Billy 'The Kid' Dib returns Halloween night in Australia

PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release Billy "The Kid" Dib(Photo by Shareif Ziyadat) NEW YORK (Oct. 30, 2014) - Former International Boxing Federation (IBF) featherweight champion Billy "The Kid" Dib (37-3, 21 KOs) will not be trick-or-treating tomorrow night (Friday) at home in Australia. Instead, he'll be dressed in trunks and wearing boxing gloves for his 12-round fight with his upset-minded Indonesian opponent Ruben Manakane (14-11-1, 9 KOs) for the vacant PABA super featherweight title. Dib, whose only three losses as a professional have been in world title fights to undefeated Evgeny Gradovich twice and Steve Luevano, based on his tremendous experience and talent advantage, will likely throw a horrific scare, if not worse, into his young opponent. The 29-year-old Dib will be fighting in Australia for the first time in more than four years having fought three of his last four fights in the United States with the other in Macao, China. This fight will mark Dib's professional debut in Melbourne, where he last fought 13 years ago as an amateur in the Australian National Championship. "The opportunity came about when I heard (promoter) Tarik Solak and (Dib's trainer)Billy Hussein discussing it," Dib explained to Aus-Boxing.com why he's fighting in Melbourne. "I mentioned that I'd love to fight back in Australia, so Billy and Tarik were like, let's do it. After my brother and manager Emid (Dib) got clearance from the team at SMS (Promotions) and (Dib's promoter) 50 Cent (Curtis Jackson), we decided that the next stop should be Melbourne. "I know that he (Manakane) is currently ranked fourth by the PABA and that he has eight wins from his last ten outings. He stretched world-class Filipino AJ Banal the full distance a few years back, too. He's only 21 years of age, so I'm expecting him to come out fast and do all he can to cease the moment. I never take any of my opposition lightly and I know that Manakane stands in the way of my journey to another world championship. One step at a time." After being stopped for the first time in his career last November to Gradovich in their rematch, Dib decided to move up in weight and campaign as a super featherweight, staring this past July 2 at Foxwoods Resort Casino on ESPN Friday Night Fights against former WBA featherweight title challenger Alberto Garza (26-7-1, 21 KOs). Dib overcame a nasty cut over his right eye from an unintentional head-butt in the opening round to win a unanimous 10-round decision. Dib (L) is shown here attacking Garza (photo by Emily Harney)      Now, Dib is rated No. 6 by the World Boxing Organization (WBO), as well as No. 12 by the IBF, as he positions himself for a potential world super featherweight title shot in 2015 against one of the reigning champions: IBF Rances Barthelemy, WBOOrlando Salido, WBC Takashi Miura and WBA Takashi Uchiyama. "After being involved in the sport of boxing for so long, Dib continued his interview with Aus.Boxing.com, "I now understand that it's a business and not just a sport. It's all about strategic planning. We have had several discussions with WBA, WBO and IBF officials about this fight for the PABA crown. It will definitely help evaluate my rankings across the board. The plan is to face the necessary opposition to work my way into a mandatory position with one of the prestigious crowns. I honestly feel that I could face any of the super featherweight champions tomorrow, but realistically we may be looking at six to 12 months. I don't just plan on getting a world title shot, I plan on winning another crown.

TERENCE CRAWFORD and YURIORKIS GAMBOA WORLD LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP CONFERENCE CALL TRANSCRIPT

