LOS ANGELES (December 18, 2017) – Undefeated three-division world champion Mikey Garcia and unbeaten IBF Junior Welterweight World Champion Sergey Lipinets went face-to-face for the first time Monday at a press conference in Los Angeles to discuss their main event showdown on Saturday, Feb. 10 live on SHOWTIME (10:15 p.m. ET/PT). The matchup of top-5 ranked junior welterweights will take place at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas and is presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING coverage will also feature two-division world champion Rances Barthelemy in a rematch against Kiryl Relikh for the vacant WBA 140-pound world title.

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by Ringstar Sports and TGB Promotions, are priced at $250, $150, $75, $50 and $20. Tickets will go on sale tomorrow at 12 p.m. CT and will be available at Ticketmaster.com.

Lipinets will be making the first defense of his world title while Garcia looks to become only the third fighter in modern history to become a champion at 126, 130, 135 and 140-pounds, joining future Hall of Famers Juan Manuel Marquez and Manny Pacquiao*.

Here is what the press conference participants had to say Monday from the Conga Room at L.A. Live:

MIKEY GARCIA

“A world champion like Sergey Lipinets is more exciting an opponent for me than an easy title defense. I wanted a challenge and this man presents that. He’s a bigger man naturally. He’s going to be very hungry and motivated. He knows a victory over me launches his career to the top. That’s going to make this an interesting fight.

“To win a world title in a fourth division is a big deal to me. My dad always wanted a three-division world champion, and now I have a chance to give him a fourth title. That’s something that really excites me.

“It’s been a great return to boxing since my layoff. When I came back, I wanted to move fast and take on big challenges. That’s what we’ve been doing so far. I want to take on any challenges that people think I can’t achieve. I think slowly we’re proving to everyone that I’m better than ever and I’m going to keep taking on the kinds of fights that will cement my legacy.

“It would be a great accomplishment to be in the discussion with guys like Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez, that would be a win in itself. But it wasn’t on my mind when taking this fight. I just want to keep fighting the best out there. There’s still more for me to accomplish until I’m on the same level as Pacquiao and Marquez.

“It’s going to be a great fight. Like I’ve said, the challenge for me is that I’ll be fighting the bigger man. On fight night, that advantage he has on me might be enough to make it that much more exciting. It will be interesting to see how well I adapt to the size. I have to make adjustments to overcome those challenges. This should give the fans the excitement that we want to give them.

“My only focus is on February 10 against Sergey Lipinets. That’s my target throughout the entire camp. There may be more opportunities for me on the horizon, but you’ll see on fight night that I’m one hundred percent focused.

“I know that I have the possibility to be the biggest star in boxing like a Floyd Mayweather, and I think I’m on track to accomplish that. I don’t see a lot of guys in the sport with the resume of accomplishments that I have. I’m going to continue take on the best and beat my opponents convincingly.”

SERGEY LIPINETS

“Mikey Garcia is a great champion and I want to be in the position that he’s reached in this sport. The only way there is to go through him.

“I’m taking on a great challenge against Mikey Garcia, and many people think I’m not ready. This is the fight that I wanted. I’ve had many obstacles in my way throughout my career and I’ve overcome them all. I’m going to overcome Mikey Garcia just like that.

“Every time I have sparred with top fighters, like Terrence Crawford, I have learned more about what I need to improve to get to the next level in this sport. That kind of experience has helped my confidence increase and will help me when I face Mikey Garcia.

“A lot of things can happen when you move up in weight. Usually people use some pop. Whatever version of Mikey Garcia shows up; I’ll be ready for him.

“I believe I’m going to win, Mikey believes he’s going to win, and it will all unveil in the ring. One thing I can guarantee; it’s going to be a great fight.

“Every fight I’ve had has been against a tough opponent who has helped get me to this point. Now, I’m ready to fight the best, and Mikey Garcia is truly that.

“I had to work very hard to make the transition from champion kickboxer to a champion boxer. I did everything I had to do, moving from gym to gym and sparring everyone. I always aimed for the best and wanted to be the best at what I do.”

ROBERT GARCIA, Mikey’s Brother & Trainer

“We know that Sergey Lipinets is a very dangerous fighter. He’s a really strong champion. I know he’s going to be hungry because he wants to become a big name by beating Mikey.

“Mikey is very smart in the ring. We’re going to come in there with a good game plan. We’ll have some big sparring partners. Strong, heavy guys who will give Mikey a big challenge in sparring.

“Mikey has to be in great shape for this fight. You can easily win the first eight rounds, but there are still four left. You have to be able to finish the fight. A great power puncher like Lipinets can finish you in one round.”

BUDDY MCGIRT, Lipinets’ Trainer

“We will be prepared for any and every thing. This way, when fight night comes, we’ll have an answer for everything. The key is that we just have to be on point from the opening bell to the end. There’s no way around it.

“We’re going to cover everything in training camp. You have to have every option available to you on fight night. This way, you’re never surprised in the ring. Sergey won’t go in there swinging to get a knockout, he’s going to be disciplined and focus on getting the victory.

“I believe that Sergey is on a mission. I know Mikey Garcia is on a mission too, and I respect that. I respect that these two men are fighting each other. Champions do what Sergey is doing, and that’s fighting the best.”

RICHARD SCHAEFER, Chairman & CEO of Ringstar Sports

“This is going to be a huge night for the 140-pound division. It will be another toe-to-toe showdown at the Alamodome in San Antonio, where so many great matchups have taken place before. Tickets start at just $20 so we expect another great crowd of fight fans down in Texas.

“This matchup features two undefeated fighters, two big punchers and 50 wins, 40 by knockout, between the two of them. These guys are both champions who are daring to be great. These are exactly the kind of fighters that the public likes. These fighters will push themselves to be great.

“These guys only know one thing, and that is winning. Sergey Lipinets is the biggest puncher at 140-pounds and it seems like Mikey Garcia always seeks out these big punchers.

“Mikey is looking to do something that only Manny Paccquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez have done, in moving up from 126 pounds through 140 pounds winning titles at each division. It is very difficult to carry that power up from featherweight. You have to tune-in to see an exciting fighter like that trying to make history.”

STEPHEN ESPINOZA, Executive Vice President & General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports

“What boxing needs are great fights. Good, high quality matchups like Leo Santa Cruz vs. Carl Frampton, Keith Thurman vs. Danny Garcia and Errol Spence vs. Kell Brook. There needs consistently be good fights, and that’s what we have been doing at SHOWTIME for the last couple of years. No other network has done the quality of fights that SHOWTIME is doing. No other network is as committed to the sport as SHOWTIME has been.

“The best need to fight the best, and that is what Mikey Garcia has done. He came off of a two-and-a-half-year layoff and in 18 months he’s had four fights, two title fights and will be going for a title in a fourth weight class, something only Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez have done before. That’s what great fighters do.

“Historically the fighters who separate themselves as legendary, are the ones who challenge themselves and travel across weight classes to seek these challenges. But there are two sides to this story. Those who have been paying attention have seen Sergey Lipinets make a lot of noise on SHOWTIME cards lately. He has risen very quickly.

“If you just look at Lipinets’ record, 13-0, and think about him fighting Mikey Garcia it would sound crazy. But if you look at the kind of competition he’s faced, his last seven opponents have a combined record of 163-15. That’s not something you usually see 13 fights into a career. Lipinets is a combat veteran, and whatever happens in the ring, he will be ready for it. It’s going to make for an exciting night.”

# # #

*Pacquiao won lineal championships at 126 and 140-pounds, although he did not win alphabet titles.

For more information visit www.sho.com/sports , www.premierboxingchampions.com,
follow us on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @Ringstar @TGBPromotions, and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing and www.Facebook.com/RingstarSports. PBC is sponsored by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

SAN ANTONIO (December 14, 2017) – Undefeated three-division world champion Mikey Garcia will attempt to win a world title in a fourth weight class when he challenges unbeaten IBF 140-pound world champion Sergey Lipinets on Saturday, February 10 live on SHOWTIME. The matchup of top-5 ranked junior welterweights will take place at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas and is presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

Two-division world champion Rances Barthelemy will face Kiryl Relikh in a rematch of their May showdown on SHOWTIME, this time for the vacant WBA 140-pound world title. The doubleheader of title bouts in the wide-open 140-pound division sets the stage for a potential unification match.

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by Ringstar Sports and TGB Promotions, are priced at $250, $150, $75, $50 and $20. Tickets will go on sale next week and will be available at Ticketmaster.com.

The 29-year-old Garcia (37-0, 30 KOs), emphatically returned to pound-for-pound lists in 2017 by scoring a highlight reel knockout of Dejan Zlaticanin to win the WBC Lightweight World Championship in January and then dominating four-division champion Adrien Broner on his way to a unanimous decision in July. Garcia is a member of a renowned boxing family, and is noted for his sportsmanship and his commanding presence in the ring, honed by his brother and acclaimed trainer Robert Garcia.

Garcia, of Moreno Valley by way of Oxnard, Calif., returned to the ring after a two-and-half-year layoff in July 2016 without missing a beat by stopping former champion Elio Rojas. Garcia, who has held world titles at 126, 130 and 135 pounds, has stopped 19 of his last 22 opponents including Roman “Rocky” Martinez, Juan Manuel Lopez and Orlando Salido.

With a win, Garcia would become only the third fighter in modern history to become champion at 126, 130, 135 and 140-pounds, joining future Hall of Famers Juan Manuel Marquez and Manny Pacquiao*.

“It is a dream to have the opportunity to become a four-division world champion,” Garcia said. “San Antonio has some of the greatest boxing fans in the country, including some key supporters of my Robert Garcia Boxing Academy family. Since my last fight, I have stayed in the gym. I can’t wait to give the fans in Texas and those watching at home on SHOWTIME another great performance.”

The unbeaten Lipinets (13-0, 10 KOs) captured a super lightweight world title in just his 13th pro fight by defeating Akihiro Kondo via a unanimous decision on November 4 on SHOWTIME. He is originally from Kazakhstan but moved to Russia when he was six years old. He currently lives in Beverly Hills, California, Lipinets and is trained by Buddy McGirt.

The 28-year-old moved up the 140-pound rankings with victories over then unbeaten Haskell Rhodes, Levan Ghvamichava and Walter Castillo before knocking out Leonardo Zappavigna in a world title eliminator last December. Lipinets will look to stamp his place as an elite fighter when he takes on the accomplished and dangerous Garcia on February 10.

“Getting the title is one thing, but keeping the title is a more difficult task,” said Lipinets. “I’m not about to give it away to anybody. No disrespect to Mikey Garcia or anybody else out there, but I’m keeping my title. Beating Mikey Garcia will put me in the elite of boxing where I believe I belong. I’m happy my team was able to put this great fight together. I can promise you this won’t be a snoozer. It’s going to be an action-packed fight for sure.”

“We’re going to call it’ ‘Undefeated.’ That pretty much sums it up. Two undefeated fighters, champion versus champion,” said Richard Schaefer, Chairman & CEO of Ringstar Sports. “It’s a big challenge for Mikey Garcia to win a championship belt in his fourth weight class. Lipinets never backs down and he’s out to show that’s he one of the biggest punchers in the division. A win for Lipinets is a game-changer for his family and his career. A win for Mikey is another feather in his cap and will help him be recognized as pound-for-pound best in the world. I’m happy to be back in San Antonio at the Alamodome. I’ve promoted some big fights there. San Antonio fight fans are in for a real treat seeing two of the best fighting each other. I’m sure the fans will embrace this fight.”

“We have another intriguing matchup of two young, hungry undefeated fighters who lay it on the line every time they step into the ring,” said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “As talented as Mikey is, you can’t count Lipinets out. He’s one of the hardest hitters in the 140-pound division. He’s a tough competitor and there’s a reason why he’s a world champion. He knows this is a career-defining fight and he’s going to do everything he can to spoil the party for Garcia in San Antonio on Feb. 10.”

“In three consecutive fights on SHOWTIME since his return to the sport, Mikey Garcia has solidified his position on boxing’s pound-for-pound lists,” said Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President and General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports. “Mikey has proven he’s willing to take on the most avoided opponents in any division as he seeks out the biggest possible matchups in the sport. He’ll face yet another dangerous opponent in Sergey Lipinets, an undefeated champion in his own right, as he seeks to become a four-division world champion. On the heels of Errol Spence vs. Lamont Peterson on January 20, a matchup of consensus top-10 welterweights, we’re proud to deliver this main event of top-5 ranked fighters to build on the momentum.”

Barthelemy (26-0, 13 KOs), who was born in Arroyo Naranjo, Cuba and now lives in Las Vegas, has won world titles at 130 and 135 pounds. He defeated Relikh by unanimous decision in his debut at 140 pound in his last fight on May 20. If he defeats Relikh again, he will become the first Cuban boxer to win world championships in three different weight classes. He defeated Argenis Mendez by unanimous decision to win the 130-pound world title in 2014 and a year later scored a unanimous decision over Denis Shafikov for the 135-pound world title. Barthelemy, 31, has two brothers, Yan and Leduan, who are professional boxers who he trains alongside with under the tutelage of Ismael Salas.

Relikh (21-2, 19 KOs) believes that he won the first match with Barthelemy and that the scorecards did not reflect the competitive nature of the fight. The 28-year-old nearly had Barthelemy out after landing a barrage of punches that penned Barthelemy on the ropes, but he was only awarded a knockdown. In the eighth round, Barthelemy came back to drop Relikh with a body shot. Shortly after the May 20 title eliminator, the WBA ordered a rematch, this time to be contested for the vacant 140-pound title. This will be Relikh’s second world title shot after the fighter from Minsk, Belarus lost a unanimous decision to Ricky Burns in Glasgow, Scotland on Oct. 7, 2016.

*Pacquiao won lineal championships at 126 and 140-pounds, although he did not win alphabet titles.

# # #

For more information visit www.sho.com/sports , www.premierboxingchampions.com,
follow us on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @Ringstar @TGBPromotions, and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing and www.Facebook.com/RingstarSports. PBC is sponsored by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, Mikey Garcia will not fight Jorge Linares next after negotiations broke down on Wednesday.

Golden Boy Promotions President Eric Gomez said he, Golden Boy CEO Oscar De La Hoya and Linares were particularly disappointed because Garcia is the one who went on social media and began calling out for the fight and when the company “gave Mikey basically everything he wanted he turned it down.”

“Mikey said it was a business decision,” Gomez said. “I got a text from him [Wednesday] morning, and then I called him right after. He said he’s got another offer so he’s going to take the other offer and we wish him well. The way I left it with Mike was, ‘Hey, let’s continue to communicate and if the fight can be made after the next fight and after Linares’ next fight then we’ll explore it.'”

“We wish Mikey well,” Gomez said. “He said it’s a business decision and I understand that, but Linares was willing to do the fight and we gave Mikey basically everything he wanted.”

Said De La Hoya: “It is disappointing that Mikey didn’t end up signing up for the fight. Everyone at Golden Boy Promotions believes that the best way for fighters to shine is to match the best versus the best. We wish Mikey well.”

“We couldn’t make it, but I agreed with Eric Gomez that we’d be in touch to make it after this fight,” Garcia told ESPN Deportes. “I have more options, really, compared to what I had. The guaranteed purse is better, even though I really want the Linares fight, but you have to take into consideration the business. As Golden Boy is looking to do the best for their company, so I look out for me.”

He also said Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has made an offer to bring Linares to the United Kingdom to fight England’s Luke Campbell in a rematch. Linares retained his title by split decision against mandatory challenger Campbell on Sept. 23 at The Forum in Inglewood, California.

