Fortuna to Cotto: No Excuses Tonight

Former interim WBA Featherweight World Champion and undefeated super featherweight contender, Javier "El Abejon" Fortuna doesn't want to hear any excuses tonight. Fortuna (25-0-1, 18 KOs) of La Romana, Dominican Republic, is set to take on Puerto Rico's Abner "Pin" Cotto (18-2, 8 KOs) in a 10-round super featherweight bout to open tonight's (Saturday, November 1) SHOWTIME BOXING: Special Edition tripleheader (live at 9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) from the UIC Pavilion in Chicago. "Every time I beat someone, they say there were sick, or they say they were injured," said Fortuna. "There's always an excuse. They had a cold. It's always something. My opponents always have an excuse. I want to know Abner Cotto is 100% ready forSaturday so when I beat him, there are no excuses." In the night's main event, top light heavyweight contender Andrzej "Chicago's Polish Prince" Fonfara (25-3, 15 KOs), will make his ring return against France via Congo's Doudou Ngumbu (33-5, 12 KOs). And in the other televised fight, WBO World Bantamweight Champion Tomoki "El Mexicanito" Kameda (30-0, 19 KOs), of Tokyo, Japan, will defend his title for the third time against Interim WBO Bantamweight Champion Alejandro "Payasito" Hernandez (28-10-2, 15 KOs) of Mexico City in a 12-round battle. Tickets start at $31 and are available at Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster.com or call: 1-800-745-3000, the Warriors Offices: 312-622-7668 or the UIC Pavilion Box Office: 312-413-5740, or visit the UIC Box Office (Thursday or Friday 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM). They can also be purchased the night of the event. Fortuna, who trained with Hector Bermudez between Albany and Boston for this fight, is known for scoring sensational knockouts. The 25-year-old says he's not sure if he'll be able to deliver another classic KO in this fight, only that he will defeat Cotto, guaranteed. "He's a good boxer and he has the pedigree of the Cotto family," said Fortuna of his opponent. "He says he's already beaten two Dominicans, but this is the professional game now. Amateur is a different world. I will see what he brings to the table and then if he's there to be taken I will, but I'm ready to go ten rounds as well, no problem." Fortuna, who has worked with long-time exclusive promoter Sampson Lewkowicz and manager Cesar Mercedes for many years, recently signed with boxing power broker Al Haymon as well. "I want to say thank you to Al Haymon, Showtime, my manager and, of course, my promoter Sampson Lewkowicz, who I've been working with me since I was 16." Fortuna says he's at the stage of his career where he's ready for anyone put in front of him, but he does have one opponent he'd love a crack at. "Everyone knows I bring excitement to my division because of my explosiveness. I've proven it over and over. Who I fight is up to my promoter, but I am ready for any super featherweight in the world. However I would fight (WBO Super Featherweight Champion) Mikey Garcia at any weight. Make it happen." Fortuna, a father of three, says he has some special dedications for this fight. "I want to dedicate this fight to my beautiful daughter, whose first birthday is on the night of my fight, this Saturday. I ask God to keep her healthy and secure for the rest of her life. I also want to dedicate it to the people of my great country. I'm very proud to be Dominican, and the rivalry between Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic will be on full display in the ring on Saturday night. "The Homecoming" is presented by Warriors Boxing. On fight night, doors open at 5:00 pm and the action starts at 5:30 pm. All bouts are subject to change. For more information, visit www.warriorsboxing.com.

STEVE FARHOOD BREAKS DOWN SATURDAY’S SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION ON “THE BOXING BLOG”

“Andrzej Fonfara is a fan-friendly TV fighter.  Have I just praised him or insulted him? Maybe a little of both.” – Steve Farhood on“The Boxing Blog”: http://s.sho.com/1wFQXox

Read Farhood’s preview and don’t miss the fights this Saturday, live at 9 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME^®.

