By Bart Barry –

Friday DAZN returned to boxing broadcasting with a good mainevent from Indio, Calif., in which undefeated Texas welterweight Vergil Ortiz manhandled Colombian veteran Samuel Vargas in an empty casino ballroom.  Ortiz threw every punch correctly and concussively and wore Vargas away till the end of round 7 brought a merciful technical stoppage.

Too early to say with Ortiz.  He does everything right and well and says the right things, too, but questions galore remain about his handlers, his promoter and his trainer, and their aptitude for developing a young prospect like Ortiz.  There’s a pink flag in there, as it were, about his weight, as well.

Ortiz turned pro four years ago as a junior welterweight and began campaigning round 147 a year ago without first winning a world title at his born-on weight.  Much as Golden Boy Promotions needs promising prospects and many as the world titles are in the world it’s a touch concerning Ortiz outgrew junior welter before his promoter got him a title shot.  And while many prospects have been funneled to Robert Garcia’s Oxnard these last 10 years, since Garcia steered Brandon Rios to an unlikely championship and nearly got Antonio Margarito blinded by Manny Pacquiao, there are a few questions about Garcia’s versatility as a trainer and teacher.

Samuel Vargas was an interesting choice of opponent for Friday’s match and DAZN’s return to boxing.  Vargas is a welterweight ratings board unto himself.  How you did against Vargas sets your status: Errol Spence (KO 4), Danny Garcia (KO 7, 2:17), Ortiz (KO 7, 2:58), Amir Khan (UD 12), Luis Collazo (SD 10): Collazo gets decisioned by Khan who gets stiffened by Ortiz who gets decisioned narrowly by Garcia who gets decisioned widely by Spence.  Would that all things were so symmetrical.

Vargas showed more than merely heart in Indio.  He showed veteran savvy when hurt; once he realized he couldn’t attrite Ortiz he retreated to the ropes and boxed pretty effectively, taking away Ortiz’s firstchoice weaponry and stinging him with accurate if anemic counters; he made Ortiz make decisions Ortiz had yet to make in his prizefighting career but will have to make whenever his promoter tries to make real money with him.

Vargas was a low-intermediate challenge for Ortiz but unfortunately the best sort of test Ortiz will see before being the b-side against bigger promoters’ titlists.  PBC owns every welterweight a-side but one, and Ortiz sure ain’t ready for Bud Crawford.  Thus the pink flag allusion above.  There’s no substitute for the experience of a 12-round title fight, for exhausting oneself in 36 minutes of combat with a man who expects to beat you – either because it’s his belt and you’re the usurper, or because the title is vacant and he resents your quick ascent – but Ortiz isn’t going to have any of those at welterweight, and it’s unfortunate he didn’t have any at 140 first.  You have to get seven deep in The Ring’s current 147-pound ratings before you consider making Ortiz a favorite, and even then it’s not much of a consideration.

Who, then, will Ortiz perfect his craft against in the weird silence of a pandemic?  Don’t answer that.  Let’s treat that weird silence instead.

There was an interesting moment in between one of the rounds of Ortiz-Vargas on Friday.  DAZN showed an instant replay without commentary, ostensibly to allow viewers to hear the concussiveness of Ortiz’s punches, but what you heard nearly as much were DAZN’s commentators yelling about the punches in realtime.  I don’t think I’ve ever heard commentators so clearly in an instant replay.  Then there was veteran referee Jack Reiss’s trip to Ortiz’s corner to explain his reason for admonishing Ortiz to stop spinning Vargas a round after DAZN’s Sergio Mora talked loudly about how much he disagreed with his own misinterpretation of Reiss’s officiousness.

Lots of strange new ingredients, there.  The referee hearing so clearly what was being broadcasted about his performance, the twoman commentary crew – seated 20 feet apart and invariably yelling to one another without realizing it – seeing the referee influenced by its commentary, the fighters’ conversations with one another and the referee being casually audible, and the absence of thousands of their fellow men communicating in yells and whispers and cheers and beer orders reducing the number of words the twoman crew spoke during the action.  It was a more intimate spectacle, a purist’s view, but nothing to attract casual fans, who delight in celebrity and sadism much more than craft or tactical nuance.

Variables affecting variables at variable rates – the quintessence of selforganization.  The promoters and networks, who play a centralizing role, surely don’t enjoy all these new variables (except for Bob Arum who’s old enough to find it amusing), but the fighters don’t seem to mind it too much.  They’d rather have what initial adrenaline a crowd supplies, but their ability to summon adrenaline from nearly any source is why they’re professional fighters; so long as paychecks clear and bank accounts stabilize prizefighters mightn’t mind the intimacy of their new arrangement.

Viewers are certainly privy to more than we were before.  Again, the cameras and commentators and promoters and commissioners and pressrow media, all, were existentially invested in having a monopoly on the information given aficionados.  In most cases these monopolies were naturally erected; Max and Jim and Larry were able to tell you things you didn’t know because they had a truckful of guys with headsets hearing all the things you couldn’t hear, and their commentary was essential in marketing to you a product intended to grow subscribers – just like Sergio’s commentary and Tim and Dre’s commentary and Paulie and Al’s commentary.

But as subscribers go wanting and advertisers go with them, we draw closer to a day, perhaps, when aficionados can have all we’ve ever wanted: a commentary-free audio track.  For an educated viewer, after all, there’s never been anything so poetic as the sounds of punches, in their sundry rhythms and rhymes, and how blissful might it be to listen finally without impediment?

Bart Barry can be reached via Twitter @bartbarry

LAS VEGAS – (March 30, 2018) – The always exciting Alfredo “El Perro” Angulo squares off against former world champion Sergio “The Latin Snake” Mora in an eight-round super middleweight battle while unbeaten Emanuel Medina (13-0, 9 KOs) battles Saul Corral (27-10, 18 KOs) in an eight-round welterweight clash as part of undercard action Saturday, April 7 at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas.

The Premier Boxing Champions event is headlined by Erislandy Lara, the longest reigning world champion at 154-pounds, clashing with undefeated champion Jarrett Hurd in a highly anticipated 154-pound world title unification bout. The co-main event will see Caleb Truax will defend his 168-pound title against James DeGale in a rematch. The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT and features Julian Williams and Nathaniel Gallimore meeting in a 154-pound world title eliminator.

Tickets for the show, which is promoted by TGB Promotions and Mayweather Promotions, are on sale now and available by visiting AXS.com or the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas Box Office.

The action continues as Ava Knight (14-2-4, 5 KOs) meets Mayela Perez (19-21, 10 KOs) in six-round flyweight bout and Ahmed Mahmood (7-0-1, 3 KOs) takes on Sharone Carter (8-2, 2 KOs) in an eight-round featherweight match.

Angulo (24-6, 20 KOs), a rugged veteran with a resume that includes battles with world champions like Erislandy Lara and Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, is looking to rebound from a knockout loss to Freddy Hernandez in his last fight. Angulo was born in Mexicali, Mexico but lives and trains in California.

Mora (28-5-2, 9 KOs) is a former 154-pound champion who has clashed with some of the biggest names in boxing during his career, including Shane Mosley, Vernon Forrest and Daniel Jacobs. In his last fight the 37-year-old Mora of Los Angeles lost by TKO to Jacobs in a middleweight championship rematch.

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

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, Sergio Mora will battle Alfredo Angulo on April 7th as part ofthe Erislandy Lara – Jarrett Hurd undercard in Las Vegas, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“It was a fight I was trying to avoid for quite a while. Perro is a friend,” Mora told ESPN on Tuesday. “Ultimately, the more time that passed the more it made sense for both of us. He’s been inactive just as long as I have and I was not being offered anything worth accepting, so I guess we both agreed.”

READING, PA. (September 8, 2016) – Middleweight world champion Daniel “The Miracle Man” Jacobs and former champion Sergio “The Latin Snake” Mora went face-to-face at the final press conference Wednesday before their world championship rematch that headlines Premier Boxing Champions on Spike Friday, September 9 from Santander Arena in Reading, Pa.

Also in attendance at Wednesday’s event were undefeated lightweights Robert Easter and Richard Commey, who fight for a vacant world title Friday night on Spike. Televised coverage begins at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT and features local contender Travis “My Time” Kauffman in a 10-round heavyweight bout.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by King’s Promotions, start at $20 and are on sale now via Ticketmaster.

Here is what the fighters had to say Wednesday:

DANIEL JACOBS

“It’s an honor to be up here as the main event with these young fighters and future champions. I’m excited to be back in the ring. It’s been too long but I’ve been training hard and I feel great.

“I’m going to do what I do best. People talk about my power, but I get my skills from the amateur system and from proving that I have the goods. I have the power in addition to the skill set. I’m planning on proving that Friday night.

“I’ll be ready every round to give it my best and he better come in ready to fight. I’m excited to be here and display my skills in a new place.

“The fans are looking forward to a good fight so I hope Sergio is ready to make this an exciting battle. I’m going to show everybody my full arsenal.”

SERGIO MORA

“Our last fight was on the way to being a ‘Fight of the Year,’ but I busted my ankle in the second round and I couldn’t continue. I’ve been waiting 13 months for this opportunity and I’m completely ready. This has been a fantastic training camp.

“It’s time for business. People don’t know what’s going to happen. He has big power and I have a lot of experience and tricks up my sleeve. The later the fight goes, the better off for me.

“I’m ready for any way this fight can go. I’m excited about this fight and the fans should be excited about this fight. We’re proud fighters and I can’t wait to get in there.”

ROBERT EASTER

“This is a big opportunity and something I’ve wanted for my whole life. Ever since I was nine-years-old. All the hard work I’ve put in since I was a kid, everyone will see. I will put on a great performance

“We already were working hard before we knew we had this title shot. Someone has to pay for the work I’ve been putting in for 16 years in this business. On Friday night it will be another victory and another man down.”

RICHARD COMMEY

“I’m very happy to be here and I’m thankful for this opportunity. When I first started boxing this is what I hoped for.

“This is all that I have had on my mind. This is what has motivated me for many years.

“Come Friday night I’m going to be ready to fight and I’m going to be a world champion.”

For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com and www.spike.com/shows/premier-boxing-champions. Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @DanielJacobsTKO, @TheLatinSnake_, @SpikeTV, @SpikeSports @KingsBoxing_ and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions. PBC on Spike is sponsored by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

DANIEL JACOBS vs. SERGIO MORA FIGHT WEEK MEDIA SCHEDULE
*All Times Are Eastern*

Thursday, September 8

6:00 p.m. OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN
Location: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Reading –
Callowhill Ballroom
701 Penn St.; Reading, PA 19601
5:30 p.m. – Media Arrival
6:00 p.m. – Fighters to scales

Friday, September 9

6:00 p.m. SANTANDER ARENA DOORS OPEN & FIRST BOUT
Location: 700 Penn Street; Reading, PA 19601

9:00 p.m. SPIKE BROADCAST BEGINS

CREDENTIAL DISTRIBUTION
Fight night credentials can be picked up from the box office beginning at 5:30 p.m. Proper personal photo ID (Driver’s license or passport) is required for credential pick-up.
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For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com and www.spike.com/shows/premier-boxing-champions. Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @DanielJacobsTKO, @TheLatinSnake_, @SpikeTV, @SpikeSports @KingsBoxing_ and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions. PBC on Spike is sponsored by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

Marc Abrams
Okay. Welcome to the Daniel Jacobs/Sergio Mora conference call. The rematch will take place Friday night, September 9th, at the Santander Arena in Reading, Pennsylvania, and live on Spike TV. It’s a championship double header, a great show that will also feature the IBF lightweight championship of the world between undefeated Robert Easter and undefeated Richard Commey of Accra, Ghana. The show is promoted by Kings Boxing. And to make some opening statements, the President of Kings Boxing Mr. Marshall Kauffman. Marshall?

Marshall Kauffman
Hello, everybody. It’s a pleasure to be able to host such an exciting fight come September 9th. I’m looking forward to fireworks between both these–with both of these bouts. You have–with Richard Commey and Robert Easter, Jr., and of course, Daniel Jacobs and Sergio Mora, it’s going to be an exciting night. I’m really looking forward to it. And the [unintelligible] town of Reading as well is really excited about such a big event coming to our town.

Abrams
Well, we’ll start with Robert Easter–would like to make an opening comment.

Robert Easter
Yeah, I’ll all very excited to come to Reading, PA, and fight for the IBF world title. Hopefully, Richard Commey will bring his A game to the table because I’m definitely bringing my A-plus game to the table.

Abrams
And, Richard, would you like to make an opening statement?

Richard Commey
Oh, yeah, I’m very excited to have this opportunity to fight for the IBF lightweight world title. I’ve worked so hard to get this opportunity. And I know Robert Easter, Jr., has also. So, it’s going to be a great fight.

Q
Robert, basically, he hasn’t faced anyone with your height, reach, power, and speed. Is that accurate? Can you give an assessment of your thoughts on that?

Easter
Yes, no, he hasn’t faced anyone like me and my agility, my power, my length, my reach. He hasn’t faced a guy like me. So, that’s where I come in and take over this fight.

Q
On the other hand, who would you say that you have faced that is either comparable or better than him in ways that you think he need–he would need to be able to compete against you?

Easter
It was–Mendez, he was a speedy, speedy guy, fast, and could move a lot. But, what I’m hearing, Commey brings pressure I guess. That’s probably the only thing Mendez didn’t have. He came–he definitely came to fight, though, but he was a speedy guy, a slick guy, to move his hands.

Q
I guess the last question, is there anything that is different or unique about Richard that you haven’t seen in an actual fight? I know you’ve been in sparring with guys like [Lamont Peterson] and Anthony Peterson, Adrian Broner, guys like that. But, in an actual fight, is there anything about him that you respect to the level that you’re really going to have to be on your P’s and Q’s about?

Easter
Every opponent you step in the ring with you have to respect. But, it’s nothing unique I see coming from him. It’s nothing I haven’t seen or faced. So, like I said, this should be a walk in the park for me, and I say that with confidence.

Q
Okay. Richard, I wonder what tradition you know when you talk about Azumah Nelson Have you talked to any of those guys or heard from any of those guys ?

Commey
Yes. And I’m going to use the advice Azumah gave me over the last few weeks here in Ghana.

Q
Richard, how does Robert stack up to left hander went the distance with both those guys. Have you seen anything like what you’re going to see out of Robert in terms of reach and–?

Commey
I’ve inspired a lot of people with a lot of heart. I need this opportunity. His height really won’t matter. I’m coming there to win and that’s what I’m coming to do.

Q
The last question, what do you think you’ve–that he hasn’t fought anyone like? What do you think is unique about you that he hasn’t seen before?

Commey
Well, I’m a tall guy. And no matter what he does, I can win. I’m strong. And I can take punches and I can punch as well. I can do all that. If he can’t–he will lose. I respect the height and his reach and his skills as a boxer.

Q
I’ll start with you, Easter. Welcome to the fight, and good luck to you. You mentioned that you’re ready, and Commey has not fought anybody of your caliber. But, if you look at both records, you guys are both undefeated with a nice double figure of knockouts. And he’s already a champion is his country and all that. Now, and you are an ex-Olympian. Are you telling me, or as I understand, that you’re minimizing what he has, taking in consideration that he is undefeated, just like you, and somebody’s always got to go? So, what do you–how do you assess that?

Easter
Seeing the few rounds I did watch is the skills, and I wouldn’t say they were that good, but he–like I said, he’s just very strong. They say he’s strong. But, you’re only strong to somebody you can hit.

When you got to–boxing out there, like me, I’m using my rank, my length, and what I’m throwing [can be] hard as well, how you going to be able to get past that? So, like I said, the skills are not much there. But, I don’t like to get hit that much. I won’t get hit that much. So, I’m going to take all that away, and then whatever he’s bringing and adjust to have him adjust to me. Once I get him in my game plan, the fight is going to go my way the whole few rounds it’s going to last.

Q
Do you feel that your Olympic experience is an advantage over him because, after all, when you get to the high heights of Olympic experience and international amateur fighting, you’re almost like a pro? It’s almost like stepping into the living room when you turn pro. So, that has–you have an edge on that?

Easter
I wouldn’t pretty much focus on the amateur side because the transition from the amateur to pro is way different. You know patience.So, I’ll transition pretty quickly like Lamont Peterson, Anthony Peterson, Adrien Broner, guys like that..

Q
Are you hoping to–just to name two guys to follow the tradition of African champions, like Ike Quartey and the great Azumah Nelson, to bring another title back to Africa? Is this what–not only to win, of course, but is–this is your direction, your crusade, when you were saying that, “Finally, I got a chance at a world title,” and your heart of hearts, this is what you want to do, to bring another title to Africa?

Commey
Yes, that’s exactly what I want to do. Like you said, the likes of Ike Quartey, Azumah Nelson, to bring a championship back to my country.

Q
Knowing that this is for the vacant IBF world title, of course, what have you–without giving out trade secrets, what have you done in camp to–different or with a high acceleration to make sure that your hand is raised in victory over Easter?

Commey
Well, of course, I spar a lot of big guys like Joshua Clottey, and I have the kind of power to excel in the gym and on fight night. I want to follow the tradition of Ghanaian boxing. So, I’m coming there to make sure, once I get my game plan underway, then I’ll victorious.

Q
Do you run at all the risk of being a little overconfident against another opponent who is also undefeated and has traveled all over, fought a lot of different type of fighters in all different countries and certainly has no fear of coming here? Are you a little overconfident in those remarks?

Easter
No, not at all. Not at all. I believe in my skill. And I know what I’ll come and do, just like my last fight and fight before that and a few fights before that. Once I got my game plan, when I come in the ring, I know how to make the fighter try to adjust to me. Once I get a fighter try and adjust to me, then the fight is already won.

The skills, you can see the skills, mine and his. He’s a straight coming-forth fighter, try to hard punch and all that. But, when got boxing and you can punch as well and you can move, don’t matter. It speaks for itself.

Q
So, how surprised were you that Barthelemy did give up the title and that you ended up getting this title shot? Seems to me probably about maybe around a year or so or at least in the IBF 9 or 10 months sooner than maybe you had expected.

Easter
I knew after the Mendez fight I was going to have a big fight coming up. So, either way, I was going to train like it was a championship fight, like I do always. So, it is surprising that it came up this soon.

Q
Do you think, when you face him, you’re going to have to use your height and length and box him because you mentioned how aggressive he is, or is this going to be similar to Argenis Mendez, where you can drop that big shot at any moment and knock the guy out?

