SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®: GARCIA VS. HERRERA DRAWS STRONG RATINGS, PEAKING AT 1.1 MILLION VIEWERS

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING Telecast Replays in its Entirety Tonight at 10 P.M. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME®

Last Saturday’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast continued the flagship series’ upward ratings trend, with the main event between Unified Super Lightweight World Champion Danny Garcia and Mauricio Herrera generating a peak audience of 1.1 million viewers.  Garcia’s star-power continues to rise with this appearance on SHOWTIME®, with Saturday’s bout attracting nearly 20% more viewers than his last appearance on a SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast (April 27, 2013 against Zab Judah).  The Garcia vs. Herrera bout attracted an average audience of 972,000 viewers.   

The entire three-fight SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast, including the replay of Canelo Alvarez vs. Alfredo Angulo, will re-air tonight at 10 P.M. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME.

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“Garcia vs. Herrera,” a 12-round WBC Super Lightweight World Title took place on Saturday, March 15 at Coliseo Ruben Rodriguez in Puerto Rico and was presented by Golden Boy Promotions, Swift Promotions in association with PR Best Boxing and sponsored by Corona and AT&T. In the co-main event, Deontay Wilder defeated Malik Scott via KO in a bout presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Goossen Tutor Promotions.  The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING^® telecast will replay tonight, March 18 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME.

DANNY GARCIA DEFEATS MAURICIO HERRERA, REMAINS UNIFIED SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION; DEONTAY WILDER DAZZLES WITH FIRST-ROUND KNOCKOUT OVER MALIK SCOTT

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® Telecast Will Replay Sunday, March 16 at 9 a.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME® And Tuesday, March 18 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME® Click HERE To Download Photos Credit: Tom Casino/SHOWTIME BAYAMON, Puerto Rico (March 16, 2014) - Unified Super Lightweight World Champion Danny "Swift" Garcia (28-0, 16 KOs) defeated Mauricio "El Maestro" Herrera(20-4, 7 KOs) via a majority decision to remain undefeated on Saturday night in front of a sold-out crowd at Coliseo Ruben Rodriguez in Bayamon, Puerto Rico onSHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®. Garcia established himself in the first round, landing the bigger punches against Herrera. But it was quickly clear that the challenger wasn't going to let Garcia off easy, peppering the champion with strong shots to his body and head. By the end of round four, Garcia's corner, specifically his father and trainer, Angel Garcia, could be heard telling the champion urgently to step-up his game and take control. Herrera, of Riverside, Calif., pressed on and proved himself as a worthy opponent with both fighters exchanging vicious shots throughout the extremely close match. With the raucous crowd partial to the defending champion, whose father was born and raised in Puerto Rico, Garcia seemed to be carried by the cheers in what turned out to be the toughest fight of his career. At the end of the fight, SHO STATS reported that Garcia had landed 150 power punches compared to Herrera's 82. Herrera landed more overall punches with 221 to Garcia's 204. The final scores were 114-114, 116-112 and, 116-112. After the fight, Garcia spoke with SHOWTIME Sports® ringside reporter Jim Gray, saying, "He is a crafty veteran and I know every time I step in the ring, every fighter wants what I have. So I expect them to bring everything. I had to make adjustments and I had to push the fight. He is a good fighter but I am a true champion. I had to make adjustments and pull it out. I needed to find my comfort zone but once I adjusted and got him on the ropes I knew I was doing good. I had to keep my composure and use my power shots. He came to fight and he did and it was a great fight." When asked if he felt he did enough to win the close decision, Garcia said, "I wanted to knock him out in front of my fans but he was tough. I know nothing is going to be easy from this point on for the rest of my career. I thought I won the fight. The Puerto Rican fans here support me. I love them." Regarding a potential move up in weight, Garcia told Gray, "I think making 140 pounds might have affected my performance a little bit. I need to sit with my camp and see if I should go up to 147 and start a new journey. It's been getting a little hard so maybe I need to think about moving up."   After the fight, Herrera told media that he felt he won. "I thought I was fine-tuned,'' he said. "I came perfectly prepared for this fight. I was trying to push the fight. I came to box but he wasn't making a fight so I am the one that had to make the fight. I was the one putting the pressure on to make the fight. I feel like I won the fight. I thought I finished strong at the end too. I thought I won the fight." In the evening's co-feature, Deontay "Bronx Bomber" Wilder (31-0, 31 KOs) dazzled the crowd with a powerful first round knockout over Malik "King" Scott (36-2-1, 13 KOs). The knockout, which came at 1:36 of the round, was the result of a quick left-right combination that sent Scott crashing to the canvas and unable to answer the 10-count. After the fight, Wilder spoke with Grayabout his performance. "I've got power. I've got natural power. This is something that you can't buy. This is something that you can't enhance and put in your body. This is all natural pure Alabama power. The left hand was right to the temple, to the head, and that is a soft spot. My power is crazy. I go through the gloves. Even though he had his gloves, there is nothing stopping that. Even though it went through his glove it still hurts." When asked if he is ready to take a step up and fight for a heavyweight title despite having not faced the top fighters in the division, Wilder responded, "All the testing is done in the gym. I bust my butt off in the gym to come here and perform for all the people and I make it look easy. I don't care if I don't go past four rounds or solve all the questions that people have about me. I have one mission and it is to unify all the heavyweight belts." After the fight Scott, upset by his performance, said, "I got caught. I don't really remember what happened because I never saw the shot coming. I know he caught me with the left hook. I am so disappointed. I trained really hard. It is just awful.                                                      The entire SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast, including the replay of "TOE TO TOE: Canelo vs. Angulo" will replay Sunday, March 16 at 9 a.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME and Tuesday, March 18 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME. SHOWTIME EXTREME® Results: In a rematch from 2008 Juan Manuel "JuanMa" Lopez (34-3, 31 KOs) defeated Daniel Ponce de Leon (45-6, 35 KOs) via TKO at 2:44 of the second round for the WBO Junior Lightweight International Title. The second round, a round of the year candidate, saw both fighters hit the canvas; Lopez first before storming back in the latter half of the round, sending Ponce de Leon down twice before the referee halted the match. Daniel "Miracle Man" Jacobs (27-1, 24 KOs) defeated Milton Nunez (26-10-1, 24 KOs) via TKO at 2:25 of round 1 in a scheduled 10-round middleweight bout. Tonight's SHOWTIME EXTREME telecast will replay Wednesday, March 19 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME. # # # # "Garcia vs. Herrera," a 12-round WBC Super Lightweight World Title took place on Saturday, March 15 at Coliseo Ruben Rodriguez in Puerto Rico and was presented by Golden Boy Promotions, Swift Promotions in association with PR Best Boxing and sponsored by Corona and AT&T. In the co-main event, Deontay Wilder defeated Malik Scott via KO in a bout presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Goossen Tutor Promotions. The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast will replay Sunday, March 16 at 9 a.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME and Tuesday, March 18 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME. The SHOWTIME EXTREMEtelecast will replay Wednesday, March 19 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME.

