Showing posts with label Sharif Bogere. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sharif Bogere. Show all posts

Thursday, October 30, 2014

COMPLETE CARD ANNOUNCED FOR OCTOBER 30 GOLDEN BOY LIVE! EVENT FEATURING TOP EAST COAST PROSPECTS

   





Danny O'Connor vs. Andrew Farmer & Sharif Bogere vs. Fernando Garcia
To Headline Action-Packed FOX Sports 1 & FOX Deportes Fight Card
on The Eve of Halloween

Tickets Still Available At Just $45!

PLYMOUTH, MASS. (October 29, 2014) - The greater Boston area is in for a Halloween Eve treat as Golden Boy Live! prepares to take Plymouth Memorial Hall by storm on Thursday, October 30 with the "Monster Brawl" brought to fight fans by Golden Boy Promotions and Murphys Boxing.FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes will feature three competitive bouts in the televised portion of the evening.

In the main event, former U.S. Olympic Team alternate Danny "Bhoy" O'Connor will square off against the rugged Andrew Farmer in a 10-round welterweight bout. In the 10-round lightweight co-feature, Sharif "The Lion" Bogere will enter the ring to fight the experienced Fernando Garcia. The televised opener will showcase Irish standout Jason Quigley in a four-round middleweight bout against Thomas Gifford.

While several of the exciting East Coast-based fighters have been announced, the full card slated to appear on October 30 has been set.

In the swing bout, hometown prospect Mark "The Italian Bazooka" DeLuca (11-0, 8 KOs) will have his work cut out for him as he faces St. Louis' ring savvy Ryan Davis (24-14-3, 9 KOs) in a six-round middleweight bout.

Looking to recover from a majority decision loss in July, Hyannis, Massachusetts' Paul Gonzalves (7-4, 4 KOs) eagerly awaits his return to the venue where his professional career began at Plymouth Memorial Hall. On October 30 he will face Sergio Cabrera (0-3) of Somerville, Mass. in a four-round super middleweight showdown between Massachusetts natives.

In a four-round contest, Dorchester favorite Michael McLaughlin (8-1-1, 4 KOs) will enter the ring seeking his seventh consecutive victory as he competes in a welterweight bout with Gardner, Massachusetts' Wayne Harnois (0-1).

Brockton, Massachusetts' undefeated heavyweight Julian Pollard (3-0, 3 KOs) will attempt to keep his winning streak alive when he makes his inaugural trip to Plymouth Memorial Hall. Pollard will face Kansas City, Missouri's John Orr (1-3) in a four-round bout.

D'Mitrius Ballard (6-0, 5 KOs) of our nation's capital Washington, D.C. will be putting his perfect record on the line when he laces up the gloves for his six-round light heavyweight contest against an opponent to be named.

In the opening bout, Lamont Roach Jr. of Washington, D.C. (3-0, 1 KO) will also be defending an undefeated record as he enters the ring for a four-round lightweight bout against Mayaguez, Puerto Rico's Jose Sanchez (0-1).

# # #

"Monster Brawl: O'Connor vs. Farmer," a 10-round welterweight bout, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions, Murphys Boxing and Back East Promotions and sponsored by Corona Extra, O'Reilly Auto Parts, Mexico - Live It To Believe It!, Brennan's Smoke Shop and Par 4 Technology Group. Plymouth Memorial Hall doors open at 6:00 p.m. ET and the first fight starts at 7:00 p.m. ET.  The FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes broadcast airs live at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.

Tickets priced at $100 (Ringside - Reserved seating), $80 (Floor seating - Reserved), $65 (Mezzanine - General admission) and $45 (Balcony - General admission) are available for purchase now at any of the six Brennan's Smoke Shop locations which can found athttp://www.brennanssmokeshopma.com/location.html or by visiting www.murphysboxing.com.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.murphysboxing.com, follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/murphysboxing, www.twitter.com/DOC_Boxing and  www.twitter.com/HOBBoston, www.twitter.com/dropkickmurphys, www.twitter.com/kendkm, follow the conversation using #GoldenBoyLive, become a fan on Facebook at Golden Boy Facebook Page. Also, visit us on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing. For more information on FOX Sports 1 visit FOXSports.com and become a follower on @FOXSports1 and @FOXDeportes.

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

STANDOUT IRISH AMATEUR STAR JASON QUIGLEY MAKES NEW ENGLAND PROFESSIONAL DEBUT THURSDAY, OCT. 30 LIVE ON FOX SPORTS 1 & FOX DEPORTES FROM PLYMOUTH MEMORIAL HALL IN PLYMOUTH, MASS.

