxing events loaded with talent right in their own backyard. What started off as local interest has now caught the eye of the most popular International broadcaster in the World, HBO. This prestigious network will be visiting Quebec and producing their 4th major Show in the Province in 7 months time.
“We have nothing to envy from anyone. We can compete with every American city. HBO loves coming here and have genuine interest in all our boxers, not just the champions. This is definitely a source of pride for us,” states Jean Bedard.

“Over 15,000 tickets have already been sold. We are convinced we will pass the 20,000 fan mark at the Bell Centre. The entire World will be looking in with admiration on January 18th,” states Yvon Michel.

Antidoping tests
Both boxers have signed the antidoping protocol and will be tested randomly over the next two and a half month period. These tests, comprised of urine and blood collection, are subject to World Anti Doping Agenecy (WADA) standards, which are similar to Olympic style testing.

Tickets on sale now
Tickets are now on sale at evenko.ca, or by dialing 1-855-310-2525, or by contacting Club de boxe Champion at 514-376-0980.

MONTREAL (September 26, 2013) – While media attention has focused on Saturday night’s “The Return Of Superman” main event (airing live on HBO in the United States), featuring World Boxing Council (WBC), The Ring Magazine and lineal world light heavyweight champion Adonis “Superman” Stevenson (21-1, 18 KOs) in his first title defense against former world title-holder Tavoris “Thunder” Cloud (24-1, 19 KOs), the remainder of this stacked card at historic Bell Centre in Montreal also showcases five other Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM) world-class fighters in action.

First, former WBC, The Ring Magazine and lineal light heavyweight champion Jean Pascal (22-2-1, 16 KOs) returns to the ring for the first time since defeating Aleksy Kuziemski last December. His opponent is American George “Honey Boy” Blades (23-4-2, 16 KOs). The last time the WBC #2-rated Pascal did not participate in the main bout of a major event was back in December of 2007, when he faced Brian Norman at the Bell Centre. Joachim Alcine then successfully defended his World Boxing Association (WBA) light middleweight title belt against Alfonso Mosquera in the main event.

Jean Pascal

“It is a privilege and a luxury to have Pascal’s participation in Saturday night’s event,” said President Yvon Michel of GYM. “He is still considered one of the biggest stars in the light heavyweight division and we all look forward to seeing him back in action. He’s fighting for all the right reasons on Saturday and it was good to see him happily smiling during training camp. Currently there is no opponent who is more important for Jean’s career than Blades. I expect an inspired performance from him as HBO executives watch him in action.”

The 39-year-old Blades has been a professional boxer since 1999. From his pro debut through 2007, he won 20 of his first 22 pro fights to join the ranks of world heavyweight contenders. In June of 2007, he had a world title shot against World Boxing Organization (WBO) light heavyweight champion Zsolt Erdei (26-0-0), who won by 11th round technical knockout in Hungary. Blades has won his last two fights, most recently against James Morrow (12-19-3), on February 16 in his home state of Indiana.

Another world light heavyweight contender from Montreal, whose return has been long anticipated, is North American Boxing Association (NABA) and North American Boxing Organization (NABO) light heavyweight champion, Eleider “Storm” Alavarez (12-0, 8 KOs). The WBA and WBO #4 Alvarez faces fellow Colombian, Edison “Pantera” Miranda (35-8-0, 30 KOs). Alvarez has won his last three fights by knockout, including the last two against the world-rated opponents Danny McIntosh and Nicholson Poulard. Alvarez wants his world title shot soon and a convincing victory on his part could precipitate many things in the short or medium term.

Eleider Alvarez (R) explodes

Miranda is a dangerous puncher, whose early meteoric rise resulted in a pair of unsuccessful world title fights, seeks to revive his career. According to his promoter Leon Margules, Miranda doubled his training workouts, “Edison is only 32 years old but he is aware that he must absolutely win September 28th because it is his last chance, explaining why he has trained in Florida with so much determination.
Because he and Alvarez are both Colombian, their fight is so much more personal, passionate and emotional for both warriors.”
Another GYM fighter patiently waiting to explode on the international scene, middleweight prospect David Lemieux (29-2-0, 28 KOs), will also be in action Saturday night at Bell Centre. Now ranked #14 by the International Boxing Federation (IBF) and #15 by the WBC, Lemieux takes on American upset-specialist Marcus Upshaw (15-10-2, 7 KOs) . The latter is well-known in Quebec having shocked Quebec fighter Renan St-Juste three years ago in Quebec City “At 6′ 4” with an aggressive style, it is possible that David may look bad at times in this fight, but this is the kind of strong and complicated opponent that will allow David to grow,” Lemieux’ trainer Marc Ramsay commented. Lemieux has won his last four fights by KO and his opponents lasted a total of only six rounds during this sequence.

