Lopez decisions Corral

Josesito Lopez won a 10-round unanimous decision over Saul Corral in a welterweight bout at Novo at LA Live in Los Angeles.

In round ten. Lopez dropped Corral with a left hook.

Lopez, 148.4 lbs of Riverside, CA won by scores of 100-89 on all cards, and is now 35-7. Corral, 146.8 lbs of Huatabampo, MX is 21-9.

Alejandro Luna remained undefeated by winning a 10-round unanimous decision over former world title challenger Andrey Klimov in a lightweight bout.

In round five, Klimov started to bleed from around the left eye.

Luna, 137 lobs of Belloflower, CA won by scores of 98-92 twice and 97-93, and is now 22-0. Klimov, 136.8 lbs of Klimovsk, RUS is 19-4.

2016 United States Olympian Karlos Balderas stopped Thomas Smith after the 1st round of their scheduled 6-round super featherweight bout.

Balderas, who was making his pro debut, battered Smith for the better part of the lone round. Smith had enough after round.

Balderas, 131.6 lbs of Santa Maria, CA is 1-0 with 1 knockout. Smith, 131 lbs of Dallas, TX is 3-5-1.

JOSESITO LOPEZ

“Tonight was a result of all the work I put in over the last few months with Robert Garcia.

“I dropped him with a left hook, but he’s a gritty guy. He took some punishment. I was a little careful in there, though. It’s been a while since I fought some good rounds like that. There were a few times that I tried to go for the kill, but he’s tough guy and stayed alive.

“It felt good going the distance. My body felt good. More than anything, I was alert and my instincts were quick. I had good reflexes and I was sharp. I got hit with very few punches, so I think I did OK tonight.

“I’m coming along. This is my second fight coming back in two years. It’s a little process. I feel like for my next fight I’ll be that much better. I’m just focused on continuing to get better. I want to step it up for the next fight.

“We have a plan. Robert and I have only been training together for a short while, but the improvement is there and there’s more to come.

“I’m the Riverside Rocky and I want to be in exciting fights that friends and family members will remember for years. I definitely have the grit and the (guts) to get in there with the best of them. I’m a lot smarter inside the ring now.”

SAUL CORRAL

“I felt like my distance was off tonight. I think I need to spend more time sparring. I didn’t have a lot of sparring partners for this fight and I think that affected me.

“I thought when Lopez landed punches I came back strong, but I didn’t continue with the attacks because he was able to stop me.

“I just need to change some things up in training camp, and then I think I can get back to another big fight.”

ALEJANDRO LUNA

“Klimov is a very tough guy. We’ve seen him go the distance with Terrence Crawford. He’s fought the cream of the crop, so it’s an honor to get a win over him. He’s a top-level fighter, so this victory goes to show that we’re ready for any top-five lightweight.

“Our plan tonight was to work the body. We noticed he has a pretty high guard, so I wanted to go to the body to break him down little by little.

“I know that I hurt him with a couple body shots, but he recovered fast. Later on, I hit him with an overhand right that got to him, but he’s such a tough guy.

“My thing is always to please the crowd. I think this sport is as much about entertainment as it is skill and the fans want to see a show. That’s why I bring the action and do whatever I can to make it exciting for them.

“The last round wasn’t my best. He was outworking me a little, so as soon as the 10-second bell rang I wanted to close the fight out strong. Unfortunately, I opened up and we clashed heads, which caused the cut over my left eye.”

ANDREY KLIMOV

“I got staggered a little bit, but it wasn’t anything that I thought was going to turn my lights out.

“Luna is a very herky jerky fighter. The cut over my left eye came near the end of the fight when we clashed heads.

“I’m 35 years old. We’re going to go home and take some time to think about what’s next. I’ve been fortunate to do a lot of things in this sport. Now it’s time to talk with my family and decide my future.”

KARLOS BALDERAS

“We spent a lot of time sparring with great fighters to get ready for this fight. I think all the practice paid off and my speed was my biggest asset tonight.

“I think their corner stopped the fight because he was taking so many shots, but I’m not sure.

“I’m happy and excited to be a pro. I have so many people here tonight supporting me coming in from Oklahoma and Texas, so it’s an honor. I felt like a win wasn’t enough. I needed to make a statement.

“I’m going to try to stay busy. I’d like to fight every two months, so I hope to be back in June fighting again.”

THOMAS SMITH

“I really had a bad headache. After the first two punches, I thought I could take it. I know he has a good body shot, but it didn’t really affect me. But after the fourth and fifth good one, I knew it was too much. I didn’t want to go out there in the second round just to get hurt.”

Josesito Lopez, Alejandro Luna, Misael Rodriguez & Maricela Cornejo Media Workout Quotes

LOS ANGELES (April 5, 2017) – Southern California-based fighters Josesito Lopez, Alejandro Luna, Misael Rodriguez and Maricela Cornejo hosted a media workout at the Robert Garcia Boxing Academy in Riverside Wednesday ahead of their bouts this Sunday, April 9 from the Novo at L.A. Live in downtown Los Angeles.

Premier Boxing Champions on FS1 and FOX Deportes action is headlined by the former title challenger Lopez taking on Mexico’s Saul Corral in a welterweight matchup. Televised coverage begins at 9:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. PT and features the unbeaten Luna facing former title challenger Andrey Klimov and the pro debut of 2016 U.S. Olympian Karlos Balderas.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Ringstar Sports, are priced at $30 general admission, $60 balcony reserved, $100 VIP balcony reserved and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased through AXS.com HERE.

The 2016 Mexican Olympian and bronze medalist Rodriguez and the former title challenger Cornejo will both enter the ring in separate undercard attractions.

Here is what the participants had to say Wednesday in front of over 100 attendees including media, civic leaders and boxing fans from the community

JOSESITO LOPEZ

“First thing is that I can’t look past my opponent on Sunday night. If all goes well, I know that bigger things are coming. I want to give fans fights that they’ll remember for years to come. I’m that guy who wants to make great fights.

“I know that I’m facing a tough fighter from Mexico. I always know that these guys come with a real hunger to win. I’ve prepared very well and I’m ready to put on a show Sunday night.

“I’ve taken advantage of opportunities given to me in the past and I’m looking to take advantage of every one I get. I’m going to show off my abilities on Sunday.

“I’m in a good state of mind right now. I’ve been working for several months and I really feel 100 percent physically.

“This is going to be a good fight. He’s going to come with the will to win. I’ll be smart and use my abilities. I’ve been working on some new things and Sunday will be a glimpse of what’s left to come.

“It’s an honor for me to be the main event on a card with so many great young fighters. I remember that moment many years ago. These fighters are the future. This is just the beginning. I’m the present right now and I’m going to show that on Sunday.”

ALEJANDRO LUNA

“More than anything I think that the fans can expect fireworks. I’m fighting a crafty veteran guy in Klimov who has fought the best. He’s fought guys like Terrence Crawford and Jose Pedraza. Our styles are meant for each other and I think they’re going to clash. The fans are going to be the real winners.

“I say yes to every challenge they put in front of me. This is a big test. I feel confident in my training and I believe I can get past Klimov. I think getting this win shows that I’m ready to fight any champion in the lightweight division.

“I train 100 percent every time. I had a smooth camp and I’m ready to go. My work ethic is my secret weapon. I’m a believer that fights are won in the gym.

“I fight for the people every time I’m in the ring. They’re paying money to see a great fight and I want them to get their money’s worth.

“I’ve been under the radar but I think that in 2017 I’m going to put myself in the world title picture. I give it my all in the ring.”

MISAEL RODRIGUEZ

“I’m excited because I have a great team behind me with Richard Schaefer, Abner Mares and Robert Garcia. I feel strong and ready for this fight.

“I’m so happy to be fighting in Los Angeles, because it’s like a second Mexico. I hope the fans all come out to see me because I’m going to work hard to be the next Mexican superstar.

“I’m going to keep working and getting stronger and better. I have to be consistent and have good training camps so I can reach my goals.

“Training with Robert Garcia has been great. He has had a lot of champions and I hope that I will be next. Him and his whole family are good people and they’ve treated me like family. I’ve learned a lot already.

“I have to be smart in the ring. I’m a Mexican fighter in my heart and I always will be. But I have to be smart and be ready for anything in the ring.”

MARICELA CORNEJO

“Joel Diaz has helped me so much with the mental side of the game. The way he speaks so passionately about the sport, he transfers that to me. I feel that belief and trust. He gives me the right words to keep me going and unleash anything I was holding back.

“I work really hard at this sport. People didn’t see me when I was coming up, but It’s been a real journey. I’ve never backed down from anything. I’m proud to be a female fighter in the sport right now. Female athletes are getting more attention across the world than they ever have.

“Boxing means a lot to me. I’ve overcome a lot of obstacles. Getting in the ring and getting hit in the face is a lot easier than what I’ve had to go through. I love boxing because it’s all about going for the win no matter what is thrown in front of you.”

RICHARD SCHAEFER, Chairman & CEO of Ringstar Sports

“All of these young fighters we’re letting loose on Sunday are coming to fight. This won’t be ‘Dancing with the Stars’, they will come to engage and destroy. These guys all have advanced skills and I look forward to seeing them in the ring.

“Misael Rodriguez is a very charismatic person. He’s an entertainer and a fighter. With Abner behind him as a manager and Robert Garcia as a trainer, this is a kid who wants to surround himself with the best. Watching his career will be very exciting.

“Josesito had his biggest win, over Victor Ortiz, right across the street at Staples Center and he is ready for the next step in his career in a stacked welterweight division. I also believe that Alejandro Luna is on the cusp of being in world title contention if he can get through Klimov on Sunday. In addition, you have one of the most charismatic female stars in Maricela Cornejo going along with an incredible group of young talent making their debuts on Sunday.

“With this new young class of fighters coming out of Southern California combined with world champions like Leo Santa Cruz, Mikey Garcia and Abner Mares, Los Angeles is on its way to being the fight capital of the world again.

“I’ve never done an event on a Sunday and it definitely doesn’t happen very often. I want to challenge the status quo and try different things. I am equally excited about this Sunday card as I have been for any card I’ve promoted because of all the great young talent.”

ABNER MARES, Rodriguez’s Manager

“I’m nervous and excited to see Misael in the ring on Sunday. He’s a fighter with a lot of heart and the desire to become a world champion just like I was coming out of the Olympics.

“Our goal is to have Misael fight six times this year. We’re going to go step-by-step to make him a champion.

“Misael is the future. He brings excitement and he’s likeable. He’s in a great weight class and the team he has behind him will get him to where he needs to go.

“Seeing Misael grow from the manager’s side will be as exciting if not more than my own progression. I can’t wait to take him to a world championship.”

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Fans can live stream the fights on FOX Sports GO, available in English or Spanish through the FS1 or FOX Deportes feeds. The fights are available on desktop at FOXSportsGO.com and through the app store, or connected devices including Apple TV, Android TV, Fire TV, Xbox One and Roku. In addition, all programs are also available on FOX Sports on SiriusXM channel 83 on satellite radios and on the SiriusXM app.

For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, www.ringstar.com,http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage and www.foxdeportes.com.
Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @Ringstar, @FS1, @FOXDeportes and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/RingstarSports and www.facebook.com/foxdeportes. Highlights available at www.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions.PBC on FS1 & FOX Deportes is sponsored by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

Exciting Welterweight Josesito Lopez Battles Mexico’s Saul Corral in Main Event of Premier Boxing Champions on FS1 & FOX Deportes Sunday, April 9 From The Novo at L.A. Live in Downtown Los Angeles

OS ANGELES (March 21, 2017) – Former world title challenger Josesito “Riverside Rocky” Lopez (34-7, 19 KOs) will face Mexico’s Saul “Navajo” Corral (22-8, 13 KOs) in the 10-round main event of Premier Boxing Champions on FS1 and FOX Deportes Sunday, April 9 from The Novo at L.A. Live in downtown Los Angeles.

Televised coverage begins at 9:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. PT and features unbeaten lightweight contender Alejandro “El Charro” Luna (21-0, 15 KOs) battling former title challenger Andrey Klimov (19-3, 9 KOs) in a 10-round bout plus the pro debut of 2016 U.S. Olympian Karlos Balderas in a six-round super featherweight fight.

“I’m excited to get back in the ring as the main event and put on a show for the fans in Los Angeles,” said Lopez. “I’m looking for a world title shot and I believe I have the skills to beat any welterweight out there. This is going to be a great night of fights from start to finish. I’ve been training like never before and I can’t wait to show everybody.”

“I can’t wait to get in the ring and make the most of this opportunity to make a name for myself,” said Corral. “I’ve been training hard to be ready for anything Josesito brings. It’s going to be an exciting fight but I’m prepared to leave everything in the ring and get the victory.”

“I’m thrilled to be able to promote a great night of California-based PBC action here in Los Angeles headlined by the return of a local fan favorite, Josesito Lopez,” said Richard Schaefer, Chairman and CEO of RIngstar Sports. “Also we have Alejandro Luna, who is in a tough fight with his sights set on a world title and I can’t wait for U.S. Olympian Karlos Balderas to make his pro debut in what will be the start to a great career. This is a night at The Novo that you don’t want to miss.”

Always in action-packed fights and known for his exciting style and ability to triumph against the odds, Lopez is coming off of a dominant decision victory over Todd Manuel in December 2016. Proudly representing Riverside, California, Lopez has fought at the highest level of competition for years including challenges of Andre Berto, Canelo Alvarez and Marcos Maidana plus triumphs over Victor Ortiz, Mike Arnaoutis and Mike Dallas.

Representing Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico, Corral is the winner of 10 of his last twelve bouts entering April 9. The 30-year-old has fought professionally since 2006 and most recently went the distance in a 10-round decision loss to U.S. Olympian Sadam Ali. He won a Mexican title in July 2016 with a fifth-round stoppage of Francisco Medel and also challenged former champion Mike Alvarado amongst his 30 career bouts.

At just 25-years old, Luna has already put together an impressive 21 professional wins since turning pro in 2010. Fighting out of Bellflower, California he began his 2016 campaign by stopping veteran Alan Herrera before dominating previously once-beaten Naim Nelson on his way to a 10-round decision in August. He had previously defeated former world champion Cristobal Cruz and veteran Sergio Lopez on the way to amassing his perfect record.

Originally from Russia but now living and training in Beverly Hills, Klimov was unbeaten in his first 16 pro fights as he climbed up the world rankings. After dropping a decision to Terrence Crawford in 2013, he won three straight fights to earn his world title opportunity against Jose Pedraza. Klimov owns victories over John Molina Jr., Gabino Cota and Guillermo Avila.

Fighting out of Santa Maria, California, the 20-year-old Balderas is the son of Mexican parents who immigrated to the United States to give their children a better life. Balderas had an impressive amateur career that included a 2014 Youth National Championship, four National PAL championships and an impressive run in the World Series of Boxing. His amateur career culminated in a trip to the 2016 Olympic Games where he represented the U.S. and defeated fighters from Kazakhstan and Japan before a decision loss in the quarterfinals.

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Jesus Cuellar, Abner Mares & Josesito Lopez Los Angeles Media Workout Quotes

LOS ANGELES (November 29, 2016) – Featherweight world champion Jesus Cuellar and former three-division world champion Abner Mares participated in a media workout in Los Angeles Tuesday in advance of their long awaited showdown taking place Saturday, December 10 from Galen Center in USC in Los Angeles and live on SHOWTIME.

Also in attendance Tuesday at City of Angels Boxing was former title challenger and local fan favorite Josesito Lopez, who competes in a welterweight bout on the undercard. The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT and features junior middleweight world champion Jermall Charlo taking on top-rated challenger Julian Williams in a battle of undefeated rising stars in their prime.

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

Here is what the participants had to say Tuesday:

JESUS CUELLAR

“The fight is here and I’m ready to step in the ring. I have defended my title six times already and I want to be the best in the division. He’s one of the best and I’m willing to challenge him.

“This is an important fight that I’ve wanted for a long time. It’s an important fight for my career and to prove to everyone how good I am.

“Abner Mares is a high level fighter. I have to beat him to reach the next level of this sport. That’s what I’m preparing to do.

