DARLEYS PEREZ CAPTURES WBA INTERIM LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE

  

Photo By: Gary Shaw Productions

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC (June 28, 2014) - Tonight in Dominican Republic, Gary Shaw Productions' and Thompson Boxing Promotions',  Darleys Perez (30-1, 19 KOs), captured the WBA Interim Title with a hard fought victory against Argenis Lopez (19-1, 7 KOs), who was fighting in his home country.

From the opening bell, Perez was the busier fighter as he threw more punches and landed the cleaner shots.  Lopez never really got into a rhythm and Perez took advantage of the situation by outworking him throughout the fight.  Neither fighter was seriously hurt.  Scorecards read 116-112 and 117-111 twice, all in favor for Perez.

With the win, Perez cements himself as a serious player in the lightweight division.  Many fights can be made with Perez challenging any of the world champions at 135lbs.  Promoter Gary Shaw feels Perez is on his way to a big time fight.

"This is a very big win for us," said Gary Shaw. "Thompson Boxing and GSP are very thrilled to have another world champion to promote.  There are some big fights that can be made so we'll get working on some great opportunities for Perez.  For Perez to win a decision in Lopez's hometown is amazing.  He really earned this victory with tremendous heart and grandeur."

"I knew I had to give it my all to come out here and earn a decision," said Perez. "I felt I was in control of the fight from the very beginning.  I never let up and kept coming strong with controlled pressure.  I know my promoters, Gary Shaw and Thompson Boxing have some big plans for my future, so I'm going to just enjoy this win and get back to work when I get home.  I'm happy to bring this title home to Colombia.

DARLEYS PEREZ FIGHTS FOR LIGHTWEIGHT WBA INTERIM TITLE THIS SATURDAY IN DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

  

Photo Credit Tom Casino / Showtime

June 25, 2014 - Gary Shaw Productions and Thompson Boxing Promotions lightweight contender, Darleys Perez (29-1, 19 KOs) will fight for the interim WBA World title against Argenis Lopez (19-0, 7 KOs) at the Sheraton Hotel in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, this Saturday June 28, 2014.

After suffering his first lost to Yuriorkis Gamboa over a year ago, Perez returned to the win column with a convincing victory against Dunis Linan back in December of 2013.  Perez who is ranked WBA #5 looks to position himself for a title shot with a victory against Lopez is rated WBA #4. 

"I've had plenty of time to reflect on my defeat to Gamboa," said Perez. "I've came back with a win against Linan and my confidence is where it needs to be moving forward.  Lopez is coming to fight as am I, so I'm expecting to face a fighter who is determined to take food off my table.  I'm not going to let it happen.  I've worked too hard get back in this position and Lopez better be ready to die in the ring because I am."

"I've only fought once in the last twelve months but I've been training hard while I was on down time," Perez continued. "I'm healthy, in great shape, and I'm ready to go the distance if need be.  I'm going to Lopez's hometown so I'll be gunning for the knockout as I don't want to leave any doubt in the judges' minds."

"Darleys has a great opportunity to put himself in a great position to fight for another world title," said Gary Shaw. "If he comes out victorious, which I believe he will, then I'll be working to get him a title shot against the champion, Richard Abril.  Right now he must focus on Lopez and bring home the victory."

 