DANNY GARCIA, MAURICIO HERRERA, DEONTAY WILDER, MALIK SCOTT, JUAN MANUEL LOPEZ, DANIEL PONCE DE LEON AND DANIEL JACOBS PUERTO RICO MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES & PHOTOS IN ADVANCE OF SATURDAY, MARCH 15BOUTS LIVE ON SHOWTIME®

Click HERE To Download Photos Credit: Tom Casino/SHOWTIME BAYAMON, Puerto Rico (March 13, 2014) - Unified Super Lightweight World Champion Danny "Swift" Garcia, Mauricio "El Maestro" Herrera, WBC Continental Americas Heavyweight Champion Deontay "Bronx Bomber" Wilder, Malik "King" Scott, Juan Manuel "JuanMa" Lopez, Daniel Ponce de Leon and Daniel "Miracle Man" Jacobs spoke to themedia during an open workout  at Amelia Municipal Boxing Gym in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico in advance of their respective  fights this Saturday, March 15 bouts at Cloliseo Ruben Rodriguez in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, which will air LIVE on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING and SHOWTIME EXTREME. Below is what the fighters had to say just two days away from fight nigh: DANNY "SWIFT" GARCIA, Unified Super Lightweight World Champion "I've never really had my own dates it's always been on another guy's date. We're focused, I know he's going to come to fight but we're going to get the job done. "This is a dream come true, I've received a very warm welcome. [On whether or not there is a language barrier] "I understand Spanish, but it took me coming here to get my confidence up and it's bringing me closer with my culture. "I just want to keep the Puerto Rican tradition of champions alive. "I'm going to win this fight for Puerto Rico.  I train hard and had a great camp and I'm going to bring it for Puerto Rico. "I sparred with all undefeated prospects, a bunch of tough kids. They kept me working and getting better. MAURICIO HERRERA, Super Lightweight Contender "We feel great, camp is over and we're 100 percent confident. "I've fought tough guys in the past. Danny is human like me, I have no fear. "I know a lot of people are overlooking me, he's seen me fight but I don't think he really knows who I am. He's getting a little cocky but we're trained for 100 percent of Danny Garcia. "The fight fans have been warm to me, I haven't seen anything bad about me. I think the people just want to see a great fight. "The game plan depends on how Danny comes out, I can be a boxer and I can brawl. Whatever is more comfortable for me. I think I can beat him and that's what I'm going to do." DEONTAY WILDER, WBC Continental Americas Heavyweight Champion "Being in someone else's territory doesn't scare me at all. I want to be the fighter that travels all over the world like Ali and other greats have. "I told someone I'm loving Puerto Rico so much that maybe when I get the belt I can have a title defense here. "You can expect a knockout Saturday. Get your best outfits, have fun and get there early. You already know how it's going to end. "I wouldn't want any guy other than Malik to go up against in this fight. It's a big eliminator match for the WBC belt and what better person to give the opportunity to than my own brother. Whichever one of us wins we're going to support the other. "Come Saturday night we'll put the friendship aside and give the people a great show and you can hear it from me, we're not holding back our punches. "There are so many sides of me that people haven't seen. It will take that right opponent to bring it out of me. Malik has those skills and that ring knowledge to bring it out of me." MALIK SCOTT, Top Heavyweight Contender "In a sense it's weird getting in the ring with a friend. Me and Deontay love each other, but we don't love each other that much to not go out for the heavyweight championship of the world. "My career, my life and the trials and tribulations I've gone through to get here, it's all on the line Saturdaynight. "Deontay is big, 6 foot 7 and he fights every inch of it. I also see a lot of loopholes in his game so I need to take advantage of them. "I plan on taking him into deep water and baptizing him. It's not going to be easy but I have a strategic game plan and I'm going to stick to it." JUAN MANUEL LOPEZ, WBO International Junior Lightweight Champion "I'm so proud fighting here in Puerto Rico, this is mi tierra [my land]. I can't describe it, Puerto Rico is a piece of my heart. "My weight is on the dot for tomorrow and on Saturday I'm going to give my Puerto Rican fans a great fight. "Ponce De Leon is a different fighter now than he was back then when we first met.  