ADONIS STEVENSON KNOCKS OUT DMITRY SUKHOTSKIY TO RETAIN WBC LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Replays Monday, Dec. 22 At 10 p.m. ET/PT On SHOWTIME EXTREME^®

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Credit: Amanda Kwok/SHOWTIME

QUEBEC CITY (Dec. 19, 2014) –  Adonis Stevenson defended his WBC Light Heavyweight World Championship for the fourth time with a devastating fifth-round knockout of Russian challenger Dmitry Sukhotskiy in the main event of SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION on Friday at Pepsi Coliseum in Quebec City, Canada.

Known for his knockouts, the southpaw champion was patient early, not forcing the action against a defensive Sukhotskiy.  When Sukhotskiy did decide to punch, Stevenson was extremely effective with his counter shots and floored the challenger with a straight left in the closing seconds of the second round.

Stevenson (25-1, 21 KOs) hit his stride in the fifth, knocking down Sukhotskiy with a straight left and then flooring him for a third time seconds after Sukhotskiy beat the count.  The onslaught continued, with the Haitian-born Canadian going for the kill and attacking with a series of vicious lefts.  The final shot landed flush to the chin, knocking Sukhotskiy (22-3, 16 KOs) out at 2:42 of the round. 

“I gave a beautiful knockout for SHOWTIME,” Stevenson said.  “I just used my speed, my movement.  I have the power and I know the knockouts are going to come.  I’m not going to force it.  I was just waiting for him and, bang, I caught him.  I wanted to hit him with my left hand and it worked.

“I’m the big champion.  He has to come to me,” said Stevenson of any challengers.  “I’m the man in the light heavyweight division. They have to come to me. My job is to go in the ring and knock everybody out.  I’m a ‘Superman.’”

In the co-feature, Jo Jo Dan won another razor close split-decision over hometown favorite Kevin Bizier in a welterweight rematch of their 2013 bout, scored 115-112 Dan, 114-113 Bizier, 114-113 Dan. 

The early rounds were extremely close with back-and-forth action that could have gone either way.  Bizier had his best round in the seventh, landing 38 punches to Dan’s 12 and flooring the Romanian for the first time since 2011.  But the Quebec City native may have punched himself out, as Dan rallied and was the more active fighter from that point on.  Dan landed 113 to just 78 for Bizier from the eighth through the 12^throunds. 

“It was a very hard fight,” Dan said.  “Kevin is a warrior.  I did my best in the ring.  I think I controlled the action and I think I won the fight.  He changed a lot from the first right.  He moved a lot, and he surprised me with that.  He caught me, but I came up and I came up stronger.  He spent all his energy to put me down.” 

With the win, Dan (34-2, 18 KOs) became the IBF No. 1 contender to champion Kell Brook at 147 pounds. 

“Yes, of course (I’d fight Bizier again), but first I want to fight Kell Brook,” Dan said.  “I hope we’ll make an exciting fight like this one.”

After the fight, Bizier (23-2, 16 KOs) was disappointed to again be on the losing end of a close split-decision. 

“All the close rounds went to Jo Jo,” Bizier said.  “We knew we had to win those last two rounds and I guess they gave it to him.  When I hurt Jo Jo in the seventh I hurt my right hand.  At that point, I was fighting with one hand. 

“Let’s fight again. Why not?  The first two fights were close.  I don’t know why, but the judges just seem to give the close rounds to him.”

Super middleweight contender Andre Dirrell was triumphant in his return to SHOWTIME, registering a near-shutout 12-round decision over Derek Edwards, scored 119-109, 120-108, 119-107. 

The switch-hitting Dirrell fought entirely from the southpaw stance and dominated the bout from the opening bell, landing lefts and combinations with ease while breaking down Edwards and maintaining his distance.  Dirrell (24-1, 16 KOs) landed 46 percent of his power punches compared to Edwards’ 19 percent.  Edwards (27-4-1, 14 KOs) only managed to land one jab through the entire 12 rounds.

