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Ghislain Maduma motivated as underdog forSaturday's IBF lightweight title eliminator vs. Kevin Mitchell

PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release    MONTREAL (May 26, 2013) - Undefeated world lightweight contender Ghislain "Mani" Maduma (16-0, 10 KOs) has embraced the underdog role for this Saturday's International Boxing Federation (IBF) title eliminator fight against hometown favorite"Mighty" Kevin Mitchell (37-2, 27 KOs) on the Matchroom Boxing-promoted Carl Froch-George Groves card at famed Wembley Stadium in London. The 29-year-old Maduma, world rated by the World Boxing Council (WBC) at No. 3 and No. 4 by the IBF, broke his successful Montreal training camp last Friday and headed to Great Britain to fight IBF No. 5-ranked Mitchell for the right to become the mandatory challenger for IBF lightweight champion Miguel Vazquez. "We had a very, very good training camp to prepare for this big fight," Maduma said before departing for London.  "I'm excited to be fighting in this big event." The largest crowd Maduma has fought in front of has been 8,000 at Bell Centre (Montreal) earlier in his professional career.  He's ready to play the underdog role in front of up to 80,000 fans at Wembley Arena supporting his British opponent. "A lot of things will be different over there for me but I'm fully focused on doing my job," Maduma added.  "I'm bringing my 'A' game to prove I'm one of the best lightweights in the world.  "I give all my respect to Mitchell.  Everybody there will be thinking he's going to win, but I'll be motivated to win as the underdog." Maduma's promoter, Camille Estephan (Eye of the Tiger Management), will catch up with his lightweight star in the making this Wednesday in London. Estephan is on a roll as manager of newly crowned World Boxing Council heavyweight championBermane Stiverne and David Lemieux, who destroyed Fernando Guerrero last Saturday night for the vacant North American Boxing Federation middleweight title. "Ghislain Maduma is truly, right now in my belief, the most underrated fighter in the sport simply because people don't know him outside of Canada," Estephan commented.   "He's been in the shadows but on May 31st he will grab this opportunity with all the attention at Wembley Stadium. Based on his skills and character, along with the fantastic camp he had, we are very confident that Ghislain will prevail in his fight against Mitchell. "Many Quebec fighters may have failed in the UK; the likes of (Lucian) Bute and (Jean) Pascal have tried but were not successful. I believe Ghislain will bring a win back home against Mitchell. Ghislain has blazing speed and power. He was not built through fighting weak competition, always facing competition that assured us a progression that tested him from one fight to the next, and he's consistently responded by getting better and better. Ghislain is ultimately conditioned through the training that he has done. No other athlete in Canada, in any sport, can rival what he's done with his conditioning. Kevin Mitchell better be ready because this will not be a walk in park! We're going into this fight with the intention of making a major statement." For further information about Maduma visit www.eottm.com, follow him on Twitter @GhislainMaduma.