“Eddie made us a huge offer to fight Luke Campbell in the rematch, so we’ll discuss it with Linares and also talk to Peter about opponents for a fight in January on HBO,” Gomez said.

Los Angeles – Today, FOX Sports announces multi-division and current 135-pound world champion Mikey Garcia (@mikeygarcia) and former multiple division world champion Robert Guerrero (@GHOSTBOXING) join the broadcast team as analysts for PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS: SANTA CRUZ VS. AVALOS live on FOX and FOX Deportes Saturday, Oct. 14 (7:30 PM ET), from StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. Garcia and Guerrero team with blow-by-blow announcer Sean Grande (@SeanGrandePBP) calling the fights. Brian Kenny (@MrBrianKenny) hosts the broadcast.

On FOX Deportes, Jaime Motta (@MottaJaime) joins blow-by-blow announcer Jesse Losada to call the action in Spanish.

The sixth installment of PBC ON FOX and FOX Deportes is headlined by sensational three-division champion Leo “El Terremoto” Santa Cruz (33-1-1, 18 KOs), who defends his featherweight world title against Chris Avalos (27-5, 20 KOs). The co-main event features four-time world champion Abner Mares (30-2-1, 15 KOs) defending his 126-pound championship against once-beaten Andres Gutierrez (35-1-1, 25 KOs).

The television broadcast opens with an exciting 10-round match featuring undefeated rising junior welterweight contender Eddie Ramirez (17-0, 11 KOs) versus former world champion Antonio DeMarco (32-6-1, 23 KOs).

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

For more, visit FOX Sports Press Pass, www.premierboxingchampions.com, www.ringstar.com, www.tgbpromotions.com, and www.foxdeportes.com. Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @Ringstar, @TGBPromotions, @FOXSports, @FOXDeportes and @Swanson_Comm and on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/foxsports, www.facebook.com/RingstarSports and www.facebook.com/foxdeportes.

By Jimmy Tobin-

Saturday night, at Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn, New York, Mikey Garcia dealt Adrien “The Problem” Broner a wide and comprehensive 12-round defeat in a fight of little fire and scant revelation. Garcia is Broner’s fighting superior at any weight the two might conceivably meet at, a reality that speaks little to professionalism, however much Broner’s detractors might wish to see that flaw of his precipitate his undoing. No, Broner, on weight, clean shaven, and thus motivated anew (!), was found wanting (again) because he stepped up in class (again).

Since living too large for lightweight, where his imposing physicality acted as a force-multiplier for a handful of appreciable tricks, Broner has been anything but a problem. Like a ship in the swath of a lighthouse, Broner has spent years moving in and out of the spotlight, advancing on a course set for his own wreckage. Unfortunately for him, the response to his first defeat was so ecstatic that future ones will be fractionally satisfying.

If one does not go in for his antics, there is little that is particularly fetching about Broner, save for when he is matched appropriately: which is to say a few rungs below where his ego would prefer and even an hour or so earlier than a headliner hits the stage. But a fighter who makes for a few thrills, a nod, an appreciative smile or two, when matched against the mediocre; a fighter who loses conclusively against the best, who serves at best to confirm that his conquerors warrant consideration for if not membership in an elite fraternity—what title is ascribed to such fighters? Is “opponent” too harsh?

He is not yet an opponent, though his showing against Garcia smacked of a man who ranks preservation ahead of victory. Perhaps a forgivable order of concerns provided it be arranged under duress, such a change in priorities is hardly endearing when not prompted by pain (and whatever Garcia’s dominance, he appeared to hurt Broner not once). Speed, power, determination, Broner flashed all enough to remind us that there is a quality fighter under the patina of disorder and buffoonery that, more than anything he has done in the ring, have been his hallmarks. Outfitted with those glimpses of Broner’s best self, a commentary team equally concerned with preservation could encourage viewers to wonder what might happen if Broner were to next time or even the time after that, suddenly not be himself anymore. But at this point no one, not even his bandmates, can resuscitate such delusion. And why should they? Better to match Broner appropriately and drain what value from him you might. A stoppage of Broner? Why that still would mean something.

Is it any wonder then that Garcia agreed to fight him? Back but a year from a two-and-a-half year self-imposed retirement, a recently crowned lightweight titlist who, at least early in the promotion, made clear his plans to return to 135 pounds, why would Garcia accept the fight if not because he and his team recognized an easy mark? By fight time the odds may not have reflected the mismatch that was to unfold, but odds do not reflect competitiveness so much as promote gambling. Provided he did not get hit with something disastrous there was little chance Garcia would lose. Hit with something disastrous; wording the puncher’s chance in the would-be victim’s perspective does not alter whatsoever the message implied.

A counter-puncher by nature and craft, Garcia was able to eschew his trademark style and play the aggressor against Broner, figuring quite rightly that both the pace and Broner’s stiff switches between defense and attack would keep Garcia safe. If there was anything new learned Saturday night it was that Garcia is capable of initiating the action—a revelation that might shrink considerably the list of things he cannot accomplish in the ring—though the question of whether he could employ such a strategy against a more formidable opponent will linger until he finds one.

And should he find one, more vulnerability might come to bear. There was a tremor in Garcia’s resolve when Broner came for him late in the fight; typically unflappable, Garcia wavered, became hurried, a little too concerned with what damage might be accruing on his face. These were signs Broner intimated but could not fully exploit, but they showed Garcia vulnerable in ways his supporters might prefer to ignore for the moment. There is plenty of room for error in reading such behavior, of course, especially with the evidence Garcia has given to the contrary, but that behavior is there. Might he go to pieces should the right kind of fighter unnerve him? Perhaps, though there is likely only one fighter below welterweight with the skill and power to make Garcia consider again the lure of the badge.

His post fight comments, where Garcia expressed his desire to fight anyone willing and able to fight on Showtime were curious for the same reason that Adonis Stevenson’s talk of network/promotional allegiance was curious. Garcia understands the business, which bodes poorly for interest in his future. For the sake of that interest, one would hope the business allows ESPN fighters to fight on Showtime once or twice.

By Bart Barry–

Saturday in Brooklyn a junior welterweight special attraction broadcast by Showtime saw California’s Mikey Garcia decision Cincinnati’s Adrien Broner by three fair if fairly generous (to Broner) scorecards. There were no knockdowns, no kneetremblers and only a trickle of noseblood in 36-minutes of fistfighting.

It was an average fight, however much reporting so betrays the narrative.

Garcia, who has long been considered at least as good as he is and on occasion considerably better, decisioned convincingly a b-grade fighter and a-grade selfpromoter without once imperiling either man. It was, in other words, about the best fare for which one dares hope from PBC and its many broadcasting benefactors and affiliates and aliases. Now aficionados’re expected to attempt a contortion like: It was a great fight between two great fighters that lacked action because Garcia’s extraordinary class neutralized Broner till he was the sort of mediocre fighter who might get decisioned 8-4 or 9-3 in a championship match.

Afterwards Garcia’s brother and trainer said Mikey only looks basic when you watch him, 1-1-2 and 1-2 and 1-2-1-1, but in the ring, where we might assume none of us will spend time with Mikey, he’s altogether more complicated. Perhaps. But truly there’s nothing wrong with basic boxing – in fact in just about any confrontation any man is likely to have in any lifetime basic boxing beats the stripes off its myriad of alternatives. Even in prizefighting.

There was absolutely nothing wrong with Garcia’s performance Saturday. It was perfect for those who want to build Garcia as an undefeated attraction and for familiars who of course wishn’t see their brother or son elephantgunned, but it left a goodish amount to be desired by aficionados who watch for what entertainment spontaneity brings, which is different from watching to confirm one’s own expertise.

Broner never lacked offensive artistry and made himself famous in large part by being a large part bigger than his opponents; much of his early run happened via his ability to absorb others’ punches to deliver his own. It happened so fast, oftenly, and others’ punches so lacked effect, it was unapparent Broner traded evenly. Then Marcos Maidana, a slugger considered limited even by his fans then, exposed Broner in the fairest sense of the word and made 12,000 San Antonians euphoric in so doing. That win got Chino a chance at Floyd Mayweather that went so much better than expected Maidana got a second chance at Mayweather, but aficionados’ collective estimation of Broner improved little along the way. Maidana, after all, hit Floyd with sky hooks and sundry oddities, not clean lefthook leads – Broner’s defense against which was a stiffarmed thing he flashed in his other loss, to Shawn Porter.

Whether he extended his arms downwards, elbows locked knuckles ogling the canvas, or upwards, elbows locked knuckles saluting the ceiling, Broner did not have a fundamental sense of what to do when a likesized man charged him. Even the forearm shimmy Mayweather mentored him worked less well against a man of comparable strength. Broner ever suffered the imitator’s dilemma: He could passably ape an innovator like Floyd without understanding why. Where Floyd successfully improvised defensive adjustments, Adrien queried the database first what Floyd would do and when a nullset came back Adrien tried to improvise himself – which victoried his hands overhead or downed them pistonpopping.

Had he a classic sense of discipline Broner might’ve stayed at 135 pounds and enjoyed a historic run as a lightweight anyway but AB was about billions not selfrestraint which kept him in his best weightclass for merely a twofight.

Long forgotten in the Mikey remake is Garcia’s own struggles with discipline, specifically a 2013 featherweight title defense against cult hero Juanma Lopez that saw Mikey miss weight by 32 full ounces after comporting himself questionably enough against Orlando Salido five months before th’t aficionados who took him for boxing’s future in 2012 took a harder look. That harder look was only commencing when Garcia disappeared in a contractual conflict. Garcia’s comeback is but three fights along and in 37 prizefights Adrien Broner marked his sternest test; let us not hyperbole just yet.

There’s a frontrunner’s perfection about Garcia but nary an adjustment to be found. This makes him less entertaining than Terence Crawford, even while future comparisons of their reigns should prove apt. Crawford mightn’t have stopped Broner Saturday either but at least would’ve switched stances a halfdozen times between southpaw and orthodox. Garcia made no offensive adjustments and showed no creativity in the championship rounds because he was unsure his footing – whatever private desire he had to finish Broner stayed altogether private because after 30 minutes with Mikey’s fists Broner was not shaped half badly as expected.

Bullies and buffoons be expected to fold, but no matter Broner’s buffoonery the man does not fold. Ask anyone at Alamodome for Broner’s first loss: Aside from Richard Schaefer everyone in attendance was there to see Broner get jigsawed proper, so everyone in attendance was more than a bit tense after round 11. If this reads like a nostalgic sendoff for AB it shouldn’t; yes, there’s a wee bit of nostalgia one should give any man who courts others’ hatreds and does not bend, but no, Broner’s not going anywhere. Hell, PBC’s braintrust fully expected Broner to prevail Saturday because the company’s cultural cornerstone is a concert promoter, not a matchmaker.

Probably Broner’ll fight again before Garcia does, and probably Garcia’s next opponent won’t be anyone you want him to be. When 2018 begins Broner will remain about billions and Garcia will remain undefeated.

Bart Barry can be reached via Twitter @bartbarry

Follow all the action LIVE from Ringside at Barclays Center when Adrien Broner meets Mikey Garcia in a 140-lb showdown.  The action begins at 9 PM ET / 6 PM PT with a WBC Middleweight elimination bout between Jermall Charlo and Jorge Sebastian Heiland

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Round 1: Right from Broner..Left from Garcia…Right and left from Garcia..

Round 2:  Broner jabs..2 left hooks from Garcia..Right to body..

Round 3:  Left hook from Broner..Jab from Garcia..Harc counter left hook..Right..Hard combination on the ropes..

Round 4 Quick counter from Broner..Right,,Left to body and uppercut from Garcia,,,Left

Round 5: Left hook from Broner..left..Right from Garcia..Right..Jab from Broner…Right to body and straight right from Garcia (snaps Broner head back)

Round 6 Jab from Garcia,,Kab from Broner,,,Right to body from Garcia

Round 7 Right from Broner…Jab…Jab..Right and left from Garcia…Right from Broner,..Right to body from Garcia..Right..Flush right

Round 8 Good counter right from Broner…Right from Garcia,,Jab from Broner..Right from Garcia,,4 punch combination..

Round 9 Right and jab from Broner,,Counter right,Uppercut from Garcia..Body work and a right from Broner,,Good counter left hook

Round 10 Garcia jabbing..Jab from Broner,,Hard right to body from Garcia,,Right to body,,Body shot and right,,straight right..

Round 11 Body shot from Garcia,,counter right..right,,right to body..combination

Round 12 Lead right from Broner…Left from Garcia…straight right…Right from Broner…Blood dripping from nose of Garcia..Body combination from Broner..Good flurry at the end of round

117-111, 116-112 TWICE FOR MIKEY GARCIA 

Round 1 Jab from Charlo

Round 2 Hard right from Charlo..HARD RIGHT AND DOWN GOES HEILAND..Hard left and uppercut from Charlo…Big right..Right buckles Heiland..5 hard shots on the ropes

Round 3 Right from Charlo..uppercut..

Round 4 Doctor checking on Heiland before round starts…Left from Heiland..Right from Charlo..Hard uppercut..HUGE LEFT HOOK AND DOWN GOES HEILAND AND FIGHT IS OVER

BROOKLYN, NY — In the highly anticipated main event witnessed live by 12,084 fans at the Barclay’s Center, Mikey Garcia (37-0, 30KO) had no issues dealing with Adrien “The Problem” Broner (33-3, 24KO).  Apart from a first round that Broner may have won on jabs alone, it was the Oxnard, CA native, Garcia, who dictated and controlled the fight for the majority of the twelve round super lightweight bout.

Early and often the 29 year old former three-division world champion, Garcia, walked down Broner, waited until him to retreat into a defensive shell, then unleashed thumping body shots and straight rights that occasionally broke through Broner’s high-guard.  It was a scene that would play out time and time again over the course of the contest.

The Cincinnati native, Broner, who was previously unbeaten at 140lbs., found success in the fourth, snapping crisp jabs that would momentarily disrupt Garcia’s rhythm.  But like waves lapping on a shoreline, Garcia kept plodding forward, patiently waiting for openings in Broner’s guard before unloading.

Likely sensing he was behind on the scorecards, Broner began to show urgency in the ninth round.  The former four division world champ began became more aggressive, willing to meet Garcia, a super lightweight debutant, in the middle of the ring, and exchange blows with his Mexican-American counterpart.  Toward the end of the ninth, Broner hammered Garcia’s body before coming back upstairs shortly after, connecting with a clean left hook just as the round came to a close.

Again in the tenth Broner found success with the left, landing another clean uncontested hook to Garcia’s jaw that stopped the former three division champion in his tracks.  Garcia took the shot well, and Broner was unable to capitalize on any openings.

After stringing together two straight effective rounds, any momentum that Broner might have been building was quickly squashed by Garcia in the championship rounds.  The always-composed Garcia continued to walk down Broner, working behind his jab, and getting the better of the exchanges with Broner.

At the end of twelve, it went to the scorecards.  Judge Eric Marlinski scored it 117-111 and judges Don Ackerman and Steve Weisfeld saw it 116-112, all in favor for the still undefeated Garcia.

15rounds.com scored the bout 117-112, Garcia, with the first round being scored 10-10.

“This is definitely one of my best performances ever. I think I controlled the fight in the early rounds and I kept the activity up. [Broner] is a great fighter who has great skills,” Garcia said post-fight.  “I was the superior fighter tonight.