“You’re going to see everything I’ve learned on December 10. I love to train hard and I’ve improved greatly as a fighter. I’m going to put it all together in the ring.

“There’s no pressure for me coming into this fight. I know that I’m in his backyard but I have the people of Argentina behind me. This is going to be a really good fight.

“I’m ready to go to war. I know Abner is ready and he has a goal in his mind. I’m ready to do what I have to do in the ring.

“It’s been almost a year. We came here in January to fight Mares and now the time is almost here to accomplish our goal.

“I have to go out there and do my job. I’m going to show Abner a lot of different things. I have a lot more skills than people give me credit for. It will all be on display in the ring.

“I know that I’m going to be at 100 percent. I’m more confident now than I’ve ever been that I’m prepared for this fight and I’m going to win.

“Freddie Roach is getting the best out of me. He knows what I like to do and he knows how to correct my mistakes. He’s doing a really good job in training camp.

“I’m working to go 12 rounds and end the night with a victory for Argentina. I came here to achieve a great victory for my country.”

ABNER MARES

“I’m so happy and excited to be fighting in Los Angeles and in my backyard again. SHOWTIME is the reason I’m famous.

“On paper I thought that Cuellar is probably going to be toughest, strongest fighter I’ve been in with. I can’t say for sure because we haven’t fought yet. But I know that he is a strong, powerful champion who is coming in to keep his title.

“There’s always a reason behind something bad that happens. In this case, me not being able to fight twice (due to postponements), it just gave me the opportunity to get to know Robert even better. I’ve had a whole year leading up to this fight. You will see a difference in me. I’m very eager and excited to fight.

“It’s going to be a tremendous fight. I think Cuellar only has one style, and that’s to rely on his power punches. He’s a come forward type of fighter that seems to always be looking for the knockout. But I’ve been known to give a fight too and make for great fights.

“My plan is to make the fight as easy for myself as possible. I feel I have the tools to give him different looks that maybe he hasn’t seen before against a fighter of my talents. For me to win another world title would mean the world to me. It would be an early Christmas present for me, my family and my friends.

“Coach Robert Garcia brings the discipline and the demanding voice of a trainer. We have to do things his way and I like that. It’s bringing the best out of me. I’m really excited for this fight.

“Fighting in my hometown of LA, I feel like I have the home field advantage. I don’t feel any pressure at all. I feel like I’m in as good of shape as I can be and there will be no ring rust. I’ve actually had three training camps for this fight, after postponements in March and June.

“If you look at Cuellar he looks much naturally bigger. But we’re both going to weigh just about the same at the weigh-in. He has to make the same weight as I do. I felt a little bit of pressure before the Leo Santa Cruz fight, but none this time.

“Bringing in Robert Garcia has been a great thing for me. He’s brought a lot of experience and he’s one of the best coaches out there. I can’t wait to show the fans what I’ve learned from Robert.”

JOSESITO LOPEZ

“I’ve been anxious to get in there but I’m ready now and excited to get back to doing what I love. I healed up from some injuries that I suffered. Now that I’m fully healed I have felt the power returning and it’s time to go.

“The most important thing is that I’m 100 percent ready mentally and physically. I’ll be right there in the ring on December 10.

“This is my first quiz in going back to school and working my way toward a world title. I’m back in the gym and putting everything together so that I can use it in the ring.

“I am going to be smart and work hard in the ring. I know I have to make the key adjustments during a fight that will make the difference when I meet the elite fighters.

“Just a few months ago when I sparred for the first time in a while, I realized I missed getting hit. Why? Because I love the chance to hit back. Even just having the Vaseline back on my face was something I missed. I’ve probably watched more boxing than I had in my entire life since I’ve been gone.

“This absence has brought back the fire in me. There are several titles that are accessible to many guys in my division. I know I’m right there and I just need to take the right steps to get to that point.

“I have undivided attention in training camp with Robert Garcia and I’ve worked very hard to get myself ready. I feel like I’m still improving and getting better.

“I’m really excited to get back in the ring. I can hardly wait. There’s nothing I love more than performing for my fans. I’m going to do what I always do, which is make sure the fans see a great fight when I’m in the ring.”

MARVIN SOMODIO, Cuellar’s Assistant Trainer

“Cuellar is in great shape. We’ve been training Jesus at Wild Card since June. I think that this time is going to the perfect time for us. I’ve always thought that you need some time to improve the fighters and now we’ve gotten that.

“I think the postponement helped us more than Mares. I feel like I know Cuellar 100 percent and we’ve studied up on Mares and his strengths and weaknesses.

“I expect the early rounds the fighters will be smarter, but as the rounds go on, these fighters are warriors, and I expect them to fight inside.

“Jesus loves to fight. Especially in the early rounds, he loves to throw hard punches. We tried to change everything so that he’s setting his opponent up.

“Mares is going to try to box. But in the middle of the fight Mares will do what he does. He’s going to come forward and exchange. We’re ready for anything and we expect everything from Mares.

“I don’t think Cuellar’s layoff will be a factor. We’ve almost had no time off. He’s been in the gym and sparring with world champions. He’s a great guy to train. You will never hear him complain. He loves to work hard and train. If anything we have to make sure we don’t over train him. Freddie and Jesus get along very well.”

ROBERT GARCIA, Mares’ Trainer

“I think basically what Abner needed was just a new voice. He had been working hard and training in a nice gym that he liked. But he was calling his own shots. I think he was getting a little too comfortable. I just think he needed a new voice.

“He’s never questioned one thing I’ve asked of him. He’s done everything I’ve asked. I said that he can stay in Riverside or he could make the drive. Eventually he decided to stay in Riverside.

“Abner is hungry now. When he introduced himself to me, he might have lost some of that. He wasn’t listening to trainers’ instructions. But the moment he came to me, he’s been doing everything he’s supposed to. He’s old enough to know that he’s not a kid anymore.

“Cuellar is a very strong fighter both physically and mentally. He’s the hardest hitter in the featherweight division. He’s dangerous and dedicated.

“I know that Freddie Roach is a great trainer. One day I want to say that I’ve accomplished as much as he has. He is very good when it comes to strategy and adjustments during the fight. This is a more challenging fight with Freddie but I love challenges.

“Training has been great and everything we got out of it was positive. He transitioned to me easily and I can’t wait for December 10.”

For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports and www.premierboxingchampions.com,follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @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.

Undefeated Contender Sergey Lipinets Battles Australia’s Lenny Zappavigna in Junior Welterweight World Title Eliminator as Part of Undercard Action Saturday, December 10 from the Galen Center at USC in Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES (November 21, 2016) – An exciting night of undercard action comes to Los Angeles on Saturday, December 10 and is highlighted by hard-hitting unbeaten contender Sergey Lipinets (10-0, 8 KOs) in a 12-round junior welterweight world title eliminator against Australia’s Lenny Zappavigna (35-2, 25 KOs) from the Galen Center at USC.

The December 10 event is headlined by a featherweight world championship showdown between WBA titleholder Jesus Cuellar and former three-division world champion Abner Mares. The live SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXINGâ telecast begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT with junior middleweight world champion Jermall Charlo taking on undefeated top contender Julian Williams in a matchup of undefeated rising stars in their prime.

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

Also featured as part of the jam-packed night of fights are undefeated rising contenders Erickson “Hammer” Lubin (16-0, 11 KOs) in a junior middleweight bout and Mario Barrios (16-0, 8 KOs) battling Argentina’s Claudio Rosendo Tapia (24-18-4, 9 KOs) in junior lightweight action.

An array of talented fighters from the Los-Angeles area round out the evening as Oxnard’s Hugo “The Boss” Centeno Jr. (24-1, 12 KOs) competes in a middleweight attraction, former title challenger Josesito Lopez (33-7, 19 KOs) of Riverside in a six-round welterweight fight and Abner Mares’ younger brother, Adan Mares (14-1-3, 3 KOs) enters the ring in a lightweight bout.

An accomplished amateur who was born in Kazakhstan but fights out of Russia, Lipinets turned pro in April of 2014 with a decision victory over Franklin Varela. The 27-year-old recorded six knockouts in a row before stepping up in competition and impressing with a victory over Haskell Lydell Rhodes in March 2015 and a knockout of Levan Ghvamichava in March. He kept the momentum going in July when he stopped established contender Walter Castillo in the seventh round. He will challenge the 29-year-old Zappavigna out of New South Wales, Australia. He enters this fight the winner of his last 10 contests, including his most recent triumph, a sixth-round stoppage of Ik Yang in July.

A highly regarded prospect with an exciting style, the 21-year-old Lubin burst onto the scene looking to finish opponents early as he cements his status as an elite contender. Fighting out of Orlando, he has already taken down experienced veterans including Orlando Lora, Ayi Bruce, Michael Finney and Norberto Gonzalez. He was sensational in November 2015 when he knocked out Alexis Camacho and in January he headlined his first card and dominated Jose De Jesus Macias in his first 10-round bout. He has kept the hot streak going in June by stopping veteran Daniel Sandoval in the third round and dominating veteran Ivan Montero in July.

A tall junior lightweight at more than six feet, the 21-year-old Barrios picked up seven victories in a jam-packed 2015 in which he stopped five opponents inside the distance, including an uppercut left hook combo that ended the night for Manuel Vides last December. The San Antonio-native turned pro in 2013 and is on the fast track towards a world title shot as he most recently defeated Devis Boschiero in a title eliminator in July. Now he looks to stay unbeaten in a matchup against Tapia out of Mendoza, Argentina.

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING 30th Anniversary Celebration Continues In August With “UPSETS” – Thursdays At 10p ET/PT On SHO EXTREME

Josesito_Lopez
NEW YORK (Aug. 4, 2016) – In continuation of the 30th anniversary year of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING, the network will feature four of its most memorable “UPSETS”. For the past three decades SHOWTIME Sports® has been home to countless upsets—some of the most shocking each year. Whether it be SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING or, for the last 15 years, ShoBox: The New Generation, fighters often face their biggest challenges, their most fierce opponents, live on SHOWTIME.

It started in 1986 when Iran Barkley knocked out heavily favored Thomas Hearns and continued through this past weekend when Carl Frampton edged the favored featherweight champion Leo Santa Cruz by decision in thrilling Fight of the Year candidate. To date, some 151 fighters have suffered their initial loss on ShoBox since the series premiere in July 2001.

Below is the schedule of SHOWTIME EXTREME premieres for the month of August:

· Thursday, Aug. 4: Josesito Lopez vs. Victor Ortiz

· Thursday, Aug. 11: Marcos Maidana vs. Adrien Broner – Ring Magazine 2013 Upset of the Year

· Thursday, Aug. 18: Evander Holyfield vs. Mike Tyson I – Ring Magazine 1996 Fight of the Year and Upset of The Year; Holyfield was named The Fighter of the Year by The Ring and Boxing Writers Association of America

· Thursday, Aug. 25: Austin Trout vs. Miguel Cotto

These unforgettable battles will air on “Throwback Thursdays” on SHOWTIME EXTREME (10 p.m. ET/PT) throughout the month of August and will be available on SHOWTIME ON DEMAND®, SHOWTIME ANYTIME® and via the network’s online streaming service. Each fight will be wrapped with context and commentary from SHOWTIME Sports host Brian Custer.

“Throwback Thursday” Tidbits

Lopez vs. Ortiz – June 23, 2012 – Staples Center, Los Angeles, Calif.

Former welterweight world champion Ortiz was set to fight Canelo Alvarez in September. All he needed to do was to win his upcoming match. After two fights with Andre Berto earlier in the year fell through, Ortiz took on the relatively unknown and inexperienced Lopez. Stepping up in weight and competing for the first time as a welter, Lopez became the “Riverside Rocky” as he shocked the boxing world by breaking Ortiz’s jaw and winning by TKO.

Lopez rallied to triumph despite swelling to his left eye from the end of the sixth round on. After nine rounds, he was trailing on all three scorecards (88-83, 87-84 and 86-85). But in the ninth of what had been a back-and-forth, seesaw, tough battle, Lopez connected late with a punch to Ortiz’s jaw that broke it on impact. Moments later, the skirmish was stopped when Ortiz said he could not continue because of a broken jaw. Lopez landed a fight against Canelo. The unbelievable upset remains the biggest victory of Lopez’s career.

Maidana vs. Broner – Dec. 14, 2013, Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas

The unbeaten Broner, a 5-1 favorite to retain his WBA Welterweight World Title on his first defense, was instead dealt his first defeat.

A poised yet aggressive Maidana, the target of heavy trash talk all week, overpowered and dominated the brash Broner from the outset while putting him down for the first time in his career. In a surprisingly one-sided performance, Maidana scored knockdowns in the second and eighth and won a 12-round unanimous decision by the scores of 119-109, 116-109 and 115-111. While tying Maidana up after going down in the eighth, Broner absorbed what appeared to be an intentional headbutt. Broner’s reaction: He over-dramatized the effect of it, falling to the canvas in a heap and rolling over in agony. Maidana more than doubled Broner’s punch output, out-throwing him, 964-400.

After the decision was announced, Broner exited the ring hastily without being interviewed by SHOWTIME or congratulating Maidana. Fans booed at Broner as he made his way back to the dressing room. The victory propelled Maidana into two consecutive fights against Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Holyfield vs. Tyson I – Nov. 9, 1996, MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nev.

In one of the most legendary and monumental bombshells in history, Holyfield, who opened as a 25-1 underdog, bullied the bully and stopped Tyson on a TKO at 0:37 of the 11th round to capture the WBA Heavyweight World Title.

Holyfield, a built-up cruiserweight not known for power, utilized his reach advantage and superior strength to engage Tyson and fight him on his terms. The action was intense and non-stop; Holyfield applied constant pressure and kept in close to nullify Tyson’s power (left hook). Tyson landed hard shots, but only one at a time, and Holyfield took them all. As the bout wore on, Tyson wore down. With 20 seconds remaining in the 10th, Holyfield chilled Tyson with a right hand to the chin. A barrage of powerful combinations to the head and body sent Tyson staggering backward into the ropes. Tyson, out on his feet and defenseless, was saved by the bell. Thirty-seven seconds into the 11th, Holyfield landed a big right that left Tyson staggering again. Moments later, the referee stopped the fight. Holyfield was ahead by 100-93 and 96-92 twice.

A fight that was aired on SHOWTIME PPV® was supposed to be a mere formality for Tyson: he’d won eight straight since bowing to Buster Douglas in Japan and Holyfield was thought to be “washed-up” after three lackluster performances in a row. It was the third time Holyfield attained a heavyweight title; he was the first one to do so since Muhammad Ali. The Holyfield-Tyson rematch took place seven months later (June 28, 1997).

Trout vs. Cotto – Dec. 1, 2012, Madison Square Garden, New York, N.Y.

Cotto, a Puerto Rican hero and three-division world champion, was deemed unbeatable in New York where he was 9-0—7-0 at Madison Square Garden. He had a fight slated with Canelo Alvarez next. Seven months after dropping a competitive decision to Floyd Mayweather Jr., all Cotto had to do was hook Trout, throw him back to sea and then, gear up for the deepest waters. It was that simple, but it didn’t go as planned. Trout won a controversial 12-round unanimous decision. He boxed beautifully to successfully defend his WBA Super Welterweight Title for the fifth time (119-109 and 117-111 twice).

With the majority of his passionate fans cheering and waving Puerto Rican flags, Cotto came on strongly in the middle rounds, trapping Trout on the ropes and keeping him there. He had his greatest success in the closing seconds of the 10th when he backed Trout into a corner and dazed him with a flurry of punches. The big crowd erupted. But southpaw Trout silenced them by cranking up the pressure and roughing up Cotto the last two rounds. Cotto was bidding for a fifth world title. Trout got the shot at Canelo.

# # #

Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation, owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ and FLIX®, and also offers SHOWTIME ON DEMAND®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ ON DEMAND and FLIX ON DEMAND®, and the network’s authentication service SHOWTIME ANYTIME®. Showtime Digital Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of SNI, operates the stand-alone streaming service SHOWTIME®. SHOWTIME is currently available to subscribers via cable, DBS and telco providers, and as a stand-alone streaming service through Apple®, Roku®, Amazon and Google. Consumers can also subscribe to SHOWTIME via Hulu, Sony PlayStation® Vue and Amazon Prime Video. SNI also manages Smithsonian Networks™, a joint venture between SNI and the Smithsonian Institution, which offers Smithsonian Channel™, and offers Smithsonian Earth™ through SN Digital LLC. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV. For more information, go to www.SHO.com.