Welterweight Antonin Decarie (27-2, 7 KOs) fought his last two times before HBO cameras and, despite losing his last fight to Argentina Carlos Abregu (35-1, 28 KOs), he showed the right stuff to evolve into a potential world champion. The 30-year-old Decarie, rated #10 by the WBC, still has a very bright future ahead of him. He has also been selected to represent North America in the WBC’s World Cup tournament that should get underway in late 2013. In a six-rounder to stay active, Decarie will face the Frenchman Salim Larbi (17-3-2, 5 KOs) this Saturday evening. Larbi fought for the WBO world title as recently as 2012.

IBF I / C and NABA welterweight contender, IBF #3 rated Kevin Bizier (20-0, 14 KOs), of Quebec, will also be back in action after fully recovering from a painful ankle sprain. His opponent is veteran Giuseppe Lauri (53-14, 31 KOs), a native of Italy who now lives in Hungary. Bizier could be one of the main headliners of a GYM event tentatively scheduled for November in Quebec City.

Finally, Saturday night’s event will allow former world amateur champion Artur Beterbiev (1-0, 1 KOs) to continue learning, this time in a six-round, light heavyweight fight. To demonstrate the confidence that GYM places in Beterbiev, in only his second professional outing, the Russian prospect will fight a veteran of 47 professional fights, Rayco Saunders (23-22-2, 10 KOs). It’s highly usual for a young prospect like Beterbiev, who hasn’t lost since a cut cost him an amateur match in 2003, to fight a veteran such as Saunders so early into his pro career.

“Superman Returns,” headlined by the world light heavyweight championship between defending champion Stevenson and challenger Cloud, is being presented by Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM), Don King Productions (DKP) and Gary Shaw Productions (GSP), in association with Mise-O-Jeu and Videotron.
Saturday night’s gala event at Bell Centre promises to be memorable, featuring an awesome line-up of fighters in significant matches.

Doors at the Bell Centre will open Saturday night at 6:30 p.m. ET with the first fight scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. ET. Stevenson vs. Cloud on HBO in the U.S. is slated to start around 10:30 p.m. ET.

Tickets are available at Bell Centre, on www.evenko.ca, at GYM (514) 383-0666 or Boxing Club Champion (514) 376-0980. Ticket prices range from $ 50 in the red up to $ 300 on the floor.

About Groupe Yvon Michel Inc.: Yvon Michel (GYM) Group was founded in 2004. The organization’s mission is the development of high-level boxers with a support frame in direct competition. To achieve its objectives, GYM actively recruits talent and organizes events. Since its founding nine years ago, GYM has promoted 109 events, some of which have made history in ticket and PPV sales like Pascal vs. Hopkins I and II. GYM has produced more than 300 hours of television for Canal Indigo, Bell TV, Shaw TV, TVA Sports, VOX, TVA, CBC, RDS and V, in Canada, as well as HBO, Showtime and ESPN in the USA. A total of seven different GYM boxers have participated in 17 world title fights. Under the tutelage of GYM Joachim Alcine captured the WBA super welterweight in 2007, Jean Pascal won the WBC Light Heavyweight championship in 2009, and since June 2013 Adonis “Superman” Stevenson has held the WBC, The Ring Magazine and linear light heavyweight.

Jean Pascal will tune up for his January bout with Lucian Bute when he takes on George Blades on September 28th in Montreal as part of the Adonis Stevenson Light Heavyweight title defense with Tavoris Cloud according to Dan Rafael of espn.com

“In taking this fight, we have evaluated the pros and cons and at the end when we got the assurance that Jean was physically in perfect condition and in good health, we decided to do it. He’s a professional fighter and a professional fighter should fight,” Yvon Michel, Pascal’s promoter, told ESPN.com on Thursday.