He's faster, more experienced and better prepared.  It's going to be a war.  When that bell ring on Saturday, there going to be thunder bolts, so get ready." DANIEL PONCE DE LEON, Former WBC Featherweight World Champion "I'm a different guy than the guy I was when I fought JuanMa and he knows it.  I know  is not going to be easy, but I'm ready and I'm back. "I've trained very hard and coming Saturday night, my fans are going to see a Ponce De Leon that is going to make them proud. " DANIEL JACOBS, Middleweight Contender "It's a privilege for me to be in Puerto Rico. It's my second time here and I really appreciate the land and the people because they appreciate the sport of boxing, all the way down to the grandmothers. "I'm on the road to success from beating cancer, this is my fifth fight now.  I've captured the WBC Intercontinental belt and hopefully this is just another stepping stone to get me to the world championship. ANGEL GARCIA, Danny Garcia's Father and Trainer "Herrera can bark all he wants, but a dog that barks doesn't bite. Dogs that don't bark, will bite, and Danny's not the barker. "The State House honored Danny this morning and voted unanimously on him being a Puerto Rican. It feels good to get the love that he's received. He might be Latin-American, but he has got the blood of me and his mom and people are realizing that. "Slowly but surely, like he became world champion, that's how we're going to earn our fans in Puerto Rico." WILLIE SILVA, Mauricio Herrera's Trainer "Danny is a good fighter, that's why he's a champion. Mauricio is very tough and an overall good fighter. I think Danny picked the wrong guy to face. "There have been some good fighters who couldn't even touch Mauricio. "I think it's going to be a big upset. Mauricio is in incredible condition and he spars 12 rounds like nothing." MARK BRELAND, Deontay Wilder's trainer "Malik and Deontay have a great respect for each other from sparring together in the past. I think it's going to be a great fight it's a matter of who shows up. "We've had a great camp and gotten a lot of great rounds in sparring. I've tried to tire him out as much as I can. "Deontay's strength is in his power punches and how he stays on top of you. His only weakness is the experience, which we're working on. "I love Puerto Rico. My favorite fighter of all time was Wilfredo Benitez.  As a little kid I used to look in the mirror and pretend to be him." "Garcia vs. Herrera," a12-round WBC Super Lightweight World Title on Saturday, March 15, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions, Swift Promotions in association with PR Best Boxing and sponsored by Corona and AT&T. The co-main event, Deontay Wilder vs. Malik Scott, is a 12-round WBC Final Heavyweight eliminator bout presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Goossen Tutor Promotions.  The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast will air live at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and can be heard in Spanish using secondary audio programming (SAP). In the main event on the SHOWTIME EXTREME (7 p.m. ET/PT) (Delayed on the West Coast) portion of the card, former world champions Juan Manuel Lopez and Daniel Ponce de Leon square off in a 10-round rematch for the WBO International Junior Lightweight Title. Tickets priced at $25, $50, $75, $150, $200 and $400 plus applicable taxes and service charges are on sale now at www.tcpr.com and by calling 787-792-5000.