Berto stops Lopez in 6

Andre Berto scored a 6th round stoppage over Josesito Lopez in a scheduled 12-round Welterweight bout.

Berto scored a knockdown in round six from a hard right hand. Bert finished the fight a moment later when he jumped on Lopez and landed a flurry that sent Lopez down for a second time and the fight was immediately stopped at 1:03 of round six. Lopez boxed well and was ahead on all three judges scorecards.

Berto, 146 lbs of Winter Haven, FL is 30-3. Lopez, 146 1/4 lbs of Riverside, CA is 33-7.

Chris Arreola won an entertaining 8-round unanimous decision in a Heavyweight bout over Curtis Harper

Arreola dropped Harper in round one with a hard three-punch combo.

Arreola, 262.3 lbs won by scores of 78-73, 77-74 and 76-75 and is now 36-4. Harper, 265.2 lbs of Jacksonville, FLA is 12-4.

Shawn Porter stopped late replacement Erick Bone in round five of a scheduled 10-round Welterweight bout.

It was a tough and close fight for the first four rounds until Porter blooded the nose of Bone and preceded to drop Bone three times in round five. The final blow coming from a left hook that sent Bone down for referee Jack Reiss’s 10 count at 2:30 of round five.

Porter, 146.7 lbs of Akron, OH is 25-1-1 with 16 knockouts. Bone, 149 lbs of Ecuador is 16-2.

Josesito Lopez weighs in at 146.3; Andre Berto 146; Tune in Friday on Spike TV

ORANGE, Calif. (Mar. 12, 2015) – Training camps have ended, the boxers have weighed in, so all that’s left to do for Josesito “Riverside Rocky” Lopez and Andre “The Beast” Berto is to meet inside the ring for their highly anticipated 12-round fight Friday night from the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, Calif.

Lopez (33-6, 19 KOs), who will have the home field advantage as his hometown of Riverside is about 30 minutes from the arena, weighed in at 146.3 lbs., while Berto (29-3, 22 KOs) measured 146 even.

The 12-round fight is televised live on Spike TV beginning at 6 P.M. PT / 9 P.M. ET (Premier Boxing Champions).

Lopez is co-promoted by Goossen Promotions and Thompson Boxing Promotions.

For more information, please visit ThompsonBoxing.com.

For regular updates on our fighters, events, and promotions, please check our Facebook Page, find us on Google+ and follow us on Instagram and Twitter @ThompsonBoxing.

Josesito Lopez on his fight vs. Andre Berto: “Biggest fight of my career”

ORANGE, Calif. (Mar. 11, 2015) – In what is shaping up as one of the most intriguing match-ups on this years boxing calendar, Josesito “Riverside Rocky” Lopez (33-6, 19 KOs) looks to get back to world title contention against former world champion Andre “The Beast” Berto (29-3, 22 KOs) this Friday, March 13, from the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, Calif.

The 12-round fight is televised live on Spike TV beginning at 6 P.M. PT / 9 P.M. ET (Premier Boxing Champions).

Lopez, who is co-promoted by Goossen Promotions and Thompson Boxing Promotions, held his training camp in high elevation at Summit Gym in Big Bear, Calif.

After suffering a tough, sixth round knockout loss to Marcos Maidana nearly two years ago – a fight in which he was winning on two scorecards – Lopez has since turned his fortunes around by winning three straight. A win against Berto puts him in line for bigger fights.

The Thompson Boxing team caught up with the Southern California native at a recent training session. Below is a transcript from our interview.

Talk about the importance of this fight.

“I’m preparing for the most important fight of my career. A win on Friday basically controls the direction of where I need to go. A lot of opportunities opened up after my knock out win against Victor Ortiz. Similar things may happen with a win on Friday. It’s now or never.”

What do you expect from Andre Berto?

Andre Berto is a warrior. He’s a former world champ. He’s been in some tough fights against excellent boxers. He’s fast, strong and very intelligent too. Simply put, I expect the toughest fight of my life. But the biggest difference is not what he can do, but what I’m going to do to him.”

Why did you decide to move your training camp to Big Bear?

This is the biggest fight of my career and I needed the best training experience for this fight. I’ve trained here before so I understand the level of commitment required to succeed in high elevation training. It does a number on you mentally and physically. In my opinion, there’s no better spot to prepare for a big fight.

What kind support have you received from your fans?

“I have some of the most supportive, most loyal fans in boxing. They’re incredible. I’m super appreciative for all the support they’ve given me through the years. Even when I was coming up and nobody knew about me, they were always cheering me on. They do a great job of coming to my fights. I expect a packed house on Friday night. When the going gets tough, and it will, they’ll give me that extra edge to push forward.”

What kind of fight can fans expect?

“Like every fight, they’re going to see me give everything I have. They’re going to see the best performance out of me.”

How do you feel just a couple of days away from fight night?

“I’m definitely anxious to get inside the ring. We were in Big Bear for seven weeks, and the time spent there was all about boxing. I let my beard and hair grow. I closed myself off from a lot of distractions. I took great care in preparing for this fight. I’m physically and mentally ready to win.”

For more information, please visit ThompsonBoxing.com.

For regular updates on our fighters, events, and promotions, please check our Facebook Page, find us on Google+ and follow us on Instagram and Twitter @ThompsonBoxing.

Trainer Henry Ramirez keeps a close eye on Lopez’s training

Lopez (33-6, 19 KOs) will be fighting near his hometown of Riverside, Calif.

All eyes will be on the “Riverside Rocky” Friday, March 13, Spike TV

Berto vs. Lopez is televised live on Spike TV 6 p.m. PT / 9 p.m. ET

Lopez moved his training camp to Big Bear, Calif. to prepare for Berto

A world title shot is still within reach for Lopez

Josesito Lopez: “Hard work, that’s what we’re all about.”

Berto vs. Lopez Friday, March 13, Citizens Business Bank Arena, Ontario, Calif.

BOXNATION SIGNS MULTI-FIGHT PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS DEAL KICKING-OFF THIS WEEKEND WITH RISING SUPERSTARS KEITH THURMAN, ADRIEN BRONER AND ABNER MARES

LONDON (4 March) – BoxNation will air a host of top fights from the Premier Boxing Champions series, starting this weekend with rising superstars Keith Thurman and Adrien Broner.

‘The Channel of Champions’ has three great fights cards as part of the deal, with the highly-touted Thurman to get the ball rolling when he takes on the unrelenting Robert Guerrero this Saturday night, in a glittering lineup which also sees the return of Mexican ace Abner Mares.

The former world champion will go toe-to-toe with the tricky Arturo Santos Reyes, before the flash and often brash Broner looks to get his year off to a bang when he challenges the tough John Molina in a mouth-watering showdown, live from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

In addition to this, on March 13th, BoxNation will bring subscribers an exciting night’s action when welterweights Andre Berto and Josesito Lopez share the ring at Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, California.

All-action 147-pounder Shawn Porter will also be out that night when he faces the dangerous and hard-hitting Roberto Garcia, with heavyweight hitman Chris Arreola also set to appear.

The world’s best boxing channel will also air the thrilling April 11th card which sees Irish star Andy Lee make the first defence of his WBO middleweight world title when he battles the undefeated and former champion Peter Quillin.

There will be high UK interest in that fight with the victor eyeing a potential clash with WBO mandatory challenger Billy Joe Saunders later this year.

Furthermore, the April 11th bill at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn will witness one of the most eagerly anticipated fight’s so far this year when light-welterweight kingpin Danny Garcia goes up against IBF champion Lamont Peterson.

The card will also see cancer survivor and miracle man Danny Jacobs make his first title defence following his win over Jarrod Fletcher last August, when he lays it all on the line against 31-year-old Caleb Truax.

BoxNation’s multi-fight agreement with Premier Boxing Champions demonstrates the channel’s continued commitment to delivering the very best fights to UK boxing fans.

Jim McMunn, Managing Director of BoxNation, said: “BoxNation continuously looks to deliver the very best fights out there for our viewers. This agreement once again demonstrates our commitment to boxing and our aim of airing the very best shows, both domestically and internationally, to our loyal subscribers. These are three thrilling fight cards and we’re delighted UK fans will be able to watch them live and exclusive on BoxNation.”

To subscribe to BoxNation (Sky 437/490HD, Virgin 546 and TalkTalk 525) for only £12 a month visit boxnation.com.

-Ends-

About BoxNation
BoxNation, the Channel of Champions and proud partner of Rainham Steel, is the UK’s first dedicated subscription boxing channel. For £12* a month and no minimum term customers can enjoy great value live and exclusive fights, classic fight footage, magazine shows and interviews with current and former fighters.

BoxNation is proud to support Fight for Peace, a charity that uses boxing and martial arts combined with education and personal development to realise the potential of young people in communities that suffer from crime and violence. Buy LUTA (www.luta.co.uk) clothing and support Fight for Peace.

Previous highlights have included Haye vs Chisora, Khan vs Collazo and Mayweather vs Maidana.

The channel is available on Sky (Ch.437), Virgin (Ch.546), TalkTalk (Ch.525), online at Livesport.tv and via iPhone, iPad or Android. BoxNation is also available in high definition on Sky (Ch. 490), at no extra cost to Sky TV subscribers, providing they are already HD enabled.

BoxNation is also available to commercial premises (inc. pubs, clubs and casino’s) in the UK and Ireland, for more information on a commercial subscription please call 0844 842 7700.

For more information visit www.boxnation.com

*Plus £8 registration fee for Sky TV and new Livesport.tv customers.

Ortiz stops Kayode in 1 to claim WBA Interim Heavyweight belt

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.

Lopez stops Martinez in five

Josesito Lopez scored a 5th round stoppage over Aron Martinez in a scheduled 10-round Welterweight bout at the Agua Caliente Casino in Rancho Mirage, California.

Lopez was very effective over the 1st four rounds until he landed a hard left hook to the head that made Martinez turn around in the corner and referee Jack Reiss called off the action at 1:19 of round five. Reiss determined that Martinez Abandoned the fight.

Lopez, 146.4 lbs of Riverside, CA is now 32-6 with 19 knockouts. Martinez, 146.8 lbs is now 18-5.

Thomas Williams Jr. scored a 3rd round stoppage over former world title challenger Enrique Ornelas in a scheduled 10-round Light Heavyweight bout.

Williams dropped Ornelas in round two from a straight left to the head. In round three, Williams landed a double left that was followed up by a right that sent Ornelas to the canvas and the fight was stopped at 2:48 of round three.

Williams, 174 1/2 lbs is now 17-0 with 12 knockouts. Ornelas, 174 3/4 lbs is 32-9.

Immanuel Aleem scored a 2nd round stoppage over Michael Noriega in a scheduled 6-round Middleweight bout.

Aleem battered Noriega with body and head shots in round one. In round two, Aleem landed a quick left hook to the head that dropped Noriega and the fight was stopped at 2:04 of round two.

Aleem, 161 lbs of Virginia is now 8-0 with 4 knockouts. Noriega, 161 lbs of Mexico is 4-3.

Lopez stops Martinez in five

Josesito Lopez scored a 5th round stoppage over Aron Martinez in a scheduled 10-round Welterweight bout at the Agua Caliente Casino in Rancho Mirage, California.

Lopez cut Martinez over the left eye in the 2nd round. In round five, Lopez landed a body shot and Martinez seemed to turn his back then referee Jack Reiss stopped the bout at 1:19 of round five.

Lopez, 146 1/2 lbs of Riverside, CA is now 32-6 with 19 knockouts. Martinez, 146 3/4 lbs is 19-3-1.

Thomas Williams remained undefeated with a 3rd round stoppage over former world title challenger in a scheduled 10-round Light Heavyweight bout.

Williams dropped Ornelas in round two from a straight left. He finished the fight in the next round from a huge combination that sent Ornelas down and the from a big combination and the fight was stopped at 2:40.

Williams, 174.1 lbs of Washington, DC is now 17-0 with 12 knockouts. Ornelas, 174.4 lbs is now 34-9.

Said Williams after the fight, “I wanted to take my time, he’s an experienced veteran. He made a couple mistakes and I was able to capitalize on them. Hopefully I continue to move up in the rankings towards a title opportunity.”

Immanuel Aleem scored a 2nd round stoppage over Mike Noriega in a scheduled 6-round Super Middleweight bout.

Aleem dropped Noriega with a counter left hook in round two and the bout was stopped at 2:04 of round two.

Aleem, 160 3/4 lbs is now 8-0 with 4 knockouts. Noriega, 161 1/4 lbs is now 4-3.

Former Junior Middleweight Title Challenger López to Meet Martínez on Special Thursday Edition of ESPN Friday Night Fights and Noche de Combates

The special Thursday, April 24 edition of ESPN Friday Night Fights presented by Corona Extra and ESPN Deportes’ Noche de Combates presentado por Corona Extra will feature former Junior Middleweight title challenger Josesito López (31-6, 18 KOs) and Aron Martínez (19-2-1, 4 KOs) in the 10-round Junior Welterweight main event.

Thursday’s show, from the Agua Caliente Casino in Palm Springs, Calif., will air live at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes. Both shows will also be available on computers, smartphones, tablets, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, and Roku via WatchESPN. The card is presented by Goossen Tutor Promotions.

Commentators:
New Picture (7)Joe Tessitore will be ringside with Teddy Atlas describing the action for ESPN2, while studio host Todd Grisham (@GrishamESPN) will present all the latest boxing news and highlights. Delvin Rodríguez and Pablo Viruega will call the fights for Noche de Combates (Fight Night) on ESPN Deportes, while Leopoldo González and Claudia Trejos will anchor the studio. Bilingual reporter Bernardo Osuna (@osunaespn) will present live interviews and reports for both shows.

Main Event:
California’s López is coming off an eighth-round technical decision win over Mike Arnaoutis, while Martínez, also from California, scored an eight-round majority decision win over Albert Herrera in his last outing.

“I’ve gotten to see Aron Martínez fight a couple of times, we’ve gotten to see each other quite a bit. So we know what we bring to the table, López said. “He’s a tough fighter and I’m expecting a tough fight. He comes to fight, so I’m excited for that.”

Victor Huerta, Martínez’s trainer, said of Friday’s fight, “Aron can hit, and I think we’re going to surprise people with how strong he’s going to be in this fight. He’s real relaxed right now, and I’ve never seen him this strong before. He’s really concentrated on this fight.”

Co-Feature:
Friday’s 10-round co-feature will pit undefeated Light Heavyweight Thomas Williams Jr. (16-0, 11 KOs), against former Light Heavyweight and Super Middleweight title challenger Enrique Ornelas (34-8, 22 KOs). In his last outing, Washington D.C.’s Williams, son of former Heavyweight veteran Thomas Williams, scored a first-round TKO win over Cornelius White on ESPN Friday Night Fights. California’s Ornelas is looking to continue his winning ways following a seventh-round TKO win over Isaac Mendez.

Upcoming ESPN Boxing Schedule:

Date

Time (ET)

Main Event

Location

Networks

Sat, Apr 26

5 p.m.

WBA, IBF, and WBO World Heavyweight Championship: Wladimir Klitschko (61-3, 52 KOs) vs. Alex Leapai (30-4-3, 24 KOs)—12 rounds

König-Pilsener-Arena, Oberhausen, Germany

ESPN, ESPN Deportes, WatchESPN

Thu, May 1

9 p.m.

Roberto García (34-3, 22 KOs) vs. Victor Manuel Cayo (32-4, 23 KOs)—10 rounds, Welterweights

Hialeah Park Race Track, Hialeah, Fla.

ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, WatchESPN

Sat, May 10

8 p.m.

WBC World Heavyweight Championship: Bermane Stiverne (23-1-1, 20 KOs) vs. Chris Arreola (36-3, 31 KOs)—12 rounds

USC Galen Center,
Los Angeles

ESPN, ESPN Deportes, WatchESPN

Fri, May 16

9 p.m.