With Top Rank's Carl Moretti and Crawford Co-Managers Brian McIntyre and Cameron Dunkin Wednesday, June 25 OMAHA, NEB (June 26, 2014) -- World Championship Boxing returns to Omaha for the first time in 42 years!  Undefeated world champions TERENCE CRAWFORD, the Pride of Omaha, and Cuban sensation YURIORKIS GAMBOA, who boast identical 23-0 (16 KOs) professional ring records, will be battling for Crawford's newly-won World Boxing Organization (WBO) lightweight title This Saturday! June 28, at the the CenturyLink Center in Omaha (455 North 10th St.,Omaha, Neb. 68102).  This will be the first world championship fight Omaha has hosted since Joe Frazier successfully defended his heavyweight title against Nebraska's-own Ron Stander on May 25, 1972.  It will also be a professional homecoming for Crawford, who has not fought in his home state since 2011.  The fight will be televised live onHBO Boxing After Dark®, in its first-ever visit to Omaha, beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.  The telecast will open with undefeated Top-Five contenders MATT KOROBOV and JOSE UZCATEGUI battling in a 10-round rumble for the vacant WBO Inter-Continental middleweight title.             This exciting all-action doubleheader features four undefeated gladiators with a combined record of 91-0, 63 KOs.  *********************************** CARL MORETTI:  First I would like to say there is no truth to the rumor that we banned Bob Arum from the conference call.  Bob is home resting comfortably from his knee replacement surgery and I know he'll be watching the show on Saturday night. We pass  along our well wishes.  We have four undefeated fighters fighting Saturdaynight live on HBO [10 p.m. ET/PT]  Their combined records are a perfect 91-0 with nearly 70% of those victories coming by way of knockout.  Matt Korobov and Jose Uzcategui, world-rated No. 1 and No. 4 by the WBO, respectively, open the HBO telecast up and to the victor should go on to become the mandatory challenger to Peter Quillin.  And in the main event, Terence Crawford, the local hometown kid, makes the first defense of his title he won over is Scotland against Ricky Burns, battling one of the greatest amateurs ever and undefeated as a pro and a worthy contender for this title. YURIORKIS GAMBOA:  I am very anxious to get to the fight.  I met all the objectives that  I needed to in training camp to get our game plan together for this fight on Saturday night. CAMERON DUNKIN:  I am just very excited for Terrence and Brian both.  They were out in Omaha and we had a plan and it worked out - we knew we would get here and a lot of people thought we were crazy.  We're here and I'm really excited for them.  We look for a great fight - Gamboa is a great fighter and it's going to be a terrific fight. BRIAN McINTYRE:  I first would like to say thank you to Yuriorkis Gamboa for accepting the fight.  I am excited for Terence that he will be able to showcase his skills at this level and he being in his hometown.  I am expecting a great fight. TERENCE CRAWFORD:  I'm feeling good and I'm ready.  This is what I have been asking for all along and I am just ready for the moment. When you won the title in Glasgow, was it a plan to defend it in your hometown? TERENCE CRAWFORD:  Yes, that was my goal, to make my first defense in Omaha and I was real pleased with Bob [Arum] keeping his word.  Now that we are here I am just happy for everything.  I am in my hometown where my fans have never really got to see me perform as a professional and I am ready for the moment There are always stories of distractions, tickets etc., when a fighter fights in his hometown.  Have you experienced that? TERENCE CRAWFORD:  I don't handle any of that - no tickets or t-shirts, so they can't call me for nothing.  So I am not worried about the distractions. BRIAN McINTYRE:  Well, we already have a game plan planned out - what everybody's job is going to be as far as the tickets go and the t-shirts.  We are keeping Terence secluded so he has no distractions.  We talked about that months in advance and now we are just executing the plan. Do you have knowledge of the last world championship fight that took place in Omaha? [Joe Frazier vs. Ron Stander World Heavyweight Championship, May 25, 1972] TERENCE CRAWFORD:  It was news to me.  I never knew about it until a few years back.  I know about it now and that's all that matters. You looked much bigger than Gamboa at the initial press conference.  Do you feel you have a big size advantage?  Do you think you will use it? TERENCE CRAWFORD:  Like I tell everybody - you never know.  Gamboa is a real skillful fighter and he can make adjustments in the ring as the fight goes on.  We just have to wait to see what happens. Gamboa, you are shorter than most of your opponents, but this seems more so... YURIORKIS GAMBOA:  I answer that question by going back to all of the fights in my professional career.  I have been pretty much the smaller fighter in all of my fights, so I don't think it will have much of an affect.  I know how to adjust and I know how to come in with a game plan.  It's just something I have dealt with since I was an amateur - I have always been the smaller guy. Will the layoff affect you - you fought once in 2012 and once in 2013? YURIORKIS GAMBOA:  Basically no, not as long as I am focused.   I have stayed active - maybe not in the ring but I have done what I need to do outside of the ring to be prepared for Saturday night.  I have remained active in the gym. Gamboa has been tweeting some odd things towards you - how do you feel about that? TERENCE CRAWFORD:  I just look at it as being part of boxing.  That's something he feels he wants to do and I don't take it personally.  