ENGLAND'S LEE PURDY SET TO REPLACE INJURED KELL BROOK AND FACE DEVON ALEXANDER FOR IBF WELTERWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP ON MAY 18 LIVE ON SHOWTIME® FROM BOARDWALK HALL IN ATLANTIC CITY

LOS ANGELES, April 30 - England's Lee Purdy, the number four rated IBF welterweight contender, is set to face IBF Welterweight World Champion Devon Alexander in place of Kell Brook who had to withdraw from the May 18 bout against Alexander at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey after suffering a foot injury.  The bout will be telecast live on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® along with Lamont Peterson vs. Lucas Matthysse as the main event. "We look forward to Devon facing a formidable opponent in the U.K.'s Lee Purdy," said Oscar De La Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions.  "We have a great card for fans in Atlantic City and those watching at home on SHOWTIME and it will be an exciting night for everyone on May 18th." St. Louis' Devon Alexander (24-1, 13 KO's) is a master boxer who has already won world titles in two divisions despite being only 25 years old.  Alexander is the former IBF and WBC world title holder at 140 pounds, with wins over Lucas Matthysse, Juan Urango and Junior Witter to his name.  In 2012, "The Great" made his move to welterweight and by the time he was finished defeating former World Champions Marcos Maidana and Randall Bailey, he was crowned the IBF Welterweight World Champion. Fighting out of Colchester, Essex, Lee "Lights Out" Purdy (20-3-1, 13 KO's) has amazed British fans by sailing to the top of the welterweight division despite having no amateur career.  A pro since 2006, the 25-year-old brings a knockout streak into his first world title fight, having finished off four consecutive opponents, including longtime contender Cosme Rivera in March. Peterson vs. Matthysse is presented by Golden Boy Promotions, sponsored by Caesars Atlantic City, Corona and AT&T and will air live on SHOWTIME at 9:15 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) immediately following ALL ACCESS: MAYWEATHER vs. GUERRERO Epilogue which will air at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT.  In the co-main event, Devon Alexander faces off against Lee Purdy for Alexander's IBF Welterweight World Championship.  SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® is available in Spanish on secondary audio programming (SAP).  Preliminary fights will air live on SHOWTIME EXTREME® at 7:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).         Tickets priced at $250, $125, $75, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes and service charges, are on sale now and are available for purchase at the Boardwalk Hall box office, by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 736-1420 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

Jones responds to Kevin Cunningham!

 

Oklahoma City, OK (April 17, 2013) – Earlier today, Kevin Cunningham, trainer of IBF welterweight titlist Devon Alexander, took a shot at contender Carson Jones.

 

Less than 24 hours ago, Jones, the IBF’s 7^th rated contender and a former USBA champion, offered to face Alexander May 18 after his original opponent Kell Brook withdrew for a second time due to an injury. Jones, who has a deceptive record 34-9-3 with 24 KO’s since he took many fights earlier in his career as an opponent, was abruptly rejected by Cunningham.

 

“Hey Carson, I wish I could help you out,” Cunningham told a popular boxing website. “But we already have all our sparring partners for this camp. Maybe we’ll consider bringing you into camp for Devon’s next fight. That’s the only use we would have for a guy with 9 losses and 3 draws.”

 

Jones, who said he respected Cunningham as a trainer before he hurled insults in his directions, believes that he only said that to keep his fighter away from a tough bout.

 

“These guys claim to be tough and from the streets of St. Louis, but how tough are they?” "The truth is that boxing wise, Devon’s anything but tough. Aside from quitting against Bradley, he’s been protected by his promoters and the premium cable networks. They want to talk about my 9 losses but forget what tough really is. I lost a few controversial fights and the only time Devon’s had any controversy, he received gift decisions in hometown. Cunningham and Alexander know deep down that records are overrated and there are plenty of 25-0 guys who can’t fight a lick. I earned my way up the rankings by knocking out quality fighters when my back was against the wall and that is something they can’t dispute no matter how hard they try.”

 

Jones also views his close loss to the aforementioned Kell Brook as a reason of why he’s more than worthy for the title shot.

 

“I went into Brook’s hometown, gave him hell and lost a very close decision. From what I’ve heard, Brook offered good money to face him in England but Team Alexander was too scared. I proved that I am a real fighter time and time again by facing whoever, wherever and whenever. Can Devon do the same or are you guys into playing the matchmaking game and pretending all the people in boxing are idiots and actually believe these undefeated stiffs can fight. They call himDevon “The Great” Alexander, but he’s acting like a coward. Man up and take the challenge. I’m ready to go!”