Easter
Yeah, I’m going to and I will have to box. That’s the plan for every opponent I fight. I box and use my length. So, as long as I do that and see a weakness–wherever I see a weakness, that’s when I go for it.

Q
I count six different countries that you’ve fought in between your home country, United States, throughout Europe. Can you talk about what that experience has done in terms of giving you confidence to come again to the United States and take on an American fighter in a pretty significant fight for a world title?

Commey
Like you said, I’ve been fighting all over the world. I’m very comfortable fighting in the U.S. I don’t really think about where I’m going to fight, just do my best, and whatever happens, I take it because, as a boxer, I need to prepare. I need to be ready to go wherever to fight. I’m ready to go anywhere to fight to so wherever I go as a boxer. So, I’m all good

Q
Richard, can you just give me your opinion about the kind of fighter and what you think about the style of Robert Easter, if you’ve seen him fight?

Commey
What I’ve seen of him, I know he’s a great boxer, a skilled boxer, and he tries to move a lot. But, likewise, I can box. I can come forward. So, on the night of the fight, definitely, I know what I’m going to do.

Q
Did you have a preference of fighting Barthelemy, who was the reigning champion, or taking on another undefeated fighter for the vacant title, or did it not make a difference to you?

Commey
Well, at the end of the day, that’s you want. Once you got a chance to fight for it, whatever comes, it doesn’t really matter who you’re supposed to fight. It’s the title I want. So, for me, I don’t really feel much disappointed. I’m there to fight for the title. That’s what I want. So, I’m not disappointed. It’s all good as I’m really looking forward for the title. And once I’m fighting for the title, I don’t mind.

Abrams
Okay. We’re going to wrap up this part of the call. I know we’ve got–Sergio is on the line. And I think Daniel will be on the line in a second. Just a quick final comment from both, we’ll start with Robert.

Easter
Just be ready September 9th. I’ll come bring a lot of fireworks and a lot of action and another short bout, September 9th, and will be the IBF champion.

Commey
Come on the 9th of September. I’m coming to put my life on the line. And I’m going to be the world champion, IBF lightweight world champion.

Abrams
Thank you, guys. We’ll see you in Reading September 9th. And, Danielle, I think we’re ready now with the–I believe Sergio is on the line. I know Daniel going to be in, in a second. I guess, while we wait for Daniel, Marshall, I don’t know if you want to introduce Sergio?

Kauffman
Sergio Mora, a very exciting fighter. His last fight was fireworks. And I’m looking forward to fireworks once again. Danny Jacobs dropped him first, and Sergio came back and took advantage of Danny’s mistakes. And then the third knockdown was something that’s still a question mark, whether it was from a knockdown or a twisted ankle. So, there are question marks–there are questions that are left to be spoken for. And I believe Sergio is in shape. And we’ll see, come September 9th. How about it, Sergio?

Sergio Mora
It was no knockdown. I always–I’m the one getting punched, by the way. So, I didn’t feel the punch, and it was definitely just me twisting my ankle. It was Jacobs pushing me down as well. Yeah, the referee kept warning Jacobs also that he was pushing me down with his elbow. I normally go down low like that. So, it’s not the first time it happened. So, it’s a mix of a lot of things. But, it wasn’t a punch to knock me down. It was all my ankle. And if was a punch, then why didn’t I stay down? I was up at the count of two or three on one foot. So, it definitely wasn’t a punch.

Abrams
And I believe the WBA middleweight champion Daniel Jacob on the line. Daniel, you want opening statements and maybe a response to that?

Daniel Jacobs
Well, I came in briefly. And from what I hear, he’s saying that that last shot wasn’t a punch that put him down. I don’t know what my eyes were seeing, or I don’t know what my fists felt, but in my opinion, and I think, if you clearly go to the video, the replay, it was a punch that put him down. It was the uppercut that started–which had him back–withdraw and back up. And then it was the overhand right that put him down. So–.

Mora
The overhand right grazed the back of my head. Yeah, the overhand right grazed the back of my head, but my ankle was already twisted. It was a tricky shot.

Jacobs
It could be a graze. It could be whatever you want to say it could be, but it put you down. Listen, let me give my opening statement, please. I just got on the line.

Mora
But, it didn’t keep me down. If I was hurt, –I wouldn’t have gotten up.

Jacobs
Okay. Allow me to have my opening statement, Sergio, please. I just got on the line, brother. Show some respect. I just got on the line. So, my opening statement, ladies and gentlemen, it is the honor to be back into the ring. I’ve been out for quite some time. The reason we’ve actually been out for so long was because we were trying to get a better opportunity at fighting B.J. Saunders. Obviously, that fight took a little longer than anticipated. And this is the reason why this fight is happening. It isn’t because I’ve been avoiding Sergio Mora. I just understand that this fight for my career at this particular point isn’t really going to do anything for me. It’s more going to do anything–more for Sergio than it would do for me. But, me and him have the same management in Al Haymon. So, I can understand why this fight is being made.

But, the reasons why he’s saying this fight is being made as far as me ducking him and not wanting to fight him, I mean, that’s absurd. That’s absurd. But, I’m just excited nevertheless to be back into the ring. It’s a good time for me to be able to get back in there and have some fun again. I look forward to a very good matchup again I hope. But, one question that I do have for Sergio is, in previous interviews, he said that he was going to have a more exciting style and he was tired of being the born fighter he used to be that wasn’t appealing to fans, and he wasn’t going to do much running, this other stuff, stuff that he’s been getting criticized before, he wasn’t going to do that. And now that he says he’s felt the power of myself, he says he’s going to completely switch the game plan. So, my question is, what–why the sudden change? I mean, what’s the difference now? Why are you not going to be more exciting and more appealing now, like you said before?

Mora
I said I was going to be exciting and more aggressive. I didn’t say I was going to be stupid.

Jacobs
Oh, yeah, that is stupid to come and–that will be stupid to come and actually go toe to toe and bang with me. You’re absolutely right. So it’ll be interesting to see the game plan that you have for this coming fight because I just hope it’s not a stinker, man. You’re getting a second opportunity at a world–at my world title shot. Please let’s not make it a snoozer. It’s bad enough we’re both receiving a lot of criticism for this fight, but dude, please let’s just make it exciting.

Mora
Hey, listen, I’m the king of criticism. If you can’t take criticism, you don’t belong to be a champion. You don’t belong in the top like that. That’s part of being a world champion is taking all the bullshit from critics and media and everyone else. And if you’re thin-skinned, then you’re not going to hang very much as the world champion.

Jacobs
Okay. Yes, sir. Ready for some questions.

Q
Sergio, after that first fight, you said that you felt that, because it was so early in the fight, it was going to be called-be a no contest. Turns out it ultimately ended up being a loss on your record. Do you feel like the fact that it’s been so–that the fight ended in that way, do you feel like an extra layer of motivation to try to win this second fight?

Mora
No, that blemish on my career is–it’s already there. I tried to contest it with the New York Commission. But, it got me nowhere. The New York Commission is a mess as we’re all finding out when it comes to the fights and boxing and MMA and everything else. So, I went that route. It didn’t go anywhere. So, I’m going to have that TKO on my record for the rest of my career and the rest of my life. And it’s sad because I don’t want it to be on a technicality. So, does it irk me? Absolutely. But, am I past it? Yes. I just want an opportunity to clear whatever happened. Jacobs said that he dropped me twice. I only fell once. I dropped him once. Round of the year, Sports Illustrated. Second round, I feel I was in control and winning. With 5 or 10 seconds left, the injury happens, and I bust my ankle. So, there’s a lot of unanswered questions. And for whatever reason this fight is happening again, I’m going to–I’m fully prepared for whatever comes. And I just want to–I just want my opportunity. And I’m thankful that I got it.

Q
Daniel, in that–in the first round, Sergio did knock you down. You said after the fight ended that you were a little bit careless in that first round. Are you taking a more conservative approach, or are you being a little more careful knowing that Sergio has the capabilities of knocking you down?

Jacobs
Listen, there’s always opportunities to learn and grow in the sport of boxing. Even with a light-punching guy like Sergio Mora, I learned a valuable lesson that, after I knocked him down and I was going in for the kill, that you still have to be defensive minded, even when you have a guy hurt because I was on the verge of stopping this man. There’s no way around that. I was definitely on the verge of stopping him. But, in my mind, I got a little careless. And the way I had my feet spread, I mean, I just got caught with a real clean shot. It’s nothing I can take away from him. He definitely earned that. But, it was a valuable lesson to me and a lesson that I’m sure I won’t make again.

Q
Sergio, how was the rehab in trying to get back and healthy? Was there anything that, during that time, you looked at yourself as a fighter and wanted to improve upon for this rematch?

Mora
No, not as a fighter. The only thing I had in mind was to heal up 100 percent. I did everything in my power, in my capability to heal up properly. I did all the–I got the best treatment. I tried to go with the best physical therapist and with ice and do all the remedies, all the Mexican remedies that my mom would tell me to do. And I tried to do everything possible to do it. So, finally, I–after 6 to 7 months, I started–little by little started putting pressure on it. And I started feeling good and taking it–taking Aleve. And sometimes, I have to take cortisone shots in order for me to go harder and faster. So, I just did everything in my ability, plus prayer. And thank God I’m back.

Q
I don’t know who’s best fit to answer this question, but is there a rubber match clause in the event that Sergio pulls the upset?

Mora
I’m the king of rematches. So, I’ll answer that. I’ve had four rematches. This is going to be my fifth. And I’ve never had a rubber match. I probably deserved a rubber match with Brian Vera. But, Texas is just too big and strong for me to beat. So, rubber matches, I don’t know. We’ll see. I got to get the win first.

Q
Are you confident, Sergio, in your ability to plant on your ankle?

Mora
Absolutely. Now, I am. There were times within the year that I’ve been off that I questioned it. And I’m 35 years old now. So, everything heals up slower. I can’t fool myself. So, sometimes, I question it. But, now, I’m not anymore. I did everything. I put all the pressure, sprinting uphill, sprinting downhill, stopping on a dime, pivoting, twisting. And I feel an ache here and there. But, as far as me doing, I’ve done it. So, mentally, I’m there. I’m ready.

Q
Daniel, do you feel this fight is a backwards step?

Jacobs
I absolutely do. I mean, I think it’s just–to me, this is kind of like a just-stay-busy fight because we weren’t able to get the fight that we actually wanted, for whatever reason. But, to me, I don’t think this does anything for my career. Like I said before, we’ve always wanted to move up to bigger and better opposition each time out. This is kind of a step back. And I understand that it left a bitter taste in certain people’s mouths because of the way Sergio Mora lost. But, in my opinion, he was on the verge anyway. So, that’s how I look at it. But, this is for me an opportunity to kind of quiet the critics and just make the final statement once and for all that I am the better fighter, better boxer.

Hell, I’m better in general inside that square ring. Sergio Mora has nothing in there to stop me, especially come September 9th. I’m in the best shape that I’ve ever been in my life. And he said before that I don’t like to go 12 rounds. I mean, I’ve never said that. I mean, just because I’ve knocked guys out doesn’t mean I don’t like to go 12 rounds. With the Caleb Truax fight, I wanted to go 12 rounds, and I did, and then I stopped him in the 12th round. So, it’s not like I’d just like to go out there and have this false identity like I’m this super big knockout artist. I’m a superb boxer. I learned the fundamentals from the amateur USA boxing. I’ve gone internationally and performed on an international level. I know how to box. Sergio Mora is extremely awkward. That’s what allowed him to get where he is now. Take nothing away from him being a world champion. Yeah, I have to give him credit for that. But, as a–.

Mora
About time you give me some credit. And guess what? I–and hey, listen, man. Sorry to interrupt you, but that’s the first time you’ve ever given me credit.

Jacobs
Oh, I’m sorry. I thought I was answering the question. Okay. I’m going to let you go ahead.

Mora
That’s the first time you’ve ever given me credit, man. Thank you very much. Thank you, Danny. Thank you.

Jacobs
Oh, okay. You’re very welcome. But, as I was saying, yes, this is definitely a setback.

Q
It didn’t take long for you to get acquainted the first time around. What are your mindsets? Are you looking to pick up where you left off, or you taking a completely different approach this time around?

Mora
I’m still in shock that he gave me credit. Look, the first time around, he downplayed and downgraded me as a former world champion. And he said that he wanted to move onto bigger and better things. I just want to touch on something. I’m the best name on Daniel Jacobs–no, let me take that back. I’m the most accomplished name on Daniel Jacobs’s record.

So, how is he down–how is he going backwards? How is he regressing by fighting me? I’m the best–I’m the most accomplished on his resume. He’s not even top three on mine. I’ve got hall of famers on my resume. I had to beat a world champion, a five-time world champion to become champion. He had to beat a guy Jarrod Fletcher Jacob–I don’t even know what the hell his name is, Fletcher Jones or whatever it is. So, the bottom line is you’ve got to give me my credit, man. So, thank you for giving me that credit. Now, what was your question, again? I’m sorry.

Q
Are you looking to pick up where you left off, or are you coming in with a totally different mindset?

Mora
Well, look, I know that I got dropped. I’ve been dropped before. I can get up, and I’m pretty resilient that way. Jacobs took a little longer to get the cobwebs off. So, he–now, he knows that I can punch. I don’t think he’s going to come in as aggressive as he was the first time. If he does, maybe we’ll leave off. That’s going to be up to the champ. The champ wants to start if off, I’m good. If not, if I see him–fighting behind a jab, then I’m going to have to go and put the pressure on a little bit.

Q
And, Daniel?

Jacobs
So, I just–I totally feel like he’s just full of it right now. I don’t think he’s going to come forward. He’s even said it in the interview. Now, he understands and he knows how much power I possess. He’s going to change the game plan. And he’s going to try to take me into what he quotes are deep waters. So, he’s going to try to take me in later rounds, which in my opinion, he has to box, and he has to be on the back foot to do so.

So, in my opinion, I think he’s going to try to make it a snoozer. He’s not going to try to make it exciting and come forward. And it’s just my–it’s just up to me to make it an exciting. And I’m going to do what I’ve always done. I’m going to come forward, and I’m going to adjust if I need to make adjustments. And that’s simple. I want to hurt this man. There’s no way around it. I want him to feel and eat his words, clearly. So, I’m going to come in there, and I’m going to try and punch you in your face. It’s plain and simple, Sergio. That’s my game approach. But, if you want to box–.

Mora
That’s all good. You try to reach my–.

Jacobs
If you want to go on the back foot–.

Mora
I’m going to be touching that body.

Jacobs
Hold on, sir. Hold on, baby. Hold on, baby. I’ll let you answer your question. Hold on now. Be respectful. If you wanted to be on the back foot, that’s the game that I can play, too. I have an extreme amateur and professional boxing resume, brother. Like, we can do this. But, the game plan for me, to answer your question, is to go in there and hurt this man, period.

Q
Sergio, given the fact that Danny has said that this is a backwards step for him, he looks at it as a tune-up fight, didn’t really want to have the rematch, why–what do you think it was that actually got you this rematch and I know you wanted very badly?

Mora
Al Haymon, plain and simple, Al Haymon. I think no one was campaigning for this rematch, Dan. And I think a lot of people were surprised that it happened. I certainly was surprised that I got the phone call because, even though I was promised by Al a big fight my first fight back, I didn’t expect it to be for world title versus Daniel Jacobs in a rematch. So, I’m very, very thankful to Al Haymon. And honestly, just to–I mean, not to be funny or anything, but if I really have to thank another person, another thing, it’s Twitter because it gives me a voice when I was injured. And I never had that before. I just wish I would’ve started it earlier and had more of a following. So, yeah, I’ve got to thank Twitter, too.

Q
Do you think–I mean, you’ve had your ups and downs. You fought a lot of good names. But, you mentioned a little earlier 35 years old. Do you think this maybe this could be your last chance at a world title?

Mora
Yeah, probably. I mean, I can’t be foolish and say that I can move–I can beat Bernard Hopkins. I can’t. I’m not Bernard Hopkins. There’s only special people that could fight in their mid-30s and so on and still be fighting the best. So, even though, if my body hasn’t taken a beating, I’ve been in the game a long time. And the wear and tear from sparring and from running and from the dieting and from all the other stuff, all that takes effect.

But, even though I am well preserved, I’m still the age that I am. And the hunger’s still there. So, number one, if the hunger’s still there, everything else falls into place. So, we’re going to find out in two weeks exactly if the hunger and my body is at the same level.

Q
Were you anxious to just go right back in with Danny in a second fight if you could get the fight, or did you consider a tune-up?

Mora
No, no. Great question, Dan. Me and my team did have that discussion. And we did think about fighting someone else. And I think Alfredo Angulo was a name they offered and were considering. But, we know Angulo very well. And we just didn’t feel right taking that fight, especially watching the fight–his last fight. But, the ankle feels good. And we decided to go straight into this title fight because we weren’t sure we were going to get it again. I think the stars lined up perfectly for it to happen. And Jacobs admits that, too, that he didn’t want to fight me for whatever reasons, and I got this fight thanks to Al Haymon. And that’s it.

Q
What was it that made you decide that, ultimately, you would in fact give him the rematch, even though it’s clear that it’s not a fight that you want?

Jacobs
It’s just I understand how it left a bad taste in people’s mouths. So, with the options that we were given, with talking to Al and talking with my team, I guess it just kind of made–not sense, but it just was the right thing to do at the very–at that moment. And I won’t say we looked at it as, like, hey, this is an easy win or this is an opportunity to make easy money.

Like, we don’t look at it like that. But, we kind of just–and we definitely wasn’t forced into the fight. So, that’s another thing that I want to make clear. Al Haymon didn’t say, “Hey, this is going to be what you’re going to do.” So, me and my team came together. And for whatever reasons, we allowed this fight to happen, but we definitely wasn’t forced into it.

Q
So, you mentioned you had some other options that were brought to your attention. What were those other options?

Jacobs
They just wasn’t–like, it wasn’t guys in my opinion at that level that were bigger and better. Like I said before, we looked at the whole scene of the middleweight division, and Andy Lee and a couple other guys that names were thrown out there. We were trying to make that fight happen with Lee. I think that fight kind of fell through maybe once or twice. So, we were just like, “Hey, let’s just go with Sergio Mora.” The way we–the way it looked and the way we won kind of left a little bit bad taste in people’s mouths. So, it just makes sense to do it.

Q
What is the big fight out there? You are–as the WBA’s regular champion, you are the mandatory for Gennady Golovkin. I want to know if that’s a fight that you’ll consider after this?

