Ruslan Provodnikov - Jose Luis Castillo plus Mickey Rourke Post fight interviews and Press conference

Moscow, Russia (November 29 2014)-- Below are post fight videos following Ruslan Provodnikov's (24-3, 17 KO's) 5th round stoppage over Jose Luis Castillo(66-13-1).     Watch video interviews with both Provodnikov and Hollywood actor Mickey Rourke, who scored a 2nd round stoppage in his ring return after nearly 20 years.     The fight was promoted by Artie Pelullo's Banner Promotions and World of Boxing LLC     Media Outlets may use the videos by copying/pasting the embedded code to their websites and social media platforms. Ruslan Provodnikov Post Fight Interview 112814 Mickey Rourke Post fight 112814 Ruslan Provodnikov Post Fight press conference 112814

Ruslan Provodnikov - Jose Luis Castillo weigh in video plus interview with Provodnikov

Moscow, Russia (November 27 2014)-- Below are videos from Thursday's weigh in that is in conjunction with Friday's fight between Former WBO Jr. Welterweight world champion, "The Siberian Rocky" Ruslan Provodnikov (23-3, 16 KO's) and former two-time world champion Jose Luis Castillo (66-12-1, 57 KO's) that will take place on this Friday, November 28 at the Luzhniki GCKZ "Russia" Arena in Moscow. The fight is promoted by Artie Pelullo's Banner Promotions and World of Boxing LLC Also included is an interview with Provodnikov  Media Outlets may use the videos by copying/pasting the embedded code to their websites and social media platforms. Provodnikov - Castillo Weigh in 112714 Ruslan Provodnikov 112714

Ruslan Provodnikov - Jose Luis Castillo; Plus Mickey Rourke media workout videos

Moscow, Russia (November 26 2014)-- Below are videos from Wednesday'smedia workout  in conjunction with Friday's fight between Former WBO Jr. Welterweight world champion, "The Siberian Rocky" Ruslan Provodnikov (23-3, 16 KO's) and former two-time world champion Jose Luis Castillo (66-12-1, 57 KO's) that will take place on this Friday, November 28 at the Luzhniki GCKZ "Russia" Arena in Moscow. The fight is promoted by Artie Pelullo's Banner Promotions and World of Boxing LLC Also included is a video of Hollywood actor Mickey Rourke, who at age 62 will be appearing on the card as well Media Outlets may use the videos by copying/pasting the embedded code to their websites and social media platforms. Ruslan Provodnikov Media workout 112614 Jose Luis Castillo Media Workout 112614 Mickey Rourke Media workout 112614

Provodnikov - Castillo Press Conference Photos

Moscow, Russia (November 26 2014)-- Below are images from Tuesday's press conference in conjunction with Friday's fight between Former WBO Jr. Welterweight world champion, "The Siberian Rocky" Ruslan Provodnikov (23-3, 16 KO's) and former two-time world champion Jose Luis Castillo (66-12-1, 57 KO's) that will take place on this Friday, November 28 at the Luzhniki GCKZ "Russia" Arena in Moscow.         Photos by Zhanna Popova

Weights from ESPN Friday Night Fights in Chicago

"This show is indicative of the ever-increasing quality of Friday Night Fights broadcasts. It's every bit as good as or better than the average Showtime or HBO boxing show. This is just a terrific event from top to bottom." Teddy Singleton of Don King Productions Carlos Molina 153.4 vs. Cory Spinks 153.2 Antwone Smith 155.6 vs. Jose Luis Castillo 151.8 Artur Szpilka 230.8 vs. Mike Mollo 231.6 Don George 164.4 vs. James Cook 161.8 Mike Jimenez 167.8 vs. Jordan Brown 167.8 Jaime Herrera 146.8 vs. Marlon Smith 146.2 Jimmy Murphy 145.4 vs. Aloric Carson 150.2 Sergio Montes de Oca 126.2 vs. Antoine Knight 127 Junior Anthony Wright 197.6 vs. Tim Johnson 203.8 Venue: UIC Pavilion, Chicago TV: ESPN Friday Night Fights Promoters: 8 Count Productions, Round 3 Productions, Warriors Boxing and Blue Wave Boxing in association with Don King Productions

