HBO serves up a tripleheader of hot ring action when HBO BOXING AFTER DARK: MIGUEL BERCHELT VS. TAKASHI MIURA, JEZREEL CORRALES VS. ROBINSON CASTELLANOS AND JOE SMITH JR. VS. SULLIVAN BARRERA is seen SATURDAY, JULY 15 at 9:50 p.m. (ET/PT) from the renowned venue The Forum in Inglewood, Cal. The HBO Sports team will call all the action, which will be available in HDTV, closed-captioned for the hearing-impaired and presented in Spanish on HBO Latino.

The fights will also be available on HBO NOW, HBO GO, HBO On Demand and affiliate portals.

The main event is a 12-round super featherweight title showdown between Miguel Berchelt (31-1, 28 KOs) from Merida, Mexico, and Takashi Miura (31-3-2, 24 KOs) from Tokyo, Japan. Fighting in the U.S. for only the second time, Berchelt will be making his first title defense since taking the belt from Francisco Vargas last January in a thrilling fight seen on HBO. The current mandatory at 130 pounds, Miura is a former super featherweight champ looking to regain the title he lost to Francisco Vargas in 2015, a bruising battle that captured consensus “fight of the year” honors.

The middle bout features Jezreel Corrales (21-1, 8 KOs) from San Miguelito, Panama and Robinson Castellanos (24-12, 14 KOs) from Celaya, Mexico in a scheduled 12-round super featherweight title contest. Corrales’ only loss came in his second pro fight; he will be making his first U.S. appearance after winning the crown with back-to-back victories over Takashi Uchiyama. Castellanos, who experienced a string of losses early in his professional career, has won 14 of his last 16 fights, scoring an emphatic upset win over former Olympic gold medalist and featherweight champ Yuriorkis Gamboa this past May.

The tripleheader opens with an intriguing light heavyweight contest between New Yorker Joe Smith Jr. (23-1, 19 KOs) and Cuban native Sullivan Barrera (19-1, 14 KOs). Smith, who worked in construction on Long Island as he built his ring career, stunned the boxing world last December when he knocked future Hall of Famer Bernard Hopkins out of the ring. Barrera, now living in Miami, Fla., suffered his only pro loss to reigning 175-pound champion Andre Ward. Both fighters are known for heavy hitting, and a big victory in this 12-round matchup will dramatically enhance the winner’s position in the talent-rich division.

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 HBO BOXING AFTER DARK is Rick Bernstein; producer, Jonathan Crystal; director, Johnathan Evans.

® HBO BOXING AFTER DARK is a registered service mark of Home Box Office, Inc.

LOS ANGELES (July 10, 2017) The all-action fighters participating on the stacked tripleheader this Saturday, July 15 have wrapped up camp and begun their journey to Los Angeles for their championship bouts at The “Fabulous” Forum. The night will feature the rugged Miguel “El Alacran” Berchelt (31-1, 28 KOs) defending his hard-earned WBC Super Featherweight belt against Takashi Miura (31-3-2, 24 KOs) in a scheduled 12-round main event championship bout. Serving as chief support in the co-main event, Panamanian super-star and newly signed Golden Boy Promotions fighter Jezreel “El Invisible” Corrales (21-1, 8 KOs) will make his U.S. debut against Robinson “Robin Hood” Castellanos (24-12, 14 KOs) in a 12-round super featherweight bout for Corrales’s WBA Super World title. Opening up the HBO telecast, current WBC International light heavyweight Champion Joe Smith, Jr. (23-1, 19 KOs) will put his belt on the line in a 12-round fight against Miami’s Sullivan Barrera (19-1, 14 KOs). The action will be televised on HBO Boxing After Dark® beginning at 9:50 p.m. ET/PT.

Hear what the teams had to say about their upcoming bouts:

OSCAR DE LA HOYA, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions:

“We saw what Miguel Berchelt is capable from his slugfest earlier this year against the rugged Francisco Vargas, and that level of action is what fans should expect to see on July 15 when he takes on former world champion Takashi Miura. With Jezreel Corrales facing Robinson Castellanos, who had an impressive upset over Yuriorkis Gamboa in May, plus Joe Smith, Jr. taking on the heavy-handed Sullivan Barrera, this triple header on HBO Boxing After Dark will surely deliver the type of non-stop action fans crave from boxing.”

MIGUEL “EL ALACRAN” BERCHELT, Current WBC Super Featherweight World Champion:
“I am ready to defend my title and very excited to fight in a big city like Los Angeles with the support of all my countrymen. We have prepared a great deal and next Saturday you will see the best Miguel Berchelt.”

“This by no means will be an easy fight – Miura has gone to war many times in his career and I am expecting nothing less in this fight. I want to prove that winning this belt was no fluke, and defending it against a warrior like Miura is the perfect opportunity to do that.”

TAKASHI MIURA, Former WBC Super Featherweight World Champion:
“I have had a great training camp for this fight. The training is going well. I am preparing myself for a tough fight.”

“This will be my third fight in the United States, and I feel comfortable in getting myself acclimated to the time difference. I am looking forward to being on HBO again and putting on an exciting fight for the boxing fans.”

“If I am able to get the belt back Saturday, and the opportunity is there, I would want to unify the belts in the super featherweight division.”

