LOS ANGELES (October 27, 2016) – Hard-hitting featherweight world champion Jesus Cuellar (28-1, 21 KOs) is set to take on former three-division world champion Abner Mares (29-2-1, 15 KOs) in a world title showdown that headlines a Premier Boxing Champions event on Saturday, December 10. The exciting doubleheader will be live on SHOWTIME from USC’s Galen Center in Los Angeles.

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXINGÒ event begins with super welterweight world champion Jermall Charlo (24-0, 18 KOs) meeting top-ranked contender Julian “J-Rock” Williams (22-0-1, 14 KOs) in a highly anticipated matchup of undefeated stars.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Ringstar Sports and TGB Promotions, go on sale tomorrow, October 28 at 3 p.m. PT and are priced at $35, $50, $75, $150 and $200. To purchase tickets go to www.galentix.com.

“This is the most important fight of my career as Mares is one of the best in this loaded featherweight division,” Cuellar said. “We had to wait very long for this fight to happen, but everything happens for a reason and I’m grateful that the time is almost here. I know that this fight will be a war. I’ve been working hard with Freddie Roach and I’m excited to show what I’ve learned and get my frustration of waiting off my chest. I am more motivated than ever to keep my title and prove who is the best in the division.”

“I’m excited to get back in the ring and win my fourth world title,” said Mares. “I’m 100 percent healthy and ready to go. I’m looking forward to showing that to my fans and the entire audience on December 10. Los Angeles is my town. This is a fight that I’ve wanted and I’m glad to be giving the fans a great show at the end of the year. Come watch me on December 10 and see what a warrior looks like.”

“Camp for me started a month after I defeated Austin Trout,” said Charlo. “From that point on, I’ve been in the gym working and I got my vision corrected, so I’m feeling great. I’m looking forward to putting my clearer vision to the test and I’m so prepared and ready for this fight. This is everything I’ve ever wanted. It’s the best fighting the best. Julian brings an undefeated record to the table and I know he’s watched a lot of my past fights because we always knew we would fight one day. So who’s the best? We’ll find out, but I know I’m ready to rumble.”

“I’m excited to get my first title shot, but more than anything I’m just focused on winning,” said Williams. “Jermall Charlo is strong and fast, but I will be better than him on December 10. I’ve been waiting for this fight for the longest time and I know this will be a great night for the fans. I plan on giving them an exciting, explosive fight and most importantly a win.”

The action-packed doubleheader features two evenly matched showdowns as all four men, firmly in the top 10 in their division, will enter the ring believing that they will be the one leaving with a belt around their waist. Cuellar and Mares look for supremacy in a crowded featherweight division brimming with contenders while Charlo and Williams each look for a career-defining performance to boost their burgeoning profiles.

“I am elated to be promoting this great night of action for boxing fans around the world,” said Richard Schaefer, Chairman and CEO of Ringstar Sports. “Both of these fights are 50-50 match ups with a lot on the line. These are fights that the fans want to see and pose challenges that these fighters are eager to face. They will have a great stage at the Galen Center at USC and on SHOWTIME to prove that they are amongst the best in the world. I couldn’t be coming back to the sport with a better fight card and I know that the real winner on December 10 will be the fans.”

“We’re very excited to present this highly anticipated featherweight world title fight between Jesus Cuellar and Abner Mares,” said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “I’m thrilled to work with Richard Schaefer on the debut promotion of Ringstar Sports and look forward to many more world-class collaborative events. I also want to thank Stephen Espinoza and the SHOWTIME team along with the Galen Center staff for their help in making what will undoubtedly be an outstanding night of boxing.”

“These two world title fights exemplify what SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING has and will continue to deliver – true ‘pick-em’ fights between top-rated fighters in the prime of their career,,” said Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President and General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports. “Cuellar vs. Mares is arguably the toughest to predict of the five featherweight world championships we’ve presented this year. And in Charlo vs. Williams, our latest in a series of significant bouts at 154-pounds, we have a prime example of how great this sport can be. These are major fights between the top players in two of boxing’s deepest divisions.”

A fast-rising star out of Buenos Aires, Argentina, Cuellar isworking toward his 12th consecutive victory when he gets in the ring to defend his 126-pound title against Mares. His power in both hands has helped him deliver seven knockouts in his last 10 victories, including an eighth-round knockout of former world champion Vic Darchinyan in June 2015. The 29-year-old won his world title with a unanimous decision over Claudio Marrero in his U.S. debut in August 2013. He went on to defend his title against Rico Ramos, Juan Manuel Lopez and Ruben Tamayo.

Born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico and fighting out of Huntington Beach, Calif., Mares won his first title in 2011 when he beat Joseph Agbeko to capture the bantamweight crown. He continued to rise in the pound-for-pound list with victories over Anselmo Moreno and Daniel Ponce De Leon to win world titles at super bantamweight and featherweight. The 30-year-old won three straight fights leading to a massive showdown with Leo Santa Cruz last August. Mares showed the same explosiveness that made him a multiple-division world champion in a thrilling “Fight of the Year” candidate which he lost by majority decision. The always-exciting Mares will enter the ring for the first time under the tutelage of renowned trainer Robert Garcia and strength coach Luis Garcia as he seeks to capture another world title.

Twin brother of fellow 154-pound world champion Jermell, Jermall Charlowill be making the third defense of the super welterweight crown he won last September with a dominant stoppage over Cornelius Bundrage. The 26-year-old is coming off of a career-best, hard-fought decision over crafty former world champion Austin Trout in May in Las Vegas. Training with Ronnie Shields in Houston, Charlo will look to silence Williams and stake his claim as the best in the division.

One of the most highly regarded young stars in boxing, Williams, of Philadelphia, will be getting his first world title opportunity. The 26-year-old has dismantled opponents on his way to accumulating an unbeaten record. Williams solidified his status as a fast-rising star by defeating veterans Luciano Cuello and Arman Ovsepyan in addition to a shutout victory over contender Joey Hernandez in 2015. He earned his No. 1 ranking and title fight by stopping Italy’s Marcello Matano in the seventh round in March.

For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports and www.premierboxingchampions.com,follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @PremierBoxing, @JesusCuellarBOX, @AbnerMares, @FutureOfBoxing, @JRockBoxing, @TGBPromotions and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports and www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions.PBC is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

Promoter Richard Schafer will make his return to promoting as he will co-promote this December 10 championship doubleheader that will feature junior middleweight tittlist Jermall Charlo taking on Julian Williams, while featherweight Jesus Cuellar defends against Abner Mares at the Galen Center on the USC Campus, according to to Dan Rafael of espn.com

These are two 50-50 fights and they not only are stylistically great fights, but you can’t imagine either being a boring fight,” Schaefer said on Sunday night. “Both of them are important in their respective weight classes.”

“I’ve been waiting for this for a long time,” Schaefer said. “I’m happy to come back with an event like this. I’m excited to be putting [together] great events again. I like to create events, big cards, big events, stacked pay-per-views. Fight fans and fight freaks can look forward to more to come.

“I’m excited to have this kind of card for Ringstar and looking forward to co-promoting it with Tom Brown (of TGB Promotions). It’s my first time working with him on a card.”

“I wanted to make sure Abner is OK, and I sat down with him and his wife and wanted to hear directly from him that he was fit to fight,” Schaefer said. “I wanted to hear from his own mouth there is no issues with his eyes. But I think if you ask a fighter if they’re OK, more often than not they’ll tell you they are, so I also wanted to talk to his doctor.”

“I talked to him and he made it clear to me Abner is clear to fight,” Schaefer said. “I talked to fighter and the doctor and the commission and Abner is clear to fight, and not only clear to fight but safe to fight, so we made the fight. I’m very excited to see the fight because they are both entertainers, and I know they’ll give us a great show.”

Charlo (24-0, 18 KOs), 26, of Houston, whose twin brother Jermell also holds a 154-pound world title, will be making his third defense since winning it in September 2015.

Williams (22-0-1, 14 KOs), 26, of Philadelphia, became the mandatory challenger by virtue of a seventh-round knockout of Italy’s Marcello Matano in a title eliminator in March.

“It’s a fight which has been asked for by fight fans,” Schaefer said. “It’s one of the best fights you can make in the division. I expect fireworks. Sometimes with mandatories you are stuck with a fight nobody wants to see, but in this case, it’s a fight everyone wants to see.”

“I wanted to do my first event as a meaningful event where it’s a great card to be proud of, and I really wanted it to be in Los Angeles,” he said. “When this card was shaping up, I threw my hat in the ring and talked to Al (Haymon, adviser to all four featured fighters). I said this is an event I’d like to be involved with, and that’s how it happened. I’m especially excited to be doing the card on the USC campus because that’s where two of my (three) boys go to college.”

PHILADELPHIA (MAY 31, 2016)–On May 21, three of the four world championships in the hot junior middleweight division were contested as Erislandy Lara defended his WBA title with a unanimous decision over Vanes Martirosyan; Jermall Charlo defended his IBF title with a unanimous decision over former champion Austin Trout and Jermell Charlo scored a come-from-behind stoppage over John Jackson to capture the WBC belt.

Sitting ringside was IBF number-one ranked contender, undefeated Julian “J Rock”Williams. Williams was a very interested observer and was interviewed on the SHOWTIME ® broadcast with his thoughts on the happenings of the evening.

“Jermell did his thing. I thought he was losing but Jermell has a clutch gene. He comes through in close fights. He knows what it’s like to be in tough. He’s doing well under Derrick James. He looked better on TV than he did live at the fight. He was losing but he was walking Jackson down. The sand was running out of the hour glass for Jackson. Jermell can punch better than his record indicates. And that style would be better for him because people always called him boring but it was nothing boring about the KO,” said Williams.

“Lara did what he always does. He boxed and moved and he won.”

” I honestly didn’t think Trout would last with Jermall. I was surprised at how competitive that fight was. Jermall has every advantage over Trout on paper but fights aren’t won on paper. Trout proved something. I was actually going to congratulate him but I heard him say to Jermall “smack J Rock for me”. I don’t know what’s up with these guys. He had a chance to fight me for a whole year and he asked another man to smack me. But that’s old news Trout is out of the picture.”

With that being, said the undefeated fighter from Philadelphia is focused in bring back the hardware back to the “City of Brotherly Love.”

“My focus is on Jermall Charlo. It’s going to be a great fight. I think he’s a heck of a fighter. This is legacy defining. This is a real number-one contender against a real champion. This is a real mandatory. This is like Bernard Hopkins having to defend against Jermain Taylor. Or Jermain Taylor having to defend against Kelly Pavlik. Or Felix Trinidad having to fight Oba Carr. This is a real fight and I’m excited. I’m excited to test my skills against one of the best young fighters in the game.

Even though, Williams was ringside, he just wanted to observe and take mental notes of the perspective future opponents.

“I didn’t get in the ring like Charles Hatley did because that’s not my style. Hatley is a talented fighter. I remember him from the amateurs but to each his own. Jermall and Jermell deserve respect and most importantly I know the difference between the two brothers. Hatley got in the ring with Jermall who has to fight me, instead of Jermell who has to fight him. That was Jermall’s moment to shine he had just won a tough fight. Everybody knows he has to fight me. There would be no need for me to get in the ring.”

Even though Williams has been avoided, the powers that be in boxing can not keep Williams from realizing his dreams, and that opportunity will be coming sooner rather than later.

“From my understanding we have to come to an agreement in June. I believe in the IBF. They seem to enforce their mandatory bouts. The IBF did not rank me number-one, not to have me fight for their belt. Jermall said making weight wasn’t that bad. He hired a chef. I know he’s prideful. He’s a champion. He feels he’s better than me, I feel I’m better than him. There is only one way to prove it. Let’s fight.”

I can’t get into details but I believe the fight will be in September as the co- main to a BIG card. I’m super excited to finally get this opportunity.

Erislandy Lara retained the WBA Super Welterweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision over Vanes Martirosyan in a rematch at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas.

Lara got in the sharper punches, while Martirosyan worked the body.  The fight was tactical on Lara’s standpoint.  Martirosyan was deducted a point in round 11 from a low blow.

Lara won by scores of 116-111 twice and 115-112 and is now 23-2-2.  Martirosyan is 36-3-1.

“My mother and kids are still there so it would be a great privilege to go fight in my native Cuba.  Everything is possible in this world.  I didn’t think I’d be champion of the world and here I am.

“I want to tell Team Vanes thank you for giving me the rematch.  I’m ready to fight anybody.  I’d like to fight Canelo.

“The Charlo brothers are my teammates and having three of us going back as champions is a great thing.”

Martirosyan, the aggressor throughout, disputed the decision.

“I was chasing him all night,” he said. “I put on the pressure. I thought I did enough to win. That was not a low blow.  Replays show the trunks were high.

“I never ducked anyone.  No one wanted to fight Lara.  I stepped up and fought him again.  I’ll fight anyone.”

Jerrmall Charlo retained the IBF Jr. Middleweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision over former WBA champion Austin Trout.

Trout was very consistent, but Charlo was rewarded for landing the harder punches that closed the right eye of Trout and in round ten, Trout was cut over the eye for the first time in his career.

Charlo won by scores of 116-112 twice and 115-113 and is now 24-0.  Trout of Las Cruces, NM is 30-3.

Jermell Charlo stopped John Jackson in round eight to capture the WBC Super Welterweight championship.

Jackson boxed well by pot shotting and getting off to an early lead.  In round eight, Charlo landed a right to eye of Jackson.  Jackson froze and ate a huge left hook that drove Jackson into the corner and referee Tony Weeks stopped the fight at 51 seconds.

Charlo of Houston, TX is now 28-0 with 13 knockouts.  Jackson of the Virgin Islands is now 20-3.

“It wasn’t a struggle, it was a great experience,” said Charlo after his second successful title defense. “I want to thank God for allowing me and my twin brother to see this day.  History.

“Austin is a hell of a fighter.  He’s a beast. This was my first time going 12, but it didn’t matter because I knew I was in shape.

“It’s history,” said Jermell, who entered the match as the WBC No. 1 contender and became the 66^th ShoBox: The New Generation fighter to capture a world title.

I feel like I was ahead and I came up short.  He caught me with a punch and I was trying to fix my mouthpiece.  Then he hit me and I was out.  It hit me in the eye, but my mouthpiece was coming out.  I was trying to push in my mouthpiece back in and he hit me.  I knew where I was.  It dazed me, but I wasn’t knocked out.

“It’s boxing.  It was a great fight.  I felt I was winning the fight, I got caught and that was it.

“I dedicated the fight to my dad and I hope I didn’t let him down.  I fell short.  You win some and you lose some.”

Said the elder Jackson: “I’m proud. It took a lot for us to get this far.  I know my people are proud.  We are strong people and we are coming back.”

“We did it. A lot of fighters don’t come out of Houston and we did it.  I’m waiting for my brother next. We’ve been boxing for all of these years and it had to happen.

“I was behind.  He was boxing, he was moving around a lot.  That was unexpected of him.  I thought he was going to come out to brawl.  I had to make an adjustment and I did.

“When he started slowing down, I was able to catch him with a shot.  I knew that if he could have continued he could have come back so I had to hit him.”

“My game plan was to execute with the jab.  I knew he was going to try to stop me, but that didn’t happen. There’s no way you can tame a lion.

“It felt good because I knew my brother would get the job done.  We belong on this level.  We need these titles to get the big fights and we’re going to keep these titles to keep rising.

“I changed my mind — we’re going to stay right here (at 154). Making 154 pounds wasn’t as bad as everyone made it out to be.”

“Hat’s off to Jermall Charlo.  He fought a hell of a fight,” Austin Trout said. “I felt like I did enough to win.  They won’t give me a close decision, so it’s time to start taking these cats out.  But I can’t make excuses.  I fought my ass off, Charlo fought his ass off and hats off to him.

“I’m going to live to fight another day.  You’re going to see me back.  We’re warriors out here.’’

Follow all the action as Erislandy Lara defends the WBA Super Welterweight title in a rematch against Vanes Martirosyan; The action begins at 9 PM ET with the WBC Super Welterweight title bout between Jermell Charlo and John Jackson; Jermall Charlo defends his IBF Jr. Middleweight title against former world champion Austin Trout

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Round 1 Good counter right from Martirosyan..straight right..Good body shot…

Round 2 Lara lands a left and a counter

Round 3 Good left hook to the body from Martirosyan..Good counter from Lara..Body shot from Martirosyan..Right..left hook to the body..2 more. and another right to the body

Round 4 Nice hook from Lara..1-2…Right from Martirosyan…

Round 5 2 lefts to body from Martiroysan…combination from Lara..another combination and a straight left…Left from Martirosyan…

Round 6 1-2 from Lara,,lead left hook to body from Martirosyan..Counter from Lara..double left hook to body from Martirosyan..

Round 7 Right from Martirosyan..Lara lands a body combination..Martirosyan gets in a uppercut

Round 8 Lead left from Lara…Left to body from Martirosyan..Nice left from Lara

Round 9 2 left uppercuts from Martirosyan..Combination…Left from Lara…

Round 10 Left from Martirosyan..3 lefts…Good left from Lara…

Round 11 MARTIROSYAN DEDUCTED A POINT FOR LOW BLOWS…Combination for Lara..Jab..

Round 12 Counter jab from Lara…straight left..Martirosyan forcing action..Lead left from Lara..Martirosyan landing to head and body..Lara lands a straight left

Lara landed 162-424   Martirosyan was 94-474

115-112, 116-111, 116-111 for Lara

Round 1 Counter left from Trout..Jab from Charlo…Uppercut from Trout..Straight right from Charlo..

Round 2 Counter left from Charlo..Counter left from Trout..Jab from Charlo…Uppercut from Trout

Round 3 Good body work from Trout..Good right from Charlo…Hard right stings Trout…Body and right from Trout

Round 4 Charlo lands an uppercut..Left from Trout..Jab from both guys

Round 5 Hard rights from Charlo..Swelling around the right eye of Trout

Round 6 Right from Charlo…Good combination..lead right hook from Trout

Round 7 Good exchange..Charlo backing Trout up..combination to the head..double jab, straight hand..Good right uppercut from Trout…Jab from Charlo..lead right..Straight left from Trout…straight left…counter right from Charlo..

Round 8 Counter left from Trout…Counter right from Charlo..Good right..

Round 9 Double-Jab and right from Charlo…Exchanging jabs…Combination and straight left from Trout..counter left..Jab…stiff jab from Charlo..

Round 10 Right from Charlo..Cut over the right eye of Trout (1st time in his career that he is cut)..Counter left from Trout..counter right…left to the body..Stiff jab from Charlo…

Round 11: Counter left from Trout..Body shot from Charlo…Good combination from Trout..Right to body from Charlo..Good lefts from both guys…Good left uppercut from Charlo at the bell

Round 12 Counter left from Trout..Check hook..counter left..Jab from Charlo..counter left to the body from Trout..Good counter right from Charlo..good exchange…..

115-113, 116-112, 116-112 for Jermall Charlo

Round 1 Charlo lands a left..Jackson lands a big left hook..

Round 2 Jab from Charlo…Counter left from Jackson..Counter

Round 3 Jackson lands an uppercut..Left hook to body from Charlo

Round 4 Nice left hook to the body from Jackson..Jab and right from Charlo..right uppercut and left from Jackson..good right uppercut inside

Round 5 Charlo lands a left hook…good body and head combo with the right

Round 6 Counter hook from Charlo…

Round 7 Nice right from Charlo…Jackson lands a combination…left hook..body shot

Round 8 HUGE LEFT AND JACKSON IS LIMP ON HIS FEET AND THE FIGHT IS OVER

Liverpool’s WBO Super-Welterweight World Champion Liam Smith will be keeping a very close eye on this Saturday’s Super-Welterweight world title triple header in Las Vegas, aired exclusively on the Channel of Champions BoxNation.

In the main event Erislandy Lara defends his WBA title against Vanes Martirosyan in a rematch of their 2012 bout that ended in a technical draw. Brothers Jermall and Jermell Charlo will look to make history in co-featured bouts as the first twins to hold world title’s in the same division. Unbeaten Jermall makes the second defence of his belt against former world champion Austin Trout while Jermell takes on exciting contender John Jackson for the Vacant WBC belt.