  


 


PLYMOUTH, MASS. (Oct. 8 - 2014) - Ballybofey, Co. Donegal's Ireland's Jason Quigley will continue his professional career with a featured appearance on "Monster Brawl", a co-promotion between Golden Boy Promotions and Ken Casey of the Dropkick Murphys, the third such collaboration in the greater Boston area. Thursday, Oct. 30 at Plymouth Memorial Hall in Plymouth, Mass., Quigley will open the televised portion of the FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes broadcast.

 
Despite his two-fight professional resume, Quigley (2-0, 2 KOs) is becoming known as a fighter to watch. The first Irish fighter to win a silver medal at the World Amateur Championships last year, Quigley was recently signed by Oscar De La Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions and has moved his training operations to Los Angeles to take advantage of the outstanding sparring and world-class trainers in Southern California.

 
Quigley looks forward to fighting an opponent to be named in front of the greater Boston area's prominent Irish population. Golden Boy Promotions is excited to return to the greater Boston area after having made their mark on New England with their first two co-promotions at the House of Blues, which featured Jamie Kavanagh and the professional debut of John Joe Nevin.

 
Plymouth Memorial Hall, according to Casey, could easily have been designed for boxing. Featuring two sets of raised seating, there is not a bad seat in the house, and even the general admission seating overlooks the ring. Parking is easy, and downtown Plymouth near the waterfront boasts over 40 restaurants and pubs, making it one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Boston's metropolitan area.

 
The main event on Oct. 30 will be a 10-round welterweight bout pitting former U.S. Olympic Team member Danny O'Connor of Framingham (23-2, 7 KOs) against the tough and determined Andrew Farmer (18-2, 7 KOs). O'Connor is returning after a one-year absence due to an elbow injury, and is looking forward to fighting in front of his enthusiastic hometown fans. In the co-main event, lightweight contender Sharif Bogere (25-1, 17 KOs) will face an opponent to be determined in a 10-round bout.

 
In a six-round welterweight contest, Dorchester favorite Michael Owen McLaughlin (8-1-1, 4 KOs), also of Co. Donegal, will step up and face New England Welterweight Champion Derek Silveira (10-1, 4 KOs) of Salem, Mass. who gave O'Connor all he could handle last year, losing a split decision at the Boston Garden.

 
Brockton, Massachusetts' undefeated heavyweight Julian Pollard (3-0, 3 KOs) will face Kansas City, Missouri's John Orr (1-3) in a four-round bout.

 
A pair of young, hungry fighters from the greater Washington, DC area will be featured against opponents to be determined. Lamont Roach of Marlboro, Md. (3-0, 1 KO) will enter the ring for a four-round bout, followed by D'Mitrius Ballard (6-0, 5 KOs) of our nation's capital in a six-round light heavyweight bout.

 
Hyannis, Massachusetts' Paul Gonzalves (7-4, 4 KOs) will open up the card when he faces Sergio Cabrera (0-3) of Somerville, Mass. in a six-round super middleweight showdown.
Also on the card will be popular middleweight prospect Mark "The Italian Bazooka" DeLuca (10-0, 7 KOs), who will be stepping up his competition as he faces St. Louis' Ryan Davis (24-14-3, 9 KOs) in a six-round middleweight bout.

 
"Monster Brawl: O'Connor vs. Farmer," a 10-round welterweight bout, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions, Murphys Boxing and Back East Promotions and sponsored by Corona Extra, O'Reilly Auto Parts, Mexico - Live It To Believe It! and Brennan's Smoke Shop. Plymouth Memorial Hall doors open at 6:00 p.m. ET and the first fight starts at 7:00 p.m. ET.  The FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes broadcast airs live at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT.

 
Tickets priced at $100 (Rindside - Reserved seating), $80 (Floor seating - Reserved), $65 (Mezzanine - General admission) and $45 (Balcony - General admission) are available for purchase now at any of the six Brennan's Smoke Shop locations which can found at http://www.brennanssmokeshopma.com/location.html or by visiting www.murphysboxing.com.

 
For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.murphysboxing.com, follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/murphysboxing,www.twitter.com/DOC_Boxing and  www.twitter.com/HOBBoston, www.twitter.com/dropkickmurphys,www.twitter.com/kendkm, follow the conversation using #GoldenBoyLive, become a fan on Facebook at Golden Boy Facebook Page. Also, visit us on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing. For more information on FOX Sports 1 visit FOXSports.com and become a follower on @FOXSports1 and @FOXDeportes.