Smith Taking an Honest Approach to Castillo Fight

Antwone "The Truth" Smith didn't get his nickname because it rhymes with his last name - the 26-year-old Miami resident has a habit of telling the truth no matter what you ask him. Smith (22-4-1, 12 KOs) will face two-time former world champion Jose Luis "EL Temible" Castillo (64-11-1, 55 KOs) in the 10-round welterweight co-main event for this Friday's (February 1) ESPN Friday Night Fights-televised "King" Carlos Molina vs. Cory "The Next Generation" Spinks 12-round main event at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago. "I feel like a lot of guys on TV try to be somebody different and I want to be myself and be the truth," said Smith of his ring moniker. "What you see is what you get. I'm not one way on camera and one way off." So what does he think of his well-known and possible future hall-of-fame next opponent? "He (Castillo) has the best name of anyone I fought; I guess you could say that. But to be honest, before he passed, my favorite fighter was Diego Corrales, so I'm definitely not a fan of his. He's just a typical Mexican fighter and I'm prepared for the best version of him there has ever been, so if anything less than that shows up, he's going to have a problem." Smith has no problem admitting he's in an almost "no win" situation facing Castillo. "A loss against him would be devastating, but I don't think a win would do much for me because people will just say he's old. I just want to stay busy and get this win and hope it propels me to something bigger and better. If you win fights like this it's no big deal. If you lose, it's bad." Not one to pre-plan much of anything that happens during his fights, Smith says he's more of an ad-libber. "I never really think about how a fight is going to go. I just deal with it when it comes. When I get in the ring, I go with the flow. When you have a plan, if things don't go as planned, that's when you have a problem. It depends on what Castillo does. Maybe he'll come forward, maybe he won't. If I'm anticipating him to come forward and he doesn't, I'm already out of my game." ### Presented by 8 Count Productions, Round 3 Productions, Warriors Boxing and Blue Wave Boxing in association with Don King Productions, advance tickets are priced are $151, $101, $51 and $31 and can be purchased through Ticketmaster (Ticketmaster.com, 1-800-745-3000), the 8 Count Productions Offices,312-226-5800 or the UIC Pavilion Box Office, 312-413-5740. In a special attraction eight round clash, fast rising Polish heavyweight prospect Artur "The Pin" Szpilka will battle Chicago based heavyweight contender "Merciless" Mike Mollo. Additionally featuring in separate bouts will be local favorites; middleweight contender Donovan "Da Bomb" George, 23-3-1 (20 KO's), highly regarded and undefeated super middleweight prospect Mike "Hollywood" Jimenez, 8-0-0 (5 KO's) and popular welterweight newcomer Jimmy Murphy, 1-0-0 (1 KO). Further details on this world-class evening of professional boxing will be announced shortly. The UIC Pavilion is located at 525 S. Racine, at the corner of Harrison and Racine on the campus of University of Illinois-Chicago. Doors on the night of the event will open at 7 pm with the first bell at 7:45 pm.