ALL-STAR LINEUP HEADING TO PUERTO RICO ON SATURDAY, MARCH 15 AT COLISEO RUBEN RODRIGUEZ IN BAYAMON LIVE

CONTENDERS DANIEL JACOBS, JOSE GONZALEZ AND ED PAREDES ADDED TO DANNY GARCIA VS. MAURICIO HERRERA CARD LOS ANGELES (March 13, 2014) - As Puerto Rico prepares for a stellar SHOWTIME®doubleheader featuring Danny "Swift" Garcia's unified super lightweight world title defense against Mauricio "El Maestro" Herrera and the heavyweight clash between unbeaten Deontay Wilder and Malik Scott, fans at the Coliseo Ruben Rodriguez in Bayamon can get ready for even more explosive action as the undercard will feature top contenders Daniel "The Golden Child" Jacobs, Jose "Chelo" Gonzalez and Ed "The Lion" Paredes, future stars of Puerto Rican boxing.  Additionally, there's the previously announced SHO EXTREME® headliner pitting former world champions Juan Manuel "Juanma" Lopez and Daniel Ponce de Leon against each other in a rematch for the WBO International Junior Lightweight Title. Also in action will be John Karl Sosa, Prichard Colon and Pedro Vicente. In the 10-round SHO EXTREME co-feature, Jacobs will look to keep the momentum from his knockout win over Giovanni Lorenzo going when he battles Miami's Milton "El Misil" Nunez. After surviving a harrowing battle with cancer that not only threatened his promising career, but his life, Brooklyn's Daniel "The Golden Child" Jacobs (26-1, 23 KOs) turned into boxing's miracle man, returning after more than 19 months away to knock out Josh Luteran in 73 seconds on October 20, 2012. Two more stoppage wins over Chris Fitzpatrick and Keenan Collins followed before the 27-year-old made a statement to the world with his third round technical knockout over former world title challenger Giovanni Lorenzo. On Saturday, Jacobs is back to face Colombia native Milton "El Misil" Nunez (26-9-1, 24 KOs). A 26-year-old power puncher, Nunez' last nine wins have come by way of knockout, all in four rounds or less, so expect fireworks from start to finish in this one. Toa Baja's Jose "Chelo" Gonzalez (22-1, 17 KOs) will be back in the ring for the first time since his gutsy WBO title fight against Ricky Burns last May, facing an opponent to be announced  in an eight-round lightweight bout. Forced to withdraw from the fight after the ninth round against Burns due to injury, the 30-year-old contender, who has scored 12 of his last 13 wins by knockout, is eager to get back to another title fight as soon as possible. In an eight-round welterweight bout, Hollywood, Florida's Ed "The Lion" Paredes (34-3-1, 22 KOs) will continue his quest for a world title opportunity when he meets the Dominican Republic's Yoryi Estrella (10-9-2, 7 KOs). Currently ranked sixth in the world by the WBC, and ninth by the WBA and IBF, the 28-year-old Paredes will bring a 14-fight winning streak into the ring with him  against the hard-hitting and upset-minded Estrella. Fans in Bayamon will witness an all-Puerto Rican clash in the junior welterweight division on Saturdaywhen 21-year-old Caguas phenomenon John Karl Sosa (8-0, 6 KOs) attempts to keep his perfect record intact in a four-round matchup against Toa Baja's Antonio Sanchez (5-2-2, 3 KOs), who is coming off back-to-back bouts against unbeatens Jamel Herring and Ivan Redkach. Plus, 2012 Puerto Rican Olympic team member Prichard "Digget" Colon (7-0, 7 KOs) of Orocovis risks his unbeaten slate in a six-round super welterweight bout against an opponent to be determined. In  the four-round featherweight opener, Mayaguez' Pedro Vicente (4-0, 1 KO), who prepared for this fight in the Danny Garcia gym in Philadelphia, faces Bayamon's own Karl Garcia (3-2, 1 KO). "Garcia vs. Herrera," a 12-round WBC Super Lightweight World Title on Saturday, March 15, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions, Swift Promotions in association with PR Best Boxing and sponsored by Corona and AT&T. The co-main event, Deontay Wilder vs. Malik Scott, is a 12-round WBC Final Heavyweight eliminator bout presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Goossen Tutor Promotions.  The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast will air live at9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and can be heard in Spanish using secondary audio programming (SAP). In the main event on the SHO EXTREME 7 p.m. ET/PT, (Delayed on the West Coast) portion of the card, former world champions Juan Manuel Lopez and Daniel Ponce de Leon square off in a 10-round rematch for the WBO International Junior Lightweight Title. Tickets priced at $25, $50, $75, $150, $200 and $400 plus applicable taxes and service charges are on sale now at www.tcpr.com and by calling 787-792-5000.