Friday, September 26, 2014

GOLDEN BOY LIVE! RETURNS TO THE BOSTON AREA WITH SPECIAL "MONSTER BRAWL" HALLOWEEN FIGHT NIGHT FEATURING DANNY O'CONNOR VS. ANDREW FARMER IN THE MAIN EVENT

  


 

THURSDAY, OCT. 30 AT PLYMOUTH MEMORIAL HALL IN PLYMOUTH, MASS. LIVE ON FOX SPORTS 1 AND FOX DEPORTES

LOS ANGELES (Sept. 26, 2014) - Framingham, Massachusetts' Danny "Bhoy" O'Connor and Virginia's Andrew Farmer will battle it out in the special "Monster Brawl" on Thursday, Oct. 30. The FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes' Golden Boy Live! series will be held at Plymouth, Massachusetts' Plymouth Memorial Hall, headlining another stellar night of world-class boxing action. The bout, which was originally scheduled for St. Patrick's Day, but was postponed due to an injury sustained by O'Connor, is a Halloween treat for Boston area boxing fans.

In the co-main event, lightweight contender Sharif "The Lion" Bogere travels to the East Coast from Las Vegas to face Binan City, Laguna, Philippines' Aaron Melgarejo in a 10-round matchup. In the four-round televised opener, Dublin middleweight standout Jason Quigleymakes his Boston area debut against Miami's Serge Cadeus. Also televised will be local sensation Mark "The Italian Bazooka" DeLuca as he competes in a six-round middleweight swing bout on Oct. 30 against an opponent to be determined.

As a special tie-in with the "Monster Brawl" theme, there will be a costume contest held for those dawning the evening's best Halloween costumes. Cash and other prizes will be awarded to the best-dressed fans.

"The greater Boston area is proving to be one of our favorite stops as we bring Golden Boy Live!around the country and the fans here are loud, energetic, and diehard - everything we want to see and hear when we come to town," said Oscar De La Hoya, president and founder of Golden Boy Promotions. "O'Connor vs. Farmer was a main event everyone wanted to see when it was first scheduled in March and we made every effort to make sure the fans get what they want. This will be a good one."

"We are very excited to be bringing boxing back to Plymouth and especially to Plymouth Memorial Hall, which is one of the best venues in all of boxing. We have a great card, with Boston's most popular fighter, Danny O'Connor in the main event. Danny rejuvenated local boxing and he's back and poised to make a world championship run," said promoter Ken Casey, who when not busy with his main job as the signer for the Dropkick Murphys has become a driving force in Boston area boxing promotions.
"After being out of the ring for a year, I'm so looking forward to getting back in there," said Danny O'Connor. "I'm excited that it's close to home and I'll have a chance to again fight in front of my home fans that have faithfully supported me since day one. I'm not losing at home - no way."
"Danny O'Connor is a fighter who will have the whole place behind him on Oct. 30, but when the bell rings, it's only me and him in there," said Farmer. "I'm looking forward to quieting the crowd and getting the victory I should have had in March."

Crowd favorite Danny O'Connor (23-2, 7 KOs) makes his return to the ring in the 10-round main event against Andrew Farmer. The former amateur National Champion and U.S. Olympian looks to continue his march toward a title shot. In order to do this O'Connor must first get by the tough and capable Farmer. Framingham native O'Connor has been out of the ring since October 2013, and his return to the ring expects to be a rousing homecoming. "Clan O'Connor," Danny's passionate fan base, is expected to come in droves, armed with their trusty drums and fervent chants.

Front Royal, Virginia's Andrew Farmer (18-2, 7 KOs) has no problem traveling into O'Connor's backyard to fight. After winning 14 of his last 15 bouts, including five straight, the 28-year-old has the confidence that when the bell sounds, he's got the goods to upset the hometown favorite.

A native of Uganda now fighting out of Las Vegas, 25-year-old Sharif Bogere (25-1, 17 KOs) has bounced back nicely from the lone loss of his career in a 2013 title bout against Richar Abril, stopping Arturo Urena and Miguel Zamudio in 2014. Now looking to get back into the championship race, "The Lion" will fight on the East Coast for the first time in his career this Oct.