I am going to go in there, comeSaturday, and look at him eye-to-eye and see what he has to say then. Does Gamboa pose a big challenge to you? TERENCE CRAWFORD:  He is going to be a big challenge.  He is a great fighter, like myself.  I never got hit by him so I don't know about his power. How is he different than Burns? TERENCE CRAWFORD:  Gamboa has a lot more amateur experience, but at the same time they are two different fights.  One is tall and one is short and they fight two different styles. How do you feel about fighting in your hometown? TERENCE CRAWFORD:  My managers, Cameron Dunkin and Brian McIntyre - they came in and got the job done.  I am just blessed to be able to fight in Omaha. Do you feel this is a career-defining fight for you? YURIORKIS GAMBOA:  Like in any career, obviously it is a defining moment and I plan to take full advantage. Where does Yuri feel that Terence falls talent-wise? YURIORKIS GAMBOA:  Until I fight him on Saturday I really can't answer that question. How have you dealt with the demands on your time while fighting in your hometown? TERENCE CRAWFORD:  We've been keeping a low profile.  When we got back into town from training camp [in Colorado Springs] there wasn't a big entourage.  I actually didn't let anyone know when I was coming back into town.  It's been kind of cool - just chillin' and waiting on the fight. Cameron? CAMERON DUNKIN:  I leave that up to Brian.  These guys have lived there their whole lives.  Brian and I were concerned about it and we had a long talk about it.  He told me he would set everything up and keep all the distractions away.  Brian has done a great job, giving everyone jobs so Terence is just focused on the fight and ready to go.  He hasn't had any distractions and Brian has assured me he is ready to go. Do you get a feeling, by walking around town, the magnitude of the event? TERENCE CRAWFORD:  Yes, I can tell it is big.  Big not just for me but for the city of Omaha, Nebraska.  It's not just the boxing community; it is all the people in Omaha.  I can also tell that I give the people hope - that they can be what they want to be, if you believe and work hard at it. How do you characterize yourself?  Some say you are a southpaw and some say you are a switch-hitter? TERENCE CRAWFORD:  I don't look at myself as one-dimensional.  I can fight a lot of different ways - I'm very flexible. What type of challenge does Terence pose to you? YURIORKIS GAMBOA:  It's part of the sport.  Obviously you are going to fight guys that can switch up on you.  Some can master either the southpaw or orthodox stance, but it's something you have to deal with.  You have to prepare to face that challenge. When was the last time you went to fight in someone's back yard - or as the B-side of the promotion? YURIORKIS GAMBOA:  In Kazakhstan is the last time I can remember, in 2006. Do you plan to attack Gamboa, since he has been off for a while and he may have a suspect chin? TERENCE CRAWFORD:  I never go into the ring thinking that's the way he is going to be - I just go in to fight my fight.  I don't go in there looking for the knockout.  If it comes it comes and if it doesn't it doesn't. Who made the decision to take this fight against Crawford? YURIORKIS GAMBOA:  I think it is well known that the dialogue and conversation between my team and Top Rank was a fight with Mikey Garcia, but that was not going to happen - there are some legalities between them that wouldn't let the fight take place, and that's when Top Rank suggested we make this fight happen and we decided that was a good option as well. Terence, what do you think you will bring to the table that will give Gamboa problems?  He mentioned that he has been fighting guys like you since his young amateur days in Cuba... TERENCE CRAWFORD:  We are going to have to wait until Saturday.  The guys he has fought, I am pretty sure don't have the same style as me.  He may have fought guys with similar styles but no one has the same exact style as me.  So we will have to see on Saturday. What one thing that you will bring to the table will get you the victory? TERENCE CRAWFORD:  Just me being myself.  Me going in there and fighting my fight. YURIORKIS GAMBOA:  I would say that my boxing IQ I think is very high - that is one thing that a lot of people underestimate in me.  My boxing abilities give me an advantage in a lot of fights that I go into.  My speed and my reflexes - a combination of a lot of those things I think will lead me to a victory on Saturday. TERENCE CRAWFORD:  I say good luck to Gamboa.  I know we are going to be ready and he'll be ready and to all of the fans out there support Gamboa and me and buy tickets to the fight, support the fight and thanks for having me. CARL MORETTI:  Obviously this is a hot event here in Omaha and we have opened up the remaining seats in the upper level to accommodate the demand.   Fans are welcome to watch the live-stream of Thursday's final press conference atwww.toprank.tv [3 p.m. ET / Noon PT] and attend Friday's Official Weigh-In, which will take place at the CenturyLink Center Omaha, beginning at 3:00 p.m. local time.  We are looking forward to it. ********************             Promoted by Top Rank®, in association with SMS Promotions, PS4 andTecate, remaining tickets to Crawford vs. Gamboa, priced at $27, $52 and $102, can be purchased at the CenturyLink Center Omaha box office and all Ticketmaster outlets. To charge-by-phone call 800-745-3000.  To order online, visitTicketmaster.com.              For fight updates go to www.toprank.com, or www.hbo.com/boxing, on Facebook at facebook.com/trboxing, facebook.com/trboxeo, orfacebook.com/hboboxing, and on Twitter at twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo, or twitter.com/hboboxing.  Use the Hashtag #CrawfordGamboa to join the conversation on Twitter.