He continued, “We trained for 10 weeks, we had a great training camp and great sparring. We knew it was going to be a tough fight so we had to be in great shape.”

As to what weight class he’ll fight in in the future, Garcia said, “Maybe I’ll go down to 135, stay at 140 or go up to 147.”

Broner also spoke after the fight, congratulating Garcia on his win before talking about his previous career accomplishments.

“At the end of the day I’m still a four-time world champion at four different weight classes and I’ll still be in the history books.”

Charlo Blasts Past Heiland In Middleweight Debut

In his first fight at middleweight Jermall Charlo (26-0, 20KO) walked through Argentine southpaw Jorge Sebastian Heiland (29-5-2, 16KO) en route to a fourth round stoppage.  From the onset, Heiland’s legs looked stiff, his movements were jagged and robotic; and as a result, his punches lacked conviction.  It would later be revealed that Heiland was suffering from a left knee injury.  The veteran southpaw attempted to enter the ring with a taped left knee, but the brace was removed by the New York State Athletic Commission.

Charlo, fresh off a monumental 2016 where he outpointed Austin Trout and KO’d Julian Williams, started composed, feeling out his awkward opponent.  In the second, the Texan turned up the heat and caught Heiland with a short right that exploded on his chin and collapsed him to the canvas.  Heiland, whose signature win came in 2014 against Matthew Macklin, survived the round, but his inability to plant his left leg worried ringside physicians enough to examine his knee between rounds.

Once cleared, the gutsy Heiland continued on, but it was only to absorb punishment from the explosive Charlo.  In the fourth, after connecting with a flurry of punches, Charlo finished the debilitated Heiland off with a crisp left hook that sent the Argentine to the mat.  After initially beating referee Benjy Esteves’ 10 count, Heiland stumbled backwards and was help upright by the ropes.  Esteves stepped in at that moment and immediately stopped the contest at the 2:13 mark of round four.

“My coach told me to stay behind my job like I did; continue to work and it’s going to come,” Charlo said afterward.

“I’m ready, bring on the biggest names at 160… I’m the real Tommy Hearns… I feel like it’s my turn and I’m going to go get it,” he continued.

A disappointed Heiland also spoke afterward and addressed his injury.  “I turned my left knee in the first round, but I did not want to give up. I tried to give it my all, but it was not my night. I had bad luck but I am going to work harder than ever to get back and get another opportunity to achieve my dream and win a world title.”

It’s Miller Time; Big Baby Blasts Washington

Jarrell Miller (19-0-1, 17 KOs) remained undefeated by stopping former world title challenger Gerald Washington (18-2-1) after round seven of their scheduled ten round heavyweight clash

Miller came stalking and landing hard shots that had Washington on the defensive from the get-go.  In round four, Miller opened up and landed several bombs that drew “Ooohs and Ahhs from the crowd.  In round six, Washington mounted a furious rally where handed ten flush shots to the head and ample body of Miller.  Miller was able to gain his 2nd wind, as at the end of the round he landed some head snapping punches in the corner.

Miller continued to beat down Washington until the bout was stopped in the corner after round seven.

Adrien Broner 138 3/4 – Mikey Garcia 139 1/2

https://www.facebook.com/ShoBoxing/videos/10150947475984963/

By Norm Frauenheim-

Adrien Broner looks at Mikey Garcia and says he see no hints of his past. There’s nothing in Garcia that looks, or fights, or wins like Marcos Maidana, says Broner, who has been trying to resurrect his career ever since a 2013 loss to Maidana.

“He ain’t no effin Maidana,’’ Broner said Thursday at the final news conference before the Showtime telecast of the crossroads confrontation with Garcia Saturday night at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center. “He’s nowhere near Maidana.

No, he’s not. He’s better.

The real question is whether Broner (33-2, 24 KOs) is any better than he was against Maidana on that December night in a stunner at San Antonio’s Alamodome. He’ll have to be against Garcia (36-0, 30 KOs), who appears to have all Maidana’s power and is more fundamentally sound than the Argentine ever was.

If anything, the Maidana-Garcia comparison seems to have annoyed, if not rattled, Broner. It’s in his head and probably for good reason. Been there, done that and he definitely doesn’t want to have to endure it all over again. That’s just one compelling stake among many in the junior-welterweight bout (6 p.m. PT/9 p.m. ET). Beat Garcia, and Broner can finally declare that he’s back, all the way back.

“I don’t think that he’s going to be desperate, but he knows that I’m not an easy opponent,’’ Garcia said during his turn at the speaker’s dais Thursday. “That’s why he’s taken camp so seriously. I expect him to be at his best and be ready. He knows if he beats me he can launch his career back to where it was.’’

On paper at least, Broner appears to have a key advantage. Broner, who lost to Maidana at 147 pounds, is back at 140, a weight at which he has never lost. Still, there are some questions about whether he’ll make weight Friday. If he doesn’t, he pays a $500,000 fine, according to his contract. That’s plenty of motivation, he said.

“I ain’t giving nothing back,’’ Broner said last week during a conference call.

The guess here is that Broner won’t eat any cake before he steps on the scale. His birthday is Friday. He’ll be 28 at opening bell, presumably smarter and better prepared for the tactical savvy possessed by the favored Garcia.

“I’m going to lo look to box effectively and show that I’m the better fighter,’’ said Garcia, whose brother and trainer, Robert Garcia, was in Maidana’s corner. “We’re both smart fighters but neither of us will run from the other. When you have styles like ours, with two guys who like to exchange punches, you’re in for a great battle.

“I think Adrien will be fine with the weight. He’s a pro and he knows that he really has to make weight. He’s learned from his mistakes. Sometimes he jokes around but that’s just part of his character. He takes things a lot more seriously because he’s facing me.’’

Broner is facing somebody who hopes to enhance his pound-for-pound credentials. There’s talk about Garcia in a fight against Terence Crawford and/or Vasyl Lomachenko. Garcia, who has a lightweight belt, has doubts about both. There are differences in weight. Crawford, a 140-pound champion, appears headed for 147. Lomachenko is still at 130. More problematic, both are Top Rank fighters. Garcia left Top Rank in a divorce that kept him out of the ring for more than two years.

For now, Garcia appears more interested in a lightweight unification bout against the Jorge Linares-Luke Campbell winner on Sept. 23 at The Forum in Inglewood, Calif.

“I won’t let Adrien Broner stand in my way,’’ Garcia said. “This is my chance to show the best version of myself.”

A version that won’t look anything like Maidana.
Attachments area

BROOKLYN (July 27, 2017) – Four-division world champion Adrien Broner and three-division world champion Mikey Garcia went face-to-face Thursday at the final press conference two days before they headline a Premier Boxing Champions event Saturday, July 29 live on SHOWTIME from Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING®.

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT with unbeaten former world champion Jermall Charlo meeting top contender Jorge Sebastian Heiland in a middleweight world title eliminator.

Undercard action on “SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING Prelims” will stream live on Facebook and YouTube and will feature heavyweight contenders Gerald Washington and Jarrell Miller in a 10-round match, plus Irish sensation Katie Taylor in her U.S. debut.

Tickets to the event, which is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and DiBella Entertainment, start at $50 (not including applicable fees), are on sale now, and can be purchased at ticketmaster.com, barclayscenter.com or by calling 800-745-3000. Tickets can also be purchased at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. Group discounts are available by calling 844-BKLYN-GP.

Here is what the press conference participants had to say Thursday from Dream Hotel Downtown:

ADRIEN BRONER

“Just know that I’ll be ready on Saturday night. I’m not worried about how much he’ll weigh when we step into the ring. I’m ready for anything.

“Camp was tough, but it was great. I did a lot of things differently and made sure that I was doing everything right. I made sure not to cut any corners this camp.

“This is going to be a great fight for boxing. I’ve done my due diligence. I’m going to take care of business. I just know myself and know what I’m capable of.

“Every fight is a must-win in this sport. There’s no fight you go into with a loss on your mind. I’m going to put on a show on Saturday.

“I laugh when people write me off. I’m used to being the underdog coming from where I come from. People don’t know what I’ve been through to get to this point. I’m blessed to be where I’m at. Saturday night there will be a lot more room on the bandwagon.

“We’ll see who’s on the pound-for-pound list after Saturday night. We could have fought years ago but the time is now and I’m ready.

“I’m glad that the Garcia team took this fight as quickly as we did. I’ve been taking everything seriously in Colorado. I know Mikey will be ready too. Robert Garcia definitely has some confidence from beating me with Marcos Maidana. But Mikey is not Maidana.

“I just don’t feel like Mikey will be able to do anything to stop me from getting the victory. I’m sure he’s confident too. After I make it look easy, I want everyone to write about it and say something good.

“I can make anybody quit in the ring. Mikey is no different. If I execute and stay focused, don’t be surprised. I’m ready for this fight.

“Saturday is going to be a special day for me. My birthday is tomorrow. I’m almost 30. I want to dedicate this victory to my twin brother Andre. Seeing his smile will make it even more special for me.”

MIKEY GARCIA

“I’m prepared to go 12 hard rounds with Adrien Broner. This is a high profile fight. Probably more than my other fights. It’s created a lot of buzz amongst fans and media. Everyone is anticipating a great fight. This is a great matchup that can take me to the next level.

“I don’t think that he’s going to be desperate but he knows that I’m not an easy opponent. That’s why he’s taken camp so seriously. I expect him to be at his best and be ready. He knows that if he beats me he can launch his career back to where it was.

“He’s a four-division world champion so clearly he has the skills. I need someone who is hungry and motivated to bring out the best in me. My main focus is getting the win by any means necessary.

“I’m going to lo look to box effectively and show that I’m the better fighter. We’re both smart fighters but neither of us will run from the other. When you have styles like ourselves, with two guys who like to exchange punches, you’re in for a great battle.

“I think Adrien will be fine with the weight. He’s a pro and he knows that he really has to make weight. He’s learned from his mistakes. Sometimes he jokes around but that’s just part of his character. He takes things a lot more seriously because he’s facing me.

“If I can get this win, I just want to keep moving forward and fulfilling my dreams. I want to be in huge fights consistently. This is a crossroads fight for both of us to get to that level.

“I’m very excited to be here. Brooklyn was very kind to me when I fought here last year. I expect the fans to be here and show up like they always do on Saturday. There are incredible boxing fans in New York.

“I’m here to prove that I’m back and stronger than ever. This is another opportunity to show the kind of fighter that I am. I won’t let Adrien Broner stand in my way. This is my chance to show the best version of myself.”

JERMALL CHARLO

“I feel great and ready to make my debut at 160 pounds. Camp has gone smoothly. I’m ready to dominate this division like I did 154 pounds. My plan is to care of Heiland and then everything else will fall into line from there.

“This is a bigger, better and stronger version of Jermall Charlo. Everything has come together during camp. Ronnie Shields runs a great camp and I believe he’s continuing to bring the best out of me.

“I’m completely focused on this matchup. I know that I can’t get any of the big fights that I crave without taking care of Heiland. I’m going to break him down and if the knockout comes, I’ll make sure to take advantage.

“My hat is off to Adrien Broner and Mikey Garcia for bringing out all the fans and media for this great show. It’s a real thrill to be a part of this event.”

JORGE SEBASTIAN HEILAND

“I’m thankful to everyone who has welcomed me to New York. I’m happy to have this big opportunity and I’m 100 percent prepared for whatever Jermall Charlo brings. Jermall is a great fighter and I know that he is going to bring everything he has.

“I’ve had an amazing camp and I’ve never felt more prepared for an opportunity than this. I was very patient and I will take full advantage. My plan is to leave everything in the ring on Saturday.

“My team has been with me for a long time as I waited for this opportunity. Be ready because it’s going to be a battle and a great matchup on Saturday. You won’t want to miss it.”

GERALD WASHINGTON

“I came here to go to work. I’m going to shut that big mouth of his up. I hope someone is holding him accountable for all the words he’s been saying. You’re in there with a real one on Saturday night. I’m going to welcome you to this game for real.

“I’m sure he’ll try to bring some extra pressure. I’m going to introduce him to a new class of boxing. I’ve taken a lot from my experiences in training camp with Wladimir Klitschko and in the ring with Deontay Wilder. You’ll see the difference on Saturday.

“I’m still growing in this sport. I’ve been learning on the job this whole time and each experience just means so much to me. I wanted to take on a tough undefeated fighter because I knew that it would make it a great fight.

“This is most definitely ending inside of the distance. I’m coming after him. I’m going to wear him out. Then it’s time to take him out.”

JARRELL MILLER

“If you don’t know who “Big Baby” is, you soon will. I’ve never seen anyone get knocked out and get praised for it, but that’s what people are doing for Washington. I’ve never been hurt in my life in the ring and I’ll prove it on Saturday.

“This guy said he’s going to introduce me to big-time boxing. I’ve been in front of huge crowds and I’ve come through with knockout wins. I’ll be more than ready on Saturday night.

“I’ve got big plans in this sport and this is only the start. Brooklyn fans loved their hometown heavyweights Mike Tyson and Riddick Bowe. I’m going to be next in that line and this city will love me.”

KATIE TAYLOR

“It’s incredible to be here in New York and to make my US debut on this incredible card. It’s truly a privilege.

“Training has gone so well and I’m so happy that SHOWTIME will stream the fight. It’s incredible for my fans overseas and all fans of women’s boxing.

“I hope to make a strong statement this weekend and I hope everyone enjoys the fight on Saturday night.”

LOU DIBELLA, President of DiBella Entertainment

“A month from now there will be a huge event in Las Vegas, but two days from now there is the best fight card of the summer, the best fight of the summer, and a great show from top to bottom at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

“This is a great summer of boxing for SHOWTIME and it’s great to be in this room and see all the great attention that this fight card is getting. This is one of the best representations that we can have of our sport. This is one of the most stacked cards I’ve ever been involved with.

“There are a lot of good reasons to get a ticket and come to Barclays Center on Saturday night. There will be a strong Irish presence on the card Saturday with both Katie Taylor and Noel Murphy entering the ring.”

LEONARD ELLERBE, CEO of Mayweather Promotions

“This is definitely a must-see event on Saturday night. Two great fighters, fighting at the right time, both in the prime of their careers. It’s going to be a great show.

“One of the main reasons why boxing is going to the next level is because the people at the top have a vision of seeing great fights. We have another great example of that this Saturday night at Barclays Center

“Anytime you have a great event, it’s going to start with the undercard. We have a lot of young fighters looking to show off their skills. We’re thrilled to have our very own Richardson Hitchins and Kenny Robles competing in exciting undercard action.”

STEPHEN ESPINOZA, Executive VP & General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports

“Saturday is a testament to SHOWTIME’s commitment to boxing and boxing fans. We’ve worked hard to deliver the most important bouts from around the world. We have three separate telecasts, five fights, across two continents.

“We will also be streaming Katie Taylor’s U.S. debut. People know Katie from reputation alone, and we thought it was important to have her fight seen. The heavyweight fight between Gerald Washington and Jarrell Miller is another one that deserves to be seen and I think it could be the fight that steals the show.

“The main event has two of the brightest young stars in boxing. They both feel like they’ve been on this stage for a while. You know their resumes and you have to give them all of the credit in the world for taking this fight. Neither had to take this fight, but it will be one of the most exciting matchups of the summer.

“We have had 19 live presentations and 15 world title fights so far and we’re proud of what we’ve done accomplished so far. Boxing has had a great year and much of that has been carried by SHOWTIME boxing. That will continue this Saturday.”

