Showing posts with label Carlos Quintana. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Carlos Quintana. Show all posts

Thursday, September 5, 2013

Latimore looking to take over junior middleweight division; teams up with trainer Fareed Samad!

Las Vegas, NV (September 5, 2013) – Hard hitting junior middleweight contender Deandre “The Bull” Latimore has never been a fighter to avoid challenges.
 
In December 2007, Latimore, then 23, stepped up and dominated previously unbeaten Durrell Richardson over ten rounds. Six months later, the dynamite fisted southpaw scored a shocking upset when he stopped world rated Sechew Powell in front of a nationally televised audience on ESPN’s Wednesday Night Fights. The very next fight, he challenged fellow St. Louisan Cory Spinks for the vacant IBF championship. With a packed house on hand, Latimore scored a flash knockdown in the opening round and cut Spinks in the fourth but ultimately dropped a debatable split decision.
 
Following the defeat to Spinks, Latimore reeled off four victories in his next five bouts, one of which came on ShoBox in his promotional debut for Mayweather Promotions. Under Mayweather’s wing, Latimore, who currently lives and fights out of Las Vegas, NV, landed the biggest opportunity of his career against former welterweight champion Carlos Quintana. The bout was seen by more than 1.5 million people as part of the Floyd Mayweather-Miguel Cotto undercard. Unfortunately, he was on the wrong end of a sixth round TKO.
 
“Quintana was the better man that night but I wasn’t focused,” stated Latimore. “There were a lot of out of the ring issues involving my family at that time and I wasn’t myself mentally.”
 
The aforementioned out of the ring issues kept him idle since his May 2012 bout with Quintana and led to an amicable split from Mayweather Promotions after just two bouts.
 
Latimore, currently a promotional and managerial free agent, is ready to return and recently teamed up with respected trainer Fareed Samad of Denver, CO. A former prizefighter, Samad, who owns Train 2 Perfection, retired 10-0 with 9 knockouts. As a trainer, he’s guided notable fighters in both boxing and mixed martial arts such as “King” Mo Lawal, Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida, Boyd “Rainmaker” Melson and Davarryl “Touch of Sleep” Williamson amongst others.
 
“I’m ready excited about working with Fareed,” stated Latimore. “He’s got me back to working on the basics and fundamentals. I believe he’ll unleash my talents and have me doing things that I never did before. Physically, I feel like a million bucks and I’m ready to get the ball rolling. After a few tune ups to shake off the ring rust, I’ll be right there ready, willing and able to face the world’s best at 154 and even 160 pounds.”
 
Samad agrees.
 
“Deandre was an outstanding puncher and a world class fighter before I started working with him. There are a lot of things we’re fine tuning to make him a more complete fighter than he was in the past. I believe the boxing world will soon mention a much improved Deandre Latimore as a foe for the top fighters in the immediate future.”
 
For more information on Samad, please visit Train2perfection.com, Facebook.com/Brother.Fareed or on Twitter @T2P_Boxing.

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

QUOTES FROM YESTERDAY'S ROBERT GUERRERO VS. ANDRE BERTO & KEITH THURMAN VS. CARLOS QUINTANA FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE




ROBERT "THE GHOST GUERRERO, Four Division and Six Time World Champion

"There is nothing left to say. It's time to fight. I'm ready to fight and take care of business on November 24."


ANDRE BERTO, Former Two-Time Welterweight World Champion

"This has been a long time coming. I've had a hell of a year, going through a lot of trials and tribulations. I believe that everything happens for a reason and I've learned a lot about myself and how strong I am to get through what I've been through. I'm in a whole other mind frame and have a whole new motivation.

"I had a tremendous training camp and I'm in the best shape that I've been in in a long time. I'm focused and I think that's the most important thing.

"I want to thank Team Guerrero for taking the fight. He's a tough opponent and you definitely have to respect him for going through what he's been through with his wife. There's nothing to do but respect a man like that.

"I know he's coming to fight, so that's going to make it more exciting.

"I'm in shape and I'm ready to get back out there under the lights and have fun like I used to."