27 year-old Smith, who holds a record of 22 wins unbeaten with 12 KO’s, harbours dreams of unifying the 154 pound division with WBA Champion Lara and IBF titleholder Charlo on his list of future targets. Merseyside maverick Smith makes the third defence of his world title against Predrag Radosevic on June 4. ‘Beefy’ took time out of his training camp to share his thoughts on this weekend’s action.

Jermall Charlo vs. Austin Trout
“I’m looking forward to the three fights and I’m made up BoxNation captured them. I think the Charlo vs. Trout fight is probably the most interesting one out of the three. Trout’s a good fighter and a former world champion himself. To be honest I’d love to take on the winner of that fight. There was talk of me and Trout as my mandatory and it’s a fight that could definitely still be made if he wins. I pick Charlo to win on points in a close fight.”

Jermell Charlo vs. John Jackson
“The other Charlo brother against Jackson is another great fight. I can see Charlo stopping Jackson late on in round ten. Jackson isn’t a bad fighter, people over here only really know about him because of the Andy Lee fight which on paper he lost via knockout. If you actually watched the fight he was beating Lee in every round and was on the verge of finishing Lee until he pulled that shot out of the bag. He’s not a bad fighter but I pick Charlo to beat him.”

Erislandy Lara vs. Vanes Martirosyan
“The outcome of this fight all depends on which Lara turns up. They had a close fight before where they had a technical draw. Lara is a very talented boxer but not many people want to watch him and he’s taken a lot of stick recently. He won on points in a boring fight against Delvin Rodriguez who Miguel Cotto stopped and blew out in three rounds. He’ll be trying to prove a point and be more exciting. If he brings that style then it’ll allow Martirosyna into the fight.”

Tickets for Smith’s huge homecoming are priced £40 and £60 and are available from:

TicketMaster
0844 844 0444
www.ticketmaster.co.uk
Eventim
0844 249 1000
www.eventim.co.uk
Liverpool Echo Arena
0844 8000 400
www.echoarena.com

LAS VEGAS (May 19, 2016) – The six elite 154-pound fighters competing on Saturday’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® tripleheader went face-to-face for the first time Thursday at the final press conference before they enter the ring live on SHOWTIME from The Chelsea inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

In attendance Thursday and headlining the event were WBA Super Welterweight World Champion Erislandy Lara and top contender Vanes Martirosyan. Televised coverage begins live on SHOWTIME at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT and features IBF Junior Middleweight World Champion Jermall Charlo taking on former champion Austin Trout plus undefeated challenger Jermell Charlo battling hard-hitting John Jackson for the vacant WBC Super Welterweight World Title.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and TGB Promotions, are on sale now. Ticket prices start at $39, and are available online at www.cosmopolitanlasvegas.com or through Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000;www.ticketmaster.com.

Twin brothers Jermall and Jermell Charlo celebrated their 26th birthday Thursday and were celebrated with a cake at the final press conference that took place at Rose. Rabbit. Lie. at The Cosmopolitan. On Saturday they look to become the first twin brothers to hold world titles at the same time in the same weight class.

Here is what the fighters had to say Thursday:

ERISLANDY LARA

“I plan on going in there and getting into my zone and making the adjustments that will allow me to be victorious.

“One difference between this fight and our last fight is that I’m coming into this fight 100 percent healthy. I’m not making any excuses but I had a fractured knuckle going into our first fight. I still felt I was winning the fight. This time I’m not going to leave any doubt about who is the best.

“I have no pressure on me. I feel calm. Part of that comes with experience but I also know that I’m going to go in there and execute my game plan like I always do.

“I’m always stuck in controversial fights because of my fighting style.

“I’m excited to be sharing the stage with the Charlo brothers. We have trained together, so being part of this with them is great.

“Vanes’s a lot more passive than he was for the first fight. He was telling me I better be ready.

“I’m going to do what I have to do. Put my game plan together, put my punches together, I’m going to do everything that I have to do to be victorious on Saturday night.

On how he’s improved from the first fight…
“The fundamentals are always there. Every fighter gets better with every fight. You get a little bit more experience and that’s the difference.”

VANES MARTIROSYAN

“I’ve had a tremendous camp. I have a great team. I’ve had incredible sparring partners and I can’t wait for the real thing on Saturday.

“I’m in the best shape of my life and I’ve never been so ready. I don’t have to tell you what I’m going to do up here, because you’re going to see it on Saturday night. Actions speak louder than words. This is going to be the best Vanes you’ll ever see.

“This time around I am definitely going to be more aggressive. I cannot wait for Saturday.

“There is a different feeling for me in this fight than ever before. It’s for a world title, this is as big as it gets.

“It is the ‘Dream’ versus the ‘Nightmare,’ and you’ll definitely see the ‘Nightmare’ on Saturday night.

On what he saw in Lara’s eyes when they faced off…
“A fighter looking at another fighter. I see hunger in both eyes.

“A lot of the first fight, I was kind of inexperienced but we’ve matured a lot throughout the years. Four years into this game, a lot of experience, a lot of knowledge in the game so there’s a lot I learned from the first fight.

“The whole division is here, it’s awesome. They should do this more often and I’m happy that SHOWTIME put together such a great card.”

JERMALL CHARLO

“Every fight on this card could have been the main event. To be on a card like this with all these great fighters is exciting.

“Boxing has a lot of really big fights with the Charlos coming in the future. We’re going to take it one step at a time. This is a great fight that we have in front of us.

“I’m very proud of my brother, to have accomplished what he has at 26-years-old, coming from where we came from.

“This is a huge fight for me. This is more to me than winning a world title. I put my all into this. None of Trout’s experience matters. I’m a real lion and I’m going to show it.

“Austin Trout is just a name to me. He beat Cotto, so what? I have work to do. I’m focused on getting the job done.

“We (the brothers) both do different things, but we also have the same skills and the same power. No one in the division can match up to us.

“We always thought that we would be winners and that we would be competing at the top level. Now it’s time to make history. We want to prove why we’re at the top.

“Me and my brother have always wanted to be champions at the same time. There’s never been anything like this. This era, you will get a chance to enjoy us. We’ve worked very hard to get here and we’re going to reign on this level.

“After this, I’m coming for the (160-pound fighters). To be a top pound-for-pound fighter you need to dominate different divisions and that is my goal. That doesn’t mean I’m struggling with weight. I feel good right now but I think I will be even stronger at 160.

“May 21 there is nothing that is going to stop me from losing my belt.”

AUSTIN TROUT

“It’s no coincidence that I’m back at the top making a title run. I paid my dues and put in all the hard work necessary.

“I have nothing bad to say about Jermall as a person or a fighter. But at the end of the day, the history will be my own. I’m going to use him for my legacy, not the other way around.

“I worked hard to get here. I’m sharp and on weight. There is nothing that I feel like he can do to beat me that night.

“Charlo took a chance with this fight. There is no mistake in taking a chance. But will the chance end up in his favor? I hardly doubt it. This won’t be easy. I’m never in easy fights. They’re always great fights.

“Size won’t be a problem. He still has to make 154 pounds.

“I want to thank Jermall for taking this fight. He’s doing something that a lot of people won’t do. But at the end of the day, I’m going to be the lion tamer. I’m going to tame that lion.’’

What flaws do you see?…
“I don’t want to tell you about his flaws because he might fix them by Saturday, but we see a couple flaws.

On if it would hurt him to move up to 160…
“It may, it may not. We’re not looking at any extra edge or wishing to put all our eggs in one basket. What we’re banking on is our skillset and our grip to come out victorious. Whether it hurts him or not, it’s not going to matter. Only thing it’s going to do is make it easier for me.

“I’ve been there, I’ve been to the deep waters. I’ve seen many different types of strategies and styles. In a sense, there’s nothing that he brings to the table that I haven’t seen before.

“I’ve got a big dog in me that you’re going to see Saturday night. You’re going to see what should have been the main event. Me and Charlo, it’s going to be a great fight and I hope y’all tune in because I’m taking that belt.”

JERMELL CHARLO

“I appreciate everyone involved in putting this fight together. To me this is a card that people need to be pay attention to. I believe that everyone on this card is going to give it their all, because we all motivated each other to be here.

“I’m fighting John Jackson, the son of a legend. I don’t believe John Jackson will be able to live up to his dad and if his dad ever had to face me, I would have beat him too.

“We’re getting more and more experience. People thought that Gabriel Rosado was too big of a test for me but I dominated that fight. I’m going to pass any test they put in front of me. Over the course of time, you’re eventually going to have to say we the experience.

“I’m proud of what my brother has done. His success motivates me. He’s a world champion. These are the kind of things we look forward to.

“This is our time. There is no more that we can say. There is a lot that’s coming ahead of us.

“I’m coming to win. I trained hard. It’s time for a world title for me. I have to fulfill my end of the bargain. John Jackson has been in wars, but so have I. This is our time, me and my brother’s.

“Being on the same card as my brother is already a high standard so being on a card with the rest of the undercard guys, I’m honored and ready to show what I have to do. I’m ready to make history. I’m ready to win this belt and enjoy my vacation after.

“I’m sticking with 154 right now. I would love to go to 160 because it’s easier for me but because it’s easier that’s why I wouldn’t go up. Making 154 for him is easy as well, he just sees other options.”

JOHN JACKSON

“I’m extremely blessed to be here. I’m looking to make history. My dad was a champion and I’m going to do the same thing.

“Jermell is just selling the fight. We don’t take anything he says personally. We’ll humble him and put him in his place.

“This is a dream come true and the Jackson legacy will live on.

“It’s going to be a great night. This could be the best fight of the card, easily. If you watch my career, every single fight I bring it. You’re going to see action and explosiveness.’’

On Jermell Charlo’s comments about his father…
“That’s disrespectful. My dad paid his dues and to talk about my dad like that is kind of disrespectful. It’s not getting to me. Fighters use that to try to get in your head but it’s fine, I’ll let him pay in the ring.’’

If Jermell’s ego is getting to him…
“Yeah, he needs to humble himself. That was a little out of line. But we’ll see what he looks like in the ring.”

On what flaws he sees in his game…
“He has a lot of flaws. How he leans forward and waits a lot. But his style is perfect for my style. I always bring it and give 100 percent and we’re looking for a stoppage.

“It’s going to be explosive don’t miss it. SHOWTIME, it’s going down.”

# # #

For more information visit www.sports.sho.com and www.mayweatherpromotions.com, follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @LaraBoxing, @VanesBoxing, @FutureOfBoxing, @NoDoubtTrout, @TwinCharlo, @MayweatherPromo and @Swanson_Comm, become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing and www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions

LAS VEGAS (May 18, 2016) – Fight week kicked off Wednesday with media workouts at the UNLV Boxing Gym for the six fighters competing in the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXINGâ tripleheader of 154-pound world title fights this Saturday, May 21 from The Chelsea inside of The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

Working out Wednesday and headlining the event were WBA Super Welterweight World Champion Erislandy Lara and top contender Vanes Martirosyan. Televised coverage begins live on SHOWTIME at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and features IBF Junior Middleweight World Champion Jermall Charlo taking on former champion Austin Trout plus undefeated challenger Jermell Charlo battling hard-hitting John Jackson for the vacant WBC Super Welterweight World Title.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and TGB Promotions, are on sale now. Ticket prices start at $39, and are available online at www.cosmopolitanlasvegas.com or through Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000; www.ticketmaster.com.

Here is what the fighters had to say Wednesday:

ERISLANDY LARA

“I’m not surprised that I’m fighting Vanes again. It’s my job to fight whoever they put in front of me.

“I felt that I was a better fighter than him the first time and I’m a little better in almost every area since. One of the most important things is my way of training and my way of getting prepared. I feel that I am much more mature.

“I like being back in Las Vegas again. I’m definitely prepared to do what I do – and that’s win.

“After I win Saturday, I would love to fight GGG or Canelo, but I would prefer GGG. It’s not frustrating that I’m not fighting the biggest names all the time. I’m a headliner.

“I don’t feel any pressure. I’m just going to do my job and just keep winning. As long as I keep winning, everything will take care of itself.”

VANES MARTIROSYAN

“I’ve been fighting as a pro for over 10 years. This is definitely the most important fight of my career. It’s do or die. Win and I move 10 steps forward, lose and I go 10 steps backwards.

“Beating Lara this time is 10 times bigger than if I had won the first time. Lara has gotten better, maybe his style hasn’t changed much, but I feel that I’m much better too.

“There has been lots of changes in my camp. All for the better. I’m more focused in training. We’ve gone back to doing things the way we used to. I’ve really been dedicated. More than ever.

“I’ve given 100 percent every single day in the gym. This is going to be a tough fight. I hope he comes to me. It makes for a good fight. Actually, I think he is going to come forward a little more than people expect, but I’m prepared to chase him. Whatever it takes to be effective.

“If he is aggressive, once he feels my power, he is going to go back to what he does best – running.

“I’m coming to give my all.”

JERMALL CHARLO

“All of the lost opportunities were part of my journey to get to this point. I know people aren’t going to give me my credit for fighting Trout because people will feel like he has had his time in his career, which we all do, but now it’s my time and I’m taking every opportunity I can.

“I look back at the situations I’ve had to get here and it’s exciting. I have a big name opponent in Austin Trout and I feel like the underdog. I’m the young buck in the game who’s trying to be the lion. Although I do have the belt, its because I had to take it from someone that didn’t deserve it.

“Every time Austin Trout gets to this level, he fails. He didn’t fight the same Miguel Cotto, he just wasn’t himself that night. I have to come in there and take what’s mine.

“Whatever happens, I’m excited. We train, we prepare for 12 rounds. I’m prepared for whatever I need to be.

“I’m excited to be here and fight and be able to support my brother. We’re able to roll through anything and keep looking forward. The good and the bad.

“Everything I’ve been through; I try to move forward every fight. I got the belt from Cornelius Bundrage, I defended the belt and now I have the opportunity to fight Austin Trout – a bigger name.”

AUSTIN TROUT

“I take my hat off to him. He’s undefeated. He’s a champion. I’ve been through more to get to where I’m at. I’m more of a dangerous fighter.

“He’s not one to shy away from a challenge. I feel like I’m a better fighter. I’m shocked that I got a title shot this fast. I thought I was going to have to go back to the drawing board. The opportunity came and I’m so excited.

“I’ve been working on my inside game. The things outside of the ring – tightening up myself as a person. It’s been helping me in the ring.”

On Jermall predicting a knockout:
“He’s dreaming. Everyone has dreams, but I’ve been known to bust people’s bubbles. No one has been able to knock me out. He thinks he’s a great man. A better man than Canelo or Lara? He’s tripping.

“I’m probably his toughest test to date.

“The next chapter would be to fight my mandatory, unify and be undisputed champion.”

JERMELL CHARLO

“This is history in the making. It’s extremely exciting. We never really thought about it like this. We knew we would be boxing and winning titles, but this is special. We have the opportunity to both be world champions at the same time.

“We don’t know what to expect on Saturday, but we’re excited to put on a show and make a mark.

“I have to get in there and prove to my opponent and the rest of the world that I’m dangerous and I will be victorious.

“We always wanted to fight. We always want to prove ourselves to each other. About everything. We caused trouble but found ourselves in boxing.

“I thought my opportunity would come first, but everything happens for a reason. Look at this moment. It’s motivated me and now it’s paying off.

“The new training camp has been an adjustment, not being with my brother every day. I’ve been able to define who I am and my brother is able to do his thing.

“My motivation is that I was once with my brother everyday. What pushed me so much in camp was knowing that I’m not with my brother everyday, but I’m still in the same shape, even better and stronger. Not through coaches, but in general. Mentally I’m the same or better. We didn’t get worse because we split. The point is what we are doing to stay in shape physically and mentally to be the best we can be.”

JOHN JACKSON

“This is going to be a good fight. It could be the best fight on the card. I’m an explosive fighter so expect fireworks.

“My dad has given me advice my whole career. I have a lot of great insight about how to manage my emotions. He’s instrumental in my corner. I’m 100 percent ready.

“There is a lot of pressure on Jermell, but I’m sure he’s not over thinking it. I’m expecting the best Charlo in there.

“I go in there to go to war. Whatever happens, happens. I’m going to leave it all in the ring and give the fans a great show.

“I’m happy to be the underdog. I like to be the underdog and prove people wrong. I’m happy to be in this position. I was an underdog in the Olympics. I love the pressure. He has more to lose than I do.

“I’ve been dreaming about this moment my whole life. I’m 100 percent ready for this and I can’t wait to perform under the lights.

“Make sure you tune-in, because I’m going all out for the belt.”

LEONARD ELLERBE, CEO of Mayweather Promotions

“We’re very busy. We are going full steam ahead. We are doing events, putting butts in the seats and promoting our fighters.

“This is a great card. Anytime you can put the top fighters in a single weight class on the same show, it is bound to be a great event for the fans and for the sport in general.

“We’re happy to be working with SHOWTIME once again to put on another tremendously competitive fight card for the fans.”

For more information visit www.sports.sho.com and www.mayweatherpromotions.com, follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @LaraBoxing, @VanesBoxing, @FutureOfBoxing, @NoDoubtTrout, @TwinCharlo, @MayweatherPromo and @Swanson_Comm, become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxingand www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions

LAS VEGAS (May 17, 2016) – Undefeated identical twin brothers Jermall and Jermell Charlo have the opportunity to become boxing’s first twins to hold world championships in the same weight class when they enter the ring this Saturday, May 21 live on SHOWTIME from The Chelsea inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

IBF Junior Middleweight Champion Jermall will defend his title against former champion Austin Trout in the co-main event, while unbeaten Jermell will battle fellow contender John Jackson for the vacant WBC Super Welterweight World Championship in the opening bout. The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® tripleheader begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and is headlined by WBA 154-pound champion Erislandy Lara in a rematch against top contender Vanes Martirosyan.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and TGB Promotions, are on-sale now. Ticket prices start at $39, and are available online at www.cosmopolitanlasvegas.com or through Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000; www.ticketmaster.com.

While they definitely have their similarities – look the same, have one letter different in their first names, have the same dreams and goals in the same sport – like any sibling relationship, they also have their differences. One likes the color black and while the other likes white. One likes horse racing, one likes basketball. However, one of the things they agree on most, is their desire to make history.

“We never dreamed of being able to make history on the same night and on the same card together,” said Jermell. “It makes it even more intense. The stakes are much bigger.”

“We’ve always planned on making history and the time is now,” said Jermall. “I need him to go in there and do his job and at the end of the night, we’ll both have our hands raised.”

For more information on the Charlos’ similarities and differences, please see the chart below:

Jermall
Jermell
Professional Record
23-0 (18 KOs)
27-0 (12 KOs)
Birthday
May 19, 1990
(one minute older)
May 19, 1990
(one minute younger)
May 21 Opponent
Austin Trout
John Jackson

Current Boxing Status
IBF Junior Middleweight World Champion
Fighting for Vacant WBC Super Welterweight World Title
Trainer
Ronnie Shields
Derrick James
Height
6 ‘0 ”
5 ’11”
Reach
73 ½”
73″
Favorite Thing About Your Brother
How nonchalant he is about things
That he’s a control freak
Favorite Music To Listen To/Train To
80’s Soul
Hip-Hop & R&B
Favorite Boxing Exercise
Running
Sit up and punch drill
Favorite Sport Other Than Boxing (to Play/Watch)
Horse Racing
Basketball, I’m a fanatic
Favorite Vehicle You Own
Mercedes GLE (AMG)
Mercedes 550
Favorite Shoes/Outfit
Rick Owens Runners’
Lions Only Hat
Favorite Junk Food
Salt & Vinegar Chips
Wingstop
Favorite Health Food
Kale Salad
Ground Turkey
Favorite Color
Black
White
Favorite Movie
Don’t have a favorite
Shottas
Favorite Reality Show
Don’t really watch TV
Don’t really watch TV
Celebrity Crush Growing Up
Jada Pinkett Smith
Pink
Your Perfect Vacation
Bora Bora
Anywhere in Greece
First Expensive Thing You Bought As A Pro
My Cane Corso dog
Rolex
Night Owl Or Early Riser
Early riser – 6:30 a.m.
Both
Person Outside Of Boxing You Would Most Like To Meet
Serena & Venus Williams
Diddy, because he’s a businessman
Boxer You Idolized
Tommy Hearns & Evander Holyfield
Joan Guzman because of his underrated power and ferocious hand speed
Athlete You Idolize (Not A Boxer)
Allen Iverson
Chris Paul
One Person You Would Invite Over For Dinner (Dead or Alive)
Jay-Z
Albert Einstein

For more information visit www.sports.sho.com and www.mayweatherpromotions.com, follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @LaraBoxing, @VanesBoxing, @FutureOfBoxing, @NoDoubtTrout, @TwinCharlo, @MayweatherPromo and @Swanson_Comm, become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxingand www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions

LONDON (May 17, 2016) – BoxNation will air a world title tripleheader exclusively live this weekend as the light-middleweight division takes centre stage.