Dierry Jean targeting World lightweight champions

PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release   MONTREAL (JUNE 18, 2013) - Newly crowned North American Boxing Federation (NABF) lightweight champion Dierry "Dougy Style" Jean (26-1, 18 KOs) is targeting the top lightweights in the world. Fresh of his eight-round technical knockout of Mario Perez (15-5-4) earlier this month for the vacant NABF title, which came five months after Jean lost a unanimous 12-roiund decision (118-111, 116-112, 116-113) to International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior welterweight champion Lamont Peterson, Jean proved that he's a legitimate two-division, world-class contender. "I felt strong," Jean said about fighting as a lightweight.  "It was a little tough getting down in weight, but I can fight effectively at both weights.  I didn't go down to lightweight because junior welterweights were too strong for me.  I just took advantage of an opportunity to fight at lightweight. "I'd like to fight any of the world lightweight champions. (Omar) Figueroa is a good fighter.  He's strong and a good puncher. I'd like to fight him or the winner of (Terence) Crawford and (Yuriorkis) Gamboa. They're both good boxers.  I don't know who is going to win that fight but I think Gamboa." Jean is currently rated No. 7 as a junior welterweight by the IBF and, as the NABF champion, he should crack the next World Boxing Council's (WBC) top 15 ratings. "We want a title shot as soon as possible," Jean's promoter Camille Estephan emphatically commented.  "Figueroa, the Crawford-Gamboa winner, (Richard) Abril or (Miguel) Vasquez....anyone of them.  Dierry was very impressive as a lightweight. His energy level was higher and he was strong.  It was probably the first time he fought somebody the same size.  He's always been fighting bigger guys as a junior welterweight. We feel that he'll be a monster at lightweight.  He will crush anybody and we're certain he'll be as much of a force as a lightweight as he was as at 140 pounds. We're looking for big fights!" Jean may have suffered his first loss as a professional to Peterson but some positives also came out of that fight for the Haitian native who lives in Montreal.    The invaluable experience he gained fighting in a world title fight and everything surrounding it has made him an even better fighter. "I gained experience and learned how to better control myself in and out of the ring," Jean concluded.  "I know I can fight with world champions. I can be me, using my style of fighting, something I didn't do against Peterson because it was so stressful fighting for the first  time in a world championship.  Now, I've been through all of that, and I will do much better the next time I'm in a world title fight." For further information about Jean or any of his EOTTM stable-mates visitwww.eottm.com, or follow him on Twitter @DierryJean.

FULL-LENGTH REPLAYS OF MEMORABLE FIGHTS FEATURING MARCH 2 HEADLINERS SHARIF BOGERE & GARY RUSSELL JR. OFFERED ON SPORTS.SHO.COM

Watch The Exciting & Hotly Contested Battle Between Sharif Bogere & Ray Beltran

& 2012 Knockout Of The Year Candidate From Gary Russell Jr. vs. Roberto Castaneda

Access Full Replays Of Both Fights At http://sports.sho.com

NEW YORK (Feb. 21, 2013) -- In anticipation of the highly anticipated doubleheader featuring Sharif “The Lion” Bogere and Gary Russell Jr. on Saturday, March 2, live on SHOWTIME^® (10:00 p.m. ET/PT) from The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nev., SHOWTIME Sports is offering a full-length replay from each of the world-class boxers’ recent fights on the premium network’s website.

The fierce, bloody scrap between Bogere and Ray Beltran from May 13, 2011 which aired on ShoBox: The New Generation replays in its entirety (http://sports.sho.com/videos/1341), offering fans a glimpse of what they can expect from the undefeated Ugandan contender.  The unanimous decision victory for Bogere featured multiple momentum shifts and cut-inducing head-butts as the two battled for 10 hard-fought, brutal rounds.

An all-action fighter, the undefeated Bogere (23-0, 15 KO’s) will square off against Richard Abril (17-3-1, 8 KO’s) for the vacant WBA Lightweight World Championship in the March 2 main event.

The 24-year-old Bogere was a five-time African champion as an amateur and has continued his success as a pro with his aggressive style and impressive power.  The 30-year-old Abril, a Cuban-born Miami resident, is looking to bounce back from a controversial split decision loss to Brandon Rios in a bout for the WBA Lightweight World Championship on April 14, 2012.

Featherweight Russell’s brutal one-punch knockout over Roberto Castaneda last November 9 onShoBox: The Next Generation (http://sports.sho.com/videos/1340) wound up near the top of many writers’ 2012 Knockout of the Year lists.  The manner in which he impressively dispatched Castaneda served as a warning to viewers and potential opponents that the lightning-quick Russell also packed a dangerous punch to go with his blazing speed.  The 2008 United States Olympian landed a picturesque right-hook to the chin of Castaneda at 1:25 of the third round -- a vicious, explosive punch that instantly ended the fight.

