Willie Monroe Jr. to defend NABA & NABO Middleweight titles against Bryan Vera on Friday, January 16 at Turning Stone Resort Casino on ESPN's Friday Night Fights

Philadelphia, PA (December 4, 2014)--On Friday night, January 16, 2015, Willie Monroe Jr. will defend his NABA and NABO Middleweight titles when he takes on Bryan Vera as part of an ESPN Friday Night Fights telecast at the Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York. Monroe of Rochester, New York has a record of 18-1 with 6 knockouts and is riding an 8-fight win streak. He is currently ranked number-3 by the WBA and number-7 by the WBO. He catapulted up the rankings on the strength of his Boxcino tournament win where he defeated Donatas Bondorovas, previously undefeated Vitalii Kopylenko and in the finals he won a 10-round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Brandon Adams in a bout that took place on May 23, 2014 at the Turning Stone Resort & Casino. "This fight is a step up," said Monroe "I have a lot of respect for Bryan Vera.  Vera has fought a lot of top contenders.  A fight like this will show the boxing world that I belong at the top of the Middleweight division. Vera of Austin, Texas has developed into one of the biggest fan favorites in the sport due to his willingness to fight and defeat some of the biggest stars in boxing. The 32 year-old has wins over Javier Diaz (1-0), Samuel Miller (17-1), Max Alexander (14-1-1), a thrilling 7th round stoppage over two-time world title challenger Andy Lee (15-0), Sebastien Demers (31-2), two wins over Contender Season 1 champ Sergio Mora (22-1-2 & 23-2-2), a 10th round stoppage over former WBO Jr. Middleweight champion Sergiy Dzinziruk (37-1-1), as well as a 7th round stoppage over Donatas Bondorovas (17-3-1).  Vera is coming off of two spirited efforts against former WBC Middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.  In their first bout, most ringside observers and the millions watching on HBO believed that Vera should have been awarded the decision.  The rematch with Chavez is the highest rated fight on HBO for 2014. "I am excited for this fight on January 16," said Vera. "Monroe has a high ranking and with a big win on January 16, it will catapult me into another big fight and will set the tone for a big year in 2015." In the co-main event, the Boxcino 2014 lightweight champion Petr Petrov will also be in action as he defends his NABA & NABO Lightweight titles against an opponent to be announced. Host of the January 16th bouts, the Oneida Indian Nation's Turning Stone Resort Casino continues to distinguish itself as a premier destination for professional sporting events, including nationally-televised boxing matches and PGA-level golf. TheJanuary 16th fight will mark Turning Stone's 13th nationally televised boxing event in less than two years, helping establish the resort as a mecca for knockout televised fights. Boxing legends Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather Jr. have promoted televised fight cards at the resort within the last year and Turning Stone has hosted televised boxing events on ESPN, Showtime, HBO, and NBC in the last two years. Located in Upstate New York, the four-season resort offers world-class entertainment and gaming, prestigious restaurants, luxury spa facilities, and award-winning accommodations.Tickets for the January 16th ESPN Friday Night Fights at Turning Stone are on sale now at the Turning Stone box office, in person or by calling315.361.7469, or online at Ticketmaster. Tickets are $60 for ringside seats, $35, $25, and are subject to additional fees. Doors open at 6:00 p.m., with the first bout scheduled for 7:00 p.m. The live ESPN telecast starts at 9pm. Professional media requesting credentials for the January 16 fight must contact Kelly Abdo, Turning Stone Public Relations Manager at 315.366.9291 orkelly.abdo@turningstone.com. About Turning Stone Resort CasinoA premier four-season, destination resort in Upstate New York, the Oneida Indian Nation's Turning Stone Resort Casino is conveniently located about 30 miles east of Syracuse at NYS Thruway exit 33. Turning Stone was named "Most Excellent Golf Resort" in 2010 by Condé Nast Johansens. The Academy of Country Music named Turning Stone "Casino of the Year" in 2009. The resort offers world-class gaming, golf, entertainment, accommodations and spa facilities, and has earned AAA Four Diamond ratings for The Lodge, The Tower Hotel, and Wildflowers restaurant. For more information and reservations, call (315) 361-7711 or (800) 771-7711. Visit the web site at www.TurningStone.com..

