(Nov. 27, 2024) —  Before WBO junior lightweight world champion Emanuel Navarrete and former two-weight champion Oscar Valdez meet in their highly anticipated rematch on Saturday, Dec. 7, at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona, they sat down for a spirited roundtable with four of their legendary Mexican countrymen: Julio Cesar Chavez, Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera, and Juan Manuel Marquez.

For the first time, Chavez, Morales, Barrera, and Marquez joined forces for an on-camera panel. “The Final Word: Legendary Rematches of Mexican Boxing,” a half-hour show that delves into the rivalries and fighting spirit of Mexican fighters, premieres on ESPN2 this Saturday, Nov. 30, at 6 a.m. ET/3 a.m. PT. It will first air on ESPN Deportes on Tuesday, Dec. 3, at 6 a.m. ET/3 a.m. PT.

The program will also be available for replay on-demand on ESPN+ and Top Rank’s YouTube channel.

Navarrete (38-2-1, 31 KOs) and Valdez (32-2, 24 KOs) first fought in August 2023, with Navarrete prevailing by unanimous decision in one of the year’s best action duels. They hope to add another blood-soaked chapter to the proud and storied history of all-Mexican ring battles. “The Final Word” explores the common themes that bind Mexico’s legendary pugilists and how they prepare for a familiar opponent. During an animated afternoon in Mexico City, the six decorated combatants talked a little trash and swapped stories from their most intense showdowns.

This is what the fistic icons had to say about this first-of-its-kindpanel discussion:

Chavez: “Meeting with the legendary figures of Mexican boxing, who have provided us with so many unforgettable moments in the sport we love, has been an incredibly enjoyable experience. We all agree that the Mexican boxing style is the one that most captivates fans. When two Mexican warriors face each other in the ring, it almost guarantees an unforgettable spectacle.”

Marquez: “I had the privilege of getting together with great legends of Aztec boxing to discuss some of the iconic rematches in Mexican boxing. We explored the rivalries that arise when Mexican warriors face off with different nationalities, but it’s clear that a thrilling war is always guaranteed when two Mexican fighters battle in the ring. This will be evident on December 7 when ‘Vaquero’ Navarrete and Oscar Valdez meet in a rematch that will keep us on the edge of our seats.”

Morales: “Some of the great champions of Mexican boxing met to discuss the rematch between Valdez and Navarrete on December 7, as well as other memorable rematches in Aztec boxing history. It was a wonderful meeting, as opportunities to come together and discuss boxing are rare. The conversation was enjoyable, and even though the fans didn’t think it was possible, it happened, and I’m confident they will enjoy it.”

Barrera: “I was really happy to get together with these great champions. It has been a while since I met some of the stars of Mexican boxing like this. It felt like a reunion of the past, present, and future of Mexican boxing. I have no words to express how happy I was. The reunion was extraordinary.”

Navarrete-Valdez II and the featherweight rematch between WBO champion Rafael Espinoza and Cuban former champion Robeisy Ramirez will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+ at 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT. Sky Sports will have coverage in the U.K. and Ireland.

Promoted by Top Rank, tickets are on sale now via Ticketmaster.com.

The Final Word: Legendary Rematches of Mexican Boxing (All Times ET)

Las Vegas (February 28, 2024) – 4-Division world champion and Hall of Famer Juan Manuel Marquez has confirmed that he will appear at the Seventh Annual Box Fan Expo on Saturday, May 4, 2024, at the Las Vegas Convention Center from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Expo will also coincide with a mega fight that will take place later that evening in Las Vegas, featuring boxing star Canelo Alvarez.

Marquez will hold a Meet & Greet with his fans at his booth during the fan event held over the Cinco De Mayo weekend. 

The Box Fan Expo is an annual fan event that coincides with some of the sports’ legendary, classic fights in Las Vegas, including Mayweather vs. Maidana II, Mayweather vs. Berto, Canelo vs. Chavez Jr., Canelo vs. GGG II, Canelo vs. Jacobs and Canelo vs. GGG III.  

Centered in boxing’s longtime home – Las Vegas – this year’s Expo is a must-do for fight fans coming in for this legendary weekend, with dozens of professional fighters, promoters, and companies involved in the boxing industry. The Expo is the largest and only Boxing Fan Expo held in the United States. http://boxfanexpo.com – @BoxFanExpo

Tickets to the Box Fan Expo are available at Eventbrite –https://bit.ly/BOXFANEXPO2024

Marquez will make his fourth appearance at this years’ Expo and will be signing gloves, photos, personal items and memorabilia. Marquez will also have merchandise on sale at his booth, and fans will also have an opportunity to take pictures with this boxing legend also known as “Dinamita” 

Marquez joins Michael Spinks, Claressa Shields and Marco Antonio Barrera as an early commitment to this year’s Box Fan Expo, with more Boxing stars to be announced. 

About Juan Manuel Marquez

Marquez is a Mexican former professional boxer who competed from 1993 to 2014. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in the class of 2020. Marquez is the third Mexican boxer (after Erik Morales and Jorge Arce) to become a world champion in four weight classes, having held nine world championships including the WBA (Super), IBF and WBO featherweight titles between 2003 and 2007; the WBC super featherweight title from 2007 to 2008; the WBA (Super), WBO, Ring magazine and lineal lightweight titles between 2008 and 2012; and the WBO junior welterweight title from 2012 to 2013. In a career that spanned over twenty years, Marquez was known for being a fast and highly technical boxer who was exceptionally skilled at combinations and counterpunches, yet also willing to engage in slugfests with opponents. He was also credited for his toughness, and never lost a fight by stoppage. His most notable bouts include his four-fight saga with Manny Pacquiao and his fight against fellow Mexican Marco Antonio Barrera. Marquez is considered to be one of the greatest Mexican boxers of all time, and is ranked by BoxRec as the 30th greatest boxer of all time, as well as second best Mexican fighter of all time, pound for pound. In 2008, The Ring ranked him as the world’s second-best active boxer, pound for pound.

?About Box Fan Expo

Box Fan Expo is the ultimate boxing fan experience event, which allows fans to meet the stars of boxing that represent the past, present and future of the sport. With hosted autograph signings, meet-and-greets with current and former boxing world champions, limited edition merchandise for sale, giveaways and more, this is the ultimate event for fans of the sport.

Past boxing stars that have participated include: Floyd Mayweather, Mike Tyson, Roberto Duran, Sugar Ray Leonard, Julio Cesar Chavez, Juan Manuel Marquez, Tommy Hearns, Roy Jones Jr, Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, David Benavidez, Teofimo Lopez, Andre Ward, Ryan Garcia, Marcos Maidana, Devin Haney, Mikey Garcia, Errol Spence Jr, Fernando Vargas, Rolando Romero, Sergio Martinez, Tim Bradley, Jose Ramirez, Shawn Porter, Keith Thurman, Danny Garcia, Deontay Wilder, Amir Khan, Abner Mares, James Toney, Jessie Vargas, Floyd Mayweather sr., Claressa Shields, Vinny Paz, Mia St.John, Franchón Crews-Dezurn, Seniesa Estrada, Jorge Linares, Leo Santa Cruz, Badou Jack, Terry Norris, Riddick Bowe, Earnie Shavers, Michael & Leon Spinks, Brandon Rios, Anthony Dirrell, Danny Jacobs, and many more.

Exhibitors include boxing promoters, gear, apparel, equipment, energy drinks, supplement products, broadcasting media, sanctioning bodies, and other companies who showcase their brand to fans and the boxing industry as a whole.

Throughout the next few months leading up to the Event, there will be weekly updates on the many stars that will commit their appearance at the Boxing Expo.

Tickets to the Box Fan Expo are available at Eventbrite –

To request information on exhibiting and sponsorship at the Expo:

For media credentials:

Contact us:

Telephone number: (702) 997-1927 or (514) 572-7222

For any inquiries please email: boxfanexpo@gmail.com

More information on Box Fan Expo visit: http://www.boxfanexpo.com

Follow Box Fan Expo on Twitter and Instagram at: @BoxFanExpo

Follow Box Fan Expo on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/BoxFanExpo

March 31, 2023, Mexico City, MX  – –  In the main event on Wednesday April 5, in Mexico City, heavy-handed Carlos Sanchez will attempt to take the “0” away from undefeated Alexander Duran in a ten-round junior lightweight bout. The six-round co-feature is a battle for Mexico City bragging rights between hometown bantamweights Brandon Reyes and Abraham Arreola. Opening the show is Jose Napoles the grandson of Cuban American Jose “Mantequilla” Napoles. The card will be streamed live on ProBox TV beginning at 9 pm ET.

The event is being promoted by Marquez Promotions, Chiquita Gonzalez Promotions and ProBox Promotions.

WHERE TO WATCH:

1. ProBoxTV.com – take a Free Trial Here

2. All App Stores, Search PROBOX TV

3. Also available on Roku TV, Fire TV, Android TV or Apple TV

Carlos “El Tiburon” Sanchez, 23-1-19 KOs, was born and raised in Baja California, Mexico.  The tenty-seven-year-old made his pro debut in 2016. He won his first eight bouts by stoppage, had one win by decision, then won his next eight inside the distance. His last four fights were three decision wins followed by one knockout victory His sole loss came in March 2022 against Pedro Campa, which vaulted Campa to a match against Teofimo Lopez. Carlos got back on the winning track in October with a seventh round knockout win.

Alexander Duran, 21-0-7 KOs, born and raised in Panama City, Panam – 30 year old made pro debut in 2011. On May 4, 2018 won the IBF Latino Super Lightweight title with a 4th round TKO. In His next fight, on November 27, 2018, he won the IBA World Super Lightweight title with undanimous decision win over Adrian Estrella.

Brandon “King” Reyes, (6-0-1, 2 KOs), from Mexico City, Mexico, won the first six fights of his pro career. His last bout, against rugged veteran Luis Castro, was Reye’ toughest opponent to date and it ended in a majority draw.

Abraham Arreola (5-2, 4 KOs) is from Mexico City, Mexico. The 20-year-old made his pro debut on May 28, 2021, and won his first three fights by TKO stoppages. His last fight was a draw.

Jose “Mantequillita” Napoles, (14-1-2, 6 KOs), fighting out of Mexico City, is the grandson of the great Cuban American boxer and two-time undisputed world champion Jose “Mantequilla” Napoles. The twenty-four-year-old is coming off a two win-by-TKO streak. 

Eduardo “Lalo” Martinez, (10-1, 7 KOs) is a southpaw and fights out of Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico. He began his pro career in September 2019 and won his first six bouts by knockout. He then lost a bout by a razor thin, majority decision. Eduardo is currently on a four-fight win streak.

Follow ProBox TV at https://twitter.com/ProBox_TV and https://www.youtube.com/c/ProBoxTV

For more ProBox TV info click here https://proboxtv.com/what-is-probox-tv/en

February 3, 2023, Mexico City, Mexico  – –  International Boxing Hall of Fame members Juan Manuel Marquez, nine-time world champion in four weight classes, and four time world champion Humberto “Chiquita” Gonzalez, are co-promoting a Boxing event on Wednesday, February 8 at the Auditorio Blackberry in Mexico City.  The event will be streamed live on ProBox TV and the ProBox app, beginning at 8 pm ET / 5 pm CT.

Watch FREE on ProBox YouTube and ProBox Facebook, or no ads on ProBoxTV.com or the ProBox App.

Time:               8 PM/EST Live Stream

Promoters:      JMM (Juan Manuel Marquez) Promotions, 

                        (Humberto) Chiquita Gonzalez Promotions, 

Main Event – 10 Rounds Super Bantamweight

Brayan “Azteca” Rivera, 118.6 lbs., 11-3 9 KO’s, Ecatepec, Mexico                 vs.

Alejandro “Conejo” Gonzalez, 118.6 lbs., 12-5-2 7 KO’s, Mexico City, Mexico

Brayan Rivera: “I’ve been in the gym training for four months and I got the call for this fight about a month ago. I did take a couple days off for Christmas – some celebration with restrictions.  In the couple losses prior to my last fight (a unanimous decision October 29 win) I learned that I have to be a little smarter and more mature when I face tougher opponents. Gonzalez is an experienced fighter with a very good amateur record.  He has power.  I don’t want to give any more details because he is sitting right next to me.”

Alejandro Gonzalez: “I got the call about six weeks ago for this fight. I had been training in Mexico City where there is a lot of talent for sparring. We know each other very well going back to the amateirs.  Rivera is smart and also a knockout artist and has championship boxing experience. My style is not about one-punch power but it’s about combinations and being smart. I hurt my opponents with the combinations.”

Co-Feature – 8 Rounds Flyweights

Francisco Araujo, 108.5 lbs., 10-1, 7 KO’s Merida, Mexico      vs

Ivan Garcia, 107.4 lbs., 8-2-1 5 KO’s, Mexico City, Mexico

Francisco Araujo: “Garcia is very tall. But I am ready to take the challenge. I got the call 3 weeks ago but was already trading long before that. I am always ready for a fight. I was training in high altitude. I usually fight at 50 kilos and I usually walk around close to that.I want to bring heavy volume into the fight and bring pressure.close distance .  My style and the way that I hit I do not expect the fight to go the distance.  I took the fight in 3 weeks because I wanted this opp.

Ivan “El Magnifico” Garcia: “I got the call 2 weeks ago, I had been preparing for another fight that we were negotiating so I was ready for this.  I am always ready.  When I got the call I had been working on another fight that I thought was going to happen. I looked at this opponent (Araujo) and he looks like a warrior.  He looks strong and I see the fight developing at midrange.”

6 Rounds Light Welterweights

Alexis De La Cruz Martinez, 140 lbs., 6-1-1 3 KO’s, Mexico City, Mexico        vs

Ismael Aviles Valencia, 133.4 lbs.,

6 Rounds Super Welterweights 

Jesus Mauricio Estrada, 140.4 lbs., 7-0 4 KOs, Mexico, Mexico

Leyver Lopez Razgado, 140.4 lbs., 3-3-1, 1 KO, Oaxaca, Mexico

6 Rounds flyweights

Emiliano Toscano Diaz, 109.4 lbs., 7-0, 3 KOs, Mexico City, Mexico         vs.       

Sergio Manzo Rebolledo, 108 lbs., 3-2, 1 KOs Mexico, 

4 Rounds Super Featherweights

Jose Guillermo Keb Canul, 127.2 lbs., 1-0, Cancun, Mexico         vs

Brayan Sanchez Santiago, 124.4 lbs.,

4 Rounds Super Welterweights

Jaime Osuna, 153 lbs., 1-0, Baja California Sur, Mexico     vs

Israel Resendiz Avila, 151.7 lbs.,

Follow ProBox TV at https://twitter.com/ProBox_TV and https://www.youtube.com/c/ProBoxTV

For more ProBox TV info click here https://proboxtv.com/what-is-probox-tv/en

February 3, 2023, Mexico City, Mexico  – –  International Boxing Hall of Fame members Juan

Manuel Marquez, nine-time world champion in four weight classes, and four time world champion Humberto “Chiquita” Gonzalez, are co-promoting a boxing event on Wednesday, February 8 at the Auditorio Blackberry in Mexico City.  The event will be streamed live on ProBox TV and the ProBox App, beginning at 8 pm ET / 5 pm CT.