Delvin Rodríguez (28-7-3, 16 KOs) vs. Joachim Alcine (35-7-1, 21 KOs)—10 rounds, Jr. Middleweight

TBD

ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, WatchESPN

Fri, May 23

9 p.m.

Boxcino 2014 Finals

Petr Petrov (34-4-2, 15 KOs) vs. Fernando Cárcamo (17-5, 13 KOs)—10 rounds, Lightweights

Brandon Adams (14-0, 9 KOs) vs. Willie Monroe Jr. (17-1, 6 KOs)—10 rounds, Middleweights

Turning Stone Casino, Verona, NY

ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, WatchESPN

Friday Night Fights and Noche de Combates Social Media:

· Follow ESPN Friday Night Fights on Twitter @ESPNFNF or like it on Facebook.

· Score the fights round-by-round with the “Live Friday Night Fights Facebook Voting App,” an application on the ESPN FNF Facebook page that allows viewers to score the fight round-by-round.

· Follow ESPN Deportes’ Noche de Combates on Twitter @ESPNBoxeo.

· For the latest ESPN.com boxing news and analysis follow @ESPNBoxing.

JOSESITO LOPEZ VS ARON MARTINEZ “TRAIN WRECK” THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2014 AGUA CALIENTE CASINO RESORT SPA

Sherman Oaks, CA (April 2, 2014) – Goossen Tutor Promotions is excited to announce a special Thursday edition of ESPN Friday Night Fights presented by Corona Extra and ESPN Deportes’ Noche de Combates presentado por Corona Extra set for APRIL 24 at the beautiful and luxurious Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa in Rancho Mirage, California. The fights will air live at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, and will be available on computers, smartphones, Xbox, Apple TV and Roku via WatchESPN.

Headlining the ESPN Thursday Night Fights will be a sensational 10-round welterweight clash between former world title challenger and Southern California fan favorite Josesito Lopez of Riverside, California against cross-town rival Aron “El Asesino” Martinez of East Los Angeles, California.

Co-featured on the LIVE telecast will be a 10-round light heavyweight clash between recent ESPN Friday Night Fights knockout victor and world ranked contender, Thomas “Top Dog” Williams of Fort Washington, Maryland and tough as nails Mexican veteran Enrique Ornelas of La Habra, California.

Tickets for the ESPN Thursday Night Fights, priced at $40, $30 and $20 can be purchased through The Show Box Office Monday through Sunday 8AM – 8PM PST or online at http://www.hotwatercasino.com. Doors open at 5 PM with the first ESPN bout starting sharp at 6 PM. The event will be held in The Show at the Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa located at 32-250 Bob Hope Drive in Rancho Mirage, California just off Interstate 10.

“This is Josesito’s opportunity to put himself right back into the mix of one of the hottest divisions in boxing today,” said Dan Goossen, President of Goossen Tutor Promotions. “Quite frankly, Martinez knows the same thing. What’s at stake here is someone’s career, which will bring out the very best from both fighters in what will be terrific for the Southern California boxing fans and those watching the ESPN telecast.”

Continued Goossen, “Along with the great main event, the other star of the ESPN telecast will be where the action takes place. Agua Caliente’s premier concert and events theatre, The Show, will be hosting it’s first world-class boxing telecast where Lopez and Martinez will be joining past headliners like Matchbox Twenty, Tony Bennett, Jay Leno and many more.”

“Because we are off our normal Friday night home, we asked Dan Goossen to provide fight fans with something special for a Thursday night edition of Friday Night Fights,” said Brian Kweder, ESPN senior director of programming and acquisitions. “Having Josesito López headline this card certainly delivers on that promise. López and [Aron] Martínez are action fighters who will deliver a great show.”

Fondly known as “The Riverside Rocky” for his valiant performances and movie star looks, Lopez, 31-6-0 (18 KO’s), is returning to battle following an eighth round stoppage of tough Mike Arnaoutis on December 13.

Among the outstanding performances on his action packed ledger is Lopez’ memorable stoppage of former world champion Victor Ortiz on June 23, 2012 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Taking the fight on short notice and moving up in weight, Lopez thrilled boxing fans with a ninth round stoppage of Ortiz in a battle that featured outstanding two-way action throughout the fight prior to Ortiz succumbing to a broken jaw necessitating the stoppage.

Lopez has twice challenged for world titles over the last eighteen months coming up short in outstanding efforts against Canelo Alvarez and Marcos Maidana but is anxious to return to title contention in 2014.

Known in boxing as a true spoiler, Martinez, 19-2-1 (4 KO’s), has built a reputation for upsets including wins over highly regarded prospects Prenice Brewer, Dashon Johnson and Joseph Elegele.

Like Lopez, Martinez will be making his first start of 2014, having fought on April 26, 2013 in Ontario, California winning a unanimous decision over Alberto Herrera.

On January 24, undefeated light heavyweight prospect Thomas Williams Jr. made an emphatic statement in his first nationally broadcast fight coming off the canvas in the first round to drop perennial contender Cornelius White twice in the same round before the stoppage televised on ESPN Friday Night Fights. The KO win earned Williams the WBO NABO Light Heavyweight Title and a top-10 ESPN Sportscenter spot.

Sporting a record of 16-0-0 with 11 knockouts, the 26-year-old southpaw Williams will look to continue his climb up the world rankings in his clash against the battle tested Ornelas. Williams is currently world ranked #6 by the WBO and # 10 by the IBF.

The 33-year-old Ornelas, 34-8-0 (22 KO’s) has faced a long list of world champions and ranked contenders over his 14-year career and will be looking to use his vast experience to defeat the hard charging Williams.

Included among the notables on Ornelas’ ledger are boxing legend Bernard Hopkins, world champion Beibut Shumenov in addition to Robert Stieglitz, Sam Soliman, Marco Antonio Rubio and Bronco McKart.

A full undercard featuring Southern California area prospects will be announced shortly.

About Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa:
Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa, a Four-Diamond property in Rancho Mirage, and Spa Resort Casino in downtown Palm Springs offer the hottest slots, a variety of table games, and high-limit gaming, plus fine dining, shopping, relaxing spas and luxurious hotel rooms, all in a gorgeous resort setting. Both resorts are owned and operated by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, which also owns the world-famous Indian Canyons and Tahquitz Canyon hiking trails, and Indian Canyons Golf Resort.

For more information, follow Dan Goossen/Goossen Tutor on Twitter @DanGoossen & @GoossenTutor, Josesito Lopez @JosesitoLopez.

Fight Network Presents Golden Boy LIVE: Lopez vs. Martinez this Friday, Dec. 13, at 10 p.m. ET

Toronto – Fight Network, the world’s premier 24/7 television channel dedicated to complete coverage of combat sports, presents a live broadcast of the all-star Golden Boy Live! doubleheader to close out 2013 this Friday, December 13, at 10 p.m. ET.

Emanating from Fantasy Sport Resort Casino in Indio, Calif., the special edition features the return of welterweight world title contender Josesito “Riverside Rocky” Lopez against “Mighty” Mike Arnaoutis, and in the co-feature bout, the NABF/WBO Intercontinental super featherweight title will be on the line between Mexico’s unbeaten Francisco Vargas and Texas’ tough Jerry Belmontes.

In three other televised bouts, unbeaten junior middleweight Jermall Charlo takes on Joseph De Los Santos, 2012 U.S. Olympian Joseph “JoJo” Diaz Jr. meets Mexico’s Carlos Rodriguez in a junior featherweight battle and Diaz’ Olympic teammate Errol Spence Jr. puts his perfect professional record on the line against Noe Bolanos in junior middleweight action. All three bouts are scheduled for eight rounds.

Also stepping into the ring for an exciting 10-round non-televised middleweight bout will be Coachella, Calif. favorite Angel Osuna and unbeaten Hugo “The Boss” Centeno Jr.

“It’s great to be back in the ring, especially in front of my Southern California fans,” said Lopez. Arnaoutis is a tough guy and I know he’s going to give me a fight, but that’s what I’m looking forward to.”

“Josesito Lopez is a true warrior and with our styles, this is going to be a fight no one will forget,” said Arnaoutis. “I can’t wait for the first bell to ring and I’m not going to stop swinging until my hand is raised.”

“This is a big fight for me and I’m expecting a tough challenge from Belmontes,” said Vargas. “He’s a hungry prospect, but I won’t let him make his name off of me.”

“Vargas is a talented opponent and I know he’s hungry to win this fight, but I don’t think any fighter is hungrier than me now,” said Belmontes. “I want to end the year with a big win and start chasing down even bigger names in 2014.”

Riverside, California’s Josesito Lopez (30-6, 18 KO’s) was long considered one of the local fight scene’s best-kept secrets, but after his stunning victories over former champion Victor Ortiz and Mike Dallas Jr., the rest of the boxing world found out just how good he was. A former junior middleweight world title challenger, the 29-year-old returned to welterweight in June and engaged in a ‘Fight of the Year’ candidate against Marcos Maidana and on Dec. 13, he’s got Mike Arnaoutis to face in the ring as he aims for world championship gold in 2014.

A former USBA and NABO junior welterweight champion, who has stepped into the ring with the likes of unified super lightweight world champion Danny Garcia, former world champion Victor Ortiz, Ricardo Torres and Delvin Rodriguez, the Queens, New York native “Mighty” Mike Arnaoutis (24-9-1, 11 KO’s), is a seasoned veteran with a slick and exciting style that keeps him competitive against anyone in the world. Undaunted by the task ahead of him, the 34-year-old Arnaoutis is excited for the opportunity to face Lopez this December and prove he has what it takes to face the best.

2008 Mexican Olympian Francisco “El Bandido” Vargas (17-0-1, 14 KO’s) has enjoyed an impressive run through the 130-pound weight class since turning pro in 2010, with 2013 wins over Ira Terry, Cristian Arrazola and Brandon Bennett putting him on the fast track to even bigger things next year. But first, the 28-year-old from Mexico City has to hold off a stiff challenge from Jerry Belmontes.

One of the most popular fighters representing Texas today, Jerry “The Corpus Christi Kid” Belmontes (18-2, 5 KO’s) has been nearly unstoppable in his home state, winning 12 of 13 bouts there. On Dec. 13, the 24-year-old fights in California for the first time since 2009 and he plans on spoiling Vargas’ unbeaten record and taking two title belts back to the Lone Star State.

Houston’s Jermall Charlo (16-0, 12 KO’s) cemented his reputation as a force to be reckoned with in the junior middleweight division as he has gone 6-0 with six knockouts already in 2013, with finishes over notable foes such as Orlando Lora, Luis Hernandez and Antwone Smith. The 23-year-old aims to close out the year with another furious finish. A rugged veteran from the Dominican Republic, 36-year-old Joseph De Los Santos (16-12-3, 9 KO’s) may have a few defeats on his record, but he has only been stopped once, making him a tough test for Charlo. Plus, with wins in six of his last seven bouts, De Los Santos is proving himself to be a late bloomer primed to score the upset.

Twenty-one-year-old South El Monte native Joseph “JoJo” Diaz Jr. (8-1, 5 KO’s) is on the fast track to big things in the 122-pound weight class and with six wins in 2013 alone, he’s keeping the kind of busy schedule that makes world champions. On Dec. 13, the 2012 U.S. Olympian hopes to score his fifth straight knockout when he takes on Los Mochis’ Carlos Rodriguez (18-12-4, 10 KO’s). Rodriguez will be quite the challenge for the young Diaz and after winning six of his last eight fights, the 30-year-old has the momentum he needs to come up big at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino.

A highly decorated amateur who made it to the quarterfinals of the 2012 London Games, Desoto, Texas’ Errol Spence Jr. (9-0, 7 KO’s) has picked up plenty of frequent flyer miles in 2013, fighting in Florida, Nevada, California and Texas while putting seven more wins on his record. A recent victor over unbeaten Emmanuel Lartey in October, the 23-year-old Spence is hungry for more W’s. Looking to put a “1” in Spence’s loss column is Obregon, Mexico’s veteran Noe Bolanos (25-8-1, 16 KO’s). The 27-year-old will be looking to make it two wins in a row on Dec. 13, following his eight-round win over Felipe Gonzalez in September.

Two of California’s top prospects collide in a highly anticipated showdown, as 25-year-old Angel Osuna (11-3-1, 7 KO’s) from Coachella takes on the young and undefeated 22-year-old Hugo “The Boss” Centeno Jr. (19-0, 10 KO’s). Osuna bounced back from a rocky start to his pro career to win his last seven bouts, five by knockout. Centeno has yet to lose as a professional and he wants to end 2013 with an upset win to remember against the fan favorite Osuna.

Lopez vs. Arnoutis is a 10-round welterweight bout presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Goossen Tutor Promotions, Thompson Boxing and Star Boxing and sponsored by Corona and O’Reilly Auto Parts. Doors open at 4 p.m. PT and the first fight starts at 4:30 p.m. PT. Fight Network’s three-hour live broadcast airs at 10 p.m. ET.

For a full listing of Fight Network’s broadcast schedule, please visit tv.fightnetwork.com and follow on Twitter @fightnet, become a fan on Facebook and visit us on Instagram @fightnet.

ARNAOUTIS BATTLES LOPEZ THIS FRIDAY ON FOX SPORTS 1

NEW YORK, Dec 11, 2013–Battle tested veterans “Mighty” Mike Arnaoutis, 24-9-2 (11 KO’s), Astoria, NY and Josesito Lopez, 30-6 (18 KO’s), Riverside, CA, lock horns this Friday at The Fantasy Springs Casino, Indio, CA, in a 10 round Welterweight showdown.

The fight will be shown on the Fox 1 Sports Network and airs at 10pm EST.

Both fighters are coming off losses and understand that this is truly a crossroads fight. In his last fight on July 20th, Arnaoutis pushed highly touted undefeated prospect Chris Algieri to the limit losing a very hard fought 10 round bout.

During his career, Arnaoutis has challenged for a world title against Ricardo Torres (split decision) and has fought many top fighters including Delvin Rodriguez, Victor Ortiz, Kendall Holt, and current Jr. Welterweight champion Danny Garcia.

Arnaoutis knows that this may be his last chance to make himself a viable contender again and has prepared very hard for Lopez who is coming off losses to World Champions Canelo Alvarez and Marcos Maidana.

Arnaoutis has been promoted by Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing for much of his career. Founder and CEO of Star Boxing Joe DeGuardia shared these thoughts about Arnaoutis, “I have been with Mike for a long time now. There have some highs and some lows during that time. However, after the effort he put forth in his last fight against Chris Algieri I believe he still has the ability to compete at a high level and I am expecting him to fight with the spirit he will need to be victorious in his fight with Josesito Lopez. He must take advantage of this opportunity if he wants to compete at the top of the sport”.

Lopez vs. Arnaoutis headlines an exciting show presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Goossen Tutor Promotions, Thompson Boxing and Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing and sponsored by Corona and O’Reilly Auto Parts.

Doors open at 4:00 p.m. PT and the first fight starts at 4:30 p.m. PT. The FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes three-hour broadcast airs live at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT.

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

ABOUT STAR BOXING:

Star Boxing Inc. celebrated its 20th Anniversary in 2012. Star Boxing has worked to produce some of the most exciting and memorable boxing events in recent history. Star has continued to work with and develop a number of very exciting world champions, world rated contenders and young prospects. Star has consistently brought credibility, integrity, and exciting fights to the boxing industry. For more information on Star Boxing, visit their official website at www.StarBoxing.com and follow them on Twitter @ Star Boxing and Facebook at Star Boxing.

GOLDEN BOY LIVE! PRESENTS ALL-STAR DOUBLEHEADER ON FRIDAY, DEC. 13 TO CLOSE OUT 2013 SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES JOSESITO LOPEZ TAKING ON MIKE ARNAOUTIS WHICH WILL BE TELEVISED ON FOX SPORTS 1 AND FOX DEPORTES FROM FANTASY SPRINGS RESORT CASINO IN INDIO, CALIF.