Jacobs
Absolutely. That’s the fight that I want. I want the best out there. We tried to make the fight with B.J. Saunders. We tried to make the fight with a couple other guys. But, it just didn’t work. Chris Eubank, Jr., was another opportunity for us to fight. But, he didn’t want no part. So, even after winning the–forgot what title he won because I know I was his mandatory at some point, and he declined. And so, we want to fight the best, point blank, period. Triple G is the best, and that’s the guy that we want.

Q
What kind of particular stylistic problems you think you’d give Golovkin that he hasn’t seen yet?

Jacobs
I definitely believe I would be the toughest test because I believe I would be the victor in that fight. I definitely believe in my skills and my ability. At one point in my career, the only reason why I said I wanted to wait was so I could get 12 rounds so we can go the full distance and know how we can actually feel in a tough fight for 12 rounds. I’ve accomplished that. And then the only thing that was kind of keeping me from making this fight happen earlier was the finance. So, people saying I was ducking or I was doing a whole bunch of this and a whole bunch of that, that’s far from the truth. I just wanted to be compensated accordingly. And that was it. If we can make these fights happen sooner than later, I’m all for it. But, in the same token, I still would like to be compensated accordingly.

Q
Are you confident that you could get a deal done that would be good for the finances?

Jacobs
I don’t really know too much about that. I mean, I have a great team. And I leave all those things up to my team. My thing is to stay ready, to be ready, and to perform at my best when I’m inside the ring. So, whatever the logistics is outside the ring, all I have to do is say, “Yes, I’m comfortable with that. And let’s make the fight.”

Q
Now, I know you’re a pretty even-keeled guy, but has Sergio got under your skin with all the trash talk?

Jacobs
Oh, hell yeah. I mean, not under my skin to where it would affect my game plan or it’ll affect me inside the ring. No, it’s just some of the things that he’s said or from the pictures that he’s posted, and that’s what he’s supposed to do. And he’s landed an opportunity at fighting me again. But, this is an opportunity that I’m looking forward to. And this is probably for me the first personal fight that I’m entering in with mean intention.

Q –
And a question for Sergio. You’ve been around for a long time. You’ve fought a lot of top guys, like Sugar Shane and so forth. Where–how would you compare Danny to those guys? And how do you think you’ll–a guy like you who has such a high boxing IQ, how do you think a rematch would help you?

Mora
Sugar Shane and so forth, and Vernon Forrest, two great fighters. Look, Danny has his amateur pedigree. And he can fight behind the jab, like he says. And he could be–and he can fight on his back foot, as he claims. He says he’s gone 12 tough rounds. I only seen him go 12 one-sided rounds against a guy named Caleb Truax. Those weren’t tough. He doesn’t know what tough is yet. And he isn’t really–he hasn’t experienced what it is to be in there with an all-around championship caliber fighter for 12 rounds. I have. That’s the difference. That’s the difference.

And I feel that, until he experiences that, he still doesn’t know what it is to be an all-around champion, a champion that’s had to deal with getting knocked down, getting up, bad cuts, being down behind them cards, losing on cards going through the final championship round. These are the experiences you can only dream of and hope of. So, until you experience that, you can’t really say he’s done that. Right now, he still needs to learn.

Q
Sergio, do you relish having the kind of opportunity to, as you said, teach somebody to be a fighter?

Mora
Absolutely. I relish the opportunity to do great things, man. And I think that, if you look back at my career, every time I get a big opportunity, I conquer it, or something like the Shane Mosley thing happens where, actually, I won, and it was a draw. But, the big opportunities, I shine, man. And this is just something that always needs to happen, always have to take the hard route. That’s been my career, man. I’ve never been the A side. I’ve always been the B side that could compete with the A side.

And this is just another example of that. Danny, the young champion looking down on me, subordinating me, making me feel like I’m lucky to get this opportunity, I’ve dealt with that my entire career, man. It’s nothing new. I know I’m here over and over, time after time for a reason because I’m that fucking good. And so, people recognize and realize that. I’ll never get the credit for it. And that’s fine, as long as I keep getting the opportunities and as long as I become a three-time two-division champ.

Q
Tell us about that, how you approach the fight, what you expect to take place, especially in light of the last two fights ending quickly.

Jacobs
Well, I don’t really anticipate or expect anything. Boxing is one of those things where anything can happen at any given moment. My thing is I just want to be ready. And when I prepare inside the gym and I’m in tip-top shape, I’m prepared and ready for anything that will come my way inside that ring, whether it’s the first round or whether it’s the last round. It just so happens that these last couple of fights I’ve had been very exciting first rounders. So, my thing is, as long as I’m able to adjust, I can come and be prepared for anything that comes my way.

Q
What was key in those two fights–to both of those fights starting off with so much activity and so much action?

Jacobs
I think just getting warmed up properly and the backstage, making sure that the flow was going and that you don’t have to kind of warm up in those first couple rounds. Me and my team do a great job–and shout out to my team, by the way, who do such a great job with making sure that we’re prepared and ready for each round from the very first to the very end.

Q
And is that going to affect at all your game plan because people have seen those two previous fights, and they’re talking about it. They say, “Maybe this is a guy who is just going to destroy people in the beginning.” Is that weighing on your approach at all for this rematch?

Jacobs
Absolutely not. My MO as a fighter is to be a fluent boxer first. It just so happened that the speed and the power that I possess as well kind of hurt guys, and I’m a really great finisher, where actually, my mentality is to go in there and show my skills. That’s what I love about the [sweet science]. I actually love to get behind my jab and put my combinations together and start to get good movements and good angles. Like, I love that stuff.

But, it just so happens that, when I’m in there with guys and I’m starting to land good shots, and they get hurt, we just have rounds of the year and first round stoppages and early stoppages, so on and so forth. So, I’m just happy I’m able to get the victory and finish strong.

Q
And, Sergio, what do you expect? Do you expect this rematch to have this same type of electric start, or how do you prepare for this?

Mora
Well, we’re going to go back to Danny’s power. He does have power. And you’re born with power. You can’t teach power. You can’t go in the gym and work on power, or else I would’ve done that 20 years. So, he’s blessed with an ability to punch hard with both hands. And he’s always going to make for exciting fights. Now, he’s also vulnerable because he’s been dropped before. And that’s also on the exciting side. So, whenever it comes to a guy like Danny Jacobs, you never know what you’re going to get. It’s kind of like fighting a guy like Victor Ortiz, even though I think he’s better all around than Victor. Victor’s exciting. He’s a former champion. He’s a power puncher. But, you never know what Victor you’re going to get.

So, I think that’s the same thing with Danny, only Victor’s fought better opposition than Danny. So, that’s the difference. I think, for this fight, I don’t know, man. I really don’t know what I’m going to expect. I didn’t expect to go down in the first round. I was surprised by the punch. It was an awkward punch in from a southpaw angle. I believe his right foot was in front. I took a picture a little too long and held the position, expecting a left hook to come, and instead a right uppercut came, which is awkward. And he calls me awkward. That was an awkward punch. So, yeah, you know what? He stunned me. I got up. I shook it off. And he came for the kill, like I knew he would. And I was able to catch him. I think we both learned that we can hurt each other, and we both learned that we both can be sneaky from certain sneaky positions. So, I don’t think it’s going to start off with fireworks, like it did the first time. But, I think it’s going to end up fireworks. I don’t know if it’s the second, third, or further down the fight. But, that’s what I’m expecting.

Q
And would anybody like to make a prediction for this fight, Danny?

Jacobs
I don’t make predictions. I don’t like to go in there and have any type of thing going in my head where I have to live up to it. I just like to win. And however I win, however it comes, I’m grateful for it.

Mora
If I’m ready, I go in there to win. And I’m ready for this fight. I’m confident. I expect a great performance from both of us. And I expect to become a world champion, a two-time world division champion by the end of this fight. So, I’m expecting to win. I don’t know. But, I’m going to win.

Marc Abrams – Okay. Well, that’s going to wrap it up. I just want to get every–Daniel and Sergio, just a quick final comment. And after that, we’ll see you on fight week. Daniel?

Jacobs
I just have a lot of people to thank that I would take this time to thank. First off, I would like to thank my team and everyone involved for allowing me to have such a great camp. They’ve put in the necessary work, everyone, team Jacobs, the necessary work that we need to be 100 percent prepared for this fight come September 9th. I will be proudly representing my Brooklyn Boxing apparel as I’m sporting my trunks and finessing my moves inside the ring.

I want to give a big shout out to Brooklyn Boxing, have been supportive of my whole career. And me being an ambassador, I definitely have to big them up. And Al Haymon, most importantly, Al has been taking care of me. I’ve been the first guy that Al has had directly out of the amateurs to a world championship. So, I have to give my hat–take my hat off to Al and everyone in our team Haymon. And that’s pretty much it, all the promotors and managers involved with this as well, everyone who has made this possible, and thanks for all the fans for all the continued support. Thank you very much.

Abrams
And, Sergio?

Mora
I got to start with Al Haymon because he’s given me not only a second opportunity, third, I’ve already had four opportunities to come back and reinvent myself. And Al Haymon gave me that opportunity. So, I thank Al Haymon. I’ve got to thank my loyal team, my trainer Dean Campos, who’s been with me since the amateurs, [John Montillado], the rest of my team, my cut man Carlos, and [Panda Martinez]. And I want to thank my sponsors, [Snac]. Victor Conte’s onboard for this fight. And I’ve never been a fighter that takes supplement. I’m a guy that just tries to eat right and hydrate. And I notice a difference with supplements. And I do it the scientific way. So, I want to thank the Snac System and Victor Conte. And I want to thank my sponsor Spy Optics. And that’s about it. I want to thank the fans as well for–my day-one fans and even my critics, they keep me alive, so thank them, too.

Jacobs
Yeah, you forgot one more person, brother. You forgot one more person, Sergio.

Mora
I want thank, what, Danny Jacobs?

Jacobs
That’s it. That’s my man. That’s my man.

Mora
Go fuck yourself. I see you in two weeks, old boy.

Jacobs
Well, let’s do it on September 9th. You already know, Sergio, I’m coming for you, brother. I’m coming for you.

TICKETS: Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by King’s Promotions,
start at $20 and are on sale now via Ticketmaster.

Da
SANTANDER, PA. (August 4, 2016) – Middleweight world champion Daniel “The Miracle Man” Jacobs (31-1, 28 KOs) will defend his title in a rematch against former world champion Sergio “The Latin Snake” Mora (28-4-2, 9 KOs) that headlines Premier Boxing Champions on Spike, Friday, September 9
from Santander Arena, in Reading, Pa.

Televised coverage begins at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT and features undefeated lightweights colliding for a vacant world title as Robert Easter Jr. (17-0, 14 KOs) takes on Richard Commey (24-0, 22 KOs). Also on the card, heavyweight contender Travis “My Time” Kauffman (30-1, 22 KOs) will be featured in a 10-round fight.

Jacobs and Mora met in an August 2015 firefight that saw both men hit the canvas in round one. Mora was floored by a Jacobs right hand but the tricky veteran recovered and caught Jacobs with a clean left that put Jacobs on the ground. The action was halted in round two after Jacobs knocked Mora down again, rendering him unable to continue after fracturing his ankle on his way to the mat.

“This is business for me, but it is also more personal than any fight I have ever had,” said Jacobs. “Sergio has been using these antics online to get this rematch and he has gotten under my skin. There has been a lot of back and forth as far as people’s opinions as to who would have won the fight had he not gotten hurt. I am looking at this as an opportunity to clarify that I am the real champion. I want to shut his trap in primetime.”

“I don’t think Jacobs wanted this rematch, but it was destined to happen and now he has to deal with it,” said Mora. “I thought the first fight was going my way. I knocked him down in the first round and was out boxing him in the second round. He knows that I have enough power to hurt him. He has more to worry about going into this fight than in the first fight. Look at my resume, I have fought solid opposition. Jacobs doesn’t have that type of resume.”

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by King’s Promotions, start at $20 and are on sale now via Ticketmaster.

“This is going to be one of the best cards of the year,” said Marshall Kauffman of King’s Promotions. “There are two great world title fights with Jacobs and Mora plus Easter and Commey. The first Jacobs – Mora fight was headed to be a shootout before Mora got injured. Easter and Commey has all the makings of a war. Add that to Travis Kauffman continuing his road to the heavyweight title plus the best fighters from Reading on the card, The Santander Arena will be electric both inside the ring and in the building on September 9.”

The 29-year-old Jacobs followed up his victory over Mora with a sensational first round knockout of previously unbeaten former champion Peter Quillin in their highly anticipated December showdown. An inspirational figure representing Brooklyn, New York, Jacobs completed his road from cancer survivor to champion when he defeated Jarrod Fletcher for the middleweight title in 2014.

The winner of NBC’s “The Contender” series, the 35-year-old Mora is a former world champion at super welterweight and looking to add a middleweight crown to his name as he returns to the ring for the first time since the injury suffered in the first Jacobs fight. The Los Angeles native owns victories over Ishe Smith, Peter Manfredo Jr. and Vernon Forrest.

An accomplished amateur who was a 2012 U.S. Olympic alternate, the 25-year-old Easter Jr. picked up four victories in 2015 including knockouts over Osumanu Akaba, Miguel Mendoza, Alejandro Rodriguez and Juan Ramon Solis. Unbeaten since turning pro in 2012, the Toledo, Ohio-born prospect faced the toughest challenge of his career in April when he impressively stopped former world champion Algenis Mendez also on Spike.

Representing Accra, Ghana, Commey has climbed the ranks since turning pro in 2011 and has yet to be defeated. The 29-year-old won his first 11 bouts fighting out of Ghana before going to London, Denmark, South Africa and Germany to improve his record to 24-0. Commey fought in the U.S. as well, stopping Bahodir Mamadjonov in the eighth round last May.

A local attraction fighting out of Reading, Kauffman is the son of longtime trainer and promoter Marshall Kauffman. Kauffman won his first 18 pro fights and entered his last bout on a 12-fight winning streak. The 30-year-old dropped Chris Arreola in his last outing before losing a majority decision that was later changed to a no decision. Now, Kauffman looks to impress in his hometown as he returns to the ring.

For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com and www.spike.com/shows/premier-boxing-champions. Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @DanielJacobsTKO, @TheLatinSnake_, @SpikeTV, @SpikeSports @KingsBoxing_ and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions. PBC on Spike is sponsored by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

Sergio Mora was diagnosed with a fracted ankle and ligament tears from his bout with Daniel Jacobs last Saturday night at Barclays Center in Brooklyn according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

Mora’s injury was diagnosed Thursday, when he visited a doctor in his hometown of Los Angeles. An avulsion fracture occurs when a chunk of bone tears away from the main bone.

Mora suffered the injury when he fell awkwardly and got his ankle caught underneath him as he was knocked down in the second round of a fight against middleweight titleholder Daniel Jacobs on Aug. 1 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, in the co-feature of a Premier Boxing Champions card on ESPN.

“The X-rays show an avulsion fracture; more damage was shown on the MRI with ligament tears,” Mora said. “That’s what I heard pop, the doctor said.”

“Rehab and back in there,” he said. “[Manager] Al [Haymon] promised me a big fight next. No tuneup. Heal up properly first. I’ve broken my left ankle, that required surgery and still have pins. This is not as severe as that injury. It took me about two months to begin walking then. I can estimate less time for this injury.”

BROOKLYN–Danny Garcia made is Welterweight debut with an emphatic 9th round stoppage over Paulie Malignaggi in a battle of former world champions in from of 7,237 at Barclays Center.

Garica controlled the action for most of the fight as he came forward winging and connecting power shots from the opening bell. Malignaggi’s right flank was red from absorbing body punches and he started to bleed from around his right eye as early as round three. Malignaggi had short yet unpowerful bursts of offense as he connected on some jabs and counter rights that may won him a couple rounds. It was Garcia who dominated with the effective punches as the blood got worse for Malignaggi in round eight.

In round nine, Garcia was sensing that Maliganggi did not have much left landed several more hard combinations and the bout was stopped at 2:22 of round nine.

Garcia, 146.6 lbs of Philadelphia made his maiden voyage at Welterweight is now 31-0 with 18 knockouts. Malignaggi, 146.8 lbs of Brooklyn. NY is now 33-7.

DANNY GARCIA

“First I want to thank God, team Garcia, ESPN, Al Haymon and the fans. My dad wanted me to be sharp and throw more straight punches.

“I felt a lot stronger. In the 9th round I felt like it was round 1. I need to work on shortening up punches and sticking with the game plan.

“Keith Thurman and Shawn Porter are great fighters in this division, and they’re both represented by Al Haymon so if they want we can make it happen.”

PAULIE MALIGNAGGI

“I was trying to dictate the pace b/c I didn’t want him to get into a groove. He’s a hard puncher and I didn’t want to give him confidence to land a big shot. I wanted to dictate with my jab and keep him missing so he’d second guess on throwing his power. The less power shots he throws the less power shots he could hit me with. I was trying to take a bit of his confidence. He was walking me down fairly well behind the jab. He cut me in the 4th and I think that upped his confidence. I never could get control of the pace though. In spots I felt I was giving up less ground and I had him missing. He got back on his groove though and he had a strong advantage maybe 70% to 30%…

“I think Danny can be an upper echelon fighter, he already is. And he can put his name in the history books. He has a lot of talent. People don’t realize he has a lot of character too. He has a very good poker face. He doesn’t get frustrated, and if he does he doesn’t show it to you. His father’s a great trainer and he really stays on him. Danny listens and they have a great relationship. Every time a round would start it was like he was fresh. Even at the end of rounds when I gave him something to think about he came back, and that’s really important.

“I’ve got a really good job commentating and watching great fighters fight ringside. I hope to sit around ringside for a long time. I felt like if I couldn’t put up a great performance tonight then it would be my last. I was trying to hang tough as much as I could. I remember when I was taking big shots I just kept thinking ‘Don’t give in. This is your last night if you give in. Don’t show that you’re going to give in. If you can show that you’re still hungry for it then you’ll convince yourself that this isn’t the end.’ I wanted to keep showing that I want it. Little by little he broke me down, and I have no problem with the stoppage.

“I’m probably not fighting again. You hate to make an emotional decision. My career started in Brooklyn 14 years ago. If it ends in Brooklyn tonight then at least I ended it at home where I’m from and in front of the greatest fans in the world”

Danny Jacobs retained his WBA Middleweight title with a 2nd round stoppage over Sergio Mora.