Gamboa fighting Crawford to be Recognized once again as One of top boxers in world

Saturday's HBO main event in Omaha, Nebraska

MIAMI (June 23, 2014) - Undefeated multiple-time world champion Yuriorkis "The Cyclone of Guantanamo" Gamboa (23-0, 16 KOs) firmly believes he is one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world and he plans to back that up this Saturday night against World Boxing Organization (WBO) lightweight champion Terence Crawford (23-0, 16 KOs). Promoted by Top Rank, in association with 50 Cent's SMS Promotions, PS4 and Tecate, Crawford vs. Gamboa will be the 12-round main event, airing live on HBO Boxing After Dark, starting at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT, from Century Link Center in Omaha, Nebraska. A four-time Cuban National amateur champion, Gamboa clearly has a decisive advantage over Crawford in terms of overall experience and quality of opposition fought. He had more than 250 amateur matches, highlighted by gold medal performances at the 2004 Olympics, 2006 World Cup and 2003 Pan-American Games. After defecting in in 2006, the now Miami-based boxer-puncher has twice captured World featherweight titles, in addition to three Interim World championships in three different weight classes, from featherweight through lightweight. The 32-year-old possessor of rare speed and power doesn't listen to his critics. "I really don't have anything to prove to anybody but myself," he explained. "My goal has always been to be recognized as one of the best fighters in the world. I don't have to prove anything and only need to make accomplishments for me and my family." While Gamboa has defeated three world champions and seven world title challengers in his last 10 fights, the gifted Crawford is relatively inexperienced in major fights with the exception of his last, in which he traveled this past March to Scotland and took the WBO 135-pound division title home to America, winning a 12-round unanimous decision over local favorite and defending champion Ricky Burns (26-2-1). Gamboa is unfazed fighting in Crawford's hometown, or by his skeptics, and he's looking forward to showcasing his immense talent on HBO again. "I can't speak for him but I'm going into this fight with the same approach," Gamboa said. "I think it's going to be more of a thinking game than physical. I need to spot his weaknesses and exploit them. Whether I stop or him, or it lasts 12 rounds, I expect my hand to be raised as the winner." HBO Boxing: Yuriorkis Gamboa Greatest Hits Reserved tickets to Crawford vs. Gamboa are on sale starting at just $27.00, with remaining tiers priced at $52.00 and $102.00. Tickets are available to purchase at the CenturyLink Center Omaha box office and all Ticketmaster outlets, call 800-745-3000 to charge-by-hone, or order online at www.TicketMaster.com. Follow Gamboa on Twitter @Gamboa. -Photo by Shareif Ziyadat -

Billy 'The Kid' Dib returns to Foxwoods as Junior lightweight For 50 Cent's Birthday Bash