The Card:

Main Event – 10 Rounds Super Bantamweight

Brayan “Azteca” Rivera 11-3 9 KO’s, Ecatepec, Mexico                 vs.

Alejandro “Conejo” Gonzalez, 12-5-2 7 KO’s, Mexico City, Mexico

8 Rounds Flyweights

Francisco Araujo,  9-1 KO’s Merida, Mexico      vs

Ivan Garcia, 8-2-1 5 KO’s, Mexico City, Mexico

6 Rounds Light Welterweights

Alexis De La Cruz Martinez, 6-1-1 3 KO’s, Mexico City, Mexico        vs

TBA

6 Rounds Super Welterweights 

Jesus Mauricio Estrada, 7-0 4 KOs, Mexico, Mexico

Leyver Lopez Razgado, 3-3-1, 1 KO, Oaxaca, Mexico

6 Rounds flyweights

Emiliano Toscano Diaz, 7-0, 3 KOs, Mexico City, Mexico     vs.       

Sergio Manzo Rebolledo, 3-2, 1 KOs Mexico, 

4 Rounds Super Featherweights

Jose Guillermo Keb Canul, 1-0, Cancun, Mexico         vs

Roberto Elizalde Galvan, 1-1, Nezahualcoyotl, Mexico

4 Rounds Super Welterweights

Jaime Osuna, 1-0, Baja California Sur, Mexico     vs

TBA

Follow ProBox TV at

https://twitter.com/ProBox_TV and https://www.youtube.com/c/ProBoxTV

Plant City, Florida, November 28, 2022. —  In a battle of undefeated World Boxing Organization (WBO) top-ten ranked junior heavyweights (200 lbs.), Brandon Glanton and David Light will battle for Light’s WBO International Junior Heavyweight Title. It will take place at the White Sands Events Center in Plant City on Friday, December 2 and be streamed live on ProBoxTV.com and the ProBox TV app. 

“I think that the Glanton and Light fight is going to be competitive and a very good one because they are both ranked fighters, neither has lost and big things to come for the winner,” said Juan Manuel Marquez, a ProBox TV Founder. “I am inclined to give Glanton the upper hand because of his good boxing technique and punch combinations. He has a good ability to work the body which could slow down Light who is an aggressive fighter and has a lot of speed. I lean more towards Glanton for his boxing technique and pick Glanton by decision in a battle.”

“This is going to be an exciting fight between two undefeated cruiserweights,” said Malignaggi, also a ProBox TV Founder. “They say styles make fights, and that what we try to do at ProBox, put two guys in the ring that will generate excitement. Both of these guys are putting themselves in position for a world title fight. Only one can advance and who that will be we find out on December 2. Light is very tall with an awkward style. Glanton, if he can get in close he can hurt you. They have both earned their top ten ratings are both looking for a shot at the WBO champion Lawrence Okolie. The winner will most likely get that shot.”

“This guy is my next victim and I am going to melt this guy,” said Glanton. “I am going to knock him out and the tougher he is the better.  I am going to hurt this guy. I will lay him out cold.”

“We coming to beat him at his own game,” said Light of the brawler. “I may not be well-known now, but everyone is going to know who I am on Friday night when see my arm raised while Glanton is lying on the canvas.”

David “The Great White” Light (19-0, 12 KOs) from Takapuna, New Zealand won the WBO International title on May 5, 2022, with a first-round knockout.  He is ranked No. 6 by the WBO. His most recent bout on October 8 was a second-round knockout win.

Brandon “Bulletproof” Glanton (17-0, 14 KOs) from Atlanta, Georgia is ranked No. 10 by the WBO and is coming off three consecutive KO wins, the last a second-round blowout of Mario Aguilar on September 9, in Plant City on ProBox TV. 

Tickets, starting at $40, can be purchased at Eventbrite.com HERE

Get the ProBox TV App HERE

10 Rounds WBO International Jr Heavyweight Title TV #4

Brandon Glanton, Atlanta, GA, 17-0 14 KO’s

David Light, North Shore, New Zealand, 19-0 12 KO’s

6 Rounds Super Welterweights Future Stars TV #3

Marques Valle, Hornell, NY, 6-0, 6 KO’s

Luis Sanchez, Carolina, Puerto Rico, 9-3, 6 KO’s

6 Rounds Super Lightweights Future Stars TV #2

Jusiyah Shirley, Orlando, FL, 7-0, 6 KO’s

Mohamed Soumaoro, Lasalle, Quebec, Canada, 11-1, 5 KO’s

6 Rounds Super Lightweights TV # 1

Kelvin Davis, Long Island, New York, 6-0, 4 KO’s

Jalen Hill, Columbus, OH, 5-0, 4 KO’s

Follow ProBox TV at https://twitter.com/ProBox_TV and https://www.youtube.com/c/ProBoxTV

For more ProBox TV info click here https://proboxtv.com/what-is-probox-tv/en

Las Vegas (August 17, 2022) – 4-Division world champion and Hall of Famer Juan Manuel Marquez has confirmed that he will appear at the Sixth Annual Box Fan Expo on Saturday, September 17, 2022, at the Las Vegas Convention Center from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Expo will also coincide with the mega trilogy fight between Canelo Alvarez vs Gennady Golovkin, that will take place later that evening at the T-Mobile Arena.

Marquez will hold a Meet & Greet with his fans at his booth during the fan event held over

the Mexican Independence Day weekend.

The Box Fan Expo is an annual fan event that coincides with some of the sports’ legendary, classic fights in Las Vegas, including Mayweather vs. Maidana II, Mayweather vs. Berto, Canelo vs. Chavez Jr., Canelo vs. GGG II, and Canelo vs. Jacobs. Centered in boxing’s longtime home – Las Vegas – this year’s Expo is a must-do for fight fans coming in for this legendary weekend, with dozens of professional fighters, promoters, and companies involved in the boxing industry. The Expo is the largest and only Boxing Fan Expo held in the United States. http://boxfanexpo.com – @BoxFanExpo

Tickets to the Box Fan Expo are available at Eventbrite –https://bit.ly/BOXFANEXPO2022

Marquez will make his third appearance at this years’ Expo and will be signing gloves, photos, personal items and memorabilia. Marquez will also have merchandise on sale at his booth, and fans will also have an opportunity to take pictures with this boxing legend also known as “Dinamita”

Marquez joins Michael Spinks, Franchón Crews-Dezurn, Marco Antonio Barrera, Rolando Romero, Jose Ramírez, David Benavidez, Shawn Porter, Jessie Vargas and Erik Morales as an early commitment to this year’s Box Fan Expo, with more Boxing stars to be announced.

About Juan Manuel Marquez

Marquez is a Mexican former professional boxer who competed from 1993 to 2014. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in the class of 2020. Marquez is the third Mexican boxer (after Erik Morales and Jorge Arce) to become a world champion in four weight classes, having held nine world championships including the WBA (Super), IBF and WBO featherweight titles between 2003 and 2007; the WBC super featherweight title from 2007 to 2008; the WBA (Super), WBO, Ring magazine and lineal lightweight titles between 2008 and 2012; and the WBO junior welterweight title from 2012 to 2013. In a career that spanned over twenty years, Marquez was known for being a fast and highly technical boxer who was exceptionally skilled at combinations and counterpunches, yet also willing to engage in slugfests with opponents. He was also credited for his toughness, and never lost a fight by stoppage. His most notable bouts include his four-fight saga with Manny Pacquiao and his fight against fellow Mexican Marco Antonio Barrera. Marquez is considered to be one of the greatest Mexican boxers of all time, and is ranked by BoxRec as the 30th greatest boxer of all time, as well as second best Mexican fighter of all time, pound for pound. In 2008, The Ring ranked him as the world’s second-best active boxer, pound for pound.

About Box Fan Expo

Box Fan Expo is the ultimate boxing fan experience event, which allows fans to meet the stars of boxing that represent the past, present and future of the sport. With hosted autograph signings, meet-and-greets with current and former boxing world champions, limited edition merchandise for sale, giveaways and more, this is the ultimate event for fans of the sport.

Past boxing stars that have participated include: Floyd Mayweather, Mike Tyson, Roberto Duran, Sugar Ray Leonard, Julio Cesar Chavez, Juan Manuel Marquez, Tommy Hearns, Roy Jones Jr, Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, Andre Ward, Mikey Garcia, Marcos Maidana, Devin Haney, David Benavidez, Errol Spence Jr, Sergio Martinez, Keith Thurman, Danny Garcia, Tim Bradley, Deontay Wilder, Amir Khan, Shawn Porter, Fernando Vargas, Abner Mares, James Toney, Jessie Vargas, Vinny Paz, Mia St.John, Leo Santa Cruz, Badou Jack, Terry Norris, Riddick Bowe, Earnie Shavers, Michael & Leon Spinks, Danny Jacobs, Claressa Shields, Teofimo Lopez, Brandon Rios, Jorge Linares, and many more.

Exhibitors include boxing promoters, gear, apparel, equipment, energy drinks, supplement products, broadcasting media, sanctioning bodies, and other companies who showcase their brand to fans and the boxing industry as a whole.

Throughout the next several weeks leading up to the Event, there will be weekly updates on the many stars that will commit their appearance at the Boxing Expo

.

Tickets to the Box Fan Expo are available at Eventbrite –

To request information on exhibiting and sponsorship at the Expo:

For media credentials:

Contact us:

Telephone number: (702) 997-1927 or (514) 572-7222

For any inquiries please email: boxfanexpo@gmail.com

More information on Box Fan Expo visit: http://www.boxfanexpo.com

Follow Box Fan Expo on Twitter and Instagram at: @BoxFanExpo

Follow Box Fan Expo on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/BoxFanExpo

PLANT CITY, Florida (August 2, 2022): ProBox TV’s “Last Chance Tournament” 140 lb. semi-finals will take place on Friday, August 5, beginning at 7 pm ET at the ProBox Events Center in Plant City, Florida and will be streamed live at PROBOXTV.com or the ProBox TV app (available here).  

A ProBox TV monthly subscription is $1.99.

ProBox TV was founded by Roy Jones Jr., Juan Manuel Marquez, Antonio Tarver, Paulie Malignaggi and Garry Jonas. Miguel Cotto recently joined the team.  As always, the ‘Big 4’ will be calling the action from ringside. 

The Last Chance Tournament kicked off on May 20, with the eight boxers chosen based on having a top amateur trajectory, where fate had not been on the side of their once promising professional careers. The winner of the tournament will get another, or Last Chance, at achieving their dreams of becoming a world champion. 

The 140-pound semi-final bouts are scheduled for ten-rounds, and the combatants are:

• Kendo Castañeda (18-5, 8 KOs) of San Antonio, Texas vs. 
• Joseph Fernandez (15-4-3, 5 KOs), Saint Petersburg, FL. 

• Antonio “Toño” Moran (27-5-1, 19 KOs) of Mexico City, Mexico vs
• Michael Dutchover (16-2, 10 KOs) of Midland, Texas

CASTANEDA: “I think Fernandez is a solid fighter. Stand up man. I plan to attack the fight on simply doing what I know best and that’s fight toe to toe until one of us goes night-night. If he can’t trade punches with me until one of us goes to sleep, then he is the one that will go to sleep. Period. Demon Time.”

FERNANDEZ: “Just be smart and fight my fight. I don’t get into details on the plan, but adjustments will be made during the fight to make it easier fight. I’m about taking advantages, not giving them.”

JUAN MANUEL MARQUEZ Breaks down Castañeda vs Fernandez

“Kendo is a fighter with a lot of heart. He won the quarter finals by first round KO. He carries San Antonio, Texas on his shoulders. However, Joseph Fernandez has the hometown advantage. He proved in the quarter final he deserved a Last Chance. Winner goes to the final and unfortunately, the other one goes home. Match-ups of Mexico vs Puerto Rico never disappoint.”

MORAN:  ” Pues ya estoy preparado para llevarme la victoria en la pelea, solo es ajustar el peso y listo, creo que Dutchover es un boxeador que se mueve mucho arriba del urna y hay qe atracarlo a la distancia”

DUTCHOVER: “I think Moran is a good fighter and our styles will make for a great fight the fans will love, I plan to break him down mentally round by round, first bell to last.”

ROY JONES JR Breaks Down MORAN vs DUTCHOVER

“To me, this is the most intriguing matchup in the semifinals. They’re both very credible fighters and both showed real good qualities in their quarterfinal matches. So, I’m eager to see who can outwit who.”

In the May 20 quarter finals, former WBO Latino and WBA Fedecentro Welterweight Champion Moran beat Jeffrey Torres (now 10-2, 6 KOs) via unanimous decision, while “West Texas Warrior” Dutchover defeated Clarence Booth (now 21-5, 13 KOs) by split decision.

In the other pair of quarters, Castañeda scored a first-round knockout victory over Sonny Frederickson (now 21-6, 14 KOs), while Fernandez upset Zhiming Wang (now 11-4, 3 KOs) via unanimous decision.

Tickets, starting at $50, are available for purchase at EventBrite.com HERE

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/last-chance-tournament-semi-finals-august-5-2022-tickets-375355005927?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

For more info on this tournament, click here https://proboxtv.com/140-lbs-tournament/en

The 2022 remaining live boxing on ProBox TV:  August 5, August 19, September 9, September 23, October 7, October 26, November 4, November 18, December 2, December 9. There is also weekly original content produced by the founders including, podcasts, talk shows and in the gym content, plus monthly documentaries and behind the scenes content. All for the nominal fee of $1.99 per month

In 2023 there will be one live boxing event per month from USA, Puerto Rico and Mexico – that’s three live boxing events per month for those keeping score at home.

For more ProBox TV info click here https://proboxtv.com/what-is-probox-tv/en

ProBox TV stream is available at https://proboxtv.com or ProBox TV on the App Store HERE. All live boxing and all content are accessible for the nominal fee of $1.99 per month!

Follow ProBox TV at https://twitter.com/ProBox_TV and https://www.youtube.com/c/ProBoxTV

SAN JUAN, July 19, 2022  —  ProBox TV and Cotto Promotions announced today that Miguel Cotto has become a partner with ProBox TV founders Roy Jones, Jr, Juan Manuel Marquez, Antonio Tarver and Paul Malignaggi. From August 19 thru 2023, Cotto Promotions will promote 15 events in Puerto Rico.

The first Cotto Promotions event will take place on August 19 at Coliseo Roberto Clemente, two more in 2022 (October 16 and December 9) then monthly events in 2023. The fights will consist mostly of prospects under the Cotto Promotions umbrella, where seating will be initially set for approximately 2500 (lower bowl). Former World Champion Ivan Calderon will be on the Broadcast team.

ProBox TV stream is available at https://proboxtv.com or ProBox TV on the App Store HERE. All live boxing and all content are accessible for the nominal fee of $1.99 per month!

Former world champions and boxing superstars Miguel Cotto and Juan Manuel Marquez were on location at the Coliseo de Roberto Clemente to make the announcement.