Philippine native Aaron Melgarejo (17-7-1, 6 KOs), a winner of four of his last five bouts, will be returning to the ring after a five-year hiatus. Melgarejo's matchup with Bogere will mark the first time that Melgarejo has fought since Oct. 2009. The veteran will look to remove any ring rust and take command early on Oct. 30.

Whitman, Massachusetts' hometown favorite and former U.S. Marine combat veteran Mark DeLuca (11-0, 8 KOs) will look to continue his impressive undefeated streak with a twelfth consecutive professional victory. There's little doubt who the fan favorite will be on Oct. 30 as DeLuca returns to the ring just over one month after another impressive knockout in mid-September.

Former Irish amateur star Jason Quigley (2-0, 2 KOs) should also have plenty of support from the local crowd as he seeks his third professional win. Already drawing rave reviews for his knockouts of Howard Reece and Fernando Najera, the 23-year-old is eager to keep the positive notices going this fall.

Brooklyn's Serge Cadeus (1-0), fighting by way of Miami, Fla., will be vying for his second professional victory after his unanimous decision win in August over Yoeglys Duverger.

"Monster Brawl: O'Connor vs. Farmer," a 10-round welterweight bout, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions, Murphys Boxing and Back East Promotions and sponsored by Corona Extra, O'Reilly Auto Parts, Mexico - Live It To Believe It! and Brennan's Smoke Shop. Plymouth Memorial Hall doors open at 6:00 p.m. ET and the first fight starts at 7:00 p.m. ET.  The FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes broadcast airs live at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT.

 
Tickets priced at $100 (Rindside - Reserved seating), $80 (Floor seating - Reserved), $65 (Mezzanine - General admission) and $45 (Balcony - General admission) are available for purchase now at any of the six Brennan's Smoke Shop locations which can found at http://www.brennanssmokeshopma.com/location.html or by visiting www.murphysboxing.com.

 
For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.murphysboxing.com, follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/murphysboxing,www.twitter.com/DOC_Boxing and  www.twitter.com/HOBBoston, www.twitter.com/dropkickmurphys,www.twitter.com/kendkm, follow the conversation using #GoldenBoyLive, become a fan on Facebook at Golden Boy Facebook Page. Also, visit us on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing. For more information on FOX Sports 1 visit FOXSports.com and become a follower on @FOXSports1 and @FOXDeportes.

Thursday, April 24, 2014

FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES FOR SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING TRIPLEHEADER SATURDAY AT STUBHUB CENTER IN CARSON, CALIF.

 




Keith Thurman Risks WBA Interim Title and Unblemished Record
Against Ex-Champ Julio Diaz; Lucas Matthysse Meets John Molina,
WBC Lightweight Champion Omar Figueroa Defends Against Jerry Belmontes

Telecast Starts Live on SHOWTIME at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT
 Following Episode 2 Premiere of ALL ACCESS: Mayweather vs. Maidana

SHO EXTREME Fights Start at 7 p.m. ET/PT;
 First Live Bout is 1 p.m. PT; Tickets Still Available!

Click HERE To Download Photos
Photo Credit: Esther Lin/SHOWTIME

LOS ANGELES (April 24, 2014) - With Oscar De La Hoya presiding over the festivities, Golden Boy Promotions hosted the final press conference for their exciting, stacked fight card this Saturday,April 26 headlining Keith Thurman vs. Julio Diaz at the StubHub Center in Carson, Calif., live onSHOWTIME® (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT, following the premiere of ALL ACCESS: Mayweather vs. Maidana Episode 2) and SHO EXTREME® (7 p.m. ET/PT)

"It's great to be back,'' said De La Hoya, President of GBP, at the outset. "Great to be back.

"Saturday will be a treat for the fans. This is the real deal here. These are real fighters in real fights and you're going to get some big-time action on Saturday night. There are still some tickets left, but they are going fast. We are expecting a great crowd at StubHub. I'm really looking forward to it. We have terrific fights from top to bottom.

"It's really exciting for me to be here at StubHub Center. Thank you to Golden Boy for believing in me. This is a testament that we can do it. Get yourself off the canvas, get back up and fight harder. That's the way you should go."

The 12-round main event Saturday on SHOWTIME will pit unbeaten,power-punching WBA Interim Welterweight Championship Keith "One Time" Thurman (22-0, 20 KOs), of Clearwater, Fla., against former world champion Julio "The Kidd" Diaz (40-9-1, 29 KOs), of Coachella, Calif.