BRETT YORMARK, CEO of Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment

“This card is our fourth major card this year. It’s been an incredible year for BROOKLYN BOXING. We’ve made a commitment to bring the best boxing to the borough. With all of our partners help, we have been able to accomplish that.

“We welcome both of these fighters back to Brooklyn. They’ve both built fan bases and we’re excited to see both of them back in the building and in the ring on Saturday.

“The whole night of boxing is going to be incredible. I welcome Jermall Charlo to Brooklyn, your brother had a great night in April and I’m sure you will follow in his footsteps.”

# # #

ABOUT BRONER vs. GARCIA
Adrien Broner vs. Mikey Garcia is a 12-round super lightweight showdown that headlines SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING Saturday, July 29 live on SHOWTIME. Broner vs. Garcia is presented by Premier Boxing Champions at Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING®. PBC is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina and this event is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and DiBella Entertainment.

For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports,www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @MikeyGarcia, @AdrienBroner, @MayweatherPromo, @LouDiBella, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing, , www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotionsand www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment

BROOKLYN (July 26, 2017) – Fighters competing on the Adrien Broner vs. Mikey Garcia undercard this Saturday, July 29 at Barclays Center held an open-to-the-public media workout Wednesday at Modell’s Sporting Goods in Brooklyn before they enter the ring this weekend.

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast is headlined by a showdown between four-division world champion Adrien Broner and three-division world champion Mikey Garcia. Participating in Wednesday’s workout and kicking off televised action at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT are unbeaten former champion Jermall Charlo and top contender Jorge Sebastian Heiland, who meet in a middleweight world title eliminator.

Tickets to the event, which is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and DiBella Entertainment, start at $50 (not including applicable fees), are on sale now, and can be purchased at ticketmaster.com, barclayscenter.com or by calling 800-745-3000. Tickets can also be purchased at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. Group discounts are available by calling 844-BKLYN-GP.

Also in attendance Wednesday and competing in “SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING Prelims” on Saturday are heavyweight contenders Gerald Washington and Jarrell Miller, plus Irish sensation Katie Taylor. These two fights will stream live on the SHOWTIME Boxing Facebook page and the SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel beginning at 7:15 p.m. ET/4:15 p.m. PT.

Rounding out the group of fighters participating in the workout Wednesday and competing in undercard action Saturday night are unbeaten prospects Noel Murphy from Ireland, 2016 Haitian Olympian Richardson Hitchins and heavyweight George Arias.

Here is what the fighters had to say Wednesday:

JERMALL CHARLO

“I know that Jorge is a come forward kind of fighter. He’s going to try to put a lot of pressure on me. It’s my debut at 160 pounds so I get a chance to go up against someone who’s never been knocked out before and who has knocked out known fighters. I’m preparing for the best of him.

“I want to continue to move up to the bigger names, like I’ve been doing. Hopefully my performance in this fight will get me more notice from those big names and get me those fights.

“This is a new Jermall Charlo who’s better, bigger, faster and stronger. It’s my job to show everyone that on Saturday night.

“There are a lot of big fights at 160 pounds for me. I paid my dues at 154 pounds. I stuck around there so that I could climb up the ranks. The timing is perfect.

“My job is to go in there and do what I know how to do. Hopefully I can corner one of those big names soon. I’m not running from anyone. I’m here to fight the best in the world.

“The weight naturally comes off during camp, but now that I don’t have to stress as much for it, it feels like the way it always should have been.

“Me and my brother both have been through adversity and our time is now. I want to be one of the best fighters in the world and my job is to take care of this step right here.

“I love being here in New York. This is one of those dreams come true moments. I’ve always wanted to fight in New York.”

JORGE SEBASTIAN HEILAND

“I am so thankful for this opportunity to be on such a big card. I’m really happy with how welcoming everyone in New York has been. I couldn’t be happier or more focused on this fight. This is a crucial fight for me and I can’t wait until Saturday.

“The key for Jermall will be his speed. He’s a fast boxer but he’s jumping up a division. I’ve been at this weight almost my whole career. I know he will be prepared, so I have to be too. Without a doubt, it will be a battle.

“I’ve tried different methods of training to improve my punching power and I think it’s worked. The training has given me more strength and power in my punches.”

JARRELL MILLER

“I can’t wait to get in the ring in my hometown. There’s going to be great energy and great excitement on Saturday. I’m in killer mode right now but inside I’m jumping for joy.

“Gerald Washington is a good opponent for me coming back from a layoff. Most people wouldn’t go right into a fight so challenging. I’m warrior-built. I’ve been doing this for a long time.

“My main thing is to go in there and knock him out. However the knockout comes, it comes. This is boxing so anything can happen in there. Deontay Wilder is different than me. I’m going to show that on Saturday.

“I hope that I can get a fight with Deontay Wilder after this one. If he’ll come to New York, then even better. I think my progression is ahead of where he was. We’re going to keep fighting, getting knockouts and eventually a world title fight.

GERALD WASHINGTON

“I had a great training camp. We put in all the work and pushed ourselves. I stepped out of my comfort zone for this one. We’re ready to rock.

“I did a training camp with Wladimir Klitschko, which was amazing. I learned so much from watching him train. The focus that he has and the dedication that he shows is inspiring. It was a great experience to be there and soak it all up.

“I’m just looking to keep focused on Saturday. I’m going to fight hard from bell to bell to get the win.

“Miller is a big tough guy. We expect that from him. We’re in his backyard so I know he’s going to come in 100 percent. We’re here to handle business. All I’m thinking about is Jarrell Miller and taking him out.”

KATIE TAYLOR

“We prepare for every fight like it’s a world title fight so I’m feeling fantastic heading into this one. It’s great to be on such a big card as well. I’m very excited for Saturday night.

“I’ve been based in Connecticut since my pro career started so I’ve settled in well and I’m feeling ready for the fight. It’s great to finally have an opportunity like this stateside.

“Since the fight was announced I’ve gotten a great reaction from the public. I think a lot of Irish people will be there for both me and Noel Murphy. It’s going to be a great crowd.

“I can be quite aggressive in the ring at times. I think my style is exciting. I’ve also been working on a few new things that I hope people will be impressed by as well. I’m looking forward to showcasing women’s boxing.

“Women’s boxing is on a high at the moment. There have been so many great pros recently and so many big fights being made. It’s only going to get bigger and bigger. I truly believe the best is yet to come for women’s boxing.”

NOEL MURPHY

“I had another great training camp and I’m in excellent shape heading into the fight. This is my third fight at Barclays Center and they just get bigger and bigger each time. I can’t wait to get another win.

“I try to be clever with my work, while also being aggressive. I want to throw a lot of punches. I also have the ability to box and not get hit. Anyone who is seeing me for the first time will see an exciting style and enjoy the fight.

“It’s an honor to be on this card with Katie Taylor. She’s probably the greatest Irish athlete ever. Male or female. She’s the reason women’s boxing is in the Olympics. She’s a star in Ireland and I’m thrilled to be on the same card as her.

“I’m very thankful to the fans who have supported me and I’m going to make sure they enjoy Saturday night.”

RICHARDSON HITCHINS

“I’m preparing to put on a show on Saturday night. I always prepare to be at my best and treat every fight like a title fight.

“It feels great to have the support of my promoter Floyd Mayweather. I just want him to live up to his word and I’ll live up to mine. I’ve always believed that I’m going to be a world champion one day, and he’s going to help me make it happen. I believe I’m going to be a special star in boxing.

“I’m trying to build experience and step up as I go. I’ll step up when my team is ready. Whenever it is, I’ll be ready to go.”

GEORGE ARIAS

“I’m a fan-friendly fighter. I like putting on pressure and punching non-stop. I can switch it up to movement and boxing if I have to. You can see my past fights are very entertaining.

“I’m really excited for Saturday night. Training was really tough, as it should be. We did everything you’d want to get ready. It should be harder than the fight and it was. I had to train hard for the intensity of my style.

“I’m preparing for my opponent to be ready and hit hard. You always want to prepare for the best opponent possible. I’ll be ready for him.

“Fighting at home is going to be really great. It will probably be the biggest crowd I’ve ever fought in front of and I’m looking forward to celebrating with them after I win.”

# # #

ABOUT BRONER vs. GARCIA
Adrien Broner vs. Mikey Garcia is a 12-round super lightweight showdown that headlines SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING Saturday, July 29 live on SHOWTIME. Broner vs. Garcia is presented by Premier Boxing Champions at Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING®. PBC is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina and this event is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and DiBella Entertainment.

NEW YORK (July 25, 2017) – SHOWTIME Sports will offer three separate boxing presentations on Saturday, July 29, delivering two digital live streams preceding the evening’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING televised doubleheader. The digital-only offerings will be available on Facebook Live and YouTube prior to the live SHOWTIME® telecast at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT, as the network continues its unrivaled commitment to boxing.

The full day of high-stakes boxing will begin at approximately 5:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. PT with streaming coverage from Belfast, Ireland as 2016 Fighter of the Year Carl Frampton makes his long-awaited homecoming. The former two-division titlist Frampton (23-1, 14 KOs) will face once-beaten Andres Gutierrez (35-1-1, 25 KOs) in a 12-round featherweight bout, his first since splitting a par of slugfests with three-division world titlist Leo Santa Cruz. Coverage of Frampton vs. Gutierrez will be provided by Channel 5, a television station in Northern Ireland.

SHOWTIME Sports will then deliver live coverage from Barclays Center in Brooklyn beginning at 7:15 p.m. ET/4:15 p.m. PT with “SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING Prelims”. The two-fight live stream will feature former world title challenger Gerald Washington (18-1-1, 12 KOs) against Brooklyn native Jarrell Miller (18-0-1, 16 KOs), plus the U.S. debut of female boxing star and Irish Olympic Gold Medalist Katie Taylor (5-0, 3 KOs). Hall of Famer Barry Tompkins will call the live streaming fights from Brooklyn alongside former world champion Daniel Jacobs.

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING Prelims and Frampton vs. Gutierrez will be available to U.S. audiences only.

The July 29 SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast is headlined by a blockbuster matchup between two of boxing’s biggest stars as three-division world champion Mikey Garcia moves up to 140 pounds to face four-division champion Adrien “The Problem” Broner. Televised coverage begins live on SHOWTIME at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT as unbeaten former world champion Jermall Charlo returns to face Jorge Sebastian Heiland in a middleweight world title eliminator. The event is presented by Premier Boxing Champions from Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING Prelims is an extension of SHOWTIME BOXING on SHOWTIME EXTREME, which is the first premium television series to offer live undercard coverage. Both offerings provide bonus bouts to viewers at home, delivering an experience that was previously available only to fans in arena. Via SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING Prelims, viewers are afforded the unique opportunity to interact with the boxing community during the event in real time.

SHOWTIME Sports also will live stream the Broner vs. Garcia final press conference on Thursday and the official weigh-in on Friday across digital platforms, including Facebook Live and YouTube.

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

By Norm Frauenheim-

They’re promising a new and improved Adrien Broner on July 29 against Mikey Garcia, but Broner is promising what he has always promised.

“I’m coming to eff him up,’’ Broner said Thursday during a conference call for his intriguing 140-pound bout with Garcia at Brooklyn’s Barclays’ Center.

First, full disclosure: Broner didn’t really say eff. But you get the idea. Broner says he is older and wiser, but he’s as profane as ever in a business punctuated by punches and profanity.

“The hurt business,’’ says Broner, who repeated Mike Tyson’s apt summation of a brutal craft once known as The Sweet Science.

Not so sweet anymore, at least not for Broner, whose ups and down in and of the ring are an inseparable part of his story, perhaps his temperament and probably his motivation.

Maybe, he’s more mature, but there’s no doubt about the anger. Besides, you just wouldn’t know him without the F-bombs.

Any doubt about that was eliminated in the way he opened his segment of the conference call.

“At this point, eff the press,’’ he said. “They’re all against me. I’m ready to fight. …So, I’m ready to to get the eff off this call.’’

He didn’t, of course. Too effing much to say. Broner loves to talk. That said – and plenty was, Broner said he has worked to get beyond a long list of problems, including jail time. He has talked about leaving the “ghetto stuff” behind.

By that, he says he means to take “boxing more seriously.’’

Against Garcia, he’ll have to. Garcia, unbeaten and an emerging pound-for-pound contender in a talked-about fight with Vasyl Lomachenko, is the favorite.

According to some betting sites, odds favoring Garcia are as high as 7-1, despite a couple of key advantages that Broner holds in his capable hands.

He’s younger. Broner will celebrate his 28th birthday next Friday, the day before opening bell in Brooklyn. Twice beaten at 147 pounds, he’s unbeaten at 140. Garcia, a 29-year-old lightweight champion, has never been more than 138 pounds at a weigh-in.

The theory, however, is that Garcia has a more varied skill set. He has said he will outbox Broner.

“That’s a damn lie,’’ Broner said. “…He knows he’s not a better boxer than me.’’

Throughout the call, Garcia did most of the listening and some of the talking. He says he wants to fight the best possible Broner and all of the profanity seemed to say that he would.

“That’s exactly the Broner I want to hear,’’ said Garcia, who figures to hear a lot effing more next week.

BROOKLYN (July 20, 2017) – Former world champion Rau’shee Warren will return to the ring in a junior bantamweight world title eliminator against former 115-pound champion McJoe Arroyo as part of undercard action on Saturday, July 29 from Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING™.

The July 29 event is headlined by a super lightweight showdown between four-division world champion Adrien Broner and unbeaten three-division world champion Mikey Garcia, in a 12-round bout presented by Premier Boxing Champions. The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast will also feature unbeaten Jermall Charlo facing Argentina’s Jorge Sebastian Heiland plus highlights of the heavyweight matchup between former title challenger Gerald Washington and unbeaten Jarrell Miller.

Warren (14-2, 4 KOs) and Arroyo (17-1, 8 KOs) will meet in a 12-round battle to determine who will be the IBF’s mandatory challenger for the junior bantamweight belt currently held by Jerwin Ancajas.

“I’m hungry to get back in the ring and get myself back into world title contention with a win on July 29,” said Warren. “I know that I’m going to be a world champion again and that all starts with this fight. I’ve been working hard in the gym and getting comfortable at the smaller weight. I’m going to be ready to perform when fight night comes.”

“I’ve been training a long time for this matchup as we awaited the official fight date,” said Arroyo. “This is a good opportunity for me and I am going to be at my best to win this fight and get a world title opportunity. I know Warren is a good boxer, so I will be in great shape.”

Tickets to the event, which is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and DiBella Entertainment, are priced at $950, $750, $350, $300, $250, $150, $75, and $50 (not including applicable fees), are on sale now, and can be purchased at ticketmaster.com, barclayscenter.com or by calling 800-745-3000. Tickets can also be purchased at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. Group discounts are available by calling 844-BKLYN-GP.

“The fight taking place on July 29th between Adrien Broner and Mikey Garcia is already worth tuning in for,” said Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions. “Fight fans can expect pure entertainment all night, and the excitement leading up to the main event continues with the addition of the always exciting contender Rau’shee Warren vs. McJoe Arroyo who will meet in a title eliminator. Both fighters have a lot to prove and are extremely hungry, so it will be exciting to see who comes out on top come July 29th in front of thousands of fans at Barclays Center.”

“Both Rau’shee Warren and McJoe Arroyo are Olympians and former world champions. They are also all-action fighters,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “This is a can’t-miss fight that makes a great boxing card even better. Working with PBC and Mayweather Promotions, we have put together one of the best off-TV undercards in memory. SHOWTIME has a great card, but people should be flocking to Ticketmaster to join us at Barclays Center for a night of incredible action.”