“I want to perfect my craft as far as fighting southpaw,” Dirrell said.  “I was shooting the left hand.  This guy has a tough, tough head so I’m not going to doubt my power one bit.  I’m glad to walk away with a victory.  My knuckle was hurting but it wasn’t bad enough that I couldn’t throw it.  This boy could take a punch.

“I’m getting there. I’m proud of my performance, but it was a tough 12 rounds.”

Dirrell, who advanced to the No. 2 spot in the IBF super middleweight standings, was asked after the fight by SHOWTIME reporter Jim Gray if he’d like to avenge his lone loss to IBF 168-pound champ Carl Froch. 

“I believe he’s scared to fight me,” Dirrell said.  “It’s too risky a fight to take.  But I’m going to push it to the best of my ability.  There’s a win on his record that’s questionable to everyone in the world.  Give me the rematch.  Prove to your fans that you beat me and try to do it again.  Step in the ring with Andre Dirrell and you’re going to see what I’m all about.”

In the opening bout of the telecast, undefeated light heavyweight contender Artur Beterbiev kept his perfect record intact with his seventh knockout in his seventh professional bout, finishing previously unbeaten Jeff Page Jr. at 2:21 of the second round.

Page (15-1, 10 KOs) surprised Beterbiev in the first, knocking down the former Russian amateur champion for the first time in his career.  But Beterbiev (7-0, 7 KOs) stormed back in the second, roughed Page up in the inside and floored the Kansas native.  Page beat the count but was dazed and Beterbiev finished him with a lead right hand that sent Page face-forward to the canvas.  

“I felt a bit sleepy before the fight and I don’t think I was concentrating for a fraction of a second (in the first round),” Beterbiev said.  “I got angry after the knockdown and decided to go forward.  I have a lot to learn in professional boxing, but I’m looking forward to the experience.” 

When asked if he thinks he could beat WBO/WBA/IBF Champion Sergey Kovalev, who he defeated as an amateur, Beterbiev was noncommittal. 

“I beat him (Kovalev) as an amateur so I can’t say much,” Beterbiev said.  “It’s hard to say right now.”

# # #

Stevenson vs. Sukhotskiy, a 12-round light heavyweight bout for Stevenson’s WBC Light Heavyweight World Championship, aired live on SHOWTIME in the main event SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION from Pepsi Coliseum in Quebec City, Canada.  In the co-feature, Jo Jo Dan faced Kevin Bizier in a 12-round IBF welterweight eliminator.  Also on the card, Andre Dirrell faced Derek Edwards in a 12-round IBF super middleweight elimination bout and Artur Beterbiev took on Jeff Page Jr. in a 10-round light heavyweight scrap.  The event was presented by Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM) in association with Mise-O-Jeu and Videotron.

JO JO DAN vs. KEVIN BIZIER, ARTUR BETERBIEV vs. JEFF PAGE JR. DEC. 19 UNDERCARD PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES & PHOTOS

PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION, This Friday, Dec. 19, Live on SHOWTIME® From Pepsi Coliseum In Quebec City, Canada Click HERE To Download Photos Credit: Amanda Kwok/SHOWTIME Also Included In The Photo Link Are Pictures Of Adonis Stevenson Feeding The Underprivileged At Maison de Lauberivière QUEBEC CITY (Dec. 17, 2014) - Jo Jo Dan, Kevin Bizier, Artur Beterbiev and Jeff Page Jr. held a final press conference at Houston's Bar & Grill in Quebec City on Wednesday just two days before their bouts on the undercard of this Friday's SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION from Pepsi Coliseum. Bizier (23-1, 16 KOs), of Quebec, will face the only man to defeat him, Canadian-based Romanian Dan (33-2, 18 KOs) in a 12-round IBF welterweight eliminator - the winner to face World Champion Kell Brook - in the co-feature of a four-fight telecast, live on SHOWTIME (9 p.. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast). In the opening bout of the telecast, two-time Russian Olympian Beterbiev (6-0, 6 KOs), who twice beat WBO/WBA/IBF Champion Sergey Kovalev in the amateurs, will square off with fellow unbeaten Page (15-0, 10 KOs), of Andover, Kansas, in a 10-round light heavyweight scrap.  In the main event, WBC Light Heavyweight Champion Adonis "Superman" Stevenson (24-1, 20 KOs) will defend his title against Russian challenger Dmitry "The Hunter" Sukhotskiy (22-2, 16 KOs) in a 12-round bout.  Rounding out the telecast, super middleweight contender Andre "The Matrix" Dirrell (23-1, 16 KOs),  will face Derek "The Black Lion" Edwards (27-3-1, 14 KOs) in a 12-round IBF super middleweight elimination bout.  Here's what the participants had to say on Wednesday: JO JO DAN: "I'm more prepared than I was for the first fight [against Bizier in November 2013].  I'm in better shape, both physically and mentally.  I expect it to be a great fight.  I'm going to put on a great performance to win the fight.  "It depends on him if this fight will be a war.  If he wants to bang, we'll bang.  If he wants to box, we'll box.  It depends on his strategy.  I'm able to adjust to anything. "I can't predict the ending until the fight starts.  I'm ready for Friday.  I can't wait to get in the ring to prove that I will win again. "I'm excited to make a great impression for the fans in the U.S." KEVIN BIZIER: "It was the best training camp since I turned professional.  I'm happy with where I am and I feel I did everything necessary to walk out of the ring with a victory. "What killed us in the first fight was the holding from Jo Jo Dan.  Every time I did something good he would hold me, and then he would respond with garbage punches that made him look good.  Even if I landed the cleaner punches he would score with garbage punches after holding.  "The holding was a huge issue and we're going to make sure the referee doesn't allow it this time around.  "I'm ready for everything.  I'm ready for a war.  I've been ready since the last fight.  Whatever he brings to the table, I will be one step ahead.  "I will win.  I promise you.  If the knockout comes, it comes." ARTUR BETERBIEV: "I trained really hard.  Everything was on schedule.  We're prepared and ready to fight.  "My main goal isn't to knock him out, it's to win the fight.  If I do everything right then the fight will end in a knockout.  "I'll do what I have to do to win over the U.S. fans.  I know I'm not that well known in the U.S., but I'm going to show them my skills and give them my best.  I'm a simple person but I'm going to open up and earn their respect. "I'd like to fight for a world championship and become a world champion in 2015." JEFF PAGE JR.: "Training camp went great.  We trained up in the higher altitude of Big Bear [Calif.] with Abel Sanchez,  bringing in fighters from all over the world.  I'm in the best shape of my life.  We're very confident for this fight. "I'm coming to win.  I didn't come all the way here to get knocked out. "I've been in Quebec for two days and I love this city, I love the people here. I'm ready to put on a good show for them. "He has power, but I have a lot of power, too. I'm going to counter his power with my speed and footwork.  I have great power - 10 knockouts in 15 fights. "I'm not afraid to trade with him, but I'll use my footwork and speed to beat him. "I'm predicting a knockout.  I train for knockouts, but I'm prepared to go the full 10 rounds." # # # Stevenson vs. Sukhotskiy, a 12-round light heavyweight bout for Stevenson's WBC Light Heavyweight World Championship, will air live on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) in the main event SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION from Pepsi Coliseum in Quebec City, Canada. In the co-feature, Jo Jo Dan will face Kevin Bizier in a 12-round IBF welterweight eliminator. Also on the card, Andre Dirrell will face Derek Edwards in a 12-round IBF super middleweight elimination bout and Artur Beterbiev will take on Jeff Page Jr. in a 10-round light heavyweight scrap. The event is presented by Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM) in association with Mise-O-Jeu and Videotron. Tickets range from $25 to $250 and are on sale in the branches of the Pepsi Coliseum in Quebec(418) 691-7211 or 1 (800) 900-7469, online at www.billeteck.com, at GYM (514) 383-0666 or Boxing Club Champion (514) 376-0980.