JEZREEL “EL INVISIBLE” CORRALES, Current WBA Super World Super Featherweight Champion:
“I’m going up against a boxer who doesn’t like to waste his punches. I know that he has also watched my fights and that he has studied me well. I know that he will come forward to attack me, and to look for opportunities to get his lost chance back in the sport.”

“He will try to overwhelm me, and he will try to throw punches to knock me out, but, that’s why they call me ‘El Invisible’ (The Invisible). I won’t let him catch me. Like we say here in Panama, he will be left unsatisfied and wanting more after meeting me in the ring.”

ROBINSON “ROBIN HOOD” CASTELLANOS, Super Featherweight Contender:
“I’ve enjoyed this preparation; however, the work has been intense. There is a motivating environment in the team, and I am very encouraged.”

“We have been working with several left-handed sparring players to fine-tune the strategy. I know that Jezreel is surely doing his part to win, and I hope it turns out an attractive fight for fans and HBO for both him and me. This fight opens doors for me to take part in huge cards like this one.”

JOE SMITH, JR., Current WBC International Light Heavyweight Champion:

“It feels great to be fighting on HBO. I’m looking forward to it, and I’m in great shape and ready to put on a tremendous performance against Sullivan Barrera. It’s not like fighting at home but I’m looking forward to fighting at the Forum again, I was treated very well there and it’s a tremendous and legendary venue. I like Los Angeles; the fans were very good to me as well.”

“I saw Sullivan Barrera’s fight with Andre Ward, and I’ve seen a few of his other fights. This fight is a huge challenge to me as he’s got a lot of experience but I’ll be ready on July 15.”

“I’d still like to fight Adonis Stevenson. I was ready this year, and I’ll be ready at any time but now my focus is solely on this fight. Joe DeGuardia has done a great job of getting me these opportunities, particularly with Fonfara and Hopkins and now with Barrera, it’s my job to take care of business in the ring.”

SULLIVAN BARRERA, Former USNBC Light Heavyweight Champion
“This is going to be a very interesting fight, and it is a great fight for my career. When I come out victorious, it should either give me a shot at the title or get me one step closer to fighting for a title. Smith beat a legend in Bernard Hopkins, but [Hopkins] had been out of the ring for a long time before their fight.”

“Down the road, I would like to fight for a title next. But if I cannot fight for a title in my next fight, I would like to fight Eleider Alvarez or Nathan Cleverly.”

“July 15, I am going to come out victorious. I want to let all the fans know that they should tune-in to HBO. With the help of God, on July 15 I will be coming back home with the WBC International light heavyweight belt.”

Berchelt vs. Miura, a 12-round fight for the WBC Super Featherweight World Championship, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Zanfer Promotions and Teiken Promotions. Corrales vs. Castellanos is presented by Golden Boy Promotions. Smith vs. Barerra is presented by Star Boxing in association with Main Events. The event is sponsored by Tecate, BORN BOLD and Casa Mexico Tequila and will take place on Saturday, July 15 at Los Angeles’ “Fabulous” Forum and televised live on HBO Boxing After Dark beginning at 9:50 P.M ET/PT. The livestream portion will begin at approximately 6:50 p.m. ET/3:50 p.m. PT through 9:50 p.m. ET/ 6:50 p.m. PT on RingTV.com.

Tickets are priced at $25, $50, $75 and $125, not including applicable service charges and taxes, with a total ticket limit of 12 per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 or the Forum Box Office (Monday through Friday 11:00 a.m. PT to 7:00 p.m. PT) at (310) 330-7300. Tickets will also be available for purchase at www.fabulousforum.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

For more information visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and www.hbo com/boxing, follow on Twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @hboboxing, and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, visit us on Instagram at @GoldenBoyBoxing, and follow the conversation using #bercheltmiura.

Photos and videos are available to download by clicking here or copying and pasting the link http://bit.ly/BercheltMiura into a browser. Credit must be given to Golden Boy Promotions for photos and videos used.

As part of ‘The Channel of Champions’ exclusive output deal with Golden Boy Promotions, BoxNation are pleased to announce the addition of Cotto-Kamegai, as well as a cracking card on July 15th with WBC super-featherweight world champion Miguel Berchelt headlining.

Mexican Berchelt will make his first title defence against former champion Takashi Miura, with Bernard Hopkins’ conqueror Joe Smith returning to take on the Miami-based Sullivan Barrera in a heavy-handed slugfest.

Both these fights cards are set to be all-action affairs, with Puerto Rican great Cotto’s bout to be for the vacant WBO super-welterweight world title and taking place at the StubHub Center in Carson, California.

The only four-division world champion in the rich history of Puerto Rican boxing, Cotto will be out to show why he still has so much to give at the 154-pound weight class and will be looking to add Kamegai’s name to an outstanding list of opponents he has beaten.

“I’m very excited to be back and showcase a high level fight for the fans,” Cotto said. “Kamegai is a great, tough fighter, but I will be ready for him and to capture the world title. I can’t wait to start training for this fight and get back in the ring on August 26.”

Kamegai is known as one of the highest-action fighters in the sport having engaged in a fight of the year candidate against Jesus Soto Karass in 2016 and taking champions and contenders including Robert Guerrero, Alfonso Gomez and Johan Perez into deep water.