“I’m very happy to be back and I want to thank Yvon for that because boxing is my life,” Pascal told ESPN.com. “It’s not a championship fight, so I’m going to fight at a catch weight, 180. I don’t consider this fight as a tuneup fight because at my level every fight is important and a loss can damage the rest of my career.

“Also, I know that Mr. Blades won’t come to [just to] cash a check. He and his whole team are coming to win.”

“It’s a big fight with Lucian Bute on Jan. 18, but by Jean fighting on Sept. 28, it will keep him motivated to keep training and he will want to look good against George Blades,” Michel said. “Blades is not a world champion but anyone can look good if you’re not well prepared. So Jean wants to use that fight as a preparation step for the fight after against Bute. We all believe having Pascal back in the ring will revive the popularity around the Pascal-Bute fight after it was postponed. Having Jean fighting will put it back in people’s minds and after Sept. 28 we will re-launch the marketing around the Pascal-Bute fight.”

Montreal, Monday, May 13th 2013 – InterBox and Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM) have reserved the dates of Saturday, December 7th and Saturday, January 25th at the Montreal Bell Centre for the postponed Bute vs. Pascal bout.
Both promoters reserved two dates in order to afford HBO some options. Both promoters plan to discuss the two options with HBO Executives in a few weeks time before announcing the exact rescheduled date.

All tickets purchased will be accepted
All fight fans who have purchased tickets already can hold on to them for the December 7th or January 25th rescheduled date. Fans can also purchase tickets to this historic event by visiting www.evenko.ca, through InterBox, through GYM (514) 383-0666, and by contacting the club de boxe Champion (514) 376-0980.

Montreal, Wednesday, May 8th – After internal discussions, InterBox and Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM) have jointly decided against promoting a boxing event on Saturday, May 25th at the Montreal Bell Centre. Preferring to wait until Lucian Bute recovers from surgery to his hand, HBO has confirmed interest in broadcasting the Bute vs. Pascal bout when the new date is known.

InterBox and the GYM Group will now focus their efforts on the Stevenson vs. Dawson WBC Light Heavyweight event on June 8th. Certain undercard bouts signed for May 25th will be presented on the June 8th card. More details to follow shortly.

Kessler vs Froch II broadcast
InterBox holds the rights to Canada of the May 25th IBF and WBA World Super Middleweight titles Unification bout between Carl Froch and Mikkel Kessler, and will announce shortly its intentions regarding broadcast throughout Quebec.

All tickets purchased will be honored
All tickets already purchased for the Bute vs. Pascal Gala will be honored by the Bell Centre for the rescheduled date.

Montreal, Tuesday, May 7th 2013 – Lucian Bute suffered an injury to his left hand that has forced the postponement of his May 25th bout vs. Jean Pascal. Lucian will undergo surgery this week to remove bone fragments from his hand and recovery is anticipated to take a few weeks.

Motivated like never before, Lucian Bute was in the middle of the best training camp of his career. “I am very disappointed by this injury. I have never been in better shape. My preparation was ahead of schedule until late last week. The fans that paid high ticket prices to see me in action against Pascal deserve to see both boxers at their best. Unfortunately I would be far from my best in my present state. For my own good, I have to take the advice of my doctor and undergo this operation. I feel very sad for the fans” declared Lucian Bute.
“This situation is heartbreaking. Lucian`s preparation surpassed our objectives and now this injury will prevent him from offering his fans a great performance on May 25th. We are all very disappointed with this turn of events but the decision to go straight to surgery was the only one to be made as he could no longer use his left hand adequately in training. In the past, we made the error of not listening to the signs of distress coming from the body of an athlete. We do not want to make these same mistakes again » states head trainer Stephan Larouche.

InterBox president Jean Bedard fully supports his boxer during this difficult time. “This is very discouraging for the team. InterBox and Lucian Bute have been through a lot to offer this fight to the fans, but unfortunately injuries are a part of the sport. We made the decision to postpone the fight in the best interests of the fans and of our boxer, Lucian. We will do everything in our power so that Lucian rehabilitates from this injury as fast as possible so he can lace up the gloves against Jean Pascal”.
Refund for tickets purchased
InterBox and Evenko will communicate the procedure for refund of purchased tickets as soon as possible.

