Chicago's Dominic Pesoli Named Vice President of Warriors Boxing

Warriors Boxing is proud to formalize the announcement of Dominic Pesoli as Vice President.    Pesoli, the former President of Chicago-based 8 Count Productions, and the Windy City's top promoter, accepted the position after a long and healthy business relationship with Warriors, partnering up on some of the city's biggest boxing shows in many decades. "Dominic has been a trusted advisor and business collaborator of Luis DeCubas and I for many years and I'm thrilled to add him to Warriors' expanding team." said Leon Margules. "Together we revived Chicago boxing and have made the UIC Pavilion a Midwest hotspot for big-time boxing." "I have known Dominic for 20 years and he is a great boxing guy and I am happy he is working with us," said Warriors partner Luis DeCubas. Pesoli, who recently relocated to Los Angeles, says he's looking forward to his future with Warriors. "Warriors has so many big plans on the horizon. We have joined forces officially, but Leon and Luis have been my dear friends and closest business associates for many years. I am extremely happy to be onboard with the most upwardly mobile boxing promotions company in the country, run by my closest friends who are amongst the most integral people in boxing." With Warriors, Pesoli will continue to work on the long string of successful shows he started in Chicago in 1997, while branching out to assist Warriors with their ever-increasing international stable. The next Warriors show with Pesoli as sitting VP will be held on Friday, December 12, at the UIC Pavilion. "Holiday Boxing Bash" will be headlined by undefeated former amateur star Rau'shee Warren (12-0, 3 KOs) going 10 rounds in the bantamweight division, as well as popular Chicago up-and-comer Jose F. Quezada (4-0, 3 KOs) in a lightweight six-rounder; Warsaw, Poland's Patryk Szymanski (11-0, 6 KOs) in a junior middleweight eight-rounder; and Aurora, Illinois super lightweight Eddie Ramirez (6-0, 4 KOs) in a six-rounder. Tickets for "Holiday Boxing Bash" 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. # # # About Warriors Boxing Launched in 2003, Warriors Boxing operates under a simple philosophy-bring the best boxers in the world to fight fans, match them in competitive bouts, and in doing so help re-establish the sport of boxing for a new generation. With a series of successful Pay-Per-View shows and packed houses to its credit, the Warriors business model is working wonders in a sport that was sorely in need of the innovation and energy that the company brings to the table. When it comes down to it though, a promotional company is only as good as the fighters and fights it promotes. Warriors Boxing has delivered on all fronts, with outstanding bouts such as Lara-Molina, Cayo-Peterson, Abraham-Miranda I and II, Miranda-Pavlik, Miranda-Green, Ibragimov-Briggs, Ibragimov-Klitschko, Urango-Hatton, Urango-Bailey, Cayo-Maidana and Ibragimov-Holyfield. For more information on Warriors Boxing, visit their website at www.WarriorsBoxing.com.

ON THE COMEBACK TRAIL, RONALD HEARNS TOPS HOLIDAY BOXING BASH UNDERCARD IN CHICAGO, ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12