MIGUEL COTTO

“We had been in talks with ProBox for a couple of months. They are people that know boxing and without hesitation we decided to become a part of this new platform.  They know what they’re doing and have a very solid platform for boxing and we’re expecting a great collaboration. It gives us the platform to be able to do boxing as well as serving as a workshop to be able to do right by the boxers that are signed to the promotion. We will also begin to recruit boxers and make alliance with them as we start to work together.

“This is not only going to be a platform based in Puerto Rico but will also have the opportunity to bring it into Mexico with Juan Manuel Marquez and workshops there to develop boxers. We plan to bring fighters from other Latin countries, such as the Dominican to Puerto Rico to join our company.

“I am very excited about project and eagerly awaiting the start and hoping that the fans join in on the excitement as well.“

On being together with Juan Manuel Marquez: ‘It’s great every time we see each other and we enjoy the company. Juan Manuel has his life in Orlando where he lives and I have my life over here in Puerto Rico but every time that we have come together it has been great as we share the common ground of Boxing.”

JUAN MANUEL MARQUEZ

“We are here to show our support for not just one event but many events we’re going be having here in Puerto Rico and to be working with great colleagues such as Paulie Malignaggi , Antonio Tarver and Roy Jones Jr. And especially now with Miguel Cotto and Cotto Promotions. That we have come together to support the sport of boxing and the fighters who are the ones that leave everything in the ring.

We are here in Puerto Rico to support boxing.  We will be counseling the up-and-coming youth and we’re going work hard for the true lovers of the sport, which I believe there is a lot of here in Puerto Rico. I am amazed how in Puerto Rico and in Mexico love the sport of boxing. In Mexico we know that soccer is the preferred sport but now I believe that boxing he’s taking over.

ProBox TV is going to go out there and support all the fighters and support Boxing and above all we’re going to bring quality boxing to all the fans. In this case, in Puerto Rico, for 19 August we are going to work with Miguel Cotto and I am just filled with happiness, and eager to be present and do these great works for the sport of Boxing.”

GARRY JONAS, CEO PROBOX TV

ProBox TV originated to be a boxing-only streaming service and is put together by the fighters for the fans.  In collaboration with the founders, we are putting together evenly matched, fan-friendly action fights. The supporting content we provide is to develop fan engagement.

ProBox TV knows the fans needed an all-boxing channel dedicated to the sport of boxing that is distributed worldwide in multiple languages. ProBox TV is starting at the prospect/contender level events and plan to grow into championship events as the fan base and the company grows. ProBox TV is founded by great fighters who are also great commentators. These guys are well suited to deliver a level of boxing content the fans deserve and will appreciate.”

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The 2022 remaining live boxing on ProBox TV:  August 5, August 19, September 9, September 23, October 7, October 26, November 4, November 18, December 2, December 9. There is also weekly original content produced by the founders including, podcasts, talk shows and in the gym content, plus monthly documentaries and behind the scenes content.

In 2023 there will be one live boxing event per month from USA, Puerto Rico and Mexico – that’s three live boxing events per month for those keeping score at home.

ABOUT THE FOUNDERS

Nine-Time World Champion 4 weight divisions, Juan Manuel Marquez (56-7-1, 40 KOs) is from Mexico City, Mexico.  Marquez may be best known for his four epic battles

against Manny Pacquiao and his KO of Juan Diaz to win the WBA, WBO and IBO lightweight world word titles.

Former Undisputed Light Heavyweight World Champion, former Super Middleweight World Champion, and former Middleweight World Champion Roy Jones Jr (66-9, 47 KOs) was born and raised in Pensacola, Florida.  In 2003 Jones Jr became the first former Middleweight World Champion to become Heavyweight World Champion in over 100 years. In the ring, Jones possessed a rare combination of mesmerizing speed and devastating power.

Nine-Time World Champion in two weight divisions Antonio Tarver (31-6-1, 22 KOs), was born in Orlando and now resides in Tamp, Florida. Tarver is most known for his trilogy with ProBox TV partner Roy Jones Jr. The first Jones fight followed Tarver’s first world title fight, and win, in an impressive shutout (120-106 three times) over WBC and IBF Light Heavyweight Champion Montell Griffin.  After beating Griffin and readying for Jones, Tarver announced to the world “there is going to be a new face in boxing,” and he was right.

Two-time World Champion Paulie Malignaggi (36-8, 7 KOs) was born and raised and now resides in Brooklyn, NY.  Malignaggi fought in ten world title fights, talking many of them into existence. Paulie was never at a loss for words and has become an expert boxing analyst in broadcast television.

Seven-Time World Champion in four weight divisions is Miguel Cotto (41-6, 33 KOs), who became a huge fan favorite, selling out venues while fighting annually on Puerto Rican weekend – 7 times between 2005 and 2015 – in New York.  The Pride of Puerto Rico spent his entire career seeking fights against the best, and never ceased to deliver in the ring.

Follow ProBox TV at

https://twitter.com/ProBox_TV and https://www.youtube.com/c/ProBoxTV

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA (July 20, 2021) — As we look forward to the showdown between eight-division world champion and boxer laureate Senator Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao and unified WBC/IBF welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr., which is 32 days away, it seems only fitting to look back at Manny’s thrilling victory over  then undefeated WBA welterweight “super” champion Keith Thurman, which took place two years ago today in Las Vegas.  Manny opened the fight with a first-round knockdown of Thurman en route to a 12-round split decision victory.  As Thurman accurately stated in his post-fight interview, “It was a night of blessings and lessons.”  Manny’s victory over Thurman was a career highlight for boxing’s longest and most successful partnership.  For 20 years, Manny has had his trainer, world-famous Freddie Roach, in his corner, literally and figuratively, winning world titles in seven different weight divisions in a career of firsts that not only defines the champion he repeatedly became, but the Filipino spirit which has been embraced by the world.  During those the past 20 years, Manny has played David to a roster of Hall of Fame Goliaths, scoring the most impressive victories of his era against the likes of Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera, Juan Manuel Márquez, Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto, and Shane Mosley.  In his last three fights, which took place during a 12-month period, from July 15, 2018 through July 20, 2019, Manny ran the table, winning welterweight world title fights against Lucas Matthysse, Adrien Broner, and Thurman.  

Below, please find selected clips from ringside, and a link to the FOX Sports PBC Pay-Per-View telecast.          

• Manny Pacquiao vs. Keith Thurman Full Fight | HIGHLIGHTS | PBC ON FOX – YouTube
• Manny Pacquiao: Thurman win the perfect ending, if he wants it – Sports Illustrated
• Manny Pacquiao remains the most riveting fighter of his generation (espn.com)
• Manny Pacquiao beats Keith Thurman by split decision (apnews.com)
• Ellerbe squashes talk of Pacquiao-Mayweather rematch (yahoo.com)
• Dwyre: Manny Pacquiao’s victory would be the ultimate farewell to a storied career – Los Angeles Times (latimes.com)
• Whicker: Manny Pacquiao’s win over Thurman will reverberate for a while – Orange County Register (ocregister.com)
• Manny Pacquiao defies Father Time with another signature victory | Las Vegas Review-Journal (reviewjournal.com)
• Pacquiao mulls future after title stunner (yahoo.com)
• Manny Pacquiao beats Keith Thurman by split decision for welterweight title – Los Angeles Times (latimes.com)
• In a blistering bout, Thurman couldn’t keep up with the ageless Pacquiao (and other observations from Las Vegas) – The Athletic

*********************

Manny (62-7-2, 39 KOs), the one-time Boxing Writers Association of America Fighter of the Decade and three-time BWAA Fighter of the Year, hails from Sarangani Province in the Philippines.  He faces his biggest professional boxing challenge when he takes on Spence (27-0, 21 KOs), of Desoto, Texas.  Spence is 11 years younger and over four inches taller than the amazin’ Manny.  Would Manny have it any other way?  The Pacquiao-Spence world championship event, which headlines a FOX Sports PBC Pay-Per-View, Saturday, August 21 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, is promoted by TGB Promotions, MP Promotions and Man Down Promotions.  The pay-per-view will begin at 9 p.m. RT / 6 p.m. PT.  Remaining tickets can be purchased through t-mobilearena.com and axs.com.

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For more information: visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage and www.foxdeportes.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @PBConFOX, @FOXSports, @FOXDeportes and @TGBPromotions become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/foxsports & www.facebook.com/foxdeportes.

By Bart Barry-

SAN ANTONIO – No reprieve.  The grim numbers grow grimmer each evening as a fine local publication, RivardReport, sends its weeknightly communique detailing this city’s latest COVID-19 stats.  The mortality rate, across Texas, remains suspiciously low.  Attempts to attribute deaths to pneumonia and influenza, successful in the late winter and early spring, now look craven in summertime – and so the numbers of dead grow no matter efforts to suppress them.

If we never knew the economic might of local schoolboards it was a failure of our collective imagination.  As small schoolboards vote to keep classes virtual till round Thanksgiving, employers’ return-to-office plans get suspended.  In its tragic way there’s something charming about five-person independent schoolboards effectively telling multinational corporations what they can’t do with 200,000 employees.  There’s a messy vitality to it; decentralization breeding quirky consequences.

None of this helps our beloved sport’s hibernation.  Last week brought more postponements and cancelations in boxing, while Canada forbade American baseball players from migrating, and the inevitable day Americans will have to begin sneaking across Mexico’s northern border drew a bit closer.  In a few weeks’ time DAZN will begin broadcasting anonymous British prizefighters the way ESPN has broadcasted anonymous North and South Americans, in an effort to prove that boxing-mad Brits aren’t yet mad enough to tune-in for unattended smokers.

There’s nowhere to go, then, and nothing to watch, so we recede deeper in literature or depressants, or both, and that brings us an idea for this week’s column.  Some of our language’s greatest poetry must be read aloud to be understood, reading it aloud makes it not only accessible but many times more entertaining, and so, perhaps, acting-out our favorite combinations might help us be better entertained by prizefighting if it returns.  Geoffrey Chaucer and Sterling A. Brown, poets separated by an ocean and about 700 years, specifically are two men whose seminal works I’ve been enjoying for a while and thought to write about.

Most of us, probably, are familiar with Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, at least a couple of them, for enduring them in highschool literature classes.  I remember the Pardoner and the Wife of Bath and none others from a week of 11th-grade English.  Years later I returned to Chaucer and got an abridged copy with Chaucer’s original text on the right page and a modern-English translation on the left and had trouble believing how much more fun they were than I remembered.  There were no affordable copies of the unabridged text, alas, and so I read what 300 pages were available and put Chaucer away.  A couple years later, unbeknownst to me, Penguin Classics published all 800 pages of Chaucer’s Tales in their original prose, an English that preceded Samuel Johnson’s dictionary by 350 years.  Read silently, they are mostly nonsensical, and read aloud they are fabulous (here Chaucer describes a monk):

 And for to festne his hood under his chin

He hadde of gold ywroght a curious pin;

A love-knotte in the gretter ende ther was.

His heed was balled, that shoon as any glas,

And eek his face, as he hadde been enoint;

He was a lord ful fat and in good point.

His bootes souple, his hors in greet estat.

Now certeinly he was a fair prelat;

He was nat pale as a forpined goost.

A fat swan loved he best of any roost;

Sterling A. Browne came out a tradition very different Chaucer’s and sought to capture a different form of the same language, one of still greater vitality and messiness (from “Sister Lou”):

Then, when you gits de chance,

Always rememberin’ yo’ raisin’,

Let ‘em know youse tired

Jest a mite tired.

Jesus will find yo’ bed fo’ you

Won’t no servant evah bother wid yo’ room.

Jesus will lead you

To a room wid windows

Openin’ on cherry trees an’ plum trees

Bloomin’ everlastin’.

An’ dat will be yours

Fo’ keeps.

Den take yo’ time. . . .

Honey, take yo’ bressed time.

Reading these poems aloud summons their flavor like coffee and hot chocolate do Mexican pastries (which otherwise taste heavy and flat), and since we’re mixing and mashing metaphors up and down this column, let’s go another step:

Not till the lads at San Fernando Gym began rehearsing The Marquez in 2010 – left uppercut, right cross – did the combination make nearly so much sense to us.  We’d seen Juan Manuel employ the combination to surprising effect.  (Hell, a few of us saw him snatch the fighting spirit right out Rocky Juarez in 2007 with a preposterous right-uppercut lead, being hit by which sent Juarez slumpshouldered back to his corner wondering why he even bothered.)

Throwing The Marquez on a bag, heavy or uppercut or double-end, taught you instantly its wisdom – just how far off centerline the uppercut took your head, just how fullcocked it made your lead shoulder, just how symmetrically it set your guard, just how fully it let you put your right shoulder to the cross.  None of us got any of its defensive virtue, though, till we began throwing it to imitate our sport’s finest finisher.  Till we began reading it aloud, as it were.

Something different happened a few years earlier in Phoenix when Donnie Orr, a Canadian middleweight, taught me how to read Yori Boy Campas aloud.  He showed that many of Campas’ lefthooks to the body were actually double hooks, the first to knock the opponent’s right elbow out the way, the second to attack the liver, and not until I’d spent years trying to get the timing and balance right on the heavybag – if you unload with the first, there’s nothing on the second – did I appreciate how much more than a shortarmed attrition fighter Campas was (along with being a delightful and gracious interview).

Reading Chaucer and Brown then shadowboxing your favorite fighters’ greatest hits – what else have you got to do?

Bart Barry can be reached via Twitter @bartbarry

(April 24, 2020) — This Saturday, April 25, will be a day of boxing blockbusters on ESPN when the network airs four consecutive hours of the sweet science immediately following the conclusion of the 2020 NFL Draft. Starting at 7 p.m. ET, this special presentation will showcase some of the biggest stars of boxing’s recent generation, culminating with the 2015 historic “Fight of the Century” between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao.

The other encore matches featured include Mayweather vs. Judah (2006), Pacquiao vs. Márquez 2 (2008) and Pacquiao vs. Cotto (2009).

The special presentation will include an interview from ESPN’s Joe Tessitore with Top Rank chairman Bob Arum.  During the interview, Arum lays out the hurdles that boxing must overcome to return, how the travel restrictions will impact the sport and Fury-Wilder 3. The interview will air approximately at 9 p.m. ET.

In addition to the linear telecast, most of these fights are also available on ESPN+. Exclusively available to subscribers, ESPN+ features a library of hundreds of the most important fights in boxing history.

The lineup:

Mayweather vs Judah (7 p.m.): This 2006 match marked the first time Mayweather would challenge for a welterweight world title. He had previously won titles at super featherweight, lightweight and super lightweight. Near the end of the 10^th round, a brawl between the corners broke out after Judah hit Mayweather with a low blow, followed by a rabbit punch.

Pacquiao vs. Márquez 2 (8 p.m.): Pacquiao’s second fight against Márquez marked the first time the Filipino fighter would challenge for a world title at super featherweight. He was attempting to become the first Asian fighter to win world titles in four different weight classes.

Pacquiao vs. Cotto (9 p.m.): In his fight against Cotto, Pacquiao attempted to become the first fighter in boxing history to win a world title in seven different weight classes, while Cotto entered the bout making the second defense of his WBO welterweight title.