“I fully understand who I am going to be in the ring against, but Cotto’s record and history won’t matter once we are toe-to-toe,” Kamegai said. “I am looking forward to giving fans the kind of aggressive fight that they have seen from me before and having my arm raised in victory.”

For his clash on July 15th at Los Angeles’ “Fabulous” Forum, Berchelt will be looking to keep his 10-fight consecutive knockout streak going following his impressive stoppage over Francisco Vargas in January, in which he claimed the 130-pound world title.

“I took on this challenge because I only want to fight the best,” Berchelt said. “I know that Miura is a true warrior and always leaves it all in the ring, but I am young and hungry and am confident that I will return to Mexico with the world championship belt still around my waist.”

Miura, one-half of the consensus 2015 Fight of the Year with Vargas, returns after a dynamic 12th-round stoppage against Miguel Roman.

“I have wanted to regain my championship belt from the moment I lost it in November of 2015,” Miura said. “I know Berchelt is strong, and I know that we’ll go head-to-head for this world championship title that will prove to be a great fight.”

Jim McMunn, BoxNation Managing Director, said: “Miguel Cotto is without doubt one of the greatest fighters of the modern era and we are delighted to showcase his upcoming fight on BoxNation exclusively live on August 26th. He’ll need to be at his best as Yoshihiro Kamegai is all-action and this fight will be a real test for Cotto. BoxNation are also very pleased to announce that the July 15th card headlined by super-featherweight world champion Miguel Berchelt will also be aired exclusively live on the channel when he makes his first defence against a real warrior and former champion in Takashi Miura. These are two fantastic fight cards not to miss.”

BoxNation is available on Sky/Freeview/Virgin/TalkTalk/EE/Apple TV/ online at watch.boxnation.com and via apps (iOS, Android, Amazon) for just £12 a month. Buy now at boxnation.com.

– ENDS –

About BoxNation
BoxNation, the Channel of Champions and proud partner of Rainham Steel, is the UK’s first dedicated boxing channel. From £12* per month with no minimum term customers can enjoy great value live and exclusive fights, classic fight footage, magazine shows and interviews with current and former fighters.
Previous highlights have included Haye vs Chisora, Mayweather vs Maidana, Saunders vs Eubank Jr and Khan vs Canelo.
The channel is available on Sky (Ch.437), Freeview (Ch.255), Virgin (Ch.546), TalkTalk (Ch.415), online at watch.boxnation.com and via apps (ios, Android, Amazon, Apple TV). 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.
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LOS ANGELES (May 24, 2017) – Tickets for the stacked July 15 show at Los Angeles’ “Fabulous” Forum are now on sale, and Golden Boy Promotions today released a video showing the kind of power that will be on display in the main event between newly crowned WBC World Super Featherweight Champion Miguel “El Alacran” Berchelt (31-1, 28 KOs) and mandatory challenger Takashi Miura (31-3-2, 24 KOs).

Tickets are priced at $25, $50, $75 and $125, not including applicable service charges and taxes, with a total ticket limit of 12 per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 or the Forum Box Office (Monday through Friday 11:00 a.m. PST to 7:00 p.m. PST) at (310) 330-7300. Tickets will also be available for purchase at www.fabulousforum.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

While the main event that has “Fight of the Year” candidate written all over it, the co-main and HBO opener are can’t miss action fights, as well.

In the co-main, Panamanian superstar and WBA Super Featherweight World Champion Jezreel “El Invisible” Corrales (21-1, 8 KOs) will look to keep his title and undefeated record, as he makes his stateside debut against a resurgent Robinson “Robin Hood” Castellanos (24-12, 14 KOs), hot off his massive upset victory over three-division world champion Yuriorkis Gamboa.

Opening up the televised card, WBC International Light Heavyweight Champion Joe Smith, Jr. (23-1, 19 KOs) will return West from Long Island to put his belt on the line against the Miami-based Sullivan Barrera (19-1, 14 KOs) in a battle of heavy-handed sluggers.

Berchelt vs. Miura, a 12-round fight for the WBC Super Featherweight World Championship, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Zanfer Promotions and Teiken Promotions. Corrales vs. Castellanos is presented by Golden Boy Promotions. Smith vs. Barerra is presented by Star Boxing in association with Main Events. The event is sponsored by Tecate, BORN BOLD and Casa Mexico Tequila and will take place on Saturday, July 15 at Los Angeles’ “Fabulous” Forum and televised live on HBO Boxing After Dark at 9:50 P.M EST/PST.

For more information visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and www.hbo com/boxing, follow on Twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @hboboxing, and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, visit us on Instagram at @GoldenBoyBoxing, and follow the conversation using #bercheltmiura.

LOS ANGELES (May 17, 2017) – The white-hot super featherweight division will be on full display Saturday, July 15 when two world title fights come to Los Angeles’ “Fabulous” Forum as part of a stacked tripleheader on HBO Boxing After Dark.

In the main event that has “Fight of the Year” candidate written all over it, newly crowned WBC World Super Featherweight Champion Miguel “El Alacran” Berchelt (31-1, 28 KOs) will make his first title defense against former world champion and mandatory challenger Takashi Miura (31-3-2, 24 KOs).