Gary Shaw Productions, Universal Promotions and DiBella Entertainment "Night of Champions" Results

September 1, 2012 - Yesterday the "Night of Champions" card at the Guillermo Angulo Coliseum in Carolina, PR took place.  In the main event coveted welterweight fighter Thomas Dulorme (16-0, 12 KOs), completely dominated Yoryi Estrella (10-8, 7 KOs) in a bout that was scheduled for 10 rounds.  An aggressive Estrella tried to keep up in the fight, but Dulorme's quickness and constant combinations caused Estrella to be outshined all the way across the fight.  All three judges scored the fight 100-90.

"My opponent came into the fight overweight, but we went after the victory without caring how many pounds he had over the limit.   It's no excuse as I accepted the fight because I will fight anybody being that  I am a warrior", said Dulorme.

In the co-feature bout, Jose "Sniper" Pedraza (10-0, 6 KO) defeated Jose Valderrama (4-2, 2 KOs) by unanimous decision.  Pedraza gave a boxing clinic, going from conventional to southpaw on various occasions.  In the sixth round, Valderrama hit the canvas after a pinpoint left hook from Pedraza landed flush on his chin.  All judges scored the fight 80-71.

"Valderrama demonstrated that he was ready," said a joyous Pedraza.  "I said since the beginning that Arecibo sends well prepared fighters.  Even though he had few fights, the Boxing Commission approved the fight for a reason, and it was a good fight for the fans."

Dulorme and Pedraza are part of "Team Puerto Rico", a collaboration between Gary Shaw Productions, DiBella Entertainment and Universal Promotions with the purpose of gathering the best talent in Puerto Rico.

In a puncher's duel, Jorge "Destroyer" Melendez (24-2, 23 KO) retained his 154 pound Interim Latin World Boxing Organization title by defeating Milton Nunez (24-5, 22 KOs) by technical knockout in the first round.  Nunez visited the canvas on two occasions, recovering only to continue to suffer damage from Melendez's onslaught until the referee detained the contest.

In other bouts, Victor "Picu" Perez (1-0, 1 KO) beat Uziel Velez (1-1, 1 KO) by technical knockout in the first round, Miguel "El Gallo" Marrero (6-0, 3 KOs) defeated Pedro "El Gago" Hernandez(6-6-1, 2 KOs) in the second round by way of technical knockout, Efrain "Macho" Cruz (1-0, 1 KO) beat Nelson Agosto (0-3) 34 seconds after the opening bell.  In the welterweight division, Luis "Yeye" Rodriguez (2-0, 2 KOs) defeated Luis Ortiz in the first round by way of technical knockout.  At 118 pounds, Emanuel "Manny, El Sensacional" Rodriguez (3-0, 3 KOs) beat Luis Ortiz (2-13) by technical knockout in the fourth and final round, while Carlos "Kid" Narvaez (5-0, 5 KOs) defeated Jose Torres (2-2) by technical knockout in third round and 2011 National Champion at 152 pounds, Emanuel "Pirata" De Jesus (1-0, 1 KO) defeated Xavier Lazaye (0-1) by way of knockout just 22 seconds into the opening round.