A three-time Olympian, Warren competed for the U.S. in the 2004, 2008 and 2012 games before turning pro. The 30-year-old picked up victories over veterans Jose Luis Araiza, Javier Gallo, German Meraz and Jhon Alberto Molina leading up to his first world title shot in 2015. After dropping a controversial split-decision in their first fight, Warren defeated Juan Carlos Payano by majority decision in the rematch in June 2016 and became the first member of the 2012 U.S. Olympic team to win a world title. After dropping a split-decision to Zhanat Zhakiyanov in February, Warren will look to put himself right back in title contention against Arroyo.

A 2008 Olympian for his native Puerto Rico, Arroyo won bronze medals at the 2007 World Amateur Championships and the 2006 Central American Games. The 31-year-old was unbeaten in his first 17 professional bouts including a technical decision victory over Arthur Villanueva in 2015 that earned him a vacant super flyweight world title. After losing a decision to Ancajas last September, Arroyo seeks another world title fight and a rematch with Ancajas if he is able to defeat Warren on July 29.

# # #

ABOUT BRONER vs. GARCIA
Adrien Broner vs. Mikey Garcia is a 12-round super lightweight showdown that headlines SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING Saturday, July 29 live on SHOWTIME. Broner vs. Garcia is presented by Premier Boxing Champions at Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING®. PBC is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina and this event is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and DiBella Entertainment.

For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports,www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @MikeyGarcia, @AdrienBroner, @MayweatherPromo, @LouDiBella, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing, , www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotionsand www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment

LAS VEGAS (June 29, 2017) – Fast on the heels of an exhilarating slate of shows in June, Premier Boxing Champions roars into July with five shows that feature action-packed matches in some of the hottest divisions in boxing.

“July isn’t typically one of the busiest months for boxing, but Premier Boxing Champions is challenging that notion with a fully loaded schedule of big time matches during the month,” said Tim Smith, Vice President of Communications for Haymon Boxing. “Adrien Broner versus Mikey Garcia, Jermall Charlo making his debut at 160 pounds against Jorge Sebastian Heiland and the return of Victor Ortiz offers some intrigue to the run of shows during the month.”

Kicking off the slate of shows is an all-action card that features Omar Figueroa versus Robert Guerrero in a 147-pound clash of former champions; Marcus Browne taking on Seanie Monaghan in a battle of unbeaten light heavyweights and Artur Szpilka against Adam Kownacki in an all-Polish heavyweight showdown at NYCB LIVE at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on Long Island, New York on July 15 in primetime on FOX and FOX Deportes starting at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

On the same night and from the same location Jamal James takes on Jo Jo Dan in a 147-pound match and Brandon Figueroa meets Eliecer Aquino in a 118-pound match on FS1 and FOX Deportes beginning at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT from Long Island.

Three days later featherweight prospect Miguel Flores looks to bounce back from the first loss of his professional career when he meets former title challenger Chris Avalos in a 10-round, 126-pound match from Rapides Parish Coliseum in Alexandria, Louisiana on TOE-TO-TOE TUESDAYS on FS1 and BOXEO DE CAMPEONES on FOX Deportes on July 18 at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. In the co-feature a pair of 175-pound prospects clash when Ahmed Elbiali meets Leo Hall in a 10-round contest.

In what has all the earmarks of an instant classic, lightweight world champion and unbeaten three-division champion Mikey Garcia jumps up to 140-pounds to take on four-division champion Adrien Broner in a main event showdown presented by Premier Boxing Champions from Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York and live on SHOWTIME on Saturday, July 29. In the co-feature, former 154-pound champion Jermall Charlo meets Jorge Sebastian Heiland in a 12-round, 160-pound title elimination bout. Additional action will see highlights of former heavyweight title challenger Gerald Washington battling Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller in a 10-round heavyweight showdown.

The next night former 147-pound world champion Victor Ortiz returns to the ring to take on Saul Corral in a 10-round welterweight bout from Rabobank Theater in Bakersfield, California in a special Sunday edition of PBC on FS1 and FOX Deportes beginning at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on Sunday, July 30. In the co-feature, 154-pound contender Justin DeLoach clashes with Fernando Guerrero. Also on the card is 2016 Olympian Karlos Balderas in his second pro fight.

LOS ANGELES (June 20, 2017) – Four-division world champion Adrien Broner and three-division world champion Mikey Garcia completed a two-day media tour that took them from coast-to-coast and culminated with a Los Angeles press conference Tuesday to discuss their super lightweight showdown that headlines SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING Saturday, July 29 live on SHOWTIME. Broner vs. Garcia is presented by Premier Boxing Champions at Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING®.

Tickets to the event, which is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and DiBella Entertainment, are priced at $950, $750, $350, $300, $250, $150, $75, and $50 (not including applicable fees), are on sale now, and can be purchased at ticketmaster.com, barclayscenter.com or by calling 800-745-3000. Tickets can also be purchased at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. Group discounts are available by calling 844-BKLYN-GP.

The fighters spoke to media at the Conga Room in L.A. Live as they prepare for the 12-round matchup that serves as one of the summer’s premier fights. Here is what the participants had to say Tuesday:

ADRIEN BRONER

“I don’t shy away from fighting anyone. I will fight anyone they bring to the table. I said yes to this fight immediately and hung up.

“I’m going to do whatever I have to do to get the victory. Mikey Garcia says he has great power, but I would like to see what his opponents would do if I hit them. Give me all 36 of his opponents and give him all of my opponents, let’s see what our records would be.

“I broke my hand in my last fight but I’m feeling good right now. I’m going hard in sparring with some great, undefeated fighters. I’m full-focused heading into this fight. I’m going to get up for this fight and show that I’m still one of the best out here.

“I’m always going to be me. Right now I’m just focused on boxing and getting this victory on July 29.

“Mikey is a great fighter. I just feel like I’m on a different level. The best is fighting the best right here and it’s going to be explosive.

“I’m thankful. I’ve been through a lot of things in my 27 years of life. And I have another opportunity to show what I’m made of. I’m not missing weight on my birthday. You can bet on that. July 29 I’m going to be victorious.

“Anyone can get hit if you let them. Everyone Mikey has put down has been at 135-pounds and under. I’ve already been a champion there. After this fight I think he’s going to go back to where he belongs…in the lower weight classes.”

MIKEY GARCIA

“I’m very happy to be here and get back in the ring. This is the kind of fight that I deserve and the kind of fight that will please the fans.

“Everybody already knows what kind of fighter Adrien Broner is. He’s a champion for a reason, the skills and talent are there. I’m undefeated and you can’t deny my skills either. That’s going to make this a great fight.

“This is really two of the best fighters matching up against each other. This is what boxing is all about. That’s what I want to give the fans. I’m not taking on any easy opponents, I’m here to challenge and be in big fights.

“I want the fans to be able to appreciate the sport of boxing. These are the kind of fights that fans will remember for years. This could be the Fight of the Year. We’re very even when it comes to our accolades and achievements.

“When Adrien is at his best he’s a fantastic fighter. I’m always at my best. You can never doubt that. You’re going to see an incredible fight. I want to win this fight and open up bigger opportunities. Adrien knows it’s the same for him, that’s why he moved his camp to Colorado.

“This has all the ingredients of a great fight. On July 29 Barclays Center is going to be the place to be at. If you can’t make it, make sure you watch on SHOWTIME. Don’t miss it. People are going to be talking about it for years to come.”

MIKE STAFFORD, Broner’s Trainer

“Adrien has to use his speed to his advantage. We have to use our smarts in the ring and make sure we’re the bigger man. More power and more speed will get us to victory.

“Mikey tries to set traps and tries to counter with the hook or the right hand. We throw too many combinations for that. With Adrien being the bigger man, he has to use the quick jab and set up the right hand.

“Mikey is a slick boxer. He definitely has skills. That’s what we want. We never really liked fighting a brawler. I always train my guys to box. Styles make people seem different ways and I think this is the perfect style for Adrien.”

ROBERT GARCIA, Garcia’s Brother & Trainer

“We’re getting ready for the best Adrien Broner possible. We know he’s already out in Colorado for training camp because he knows it’s not an easy fight. This is do or die for him so he’s taking it seriously.

“When they brought up the name of Adrien Broner, it took no time for us to agree. This was an easy fight to make.

“Inside of the ring I think we’re going to see a great Adrien Broner. When Mikey beats him, I want Mikey to get the credit for beating a great fighter.”

LEONARD ELLERBE, CEO of Mayweather Promotions

“This is a tremendous matchup. Both of these guys have had outstanding careers so far. This is what our sport is all about, bringing two great champions together, fighting in the prime of their careers.

“On paper, this a 50-50 fight. I think both guys are fighting the best opponent they’ve seen in their career. Adrien is going to have to be on his A-game, and I expect him to be at his best for a guy with the talent of Mikey. But Adrien Broner is the real deal too. Not too many can deal with him at his best.

“If you look back at all the outstanding programs that SHOWTIME has brought to us and continues to bring to us, this is what boxing is all about. Champions fighting champions. The vision is to bring big-time boxing back with great events like this.”

STEPHEN ESPINOZA, Executive VP & GM, SHOWTIME Sports

“This is a special fight. You have two of the brightest young stars in boxing sharing the ring. A few years ago Adrien decided that he was going up to 147-pounds. He took one of Robert Garcia’s fighters, Marcos Maidana. They obviously had a great training camp because Marcos looked fantastic and it just wasn’t Adrien’s night. Most fighters would have packed it in after the first three or four rounds. That’s not what Adrien did though, he fought even harder. What I saw that night, was Adrien Broner’s heart. I will never doubt what Adrien Broner brings to the table.

“Mikey is in his own quiet way very similar. There are a lot of situations where fighters aren’t happy with a promoter. More often than not the fighter doesn’t stick to his principles. What Mikey did for two and a half years, shows you what kind of backbone he has. He knew what was right and what was wrong. Now, he’s in charge of his own career.

“I’m here today because I know this will be a good fight. I know that neither guy will back down, they’re both going to give it their all and they’re going to bring out the best in each other.”

# # #

ABOUT BRONER vs. GARCIA
Adrien Broner vs. Mikey Garcia is a 12-round super lightweight showdown that headlines SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING Saturday, July 29 live on SHOWTIME. Broner vs. Garcia is presented by Premier Boxing Champions at Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING®.

For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports, www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @MikeyGarcia, @AdrienBroner, @MayweatherPromo, @LouDiBella, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing, , www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions and www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment PBC is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

BROOKLYN (June 19, 2017) – Four-division world champion Adrien “The Problem” Broner and three-division world champion Mikey Garcia went face-to-face for the first time Monday before they battle in one of the premier matchups of the summer that headlines SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING Saturday, July 29 live on SHOWTIME. Broner vs. Garcia is presented by Premier Boxing Champions at Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING®.

Tickets to the event, which is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and DiBella Entertainment, are priced at $950, $750, $350, $300, $250, $150, $75, and $50 (not including applicable fees), are on sale now, and can be purchased at ticketmaster.com, barclayscenter.com or by calling 800-745-3000. Tickets can also be purchased at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. Group discounts are available by calling 844-BKLYN-GP.

The fighters spoke to media at Dream Hotel Downtown in Manhattan to discuss their 140-pound clash that will headline an exciting night of action later this summer.

Here is what the participants had to say Monday:

ADRIEN BRONER

“I want to thank everyone who showed up today. I’ve been in some crazy situations and I’m blessed to be here. To get a fight like this is huge. Boxing is going back to the old days where the best fight the best. Mikey is definitely one of the best out there today.

“This can take our careers to the next level. I’m taking this seriously. I’ve been training in Colorado Springs. The weight will not be a problem. This gives me a reason to make 140. I’m not paying a man to put hands on me.

“I’m training hard and I think this will be one of the best performances of my career. This will take me to the superstar level where I need to be. I heard Mikey is a big favorite – they aren’t giving me much of a chance. I hope no one puts their house against me on this fight, because it won’t work out well for you.

“This fight will definitely bring the best out of me, because Mikey isn’t a sloppy fighter, he isn’t an awkward fighter. Don’t get me wrong, he’s a Mexican, but he boxes like an African American. We’re going to have a nice fight and I can’t wait to put on a show.

“When you’ve got two athletic fighters that have skills, it can only bring the best out of each other. And the cream always comes to the top.

“I’m more focused this training camp. There are so many distractions in Cincinnati or D.C. There is nothing to do in Colorado but look at the mountains and box.

“It’s going to be a great fight. Robert Garcia is a great trainer for his little brother. We’re both undefeated at 140-pounds and under. Something has to break. I want everyone to tune in on July 29. You will see a real serious Adrien Broner in the ring. It might get ugly for Mikey on July 29.”

MIKEY GARCIA

“I’m very thankful for this opportunity. I can’t stress the importance of this fight enough. It’s the biggest fight that I could have. There are other names that are out there, but nothing made more sense than facing Adrien Broner.

“Adrien has accomplished a lot and when he’s at his best, he’s really great. That’s what I expect on July 29. I see that he’s taking this seriously by moving camp to Colorado. I expect him to bring the best out of me and give the fans the best fight possible.

“The fans here in New York have always treated me well and it’s a fan base that just really loves boxing. The fans are what make me a world champion. I owe it to them to perform to the best of my abilities. I’m going to come ready on July 29 so that this fight is remembered as one of the best of the year.

“I think he is motivated because it’s a big fight, one where he can try to get his career back on track and try to be a superstar like he has been in past big fights. He didn’t perform so well in his past fight against [Adrian] Granados and this is an opportunity for him to jump back and be a superstar again. And I think that’s what’s motivating him for this fight.

“The weight makes sense to me for this type of fight. 135-pounds is probably my best division, but I don’t think this will be much different. I’ll make weight a little more comfortably and still keep my speed and power.

“I’ll do whatever it takes to win this fight. I’m more of a boxer-puncher but if I need to press the fight and put pressure on, I’m going to be ready to do that.

“I know that we definitely have to be in the best shape possible. I am not going to take this lightly. I am not thinking it’s going to be an easy win for me. I think it’s going to be a tough fight. I believe he’s going to be ready 100% and that’s going to make it a tough fight for me but overall I think I’m the better fighter, better boxer and I’ll have enough tools to bring in the ring with me.

“Adrien is going to come to beat me and I’m coming 100 percent to beat him. The fans will be the winner on fight night, but my hand will be raised.”

MIKE STAFFORD, Broner’s Trainer

“These are two really talented fighters and they’re going to put on a big show. We know Mikey is going to be prepared so we are going to do everything we can to be ready.

“Being in Colorado for training is like home for me and Adrien. This is what we’ve done since he was 18-years-old. Expect the same thing as every time before when he comes focused and prepared.

“Adrien is going to win and win real big. It’s going to be a tough fight, but we’ll be victorious when that final bell rings.”

ROBERT GARCIA, Garcia’s Brother & Trainer

“Every time Mikey and I come to New York we get nothing but love. We know Adrien is very talented and that’s why Mikey said yes to this fight. It took less than 30 seconds for him to agree.

“Mikey wants nothing else but big fights and we have one here. Expect a hell of a fight on July 29. I know we’re both going to be in great shape on fight night.”

LOU DIBELLA, President of DiBella Entertainment

“I love this fight. This is why we do this job. We want to make sensational fights like this for the fans to enjoy.

“Adrien Broner has spent a lot of time at the top of the sport while Mikey Garcia has made his way back to that top tier emphatically since returning last year.