In the co-main, Panamanian superstar and WBA Super Featherweight World Champion Jezreel “El Invisible” Corrales (21-0, 8 KOs) will look to keep his title and undefeated record, as he makes his stateside debut against a resurgent Robinson “Robin Hood” Castellanos (24-12, 14 KOs), hot off his massive upset victory over two-time world champion Yuriorkis Gamboa.

Opening up the televised card, WBC International Light Heavyweight Champion Joe Smith, Jr. (23-1, 19 KOs) will return West from Long Island to put his belt on the line against the Miami-based Sullivan Barrera (19-1, 14 KOs) in a battle of heavy-handed sluggers.

“The super featherweight division is absolutely stacked with skilled, high-action fighters right now, and the four competitors atop this card are competing to see who will be the top dog,” Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions said.”Add to that a showdown between two of the top light heavyweights in the world in Smith and Barrera, and you have all the makings of a trio of absolute wars on July 15.”

Riding a 10-consecutive knockout streak culminating in an 11th-round stoppage of Francisco “El Bandido” Vargas in January, Berchelt — fighting out of Merida, Mexico — will look to continue his winning ways in just his second fight on American soil.

“I took on this challenge, because I only want to fight the best,” Berchelt, 25, said. “I know that Miura is a true warrior and always leaves it all in the ring, but I am young and hungry and am confident that I will return to Mexico with the world championship belt still around my waist.”

Miura, one half of the consensus 2015 Fight of the Year with Vargas, returns after a dynamic 12th-round stoppage against Miguel “Mickey” Roman on the same card that Berchelt defeated Vargas for the WBC crown.

“I have wanted to regain my championship belt from the moment I lost it in November of 2015,” Miura said. “I know Berchelt is strong, and I know that we’ll go head to head for this world championship title that will prove to be a great fight.”

The 25-year-old Corrales, a southpaw, earned his title with back-to-back victories over Takashi Uchiyama, who was at the time thought to be the No. 1 fighter in the division.

“I am excited to make my United States debut and defend my world title,” Corrales said. “While people in America might not yet be familiar with me, they will surely know my name after this fight.”

His opponent, Castellanos, has defeated top opponents throughout his career including Ronny Rios and Rocky Juarez, but his shocking TKO victory over Gamboa is what catapulted the 35-year-old Castellanos into title contention.

“This is the biggest fight of my career, and I am not going to let the opportunity slip away,” Castellanos said. “I have the experience and power to take out Corrales and that’s exactly what I’m going to do on July 15.”

In the televised opener, Joe Smith Jr. returns to the site of his greatest victory looking to follow up on his knockout of legendary Bernard Hopkins at the end of 2016.

“I’m thrilled to be back on HBO against another top light heavyweight,Sullivan Barrera,” Smith said. “I’ve already started training and will be more than ready on July 15. There’s a number of great fighters in our division and I’m looking forward to another victory on my way to a world title shot.”

Smith will take on the heavy-handed Sullivan Barrera, who is riding a two-fight knockout streak – including a seventh-round stoppage of previously undefeated Vyacheslav Shabranskyy — after taking his only professional loss against top five pound-for-pound fighter, Andre “S.O.G.” Ward.

“This is a great opportunity for me. I want to thank my entire team for making this happen,” Barrera said. “I respect Joe for taking this fight. He is a great fighter and I have a tough test on July 15. I will work hard to put on a great show for all the fans.”

“This should be a spectacular fight,” said Joe DeGuardia, President and CEO of Star Boxing.”Over the past few months many have refused to fight Joe Smith Jr., so I give credit to Sullivan Barrera, who, like Joe, is a tough fighter willing to fight anyone. Joe’s captivating rise as a humble working-class ‘Common Man’ has resonated with sports fans all over the world and I look forward to being at the Forum on HBO as Joe and Sullivan battle for the future.”

This is a really interesting fight,” said Kathy Duva, CEO of Main Events. “It is a can’t miss fight because Barrera and Smith are both finishers. We are all eager to see how this plays out and I give credit to both men for wanting a challenge.”

Tickets for Berchelt vs. Miura are priced at $25, $50, $75 and $125, not including applicable service charges and taxes, with a total ticket limit of 12 per person, go on sale Wednesday, May 24 at 10:00 a.m. PT. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 or the Forum Box Office (Monday through Friday 11:00 a.m. PST to 7:00 p.m. PST) at (310) 330-7300. Tickets will also be available for purchase at www.fabulousforum.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

Berchelt vs. Miura, a 12-round fight for the WBC Super Featherweight World Championship, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Zanfer Promotions and Teiken Promotions. Corrales vs. Castellanos is presented by Golden Boy Promotions. Smith vs. Barerra is presented by Star Boxing in association with Main Events. The event is sponsored by Tecate, BORN BOLD and Casa Mexico Tequila and will take place on Saturday, July 15 at Los Angeles’ “Fabulous” Forum and televised live on HBO Boxing After Dark at 9:50 P.M EST/PST.

For more information visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and www.hbo com/boxing, follow on Twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @hboboxing, and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, visit us on Instagram at @GoldenBoyBoxing, and follow the conversation using #bercheltmiura.