Adams, Gatica, Kopylenko, & Monroe Jr. advance in Boxcino

HAMMOND, IND (March 3, 2014)--Middleweights Brandon Adams, Raymond Gatica and Vitalii Kopylenko scored  stoppages while while Willie Monroe Jr. scored a 6 round unanimous decision as all four advanced to the semi-finals of Boxcino 2014 that highlighted a great night of boxing at the Hammond Horseshoe Casino.   Monroe Jr. scored a 6 round unanimous decision over Donatas Bondas. Bondas pressed forward while Monroe tried to box and move.  Bondas 'oft injured nose started to bleed as early as the 1st frame.  In round three, Bondas began to up his pressure and Monroe was trying to move lateral while throwing jabs.  Monroe Jr. stayed in the pocket a little more in the 4th round and he began working the body.  His agression continued throughout the last half of the bout and Bondad had no answer for it.  Monroe was more versatile and won by scores of  59-55 twice and 58-56  twice and 58-56. Monroe, 160 lbs of Rochester, NY. is now 16-1.  Bondas, 160.2 lbs of Chicago, IL. is now 18-5-1.   Vitalii Kopylenko scored two knockdowns in just over three minutes and registered a 2nd round stopapge over Cerreeso Fort.round  Kopylenko buckled Fort with an over hand right in round one.  After the opening frame, Fort was already bleeding from his mouth. Seconds into the 2nd round, Kopylenko dropped Fort from a hard left hook.  Fort was clearly hurt and was dropped again from a series of punches.  The bout was stopped at 43 seconds of round two. "Fort was heavy handed and I was patient,"said Kopylenko. "I did not try to knock him out, it just came." Kopylenko, 160 lbs of Kiev, Ukraine is now 23-0 with 13 knockouts. Said Fort, "I got hit with a shot in the 1st round and was hurt.  I tied to bounce back but he hurt me again." Fort, 160.2 lbs of St. Paul, MN is now 17-3-1. Raymond Gatica scored a emphatic 4th round stoppage over previously undefeated knockout  artist Sena Agbeko. The two came out firing with Gatica getting the better of the exchanges.  Gatica was more efficient with his punches while Agbeko came in with wide-winging shots.  In round three,  Gatica landed several shots that snapped the head of Agebko back.  It looked like the referee  was close to stopping the bout but Agbeko did enough return punching to warrant his continuation.  He did mot last much longer as Gatica was all over Agbeko and continued to rock his head with power shots and the fight as stopped at 1:06 of round 4. "You always have to be ready," said Gatica.  "I knew in the 1st round I had the fight." Brandon Adams scored a stoppage after round four when Daniel Edouard did not come out for the 5th round. Adams found a home in the second round as he landed hard body shots with both hands. Adams continued to score and stay out of harms way.  In round four, Adams deposited  Edouard   on the canvas with a perfect left hook.  Edouard got to his feet and ate a few more punches on the ropes.  , After the 4th round, Edoaurd had enough and pulled the plug on the contest. "I had a long layoff and my timing wasn't right.  I am a professional and there was no reason to take anymore punishment,"said Edouard "Getting hit with that left hook discouraged me." Said Adams, "I hit him with a good left hook.  He was tough and I am happy with my performance.  I know I can do better." Adams, 160. Lbs of San Diego, CA is now 13-0 with 9 stoppages.  Edouard, 160 lbs of West Palm Beach, FL is 23-5-2 Gatica will face Adams while Kopylenko will take on Monroe Jr. on April 18th at the Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, NY. Boxcino will continue on March 28th at the 4 Bears Casino in New Town, North Dakota with the lightweight semi-finals that will put Chris Rudd taking on Petr Petrov while Miguel Gonzalez fights Fernando Carcamo in bouts scheduled for 8 rounds. In the opening bout, Banner Promotions Donovan Dennis scored an explosive 1st round stoppage over Sam Commings in a scheduled 6 round heavyweight bout. Dennis landed a straight left that made Commings fall back and hit his head with a loud thud against the canvas and the bout was immediately stopped at 1:34 of round one. Dennis, 226 lbs of Davenport, Iowa is now 9-1 with 7 knockouts.  Commings, 264 lbs of West Palm Beach, FL.  is now 4-8. Simeon Hardy was successful in his Banner Promotions debut as he stopped Chad Greenleaf in round five of their scheduled six round middleweight bout. Hardy dominated the action and dropped Greenleaf twice in round five.  The foirst from a hard overhand right and the finisher was from a right that was followed by a booming left hook that knocked Greenleaf out for several moments and the bout was stopped at 2:50 of round five.   Hardy, 157.6 lbs of Brooklyn, NY is now 11-0 with 9 knockouts.  Greenleaf, 158.8 of Parkersburg, WV  is 13-20-1. Sergio Montes De Oca and Fidel Navarette battled to a spirited six round draw in a featherweight bout. Montes De Oca, 124 lbs of Chicago took a card 58-56 while two judges ruled the fight even at 57-57. De Oca is now 7-2-2.  Navarette, 127 lbs of Highland, IN is now 4-0-2. Mike Jimenez needed just 56 seconds to take care of Jimmy Campbell in their scheduled six round Light Heavyweight bout. Jimenez scored a knockdown from an uppercut and a follow up flurry ended the bout. Jimenez, 175 lbs of Chicago is now 13-0 with 10 knockouts.  Campbell, 173 lbs of Indianapolis, IN is now 11-7. Russell Fiore scored a 4 round unanimous decision over Tim Carrizales in a lightweight bout. Fiore dropped Carrizales twice in the final frame and cruised home with a victory by the scores of 40-34 on all cards. Fiore, 134.8 lbs of Chicago is 11-2-1.  Carrizales, 134.4 lbs of Waukesha, WI is now 4-9-1.