Carson Jones to Devon Alexander: Step up to the plate!

Oklahoma City, OK (April 16, 2013) – In an age where fighters build their records up by partaking in gross mismatches, Oklahoma City based welterweight contender “Mr.” Carson Jones is a boxing rarity.

 

The youthful but experienced 26-year-old began his career without true direction, taking a number of early losses against world class opposition. Since March 2009, Jones has an excellent 18-2-1 record with 13 wins by knockout. Along the way, Jones, whose overall professional ledger is 34-9-3 (24 KO’s), steamrolled previously unbeaten knockout king Tyrone Brunson, 2000 Olympic Silver Medalist Ricardo Williams, welterweight contender Said Ouali and former title challenger Michael Clark.

 

In July 2012, Jones lost a hotly contested majority decision in the hometown of Kell Brook in one of the best fights during that calendar year. Dubbed as “Special K” due to his diverse talents, Brook dominated all 27 of his opponents up to that point. Against Jones, a bruised and bloodied Brook survived a number of rough moments and never considered a rematch.

 

Fast forward to 2013, where Brook found himself pitted against IBF welterweight champion Devon Alexander; or so we thought. The two were scheduled to fight on multiple occasions, with each man pulling out of the fight due to an injury. On Saturday, May 18, Brook-Alexander was finally scheduled to take place on Showtime, but Brook suffered another injury that forced him to withdraw, leaving the champion without an opponent.

 

“I know a lot of guys are calling out Alexander and I can’t blame them,” said Jones, the IBF’s 7^th rated contender. “But how many of them have been through hell in a gasoline suit? Which one of them went overseas and got the short end of a decision against a fighter that is considered one of boxing’s next bright stars? Can anybody else out there vying for this fight claim to have faced the level of opposition I have? The answer is no.”

 

Jones also believes that his fan-friendly style would make for a great fight and a bout with Alexander would produce two winners; Carson Jones and the spectators.

 

“After Alexander’s sleep-induced fight with Randall Bailey, I think the boxing world needs an exciting fight. I do not run from my opponents. Unlike Bailey, I will cut the ring off and force him to fight my fight just like Tim Bradley did. Alexander’s known as Devon “The Great” but does his name mean anything? If he’s true to his moniker and wants to show how great he his, all Team Alexander has to do send me a contract and see me in the ring on May 18!”

 

Jones is currently in training with the hopes of facing Alexander or another top welterweight in the immediate future.

 

Perry Frustrated With Opponent Withdrawals

 

Colorado Springs, CO (August 8, 2012) – Abel “Truth Serum” Perry is sick of opponents pulling out of fights and the 6 ½ months wasted because of it.

 

With a five bout winning streak intact Perry, 18-5 (9 KO’s), twice was scheduled for a potentially career-changing match against Antonio Margarito, but the “Tijuana Tornado” surprisingly elected to retire. To make matters worse, the retirement took place following an initial postponement due to an injury. After spending time in camp alongside middleweight titlist Gennady Golovkin and stablemate Carson Jones, the Colorado City, CO native signed to fight hard-hitting Emmanuel Steward protégé Tony Harrison August 25 in Michigan.

 

Shortly after agreeing to face Harrison, Perry’s manager Bobby Dobbs received an offer for unbeaten Alex Perez in New York City. Out of respect, Dobbs turned the Perez fight down because he’d agreed for Perry to fight Harrison.

 

Although he’s not recognized at the level of Margarito, Harrison, 9-0 (8 KO’s) is very highly regarded and Perry was training hard to hand him his first career defeat. To his total disgust, Harrison decided that he wanted an easier opponent and backed out of the fight.

 

“This is so frustrating because I signed the contract and was ready to go,” said Perry. “Harrison comes from Emmanuel Steward’s stable so I thought he would’ve taken fight. He is a talented guy from a world class camp but I would be the best opponent he’s ever faced. Maybe he was worried because of my experience.”

 

Even with the recent letdowns, Perry’s still confident something big will happen in the near future.

 

“I’m committed to making a name for myself and hope to get back in the ring as soon as possible. I want to step up and take on more tough opponents in meaningful fights. I want to show people in the fight community that I’m worth keeping an eye on.”
 

Fans can interact with Abel by going to http://www.facebook.com/abelperry or HDboxing.net.