Cuban hotshot Erislandy Lara rematches U.S. Olympian and top contender Vanes Martirosyan as he puts his WBA light-middleweight world title on the line at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas this Saturday night.

The pair met previously in 2012 in an intriguing matchup with neither man claiming the victory as the judges scored it a draw after the fight was stopped in the ninth round due to an accidental headbutt that caused a cut to the eye of Martirosyan.

Both men will now be looking to settle an old score and are out to stake their claim in a division stacked with top talent, including Liverpool’s Liam Smith who is set to defend his WBO world title exclusively live on BoxNation on June 4th.

“I’m looking forward and I’m excited to be making my 2016 debut in the boxing capital of Las Vegas come May 21,” said Lara. “I can’t wait to get in the ring as I have unfinished business to take care of with Vanes. I’m the champion and will remain the champion. I will leave no doubt who the better fighter is and will show the world that I’m the best fighter in the 154-pound division.”

“Erislandy Lara and I have unfinished business from our first fight,” said Martirosyan. “I had him beat that night and I’ll beat him on Saturday night. My time is now and I know I will be the new champion of the world on May 21.”

The card also sees IBF light-middleweight world champion Jermall Charlo out in action as he faces his toughest fight to date when he squares up against former world champion Austin Trout.

Trout has shared the ring with some of boxing’s biggest names including Canelo Alvarez and Miguel Cotto and will be looking to make a major comeback to the 154-pound division with a victory over the so far undefeated Charlo.

Twin brother Jermell will also feature on the night when he takes on the big-punching John Jackson, son of one of boxing’s hardest hitters Julian Jackson, for the vacant WBC light-middleweight world title.

25-year-old Charlo like his sibling is undefeated and will be making his first stab at the world title.

“This will be a history-making, record-breaking night for the Charlo twins,” said Jermall Charlo. “It means everything to us to be able to fight in two championship fights on the same card. This is everything we’ve ever dreamed of. This is going to be a great night of boxing and I’m preparing myself for war. Austin Trout is a seasoned vet. He’s fought world champions and beaten a future Hall of Famer in Miguel Cotto. This is one of my biggest fights to date, but I’m preparing the same way I always do. I’m going to be on my ‘A’ game. I’m ready to make history.”

“I’m extremely excited and grateful for the opportunity to fight for the world title on May 21,” said Trout. “It’s a twice-in-a-lifetime chance for a second world title and I’m going to take full advantage of it. I’ve sat at the champions’ table before and am ready to go back again and eat from it again. Destiny brought me here not to lose, but to win. I’m going to show up and show out and win this world title.”

“This is a huge fight for me,” said Jermell Charlo. “It’s my first opportunity to fight for a title and my brother is on the same card defending his belt. There have never been identical twin brothers that are both world champions in the same weight class. We’re going to go out there and make history and send a message to the whole division. I’m excited to get in the ring and I know John Jackson is too. This is an important time in my career and I will be well prepared. Let the best man win.”

“I’m very grateful for this opportunity to become a world champion,” said Jackson. “I’ve been training very hard for the last two months for this fight and come Saturday night I will be victorious over Jermell Charlo and realise my lifelong dream of becoming a world champion, like my dad, the great Julian Jackson.”

To watch Lara v Charlo v Trout exclusively live on BoxNation (Sky/Freeview/Virgin/TalkTalk/Online & App) this Saturday night, go to boxnation.com to subscribe.

– ENDS –
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Leonard Ellerbe
I would like to thank everyone for joining us on the call today. We have an exciting tripleheader of Super Welterweight World Title fights. It will be headlined by Cuban sensation and WBA Super Welterweight World Champion, Erislandy Lara against exciting challenger and 2004 U.S. Olympian, Vanes Martirosyan in a rematch of their 2012 technical draw.

In our co-main event, and up-and-coming star, the IBF Junior Middleweight World Champion, Jermall Charlo taking on the toughest challenge of his career in former World Champion, Austin Trout.

We’ll open up our telecast with Jermall’s twin brother, the undefeated Jermell Charlo, who will take on the hard-hitting and talented of John Jackson for the vacant WBC Super Welterweight World Title.

Tickets are on sale now and they start at $39.00. They can also be purchased at Ticketmaster online and all Ticketmaster locations, as well as on the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas Web site.

Our events will be televised by Showtime Championship Boxing live at 9 pm Eastern Time and 6 pm Pacific Time. And promoted by Mayweather Promotions and TGB Promotions.

And before we get into the call, I’d like to introduce our co-promoter Brittany Goossen Brown. She’s the VP of Operations at TGB Promotions.

Brittany Goossen Brown
Yes, thank you Leonard. TGB Promotions is very excited to be partnering with Mayweather Promotions and Showtime on this outstanding triple-header next Saturday, May 21st, live from the Chelsea at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, the Boxing Capital of the World.

All three fights promise to be exciting action from the moment that bell rings. Get your tickets now, and we will look forward to seeing everyone in Vegas next week.

L. Ellerbe
Thank you, Brittany. Before we get to the fighters, I’d like to introduce Stephen Espinoza, the Executive Vice President and General Manager of Showtime Sports.

Stephen Espinoza
Thank you very much, Leonard. We’re also very excited for this highly anticipated card, and at a time in the sport where one lesson we sometimes hear; why aren’t the best fighting the best? That’s exactly what the fighters on this card are doing. It is the best fighting the best. We have five of the top six fighters in the division. They’re fighting each other. They could have taken easier fights. But they didn’t. And that’s the kind of spirit we have on this fight.

So we’ve got some intriguing story lines. A rematch of a very highly-contested fight. Twin brothers fighting for world titles. First time that’s ever happened on the same card. But most of all, we’ve got the top fighters in this division fighting in tough fights, and that’s exactly what our schedule is characterized this year.

We are proud to be involved, and we can’t wait until May 21.

L. Ellerbe
Thank you, Stephen. As Stephen’s mentioned, we have all six fighters on the call today to talk about their coming bouts and to answer questions from all of you guys.

So I’d like to introduce the first bout. We have John Jackson. He’ll be fighting Jermell Charlo. John Jackson comes to us with a 20 and 2 record and 15 KOs. He’s fighting out of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. He’s the son of a former World Champion. He represented the Virgin Islands at the 2008 Olympics and won his first 13 pro fights after turning pro in 2009.

So let’s introduce John Jackson. John, you want to say a few words?

John Jackson
Yes, hey, man, I just want to say thanks for having me. It’s a privilege and an honor, and I’m ready for Showtime.

L. Ellerbe
All right. Okay. Next up, the Charlo twin brother. We have Jermell Charlo. He comes to us with a 27 and 0 record with 12 KOs. Fighting out of Houston, Texas, and training in Dallas with Derrick James, who’s also the current trainer of Errol Spence. Him and his brother Jermall are intending to become the first twin brothers to hold world titles in the same Division.

He’s 25 years old and he owns victories over Vanes Martirosyan and Gabriel Rosado, and he will look to leave the ring as the World Champion on Saturday, May 21st. Jermell, would you like to say a few words?

Jermell Charlo
Thank you guys for having me on this call right now. I got to get back into training, obviously. All we do is work. So you know, I come just as prepared as I’m supposed to be.

This is my opportunity, this is my chance, this is my moment. My brother’s had his before. He’s going to defend his title, and I’m excited to be in the same venue fighting on the same card with my twin brother and a stable mate, Erislandy Lara, which is another true blessing to my career.

John Jackson is a hell of a fighter. He comes to fight. He going to come bringing the punching power and all the extra things that he’s prepared himself for. And I’m going to step up to the plate and do what I’m supposed to do. I get one opportunity. I get one boxing career, and this is my moment, and this is the chance that I’ve taken. I have to go get it.

So all due respect to John Jackson and his team, but I’m not laying down for nothing. I’m going to get what I deserve and what’s mine. And I will be bringing a WBC back to Houston, Texas, and representing like I’m supposed to.

Q
Jermell, I know you’ve had title fights fall through before, and I know that you have more fights than your brother. How psyched are you that this title fight has eventually come to fruition?

Jermell Charlo
I’m excited. God has timing on everything, and I know for a fact that this is that time and this fight is going to be for it to be reckoned, it’s going to be a fight that’s like steals the show. Three great fights on the card, so regardless of what happened in the past, I don’t look at it that way. I look at it as this fight is the fight, and this is the one that I need to conquer and take care of.

Q
Do you expect to stop John Jackson in this fight, or go the distance?

Jermell Charlo
I prepare myself for 12 rounds. I prepare myself for more than 12 rounds. I prepare myself to go 12 rounds. Whatever happens in this fight happens, and I’m prepared for it.

Q
Both you and your brother are fighting on this card. Is that twice the pressure?

Jermell Charlo
No, we did it before. We’ve done this before. We fought on the same cards in amateurs. We fought on the same cards on the pros. Even we fought on the same cards on Showtime. We’re going to do it again.

Q
How much sibling rivalry is there with you and your brother?

Jermell Charlo
It’s pretty intense. You know, we compete with each other about who’s in the best shape; and it’s sibling rivals but never actual rivals. So, my competition is greater than just beating John Jackson. It’s just performing well in front of my twin brother, who will be in the back locker room cheering me on.

Q
Being world champions at the same time, is it something that you and your brother contemplated for a long time? And what would it mean to you to actually accomplish that?

Jermell Charlo
We never actually thought about it as it is now. We knew we always wanted to be world champions like John Jackson and his brother thought.. You know, him and his brother would like to be World Champions, but we never thought about it being on the same card, the same night, making history.

So it makes it even more intense. It makes it much bigger stakes for me. John Jackson is going to come, he’s going to do what he has to do, but my job is to make history, so with that being said, I’m going in the ring with the mindset of winning, making history. Winning the WBC, and taking home a nice purse.

Q
Have you thought about that it can’t possibly happen if you don’t take care of your business, because he’s going after you?

Jermell Charlo
Yes. So I mean, knowing that I got to go first has never been a problem. I was the one that, when we were younger, I would pop off first. If somebody got into it with me and my brother, I’m jumping off first. I don’t want nobody getting on my brother. So that’s how I take it. I look like, I’m going to be the one to go crazy. I’ll be the one that takes the chances in the family. So if I got to be the one that go first, oh well, let it be.

Q
Have you given thought to what happened to John Jackson against Andy Lee?

Jermell Charlo
Well, you know, I prepare for everything, and I’m preparing to show you guys a lot more power that I am underrated, and I have probably, just as well enough power as much than – my twin brother is extremely strong.

I’ve been doing some great things throughout this camp and developing even before I knew I was taking this fight, I already knew who was Number 1 and who was Number 2 and what fight had to be in place.

I was already in camp, before camp, in pre-camp, you dig? So I know for a fact that Andy Lee did what he had to do, but the style that he fight – and John Jackson brings a different style, and it’s not necessarily a style that I’ve never seen before, but it would be a great fight. So I can’t predict what’s coming up, but I am going to play to my strengths as much as possible.

Q
Can you talk about the fact that you’ve had to sit by and watch your World Title fights in the past go by the wayside for different reasons that were out of your control and watch your brother win the title as you waited your time.

But also, what does it mean to the rest of your family to have this as a possibility? Not just you and your brother; your parents and grandparents and uncles and stuff.

Jermell Charlo
My whole family – yes, everyone is excited. Everyone will be in Vegas. It’s something that we’ve all seen, the reason why we box for, so I can’t really, you know, explain how excited they are, but I know how I felt that I – I’ve seen World Titles slip by the wayside, but that’s not, that’s nothing I can control.

That’s something that I had no control over even (they ranked) Number 2 on the IBF. My brother grabbed that title, and I was extremely happy for him to have that title. More happy for him, just as well as happy for myself.

So when we do, when he do as he do, it’s as if I’m doing it myself, and nothing, there’s nothing more than I can actually explain when it comes down to I’m excited. I’m excited to be in this fight right now.

Q
What is it like to have the chin of your entire family questioned? And how did that make you feel going in to this fight?

J. Jackson
It doesn’t make me feel any way, you know? That’s the job, that’s you guys’ job to come up with stories and question everything. So you know, I just go in there and do my job, and that’s to fight and box, you know.

So I know Jermell is going to come in there ready, and I’m going to be ready, so I’m expecting a great fight, man. And I expect to put on a good show, you know, for all the fans.

Q
And what is it like to hear him say, you know, Jermell say, you know, he has as much power as his brother. And obviously, you know, he intends to show that against you.

J. Jackson
Yes. I don’t feel that he is – everyone just thinks he has speed, alone, but I know he has a little pop, too, as well. You know, we been just studying and watching tapes. So we know he has a little pop as well. I don’t know why reporters, you know, don’t give him no credit for what he has, but he has a little pop as well, but we’ll be ready for everything, so.

Q
Jermell, you threw out the first pitch at an Astros game. What game was that? What was it like to be embraced by the crowd, and did you get, you know, some juice from your fans going into this?

Jermell Charlo
Marketing is everything, and we do what we have to do. I don’t remember; I don’t even remember who they was playing against. I’m really not much of a baseball fan. I did watch the game; it was exciting.

I’m sponsored by the Astros of Houston, which is a great (team), and it was fun. It was exciting to sit and, you know, throw a pitch and make sure I threw a strike. That was one I did not practice. That was something. So you know, it was a game that the Astros actually won after losing so many games, so I was excited to be there and to be a part of that.

Q
Being that that was your first time on the mound, were you nervous? Did you look at – how did ball leave your hand? Did it go right over the plate? You sure it was a strike?

Jermell Charlo
It was a strike. Posted it on social media, and I was nervous; not necessarily nervous because of the, you know, the atmosphere or the people. I was nervous because I wanted to make sure that I didn’t throw it like, if you think that, and I didn’t – it was more the excitement.

Q
If you can be that accurate and throw a – maybe come up with a home run against Jackson?

Jermell Charlo
Like I stated before, I’m going to do what I have to do. I can’t predict what’s going to happen, but I’m very extra-excited and that’s going to be bizarre.

Q
Jermell, your comment on your brother’s improvement over the years and as a fighter and, you know, how much has he improved, you know, maybe in the last year or 18 months?

Jermell Charlo
My brother has improved, I mean, from 18 months, man, I would say he’s almost made like a completely 360 spin on how much he’s improved. And he’s spiraling up.

I know for a fact that there’s some stuff, like, for my brother’s in trouble, but once you get to the top, like he knows you’re going to have to fight some of the best, and so that is just elevating his game.

My brother changed a lot of things and kept – I don’t want to speak for him, because I know he’ll be speaking real soon. So, and I’m very, I’m very impressed at how he’s – a lot of people talk about his guy moving up in weight.

Even this and that, I can’t believe how he’s changed, and how much nutrition has changed, and how much everything has made a big amount of, you know. I’m just grateful to see how great my brother has played a part in his improvement and training.

L. Ellerbe
Now shifting over to the co-main event, which is going to be a very exciting matchup IBF World Champion Jermall Charlo and former World Champion, Austin Trout.

The next fighter I’m about to introduce- very, very tough guy. He has a wealth of experience. He’s been in with Lara, Canelo, Cotto, Delvin Rodriguez, Joey Hernandez – just to name a few. He comes to us from Las Cruces, New Mexico. He now trains in DC with a very good friend of mine and the outstanding underrated trainer named Barry Hunter.

A former World Champion at 154 pounds, he defeated Miguel Cotto in New York in December, 2012. And he’s won four fights in a row heading into this World Title fight.. He comes to us with a 30 and 2 record with 17 KOs. Former World Champion, Austin Trout. Austin?

Austin Trout
Okay. Thanks for having me. Happy to be here. The introduction was great. I’m ready to be asked questions. Unless you want me to just talk about myself. I could do that all day.

Q
Just your thoughts on facing Charlo on May 21st. You know, what kind of a fighter is he, and what do you kind of been preparing for?

A. Trout
Well, first, it’s, he’s a good fighter. You know, possibly a great fighter. I’m very excited about this opportunity to fight and win the title.

Very few people get a once in a lifetime chance you can’t be – I’ve had the pleasure of having two chances. I’m definitely not going to let this pass me by. I’m very excited to pull this fight. It’s a good fight for everybody. A good fight for me, a good fight for Jermall and a good fight for the fans. You know, everybody is going to win at the end of the day, but I have to have my hand raised when the night’s over.

L. Ellerbe
Okay, we have Jermall Charlo comes forward with a 23 and 0 record of 18 KOs. He’s from Houston, Texas. He trains with Ronnie Shields, who’s also another outstanding trainer and very underrated.

He won his World Title with a dominant turnaround stopping Cornelius Bundrage, known as K-9. And he defended with another stoppage this time over Wilky Campfort. Jermall, would you like to say a few words? Jermall? Sorry – Jermall, start again, please.

Jermall Charlo
Thanks everybody, I’m happy to be here.

Q
Were you surprised that after the loss you took against Lara that it took 2-1/2 years to get back in a position to fight for another World Title?

Austin Trout
To be honest, man, I wasn’t surprised that it’s taken this long because really I thought I’d have to start from the bottom going back. Other people’s going back to the lower fights.

So I was blessed to be able to have my fights televised. Not necessarily the stomping grounds hero, but you were probably going to ask what I was prepared for. It’s surprising that it took 2-1/2 years. I guess I’m surprised that it didn’t take longer.

In boxing I feel like they’re quick to throw you away. I felt like they didn’t want me when I was in first place. You know all the fights that I got into, I wasn’t necessarily supposed to win. I wasn’t supposed to win the Cotto fight.

You know, everything was stacked against me so I could never fight, and when Lara beat me how he did, I was like, that’s it. They’re really going to push me to the bottom; I have to start from zero to climb my way back to where I got to.

Q
Jermall, this is the first title fight you’re having against a really highly-regarded opponent, compared to those other two guys. Your thoughts on that opinion?

Jermall Charlo
Yes. I’m going into the fight as if I don’t have the title, you know? I’m trained, and I’m prepared for the worst and the best of Austin Trout. And you know, as you can see I fought back to back, and I’ll continue to step up the competition. And that’s just due to my management and everyone that’s behind me. They seem to be making the right moves.

Q
Is it your opinion that, at least on paper, that Austin Trout is your most significant, most difficult, most established opponent?

Jermall Charlo
No. Austin Trout is a familiar name, familiar face around me and around the boxing world. I’m just as prepared as I was for Campfort as I was K-9 and the fights before. We trained very hard. He knows that we are going in to the fight expecting to get ready for a battle.

Q
Can you just give me your thoughts about being in a position where if your brother wins the opening fight that takes place before yours, and you win, that you will, in fact, , create an interesting kind of history in boxing that’s never happened before. What do you think about that?

Jermall Charlo
I mean, really, to me personally, honestly, we’re not with all of the pressure and all of the, you know, the words that come with just being great and doing everything we have to do, we plan on making history regardless.

And this just happened to be the time where we both hold the World Championships in the division. And I’m not trying to put pressure on my brother, I just know, I need him to go, do his job in that we both come out victorious and make history.

Q
How will you celebrate it if you both accomplish this?

Jermall Charlo
Like we always celebrate the majority of our fights. You know, have fun with each other, take a little vacation, and just talk about in that our (minds set). And then, you know, celebrate our birthdays. It’s going to be, you know, two days or four or five, which we sacrifice, and then and there’s just a lot of things we’re going to celebrate with.