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Homecoming: Fonfara vs. Ngumbu is a 10-round light heavyweight fight promoted by Warriors Boxing. In the co-main event, WBO World Bantamweight Champion Tomoki Kameda defends his title against interim WBO Bantamweight Champion Alejandro Hernandez in a 12-round bout, and opening the telecast, former interim WBA World Featherweight Champion Javier Fortuna will face Abner Cotto in a 10-round super featherweight bout. The SHOWTIME BOXING: Special Edition will take place at UIC Pavilion in Chicago, Ill., and will air on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).

Tickets for “The Homecoming” start at $31 and are available at Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster.com or call: 1-800-745-3000, the Warriors Offices: 312-622-7668 or the UIC Pavilion Box Office: 312-413-5740, or visit the UIC Box Office (Thursday or Friday 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM). They can also be purchased the night of the event. On fight night, doors open at 6:00 pm and the action starts at 7:00 pm. All bouts are subject to change. For more information, visit www.warriorsboxing.com.

For more information, visit www.warriorsboxing.com,www.sports.sho.com and http://www.uicpavilion.com/pavilion, follow on Twitter at @andrzej_fonfara, @DoudouNgumbu, @TomokiKameda,@SHOSports, and become a fan on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/SHOBoxing.

Doors open at 5 p.m. and the first non-televised bout starts at 5:30 p.m.All bouts are subject to change.

THREE-TIME CHAMP KOKI KAMEDA AND WORLD-RATED MIDDLEWEIGHT CALEB TRUAX SET TO APPEAR IN SEPARATE 10-ROUND BOUTS, SATURDAY NIGHT IN CHICAGO

Two more competitive fights with worldwide significance will take place on the un-televised undercard of "The Homecoming", presented by Warriors Boxing thisSaturday, November 1, at UIC Pavilion in Chicago, Illinois. WBO #10-rated middleweight Caleb "Golden" Truax (24-1-2, 14 KOs) of Osseo, Minnesota, will take on Bedford, Virginia's Scott "Cujo" Sigmon (24-5-1, 13 KOs) in a 10-rounder; and former three-time world champion Kōki Kameda (32-1, 17 KOs) from Tokyo, Japan, will appear for the first time on US soil in a super flyweight 10-round fight against México City, Mexico's Omar Salado (24-8-2, 15 KOs). In the night's main event, top light heavyweight contender Andrzej "Chicago's Polish Prince" Fonfara (25-3, 15 KOs), will make his ring return against France via Congo's Doudou Ngumbu (33-5, 12 KOs). Co-headlining, WBO World Bantamweight World Champion Tomoki "El Mexicanito" Kameda (30-0, 19 KOs), of Mexico City by way of Tokyo, Japan, will defend his title for the third time against interim WBO Bantamweight Champion Alejandro "Payasito" Hernandez (28-10-2, 15 KOs) of Mexico City in a 12-round battle and opening the SHOWTIME BOXING Special Edition, former interim WBA World Featherweight Champion Javier "El Abejon" Fortuna (25-0-1, 18 KOs) of La Romana, Dominican Republic, squares off against Caguas, Puerto Rico's Abner "Pin" Cotto (18-2, 8 KOs) in a 10-round super featherweight bout; live on SHOWTIME® (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast). Tickets start at $31 and are available at Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster.com or call: 1-800-745-3000, the Warriors Offices: 312-622-7668 or the UIC Pavilion Box Office: 312-413-5740, or visit the UIC Box Office (Thursday or Friday 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM). They can also be purchased the night of the event. Twenty-seven-year-old southpaw Kōki Kameda is the former  WBA   Bantamweight , WBC  Flyweight and WBA Light Flyweight Champion of the World. He is the oldest of the three Kameda brothers including himself, Daiki and Tomoki. The Kamedas are, by far, the most well-known boxers in Japan, Koki was also a television star in his homeland during his highly decorated amateur career. Kameda won the WBA Light Flyweight Championship in 2006 and defended it once before vacating to move up to flyweight, where he won the WBC Flyweight Championship over Daisuke Naito in November 2009. His only career loss came in March 2010, by 12-round majority decision against Thailand's Pongsaklek Wonjongkam to unify the WBC Flyweight championship and interim WBC Flyweight championships. In 2010, he moved up to bantamweight and took on Alexander Munoz and won the vacant WBA Bantamweight Regular by unanimous decision In Dec. 2013, Kameda vacated his bantamweight title to move back down to the super flyweight division. Thirty-four-year-old Omar Salado isa native of Tijuana. Salado has challenged three times for world championships. In 2011, he lost to then WBA World Light Flyweight Champion Roman Gonzalez. In 2009, he lost to Luis Concepcion for the interim WBA World flyweight Title and in 2006, he battled to a draw with then IBF World light flyweight Champion Ulises Solis. Salado has also taken on a lengthy list of top contenders in the flyweight divisions. Thirty-one-year-old Caleb Truax is a native of Osseo, Minnesota, currently rated WBO #10 at middleweight. Truax got his nickname from his alma mater, the University of Minnesota, whose teams are known as the "Golden Gophers." He was last seen scoring a unanimous decision over dangerous spoiler Derek Ennis in July of this year. Showing world-class boxing ability, Truax never let Ennis into the fight and hurt the capable Philadelphian on several occasions. Truax has excellent hand speed and power and uses fluid movement to score combinations. Twenty-seven-year-old Scott Sigmon of Lynchburg, Virginia, won the vacant WBC United States (USNBC) super middleweight title and defended it twice. He went seven rounds with former world champion Kelly Pavlik in 2012 and was last seen in June of this year, fighting to an eight-round majority draw with undefeated prospect Deandre Neal in Neal's home state of South Carolina. In March of this year, Sigmon stopped 24-3-3 Jessie Nicklow in 10 rounds. Also on the undercard Saturday night, four of the top up-and-coming boxing prospects the Windy City has to offer, Chicago's own Alex Martin (6-0, 5 KOs), Semajay Thomas (4-0, 2 KOs), Eddie Ramirez (5-0, 3 KOs), and Jose Felix Quezada (3-0, 2 KOs), will appear in separate undercard bouts. On fight night, doors open at 5:00 pm and the action starts at 5:30 pm. All bouts are subject to change. For more information, visitwww.warriorsboxing.com.