 

Perry frustrated with Margarito’s untimely Retirement

 

Big Bear Lake, CA (June 11, 2012) – When junior middleweight Abel “Truth Serum” Perry received word that he’d be facing Antonio Margarito May 26, the Colorado City native was confident that a victory over the former three-time welterweight champion would lead to the kind of opportunity he’s dreamed of since day one.

 

With many ups and downs during his 6 ½ year pro career, Perry, 18-5 (9 KO’s), won five straight bouts and believed that May 26 would be his sixth. This was until Margarito injured his Achilles 12 days before fight night and the bout was postponed until July.

 

“Everything was rescheduled for July 7 to my knowledge and I actually saw on the internet that the fight was going to take place on the 21^st,” said Perry. “To be honest, I assumed he wasn’t training because he looked heavy in recent photos.”

 

He also viewed the delay as something that would only benefit him leading up to the fight of his life.

 

“I was actually grateful for the postponement because many of my fights came on short notice or without a proper training camp. For the Margarito bout, my manager Bobby Dobbs sent me to a training camp in Big Bear Lake, CA where I was working with Carson Jones and Gennady Golovkin. I was sparring world class guys and the extra time would only give me a bigger advantage. This was the perfect situation.”

 

To his unpleasant surprise, Margarito announced his retirement on June 8, canceling the fight altogether while leaving Perry without the career-changing opportunity.

 

“It left a sour taste in my mouth. I felt wronged because they changed the date multiple times and I committed so much time preparing for this fight, while I could’ve been looking for another fight. Everybody was writing me off and they expected Margarito to run right through me. If he’s retiring because he doesn’t have what it takes to fight top guys any longer and I’m supposedly a “safe opponent,” why not face me in a farewell fight?”

 

“This was a major letdown and Margarito handled this like anything but a professional,” stated Dobbs. “My fighter was in camp getting ready to pull off the upset, only for Margarito to cancel the bout after agreeing to reschedule it. I understand that he’s taken a ton of punishment during his career and didn’t want to fight again, but since this is the case, why even sign to face Abel?”

 

While Dobbs explores other suitable options, Perry will remain at Big Bear as a sparring partner for Jones and Golovkin.

 

Fans can interact with Abel by going to http://www.facebook.com/abelperry or HDboxing.net.

Tahdooahnippah to Taylor: “I’m coming for you!”

 

Lawton, OK (May 17, 2012) – WBC Continental Americas Middleweight champion George “Comanche Boy” Tahdooahnippah is becoming increasingly impatient for a date with one of the world’s top 160 pound fighters.

 

The hard-hitting Tahdooahnippah, a huge draw in his native Oklahoma, has an outstanding professional record of 30-0-1 with 22 wins by knockout. All but two of his fights took place in the Sooner State, which kept him under the radar. Even though he’s yet to taste defeat and owns impressive knockouts against seasoned pros such as world title challenger Jonathan Corn, Jimmy Holmes and Tyrel Brown, the Lawton resident is yet to receive a career-defining opportunity.

 

“It’s time for me to face some big name fighters and show the world who I am,” said Tahdooahnippah, a member of the Comanche Nation. “When I fought Jimmy Holmes for the WBC belt, I had a torn bicep and still stopped him in the opening round. Whoever has been in my way thus far, I’ve got them out of there and I don’t plan on changing that, regardless of who is standing across the ring!”

 

Atop his wish list is former undisputed middleweight champion Jermain “Bad Intentions” Taylor. Once a fixture on the pound-for-pound list, Taylor, 30-4-1 (18 KO’s), is 2-0 since returning from a two-year layoff. In his most recent bout, the Little Rock, AR native survived a scary ninth round knockdown against Caleb Truax en-route to claiming a unanimous decision victory.

 

Tahdooahnippah, whose opposition is comparable to Truax’, called his fight with Taylora major eye-opener.

 

“I’ve been watching Caleb Truax his whole career and we were promoted similarly. The only difference is he got the opportunity that I’ve been looking for. Jermain Taylor also isn’t the same fighter he once was and recent upset wins by fellow Oklahomans Carson Jones and Grady Brewer truly inspired me.”

 

“Caleb wasn’t able to close the show and I know that I have more power than him. I’m a different fighter than Caleb. I’m hungrier and have a more fan-friendly style. If he can go ten rounds with Jermain and put him on his back and I know that I can get Jermain out of there!”

 

Tahdooahnippah’s manager Bobby Dobbs also feels the fighter he helped build from the ground up is ready to face a top-notch foe.