ADONIS STEVENSON vs. DMITRY SUKHOTSKIY FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES & PHOTOS

PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release "It's going to be a short night on SHOWTIME." - Adonis Stevenson "He looked nervous at the podium, like he wasn't ready to fight." - Dmitry Sukhotskiy SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION, This Friday, Dec. 19, Live on SHOWTIME® From Pepsi Coliseum In Quebec City, Canada Click HERE To Download Photos Credit: Amanda Kwok/SHOWTIME QUEBEC CITY (Dec. 16, 2014) - WBC Light Heavyweight Champion Adonis "Superman" Stevenson and Russian challenger Dmitry "The Hunter" Sukhotskiy held a main event final press conference on Tuesday in Quebec City, Canada, as they prepare for their showdown on SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION this Friday, Dec. 19. Stevenson (24-1, 20 KOs) and Sukhotskiy (22-2, 16 KOs) will square off in the 12-round main event of a SHOWTIME quadrupleheader that begins live at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) fromPepsi Coliseum in Quebec. Joining the main event fighters at Tuesday's press conference was super middleweight contenderAndre "The Matrix" Dirrell (23-1, 16 KOs), who will face Derek "The Black Lion" Edwards (27-3-1, 14 KOs) in a 12-round IBF super middleweight elimination bout. Here's what the participants had to say on Tuesday: ADONIS STEVENSON: "This was probably the best training camp that I've had. We're ready for this fight. We're not underestimating him. I know he's coming to fight and I will be ready. "I know he's a tough contender. And I know he's training very hard for this fight. He's going to try to surprise me, but I'm very prepared because I know the contender is always going to try to take your belt. "I'm going to win by knockout. Emmanuel (Steward) always told me that knockouts sell, so I'm going to win by knockout. It's going to be a short night on SHOWTIME. "My plan is to face (Sergey) Kovalev in 2015. But first we need to focus and win this fight. Then we can talk 2015." DMITRY SUKHOTSKIY: "He looked nervous at the podium, like he wasn't ready to fight. But I am ready to fight. "I'm not going to say that he is underestimating me because I'll show that in the ring. I came here to win; I came here to bring the world title back to Russia. "He has flaws and it is our job to find them and find a way to win the fight. "It's always different when you fight a southpaw, but we prepared for it. We prepared for everything that can happen in the ring. "I'm ready to fight. I'm here to make a statement. This isn't my first time fighting for a world title. Only this time, I will win." ANDRE DIRRELL: "I'm here to do a job and it will get done. "It's good to be back. This is my third fight in six months, and before that I fought three times in the past four years. I'm on a very busy schedule right now and it feels good. "I'm just looking forward to the fight. It will put me in a high ranking in the IBF and bring me this much closer to challenging for that title pretty soon. "I want that rematch with Carl Froch. He's the IBF Champion and a win on Friday will bring me closer to fighting him again and proving that I beat him the first time. "I'm excited to be here. It's cold but it's beautiful in Canada. I just can't wait for the action to start." SUGAR HILL, Stevenson Trainer: "This was the best training camp we've had. It was a fun training camp, and when you have a fun camp you learn a lot, you're relaxed and you get better results. "His attitude has been great. He's happy and he's ready to fight. "Dmitry is a very sound fundamental fighter. He uses his jab very well and he likes to punch and get knockouts. His nickname is 'The Hunter; so we're expecting him to come forward. He's not going to be bouncing around and moving and making it a boring fight. "Adonis is a come-forward kind of boxer, but he can also move backwards and counterpunch. It's going to be a strategic fight up until a certain point. As Adonis always says, 'I'm going to wait for you to make a mistake and I'm going to catch you.' "I'm looking forward to Dmitry making a mistake and Adonis capitalizing and catching him. "I always see Adonis' fights ending in knockouts. He's such a tremendous puncher, he can move well, and he's still learning. His boxing IQ is off the charts. He can think so fast in the ring. He can remember something from the first round in the ninth round and come back and capitalize on that. "The original training was supposed to be in Detroit at the New Kronk Gym that was opened by my cousin, Sylvia Steward, Emmanuel's daughter. The gym is open, but it's just not ready. Some of the equipment was not ready in time so we continued the camp in Brampton, Canada." # # # Stevenson vs. Sukhotskiy, a 12-round light heavyweight bout for Stevenson's WBC Light Heavyweight World Championship, will air live on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) in the main event SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION from Pepsi Coliseum in Quebec City, Canada. In the co-feature, Jo Jo Dan will face Kevin Bizier in a 12-round IBF welterweight eliminator. Also on the card, Andre Dirrell will face Derek Edwards in a 12-round IBF super middleweight elimination bout and Artur Beterbiev will take on Jeff Page Jr. in a 10-round light heavyweight scrap. The event is presented by Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM) in association with Mise-O-Jeu and Videotron. Tickets range from $25 to $250 and are on sale in the branches of the Pepsi Coliseum in Quebec(418) 691-7211 or 1 (800) 900-7469, online at www.billeteck.com, at GYM (514) 383-0666 or Boxing Club Champion (514) 376-0980.