From Hammond, Indiana to San Antonio; Busy weekend for Banner Promotions

For Immediate Release Hammond, Ind. / San Antonio, TX (February 28, 2014)--This Weekend, Banner Promotions will be front and center in the boxing spotlight as the company will promote two major shows. First, Friday night in Hammond, Indiana it will be Boxcino 2014;  the middleweight quarter-finals that will be televised around the county on ESPN 2 as part of ESPNFriday Night Fights.   The fights will originate from the Horseshoe Hammond Casino at 9 pm Eastern.   The very next night, the scene will shift to the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas where Banner's Bryan Vera meets Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in a much anticipated super middleweight rematch that will be televised live on HBO Championship Boxing beginning at 9:45 ET/PT. "This is a very busy weekend for us,"said Banner Promotions CEO Arthur Pelullo. "But as busy as it will be, we expect terrific action in the ring.  The middleweight fightson Friday night will be great contests.  The lightweights set the bar very high last week in Laughlin to kick off the Boxcino tournament, but we know the middleweights will put on a show that will be just as if not more exciting.  We also have two of our young prospects on the undercard.  We are looking forward to see our heavyweight Donovan Dennis and one of our newest signings in undefeated jr. middleweight Simeon Hardy in action as they continue to develop." Friday's show is co-promoted by Banner Promotions, Hitz Boxing and Round 3.  24 hours later, the action will continue south to the Lone Star State. "We saw what Bryan did in the 1st fight.  The media all saw him win that fight.Saturday he will be even better.  He knows what weight the fight will be at and he is completely focused in winning decisively.  Bryan knows he can beat Chavez and on Saturday night, he will go out there and do it again." Vera - Chavez is promoted by Top Rank, Banner Promotions, Foreman Boys Boxing and Zanfer. Banner Promotions Lineup: Friday, February 28, Hammond, Horseshoe Casino, Hammond, Indiana Boxcino 2014 ESPN 2, ESPN Deportes+, WatchESPN Daniel Edouard (23-4-2, 12 KO's) vs Brandon Adams (12-0, 8 KO's) Sena Agbeko (15-0, 15 KO's) vs Raymond Gatica (13-2, 7 KO's) Vitalii Kopylenko (22-0, 12 KO's) vs Cerresso Fort (17-2-1, 11 KO's) Willie Monroe Jr. (15-1, 6 KO's) vs Donatas Bondas (18-4-1, 6 KO's) 6 Rounds-Heavyweights Donovan Dennis (8-1, 6 KO's) vs Sam Commings (4-7, 3 KO's) 6 Rounds-Jr. Middleweights--Simeon Hardy (10-0, 8 KO's) vs Chad Greenleaf (13-19-1, 6 KO's Saturday, March 1, Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas HBO 12 Rounds-Super Middleweights--Bryan Vera (23-7, 14 KO's) vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (47-1, 32 KO's)