Miguel Berchelt won the WBC Super Featherweight title with an 11th round stoppage over previously undefeated Francisco Vargas at the Fantasy Springs Resort in Indio, California.

Vargas was bleeding over his left eye beginning in the fourth round. The blood worsened over the course of the fight, and he was a bloody mess until the bout was stopped at 1:43 of round 11.

Berchelt, 129 3/4 lbs of Juarez, MX is now 31-1 with 28 knockouts. Vargas, 129 1/2 lbs of Mexico City is 23-1-2.

Takashi Miura stopped Miguel Roman in the 12th and final round of their junior lightweight bout.

In round five, Miura’s right eye began to swell.

In round ten, Miura dropped Toman with a left to the body. In round eleve, it was a combination to the head that sent Roman down. Miura ended the fight in the final round when another left deposited Roman on the ground for referee Thomas Taylor’s ten count at 53 seconds.

Miura, 129 3/4 lbs of Tokyo, JAP is 31-3-2 with 24 knockouts. Roman, 129 1.2 lbs of Juarez, MEX is 56-12.

LOS ANGELES (January 25, 2017) – WBC Super Featherweight Champion Francisco “El Bandido” Vargas (23-0-2, 17 KOs) and Mexican brawler and WBO Interim Super Featherweight champion Miguel “El Alacran” Berchelt (30-1, 27 KOs) today hosted the final press conference ahead of their 12-round sure-fire all-action fight set for Saturday, January 28 at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, California and televised live on the season premiere of HBO Boxing After Dark® beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

They were joined by Vargas’ 2015 Fight of the Year opponent and former WBC Super Featherweight World Champion Takashi Miura (30-3-2, 23 KOs) of Akita, Japan, who will go head-to-head with former featherweight and lightweight contender Miguel “Mickey” Roman (56-11, 43 KOs) of Ciudad Juarez, Mexico in the evening’s co-feature on January 28.

Below is what the fighters and their teams had to say at today’s press conference:

FRANCISCO “EL BANDIDO” VARGAS, WBC Super Featherweight Champion:

“I am thankful for all the support Golden Boy Promotions, HBO and my team have given me. I’m very excited to get back into the ring after a long break after my last two fights – two fights that were really hard.

“After a much needed rest, I’m ready to give the fans what they want to see. Berchelt knows that this is his opportunity to get my title, and he will be hungry inside the ring and will wage war. This title cost me a lot to win, and I am not going to let it go easily. I’m taking my belt back with me.”

MIGUEL BERCHELT, WBO Interim Super Featherweight Champion:

“I want to thank ‘El Bandido’ for offering me this fight. I know going in that it’s going to be a tough fight, and we are confident in our training and mindset going into this fight. This is a huge opportunity for me and my career.”

GUILLERMO BECERRIL, Trainer to Francisco Vargas:

“Thank you to HBO and Golden Boy Promotions. Miguel is a very good fighter. He has a lot of knockouts, and I know he is coming to win, but it’s going to be very difficult to win because we are ready. We feel that Francisco Vargas is going to win this fight on Saturday.”

RAFAEL GUZMAN, Trainer to Miguel “Mickey” Roman:

“It’s going to be a very tough fight this Saturday but nothing is impossible. We know our opponent trained but we trained very hard and Mickey is going to be 100 percent on Saturday.”

MARIO ABRAHAM, Zanfer Promotions:

“When we were approached by Golden Boy on this fight, we accepted without hesitation. Berchelt is a great champion, is hungry, and has been training under the eye of Alfredo Caballero for the past two years. This is our night, and we are prepared to give the boxing world a surprise.”

TAKASHI MIURA, Former WBC Super Featherweight World Champion:

“I’d like to thank HBO, Teiken Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions. I know that Mickey Roman is a very tough and powerful fighter. I hope to beat him, and I look forward to being victorious on Saturday.”

MIGUEL “MICKEY” ROMAN, Former Featherweight and Lightweight Contender:

“Thank you all for being here. Thank you to HBO, Golden Boy Promotions and my promoter. This is going to be a very tough fight. I think it’s going to be a knockout type of fight. I’m going to go for the knockout from the opening bell. I know that’s the style Miura has as well but I’m going to get to him first.”

ERIC GOMEZ, President of Golden Boy Promotions:

“Vargas is coming off a majority draw with Orlando ‘Siri’ Salido in a 2016 non-stop action fight that was named Fight of the Year by many and cemented Vargas’ reputation as one of the toughest boxers in the sport. He now faces a tough challenge with Miguel.

“I was worried. I didn’t want to make this fight because Berchelt is very tough. But I know that these are the type of fights that we want and need. The fights that are 50-50, where anyone can win. This is going to be a great fight. I’m still a little worried though.

“We know that the fans love knockouts, and these four guys have 110 KOs among them all. I think that speaks for itself and gives you a good idea of what Saturday night is going to be like.

“Francisco always takes on the tough fighters. He could have taken on an easier fighter after taking on Miura and Salido in his most recent fights. He has the style and heart of a champion and that’s what we love about him.

“What a great way to premiere HBO Boxing After Dark in 2017 with these two fights for Vargas vs. Berchelt and Miura vs. Roman that are guaranteed to be all-action slugfests.”