One of boxing’s most talented contenders, Russell (21-0, 13 KO’s) will take a step-up in opposition against Vyacheslav Gusev (20-2, 5 KO’s) in the 10-round opening bout of the March 2 telecast.  The 24-year-old southpaw of Capitol Heights, Md., knocked out three consecutive opponents to close out 2012 and is looking to kick 2013 with an impressive victory over the 26-year-old Russian who is a nine-year veteran.

Abril vs. Bogere, a 12-round fight for the vacant WBA Lightweight World Championship, will take place Saturday, March 2 at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.  The event is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, sponsored by Corona and will be televised live on SHOWTIME telecast beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) with preliminary fights to air live on SHOWTIME EXTREME at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).  The co-main event will be a 10-round featherweight bout between undefeated phenom Gary Russell Jr. and Russia’s Vyacheslav Gusev.

Tickets priced at $150, $100, $75, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes, fees and services charges, along with a limited number of VIP suite seats priced at $125, are on sale at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, online at www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at (800) 745-3000.  An exact on sale date will be announced as soon as determined.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/richard_abril, www.twitter.com/sharifbogere, www.twitter.com/mrgaryrusselljr, www.twitter.com/TheJointLV, www.twitter.com/hardrockhotellv,www.twitter.com/SHOsports, follow the conversation using #AbrilBogere or become a fan on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing or www.facebook.com/SHOsports.

JAYSON VELEZ INJURES ANKLE PRIOR TO SHOWDOWN AGAINST DANIEL PONCE DE LEON

RICHARD ABRIL VS. SHARIF BOGERE ELEVATED TO MAIN EVENT

ON SATURDAY, MARCH 2 AND WILL NOW TAKE PLACE AT

HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO IN LAS VEGAS AND

TELEVISED LIVE ON SHOWTIME^®

LAS VEGAS (February 15) – The vacant WBA Lightweight World Championship between Richard Abril and Sharif “The Lion” Bogere has been elevated to the main event on Saturday, March 2 and will now be held at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas live on SHOWTIME at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).  The previously scheduled main event between WBC Featherweight World Champion Daniel Ponce De Leon and Jayson Velez has been removed from the fight card due to a right ankle fractured suffered this week by Velez.  The venue change from Harlem’s Apollo Theater in New York City comes as a result of the loss of the De Leon vs. Velez fight, and the presence of the Mexico vs. Puerto Rico rivalry attached to it, making it less prudent to promote the event in Harlem in close proximity to large Mexican and Puerto Rican communities.

Opening the telecast will be unbeaten featherweight phenom Gary Russell Jr. against Russia’s Vyacheslav Gusev in a 10-round featherweight bout.

The evening of fights is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona.  The SHOWTIME telecast begins at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) with preliminary fights to air live on SHOWTIME EXTREME at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

Tickets priced at $150, $100, $75, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes, fees and services charges, along with a limited number of VIP suite seats priced at $125, will be on sale shortly at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, online at www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at (800) 745-3000.  An exact on sale date will be announced as soon as determined.

Tickets purchased for Daniel Ponce De Leon vs. Jayson Velez at the Apollo Theater will be refunded at their point of purchase.

Thirty-year-old Richar Abril (17-3-1, 8 KO’s) was fairly unknown outside of hardcore fight circles heading into 2012, but when the Cuba-born resident of Miami, Florida took on highly-touted Brandon Rios for the WBA Lightweight World Championship in April of last year, that status changed over the span of 12 rounds.  Though WBA Interim Lightweight World Champion Abril lost a split decision to Rios that night, the boxing media and fans around the world voiced their displeasure, calling it one of the worst decisions ever.  On March 2, Abril rightfully gets another shot at the title, this time against Bogere.

Uganda native Sharif “The Lion” Bogere (23-0, 15 KO’s) was a five-time African champion in his amateur days and now he’s eager to add some professional gold to his trophy case on March 2.  An aggressive contender with impressive power, the 24-year old (who now makes his home in Las Vegas) has impressed in his wins over top rising stars Ray Beltran, Francisco Contreras, Sergio Rivera andManuel Leyva, putting him in prime position for a shot at the world title.