ANDRE DIRRELL VS. DEREK EDWARDS IBF ELIMINATION BOUT ADDED TO SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION QUADRUPLEHEADER FRIDAY, DEC. 19, LIVE ON SHOWTIME®

Adonis Stevenson Defends WBC/Ring Magazine Light Heavyweight Titles Against Dmitry Sukhotskiy in Main Event at Pepsi Coliseum in Quebec City

Former Amateur Standout and 175-Pound Contender Artur Beterbiev Makes Network Debut Against Fellow Unbeaten Jeff Page Jr.,
Welterweights Kevin Bizier and Jo Jo Dan Rematch For IBF No. 1 Spot

NEW YORK (Nov. 18, 2014) –- An IBF super middleweight elimination bout between 168-pound contender Andre “The Matrix” Dirrell (23-1, 16 KOs), of Flint, Mich., and veteran spoiler Derek “The Black Lion” Edwards (27-3-1, 14 KOs), of Las Vegas, has been confirmed as a 12-round co-feature of a SHOWTIME BOXING: Special Edition quadrupleheader on Friday, Dec. 19, live on SHOWTIME^® (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) from Pepsi Coliseum in Quebec City, Quebec. 

For the switch-hitting Dirrell, the elimination bout for the IBF’s No. 2 position behind No. 1 James DeGale and champion Carl Froch will be his first start on SHOWTIME and fifth overall since getting injured against then-undefeated Arthur Abraham in his second Super Six World Boxing Classic fight on SHOWTIME on March 27, 2010.

Dirrell had scored a knockdown in the fourth and was comfortably ahead of the Armenian on all scorecards heading into 11^th.  About a minute into the round, Dirrell slipped on a wet canvas and Abraham blatantly hit him while he was down, knocking Dirrell out cold and resulting in Abraham being disqualified.  Dirrell suffered neurological issues as a result of the punch, withdrew from the tournament and was sidelined for 21 months.

A fixture on SHOWTIME before the injury, Dirrell is quickly approaching the peak form he exhibited when he entered the Super Six and was regarded by many as one of boxing’s fastest-rising contenders.  Dirrell has won his last five fights, three by stoppage.

“I’m excited to be back on the fast track and I’m ready to show that this is definitely where I belong,” Dirrell said.  “It takes time to move back to the top, but I like to improve myself each time I step into the gym.  I almost feel like I’ve been overworking myself in the gym to prove that I’m back.   

“But I feel like I’m there and ready for a title shot.  And, when the time comes to prove that I’m ready, I won’t leave any doubt.’’ 

A 2004 U.S. Olympic bronze medalist and the older brother of WBC Super Middleweight World Champion Anthony Dirrell, Andre scored a second-round TKO in his return to the ring on Dec. 30, 2011, but didn’t fight again until February 2013.  He’s been victorious in both his fights in 2014, winning his last via fourth-round TKO over Nick Brinson on Oct. 8.

After blasting out Vladine Biosse two starts ago, the 31-year-old Dirrell called out IBF Champ Froch, who was the unbeaten WBC 168-pound champion when he dealt Dirrell his lone loss via a controversial, 12-round split-decision in his native England in the first Super Six fight for both fighters on Oct. 17, 2009.