BRANDON GONZALES IN BEAST MODE FOR JAMES DEGALE SHOWDOWN

GARY SHAW PRODUCTIONS

Press Release For Immediate Release

CAMP NOTES Photos By Brett Ostrowski / Gary Shaw Productions   HAYWARD CA, (May 19, 2014) - Gary Shaw Productions and Antonio Leonard Promotionsundefeated Super-Middleweight contender, Brandon "Flawless" Gonzales (18-0-1, 12 KOs) ranked IBF # 3, is in beast mode for his upcoming showdown with IBF # 4 James DeGale (18-1, 12 KOs) for the IBF mandatory position.  The 12-round bout is set to take place at Wembley Stadium in London, United Kingdom on May 31, 2014, on the undercard of Carl Froch (32-2, 23 KOs) vs. George Groves (19-1, 15 KOs).  Gonzales on the current status of his career... "My promoters Gary Shaw and Antonio Leonard, along with my manager James Prince are doing a great job with my career.  I'm in a big fight and I can't ask for anything more.  Now it's up to me to bring home the victory.  I'm very happy with the current standing of my career." Gonzales on training with Virgil Hunter... "Virgil and I got a great game plan for this fight.  We see some weaknesses in Degale's defense that I'll be taking advantage of.  Sparring is almost wrapped up and I got good work with elite level guys.  I've been training extremely hard for this fight.  My mind is in beast mode and I can't wait to get in the ring. Gonzales speaks on traveling overseas to fight in hostile territory... "I know my back is against the wall traveling to DeGale's home turf and getting a decision will be difficult, but I'm confident that the judges will be fair.  With 80,000 people rooting against me, I'm going to be extra motivated to silence the crowd.  I'll be looking to end the fight early but if I need to go all the way then I'm prepared to go the distance. " Gonzales comments on his match up with James DeGale... "I'm anticipating a very strategic approach from DeGale but that won't matter because I'm going to be dictating the pace and setting the tone.  He's accomplished winning an Olympic Gold Medal so we know he has great boxing skills that got him to this point in the pros.  So with that being said, I'll have to implement my game plan and make adjustments as the fight goes on." Gonzales addresses his hunger to be a world champion...  "This is the biggest fight of my career.  A win puts me in the mandatory position with the IBF.  I know if I come out on top, I'll most likely be fighting the winner of Froch vs. Groves for the IBF Middleweight title.  I'm a hungry fighter and nothing is going to stop me, I'm on a mission to be the best.  My dream of becoming a world champion is so close I can taste it."

Hillyard-Psonko Rematch Headlines At York Hall On May 31st - Plus Exciting Undercard and Froch-Groves II Live Screening

All the talk recently has been about the sold out Carl Froch and George Groves rematch, but there will be another equally exciting and intriguing rematch in London on the very same night, Saturday May 31st, at the York Hall in Bethnal Green, London, when George 'Hit Hard' Hillyard seeks redemption against Kirill Psonko.

When they last met, back on March 1st, the pair enthralled the packed York Hall crowd with their all action toe-to-toe Battle Royale.

Early on George’s pedigree shone brightly, the Canning Town man easily controlling the Lithuanian, but in the second half George backed off a little, content to counter Kirill, then with just seconds to go in the final round the unbelievable happened, Kirill lands a peach of a right which sent George to the canvas, George made the count but in an instant Kirill threw a barrage of punches at the still dazed East Londoner, leaving referee Ken Curtis no option but to stop the bout.

Main support sees TRAD TKO's Marianne Marston in a six round warm up bout, ahead of her second shot at the WBU European title on July 5^th, this time in her natural Super Bantamweight division.

Back in March Marianne was mightily unlucky not to secure the WBU Featherweight title, after losing out to the Czech Republic’s #1 ranked Hana Horakova, by a very close split decision.

The fight was a cracker, a real close fought match, so no one was that surprised when it was announced that there was a split decision result, that came later as it was announced that it was Hana that had two judges score the bout in her favour and Marianne just the one.

I’m sure former England amateur captain Antonio Counihan will be relishing returning to the famous home of boxing in the Capital City, following two sensational victories on previous visits in the past year.

On his last outing at York Hall, Antonio once again showed his star quality, out classing Poland’s Marcin Filner on way to a well deserved shutout points victory.

Another former amateur star Onder Ozgul will be in action on May 31st, Onder has proved to be one of the finds of the year, having racked up two seriously impressive wins since turning pro in March, including a sensational first round stoppage victory over Iain Jackson on the 26th April.

Florida, USA's former professional Basketball player, Manny Muhammad makes his second outing under the Acourtier Events banner.

Back in March Manny took on and beat the previously unbeaten Lithanian Vaidas Balciauskas, in doing so jumped straight into the World rankings at 489 (out of 957) in the Super Middleweight division, not too shabby for just one fight.

Another March 1st debut fighter makes his second outing on May 31st, Bardney, Lincolnshire's big punching Nathan 'Nightmare' Decastro, who sensationally stopped Lithuania's Paulius Butvidas in just one minute and five seconds of the first round.