NDIO, CALIF. (Nov. 20) – The Golden Boy Live! series on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes has consistently delivered top-notch matchups since its launch in August and it will wrap 2013 up with a bang on Friday, Dec. 13 at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, Calif. The special edition features the return of welterweight world title contender Josesito “Riverside Rocky” Lopez against “Mighty” Mike Arnaoutis, and in the co-feature bout, the NABF/WBO Intercontinental Super Featherweight Title will be on the line between Mexico’s unbeaten Francisco Vargas and Texas’ tough Jerry Belmontes.

“This is a big fight for me and I’m expecting a tough challenge from Belmontes,” said Vargas. “He’s a hungry prospect, but I won’t let him make his name off of me.”

“We are thrilled that the Golden Boy Live! series is finishing 2013 featuring such great talent,” said Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. “FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes have provided a platform for us to showcase some of the best fighters out there and bring names such as Josesito Lopez to boxing fans on regular cable.”

Riverside, California’s Josesito Lopez (30-6, 18 KO’s) was long considered one of the local fight scene’s best-kept secrets, but after his stunning victories over former World Champion Victor Ortiz and Mike Dallas Jr., the rest of the boxing world found out just how good he was. A former junior middleweight world title challenger, the 29-year-old returned to welterweight in June and engaged in a ‘Fight of the Year’ candidate against Marcos Maidana and on Dec. 13, he’s got Mike Arnaoutis to face in the ring as he aims for world championship gold in 2014.

A former USBA and NABO junior welterweight champion, who has stepped into the ring with the likes of Unified Super Lightweight World Champion Danny Garcia, former World Champion Victor Ortiz, Ricardo Torres and Delvin Rodriguez, the Queens, New York native “Mighty” Mike Arnaoutis (24-9-1, 11 KO’s), is a seasoned veteran with a slick and exciting style that keeps him competitive against anyone in the world. Undaunted by the task ahead of him, the 34-year-old Arnaoutis is excited for the opportunity to face Lopez this December and prove he has what it takes to face the best.

One of the most popular fighters representing Texas today, Jerry “The Corpus Christi Kid” Belmontes (18-2, 5 KO’s) has been nearly unstoppable in his home state, winning 12 of 13 bouts there. On December 13, the 24-year-old fights in California for the first time since 2009 and he plans on spoiling Vargas’ unbeaten record and taking two title belts back to the Lone Star State.

Lopez vs. Arnoutis is a 10-round welterweight bout presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Goossen Tutor Promotions, Thompson Boxing and Star Boxing and sponsored by Corona and O’Reilly Auto Parts. Doors open at 4:00 p.m. PT and the first fight starts at 4:30 p.m. PT. The FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes three-hour broadcast airs live at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT.

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

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, follow us on Twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @JosesitoLopez, @JerryBelmontes @Elbandido130 and @FantasySprings, follow the conversation using #GoldenBoyLive, become a fan on Facebook at Golden Boy Facebook Page and www.facebook.com/fantasysprings . Also, visit us on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing. For more information on FOX Sports 1 visit www.FOXSports.com and become a follower on Twitter at www.twitter.com/FOXSports, www.twitter.com/FOXSports1 and www.twitter.com/FOXsportspr.

Maidana’s power prevails in TKO over Lopez

CARSON, Calif. – They collided like a couple of weather fronts. One from Argentina. The other from Riverside, Calif. Only one would be left standing. That was the only safe prediction.

In the end, the sudden storm belonged to Marcos Maidana, another force of nature from Argentina.

Maidana got up from one knockdown in the fourth round to score one in the sixth for what led to a technical knockout of Josesito Lopez in a dramatic welterweight fight at the StubHub Center.

Maidana (34-3, 31KOs) landed an overhand right that put Lopez on one knee early in the sixth. Stunned yet resilient, Lopez (30-6, 18 KOs) got up amid huge cheers for the Southern California fighter nicknamed The Riverside Rocky. But the loud crowd of 8,629 at the former Home Depot Center couldn’t protect the hometown favorite from Maidana’s next assault. The Argentine winged successive punches at Lopez at a whirlwind rate. Referee Lou Morett interceded with a stoppage at 1:18 of the round.

“My guts got me this victory,’’ said Maidana, whose inexhaustible power puts him alongside fellow Argentine Lucas Matthysse.

In the fourth, Lopez dropped Maidana with some head-rocking power of his own. Lopez’ delivered it with a right that looked as if it might prove to be the fight’s decisive weapon. By then, however, Maidana had felt enough to know he could survive it with smarts and poise.

“In the second round, he hit me in my head and it was like I was paralyzed,’’ said Maidana, who would have been happy if Morett had let the fight continue.

Lopez was unhappy at the stoppage.

“I felt like it was premature,’’ said Lopez, who led by one point on each of two scorecards. “I was stunned, but I was not down for the count. He landed a couple of good punches, but not good enough to end the fight.’’

With the victory, stays in a welterweight race led by Floyd Mayweather Jr.

“I just want to fight the best,’’ Maidana said after prevailing in a wild fight with one of them.

In a super-welterweight bout, Alfredo Angulo (22-3, 18 KOs) looked tough, stubborn and on his way to a surprising victory over ErislandyLara (17-1-2, 12 KOs), who was down twice – once in the fourth and again in the ninth. Just as it looked as if Angulo would be the winner, however, he was the loser.

A sudden left-right combination from Lara in the tenth ended the super-welterweight bout abruptly. Angulo turned around and took one step toward his corner. He was finished. Referee Raul Caiz, Sr., ended it at 1:50 of the tenth.

Seconds after the stoppage, a huge welt appeared above Angulo’s left eye. Before Angulo was taken to a nearby hospital, the grotesque swelling was believed to have been caused by either a fracture to the orbital bone or by injury to the back of the eye. Angulo complained that Lara had thumbed him.

Despite suffering two knockdowns, Lara led, 85-84, on scorecards held by judges Max DeLuca and Hoyle cards. Marty Denkinhad Angulo leading, 86-83.

ON THE UNDERCARD
THE BEST: Dublin junior welterweight JamieKavanagh (14-0-1, 6 KOs) had green shamrocks on his black socks and power hidden beneath the gloves he wore. That power didn’t stay hidden for long. Through two rounds, Kavanagh rocked Adolfo Landeros (21-32-2, 10 KOs) of Calexico, Calif., with a stinging succession of body shots punctuated by a head-rocking left hook. Landero’s corner threw in the towel between the second and third rounds.

THE GOOD: Johan Perez (17-1-1, 12 KOs) of Caracas, Venezuela allowed Yoshihiro Kamegi (22-1-1, 19 KOs) to walk into his punches for a unanimous decision over the previously-unbeaten welterweight from Sapporo, Japan; junior-lightweight Ronny Rios (21-0 10 KOs) kept his credentials as a prospect intact with sixth-round TKO of Mexican Leonilo Miranda (32-6, 30KOs); Los Angeles bantamweight Edgar Valerio (3-0, 2 KOs) left David Reyes (2-3-1), also of Los Angeles, bloodied and, in the end, beaten by split decision after four rounds of work in the card’s first bout on a warm afternoon under the Southern California sun.

THE FORGETTABLE: Junior-featherweight Manuel Avila ofFairfield, Calif., remained unbeaten (12-0, 4 KOs) with a unanimous decision over Jamal Parram (6-8-1, 4 KOs) of St. Louis; featherweight Joseph Diaz Jr. (6-1, 3 KOs) scored a third-round TKO of Rigoberto Casillas (8-11-1, 6 KOs) and Los Angeles heavyweight Gerald Washington heard boos from a gathering crowd for a unanimous decision over Sherman Williams (35-13-2, 19 KOs) in a fight about as exciting as an afternoon nap.

At The Crossroads: Lopez, Maidana fight for relevancy

Josesito Lopez has a nickname that is a mixed blessing. He’s called the Riverside Rocky because he came from nowhere. If the nickname sticks, however, so does the nowhere.

Lopez’ fight to knock out a future full of forgettable sequels as the designated opponent in somebody else’s tune-up starts Saturday in a Showtime-televised bout from Carson, Calif., against Marcos Maidana, who doesn’t have the nickname, yet is confronted by the same challenge.

It’s what makes their welterweight bout intriguing. Both are at the crossroads. A variety of things creates a Fight of the Year possibility. But a reliable place to start is at that familiar intersection. Lose, and you’re irrelevant. Win, and you still matter. Options are clear. Stakes are high.

“It’s a very important fight,’’ said Maidana (33-3, 30 KOs) who trained at Robert Garcia’s gym in Oxnard Calif., instead of at home in Argentina for a fight in an outdoor ring at StubHub Center, the former Home Depot Center. “It’s one of the most important fights of my career. Yes, I’ve fought some big names in the past. But this is what’s in front of me. This is the next fight and I have to get past this to be considered for bigger fights and to keep moving up the ladder.’’

Bigger fights at Maidana’s weight lead to a single biggie. Follow the money. Floyd Mayweather, Jr., is at the top of that ladder. For now, Mayweather is busy with a Sept. 14 bout against Canelo Alvarez. If Mayweather does the expected and beats Canelo, he still has four possible bouts on his Showtime contract, worth a potential $250 million. The Maidana-Lopez winner presumably stays in the pool of potential candidates for a shot at career-making payday. It’s no coincidence that Maidana mentioned Mayweather during a conference call.

“Yes, I did say Mayweather,’’ Maidana said through an interpreter.

Lopez didn’t. Then again, he didn’t really have to. The possibility almost goes without saying for any welterweight trying to stay relevant in boxing richest sweepstakes.

“I think we’re two of the toughest fighters at 147 so definitely a victory here would put us near the top, and get us in line to fight some of the best in the world,’’ said Lopez (30-5, 18 KOs), a former junior-welterweight (140). “So, who wins is very important.’’

The fight to stay in line for a chance at Mayweather is the biggest thing that ties Lopez and Madiana together. But not the only thing. Lopez is 28; Maidana is 29. A couple of days separate their birthdays. Maidana was born on July 17 and Lopez on July 19. If a rematch becomes necessary, maybe they could do it on July 18 in 2014.

Each also arrived like Sylvester Stallone’s character in Rocky against the same opponent: Victor Ortiz. Ortiz was supposed to beat then unknown Maidana in June 2009. But Ortiz lost for the first time in a stunner. In what was then supposed to be an Ortiz tune-up for a Canelo showdown last year, Ortiz faced an equally-unknown Lopez. But Ortiz lost a ninth-round stoppage and was left with a fractured jaw that has left questions about whether he’ll ever fight again.

Maidana has gone 7-2 since Ortiz, losing a dramatic decision to Amir Khan in the 2010 Fight of the Year and another decision to Devon Alexander. Lopez is 0-1 after a bout in which he played the role of an opponent in a loss at 154 pounds to Canelo, who scored three knockdowns in winning a fifth-round TKO over the former 140-pounder at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand.

“He had no business in that division,’’ said Maidana, whose feared punching power looms as a critical advantage over Lopez.

He didn’t. Still, Lopez profited in the mismatch with his biggest paycheck, $212,500, according to contracts filed with the Nevada State Athletic Commission. Now, Lopez hopes the experience at a heavier weight against the heavy-handed Canelo will pay off with a victory that could generate bigger fights and further dividends.

“I wouldn’t say the move to 154 was a great decision, but I have no regrets on taking that fight,’’ Lopez said. “I fought one of the best fighters out there. I lost, but it helped me. I think that moving up to154 probably helped me. Now, I feel a little bit better and feel more comfortable at 147.

“I’ve been molded in to 147.”

Molded and perhaps ready to move on.

MARCOS MAIDANA VS. JOSESITO LOPEZ & ALFREDO ANGULO VS. ERISLANDY LARA MEDIA CONFERENCE CALL TRANCRIPT

Kelly Swanson
Thanks, everybody for joining us for this call. We’re going to have four separate fighters on the phone, and we’re going to start with Alfredo Angulo and Erislandy Lara followed by Maidana and Lopez. I’m going to turn it over to Dave Itskowitch, Chief Operating Officer of Golden Boy Promotions right away so he can get started with the particulars, and then we’ll open it up for the guys. Thanks. Dave?

David Itskowitch
Thank you, Kelly. Thank you, everyone, for joining us today. We’re really excited about the show. Based on the ticket sales everyone in Southern California is excited about this show too. Our main event June 8 at the Home Depot Center in Carson we have Marcos Maidana vs. Josesito Lopez in a 12-round fight for the WBA Intercontinental Championship.

Our co-main event features Alfredo Angulo vs. Erislandy Lara in a 12-round super welterweight fight, and our opening fight on Showtime is a 12-round fight between Demetrius Hopkins and Jermell Charlo for Hopkins’ USBA junior middleweight championship and Charlo’s WBC continental Americas super welterweight championship.

Just a note, the previously announced Sakio Bika vs. Marco Antonio Periban fight, which was scheduled for this show, will now be taking place on Saturday, June 22 at Barclays Center in New York. The event is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions with Maidana vs. Lopez promoted in association with Goossen Tutor Promotions and Thompson Boxing. The event is sponsored by Corona and AT&T, will air live on Showtime Championship Boxing coast to coast 10:00 Eastern Time/7:00 Pacific Time with preliminary fights airing live on Showtime Extreme at 8:00 p.m. Eastern/Pacific. The event also can be heard in Spanish using secondary audio programming. As I mentioned, tickets are going quickly. We encourage everybody to get out and buy their tickets quickly. The fights starting at $25 up to $150 for ringside, they’re available at AXS.com or by calling 888-9-AXS-TIX and also at the Home Depot Center box office.

Now to say a few words I’d like to introduce a young man who is one of the greatest amateurs in the history of boxing. He’s 29 years old in search of his first world title. In 2011 he lost a highly controversial decision to former world champion Paul Williams; a fight that most ringside observers had him winning. He followed that with an impressive knockout over Ronald Hearns and outperforming Freddy Hernandez. In his last fight in November he battled through a highly disputed technical draw with Vanes Martirosyan in an elimination bout.

He’s one of the top rated super welterweight contenders in the world, and on June 8th he’s vowed to keep the judges out of matters against Angulo. He has a record of 17-1-2 with 11 KO’s. Originally out of Guantanamo, Cuba now fighting out of Houston, Texas Erislandy Lara.

Itskowitch
Erislandy, some opening comments?

Erislandy Lara
Hi; how are you? Thank you all for being on.

Itskowitch
Short but sweet. Next to say a few words a gentlemen who is one of the most exciting and devastating punchers at the 154-pound weight class. His 2011 fight with James Kirkland was a candidate for Fight of the Year, one of the best fights I’ve ever seen. Following that he was out of the ring for about a year due to immigration issues but those are all now cleared up, and he’s back ready to take on all comers in search of a world championship.

Since his return he has defeated Raul Casarez in a first round knockout decision, Jorge Silva, and really he’s shown that he hasn’t missed a beat despite the layoff. Now the 30-year-old prepares for the toughest steps of his career against Lara. He’s got a record of 20-2-2 with 18 KO’s. Originally from Mexicali, Mexico, now fighting out of Los Angeles, Alfredo Angulo.

Alfredo Angulo
Hi, how are you? I really appreciate you for your time.

Itskowitch
All right. Thank you. I guess we will now open up to the media for Q&A.

Q
A question for each of you to answer separately, Erislandy, you’ve said that this is going to be a classic boxer vs. puncher fight and that you feel that you can get Alfredo to sort of run in to punches. Alfredo, you have said that you’re not going to allow him to just sit back and box and that you’re going to force him to fight. Can each of you answer the question that’s directed to each of you, first Erislandy?

Lara
Yes that’s correct. That’s the way the fight is going to play out. He’s going to be coming in; he’s going to run into my punches.

Angulo
Yes. I’m working on my plan, and for Erislandy. I like the fighters who come straight and are ready for a good fight, and I’m ready for June 8th.

Q
Yeah. Erislandy, is there any fight in his career that sticks out that you point to that leads you to believe that you’re going to be able to execute that strategy to near perfection?

Lara
No not at all. There’s not a fight that sticks out. I know him; I know the way that he fights and my plan, I’m prepared for that. I know his style. I know the way he fights, and I’m prepared for that and my plan is going to play out.