Perhaps the most talented young fighter in the sport today, 24-year-old southpaw Gary Russell Jr. (21-0, 13 KO’s) has been showing his stellar boxing skills since his days as an amateur standout.  In the fourth year of his professional career in 2012, he began adding power punching into his repertoire with impressive knockouts of Christopher Perez and Roberto Castaneda.  On March 2, the Capitol Heights, Maryland resident will look to continue to wow fans in the SHOWTIME opening fight against Gusev.

Prokopyevsk, Russia’s Vyacheslav Gusev (20-2, 5 KO’s) is a nine year professional who has started to fulfill his world championship potential in the ring.  A decorated competitor with several regional titles to his name, the 26-year-old began making his mark in 2010 as he began a four-fight winning streak that he will bring into the ring with him on March 2.  In his most recent fight on April 30, he rose from the canvas to decision Padjai Yongyuthgym and he plans on handing Russell his first defeat at The Joint.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and follow on Twitter atwww.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/richard_abril, www.twitter.com/sharifbogere,www.twitter.com/mrgaryrusselljr, www.twitter.com/TheJointLV, www.twitter.com/hardrockhotellv,www.twitter.com/SHOsports, follow the conversation using #AbrilBogere or become a fan on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing or www.facebook.com/SHOsports.

MEXICO VS. PUERTO RICO…THE NEXT CHAPTER ON MARCH 2

DANIEL PONCE DE LEON AND JAYSON VELEZ SET FOR BATTLE AT

THE APOLLO THEATER IN NEW YORK CITY LIVE ON SHOWTIME^®

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING^® EVENT TO ALSO FEATURE

RICHARD ABRIL VS. SHARIF BOGERE & U.S. OLYMPIAN

GARY RUSSELL JR. VS. VYACHESLAV GUSEV FROM FAMED HARLEM VENUE

Tickets On Sale Tomorrow, Saturday, February 9 At Noon ET!

NEW YORK, February 8 - The next chapter of the Mexico vs. Puerto Rico boxing rivalry will play out in the Big Apple on Saturday, March 2 when Mexico’s Daniel Ponce De Leon defends his WBC Featherweight World Championship against Puerto Rico’s latest knockout artist, Jayson Velez, in the main event from the legendary Apollo Theater in New York City live on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).  The night of fights marks the first time in over 15 years that the Apollo has played host to professional boxing with the last fight taking place in November 1997.

The SHOWTIME action doesn’t stop there as the vacant WBA Lightweight World Championship will be on the line when Richar Abril and Sharif “The Lion” Bogere square off in the co-main event which was originally scheduled for November, but was postponed when Bogere suffered an ankle injury.  Opening the broadcast will be unbeaten featherweight phenom Gary Russell Jr. against Russia’s Vyacheslav Gusev in a 10-round featherweight bout.

“There’s nothing like boxing’s Mexico vs. Puerto Rico rivalry and this fight between Ponce De Leon and Velez is going to be explosive from start to finish,” said Oscar De La Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions.  “New York City is the perfect location for this event and we can’t wait to have our first show at the historic Apollo Theater.”

“This will be a great fight once again the classic battle between Puerto Rico and Mexico,” said Miguel Cotto.  “Jayson is ready to take the challenge and fight for the world title.  Puerto Rico will have a new world champion on March 2.”

“This is a fight we’ve been waiting a long time for and my first defense is just around the corner,” said Ponce De Leon.  “I feel better prepared than when I won the title against Jhonny Gonzalez.  I’m sure I’ll win and will be world champion for a long time.  I’m focused on the fight.  I’m not bothered or uncomfortable fighting outside of my own backyard.  To the contrary, it motivates me to fight better.”

“I’ve been training really hard and am focused for this fight,” said Velez.  “Winning a belt has been the goal my whole life.  Everything in camp is going as we planned and I can’t wait to be in the ring on March 2.”

            “On March 2, SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING will give boxing fans another action-packed card featuring a line-up of pressure fighters who almost never take a step back,” said Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President and General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports.  “With two world title fights at the legendary Apollo Theater, this event promises entertaining action from start to finish.”