In the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING co-main event, hard-hitting former interim 140-pound world champion Lucas "The Machine" Matthysse (34-3, 32 KOs), of Trelew, Chubut, Arg., will be opposed by offensive-minded John Molina (27-3, 22 KOs), of Covina, Calif., in a scheduled 10-rounder that could wind up as a Fight of the Year candidate. Opening the telecast will be an All-Texas WBC lightweight world title fight between undefeated defending champion Omar "Panterita" Figueroa (22-0-1, 17 KOs), of Weslaco, and a nemesis from his amateur days, Jerry "The Corpus Christi Kid" Belmontes (19-3, 5 KOs), of Corpus Christi.

Promising unbeaten junior welterweight Antonio "Relentless" Orozco (15-0,  9 KOs) of San Diego, Calif., takes on Mexico City's Martin "El Brochas" Honorio (32-8-1, 16 KOs) in the main event on SHO EXTREME.  Other SHO Extreme scraps will include talented Jermall Charlo (17-0, 13 KOs) against Albuquerque's Hector Munoz (22-12-1, 14 KOs) in a 10-round junior middleweight clash and, time-permitting, 2012 Brazilian Olympian Yamaguchi Falcao (0-0-1), of Sao Paulo, against Carlos Badaldua (pro debut), of Tijuana, Mexico, in a 4/6-round middleweight fight.

Tickets priced at $150, $75, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes, fees and services charges, are on sale and available online at AXS.com, by phone at 888-9-AXS-TIX (888-929-7849) and at StubHub Center Box Office (Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. PT to 6 p.m. PT).  VIP Suites are available by calling 877-604-8777.  For more information on group discounts or VIP packages, please call 877-234-8425.
What the boxers and executives said Thursday:


KEITH THURMAN, WBA Interim Welterweight World Champion

"This fight right here for me is a dream come true. This is what I've been doing since I was seven. It's where I want to be, the headliner in a SHOWTIME event.  

"Julio has been giving some stiff competition. They call him 'The Kidd' because he keeps performing despite his age. He is coming to win, to find those holes and show us young fighters what he knows. I look forward to an excellent fight.

"My motto is KOs for life. I'm going to do it again. To me the judges have the best seat in the house. This is a terrific card. Heavy hitters across the board. Just come and enjoy the show.

"I'm grateful, I have been looking forward to Saturday for a long time. This camp was the longest camp I've had -10 weeks. I was getting prepared for anybody, I was preparing for the world. I'm ready to rumble. 'One Time'!''

JULIO DIAZ, Former World Champion

 "Everyone always says thank you Golden Boy, but I really mean it. I've been through everything. This is the best treatment I've ever had as a fighter, despite coming from a couple of losses; I'm still headlining an event. I appreciate the opportunity.

"This is a tough opportunity, a dangerous opportunity. I'm facing a dangerous, tough fighter, but he's not unbeatable. I take my job seriously. It's going to be a tough fight but I guarantee you it'll be an exciting fight.''

LUCAS MATTYHSSE, Former Interim World Champion

"I'm very happy to be here. I want to thank Golden Boy, my promoter, and everyone involved for this fight. I just want to say I am ready to go and glad to be back.

"I know what Molina brings to the table. This will be a great fight. Get ready for an explosion, an exciting fight on Saturday.''


JOHN MOLINA, Junior Welterweight Contender

"The judges may not be needed. This is going to be a war. Bombs away.

"Matthysse is a feared fighter. With his power, he's shown he can explode at any time. People tell me I should fight him like Danny Garcia did, but I'm not Danny Garcia.

"I'm going to bring my A-Game, he's going to bring his A-Game. There isn't going to be a whole lot of running, just setting down in front of each other and exchanging. Matthysse gives a lot when he hits, and he takes a lot when he gets hit.

"I'm a slow starter, but he's a notoriously slow starter, too. I definitely plan to go in and gain some respect right off the bat. But when the eggs start to roll, that's when the real action kicks in.

"Two days out, I feel a combination of things. I'm excited. I'm thankful for this opportunity on such a great stage. I'm confident I can capitalize on all the advantages I possess. I feel my power is better at 140 pounds. There is going to be a great crowd on Saturday. I'm ready.''


OMAR "PANTERITA' FIGUEROA, WBC Lightweight Champion

"We are here now, and we are ready. I don't care about winning or losing. I'm going to go out there and put on a great show and try to punch my opponent as much as possible, which is the best feeling in the world.

"It's going to be a good fight. We've seen each other a few times in the amateur tournaments and we say hi. In the ring it's a different story.