Mayweather vs. Pacquiao (10 p.m.): The event set records for the largest grossing live gate ($72 million) and the most pay-per-view buys (4.6 million) in combat sports history. The fight served as a unification bout, with Mayweather defending the WBA and WBC welterweight titles and Pacquiao defending the WBO title.

ESPN Boxing Schedule Saturday, April 25

ESPN+ features a library of hundreds of the most important fights in boxing history, as well as recent Top Rank on ESPN fight cards for replay, all streaming on demand. The historic fights on ESPN+ include legendary heavyweight showdowns like Ali vs. Frazier III, Ali vs. George Foreman, Joe Louis vs. Billy Conn, Tyson vs. Holmes, Jack Dempsey vs. Gene Tunney, Max Baer vs. James J. Braddock, Ali vs. Sonny Liston I & II, Wilder vs. Fury II and many more.

MATAMOROS, MEXICO (May 30, 2019) – Prince Ranch Boxing’s 18-year-old featherweight sensation, Ricky Medina (3-0 2KOs) of San Antonio, Texas, will return to the ring this Friday for his fourth professional bout at The Casa Ahida Cafeteria Gourmet in Heroica Matamoros, Mexico. For Medina, who is promoted by TMB & PRB Entertainment, this will be his first time fighting outside of his home state of Texas, let alone the United States. “I am very excited to fight for the first time in Mexico. Mexico has a lot of great world champions over the years including Julio Cesar Chavez, Juan Manuel Marquez, Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales and many more that I looked up to. For my promoter and manager to be able to put me in a situation to fight in such a boxing rich country and build fans out here, it is quite an honor.” said Medina about his upcoming fight on Friday night.

Medina, who faced an undefeated fighter in his last bout is looking to challenge himself in the professional game of boxing, early and often.

“What I love about Ricky Medina is how he looks for a challenge,” said Greg Hannley of Prince Ranch Boxing, Medina’s manager. “In his last fight, he fought Jose Casiano, an undefeated guy who was 1-0-1. A lot of young fighters wouldn’t fight a guy with that kind of record in their third fight, they’d talk about the business or want an easier fight. Ricky took the fight and won every round. Now three months later he is back in the ring ready to get a win in Mexico. He’s a star in the making.”

 “Ricky Medina is a great, young fighter who we want to keep extremely active so he can develop into a world champion,” said Medina’s promoter, Rick Morones of TMB & PRB Entertainment. “I believe it is important to keep him busy as he has been fighting every three months or so since he turned pro last September. We expect great things from Medina and see him as a future world champion.”

London, UK (16 May 2019) Alex Dilmaghani was born in Redhill, Surrey, of Iranian ancestry but, following just a fistful of amateur bouts and eight pro starts in the U.K, the then 22 year old southpaw boldly uprooted to the sweltering slums of Mexico City to fast track his ring education.

‘I HAD to go abroad if I was to progress’ admits the well-spoken 27 year old, who holds a law degree from Southampton University.

‘I chose Mexico because it’s a great country and the Mexicans are really great people. It has a great boxing tradition and so many genuinely hungry fighters.’

The Iranian knight entered the profession as a callow 17 year old under the wing of long-term Eubank mentor Ronnie Davies way back in April 2009. Over the next four and a half years he racked up seven wins in eight starts – without ripping up too many trees – prior to taking the plunge across the Atlantic in early 2014.

Based at the capital city’s world famous Romanza Gym, Dilmaghani lapped up the wisdom of Hall of Fame trainer and national treasure Ignacio ‘Nacho’ Beristain.

‘I only started to take boxing seriously once I moved over to Mexico City,’ declared Dilmaghani who had the privilege sharing gym space with native all-time great Juan Manuel Marquez, the seven-time, four division world champion.

‘I did all my proper learning over there; how to train, how to fight, how to live. It was in the gyms of Mexico City that I developed all the subtle stuff, a proper stance, how to put your hip and shoulders into punches, the real science of boxing.

‘I meticulously studied the way (Juan Manuel) Marquez conditioned himself. He possibly wasn’t the hardest trainer I’ve ever worked alongside but he was definitely the most specific. Everything he did had genuine purpose.’

On a daily basis, the young ‘gringo’ challenged himself to survive then thrive against some seriously sinister hombres.

‘I sparred Juan Manuel in the build up to the last Pacquiao fight and, trust me, he lacks for nothing; very smart, very skilful. I also sparred lots of rounds with (three-time, two-weight world champion) Jhonny Gonzalez and (former WBC super-feather boss) Francisco Vargas. The sparring over there was always very hard,’ recalls Alex.

Between 2014-2017, the Azteca adventurer triumphed in all five fights in the Land of the Sombrero, completing the 10 round trip for the first time, and making quite a commotion by bombing out three hapless victims for the full ten count.

‘Mexico was a sacrifice I had to make and ended up a brilliant life experience,’ he says.

‘It took me out of my comfort zone, taught me not just about boxing but about life in general. It built mental strength. Though I’ve many great friends in Mexico now, initially I arrived on my own and couldn’t speak a word of Spanish.’

And having graduated the grime of Mexico, academic Alex attended a two-year finishing school in Canada, having been headhunted by Toronto promoter Lee Baxter in late 2016.

‘In Canada, a beautiful place, I may not have learned so much but, career wise, it was a great move for me, more about the fights than the training,’ claims Dilmaghani, who further expanded his global fan club by remaining undefeated in seven Canadian starts (one No Contest) which included a further three early finishes.

Having survived America, the stylish Surrey southpaw (now an impressive 18-1-1NC), is intent on conquering Britain and dazzling UK fight fans with his unique cosmopolitan skill set.

‘Apprenticing abroad will undoubtedly stand me in good stead,’ insists Alex who recently penned a deal with manager- promoter Mick Hennessy and features in a 12 rounder against Slovakian hard case Martin ‘Cracker’ Parlagi at Manchester’s Victoria Warehouse on Saturday week.

‘Living away from home, alone and so young, certainly taught me how to cope with pressure. I was living in a ghetto over there and the British inner cities just don’t compare. It was a seriously dangerous place. I came through and now nothing can faze me.’

Promoted by Hennessy Sports, Channel 5 and Infinitum, in association with VIP Promotions, Hughie Fury headlines an action packed show on Saturday 25th May at the Victoria Warehouse, Manchester, when he takes on undefeated Canadian Chris Norrad. Exciting super-featherweight Alex Dilmaghani faces the hardened Martin Parlagi. Female super-middleweight sensation Savannah Marshall returns to action. Steve Brogan defends his Central Area Lightweight Championship against rival Adam Hague and completing the card will be Matty Fagan, Connor Lynch and Marcel Braithwaite.

Tickets priced at £40 & £70 are available from http://vipboxing.tv/shop/vip-tickets/hughie-fury-saturday-25th-may-victoria-warehouse/ and 01942 874 241

MEDIA ACCREDITATION

All media wishing to apply for media accreditation for Fury vs. Norrad on Saturday 25th May at the Victoria Warehouse, Manchester, please complete this form and send via the Submit button.

The deadline for applications is on Monday 20th May at 5pm. Applications received after this time will not be considered. Confirmations will be sent out shortly afterwards.

To apply for media accreditation please CLICK HERE

Las Vegas (March 12, 2019) – 4-Division World Champion Juan Manuel Marquez has confirmed that he will appear, have a booth and hold a Meet & Greet with his fans at the Las Vegas Convention Center for the 5th Annual Box Fan Expo on Saturday May 4, 2019 from 10a.m to 5pm, during Cinco De Mayo weekend. The Boxing Expo will also coincide with the highly anticipated fight between Canelo Alvarez vs Danny Jacobs, that will take place later that evening at the T-Mobile Arena.

Marquez will make his second appearance at this years’ Expo and will be signing gloves, photos, personal items and memorabilia. Marquez will also have merchandise to sell for fans to enjoy. Boxing Fans will also have an opportunity to take pictures with this boxing legend also known as “Dinamita”

Marquez joins Vinny Paz, Devin Haney, Earnie Shavers, Al Bernstein, Michael Spinks, WBC, Erik Morales, James Toney and Jessie Vargas as an early commitment to this year’s Box Fan Expo.

About Juan Manuel Marquez
Marquez is a Mexican former professional boxer who competed from 1993 to 2014. He is the third Mexican boxer (after Erik Morales and Jorge Arce) to become a world champion in four weight classes, having held nine world championships including the WBA (Super), IBF and WBO featherweight titles between 2003 and 2007; the WBC super featherweight title from 2007 to 2008; the WBA (Super), WBO, Ring magazine and lineal lightweight titles between 2008 and 2012; and the WBO junior welterweight title from 2012 to 2013.

In a career that spanned over twenty years, Marquez was known for being a fast and highly technical boxer who was exceptionally skilled at combinations and counterpunches, yet also willing to engage in slugfests with opponents. He was also credited for his toughness, and never lost a fight by stoppage. His most notable bouts include his four-fight saga with Manny Pacquiao and his fight against fellow Mexican Marco Antonio Barrera. Marquez is considered to be one of the greatest Mexican boxers of all time, and is ranked by BoxRec as the 30th greatest boxer of all time, as well as second best Mexican fighter of all time, pound for pound. In 2008, The Ring ranked him as the world’s second-best active boxer, pound for pound.

About Box Fan Expo
Box Fan Expo is the ultimate boxing fan experience event, which allows fans to meet-and-greet boxing superstars of today, current and former world champions, legends of the sport and other boxing celebrities. Fans can expect to experience various interactions such as autograph and photos sessions, FaceOff with your favorite boxers, pictures with the Ring Card Girls, Live DJ Music, chance to win prizes, purchase merchandise and memorabilia from different booths Exhibitors, “ALL UNDER ONE ROOF”. You won’t want to miss this must-attend Expo!

Box Fan Expo has been a huge success with fans and boxing industry people. Many boxing stars have attended the last four Expos such as Floyd Mayweather, Mike Tyson, Roberto Duran, Tommy Hearns, Marco Antonio Barrera, Roy Jones Jr., Andre Ward, Mikey Garcia, Marcos Maidana, Juan Manuel Marquez, Erik Morales, Errol Spence Jr., Sergio Martinez, Keith Thurman, Danny Garcia, Tim Bradley, Deontay Wilder, Amir Khan, Shawn Porter, Fernando Vargas, Zab Judah, James Toney, Jessie Vargas, Vinny Pazienza, Mia St.John, Leo Santa Cruz, Badou Jack, Terry Norris , Riddick Bowe , Earnie Shavers, Leon Spinks, Danny Jacobs, Abner Mares, Jorge Linares, Brandon Rios and many more…

Exhibitors include: boxing promoters, gear, apparel, equipment, energy drinks, supplement products, broadcasting media, sanctioning bodies, and other companies who wish to participate will once again have a chance to showcase

Tickets to the Box Fan Expo are available online at:
https://boxfanexpo.eventbrite.com

Throughout the next couple of months leading up to the event, there will be weekly updates on the many stars that will commit their appearance at the Boxing Expo. And for anyone in the Boxing industry or other Exhibitors (non-industry), who would like to be involved and reserve a Booth, contact Box Fan Expo:

Telephone number: (514) 572-7222 or Las Vegas Number (702) 997-1927

For any inquiries please email: boxfanexpo@gmail.com

For More information on Box Fan Expo visit: http://www.boxfanexpo.com

Follow Box Fan Expo on Twitter and Instagram: @BoxFanExpo

Follow Box Fan Expo on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/BoxFanExpo

Las Vegas (September 14, 2018) – Some of the biggest stars and legends will be appearing TOMORROW at the 4th annual Box Fan Expo at The Las Vegas Convention Center.

Mikey Garcia, Errol Spence Jr., Andre Ward, Juan Manuel Marquez, Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera, James Toney will be among the over 40 fighters, promoters, sanctioning bodies and apparel companies that will be on hand for this very special event.

About Box Fan Expo
Box Fan Expo is the ultimate boxing fan experience event, which allows fans to meet-and- greet boxing superstars of today, current and former world champions, legends of the sport and other boxing celebrities. Fans can expect to experience various interactions such as autograph and photos sessions, FaceOff with your favorite boxers, pictures with the Ring Card Girls, Live DJ Music, chance to win prizes, purchase merchandise and memorabilia from different booths Exhibitors, “ALL UNDER ONE ROOF”. You won’t want to miss this must-attend Expo!

Box Fan Expo has been a huge success with fans and boxing industry people. Many boxing stars have attended the last three Expos such as Floyd Mayweather, Mike Tyson, Roberto Duran, Tommy Hearns, Marco Antonio Barrera, Roy Jones Jr., Marcos Maidana, Sergio Martinez, Keith Thurman, Danny Garcia, Tim Bradley, Deontay Wilder, Amir Khan, Shawn Porter, Fernando Vargas, Zab Judah, James Toney, Vinny Pazienza, Mikey Garcia , Mia St.Johns, Leo Santa Cruz, Badou Jack, Terry Norris , Riddick Bowe , Earnie Shavers, Leon Spinks, Danny Jacobs, Abner Mares, Jorge Linares, Brandon Rios and many more…

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“A fight with Juan Manuel Marquez is not happening, 100 percent for sure,” said Bryan Perez of Cotto Promotions. “Maybe we can make it later on, but it will not be Miguel’s fight this year.

“Miguel wanted the fight, but it was all about getting a deal for the right weight. Financial-wise, there were no problems making a deal. Usually making a big fight, it’s financial when there are issues. That was not what happened with Marquez.”

“We are working on Miguel’s next fight with our [promotional] partners at Roc Nation Sports,” Perez said. “The Marquez fight was something Miguel wanted, but we couldn’t agree on the weight. They both wanted to fight each other. Miguel wanted 150, Juan Manuel Marquez wanted 147. Juan Manuel decided not to come up a couple of more pounds and we respect his decision about not coming up to 150. He’s a great fighter and a great champion. But 150 is where Miguel would feel comfortable going down to.”

“We are hoping to have Miguel back in the ring before the end of the year,” said Michael Yormark of Rock Nation Sports. “We’re working on that now. We’re hopeful to have some kind of an announcement over the next couple of weeks.”

The 42-year-old Marquez (56-7-1, 40 KOs), who has won world titles at featherweight, junior lightweight, lightweight and junior welterweight (and also owns a brutal knockout of Manny Pacquiao in a nontitle welterweight fight), has not fought since winning a unanimous decision against Mike Alvarado in a May 2014 welterweight title eliminator, mainly because of a knee injury.

“We’re looking at a couple of opponents, but it’s too early to disclose who we’re talking to,” Yormark said.

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

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

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

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

WORLD TITLE CONTENDERS:

WBA International Welterweight Champion, Sadam “World Kid” Ali

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

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

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

Robinson “Robin Hood” Castellanos: The mandatory

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

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

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

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

Antonio “Relentless” Orozco

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CONTENDERS TO WATCH:

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

WBC Youth Super Bantamweight Champion,
Diego De La Hoya

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

NABF Lightweight Champion, Marvin “Cachorro” Quintero

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

PROSPECTS TO WATCH:

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

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

D’Mitrius “Big Meech” Ballard

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Zachary “Zungry” Ochoa

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

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

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

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

Lamont Roach Jr.