Jacobs drew first in round one as he landed a perfect right uppercut that sent Mora to the ground. Seconds later, It was Mora landed a perfectly timed left hook with Jacobs coming in that sent Jacobs to the deck. In round two, Jacobs landed a little combination that sent Mora to the canvas for a 2nd time and Mora rolled his ankle. When Mora got to his feet he was limping and could not continue at 2:55 of round two.

Jacobs, 159.8 lbs of Brooklyn is now 30-0 with 27 knockouts. Mora, 159.2 lbs of Los Angles, CA is 28-4-2.

DANIEL JACOBS

“No rematch, no reason to go backwards. Thank God for this victory, but I’m not going to give him a rematch just b/c.”

“I said did a guy w/ 9 knockdowns really knock me down?

“What’s next? I’ll leave it up to my manager Al Haymon and see what he says. I think these Brooklynites deserve something special and I think me and Kid Chocolate would be that special fight here at Barclays. And we’re on the “A” side now, we’re champions, so let’s do it!”

SERGIO MORA

Spoken to his corner man “I know it’s broken. I heard it pop.”

“I heard my knee pop and want to see replay b/c I know my ankle is broken,

“The commission told me anything less than four rounds then it’s a no contest. If you ask Danny I know he heard it too.

“I told you I came here to fight. I give him credit, but I came to take this championship. I want a rematch.”

Adam Kownacki scored a 2nd round stoppage over Maurenzo Smith in a scheduled 8-round Heavyweight bout.

Kownacki dropped Smith with a right hand and the fight was stopped at 2:26 of round two.

Kownacki. 251.4 lbs of Brooklyn, NY is 11-0 with 10 knockouts. Smith, 258.2 lbs of Houston, TX is 12-10-3.

Rafael Vasquez scored a 1st round stoppage over Mario Macias in a scheduled 8-round Featherweight bout.

Vasquez dropped dropped Macias with a right hand and the bout was stopped 67 seconds into the fight.

Vasquez, 125.2 lbs is 16-1 with 13 knockouts. Macias, 126 lbs of Mexico is 26-17.

Popular Heather Hardy scored a 7th round stoppage over Renata Domsodi in a scheduled 8-round Featherweight bout.

Domsodi began to bleed from her mouth in round three. The blood began to pour out and Hardy continued her assault until the bout was stopped 1 second into round seven.

Hardy, 121.2 lbs of Brooklyn is 14-0 with 3 knockouts. Domsodi, 121.6 lbs of Budapest, HUN is 12-7.

Thomas Velasquez made a successful pro debut with a stoppage in the 4th and final round of his Jr. Lightweight bout with Gabriel Braxton.

Velasquez dominated the bout with his aggressive style and in round four dropped Braxton hard with a right hand and the fight was stopped at 1:20 of round four.

Velasquez. 127.2 lbs of Philadelphia is 1-0 with 1 knockout. Braxton, 127.2 lbs of Red Oak, GA is 2-11.

Titus Williams made a successful pro debut as he won a 4-round unanimous decision over Micha Branch in a Jr. Lightweight bout.

Scores were 40-36 on all cards for Williams, 128 lbs of Elmont, NY. Branch, 130 lbs of Cincinnati, is 2-15-1.

Prichard Colon remained perfect by blowing out Michael Finney in a scheduled 8-round Jr. Middleweight bout.

Colon landed a huge right that was quickly followed up by a hard combination that snapped Finney’s head back several times before he hit the canvas. The fight was stopped upon Finney getting to his feet at 1:23 of round two.

Colon, 147.2 lbs of Orocovis, PR is 15-0 with 12 knockouts. Finney, 147.8 lbs of Las Vegas is 12-4-1.

Premier Boxing Champions on ESPN (PBC on ESPN) presented by Corona Extra will feature live coverage on ESPN and WatchESPN on Saturday, August 1 from Brooklyn’s Barclays Center of two 12-round fights: a welterweight bout between undefeated Junior Welterweight champion Danny “Swift” García (30-0, 17 KOs) and Brooklyn’s Paulie “Magic Man” Malignaggi (33-6, 7 KOs); and a middleweight bout between Daniel “Miracle Man” Jacobs (29-1, 26 KOs) and Sergio “Latin Snake” Mora (28-3-2, 9 KOs).

ESPN Deportes also will televise the doubleheader live as part of its Noche de Combates series and ESPN International will present live coverage across its networks in Latin America, Brazil, the Caribbean and Pacific Rim.

Host Marysol Castro, blow-by-blow commentator Joe Tessitore, Teddy Atlas and reporters Todd Grisham and Bernardo Osuna comprise ESPN’s commentary team. In addition, Hall of Fame boxing writer and ESPN boxing contributor Nigel Collins will provide social media content, insight and analysis.

In a special appearance on PBC on ESPN, actress and boxing enthusiast, Rosie Perez, will interview each boxer. Perez, called the “First Lady of Boxing” by Hall-of-Fame commentator Al Bernstein, has served as Grand Marshal for the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

Pablo Viruega and Delvin Rodríguez will call the fights on ESPN Deportes, while Leopoldo González and Claudia Trejos will co-host.

Atlas’ Fight Plan:
Atlas will demonstrate what each fighter needs to do to win in his “Fight Plan.”

Fighter backgrounds:
García, a Philly native, at 25 holds the WBA World Junior Welterweight title. A United States Olympic Alternate, he compiled a 107-13 amateur record before turning pro in November 2007. Malignaggi, 34, was born and raised in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, turned pro in 2001 and won world titles at junior welterweight and welterweight. Jacobs, 28, was born in Brownsville, Brooklyn and raised in the borough. He made his professional debut in 2007 on the undercard of the Mayweather-Hatton fight in Las Vegas. His nickname “Miracle Man” is derived from his having survived a battle with cancer in 2011. Mora, born in East Los Angeles and raised in L.A., is Mexican-American. He was the first ever winner of the television series The Contender and is a former WBC Light Middleweight champion.

Additional Highlights:
ESPN3 and the ESPN.com boxing page will provide live coverage of Friday’s weigh in at 5:15 pm on SportsCenter, with Tessitore and Atlas providing commentary. ESPN3 will also stream live coverage of the 8-round junior lightweight undercard matchup between Omar Douglas and Frank Santos de Alba on Saturday at 8 pm.

ESPN.com will provide comprehensive coverage, including pre- and post-fight features, videos and blogs from ESPN’s Dan Rafael, Brian Campbell, and Nigel Collins and ESPN.com’s boxing program “Making the Rounds”.

PBC on ESPN debuted on ESPN July 11 and peaked at nearly 1.2 million viewers. The PBC series was created for television by Haymon Boxing and features top-level fights between many of boxing’s biggest names.

PBC on ESPN Upcoming Bout: Saturday, August 29, at 10 p.m. ET

Location
Networks
Leo Santa Cruz (30-0-1, 17 KOs) vs. Abner Mares (29-1-1, 15 KOs)
12 rounds, Featherweight
STAPLES Center, Los Angeles
ESPN, ESPN Deportes, WatchESPN

BROOKLYN (July 28, 2015) – With just days to go until Premier Boxing Champions on ESPN fighters enter the ring for their Saturday, August 1 showdowns at Barclays Center, catch up on what the fighters have been saying in the weeks leading up to fight week.

Saturday’s headlining event is the 147-pound debut of Danny “Swift” Garcia (30-0, 17 KOs) as he takes on two-time world champion out of Brooklyn, Paulie “The Magic Man” Malignaggi (33-6, 7 KOs). Televised coverage begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT with Brooklyn’s middleweight world champion Daniel “The Miracle Man” Jacobs (29-1, 26 KOs) as he defends his title against former world champion Sergio “The Latin Snake” Mora (28-3-2, 9 KOs).

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Swift Promotions, are priced at $250, $150, $120, $75 and $45, not including applicable service charges and taxes, and are on sale now. Tickets are available at www.barclayscenter.com, www.ticketmaster.com and at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. To charge by phone, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. For group tickets, please call 855-GROUP-BK.

Here is what the fight participants have had to say from their media conference call and Garcia’s media workout:

DANNY GARCIA

“I’m not really concerned about Paulie, at this point in my career if I’m 110% percent ready, I feel like I can adapt to anything and find a way to win.

“It feels great to be at 147. For the first time in a long time, I could worry about training to get better and not training to lose weight. I’ve been fighting at 140 my whole career.

“I’ve been the underdog before, I’ve been the underdog before and I won. I can’t listen to none of that stuff after just going through each fight like I was, mentally prepared, physically prepared going in and get the job done.

“We added things to our workout now. We added a lot of explosive workouts, a lot of agility, a lot of footwork, a lot of things to making you more explosive, things I couldn’t do at 140 because I didn’t have the energy for it. But now the extra weight is really helping me.

“I’m very confident. I faced a lot of good fighters. I faced a lot of great fighters in my career. I have a lot of experience. I was a big 140-pound fighter. I’ve never faced a 140-pound fighter who was taller than me or who looked better than me.

“But I feel like at 147, you’re going to see a more athletic Danny Garcia and be able to use my legs more, using my jab more and see punches clearer. When you drain yourself as hard to see punches, then you get hit with a lot of dumb punches because your vision is not clear.

“I feel like my vision is going to be a lot clearer and be able to move my head, see the punches better, use my feet. And I think I’m going to be a champion at 147, too. I know so.”

PAULIE MALIGNAGGI

“I think styles make fight. From a style point of view there are things that I feel like I’ll be able to do against Danny. But I also expect Danny had made some adjustments since those fights.

“You get to the point when you’re not in the ring for a while. It’s going through my mind that maybe I don’t want to fight. But as time went by and I started working out again, I started realizing that it was something I missed. It was something I was still craving. I wanted to be back in there.

“If we’re going to talk about the layoff, people are going to talk about the fact that, I haven’t fought for a long time. But in reality, I actually haven’t trained this consistently in a decade, literally a decade.

“I do feel the sharpness in a gym. I do feel the timing is really good. Obviously my weight has come down. So, that’s a good feeling knowing that I have to drop a lot of weight during the training camp just working on the sharpness and keep getting better.

“I’m not looking at it as having any advantages. It’s just a matter of matching of my skills to his skills.
“I can’t really tell you exactly how I’m going to play it out until I’m in the ring myself. I plan on being the best me possible. I plan on being the sharpest me possible. And right now, in training, I feel really good. The plan is to flow this training camp into a sharp night on August 1st.”

DANIEL JACOBS

“It’ll be against the most experienced guy I’ve faced thus far. I’m looking forward to testing my challenge against this slick, crafty veteran in Sergio Mora.

“So there’s not a lot of fear as far as power is concerned but where he lacks that he makes up in his craftiness and his slickness and awkwardness and sometimes he does engage in the action as well.

“The test with Sergio Mora is – whether that he can be stopped or whether or not I can go the distance with him, he’s never been stopped before, so it will be icing on the cake to be able to not only to defeat him but to stop him in the match.

“I feel like I have a lot more advantages than he does in the fight. But whatever my advantages are and whatever gets me going, will be the deciding factor for me I would stick to. So if it’s my speed, then I’ll stick to using my speed. If it’s my power, backing him down, showing him what a real middleweight feels like, then that’s what I would do.”

SERGIO MORA

“I think I’m going to be an underdog for this fight again, fighting the younger, stronger champion in his hometown. So defeating him is going to be tough with all the cards stacked against me and that’s something that I grown used to and accustomed to.

“This is going to be a really exciting card because he’s in his hometown and defending the world title. I’m hungry for that world title and I know that I’m going to have to be extra sharp and do a lot more than just have a close victory in his hometown. So I’m going to have to press action and go out of my comfort zone and I think he’s going to have to go out of his comfort zone, which is going to make an interesting fight for everybody.

“I just continue educating people about the sweet science and letting them know that power is not the number one aspect you need to be successful it’s your agility, techniques, your defense, body shots, the strategy, it’s following that strategy it’s hard.

“Like I said, I think he possess everything that I don’t. But I have the experience. I think I take a better shot from experience with Danny and I think I follow my game plan more than Danny. A lot of boxers especially a lot of young athletic fighters they go out of their game plan and once they see that it’s not working. As a veteran, I know that it’s not working initially.”

For more information, visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, www.barclayscenter.com and www.dbe1.com. Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @DannySwift, @PaulMalignaggi, @LouDiBella, @ESPNBoxing, @BarclaysCenter and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/fanpagedannyswiftgarcia, www.facebook.com/PaulMalignaggi, www.facebook.com/barclayscenterand www.facebook.com/ESPN. Follow the conversation using #PBConESPN and #BrooklynBoxing.

Lou DiBella
Thank you very much for joining us for this call for the PBC on ESPN show on August 1 from Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The show will be live on primetime on ESPN on Saturday, August 1st, with coverage beginning at 9:00 pm ET/6:00 pm PT.

The main event of the evening is Danny “Swift” Garcia against Paulie Malignaggi. The opening fight is a middleweight title bout between Danny Jacobs and Sergio Mora.

August 1 is the second PBC card on ESPN and the first one is going to be Keith Thurman against Brooklyn’s Luis Collazo. That’s going to be on July 11th in Tampa, Florida.

Tickets for August 1 are priced at $250, $150, $75 and $45 and are on sale now. They’re available at www.barclayscenter.com, www.ticketmaster.com, at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. To charge by phone, you can call Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000 or to get group tickets from Barclays Center, 800-GROUPBK.

The opening bout is a terrific fight. Danny Jacobs is an inspirational fighter but also a super talented middleweight that’s risen to championship stature and holds the belt. He’ll fight at Barclays Center for the fourth time.

Danny rise from cancer to vie over the champion has been well documented. But frankly, at this point, he’s beaten that illness and he wants to focus to be on his boxing career and on being the best he can be and he’s taking on a huge challenge on August 1 in Sergio Mora, legitimately one of the best middleweight contenders out there and known very well as the winner of NBC’s “The Contender” Series a number of years ago. Sergio is a former world champion at super welterweight, looking to add a middleweight crown to his resume.

He owns victories over Ishe Smith, Peter Manfredo Jr. and Vernon Forrest and enters this fight on a five-fight win streak. And he most recently defeated Abraham Han in February of this year on ESPN.

So first, I’ll let Sergio Mora say a few words before we go to the champion.

Sergio Mora
Hey, guys. Well, I’m excited to be fighting on my first PBC card. It’s been a long time coming. The last time I fought for a world title was seven years ago and I was able to defeat Vernon Forrest as a 4-1 underdog.

I think I’m going to be an underdog for this fight again, fighting the younger, stronger champion in his hometown. So defeating him is going to be tough with all the cards stacked against me and that’s something that I grown used to and accustomed to.

There’s nothing bad I can say about Daniel Jacobs, absolutely nothing. I look for something negative to say and I can’t. The guy has overall talent. He’s far younger, faster, stronger and hits harder than me and he has more momentum coming his way. He’s on a nine-fight win streak and he beats me in that as well. I have five-fight going for me.

But the thing that I can say is that he hasn’t faced opposition that I faced. I think he’s an emotional, athletic fighter. I’m a cerebral, intelligent, strategic fighter.

This is going to be a really exciting card because he’s in his hometown and defending the world title. I’m hungry for that world title and I know that I’m going to have to be extra sharp and do a lot more than just have a close victory in his hometown. So I’m going to have to press action and go out of my comfort zone and I think he’s going to have to go out of his comfort zone, which is going to make an interesting fight for everybody.

I’m very confident coming into this fight. I’m very happy on the team that I’m with now and this opportunity. I’ve always wanted to fight in Brooklyn. I always wanted to fight in a mega arena like Barclays Center. I’m blessed to have this opportunity and part of this PBC movement. Thank you.

L. DiBella

Thank you, Sergio.

And now to the champion, Brooklyn’s own, Danny Jacobs.

Daniel Jacobs

Well, after Sergio’s intro, what more can I say? That’s pretty cool.

I’m excited to have an opportunity to be back at Barclays Center a second time around as a champion. So this will be my second title defense. It’ll be against the most experienced guy I’ve faced thus far. I’m looking forward to testing my challenge against this slick, crafty veteran in Sergio Mora.

I’ve always said that I’m just trying to get that experience most importantly. It’s important to me as a young champion, I’m not where I want to be as a fighter thus far. You’re still growing, you’re still learning. I’m looking at this as just a really starting test. I’m trying to really gain as much experience as I can in fighting such a crafty, slick veteran.

He’s been in this position before. So, he’s already accustomed to being in this position and being an underdog but I can’t take him lightly even though he will be an underdog and even though people will pick me as a favor to win. I’m looking at him as the most devastating opponent that I’ve had thus far coming up to middleweight.

So there’s not a lot of fear as far as power is concerned but where he lacks that he makes up in his craftiness and his slickness and awkwardness and sometimes he does engage in the action as well. So I’m looking forward to it. It’s really a starting test but something that I’ve been preparing for a while of any camp even though I’ve been working and doing my broadcasting which I’m very happy to announce. I’ve been keeping in the gym. I’ve been keeping fit and I’m really looking forward to this test and have it at Barclays I think there’s not a better place in the world I have. So I’m looking forward to testing my skills against a crafty veteran.

Q
I’d like both of you to address when you receive this negative attention on Twitter and such, how do you deal with it and what’s your response to it.

S. Mora
Well, listen, I’ve been dealing with this negative criticism for my entire career. It’s something that followed me. I don’t know if it’s because I’m a reality show winner or because people hate the way that I go in to fight and I can’t knock people out. I’m sorry I wasn’t born with power. You need to be born with power. If I have a way where I can ingest power and knock out and what people want to see into my arsenal, then I’ll do it, but I can’t. I was born the way I’m born. I got to do what I can with my abilities.

I think I’ve come a long way with all the other athletes that lack power and I think that makes me an even better fighter. It made me evolve into a different type of boxer. So these are the things that boxing needs to understand and the fight fans need to understand that, “All right, well, listen, he’s fighting a guy with a lot of power but how come the guy with no power is actually doing better than the guy with power? Because this is the sweet science and that’s how I become a champion.

So it doesn’t bother me. I just continue educating people about the sweet science and letting them know that power is not the number one aspect you need to be successful it’s your agility, techniques, your defense, body shots, the strategy, it’s following that strategy it’s hard.

So I’m happy to answer those questions for people that don’t know. But people that do know, get over it.

Q
Danny, what about you responding to people who want you to fight Golovkin? That say he isn’t tough enough, how do you deal with that stuff?

D. Jacobs
I’ve learned since my return back. I’ve got a lot of criticism on my position – why I’ve been facing people who wanted me to step up, people who wanted me to get in position to fight who they want me to fight. I’m passed that point. Now what I care about – well, not to the extent where I don’t care about what the fans think but, if you support me, I look at it as, you understand the process, you understand that it’s not going to come when you wanted to come and if you’re a fan of the sport and if you’re a fan of myself, then you just go along with the journey.