 

“George is 30-0 and had a few big fights fall through,” said Dobbs. Fernando Guerrero backed out on us a few years ago and it’s been frustrating to get him a fight. We’ve been ready to take the next step and Jermain Taylor is the guy we want. He’s on the comeback trail and is looking for another opportunity. Comanche Boy has no problem taking him out of the equation!”

 

Fans can interact with George by going to facebook.com/comancheboygeorge.tahdooahnippah or HDboxing.net.

Team Jones Thrilled about Brook Fight!

 

Oklahoma City, OK (May 11, 2012) – When IBF #3 rated welterweight and USBA champion Carson Jones challenged undefeated Kell Brook, he wasn’t sure if the highly-touted Brit would accept.

 

Brook, 27-0 (18 KO’s), set his sights on newly-crowned WBA champion Paulie Malignaggi or the winner of the upcoming Mike Jones-Randall Bailey IBF championship match, but neither bout would be immediately available. Although he initially attempted to leapfrog Jones into a title shot, Brook, IBF #5, ultimately agreed to face him Saturday, July 7 in an elimination bout at the Motorpoint Arena in Sheffield, United Kingdom. 

 

Widely regarded as the most dangerous contender in the 147 lb division, Jones, 34-8-2 (24 KO’s), is on a tear during the last three years, compiling a 17-1-1 record against strong opposition. His victims include 2000 Olympic Silver Medalist Ricardo Williams (19-2), record breaking knockout artist Tyrone Brunson (21-0-1), Michi Munoz (21-2), Jason LeHoullier (21-2-1), Michael Clark (41-5-1) and Said Ouali (28-3).

 

Jones, who went from being an opponent to a bonafied contender and stopped all of the aforementioned foes, is fully confident that he’ll have his way with Brook.

 

“He is in my way of a world title shot,” said the 25-year-old Oklahoma City, OK native. He’ll have to kill me to beat me and I’m not even sure if that’ll get the job done! I’ll be pressuring him from the opening bell and I think the knockout will come.”

 

Jones also dismissed all of the hype surrounding Brook.

 

“He is a decent fighter but should change his name from “Special K” to “Decent K” nothing about him stands out. I’ve already beaten guys in their hometowns and Kell hasn’t fought anybody as good as me. I’m going to expose him!”

 

“We’re extremely excited about this fight and this is a huge moment for HD Boxing,” said Chris Hastings, President of HD Boxing Promotions, Jones’ promoter. “Carson is 8-0 with 8 knockouts since moving down to welterweight and he will be the IBF welterweight champion in the future without question. We’re excited to take on all-comers. The top guys should all watch out!”

 

Fans can keep up with Jones by going to www.facebook.com/carson.jones.77 or www.Hdboxing.net .

 

Carson Jones Ready to face Kell Brook!

Oklahoma City, OK (March 19, 2012) – USBA Welterweight champion and IBF #3 rated “Kid” Carson Jones has made a career out of shattering his opponents’ dreams.

The 25-year-old Oklahoman has impressive wins over knockout artist Tyrone Brunson, 2000 Olympic Silver Medalist Ricardo Williams, world rated Said Ouali and title contender Michael Clark, but recognizes that there are plenty of fish to fry.

Enter brash Brit Kell Brook. Like Jones, Brook is a rising star who’s rated highly by the IBF. With a dynamic personality backed by an outstanding record of 27-0 with 18 wins by knockout, the Sheffield native’s widely regarded as the second coming of Naseem Hamed. Although he continues to improve with each performance and is fresh off a dominant victory over Matthew Hatton, many would argue that Brook is yet to challenge a legitimate contender; such as Carson Jones.

“Kell Brook thinks he’s more than what he is at this point,” said Jones, who has a 33-8-2 record with 23 KO’s and went from being regarded as an opponent to a top-tier contender. “He’s calling out Amir Khan but hasn’t earned the right to do. Beating Matthew Hatton doesn’t give him that luxury and we all saw what Saul Alvarez did to Hatton. Brook is decent but I’ve beaten better fighters and I’d gladly go to England to fight him!”

Jones manager Bobby Dobbs also sees no issue with his fighter once again entering enemy territory en-route to a world title shot.

“Carson Jones is willing to do whatever it takes to become champion,” said Dobbs. He has fought all comers since day one and if he has to go to England to knockout Kell Brook, then that is what we will do!”

Fans can keep up with Jones by going to Facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000023042052 or Hdboxing.net.