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

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

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

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

By Bart Barry–

Saturday at the newly reopened Forum in Inglewood, Calif., Mexican “Dinamita” Juan Manuel Marquez and Colorado’s “Mile High” Mike Alvarado engaged in a fight entertaining as any that ends with one guy besting the other by wide, unanimous scores, the way Marquez bested Alvarado. It was an engrossing if ultimately inconsequential tilt that approached today’s premium-cable-prizefight definition of transcendent: The favorite was knocked-down, and genuinely tested, if only for a round or two.

These days, even the threat of such belligerent happenings usually lands a fight on pay-per-view, and an annual calendar of five or six pay-per-view events says all that needs saying about how often competitive, elite-level fights even get threatened.

If you do not love to watch Juan Manual Marquez fight, you do not love boxing. You may have favorites whom you prefer to watch, but if boxing is what you derive your joy from, if boxing is the entity that takes your life into the present tense, that cleansing place, you love watching Marquez in a prizefight. If ethnic considerations or rivalries or the like preclude you from being enchanted by the spectacle of Marquez plying his craft, it evinces no fault of character – boxing just isn’t what you love.

Every punch with Marquez is a personal event, a thing in which he personally invests, whether landing or being landed upon. He is predatory in a way few other men are predatory; he is predatory even by a standard set by those who make their livings hurting other men in sport’s most intimate way. He is a meanspirited perfectionist, a man, one gathers, who has acquaintances more than friends and loves what few others he loves in the perfunctory way Mexican culture demands he love them. In his treatment of opponents, he has an offensive brilliance exceeded only by Mayweather’s defensive mastery, among contemporaries, and in the public personality that boxing has given him, he is Bernard Hopkins sans charisma and verbosity.

He is not surly, quite, but that is a calculation; his surliness and trainer Nacho Beristain’s tutorial surliness once landed them in Tenggarong, Kutai Kartanegara, Indonesia, eight years ago, across from Chris John, for a purse that wouldn’t cover Floyd Mayweather’s weekend earbuds budget. Marquez is now something of a Spanish-television personality, and while he cannot help but be honest when treating matters of his own fights, he otherwise does a passable impersonation of every other ESPN flummery boiler, never anticipating an upcoming fight’s inevitable dullness.

Mike Alvarado understood the stakes Saturday: If he got stretched, he was off premium cable for life; if he could stay conscious for all 36 minutes, regardless of the assault visited upon him by a master pugilist, he had a decent shot of economic realities prompting his promoter to propose him for a last profitable purpling on HBO. But Alvarado did not catch Marquez repeatedly with a jab merely because Marquez, three months from his 41st birthday, has reflexes eroded slowly by time and combat but also because Alvarado is an excellent athlete who’s never had trouble jabbing an opponent effectively.

If Alvarado’s ability to touch Marquez with nearly every jab the Coloradoan tossed Dinamita’s way was not surprising as Marcos Maidana’s recent outjabbing of Floyd Mayweather, it was nevertheless at least as surprising as a training camp strategy that treated Alvarado’s jabbing and Alvarado’s winging right crosses but evidently not Alvarado’s ever mixing those traditionally harmonious elements together. Being generous, one might assume Alvarado’s corner knew their guy would get countered savagely by Marquez if Alvarado threw more than one punch at a time, but irony happened to dictate thusly: Alvarado’s best moments were in the frantic exchanges – as they ever compose Pacquiao’s best moments with Marquez – when Marquez’s pathological need to land an exchange’s final punch left him open in a way no lead punch of any kind from any one ever would find him.

Alvarado dropped Marquez in round 9 and buckled him a few minutes later with counterpunches. Their other, earlier exchanges, though, were a bit more telling: For once, Marquez voluntarily disengaged from sustained volleys, pivoting away and ducking Alvarado’s right hands, in a way he’d not done even against the much larger Mayweather in 2009 or the much faster Pacquiao in 2004, 2008, 2011 or 2012 (or the end of 2014).

No one in boxing, perhaps no other athlete in any sport, discovers better the fissures in another man’s façade than Marquez, or calibrates the circumstances most likely to convert them to suppurating crevices. Whatever permanent damage Ruslan Provodnikov visited on Alvarado’s spirit and brain in October, this remains true: But for the instant at the end of round 8, after Alvarado pulled himself back through the ropes and onto the canvas, rose uncertainly and trudged resignedly forward, an instant that followed a gorgeous right cross from Marquez, an instant that – were it merely 14 instants larger – would have seen Alvarado’s consciousness snatched from him by prizefighting’s greatest closer, Marquez saw a resilience in Alvarado he did not expect to see, a resilience that surely left Marquez’s fists painfully tender on Sunday morning. That the man who, with a single punch, temporarily suspended Pacquiao between the living and the dead could strike Alvarado crisply and precisely and sustainedly for 12 rounds, while leaving him fit to continue in a way he was not against Provodnikov, surely was not lost on promoter Top Rank’s matchmakers.

Provodnikov will see a five-division-catchweight match with Guillermo Rigondeaux before he’ll ever be allowed near Pacquiao.

Which is fine, frankly, because the makeable match that is most desirable today is a fifth Marquez-Pacquiao fight, one that will see the men’s diminished reflexes and enhanced familiarity – and all the contempt that engenders – provide a violent and vengeful spectacle that ends with one of them unconscious, and the other vindicated evermore.

Bart Barry can be reached at bart.barrys.email (at) gmail.com

Follow all the action as Juan Manuel Marquez and Mike Alvarado square in a Welterweight elimination bout from The Forum in Inglewood, California. The action begins at 10:15 ET / 7:15 PT with a Jr. Welterweight bout between Viktor Postial and Selcuk Aydin.

12 ROUNDS–WELTERWEIGHT–JUAN MANUEL MARQUEZ (55-7-1, 40 KO’S) VS MIKE ALVARADO (34-2, 23 KO’S)

Round 1 Good right and left hook from Marquez…Right from Alvarado..right...10-10

Round 2 Alvarado lands a jab…2 rights from Marquez..good left to the body..Alvarado lands a body shot..left hook…20-19 Marquez

Round 3 Counter right from Marquez…good left hook from Alvarado…Body shot from Marquez..Hard right and 3 more..Alvarado gets in 2 lefts..30-28 Marquez Headbutt causes cut on Alvarado

Round 4 Alvarado lands a left to the body..Hard right from Marquez..solid left hook..Good right to the body..4 punch combination..combinations…40-37 Marquez

Round 5 Hard body shots from Marquez..body shot..Combination..Alvarado lands a right..50-46 Marquez

Round 6 Hard right from Marquez..Hard right..Marquez landing hard combinations..60-55 Marquez

Round 7 Hard upperut that sets up a combination from Marquez..70-64 Marquez

Round 8 Good right from Marquez..Hard counter right…HUGE COUNTER RIGHT AND DOWN GOES ALVARDO..80-72 Marquez

Round 9 RIGHT AND DOWN GOES MARQUEZ…Tremendous back and forth..Big right from Marquez..88-82 Marquez

Round 10 Hard right from Alvarado..left and right from Marquez…Alvarado cut from lefy eye…98-91 Marquez

Round 11 Left hook from Alvarado…uppercut..Left uppercut from Marquez..Right..right staggers Marquez..Marquez glove almost hits the canvas..107-101 Marquez

Round 12 Combination from Marquez…117-110 Marquez

117-109, 117-109, 119-108 JUAN MANUEL MARQUEZ

12 Rounds–Jr. Welterweights–Viktor Postal (25-0, 10 KO’s) vs Selcuk Aydin (26-2, 19 KO’s)

Round 1 Postol landing jabs and left to the body..Hard left from Aydin wobbles Postol…10-9 Aydin

Round 2 Left hook from Aydin…left hpok..20-18 Aydin

Round 3 Uppercut from Postol..Hook from Aydin..Body shots from Postol..29-28 Aydin

Round 4 Good right from Aydin..39-37 Aydin

Round 5 Good left uppercut from Postol…uppercut…left hook to the body and another…48-47 Postol

Round 6 Combinations from Postol…57-57

Round 7 Postol landing combinations..67-66 Postol

Round 8 11 punches from Postol..good left hook by Aydin..2 hard lefts…body shot...77-75 Postol

Round 9 Postol lands a good right to olbody..87-84 Postol

Round 10 Aydin lands a right..left hook..Postol lands a right..left from Aydin..96-94 Postol

Round 11 Postol lands a 2 punch combination..Aydin docked a point for hitting behind the head..BIG UPPERCUT AND DOWN GOES AYDIN AND THE FIGHT IS OVER

Juan Manuel Marquez scored a 12-round unanimous decision over Mike Alvarado in a Welterweight bout at the Forum in Inglewood, California.

Marquez took control early by landing hard and quick combinations as Alvarado came in without throwing many punches. Marquez racked up rounds with the same formula and began to chop up the face of Alvarado. When Alvarado did throw it was one at a time and was quite disappointing as he did not use his size advantage in close.

In round eight, Marquez planted Alvarado on the canvas from a hard right hand. Alvarado’s one glimmer of hope came in the next round when he connected on a right hand that rocked Marquez back and stumbling to the point where both of his gloves touched the canvas for a knockdown. The two stood toe to toe for much of the 9th which thrilled the large crowd on hand for the return of boxing to the Forum.

That was the high point of the fight as Marquez composed himself to continue to box masterfully by mixing up leads, counter and body shots and cutting up both eyes of Alvarado.

Marquez, 141 3/4 lbs of Mexico City won by scores of 117-109 twice and 119-108 and adds to his Hall of Fame mark of 56-7-1. Alvarado, 143 1/4 lbs of Thornton, CO is now 34-3.

Viktor Postol scored an 11th round stoppage over Selcuk Aydin in a scheduled 12-round Jr. Welterweight bout.

Postol continued to pepper Aydin with quick combinations in between left hook attempts by Aydin. AYdin did get through on occasion. Aydin started to take over the fight in the middle rounds as he started to batter Aydin. Aydin was docked a point in the 11th round for hitting behind the head. That would not matter as just seconds later, Postol landed a thunderous uppercut that sent Aydin to the canvas. Aydin;s head bounced off the floor at the fight was stopped at 2:53 of round 11.

Postol, 139 3/4 lbs of Hollywood, CA is now 26-0 with 11 knockouts. Aydin, 139 1/4 lbs is 26-3.

Former world title challenger Diego Magdaleno scored a 8-round unanimous decision over Oscar Bravo in a Lightweight bout.

Magdaleno scored a knockdown in round four from a body shot.

Scores were 80-71 twice and 79-72 for Magdaleno, 132 1/2 lbs of Las Vegas and is now 26-1. Bravo, 136 1/2 is 26-4.

Oscar Valdez scored a stoppage after the 7th round over Noel Echevarria in a scheduled 8-round Super Featherweight bout.

Valdez, 129 1/2 lbs is now 11-0 with 11 knockouts. Echevarria, 130 lbs is 11-3.

Zachary Wohlman scored a four round unanimous decision over Eddie Cordova in a Welterweight bouts.

Scores were 40-36 and 39-37 twice for Wohlman, 143 1/2 lbs and is now 8-1-1. Cordova, 143 3/4 lbs is 4-8-1.

Brad Solomon remained undefeated with 8-round unanimous decision over Armen Ovespyan in a Welterweight bout.

Scores were 79-73 twice and 78-74 for Solomon, 149 1/4 lbs and is 22-0. Ovespyan, 146 3/4 lbs id 14-4.

Raul Hirales scored a 3rd round stoppage over Ernest Guerrero in round three of their scheduled 8-round Featherweight bout.

Hirales sent Guerrero down in round one from a right hand. Hirales then landed a big uppercut in round three and Guerrero could not beat at 2:31 of round three.

Hirales, 124 1/2 lbs of Mexico is now 22-2-1 with 11 knockouts. Guerrero, 121 1/4 lbs of Mexico is now 17-11.

Gabino Saenz scored a 3rd round knockout over Felix Perez in a scheduled six round Featherweight bout.

Saenz dropped Perez with a left and referee Jack Reiss counted 10 at 1:29 of round three.

Saenz, 127 3/4 lbs of Indio, CA is now 12-0-2 with 9 knockouts. Perez, 127 lbs is 8-6.

Pedro Duran scored a 1st round stoppage over Dominica Coca in a scheduled 4-round Super Featherweight bout.

Duran landed a perfect left hook to the body that sent Coca down for referee Thomas Taylor’s 10 count at 1:09 of round one.

Durna, 129 3/4 lbs of Paramount, CA is now 6-0 with 4 knockouts. Coca, 130 lbs of Downey, CA is now 8-8.

Edwin Solis spoiled the pro debut of Yuri Trogiyanov in the 6th and final scheduled round of their Featherweight bout.

Solis kept constant pressure and bloodied the nose of Trogiyanov over the 1st five round. Solid jumped on Trogiyano and landed a barrage of punches that forced referee Jerry Cantu to stop the fight at 1:07 of round six.

Solis, 126 lbs of Pomona. CA is now 6-2-3 with 4 knockouts. Trogiyanov, 125 1/2 lbs of Hollywood, CA was making his pro debut.

Cameron Kreal scored an upset victory by scoring a 4-round split decision over Manuel Lopez in a Welterweight bout.

One judge had the fight even at 38-38 while two scores read 39-37 for Kreal.

Kreal, 141 1/2 lbs is 5-5-2. Lopez, 141 1/4 lbs is now 5-1.

Photos by Chris Farina / Top Rank

LONDON (May 16) – Mexican legend Juan Manuel Marquez has promised to make his clash with Mike Alvarado a war.

The pair do battle at The Forum in Inglewood, California, this Saturday night, live and exclusive on BoxNation, with the victor set to face-off against pound-for-pound ace Manny Pacquiao for his WBO welterweight belt.

Both men are aware of the significance of this fight as they look to bounce back in style following respective defeats in their last bouts, with Marquez vowing to make the fight one that will have fans on the edge of their seats.

“This fight is important for the two fighters because Mike Alvarado lost his last fight and I lost my last fight and he wants to win and I want to win and this is a great fight for the two of us,” said Marquez.

“I feel excited to fight again in this historic building. I see a lot of old faces. A lot of people know I don’t talk outside the ring; I do my job in the ring. For this fight I have three points in my mind. One, Mike Alvarado is a strong fighter, he’s a great fighter and I have a tough fight.

“Secondly, I prepared myself very hard for this fight because this fight will be a war. Finally, the people will see a great, great fight because Mike Alvarado wants to win the fight; I want to win the fight. This fight will be a war!,” said Marquez.

Denver’s Alvarado was in equally buoyant mood, as he looks to cement his place back at the top of the sport having given boxing enthusiasts some thrilling nights in his recent clashes with the relentless Brandon Rios.

The 33-year-old’s bid for a world title was halted by Ruslan Provodnikov last October when the pair clashed for the WBO light-welterweight title in Alvarado’s hometown, a loss he insists has only made him stronger.