Mollo Looking to Flip the Script against Szpilka

"I'm going to explode on him and we'll see how he takes it." Chicago's "Merciless" Mike Mollo (20-3-1, 12 KOs) knows what the script says: Even though he's in his own hometown, he's being brought into to lose to fast-rising Polish heavyweight prospect Artur "The Pin" Szpilka. However, Mollo says that's NOT the way it's going to go. The two will meet on the undercard of the ESPN Friday Night Fights-televised "King"Carlos Molina vs. Cory "The Next Generation" Spinks 12-round IBF Junior Middleweight Title Eliminator on February 1 at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago. Presented by 8 Count Productions, Round 3 Productions, Warriors Boxing and Blue Wave Boxing in association with Don King Productions, the exciting night of boxing will also feature a 10-round welterweight battle between two-time former world champion Jose Luis "EL Temible" Castillo (64-11-1, 55 KOs) and Florida's Antwone "The Truth" Smith (22-4-1, 12 KOs) as the televised co-main event. "I made a few bad business decisions, especially promotional-wise, and I've had three huge fights fall through on me on short notice, but what the boxing world may not know is that I haven't been sitting around drinking beer and eating pizza. That's not the case. I've been training the whole time for these fights. I'm in top shape and ready to go. I'm not some guy coming in for a payday." Mollo says he's watched Szpilka in action and remains a lot less impressed than most. "I don't think he's everything they say he is. We're going to find out February 1. He's fast and can hit a little, but I don't think he's the beast that he thinks he is. If they're looking for an easy opponent, they should keep looking. I'm in great shape. I've put in a lot of hard work and all I have to do is hit him, which I'm going to. I'm going to explode on him. We'll see how he takes it. I have never been down in my life. 25 professional fights and never hit the canvas. I know he's been down, so we'll see what he's made of. I already know what I'm made of. I'm all guts and heart." Mollo, training at Go Time Boxing in Chicago and sparring with former UFC champion Andrei Arlovski and undefeated heavyweight David Latoria, says February 1 is going to be a great night for Chicago boxing. "It's going to be mobbed. He'll probably have the Polish community out to watch him. And I have people renting buses to come watch me. It's going to be awesome. I know it'll be on Polish TV. I'm definitely TV worthy. I've proved myself." So if he's not going to follow the pre-written script, how does Mollo think the fight will go? "I'm just going to go in and do what I do, which is fight my fight and do what I'm capable of. I think it will work and so does my team. I'm going to cut the ring off and not follow him around everywhere and we'll see what he does when a determined heavyweight is walking him down all night." The colorful Szpilka, who enters the ring in a jail uniform, has been known to be unpredictable in and out of the ring. Is Mollo worried about Szpilka's antics becoming a factor at the weigh-in or press conference? "I highly recommend he not do that. I got a lot of friends in this neighborhood who won't put up with any of that stuff. He should keep the peace." ### Presented by 8 Count Productions, Round 3 Productions, Warriors Boxing and Blue Wave Boxing in association with Don King Productions, advance tickets are priced are $151, $101, $51 and $31 and can be purchased through Ticketmaster (Ticketmaster.com, 1-800-745-3000), the 8 Count Productions Offices, 312-226-5800 or the UIC Pavilion Box Office, 312-413-5740. Additionally featuring in separate bouts will be local favorites; middleweight contender Donovan "Da Bomb" George (23-3-1, 20 KOs), highly regarded and undefeated super middleweight prospect Mike "Hollywood" Jimenez (8-0-0, 5 KOs) and popular welterweight newcomer Jimmy Murphy (1-0, 1 KO). Further details on this world-class evening of professional boxing will be announced shortly. The UIC Pavilion is located at 525 S. Racine, at the corner of Harrison and Racine on the campus of University of Illinois-Chicago. Doors on the night of the event will open at 7 pm with the first bell at 7:45 pm.