Q
For each of you also-first Erislandy-in speaking to Gaby Penagaricano whose is the counsel and attorney for Miguel Cotto, as you know he has targeted a return for perhaps the fall, possibly September 28. He mentioned that the winner of this fight could possibly fight Cotto in his return to the ring. You’re thoughts on whether that sweetens the pot for you and whether that adds incentive for you to look spectacular in your performance?

Lara
You know what the most important thing is June 8, the fight that I have in front of me, and if I’m victorious I’ll fight anybody. I’ll fight anybody that’s what I came to this country for to fight so I’ll fight anybody. It doesn’t matter, but the most important thing is a victory on June 8.

Angulo
I don’t have another name in my head, Right now is June 8. First, June 8. After I don’t know, keep focused on June 8 and win the fight.

Q
I know you guys are focused on each other, but you in particular, Erislandy, have for probably the last year and a half looked for a big fight against a name opponent. I know this is a big fight for you, and I know you’ve wanted to fight Canelo and there were chances for that, and you entertained for a moment how much a big fight against Cotto would mean to you personally and to your career, just for a moment.

Lara
No of course, of course I would love to fight a fighter like Cotto. He’s a great fighter. He’s one of the top guys. He’s on the list; he’s on the list of guys that I would want to fight of course. He’s one of the top guys there and if the fight presents itself after this fight then of course, of course I would want a fight.

Q
Good. Good. Could you ask both fighters touched on it a little bit from the standpoint of talking about the fact that perhaps this fight, the winner would move in to an even bigger fight, as big as this one is for these two guys. But on a slightly different point of view this fight is not an official title elimination fight, but do Erislandy and Alfredo view this fight as a de facto title elimination fight where the winner is going to get a shot at one of the world titles?

Lara
Yes. Yes this should be a title fight. This should be a title fight. This is a fight that should be a title. It merits being a world title or an eliminator. Obviously, the winner is going to be in position to fight a Cotto or to fight a Canelo so this is a very, very important fight and it should merit being a title.

Angulo
Definitely. He’s has to fight for the title. Erislandy is 154 a good fighter and I am good fighter too. I think this would be a good fight for the belt. But, more importantly, right now time we have a really good show and a really good fight on June 8.

This is a great fight. This is a great fight. It’s two of the top guys fighting each other. Basically the same thing it merits being a title fight. It’s a good fight.

Q
A title fight or a title eliminator?

Gomez
It’s an important fight. Well, we’re still waiting for confirmation on that, but it is for a minor title right now.

Q
Right. I was thinking like an eliminator where the guy definitely gets a title shot.

Gomez
Yes. Yes. Of course. Of course it’s for a minor title right now but we’re looking for that. We’re waiting for confirmation that it is going to be like a title eliminator so there’s still a chance it will be.

Q
Okay. Now, if you would answer the question, Eric-your point of view as the match maker who works on a lot of this stuff for Golden Boy-what are your thoughts about where the winner of this fight winds up, in a title fight, in that type of situation?

Gomez
Oh, they’re going to be in the top three or four. I mean the winner is going to be the top three or four guys and obviously there’s Canelo. Austin Trout is still highly ranked up there, Miguel Cotto, and you can always throw Floyd in there depending on the weight class that he fights at, but obviously the winner in this fight is going to be in a very, very good position. He should be one of the top guys and this really is like a world title fight. It’s two of the top guys, and I’m just happy that we’re able to make these fights because it’s good for everybody when the top guys fight each other and both fighters realize that, and it’s just going to be a great fight.

Q
Alfredo Angulo has said Erislandy Lara that you’re an amateur fighter. You fight very much like an amateur. You don’t fight like a pro. That’s the style you have. Does that bother you that people say that Cuban fighters come over and they keep that amateur style?

Lara
No. I’m a technical fighter. I’m a technical fighter and he’s a brawler, and we’ll see who has the longer career. But the Cuban fighters are the best technical fighters in the world.

Swanson
Okay. So you guys we are done with you, and we’re now going to switch it over to Maidana Maidana and Lopez Lopez. In the meantime we’d like to thank you very much, and if you have any closing comments.

Lara
Thank you, thank you all for being here. Greetings to everybody, and I’m going to win on June 8 and I wish Angulo luck.

Angulo
Thank you so much, everybody, for their time. I really appreciate it and I’ll see you Lara … in the ring. Okay. Good luck.

Swanson
Dave, would you like to do any like updated programming notes for the upcoming Golden Boy’s schedule?

Itskowitch
Yeah. I can just kind of run through everything that we’ve got coming up. This weekend in Sunrise, Florida at the BB&T Center we have a FOX Sports Net, FOX Deportes event, which is going to air live at 10:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The main event is Braulio Santos vs. Derrick Wilson. The co-main event is Daquan Arnett vs. Miguel Zuniga. We’ve got some good fighters on the undercard for people who are down in South Florida and want to come check it out. We’ve got 2012 Olympian Errol Spence Jr., Jermall Charlo, Justin DeLoach, Steve Geffard all on the undercard so those who are near a TV on Saturday night and want to check it out FOX Sports Net and FOX Deportes at 10:00 p.m. and if you’re in South Florida head out to the BB&T Center in Sunrise, check out a good night of fights.

Of course the following weekend we have our show at the Home Depot Center, which we’re discussing. Some notes on that, on Showtime Extreme we have Johan Perez vs. Yoshihiro Kamegai in one fight, and Gerald Washington vs. Sherman Williams. That undercard is going to feature Joseph Diaz Jr., Ronny Rios, Jamie Kavanagh, Manuel Avila, Edgar Valero, and Alan Sanchez.

After that we have June 22 at Barclays Center a highly anticipated fight between Paulie Malignaggi and Adrien Broner, trash talking going on in that one. We’re expecting a lively press conference and show for that even. Also that event is going to feature Johnathon Banks vs. Seth Mitchell; and Sakio Bika vs. Marco Antonio Periban, which will be a fight for the vacant WBC super-middleweight world championship.

The 13 of July we have Bernard Hopkins vs. Karo Murat for the IBF light heavyweight world championship, also at Barclays Center, live on Showtime at 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Also the Malignaggi/Broner fight will be live on Showtime 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Co-featured fights on July 13 will include Gary Russell Jr. and Deontay Wilder also a very nice undercard of New York fighters.

The 20th of July FOX Sports Net and FOX Deportes through Fantasy Springs in Indio, California, we have a fight between Frankie Gomez and DeMarcus “Chop Chop” Corley. It will air on FOX Sports Net at 11:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

On July 27th at the AT&T Center in San Antonio we have Andre Berto vs. Jesus Soto Karass; Omar Figueroa vs. Nihito Arakawa for vacant WBC interim lightweight title; Keith Thurman vs. Diego Chaves for Chaves’ WBA interim welterweight title.

The programming which has been a little bit, April 19 will be our first show on FOX Sports I, which is FOX’s new all sports channel. We’ll be making an announcement about that show shortly.

That’s everything that’s concrete on the schedule thus far.

Swanson
Sorry for the delay guys, Maidana and Lopez are on the call. So, Dave, let me turn it back over to you to make the introductions for these next two fabulous fighters. Dave?

Itskowitch
Thank you, Kelly. When you talk about fights that are kind of earmarked as can’t miss and Fight of the Year candidates I think this fight really has that written all over it. The two gentlemen in this fight they come powered. They slug. They swing, and that’s generally the recipe for an exciting fight.

So I’d like to introduce both of these gentlemen. First to say a few words, he’s made a career now of beating the odds. It started in 2011 when he beat Mike Dallas stopping him in seven rounds. Two fights later he stepped in as a late substitute to face former world champion Victor Ortiz in a fight that most people gave him no chance in winning and he scored his huge upset stopping former world champion Ortiz in nine rounds. That set up a fight between Lopez and Canelo Alvarez, and although Lopez lost to who is now the unified 154 pound world champion Alvarez his effort and defeat earned him a lot of praise from both fans and media.

On June 8th he returns back down to more friendly waters at 147 pounds to take on Maidana. He’s got a record of 30-5 with 18 KO’s. He’s become known as the Riverside Rocky; from Riverside, California, Josesito Lopez?

Josesito Lopez
Yes. Thank you for having me. I’m excited about this fight. I’m ready to go at a weight where I feel the most comfortable at, and against one of the toughest fighters in my weight division. I’m definitely excited as a fighter and as a boxing fan for this next fight.

Itskowitch
Thank you, Josesito. Now to say a few words one of the most exciting in the sport, one of the hardest punchers in the sport. He’s the current WBA intercontinental champion and the former WBA super lightweight world champion. He recently moved up in weight from 140 pounds to 147. His first fight was a decision loss to Kevin Alexandra who has since become a world champion at 147 pounds. He went on after that to score a really exciting eighth round technical knockout win over Jesus Soto Karass in September, which was a Fight of the Year candidate. Those of you who know Maidana his fights generally tend to be Fight of the Year candidates.

In his last fight in December he defended his title with a third round knockout over Angel Martinez in front of his home town friends in Buenos Aires, and now we returns to fight in Southern California for the first time since his breakthrough stoppage of the world champion Victor Ortiz in 2009. He’s got a record of 33-3 with 30 KO’s from Margarita, Argentina, Marcos “El Chino” Maidana.

Marcos Maidana
Hello to everybody. I want to say hi; thank you for being on the call. I’m out here in Oxnard, California preparing myself for the fight, and I’m going to be in top physical shape for the fight.

Q
Josesito, my question for you is since this is going to be your first fight since the fight you had with Alvarez where we all know that you had moved up a couple of weight classes and were not at your most comfortable weight in that fight; obviously it showed in the result. But I’m wondering from your point of view was the trip up to 154, was it worth it for you to take that shot because even though you lost I’m sure you made a good purse on that fight, your career best pay day, and now you have this opportunity. But how can you characterize what it was like to take that sort of opportunity as unlikely as many of us thought that you winning the fight would be? You got paid. You got a shot at one of the belts, and now you’re coming back in this fight. How is that for you?

Lopez
You know what I wouldn’t say the move to 154 was a great decision but I have no regrets on taking that fight. I fought one of the best fighters out there. I lost and I came, but helped me. I think that moving up from 154 has probably help me mold a little bit better to 147 so now I feel a little bit better and feel more comfortable at 147.

Q
Now after spending the five rounds, taking two in the fight with Canelo and taking the punches from a much bigger guy, do you feel like you’ll be able to take those shots from Maidana because he is regarded as one of the best punchers in this weight division? At 140 pounds when he fought down there as a pretty big puncher himself but I don’t know if that gives you confidence because you took a lot of those shots from Canelo and even though you got stopped you were still getting up. It wasn’t like he knocked you out cold or anything like that; your thoughts about the power that you’ve probably heard about or read about from Maidana Maidana.

Lopez
Yeah obviously he’s a proven strong puncher so you’ve always got to be aware of that, but it’s not just because I was able to withstand some of Canelo’s power I think I’m going to take Maidana. That has nothing to do with it. I think I have a pretty good chin, and you know what I can take as hard as I can give so it should be a ten.

Q
Marcos, do you have the one fight down in Argentina in December following the Soto Karass fight, and you’ve been a guy who have taken some of those fights in your home country, kind of smaller fights. Do you feel like taking some of those fights, and then coming back to America have been the recipe to stay sharp? Because a lot of guys they may not necessarily go and fight those smaller fights back home, but you’ve done that a few times. You did it with Petrov back in ’11, did it with Angel Martinez last December. Not the first time you’ve done that.

Maidana
Yeah that’s exactly what it is; I took it and it’s helped me stay busy. It’s helped me stay sharp and conditioned, and that’s exactly the reason why I do it.

Q
When you took those fights were you still training in the States or did you train for those fights in Argentina? I guess you’re training in America for this fight.

Maidana
No. No. I trained in Oxnard. For the last one I trained in Oxnard with Robert, that’s my coach, and he lives in Oxnard so I come over here, and I don’t have a problem with that.

Q
When I asked Lopez before about the fact that he had moved up two weight classes to fight Canelo but got stopped, and we know that you are a good puncher-do you look at the fact that Lopez was stopped in that fight and think that this should be a chance for him to get a knockout or do you think it’s maybe tougher than that because Canelo was obviously the bigger fighter and he was taking on a guy that was moving up two weight classes?

Maidana
No. I feel it’s going to be a tough fight. You’re right he went up to fight Canelo. He had no business in that division so I think that at 147 it’s more his weight class and it’s going to be a tough fight. I know he’s a very good fighter. It’s going to be a tough fight. He’s going to be stronger at his weight class so I’ve got a very, very difficult fight, but I’m going to do whatever it takes to win, and I’ve been preparing myself to win. It’s going to be a tough fight but I’ve got to look good and I’ve got to win.

Q
One more thing for both guys, maybe Maidana first and maybe, Lopez, you can answer also when Maidana is done. Like you just said tough fight, solid fight between two top guys in that weight class. Where does Maidana feel like a victory will put him because he’s fought a lot of name guys? And Lopez, you fought some good fighters also but where do you feel like a victory will put you in the immediate future?

Maidana
No it’s a very important fight. It’s one of the most important fights of my career. Yes I’ve fought some big names in the past, but this is what’s in front of me. This is the next fight and I have to get past this to be considered for bigger fights and to keep moving up the ladder.

Q
Lopez, how about yourself, where do you feel like a victory over Maidana will put you in the welterweight division?

Lopez
You know what it would absolutely mean me near the top of the division. I think a victory here-I think we’re two of the toughest fighters at 147 so definitely a victory here would put us near the top, and get us in line to fight some of the best fighters in the world so who wins is very important.

Q
Marcos, have you gained anything from the similarities between the fact that each of you fought Victor Ortiz in what were brutal fights? And also do you think that you will be the bigger man given that he fought at a career high and both of you are former junior welterweights?

Maidana
No. No. I don’t think about that. It’s going to be a tough fight. He’s a good fighter. He’s going to be strong. I’m a good fighter. I’m going to be strong, and I don’t think about that stuff. I just think that the winner is going to be the fighter that’s going to be able to withstand the most and the guy that wants it more and the guy that trains better.

Q
Is he the same puncher now yet that he was as a junior welterweight or is he going to use this fight to find out if he has the similar power?

Maidana
I feel a lot stronger. I feel a lot stronger at this weight class than I did at 140.

Q
You’ve already had a shot at Devon Alexander and Devon won convincingly. Should he be victorious who would he envision himself fighting next or who would he most like to be in the ring against in this weight class?

Maidana
I want to fight the best. I want to fight the best. I want to fight the champion. I want to fight the guys that are above me, the guys that are champions whoever it is. I want a good fight. I want a big fight.

Q
Okay. So there’s nobody in specific he thinks he would really match up well against given what he’s seen whether it’s Tim Bradley, Guerrero, you know anybody like that.

Maidana
There’s different ones; a rematch with Devon I wouldn’t mind that.

Q
And I heard you say Mayweather.

Maidana
Yes, I did say Mayweather.

Q
Lopez, hey, this is your fourth straight tough fight in a row, and I actually had you winning the Vargas fight, but is there any part of you that feels that you have to prove that those fights didn’t take anything out of you, particularly the last one against a bigger and powerful Canelo?

Lopez
Yeah you know what I guess I have to prove it, but you know what I went up against a bigger, stronger fighter. A victory on June 8th would definitely help that but I’m going against the best fighters in the world now. I’m fighting top caliber fighters so every fight is going to be a tough dangerous fight. I’ve got to be prepared for every fight.

Q
Just a look back real quick, was there ever a part of you even after you fought the Ortiz fight that wanted the Vargas fight given the fact that he’s had some big fights since then? I mean that was a really close fight and there were a lot of us that thought you won it.

Lopez
Yeah that was a tough defeat to take. I thought I did enough to win. I think most people thought I did enough to win. But things happen for a reason, and even with that lose it put me in the position that I am today. So that happened but moving on with my career and if we end up meeting up in the future then so be it, and I’ll get to avenge my loss.

Q
Did your experience with Canelo-coming back down given you said that this is the right weight class for you know at welterweight do you feel like you’re going to have an advantage? Do you feel like you’re going to be perhaps the bigger man in the ring in this fight?