“I took a couple months to put that fight behind me,” said Alvarado. “Knowing that it was in my hometown, in front of all my people and my family, it was tougher mentally but physically I am fine – I got past it. I just focused on my health and I was good. Then I began to focus on which was going to be next.

“This fight [against Marquez] is very important for both of us and a win here will lead to bigger fights. There is a lot involved in this fight, both mentally and for our careers. I am focusing on getting this win,” he said.

“It makes me train that much more, to know that I am in the category with the best in the world and I am happy for this opportunity that I am blessed with. I take it day-by-day and train as hard as I can. I am happy about it and I am excited and I can’t wait for the show to start this weekend,” said Alvarado.

Marquez hit the scales at 141.6lbs at the weigh-in, with Alvarado coming in just above at 143.2lbs.

Marquez vs. Alvarado is live on BoxNation (Sky 437/490HD & Virgin 546) this Saturday night. Visit www.boxnation.com to subscribe.

-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 Diaz and Mayweather vs Alvarez.

The channel is available on Sky (Ch.437), Virgin (Ch.546), 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 one off registration fee for Sky TV and new Livesport.tv customers.

INGLEWOOD, CALIF (May 16, 2014) — Today’s Official Weigh-In for boxing’s triumphant return to the “Fabulous” Forum will be OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. The inaugural brawl, which takes place on Saturday, May 17, will feature four-division world champion and Méxican icon JUAN MANUEL “Dinamita” MÁRQUEZ (55-7-1, 40 KOs), of México City, and former world junior welterweight champion “Mile High” MIKE ALVARADO (34-2, 23 KOs), of Denver, Colo., squaring off in a World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title elimination bout with the winner emerging as the mandatory challenger to WBO welterweight champion and Fighter of the Decade Manny Pacquiao.

FREE PARKING in the Manchester Lot, North West side will be available for fans at Noon. Doors will open at 2:00 p.m. with the fighters stepping on the scale, beginning at 3:00 p.m. Fans will be directed up Ramp No. 4 for access into the North Entrance. (Media parking will be in the North East side of the Manchester Lot. Media should check in at the Floor Seat entrance.

The weigh-in will be streamed live via www.toprank.tv, beginning at 6:00 p.m. ET / 3:00 p.m. PT

Márquez vs. Alvarado takes place Tomorrow! Saturday, May 17, and will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing®, beginning at 10:15 p.m. ET/PT. The telecast will open with the Viktor Postol vs. Selcuk Aydin World Boxing Council (WBC) super lightweight title elimination bout. Postol (25-0, 10 KOs), of Brovarsky, Ukraine, and Aydin (26-2, 19 KOs), of Trabzon, Turkey, are world-rated No. 1 and No. 2 by the WBC, respectively,

Promoted by Top Rank®, in association with Zanfer Promotions, Márquez Boxing, PS4 and Tecate, remaining tickets to Márquez vs. Alvarado, priced at $400, $250, $150, $75 and $35, can be purchased at the Forum box office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster charge by phone (800-745-3000), and online at www.ticketmaster.com or www.fabulousforum.com

Doors open on Fight Day at 3:00 p.m. PT with the first bout on the mega undercard beginning at 3:15 p.m. PT.

Road To Márquez/Alvarado HBO Replay Schedule (All times are ET/PT):
May 16 (9:00 a.m. & 3:45 p.m.) and 17 (8:15 a.m.).

For fight updates go to www.toprank.com or www.hbo.com/boxing, on Facebook at facebook.com/trboxing, facebook.com/trboxeo, or facebook.com/hboboxing, and on Twitter at twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo or twitter.com/hboboxing. Use the hashtag #MarquezAlvarado to join the conversation on Twitter.

For more information on the Forum visit www.fabulousforum.com.

LONDON (May 15) – Boxing legend Juan Manuel Marquez is determined to become Mexico’s first five-division world champion by setting up an historic showdown with Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao.

The 40-year-old great goes head-to-head with the all-action Mike Alvarado this weekend, live and exclusive on BoxNation, knowing that victory on Saturday night will propel him into a fifth meeting with his famed nemesis Pacquiao and a shot at his WBO welterweight crown.

The chance to seize yet another world title, this time at 147 pounds, offers Marquez the unique opportunity to become Mexico’s only five-division world champion, with the veteran currently alongside Mexican icons Erik Morales and Jorge Arce as a four-weight champion.

It is this goal which is keeping the experienced Marquez active as he looks to make the twilight period of his career his most glorious.

“I want to make history by winning another world title. It’s something that’s never been done [by another Mexican]. That is what I am looking forward to towards the end of my career, to win that next world title,” said Marquez.

“I think even Nacho [Beristain] will tell you that we all want to win the fifth world title. Five world titles in five weight divisions. That’s what makes us keep going,” he said.

Getting past Alvarado will be no easy feat with the Denver dynamo looking to bounce back following his defeat to WBO light-welterweight world champion Ruslan Provodnikov last October.

Marquez is refusing to overlook the 33-year-old, but is aware that a Pacquiao fight is around the corner should he prevail, a bout which will be a real test following the pound-for-pound ace’s dismantling of Tim Bradley last month.

“It is not too difficult for me [knowing I could fight Pacquiao next] because I do not look past Mike Alvarado,” said Marquez. “I concentrate only on this fight. Maybe in the future I will think about that fight but right now the most important fight of my career is against Alvarado because he is a strong fighter and a tough fighter,” he said.

“I saw the best Manny Pacquiao [against Tim Bradley]. He wants to beat everybody. I saw the best Pacquiao. Everyone knows that Manny Pacquiao is a great fighter and he is a world champion. Right now Pacquiao is back,” Marquez said.

“Pacquiao is using his feet very well. He moves in the ring. I saw the best Manny Pacquiao because he landed a lot of punches and was moving on his feet. I liked the way Manny Pacquiao fought very much.

“My thinking is first-things-first. My thoughts right now are on Mike Alvarado. If I win the fight then I will think about Manny Pacquiao. I will fight the fight on Saturday then go from there,” he said.

Marquez is at a crossroads in his career as he looks to get back to winning ways following a split decision loss to Bradley last year.

Another defeat could signal the end for hardened Mexican, though he is unsure whether he would hang up the gloves if he was to lose.

“You can’t tell [if a loss means retirement]. You go in the ring. You do the best you can – you win or you lose. Whatever happens on Saturday, you go back, take a look and analyze everything. But in my mind all I think about is winning and continuing my career,” he said.

Nevertheless, Marquez is certain that fight fans will not be disappointed when he shares the ring with the well-schooled Alvarado, as he looks to claim his 56th win in what will be a remarkable 64th fight of his career.

“Mike Alvarado uses a technique when he fights. Right now I think over the rounds and when I get by so many of his punches that he will change his technique but I trained for the best Alvarado in the ring,” he said.

“I need to use all of my experience in the ring. This fight will be a war because Alvarado likes to fight. I like to fight and he likes to fight and the fans win because they like to see these kinds of fights,” said Marquez.

Marquez vs. Alvarado is live on BoxNation (Sky 437/490HD & Virgin 546) this Sunday at 2am. Visit www.boxnation.com to subscribe.

Two of boxing’s top warriors make their 2014 debuts when WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING: JUAN MANUEL MARQUEZ VS. MIKE ALVARADO AND VIKTOR POSTOL VS. SELCUK AYDIN is seen SATURDAY, MAY 17 at 10:15 p.m. (live ET/tape-delayed PT) from The Forum in Inglewood, Cal., exclusively on HBO. The HBO Sports team will be ringside for the event, which will be available in HDTV, closed-captioned for the hearing-impaired and presented in Spanish on HBO Latino.

Other HBO playdates: May 18 (9:00 a.m.) and 20 (1:00 a.m.)
HBO2 playdates: May 18 (3:30 p.m.) and 19 (11:00 p.m.)
After a nearly two-decade absence, HBO cameras return to The Forum – the site of the first “HBO Boxing After Dark®” telecast in 1996 – when Juan Manuel Marquez (55-7-1, 40 KOs) of Mexico City and Mike Alvarado (34-2, 23 KOs) of Denver clash in a 12-round welterweight world title eliminator.
A devastating right hand in the sixth round of his Dec. 2012 bout against Manny Pacquiao made Marquez the year’s unanimous knockout king. That heralded victory earned him a shot at Timothy Bradley Jr. and the welterweight title, but he subsequently lost to Bradley in 12 rounds by split decision. Now Marquez, 40, returns to The Forum, where he first showed promise as one of the sport’s future superstars, with a chance to build upon his already extraordinary hall of fame-worthy legacy.
Alvarado, 33, was responsible for some of the most captivating moments of the 2013 boxing season. Last October, he lost his 140-pound belt when he submitted to the referee’s stoppage against Ruslan Provodnikov. As he moves up in weight to test his abilities in the welterweight division, the veteran’s passion is the key to replicating the form that inspired “fight of the year” performances against Brandon Rios in 2012 and in their 2013 rematch.
Opening the night of action from Southern California, undefeated Viktor Postol (25-0, 10 KOs) of Kiev, Ukraine, takes on Turkey’s Selcuk Aydin (26-2, 19 KOs) in a junior welterweight tilt scheduled for 12 rounds. Postol, 30, made his American debut in December 2012 when he earned a first-round knockout against Henry Aurad in Inglewood, California, and since then has won four consecutive fights to emerge as a top contender in the 140-pound division. Aydin, also 30, is no stranger to the big stage, as his three convincing wins in 2013 has propelled him back into junior welterweight title contention. The stakes are high as the winner of this fight will be poised to challenge for the 140-pound title.
An all-new and compelling edition of “Face Off With Max Kellerman: Cotto/Martinez” debuts immediately following the boxing action (12:30-12:45 a.m. ET/PT). The special sets the stage for the blockbuster June 7th HBO Pay-Per-View® encounter between Miguel Cotto and Sergio Martinez at New York’s famed Madison Square Garden.,
Follow HBO boxing news at hbo.com/boxing, on Facebook at facebook.com/hboboxing and on Twitter at twitter.com/hboboxing.
All HBO boxing events are presented in HDTV. HBO viewers must have access to the HBO HDTV channel to watch HBO programming in high definition.
The executive producer of WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® is Rick Bernstein; producer, Jon Crystal; director, Johnathan Evans.
® WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING is a registered service mark of Home Box Office, Inc.

LONDON (May 14) – Boxing star Mike Alvarado has vowed to bounce back in style by retiring Mexican legend Juan Manuel Marquez.

The pair meet this Saturday night, live and exclusive on BoxNation, with Denver’s Alvarado looking to impress following his punishing ten-round stoppage to WBO light-welterweight world champion Ruslan Provodnikov in his previous outing.

The brutal defeat last October came following an impressive string of wins for the exciting Alvarado who had battled his way past a host of top names including Brandon Rios, Mauricio Herrera and Breidis Prescott.

Now, however, the 33-year-old is out to end the glittering career of four-division world champion Marquez as he aims to get back to winning ways.

“Retiring a legend is going to be huge,” said Alvarado. “I respect Marquez and his great career but now is my time. This is one of those opportunities that you cannot miss and I will give everything in the ring to get the win. It’ll be a great fight and I have to fight without any mistakes to beat Marquez.

“This is a huge step in my life to redeem myself and I know that this is only going to make me a better person, a better fighter and a better man in my life. I respect Marquez fully, he’s a legend in this game, he’s already made his mark. This is the perfect opportunity for me to redeem myself and even retire as a legend,” he said.

Alvarado believes he has grown and matured since the Provodnikov bout, with the pressure of a high-profile comeback against Marquez something he will thrive on.

“When Top Rank called and offered a fight with Marquez I started jumping around – I was so excited because I have the opportunity to get into the ring and retire a Mexican legend.

“I’m great under pressure and I’m going to fight like the ‘Old Mike’ and use my power and my will to beat Marquez. I made a mistake of looking past Ruslan Provodnikov. He jumped on me and got me in a bad situation. He had such an awkward style,” said Alvarado.

“The difference against Marquez will be my power. I am going to train super hard for my biggest fight. I am very excited,” he said.

Pound-for-pound ace Manny Pacquiao impressed in his victory against Tim Bradley last month, with Alvarado aware a win over Marquez will set up some even bigger showdowns in the near future.

“I am anxious to fight the winner of Pacquiao and Bradley. This fight against Marquez is my redemption to all of my fans. I know how important this fight is. What a fight with such a reward – to fight the winner of Pacquiao vs. Bradley. This is an incredible opportunity but I am fully prepared for Marquez first and foremost,” said Alvarado.

The 40-year-old Marquez has seen it all during his star-studded career, having shared the ring with boxing’s best Floyd Mayweather, plus an enthralling four bouts with Pacquiao.

Fighting at The Forum in Inglewood, California, where Marquez established his career, the renowned Mexican counter-puncher is sure that fireworks will be produced when the two all-action fighters go head-to-head this Saturday.

“Alvarado is a very strong fighter who always gets in the ring in great condition and never gives you a break in the ring,” said Marquez. “I need to prepare very well, Alvarado is a great challenge. I am very happy to fight in the place where I started my career.

“Alvarado likes to fight and I like to fight, and the people want to see a great fight and this will be great fight. I like these kinds of challenges. Alvarado is a tremendous fighter but I’ve trained very hard for this fight and feel like I’m just 23 years old, like when I started my career at The Forum,” he said.

Marquez vs. Alvarado is live on BoxNation (Sky 437/490HD & Virgin 546) this Sunday at 2am. Visit www.boxnation.com to subscribe.

-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 Diaz and Mayweather vs Alvarez.

The channel is available on Sky (Ch.437), Virgin (Ch.546), 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 theUK and Ireland, for more information on a commercial subscription please call 0844 842 7700.

For more information visit www.boxnation.com

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

We are just a few days away from boxing’s return to the “Fabulous” Forum. The Inaugural Brawl will be headlined by an exciting fight between two top contenders – Four division world champion and Méxican icon Juan Manuel Márquez, who is undefeated in this storied building, and former junior welterweight champion Mike Alvarado. The winner will be declared mandatory challenger to WBO Welterweight Champion Manny Pacquiao, who recently regained the belt with his rematch victory over Timothy Bradley.

BOB ARUM: Well, all of you who are participating in this conference call know the obvious, this is one hell of a fight. Juan Manuel Márquez, future boxing hall-of-fame entrant faces off against the Denver Mile High man Mike Alvarado. The card is fabulous from top to bottom, with fighters from all over the world. Turkish fighters, Russian fighters, and African-American fighters, Méxican, Méxican-Americans – everybody is going to be represented on this card. And it’s so wonderful, for me personally, to have Top Rank open up one of the landmarks — the “Fabulous” Forum. Today we will hear from Juan Manuel Márquez and Mike Alvarado.

JUAN MANUEL MÁRQUEZ: Yes, I plan to fight a great fight with Mike Alvarado, who is a strong fighter and a good fighter and I am very prepared for this fight.

You fought many fights at the Forum, the last being 1999. How do you feel about going back?

JUAN MANUEL MÁRQUEZ: Right now I feel very happy because I get to fight in a great place. It is a beautiful, historical place.

Is there a fight you remember more than the others?