MOLINA LOOKING TO TURN UP THE POWER AGAINST SPINKS

A new, meaner "King" Carlos Molina is ready to go for his ESPN Friday Night Fights main event at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago on February 1. 29-year-old Molina (20-5-2, 6 KOs) will face  two-division and five-time world champion Cory "The Next Generation" Spinks in a 12-round IBF Junior Middleweight Title Eliminator to headline the night of boxing presented by 8 Count Productions, Round 3 Productions, Warriors Boxing and Blue Wave Boxing in association with Don King Productions. The intriguing co-main event that night is a 10-round welterweight battle between two-time former world champion Jose Luis "El Temible" Castillo (64-11-1, 55 KOs) and Florida's Antwone "The Truth" Smith (22-4-1, 12 KOs). Molina, who divides his time training at Chicago's 8Count and LA Boxing gyms with trainer Victor Mateo (original trainer Lou Askenette also works the corner on fight night), says he'll be going into this important fight with a new mindset and outlook. "They say I don't have much power, but I'm really working on sitting down on my punches for this fight, especially when he's on the ropes," admitted Molina. "I want the knockout. That's what we're going for. I'll make him miss and put constant pressure on him. And as soon as he misses, I'll make him pay. I'm going to break him down and get him out of there." Molina, an underdog in nearly every fight, is switching roles for this one. Fighting at home and sure to be favored by the oddsmakers, he's in the exact opposite role this time. "You just have to look at things a different way. Being the underdog motivates you. When everybody thinks you'll lose, you train hard and fight hard to prove them wrong. Now I'm the favorite fighting in my hometown. I'll use that as a motivation. I haven't fought here in over four years. It motivates me to look good and fight better than I ever have." Molina says he's waited a long time for this opportunity and it means the world to him to fight for a world title. "That's my goal since I started boxing. I picture in my head winning a world title. Not just one. Maybe a couple straps. And this is the first step to reaching my goal. I set my goals high and that's definitely what I want. Not even just for me. For everybody that has helped me. I can't go out and say I did it all myself. I have had a tough road; my trainers have always been with me. It's tough being a trainer you have to be just as dedicated as a fighter. I want to see the smile on my trainer's face and my mom and dad's, my family and everybody that has supported me. I won't forget who helped me when I win." ### Presented by 8 Count Productions, Round 3 Productions, Warriors Boxing and Blue Wave Boxing in association with Don King Productions, advance tickets are priced are $151, $101, $51 and $31 and can be purchased through Ticketmaster (Ticketmaster.com, 1-800-745-3000), the 8 Count Productions Offices, 312-226-5800or the UIC Pavilion Box Office, 312-413-5740. In a special attraction eight round clash, fast rising Polish heavyweight prospect Artur "The Pin" Szpilka will battle Chicago-based heavyweight contender "Merciless" Mike Mollo. Additionally featuring in separate bouts will be local favorites; middleweight contender Donovan "Da Bomb" George, 23-3-1 (20 KOs), highly regarded and undefeated super middleweight prospect Mike "Hollywood" Jimenez, 8-0-0 (5 KOs) and popular welterweight newcomer Jimmy Murphy, 1-0-0 (1 KO). Further details on this world-class evening of professional boxing will be announced shortly. The UIC Pavilion is located at 525 S. Racine, at the corner of Harrison and Racine on the campus of University of Illinois-Chicago. Doors on the night of the event will open at 7 pm with the first bell at 7:45 pm.  ABOUT 8 COUNT PRODUCTIONS 8 Count Productions, HOME OF THE BEST IN CHICAGO BOXING, was started by Dominic Pesoli in 1998 and has consistently presented the highest quality professional boxing events in Chicagoland. Fighters currently under the 8 Count Productions banner include; super middleweight contender Donovan George, world ranked light heavyweight Andrzej Fonfara, former world title challenger Edner Cherry, middleweight prospect Viktor Polyakov, junior welterweight prospects Ivan Popoca and Adrian Granados along withwelterweights Achour Esho and Jaime Herrera. For more information on 8 Count Productions please visit their new website, 8countproductions.com. Follow them on Twitter at 8_Count and Facebook at "8 Count Productions". ABOUT WARRIORS BOXING Launched in 2003, Warriors Boxing operates under a simple philosophy-bring the best boxers in the world to fight fans, match them in competitive bouts, and in doing so help re-establish the sport of boxing for a new generation. With a series of successful Pay-Per-View shows and packed houses to it's credit, the Warriors business model is working wonders in a sport that was sorely in need of the innovation and energy that the company brings to the table. When it comes down to it though, a promotional company is only as good as the fighters and fights it promotes. Warriors Boxing has delivered on all fronts, with outstanding bouts such as Lara-Molina, Cayo-Peterson, Abraham-Miranda I and II, Miranda-Pavlik, Miranda-Green, Ibragimov-Briggs, Ibragimov-Klitschko, Urango-Hatton, Urango-Bailey, Cayo-Maidana and Ibraginov-Holyfield. For more information on Warriors Boxing, visit their website at warriorsboxing.com.