“I know I won that fight against Froch,” Dirrell said.  “I think everyone knows I won that fight.  He’s the one opponent I want and the fact that he’s a world champion again is just icing on the cake.  I don’t think I’ve ever been defeated and I want that title shot.  Hopefully he doesn’t retire because I know the world wants to see that rematch. 

“I want to fight the best at 168.  I want to unify the division, but if my brother does that first then I will move up to 175.  I have a lot of work to do in a little amount of time – I want to fight for about five more years – and if Anthony runs me out at 168 then I’ll go up to 175.”

Before Dirrell gets his shot at a title he must first defeat a power-punching opponent who has a knack for upsets. 

“This guy may have power, but power-punchers are the best opponents for pure boxers, for slick guys like me,” Dirrell said.  “That’s when I’m at my best.  I’m not even looking at his power – his will and determination in the fight will be more important than his power. 

“I know he’s going to be at his best when he steps in the ring on Dec. 19.  He’s been in some tough fights, but I don’t think we’ve seen the best from him yet.  I’m not worried about anything but getting the job done and I know I will when the time comes.”

Edwards, who once fought light heavyweight kingpin Adonis Stevensonwhen he was campaigning at 168 pounds, is coming off perhaps the most unlikely result of the year, a  stunning 1:01, first-round knockout of previously-unbeaten, top-five ranked Badou Jack on ShoBox: The New Generationlast Feb. 28 on SHOWTIME. 

An extreme longshot going in, Edwards twice dropped Jack, the first coming with an overhand short right 32 seconds into the match.  Moments later, Edwards registered another knockdown from a right followed by a glancing left hook.  Jack stumbled to his feet but the referee had seen enough and waved off the bout.

“I’m definitely confident going in against Andre,” Edwards said.  “He’s a different fighter than Jack.  He had a good amateur background and fought some of the best super middleweights in the Super Six, but I see some things I can exploit in Andre.  I know I’ll need to force the action on him and be the aggressor. 

“A win like this would put a lot of other fighters on notice; let guys know that I can deal with the speed of a fighter like Andre and the power of a guy like Jack.  And it would give me the confidence to fight anyone.’’

A “traveling underdog” who has fought from 161 to 185 pounds, Edwards, a native of Winston-Salem, N.C., is known for an ambidextrous style of fighting.  Despite only six amateur bouts, he won his first 25 fights – more than 50 percent by knockout – after turning professional in October 2002.  

And while he’s never faced an opponent with the speed, amateur pedigree and as naturally athletic as Dirrell, he knows that a second consecutive upset victory could forever change his life. 

“I’ve never been this motivated for a fight,” said the 34-year-old Edwards.  “A win like this would put a lot of things on the table, open up a lot of doors and opportunities.  It’s definitely the biggest fight of my life.

“There’s no tomorrow.  It’s just one night.  I need to seize the moment and lay it all out on the line.  This is my one big shot.”

In the main event on Dec. 19, hard-hitting WBC and The Ring Magazine Light Heavyweight World Champion Adonis “Superman” Stevenson (24-1, 20 KOs) will defend against Dmitry "The Hunter" Sukhotskiy (22-2, 16 KOs), of Russia.

Kevin Bizier (23-1, 16 KOs), of Quebec, will face the only man to defeat him, Canadian-based Romanian Jo Jo Dan (33-2, 18 KOs) in a 12-round IBF welterweight eliminator – the winner to face World Champion Kell Brook– in the second clash of a four-fight telecast. The opener will feature the SHOWTIME debut of two-time Russian Olympian Artur Beterbiev (6-0, 6 KOs), who twice beat WBO/WBA/IBF Champion Sergey Kovalev in the amateurs. Beterbiev meets fellow unbeaten Jeff Page Jr. (15-0, 10 KOs), of Andover, Kansas, in a 10-round light heavyweight scrap. 

Tickets for an event presented by Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM) in association with Mise-O-Jeu and Videotron, range from $25 to $250 and are on sale in the branches of the Pepsi Coliseum in Quebec (418) 691-7211 or 1 (800) 900-7469, online at www.billeteck.com, at GYM (514) 383-0666 or Boxing Club Champion (514) 376-0980.