“Mikey has insane amounts of talent. He’s a tremendous ambassador for the sport and he can do everything in the ring.

“Adrien Broner is a star. He’s ‘The Problem’ and sometimes he’s his own biggest problem. He’s an entertainer. People hate him but they pay to see him. He gets a lot of love and he gets a lot of hate. That’s worked for a lot of guys in this sport over the years. People care about him.”

STEPHEN ESPINOZA, Executive VP & GM, SHOWTIME Sports

“The bar has been set so high when you look at this year in boxing. It’s a high bar to get a main event at Barclays Center. The standard is very high and this fight certainly satisfies it. Two of boxing’s brightest young stars, both under 30 years old matching up against each other.

“This is the 19th live boxing event on SHOWTIME this year. Three world title unification, three world title rematches and six times where a top five fighter has fought another top five fighter in the division. We’re proud to bring you these two fighters on SHOWTIME. I give the fighters all the credit in the world for taking this fight. These guys are ready for big fights and they are proving it.”

BRETT YORMARK, CEO, Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment

“On July 29, Barclays Center will host its fourth major card of 2017. There is a great heritage of boxing in New York and I’m proud that Barclays Center is the number one boxing venue in the country. It has become a destination for the sport’s best talent, with Adrien and Mikey being two prime examples of that.

“I’m looking forward to one of the year’s most talked about fights. Adrien won a world title at Barclays Center and Mikey made his comeback there just last year. July 29 will be a special night not just for Brooklyn boxing, but for all boxing fans.

“Fights fans everywhere have already circled July 29 on their calendars and I look forward to seeing everyone next month.”
# # #

ABOUT BRONER vs. GARCIA
Adrien Broner vs. Mikey Garcia is a 12-round super lightweight showdown that headlines SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING Saturday, July 29 live on SHOWTIME. Broner vs. Garcia is presented by Premier Boxing Champions at Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING®.

For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports,www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @MikeyGarcia, @AdrienBroner, @MayweatherPromo, @LouDiBella, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing, , www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions and www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainmentPBC is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

BROOKLYN (June 13, 2017) -Four-division world champion Adrien “The Problem” Broner and three-division world champion Mikey Garcia square off in a blockbuster matchup in the main event of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®, Saturday, July 29, live on SHOWTIME, presented by Premier Boxing Champions at Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING™.

Tickets to the event, which is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and DiBella Entertainment, are priced at $950, $750, $350, $300, $250, $150, $75, and $50 (not including applicable fees), and will go on sale on Thursday, June 15 at 10 a.m. ET, and can be purchased at ticketmaster.com, barclayscenter.com or by calling 800-745-3000. Tickets can also be purchased at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center starting Friday, June 16 at noon (if tickets are still available). Group discounts are available by calling 844-BKLYN-GP.

“Broner vs. Garcia is one of the year’s biggest matchups in boxing and we anticipate an electric atmosphere at Barclays Center,” said Brett Yormark, CEO of Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment. “This will be our fourth major card in 2017 as BROOKLYN BOXING continues to deliver dramatic moments, competitive fights, and many of the sport’s biggest names to fight fans.”

Broner and Garcia, two world-class fighters in their prime, meet at a critical time in their respective careers in one of the most intriguing matches in boxing. Both Broner and Garcia have had spectacular victories at Barclays Center in Brooklyn during their careers. Broner successfully defended his welterweight title against Paulie Malignaggi at Barclays Center on June 22, 2013, and Garcia, coming off a lengthy layoff, defeated Elio Rojas via fifth-round TKO at the arena on July 30, 2016.

Broner, a three-division world champion by the age of 23, and one of the youngest four-division world champions in boxing history, remains one of the most accomplished and popular athletes in the sport today. Among the top 140-pounders in the world, Broner is undefeated at or below 140 pounds with his only two losses coming against welterweight world champions Marcos Maidana and Shawn Porter. At just 27 years old, Broner (33-2, 24 KOs) still believes he is the future of the sport and looks to prove it against Garcia on Saturday, July 29.

Hailing from Cincinnati, Ohio, Broner has achieved more in his young career than most fighters can hope for in a lifetime. After earning world titles at 130, 135 and 147 pounds, Broner won a belt in a fourth weight division – 140 pounds – in October 2015 when he defeated Khabib Allakhverdiev via 12th round stoppage to become the second youngest four-division champion in boxing history at 26 (behind Oscar De La Hoya, 24). Broner will turn 28 years old on July 28, the day before his bout with Garcia.

Garcia, 29 years old and undefeated (36-0, 30 KOs), is a recently crowned lightweight champion and one of the best pound-for-pound boxers in the sport. He will move up in weight for the second time in just three fights to challenge Broner. Garcia is a member of a renowned boxing family, and is noted for his sportsmanship and his commanding presence in the ring, honed by his brother and acclaimed trainer Robert Garcia. He has held world titles at 126, 130 and 135 pounds, but has never fought above 138.

Garcia, of Moreno Valley by way of Oxnard, Calif., returned to the ring after a two-and-half-year layoff in July 2016 without missing a beat. After defeating Rojas, Garcia became a three-division champion by beating previously undefeated lightweight world champion Dejan Zlaticanin with a vicious third-round knockout this January. Garcia has stopped 19 of his last 21 opponents including Roman “Rocky” Martinez, Juan Manuel Lopez, Orlando Salido and Bernabe Concepcion.

For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports, www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @MikeyGarcia, @AdrienBroner, @MayweatherPromo, @LouDiBella, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing, , www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions and www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment PBC is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

MASHANTUCKET, CT (June 4, 2017) – The amazing comeback of Matt “Sharp Shooter” Remillard continued last night as the popular Connecticut lightweight stopped Fatiou Fassinou in the Broadway Boxing headliner held in Fox Theater, at Foxwoods Resort Casino, in Mashantucket, CT.

The Broadway Boxing series is promoted by DiBella Entertainment and presented by Nissan of Queens, Azad Watches, OPTYX, and Christos Steak House.

Remillard, 30, was the No. 2-ranked featherweight in the world in 2011, when he lost to future world champion Mikey Garcia (LRTD11). Fighting out of Manchester, CT, tonight’s fight was Remillard’s first in his home state in six-and-a-half years, due to him serving a five-year prison sentence. He returned to the ring this past April, taking an eight-round decision from Agustine Mauras, in Worcester, MA.

In the opening round, Remillard (25-1, 14 KOs) and the slick Benin-native, former WBC International Silver champion Fassinou (27-6-3, 14 KOs) got to know each other as both fighters were cautious. Remillard opened up in the second round, using his left to the body, dropping Fassinou in his corner during the final seconds. Remillard pressed the action in the third, peppering Fassinou around the ring in his familiar punishing style, putting Fassinou in his “Sharp Shooter” sights for target practice in the fourth. Fassinou failed to answer the bell for the fifth round.

“Against a southpaw, the left hook to the liver is there, a punch I’m known for,” Remillard commented after the fight. “He was a little sloppier than I expected. I felt good; I’m 24/7 in the gym. Maybe I’ll have one more fight this year to get in some rounds, and then get ready for a big 2018. I want a rematch with Garcia, at 135 or 140 pounds, 100-percent. He owes me a rematch. The guy he beat wasn’t me.”

Ruslan Shamalov (L) & George Arias turned in the Fight of the Night

In the co-feature, two New York City-based heavyweights, 6’5″ Russian Ruslan Shamalov (4-1, 3 KOs) and Dominican “Gentleman” George Arias (7-0, 3 KOs), fighting out of Brooklyn and the Bronx, respectively, put their undefeated records on the line. Shamalov’s power punches rocked the much shorter 5’11” Arias in the first round, but Arias stayed off the ropes and boxed much better in the second. The two fighters exchanged bombs throughout a terrific third round and, somehow, the fourth was even better with back-and-forth, non-stop action. The pace subsided slightly in the fifth round, setting the stage for a bombs-away sixth and final frame that didn’t disappoint.

Shamalov and Arias fought a furious pace, especially for heavyweights, in a legitimate six-round “Fight of the Year” candidate. Arias, the leader of Team Wash Em’ Up in the Bronx, won a six-round unanimous decision by scores of 60-54, 59-55, and 58-56.

“This win was humungous for me,” said an overjoyed Arias, after his first six-round fight. “I had a game plan, but once he hurt me in the first round, my heart took over and I just fought. I like to fight for the people, so I held on in the first instead of taking a knee.”

Mykquan Williams (R) celebrated his high school graduation a little early

Crowd favorite “Marvelous” Mykquan Williams (7-0, 4 KOs) gave himself an early high school graduation present as the East Hartford fighter defeated Nicaraguan welterweight Ariel “La Guerra” Vasquez (13-18-2, 9 KOs) in the former’s first six-round bout. The 19-year-old Williams, a five-time national amateur champion, is a budding star with tremendous upside. Poised beyond his years, Williams controlled the pace against his battle-tested southpaw opponent, who is 11 years Williams’ senior, displaying his vast arsenal of punches, especially his left-right combination that landed consistently. Williams’ fast hands exploded for the first time at the end of the second round, then he picked up his assault in the third, as he cruised to a six-round shutout decision, with three tallies of 60-54.

Williams graduates on June 20 from Prince Tech. “That was a good graduation present,” Williams said. “My hand speed played a big factor. He was a tough guy, especially for my first six-rounder.”

Jennifer Salinas (R) had too much for Marquita Lee

featherweight champion Jennifer “The Bolivian Queen” Salinas (20-4, 5 KOs) defeated Marquita Lee (3-5) by way of a hard-fought six-round unanimous decision. Salinas, fighting out of Providence, was the aggressor throughout, but Lee never took a backward step. Scorecards 59-55 twice, and 58-56, all for Salinas.

Fighting a much more experienced and taller opponent from Africa, promising Lynn, MA prospect Khiry “TNT” Todd (5-0, 5 KOs) won his fifth pro fight, all by knockout. A 2016 New England Golden Gloves champion, Todd gained invaluable experience against cagey super welterweight Nicolas Sarouna (12-9-1, 9 KOs), of Togo, who took a knee after getting hit by a sneaky uppercut in the third round. Sarouna failed to beat the 10-count as Todd improved his perfect record, with a TKO stoppage at the 1:32 mark.

Radzhab Butaev left Abraham Alvarez on the mat in serious pain

Unbeaten Russian middleweight prospect Radzhab “The Python” Butaev (6-0, 4 KOs) was too much for Mexican Abraham “The Swift” Alvarez (20-11-1, 11 KOs). Butaev dropped Alvarez early with a vicious left hook, from which Alvarez never fully recovered. A brutal right to the liver put the Mexican on mat once again, in obvious pain, as referee Joey Lupino immediately waved off the fight at 1:05 of round one.

Cuban cruiserweight Luis “El Leon” Garcia (15-0, 12 KOs) kept his perfect pro record intact with a first-round knockout of his outclassed Mexican opponent Felipe Romero (19-14-1, 13 KOs), fighting out of San Diego. Now living in Peekskill, NY, Garcia dropped Romero with an overhand right in the opening seconds and he never let up, consistently hurting Romero with a series of devastating rights. Garcia closed the show with a powerhouse uppercut, leading referee Johnny Callas to halt the action at the 1:48 mark.

Three-time Puerto Rican National Boxing team member Jose Roman (4-0, 3 KOs) went the distance for the first time against a game William Hill (2-3), of Detroit. The skilled Puerto Rican super welterweight applied pressure from the opening bell, using a fierce body attack on Hill, who was trapped on the ropes for most of the fight. The judges tallied 40-36 twice, and 39-37, all for Roman via unanimous decision.

##

DiBella Entertainment’s unbeaten featherweight contender Luis Rosa also fought on Saturday, headlining a card at the Floyd Little Athletic Center in his hometown of New Haven, CT, facing Carlos Osorio, of Managua, Nicaragua. Rosa pressured his adversary throughout the contest, wearing him down with a steady attack to the body. Osorio was game and had a stiff jab, though the hometown favorite’s combinations on the inside helped to diminish the Nicaraguan’s punch output. Believing that Osorio had taken a great deal of punishment, the referee halted the contest at the 1:25 mark of round six, awarding Rosa the TKO victory. With the win, Rosa improved to 23-0 (11 KOs), while Osorio’s record dropped to 13-7 (5 KOs).

Complete Foxwoods results below:

OFFICIAL RESULTS

MAIN EVENT – LIGHTWEIGHTS
Matt Remillard (25-1, 14 KOs), Manchester, CT
WTKO4 (3:00)
Fatiou Fassinou (27-6-3, 14 KOs), Cotonou, Benin

CO-FEATURE – HEAVYWEIGHTS
George Arias (7-0, 3 KOs), Bronx, NY
WDEC6 (60-54, 59-55, 58-56)
Ruslan Shamalov (4-1, 3 KOs), Brooklyn, NY

CRUISERWEIGHTS
Luis Garcia (15-0, 12 KOs), Peekskill, NY
WTKO1 (1:48).
Felipe Romero (19-14-1, 13 KOs), San Diego, CA

MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Radzhab Butaev (6-0, 5 KOs), Brooklyn, NY
WTKO1 (1:05)
Abraham Alvarez (20-11-1, 11 KOs), El Rosario, Mexico

SUPER WELTERWEIGHTS
Khiry Todd (5-0, 5 KOs), Lynn, MA
WKO3 (1:32)
Nicolas Sarouna (12-9-1, 9 KOs), Lome, Togo

Jose Roman (4-0, 3 KOs), Bayamon, Puerto Rico
WDEC4 (40-36, 40-36, 39-37)
William Hill (2-3), Detroit, MI

WELTERWEIGHTS
Myquan Williams (7-0, 4 KOs), East Hartford, CT
WDEC6 (60-54, 60-54, 60-54)
Ariel Vasquez (13-18-2, 9 KOs), Managua, Nicaragua

FEMALE LIGHTWEIGHTS
Jennifer Salinas (20-4, 5 KOs), Providence, RI
WDEC6 (59-55, 59-55, 58-56)
Marquita Lee (3-5), Novato, CA

NEW YORK – Two of the world’s best 140-pound boxers in the sport – Adrien Broner and Mikey Garcia – participated in a media conference call on Thursday to discuss the news that they would square off against one another on Saturday, July 29, on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®.

A three-division world champion at the age of 23, and one of the youngest four-division world champions in boxing history, Broner remains one of the most accomplished and popular athletes – and perhaps the most polarizing – in the sport today. Broner (33-2, 24 KOs) is unbeaten at or below 140 pounds with his only two losses coming against welterweight world champions Marcos Maidana and Shawn Porter.

The 29-year-old Mikey Garcia is undefeated (36-0, 30 KOs) and coming off a WBC lightweight world title he won in January. Garcia is moving up in weight for the second time in just three fights to challenge Broner.

Adrien Broner vs. Mikey Garcia is presented by Premier Boxing Champions. A venue has yet to be determined for the highly anticipated matchup.

Also joining the call was Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President & General Manager of SHOWTIME Sports.

Here is what the principals had to say on the call on Thursday:

ADRIEN BRONER
“I mean, I’ve done a lot. I’ve done a lot in the sport already at a young age. I’ve watched Mikey Garcia come up before and at the same time I came up. I always want to fight the best. The best fight the best and that’s what’s going on today. This fight is going to be a tremendous fight and I’m bringing my A-game. I know a lot of people are probably counting me out.”

Q: Can you give me your perspective of how this fight was brought to your attention? How easy was the fight to make?
A: “I just see two fighters that got chips on their shoulders and I’m ready to put on another great show of boxing. I’m tired of sitting around and watching everybody else fight each other. I want to fight the best too, so let’s do it.”