Montreal, Tuesday, April 30th, 2013 – InterBox and Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM) are proud to announce all six undercard bouts that will support the historic fight between Lucian Bute (31-1-0 24 KO) and Jean Pascal (27-2-1 16 KO) on Saturday, May 25th 2013 at the Montreal Bell Centre. 4 title belts will be on the line for this Mega Card that has already convinced over 17,000 fans to purchase their tickets. Several new good tickets have been placed into circulation for the general public on Monday.

Froch vs Kessler II: IBF and WBA World titles Unification bout aired live at the Bell Centre

The evening’s festivities will get under way at 6:30 PM at the Bell Centre, with the live presentation of the much anticipated rematch between Carl Froch (30-2-0, 22 KO) and Mikkel Kessler (46-2-0, 35 KO) on big screen. The winner of this bout will unify the Super Middleweight titles (IBF & WBA). Both boxers squared off for the first time during the Super 6 Boxing Series in April 2010 in Denmark, with Kessler walking away from a hotly contested showdown with a unanimous decision victory on home soil (115-113, 116-112, and 117-111). Having promised Carl a rematch in his Home Country, Kessler signed on the dotted line to fight Froch at the 02 Arena in London. Froch is looking to avenge his loss and add the WBA belt to his long list on accomplishments.

Alvarez vs Green

Undefeated #5 rated WBA Light Heavyweight contender Eleider Alvarez (12-0-0 8 KO) will be looking to score a 4th consecutive knockout at the Bell Centre. His customer is a tough one and certainly no stranger to Quebec. Allan Green (32-4-0, 22 KO), a former Super 6 contestant, is 2-0 in Quebec rings, having beaten Quebeckers Sebastien Demers and Renan St-Juste. This bout is scheduled for 10 rounds.

Gauthier vs Roman

Sebastien Gauthier (22-4-0 14 KO) from St-Jerome, Quebec, has not had life easy his last few fights, having come out the losing end of physical and bloody wars with ex-World champions Steve Molitor and Rodrigo Guerrero. Gauthier will be looking to renew with the win column but will be facing another tough test in California boxer Manuel Roman (15-2-3, 6 KO) over 8 rounds.

Bizier vs Rios

Quebec native Kevin Bizier (20-0-0, 14 KO) is set to dispute his second fight in 2013. His opponent, the rugged and experienced Aldo Nazareno Rios (48-6-0, 11 KO) from Argentina, will be looking to capitalize on Bizier’s inactivity. Ranked IBF #3 and WBA #6, Bizier will have his hands full with Rios, who has only been KOed once in 54 fights! Rios’ two defeats by decision in World title fights prove he is a tough contender. This bout is scheduled for 8 rounds.

Zewski vs Samuels

Strong off another eye-popping victory last April 13th in New York, Mikael Zewski (19-0-0, 15 KO), from Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, will reacquaint himself with his Quebec fans on May 25th. His opponent, Derrick Samuels (18-4-1, 5 KO), will have a tough task in front of him. The last time the undefeated Zewski boxed at home, he annihilated his opponent in 37 seconds (Cesar Chavez on November 3rd 2012). Zewski will be looking to make another huge statement on May 25th. This bout is also scheduled for 8 rounds.

Bouchard vs Cotroni Jr: A local fight that promises emotion!

Sebastien Bouchard (6-0-0, 2 KO) from Quebec will face the biggest test of his young career on May 25th. Undefeated in 6 bouts, he will lace the gloves vs. Frank Cotroni Jr. (7-1-0 4 KO) in a bout scheduled for 6 rounds at 154 lbs. The blue chip prospect of the Club Empire Gym of Quebec City is looking at this fight as his spring board into bigger and more meaningful fights. Both boxers have been calling each other out for the last year, which is great news for fight fans!

New good tickets available!

Tickets for Pascal vs. Bute are on sale at the Bell Centre Ticket Office by dialing 1-877-668-8269 or by visiting www.evenko.ca. Tickets are also available at Club de boxe Champion by calling (514) 376-0980. Now that the Bell Centre configuration is complete, new good seats are available for the first time at the ticket office.