Q
How will you handle it mentally if your brother gets beat that night and then you can’t make the history, but then you still have to go and do your job and, you know, do what you have to do to retain your title? How will that impact you? Have you given any thought to how you’ll deal with that on a mental basis, an emotional basis?

Jermall Charlo
Well, like I say, you know, we really not so big on putting the pressure on each other, and the work of the fight is going to be, you know, both of us getting our hand raised.

You know, knock on wood, and you know, worst case come, you know, we’re both prepared for the worst. But you know, I’m not necessarily worried about making history. I’m just worried about taking care of my fast end against Austin Trout.

Q
Would you and your brother ever entertain that idea if you could unify titles?

Jermall Charlo
I mean no. We would it have anything to prove fighting each other. And I’m pretty sure the fans and the people around the world wouldn’t want to see twin brothers that train with each other and have the same tactics fight each other. So I’m not really entertaining the fact that a lot of people have been asking will meet in my twin brother fight each other? No.

Q
Jermall, when was the last time you for a southpaw?

Jermall Charlo
The last time I fought a southpaw was – I had a few fighters fight southpaw that I didn’t fight. I actually trained with a few southpaws. But I think I actually had fought a natural lefty so this would be the first experience that I’ll be able to fight a lefty.

Q
Speaking of lefties how much did Erislandy Lara advise you or help you with this fight since he’s beaten Austin Trout before?

Jermall Charlo
He’s been a big help. You know, fighting alongside him. Also, he’s fought Trout. So he’s been in there. He probably felt a few of the aspect of fighting a left-handed fighter. It’s just a different dynamic. You know, we prepare for everything. Like a champion has to be the tape what someone has and you make the most out of it and that’s what I plan on doing.

Q
I asked her brother this before and I’m asking you as well. How much of a sibling rivalry is that between you and your brother?

Jermall Charlo
I’m inspired by my twin brother but we compete. I guess that’s what keeps pushing us above and beyond. I can’t wait for him to fight and for him to do what he has to do so I could just say that was a lucky punch or that was a win. And not give him all the credit that he deserves and just keep pushing him. Because it’s all a brothers love and I love what my brother does and I’m pretty sure he loves what I do.

Q
From a marketing standpoint how much better is it to be twin champions as opposed to be like individual champions?

Jermall Charlo
I mean it’s great for marketing. Of course I’m a hero for a lot of fans that support boxing and of course they want to see them the level change and it’s only one way up. And for us to both become world champions I guess we’ll get a lot more attention as far as being great.

Q
What do you feel though has been the biggest change or improvement to your game since the Lara fight or the Dawson fight?

A. Trout
I’m just trying to become a complete fighter, and all-around fighter. That means being comfortable, going forward, backwards, to the side, attention to the head and to the body. And that’s been my goal from John is to be comfortable doing anything. That’s really what you believe is the work I put in. Look at our weaknesses which were defined by Lara and then just worked on it. So of course we want to be able to do the deed this year but if it needs be we can just push it up and go somewhere else and go in another direction.

Q
Everybody refers to Barry Hunter as your trainer these days. But how would you define Louie Burke in your career and the new training at this point?

A. Trout
He still here. He’s taken the title of head coach is really just a title cause really they are co-coaches. Louis been here with me. When I’m home, when we start Louie is the one who’s really starting that up for me. We cannot to DC to get to work and get another perspective. Louis is still a major, major factor in my corner and in my camp.

Q
In regard to Vegas, the boxing capital of the world in the country if not the world. Is it important at all to you to finally get there?

A. Trout
You know, I’ve been able to fight around the world and I’ve gotten to be able to travel and go in just see things. Being able to fight in Vegas is definitely important but I don’t put too much on it. It’s just another city. It’s just another venue. The fight itself is what matters.

Q
Austin, could you kind of discuss your evolution as a fighter I guess and kind of where you are today when you are ready for this second title shot.

A. Trout
I feel like – this is a great time for me because right now I am running on all cylinders. You know, I mentally, physically, and spiritually at peace and prepared. Nothing like all three of those points are very important to be a complete fighter in the ring because you have your spirit. And right now I’m very spiritual. God is going to be there to bless me. And if your mind ain’t right you already know that you can’t fight with your mind off base. And the physical part that speaks for itself. So honestly I have to be on top of my game to be a fighter like 929. And if those three things weren’t on point it’s going to be a rough night. But since they are I feel like I’m very unbeatable at this time right now.

Q
Do you feel like you’re at your best right now?

A. Trout
Close to it. I still feel like the best is yet to come but I feel like I’m getting there.

Q
And what you feel like you need to do to get your belt back?

A. Trout
Everything. You know we’re going to have to fight. I really want to — we’re going to have to box right, we’re going to have to fight hard, and were going to have to dig down and dig deep. But at the end of the day it will be all worth it. We’re going to have to take into the trenches and five as if our life depends on it which I feel like it is.

Q
And lastly the feel like the Lara fight was a big disappointment. Do you feel like you learned a few things that put you on different path?

A. Trout
I did. And again, after winning the total fight in having a close – and see the fight against Canelo I was a necessary living the way I feel like God wanted me to be. And I’m not here to preach. It’s nothing like that. But at the same time I feel like I’m held at a higher standard than others where I can’t get away with nothing. Now I got my manager in order. My family is right. My mind’s right. You know not to mention Lara has exposed things that I needed to work on that I’ve been working on. And we know that Carlos sparred with Lara who I feel is one of the best undisputed talent in the game other than myself.

We know he’s going to bring some things to the table that’s going to try to attack you. We’re going to try to take advantage of those mistake that Lara has exposed. So we have to definitely tighten up. We have to tighten up.

L. Ellerbe
Thank you. Now we’ll bring the main event. It’s a rematch of the 2012 technical draw and you know both men are going to want to settle the score. So first up I’d like to introduce, he comes to us with 36 and 2 record with 21 KO’s. He’s fighting out of Glendale, California. He represented the United States in the 2004 Olympics. He’s a very very tough fighter. He’s been in with just about everybody. He fought the likes of Ishe Smith,who’s part of the Mayweather promotions stabl, Willie Nelson and Demetrius Andrade. He fought Lara. He’s been a pro for 11 years. He turned pro in April, 2005 and he’s a very very good fighter. And we also look forward to a very exciting fight. Vanes Martirosyan, would you like to say a few words.

Vanes Martirosyan
Thank you Leonard. You getting better with my last name every time. It’s an honor to be on the Mayweather Promotions card once again and I can’t wait for the fight. I’m really excited as I have had the best training camp that I’ve ever had. I’ve been away from my family for a month and a half now. I just can’t wait for the fight to come.

L. Ellerbe
Vanes is fighting Erislandy Lara. Lara comes to us with a 22 and three record with 13 KO’s representing Cuba but training with Ronnie Shield in Houston. He’s one of the, in my opinion, one of the slickest boxers Very very slick, talented fighter. If you look forward this is going to be an excellent match up. Lara, would you like to say a few words.

Erislandy Lara
I want to thank everybody for putting this together in Mayweather Promotions and Showtime. I’m just ready for the fight. The fight is a week away and we’re ready to go.

Q
Vanes, in the first fight it seems that later on in the fight you were getting some success by putting on more pressure question mark are you going to fight the second fight like it’s the 10th round of the first fight?

V. Martirosyan
We know, we watched the first fight. That was four years ago. He’s got a lot better. I changed a lot also. We have noticed the fight there to be that we would do from the first fight. But there’s a lot of new things that we need to do. My main concern about this fight is that I just hope it’s a clean fight cause the first fight was really a dirty fight. There was a lot of low blows, a lot of head-butts and things like that. Let’s just hope the referee does his job better but we’re ready for anything and the first fight was a learning lesson. And it’s going to be the best fight on this night.

Q
My question is for Erislandy. With the improving relations between the United States and Cuba recently. How important is it for your career to headline a professional fight in your home country? And is that something you and your team have talked about doing?

E. Lara
Absolutely. This is something I want to do. I’m fully aware of everything going on in the United States and Cuba and if it’s possible I would love to headline a fight in Cuba one day.

Q
You also had mentioned recently that you would even like to fight to unify 154 titles. Would you also be willing to do that if a stablemate Jermall Charlo?

E. Lara
I don’t choose my opponents. They tell me who I’m fighting and I prepare and I fight to the best of my abilities and that’s what I have done in every fight. This is the fact and we both trained so this is not realistic at this point. But would I fight him? Yeah. I’ll fight him and win.

Q
You’ve been on the short end of some decisions, questionable decisions such as your fight with Andrade. Has that affected your game plan heading into this rematch and how aggressive you may need to be to pull out a decision?

V. Martirosyan
I have to be ten times more aggressive. And I guess I need to win the fight. You know, way better, trying to be more aggressive to show the judges we’ve moved on than the judges have.

Q
Did you start to feel as though it wasn’t going to happen? And how incomplete do you feel your career would have been if you didn’t get the chance to fight him again?

V. Martirosyan
I know I’ve been with Al Haymon and he’s with Al Haymon. You know every time I fought when I was with Al Haymon they asked me if I wanted to fight. One of the guy’s name on the list was Lara. So it was just a matter of time. At the time we fall we were both with different promoters. And right now we’re with the same management. So to be with the same management I knew that it was going to happen sooner or later. So I’m just happy that it finally happened.

Q
Vanes also if you could, what did you think of the scoring and the way the fight was scored in the first fight you know when it was fought.

V. Martirosyan
We watch the fight a few times. I think that he knows I was coming on strong. The round that they quoted as a draw I don’t know why they scored that fight on that round because it was only 20 seconds into the round and that’s what made it a draw. I just feel like I was winning on points in that fight. And the cut was bad and when they asked the judges to score the round they scored in his favor and they called it a draw. I just feel like I was up in that fight.

Q
If you could ask Erislandy the same question about what he thought about the scoring and also what his thoughts are in the fight finally coming together? And whether he thought it would ever happen?

E. Lara
To me I was winning the fight easily. I was out boxing him. If you go look at CompuBox I out landed him in every single round of the fight. I was doing my job. Obviously we fought on his turf like I always do. I fight fighters on their turf like I do. Now it’s on my turf and actually I felt like I was winning the fight 100% and I was coming on strong. I was winning the last few rounds before the cut and I was on my way to stop it and then before, you know, he decided not to fight. So I’m looking forward to this fight. I’m very excited to fight and it’s time to put a period on the fight and end it. And show everybody why I’m the best 154 pound in the world.

Q
Vanes, he just said he felt he was on his way to stopping you in that fight. What are your thoughts on that?

V. Martirosyan
He was running the whole fight. I stopped them but he was running, man. He was running the first few rounds and then he started running the whole fight. I don’t know what he’s talking about. He was stopping me. You know what I mean. I know he felt me in the first fight he’s going to feel me ten times more in this fight. He wasn’t stopping shit. If he was stopping I feel like the head butt was on purpose. The low blows were on purpose. Fight a clean fight and don’t play with my balls the whole fight and we’ll see who’s going to stop who in this one.

For more information visit www.sports.sho.com and www.mayweatherpromotions.com, follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @LaraBoxing, @VanesBoxing, @FutureOfBoxing, @NoDoubtTrout, @TwinCharlo, @MayweatherPromo and @Swanson_Comm, become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxingand www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions

WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 20, 2016) – Austin Trout (30-2, 17 KOs), the former super welterweight world champion, is ready to collect his second world title on Saturday, May 21 when he meets IBF Junior Middleweight world champion Jermall Charlo in a 12-round match live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT) from The Chelsea, a one-of-a-kind 40,000-square-foot venue inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

“It’s my time,” said Trout. “My focus is amplified 10-fold. I’m the confident, happy Austin that fans know, but trust me, when it’s fight time I’m ready for any dogfight that comes. You’ll see Austin bring out and defeat the ‘Lion’ in him because at the end of the day I’m taking that belt.”

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and TGB Promotions, are on sale now. Ticket prices start at $39, and are available online at www.cosmopolitanlasvegas.com or through Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 and www.ticketmaster.com.

Born in El Paso, Texas and raised in Las Cruces, New Mexico, Trout is trained by Barry Hunter and Louie Burke of Headbangers Gym in Washington D.C. Having started boxing at the age of 10, his natural talent and the ability to grow into the sport took Austin across the United States and Latin America in the amateur divisions and then into the pros. Known as one of the fiercest gentlemen competitors in the sport, he beat the likes of Miguel Cotto, Rigoberto Alvarez and Delvin Rodriguez, before losing his title to Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez. Trout comes into May 21 looking to claim a title in a division he’s been a true threat within for his career.

You’ve said you’ve been led to this fight, why is it important?
“Coming off of four consecutive wins, I’m not just on a comeback streak but I’m taking a full step forward. Charlo is the champ, this fight is about no more half stepping. It’s about taking on the best. Isn’t that what it’s about, being the best?”

How is camp going?
“I physically feel great. I’m really comfortable with Barry, it’s my fourth camp with the Headbangers team; Luis is there as well. Luis helps me with pre-camp and then I shift to D.C.

“I was already in D.C. getting camp started when the rumors about this fight came true. I had been at the gym at home for pre-camp for a month and a half before hitting D.C. I was working out five times a week, running every day just getting the program going. As I said, no half-stepping. I’m already sparring, doing the work, getting right. I’m not walking through it but running and trotting through it. I’m 30, I’m at my physical peak, my talent couldn’t be any better.”

Talk about the fight and what to expect?
“Neither one of us is going out without a fight, so I don’t see this being a boring fight. It’s time for people to remember me. I’ve earned this championship shot against an undefeated bull like Jermall Charlo but I will take his belt. “

Your first professional loss was against ‘Canelo’ Alvarez in San Antonio in 2013. What are your thoughts on that fight?

“I had a good, competitive fight with Saul – it felt like a unification bout – I was WBA champion and he was WBC champion. The open scoring was more detrimental to my game plan thea the judges! During the fight when I was told that I wasn’t winning on anyone’s cards I had to change my game plan. It was a dogfight. Canelo never had to box and move that much before in a fight.

“But, live and learn. Instead of walking into a fight like that I listened to those around me. No more surprises. This Charlo fight is a fight I want, a fight my team wants and we’re ready. I’m a more mature, focused champion who’s coming back. I’m dangerous – I have experience, talent and God on my side.”

For more information visit www.sports.sho.com and www.mayweatherpromotions.com, follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @LaraBoxing, @VanesBoxing, @FutureOfBoxing, @NoDoubtTrout, @TwinCharlo, @MayweatherPromo and @Swanson_Comm, become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing and www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions

LAS VEGAS (April 13, 2016) – The 154-pound division will take center stage on Saturday, May 21 in a stacked tripleheader featuring three world title fights in the same division. Five of the division’s top-six fighters* will square off live on SHOWTIME from The Chelsea, a one-of-a-kind 40,000-square-foot venue, inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

In the main event, Cuban sensation Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara will defend his WBA Super Welterweight World Championship against U.S. Olympian and top contender Vanes “The Nightmare” Martirosyan in a rematch of their 2012 bout that ended in a technical draw.

Brothers Jermall and Jermell Charlo will look to make history in co-featured bouts as the first twins to hold world titles in the same division. Unbeaten IBF Super Welterweight World Champion Jermall faces his toughest test when he makes the second defense of his belt against former world champion Austin “No Doubt” Trout. Jermell will take on exciting contender John Jackson in a bout for the vacant WBC Super Welterweight World Championship.

Promoted by Mayweather Promotions and TGB Promotions, venue pre-sale tickets will go on-sale Thursday, April 14 at 10 a.m. PT. Tickets for the general public will go on-sale Friday, April 15 at 10 a.m. PT. Ticket prices start at $39, and are available online at www.cosmopolitanlasvegas.com or through Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 and www.ticketmaster.com.

Doors to The Chelsea will open at 3 p.m. PT with SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXINGâ action beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT. The versatile yet intimate space inside The Chelsea will create an unparalleled experience for viewers and boxing fans alike.

“I’m looking forward and I’m excited to be making my 2016 debut in the boxing capitol of Las Vegas come May 21,” said Lara. “I can’t wait to get in the ring as I have unfinished business to take care of with Vanes. I’m the champion and will remain the champion. I will leave no doubt who the better fighter is and will show the world that I’m the best fighter in the 154-pound division. I am dedicating this fight to a great man and boxing idol Gilberto Mendoza Sr. May he rest in peace and enjoy this display of master boxing from heaven, that I will put on for him when I step in the ring on fight night.”

“Erislandy Lara and I have unfinished business from our first fight,” said Martirosyan. “I had him beat that night and I’ll beat him on May 21. My time is now and I know I will be the new champion of the world on May 21.”

The 25-year-old Charlos are aiming for history against stiff opposition from a former champion in Trout and the Olympian from the Virgin Islands in Jackson.

“This will be a history-making, record-breaking night for the Charlo twins,” said Jermall Charlo. “It means everything to us to be able to fight in two championship fights on the same card. This is everything we’ve ever dreamed of. This is going to be a great night of boxing and I’m preparing myself for war. Austin Trout is a seasoned vet. He’s fought world champions and beaten a future Hall of Famer in Miguel Cotto. This is one of my biggest fights to date, but I’m preparing the same way I always do. I’m going to be on my ‘A’ game. I’m ready to make history.”

“I’m extremely excited and grateful for the opportunity to fight for the world title on May 21,” said Trout. “It’s a twice-in-a-lifetime chance for a second world title and I’m going to take full advantage of it. I’m working hard and have already been in training camp in D.C. and ready to take full advantage of the moment. I’ve sat at the champions’ table before and am ready to go back again and eat from it again. Destiny brought me here not to lose, but to win. I’m going to show up and show out and this world title.”

“This is a huge fight for me,” said Jermell Charlo. “It’s my first opportunity to fight for a title and my brother is on the same card defending his belt. There have never been identical twin brothers that are both world champions in the same weight class. We’re going to go out there and make history and send a message to the whole division. I’m excited to get in the ring and I know John Jackson is too. This is an important time in my career and I will be well prepared. Let the best man win.”

“I’m very grateful for this opportunity to become a world champion,” said Jackson. “I’ve been training very hard for the last two months for this fight and come May 21 I will be victorious over Jermell Charlo and realize my lifelong dream of becoming a world champion, like my dad, the great Julian Jackson.”

“This is yet another example of SHOWTIME Sports’ commitment to delivering the best lineup in boxing,” said Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President & General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports. “We’re featuring three important championship fights in one of boxing’s most intriguing young divisions – a tripleheader that will bring our 2016 tally of world title bouts to 14 – all free to SHOWTIME subscribers. We’re excited to offer this rare opportunity to see the top fighters in a division all on the same telecast.”

“Mayweather Promotions is thrilled to bring this fantastic tripleheader of super welterweight world champions to fight fans,” said Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions. “The best of the 154-pound division will be on display on May 21 and we expect an action-packed night of drama.”

“We’re very excited to work with SHOWTIME on this action-packed tripleheader,” said Tom Brown of TGB Promotions. “Erislandy Lara and Vanes Martirosyan have a huge score to settle from their 2012 bout, and Jermall and Jermell Charlo are in high-stakes matchups against Austin Trout and John Jackson, respectively, in what promises to be a highly entertaining evening of boxing.”

The 32-year-old Lara is a slick boxer with the ability to deliver punishment while taking very little of it in return. Lara has notched victories over Alfredo Angulo, Austin Trout, Ishe Smith and Freddy Hernandez. As an amateur, Lara won numerous titles including a national championship at welterweight and also participated in the 2007 Pan-Am games. The fighter originally from Guantanamo, Cuba dominated Delvin Rodriguez in June of last year and followed that up with a third-round stoppage of former champion Jan Zaveck.

Born in Armenia, but fighting out of Glendale, Calif., Martirosyan represented the U.S. at the 2004 Olympics. As a professional, he won his first 32 fights before fighting Lara to a draw in 2012. The 29-year-old suffered a narrow defeat by split decision in his first world title shot against Demetrius Andrade, but has rebounded with solid victories over Mario Lozano, Willie Nelson and most recently Ishe Smith.