"It's an honor to fight in the same card as Matthysse, I look up to him. He's a power hitter like I am. I know all these guys are going to put on a good show. We'll see you there.''

JERRY BELMONTES, Lightweight Contender

"I'd like to thank everybody involved for making this fight. It's going to be a terrific fight, a styles fight. He's the brawler, I'm the boxer. We're both from Texas, so this is a big fight our state.

"We're good friends. I watched Omar grow up. I hope he doesn't take it personal when I take the title belt away from him on Saturday.''


ANTONIO OROZCO, Unbeaten, Hard-Hitting Junior Welterweight

"I want to thank Golden Boy, my manager, Frank Espinoza, everybody for this opportunity on Saturday. I'm ready for a great fight. I'm ready to put on a show.''


YAMAGUCHI FALCAO, 2012 Olympic Games Bronze Medalist From Brazil

"Today is a special day. It's a day when I finally can start thinking about my pro career. I spoke with my father and he told me that one day I would become a world champion. I won a bronze medal for Brazil in the 2012 Olympics. That fulfilled a dream of mine.

"Saturday begins another dream come true for me. I take my first step in becoming a world champion. Standing up here with all these great champions is so great. I hope to fight the very best in my career. I'm going to make it big in boxing, and it all starts this Saturday.''


JARMALL CHARLO, Undefeated, World-Ranked Junior Middleweight

"I'm excited to be part of such an explosive card. To look at these guys around me - Matthysse, Thurman-is an honor.

"I want to thank my team for helping me bounce back and regaining my focus. My opponent took this fight on short notice, but you have to be in great shape all the time. I know I can fight on short notice because I stay in great shape.''


HECTOR MUNOZ, Veteran Junior Middleweight

"I'm looking forward to going in and putting a lot of pressure on him. Thanks to everybody for getting me this fight.''


JOSEPH DIAZ, Promising, Unbeaten Super Bantamweight

"Thanks to Golden Boy and their staff for putting me on this great card. I'm fighting a guy with a ton of experience. I'm sure he's ready but I had a strong, hard camp and I'm ready to put on a show.

"I hope all the fans tune in. Saturday is going to be great night of boxing.''


CHRIS DEBLASIO, Vice-President of Sports Communications, SHOWTIME Sports
"In the last two years SHOWTIME has become the leader in televised boxing. I think there's no mistake about that. We are televising the biggest events in sports, the most competitive fights and quite literally on the most aggressive schedule you can imagine.

 "Saturday's SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast features three incredible fights with all heavy hitters, knockout fighters that are looking to make a statement in really deep divisions at 147 and 140 pounds. There's lot to be gained and some to be lost from reach fighter, but we know they'll come out strong.''

ANDY FOSTER, Head of California State Athletic Commission
"Welcome back Golden Boy. Golden Boy is the No. 1 stakeholder in California and California does the most boxing in the world. We are pleased to be regulating the fight on Saturday and wish the fighters a safe and successful night."

In non-televised fights on Saturday: Frankie "Pitbull" Gomez (16-0, 12 KOs), East Los Angeles, vs.Orlando Vasquez (12-3-1, 6 KOs), Bayamon, P.R., 10 rounds, welterweights; Joseph "Jo-Jo" Diaz Jr. (9-0, 7 KOs), South El Monte, Calif., vs. Luis Maldonado (38-11-1, 29 KOs), Calexico, Calif., 8 rounds, super bantamweights; Terrell Gausha (8-0, 5 KOs), Cleveland, vs. Charles Whitaker (40-14-2, 24 KOs), Miami, Fla., 8 rounds, super welterweights; and Sharif Bogere (23-1), Las Vegas, vs.Artura Urena (26-16-1, 22 KOs), Mazatlan, Mexico; 8 rounds, lightweights. The first live fight is at 1 p.m. PT.

# # #

ABOUT THURMAN vs. DIAZ, a 12-round fight for Thurman's Interim WBA Welterweight World Championship on Saturday, April 26, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona, AT&T and Casamigos Tequila.  It will take place at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif., and will air as the main event of the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast   (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) and will be available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP).  In the co-feature, Argentine knockout artist Lucas Matthysse faces hard-hitting John Molina in a 10-round junior welterweight bout that is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Goossen Tutor Promotions.  In the opening bout of the telecast, Omar Figueroa Jr. defends his WBC Lightweight title against fellow Texan Jerry Belmontes.  Preliminary fights will air on SHOWTIME EXTREME®.