TONY WALKER, Vice President for HBO Sports:

“On behalf of Peter Nelson, I want to congratulate Golden Boy Promotions, and everyone who had a hand in making this fight. This kicks off our HBO Boxing After Dark 2017 season with a big time fight.

“Vargas has made his name known, and he is taking on an opponent who is a serious threat. It’s a terrific undercard, too. Big fights like this are always possible when you have partners like Golden Boy Promotions and Fantasy Springs Resort Casino. It’s going to be a great night.”

CHRIS LAVOIE, Public Relations Manager for Fantasy Springs Resort Casino:

“We are very proud to partner with Golden Boy Promotions on this fight. It’s a partnership that we have a cultivated, and we are thrilled to present this exciting fight. Tickets are still available so get them while you still can. We are looking forward to a great night.”

Vargas vs. Berchelt, a 12-round fight for the WBC Super Featherweight World Championship, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Zanfer Promotions. Miura vs. Roman is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Teiken Promotions and Promociones del Pueblo The event is sponsored by Tecate, BORN BOLD and Casa Mexico Tequila and will take place on Saturday, January 28, 2017 at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, CA and will be televised live on HBO Boxing After Dark beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT. Doors open at 3:00 p.m. PT and the first fight begins at 3:00 p.m. PT. The RingTV live stream begins at 3:00 p.m. PT.

Tickets are on sale and priced at $35, $45, $55, $75 and $105. They are available for purchase at the Fantasy Springs Box Office, by calling (800) 827-2946 or online at www.fantasyspringsresort.com.

For more information visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and www.hbo com/boxing, follow on Twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @HBOboxing, and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.facebook.com/HBOboxing, visit us on Instagram at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @HBOboxing and follow the conversation using #VargasBerchelt.

HBO kicks off 2017 with an action-packed doubleheader when HBO BOXING AFTER DARK: FRANCISCO VARGAS VS. MIGUEL BERCHELT AND TAKASHI MIURA VS. MIGUEL ROMAN is seen SATURDAY, JAN. 28 at 10:00 p.m. (live ET/tape-delayed PT) from the Palm Springs Resort Casino in Palm Springs, Cal. The HBO Sports team will call all the action, which will be available in HDTV, closed-captioned for the hearing-impaired and presented in Spanish on HBO Latino.

Other HBO playdates: Jan. 29 (10:00 a.m.) and 31 (11:40 p.m.)

HBO2 playdates: Jan. 29 (2:45 p.m.) and 30 (12:00 a.m.)

The fight will also be available on HBO NOW, HBO GO, HBO On Demand and affiliate portals.

Undefeated super featherweight champion Francisco Vargas (23-0-2, 17 KOs) makes his 2017 debut against challenger Miguel Berchelt (30-1, 27 KOs) in a much-anticipated 12-round title showdown. Following his victory over Takashi Miura in the BWAA’s “2015 Fight of the Year,” Vargas, 31, turned in another crowd-pleasing performance in his June 2016 fight against Orlando Salido, which ended in a majority draw and was the consensus “Fight of the Year” selection. The Mexico City native has quickly become a must-see attraction due to his relentless, come-forward fighting style, which he will need to get past his younger opponent.

Berchelt, 25, of Merida, Mexico, holds an impressive 16-fight knockout streak entering this title bout, which marks his first appearance on HBO and second outside Mexico.

In the co-main event of the evening, Takashi Miura (30-3-2, 23 KOs), Vargas’ opponent in the 2015 Fight of the Year, faces battle-tested vet Miguel Roman (56-11, 43 KOs) in a super featherweight 12-round slugfest. Tokyo’s Miura, 32, aims to use his aggressive southpaw style to beat Roman and earn another shot at the title he lost to Vargas. Roman, 31, of Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, enters the fight having notched six impressive knockout victories in 2015 and 2016.

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 HBO BOXING AFTER DARK is Rick Bernstein; producer, Dave Harmon; director, Johnathan Evans.

® HBO BOXING AFTER DARK is a registered service mark of Home Box Office, Inc.

LOS ANGELES (January 23, 2017) – As the boxing world prepares to witness the epic WBC Super Featherweight clash between Mexican warriors Francisco “El Bandido” Vargas (23-0-2, 17 KOs) and Miguel “El Alacran” Berchelt (30-1, 27 KOs), Golden Boy Promotions has announced a stacked undercard of fan favorite all-stars coming back in to action on Saturday, January 28 at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino and live streamed by Ring TV.

“This undercard has the makings of everything the SoCal boxing fans are looking for in an exciting fight-from a world title on the line to some of the desert’s fan favorites,” said Golden Boy Promotions CEO and Chairman Oscar De La Hoya. “We also have some intense Mexico vs. California matchups, which I am confident will give the fans a night of knockouts.”

Topping the non-televised portion of the card that will be live streamed and making his first return to the ring since defeating Eamonn O’Kane on the undercard of Golovkin vs. Lemieux at Madison Square Garden in 2015, #1 IBF middleweight Tureano Johnson (19-1, 13 KOs) of Nassau, Bahamas will meet Tijuana, Mexico’s Antonio “La Joya” Gutierrez (21-2-1, 9 KOs) in the ring for a 10-round bout.