I want to step up. I want to be able to get in there with the best of the best. But obviously, with everything going on in the sport of boxing right now, I’m not really in control of certain things, you know. I may control who I step in there with but to a certain degree. So I really don’t tend to get into things like that. I do what I do. I stay ready. As a champion, I conduct myself inside and out of the ring. Whoever I’m in there with I give my best. If you are a fan of the sport, then you’re going to like the fights regardless. It’s all about putting on a show. That’s what I’ve been doing – I felt like I’ve been put in good fights.

Q
Is it a challenge for you that you want to take on to be the first person to stop Sergio Mora or is it pretty important for you to finally go the distance to go 12 rounds?

D. Jacobs
I’d essentially wanted to go 12-rounds with Truax. I intentionally wanted to go 12-rounds with Truax. Because I felt like I could stop him a little bit earlier, maybe like in the 6th round but it was something that I wanted to prove to myself and knowing that I can go a full strong 12 rounds is something that I’m very confident with now and I feel like I’m answering my question. So, the test with Sergio Mora is – whether that he can be stopped or whether or not I can go the distance with him, he’s never been stopped before, so it will be icing on the cake to be able to not only to defeat him but to stop him in the match.

But, he’s a crafty veteran and if I can take a win over a guy like that, a win is a win to me. But at the end of the day, what the fans want to see is knockouts. What the fans want is spectacular fights. So my thing is if we could just produce a fantastic fight and a competitive fight, I’m content with that. A knockout is just icing on the cake. But it’s something that I’m looking for but if it happens, I’m pretty sure I know how to get the job done.

Q
What do you think about his boxing skills? How do they match up with yours especially over the course of a 12-round fight?

S. Mora
That was a great question you asked Danny, by the way. I think he answered perfectly. I would want to knock someone out like me, you know, because it puts something on your resume that Vernon Forrest and Sugar Shane Mosley, two Hall of Fame greats haven’t been able to do. So that was a great question.

Like I said, I think he possess everything that I don’t. But I have the experience. I think I take a better shot from experience with Danny and I think I follow my game plan more than Danny. A lot of boxers especially a lot of young athletic fighters they go out of their game plan and once they see that it’s not working. As a veteran, I know that it’s not working initially.

There’s a beginning, a midgame and an end game, kind of like in chess. But you just got to stick to what you practiced and don’t go out of your element and normally things go well for me. That’s how I’m going to continue doing.

Of course, I’ve changed some things in my strategy. I’ve changed some things in my arsenal and the way I see opponents and I go about it. But ultimately, it’s still Sergio Mora – still the guy that has that ability to upset a champion and that’s who’s going to be fighting August 1st.

Q
Can you talk about your perspective on having it been a long time since you were at this level in terms of a belt being available to you?

S. Mora
Well, anyone who’s been around the game for more than ten years or not even then. Anyone who’s been around the game will know that this is a political game. And if you’re not with the right side, you’re on the wrong side. And then even if you are on the right side, there’s another side I think that are right and they’re going to be butting heads.

Very political business and I think I turned a lot of people off when I fought Shane Mosley and an uneventful fight but I took all the blame for that and then after that, I was forced to go to Texas to fight a Texan. And I came up short against Brian Vera and then that just really hurt my career.

I was getting all the bad media, I wasn’t getting the right offers and that’s a good reason why fighters retire because they don’t have the offers coming in and it can be really depleting and depressing. I decided to go back to the drawing board and start off with a new team, have a new focus and I realized the change in the boxing as well, the same people that were in charge of courts in 2010, 2012, they’re not in charge anymore. There are new players in the game, there are new dates in the game and there’s new opportunity.

So because of all this new stuff that’s been added to the world of boxing, a person like myself has been able to make the comeback and I’m in a really good place and I am appreciative.

Q
Sergio, do you feel that you get a bit of a bad wrap?

S. Mora
In my head, in my stubborn, ignorant head, I’m undefeated. I thought I beat Brian Vera both of those times and I beat Vernon Forrest the first time. He beat me the second time. That’s an even draw, you know. So in a way, no one has really dominated, no one has really beat me convincingly. So in my head, I’m undefeated. There’s no rubber match to see who really has more wins over the other guy. But in reality, Vernon beat me the second time, I beat him the first time.

It’s a crazy business. People are waiting for you to just come down.

Q
So when you take a look at Danny’s record, what is your take on what he’s accomplished or what you think of his ability?

S. Mora
Well, exactly what you guys thought. I think with special talent and he got a piece of a world championship and he’s recognized as a champion. So, everything that people thought of him came true. Now that he’s on top, he needs to fight top fighters. I don’t think he’s faced the opposition that I faced and other champions have faced. I think that’s the only thing that he’s limited in.

So I’m going to be the best name on his resume and we’re going to see how he’s going to be able to handle a guy as crafty like me and a former champion like myself. So it’s a bit of success for him and it’s the best for me fighting a young, hungry champ.

Q
When you look over your resume of opponents you faced in your career so far, does he poses perhaps the most formidable test of your career given his experience and his crafty nature?

D. Jacobs
Well, absolutely, coming into this thing I even said that I mentioned that he’s the most experienced fighter that I will be stepping in the ring with. The former world champion, beating the likes of Vernon Forrest, Shane Mosley, a couple other guys. He has that experience. He knows what it is to go the distance. He knows what it is to be in a dogfight. I’m a young champion and I haven’t seen those things thus far, right, you know.

I’m content – well, not content but, I’m okay with the fact that I have fought those guys, those topnotch but that’s what I’m looking forward to is a ladder. You can’t skip the ladder. You can’t skip any steps, or you’ll fall.

So we take in a step by the time and we stepping up and every time you’re going to see great opposition. I’m just looking forward to this one. I don’t take him lightly whatsoever. I clearly mark him as one of the toughest, craftiest most experienced guy that I have faced.

Q
Daniel, what is going to be the thing that gets you over the top and helps you win this fight?

D. Jacobs
I don’t know what will be the main thing. But I feel like I have a lot more advantages than he does in the fight. But whatever my advantages are and whatever gets me going, will be the deciding factor for me I would stick to. So if it’s my speed, then I’ll stick to using my speed. If it’s my power, backing him down, showing him what a real middleweight feels like, then that’s what I would do.

But it’s all about adjusting and getting in there because, you know, not a lot of things may work according to the game plan. So you got to go to Plan B, Plan C and so on and so forth. So I’m just looking forward to seeing what works for me, figuring it out because it is a puzzle, it is a chess game when you fight a guy like Sergio and just making it work. I think that’s what a true champion does is just adjust and get the job done.

Q
What are you doing in training camp to get away from that label of spoiler and be directly concentrated on winning that title from Danny Jacobs?

S. Mora
Yes. I’ve been labeled the spoiler. I’ve been labeled a lot of names that I actually consider as a good thing, you know. You could see it as positive or negative. You come in the positive things that I’m going to go in there, I’m going to spoil Danny Jacobs’ plans and spoil his promotion plan and spoiler for the fans is the negative that I’m going to come in and win. I decided to go in there – when the fight with Mosley and Vera, I decided to change my style a bit and I actually engaged a little bit more and be a little bit more offensive and take more chances to go for the knockout. But I think I’ve done that. You know, in my last five fights, I knocked down three of my opponents. So I’ve kept my word and I got this opportunity to fight for a world title again.

With Danny, I’m going to do the same. I’m going to try to go out there and do the same thing that got me into this position. I’m showing them that I can be and I can be crafty. I mostly want to let them know that, “Hey, listen, I got this other side to my game too that I added to that slickness and that craftiness.” Danny also mentioned, if that’s not working, then I got to go to Plan B and C. I’m going to give him different looks just like he’s going to give me. But I’m an excited former champion and waiting to be a new champion August 1st.

Q
Talk about the kinds of sparring partners you have into camp.

S. Mora
Yes, I like to have heavier sparring partners, harder punching sparring partners. But it’s not about the power because me and my sparring partners aren’t going to go in there and hit me with that power. So I like hitting guys with slickness, with speed, just in case Danny comes in there and he shows me a different style, I got to be ready for that. So I got younger guys, stronger guys, powerful guys, big guys, elusive guys and I like to mix it up.

Q
You’re a tremendous fighter, and the same time, you are great announcer, can you talk about seeing that light at the end of the tunnel and a career after boxing?

D. Jacobs
Well, thank you sir I really, really appreciate that. To answer your question, yes, that’s the game plan. To be able to talk and give my side on a national level. So one opportunity I don’t take for granted that I’m enjoying doing is giving me a different perspective on a sport that I love. And it’s something that it can set me up for the rest of my life as something to do post-boxing. But, obviously not straying away from the main task at hand, boxing obviously is what I love to do and just the forefront. So I’m 110% focused on what we’re doing actually inside the ring.

But on my spare time in between fights, it’s something that I also like to do and stay busy. But the most part is just building the brand. That’s what we’re doing. We’re building the Danny Jacobs brand and I’m having fun doing it but I’m taking it seriously because, you know, boxing is a very short road and I’m going to fall back on this as well.

So just trying to take everything serious and trying to give the best that I have and seeing that it’s been working thus far. So God has definitely blessed me and I’m just looking forward to everything in the near future. This opportunity to fight Sergio is a heck of an opportunity for me in my mind. I think it’s one heck of a step-up as well.

So I’m just looking forward to what life has in store for me and my career in the future.

L. DiBella
We’re going to move on to the main event of the evening right now. But once again, this is Premier Boxing Champions on ESPN from Barclays Center on August 1. It’s primetime in ESPN, coverage beginning at 9:00 pm ET/6:00 pm PT. Tickets are from $250 down to $45 available at BarclaysCenter.com, Ticketmaster.com, the Box Office at Barclays or by calling Ticketmaster or calling Barclays Center.

The main event is a classic Philadelphia versus Brooklyn matchup, featuring two of boxing’s biggest stars. And it’s a must-win situation for both fighters when Danny “Swift” Garcia takes on Paulie “Magic Man” Malignaggi. It’s 12 rounds at welterweight at 147 pounds.

Interestingly, both of these fighters participated at Barclays Center inaugural boxing card in 2012.

Danny Garcia, the former Unified Welterweight Champion, made five defenses Junior Welterweight Champion, made five defenses of his belt. It’ll mark Danny’s official move up to welterweight and his fifth appearance at Barclays Center. On his last fight, he had a really tough win and a really hard-fought fight with Lamont Peterson.

On August 1, he has his hands full with Paulie Malignaggi, former Welterweight and Junior Welterweight World Champion, has a record of 33-6. It’s Paulie’s fourth fight at Barclays Center. He defeated Pablo Cesar Cano and Zab Judah there and he lost close split decision to Adrien Broner.

Paulie, do you want to start by saying a few words?

Paulie Malignaggi
Thank you, Lou. Yes, I’m just really feeling blessed to have the opportunity. It was an opportunity that I didn’t see coming my way after pulling out of the O’Connor fight earlier in the summer and then now trying to back up into the fall. I’m just really trying to sit back and enjoy the summer more so than training and whatnot.

This kind of opportunity just fell into my lap. It was unexpected. But I’m all about competing against the best. As surprised that I was, it was also an opportunity I couldn’t say no to. It’s a chance to, be back in the main spotlight with that kind of a fight, be at the forefront which are the kind of fights that I crave, anyway, and the kind of fights that really get my adrenaline flowing and get me motivated.

I’m fighting one of the best fighters in the world today at any weight. Like Danny Garcia, it’s a motivation to test myself against the best. I always want to test myself against the best, and so here I am.

L. DiBella
Thank you, Paulie. Danny “Swift” Garcia, still undefeated, 30-0 with 17 KOs. Danny?

Danny Garcia
How are you guys doing? First, I want to say good afternoon to everybody. I hope everybody is having a good day. Thanks for having me on this conference call.

August 1st this is going to be another great night at Barclays Center. It’s my fifth fight there and my first fight at 147. So I feel like this is a great matchup, stylistically, to the fans all around the world.

Come August 1st, I’m going to be ready. I’m working hard. I’m training hard. I can’t wait to get in there, showcase my skills and in the weight class.

Q
How do you feel, Danny, now moving up to welter?

D. Garcia
It feels great. For the first time in a long time, I could worry about training to get better and not training to lose weight. I’ve been fighting at 140 my whole career.

I just feel felt like losing the weight was affecting my performances, mostly in the later rounds of big fights because I will use a lot of my energy losing weight. I think I’m just going to – I’ve been feeling a lot stronger and a lot better at 147. I think I should have been moved up maybe after the Mattysse fight.

But I’m here now and I feel good. I feel strong. I’m training hard. And we’re working on new things just to get faster and stronger at 147.

Q
Did the weight loss hurt you against Lamont Peterson you think?

D. Garcia
I’m not making any excuses. He had a good game plan. I just didn’t feel strong at that weight class anymore.

Before, when I hit guys, I could feel the power going through my arms. And when I land a shot, I knew I would hurt them. I just didn’t feel strong at the weight class no more. I just felt like I was hurt myself. I just didn’t feel as strong at 140 anymore.

Q
Paulie, just talk about getting back in the ring after the Porter fight and this opportunity for you.

P. Malignaggi
I feel blessed just to get the opportunity and to get a chance to continue to test myself against one of the best fighters in the world.

You get to the point when you’re not in the ring for a while. It’s going through my mind that maybe I don’t want to fight. But as time went by and I started working out again, I started realizing that it was something I missed. It was something I was still craving. I wanted to be back in there.

This year, in particular, has been different than a lot of years. I’ve always had my fight and then I’ve gone right back into just hanging out. I’ve spent almost the entire year in the gym. And I’ve been able to balance it out with all my travel with my commentating. I was in Sadam Ali’s camp for his fight.. I went right into my own training camp for Danny O’Connor and I got cut just two weeks before that scheduled fight. Then I got a call for this fight not long after that.

I’ve spent a large chunk of the year in the gym, which is something that hasn’t happened in a long time. And I feel sharp before that. If we’re going to talk about the layoff, people are going to talk about the fact that, I haven’t fought for a long time. But in reality, I actually haven’t trained this consistently in a decade, I mean literally a decade. Since I fought Miguel Cotto, I started making pretty good money after that and I haven’t stayed all year in the gym. Before that, I was in the gym all year, you know.

I didn’t even mean to do it by design. It’s not like I said, “Oh, this year, I’m going to spend the whole year in the gym.” I didn’t – it’s not something I planned. It’s just something that ended up happening going from one camp into another camp, into another camp. And I guess it’s just an accident.

But I do feel the sharpness in a gym. I do feel the timing is really good. Obviously my weight has come down. So, that’s a good feeling knowing that I have to drop a lot of weight during the training camp just working on the sharpness and keep getting better.

Q
Was there ever any serious consideration about retiring after the Porter fight or was that just suddenly flowing around out there?

P. Malignaggi
It wasn’t even something I considered. It was just something that I felt like I was going to do, you know. I just felt like, I don’t really want to do this, in the time, the way I felt, where my mind was at. And it was just something I didn’t want to do anymore.

So I think that’s probably the best thing that happened to me in terms of thinking it like that. Not talking about the loss, but in terms of my mindset in that moment was probably the best thing because if you start to tell yourself you’re going to have a layoff and you’re going to come back, in the back of your mind, you’re never going to take that time off the right way. You’re going to be thinking about you should be back in a gym or when is the right time to get back in the gym.

But because I wasn’t thinking that, I was just thinking, “You know what, I’m done,” I gave myself plenty of time to kind of rejuvenate a little bit before I got back in the gym. And then I just decided, “Hey, you know what, I miss this. I want to get back in the gym.”

So I think the change of my mind was probably a good thing as opposed to just telling myself, “You know what, I’m going to take some time off and then come back.” I really didn’t think I was going to come back. So when I took the time off, it was really like a time that I was legitimately, in my mind, feeling rested and got myself rejuvenated without even realizing it. And then by the time I got back in the gym, it was like to try rebuilding a new me, so to speak.

Q
Did you think that this might be too much of a stepup after you’re going to be fighting Danny O’Connor after the long layoff?

P. Malignaggi
I was actually surprised. First, I didn’t realize Danny was actually going to move to welter right away. I figured like he was having trouble making the junior welterweight limit. But I had heard rumblings that he still wanted to stay a junior welter for a little longer.

I was surprised just in general that he’s moving to welterweight. And then I was surprised, coming off the layoff, I thought maybe that we’ll get somebody else, instead of me to fight Danny.

When I got the call, I was surprised. But it was almost like pleasantly surprised. And not because I don’t respect Danny because I do, I got a lot of respect for Danny and family and his father and everything, but I’m a competitor. I haven’t had a big fight in over a year. So it’s just like, man, this is an opportunity for me to kind of put myself back in the mix with one really good performance as opposed to slowly getting back in the mix over the course of three, four fights.

I’m 34-years-old. I’m not 24. So I don’t really have that kind of patience anymore. At the same time, when I got the call, I also realized how good I had felt in the gym sparring and how good I’ve been feeling in the gym just getting shaped or whatnot. So I felt like I could just flow right into another training camp, because I hadn’t taken that long a time off after I had been cut for the O’Connor camp. I actually still kept training.

So my weight was still good. It kind of made sense on a lot of fronts. I didn’t tell myself, “Oh, it’s a big step-up after a layoff.” I didn’t look at it like that. I looked at it from more of a positive perspective.

Q
Are there any health concerns for you or just heading into this fight?

P. Malignaggi
I don’t ever think about this stuff, man. You have to have a short memory in boxing. And that applies to both when you look good and when you look bad. So whatever has happened to you in the past, it doesn’t matter whether it was good or bad. You can’t take that in the ring with you in your next performance. You’re starting a new chapter every time you step in the ring for round one in your next fight.

So I know as far as round one, it’s a new chapter for me. And so I don’t consider, I don’t think about what’s happened to me in the past, whether it was good or bad. But it’s something that I haven’t thought about in a long time and it doesn’t go through my mind.

Q
Danny is this an effort for you to feel what a 147-fight feels like?

D. Garcia
This is a fight my manager wanted. He gave me the call. He made this fight. And like any other fight, he did ask me, “Hey, do you want to fight this guy?” And then we say, “Yes, we want to fight this guy.”

So I didn’t go say, “Gee, I want to fight Paulie because he’s not a big puncher,” you know, because, power is just one of the many skills you need in boxing. I don’t choose the opponent. I don’t hand choose the opponent. But I think that overall, this is going to be a great fight.