Weights from 'Conquerors' ESPN Friday Night Fights in Chicago

Weights from 'Conquerors' ESPN Friday Night Fights at UIC Pavilion in Chicago Roberto Garcia 146 vs. Breidis Prescott 146.5 Caleb Truax 163 vs. Derek Ennis 160 Mike Lee 178 vs. Paul Gonsalves 176 Alex Martin 148 vs. Alfred Hall 143 Jaime Sandoval 146 vs. Aaron Steadman 146 Eddie Ramirez 139.5 vs. Alexis Del Bosque 138 Jose Felix Quesada 134.8 vs. Jose Romero 135 Semajay Thomas 144.5 vs. Charon Lamour Spain 146.2 Kristin Gearhart 139.5 vs. Ashleigh Curry 140 Promoters: Warriors Boxing, 8 Count Productions, Seconds Out Promotions and Marines Promotions Venue: UIC Pavilion, Chicago TV: ESPN Friday Night Fights Tickets: Priced at VIP $151, VIP Ringside $101, Mezzanine $51 and General Admission $31 and can be purchased through Ticketmaster (Ticketmaster.com, 1-800-745-3000), the 8 Count Productions Offices: 312-622-7668 or the UIC Pavilion Box Office: 312-413-5740.More information available at 8CountProductions.com.  Event Information: WARRIORS ANNOUNCES ESPN FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS TRIPLEHEADER ON FRIDAY, JULY 25 AT  UIC PAVILION IN CHICAGO     Roberto Garcia to Face Breidis Prescott; Caleb Truax to 'Pooh' Ennis Notre Dame's Undefeated Light Heavyweight Mike Lee Returns  Home to the Windy City In the night's 10-round welterweight main event, Roberto "La Amenaza" Garcia (35-3, 23 KOs) of Weslaco, Texas, takes on hard-hitting and dangerous Breidis "Khanqueror" Prescott (27-5, 20 KOs) of Miami, via Barranquilla, Colombia. WBA #15, IBF #13, and WBO #11-rated Caleb "Golden" Truax (23-1-2, 14 KOs) of Osseo, Minnesota, goes against former USBA Junior Middleweight Champion Derek "Pooh" Ennis (24-4-1, 13 KOs) in the co-main event. Chicago's own Mike Lee (12-0, 7 KOs) opening the worldwide telecast by facing Paul Gonsalves (7-3, 3 KOs) of Hyannis, Massachusetts in a light heavyweight six-rounder. Topping the un-televised portion of "Conquerors" will be a six-round welterweight duel between Chicago's promising Alex Martin (5-0, 5 KOs) and Jackson, Michigan's Alfred Hall (3-4-2, 2 KOs). Also scheduled is a six-round light welterweight matchup between Chicago's comebacking former Illinois State champ Jaime "Superfly" Sandoval (16-4-2, 12 KOs) and Ocala, Florida's Aaron Steadman (10-5-1, 6 KOs); a six-round light welterweight battle between Aurora, Illnois' 2013 Chicago Golden Gloves Champion and undefeated professional Eddie "The Barber" Ramirez (4-0, 3 KOs) and Monterrey, Mexico's Alexis Del Bosque (4-1, 3 KOs); a four-round light welterweight scrap featuring Alsip, Illinois' thus-far perfect Jose Felix Quesada (2-0, 2 KOs) and Whiting, Indiana's popular Jose Romero (1-1); and a four-round welterweight match between Chicago's own future champ Semajay Thomas (3-0, 3 KOs) and Davenport, Iowa's Charon Lamour Spain (0-3-1). Starting out the night will be a women's battle between Chicago's Golden Gloves champ turned undefeated professional, Kristin Gearhart (3-0, 1 KO) and St. Joseph, Missouri veteran Ashleigh Curry (5-8-2, 1 KO). Tickets for "Conquerors" are priced at VIP $151, VIP Ringside $101, Mezzanine $51 and General Admission $31 and can be purchased through Ticketmaster (Ticketmaster.com, 1-800-745-3000), the 8 Count Productions Offices: 312-622-7668 or the UIC Pavilion Box Office: 312-413-5740. More information at8CountProductions.com. On fight night, doors open at 6 pm and the action starts at 7 pm.

Derek "Pooh" Ennis looking to get back into title contention with win over Truax this Friday night in Chicago

PHILADELPHIA, PA (July 24, 2014)--This Friday night at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago, perennial Jr. Middleweight and Middleweight contender, Derek "Pooh" Ennis (24-4-1, 13 KO's) will be back in action when he takes on Caleb Truax in the 10-round Middleweight co-feature that will be televised by ESPN's Friday Night Fights. Ennis of Philadelphia is the former USBA Jr. Middleweight champion,  will be thrust back into the spotlight with opportunity to upset that apple cart of Truax (23-1-2, 14 KO's) who is currently ranked number-11 by the IBF. "Everything is going well and we trained very hard for this fight," said Ennis. "I saw him fight Ossie Duran (which Truax fought to a draw in his last bout that took place on January 3) and I see that he tries to come in and get a knockout." Ennis believes that his experience, which is career that started in 2007 will be the key for him to reign victorious. "I have been on and off.  I have been to number-1 and number-2 in the world.  I know he is ranked but I am going to do what I do but after this win, I am going back down to 154 pounds for another run." Ennis has had opportunities and has come up a bit short and he knows that this could be a final chance in front of the national audience and he know the importance of a winon Friday night.   "This fight, I am going for the gusto.  When I win, I will keep it moving.  If for some reason, It doesn't go well, I will have to take a look at the many job opportunities that I have received over the past little while but I am not ready to do that.  I do consider this fight a make it or break it situation."   "Being on television is a great opportunity for the fans to see me put on a this great performance and I have worked very hard for this.  I just can't wait to get in there on Friday," finished Ennis.   Ennis is coming off a 6-round unanimous decision win over Emil Gonzalez on March 14 in Philadelphia and has solid wins over Troy Browning (20-2-1); Eromesele Albert (22-3-1) and Gabriel Rosado (14-4) on his resume.   Ennis is managed by Battlestrong Boxing which is consisted of Moz Gonzalez & Eddie Woods.

OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN FOR FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS AT UIC PAVILION IN CHICAGO OPEN TO THE PUBLIC THURSDAY

* * * * * * *WEIGH-IN ALERT* * * * * * * Thursday, July 24, at 5:00 pm at  Haymarket Pub & Brewery The official weigh-in for Friday, July 25's "Conquerors", live professional boxing broadcast worldwide on ESPN Friday Night Fights and presented by Warriors Boxing, 8 Count Productions, Seconds Out Promotions and Marines Promotions, will be held onThursday, July 24 at 5:00 pm at the Haymarket Pub & Brewery, located at 737 W Randolph Street in Chicago. The official weigh-in is open to the public and all fighters and event promoters will be available for interviews, autographs and photo opportunities. Haymarket Pub & Brewery features classic Belgian and contemporary American beer styles from brewing legend Pete Crowley. Be sure to take a pic from the weigh-in and share via Twitter or Instagram using #8Countboxing to be eligible to win tickets to ESPN Friday Night Fights at the UIC Pavilion! Event Information: WARRIORS ANNOUNCES ESPN FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS TRIPLEHEADER ON FRIDAY, JULY 25 AT  UIC PAVILION IN CHICAGO     Roberto Garcia to Face Breidis Prescott; Caleb Truax to 'Pooh' Ennis Notre Dame's Undefeated Light Heavyweight Mike Lee Returns  Home to the Windy City In the night's 10-round welterweight main event, Roberto "La Amenaza" Garcia (35-3, 23 KOs) of Weslaco, Texas, takes on hard-hitting and dangerous Breidis "Khanqueror" Prescott (27-5, 20 KOs) of Miami, via Barranquilla, Colombia. WBA #15, IBF #13, and WBO #11-rated Caleb "Golden" Truax (23-1-2, 14 KOs) of Osseo, Minnesota, goes against former USBA Junior Middleweight Champion Derek "Pooh" Ennis (24-4-1, 13 KOs) in the co-main event. Chicago's own Mike Lee (12-0, 7 KOs) opening the worldwide telecast by facing Paul Gonsalves (7-3, 3 KOs) of Hyannis, Massachusetts in a light heavyweight six-rounder. Topping the un-televised portion of "Conquerors" will be a six-round welterweight duel between Chicago's promising Alex Martin (5-0, 5 KOs) and Jackson, Michigan's Alfred Hall (3-4-2, 2 KOs). Also scheduled is a six-round light welterweight matchup between Chicago's comebacking former Illinois State champ Jaime "Superfly" Sandoval (16-4-2, 12 KOs) and Ocala, Florida's Aaron Steadman (10-5-1, 6 KOs); a six-round light welterweight battle between Aurora, Illnois' 2013 Chicago Golden Gloves Champion and undefeated professional Eddie "The Barber" Ramirez (4-0, 3 KOs) and Monterrey, Mexico's Alexis Del Bosque (4-1, 3 KOs); a four-round light welterweight scrap featuring Alsip, Illinois' thus-far perfect Jose Felix Quesada (2-0, 2 KOs) and Whiting, Indiana's popular Jose Romero (1-1); and a four-round welterweight match between Chicago's own future champ Semajay Thomas (3-0, 3 KOs) and Davenport, Iowa's Charon Lamour Spain (0-3-1). Starting out the night will be a women's battle between Chicago's Golden Gloves champ turned undefeated professional, Kristin Gearhart (3-0, 1 KO) and St. Joseph, Missouri veteran Ashleigh Curry (5-8-2, 1 KO). Tickets for "Conquerors" are priced at VIP $151, VIP Ringside $101, Mezzanine $51 and General Admission $31 and can be purchased through Ticketmaster (Ticketmaster.com, 1-800-745-3000), the 8 Count Productions Offices: 312-622-7668 or the UIC Pavilion Box Office: 312-413-5740. More information at8CountProductions.com. On fight night, doors open at 6 pm and the action starts at 7 pm.