Ponce De Leon vs. Velez, a 12-round fight for Ponce De Leon’s WBC Featherweight World Championship, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Miguel Cotto Promotions and sponsored by Corona.  In the co-featured attractions on SHOWTIME, WBA Interim Lightweight World Champion Richar Abril squares off against WBA number three rated lightweight contender Sharif Bogere for the vacant WBA Lightweight World Championship and featherweight contender Gary Russell Jr. faces Russia’s Vyacheslav Gusev in a ten-round featherweight bout.  The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) with preliminary fights to air live on SHOWTIME Extreme at 7:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

Tickets, priced at $300, $200, $100, $50 and $25, not including applicable taxes and service charges, go on sale on Tomorrow, Saturday, February 9 at noon ET and will be available for purchase at the Apollo Theater box office, www.ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster locations or by calling 800-745-3000.

Considered by many to be comeback fighter of the year in 2012, former Junior Featherweight World Champion Daniel Ponce De Leon (44-4, 35 KO’s) took the long road back to the top, but last year he reaped the fruits of his labor in spectacular fashion.  Ponce De Leon had an excellent 2012 during which he knocked out Omar Estrella in January, decisioned Eduardo Lazcano in May and became a two-division world champion on September 15 when he outpointed Jhonny Gonzalez for the WBC Featherweight World Championship.  On March 2, his second reign begins as he makes his first defense.

Hailing from Juncos, Puerto Rico, 24-year-old Jayson Velez (20-0, 15 KO’s) has a mighty legacy to live up to when it comes to the warriors from the boxing-rich island, but over the course of his five-year career, he’s shown the talent and drive to join them.  The owner of the WBC USNBC, WBO Latino and WBC Silver Featherweight titles, Velez put on a precision power-punching clinic last December when he stopped Salvador Sanchezin the third round at Madison Square Garden.  On March 2, he’ll be back in New York in an attempt to earn his first world title.

30-year old Richar Abril (17-3-1, 8 KO’s) was fairly unknown outside of hardcore fight circles heading into 2012, but when the Cuba-born resident of Miami, Florida took on highly-touted Brandon Rios for the WBA Lightweight World Championship in April of last year, that status changed over the span of 12 rounds.  Though WBA Interim Lightweight World Champion Abril lost a split decision to Rios that night, the boxing media and fans around the world voiced their displeasure, calling it one of the worst decisions ever.  On March 2, Abril rightfully gets another shot at the title, this time against Bogere.

Uganda native Sharif “The Lion” Bogere (23-0, 15 KO’s) was a five-time African champion in his amateur days and now he’s eager to add some professional gold to his trophy case on March 2.  An aggressive contender with impressive power, the 24-year old (who now makes his home in Las Vegas) has impressed in his wins over top rising stars Ray Beltran, Francisco Contreras, Sergio Rivera and Manuel Leyva, putting him in prime position for a shot at the world title.

Perhaps the most talented young fighter in the sport today, 24-year-old southpaw Gary Russell Jr. (21-0, 13 KO’s) has been showing his stellar boxing skills since his days as an amateur standout.  In the fourth year of his professional career in 2012, he began adding power punching into his repertoire with impressive knockouts of Christopher Perez and Roberto Castaneda.  On March 2, the Capitol Heights, Maryland resident will look to continue to wow fans in his New York debut in the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING opening fight against Gusev.

Prokopyevsk, Russia’s Vyacheslav Gusev (20-2, 5 KO’s) is a nine year professional who has started to fulfill his world championship potential in the ring.  A decorated competitor with several regional titles to his name, the 26-year-old began making his mark in 2010 as he began a four-fight winning streak that he will bring into the ring with him on March 2.  In his most recent fight on April 30, he rose from the canvas to decision Padjai Yongyuthgym and he plans on handing Russell his first defeat at the Apollo.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.promocionesmiguelcotto.comand www.apollotheater.org, follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/RealMiguelCotto, www.twitter.com/DanielPoncedeL1, www.twitter.com/Jayson_Velez, www.twitter.com/mrgaryrusselljr, www.twitter.com/SHOsports, follow the conversation using #PonceDeLeonVelez or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing or www.facebook.com/SHOsports.