Q
And what are you looking for this fight to do in terms of advancing your career should you win the fight? What would be next for you? What are you aiming to do in this division?

D. Garcia
I don’t know what’s next. Obviously, one fight at a time. I got a task in front of me. I got to go in there 110% mentally and physically prepared and just get the job done. Then after that, we can see what’s next for us.

Q
Paulie, how do you view a fighter like Danny, a former champion, coming up from 140 to 147?

P. Malignaggi
Oh, I think he’s a phenomenal fighter. I even told Danny myself, early on, I wasn’t high on him. But, I know when he was in the prospect stages, he was beating some really good names and he was hitting a harder road up and a lot of prospects to do, in terms of a guy he has to fight. And he grew on me. I started realizing I’m not looking at this kid the right way. This kid is actually good on a lot of fronts, both from a physical perspective and from a mental perspective, really strong.

I’ve always had a lot of respect for him. But in terms of 140, 147, he’s no different than me. I was a junior welterweight champion; I moved into welterweight. So from that front, I don’t even look at myself as a bigger guy or anything. As a matter of fact, he moved up to welterweight at a younger age than when I moved up to welterweight, you know. So his body grew into the division a little sooner than my body grew into the division.

So I think from that point of view, we both have that in common that we’re both ex-junior welterweight. So from a physical standpoint, I’m not looking at it as having any advantages. It’s just a matter of matching of my skills to his skills.

Q
Moving up to 147, do you really feel like you’re going to be able to put a staple on a lot of people’s mouths to shut them up about all the criticism that comes with Danny Garcia?

D. Garcia
That’s just boxing. Because I’ve been the underdog before, I’ve been the underdog before and I won. And there was like, “Oh, he got lucky.” So it’s either I’m the favorite or the underdog. I can’t listen to none of that stuff after just going through each fight like I was, mentally prepared, physically prepared going in and get the job done.

If it’s good enough for the media and it’s good enough for the fans, I’m happy. I’m still happy because, it takes a real man to go in there and put gloves on and fight another man for 12 rounds. It takes a lot of discipline. It’s usually hard work for ten weeks straight waking up every day, doing the same thing, sweat, blood, tears, all that stuff.

So I would love for the fans and the media to love me. But, it is what it is, they’re tough on me and that’s what keeps the chip on my shoulder and that’s going to make me train hard every day.

Q
Do you see your craftiness advantages that you may have over him that Danny may have a little bit of difficulty with skilled boxers?

P. Malignaggi
I think styles make fight. From a style point of view there are things that I feel like I’ll be able to do against Danny. But I also expect Danny had made some adjustments since those fights.

When it comes to the Lamont Peterson fight, as I was watching that fight and Lamont started turning things around, I started thinking, maybe Danny, he got in his mind after the first three, four, five rounds that this was the kind of fight this is going to be all night.

And when you kind of get into that role in your mind where, hey, man, this is going to be at a slow pace fight and you’re going to go through the motions in the fourth round. And then suddenly the script gets switched on you; you weren’t ready.

I felt like Lamont almost caught Danny in a sleep. And so from there, I don’t know that Danny would make a mistake again. The pace was so slow early on. I felt like I put myself in Danny’s shoes and I said, “You know what, if I was Danny, I would probably be thinking two, three, four rounds. That’s it. This is the kind of fight we’re going to fight for 12 rounds. So I wouldn’t be ready when suddenly he got turned off. Because if in your mind you put in – if you put in your mindset that’s how the fight is going to be and then things switched, then you kind of get caught sleeping.

So I felt like maybe it was a learning experience for Danny. But as far as from the stylistic point of view, yes I like the way my boxing skills match up to his. I’m sure there’s things he feels he can do to me as well. And that’s kind of why we get in the ring, we compete with each other and you match up skills. But I’m sure both of us have certain advantages over the other that we’re both going to try to apply once the bell rings on August 1st.

Q
Do you see that as a must-win situation for you especially coming off the loss with Shawn Porter?

P. Malignaggi
I think it’s more must-win for me as far as my own boxing career is concerned. I think there’s no question that from my professional boxing career, not my commentating career; take everything else aside. For the life of my professional boxing career to continue, I feel like this is a must win for sure. I don’t think that there’s much of a must-win for Danny as it is for me.

At this level, they’re all – you always feel like it’s must win because you’re always in the mix for a bigger fight if you can win. So it’s always must win. But in reality, I feel like the burden falls on me more than Danny for it to be that kind of must-win.

But it’s also nothing new to me. I’ve been written off before. My career was supposed to end in 2009 when I went to Houston, Texas. I just came off the Ricky Hatton loss and I went to Houston to fight Juan Diaz. And no matter what I said in the press conferences, no matter what I’ve said in interviews, I remember just within one year they just kind of felt like this was going to be the end of my career. And so I had to go in there and prove it myself that it wasn’t yet, you know.

So I had everybody – if I allowed myself to listen to what everybody says, I would have long gone a long time ago because you figure, you teach everybody their lessons and then it happened again in 2012. I got sent to Ukraine. I hadn’t really had a big fight in a couple of years and people just thought I was again sent to Ukraine as a fight just to make a little bit of money and be done. I was surprised that everybody was thinking about me like that again. I was like, “Wow. These people really don’t learn their lesson, you know.”

And so I went to Ukraine and I’d come back with the WBA Welterweight title at that time. And I was able to turn things around again from – in my career. And those are really two key situations because losses in those two fights would really have erased me from the sport.

So I found myself again in this kind of situation. I’m not travelling to anybody’s hometown this time. I’m fighting in my own hometown. But it’s the same situation. It’s kind of the same thing. No matter what I say going into this fight, people are still going to look at it the same way that I’m the opponent and I’m the guy that Danny beats and this is my last fight and I’m just taking this for a payday and all this stuff.

So if I hadn’t already been through this, maybe I would worry about it. I remember in 2009, going to Houston, being kind of worried about it, complaining about all kinds of stuff and just not really knowing what I was walking into. I was walking into a dark room. But I’m not walking into a dark room on August 1st. I know exactly what’s going on. I know exactly what the rumblings are in the boxing world. And I know exactly what everybody is saying about the fight.

Regardless, it doesn’t matter. None of it matters. I go in the gym; I do my work every day. I know my mindset. It’s focused. It’s ready. And I know I’m going there to do work on August 1st. And nobody’s opinion is going to matter when the bell rings. But you can’t take people’s opinions in the ring with you, again, whether they’d be good or whether they’d be bad. Nobody’s opinion comes in the ring with you. It has absolutely no bearing on who wins each and every single round.

Q
Danny, what things have you been able to do this time around doing training that you could not do in the past because you had to make 140?

D. Garcia
We added things to our workout now. We added a lot of explosive workouts, a lot of agility, a lot of footwork, a lot of things to making you more explosive, things I couldn’t do at 140 because I didn’t have the energy for it. But now the extra weight is really helping me. I’m eating – I’m adding more meals to my base to make me stronger, like before I had to skip meals. I was always weak.

Q
When we’re thinking about this, your training in the gym, do you 100% know how good you’re going to be as far as the sharpness and what you have left at 34? Or does it remain to be seen, you’ll only know on fight night?

P. Malignaggi
Fight night you can feel any which way. You can have a good camp but sometimes have a bad night. You can have a bad camp and have a good night. You don’t know how you’re going to be on fight night until you wake up the morning of the fight.

But I will say this, I’m having a good camp. And it mainly has to do with the fact that I’ve flown from one camp to another to another and I’ve been able to keep working on my skills and keep working on my sharpness. My weight has stayed low because of the fact that I have consistent training, consistent sparring.

I really like the way I’m feeling right now. I like the rhythm that I’m in when I’m in the gym. I like the flow. We’re just going to try to bring this sharp camp into the fight.

Q
Do you believe that you got the fight because they believed that you were a faded fighter?

P. Malignaggi
I didn’t go that deep into thinking. When I got the call, I was just surprised. Rhen I got the thinking, like, man, that’s a big fight. Any competitor wants big fights and wants to be in the limelight and wants to be on the big stage. I was wondering if I would ever get a chance to fight on this stage again.

I was more just surprised than anything else. I didn’t really go into thinking as to why I got the fight or why I got offered the fight or whatnot. I think that’s more your guys’ job. And I’m sure they let me know about it on Twitter and in the media why I’ve got this fight. Even if I didn’t think about it, just seeing what everybody says about it, I kind of get the gist of it.

If that’s the reason I got offered the fight, it’s the same reason I got offered the Juan Diaz fight in Houston in ’09. It’s the same reason I got the Vyacheslav Senchenko fight in Ukraine in 2012. And my confidence comes from me knowing I have the mental capacity to not let that kind of pressure bother me and have the mental capacity to just go into my zone and eliminate all the negativity from my mind.

Danny said earlier he would love the media and the fans to love him. I couldn’t care less whether anybody loves me or hates me. And I think the body of my work throughout my career or the things that I said, the things that I do, shows that I could care less whether anybody loves me or hates. I go out there to do a job. I’m a competitor. I love competing. I love the adrenaline rush of combat at the highest level and testing myself against the best fighters in the world.

That’s why I do this. I love to fight – I love to see where I’m at. And on August 1st, I’ll show myself.

Q
Danny, where is dad, Angel Garcia?

D. Garcia
My dad is doing well. Right now, he’s at a shop. He owns and runs a business. Angel is just being Angel right now. I won’t see him until 5 o’clock. Only the Lord knows what he’s doing right now.

Q
I would say some of the best work that you have done in the ring is by out-foxing heavy-handed opponents. How much of the old fox are we going to see? How is he again against Danny Garcia?

P. Malignaggi
I think for the most part, people know Danny’s style, people know my style. We’re going to make some adjustments to each other, both as part of the game plan and once we see each other in the ring.

I can’t really tell you exactly how I’m going to play it out until I’m in the ring myself. I plan on being the best me possible. I plan on being the sharpest me possible. And right now, in training, I feel really good. The plan is to flow this training camp into a sharp night on August 1st.

Q
How long have you been thinking about the move up to welter?

D. Garcia
I believe right after the Matthysse fight I wanted to move up. I felt like that was a perfect time for me to move up because I beat the best 140-pounder at that time. I had beat Khan and then I came back and beat Morales and Matthysse.

I beat two of the best 140-pounders, so I feel like it’s time for me to go up to 147. But they had different plans for me. Me and my team, we decided to stay at 140 for a little longer to see how it played out. I just wasn’t fully strong at the weight class anymore. I just wasn’t fully strong anymore. So I felt like it’s time for me to go up to 147.

Q
How confident do you feel that you can become world champion again against the likes of Thurman, Kell Brook, perhaps a rematch against Amir Khan?

D. Garcia
I’m very confident. I faced a lot of good fighters. I faced a lot of great fighters in my career. I have a lot of experience. I was a big 140-pound fighter. I’ve never faced a 140-pound fighter who was taller than me or who looked better than me.

I was just squeezing my body down to 140. And I feel like I’m going to be a way better fighter at 147 and be able to use my legs more. At 140, I felt like I wasn’t strong no more, so I just had to walk forward all night and knock my opponents out.

But I feel like at 147, you’re going to see a more athletic Danny Garcia and be able to use my legs more, using my jab more and see punches clearer. When you drain yourself as hard to see punches, then you get hit with a lot of dumb punches because your vision is not clear.

I feel like my vision is going to be a lot clearer and be able to move my head, see the punches better, use my feet. And I think I’m going to be a champion at 147, too. I know so.

L. DiBella
With that, thank you, everybody, for joining us for this PBC on ESPN call.

Again, it’ll be Danny “Swift” Garcia against Paulie “Magic Man” Malignaggi, and Danny Jacobs against Sergio Mora in the opening bout at Barclays Center, August 1, primetime on ESPN, coverage beginning at 9:00 pm ET/6:00 pm PT.

# # #

In addition to the evening’s main event and co-main event, select undercard bouts will be carried live on ESPN3. ESPN Deportes will also televise the fight live as part of its Noche de Combates series and ESPN International will present live coverage across its networks in Latin America, Brazil, the Caribbean and Pacific Rim. Live coverage will also be available through WatchESPN on computers, smartphones, tablets, Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku, Xbox 360 and Xbox One via an affiliated video provider.

For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, www.barclayscenter.com and www.dbe1.com. Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @DannySwift, @PaulMalignaggi, @LouDiBella, @ESPNBoxing, @BarclaysCenter and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/fanpagedannyswiftgarcia, www.facebook.com/PaulMalignaggi, www.facebook.com/barclayscenterand www.facebook.com/ESPN. Follow the conversation using #PBConESPN and #BrooklynBoxing.

NEW YORK (June 25, 2015) – Cancer survivor and Middleweight World Champion Daniel “The Miracle Man” Jacobs (29-1, 26 KOs) continued to spread his motivational story of perseverance this week by making visits to Gilda’s Club in Warminster, PA on Tuesday and Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital in New York on Wednesday as part of his Get In The Ring Foundation community outreach. Jacobs took time out of training for his Saturday, August 1 Premier Boxing Champions on ESPN title defense against Sergio “The Latin Snake” Mora (28-3-2, 9 KOs) at Barclays Center in his hometown of Brooklyn.

Photo: Daniel Jacobs with the children at Gilda’s Club
Credit: Kathryn Brown/Get In The Ring Foundation

Jacobs overcame his bout with osteosarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer, and he hopes that his miraculous recovery and comeback can serve to motivate children who have been affected by cancer.

“These kids know the challenges that cancer can bring,” Jacobs said. “But when you see someone in my position — a world champion who overcame cancer and is doing so much after recovery — it can give them a sense of hope. I want to share the battles I’ve had, so it can give kids just a little more ease in the battles and the struggles they’re facing now.”

As Jacobs gears up for his fight back inside the squared circle on August 1, he is optimistic that his efforts this week will help the children at Gilda’s Club and Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital believe that they are champions in life just as he is in the ring.

# # #

TICKETS: Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment, are priced at $250, $150, $75 and $45, not including applicable service charges and taxes, and are on sale now. Tickets are available at www.barclayscenter.com,www.ticketmaster.com and at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center now. To charge by phone, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. For group tickets, please call 855-GROUP-BK.

For more information on Get In The Ring Foundation email [email protected].

BROOKLYN (June 17, 2015) – Middleweight World Champion Daniel “The Miracle Man” Jacobs (29-1, 26 KOs) returns to the ring in his hometown of Brooklyn to take on former world champion Sergio “The Latin Snake” Mora (28-3-2, 9 KOs) as the televised opener of Premier Boxing Champions on ESPN primetime Saturday, Aug. 1 at Barclays Center with televised coverage beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

This fight will precede the showdown between undefeated superstar Danny “Swift” Garcia (30-0, 17 KOs) and Brooklyn’s own Paulie “The Magic Man” Malignaggi (33-6, 7 KOs).

“I’m just excited to be on this great card and to be able to perform at Barclays Center is an honor,” said Jacobs. “I’m looking forward to making the best out of this opportunity and most importantly I want to give the Brooklyn fans a great show. I get to go to work in my own backyard.”

“I went back to the ‘drawing board,’ worked hard and now I’m blessed to be a part of this great event,” said Mora, “I don’t plan to let this opportunity get by me. On August 1, I’m coming to Brooklyn to win.”

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Swift Promotions, are priced at $250, $150, $75 and $45, not including applicable service charges and taxes, are on sale now. Tickets are available at www.barclayscenter.com, www.ticketmaster.com and at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center beginning Thursday, June 18 at noon. To charge by phone, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. For group tickets, please call 800-GROUP-BK.

The inspirational figure who will fight at Barclays Center for the fourth time, Brooklyn’s Jacobs completed his road from cancer survivor to champion last August when he defeated Jarrod Fletcher for the middleweight title. In 2011, while pursuing a championship in the ring, cancer threatened his life and kept him on the sidelines for 19 months. When he returned, he picked up where he left off and hasn’t lost since. The 28-year-old looks to keep his momentum going when he faces Mora on Aug. 1.

The winner of NBC’s “The Contender” series, the 34-year-old Mora is a former world champion at super welterweight and looking to add a middleweight crown to his name. The Los Angeles native owns victories over Ishe Smith, Peter Manfredo Jr. and Vernon Forrest and enters this fight on a five-fight win streak. He most recently defeated Abraham Han in February of this year and will make his first pro start in Brooklyn on Aug. 1.

In addition to the evening’s main event and co-main event, select undercard bouts will be carried live on ESPN3. ESPN Deportes will also televise the fight live as part of its Noche de Combates series and ESPN International will present live coverage across its networks in Latin America, Brazil, the Caribbean and Pacific Rim. Live coverage will also be available through WatchESPN on computers, smartphones, tablets, Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku, Xbox 360 and Xbox One via an affiliated video provider.

For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, www.barclayscenter.com and www.dbe1.com. Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @DannySwift, @PaulMalignaggi, @LouDiBella, @ESPNBoxing, @BarclaysCenter and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/fanpagedannyswiftgarcia, www.facebook.com/PaulMalignaggi, www.facebook.com/barclayscenterand www.facebook.com/ESPN. Follow the conversation using #PBConESPN and #BrooklynBoxing.

Sergio Mora scored a 12-round split decision over Abie Han in a 12-round Middleweight bout at the Beau Rivage Casino & Resort in Bilox, Mississippi.

Mora boxed and moved well throughout the battle. He got caught in round ten when Han landed a right hand to the shoulder while Mora was off balance and Mora hit the canvas. Han pressed over the last three rounds but it was not enough as each fighter took a card by a 115-112 tally and Mora won the third score to the razor thin 114–13.

Mora, 160 lbs is now 28-3-2. Han, 160 lbs is now 23-2.

Erickson Lubin remained undefeated by pounding out a 8-round unanimous decision over late replacement Michael Finney in a Jr, Middleweight bout.

Lubin, 153 lbs won by scored of 80-72 on all cards and is now 9-0. Finney, 157 3/4 lbs is now 12-2-1.

Ahmed Elbiali scored a 2nd round stoppage over Dustin Echard in a scheduled 6-round Light Heavyweight bout.

In round two, Elbiali landed a hard right that sent Echard through the ropes. Elbiali jumped on Echard and landed a some pulverizing blows. At one point Echard looked around as he was getting pummeled and referee Bill Clancy stopped the fight at 44 seconds of round two

Elbiali, 176 1/4 lbs is 9-0 with 9 knockoouts. Echard, 178 3/4 lbs is now 10-1.