Bryan Vera Media day Quotes & Pictures

SAN ANTONIO, TX (February 25, 2014) --  Feb. 25, 2014, San Antonio,Texas  ---  No. 1 contender Bryan Vera works out during media day Tuesday in San Antonio,Texas for his upcoming exciting rematch battle against former WBC Middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. , Saturday, March 1, at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.        Promoted by Top Rank®, in association with Zanfer Promotions, Banner Promotions, Foreman Boys Promotions and Tecate, Chavez Jr. vs Vera II will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing®.     Tickets, priced at $200, $100, $60, $40 and $25 (plus applicable taxes and fees), can be purchased at the Alamodome box office, all Ticketmaster outlets, online at www.ticketmaster.com and via Ticketmaster charge-by-phone lines at (800) 745-3000.    --- Photo Credit : Chris Farina - Top Rank (no other credit allowed) copyright 2014  Quotes:    VERA       "I did all of my training times two. This has been the longest camp of my career. I sparred against heavyweights to get ready for Chavez Jr." "I am going to beat him for the second time. Everyone knows I won the first fight." "This is a serious fight with only one ending ...I will get my hand raised."                       The non-televised undercard will feature former World Lightweight Champion JUAN DIAZ, of Houston, looking to extend his three-fight winning streak as he attempts to return to the top of the lightweight division after a three-year hiatus from boxing.             Promoted by Top Rank®, in association with Zanfer Promotions, Banner Promotions, Foreman Boys Promotions and Tecate, remaining tickets to Chávez vs. Vera II, priced at $200, $100, $60, $40 and $25 (plus applicable taxes and fees), can be purchased at the Alamodome box office, all Ticketmaster outlets, online at www.ticketmaster.com and via Ticketmaster charge-by-phone lines at (800) 745-3000. **********************************             HBO Presents "Road to Chavez Jr./Vera II". HBO playdates include: February 27 at 4:30 p.m. ET/PT,February 28 at 1:00 a.m. ET/PT and March 1 at 12:15 p.m. ET/PT.             For fight updates go to www.toprank.com, www.banner-promotions.com or www.hbo.com/boxing , on Facebook at facebook.com/trboxing, facebook.com/trboxeo, facebook.com/banner-promotions or facebook.com/hboboxing, and on Twitter at twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo,  twitter.com/bannerboxing or twitter.com/hboboxing.

WCB: The Road to Chavez Jr. vs Vera II (HBO Sports)

JULIO CÉSAR CHÁVEZ, JR. vs. BRYAN VERA II SAN ANTONIO PRESS CONFERENCE This Thursday! January 16, at 2 P.M. CT The Alamodome

JULIO CÉSAR CHÁVEZ, JR. vs. BRYAN VERA II SAN ANTONIO PRESS CONFERENCE This Thursday!  January 16, at 2 P.M. CT The Alamodome OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!