A newly crowned champion at 25-years-old, Charlo grabbed his title with a dominant third-round stoppage of Cornelius Bundrage in September 2015. Residing in Houston, Charlo built up his resume in 2014 with dominant triumphs over Hector Munoz, Norberto Gonzale, Lenny Bottai and Michael Finney. In his most recent outing, he successfully defended his title with a fourth-round stoppage of Wilky Campfort in November.

In 2004, Trout won the U.S. National Amateur welterweight championship and after climbing up the ranks as an elite pro boxer, he won a super welterweight world championship in 2011 by defeating Rigoberto Alvarez. He went on to make four successful defenses, including a career-best, dominant victory over Miguel Cotto in New York. He is currently on a four-fight win streak after knocking out Joey Hernandez in September to set up his world title opportunity.

Younger-by-one-minute than Jermall, Jermell Charlo is a highly ranked young fighter looking to get one step closer to a world title shot. A tall fighter for his division, the 25-year-old earned his shot at a world title with victories over Gabriel Rosado, Charlie Ota and Mario Lozano in 2014 and Martirosyan and former world champion Joachim Alcine in 2015. He impressed last time out by disposing of Alcine in the sixth-round of their fight in Houston in October.

Since representing his native Virgin Islands in the 2008 Olympics, Jackson has put together an impressive pro career. The St. Thomas-born fighter won his initial 13 fights after making his debut in January 2009. The 27-year-old earned the No. 1 spot and the title shot with a shutout victory over Dennis Laurente in August. Jackson comes from a fighting family; his father Julian Jackson was a world champion and feared power-puncher while his brother, Julius, is a contender in the 168-pound weight class.

*via Transnational Boxing Rankings

For more information visit www.sports.sho.com and www.mayweatherpromotions.com, follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @LaraBoxing, @VanesBoxing, @FutureOfBoxing, @NoDoubtTrout, @TwinCharlo, MayweatherPromo and @Swanson_Comm, become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing and www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions

HOUSTON (Dec. 10, 2015) – Ronnie Shields is the only trainer in boxing today that has two world champions in the same weight class — Erislandy Lara and Jermall Charlo (154 pounds).

The highly regarded Houston-based Shields also has a bevy of young prospects in his top-notch stable, including unbeaten lightweight Bryant “Peewee” Cruz and undefeated middleweight Steed “The Stallion” Woodall, who’ll be featured Friday, Dec. 11, on ShoBox: The New Generation live on SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast ) from the Bayou City Event Center in Houston, Texas.

Cruz (16-0, 8 KOs), of Port Chester, N.Y., battles Belgium’s Dardan Zenunaj (10-1, 8 KOs), of Riverside, Calif., in an eight-round lightweight bout in the ShoBox co-feature while Woodall (8-0-1, 5 KOs), of Houston, meets Steve Rolls (12-0, 6 KOs) of Toronto, Canada, in the second match of a four-fight telecast.

Seven of the eight ShoBox boxers on Friday’s DiBella Entertainment- and Savarese Promotions-promoted card are unbeaten; their combined record is 92-1-5. In the ShoBox main event, Houston’s Regis Prograis (15-0, 12 KOs), takes on Abel Ramos (14-0-2, 9 KOs), of Phoenix, Ariz., in a 10-round super lightweight scrap. Opening the quadrupleheader is a super lightweight eight-rounder between Ivan Baranchyk (8-0, 7 KOs) of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Shadi Shawareb (9-0-2, 5 KOs) of Oklahoma City.

This week, Shields spoke to SHOWTIME about Cruz, 26, and Woodall, 21.

What are your general thoughts on Cruz and Woodall?

“I think they’re both very good, and getting better. They should be contenders very soon. I know they’re ready to show the public and boxing fans what they have, that they belong. That’s why it is so great for them to be part of this ShoBox card at this stage of career. The competition picks up when you’re on ShoBox but this is how you prove you belong. ShoBox is the way to start if you are determined to prove you belong in the upper echelon of your division, and both Peewee and Steed are very determined to do just that.

“I’m proud of both guys for giving me everything they have every day. They are tremendous human beings and I look forward to continuing to work with them. I can’t wait for the day both guys get their hands raised as world champions.’’

How long have you worked with Cruz?

“This is our fourth fight together. The first time I saw him fight was at BB Kings in New York. Kevin Rooney had asked me to take a look of him. I liked what I saw, so he came to Houston to train. Then, he went back to New York and didn’t look impressive in his fight there. After that, he came back to Houston, I got him an apartment and we’ve been together since.’’

How would you describe Cruz’ style and work ethic?

“Peewee can box when he has to box. He has a really good jab, and is really fast when he uses it. When he has to put on pressure he can do it that way, too. He loves fighting that way, throwing punches all the time. But he’s still learning.

“In and out of the ring, Peewee is very dedicated. There are no problems in the gym. He loves to train, works hard, does what he’s supposed to do and loves to learn. I expect big things from him.”

On fighting late substitute Dardan Zenunaj?

“We know very little about the Belgian kid except that he’s a solid featherweight/super featherweight that comes to fight. We were supposed to fight a kid from Brooklyn, Jesus Ferrer, but he got injured.

“This fight is at 133 pounds, the same as it would have been for Ferrer. Peewee is more of a 130-pounder anyway. When the original fight with Ferrer, a lightweight, was made, it was contracted for 133 pounds. Since both Peewee and Ferrer are DiBella fighters, it was decided to compromise on the weight and split it down the middle. So nothing’s changed weight-wise.

“One thing’s for sure, Peewee is not taking Friday’s fight lightly.’’

Has there been anything about Cruz and/or his development that’s surprised you?

“He hasn’t surprised me at all, not yet. He’s still a young fighter. I think we’re putting him fight-wise at the right pace. We’re excited about his first fight on ShoBox, where people can really see him. Opportunities like this is how you show your capability and what you’re about.

“So many fighters that start on ShoBox wind up fighting on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING. We’re trying to get to that point — fight a few times on ShoBox, show fans how you improve while stepping up in class each time. It (ShoBox) keeps up with you in your career, who you are, where you came from and where you end up.’’

How long have you been with Woodall and what are your general thoughts on him?

“This is my second fight with him. Steed was a top amateur in England. He’s definitely more of a puncher, a really good puncher, one of those kids with dynamite in both hands, and is very strong.’’

How did you and Woodall hook up?

“The first time I was at one of his fights, I didn’t really pay attention to him. Then I got a call right after the fight (Rooney) to see if I had seen his fight. When I said I didn’t, they asked me if I would take a look at him and see if there was anything I thought I could do to improve him.

Then, his manager called me. After that, Steed and his manager came to Houston, we talked, they checked out our gym and he has been here since.’’

Is there one specific thing you concentrate on in training with Woodall?

“Defense is something we have to work on a lot. Steed takes a lot of chances in there. He’ll come straight at you. What we stress in the gym is that if he is going to fight like that then the most important thing to that is to add a good jab first.

“His thing is to catch and counter what the other guy gives.’’

On the upcoming fight with Steve Rolls?

“I’ve been watching a lot of tape on Rolls, and he’s a really good fighter. You can’t underestimate him, that’s why he’s unbeaten. He’s a tall guy (at 5-feet-10, Rolls is three inches taller than Woodall) whose definitely got some skills. Steed has to be really careful.

“A key for Steed is to impose his will on him, show who the better fighter is. This is going to be a good fight.”

Tickets are on sale and priced at $40 GA, $60 GA, $150 Table Seats & $200 VIP Ringside. Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.savaresepromotions.com or by calling (713) 658-0299.

Barry Tompkins will call the ShoBox action from ringside with Steve Farhood and former world champion Raul Marquez serving as expert analysts. The executive producer is Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

# # #

About ShoBox: The New Generation
Since its inception in July 2001, the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series, ShoBox: The New Generation has featured young talent matched tough. The ShoBox philosophy is to televise exciting, crowd-pleasing and competitive matches while providing a proving ground for willing prospects determined to fight for a world title. Some of the growing list of the 65 fighters who have appeared on ShoBox and advanced to garner world titles includes: Andre Ward, Deontay Wilder, Erislandy Lara, Shawn Porter, Gary Russell Jr., Lamont Peterson, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Omar Figueroa, Nonito Donaire, Devon Alexander, Carl Froch, Robert Guerrero, Timothy Bradley, Jessie Vargas, Juan Manuel Lopez, Chad Dawson, Paulie Malignaggi, Ricky Hatton, Kelly Pavlik, Paul Williams and more.

Jermall Charlo retained the IBF Jr. Middleweight title with a 4th round stoppage over Wilky Campfort in Dallas, Texas.

In round two. Charlo dropped Campfort with a stiff jab. In round three, Charlo landed a right to the head that put Campfort on the canvas for a second time. In round four, it was a combination that sent Campfort to a knee. Campfort got to his feet but he said he could not see and the fight was stopped at 1:16 of round four.

Charlo, 154 lbs of Houston, TX is 23-0 with 18 knockouts. Campfort, 153.2 lbs of Tampa, FL is 21-2.

Errol Spence remained perfect with a 5th round stoppage over Alejandro Barrera in a scheduled 12-round Welterweight bout.

In round five, Spence dropped Barrera with a series of body shots in the corner. Spence finished the fight with a series of punches on a bloody Barrera and the fight was stopped just as Barrera fell to the canvas at 46 seconds of round three.

Spence of Desoto, TX is 19-0 with 16 knockouts. Barrera of Monterrey, MX 26-3.

Erickson Lubin scored an explosive second round stoppage over Alexis Camacho in a scheduled 8-round Jr, Middleweight bout.

Lubin dropped Camacho in round one with a right hook to the side of the head. In round two, Lubin landed a perfect right hand that sent Camacho down for the ten count at 42 seconds in round two.

Lubin, 154.4 lbs of Orlando, FL is 13-0 with 10 knockouts. Camacho, 153 lbs of Monterrey, MX is 21-6.

Eddie Ramirez won a 8-round unanimous decision over Balil Mahasin in a Super Lightweight bout.

Ramirez, 141.6 lbs of Aurora, IL won by scores of 78-74 and 77-75 twice and is now 12-0. Mahasin, 141.8 lbs of Oakland, CA is 7-2-1.

Ryan Karl scored a 5th round stoppage over Ken Alvarez in a scheduled 6-round Super Welterweight bout

Karl dropped Alvarez seconds into the fight with a left hook. In round three, Karl sent Alvarez to the canvas with a left. In round five, It was a right that sent Alvarez to the deck and the corner stopped the fight at 2:45 of round five.

Karl, 140.8 lbs of Brennan, TX is 11-0 with 8 knockouts. Alvarez, 141.6 lbs of Dominican Republic is 7-3-2.

Steve Lovett won via 2nd round disqualification over Samuel Miller in a scheduled 6-round Light Heavyweight bput.

Miller was tossed from the fight after being docked 3 points for low blows and then a 4th low blow ended the fight at 2:13 of round two.

Lovett, 177 lbs of New South Wales, AUS is 15-0. Miller, 177.2 lbs of Colombia is 29-13.

John Molina scored a 3rd round stoppage over Jorge Romero in a scheduled 8-round Welterweight bout.

Molina landed a hard right that hurt Romero in round three. Molina landed a hard combination that forced the fight to be stopped at 47 seconds of round three.

Molina, 142.6 lbs of Covina, CA is 28-6 with 23 knockouts. Romero, 143.2 lbs of Culican, MX is 24-11.

DALLAS (October 29, 2015) – Super welterweight world champion Jermall Charlo (22-0, 17 KOs) will defend his title in his home state against “Silky” Wilky Campfort (21-1, 12 KOs) as Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on NBC comes to The Bomb Factory in Dallas Saturday, November 28. Televised coverage begins at 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT.

Also featured, Dallas-native and 2012 Olympian Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr. (18-0, 15 KOs) takes on Mexico’s Alejandro “El Elegido” Barrera (28-2, 18 KOs) in a 12-round contest.

“I haven’t stepped out of the gym since I won the title,” said Charlo. “You get the title, you defend it. That’s the motto. I know Campfort is hungry and at the top of his game, but I’ve been training just as hard, if not harder, to defend my title. It took everything I have to get here and it’s going to take everything I have to remain here.”

“I am ready to fight,” said Campfort. “I am not in this business to run. I’m not afraif of anybody. I’m coming to win a world title and achieve my dream. Charlo better not underestimate me, because I have only victory on my mind.”

“I’m excited for another opportunity to prove that I’m the real deal and I’m ready for any gut that’s put in front of me,” said Spence Jr. “This will be my first time fighting in my hometown and I’m ready to put on a show for Dallas. November 28, it’s going to be another man down.”

“This is a great opportunity to showcase my skills on a big stage,” said Barrera. “I am always in great shape and I plan on giving the fans a great fight. November 28 I will announce myself to the world with a great performance.”

The November 28 event features two rising stars in the sport, both from Texas as they showcase their skills on Thanksgiving weekend. The undefeated Charlo will be defending his world title for the first time while the undefeated Spence Jr. looks to make another impressive statement in his young career that has many calling him a future world champion

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Leija*Battah Promotions, are priced at $100, $85, $45 and $25, not including applicable fees, and are on sale now. Seating in suites and tables for groups is also available. To purchase tickets visit www.ticketfly.com, www.thebombfactory.com or by emailing m@leijabattahpromo.com. Tickets can also be purchased by calling TicketFly at (877) 987-6487, Leija Battah Promotions at (210) 979-3302 or by visiting The Bomb Factory box office.
A newly crowned champion at 24-years-old, Charlo grabbed his title with a dominant third-round stoppage of Cornelius Bundrage in September. Residing in Houston, Charlo fights in his home state for the first time since a 2013 stoppage of Orlando Lora. Charlo built up his resume in 2014 with dominant victories over Hector Munoz, Norberto Gonzalez and Lenny Bottai before shutting out Michael Finney in March leading up to his world title fight.

Born in Haiti but fighting out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Campfort has not lost since his second pro fight in 2009. The 30-year-old has fought professionally in the U.S., Cayman Islands, Dominican Republic and his native-Haiti. He’s won six fights since the beginning of 2014 including stoppages of Milton Nunez and Devon Moncrieffe. In his last contest he stopped Ronald Montes in the second round on September 18.

A member of the 2012 U.S. Olympic team who boasted a highly decorated amateur career, the 25-year-old Spence Jr. will look to put on a show in front of his hometown Dallas crowd. Spence Jr. is widely regarded as one of the top rising prospects in the sport and was dominant in his PBC debut on April 11 as he defeated Samuel Vargas by fourth-round knockout and he followed that up by stopping Phil Lo Greco in the third round on June 20. Most recently, Spence Jr. recorded a flawless performance in his win over South African Chris van Heerden with an eighth-round stoppage on September 11.

Fighting out of Monterrey, Mexico, Barrera will be fighting in the U.S. for the second time in his career after picking up a victory over John Mackey in 2012. The 29-year-old won his first 20 bouts after turning pro in 2007 and enters this fight with three straight victories including triumphs over Juan Montiel and Jose De Jesus Macias in 2015.
For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, www.nbcsports.com/boxing and www.leijabattahpromo.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @FutureOfBoxing, @ErrolSpenceJr, @LeijaBattahPR, @NBCSports, and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions and www.facebook.com/NBCSports. Highlights available to embed at www.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions.

Former world champion Peter Quillin stopped unheralded Michael Zerafa in round five of their scheduled 10-round Middleweight bout at the Foxwoods Casino Resort in Mashantucket, Connecticut.

Quillin got the better of the action over the first 4-plus rounds. In round five, Quillin landed a right hand that staggered Zerafa back and a follow-up booming right sent Zerafa crumbling to the canvas and the fight was stopped at

Zerafa was removed from the ring on a stretcher.

Quillin, 160 lbs of Brooklyn, NY is 32-0-1 with 23 knockouts. Zerafa, 162 lbs of Melbourne, Australia is 17-22.

The win for Quillin now sets up a match that has brewing for a couple years with WBA Middleweight champion, Danny Jacobs. That bout will take place on December 5 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

PETER QUILLIN

“It is hard to celebrate a performance like that, especially when someone is leaving on a stretcher. Unfortunately that is part of the game. I just pray that he gets better and gets home to Australia safe and sound.

“I made a bad mistake in my past when I fought Miranda. I learned that you have to give every guy credit.

“What’s important is that I’m ready for Danny Jacobs. Now it’s time for Brooklyn to see me and Danny Jacobs. We’ve waited for a long time for it.

“I like Danny because I’m a big fan of his. But business is business unfortunately.

“[To Jacobs] We can do it right here if you want to take off that suit and put on those gloves. Lets do it right now.

“I’m back in camp on Monday. I’m getting ready for Danny Jacobs.

“Right now he’s the champ, I’m the challenger. I like to be in that position. It motivates me. I fight for all the kids who were told they wouldn’t make it.”

DANIEL JACOBS, Middleweight World Champion is expected to take on Quillin on December 5.

“I’m from Brownsville in Brooklyn. I never ran and I never will.

“December 5 at Barclays Center. I’m the champion and he’s the challenger.

“I don’t know how it’s going to go down, but it’s going to be a great fight.

“In the sport of boxing, you can’t make too many friends.

“It will be one of the biggest fights that Brooklyn has had in a long time.

“I’m a mover, I’m a power puncher and I have a high boxing IQ. He has trouble with guys that move and I can think on the fly.

“This [fight] is all the motivation I needed…what other motivation do you need to get your butt in the gym and get prepared?

“They call me the ‘Miracle Man’. It’s no secret that I have motivation to be the best I can be. Come December 5, Brooklyn is going to have a new star.”

Jermall Charlo captured the IBF Jr. Middleweight title with an emphatic 3rd round stoppage over Cornelius Bundrage.

In round one, Charlo dropped Bundrage with a perfect counter right. In round two, Charlo sent Bundrage down with all things a jab. Charlo knocked Bundrage down in round three when he landed a right and followed up with a barrage. Charlo finished the deal with a perfect right hand that sent Bundrage down for a fourth and final time an the bout was stopped at 2:33 of round three.

Charlo, 153 lbs of Houton, TX is now 22-0 with 17 knockouts. Bundrage, 153 lbs of Detroits, MI is 34-6.

Charlo landed 33-107 punches.

JERMALL CHARLO

“I’m the champion of the world. It’s all God-given. I couldn’t ask for anything better. I feel good.

“You never put a dog in a pen with a lion. I said I was going to do what I was going to do.

“This is the future. I am the future of boxing.

“I studied and I stayed ready. K-9 got cut and I stayed ready. When I turned pro seven years ago, I didn’t know this would be possible.

“I was ready for 12 rounds, and I knew he was ready for 12 rounds.

“I’ve finally made it to the championship status. To be classified as a world champion, it’s history.

“The fight went exactly how we thought it would. It was getting rough and I was ready for it. It was just a matter of time. It’s the best feeling in the world.

“I want to become even better. I want to defend my title and show everyone how good I am.”

CORNELIUS BUNDRAGE

“You win some, you lose some. The problem was, I’ve been inactive. I was in there with a good fighter who has been active and is hungry.

“I’m older and have to stay active to stay with these young guys. I’m not going anywhere. I have to stay active to see punches coming.”

2012 U.S. Olympian Marcus Browne scored a 1st round stoppage over former champion Gabriel Campillo in a scheduled 10-round Light Heavyweight bout.

Browne sent Campillo down with a hard left hand and then a body shot. Browne finished off Campillo with a straight left for a 2nd knockdown and the fight was stopped at

Browne, 175 lbs of Staten Island, NY is 16-0 with 12 knockouts. Campillo, 179 lbs of Madrid, Spain is 25-8-1.

MARCUS BROWNE

“My performance was definitely a statement to everyone in the light heavyweight division – watch out. We’re here!

“He was standing straight up and my trainer said to hit him with a nice straight jab. I threw the 1-2 and then I followed up.

“I took my time and just let it come.

“My trainer Gary Stark told me to come around the arms and that’s what I did. You can see it.”