Fighting for the first time in 2017 since a unanimous decision victory on the undercard of Canelo vs. Smith at AT&T Stadium, the pride of Brooklyn, NY, welterweight contender Sadam “World Kid” Ali (23-1, 13 KOs) is putting the gloves back on to face tough Tijuana, Mexico’s Jorge “Pantera” Silva (21-12-2, 17 KOs) for a 10 round welterweight clash.

Indio, CA crowd pleaser Luis Coria (2-0, 2 KOs) will fight under the Golden Boy banner for the third time in a four round featherweight bout against Chihuahua, Mexican fighter Gerardo Molina (1-3, 1 KO).

In the biggest fight of his career thus far, Washington, D.C. slugger Lamont Roach, Jr. (12-0, 4 KOs) will put everything on the line as he fights in a scheduled eight round bout for the vacant WBC Youth Super Featherweight title against seasoned fighter Alex Valdez (26-8-2, 20 KOs) of Obregon, Mexico.

Hailing from Dallas, rising prospect and highly decorated amateur all-star Vergil Ortiz, Jr. (3-0, 3 KOs) is looking to make a huge entrance into 2017 by fighting Mexico City’s Israel Villela (5-3, 2 KOs) for a four round super lightweight fight.

In the swing bout of the night, Tijuana brawler Vicente “Suavecito” Portillo (5-0, 3 KOs) will make his U.S. debut when he takes on Los Angeles local Mike Melikyan (1-1) for a four round lightweight fight.

Opening up the night and live stream, Palmdale, CA’s Cesar Diaz (3-0, 3 KOs) is sure to start the evening with a bang when he takes on Joel Cano (1-4) of Sonora, Mexico in a super bantamweight bout scheduled for 4 rounds.

Vargas vs. Berchelt, a 12-round fight for the WBC Super Featherweight World Championship, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Zanfer Promotions. Miura vs. Roman is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Teiken Promotions and Promociones del Pueblo. The event is sponsored by Tecate, BORN BOLD and Casa Mexico Tequila. Doors open at 3:00 p.m. PT and the first fight begins at 3:00 p.m. PT and will take place on Saturday, January 28 at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino. The RingTV live stream begins at 3:00 p.m. PT and the HBO Boxing After Dark® telecast begins at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Tickets are on sale and priced at $35, $45, $55, $75 and $105. They are available for purchase at the Fantasy Springs Box Office, by calling (800) 827-2946 or online at www.fantasyspringsresort.com.

Photos and videos are available to download by clicking here or copying and pasting the link http://bit.ly/VargasVsBerchelt into a browser. Credit must be given to Golden Boy Promotions for photos and videos used.

For more information visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and www.hbo com/boxing, follow on Twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @HBOboxing, and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.facebook.com/HBOboxing, visit us on Instagram at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @HBOboxing and follow the conversation using #VargasBerchelt.

LOS ANGELES (January 10, 2017) – Former two-division world champion and living legend Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins will serve as the VIP guest for the dynamic Saturday, January 28th HBO Boxing After Dark®doubleheader at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino headlined by the WBC Super Featherweight World Championship bout between Champion Francisco “El Bandido” Vargas (23-0-2, 17 KOs) and challenger Miguel “El Alacran” Berchelt (30-1, 27 KOs).

Hopkins, who retired last month following a 28-year-career, has a resume that reads like a hall-of-fame induction ballot. Between holding the record for the number of title defenses as middleweight champion of the world (20) and moving up to light heavyweight to capture multiple belts in that division, Hopkins fought and defeated a who’s who of boxing world champions. Felix Trinidad, Roy Jones, Jr., Kelly Pavlik, Antonio Tarver, Jean Pascal, Glen Johnson and Golden Boy Promotions business partner Oscar De La Hoya all tasted defeat at the hands of “The Executioner.”

Vargas vs. Berchelt, a 12-round fight for the WBC Super Featherweight World Championship, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Zanfer Promotions. Miura versus Roman is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Teiken Promotions and Promociones del Pueblo. The event is sponsored by Tecate, BORN BOLD and Casa Mexico Tequila and will take place on Saturday, January 28 at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino and will be televised live on HBO Boxing After Dark beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Tickets are on sale and priced at $35, $45, $55, $75 and $105. They are available for purchase at the Fantasy Springs Box Office, by calling (800) 827-2946 or online at www.fantasyspringsresort.com.

For more information visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and www.hbo com/boxing, follow on Twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @HBOboxing, and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.facebook.com/HBOboxing, visit us on Instagram at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @HBOboxing and follow the conversation using #VargasBerchelt.

LONDON (9 December) – In his highly anticipated return from back-to-back ‘Fight of the Year’ performances, WBC super-featherweight world champion Francisco “El Bandido” Vargas will take on knockout king Miguel Berchelt exclusively live on BoxNation on January 28th.

Taking place at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, California, it will get 2017 off to a bang as the Mexican warriors go toe-to-toe in a showdown which is sure to get the juices flowing.

As part of the exclusive output deal BoxNation has signed with Golden Boy Promotions, undefeated Vargas (23-0-2, 17 KOs) and Berchelt (30-1, 27 KOs) will be the first of many big clashes from the leading promoter in the New Year.