Comebacking former world title challenger and son of a legend, Ronald "The Chosen One" Hearns (26-5, 20 KOs) will appear in a featured six- to eight-round middleweight bout of Warrior's Boxing's mammoth 14-fight "Holiday Boxing Bash" event at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago on Friday, December 12. Also appearing in 10-round showcase bouts that night will be undefeated Hudsonville, Michigan, cruiserweight Jordan Shimmell (17-0, 14 KOs), Fort Washington, Maryland, light heavyweight Thomas "Top Dog" Williams Jr. (17-1, 12 KOs), and unbeaten Toledo, Ohio, lightweight Robert "E Bunny" Easter (11-0, 9 KOs). The quartet of established contenders will top the "Holiday Boxing Bash" undercard, headlined by undefeated former amateur star Rau'shee Warren (12-0, 3 KOs) going 10 rounds in the bantamweight division, as well as popular Chicago up-and-comer Jose F. Quezada (4-0, 3 KOs) in a lightweight six-rounder; Warsaw, Poland's Patryk Szymanski (11-0, 6 KOs) in a junior middleweight eight-rounder; and Aurora, Illinois super lightweight Eddie Ramirez (6-0, 4 KOs) in a six-rounder. Tickets for "Holiday Boxing Bash" 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. Also on the undercard will be a number of undefeated Midwest-based contenders, including a four-round welterweight bout featuring Cincinnati, Ohio's Jamotay Clark (3-0, 3 KOs); a six-round lightweight bout featuring Cleveland, Ohio's Raynell Williams (5-0, 3 KOs); an eight-round lightweight bout featuring Cincinnati's Jamel Herring (9-0, 6 KOs); and an eight-round junior middleweight bout featuring Minneapolis's Javontae Starks(10-0, 7 KOs). 35-year-old Ronald Hearns was forbidden from the boxing ring until completing his education, a degree in Criminal Justice from American University. Once completed, however, "The Hitman" got behind his son's boxing aspirations. The younger Hearns went 9-1 as an amateur and managed to win the 2004 National Middleweight Championship before turning pro. Hearns won his first 21 consecutive fights and challenged, unsuccessfully, for the WBA Super World Middleweight title against Felix Sturm in 2011. 26-year-old Jordan Shimmell, born in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, started boxing at 8 years old and enjoyed a heavily decorated amateur career. Among many junior and senior titles, Shimmell won the World Golden Gloves Championships in 2007 and was the runner-up in the 2006 National Golden Gloves, as well as the 201-pound champion in the 2007 Midwestern Trials. In 2009, he became the first heavyweight in Michigan Golden Gloves history to win four titles. He is only the sixth heavyweight to ever win both the National Golden Gloves and USA Boxing National Championships in the same year. As a professional, Shimmell has been flawless, thus far, chopping down all but three of his first 17 opponents. 27-year-old Thomas Williams Jr. is from Ft. Washington, Maryland. He turned professional in 2010 after a strong amateur career. He is the son of former heavyweight contender Thomas "Top Dawg" Williams Sr. In 2014, Wililams won the NABO Light Heavyweight Title with a wild first-round stoppage over Cornelius White. As an amateur, 23-year-old Robert Easter was a 2012 U.S. Olympic Team alternate and 2012 Final Qualifier for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials. He was also the 2010 and 2011 National Golden Gloves Bronze Medalist. In the pro ranks, Easter, who is co-trained by his father, has stopped nine of his first 11 opponents. Opponents for all will be announced shortly. On fight night, doors open at 5:30 PM and the first fight is at 6:00 PM. The UIC Pavilion is located at 525 S Racine Avenue in Chicago. For more information and updates, visit   www.warriorsboxing.com   # # # About Warriors Boxing Launched in 2003, Warriors Boxing operates under a simple philosophy-bring the best boxers in the world to fight fans, match them in competitive bouts, and in doing so help re-establish the sport of boxing for a new generation. With a series of successful Pay-Per-View shows and packed houses to its credit, the Warriors business model is working wonders in a sport that was sorely in need of the innovation and energy that the company brings to the table. When it comes down to it though, a promotional company is only as good as the fighters and fights it promotes. Warriors Boxing has delivered on all fronts, with outstanding bouts such as Lara-Molina, Cayo-Peterson, Abraham-Miranda I and II, Miranda-Pavlik, Miranda-Green, Ibragimov-Briggs, Ibragimov-Klitschko, Urango-Hatton, Urango-Bailey, Cayo-Maidana and Ibragimov-Holyfield. For more information on Warriors Boxing, visit their website at www.WarriorsBoxing.com.

SZYMANSKI MAKES MOST OF OPPORTUNITY TO SHINE, NOW RETURNING TO CHICAGO HAILED AS 'THE NEXT GREAT POLISH BOXER IN CHICAGO'