The February 6 edition of ESPN Friday Night Fights presented by Corona Extra and ESPN Deportes’ Noche de Combates presentado por Corona Extra will feature former junior middleweight titleholder Sergio “The Latin Snake” Mora (27-3-2, 9 KOs) and veteran Abie “The Sun City Warrior” Han (23-1, 14 KOs) in the 12-round middleweight main event. Friday’s show from Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi, Miss., will air live at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN2, broadband Spanish-language ESPN Deportes+ and WatchESPN. ESPN Deportes will televise Friday’s fights on Saturday, Feb. 7, at 4 p.m. The card is presented by DiBella Entertainment.

Commentators:
Joe Tessitore will be ringside with analyst Teddy Atlas describing the action for ESPN2, while studio host Todd Grisham (@GrishamESPN) will provide the latest boxing news and information. Alex Pombo and Delvin Rodríguez will call the fights for Noche de Combates (Fight Night) on both ESPN Deportes and ESPN Deportes+, while Leopoldo González and Claudia Trejos will anchor the studio.

Main Event:
Los Angeles’ Mora—who won the first season of the reality series The Contender in 2004-05 before winning the WBC junior middleweight title in 2008—is coming off an eight-round unanimous decision win over Dashon Johnson.

“My trainer took a look at Han. He reminds us a lot of an opponent we fought before named Archak TerMeliksetian,” Mora said. “He’s tall, but he doesn’t fight tall. He fights compact and throws very strong, compact punches. He’s got a great record, so we can’t take him for granted.”

Han, of Texas, has won four fights in a row, including his last, a 10 round majority decision win over Marco Reyes.

“It’s an honor to fight someone of Mora’s caliber,” Han said. “He is a former world champion. He’s very smart and he’s a veteran of the game of boxing. I’m looking forward to the challenge. I feel, come the 6th, I will have to be on my A-game. I feel like if I am on my A-game, I can pull off the upset.”

Co-Feature:
Friday’s eight-round co-feature will pit undefeated junior middleweight Erickson “Hammer” Lubin (8-0, 6 KOs) against a yet-to-be-determined opponent after Lubin’s original opponent dropped out due to a failed medical test. In his last bout, Florida’s Lubin scored an eight-round unanimous decision win over veteran Norberto Gonzalez.

Next week on Friday Night Fights and Noche de Combates:
Boxcino 2015, a single-elimination, two-weight class tournament featuring eight fighters in both the junior middleweight and heavyweight divisions, will begin on Friday, Feb. 13 with the junior middleweight quarterfinal round. The show, from Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn., will air live at 9 p.m. on ESPN2, ESPN Deportes+ and WatchESPN.

Upcoming Schedule:
Date
Time (ET)
Main Event
Location
Networks
Fri, Feb 6
9 p.m.
Sergio Mora (27-3-2, 9 KOs) vs. Abie Han (23-1, 14 KOs) — 12 rounds, Middleweights
Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, Biloxi, Miss.
ESPN2, ESPN Deportes+, WatchESPN
Fri, Feb 13
9 p.m.
Boxcino 2015 Quarterfinals- six rounds each, Junior Middleweight:

Cleotis Pendarvis (17-4, 2 KOs) vs. Ricardo Pinell (10-1-1, 6 KOs)

Stanyslav Skorokhod (8-0, 6 KOs) vs.
Michael Moore (13-0, 6 KOs)

Brandon Adams (14-1, 9 KOs) vs. Alex Pérez (18-1, 10 KOs)

Vito Gasparyan (14-3-5, 8 KOs) vs. Simeon Hardy (13-0, 10 KOs)
Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, Conn.
ESPN2, ESPN Deportes+, WatchESPN
Fri, Feb 20
9 p.m.
Boxcino 2015 Quarterfinals- six rounds each, Heavyweight:

Donovan Dennis (10-1, 8 KOs) vs. Steve Vukosa (10-0, 4 KOs)

Razvan Cojanu (12-1, 7 KOs) vs. Ed Fountain (10-0, 4 KOs)

Andrey Fedosov (25-3, 20 KOs) vs. Nat Heaven (9-1, 7 KOs)

Mario Heredia (9-1, 7 KOs) vs. Lenroy Thomas (18-3, 9 KOs)
Turning Stone Resort and Casino, Verona N.Y.
ESPN2, ESPN Deportes+, WatchESPN
Fri, Feb 27
9 p.m.
Cletus Seldin (15-0, 12 KOs) vs. Johnny García (19-2-1, 11 KOs) — 10 rounds, Jr. Welterweights
Paramount Theater , Huntington, N.Y.
ESPN2, ESPN Deportes+, WatchESPN
*Schedule subject to change

Friday Night Fights and Noche de Combates Social Media:
· Follow ESPN Friday Night Fights on Twitter @ESPNFNF or like it on Facebook.

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

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

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

New York, NY (1/27/15) – On Friday, Feb. 6, DiBella Entertainment and Goossen Promotions will present an exciting edition of ESPN “Friday Night Fights” when former junior middleweight champion and “The Contender: Season One” winner Sergio “The Latin Snake” Mora (27-3-2, 9KO’s) takes on Abraham “Abie” Han (23-1, 14 KO’s) in a 12-round middleweight contest with the vacant USBA title belt at stake. This event is set to take place at MGM Resorts International’s beautiful Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, in Biloxi, Miss. It will be televised live on ESPN2 beginning at 9 p.m. ET.

“This will be a highly competitive fight between two world-ranked middleweights in Mora and Han, on Feb. 6. Both are coming off big victories on HBO Latino in 2014,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “The winner will establish himself as a future championship contender.”

“Abie jumped right at this opportunity when it was offered,” said Tom Brown of Goossen Promotions. “It’s a big fight for Abie coming off his win over Marcos Reyes in October and he’ll be well prepared.”

“We’re happy that DiBella Entertainment and Goossen Promotions were able to put together such a competitive fight for Sergio on short notice,” said Brian Kweder, ESPN Senior Director of Programming and Acquisitions. “The winner of this fight will no doubt be placing himself in a good position for a title shot in the middleweight division.”

While Sergio Mora, rated No. 13 by the IBF, is disappointed now that his world title shot will have to wait, he’s already weathered his share of setbacks and has never given up on his dream. After bypassing on an offer to face Jermain Taylor for his unified middleweight crown back in 2007, Mora grew frustrated by several months of inactivity. However, once he did challenge for his first world title in June 2008, Mora rose to the occasion, moving down in weight to battle WBC 154lb. champion Vernon Forrest. Using his unorthodox style, Mora was able to outbox and outpoint Forrest over 12 rounds to seize the championship. Moving back up to middleweight, a fight with then-champion Kelly Pavlik in 2009 fell through when Pavlik pulled out for medical reasons. Following that disappointment, Mora endured a couple controversial decision defeats, as well as a draw with Shane Mosley.

Starting in 2013, Mora regrouped and signed with promoter DiBella Entertainment, and has since put together four straight victories. In June 2013, Mora dominated the 29-2 former world title challenger Grzegorz Proksa on ESPN’s “Friday Night Fights” en route to earning a unanimous decision. He then reeled off consecutive fifth-round knockouts over another world title challenger in Milton Nunez and the 14-1 prospect Samuel Rogers. In both of those contests, Mora employed a more aggressive approach than he had earlier in his career, looking to focus more on his power and entertaining the audience. He ended 2014 with a shutout win over the always-game Dashon Johnson in December. Although the chance to fight for a middleweight world title fell through, Mora is eager to continue on his quest toward achieving that goal and standing in his way is Abraham Han.

“It wasn’t meant to be, with me and JT, so now it’s on with Han,” said Mora. “It’s great to be fighting back on ESPN, and for the USBA championship. Han is a tough competitor and the fans should expect a terrific contest, but I am determined to once again prove that I am a world-class fighter. An impressive victory will springboard me toward a world title opportunity.”

Coming from a fighting family, the popular Abraham Han, who is from Alabama but trains in Houston, Texas, first excelled at kickboxing, as per his family’s legacy, before deciding to fully focus on boxing. As an amateur, Han gained considerable experience by competing against the likes of Tim Bradley, Daniel Jacobs, Karim Mayfield, Edwin Rodriguez, Fernando Guerrero, Dominic Wade, and others. He started his professional boxing career scoring three first-round knockouts before easily dominating the 6-0 prospect Ibaheim King to earn a six-round unanimous decision in May 2009. Another six consecutive explosive knockouts followed, all within three rounds or less, demonstrating the power that Han possesses.

Building his record to 19-0, Han was featured on ESPN’s “Friday Night Fights” in July 2013, facing the unbeaten Glen Tapia. Engaging Tapia in an exciting war, Han was not only hampered by having to move down to junior middleweight, but also by suffering a severe cut from a head clash early in the fight. He has since bolstered his career with four victories in a row, including a brutal second-round stoppage over veteran contender Juan Carlos Candelo, halting him quicker than anyone had previously, for the Universal Boxing Federation middleweight championship. In his last bout on October 18, at the Stub Hub Center, in Carson, California, Han, a considerable underdog going in, impressively earned a 10-round decision over the 32-1 heavy-handed, world-rated Marcos Reyes in a bout televised by HBO Latino. He is now ranked No. 15 by the IBF.

“I’m very excited to face Sergio Mora on Friday, February 6,” said Abraham Han. “With my win over Marcos Reyes last October, I’m confident that I will be fully prepared to come out victorious against Mora as well.”

Tickets are on sale now at a reduced rate and are priced at $20.95, $34.95, $48.95 and $62.95, plus tax and service charges. They can be purchased at the Beau Rivage Theatre box office, through any Ticketmaster outlet or online at Ticketmaster.com. Doors open at 4:45 p.m., with the first bout scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

For more information on the fight, visit www.dbe1.com, www.goossenpromotions.com, www.espn.com/boxing, and www.beaurivage.com. Visit us on Facebook at facebook/DiBellaEntertainment, facebook/goossenboxing, facebook/ESPNBoxing and facebook/beaurivage. You can also follow on Twitter @loudibella @DiBellaEnt @goossenboxing @ESPNBoxing @BeauBiloxi and #BeauBoxing.

IBF Middleweight champion Jermain Taylor injured his ribs and was arrested again on Monday thus postponing his February 6 title defense with Sergio Mora, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com

A woman said Tuesday that Jermain Taylor threatened to fatally shoot her 5-, 3-, and 1-year-old children, and that she knocked the gun away after the cursing middleweight boxing champion put the weapon to her husband’s head in Little Rock, Arkansas, on Monday.

Toya Smith, 40, told The Associated Press that she and her family were having a good time at the city’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade Monday when Taylor produced his boxing belt and asked to get a photo with her son. Smith says her family had never met Taylor before and that it appeared he had been drinking.

“He bent down to give my son the belt and he almost fell over and dropped the belt, and he thought my baby dropped the belt,” Smith told The Associated Press.

“He put [the gun] up against his temple, I jumped in front of it and it went off up into the air,” injuring her husband’s ear, Smith told the AP. “He was going to shoot him, but I saw it, he was going to kill him and I had to hit the gun.”

A Little Rock police report says Taylor was arrested without incident and a gun was recovered. He is charged with five felony counts of aggravated assault, three felony counts of endangering the welfare of a minor and a misdemeanor count of drug possession after he was found to have a small bag of marijuana.

Taylor was released Tuesday from the Pulaski County jail on $50,000 bond. His attorneys did not return phone calls to The Associated Press on Tuesday.

In addition, Taylor’s title defense against Sergio Mora, which was scheduled to headline the Feb. 6 edition of ESPN2’s “Friday Night Fights” at the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi, is off and unlikely to be rescheduled. His promoter, Lou DiBella, said Taylor suffered a broken rib in a sparring session a few days ago. DiBella said they had hoped to keep the fight together but that X-rays showed a fracture.

“We learned a few days ago that Jermain suffered a rib injury in sparring, and we were getting another opinion and seeing how Jermain felt, and then this incident happened,” DiBella told ESPN.com’s Dan Rafael on Monday. “His fight on Feb. 6 was going to be canceled due to a legitimate injury, a rib fracture, but this obviously is a shocking development no matter what the exact details are, and it leads myself and his management [Al Haymon] to be more concerned with his well being, his mental health and his future than his boxing career.

“Right now there aren’t any plans to reschedule anything or think about his future in the ring until the events surrounding his legal issues are dealt with.”

“He was pointing at the kids, so I jumped in front of him again and said, ‘Please don’t shoot my kids,'” Smith said.

“Do I have bad luck, or do I have bad luck? I am getting so used to this,” Mora told ESPN.com about having his title shot canceled. “If I didn’t have Lou and [adviser] Al Haymon scrambling for me to get another opponent, I would be panicking. But I’m in a good place. I have a good team, and they are going to take care of things.”

“But I felt the bad news coming even before what happened [Monday],” Mora said. “I was training my ass off, but this is not the first time this has happened. I’m gonna keep training like I am fighting on Feb. 6 and headlining a card on ESPN2.”

New York, NY (1/7/15) – On Friday, Feb. 6, DiBella Entertainment and Goossen Promotions will present an exciting edition of ESPN Friday Night Fights when IBF middleweight champion Jermain “Bad Intentions” Taylor (33-4-1, 20KO’s) puts his IBF middleweight championship crown on the line against former junior middleweight champion and “The Contender: Season One” winner Sergio “The Latin Snake” Mora (27-3-2, 9KO’s). The 12-round championship bout is set take place at MGM Resorts International’s beautiful Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, in Biloxi, Miss. It will be televised live on ESPN2 beginning at 9 p.m. ET.

“This is a highly competitive fight and a very important one for the 160lb. division,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “This is a huge opportunity for both Jermain and Sergio and it is a fight that nearly happened many years ago. Now both of their careers have come full circle and we anticipate a very exciting ‘must-win’ fight between two of the best middleweights in the world on Feb. 6.”

“I’m honored to work with my good friend Lou DiBella on this highly anticipated IBF middleweight championship between Jermain Taylor and Sergio Mora on Feb. 6, telecast live on ESPN2’s Friday Night Fights,” said Tom Brown of Goossen Promotions.

“Jermain Taylor’s world title fight in October against Sam Soliman was the second highest-rated fight of the year on ESPN2,” said Brian Kweder, ESPN Senior Director of Programming and Acquisitions. “We expect similar results in what promises to be an even more action-packed fight against Sergio Mora.”

“MGM Resorts International and Beau Rivage are pleased to host this middleweight championship bout and have Taylor defend his title in the same great venue where he earned it back just a few short months ago,” said George P. Corchis, Jr., President and COO of MGM Resorts International’s Southern Operations. “We look forward to putting on another world-class televised event and showcasing a great fight.”

Seven years after losing his middleweight crown to Kelly Pavlik, Jermain Taylor regained the IBF title on Oct. 8 of last year defeating veteran Australian belt-holder Sam Soliman via unanimous decision. Over the course of 12 rounds, held at Beau Rivage, Taylor dictated the pace with a thudding and consistent jab. Using that punch to set up his power shots, Taylor went on to knock down Soliman a total of four times in the most impressive victory of his comeback thus far that began in 2011 following a two-year layoff.

It was in 2005 that Taylor upset Hall-of-Famer Bernard Hopkins to become the undisputed middleweight champion. Taylor made four successful defenses of his belts, before moving up to the super middleweight division and later briefly retiring following back-to-back losses. Taylor returned to the ring in December of 2011, and put together four impressive victories to earn his shot at Soliman. Now with a championship belt back firmly around his waist, Taylor is ready to begin his second reign as middleweight champion of the world when he takes on the former champion Mora.

“I am thrilled to be returning to Beau Rivage in Biloxi to defend my IBF middleweight world title,” said Jermain Taylor. “Regaining the belt meant everything to me and I will be 100 percent focused in training camp to retain my championship. On February 6, boxing fans will be in for a real exciting night of action when I defeat the Latin Snake, Sergio Mora.”

Sergio Mora, now rated No. 13 by the IBF, was originally supposed to face Taylor for his unified middleweight crown back in 2007, but the fight never materialized. However, after some months of inactivity and frustration, Mora finally received his first world title shot in June 2008, going down in weight to challenge WBC 154lb. champion Vernon Forrest. Using his unorthodox style, Mora was able to outbox and outpoint Forrest over 12 rounds to seize the championship. Moving back up to middleweight, a fight with then-champion Pavlik in 2009 fell through when Pavlik pulled out for medical reasons. Following that disappointment, Mora endured a couple controversial decision defeats, as well as a draw with Shane Mosley.

Starting in 2013, Mora regrouped and signed with promoter DiBella Entertainment, and has since put together four straight victories. In June 2013, Mora dominated the 29-2 former world title challenger Grzegorz Proksa on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights en route to earning a unanimous decision. He then reeled off consecutive fifth-round knockouts over another world title challenger in Milton Nunez and the 14-1 prospect Samuel Rogers. In both of those contests, Mora employed a more aggressive approach than he had earlier in his career, looking to focus more on his power and entertaining the audience. He ended 2014 with a shutout win over the always-game Dashon Johnson in December. Now that his career has come full circle, nearly eight years after he initially turned down the chance to face Taylor, Mora, at 34 years old, has the opportunity of a lifetime.

“I’m a firm believer in destiny,” said Mora. “My trainer Dean Campos instilled that in me early in my career. The fight is happening now for a reason. I wasn’t ready to fight Taylor then [in 2007]. I’m more than ready now. I don’t believe in coincidences. I believe in destiny.”

Tickets are on sale now and priced at $29.95, $49.95, $69.95 and 89.95, plus tax and service charges. They can be purchased at the Beau Rivage Theatre box office, through any Ticketmaster outlet or online at Ticketmaster.com. Doors open at 4:45 p.m., with the first bout scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

For more information on the fight, visit www.dbe1.com, www.goossenpromotions.com, www.espn.com/boxing, and www.beaurivage.com. Visit us on Facebook at facebook/DiBellaEntertainment, facebook/goossenboxing, facebook/ESPNBoxing and facebook/beaurivage. You can also follow on Twitter @loudibella @DiBellaEnt @goossenboxing @ESPNBoxing, @BeauBiloxi and #BeauBoxing.

Jermain Taylor will defend his IBF Middleweight title against Sergio Mora in Biloxi, Mississippi on February 6 according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

The bout will be televised on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights.

“It’s a quality fight and it gives Jermain a chance to defend his title before his mandatory defense is due,” said Taylor’s promoter Lou DiBella said. “And for Sergio Mora, it’s the opportunity of a lifetime. He turned it down once many years ago when it was a much bigger fight and for a lot more money. But he passed on it then and I think it’s one of the great regrets that he has had. He said if he ever got the opportunity again it’s something he would want to do. This is a fight that both guys wanted.”