KEITH "ONE TIME" THURMAN, Rising Junior Middleweight Star

"I'm living the dream right now. I've been fighting since I was seven years old and this is what I want, to be in a big fight on a big stage on HBO.

"We both want to be champions and one of us already has been and I'm up and coming. I plan on taking out many people during my career and being champion at 154 or 147.

"I have a lot of confidence going into this fight. I'm strong and ready. I'm going to do my thing 'One Time.'

"This fight is what I'm talking about..I don't want no chumps. He's already looking forward and talking about fighting Canelo Alvarez, but I like that. I like the confidence he has, because I want to be in a good fight.

"I have plenty of confidence as well. So don't blink, as I have a lot of early knockouts and I have the abilities and skills to make that happen again on Saturday night."


CARLOS QUINTANA, Former World Champion

"I'm very excited to fight on this card on HBO, especially at 154 pounds.

"At 147 pounds, I had a very difficult time making weight, but I'm never looking back, I'm only looking forward to my future. At 154, I'm a new fighter and I'm undefeated.

"I expect a difficult fight from my opponent. He is young, strong and knows how to box, but come November 24, I'll be victorious.

"I was once his age and know what it's like to be hungry, but this is my time."


OSCAR DE LA HOYA, President of Golden Boy Promotions

"November 24 is a special Thanksgiving treat for fight fans. In both fights, you have two warriors wiling to face each other to prove they are the best in their weight classes. It will be electrifying night of boxing.

"The co-featured fight is going to be a great fight. It's a 50-50 fight, where it will be a toss of the coin type of fight. On one side you have a fighter who has the experience, confidence, speed, power and intelligence of a veteran [in Carlos Quintana], but on the other side, you have a future world champion who doesn't have as much experience, but has youth, confidence and is an unbeaten rising star that brings excitement to the game."

"With the main event, we are expecting record breaking numbers on HBO because of the magnitude of this fight. The winner of this fight is in line to face the best, the Mayweather's and guys like that. Guerrero is a tough guy in the welterweight division and not scared to fight anybody. He is fighting one of the best and that's why we respect him.

"I don't care when you [Andre Berto] lose or how you lose, but when you come back and knockout your next opponent in the fifth round, that's a man on a mission."

# # #

Guerrero vs. Berto, a 12-round world title fight between Four-Division and Six-Time World Champion Robert "The Ghost" Guerrero and former Two-Time Welterweight World Champion Andre Berto for Guerrero's WBC Interim Welterweight World Championship, will take place on November 24 at Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, Calif. The event is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona and AT&T. Also featured will be a junior middleweight fight between rising star Keith "One Time" Thurman and former World Champion Carlos Quintana. The doubleheader will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Tickets priced at $200, $100, $75, $50 and $25, plus applicable service charges and taxes, are available for purchase by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 736-1420 or AXS at (888) 9AXS- TIX(888-929-7849), at the Citizens Business Bank Arena box office or online atwww.ticketmaster.com, www.cbbankarena.com or www.axs.com.

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

FORMER TWO-TIME WORLD CHAMPION ANDRE BERTO TO FACE FOUR DIVISION & SIX-TIME WORLD CHAMPION ROBERT GUERRERO IN A THRILLING WELTERWEIGHT SHOWDOWN ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24 AT CITIZENS BUSINESS BANK ARENA IN ONTARIO, CALIF. WHICH WILL BE TELECAST LIVE ON HBO WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®





KEITH THURMAN VS. CARLOS QUINTANA &
RICHARD ABRIL VS. SHARIF BOGERE WBA LIGHTWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIOSHIP ROUND OUT ACTION-PACKED TRIPLEHEADER

LOS ANGELES (October 23) - One of the biggest fights of 2012 is coming to Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, Calif., on Saturday, November 24 when former Two-Time Welterweight World Champion Andre Berto faces Four-Division and Six-Time World Champion Robert "The Ghost" Guerrero.