JUAN MANUEL MÁRQUEZ: Yes, I remember when I fought with Cedric Mingo [1997]; when I fought with the Puerto Rican guy and the Panamanian guy. I remember all of my fights at the Forum.

Was there one bigger than all the others?

JUAN MANUEL MÁRQUEZ: All of the fights were most important to me. The fights that were in my past were the most important to me right now.

“Nacho” Berestáin, what memories do you have at the Forum?

NACHO BERESTÁIN: I do remember some of the early fights and I remember Julian Wheeler [1995], which was a very difficult fight – there was a lot of movement from him and a tough fight to win. And also Catalino Becerra [1997], because he was left-handed and I remember going face-to-face with him and step-by-step.

Both you and Alvarado are coming off losses – how important is it to get a win in this fight?

JUAN MANUEL MÁRQUEZ: Yes, this fight is important for the two fighters because Mike Alvarado lost his last fight and I lost my last fight and he wants to win and I want to win and this fight is a great fight for the two fighters.

What do you think it is going to take to win this fight?

JUAN MANUEL MÁRQUEZ: Mike Alvarado is a strong fighter. He is a great fighter. He wants to win and I want to win so that will make it a great fight. The people want to see these kinds of fights. He likes to fight and I like to fight so that’s what makes a great fight.

Alvarado took a lot of punishment on the Provodnikov fight. Do you think that will affect him?

JUAN MANUEL MÁRQUEZ: Provodnikov is a great fighter. Everyone knows Prodnikov, he pushes forward the whole fight and is a strong fighter. I saw the fight and it was a tough fight for Mike Alvarado because he is such a strong fighter.

Do you expect Alvarado to box or come to you and fight?

JUAN MANUEL MÁRQUEZ: Mike Alvarado uses a technique when he fights. Right now I think in so many rounds and get by so many of his punches that he will change his technique but I trained for the best Alvarado in the ring. I need to use all of my experience in the ring. This fight will be a war because Alvarado likes to fight. I like to fight and he likes to fight and the fans win because they like to see these kinds of fights.

Is it hard not to look past Alvarado and look to Manny Pacquiao?

JUAN MANUEL MÁRQUEZ: It is not too difficult for me because I do not look past Mike Alvarado. I concentrate only on this fight. Maybe in the future I think about that fight but right now the most important fight of my career is against Alvarado because he is a strong fighter and a tough fighter. Right now all I am thinking is Alvarado.

What did you think about the Pacquiao-Bradley fight?

JUAN MANUEL MÁRQUEZ: I saw the best Manny Pacquiao. He wants to beat everybody. I saw the best Pacquiao. Everyone knows that Manny Pacquiao is a great fighter and he is a world champion. Right now Pacquiao is back.

JUAN MANUEL MÁRQUEZ: Right now Pacquiao is using his feet very well. He moves in the ring. I saw the best Manny Pacquiao because he landed a lot of punches and was moving on his feet. I liked the way Manny Pacquiao fought very much.

If you win the fight, you are the mandatory for Pacquiao. Is that what you really want to do?

JUAN MANUEL MÁRQUEZ: My thinking is first-things-first. My thoughts right now are on Mike Alvarado. If I win the fight then I will think about Manny Pacquiao. I will fight the fight on Saturday then go from there.

Is the goal a world title?

JUAN MANUEL MÁRQUEZ: That’s what I want to do. I want to make history by winning another world title. [No Méxican fighter has won world titles in five different weight divisions] It’s something that’s never been done. That is what I am looking forward to towards the end of my career, to win that next world title.

There has been a lot of talk about the fact that your career should be over by now and you have done all you need to do.

JUAN MANUEL MÁRQUEZ: I think even Nacho will tell you that we all want to win the fifth world title. Five world titles in five weight divisions. That’s what makes us keep going.

There is talk about the fact you took this fight over Alvarado because it is an easier fight than Provodnikov…

JUAN MANUEL MÁRQUEZ: The most important thing for me right now is that Mike Alvarado is a great fighter. Provodnikov fights at 140 pounds and Mike Alvarado is a welterweight fight. Provodnikov is a great fighter but I want the champion. If I fight with Provodnikov I would not get the mandatory to fight the welterweight champion.

When you fought Barrera and Morales way back, did you ever think you’d be the last man standing of your era’s great trio of Méxican fighters at age 40?

JUAN MANUEL MÁRQUEZ: Never would I think that in this moment. Every fight I think about that in the ring. I like to keep training all the time. Maybe this is a secret, because I like to train all the time. I don’t like parties. I have some friends, special friends, but maybe this is a secret.

After the Bradley fight, how much of a rest did you take?

JUAN MANUEL MÁRQUEZ: I rested for one month then I went back to the gym to train for this fight. For this fight I have trained for three months and now I am ready for a fight.

Do you think you are setting an example on how to fight into your forties?

JUAN MANUEL MÁRQUEZ: Maybe in the future there will be other fighters, because I may be an example for another fighter. Maybe they could fight until they were forty-five years old, or maybe forty-three. Maybe in the future.

Does a loss on Saturday mean retirement?

JUAN MANUEL MÁRQUEZ: You can’t tell. You go in the ring. You do the best you can – you win or you lose. Whatever happens on Saturday, you go back, take a look and analyze everything. But in my mind all I think about is winning and continuing my career.

I understand the training for this fight has been a little different?

JUAN MANUEL MÁRQUEZ: For this fight I haven’t done too many different things. I have done the typical things that a boxer does to prepare for a fight. My body has responded to everything very well. Everything has been good and my body is well. That is good for me. As long as I feel well in training I will feel good in the fight.

What do you think of Óscar Valdez who is also on the card?

JUAN MANUEL MÁRQUEZ: I think he is a good fighter and uses a lot of technique and he is in a learning process right now as a professional and he is progressing very well. We will see as he goes up against better competition and that will happen with time. I know he is very educated and he trains very hard. I know if he continues with that drive to become champion he will become a champion.

In Closing…

JUAN MANUEL MÁRQUEZ: I want to invite all of the people to come because they will see a great fight. Mike Alvarado is a great fighter. He wants to win and I want to win and it will be a great fight.

BOB ARUM: I have promoted a number of fights at the Forum. During the John Jackson era and it was a great place to put on an event. I really missed it when they closed the Forum as an entertainment and sports venue, they used it as a church for awhile, and nothing pleases me more that it is back as a sports venue and hosting a boxing event. They did a great job – Jim Dolan and Irving Azoff, did – in refurbishing. They put about $35M in doing it. Its really great and the thing I love about it is that every seat is a great seat. It has no balconies or unobstructed views. There are no suites in the middle that would put the cheaper seats far away. There is just one bowl and that type of format is the same as it always was under the old Forum, but now very spruced up and I can’t wait for the event on Saturday night.

BOB ARUM: Dr. Jerry Buss was a great fight fan and he would come to fights in Las Vegas and he instituted a great boxing program at the Forum and even before him, Jack Kent Cooke was a big fight fan. I did the second Ali-Norton fight at the Forum with Jack and that was a great experience. It’s sort of funny, I see that a lot of the fighters are staying at the Marriott at the airport and when we did the Ali-Norton II fight that was the fight headquarters as well. Ali and myself and Marty Spade stayed at that hotel as well. That was what, 41 years ago, oh my, I was a thin, young handsome guy. Now I’m an old fat guy. It was a great night, a good fight – Norton gave Ali trouble. The fight at the Forum was very close and Ali pulled it out. And the third Ali-Norton fight at Yankee Stadium, which I also did, was very close and Ali won by a whisker. Norton could really give Ali trouble. Norton couldn’t face a guy like Joe Frazier who just bombed him out but against Ali he always gave him trouble.

Like Marquez against Pacquiao?

BOB ARUM: Styles make fights as they say. Frazier couldn’t stay in there against George Foreman – he got bombed out twice, but Frazier against Ali was always close and a tremendous fight and Ali beat George in the one fight that they had.

MIKE ALVARADO: I am doing good. Ready to get in there and put on a good performance for the people and put on a good show.

How long does it take to get over a loss, your last against Provodnikov, where you endured a little more punishment than normal?

MIKE ALVARADO: I took a couple months to put that fight behind me. Knowing that it was in my hometown, in front of all my people and my family. It was tougher mentally but physically I am fine – I got past it. I just focused on my health and I was good. Then I began to focus on which was going to be next.

I could see your parents on TV and they looked upset. What did they have to say after the fight?

MIKE ALVARADO: They just wanted to make sure that I was fine and that I was safe and that my physical condition was OK. They are my number one supporters. As long as they know I am OK they are there for me. They have my back.

Both you and Márquez are coming off losses. That makes this fight much more significant as well as the winner being in line to fight Pacquiao. Can you talk about that?

MIKE ALVARADO: Yes, this fight is very important for both of us and a win here will lead to bigger fights. There is a lot involved in this fight, both mentally and for our careers. I am focusing on getting this win. It makes me train that much more, to know that I am in the category with the best in the world and I am happy for this opportunity that I am blessed with. I take it day-by-day and train as hard as I can. I am happy about it and I am excited and I can’t wait for the show to start this weekend.

Most guys coming off a loss don’t get to fight a guy of this caliber…

MIKE ALVARADO: I was surprised a little bit but I know that I deserve it. Top Rank has had my back the whole time and my will is that much stronger, more so than I showed that night against Provodnikov. They blessed me with another opportunity and I am going to step up to the plate to put on a better show and back it up once again. I am here to put on a better show and perform at a higher level. This is where I belong and I am going to show that this weekend.

You come forward and Márquez is the consummate counter-puncher of his era, those two styles should make for a really exciting fight. Is that the way you see it?

MIKE ALVARADO: They do. He fights a lot as well as counter-punching. He doesn’t move a lot and I move a lot. We are going to come together and it is going to be a great fight and great for boxing. I can’t wait and I am excited about it.

Bob, this fight is for the WBO mandatory and you promote all three. How interested are you in making the fight with the winner against Manny?

BOB ARUM: Well, I am not the one fighting. The first thing I did was talk to Manny and he is up to fight the winner. I haven’t, and there is nothing contractual with the two fighters that are fighting Saturday, but they know I will offer the winner a fight with Manny and it’s up to the winner to accept or reject it. So that’s where we stand and if I hear that the winner will be interested in fighting Manny in the fall, and Manny has agreed to fight the winner, so I would say that once we got the terms straightened out it would be a done deal.

Would you say your best ‘boxing’ was against Rios in the second fight, and do you think that’s what you have to do against Márquez?

MIKE ALVARADO: It just goes the way of my career and how my fights went. I lost to Rios the first time and had to be myself the second time in the redemption fight. So I feel that’s how my career has gone. But style-wise he is going to be tailor-made as well. I have been watching a lot of films and everyone knows, they have been watching Márquez for a long time – he is a legend in the sport and has made his mark but he’s not a hard man to figure out. Coming off a loss for him it is going to be very interesting to see how much Márquez has left in his career, so I am going to exploit every weakness he has to see how much he has left in him.

Most have had trouble with Márquez. What do you think the key is to beating him?

MIKE ALVARADO: Fight the way I know how to fight and make the right adjustments. Fight smart and be stronger, quicker and bigger and fight my game plan. Focus on not giving in and letting my pride get the best of me. Don’t let him get the best of me. I need to stay focused in the ring and dominate this fight.

What do you mean by not letting your pride get the best of you?

MIKE ALVARADO: Not giving in when he is going to war and wanting to trade punches – not giving in to that. I need to fight my fight – my pace and my style of fighting.

What do you think of Márquez’ endorsement of Manny Pacquiao – that it was the best Manny in his last fight?

BOB ARUM: It was the best Manny Pacquiao. People look at the Cotto and Hatton fights and see Manny as this devastating knockout puncher, which he never was. Look at the fight against De La Hoya, where he threw punches, in and out and more punches – that was the Manny Pacquiao that fought Bradleyin their rematch – the Pacquiao that fought De La Hoya – that’s Manny’s big style. He punches hard, he moves and he is very hard to hit when he wants to be hard to hit. That was a magnificent performance by Manny Pacquiao.

How much of the Provodnikov fight did you watch and what have you learned from it?

MIKE ALVARADO: I watched it a lot and I learned from myself how I transitioned from punching and punching and getting more into boxing. Switching my game plan up from the different styles to make the fight go the way I want it to go. That’s what I need to focus on. It was definitely a good learning experience.

On the wall in your gym you have a big poster of you and Provodnikov. Does that give you inspiration?

MIKE ALVARADO: It reminds me of what I wasn’t doing right and helps me focus and reminds me of what I need to do to make me a better boxer and helps my preparation in my future fights. It is just a reminder to let me know what I need to do in my next fights.

How do you feel about being the underdog in this fight, while both of you are coming off losses?

MIKE ALVARADO: It is very motivating. It helps me in my training and gives me more focus in training knowing that a win here will only lead to bigger opportunities. It helps me train harder and helps me push through what I need to push through to be ready for the fight.

You watched Márquez as a youngster. How do you feel fighting against a legend?

MIKE ALVARADO: It’s a great feeling and I am inspired by this opportunity to be in there with a legend and to retire a legend. Knowing that gives me more motivation to dig deeper and you’ll see it in the fight. I will be that much more focused to win the fight.

MIKE ALVARADO: He’s had a long career and it’s coming to a point in his career where he starts second-guessing whether he still wants to do this. He’s made a mark in boxing and we’ll see what happens on Saturday night. That’s on me to exploit it out of him. I want to win this fight and I still have a long career ahead of me. We’ll see how bad Márquez wants to stay in this game.

What are the chances that Top Rank fighters will meet Golden Boy fighters in the future?

BOB ARUM: As I have said to everyone that will listen, I have absolutely no problems whatsoever dealing with Oscar De La Hoya. I was his promoter for many, many years and we have renewed our friendship and we hope to work every closely with him in the future.

Another fight at the “Fabulous” Forum, do you think it will live up to the great fights of the past held there?

BOB ARUM: It is wonderful and when I realize that the first fight I did at the Forum was forty-one years ago promoting the great Muhammad Ali against Ken Norton – forty-one years, no matter how old you are, is a lot of years ago. I subsequently had Rafael Ruelas fight in the Forum and Michael Carbajal and indeed when I wasn’t promoting fights in the Forum, when John Jackson was promoting fights I attended fights in the Forum. It was a great place to watch a boxing match.

How do you see the boxing future in Southern California?

BOB ARUM: We always have done fights there. We have had them at Staples Center, StubHub in Carson and now we are doing one at the “Fabulous” Forum. If you are a promoter you know that the interest in boxing in Southern California is huge so you want to do many fights in that area because the interest is so high.

Many have asked regarding what happened in the ring and your trainer was disappointed as well. What conversations have taken place between you and he since then?

HENRY DELGADO (manager): The whole thing, including the preparation for the fight was not where it needed to be. That’s what they were talking about. Shann [Vilhauer] said ‘see what happens when you don’t take things as seriously as you should.’ That was the consensus and we are not making any excuses but that wasn’t the Mike Alvarado that everyone came to see fight. This time it is completely different. We said this is how you got there and you are letting it go. You’ve got to do what got you there and now you know how to stay there when you get there, by doing all the things that got you there. Now he realizes that. It was kind of embarrassing because of the opportunity Top Rank gave us and he didn’t take advantage of it.