The co-main event will see former WBC super-featherweight world champion Takashi Miura of Akita, Japan, look to build on his reputation of fighting the best when he goes in with former featherweight and lightweight contender Miguel Roman of Ciudad Juarez, Mexico.

“Boxing fans know what to expect every time I step into the ring – and that is a war,” Vargas said.

“I am aware of my opponent’s knockout power, but he’s never faced a true world champion, and I am confident I will come out on top.”

Vargas, from Mexico City, is coming off a majority draw with Orlando Salido in a 2016 non-stop action fight that cemented Vargas’ reputation as one of the toughest boxers around.

He now faces Berchelt, who has knocked out 27 opponents in his 30 professional victories.

“I’m going to shock the boxing world on January 28th,” Berchelt said. “This is the opportunity I have been looking forward to.”

Jim McMunn, Managing Director at BoxNation, said “This is a cracking fight to open 2017 with. Everyone loves to see two Mexican’s go to war in the ring and BoxNation is pleased to be airing this fight exclusively live. This will be an exciting, all-action affair, for as long as it lasts.”

BoxNation is available on Sky/Freeview/Virgin/TalkTalk/EE/Apple TV/ online at watch.boxnation.com and via apps (iOS, Android, Amazon) for just £12 a month. Buy now at boxnation.com.

– ENDS –
About BoxNation

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

Previous highlights have included Haye vs Chisora, Mayweather vs Maidana, Saunders vs Eubank Jr and Khan vs Canelo.

The channel is available on Sky (Ch.437), Freeview (Ch.255), Virgin (Ch.546), TalkTalk (Ch.415), online at watch.boxnation.com and via apps (ios, Android, Amazon, Apple TV). 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.

Available on selected internet-connected Freeview products only, subject to coverage. Visit freeview.co.uk/availability.

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

For more information visit www.boxnation.com

*Plus £8 registration fee for Sky TV customers

LOS ANGELES (December 2, 2016) – In his highly anticipated return from back-to-back Fight of the Year performances, WBC Super Featherweight Champion Francisco “El Bandido” Vargas (23-0-2, 17 KOs) will open 2017 defending his title against fellow Mexican brawler and WBO Interim Super Featherweight champion Miguel “El Alacran” Berchelt (30-1, 27 KOs) in a 12-round sure-fire all-action fight on January 28 from Fantasy Springs Resort Casino to be televised live on the season premiere of HBO Boxing After Dark® beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

In the 12-round televised special feature of the slugfest in the desert, Vargas’ 2015 Fight of the Year opponent and former WBC Super Featherweight World Champion Takashi Miura (30-3-2, 23 KOs) of Akita, Japan, will build on his reputation of fighting the best when he goes head-to-head with former featherweight and lightweight contender Miguel “Mickey” Roman (56-11, 43 KOs) of Ciudad Juarez, Mexico.

Tickets go on sale, TODAY, Friday, December 2 at 10:00 a.m. PT and are priced at $35, $45, $55, $75 and $105 and will be available for purchase at the Fantasy Springs Box Office, by calling (800) 827-2946 or online at www.fantasysprings.com.

“Boxing fans know what to expect every time I step in to the ring – and that is a war,” Vargas said. “I am aware of my opponent’s knockout power, but he’s never faced a true world champion, and I am confident I will come out on top.”

Vargas, from Mexico City, is coming off a majority draw with Orlando “Siri” Salido in a 2016 non-stop action fight that cemented Vargas’ reputation as one of the toughest boxers in the sport. He now faces Berchelt, who has knocked out 27 opponents in his 30 professional victories.

“I’m going to shock the boxing world on January 28,” Berchelt said. “This is the opportunity I have been looking forward to.”

In the co-main, the heavy-handed Miura – who was scheduled to take on Salido before he withdrew with an injury — will look to get back into title contention, taking on a rugged knockout specialist in Roman.

“I am excited to return to the United States and fight in such an exciting bout with Mickey Roman,” Miura said. “I was very disappointed when I lost to Vargas, but I have rededicated myself and am excited to begin my journey towards winning back my title.”

“I am performing better than ever in my career, and I am looking forward to showing my skills against Miura,” said Roman, who comes into the bout riding an impressive 18-fight winning streak. “My goal has always been to be a world champion and I am hopeful that after I win this fight, I can get another title shot.”

“Fans love knockouts, and these four guys have 110 KOs among the four of them,” noted Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. “We are excited to open our 2017 HBO year showcasing the kind of action-packed fights that will get people up and out of their seats from start to finish.”

Vargas vs. Berchelt, a 12-round fight for the WBC Super Featherweight World Championship, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Zanfer Promotions. Miura vs. Roman is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Teiken Promotions and Promociones del Pueblo The event is sponsored by Tecate, BORN BOLD and Casa Mexico Tequila and will take place on Saturday, January 28, 2017 at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, CA and will be televised live on HBO Boxing After Dark beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

For more information visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and www.hbo com/boxing, follow on Twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @HBOboxing, and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.facebook.com/HBOboxing, visit us on Instagram at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @HBOboxing and follow the conversation using #VargasBerchelt.