-30-

Lucian Bute (31-1-0 24 KO) met with media representatives at the Palm Beach Boxing Gym in West Palm Beach to promote his upcoming fight vs. Jean Pascal (27-2-1, 17 K0s), which is being labeled by the media as the greatest fight in Canadian Boxing history,

On Saturday night, May 25th, airing live on HBO Championship Boxing from Bell Centre in Montreal, Lucian will step in the ring against former WBC light heavyweight champion Jean Pascal. The gala is co-promoted by InterBox and Groupe Yvon Michel.

Here some quotes from Lucian Bute, Stephan Larouche and InterBox president, Jean Bedard.

Lucian Bute
“It’s been almost 6 years that he’s been talking negatively about me. He repeatedly said that I was afraid to face him and that by avoiding him I do not respect the fans. I always knew this fight would happen. It was just a question of choosing the right time. And here we are.”

“I accepted to move up to 175 to make sure the fight happens! The time has come to shut him up!”

“I was an undefeated boxer during my preparation leading up to the fight with Carl Froch. I knew nothing of the impact and consequences of defeat. I discovered the hardships of losing. It was very hard to live with what happened. The defeat made me lose some confidence in my abilities and it showed in my fight against Denis Grachev. I was hesitant in my performance. It took some time, but I am back and hungry for victory. I will not repeat any of my errors against Pascal.”

“It’s been a while since I’ve been at such peak physical condition. I miss this feeling!”

“Pascal is very present in my head. When I walk into the gym, I think of Pascal. I visualize the fight all the time, sometimes even while having dinner with my team!

Stephan Larouche
“Lucian said Pascal’s endurance lasts four rounds and he boxes 1:30 per round. This is true and I would say that Lucian is being generous. The way I see it Jean Pascal fights one minute per round and gives it his all towards the end to try and steal the round. ”

“Jean Pascal had a lot of injuries lately. I wish him all the best and I hope he will show up in top physical form. But let’s say, if the past is any indication of the future, he may struggle to perform during twelve rounds.”

Jean Bedard
“My fighter is highly motivated and I expect a great performance from him. Lucian and Stephan have come up with the strategic plan. Stephan’s team is implementing such plan and Lucian will execute it on May 25th. For a promoter, this is very reassuring.”

More than 17000 tickets have been sold. Good tickets are limited but still available for sale at the Bell Centre Ticket Office, by dialing 1-877-668-8269, or by visiting www.evenko.ca. Tickets are also available at Club de boxe Champion by calling 514-376-0980.

Go to www.InterBox.ca or www.groupeyvonmichel.ca for more information, or follow on Twitter @InterBoxca, @YvonMichelGYM, @lucianyl or @JeanPascalChamp.

Montreal, Tuesday, April 16th 2013 – InterBox, Lucian Bute, Jean Pascal and Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM) hereby confirm that antidoping tests are in place leading up to their fight scheduled on May 25th at the Montreal Bell Centre. All parties have agreed on all procedures and both fighters have approved the antidoping program.

The program is inspired by the highest standards in the industry and calls for unannounced testing for each boxer before, during and after the May 25th fight.

At the request of the third parties involved in this effort, all procedures and intervening companies shall remain confidential.

Both promoters, together with their respective boxers and team members, will not comment further on any aspect related to the program or procedures in place.

Montreal, Wednesday March 20th 2013 – InterBox and Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM) are proud to announce that the historic bout featuring Lucian Bute (31-1-0 24 KO) vs. Jean Pascal (27-2-1 16 KO) will take place on Saturday, May 25th at the Montreal Bell Centre.

Both boxers have been invited by the Bell Centre and the Montreal Canadiens to participate in the ceremonial puck drop yesterday just before the NHL game between the Canadiens and the visiting Buffalo Sabres.

Important ticket sale information for Bute vs. Pascal

Tickets for this much anticipated mega-fight will go on sale on Thursday, March 28th at 10 AM. Members of the Evenko Newsletter, of Club Cage, and Vidéotron employees will benefit from an exclusive pre-sale period from Tuesday, March 26th at 9 AM until Wednesday, March 27th at 10 PM.

Tickets will be on sale at the Bell Centre Ticket Office, by dialing 1-877-668-8269 or by visiting www.evenko.ca. Tickets will also be available at Club de boxe Champion by calling (514) 376-0980.