MASHANTUCKET, CT (August 10, 2015) – Undefeated middleweight star Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin (31-0-1, 22 KOs) will headline in a 12-round middleweight bout against Michael Zerafa (17-1, 9 KOs) while super welterweight world champion Cornelius “K-9” Bundrage (34-5, 19 KOs) defends against undefeated rising star Jermall Charlo (21-0, 16 KOs) on an action-packed edition of Premier Boxing Champions on NBC Saturday, September 12 live from Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut starting at 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT.

“I’m ready and excited to return to the ring on NBC on September 12,” said Quillin. “I’m already deep into training camp and preparing to be in the best shape of my career. I know my opponent is dangerous and he’s coming to make a name for himself. I’m at the top of my game and I plan to stay there.”

“I’m excited for this fight. This sport is all about fighting the best and giving the fans what they want to see,” said Zerafa. “This is a great opportunity and I’m looking forward to coming over there and putting on a show.”

“It’s a blessing to be the junior middleweight world champion,” said Bundrage. “I want to thank my entire team for making this fight happen. I’m looking forward to my debut on PBC and successfully defending my second world title. Detroit is where the title is at, it’s not going anywhere. I will be ready to give my supporters all around the world a great performance, in victory.”

For Charlo this is a long-awaited title shot. He and his brother, Jermell, are both top prospects in the 154-pound division.

“This is my time, I’ve never been more ready for a fight,” said Charlo. “I’ve dreamed about a fight like this for a long time and it’s here in front of me. I will be spectacular and I will finish Cornelius Bundrage.”

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment, are priced at $150, $85 and $45, not including applicable service charges and taxes and are on sale now. Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com and www.foxwoods.com or by visiting the Foxwoods’ Box Office. To charge by phone call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000.

“Peter Quillin is coming off the toughest fight of his career. We are looking forward to him getting back in the ring, in anticipation of the long-awaited showdown with Daniel Jacobs later this year,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “Young, hungry Michael Zerafa is looking to upset the apple cart. With no pressure and nothing to lose, he will try to throw a wrench into Kid Chocolate’s lofty plans. Young Jermall Charlo looks to put his name on the 154-pound map by taking a world title from veteran champion and puncher Cornelius ‘K9’ Bundrage. We are thrilled to bring this PBC event to DiBella Entertainment’s New England home, Foxwoods.”

“For 23 years, Foxwoods has been the East Coast capital for the best in entertainment and sports, especially boxing, where we have been privileged to host hundreds of fights featuring the best fighters in the world,” said Felix Rappaport, President and CEO Foxwoods Resort Casino. “On September 12, continuing in that rich tradition, The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation and Foxwoods will be honored to work with the best in the business, Lou DiBella and Premier Boxing Champions series, as they present a nationally televised afternoon of championship boxing live coast-to-coast on NBC.”

Quillin returns to action on September 12 fresh off of a hard-fought draw against middleweight world champion Andy Lee looking to keep his undefeated record intact. He won a middleweight belt in 2012 with his star-making, six-knockdown performance against Hassan N’Dam in the first boxing card hosted at Barclays Center. Born in Chicago but fighting out of New York City, the 31-year-old went on to defend that title against strong contenders Fernando Guerrero, Gabriel Rosado and Lukas Konecny. Now, “Kid Chocolate” looks to show off his superstar skills on network television for the second time.

After turning pro at 18-years-old, Zerafa won the first 15 starts of his career while fighting out of his native Australia. At 23-years-old Zerafa will make his U.S. debut on September 12 when he comes to Connecticut to take on Quillin. He owns wins over previously unbeaten fighters Bruno Carvalho and Luke Sharp and is coming off of a fourth round TKO over Yodmongkol Singmanasak in March.

Bundrage’s career has skyrocketed in recent years since a world title winning performance in 2010 over Cory Spinks. The Detroit-native went on defend the title against Sechew Powell and Spinks. He would lose the title in 2013 but quickly earned another shot against Carlos Molina, who he would defeat by unanimous decision to become a two-time world champion. He defends against the very hungry Charlo on September 12.

Highly regarded and undefeated,the 24-year-old Charlois primed for his first world title opportunity. He remained undefeated in 2014 with dominant victories over Hector Munoz, Norberto Gonzalez and Lenny Bottai and started 2015 by shutting out Michael Finney in March. Fighting out of Houston, Charlo will no doubt look to be impressive in his first PBC opportunity.

For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, www.dbe1.comand www.nbcsports.com/boxing,follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @KidChocolate @K9Boxing, @FutureOfBoxing, @LouDiBella, @FoxwoodsCT and @Swanson_Comm,
become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainmentand www.facebook.com/NBCSports.

Amir Khan made his claim to be a possible Floyd Mayweather opponent by scoring an emphatic 12-round unanimous decision over Devon Alexander in a battle of multi-division former world champions at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Khan, 147 lbs of Bolton, England won by scores of 120-108, 119-109 and 118-110 and is now 30-3. Alexander, 147 lbs of St. Louis, MO is now 26-3.

Keith Thurman retained the WBA Interim Lightweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Leonard Bundu

In round one, Thurman dropped Bundu with a left hand. Thurman was never challenged the rest of the night.

Thurman oulanded Bundu 189-62.

Thurman, 146 1/2 lbs of Clearwater, FL won by scores of 120-107 on all cards and is now 24-0-1. Bundu, 146 1/2 lbs of Florence, IT is now 31-1-2.

Abner Mares scored a stoppage after round five in his scheduled 10-round bout with Jose Ramirez in a Super Featherweight bout.

Mares dropped Ramirez in the 1st from a right hand. Mares was cut over his right eye later in the frame. In round five, Mares landed a combination that was finished off by a left hook that sent Ramirez to the canvas. Mares continued to drill Ramirez for the remainder of the round and the bout was stopped in between frames.

Mares of Guadalajara, MX is now 28-1-1 with 15 knockouts. Ramierez of Mexicali, MX is now 24-4-2.

Jermall Charlo scored a 3rd round stoppage over Lenny Botai in a scheduled 12-round IBF Jr. Middleweight elimination bout.

Botai was cut in round two around his left eye. In round three, Charlo landed a left hook that sent Botai to the canvas. Bottai got up at nine but the referee stopped the fight just as Botai’s corner threw in the towel at 39 seconds of round three.

Charlo, 154 lbs of Houston, TX is now 20-0 with 16 knockouts. Botai, 154 lbs of Italy is now 22-3.

LAS VEGAS (Nov. 25, 2014) – With the holiday season fast approaching, boxing fans will have plenty to celebrate at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, Dec. 13, as the star-studded “ROYAL BATTLE: Khan vs. Alexander” has grown to a quadrupleheader. Added to the previously announced SHOWTIME telecast will be a 10-round featherweight bout featuring former three-division world champion Abner Mares (27-1-1, 14 KOs) against Mexico’s Jose Ramirez (24-3-2, 15 KOs), and opening the live SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING portion of the event at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT will be a 12-round IBF Title Elimination bout between unbeaten Jermall Charlo (19-0, 15 KOs) and Italy’s Lenny Bottai (22-2, 9 KOs).

Headlined by the high-stakes 12-round welterweight matchups between British superstar and former unified super lightweight world champion Amir “King” Khan and former two-division world champion Devon Alexander “The Great,” and featuring the interim WBA Welterweight World Championship 12-round title fight between Keith “One Time” Thurman against Leonard “The Lion” Bundu, the live SHOWTIME event will offer a full night of boxing action.

SHOWTIME EXTREME viewers will also be treated to outstanding live action beginning at 7 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast), with top 154-pound contender Jermell “Iron Man” Charlo(24-0, 11 KOs) putting his unbeaten record on the line in a 10-round bout against Mario Alberto Lozano (28-5, 20 KOs) and undefeated 2012 United States Olympian Errol Spence Jr. (14-0, 11 KOs) taking on longtime contender “Mighty” Mike Arnaoutis (24-10-1, 11 KOs) of Greece in an eight-round junior middleweight contest. Plus, the return of former welterweight world champion “Vicious” Victor Ortiz (29-5-2, 22 KOs) against Denver’s Manuel Perez (21-10-1, 4 KOs) will be aired during the SHOWTIME EXTREME telecast.

Rounding out the non-televised card, in an eight-round cruiserweight bout featuring Beibut Shumenov (14-2, 9 KOs) versus Robert Thomas Jr. (14-2-1, 9 KOs) and Tokyo’s Yoshihiro Kamegai (24-2-1, 21 KOs) will face off against San Jose’s Oscar Godoy (13-3, 6 KOs) in an eight-round junior middleweight showdown.

Tickets for the live event are on sale now and are priced at $300, $200, $100, and $50, not including applicable service charges and taxes. Tickets are limited to eight (8) per person with a limit of four (4) at the $50 price range. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also are available at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

Facing off against former world champion Abner Mares will beMazatlan, Mexico native Jose Ramirez, (24-3-2, 15 KOs), who can put himself in the running for a world title shot at 126 pounds with a win on Dec. 13. A professional since 2006, the 27-year-old former WBO International Featherweight World Champion is 3-2 in his last five bouts, a stretch that includes a victory over veteran contender Rey Bautista. Ramirez now makes his home in Oxnard, Calif., where he’s put in an intense training camp for the biggest fight of his career.

Former amateur sensation Jermall Charlo (19-0, 15 KOs) of Houston, Texas has made his presence known in the professional game with all but four of his wins coming by way of knockout. The 24-year-old Charlo is ready to continue to make a statement that he is one of the best junior middleweights in the world when he opens the Dec. 13 telecast against Lenny Bottai. His most recent win, a seventh round technical knockout over Norberto Gonzalez in September has given Charlo the drive to close out the year with a victory and head into 2015 with a world championship in his sights.

On a quest to bring a world championship home to Italy, Livorno’s Lenny “Mangusta” Bottai (22-2, 9 KOs) is a seasoned veteran of European rings, where he has won the Italian, IBO International, IBF International, IBF Intercontinental and WBC Mediterranean Junior Middleweight titles. The only thing missing for the 37-year-old warrior is a world title belt and following seven consecutive victories, four by knockout, he can move one step closer to glory should he upend Charlo.

Winner of nine of his last 11 fights, 27-year-old Mario Alberto “Aguila” Lozano (28-5, 22 KOs) will be a stern test for unbeaten Jermell Charlo on Dec. 13 in Las Vegas. A stellar welterweight contender for several years, the Chihuahua, Mexico native is now putting his skills on display at 154 pounds, where he has recently battled respected contenders Vanes Martirosyan and Charles Hatley. But to set the stage for a title run, Lozano must dispatch Charlo from the ranks of the unbeaten and end 2014 with a bang.

2012 U.S. Olympian Errol Spence Jr. (14-0, 11 KOs) has been making a steady climb up the divisional ranks since turning professional. After a shutout win over rugged veteran Ronald Cruz in June and a dominating technical knockout victory over the experienced Noe Bolanos in September, the 24-year-old from Desoto, Texas is primed to take his next big step.

Fresh from his first fight as a professional in his native Greece, a second round knockout of Andrei Staliarchuk in May, Athens’ “Mighty” Mike Arnaoutis (25-10-2, 12 KOs) will see if 2012 U.S. Olympian Errol Spence Jr. has what it takes to move to the next level when they collide. A veteran of nearly 14 years in the pro game, the 35-year-old Arnaoutis has battled the likes of Josesito Lopez, Chris Algieri, Danny Garcia and Victor Ortiz in his career, and he still feels he gas plenty left his as he tackles one of boxing’s brightest prospects.

“ROYAL BATTLE: Khan vs. Alexander,” a 12-round welterweight bout for the WBC Silver Welterweight Title, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Khan Promotions and The Great Promotions and is sponsored by Corona Extra, AT&T and Mexico – Live It To Believe It! The event will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. and will air on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT). In the co-main event, Keith Thurman defends his interim WBA Welterweight World Title against Leonard Bundu. Additionally, Abner Mares will face Jose Ramirez in a 10-round featherweight bout and opening the telecast, Jermall Charlo will meet Lenny Bottai in a 12-round IBF Junior Middleweight Title eliminator. The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast will also be available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP). Preliminary bouts will be televised on SHOWTIME EXTREME (7 p.m. ET/PT).

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and www.sports.sho.com, follow on Twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing,@SHOSports, @AmirKingKhan, @TheRealDevonA, @KeithfThurmanJr, @abnermares00, @FutureOfBoxing, @TwinCharlo, @ErrolSpenceJr @viciousortiz, @MGMGrand and @Swanson_Comm follow the conversation using #KhanAlexander, become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing and www.facebook.com/SHOBoxing, or visit SHOWTIME Boxing Blog at http://theboxingblog.sho.com/.

Luis Ortiz won the WBA Interim Heavyweight title with a 1st round stoppage over Lateef Kayode in a fight between undefeated Heavyweights at the Joint at The Hard Rock in Las Vegas.

Ortiz scored a knockdown in the first thirty seconds from a a right hook to the head. Kayode looked like he was steady until he ate a vicious left on the ropes that started a 13-punch barrage until the fight was stopped at 2:55 of round one.

Kayode seemed to be taking the punches well before referee Robert Byrd stopped the bout.

Ortiz, 233 3/4 lbs of Miami is now 22-0 with 19 knockouts. Kayode, 221 1/4 lbs of Los Angeles, is 20-1.

Jesus Cuellar may have kicked the dirt on the career of Juan Manuel Lopez by scoring an explosive 2nd round stoppage in a scheduled 12-round WBA Interim Featherweight title.

Cuellar landed a vicious 4 punch combination that crumpled the former 2-time world champion to the canvas and the fight was stopped at 1:36 of round two.

Cuellar, 125 1/2 lbs of Argentina is now 25-1 with 19 knockouts. Lopez, 125 lbs of Puerto Rico is now 34-5.

Jermall Charlo remained undefeated by scoring a 7th round stoppage over Norberto Gonzalez in a scheduled 8-round Jr. Middleweight bout.

Charlo dropped Gonzalez in round five from a hard combination and continied to batter him until the fight was stopped in round seven at 1:23 when Gonzalez’ corner threw in the towel.

Charlo, 155 3/4 lbs of Houston, TX is now 19-0 with 15 knockouts. Gonzalez, 156 1/4 lbs of Monterrey, MX is 20-6.

In a battle of undefeated Jr. Middleweights, Julian Williams registered an 8-round unanimous decision over Eliezer Gonzalez.

Williams was effective with the right hand and out landed Gonzalez at an almost three to one rate and won by scores of 80-72 on all cards.

Williams, 154 1/4 lbs of Philadelphia, PA is now 17-0-1. Gonzalez, 154 1/4 lbs of San Juan, PR is 14-1.

Errol Spence Jr. scored a stoppage victory over Noe Bolanos after two rounds when Bolanos apparently hurt his hand.

It was looking academic anyway as Spence started to dominated as he featured his left hand in round two.

Spence, 148 lbs of Desoto, TX is now 14-0 with 11 knockouts. Bolanos, 149 3/4 lbs of Obregan, MX is now 26-11-1.

Josesito Lopez scored an 8-round unanimous decision over Rafael Cabos in a Welterweight fight.

Lopez, 146 1/2 lbs of Riverside, CA won by scores of 80-72 on all cards and is now 33-6. Cabos. 146 1/2 lbs of Tijuana, MX is now 15-5-5.

LAS VEGAS (March 7, 2014) – As of Friday morning, Carlos Molina has officially become unavailable for his junior middleweight championship title defense against Jermall Charlo originally scheduled for tomorrow night. In light of these circumstances, the 10-round lightweight showdown between Ricardo “Dinamita” Alvarez and Sergio “Yeyo” Thompson has been elevated as the opening bout of the four-fight SHOWTIME PPV® presentation of “TOE TO TOE: Canelo vs. Angulo” at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

The 32-year-old Alvarez (23-2-3, 13 KOs), a lightweight contender and brother of Canelo, will face the power punching, 30-year-old Thompson (28-3, 26 KOs) in what is expected to be a slugfest between two Mexican brawlers.

In Saturday’s main event, Mexican boxing superstar and former world champion Canelo Alvarez will face hard-hitting countryman Alfredo “El Perro” Angulo in the first blockbuster boxing event of 2014. Saturday’s live pay-per-view telecast begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

# # #

“TOE TO TOE: Canelo vs. Angulo,” a 12-round super welterweight fight taking place Saturday, March 8 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Canelo Promotions and sponsored by Corona, AT&T and Casamigos Tequila. In the PPV televised undercard two-division world champion Leo Santa Cruz will defend his WBC Super Bantamweight World title against former three-time world champion Cristian Mijares and Jorge Linares will square off in a 10-round lightweight bout against Nihito Arakawa. The four-fight telecast, which opens with a 10-round lightweight bout between Ricardo Alvarez and Sergio Thompson, will be produced and distributed live by SHOWTIME PPV beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. The event can be heard in Spanish using secondary audio programming (SAP). “TOE TO TOE: Canelo vs. Angulo” will be broadcast in over 400 select movie theaters across the country.

Tickets are on sale now and are priced at $600, $400, $200 and $100, not including applicable service charges and taxes, with a total ticket limit of 10 per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also are available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com. Movie theater tickets are available at participating theater box offices and online at www.FathomEvents.com.

IBF Jr. Middleweight champion Carlos is in a Las Vegas jail due to some outstanding warrants that is putting his title defense with Jermall Charlo in jeopardy that is scheduled for this Saturday in Las Vegas according to Dan Rafael of espn.com

“We’re still working on getting him out of jail,” Warriors Boxing promoter Leon Margules told ESPN.com on Thursday after Molina was a no show at the final news conference. “There is an immigration hold on him and we’re trying to figure everything out. I’m doing my best. Carlos just said, ‘Get me out, I want to fight.'”

Molina, 30, of Chicago, was arrested in Las Vegas on Tuesday morning on an outstanding warrant from 2007 in Wisconsin because he failed to register as a sex offender. But even after the warrant was taken care of Thursday and Molina had been granted bail, his release was denied when Las Vegas police learned that he was also wanted by immigration officials.

“In 2001, when he was 18 years old — and I’m just learning all this this week — he got arrested for statutory rape. She was 16 or 15, two teenagers,” Margules, who is also an attorney, said. “Not knowing how it would impact his life at all, he pled guilty to time served in Appleton, Wis., and did three years probation and never registered as a sex offender. That was what the warrant was for. I worked it out.

“We spoke to Wisconsin and we agreed on a $10,000 bond. We had a bond hearing (Thursday morning in Las Vegas). I posted the bond. He was supposed to be out by 10 or 11 and be at the press conference. Then we found out there was an immigration hold.”

“I thought he was a citizen. He was a permanent resident,” Margules said.

“I’m working on it. Do I think I’m getting him out? I have no idea,” he said. “I thought I was getting him out (Thursday) morning. I’m trying to get to the bottom of what the actual issue is. The first time I heard the word ‘immigration’ was when he was bailing out of jail.”

“It’s a lot frustrating. It’s part of the struggle but I’m here to fight,” Charlo said. “I’m in shape. I had an awesome training camp. I’m ready for whatever Carlos Molina brings or if he don’t bring it, I’m ready to get back in camp and get another fight.

“Stuff happens. My hopes up are. I really feel like the fight is gonna happen. I’m here waiting. I’m anticipating that I’ll fight. I’m gonna weigh in (on Friday) and I’m gonna be on point. If we don’t fight, I’ll take a rest and I’ll get back in camp.”

JERMALL CHARLO, Top Junior Middleweight Contender

“I’m super excited to bring the IBF title back to Houston. It’s been a long time coming for me and my twin brother Jermell. On March 8, I’m going to give it all I got.

“This is like a regular fight to me. I work hard for every fight. Carlos Molina, he is just the stepping-stone and I just have to get past this obstacle. Once my team gets past this, I feel like we’ll be at the top forever.

“This fight is big. It’s major. I’m 17 -0 right now. I haven’t even clinched 20 fights and I’m fighting for a world title. I feel like an elite fighter. I have an elite team behind me. So, it’s just a matter of time.”

[On working with trainer Ronnie Shields]
“It’s great. I feel like it can’t get any better. Having a team like this led by Ronnie Shields, it doesn’t get any better than this.