This 12-round matchup, a surefire "Fight of the Year" candidate, will air live on HBO World Championship Boxing.  The event will also feature two compelling co-featured bouts with unbeaten rising star Keith "One Time" Thurman facing his toughest test to date when he takes on former World Champion Carlos Quintana in a junior middleweight showdown and WBA Interim Lightweight World Champion Richar Abril taking unbeaten WBA #3 rated lightweight contender Sharif "The Lion" Bogere for the vacant WBA Lightweight World Championship.

"I'm happy to be back and to be fighting someone as talented as Robert Guerrero," said Berto.  "It's a great challenge for me to face one of the best coming off of my layoff.  I know I have the ability to be the best in my division and in the sport, and proving that to everyone starts with this fight."

"I am looking forward to this opportunity and it will be a nice way to spend the holiday weekend doing what I love to do which is to fight," said Guerrero.  "Berto has proven himself over the years as one of the best, but I am confident that I will come out on top and close out 2012 with a big win.  I have a lot to be thankful for in my life and a win over Berto over Thanksgiving weekend will be one more thing to add to that list."

"There are a lot of fighters saying they are the best, but not everyone is willing to prove it in the ring," said Oscar De La Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions.  "Andre Berto and Robert Guerrero put on a show every time they step through the ropes and I'm excited that they'll be putting on a show against each other on November 24.  On Thanksgiving weekend, I'll be giving thanks that we have a great fight between two of the best young fighters in the world and I know they'll be giving everything they have to walk out of that ring victorious."

"Fight fans can add to the enjoyment of the Thanksgiving holiday weekend with this action-packed World Championship Boxing tripleheader," said Kery Davis, Senior Vice President of Programming, HBO Sports.  "Andre Berto and Robert Guerrero will be primed for the main event showdown and we think boxing fans are in for a real treat."

"Citizens Business Bank Arena, managed by AEG Facilities and the City of Ontario, is extremely pleased to have been selected by Golden Boy Promotions to be the host venue for this exciting boxing event," said Steve Eckerson, General Manager of Citizens Business Bank Arena.  "The Inland Empire is a great market and will certainly support this great night of boxing."

Berto vs. Guerrero, a 12-round welterweight bout, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona and AT&T.  Also featured will be a junior middleweight bout between rising star Keith Thurman and former World Champion Carlos Quintana and a 12-round battle between WBA Interim Lightweight World Champion Richar Abril and number 3 rated WBA lightweight contender Sharif Bogere for the vacant WBA Lightweight World Championship.  The event will take place at Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, Calif. and will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT. 

Tickets priced at $200, $100, $75, $50 and $25, not including applicable service charges and taxes, are on sale and available for purchase by calling (888) 9AXS TIX (888-929-7849), at Citizens Business Bank Arena box office or online at www.cbbankarena.com or www.axs.com.

A 2004 Olympian for Haiti, Winter Haven, Florida's Andre Berto (28-1, 22 KO's) has been among the top welterweights in the world for years, starting in 2008, when he won the WBC 147-pound title with a seventh round technical knockout win over Miguel Angel Rodriguez.  After five successful defenses, Berto lost the title in his 2011 "Fight of the Year" battle against Victor Ortiz, but the 29-year-old bounced back with a fifth round stoppage over Jan Zaveck in his next bout to capture the IBF Welterweight World Championship, proving that he was still amongst the elite at 147 lbs.  On November 24, he'll look to continue to make that fact evident against a Four Division and Six-Time World Champion in Guerrero.

The pride of Gilroy, California, Robert "The Ghost" Guerrero (30-1-1, 18 KO's) is a Four-Division World Champion who may prove to be more dangerous than ever now that he can concentrate one hundred percent on his boxing career.  With his wife Casey healthy after a battle with leukemia and Guerrero's shoulder surgery a thing of the past, the 29-year-old southpaw got back to work in July with a hard-fought 12 round win over previously unbeaten Selcuk Aydin that earned him the WBC Interim Welterweight World Championship.  Now he's looking forward to closing out the year with another big win over former World Champion Berto.