Undercard Announced for 'Conquerors', ESPN Friday Nights Fights Tripleheader at UIC Pavilion This Friday, July 25

No less than six big fights, featuring local fighting favorites against quality opponents in the welterweight or light welterweight divisions, are scheduled for the undercard of this Friday's stacked nationally televised tripleheader of worldwide-televised boxing from the UIC Pavilion in Chicago. Presented by Warriors Boxing, 8 Count Productions, Seconds Out Promotions and Marines Promotions, all six bouts will be in support of the night's exciting televised action: Roberto "La Amenaza" Garcia (35-3, 23 KOs) of Weslaco, Texas, taking on hard-hitting and dangerous Breidis "Khanqueror" Prescott (27-5, 20 KOs) of Miami, via Barranquilla, Colombia in the 10-round welterweight main event; WBA #15, IBF #13, and WBO #11-rated Caleb "Golden" Truax (23-1-2, 14 KOs) of Osseo, Minnesota, taking on former USBA Junior Middleweight Champion Derek "Pooh" Ennis (24-4-1, 13 KOs) in the co-main event; and Chicago's own Mike Lee (12-0, 7 KOs) opening the worldwide telecast by facing Paul Gonsalves (7-3, 3 KOs) of Hyannis, Massachusetts in a light heavyweight six-rounder. Topping the un-televised portion of "Conquerors" will be a six-round welterweight duel between Chicago's promising Alex Martin (5-0, 5 KOs) and Jackson, Michigan's Alfred Hall (3-4-2, 2 KOs). A 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Alternate and National Golden Gloves Champion (152 lbs.) who finished his amateur career with a 340-10 record, Martin has yet to see the third round as a professional. Hall has only been stopped once in his career and that against world-class contender Tony Harrison. Tickets for "Conquerors" are priced at VIP $151, VIP Ringside $101, Mezzanine $51 and General Admission $31 and can be purchased through Ticketmaster (Ticketmaster.com, 1-800-745-3000), the 8 Count Productions Offices: 312-622-7668 or the UIC Pavilion Box Office: 312-413-5740. More information will be available shortly at 8CountProductions.com. Also scheduled is a six-round light welterweight matchup between Chicago's comebacking former Illinois State champ Jaime "Superfly" Sandoval (16-4-2, 12 KOs) and Ocala, Florida's Aaron Steadman (10-5-1, 6 KOs); a six-round light welterweight battle between Aurora, Illnois' 2013 Chicago Golden Gloves Champion and undefeated professional Eddie "The Barber" Ramirez (4-0, 3 KOs) and Monterrey, Mexico's Alexis Del Bosque (4-1, 3 KOs); a four-round light welterweight scrap featuring Alsip, Illinois' thus-far perfect Jose Felix Quesada (2-0, 2 KOs) and Whiting, Indiana's popular Jose Romero (1-1); and a four-round welterweight match between Chicago's own future champ Semajay Thomas (3-0, 3 KOs) and Davenport, Iowa's Charon Lamour Spain (0-3-1). Starting out the night will be a women's battle between Chicago's Golden Gloves champ turned undefeated professional, Kristin Gearhart (3-0, 1 KO) and St. Joseph, Missouri veteran Ashleigh Curry (5-8-2, 1 KO). ###