Is that why training camp is in California for this fight?

HENRY DELGADO: Right, but it was last time also, then Mike moved it back. But this time I put my foot down. There are too many distractions in Denver and Denver is a hotbed of sports with the Broncos and they treat him like a God and they were pulling him in too many different places. In Los Angles he is just another guy and we are getting our training done and taking care of business.

BOB ARUM: That’s something that the press should pickup on. What Henry is saying, and it’s absolutely right, that the Mike Alvarado you will see on Saturday is the best trained Mike Alvarado that you will have seen in years. He has dedicated himself to training for this fight without some of the nonsense that took place in the past with some of his training.

HENRY DELGADO: Exactly and our whole camp apologizes for the performance he put on in Denver and we are going to redeem it this time around.

In closing…

BOB ARUM: This is going to be a great night and a fight that is really important for boxing. Coming back to a venue that helped make boxing as popular as it is today, in Southern California at the “Fabulous Forum” and so we are thrilled to bring such a great fight to the “Fabulous” Forum, opening it up once again to the sport of boxing.

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Márquez (55-7-1, 40 KOs), of México City, México, and Alvarado (34-2, 23 KOs), of Denver, CO., will collide at the Forum in a World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title elimination bout. The winner will become the mandatory challenger to WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao. Márquez vs. Alvarado takes place on Saturday, May 17, and will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing®, beginning at 10:15 p.m. ET/PT. The telecast will open with the 12-round Viktor Postol vs. Selcuk Aydin World Boxing Council (WBC) super lightweight title elimination bout. Postol (25-0, 19 KOs), of Brovarsky, Ukraine and Aydin (26-2, 19 KOs), of Trabzon, Turkey, are world-rated No. 1 and No. 2 by the WBC, respectively.

Promoted by Top Rank®, in association with Zanfer Promotions, Márquez Boxing, PS4 and Tecate, remaining tickets to Márquez vs. Alvarado, priced at $400, $250, $150, $75 and $35, can be purchased at the Forum box office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster charge by phone (800-745-3000), and online at www.ticketmaster.com or www.fabulousforum.com

Doors on Fight Day open at 3:00 p.m. PT with the first bout on the mega undercard beginning at 3:15 p.m. PT.

Road To Márquez/Alvarado HBO Replay Schedule (All times are ET/PT):
May 14 (6:00 p.m. & 5:40 a.m.), 16 (9:00 a.m. & 3:45 p.m.)
and 17 (8:15 a.m.).

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FRIDAY’S OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN AT THE FORUM WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!

FREE PARKING in the Manchester Lot, North West side will be available for fans at Noon. Doors will open at 2:00 p.m. with the fighters stepping on the scale, beginning at 3:00 p.m. Fans will be directed up Ramp No. 4 for access into the North Entrance. (Media parking will be in the North East side of the Manchester Lot. Media should check in at the Floor Seat entrance).

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For fight updates go to www.toprank.com or www.hbo.com/boxing, on Facebook at facebook.com/trboxing, facebook.com/trboxeo, or facebook.com/hboboxing, and on Twitter at twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo or twitter.com/hboboxing. Use the hashtag #MarquezAlvarado to join the conversation on Twitter.

For more information on the Forum visit www.fabulousforum.com.

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA (May 2, 2014) – Boxing’s return to the Forum (3900 West Manchester Blvd., Inglewood, Calif. 90305) will start a little sooner than originally announced. The historic inaugural brawl on Saturday May 17, featuring four-division world champion and Méxican icon JUAN MANUEL “Dinamita” MÁRQUEZ battling former junior welterweight world champion and the pride of Colorado “Mile High” MIKE ALVARADO in the main event, will now start at a new earlier time — 3:15 p.m. PT, with doors opening at 3:00 p.m. PT.

“We wanted to make boxing’s return to the Forum something special for the fans and the best way to do that was to add more bouts to the undercard. We expect more than 10 bouts on this show,” said Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum. “However, since Márquez-Alvarado will be televised live on HBO®, we needed to push the start time of the undercard up to 3:15 p.m. to accommodate all the fights.”

Márquez (55-7-1, 40 KOs), of México City, a longtime Forum stalwart who never lost a fight at the legendary boxing venue, and Alvarado (34-2, 23 KOs), of Denver, CO., will collide in a 12-round World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title elimination bout. The Márquez-Alvarado welterweight rumble will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing®, beginning at 10:15 p.m. ET/PT. The winner will be declared the mandatory challenger to WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao. Márquez and Alvarado boast a combined record of 89-9-1 (63 KOs) — a winning percentage of 90% and a victory by knockout ratio of 71%.

The undercard will be announced shortly.

Promoted by Top Rank® in association with Zanfer Promotions, Márquez Boxing PS4 and Tecate, remaining tickets to Márquez vs. Alvarado are priced at $400, $250, $150, $100, $75 and $35. Tickets can be purchased at the Forum box office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster charge by phone (800-745-3000), and online at www.ticketmaster.com or www.fabulousforum.com.

For fight updates go to www.toprank.com or www.hbo.com/boxing, on Facebook at facebook.com/trboxing, facebook.com/trboxeo, or facebook.com/hboboxing, and on Twitter at twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo or twitter.com/hboboxing. Use the hashtag #MarquezAlvarado to join the conversation on Twitter.

For more information on the Forum visit www.fabulousforum.com.

April 7, 2014 – HBO Boxing presents “Road to Marquez/Alvarado,” a compelling special examining the upcoming welterweight encounter between legendary champ Juan Manuel Marquez and all-action former junior welterweight title-holder Mike Alvarado. The two are set to meet in one of the year’s most anticipated showdowns Saturday, May 17 at The Forum in Inglewood, CA, televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing ®.

The “Road to Marquez/Alvarado” special will premiere Saturday, April 19 at 12:45 a.m. ET/PT on HBO. It will preview the fast-approaching contest between these two ring warriors who are meeting for the first time ever in this high stakes battle.

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

Other HBO playdates: April 19 (12:45 a.m.), 20 (10:45 a.m.), 24 (8:15 a.m. & 2:45 p.m.), 28 (4:45 p.m.), 30 (10:15 a.m.) and May 9 (1:00 p.m.), 12 (8:15 p.m. & 2:50 a.m.), 14 (6:00 p.m. & 5:40 a.m.), 16 (9:00 a.m. & 3:45 p.m.) and 17 (8:15 a.m.).

HBO2 playdates: April 21 (11:30 a.m. & 12:15 a.m.), 27 (9:15 a.m.) and May 10 (1:00 p.m.) 13 (3:15 p.m. & 9:15 p.m.), 15 (7:45 p.m.) and 16 (1:15 a.m.).

All times are ET/PT.

INGLEWOOD, CALIF. (April 1, 2014) – Boxing is back at the Forum (3900 West Manchester Blvd., Inglewood, Calif. 90305) and the historic inaugural brawl will feature four-division world champion and Méxican icon JUAN MANUEL “Dinamita” MÁRQUEZ battling former junior welterweight world champion and the pride of Colorado “Mile High” MIKE ALVARADO.

Márquez (55-7-1, 40 KOs), of México City, a longtime Forum stalwart who never lost a fight at the legendary boxing venue, and Alvarado (34-2, 23 KOs), of Denver, CO., will collide in a 12-round World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title elimination bout on Saturday, May 17. The Márquez-Alvarado welterweight rumble will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing®, beginning at 10:15 p.m. ET/PT. The winner will challenge the victor of the upcoming WBO welterweight championship rematch between Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley, Jr. Márquez and Alvarado boast a combined record of 89-9-1 (63 KOs) — a winning percentage of 90% and a victory by knockout ratio of 71%.

Promoted by Top Rank® in association with Zanfer Promotions, Márquez Boxing and Tecate, tickets to Márquez vs. Alvarado will go on sale Today! Tuesday, April 1 at 3:00 p.m. ET / Noon PT. Priced at $400, $250, $150, $75 and $35, tickets can be purchased at the Forum box office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster charge by phone (800-745-3000), and online at www.ticketmaster.com or www.fabulousforum.com. And to celebrate boxing’s return to the Forum, any $150 or $75 ticket, purchased at the box office or via Ticketmaster Today Tuesday, April 1, between Noon and 4:00 p.m. PT, will include a complimentary companion ticket to the inaugural brawl. Limit six (6) purchased tickets per order.

For fight updates go to www.toprank.com or www.hbo.com/boxing, on Facebook at facebook.com/trboxing, facebook.com/trboxeo, or facebook.com/hboboxing, and on Twitter at twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo or twitter.com/hboboxing. Use the hashtag #MarquezAlvarado to join the conversation on Twitter.

For more information on the Forum visit www.fabulousforum.com.

INGLEWOOD, CALIF. (March 26, 2014) – Boxing is back at the Forum (3900 West Manchester Blvd., Inglewood, Calif. 90305) and the historic inaugural brawl will feature four-division world champion and Méxican icon JUAN MANUEL “Dinamita” MÁRQUEZ battling former junior welterweight world champion and the pride of Colorado “Mile High” MIKE ALVARADO.

Márquez (55-7-1, 40 KOs), of México City, a longtime Forum stalwart who never lost a fight at the legendary boxing venue, and Alvarado (34-2, 23 KOs), of Denver, CO., will collide in a 12-round World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title elimination bout on Saturday, May 17. The Márquez-Alvarado welterweight rumble will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing®, beginning at 10:15 p.m. ET/PT. The winner will challenge the victor of the upcoming WBO welterweight championship rematch between Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley, Jr. Márquez and Alvarado boast a combined record of 89-9-1 (63 KOs) — a winning percentage of 90% and a victory by knockout ratio of 71%.

Promoted by Top Rank® in association with Zanfer Promotions, Márquez Boxing and Tecate, tickets to Márquez vs. Alvarado will go on sale Tuesday, April 1 at 3:00 p.m. ET / Noon PT. Priced at $400, $250, $150, $75 and $35, tickets can be purchased at the Forum box office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster charge by phone (800-745-3000), and online at www.ticketmaster.com or www.fabulousforum.com. And to celebrate boxing’s return to the Forum, any $150 or $75 ticket, purchased at the box office or via Ticketmaster on April 1, between Noon and 4:00 p.m. PT, will include a complimentary companion ticket to the inaugural brawl. Limit six (6) tickets per order.

“The opportunity to go back and fight at the Forum where I developed as a professional fighter was too great to pass up,” said Márquez. “I expect a tough fight against Mike Alvarado and one that the fans will truly enjoy.”

“I am so excited. We have been training already for four weeks. Márquez has always been on our radar and he is the one I always wanted to fight,” said Alvarado. “This fight is my redemption to all of my fans. I know how important this fight is. What a fight with such a reward – to fight the winner of Pacquiao vs Bradley. This is an incredible opportunity. I will be fully prepared to fight Márquez on May 17.”

“Márquez vs. Alvarado should be a battle from bell to bell. Both really need this fight and that will make for an exciting encounter,” said Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum.

“On May 17, World Championship Boxing delivers a must-see, high-stakes, all-action event,” said Peter Nelson, director of programming, HBO Sports. “In a welterweight showdown between two of boxing’s great warriors, Juan Manuel Márquez and Mike Alvarado will rekindle a Forum tradition: fights between men who defy physics, weighing so little while having hearts so big. It will be a familiar atmosphere for Márquez as he’ll return home, both to the Forum for the first time in 15 years and live on HBO for the first time in four. On May 17, we’ll see if Alvarado can upend Márquez’s homecoming to make it his own house-warming. Don’t miss it.”

Márquez, who is trained by Hall of Famer Ignacio “Nacho” Beristáin, is undefeated at the Forum, winning all 12 bouts he fought there, from 1995 through 1999, with nine of those victories coming by way of knockout. Márquez is one of only a rare few fighters from México to have won world titles in four different weight divisions. He captured his first world title — the vacant International Boxing Federation (IBF) featherweight championship — with a seventh-round stoppage of three-time featherweight champion Manuel Medina in 2003. He unified that title that same year with a decisive victory over World Boxing Association (WBA) featherweight titlist Derrick Gainer. Márquez successfully defended the titles three times during his three-year reign, which included unanimous decision victories over Victor Polo and Orlando Salido and a Draw with Manny Pacquiao. After losing the crown to Chris John, and winning the interim featherweight crown, both in 2006, Márquez moved up in weight to dethrone the legendary Marco Antonio Barrera and claim his World Boxing Council (WBC) super featherweight championship belt in 2007. After successfully defending the title, by a unanimous decision over Ricky Juarez, he lost the title in his 2008 rematch with Pacquiao by the slimmest of margins — a one point split decision. Since that fight, Márquez has won seven of his last ten fights, including knockout victories of Joel Casamayor, Juan Diaz, and Michael Katsidis — the latter two in WBA/WBO lightweight championship fights. In 2012, he won his fourth world title in as many divisions, capturing the WBO interim junior welterweight title with a dominant 12-round unanimous decision over Sergey Fedchenko. He ended that year with his most satisfying victory, a sixth-round knockout of professional nemesis Pacquiao, which was voted the 2012 Fight of the Year and the 2012 Knockout of the Year. Last October 12, in his first attempt at winning a record fifth world title in as many weight divisions, Márquez came up short, losing a split decision to defending WBO welterweight champion Bradley.

Alvarado (34-2, 23 KOs) of Denver, had won 10 of his last 14 bouts by stoppage en route to his rematch victory over Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios, on March 30, 2013, which not only avenged Alvarado’s loss to Rios in 2012’s Fight of the Year, but also made Alvarado a world champion. Alvarado had lost to Rios on October 13, 2012, via a seventh-round technical knockout in one of the most action-packed fights of the millennium. Going into round seven, two of the three judges’ scorecards had it 57-57. In the sequel, which was as action-packed as the first fight, Alvarado made subtle adjustments to eke out a narrow but unanimous decision and the WBO junior welterweight world title. Notable Alvarado knockout victims have included Breidis Prescott, Ray Narh, Emmanuel Clottey and Cesar Bazan. In 2012 Alvarado fought in two Fights of the Year-nominated fights. On April 14, 2012, Alvarado went toe-to-toe for 10 brutal and exciting rounds winning a unanimous decision over Mauricio Herrera (18-1, 7 KOs). Herrera entered that fight world-rated No. 7 and riding a two-year, five-bout winning streak, highlighted by victories over future world champion Ruslan Provodnikov (17-0) and Mike Dallas, Jr. (17-1-1). That was followed by his first fight with Rios in October. Alvarado’s world title reign ended in his first defense, last October 19, where he suffered a12th-round TKO to Provodnikov in front of a sold-out crowd in his Denver homecoming. .

For fight updates go to www.toprank.com or www.hbo.com/boxing, on Facebook at facebook.com/trboxing, facebook.com/trboxeo, or facebook.com/hboboxing, and on Twitter at twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo or twitter.com/hboboxing. Use the hashtag #MarquezAlvarado to join the conversation on Twitter.

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