A one-punch knockout artist who has ended 12 fights in two rounds or less, Clearwater, Florida's Keith "One Time" Thurman (18-0, 17 KO's) brings excitement every time he steps through the ropes.  Fully healed from injuries that kept him sidelined in 2011, the 23-year-old returned with a fury in 2012, stopping Christopher Fernandez, Brandon Hoskins and Orlando Lora in succession to extend his knockout streak to seven.  On November 24, he faces his toughest opponent yet in former World Champion Carlos Quintana.

Still dangerous at age 35, Moca, Puerto Rico's Carlos "El Indio" Quintana (29-3, 23 KO's) has found new life in the junior middleweight division, where he has scored technical knockout victories over Yoryi Estrella and Deandre Latimore in his last two fights.  The owner of wins over Paul Williams and Joel Julio and having faced Miguel Cotto and Andre Berto, former WBO Welterweight World Champion Quintana has the skills and experience to find out whether Thurman is the real deal on November 24.

Thirty-year-old Richar Abril (17-3-1, 8 KO's) was fairly unknown outside of diehard fight circles heading into 2012, but when the Cuban-born resident of Miami, Florida took on highly-touted Brandon Rios for the WBA Lightweight Title in April of this year, he quickly became better known.  Although Abril lost a split decision to Rios that night, the boxing media and fans around the world voiced their displeasure, calling it one of the worst decisions ever.  On November 24, Abril rightfully gets another shot at the title, this time against Sharif Bogere.

Uganda native Sharif "The Lion" Bogere (23-0, 15 KO's) was a five-time African champion in his amateur days, and he's eager to add some professional gold to his trophy case on November 24.  An aggressive contender with impressive power, the 24-year-old who now makes his home in Las Vegas has impressed fight fans with wins over Ray Beltran, Francisco Contreras, Sergio Rivera and Manuel Leyva, putting him in prime position for a shot at the world title.

Friday, May 4, 2012

"Ring Kings: Mayweather vs. Cotto" Weigh-In To Be Streamed Live Online



Las Vegas (May 4)...Fans around the world can witness Seven-Time and Five-Division World Champion Floyd "Money" Mayweather and WBA Super Welterweight World Champion Miguel Cotto step on the scale before they step into the ring by watching the "Ring Kings: Mayweather vs. Cotto" official weigh-in live online today, May 4 beginning at 5:45 p.m. ET/2:45 p.m. PT.  Also weighing in on the live stream will be WBC Super Welterweight World Champion Canelo Alvarez, Six-Time and Three-Division World Champion Sugar Shane Mosley, welterweight rising star Jessie Vargas, former World Champion Steve Forbes, super welterweight contender DeAndre Latimoreand former World Champion Carlos Quintana.  Below please find the websites that will be streaming the exciting weigh-in online:

  • Yahoo! Sports
  • ESPN.com
  • ESPNDeportes.com
  • Foxsports.com
  • SportsIllustrated.com
  • CNN.com
  • HBO.com (InsideHBOBoxing.com)
  • CraveOnline.com
  • RingTV.com
  • Ustream.com

# # #

"Ring Kings: Mayweather vs. Cotto," a 12-round fight for Cotto's WBA Super Welterweight World Championship and the vacant WBC Super Welterweight Diamond belt, is promoted by Mayweather Promotions, Golden Boy Promotions and Miguel Cotto Promotions.  Also featured will be Canelo Alvarez vs. Sugar Shane Mosley, a 12-round fight for Canelo's WBC Super Welterweight World Championship which is presented in association with Canelo Promotions and Sugar Shane Mosley Promotions and a 10-round welterweight fight featuring undefeated rising star Jessie Vargas and former World Champion Steve Forbes.  Opening the pay-per-view broadcast will be a 10-round bout between super welterweight contender DeAndre Latimore and former World Champion Carlos Quintana which is presented in association with DiBella Entertainment.  The mega event is sponsored by Corona, Hatfields & McCoys on HISTORY™, DeWalt Tools, AT&T, O'Reilly Auto Parts and Puebla - Cinco De Mayo and will take place Saturday, May 5 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View® beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.