SAN ANTONIO, TX (January 14, 2014) -- Former World Boxing Council (WBC) middleweight champion and Son of the Legend JULIO CÉSAR CHÁVEZ JR., his opponent, Top-Five contender and tough Texan BRYAN VERA,Houston's former World Lightweight Champion JUAN  DIAZ, Hall of Fame Promoter BOB ARUM, Zanfer Promotions' FERNANDO  BELTRAN, two-time heavyweight champion GEORGE FOREMAN and ARTHUR PELULLO,President of Banner Promotions, will host a news conference announcing the eagerly-awaited rematch -- Chávez Jr. vs. Vera II -- This Thursday!  January 16, in the Alamodome (Stadium Floor - South end.)  Doors will open at 1:30 p.m. CT with the news conference beginning at 2:00 p.m. CT.             The press conference will be open to the public.             Media may park in Lot A, located at the South side of the Alamodome, and enter through the tunnel entrance at the arena's South side near the back loading dock.             Chávez (47-1-1, 32 KOs), of Culiacán, México, making his 2014 debut in his first fight in San Antonio in over two years, and Vera (23-7, 14 KOs), of Austin, TX, will go mano a mano again in a super middleweight bout that both combatants vow will settle the score from their controversial September 28, 2013 fistic debate which was won by Chávez Jr.  Chávez Jr. vs. Vera II will be televised live from the Alamodome, Saturday, March 1 on HBO World Championship Boxing®, beginning at 9:45 p.m. ET/PT.  The telecast will open with two-time Ukrainian Olympic gold medalist and 2013 Prospect of the Year, VASYL LOMACHENKO (1-0, 1 KO), in only his second professional bout, challenging World Boxing Organization (WBO) featherweight champion ORLANDO SALIDO (40-12-2, 28 KOs), of México.  Diaz (38-4, 19 KOs) will continue his comeback bid in the featured bout on the non-televised undercard.                 Promoted by Top Rank®, in association with Zanfer Promotions, Banner Promotions, Foreman Boys Promotions and Tecate, tickets to Chávez vs. Vera II go on sale This Friday!  January 17, at Noon CT.  Tickets, priced at $200, $100, $60, $40 and $25 (plus applicable taxes and fees), can be purchased at the Alamodome box office, all Ticketmaster outlets, online at www.ticketmaster.com and via Ticketmaster charge-by-phone lines at (800) 745-3000.             For fight updates go to www.toprank.com, www.banner-promotions.com or www.hbo.com/boxing, on Facebook at facebook.com/trboxing, facebook.com/trboxeo,facebook.com/banner-promotions  or facebook.com/hboboxing , and on Twitter at twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo, twitter.com/bannerboxing or twitter.com/hboboxing.

BANNER PROMOTIONS PROSPECTS SCORE BIG WINS

PHILADELPHIA, PA (November 19, 2013)—On the heels of a great run by Banner Promotions fighters, WBO Jr. welterweight champion Ruslan Provodnikov, WBO Jr. middleweight champion Demetrius Andrade and top middleweight contender Bryan Vera, the next wave of stars for Banner Promotions also scored big victories in recent weeks.

On November 9^th, newly signed light heavyweight Michael Seals of Atlanta, Georgia went to 17-0 and notched his 13^th knockout when he stopped 56 fight veteran Steve Walker in the 1^st round of their scheduled eight round bout in Norcross, Georgia.

On November 13^th, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, undefeated Jr. Middleweight Patrick Teixeira scored a 5^th round stoppage over Alejandro Gustavo Falliga to capture the vacant WBO Jr. Middleweight title. Teixeira is now 21-0 with 18 knockouts.

On November 14^th, Jr. Welterweight Cornelius Whitlock scored a 1^stround stoppage over Josue Rivera in a scheduled four round bout that was part of the “Fight For Children” charity event in Washington, D.C. Whitlock is now 2-0-2 with one knockout.

The very next night in Altoona, Iowa, 2012 Olympic Bronze medal winner, Taras Shelestyuk stopped Thomas Allen in the 2^nd round of their scheduled six round Jr. Middleweight bout to raise his undefeated mark to 6-0 with 4 knockouts.

“I am very proud of all our fighters, “said Banner Promotions CEO Arthur Pelullo. “We have had some great performances on HBO and now to see our next wave of fighters progressing like we have hoped is gratifying.”