Press Conference open to the public

Lucian Bute and Jean Pascal will go face-to-face for the first time on Tuesday, March 26th at 12:30 PM at the Bell Centre during the Official Press Conference to inaugurate this historic bout. This event will be open to the general public. Boxing fans across the Province will be able to witness the beginning of what is sure to be a very interesting 2 month sprint before fight night.

Montreal, Friday, March 15, 2013 – InterBox and Group Yvon Michel (GYM) are extremely proud to confirm that the highly anticipated duel between Lucian Bute (31-1-0 24 KO) and Jean Pascal (27-2-1 16 KO) is now signed, sealed and delivered! This huge clash will take place on Saturday, May 25th with details such as the venue and American TV yet to be finalized.

“This fight will mark an historic moment for boxing in Canada. Emotions will be high and the memories will be engraved in the collective memory forever,” declares the president of GYM, Yvon Michel.

“This is the fight that everyone has been waiting for, even the casual fan. It was an honor to help finalize it”, states the president of InterBox, Jean Bedard. “All parties were anxious to reach an agreement and now boxing fans across the World can expect a spectacular show on May 25th,” concludes Jean Bedard.

All others details will be communicated to the public shortly including the first “face to face” between Lucian Bute and Jean Pascal as well as information regarding ticket sales.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, potentially the biggest bout in Canadian boxing history between former world champions Jean Pascal and Lucian Bute has been agreed to.

“Bute and Pascal are going to fight each other, it’s just when we don’t know,” Yvon Michel, Pascal’s promoter, told ESPN.com on Monday. “We are working on different scenarios.”

The likely scenario is that they will meet in the spring, probably May 25. A less likely scenario is that they would meet in the fall with each having an interim bout. Either way, Bute would rise in weight from 168 pounds to 175 to fight in Pascal’s division, Michel said.

“I have already had phone calls from the Bell Centre, from Olympic Stadium and a football stadium in Quebec City,” Michel said. “It’s the biggest ever fight in Canada.”

Said Buter’s promoter Interbox CEO Jean Bedard: “Everybody here [in Canada] has wanted the fight for a long time. It will be the biggest event in boxing history in Canada.”

The reason the deal comes as such a surprise, however, is the timing. Pascal has had a deal in place, although not signed, to face light heavyweight champion Chad Dawson on May 25 on HBO in a rematch at the Bell Centre. The fight was originally scheduled for March 9 but postponed because Pascal re-injured his shoulder in a unanimous 10-round decision win against Aleksy Kuziemski on Dec. 14 and needed additional time to recover.

Michel said Pascal’s interim bout before facing Bute could be the rematch with Dawson, but he was not very convincing. It would be a big gamble to take with the Bute fight looming.

“This is what we haven’t decided yet. This is what we are evaluating right now,” Michel said of whether to fight Bute or Dawson next. “But Pascal will make $700,000 to fight Dawson. He will make more than $2 million fighting Bute.”

“There’s a lot of interest from people in Canada and outside of Canada for this fight,” Bedard said. “HBO already planned for Pascal-Dawson II, so this is an issue for them, but it’s their decision. They say that have already planned to work with [Dawson promoter] Gary Shaw and Yvon.

“But Pascal wants to fight Bute more than Dawson and there is a lot more money for him in the fight. HBO likes to be part of very big events. May 25 would be a big event because HBO has [the Mikkel Kessler-Froch super middleweight title rematch] in London and after that (on the same telecast) you could have Pascal-Bute. That’s big. The boxers are there, the promoters are there, the fans are there for this fight. Everybody is on the same page.”

Shaw is not happy about Pascal-Bute likely killing the May Pascal-Dawson rematch.

“I met with Yvon this week in New York, where he told me that Bedard had offered him a fight with Bute and he would put Dawson on the undercard, give him $600,000 and we could bring our own opponent. I told him, I would never do that to my fighter or HBO,” Shaw said. “We finished lunch, I asked, ‘Do we still have a fight,’ and Yvon said, ‘Yes,’ and shook my hand, and said, ‘We have a deal.’

“That is everything I know. Yvon has always been honest and I would be very disappointed to find out that Yvon has done anything underhanded. But remember, this is boxing, and stranger things have happened.”