Monday, April 16, 2012

FLOYD "MONEY" MAYWEATHER AND MIGUEL COTTO TO ALSO COMPETE FOR WBC SUPER WELTERWEIGHT DIAMOND BELT IN "RING KINGS: MAYWEATHER VS. COTTO" MAIN EVENT ON MAY 5

5-5-12 HBO PPV FINAL NEW


LOS ANGELES, April 16 - When kings of the ring Floyd "Money" Mayweather and Miguel Cotto meet on May 5 in the biggest boxing event of 2012, there will be even more on the line than Cotto's WBA Super Welterweight World Championship belt and pound-for-pound supremacy. The two boxing superstars will also be fighting for the vacant WBC Super Welterweight Diamond belt when they step into the ring at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in less than three weeks.




"The WBC belt has always been respected by boxers as one of the most prestigious title they can win, and to have the Diamond belt up for grabs in the 'Ring Kings: Mayweather vs. Cotto' main event adds even more to this great night," said Golden Boy Promotions President Oscar De La Hoya. "When this fight is over, there will absolutely be no doubt as to who is the best 154-pounder in the world."




"Ring Kings: Mayweather vs. Cotto," a 12-round fight for Cotto's WBA Super Welterweight World Championship is promoted by Mayweather Promotions, Golden Boy Promotions and Miguel Cotto Promotions. Also featured will be Canelo Alvarez vs. Sugar Shane Mosley, a 12-round fight for Canelo's WBC Super Welterweight World Championship which is presented in association with Canelo Promotions and Sugar Shane Mosley Promotions and a 10-round welterweight fight between undefeated rising star Jessie Vargas and perennial contender Alfonso Gomez.

Opening the pay-per-view broadcast will be a 10-round bout between super welterweight contender DeAndre Latimore and former World Champion Carlos Quintana which is presented in association with DiBella Entertainment. The mega event is sponsored by Corona, Hatfields & McCoys on HISTORY™, DeWalt Tools, AT&T, O'Reilly Auto Parts and Puebla - Cinco De Mayo and will take place Saturday, May 5 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View® beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.




Limited tickets for "Ring Kings: Mayweather vs. Cotto" are still available, with a total ticket limit of ten (10) per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also are available for purchase at http://www.mgmgrand.com/  or http://www.ticketmaster.com/ .




Three Las Vegas MGM Resorts, Mandalay Bay, Monte Carlo and The Mirage, will host live closed circuit telecasts of "Ring Kings: Mayweather vs. Cotto." Advanced purchased tickets for the closed circuit telecasts are priced at $75, not including handling fees. All seats are general admission and are on sale now at each individual property's box office outlets or by phone with a major credit card at (866) 799-7711.




Episodes two and three of HBO's all-access reality series 24/7

MAYWEATHER/COTTO debut on Saturday, April 21 (10:00 p.m. ET/PT) and Saturday, April 28 (9:45 p.m. ET/PT) respectively, with the finale debuting Friday, May 4 (8:00 p.m. ET/PT), the night before the high-stakes super welterweight title bout. All four episodes will have multiple replay dates on HBO, and the series will also be available on HBO On Demand® and HBO GO®.

NCM Fathom will broadcast "Ring Kings: Mayweather vs. Cotto" in high definition LIVE to more than 440 movie theaters nationwide. Tickets to see the fight on the big screen are available at participating theater box offices and online at http://www.fathomevents.com/ .

Monday, April 9, 2012

"RING KINGS: MAYWEATHER VS. COTTO" TELEVISED PAY-PER-VIEW CARD SET


JESSIE VARGAS VS. ALFONSO GOMEZ AND DEANDRE LATIMORE VS. CARLOS QUINTANA TO BE FEATURED ON MAY 5 MEGA-EVENT

LOS ANGELES, April 9 -The "Ring Kings: Mayweather vs. Cotto" pay-per-view card is set and some of the toughest competitors in boxing today will be featured when undefeated rising star Jessie Vargas faces-off against perennial contender Alfonso Gomez and, in the opening pay-per-view bout, exciting 154 lb. contender DeAndre "The Bull" Latimore takes on former World Champion Carlos "El Indio" Quintana. The two 10-round bouts will take place prior to the WBA Super Welterweight Championship between Floyd Mayweather and Miguel Cotto and the Canelo Alvarez vs. Sugar Shane Mosley WBC Super Welterweight title bout Saturday, May 5 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The event will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View® beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.