CROSSROADS UNDERCARD ANNOUNCED

8 Count Productions and Warriors Boxing have announced the undercard for "CROSSROADS", the ESPN Friday Night Fights-televised night of action-packed professional boxing on Friday, July 13, at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago, Illinois. Several local and national prospects are scheduled to appear in support of the main event featuring a 10-round light heavyweight clash between former world champion Glen "The Road Warrior" Johnson (51-16-2, 35 KOs) and Chicago's popular world ranked contender, "The Polish Prince" Andrzej Fonfara (21-2, 12 KOs) and the co-main event featuring a 10-round welterweight battle between two-time former world champion Jose Luis "EL Terrible" Castillo (63-11-1, 54 KOs) and longtime Chicago fan favorite Ivan "EL Marro" Popoca (15-1-1, 10 KOs). In a six-round welterweight battle, Jaime Herrera (7-2, 4 KOs) of Franklin Park, Illinois, will face Tyrone Chatman (9-1-2, 6 KOs) of St Louis, Missouri; Bassett, Virginia's Elijah McCall (9-1-1, 8 KOs), son of heavyweight champion Oliver McCall, will appear in a six-round heavyweight scrap against Jason Massie (7-2, 4 KOs), Cleveland, Ohio; popular Chicago super middleweight Paul Littleton (3-0, 3 KOs) will face Ramiro Bueno Jr., (2-2-0, 1 KO) of South Bend, Indiana, in a five-round bout; cruiserweight Junior Wright (3-0, 3 KOs) of Evanston, Illinois, will face Covon Graham (1-2-1, 1 KO) of Detroit in a four-rounder; Chicago super featherweight Juan Bustamante (3-0, 2 KOs) will go against Michah Branch (0-1-0) of Cincinnati, Ohio, in a four-rounder; Miami, Florida's hard-punching Vilier Quinonez (3-0, 2 KOs) will take on Hesperia, Michigan's Rogelio Saldana (1-3, 1 KO) in a light heavyweight four-rounder; and in a heavyweight four-rounder Curtis Tate (4-3, 4 KOs) of Oakland, Tennessee will face Calbert Lewis (0-1) of Gary, Indiana. ### Advance tickets for CROSSROADS/ESPN FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS, presented by 8 Count Productions, Warriors Boxing, Round 3 and Blue Wave Boxing, priced at $151, $101, $51 and $31 are now on sale through Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com), the UIC Pavilion Box Office (312-413-5740) and the 8 Count Productions' Office (312-226-5800). Doors on the evening of the event will open at 7pm with the first bell at 7:45pm. The UIC Pavilion is located at 525 S. Racine, just one block south of the Eisenhower Expressway. Doors on the night of the event will open at 7pm with the first bell at 7:45 pm. The UIC Pavilion is now serving alcohol at all boxing events. For further information, please visit their website at www.uicpavilion.com.  ABOUT 8 COUNT PRODUCTIONS 8 Count Productions, HOME OF THE BEST IN CHICAGO BOXING, was started by Dominic Pesoli in 1998 and has consistently presented the highest quality professional boxing events in Chicagoland. Fighters currently under the 8 Count Productions banner include; super middleweight contender Donovan George, world ranked light heavyweight Andrzej Fonfara, former world title challenger Edner Cherry, middleweight prospect Viktor Polyakov, junior welterweight prospects Ivan Popoca and Adrian Granados along withwelterweights Achour Esho and Jaime Herrera. For more information on 8 Count Productions please visit their new website, 8countproductions.com. Follow them on Twitter at 8_Count and Facebook at "8 Count Productions". ABOUT WARRIORS BOXING Launched in 2003, Warriors Boxing operates under a simple philosophy-bring the best boxers in the world to fight fans, match them in competitive bouts, and in doing so help re-establish the sport of boxing for a new generation. With a series of successful Pay-Per-View shows and packed houses to it's credit, the Warriors business model is working wonders in a sport that was sorely in need of the innovation and energy that the company brings to the table. When it comes down to it though, a promotional company is only as good as the fighters and fights it promotes. Warriors Boxing has delivered on all fronts, with outstanding bouts such as Lara-Molina, Cayo-Peterson, Abraham-Miranda I and II, Miranda-Pavlik, Miranda-Green, Ibragimov-Briggs, Ibragimov-Klitschko, Urango-Hatton, Urango-Bailey, Cayo-Maidana and Ibraginov-Holyfield. For more information on Warriors Boxing, visit their website at warriorsboxing.com.