Q: Can you just give me your impressions on what it will take to make 140 pounds and to do it so you’re competitive and strong at that weight against Mikey, who’s going to put on a couple of pounds?
A: “Making the weight is not going to be a problem. My last fight is coming from 180-plus. I’ve kept my weight down and I’ve actually been trying to fight somebody earlier than July. But since it’s July, I’ve kept my body in okay shape and I won’t have a problem making the weight.”

Q: Do you see you being more experienced against bigger guys as an advantage for you going into a fight that most people would consider a pretty tough fight?
A: “I don’t look at this fight like that. Mikey is a great opponent and a great fighter. As long as I’m at my A-game, I’ll be okay. That’s just how I feel. I’m taking my career more seriously and I’m just ready to put on a great show.”

Q: Were there discussions about the fight being contested at a higher weight?
A: “I have no problem with making the weight. I have a reason. This fight gives me a reason to make 140 pounds. I will make the weight, no problem. Just like when I fought for the title, I made the weight easy.”

Q: What have you seen from Mikey Garcia as far as his development goes since coming back?
A: “A kid who’s still growing in boxing just like me. We all make our mistakes and we try to get better every fight. You have two men that are in their prime and at the highest level of their career and they want to fight each other. So, let’s do it”

Q: Do you feel that having fought at a higher weight in the past is an advantage for you? Does it help you in any way?
A: “I’m not coming into this fight looking at having an advantage because I’ve fought at a higher weight. At the end of the day, I’ve got to be 100 hundred percent and that’s all I’m worried about.”

Q: Does a challenge like this motivate you more?
A: “I love it. I’ve faced adversity so many times in this game. Sometimes I fell short, but I got right back up and kept fighting.”

Q: How much credit do you sense you’re getting for embracing this fight?
A: “Honestly, in all due respect to every reporter out there, I feel like I really don’t get as much respect as I should because of my last fight…the guy that I fought [Adrian Granados], he was a guy a lot of people skipped past…and I’m like, ‘You know what, I’m going to fight him.’ Everybody felt like I wasn’t taking a tough fight. I knew he was tough and I fought him and beat him and now I’m taking another tough fight after that in Mikey Garcia.”

Q: How important was it for you to take a tough fight like this?
A: “I want to fight them all. In the beginning of my career I was very anxious to fight everybody and as I’ve gotten older I’ve learned to just take my time and roll down the hill slow and get them all… And this is where it starts.”

Q: Do you feel like fighting [Garcia’s] style is going to require a lot of patience on your part?
A: “If you ask me, I’m the guy that’s very defensive. I really don’t get hit that much. Only when I decide to stand in the middle, but I’m very hard to hit myself. I think this fight is going to be two boxers with high IQ’s who are going to put on a great show of boxing.”

Q: Is it going to be a fight determined by footwork and ring generalship, would you agree with that?
A: “I wouldn’t say all of that. Everybody doesn’t fight the same every night when they go in the ring. Once I get in there and make my adjustments and once he gets in there and tries to make his adjustments, we’re going to let the fight play out.”

Q: Do you feel like Mikey is a stiff puncher and is that something that you have to be careful of with his punching power?
A: “Anybody is a puncher whether… It all hurts. I’m one to tell the truth. I don’t want to get hit by nobody. I don’t care if it’s Paulie Malignaggi…I don’t want to feel none of their punches.”

Q: “What do you say about your power at this weight when you get the proper training in and you’re on weight and you’re on target?
A: “Just check my record. I’m undefeated. There’s only a couple literally, where people lasted. Everybody knows in the boxing game: Once Adrien Broner is focused and I’m on track and doing everything correctly, nobody will beat me. Only I beat myself and I’m tired of coming up short and selling myself short.”

Q: If you are focused for this fight and you get down to 140, can you just talk about how you’ll feel when that happens and what you feel your power is when you do that?
A: “Independence day in July. I’m bringing fireworks.”

Q: Realistically, how difficult will it be for you to make weight at 140 pounds and do you think Garcia has the upper hand or advantage?
A: “No, I’ll make weight easy. Honestly, there is no disadvantage or advantages in this fight. This fight will come down to the best prepared boxer.”

Q: What is it about the sport of boxing that has put a chip on your shoulder? What are some of the things about the sport and the business side of it that you don’t like and that you’d like to see change?
A: “It’s really not the business side because the business is going good. I love Stephen to death, that’s my uncle. But as far as the sport, I just feel like they don’t put enough respect on my name. With all of my accomplishments in this game, I’m the one the kids want to be now. Because coming up, everyone wanted to be like Floyd and now coming up all the kids want to be like Adrian Broner. It’s okay though, this fight is just to show people that I’m still here and that I still got what it takes to take over the game of boxing after Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.”

Q: You’re boxing a lot more than you did in the last year, has anything changed for you?

A: “A lot changed, I’ve gotten older. I’m getting wiser, more mature. This next half of my career, I’m just focused on doing things the correct way. The first half I tried to do things my way and it worked but I could have done better, but I want to try and do everything correct.”

Q: Will you be training in Colorado as usual?
A: “Colorado Springs. My last four fights I haven’t been in Colorado. The last fight I’ve done in Colorado was the Maidana fight. I’ve been in DC. I’m going back to where I can focus on just strictly boxing because I want this to be one of the best performance of my career. I feel like my back is against the wall and it’s time to fight out.”

Closing comment: “Get some cameras my way, I’m ready to perform.”

MIKEY GARCIA
Q: Tell us why you took this fight at 140 and what your plans are on July 29.
A: “It is the biggest fight available for me right now. Originally my plan was to unify at 135. If that was not available I would look at a big name to defend my title at lightweight but that wasn’t quite available. Adrien Broner is a much bigger name and a bigger star who has accomplished a lot in the sport. So, it just made more sense to go and pursue the Adrien Broner fight than a regular title defense.”

Q: Is the move up to 140 a temporary stop? Do you want to come back to 135 to defend title or do you just figure there are bigger names at that [140] weight class?
A: “I would like to come back down to lightweight and unify the titles or defend my title before making a permanent move up. But, because this fight was available right now and it’s a much bigger fight than anything else at the lightweight division—like I mentioned earlier, that’s why we’re moving up to 140. If unification matches are available at 135 later this year, then that’s what I’m going to go after.”

Q: Did you think to yourself ‘I’d like to fight Adrien Broner’? Was it brought to your attention or did you maybe mention it to one of your people? How was it brought to your attention?
A: “We had already talked about a possible matchup between us two, but later in the year. When we couldn’t find anything else available that made sense, nothing big enough at lightweight, then we looked at the 140-pound division or someone that could possibly make a big name. And, Adrien Broner’s name came up along with Stephen [Espinoza] who had also brought it up to me, we were able to look into Adrien Broner and gladly everything worked out. His team accepted and I think this is the biggest fight that we can both get right now in our careers.”

Q: Did your team try to get the weight at even lower than 140 or they bring it to you at higher than 140 and you were able to settle on the division weight limit? How did the discussion of what weight would this would be at go?
A: “I made it clear that I’m still a lightweight and my best division right now is at 135. So, I would not go any higher than 140 pounds for this fight with Adrien. I made that very clear from the beginning, that if there was any discussion or talks about a fight with Adrien Broner it would not be anything higher than 140 pounds. I’m glad Adrien Broner and his team agreed to that weight.”

Q: Was there any hesitation from Broner’s team about that weight?
A: “Not that I’m aware of because I had heard that he also stated that he was coming back to 140 pounds.”

Q: What weight do you think Broner has been best at?
A: “Everything changes as the body grows and matures. When he was at 130 and 135 he was very strong, very fast. Then, at welterweight he made that big jump to welterweight and also looked very, very good. But in recent fights he’s had some other issues outside the ring, distractions and stuff that might be cause for some of the lack-luster performances on some of his fights. But, the skills are there and the talent is still there. So, I can’t comment on a specific weight class and he’s also fighting bigger men in bigger fights at welterweight and 140 pounds, and that’s also maybe some of the reason why he’s unable to finish the guys or look tremendous like he used to. But, you can’t deny the talent.”

Q: Where do you think your advantage comes in this fight? What area do you think you’re clearly better than he is?
A: “I just think I’m a skilled fighter with very good power as well and I think it’s a pretty even fight, pretty even match. But, I feel that I have a slight edge when I comes to just natural boxing skills, technique, the ring generalship; the timing and the distance-range where I control the range of the distance of a fight.”

Q: What makes Broner the “big fight”?
A: “I haven’t fought anybody else that’s been champion in four divisions. So, that’s going to be an accomplishment in itself there and that’s what I mean. There’s no one else available that has that resume.”

Q: Do you feel that you coming up in weight is an advantage or disadvantage in this fight?
A: “I don’t know that it’s an advantage or disadvantage. I think it’ll be a new to see Broner at 140 because that’s probably a better weight for him and that will actually allow me to perform better too. But, I don’t see myself as having an advantage because the fight is at 140. I feel that I should still be at 135 and I still plan on coming down to 135 pounds but we’ll just have to see on the 29th and see how I feel there.”

Q: How excited are you that a big fight like this is finally here?
A: “It’s exciting to be able to dictate and guide my career in a way that I want and I’m able to secure this fight without having much resistance on either party. So, that makes it easy and I look forward to securing bigger fights after this also.”

Q: Any concern that Broner is not going to make weight for the fight?
A: “There is some concern and that’s why I made it clear that I wouldn’t go any higher than 140. But, he agreed, his team agreed, and it seems like he’s confident that he’s able to make 140. I think last time he didn’t make it, maybe he wasn’t taking it as serious. Maybe, he was coming from some personal issues and problems. So, I think now, he’s probably more focused and ready to regain control of his career and make a big name again. He should be taking it very serious and if he feels confident in making 140, then that’s great. That only makes for a much better fight. If he’s going to be training better and preparing himself better to make the weight, it’ll just make for a bigger fight.”

Q: If he doesn’t make the weight, is the fight still something that you would consider?
A: “We would have to consider options and consider other factors to see if it’s still something that benefits me. Right now, we targeted 140 pounds, he agreed on 140, so that’s what I’m looking at. If later, before the fight, something does come up with issues than I’ll make a decision at that point.”

Q: Where were you, as far as making unification fights, before the Broner fight became a realistic possibility? Have fights with Linares or Flanagan been very difficult to make at that point? Or were you hoping that those fights could’ve been made this summer?
A: “I still hope we can get something like that before the end of the year but it just wasn’t happening this summer. Linares’ team said that they would like maybe a voluntary title defense of his titles just like the WBC had already agreed that it was okay for either one of us to take a voluntary title defense. With Flanagan, I heard it was a very good possibility to get done but I think he’s also got a fight with Verdejo, possibly as a mandatory and that’s something that we would have to wait for results for. So, it was a little more complicated to be waiting and to try to get those unification matches. But the Adrien Broner fight came up and it was a lot easier to get that than anything else.”

Q: At 140, tell us how you think your power will translate?
A: “I think the power is still there. It just depends on how well my opponent can take a punch. I am fighting a bigger guy with Adrien Broner, who has fought at welterweight and faced some of the better welterweights there, so the power may not show because he might be able to take a better punch. But, I moved up from featherweight all the way to lightweight and I still carried punch. My last victory as everybody knows, I knocked out Dejan Zlaticanin who had never been dropped and who was undefeated. I dropped him cold. The power is there it just depends on how well a guy can take a punch.”

Q: How comfortable are you at this weight? Do you walk around heavier than this or is this a big cut for you?
A: “It’s not a big cut honestly. It’s actually a very simple weight cut. But I think what I’m going to be working on is not necessarily just focusing on power but I’m going to continue working on my footwork, having my speed, my reflexes, so that I can carry that. The power, I believe is going to be there regardless but I want to make sure that I carry my speed and I don’t want the weight to affect me in any way and slow me down.”

Q: Is he going to be the best boxer you’ve faced?
A: “On paper he has the biggest resume, he’s the most accomplished fighter that I’ve faced. But as far as the better boxer, I’m just going to have to wait and see on the 29th and see how good of a fighter he really is because he’s definitely got the talent and the skills. Let me see what I can do on July 29th.

Q: How do you expect the fight to play out?
A: “It’s going to be a good, competitive fight, a very close fight because like I said, you can’t deny his skills, you can’t deny his accomplishments. But at the end of the night I feel that I am a slightly better boxer. Just a little bit better than he is and I’ve just got to prove it on the 29th. I did tell you that he loses, he’s lost and I don’t lose. That’s where I have that confidence. I don’t believe anybody around my division can beat me right now and I don’t think Adrien Broner is going to be one to give me those kinds of problems. We’re going to obviously train hard and prepare. We can’t take him lightly but I still believe very, very strongly that I’m the better fighter.”

STEPHEN ESPINOZA, Executive Vice President & General Manager SHOWTIME Sports
“It’s been a great year for boxing. More specifically, it’s really been a great year for SHOWTIME boxing. Boxing is enjoying a rejuvenation, a reinvigoration. The sport has a lot of momentum and SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING has been the primary engine for that. Through this weekend, when we’ll be featuring Adonis Stevenson vs. Andrzej Fonfara, SHOWTIME will have telecasted 18 live boxing events this year alone. That includes 14 world title fights. The fight we’re talking about today will be the 19th live telecast on SHOWTIME this year.

“Broner vs. Garcia will be the sixth time that we’ve featured a consensus top-5 fighter versus another consensus top-5 fighter. It’s really undisputable – this year the best are fighting the best and they’re doing it on SHOWTIME. In a year filled with memorable fights on SHOWTIME, I think July 29th could be among the most eagerly anticipated fights on the schedule. Two of the most talented, most well-known, most popular fighters in the sport today facing each other in the primes of their respective careers.

“On a personal note, this was a very easy fight to make. The conversation started roughly a week ago about the same time all of these rumors became public. And here we are a week later, including a holiday weekend, announcing a fight. And I’m proud to say that both of these very talented fighters showed no hesitation whatsoever in doing this.

“In the short time since this fight has been rumored and announced, there’s something I’ve seen that I think that’s unique in my experience in this position. There are large groups of people on each side of this fight that think it’s an easy fight. A lot of people say, ‘easy fight for AB.’ There’s an equally large group of people on the Mikey Garcia side that say ‘easy fight’ and I’ve never seen that on a fight before. That’s what makes this such an intriguing matchup.”

Q: “Did all of the other successful fights contribute to you being able to get this particular fight done.”
A: “These fighters are top-tier athletes. And they don’t get to this level of accomplishment without being competitors. We saw it with Shawn Porter at Errol’s fight. When these guys see these big fights happening, their juices get flowing and they get salivating. More than anything, it’s really the fighters. The fighters are the ones who are taking these tough fights and in many cases asking for the tough fights. Originally, we were looking for scheduling a fight for Mikey and a fight for Adrien at some point this summer. And then at a certain point, we realized that for either of them at 135 or 140, there wasn’t a bigger fight than fighting each other. Once everyone understood that, everything clicked. This is the biggest fight that each of them can make right now realistically and that’s really what got it done and made all the other issues: weight, money, all that other stuff melted away because these are two world class competitors who want to do the biggest fight possible.”

# # #

For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing. To become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing.

By Norm Frauenheim-

They are dangerous men moving in opposite directions. It was inevitable perhaps that their paths would cross in a fight with no title at stake, yet everything else at risk.