“This is like any other fight I’ve ever had. In 2013 none of my opponents had been knocked out. I knocked them out. I face top guys and it’s just another day in the office for me.

“My team gets me ready and it’s not about just me. My team got me prepared and ready with what I can do in the ring. Ronnie Shields has been with top-class athletes in the sport of boxing. I’m the next one.”

[On the work to get to this point in camp]
” We all have one big goal to accomplish. With my team behind me like they’ve been behind me, I couldn’t ask for anything better. Not only my team, but I have the whole city [of Houston] behind me. It’s just in a matter of time. Training with Brian Vera, training with my twin brother, those guys push me to be where I am. I know I have a lot to prove so, on March 8th I’m going to give you all I have and bring that IBF title back to this city.”

RONNIE SHIELDS, Charlo Trainer

[On what he is doing to prepare Jermall Charlo for his upcoming fight]

“We aren’t doing anything different then what we’ve already been doing. The thing about us is, we train hard every day. We don’t skip a beat on anything because on certain fights people might not think what we are doing is that important. Every fight is important. So you have to be ready for every fight. This is what we’ve always trained for.”

[On Jermall’s growth as a fighter]
“At the end of 2012 we were 10-0. So I called Al Haymon and I said ‘Look, you have to sign this kid.’ I said ‘this kid is going to be champion of the world for a very long time. He’s young and he’s strong. He’s got everything that it takes.’ So he said OK. I said we’ve just got to keep him busy. So, seven fights later, seven knockouts, now here it is and he’s fighting for a world title.”

# # #

“TOE TO TOE: Canelo vs. Angulo,” a 12-round super welterweight fight taking place Saturday, March 8 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Canelo Promotions and sponsored by Corona, AT&T and Casamigos Tequila. In world title fights on the undercard, Two-Division World Champion Leo Santa Cruz will defend his WBC Super Bantamweight World Title against former Three-Time World Champion Cristian Mijares exciting young star Omar Figueroa will risk his WBC Lightweight Title against Canelo’s brother Ricardo Alvarez and Carlos Molina will defend his IBF Junior Middleweight Championship against undefeated Jermall Charlo. Carlos Molina vs. Jermall Charlo is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Warriors Boxing. This event will be produced and distributed live by SHOWTIME PPV beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. The event can be heard in Spanish using secondary audio programming (SAP). “TOE TO TOE: Canelo vs. Angulo” will be broadcast on over 400 select movie theaters across the country.

Tickets are on sale now and are priced at $600, $400, $200, $100, $50 and $25, not including applicable service charges and taxes, with a total ticket limit of 10 per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also are available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com. Movie theater tickets are available at participating theater box offices and online at www.FathomEvents.com.

Kelly Swanson
Thanks, everybody for joining us today. We’re very excited to be talking about the fantastic undercard of the Canelo vs. Angulo pay-per-view event, which is taking place Saturday, March 8 in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand Garden Arena and live on Showtime PPV®. Today joining us will be Leo Santa Cruz, Cristian Mijares, Omar Figueroa, Carlos Molina, Jermall Charlo and Eric Gomez, who will be running the call.

We’re going to start with Jermall Charlo and Carlos Molina and then work our way up to the other fighters. So, without further ado I’m going to turn it over to Eric to give the notes and make the introductions for the fighters. Eric?

Eric Gomez
Great. Thank you, Kelly. Thank you very much to all the media that’s on the call. We appreciate you guys being on. The co-feature, Leo Santa Cruz vs Cristian Mijares is a 12-round WBC Super Bantamweight followed by Omar Figueroa vs. Ricardo Alvarez, the for the lightweight world championship. Opening up the pay-per-view telecast will be Carlos Molina, the IBF Junior Middleweight World Champion against Jermall Charlo.

Saturday, March 8 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Canelo Promotions, sponsored by Corona and AT&T. Carlos Molina vs. Jermall Charlo is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Warriors Boxing. The show is going to be produced and distributed by Showtime PPV, beginning at 9:00 p.m. Eastern and 6:00 p.m. Pacific.

The event can be heard in Spanish using Secondary Audio Programming, SAP. Tickets are on sale now and are priced at $600, $400, $200, $150 and as low as $25, not including the service charges, taxes, available to be purchased at www.mgmgrand.com or ticketmaster.com.

“Toe To Toe: Canelo vs Angulo” will be broadcast to nearly 400 select movie theaters across the country. Tickets are available at participating theater box offices and online at www.fathomevents.com.

Okay, after having said that let me introduce to your first our first fighter participating on the undercard. He’s a young, undefeated American fighter, 17-0 with 13 knockouts out of Houston, Texas, first started boxing in September of 2008, has won his last four within the division, including the fifth round knockout of Joseph De Los Santos in December. He’s a twin brother of the unbeaten also contender, Jermell Charlo. He is 23-years-old and this is his first world title fight against Carlos Molina. So, if I can please introduce Jermall Charlo to say a few words.

Jermall Charlo
How is everybody doing? I’m just pleased to be on this card fighting in Las Vegas for the second time at MGM Grand on March 8 against the IBF World Champion Carlos Molina. This is going to be a test night for me. I’m prepared for it. As of right now, today, I’m probably nearly just 10 pounds over the weight. I feel strong.

Carlos Molina is a great fighter. He’s a world champion. I give him all the credit for even just choosing me to fight him and giving me the opportunity. I’m going to be well-prepared, well-disciplined in the ring when it’s time to go. I just want to give the fans an exciting toe to toe match-up that they’ve been waiting for.

E. Gomez
That’s great. Thank you very much, Jermall. Now, I want to introduce the World Champion, Carlos “King” Molina with a record of 22-5, two draws, six KOs, originally from Michoacán, Mexico. Now he’s living in Chicago, Illinois. He’s the World Champion. He’s 30 years old. Carlos is probably the most avoided champion out there. It’s incredible. He’s the toughest guy out there and he won the title by beating Ishe Smith in probably one of the biggest Pay-Per-Views in recent history.

But, you know what, he’s stepping up to the plate again to defend his title and looking for bigger, better things in the division. So, Carlos, can you please make a few comments?

Carlos Molina
Thanks to everybody for being here. I feel great. The training camp has been going good, top shape, I feel good. I just want to fight and defend my title as often as I possibly can. Like I said before, I just want to keep fighting and I plan to get those bigger fights and decided to take this fight with an undefeated fighter like Jermall Charlo and just whoever they put in front of me, I’m ready to fight and I’m ready to run.

Q
Jermall, when you got this fight it caught maybe some people by surprise because your brother, who is also undefeated and was moving along, at this point has a few more fights than you professionally, has maybe fought a little bit better competition than you. Was there anything within the family between you and your brother that was sort of like, oh man, that he said to you that you got this title fight before I did, even though the view was that maybe he fought a little bit better at this point because he had had a few more fights than you had?

J. Charlo
Yeah, of course, you know, me and my brother we stick by each other’s side and he called me with just a little bit of laughter in between like, wow, you made it, like this is it right here. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me. I’m going to make my best to get this opportunity to fight Carlos Molina out of nowhere and just like they doubted my brother, they’re doubting me. So, it’s only making me try harder and it’s only making me grind to my maximum potential where I’m going to shut Carlos Molina out.

Q
I believe it was Eric that talked about Carlos is not a guy that a lot of people want to fight because he’s really good and he’s really got a difficult style to fight. You really have to be on your technical game to beat a guy like Carlos Molina.

I’m wondering when you look at the way he fights whether it was when he fought against Erislandy Lara a couple of years ago in a draw that many people thought he got robbed in or the fight when he won his title against Ishe Smith not too long ago, what do you see in his style that makes you believe that your boxing skills are going to be good enough to, like you said, shut him out or win a very clear decision against him?

J. Charlo
The thing is Carlos Molina, yeah, he’s fought great competition; I don’t feel like Carlos Molina lost against anyone he lost to. I feel like he’s an undefeated fighter at heart. But he’s never fought anyone with my size, my power and my skill, so I’m giving Carlos Molina something he’s never seen before and I want to see how he can deal with it. I mean, he’s the most feared fighter in our division right now that has a title and all of the good things, but I’m going to give him something that he’s never seen before, just like he’s going to give me something that I’ve never seen, but I’ll be more prepared than he will be.

Q
Your brother just got a big win against Rosado a couple of weeks ago. He’s still undefeated. If you beat Carlos Molina and you become the IBF Champion is there ever a scenario where you and your brother would fight each other in a world title fight?

J. Charlo
No. Our belts are going to hang up together. A lot of people ask that and I mean, I don’t think anyone would even want to see my brother and me fight each other. They want to know about it, but it’s not going to happen.

Q
Carlos, they’re taking you, sticking you in the ring against an undefeated guy who a lot of people think very, very highly of. What’s your perception of the way that your first title defense came about?

C. Molina
I mean this is what I wanted. I want full fights, you know. And this was a fight that was also available to me right now at the time and I jumped right in to fight. And, like I said before, I wanted to fight in December and I couldn’t fight Victor Ortiz because they didn’t sanction it, but I’m just very excited. I don’t usually vacation, I don’t need time off or stuff or anything like that. I’m just ready to fight the best and I’m ready to fight for this.

Every month if it was available to me, I’d be fighting every month. Whatever they give me I’m willing to fight.

Q
Carlos, do you look at the main event and think how will it be? Obviously, a big fight for you to fight the winner, particularly if it was Canelo Alvarez, I mean knowing the kind of fans and money that he brings to any kind of event. Is that really part of the motivation for taking this fight on this card?

C. Molina
Well, no, no, not the motivation for it. That was not the motivation. I train hard fight no matter what because if I don’t win I don’t get to advance. And I don’t care what card I’m in or who’s fighting on the main event, to me I’m not going to be kicking around Canelo if I can’t get the fight. I’m just ready to fight if can. If I can’t get the fight, I’ll fight Jermall Charlo then I’ll fight his brother also. That’s what I want, I just want to fight.

Q
First of all, can you reflect on your brother’s performance and how does that motivate you going into a big fight like this, obviously, your biggest opportunity of your career, in terms of the way he handled it and how that rubs off on you?

J. Charlo
Gabriel Rosado, as everybody knows he’s tough and he has nothing to lose, just like Carlos Molina. I know Carlos Molina has his world title that I’m so hungry for. He has nothing to lose fighting me, the way I feel about it. He is the storm. Just like my brother weathered the storm, I’m going to weather the storm also.

Q
Okay, is there anything about his style that you find particularly difficult, pretty much everybody he’s fought has found it to be hard. He’s rugged, very sneaky, he can brawl at times. Do you characterize his style and what it takes to beat somebody like him?

J. Charlo
Carlos Molina is a beast and I’m taking nothing away from Carlos. Everything he wants to do in the ring, he knows how to win, obviously. He’s the world champion. I don’t want people thinking that I’m thinking that Carlos Molina isn’t what he is and I know he’s a monster in the ring so I’m not necessarily worried about his style, I’m not necessarily worried about what he’s going to do. It’s all my God-given attributes that will display the victory for me.

Q
Carlos, obviously, it’s been referenced already over your career the hard luck you’ve had to get in this position, how close your fight was and almost unlikely it was for you to win the title against Ishe Smith, which you did. Given what you’ve been through can you characterize how motivated and determined you are to keep your title?

C. Molina
I mean, it was a tough road. But I don’t want anybody to feel sorry for me or anything like that. That made me a better fighter and I wouldn’t have it any other way, winning my title the way I did. I’m always motivated. I know how hard I’ve worked to get to this point and I’m just, I’m so focused in every fight.

Every fight I treat the same. I treat every fight equally because without winning I wouldn’t be here, so every fight to me, I train like a championship fight, so this is no different. I’m just going to be in top shape and ready to fight.

Q
You’re fighting a very young, talented, big, athletic fighter. Other than his youth, what are the things that are different, if at all, about him than anyone else you’ve fought?

C. Molina
I mean, it’s hard to tell. It’s always hard to tell until you get in the ring and experience it for yourself. We’re just going to give ourselves; I would picture him being even better than what he is right now so that when you go into the ring you’re ready for anything. So, you know, he’s got that jab, he’s got that height and that’s what he uses real good, so we’re just going to take that away from him.

Q
Carlos, people have alluded on this call that basically you have a very awkward style and people find you hard to fight. Obviously, it makes you pretty avoided. How would you describe your style if you had to describe it?

C. Molina
They always say awkward. They say awkward because I feel like they can’t figure it out. So, if you can’t figure it out they just call it awkward. But if anything my style is just smart, sneaky, aggressive, just never do the same thing, always adjusting. And that’s what I do and I’m always thinking no matter what. You’re not always going to see the same fighter under every fight because you’ve got to fight different fighters different.

With this fight it’s no different. I’m just going to adjust to whatever he brings and whatever he does and I’m ready.

Q
Do you think it’s more how you train or is it you as a person, it’s natural for you to be awkward and just have your movement in the ring? Is it something that you consciously make an effort for, I guess, not able to be adjusted to?

C. Molina
Well, yeah, you’ve got to look at who you’re fighting and what they do the best, and then what they do the best, you try to neutralize that. And you just go off that. If he edges up, then I edge up again. It’s always, it’s like a chess match.

They think I’m awkward or a certain style is there. The next thing you know, you take it away from them and you just keep adjusting. You never do the same thing over and over again.

Q
Jermall, have you been sparring with Erislandy Lara or have you been claiming to do that? And has he given you any advice on what to expect with Carlos Molina, seeing that he’s basically the only person to have actually beaten Lara?

J. Charlo
No. His fight with Molina was not advice for me. I’m trained by the great Ronnie Shields. He has a great game plan for Carlos Molina. Ronnie Shields actually lost to Carlos Molina twice, so I don’t think a third time it’s going to happen and we’ll just see how the fight plays out once we get in there.

Q
Was it Carlos who chose you or you did you guys kind of come together and start negotiating from the table because you wanted to fight each other?

J. Charlo
Every fighter, 154 pound division that’s trying to rise to the top where the fighters at the top kind of know what’s going on with each other. At heart, Carlos Molina got turned down by the sanction when he was going to fight Victor Ortiz, which I would have thought he’s the guy. I’m actually further down in the rankings and it’s a lot of guys that really wanted to fight.

And I’m working with Al Haymon, who is the best in boxing and he manages my card and every time I fight he tells me, look, you’re only getting better and better, smarter and smarter, keep trying it and one day we’re going to get that big shot. And sure enough, it happened.

E. Gomez
Before we introduce the next fighter, if we can have a closing statement from the champion, Carlos Molina. Can you just make a closing statement, please?

C. Molina
Yeah, I want to thank God for giving me this opportunity and letting me be as successful as I’ve been in the sport that I love. And I’m ready to put on a show on March 8th and I bring the fight to Jermall Charlo and I’m ready.

E. Gomez
And the challenger now, Jermall, can you please make a closing statement?

J. Charlo
My closing statement is just I want to thank God for just giving me this opportunity. And, Carlos Molina, can you hear me?

C. Molina
Yeah.

J. Charlo
I’ve got a lot of respect for you, man, but when it’s time to fight I respect no party.

C. Molina
Yep, same here, man.

E. Gomez
So, now we’ll introduce the next fighter.

He’s the newly crowned WBC Lightweight World Champion out of Weslaco, Texas. He’s a hard punching fighter, exciting, he’s only 24-years-old. Figueroa, he’s undefeated and he’s going to be in a tough fight come March 8th. He’s fighting Ricardo Alvarez, who is Canelo’s brother, and in one of his most recent fights Figueroa won a unanimous decision in what many people consider, including myself, as one of the best fights ever.

These guys threw so many punches. It was a fight of the year candidate against Nihito Arakawa, and he needed to take a little time off after that fight it was such a grueling fight. It was an exciting fight and now he’s back March 8th to defend his title.

So, Omar, are you on the line? Yes, if you can make a couple of opening statements and then we’ll open it up for questions. Omar?

Omar Figueroa
For sure, we’ll start off saying thank you, guys, at Golden Boys for the opportunity I’m in, my team, everyone making it possible, the WBC. I know I just lost strength, again, but it’s a strong organization, staying at the top of boxing for a while, so I know it will get back to where it was at. But other than that I’m grateful, I’m excited and I’ll be ready come March 8th.

Q
I want to ask you about, going back to, Eric mentioned the fight you had with Arakawa last summer. First of all, if I remember correctly, you hurt both hands in that fight, right?

O. Figueroa
Yes, sir.

Q
How are they now? Because it’s been, you’ve had now a number of months to rest them and make sure that everything is okay. How are those hands?

O. Figueroa
The hands will be all right come March 8. That’s not going to be a worry. Whether they feel fine or whether they don’t, either way the fight is going to happen. And if I mess them up during the fight, it’s going to be the same thing as what happened to me in the Arakawa fight.

I can’t stop, I won’t stop and not my hands, not anything like that. So, you’re still going to get a good show regardless.

Q
Okay. A lot of people thought that was, in fact, the fight of the year last year, like Eric was saying. It kind of came out of nowhere. I think a lot of people knew Omar Figueroa and the kind of style you bring to the ring, but most people were not familiar with your opponent.

When that fight was over, what was it like over the next few weeks, few months, when you would see boxing fans? Can you describe sort of the reaction you would get when people would come to you and talk to you or ask you about that fight? Because it sure made a big impression on a lot of people it seems to me.

O. Figueroa
Yeah, there was certainly I couldn’t expect it; me and my team did not expect that. We honestly felt like we were going to get him out of there in two or three rounds. And it was headed that way until I hurt my hand. It’s like Carlos was saying, it’s a chess game in there. And as soon as I hurt my hand, everything changes, a million things goes through one’s mind.

And, like he said, you have to adjust to whatever, adjust better in the ring and more than likely you’re going to be the winner. I feel like that’s the reason I fight and that’s the reason I fight and what I do because when it comes to thought or movement, I can do that and I do that well when I’m in training camp.

Training gets a little heavy and a little tiring and I do take some days off and on those days I box and I avoid getting hit or I avoid mixing it up. It just gets boring to me. So, the reason I don’t like to do that is because it gets boring. And I know I look like I got hit a lot or like I took a lot of punishment, but in reality I didn’t.

Q
Now, Arakawa is fighting on the undercard also against Linares, so when you guys see each other, say, at the press conference or when you’re maybe in the hotel, do you think you guys will have like a, I know the language barrier is there, but I know you guys have a lot of respect for each other; do you think you’ll have a little bit of a high five or handshake or hug or something in memory of that great fight you had?

O. Figueroa
Definitely. It’s an honor, it was an honor to be in one of those fights, especially for me. I look up to the guy, I admire the guy because he has tremendous work and will. He has balls of steel and the heart of a champion. To be able; because we know how hard I hit, I know how much damage I dealt and for him to be able to take that and smile and remember where we were at because other fighters didn’t remember where we were at, he’s just, I don’t know, an amazing human being when it comes to in relation to boxing.

So, yes, definitely he’ll get a hug, a high five, a handshake, whatever it takes. I’m grateful to have fought him.
Q
When you fought that fight you ended up with the interim title. And then when Adrien Broner decided to stay as a welterweight and was stripped of that title because, obviously, he hadn’t fought a lightweight for quite a while and then you were moved up to the WBC’s full champion. Did it take away anything that you weren’t able to; you won the fight in the ring and they gave you the belt, but you know you were the interim champion. Does it take anything away for you to get it sort of like with a letter or a phone call or a message as opposed to standing in the ring hearing Jimmy Lennon call you, “and the new World Champion”? Does it in any take away from your enjoyment and what you feel about your accomplishment?

O. Figueroa
In reality, it doesn’t really phase me because I don’t really fight for titles. I don’t fight for belts. I fight for something like what you saw on July 27, which is that kind of fight, like knowing that you were in that kind of fight, the reaction I got from the people, the respect that I earned from my opponent and just the fact that everybody, even the casual boxing fans, everybody loved that fight. And that’s what I fight for.

I could care less for titles. I mean, yes, they mean more money, but other than that it doesn’t mean anything nowadays because it’s so, I don’t know how to explain it. But it didn’t matter. Whether I was the champion or now, I’m still going to train the way I train the way I train. I’m prepared for every fight and I’m just willing to go out there, balls out, and try to give the fans the best show they can possibly see. So, title, it doesn’t really matter to me.