Lopez
No. I don’t feel like I’m at an advantage at all. I feel like I’m where I’m going to be most comfortable at, and I think that we will both be in very good shape and in a very tough fight. I think it’s a tough fight for both of us. I think really the grounds are even and really the best fighter, the smarter fighter is going to win June 8th.

Q
You just said it, the smarter fighter. You made a reference to something I wanted to tough on, that he has had stretches of trouble with fighters like Andriy Kotelnik who he lost to; Morales who some people thought beat him; obviously, Alexander and to an extent even DeMarcus Corley. With that in mind, will there be an element of boxing should you require it during stretches of the fight? Do you think you’re capable of boxing well against him?

Lopez
You know what I’m not a straight boxer so I’m not going to say I’m going to go in there and just box around in circles, and work around him, but I’m definitely picking my spots. Like I said the smarter fighter is going to win, and I’m going to pick when I want to bang because I definitely got to get … in the ring so I’m going to achieve my spot.

Q
Did you gain anything from any of those fights that I mentioned? Have you watched those fights, and, if so, what did you see was the difference say in the Kotelnik fight, the Alexander fight that maybe you can utilize to a degree?

Lopez
You know what I think overall it’s just a little more of the basic stuff, you know just using angles, getting the timing right, and going straight down the middle. But we’ve worked on a little bit of everything. We train according to a fighter so we definitely mixed it up this camp, and are expecting really the best Maidana we’ve seen.

Q
Lopez, you’re going in to this fight, it’s a tough fight. How have you prepared and how do you think the outcome is going to be?”

Lopez
Well, yeah you know what it is going to be a tough fight. He’s a good fighter. He’s a tough fighter. He’s strong, but the key is the preparation, and I’ve had a great preparation and I’ll be ready for the fight.

Q
What do you think about the comment of Victor Ortiz wanting to avenge his losses and fight both of you guys again in the future?

Lopez
Look, I beat him. I’ve moved on. I’m looking for bigger, better fights. I want to fight the champions, and if that rematch ever comes about I’ll be ready. I’ll be ready but right now I’ve got my sight set on fighting world champions in bigger, better fights.

Maidana
I don’t have a problem with it. If it comes around then doing a rematch he won’t have a problem. He’ll fight him again, and basically he’ll leave it up to Golden Boy. Whoever Golden Boy says and as long as the deal is the right deal then yeah he’ll fight.

Q
Maidana. how much have you benefited by training with Robert Garcia and the rest of the Oxnard fighters?

Maidana
Yeah it’s been a benefit. It’s been very good. I’ve been training with the team. The sparring is great at Oxnard, and my physical trainer Cicilio Flores has been very good. This is my third fight with Robert and I’ll be in great shape and ready for the fight.

Q
Hi. My question is for Josesito Lopez. Lopez, you received extra motivation for the Victor Ortiz fight, as I recall, when they announced Canelo and Ortiz as a fight before your fight with Victor Ortiz. I guess what I’m wondering is what if anything motivates you like that for this fight?

Lopez
You know what I think motivation is there, motivation just to be fighting the best fighters, motivation to continue on. I don’t really need any extra motivation. I think the fact that I’m here, I’m here at the top is motivation enough and this is where I want to be, so that’s my motivation to fight the best fighters and continue on in my career.

Q
You mentioned Victor Ortiz basically saying that you had-that’s in the past for you. It doesn’t sound like a rematch is of interest to you. With regard to Victor Ortiz what I want to know is do you think that you retired Victor Ortiz? Do you believe he’ll fight again?

Lopez
You know what I really don’t know. I don’t keep up with Ortiz. I’ve heard things but hey I don’t wish bad on anyone so hopefully he gets better. And if we end up fighting again then that would be a hell of a fight so don’t wish any bad on anyone but hopefully everything goes well with him.

Q
You talked a little bit about the Canelo fight moving up to 154, as somebody who has been in the ring with him how would you describe Canelo Alvarez? Is he overrated? Is he underrated? How good is he?

Lopez
You know what I watched a lot of video leading up to that fight, and I think up to that day I think he fought the best fight he’s ever fought up to that date. I think he made a lot of improvements and I think he looked good. He definitely came in better than his previous fights. If he wasn’t as good as people thought before I think it’s changed now. I think he’s a lot better fighter than he was just two or three fights ago so yes I think he’s made huge improvements and he’s a better fighter now.

Swanson
Okay. That’s it. That was our last question so can we get final comments? We’ll go ahead and start with Maidana, and then we’ll end with Lopez?

Maidana
Yeah I would like to invite everybody, all the boxing fans out there, everybody on this call to come out and see a great fight. It’s going to be a great fight on June 8th, and thank you all for being on.

Lopez
Yeah I want to thank everyone for being a part of a huge event, and I’m excited for this next fight, and as a boxing fan this is a can’t miss fight. So I’m really excited to be a part of it, and I’ve very blessed and thankful to be in this position, and I’m going to give everything I’ve got June 8th.

Swanson
Great. Thank you so much. Okay. That’s it everybody. Thank you for joining us today, and we look forward to your coverage and please pay attention to June 8th it’s going to be a great show. Thanks.

END OF CALL

Maidana vs. Lopez, a 12-round fight for Maidana’s WBA Intercontinental Championship, is promoted by Golden BoyPromotions and sponsored by Corona and AT&T. The tripleheader will take place on Saturday, June 8 at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. and will be televised live on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT. The event can be heard in Spanish using secondary audio programming (SAP). Maidana vs. Lopez is presented in association with Goossen Tutor Promotions and Thompson Boxing Promotions. Also featured will be a 12-round showdown between all-action warrior Alfredo “El Perro” Angulo and top rated super welterweight contender Erislandy Lara for the vacant WBA Interim Super Welterweight World Championship which is presented in association with Blue Wave Group and a 12-round fight between veteran Demetrius Hopkins and unbeaten phenom Jermell Charlo for Hopkins’ USBA Junior Middleweight Championship and Charlo’s WBC Continental Americas Super Welterweight Championship. Preliminary fights will air on SHOWTIME EXTREME at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

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

YOSHIHIRO KAMEGAI VS. JOHAN PEREZ AND GERALD WASHINGTON VS. SHERMAN WILLIAMS WILL AIR ON SHOWTIME EXTREME® ON SATURDAY, JUNE 8 FROM THE HOME DEPOT CENTER IN CARSON, CALIF.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

MARCOS MAIDANA, JOSESITO LOPEZ, ALFREDO “EL PERRO” ANGULO, ERISLANDY LARA & GOLDEN BOY PROMOTIONS PRESIDENT OSCAR DE LA HOYA KICK-OFF PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES

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

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

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

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

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

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

MARCOS MAIDANA

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

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

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

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

JOSESITO LOPEZ

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

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

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

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

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

ALFREDO “EL PERRO” ANGULO

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

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

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

ERISLANDY LARA

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

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

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

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

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

OSCAR DE LA HOYA

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

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

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

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

KEN THOMPSON, Josesito’s Lopez’ Co-Promoter

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

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

LUIS DECUBAS JR., Erislandy Lara’s Manager

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

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

ROBERT GARCIA, Marcos Maidana’s Trainer

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

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

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

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

HENRY RAMIREZ, Josesito Lopez’s Trainer

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

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

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

“This will be a terrific fight.”

VIRGIL HUNTER, Alfredo Angulo’s Trainer

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

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

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

“Don’t miss it. Tell a friend.”

BOXING’S SUMMER SEASON KICKS OFF ON JUNE 8 AT THE HOME DEPOT CENTER IN CARSON, CALIF. LIVE ON SHOWTIME

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lara – Angulo ; Periban – Bika added to Maidana Lopez card

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

No Obit Here: Dueling cards throw a combo that the doomsayers can’t counter

LAS VEGAS – Two major cards separated by a short ride looked like an accident about to happen. Look again. Sergio Martinez-Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. at Thomas & Mack Center and Canelo Alvarez-Josesito Lopez at the MGM Grand were a lot of things. It was a good night to wear a sombrero. It was a long night in line for a cab and a longer line at the bar.

It was one shot of Pancho Villa, a shot of Peron, another shot of soccer and endless shots of tequila. Above all, it was thoroughly Vegas, at least Vegas before the recession. It was also boxing at its best, which also means some of its worst. Nothing can be so irresistible and so distasteful at the same time.

But there it was Saturday night, a double shot and 180 proof of what is so compelling about a sport that just won’t die no matter how hard it tries to kill itself.

It was impossible to see the depth of its unique resiliency Saturday. I tried. But there was just too much to see. My night started at the MGM Grand. It ended at Thomas & Mack with a brilliant victory by Sergio Martinez, who survived a wild 12th-round comeback from Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr.

My cab driver predicted the winner. But not the drama.

“Martinez by knockout,’’ the driver said beneath an old cowboy hat that he had to have been wearing 25 years ago when he collected fares from fans who watched Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin, Hagler, Robert Duran and Thomas Hearns.

But it was Chavez who almost won by knockout. Chavez sent Martinez spinning down and onto the canvas in the 12th round, immediately conjuring up memories of how his dad, Julio Cesar Legend, beat Meldrick Taylor with two seconds left so long ago.

An encore for the Chavez family didn’t happen, not even on a weekend celebrating Mexican Independence. Chavez blamed himself after losing a unanimous decision. He said he started his stubborn assault too late. Martinez, a proud Argentine, also put himself in harm’s way when he didn’t have to. In the end, however, Martinez wouldn’t let Chavez steal a victory or the middleweight title he had ensured himself on the scorecards. Argue with Chavez’ early rounds. Argue with Martinez’ last round.

But don’t argue with the climactic finish. A record crowd of 19,187 at Thomas & Mack loved it. Mexicans and Argentines, alike, cheered loudly, filling the old basketball arena with chants that echoed down the aisles and through time.

Boxing isn’t back. It never left.

Not long after leaving the MGM Grand, super-middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez scored a fifth-round KO of Josesito Lopez in a bout that was probably more significant for the number of people in the seats than it was for the victory. The undersized Lopez was overmatched. Canelo had been favored by odds as big as 14-1. Yet, a capacity crowd of 14,275 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena showed up. There’s been a nasty debate between Golden Boy Promotions and rival Top Rank about how many tickets were sold and at what price. Yet on a night when Canelo was a laughable favorite in a Golden Boy promotion up against Top Rank’s intriguing Martinez-Chavez Jr. showdown, Canelo filled the seats.

“That underlines just how big an attraction Canelo is,’’ Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer said.

It underlines much more than that. Two cards within a couple of miles of each other drew a total of 33,462 fans. That’s no accident.

Alvarez stops Lopez in five

Saul Alvarez defended the WBC Super Welterweight championship with an action filled fifth round stoppage over game Josesito Lopez in front of an enthusiastic crowd at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

After a good round one, Alvarez started to open up with ripping combinations to the head and body. Lopez was able to get in some decent shots, especially when Alvarez was on the ropes. Alvarez landed a thunderous left hook to the body that sent Lopez to the canvas late in the second. In round three, Alvarez continued scoring and then landed another left to the body that deposited Lopez to the canvas for a second time. That did int deter Lopez as he tried to stand toe to toe but Alvarez had more dynamite in his hands. Lopez was bleeding from his nose and mouth After Lopez landed a nice flurry, Alvarez landed a wicked five punch combination that sent Lopez to deck for a third time. Alvarez started round five with a huge body assault that had referee Joe Cortez looking closely but Lopez fired back. Lopez continued to get in some solid shots and showed a championship heart. In the last ten seconds of the round, Alvarez anded four more hard shots that forced Cortez to step in and save Lopez from further damage

Alvarez, 154 lbs of Guadalajara, MX is now 41-0-1 with thirty knockouts. Lopez, 153 lbs of Riverside, CA is now 30-5-1.

“I’m not always looking for the knockout, but this was perfect tonight,” Canelo said. “I had a big responsibility fighting for my fans around the world this weekend and I think I made them happy. I want the big fights now – (Miguel) Cotto and (Floyd) Mayweather.”

“I knew he was a tough fighter and he proved he’s a better fighter,” Lopez said. “He was smarter, stronger and patient. I felt good going in but there was a big size difference. I was hoping to land a good punch to change the momentum.”

Daniel Ponce De Leon wrestled the WBC Featherweight championship belt away from Jhonny Gonzalez when a cut over the right eye of Gonzalez via an accidental headbutt forced the bout to be stopped in round eight.

In the early going it was Gonzalez who was landing the better punches. In round three, a cut formed around the left said of Ponce De Leon’s hairline. That seemed to inspire De Leon as he started landing some good lefts’s. The two boxed evenly over the next couple rounds until De Leon landed a straight left that sent Gonzalez through the ropes and down on the canvas in round six.

The volume of De leon started taking affect in round seven as he began to back Gonzalez up with lefts and rights. A clash of heads opened up a big cut over the right eye of Gonzalez and the fight was stopped at 2:36 of round eight.

De Leon, 125 1/2 lbs of West Covina, CA won by scores of 77-74, 79-72 and 79-72 and is now 44-4. Gonzalez, 125 lbs of Mexico City, MX is now 52-8.

Former 140 lb world champion Marcos Maidana scored a eighth round stoppage over Jesus Soto Karass in a Welterweight war scheduled for ten rounds.

The fight was fought at a high rate as Maidana uncharacteristically started boxing and featuring the jab on the first round. In round two, the continued landing good shots with Maidana landing some hard left hooks. The animosity started in round three as at the end of yet another action filled round, the two sot in each other’s face and had to be seperated. Referee Kenny Bayless took a point from each man in round four as the two continued to be unsportsmanlike. Soto Karass was fueled by that as he landed some hard shots before a big left from Maidana was landed just before the bell. Soto Karass picked up where he left off in round five and yet again the two needed to be separated as Soto Karass would not let Maidana get to his corner. In round six, Soto Karass landed some huge shots and landed body shots on Maidana against the ropes. Maidana spent alot of the round against the ropes.

Maidana was docked another point in round seven but he more then made up for it as he launched a big right hand that sent Soto Karass to the deck. Maidana came out firing in round eight as he landed a some booming shots on the ropes and after a few right hands, Bayless stopped the bout at forty-three seconds of round eight.

Maidana, 147 lbs of Margarita Santa Fe, Argentina is now 32-3 with twenty-nine knockouts. Soto Karass, 147 lbs of North Hollywood, CA is now 26-8-3-1.

Leo Santa Cruz scored an impressive stoppage over former Flyweight champion to retain the IBF Bantamweight title after Morel’s corner stopped the bout after five rounds.

It was an extremely fast paced fight from the outset with with guys meeting in the center of the ring and wailing away on each other with Santa Cruz getting the better. It was evident that Santa Cruz was not only quicker but had more thump in his punches as he landed many body shots, sometimes doubling and tripling with the flank shots and then coming with hard over hand rights and uppercuts. Morel put up a valiant effort but he kept taking hard shots and his corner had seen enough and stopped the bout after the fifth frame.

Santa Cruz, 117 lbs of Rosmead, CA is now 21-0-1 with twelve knockouts. Morel, 118 lbs of Madison, WI is now 46-4.

Good looking nineteen year-old Andres Gutierrez pounded out a six round unanimous decision over Carlos Valcarcel in a Jr. Featherweight bout.

Gutierrez was more active and landed the harder punches. He featured some solid uppercuts and had Valcarcel against the ropes on several occasions.

Gutierrez, 124 lbs of Quertiaro, MX won by scores of 60-54, 59-55 and 59-56 and is now 23-0-1. Valcarcel, 123 lbs of Catano, PR is now 12-6-4.

Francisco Vargas remained undefeated with a four round unanimous decision over Alan Sanchez in a Jr. Featherweight bout.

Both guys threw a high volume of punches but Vargas threw more and landed the much harder blows.

Vargas, 131 lbs of Mexico City, MX is won by scores of 40-36, 40-36 and 39-37 and is now 13-0-1. Sanchez, 127 1/2 lbs of Houston, TX is now 3-4-1.

Bad Business? Martinez-Chavez, Canelo-Lopez might add up to something good

LAS VEGAS – News conferences came like a one-two punch Wednesday and Thursday for dueling promotions Saturday night featuring Sergio Martinez-versus-Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. at Thomas & Mack Center and Canelo Alvarez-Josesito Lopez at the MGM Grand.