Mark Davis vs. Michael Farenas headlines ESPN FNF Special Edition Wed., July 2

MASHANTUCKET, Conn. (June 19, 2014) - Former IBF featherweight champion Billy "The Kid" Dib (36-3, 21 KOs) returns Wednesday, July 2 to the scene of arguably the most disappointing night of his professional career for a 10-round co-feature bout against  former WBA featherweight title challenger Alberto "Kichis" Garza (26-7-1, 21 KOs).  Dib's promoter, 50 Cent's SMS Promotions, will present a special edition of ESPN Friday Night Fights at Grand Theater in Fox Tower at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut. In 2013, Dib lost his International Boxing Federation (IBF) featherweight title belt at Foxwoods by way of a 12-round split decision (114-112, 112-114, 112-114) to undefeated Evgeny Gradovich.  Dib also lost a rematch to Gradovich last November and the Australian has moved up one weight class to junior lightweight for his fight with Garza. "I'm grateful for fighting again at a beautiful venue like Foxwoods," Dib said.  "I have no demons (fighting there).  I am blessed for what I already achieved and hungry to achieve more.  I am also grateful for the opportunity ESPN and my promoter have given me.  50 creates opportunities.  I have had all four of my fights shown on U.S. television and also shown live in my home country, Australia.  50 is a really smart guy that surrounds himself with really good people that help run his business.  Some really fine examples of that is Monique Mayers, Angel Martinez and Sean Gibbons who make sure I'm always looked after.  I am very grateful to them and the whole SMS team." Moving up in weight at the age of 28 is typical for fighters.  "I have been making featherweight for the past 10 years and felt that I was losing some power due to slight struggles making weight," Dib explained.  "I feel stronger now and I am excited about attempting to win another world time in different division.  That's definitely my goal.  I have done it before and know what it takes.  I can't put a time frame on it. I will be patient and work hard to achieve another world title, God willing." Garza is a 28-year-old Mexican boxer who lost his only world title shot to World Boxing Association (WBA) featherweight champion Nicholas Walters by fourth-round technical knockout in 2013.  Garza has held the World Boxing Council (WBC) and Silver Continental Americas titles, as well as the IBF Latino championship during his 11-year pro career. "I know Garza has the Mexican heart that you can never underestimate," Dib added.  "He is very experienced, fought and won titles, and is dangerous.  But I will be ready!" In the 12-round main event, undefeated 50 Cent-promoted junior lightweight Mark "Too Sharp" Davis (18-0, 5 KOs), fighting out of Cleveland, faces Filipino knockout specialist Michael "Hammer Fist" Farenas (38-4-4, 30 KOs) in an IBF (IBF) title eliminator.  The winner will become the mandatory challenger for the winner of the July 10 title match between IBF junior lightweight champion Argenis Mendez and challenger Rances Barthelemy. Undefeated SMS Promotions lightweight prospect Ryan "Blue Chip" Martin (6-0, 3 KOs), fighting out of Cleveland, takes on Albuquerque's Matthew "Champ" Baca (4-1-1, 2 KOs) in the four-round ESPN opener. Former S. Connecticut State University football player and current Connecticut State junior middleweight champion, New Haven's unbeaten Jimmy Williams (6-0, 3 KOs), faces Bronx veteran Stephen Owusu (8-6, 4 KOs) in a six-round fight of local interest.  Undefeated WIBA International super bantamweight champion Shelly "Shelito's Way" Vincent (11-0, 1 KO), of Providence, and former IWBF bantamweight titlist Nadia "Da Phenomenal" Feliciano (7-5-3, 0 KOs), fighting out of the Bronx, square off a six-round, non-title bout. Also scheduled to fight on the undercard is undefeated Nick DeLomba (3-0), of Cranston, RI versus New Haven (CT) welterweight Edwin Soto (9-1-2, 4 KOs) in a four-round match. All fights and fighters are subject to change. Tickets are priced at $100.00, $75.00 and $45.00 and are on sale online atwww.foxwoods.com, calling Foxwoods' box office at (800) 200-2882, or in person at Foxwoods' box office.  Tickets will also be available to purchase through any Ticketmaster outlet and online at www.ticketmaster.com.    Doors at Grand Theater in Fox Tower will open at 6 p.m. ET.  The first bout will start at 7 p.m. ET with ESPN FNF between 9-11 p.m. ET. Doors to the after party will open at 10:00 p.m. ET. Tickets may also be purchased online atwww.foxwoods.com, calling Foxwoods' box office at (800) 200-2882, or in person at Foxwoods' box office. --Pictures by Shareif Ziyadat-