Like I said, at the end of the day it means more money, but other than that, a title is just a title. I think the boxers need the belt and I’m going to try to make the best of that belt.

Q
Omar, great fight last time, the kind of fight that Mexican fans like and, obviously, if they’ve seen that fight that’s probably what they’re going to expect this time. Having said that, you’re also going to be in against the brother, the older brother, of a Mexican icon and there are going to be a lot of Mexican eyeballs on this telecast.

What does that mean to you by extension with your being a Mexican-American and knowing that they’re going to be watching your fight, possibly more because of him, but maybe also as much because of you and your style?

O. Figueroa
Like I said, that doesn’t really faze me when it comes to fighting. It won’t change the outcome of a fight or it won’t have any effect on a fight whatsoever. But I’m going to perform like I’ve always said. I’m going to go out there and give 150% and whatever it takes to win, that’s what I’m going to do.

And the main reason we took this fight was because it did represent a good opportunity in the sense of the fan base and the people that would be watching and the amount of people watching. So, other than that, it doesn’t mean anything, but it’s just numbers.

Q
Can you talk more about your thought process when you talk about the fan base and the amount of people and am I wrong in referencing the fact that there are going to be a lot of Mexicans watching this?

O. Figueroa
Oh, yeah, definitely. I mean we have the biggest Mexican fighter right now fighting on that card, so yes, definitely there’s going to be maybe 80% of people watching the fight are going to be Mexican and then to have his brother, have his name out there against me, so that just represents a great opportunity. It’s perfect for me. It’s a perfect platform for me to get my name out there and whatever and I know that the WBC is the Mexican organization, so knowing that it just passed and that for the amount passed and that was given to me and everything, so people are definitely going to be turning out for that fight.

Q
Is there a part of you that kind of pinch yourself for the way things have kind of worked out, that your fight wound up being the interim title and that the WBC belt is based in Mexico and that you are fighting on this card? It just seems like it’s, I don’t know what to say, more than coincidence, but it just seems like you said, perfect.

O. Figueroa
No, sir. This may be a dream come true, but it’s something that I envisioned myself in. I saw this coming a long time ago. And I guess it’s something that you have to, to be great you have to think great thoughts and you have to feel great. You have to train like you’re great. Everything has to be like you’re the greatest and that’s what I’ve been doing.

I’ve been preparing like I’m the greatest. I’ve been training like I’m the greatest. So, I guess you can call it power of suggestion or whatever you want to call it, but it’s just a mentality that you have to have. So, no this doesn’t feel surreal. It just feels like it came in due time. So, I guess other than that, it just came in due time and I’m just going to keep grinding and keep working as hard as I’ve been working.

Q
What do you think about what Ricardo is trying to do? He’s trying to become the third brother, which would make history, in one family to become a world champion?

O. Figueroa
I’m very thankful and gracious for this opportunity to be on this card and to be fighting and defending my title. Obviously, I know that Ricardo, my opponent, is going to be motivated. He’s going to be motivated; he’s trying to make history. He’s trying to be the third brother in the same family to win a world title.

But, obviously, I’m the world champion and I’ve got a lot of say and I’m going to do my part so that that doesn’t happen and I’m going to be well prepared because I know that he’s coming and he’s motivated. And if he saw my last fight he’s in for a tough fight and he’d better be in shape for 12 rounds because I’m going to be in shape for 12 rounds and I’m going to defend my title.
Q
I had a conversation with Joel Diaz, who is your trainer and Joel seems to think it’s going to be a fight that’s going to end, it’s going to end before five rounds, that the way you are training right now, the way you’re looking, he should be able to get a quick knockout and knock him out within five rounds. Omar, do you believe that? Do you think that you’re capable? I mean, you’ve had a long layoff. The last fight was a tough fight. Do you feel that you’re in position to deliver on that kind of a statement that Joel Diaz is making?

O. Figueroa
Joel has some validity to what he’s saying. He’s the one that’s training me, he’s the one that’s watching me and he notices everything I do and the hard work I put into my training camp and my craft.

Most of the time, most of my fights, the majority of my fights, have ended within two or three rounds and it just happened to be that in the last fight I hurt my hands and I didn’t hold up, but I was still able to go 12 hard rounds and that’s what I’m preparing myself for. I’m preparing myself to give it my best and to be in the best shape and to give a good fight and, obviously, yes, I am going to be looking for the knockout.

But if it doesn’t come, if the knockout doesn’t come and if I happen to hurt my hand again, then I’m mentally strong and I can adjust and I know that I’m going to be ready to go 12 rounds and do what I have to do so I can win this fight. So, I’ll be ready. I’ll be ready regardless.

E. Gomez
Okay, great. Thank you very much. Omar, thank you, once again for being on the call. I know that you’re busy in training camp. So, if you can just make a couple of closing statements before you hang up.

O. Figueroa
Yes, definitely. Again, I’m just thankful and grateful for this opportunity. I’m definitely not going to disappoint my fans when it comes to effort. That’s one thing I make sure of and that’s one thing I train to make sure that I don’t do. So, I would just expect the best Omar Figueroa and I would expect a good show. Best of luck to all these fighters and may God protect them during the rest of their training camp, my opponent and everyone, have great training camps and make it safely to the fight.

E. Gomez
All right, so now to introduce our last two fighters on the call. This is the co-feature, Leo Santa Cruz is going to be on the line as well as the challenger Cristian Mijares. This is going to be a 12-round WBC Super Bantamweight World Title. Obviously, Leo Santa Cruz is the Champion. He’s going to be defending his title against the former Champion and challenger from Gomez Palacio, Durango, Mexico. He’s a former three-time World Champion. He’s 32 years old, Southpaw, one of the best fighters in Mexico.

Cristian Mijares is 14-1 in his last 15 fights, dating all the way back to November of 2009. His only defeat came in a world title fight and it was a split decision, controversial split decision against Victor Terrazas and he’s looking to give Leo Santa Cruz all he can handle on March 8th.

So, I want to introduce to you Cristian Mijares. Cristian.

Cristian Mijares
I would like to say hi to all the press. Thank you for being on the call. I’m very happy and motivated to be on this fight card and to be fighting against Leo Santa Cruz for the title once again. Obviously, Leo is a very good fighter and I’m excited to be fighting him and ready to get my chance at the title to become a world champion again. So, thank you all for being on the call.

E. Gomez
Now, I want to introduce the World Champion. Leo “Terremoto” Santa Cruz. He’s undefeated, 26-0, 15 knockouts, originally from Michoacán, Mexico, now he’s living in Los Angeles. He’s widely recognized as one of the highest volume punchers in the game today, broke on to the international scene June of 2012 when he won the IBF Bantamweight World Championship.

Last year he mowed through Alex Munoz in May, earned the Super Bantamweight World Championship after knocking out the Champion, Victor Terrazas in August. And in December he had a very tough fight against Cesar Seda, but was able to win the fight and convincingly.

So, now he’s facing a mandatory challenger, Cristian Mijares, which promises to be a very, very good co-feature and very good fight. So, Leo, if you can please say a few words.

Leo Santa Cruz
Good afternoon, everybody. I want to thank to Golden Boy, Richard Schaefer and my manager Al Haymon for this opportunity, always putting me in great card. I will try really hard not to disappoint.

Q
Three quick questions for you. One, two years ago Oscar De La Hoya said you were the best kept secret in boxing and since then you’ve fought on network TV on CBS, you fought on Pay-Per-View on Showtime. Do you think you are no longer the best kept secret in boxing?

L. Santa Cruz
Hopefully, that’s what I want to be, a good fighter. And I’ll leave it up to the people and if they think I’m a great fighter, I can’t say it for me, I can’t really say that, I guess. But I think I’m doing my job, I’m training hard to become that and if people say it, then it will be fortunately so. I’m going to keep on working hard, training, so that people can be talking good about me and think that.

Q
Do you think people have a better idea and know who you are now more so than they did maybe two years ago?

L. Santa Cruz
I thank God for bringing Al Haymon, my manager, into my life, Golden Boy and Richard Schaefer. And Showtime, because for them they were the ones that gave me the foot here, they were the ones giving me this big undercard. If it wasn’t for all the people like that, nobody would know me because I wouldn’t be on Showtime, I wouldn’t be on this undercard Pay-Per-View like I am now. So, I think I owe that to my manager, to my promoter and Richard Schaefer and Showtime.

Q
My second question is since you became Bantamweight Champion a few years ago and now you’ve become a Super Bantamweight Champion, two weight classes. How is it different for you when you go into the ring knowing that you’re the hunted rather than the hunter when you were pursuing that first title? Is there a different mindset about the way you go about your business in the ring, knowing that you’re defending titles rather than chasing titles?

L. Santa Cruz
No, it feels great. I say that to myself that I’m doing a great job. Before I was the one chasing and now when I hear that people want to fight me, they ask people who do you want to fight and then they say Leo Santa Cruz, it shows that I’m doing something good because they want to fight me, so it just makes all the hard work I’ve been doing and just staying up to really; at the same time it gets me more motivated. It keeps me training harder and trying to learn more. A lot of outsiders are trying to fight me to take that away from me.

Q
My last question, Leo, is as you’ve fought a few experienced fighters the last couple of years, guys with a lot of time in the ring, what will make fighter Mijares different than fighting some of the other guys you’ve faced who have had a lot of experience?

L. Santa Cruz
I think that as I’ve been watching his videos, he’s being trained by, he has a lot of trainers that I see a really good fighter. He’s fast and everything, but everything like that tells me I started working in the gym. So, I think that all the experience, like I sparred with people with great experience, Ponce De Leon, all those Mexicans, a lot of fighters with great experience. So I think in the gym is where I’m learning and when I go out there in the fight I just go and do my job and try to do everything like they tell me and just go out there and give the best, do a great job.

Q
It’s a little easier for you to fight more experienced guys now than maybe it was a couple of years ago when you were still kind of learning, right? You’re much more comfortable fighting older, experienced fighters now, aren’t you?

L. Santa Cruz
Yeah. Those are the fighters I like to fight, they’re more experienced, they adjust more to my style better than fighting like a wilder fighter because they come in, they’re wild. When you fight those experienced fighters your timing is better, everything you do, better punching, everything is better. So, I think those are the fighters that make me work harder.

Q
Leo, you have said in the past that you’ve had fighters whose style you idolize or at least try to emulate. Can you name a few of those fighters? I believe you had said Julio Cesar Chavez was one of them and, if so, what about your style is reflective of theirs do you believe?

L. Santa Cruz
When I was growing up we used to watch Chavez videos and he used to teach me that he loved his body shots and the pleasure that when he grows forward boxing. And my dad, since I started boxing my dad always taught me that body shot, so it’s back to the fact that when you get to that level…. But, that’s what we did, always in the gym practicing, going forward. And like Chavez after he came through a title, his style after he used to fight, box, like to punch and move. That’s how we try to do. When we have to box we’re going to box, if we have to go and pressure, we’re going to go pressure. We’re trying to learn from everything.

Q
My last question is in your last fight Cesar Seda was very clever. At times he exchanged body shots with you, very exciting fight. What did you take away from that fight that you can improve on that will help you in this fight? I don’t think you were quite able to do everything you wanted to do with him and had to make adjustments. What did you learn from that experience?

L. Santa Cruz
He was a great fighter and he came ready, he wanted that title and he showed that night. But we, I think had to box a little more and I think we’re going to that now for Mijares and I’m in the gym training really hard and little by little we’re going to be practicing how to fight those kind of fighters that move a lot.

Q
The name or the fighter that guys both have in common is Victor Terrazas. Can we measure both of you guys or your fight against fighting Victor Terrazas?

C. Mijares
No, it’s very different. There’s no parameters between Victor Terrazas there’s no comparison. It’s very different. It’s about styles and Leo has a different style. But I think that we both beat Victor Terrazas. Obviously, I didn’t get the decision, but I think that I wore him down. I hurt him in the fight and I prepared him for Leo. But I’m going to be well-prepared for this fight. This is going to be a different kind of fight against Leo and I’m going to be well-prepared and I think that we’re going to be, both, giving it our all and it’s going to be a great fight.

L. Santa Cruz
Yes, I agree with Cristian. It’s very different. This is about styles. It’s a different style and even though we both fought the same guy, it doesn’t mean that you can measure us on that fight. But I’m glad that he’s training hard because I’m also training hard and I know I’m fighting a very, very good fighter in Cristian Mijares, so I have to be 100%. And that’s all I can expect. I’m going to be ready and I know he’s going to be ready and I’m sure we’re going to both make it a good fight.

Q
In your last fight with Seda you actually fought a very good disciplined fight. You kind of gave yourself a low mark in that fight, even though I thought you performed fantastically. Do you feel that you have to top each performance and each fight as you go along in your career?

L. Santa Cruz
Yeah, I think as I go I think I can be learning more and to be improving, the more I’m winning and the more I’m picking better opponents, better fighters, fighters those kind of fighters are better, so I think for every fight I need to be adjusting a little more and that’s what we’re doing in the gym. My dad is teaching me and we’re practicing and we’re trying to learn little by little so that when we get to those points we already know how to fight those fighters and in every fight we’re trying to do that more and I think that’s what’s showing and I’m just glad and I’m training harder every time.

Q
Before you fought on network television, the pre-fight segment it shows that you mainly fight for your family and, basically, for your brother and his serious medical condition. It’s been over a year later. What’s the prognosis today? How is your brother doing and has his condition gotten any better?

L. Santa Cruz
We were really like struggling and I always want to give my family a better life and thank God that he gave me the talent to become a boxer and be good at it. So, for my brother, he’s doing a lot better since I fought the Munoz fight, he was in the hospital then during that fight. But ever since that fight, he’s been great. He hasn’t gone to the hospital. He hasn’t been hurting. His muscles are better, everything.

Before like every week he used to go to the hospital because he would be hurting and when it was cold his body would swell up and he could not even walk or anything. And now, none of that has happened. I thank God that he’s been great. It’s been already I think a year and he hasn’t even gone to a doctor, only for a check up and stuff like that, but not to stay in the hospital because he’s hurting or anything. So, I’m really glad and happy to have him like that.

Q
Cristian, do you consider this your last opportunity to become a world champion?

C. Mijares
No, not at all. I don’t think about that at all. I’ve been asked that before, but I don’t think about that at all. I’m going to be a world champion. I’m going to win on March 8, I’m going to be a world champion. That’s the only thing on my mind and I’m very motivated. I’m very motivated for this fight. I know I’m fighting a very good fighter and the World Champion in Leo Santa Cruz, but I’m motivated for this fight. I will be the World Champion and I’m ready for bigger and better things, to be considered in the big fights once again. So, that’s all that’s on my mind.
Q
Do you see Leo as more of a complete fighter? He’s a two-time World Champion. Is he more of a complete fighter than Victor Terrazas when you faced him? Can you compare them?

C. Mijares
Of course he is. He’s a way better fighter, of course he is. It’s going to be a difficult fight. He’s more of a complete fighter, it’s going to be a difficult, complicated fight, but that’s what I want. That’s what motivates me. I’m concentrated on this fight 1,000 percent and, yes, that’s what motivates me, that he is such a better fighter.

Q
Leo, this is a fighter that you’ve admired when you were coming up. He was a former Champion, you followed him, you admired him. Can you talk to us a little bit about that?

L. Santa Cruz
Yes, I admired Cristian and I followed his career when he was coming up, when I was first starting, he followed his career. I admired him and I knew that at one time, sooner or later, I was going to be at that level and possibly even fight him. And, lo and behold, here we are. I’m going to be fighting Cristian Mijares.

E. Gomez
We’ll do some closing statements with both fighters and then we’ll conclude the call.

C. Mijares
Thank you all once again. It’s going to be a great honor for me to be in this card, to be fighting. I’m very gracious to be fighting against Leo Santa Cruz and it’s going to be a war, it’s going to be a very, very good fight. It’s going to be a war. We’re going to give an exciting fight to all the fans and hopefully God, both fighters don’t get hurt and may the better man win.

L. Santa Cruz
I just want to give thanks to my manager Al Haymon, Showtime, Richard Schaefer and for giving me this opportunity and keeping me fighting on this big undercard. For me it’s an honor to fight on this undercard of Canelo and to fight a great champion like Mijares. And I want to give thanks to all the fans all over the world because they’ve been supporting me and they’ve always been there to encourage me and keep me motivated to train harder.

So, I want you all, the people, to watch us on pay-per-view or to come out and support us on March 8th because we’re training really hard to give a great, great fight for you guys. And we’re just motivated and you guys are the ones that keep us motivated, so March 8th you guys are going to get a great fight because that’s what we fight for, for the fans and to able to go home happy. Thank you.

E. Gomez
Great, thank you. Thank you very much, Leo. Thank you for being on the call. And thank you, once again, to all the media that called in for this very important conference call. Once again, Saturday, March 8th, MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Toe To Toe, distributed by Showtime, you can get it on Showtime Pay-Per-View. Tickets, tickets are still on sale at the MGM Grand garden office, box office. You can go on the website, www.mgmgrand.com or at Ticketmaster, www.ticketmaster.com. Thank you very much. Have a beautiful week.

# # #

“TOE TO TOE: Canelo vs. Angulo,”a 12-round super welterweight fight taking place Saturday, March 8 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Canelo Promotions and sponsored by Corona and AT&T. Carlos Molina vs. Jermall Charlo is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Warriors Boxing. This event will be produced and distributed live by SHOWTIME PPV beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT. The event can be heard in Spanish using secondary audio programming (SAP). “TOE TO TOE: Canelo vs. Angulo” will be shown in over 400 movie theaters nationwide. For more information and a list of theaters, go to www.fathomevents.com.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.sports.sho.com and www.mgmgrand.com, follow on Twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @CaneloOficial, @elperro82, @leosantacruz2, @diamantemijares, @OmarFigueroaJr, @DinamitaAB, @JorgeLinares, @FutureOfBoxing, @mgmgrand and @SHOSports, follow the conversation using #CaneloAngulo and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing and www.facebook.com/SHOBoxing.

IBF Junior Middleweight Champion “King” Carlos Molina (22-5-2, 6 KO’s) took a break from training yesterday to hang out with all-time-great “Iron” Mike Tyson in Chicago.

Molina, 30, is deep in preparations for his upcoming fight, his first title defense against unbeaten, but unproven, Jermall Charlo (17-0, 13 KO’s) on the Showtime PPV undercard of Saul “Canelo” Alvarez vs. Alfredo Angulo on March 8 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

“We always have a good game plan going in and we’ll have one this time,” said Molina. “We have to train to beat him a number of different ways because you never know what will happen on fight night.”

Molina says he’s not taking 23-year-old Charlo, rated #5 IBF, #5 WBO, #13 WBC, lightly, despite his being unproven against top-flight opposition.

“It’s hard to tell what he’ll bring,” said Molina. “But he’s undefeated, so you have to take him seriously. I’ll be ready for anything.”

Molina is sparring, once again, with undefeated cruiserweight contender Dimar Ortuz, among others.

“Dimar gives me a lot of movement and fights me on the inside and the outside. And he’s very strong, so no matter who I fight on fight night, they’re never as strong as he is.”
ABOUT WARRIORS BOXING

Launched in 2003, Warriors Boxing operates under a simple philosophy-bring the best boxers in the world to fight fans, match them in competitive bouts, and in doing so help re-establish the sport of boxing for a new generation.

With a series of successful Pay-Per-View shows and packed houses to it’s credit, the Warriors business model is working wonders in a sport that was sorely in need of the innovation and energy that the company brings to the table.

When it comes down to it though, a promotional company is only as good as the fighters and fights it promotes. Warriors Boxing has delivered on all fronts, with outstanding bouts such as Lara-Molina, Cayo-Peterson, Abraham-Miranda I and II, Miranda-Pavlik, Miranda-Green, Ibragimov-Briggs, Ibragimov-Klitschko, Urango-Hatton, Urango-Bailey, Cayo-Maidana and Ibragimov-Holyfield.

For more information on Warriors Boxing, visit their website at www.WarriorsBoxing.com.