It’s been a rhetorical food fight, boxing’s version of Republicans and Democrats after back-to-back conventions. First, it’s Top Rank to the bully pulpit. Then, it’s Golden Boy’s turn. It’s Home Box Office- versus-Showtime. Ego-against-ego. An insult-fest. But should it be?

After widespread criticism for scheduling two major cards on the same night and amid all the ongoing negativity, there’s a chance at some numbers that might put a surprising spin on the business. Attendance at each could provide a powerful counter to an epitaph so often repeated, yet never proven.

If boxing is really dying, then a lot of people – maybe more than 30,000 at two venues within a couple miles of each other – have yet to hear the news.

There’s plenty of debate about box-office numbers promised by Golden Boy for Alvarez-Lopez in a 154-pound bout televised by Showtime. Golden Boy President Oscar De La Hoya said Thursday at the Canelo-Lopez news conference that 13,000 tickets had been sold.

“We are expecting a sellout,’’ De La Hoya said of a weekend celebrating Mexican Independence.

Top Rank doesn’t believe it. On the surprise meter, that ranks somewhere between zero and yawn. If the situation was reversed – and it will be one day, Golden Boy wouldn’t believe it either. Remember, Republicans and Democrats trust each other more than Top Rank and Golden Boy do.

For Martinez-Chavez, Jr., in a HBO pay-per-view bout for the middleweight title, Top Rank already has a sellout, 19,186, a boxing record at Thomas & Mack. Even if a sellout is announced for Alvarez-Lopez, there will be suggestions that Golden Boy gave away tickets to get there.

As of Thursday, it wasn’t clear what number Golden Boy needed for a sellout. Seating capacity at The MGM Grand Garden Arena has been 14,800. But Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer said 2,000 seats can be added before Saturday’s opening bell. If there’s time to construct the addition and the seats are filled, the crowd would be announced at 16,800. Add the Thomas & Mack sellout, and the total would be 35,186.

“That would tell you a lot about the sport,’’ Schaefer said.

With apologies to Mark Twain, t would tell you that all those dire warnings of imminent death are greatly exaggerated.

It might also tell you what could happen if Golden Boy and Top Rank made peace and did business together. But that’s another story, if not a miracle. It didn’t sound as if peace were even a remote possibility Thursday. The irony is that the fighters were the diplomats. Canelo and Lopez praised each other. The only real trash talk came from Keith Kizer, the Nevada State Athletic Commission’s executive.

In an apparent reference to the controversy over the judging of Tim Bradley’s decision over Manny Pacquiao in June at the MGM Grand, Kizer seemed to take exception at HBO’s criticism of judges Duane Ford, CJ Ross and Jerry Roth.

“There was another fight here in June, but some of the veterans at ringside that felt badly that night won’t feel so bad this time, because HBO, (Jim) Lampley and (Harold) Lederman won’t be there,’’ Kizer said. “I like the Showtime announcers much better.’’

Kizer’s shot followed one at Showtime from Top Rank’s Bob Arum.

“Half the people who’ve got Showtime don’t know they have it,’’ Arum said.

Shot, counter-shot. The beat goes on.

But if predictions are fulfilled and the numbers add up Saturday night, there won’t be an argument about whether the business still has a heartbeat.

Golden Boy Promotions Ups THE “KNOCKOUT KINGS” Ante With $100,000 bonus for THE “Knockout of the night”

Las Vegas (September, 12) – “Knockout Kings,” this Saturday’s Mexican Independence Day weekend quadruple-header headlined by WBC Super Welterweight World Champion Canelo Alvarez facing upset-driven Josesito Lopez, just got more interesting with the addition of a $100,000 bonus being awarded to the fighter who registers the best knockout of the night.

Fans will have the opportunity to text to vote for their choice immediately following the end of the Canelo vs. Lopez bout. The winner will be announced in the ring and live during the telecast on SHOWTIME® from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

The eight fighters featured on the telecast have a combined 206 knockouts.

“These four fights all have the ingredients to end in a spectacular fashion,” said President of Golden Boy Promotions Oscar De La Hoya. “Knockout Kings is the perfect title for this fight card because you have current world champions, former world champions and aspiring world champions all striving for a win this Saturday night. All the fighters are known for their power and none can be counted out or overlooked. This is a unique way to engage the fans watching around the country. I am hoping to see four knockouts so that the decision is that much tougher and the winner is that much more deserving of the prize.”

TEXT TO VOTE GUIDELINES

Following the conclusion of the main event, fans in the arena and at home will have five minutes to vote for the “Knockout of the Night” by texting 74669 from their mobile devices. If there are no knockouts, there will no winner and if there is one knockout, that fighter is the automatic winner of the $100,000 prize. Should there be more than one knockout, the votes will be tallied in those five allotted minutes to vote and the $100,000 winner will be announced in the ring prior to the conclusion of the SHOWTIME telecast.

# # #

“Knockout Kings,” headlined by Canelo Alvarez defending his WBC Super Welterweight World Championship against breakout star Josesito Lopez, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Canelo Promotions in association with Goossen Tutor Promotions and Thompson Boxing Promotions and sponsored by Corona, DeWalt Tools, AT&T and O’Reilly Auto Parts. In the co-featured attractions, WBC Featherweight World Champion Jhonny Gonzalez defends his crown against former World Champion Daniel Ponce De Leon in fight presented in association with Promociones Del Pueblo, former World Champion Marcos Maidana faces perennial contender Jesus Soto Karass in a 12-round fight for the vacant WBA Intercontinental Welterweight Title presented in association with Universum Box-Promotion and Leo Santa Cruz defends his IBF Bantamweight World Championship against former Two-Time World Champion Eric Morel. The Saturday, Sept. 15 quadruple-header, packed with Mexican pride and power, will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and will be televised live on SHOWTIME Saturday, Sept. 15 at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT with preliminary fights to air live on SHOWTIME EXTREME® at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Tickets priced at $400, $300, $150, $50 and $25, not including applicable service charges and taxes, are on sale now and available for purchase. Ticket sales are limited to 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.

Fight For The Future: With Ward-Dawson, Martinez-Chavez and Canelo-Lopez, it’s underway

It’s hard to know whether September’s promise is a new dawn or just a familiar set of oncoming headlights in another head-on collision with a demise predicted and heightened by August’s doom and gloom.

No matter how you look at Andre Ward-versus-Chad Dawson Saturday in Oakland, Calif., and a dueling Las Vegas’ twin bill on Sept. 15 featuring Sergio Martinez-Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. at Thomas & Mack Center and Canelo Alvarez-Josesito Lopez at the MGM Grand, however, it is hard not to see potential for a comeback that is a boxing specialty. No business does it better.

Reliable resiliency is there in a shifting alignment that offers a way out of the never-never land of talk and only talk about Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao. Yeah-yeah, it could still happen. But a generation of lost fans doesn’t care anymore. The good news is that there is always a new one. In part, chances at winning over generation-next rest in what happens with fighters poised to succeed Pacquiao and Mayweather.

For now, the intriguing battle is for No. 2 spot in the pound-for-pound debate. The fading Pacquiao, second on most lists behind Mayweather, is in jeopardy of falling to third or even fourth after evidence of decline in his last two fights, controversial decisions over Juan Manuel Marquez and Timothy Bradley.

“Me, I believe I’m No. 2 at this moment,’’ Martinez said Wednesday in a conference call for his showdown with Chavez Jr. in a HBO pay-per-view bout for the middleweight title.

A better argument might come from Ward, if he remains unbeaten (25-0, 13 KOs) Saturday in a HBO-televised bout against light-heavy champion Dawson (30-1 17 KOs), who agreed to come down in weight for a 168-pound fight in Ward’s hometown. Mayweather stays at No. 1 because of his perfect record (43-0, 26 KOs). Martinez can’t make that claim. Even if he beats Chavez Jr., there are still losses to Antonio Margarito and Paul Williams and two draws on his resume (49-2-2, 28 KOs).

Predictably perhaps, the more circumspect Ward isn’t as bold about his place in the pound-for-pound debate as Martinez, who has become more outspoken in an escalating exchange of trash talk with Chavez Jr.

For the most part, Ward’s attention isn’t easily diverted by anything beyond the challenge immediately in front of him. That means the dangerous Dawson. Everything else is just talk that would take him away from the task at becoming an equal of fighters he admires, including Mayweather and Sugar Ray Leonard.

“They’re masters,’’ Ward said. “I’m trying to be a master.’’

The guess is that Ward will never quit trying. The goal will be there for as long as he is fighting. It’s a motivational piece to a Ward persona that in a couple of years could put him at the top of the pound-for-pound crowd.

Even in the build-up for Dawson, he seemed to look for something that would drive him to knock out slights, imagined or real. Dawson’s camp praises him. But the skeptical Ward deflects it.

“I think they’re giving us some superficial credit because they have to,’’ he said. “…To listen to them tell it, they have every advantage in the book. I think they’ll discover that isn’t the case.’’

Ward’s insightful trainer, Virgil Hunter, had his own spin.

“Our advantage is being at a disadvantage in their eyes,’’ Hunter said.

If there’s a disadvantage during the next nine days, it is expected to be in betting odds against Chavez Jr. and Dawson. But even those are slim. Spring an upset, and one or both will suddenly leap to the front of a line in the fight for spots at the pay window long occupied by Pacquiao and Mayweather.

Bob Arum, Chavez Jr.’s promoter, said an earlier opportunity for big money against Martinez was resisted precisely for the moment that will transpire on Sept. 15.

“We could have taken a chance against Martinez a year ago,’’ Arum said. “If he wins – and we believe he will, he will become an attraction on the level of Pacquiao, Mayweather.’’

Meanwhile, a hint at Mayweather’s immediate future could unfold at the Canelo-Lopez fight at the MGM Grand. Canelo keeps talking about how he wants to fight Mayweather. His representatives at Golden Boy Promotions have advised caution. At least, Golden Boy President Oscar De La Hoya did on May 5 in the wake of Canelo’s victory over Shane Mosley. But an impressive victory over a smaller Lopez on Showtime might sweep aside concern that Canelo is getting ahead of himself.

If Mayweather decides he wants to fight the popular Mexican redhead now instead of later, there’ll be no waiting.

Another future will have arrived.

VIDEO: All Access: Canelo vs. Lopez – Josesito Lopez and Father Separated By Incarceration

In a segment from the documentary series All Access: Canelo vs. Lopez, the cameras of SHOWTIME Sports follow Josesito Lopez to the gates of the federal prison where his father is currently incarcerated. Lopez opens up about the impact of his father’s absence before what may be the fight of his

VIDEO: JOSESITO LOPEZ

A few entries for August’s empty scorecard

The dog days of August, an unexpected offseason, is full of more idle speculation than medal winners among the American men at the London Olympics. There’s little to celebrate and much to anticipate before it starts all over again next month. A busy September includes one night — the 15th — with two good cards: HBO’s telecast of Sergio Martinez-Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. at Las Vegas’ Thomas & Mack Center and the Showtime telecast of Canelo Alvarez-Josesito Lopez down the street at the MGM Grand. A couple of miles of Vegas neon will separate the two. After a barren August, an embarrassment of riches awaits. Or maybe just embarrassment. Until then, it’s just a guessing game.

A few more guesses:

Manny Pacquiao. Further uncertainty is about the only way to interpret his latest decision. Reports about him moving his next bout from Nov. 10 to Dec. 1 seem to say he doesn’t really know what he wants. Advisor Michael Koncz says the new date is a political necessity. It eliminates a potential interruption of training by allowing Pacquiao time in October to refile his candidacy for re-election to the Filipino Congress, according to Koncz, who was quoted as saying he has to be in the Philippines to file the documents. But Filipino media reports that he does not have to be there. He can mail in the documentation, according to the reports. The contradictions only muddy uncertain waters. Just who does he plan to fight? Reported options are Juan Manuel Marquez, Miguel Cotto and Timothy Bradley. There would be a lot less uncertainty about Pacquiao if he had announced the opponent along with the new date. As it is, there are questions about whether retirement is another option.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. It’s been three weeks since he walked out of a Las Vegas jail after serving about two months for domestic violence. There’s still no word on what his plans are. Pacquiao doesn’t seem to be among them, at least not during the final months in 2012. Keep an eye on Twitter, Mayweather’s favorite way to communicate. Also keep an eye on Canelo-Lopez. It’s not the biggest fight on Sept 15. Martinez-Chavez is. But Golden Boy Promotions has dropped hints that Canelo might be Mayweather’s next opponent if Lopez doesn’t score an encore of his upset of Victor Ortiz.

50 Cent. Keep another eye on the rapper whose birth name, Curtis Jackson, is included on the promotional license that sets him up as a potential rival to Golden Boy and Top Rank. He might have some very different ideas about who Mayweather, his friend and confidante, should fight next.

Juan Manuel Marquez. He plans to write a book. At least three of the chapters figure to be about how he says he got
robbed against Pacquiao, who won two disputed decisions after a draw against the tactically-skilled Mexican. A fourth chapter looks doubtful, if only because the proven risk isn’t worth an iffy reward for Pacquiao

Ricky Hatton. Yeah-yeah, we read the rumors about a Hatton comeback, possibly against Paulie Malignaggi. Can another Oscar De La Hoya rumor be far behind?

Andre Ward and Chad Dawson. It looks like the best of September. Martinez-Chavez Jr. is getting most of the attention, which also means all of the expectations. Those might be very hard to fulfill. Ward-Dawson on Sept. 8 in Oakland, Calif., isn’t surrounded by all of the hype, in part because neither fighter engages in much braggadocio. But the fight, an All-American bout, might introduce a new argument to a pound-for-pound debate grown stale by the unresolved blather about when or whether Pacquiao and Mayweather will fight. Ward-Dawson “sells itself,” Ward told the media Thursday in hometown Oakland. It does.

Gennady Golovkin. Never heard of him? That’s a question Golovkin, an unbeaten middleweight and Olympic silver medalist from Kazakhstan, hopes to quit hearing in the U.S. sometime after he fights for the first time in America on Sept. 1 when he kicks off next month’s schedule on HBO After Dark against Grsegorz Proksa at Turning Stone Resort in Verona, N.Y. “We’ve made it clear we’ll fight anybody in the middleweight division,” Tom Loeffler of K2-Promotions said of Golovkin. In a month that includes middleweight Chavez Jr. and Martinez, Golovkin needs to make his American debut a memorable one.

Devon Alexander and Randall Bailey. Showtime and HBO will stage a preliminary Sept. 8 to their Sept. 15th duel for viewers. That’s when Showtime will televise the Bailey-Alexander welterweight at Las Vegas’ Hard Rock Hotel and Casino on the same night as HBO’s telecast of Ward-Dawson. Alexander-Bailey has the makings of a classic boxer-puncher confrontation. Bailey already is making it fun. Bailey, who says his one-punch KO power makes him the last of a kind, has little patience for Alexander’s speed and boxing skill. “Everybody gets hit with that right hand,” Bailey said during a conference call. “Question is, when you get hit with that right, what are you gonna do?”

In September, at least, we’ll get the chance to find out.

VIDEO: Alvarez – Lopez update

Maidana to face Soto Karass on Alvarez – Lopez bill

Dan Rafael of espn.com is reporting that Jr.Welterweight beltholder Marcos Maidana will give up his title to face Jesus Soto Karass as part of the Saul Alvarez – Josesito Lopez Super Welterweight title card on September 15th in Las Vegas.

The show will be a quadruple header televised by Showtime.

“Well, Maidana is definitely not making 140 pounds anymore,” said Maidana’s manager Sebastian Contursi. “He is just too big for it now after years of making the 140 limit. That’s why we decided to give it a shot at 147 pounds and thought that Jesus Soto Karass is a very good opponent since he just fights. Could be a war.

“Golden Boy Promotions thought that adding Maidana to the Sept. 15 card would improve it, so they offered us that fight and we took it. This time Maidana would have proper time to adjust and to improve under (new trainer) Robert Garcia.”

“We speculated until now about keeping the title but we will give it up,” Contursi said.