Kennington Light Welterweight David Pereira (3-1) makes his welcome return to the fray and will be making his first outing under the Acourtier banner on May 31st.

Exciting former amateur star Matar Sambou will be making his professional, Matar was apparently discovered by a certain Mr David Haye, so don’t need to say much more than this kid can box!

Finally, To ensure that the fans that attend JUDGEMENT DAY do not need to rush home to catch Froch-Groves II on TV, the esteemed Mr Murphy has arranged a special free bonus, the entire Froch-Groves bout will be shown on big screens live following the final bout of the night.

George ‘Hit Hard’ Hillyard vs Kirill Psonko headlines Dave Murphy’s Acourtier Events, promoted ‘JUDGEMENT DAY event, which takes place at York Hall in Bethnal Green, London, on Saturday 31^st May 2014

Tickets, priced £35 (Standard Seated) and £60 (Ringside) are available from the boxers taking part, alternatively tickets are available on-line at www.acourtier.comor www.tkoboxoffice.com or in person from the TRAD TKO Boxing Gym in Canning town – www.tkoboxinggym.com or from any of the boxers taking part in the event.

Go online to www.Acourtier.com for additional information on the JUDGEMENT DAY event or the Acourtier stable of boxers. Follow Acourtier Events on Twitter @AcourtierEvents - friend us at Facebook.com/AcourtierEvents - and on LinkedIn:www.linkedin.com/company/acourtier-events.

Ghislain Maduma prepared to make Major statement May 31 against Kevin Mitchell in IBF lightweight title eliminator

PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release    MONTREAL (May 6, 2013) - Nothing has ever been handed to undefeated world lightweight contender Ghislain "Mani" Maduma (16-0, 10 KOs). Unable to get a world title shot, the Congo-born, Montreal fighter is forcing the issue, fighting "Mighty" Kevin Mitchell (37-2, 27 KOs) in his backyard on May 31 in an International Boxing Federation (IBF) title eliminator, on the Matchroom Boxing-promoted Carl Froch-George Groves card at famed Wembley Stadium in London. The 29-year-old Maduma is world rated by the World Boxing Council (WBC) at No. 3 and No. 4 by the IBF.  Only IBF No. 5-ranked Mitchell, who has failed in two previous world title fights, stands between Maduma and his ultimate goal of a showdown with IBF 135-pound champion Miguel Vazquez. "This is a very, very big fight for me," Maduma said. "I want to be known in boxing circles and this fight in front of 80,000 fans in the stadium and so many others watching around the world will be a good publicity shot for me. I had a plan for this year.  The first step is winning this fight, the second is to be world champion.  That's why I've trained so hard to give an exciting performance. "I have to thank my promoter, Camille Estephan, and coach, Mike Moffa, for what they do for me on a daily basis.  In only 3 ½ years, they have me in this position and not many boxers can say the same.  I also want to thank everybody on my team, Eye of the Tiger Management, my teammates and sparring partners, and the people of Quebec for their support." The largest crowd Maduma has fought in front of has been 8,000 at Bell Centre (Montreal) earlier in his professional career.  He realizes that, as a hometown favorite, Mitchell figures to greatly benefit from fans there for Froch and Groves alike. "I know 80,000 people will be screaming for him and booing me," Maduma remarked.  "It will be just me and him in the ring, my skills against his, but I think my skills are better.  We'll find out in the ring.  He is a very good fighter with good skills and experience.  I appreciate the opportunity to fight him.  He's a proven, world-class fighter and I need to beat him to show that I'm ready for a world title shot."   "Ghislain is an amazing athlete," Maduma's promoter/manager, EOTTM president Estephan noted.  "His level of fitness is unparalleled in comparison to any other Canadian fighter.  Of all the big names who've come out of Montreal lately, Ghislain is definitely, pound-for-pound, the fastest and best conditioned. He is totally committed and his fitness level rivals any elite athlete in the world, no matter the sport, and in addition to his incredible physical shape, Ghislain is also a tremendously gifted boxer with an extremely high boxing IQ.  We believe he is ready to take on the best lightweights in the world, causing a lot of damage on his way to the top.  Ghislain Maduma is a major star in the making.  He finally has an opportunity to prove he's the best lightweight in the world by winning the May 31st title eliminator and then defeating Vazquez for the IBF world title." Maduma is the reigning WBC Continental Americas champion and he recently relinquished his North American Boxing Federation (NABF) crown. Mitchell has lost world title bids to Ricky Burns (TKO4) and Michael Katsidis(TKO3) but he has defeated, among the more notables, world title challengers John Murray and Walter Estrada, as well as Amir Khan and Richard Abril-conqueror Breidis Prescott. "Mitchell is a complete fighter," Maduma's trainer Mike Moffa commented.  "He has speed, a good chin and can hit.   This may not be the fight we wanted. It's a big risk fighting him in England in front of 60,000 to 80,000 fans, which will be a challenge for me and Ghislain, but it's the fight we needed to get on top. Mitchell is a very smart fighter; he waits and counters with an amazing jab. "Ghislain's speed has gotten him here.  He puts his power behind his speed and jab as he throws combinations.  We've been working with him to try and take away Mitchell's jab to back him up.  Ghislain is very serious, dedicated to the sport.  When controlling a fight he can make it easy with his speed but, he's also in top condition and he'll need to be to take the fight to Mitchell." For further information about Maduma visit www.eottm.com, follow him on Twitter @GhislainMaduma.