Twenty-two-year-old Las Vegas resident Jessie Vargas (18-0, 9 KO's) is one of boxing's fastest rising stars with notable wins over Arturo Morua, Walter Estrada and former World Champion Vivian Harris. Last September on the Mayweather vs. Ortiz card, Vargas proved that he is one of boxing's top contenders with an exciting 10-round decision victory over fellow contender Josesito Lopez. Eager to keep his momentum going, Vargas scored a near-shutout win over Lanardo Tyner in February and is now hoping to add Alfonso Gomez to his collection of high-profile wins.

As a member of the cast in the hit boxing reality series "The Contender," Alfonso Gomez (23-5-2, 12 KO's) became the fighter to beat as he defeated the show's top contenders, as well as other top-tier opponents such as Ben Tackie, Jesus Soto Karass and World Champions Arturo Gatti and Jose Luis Castillo. A two-time world title challenger who faced Miguel Cotto in 2008 and Canelo Alvarez in 2011, the 31-year-old from Guadalajara begins another quest for the title on May 5.

Twenty-six-year-old St. Louis-native DeAndre Latimore (23-3, 17 KO's) now resides in Las Vegas and the change of scenery has done wonders for the aptly nicknamed "Bull." As a former super welterweight title challenger who lost a highly controversial split decision to Cory Spinks in 2009, Latimore is looking to regain momentum and battle his way back into title contention. With three consecutive wins, including a memorable 10-round victory over Milton Nunez in February, he is closing in on another shot at 154-pound gold.

Moca, Puerto Rico's Carlos Quintana (28-3, 22 KO's) is a southpaw like the St. Louis native Latimore; however, "El Indio" is more matador than bull, with his excellent boxing skills, which led him to a world welterweight title win in 2008 over a then-unbeaten Paul Williams. With wins over top contenders including Joel Julio, Francisco Campos and Nurhan Suleymanoglu, the 35-year-old Quintana has won three of his last four bouts, most recently stopping Yoryi Estrella in nine rounds in February of 2011.

Latimore vs. Quintana is presented in association with DiBella Entertainment.

"Ring Kings: Mayweather vs. Cotto," a 12-round fight for Cotto's WBA Super Welterweight World Championship is promoted by Mayweather Promotions, Golden Boy Promotions and Miguel Cotto Promotions. Also featured will be Canelo Alvarez vs. Sugar Shane Mosley, a 12-round fight for Canelo's WBC Super Welterweight World Championship which is presented in association with Canelo Promotions and Sugar Shane Mosley Promotions. The mega event is sponsored by Corona, Hatfields & McCoys on HISTORY™, DeWalt Tools, AT&T, O'Reilly Auto Parts and Puebla-Cinco De Mayo and will take place Saturday, May 5 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View® beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.

Limited tickets for "Ring Kings: Mayweather vs. Cotto" are still available, with a total ticket limit of ten (10) per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also are available for purchase at http://www.mgmgrand.com/  or http://www.ticketmaster.com/ .

Three MGM Resorts International properties, Mandalay Bay, Monte Carlo and The Mirage, will host live closed circuit telecasts of "Ring Kings: Mayweather vs. Cotto." Advanced purchased tickets for the closed circuit telecasts are priced at $75, not including handling fees. All seats are general admission and are on sale now at each individual property's box office outlets or by phone with a major credit card at 866-799-7711.

HBO's Emmy® Award-winning all-access series "24/7" premieres an all-new edition when "24/7 Mayweather/Cotto" debuts Saturday, April 14 at 9:45 p.m. ET/PT. The four-part series will air for three consecutive Saturday nights before the finale airs the night before the super welterweight championship showdown in Las Vegas.