 

Team Puerto Rico..........the new wave, once again making a splash.....

10 BOUTS SCHEDULED FOR "NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS" FEATURING RISING STAR THOMAS DULORME

 

  

August 28, 2012 - On this Friday, August 31, Universal Promotions in conjunction with Gary Shaw Productions and DiBella Entertainment will be presenting the "Night of Champions" fight card, which will take place at the Guillermo Angulo Coliseum in Carolina, Puerto Rico.

In the feature fight of the evening, Thomas Dulorme (15-0, 12 KOs) will be facing off against Dominican Yoryi Estrella (10-7, 7 KOs) in a bout scheduled for 10-rounds at the welterweight division.

"We are ready and eager to fight this Friday," said Dulorme, the undefeated fighter, who is promoted Universal Promotions, Gary Shaw Productions and DiBella Entertainment Dulorme. "Yoryi Estrella is a great strong fighter and I hope we bring a toe to toe action packed fight, because the fans are paying for the tickets".   

In his short professional career, Dulorme already has notable wins under his belt over former world champion DeMarcus Corley and world class contender, Charlie Navarro, who both fell to the Puerto Rican by unanimous decision.

Estrella went the distance in an exciting fight in his next to last encounter against current International Boxing Federation (IBF) Champion Randall Bailey, who defeated Mike Jones by knock out in his last fight.

"This will be a war because I come to fight and win and this victory is for the Dominican Republic" said a confident Yoryi Estrella.

Dulorme is currently ranked #1 by the World Boxing Council (WBC), # 3 by the World Boxing Association (WBA), and #14 by the World Boxing Organization (WBO).   

Local fighter from Cidra, PR, José "Sniper" Pedraza (9-0, 6 KOs) will clash againstJosé Valderrama (4-1, 2 KOs) in the co-feature fight scheduled for 8-rounds in the super featherweight division (130lbs).   

"I know that Valderrama is well prepared," said Pedraza, who is promoted by Universal Promotions, Gary Shaw Productions and DiBella Entertainment.  "This will be an interesting fight because despite of his record, he is a quality fighter."    

Pedraza is the current World Boxing Council Juvenile Champion at 130 pounds. This past June, he defeated Carlos "Special Edition" Claudio by a landslide unanimous decision at the Mario 'Quijote' Moráles Coliseum in Guaynabo, PR.

"On August 31, we are ready to remove the undefeated record of Pedraza and we are prepared physically and mentally for that," said Valderrama.  "I know I will be victorious on Friday."

Valderrama's only loss was a close one against local fighter, Kelvin Galarza last year in Ponce, PR.

There will be a puncher's duel at the super welterweight division (154lbs), when local fighter from Vega Baja,PR, Jorge "Destroyer" Meléndez ( 23-2, 22 KO ) faces off against Colombian Milton Nuñez ( 24-4, 22 KO ).  The fight is scheduled for 10-rounds and is for the Interim Latin title of the WBO that belongs to Meléndez.

"Milton is a strong opponent. Once he feels my hands, the fight will be over, so I'm eager to fight" said Melendez.   

Others fighting on the undercard include, Luis Rodríguez (1-0, 1 KO - 140lbs) vs.Luis Ortíz (0-1), Victor Pérez vs. Usiel Vélez (1-0, 1 KO), debutants  Emmanuel De Jesús (154lbs) vs. Xavier Lazaye, Miguel Marrero (5-0, 2 KOs - 130lbs) vs.Pedro Hernandez (6-6-1, 1 KO), Carlos "Kid" Narváez (4-0, 4 KOs - 118lbs ) vs.José Torres (2-1), Emanuel 'Manny' Rodríguez (2-0, 2 KOs - 118lbs ) vs. Luis Ortíz (2-12) and Efraín 'Macho' Santiago (debutant 135lbs) vs. Nelson Agosto (0-2). 

First fight is set to start at 7:00pm.  Tickets priced $20, $38, $53 are available through Ticket Center (www.tcpr.com), or by calling 787.792.5000.

Team Puerto Rico..........the new wave, once again making a splash.....