Brandon Gonzales confident going into James DeGale bout set for May 31st

BRANDON GONZALES  

vs. JAMES DEGALE SET FOR MAY 31ST

NEW JERSEY (April 10, 2014) - Gary Shaw Productions and Antonio Leonard Promotions is happy to announce that their undefeated super-middleweight contender, Brandon Gonzales (18-0-1, 10 KOs), will fight James DeGale (18-1, 12 KOs) on the undercard of Carl Froch (32-2, 23 KOs) vs.George Groves (19-1, 15 KOs) at Wembley Stadium in London, United Kingdom on May 31, 2014.  The 12-round bout will be for the IBF mandatory position.   

Gonzales is currently ranked IBF # 3 while DeGale is ranted IBF # 4.  Both fighters are looking to capitalize on this momentous opportunity with victor most likely to challenge the winner of Froch vs. Groves.

Gonzales, who is managed by James Prince, feels he's the better fighter.  With an undefeated record and the right people behind him, Gonzales feels his time is now. 

"I've been working hard my whole life to get in this position," said Brandon Gonzales. "I never had anything come easy to me in this boxing game.  I had to work my way up the rankings the hard way with little support.   Now that I have Gary Shaw and Antonio Leonard promoting me, I feel I have all the necessary pieces to become a star.  James Prince and I had a vision and now it's coming to fruition."

"DeGale is a very good fighter with a lot of heart.  His only lost is a controversial majority decision defeat to George Groves.  Most people thought he won that fight so in my eyes he's going to be coming at me like an undefeated fighter looking to redeem himself.  I'm ready for the challenge.  DeGale stands in my way of becoming a world champion and I must take him out.  One thing I know is I'm coming to win and show the world that Brandon Gonzales is the real deal."

Gary Shaw, who recently signed Gonzales with Antonio Leonard, is thrilled to get his fighter an opportunity to make a major push in his career. 

"I told Brandon when we signed him to be ready to go because I really want to get him a title shot," said Gary Shaw. "Now he's in position to really do something special in his career.  A win against DeGale will get him the world title shot he's worked so hard to achieve.  He must come out victorious to make his dream come true and I believe he has the talent to be something special in the division."

"Brandon is hungry to show everyone in the super-middleweight division that he's the man," said Antonio Leonard. "He's undefeated for a reason, because he's got immense skill.  I believe in him and Gary and I got his back moving forward.  This fight will be one the fans will not want to miss.  It's going to be all action from the opening bell."