“We know Mora is a tough fighter and we’re going in there as if we were fighting Bernard Hopkins,” said Taylor’s trainer Pat Burns said of the legend Taylor defeated twice in 2005, including to win the undisputed title in their first fight. “You have to have that mindset or you’ll get your ass kicked. Jermain will do his work. The rest is up to the courts. But we will be focused on the task in front of us and that is the fight. When it’s time to focus on his legal situation he will.

“In terms of boxing, Jermain still has excellent speed, and speed kills, and his jab was tremendous against Soliman and his right hand looked good, his balance looked good and his defense looked good. Mora is a tough guy, but Jermain is still pretty darn sharp.”

“I think Sergio believes he has a great chance to win the fight and I thought Jermain fought very well against Soliman and has looked good in his recent fights, but the odds makers will have it closer now than they would have had it in the heyday of Jermain’s career,” DiBella said.

“Sergio left a lot of money and a huge opportunity on the table back then but things have come full circle.”

U.S. Virgin Islands-based middleweight contender Samuel “Rock City Cobra” Rogers
says he’s ready for the biggest fight of his career this Saturday, May 31.

Rogers (14-1, 8 KOs) will face former WBA junior middleweight world champion and “The Contender” champion, WBA #10-rated Sergio “The Latin Snake” Mora (25-3-2, 8 KOs) in an eight-rounder that will serve as the chief supporting bout on DiBella Entertainment’s and Sampson Boxing’s (in association with Right Hook Promotions) event entitled “Real Fights” in the Tropicana Pavilion at the New Tropicana Resort in Las Vegas.

The co-main events that night will be telecast live on HBO Latino and HBO2 (12 midnight [ET/PT]) and feature a 10-round super featherweight battle between Dominican former world champion Javier “El Abejon” Fortuna (24-0-1, 18 KOs) and heavy-handed Mexican contender Juan Antonio Rodriguez (26-4, 23 KOs), as well as an “All Puerto Rico” 10-round super bantamweight war between undefeated Luis Rosa (16-0, 7 KOs) and Luis “Orlandito” Del Valle (18-1, 13 KOs).

Tickets for “Real Fights” are priced at $85, $65 and $37 (plus applicable taxes). They are available for purchase online (www.troplv.com), in person at the Tropicana Las Vegas Show Tickets desk or by phone (800-829-9034).

Rogers knows he’ll be coming in as the underdog in this bout, as he suffered his first professional loss in his last fight, a 10-round decision to Argentina’s Carlos Adan Jerez, in Argentina, last February. But says it’s a role he is looking forward to playing in this battle of “serpentine” middleweights.

How did training go for this fight?

Training was awesome. We stepped it up and brought in guys from Puerto Rico and Spain for sparring. Long and lanky guys, who don’t do a lot of punching but are explosive and sharp. They were all very good fighters too, not chumps I can walk over. They pushed my stamina to where I need to be, conditioning-wise. Working hard at that level put me in a new mind frame and made it seem as if I was in the fight already. My stamina is tremendous. I’m really confident and I can’t wait to step in the ring.

What have you learned so far about your opponent, Sergio Mora?

The guy talks a lot. He has a big mouth and that’s expected of him. That’s how he is. I just need to stay calm and relax. For me, the fight will begin at the press conference because he’ll be trying to get in my head. I have to stay poised and get ready for that bell. He’s a spot fighter. He doesn’t fight the whole three minutes of every round. He does bursts and then goes into a void for another minute and a half. He doesn’t hit that hard. He’s a technician. The one thing that is positive in his favor is he’s durable. He can do ten rounds, so I’m expecting to go ten with him. If I catch him with a good punch, I’ll try to stop him early. I’m looking forward to a good explosive fight.

You lost your last fight. What have you learned from that experience?

Staying focused, being relaxed. No matter what happens in a fight; if I’m cut or get an injury, I have to stick to the game plan and listen to my corner. They can see more than I can when I’m in there.

What would a victory over Sergio Mora mean to you?

It’s going to put me where I need to be. I’m rated number 16 by the NABF. He’s number 9. I’m going to take his spot and call out guys like Peter Quillin and Gennady Golovkin and all the champs at 160.

Tell me about the support you receive from the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands?

The fans back home are unbelievable. We got a lot of sponsors behind us too, too many to mention them all from memory. Everybody back home comes out and supports us. The sponsors have made it possible for me to be here with their support. I want to thank everyone from the USVI and all my sponsors. Without all of you, I wouldn’t be able to do this.

How do you envision this fight with Mora unfolding?

He’s going to get frustrated and try to come in and pressure me and wear me down, mentally. He’ll try to get in my head by talking a lot of smack. I need to be aggressive, throw combinations and never back up. I need to stick to the jab, keep that telephone pole in his face all night long like Vernon Forrest did to him.

###

In separate bouts, hometown favorites Rocco Santomauro (11-0) and Jesus Gutierrez (11-0) both put their unblemished record on the line when Santomauro squares off against Daniel Quevedo and Gutierrez takes on Pablo Becerra.

For fight updates, visit www.dbe1.com, www.hbo.com/boxing and www.troplv.com, Facebook (facebook.com/dibellaentertainment, facebook.com/hboboxing)and Twitter (twitter.com/dibellaent, twitter.com/loudibella, twitter.com/sampsonboxing).

Tweet this: LIVE doubleheader boxing event @TropLV feat. @AbejonFortuna vs J. Rodríguez & L. Rosa vs L. Del Valle! @HBOLatino

About The New Tropicana Las Vegas | TropLV.com
Welcome to affordable luxury. The New Tropicana resort in Las Vegas redefines the expectations of today’s global travelers with a recently completed $200 million transformation that provides a casually elegant experience on the Las Vegas Strip. With a unique South Beach vibe, the resort features all-new rooms, suites and luxury villas that evoke the sentiment of a breezy beach house or penthouse in Miami, a fresh redesign of the 50,000-square-foot casino, several award-winning restaurants, a new race and sports book, and Glow®, a Mandara Spa and fitness center. First-class entertainment includes headliners in the all-new Tropicana Theater, Laugh Factory and live music in the Tropicana Lounge. Coming spring 2014, the Tropicana Theater will be home to the smash hit musical MAMMA MIA!

New York, NY / Las Vegas, NV (5/28/14) – This Saturday, May 31, DiBella Entertainment and Sampson Boxing, in association with Right Hook Promotions, will present an exciting doubleheader headlined by former world champion Javier Fortuna (24-0-1, 18KO’s) taking on Juan Antonio Rodriguez (26-4, 23KO’s) in a 10-round super featherweight matchup. In the co-feature, top-rated super bantamweight contender Luis “Orlandito” Del Valle (18-1, 13KO’s) will look to take a major step toward repositioning himself back among the elite of the 122lb. division when he faces highly regarded undefeated prospect Luis Rosa (16-0, 7KO’s) in a 10-round super bantamweight showdown. Both bouts will be shown live on the HBO Latino telecast from the beautiful newly renovated Tropicana Resort in Las Vegas, NV. In addition to the HBO Latino telecast, the HBO2 service will air the doubleheader with English language commentary at 12 midnight (ET/PT).

Also scheduled to appear on the card in a special attraction 10-round middleweight bout will be former WBC junior middleweight world champion and “The Contender” champion, WBA #10-rated Sergio “The Latin Snake” Mora (25-3-2, 8 KOs) taking on once-beaten Samuel Rogers (14-1, 8 KOs).

While the bout against Rogers is off-tv, it is a very important fight at this point of Mora’s career. If he is to ever get another world championship opportunity, the 33-year-old Mora not only has to continue winning but do so in impressive fashion.

“We realize that just winning isn’t enough anymore,” said Mora. “Promoters and TV execs, even fans have changed the name of the game from the Sweet Science to ‘Entertainment’. Guys getting knocked out are getting more TV dates because they lose in grand fashion. I am not willing to lose, but in order to get the TV dates nowadays, I am willing to adapt to what is needed. Entertaining can be dangerous, but I chose a dangerous profession.

Mora is currently riding a two-bout winning streak, including an impressive and grueling10-round unanimous decision against Gregorz Proksa on ESPN in June of last year and a fifth-round TKO over Milton Nunez in November. The bout against Nunez was Mora’s first after signing an exclusive promotional contract with DiBella Entertainment. For the bout, Mora was much more aggressive and determined than he’d been in the past. Now Mora is hoping another impressive performance on Saturday night will push him closer to challenging for a world title.

“I had a great training camp, we had the proper time to prepare physically and work out a game plan, and we are ready to go. Ready to shine.”

Mora continued, “This is a risky fight for me. I am always in risky fights. You never see me in a stay-busy or walkover-type of fight. I am always in tough, but that is the reason that I am who I am.”

“I know that I have what it takes to win another world championship, I just need my opportunity. In a perfect world, I want Sergio Martinez. He is the #1 middleweight in the world, and we are both promoted by DBE, so it’s not so farfetched. If I can’t get him though, I would love to fight the undefeated and unproven Peter Quillin, or the man everyone seems to be scared of, Golovkin. I believe that I match up well with both of them and would love a chance to take their championship belts from them.”

First, Mora must take care of business on Saturday night.

Tickets are priced at $85, $65 and $37, plus applicable taxes and fees and will go on sale today, Monday, April 21. They will be available for purchase online (www.troplv.com), in person at the Tropicana Las Vegas Show Tickets desk or by phone (800-829-9034) starting today.

For fight updates, visit www.dbe1.com, www.hbo.com/boxing and www.troplv.com, Facebook (facebook.com/dibellaentertainment, facebook.com/hboboxing)and Twitter (twitter.com/dibellaent, twitter.com/loudibella, twitter.com/sampsonboxing).

Tweet this:LIVE doubleheader boxing event @TropLV feat. @AbejonFortuna vs J. Rodriguez & L.Rosa vs L.Del Valle! @HBOLatino

# # #

About The New Tropicana Las Vegas | TropLV.com
Welcome to affordable luxury. The New Tropicana resort in Las Vegas redefines the expectations of today’s global travelers with a recently completed $200 million transformation that provides a casually elegant experience on the Las Vegas Strip. With a unique South Beach vibe, the resort features all-new rooms, suites and luxury villas that evoke the sentiment of a breezy beach house or penthouse in Miami, a fresh redesign of the 50,000-square-foot casino, several award-winning restaurants, a new race and sports book, and Glow®, a Mandara Spa and fitness center. First-class entertainment includes headliners in the all-new Tropicana Theater, Laugh Factory and live music in the Tropicana Lounge. Coming spring 2014, the Tropicana Theater will be home to the smash hit musical MAMMA MIA! Take a Virtual Tour.

New York, NY (8/26/13) – With undefeated IBF middleweight champion Peter Quillin still in search of an opponent for his upcoming title defense October 26 in Atlantic City, former WBC junior middleweight champion and current world-rated middleweight contender Sergio Mora says that he would be honored to step in to face the champ.

“Peter Quillin is a really strong, big, and avoided middleweight champion. He is annihilating everyone that he steps in against and because of that, not many people are jumping at the chance to face him. I have never been afraid to face any fighter in my entire career though and the same goes for Peter,” stated Mora.

Mora continued, “His style reminds me a lot of the late great Vernon Forrest, so I would be very familiar with the task at hand and would love the opportunity to take on that challenge. Being able to return to the network where I had the biggest win of my entire career, to take on another highly regarded world champion, would truly be an absolute honor.”

“The Latin Snake” (24-3-2, 7KO’s), the original Contender Champion is coming off a unanimous 10-round decision victory over Grzegorz Proksa on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights on June 28 of this year. Mora is currently rated #7 by the WBA and #14 by the IBF.

The brash and colorful Mora reached the high point of his career when he won the WBC light middleweight championship with a gutsy upset 12-round majority decision over the late great Vernon Forrest in 2008.

New York, NY (7/30/13) – With his promotional company DiBella Entertainment (DBE) being heavily involved in the middleweight divisions (154-168), promoter Lou DiBella has officially announced the signing of former junior middleweight world champion and WBC #7-rated middleweight Sergio “The Latin Snake” Mora (24-3-2, 7KO’s). The original Contender Champion is coming off a unanimous 10-round decision over Grzegorz Proksa on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights on June 28th of this year.

“I have always respected Lou for his bold ways and honesty,” said Mora. “Lou is very knowledgeable and experienced and he is passionate and really cares about his fighters and the sport as a whole. Having the opportunity to work with someone like Lou is a blessing and an honor. I want to fight the top 160-pounders in the world, and THE best is Sergio Martinez, who just happens to also be promoted by Lou.”

“Say what you want, but Mora is, and has been for many years, one of the most skilled middleweights in the world. His style has become much more appeasing at this stage of his career and coming off the big win over Proksa, he definitely factors into a major fight in the division sometime within the next 12 months,” said promoter Lou DiBella.

The brash and colorful Mora reached the high point of his career when won the WBC light middleweight championship with a gusty upset 12-round majority decision over the late-great Vernon Forrest in 2008. Mora would relinquish the title back to Forrest in his next bout and then see his career hit a standstill due to promotional issues. Mora is 2-2 in his last four bouts with both losses coming in highly controversial decisions to fellow Contender star Bryan Vera.

An announcement regarding Mora’s first fight under the DBE banner will be announced soon.

Former WBC Super Welterweight champion Sergio Mora resurrected his career with ten round unanimous decision over former world title challenger Grzegorz Proksa in a Middleweight bout at the Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida.

Surprisingly it was Mora who landed the harder punches as well as dictating the pace against Proksa who looked befuddled at times. Mora was very effective with the lead right and fought more aggressively than he has showed in previous fights. Maybe that was the effect of dropping two close decisions to number-one ranked Brian Vera. Whatever the case may be, Mora looked good as he caused swelling under the right eye of Proksa, who looked like he never was comfortable in the bout.

Mora of Los Angeles, CA won by scores of 98-92, 96-94 and 96-94 and is now 24-2-2. Proksa of Poland is now 29-3.

Patrick Tiexiera remained perfect with a ten round unanimous decision over spoiler Marcus Willis in a Jr. Middleweight bout.

Tiexeira landed the harder blows and was more active. He rocked Willis several times and had him wobbled in round three. Willis landed some good shots but it was few and far between against the hard charging Tiexeira, who fought most of the fight with a cut over his left eye.

Tiexiera, 154 lbs of Sao Paulo, Brazil won by scores of 98-92, 97-93 and 96-94 and is now 20-0. Willis, 154.2 lbs of Fort Myers, FL is now 13-3-2.

Grzegorz Proksa: 159.6

Sergio Mora: 159.8

Marcus Willis: 154.8

Patrick Teixeira: 157 (Teixeira had to lose 1 pound)

Travis Hanshaw: 150.8

Taras Shelestyuk: 151.4

Andrew Capio: 138.4

Cornelius Whitlock: 143.4

Jerrod Caldwell: 168

Steven Chadwick: 167.4

Curtis Harper: 248.2

Donovan Dennis: 221.8

Kareem Brann: 203.8

Chris Vendola: 237

Doors open at: 5:30 P.M. (all times Eastern Time)

First fight at: 7:00 P.M.

First Bout on ESPN at: 9:00 PM

Tickets prices: $25, $35, $50, $75, $100, $125 & Tables $3,000 (Seat 10 People).

Tickets available at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena Box Office – Tel.: (904) 630-3900, and on the Arena website: www.jaxevents.com .

he June 28 edition of ESPN’s Friday Night Fights presented by Corona Extra will feature former Jr. Middleweight titlist Sergio “The Latin Snake” Mora (23-3-2, 7 KOs) and former Middleweight world title challenger Grzegorz “Super G” Proska (29-2, 21 KOs) in the 10-round Middleweight main event. Friday’s show from the Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla., will air live at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN2 HD, ESPN Deportes and WatchESPN. The card is promoted by Banner Promotions.

Watch Teddy Atlas and Joe Tessitore preview Friday’s main event

Commentators:
Todd Grisham (@GrishamESPN), filling in for Joe Tessitore, will be ringside calling his first professional boxing match with Teddy Atlas for ESPN2 HD, while Bernardo Osuna (@osunaespn) will anchor the studio this week. Robert Sierra, filling in for Delvin Rodriguez, will call the fights with Pablo Viruega for ESPN Deportes’ Viernes de Combates (Friday Night Fights), while Leopoldo Gonzalez and Claudia Trejos will anchor the studio.

Main Event:
Poland’s Proska is coming off a six-round decision win over Norbert Szekeres, while Los Angeles’ Mora, who won the reality show The Contender in 2004-05, is looking to rebound from a 12-round unanimous decision loss to Brian Vera.

“I know a lot about Mora,” Proska said. “He’s a good fighter, who wins on points. He’ll be a tough fight. I’m happy to get that kind of fight. I have a lot of respect for him. But the respect will end at the time we go to the ring. I can’t wait to fight.”

Co-Feature:
Friday’s 10-round co-feature will pit undefeated Middleweight Patrick Teixeira (19-0, 17 KOs) of Brazil against Florida’s “Magic” Marcus Willis (13-2-2, 3 KOs). Teixeira scored a first-round knockout win over Luis Acevedo in his last fight, while Willis is looking to build momentum following an eight-round majority decision win over James de la Rosa.

Upcoming Schedule:

Date
Time (ET)
Main Event
Location

Networks
Fri., July 5
9 p.m.
Allen Green (32-4, 22 KOs) vs. Eleider Alvarez (12-0, 8 KOs)—10-rounds, Light Heavyweight
Connecticut Convention Center, Hartford, Conn.
ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, WatchESPN
Fri., July 12
10 p.m.
Drian Francisco (24-1-1, 19 KOs) vs. Chris Avalos (21-2, 16 KOs)—10-rounds, Super Bantamweight
Texas Station Casino, Las Vegas, Nev.
ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, WatchESPN
Fri., July 19
10:30 p.m.
Olusegun Ajose (31-1, 14 KOs) vs. Hank Lundy (22-3-1)—10-rounds, Junior Welterweight
Rockingham Park, Salem, N.H.
ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, WatchESPN
*Schedule subject to change

Follow ESPN’s Friday Night Fights on Twitter @ESPNFNF or like it on Facebook. Follow ESPN Deportes’ Viernes de Combates on Twitter @ESPNBoxeo. Also score the fights round-by-round with the “Live Friday Night Fights Facebook Voting App,” an application on the ESPN FNF Facebook page that allows viewers to score the fight round-by-round.