“This was a very easy fight to make,’’ Showtime executive vice-president Stephen Espinoza said Thursday in announcing Mikey Garcia-versus-Adrien Broner on July 29 at a venue still undetermined.

It was easy for all kinds of reasons. In a bid to enhance his pound-for-pound credentials, Garcia was looking to unify his lightweight title, maybe against Jorge Linares or Terry Flanagan. But they had other ideas. There were no options. But there was Broner.

“I haven’t fought anybody else who has been champion in four divisions,” Garcia (36-0, 30 KOs) said during a conference call after the junior-welterweight bout was announced. “That’s a big accomplishment in itself there. That’s what I mean. There is no one else available who has that resume.’’

Broner was — is – at a point of no return in a quest to regain relevance. He has won titles at super featherweight, lightweight, super lightweight and welterweight, but his recent record includes criminal charges and jail time.

“I’ve gotten older and I’m getting more wise,” Broner said. “I’m more mature. This next half of my career, I’m just focusing more on doing everything the correct way. The first half, I tried to do everything my way. It worked, but I could have been better.

“So, I want to try to do everything correctly.”

That Broner will attempt to do that in the ring instead of the Department of Corrections is an acknowledgement that his career – his life — is at a crossroads.

Against Garcia, however, he has taken on a steep challenge. Broner’s identity as the self-proclaimed “Problem’’ began to come apart in the wake of a crushing loss to Marcos Maidana in 2013. Maidana’s relentless aggression and power fractured the noisy confidence in a fighter who liked to say that his initials, AB, meant About Billions. About Bail, too.

The bragging and insults are gone. At least, they were Thursday. A quiet Broner was quick to praise Garcia, whose star has been ascending ever since his scary knockout of Dejan Zlaticanin on Jan. 28 in Las Vegas.

“Everybody is a puncher,’’ Broner said. “It all hurts. I don’t want to be hit, and I don’t care if it’s Paulie Malignaggi or Marcos Maidana.’’

At his best, Broner figures to be a lot harder to hit than a Zlaticanin ever was. What’s more, Broner is bigger. He fought as a welterweight. Broner’s size and athleticism promise to be a challenge for Garcia, who will be fighting at 140 for the first time. Yet, there are questions about whether Broner can in fact make the weight.

Broner lost his junior-welterweight belt on the scale before facing Ashley Theophane 14 months ago. He failed to make weight and went on to win by TKO.

In his last fight, Broner a split-decision winner at welterweight against Adrian Granados on Feb. 18. The weight was increased to 147 pounds a couple of weeks before opening bell because Broner was having trouble cutting weight.

Espinoza said Thursday that the deal included penalties for not making weight. But he would not divulge details. Don’t worry, said Broner, who promised to make the contracted weight.

“This fight gives me a reason to make 140 pounds,’’ he said. “I’ll make the weight no problem, just like when I fought for the title. I’ll make the weight easy.”

Making weight, however, might be his only victory, said Garcia, whose chances at facing Vasyl Lomachenko in an eventual pound-for-pound showdown might be determined by how he does against Broner (33-2, 24 KOs).

“He loses,’’ the unbeaten Garcia said. “He has lost. I don’t lose. I don’t believe anyone around my division can beat me. I believe I’m the better fighter.”

NEW YORK (June 1, 2017) – Today, SHOWTIME Sports® announced a blockbuster matchup between two of boxing’s biggest stars as three-division world champion Mikey Garcia moves up in weight to 140 pounds to face four-division champion Adrien “The Problem” Broner in the main event of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®, Saturday, July 29, live on SHOWTIME. Adrien Broner vs. Mikey Garcia is presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

In yet another significant main event matchup on SHOWTIME, these world-class fighters will meet at a critical time in their respective careers. A three-division world champion at the age of 23, and one of the youngest four-division world champions in boxing history, the flamboyant Broner remains one of the most accomplished and popular athletes – and perhaps the most polarizing – in the sport today. Among the top 140-pounders in the world, Broner is undefeated at or below 140 pounds with his only two losses coming against welterweight world champions Marcos Maidana and Shawn Porter. An experienced fighter at just 27 years old, Broner (33-2, 24 KOs) still believes he is the future of the sport and promises to prove it against Garcia on July 29.

Mikey Garcia, 29 years old and undefeated (36-0, 30 KOs), is a recently crowned lightweight champion on a self-appointed journey to become a household name in the sport of boxing. Garcia will move up in weight for the second time in just three fights to challenge Broner. Garcia represents a boxing family developing legendary status in the modern era of the sport. He is renowned for his sportsmanship and his commanding presence in the ring, honed by his brother and acclaimed trainer Robert Garcia. Mikey has held world titles at 126, 130 and 135 pounds, but has never fought north of 138.

Saturday, July 29 will be the 19th live boxing event on SHOWTIME this year. The main event bout will be a WBC 12-round special attraction.

“SHOWTIME Sports continues to deliver the most anticipated matchups, the most important events and the most thrilling fights in boxing,” said Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President and General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports. “We consistently feature top-rated champions and challengers. The best are fighting the best and the results have been spectacular. Adrien Broner vs. Mikey Garcia is a fight that fight fans have dreamed of—an undefeated, young star facing one of the best 140-pound fighters in the sport, both men in the prime of their respective careers. July 29 promises to be a memorable night in a year already full of memorable boxing events.”

Broner, of Cincinnati, Ohio, has achieved more in his young career than most fighters can hope for in a lifetime. After earning world titles at 130, 135 and 147 pounds, Broner won a belt in a fourth weight division – 140 pounds – in October 2015 when he defeated Khabib Allakhverdiev via 12th round stoppage to become the second youngest four-division champion in boxing history at 26 (behind Oscar De La Hoya, 24). As an amateur, Broner compiled a record of 300 wins, 19 losses under the guidance of his trainer Mike Stafford, who has remained in Broner’s corner throughout his entire career. Broner will turn 28 years old on July 28, the day before his bout with Garcia.

Once considered one of the top young pound-for-pound boxers in the world, Mikey Garcia, of Moreno Valley by way of Oxnard, Calif., returned to the ring after a two-and-half-year layoff in July 2016 without missing a beat. He scored a dominant fifth-round stoppage over former world champion Elio Rojas in his first fight back. Then, Garcia became a three-division champion by beating previously undefeated lightweight world champion Dejan Zlaticanin with a vicious third-round knockout last January. Garcia has stopped 19 of his last 21 opponents including Roman “Rocky” Martinez, Juan Manuel Lopez, Orlando Salido and Bernabe Concepcion.

For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports, www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @MikeyGarcia, @AdrienBroner, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing.

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

NEW YORK (March 20, 2017) – WBC Lightweight World Champion Mikey Garcia will join the SHOWTIME announce team as a guest analyst for the rematch between WBA Lightweight World Champion Jorge Linares and Anthony Crolla on Saturday, March 25 live on SHOWTIME at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT.

Three-division world champion Garcia, (36-0, 30 KOs), will join host Brian Custer and analysts Al Bernstein and Paulie Malignaggi in New York for the SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL® presentation of Crolla vs. Linares II, which will air live from Manchester Arena in Manchester, England.

“I’m excited to participate as guest analyst for this rematch,” said Garcia. “These are two of the most competitive boxers in my division. Jorge Linares won the first fight, but Crolla can create a different outcome.

“Linares has good hand speed, timing, reflexes and has power in both hands. Crolla has a good right hand and has shown some solid body work in his recent fights. While Crolla is getting better with each fight, Linares is likely still the better boxer, and should edge him out in a close fight.”

Linares (41-3, 27 KOs) dethroned Crolla (31-5-3, 13 KOs) in a thrilling battle last fall in Manchester to capture the WBA crown. The Sept. 24 match was the first time the three-division titlist Linares, who also holds the WBC Diamond and Ring Magazine lightweight belts, was pushed the 12-round distance in his career.

The WBC has mandated that the winner of Linares-Crolla II must face the hard-hitting Garcia, who knocked out defending champion Dejan Zlaticanin on Jan. 28 on SHOWTIME in just his second fight back following a 30-month layoff.

Linares-Crolla II is the second lightweight world title bout on SHOWTIME in 2017 and an important fight toward potentially unifying the resurgent 135-pound division.

By Norm Frauenheim-

Power speaks for itself. Find it, and a fighter doesn’t need words. He already has the singular answer for nearly every question. Just ask Mikey Garcia.

With one frightening flash of power a couple of weeks ago, Garcia ignited an interest in him that hadn’t really been there until he left Dejan Zlaticanin on his back, as lifeless as a flat board, under the ring ropes at Las Vegas MGM Grand.

Just like that, Garcia was somebody he had never been. He was scary, scary good.

The cognoscenti had always appreciated him for his tactical skill and evident smarts. Amid boxing’s chaos and carnage, Garcia was an example of an art form seldom seen in a scarred game sometimes called the sweet science. But an if or two were also attached to him.

He was too much the craftsman, a precise artist who could paint by the numbers as effectively as anyone. It was art all right, yet without the edgy anticipation that it could all end with one broad brush. Art is good in a museum, but it doesn’t do well on pay-per-view.

Garcia transformed himself from very good to potential stardom with a signature knockout of Zlaticanin in what had been considered a risky fight on the undercard of Leo Santa Cruz’ rematch victory over Carl Frampton.

Santa Cruz-Frampton was an entertaining bout, good enough to probably make a third one inevitable. A couple of days after, however, it had come and gone. But there is still talk about Garcia, whose knockout of Zlaticanin might be the biggest at the MGM Grand since Manny Pacquiao lifted Ricky Hatton off his feet and dropped him onto the canvas in a lifeless heap for several long moments in May 2009. Power has its own momentum, too.

There are stories and questions all over social media about who and what are next for Garcia, who won his third title in a third weight class in only his second bout since more than two years on the shelf during a contract dispute with Top Rank.

“I could get back very, very soon,’’ said Garcia, who is already back in top the 10 of the various pound-for-pound rankings. “I don’t want to wait.’’

Nobody else wants to wait either. Hopefully, he’ll get a chance this summer to unite the 135-pound title against the winner of Anthony Crolla’s challenge on March 25 of Jorge Linares, The Ring and WBA champion. There are also possibilities against WBO champ Terry Flanagan and Robert Easter Jr., the IBF’s belt holder.

But all of it sounds like a prelude to what could be one game’s next mega fight. Terence Crawford, the current champ at 140, has been speculated.

The other, Vasyl Lomachenko, is even more intriguing. In terms of style, Garcia-Lomachenko always has loomed as a chess match between two the game’s re-eminent masters. Garcia’s newfound power introduces a whole new element.

“I would definitely take on a challenge like that if he comes up to 135,’’ Garcia said after his victory over Zlaticanin. “He’s still at 130. If he decides to move up, we’ll talk. But it’s not up to me. It’s up to him to move up.’’

The good news is that Lomachenko is already thinking about a move to 135, according to his promoter, Bob Arum, who told ringtv.com Tuesday that he expects the two-time Olympic gold medalist to make the jump by the end of this year.

That begs another question. Would Arum, also Crawford’s promoter, be willing to do business with Garcia after the prolonged contract dispute? More good news. Arum told the Las Vegas Review-Journal last week that, yeah, he would.

“If the fight makes sense, then why not?” Arum said. “Whatever happened between Garcia and us is in the past. The one thing I have learned is to never hold grudges. If a fight with Lomachenko or Crawford makes sense, and if there’s a market for that fight, we would be open to it.”

Power is about business, too.

By Bart Barry-

For a decade now when you ask a contemporary prizefighter or even just a kid in the gym eight years from turning pro if ever to name his favorite fighter, what he hears you ask is: Who among active fighters do people say made the most money in his last match? Since talk of a-sides and pay-per-view buys has replaced in many cases arguments about chin density or fistic mass the answer your query receives shouldn’t surprise you – even as a slowfooted Mexican kid says Floyd instead of Chocolatito.

Been thinking muchly on competence these last few weeks and as there’s no prizefighting of particular note this month or next month or the month after it’s good an idea as any to treat because it feels increasingly fleeting and comes with increasingly fewer reminders. A fetish has become of “flow” in some circles like psychology and neurology – fields reliably comprising a ratio of two scientists for every 1,000 gurus – and while it’s an interesting idea (“the mental state of operation in which a person performing an activity is fully immersed in a feeling of energized focus, full involvement, and enjoyment in the process of the activity,” according to Wikipedia) its most zealous adherents see in it a shortcut more than a performance enhancer. They do not achieve flow via mastery but flow in lieu of mastery, bumping from one unverifiable accomplishment like fluency in a language no one round them speaks to another like deejaying, without suffering the inconvenience of fundamentals.

Since these trends are pendular a fit argument can be made sometime in the last decade society fetishized certifications and reductionism too far and now the pendulum swings its way back, but there’s more to it than one pendulum. There is a shifting-criteria idea, too, gaining momentum – alternative facts from the American political right and grade inflation from the left – wherein standards are moved to meet subjective ideals instead of objective values. Here comes the concerning part: If you eschew expertise and ignore those who protect the canon, as it were, you do no lasting damage and likely enrich yourself in the process (pop musicians); if you pursue expertise while others weaken the canon little damage is done to anything but your savings account, as you commit personal resources to accomplishments less valuable than before (poets); but if you eschew expertise while others refine the definition of expertise in your favor you achieve influence.

Since this still purports to be a column about boxing we’ll use the example of Floyd “Money” Mayweather. For a goodish amount of time aficionados cared deeply about competitive spectacles and nothing for purses. With the advent of closed-circuit- and pay-per-view-type viewing experiences the number of aficionados willing to pay for a match contributed to a formula for evaluating its appeal, and reporters duly recorded it and later wrote novelty round it – how many dollars/second, for instance, Mike Tyson make in his match with Michael Spinks. It was never the primary criterion, though, till “records” began to fall and fighters other than heavyweights, Oscar De La Hoya being the first to come to mind, began to set those records. But even recently as De La Hoya’s match with Felix Trinidad aficionados cared far more about the match’s deserving winner than who made how much, and for all his accumulated wealth De La Hoya, who had genuine prizefighting expertise, really did fight prime versions of men who could beat him.

But the erosion was underway. Mayweather, who also had genuine prizefighting expertise, changed his nickname to Money and went about selling his undefeated record in place of competitive spectacles, which mattered little at first because those who protect the canon saw it as an amusing aberration and trusted aficionados’ perspective on Floyd would ever weigh his handicapping opponents against what revenues he generated to ensure he did not become more than an amusing aberration. But then circumstances began to converge, and a dearth of prizefighting expertise among prospects decimated the ranks of aficionados – which meant no one was left to guard the canon even while hustlerish things like purse size replaced expertise. This is how you get an Adrien “About Billions” Broner whose blinding handspeed, flow, in fact blinded observers to his abysmal footwork and defense, mastery, and merged with an evolving marketplace view like: the quality of a prizefighter is proportionate to the size of his purse.

A partial antidote to this is Mikey Garcia – partial, not full, because he lost years of his career to a fixation on purse size – who just untied Dejan Zlaticanin a couple Saturdays ago and reasserted his mastery of timing and space while so doing. Garcia is much better at the prizefighting craft than all but a handful of his contemporaries, most of whom are foreign-born and foreign-schooled. Garcia is of a prizefighting family: his handspeed remains a complement to his expertise not its replacement. To see Garcia from ringside, not unlike seeing Andre Ward, is to witness, in a word, competence, and while that may no longer ensure the wealth it brought even a generation ago it still pays quite well or at least better than poetry does.

Bart Barry can be reached via Twitter @bartbarry