ENCORE PRESENTATION OF 2013’S MOST CONTROVERSIAL FIGHT, FROCH - GROVES AIRS TOMORROW ON AWE &AWETV.COM

SAN DIEGO (DECEMBER 5, 2013)--TOMORROW!!, AWE &www.awetv.com  is pleased to announce the encore presentation of the most controversial bout of the year that saw Carl Froch retain his IBF/WBA Super Middleweight title with a 9th round stoppage over George Groves.

The fight will be replayed in entirety on the special hour-long broadcast this Friday night at 11pm est / 8 pm Pac.

The fight that took place on November 23rd in Manchester, England saw Groves brutally knock down Froch in the 1st round and continue to dominate the fight until the 9th round when Froch had Groves slightly hurt when referee Howard Foster jumped in and dubiously stopped the fight.

At the time, the sold out crowd in Manchester plus the worldwide audience was shocked to see the great fight stopped so quick.

The boxing world has not stopped talking about the ending of the bout and now fans can judge for themselves debate if the stoppage was just or not.

“People are still talking about this bout almost two weeks later,”said AWE President Charles Herring.

“The match was a terrific fight before the all the controversy and we are excited to bringing the boxing fans the encore presentation of this highly controversial world title bout.”

About AWE

For 2012, AWE earned 2 of the 6 Boxing Writers Association of America nominations for "Fight of the Year" candidates, beating out all other networks except HBO which earned three. AWE also showcased live all 2012 David Price fights.  In 2013 AWE has featured the stunning upsets  of Tony  Thompson over Price.  Bouts with Adonis Stevenson and Tony Bellew, who just fought each other for the  Light Heavyweight championship; 2008 Olympic Gold Medal winner James DeGale and possibly the most controversial bout which saw Ricky Burns keep his Lightweight title against Ray Beltran.  Plus Dierry Jean was featured on AWE as he will be fighting for the Jr. Welterweight title.

The network is currently available nationally on Verizon FiOS TV channel 169 and 669 in HD, AT&T U-Verse TV channels 470 and 1470 in HD, along with over 100 cable systems across the country and worldwide.   The new website for AWE iswww.AWEtv.com.

AWE is the premier lifestyle and entertainment network —the destination for exclusive and original programming, simultaneously transmitted in high definition and standard definition. AWE delivers informative shows to its viewers, providing invaluable insights on what every American dreams of – from travel secrets to fast cars, from outrageous homes to live boxing events, and much more.  The network fills a television vacuum by delivering intellectually stimulating, thought-provoking entertainment and always-unbiased news from an insider’s perspective. For more information, please visit www.awetv.com

ENCORE PRESENTATION OF 2013’S MOST CONTROVERSIAL FIGHT, FROCH - GROVES AIRS THIS FRIDAY NIGHT ON AWE & AWETV.COM

SAN DIEGO (DECEMBER 2, 2013)--THIS FRIDAY NIGHT!!!, AWE & www.awetv.com  is pleased to announce the encore presentation of the most controversial bout of the year that saw Carl Froch retain his IBF/WBA Super Middleweight title with a 9th round stoppage over George Groves.

The fight will be replayed in entirety on the special hour-long broadcast this Friday night at 11pm est / 8 pm Pac.

The fight that took place on November 23rd in Manchester, England saw Groves brutally knock down Froch in the 1st round and continue to dominate the fight until the 9th round when Froch had Groves slightly hurt when referee Howard Foster jumped in and dubiously stopped the fight.

At the time, the sold out crowd in Manchester plus the worldwide audience was shocked to see the great fight stopped so quick.

The boxing world has not stopped talking about the ending of the bout and now fans can judge for themselves debate if the stoppage was just or not.

“People are still talking about this bout almost two weeks later,”said AWE President Charles Herring.

“The fight was a terrific fight before the all the controversy and we are excited to bringing the boxing fans the encore presentation of this fight.”