Undefeated junior middleweight Patryk Szymanski (11-0, 6 KOs) knew it was his chance to shine Last February at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago and he did not disappoint. So impressive was Szymanski, in stopping Michigan's Daniel Hicks in two brutal rounds, he's now being hailed by some pretty important people as the next great Polish boxer being showcased in Chicago. Having caught the eye of, and signed with, co-promoter Leon Margules of Florida-based Warriors Boxing, the 21-year-old has since left his native Poland and is now living and training at the Contenders Gym in Fort Lauderdale, working with reputable trainer Chico Rivas. Szymanski will appear in a featured eight-round bout on Friday, December 12, 2014, at the UIC Pavilion when Warriors Boxing Promotions presents a 14-fight "Holiday Boxing Bash" in Chicago. In the night's main event, undefeated former amateur star Rau'shee Warren (12-0, 3 KOs) will go 10 rounds in the bantamweight division. Also featured will be Chicago up-and-comer Jose F. Quezada (4-0, 3 KOs) in a lightweight six-rounder and Aurora, Illinois super lightweight Eddie Ramírez (6-0, 4 KOs) in a six-rounder. Tickets start at $31 and are available at Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster.comor 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. "Since I was a young boy, I have always wanted to be a boxer," said Szymanski. "This is realizing my dream, so of course it's a great thing! It all started with my co-promoter in the States, Mariusz Kolodziej from Global Boxing. He arranged for me to fight in Chicago. Leon (Margules from Warriors Boxing) saw me in February and he liked what he saw, so he signed me." Szymanski, who had over 250 amateur fights and spent seven years on the Polish national team before turning professional, comes from a fighting family in his native Warsaw. His father, Grzegorz, was also a boxer and his first trainer. "I'm very close with my family and they support me completely. Boxing was a really important part of my upbringing," continued Szymanski. "My father was a fighter, so he introduced me to boxing. He was my trainer also until we came to the moment when my dad decided he could do no more for me." And so Szymanski is now living with and working hard for renowned trainer Chico Rivas. Rivas has some high praise for his new pupil. "This kid is something special," said Rivas. "He's a very entertaining boxer/puncher, but he's also very strong technically. He's got some power too. He can get you out of there". On a personal level, Rivas says Szymanski is fairly unique among fighters. "How many fighters are going to take their trainer out for dinner?" he asked. "Never before. They always want you to pay. This kid works hard in the gym every day and he's a nice kid. Very polite and well-mannered." Szymanski says that while he misses his parents and friends back home, the chance to actually become the new face of Polish boxing in the United States and the world is too important. An opinion shared by the members of his circle. "Their dreams are my dreams. I stay in steady contact with them because it's very important, especially for my father, to know what's going on with me. They all want this just as badly as I do."

WARRIORS BOXING RETURNS TO CHICAGO ON DECEMBER 12

'HOLIDAY BOXING BASH' TO FEATURE QUARTET OF CHICAGO AND INTERNATIONAL PROSPECTS Warriors Boxing Promotions will follow up on the smash success of its "Homecoming" event on November 1 to present "Holiday Boxing Bash", a night of world-class professional boxing on Friday, December 12, 2014, at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago. Headlining the 14-fight "Holiday Boxing Bash" will be a quartet of undefeated local and international prospects. In the night's main event, undefeated former amateur star Rau'shee Warren (12-0, 3 KOs) will go 10 rounds in the bantamweight division. Featured in separate showcase bouts will be wildly popular Chicago up-and-comer Jose F. Quezada (4-0, 3 KOs) in a lightweight six-rounder; Warsaw, Poland's Patryk Szymanski (11-0, 6 KOs) in a junior middleweight eight-rounder; and Aurora, Illinois super lightweight Eddie Ramírez (6-0, 4 KOs) in a six-rounder. Tickets start at $31 and are available at Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster.comor 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. 27-year-old Rau'shee Warren was the 2007 World Amateur Boxing Champion in the flyweight division. He is also a 2004 and 2008 Olympian and USA Boxing's 2006 Co-Athlete of the Year. From Cincinnati, Ohio, Warren has been boxing since the age of six. Warren turned professional in 2012 and has barely lost a round in his first 12 fights. Lightweight Jose Felix Quezada, 19, is an enormous fan-favorite locally and a three-time State Silver Gloves Champion, three-time Chicago City-Wide Champion, two-time Regional Silver Gloves Champion and the 2009 National Junior Golden Gloves Champion. As a professional, the talented Quezada has stopped three of his four opponents. Welterweight Eddie Ramirez, 22, of Aurora, Ill., was a 2013 Chicago Golden Gloves Champion who was voted Best Boxer for the entire tournament. He was also a 2013 National Golden Gloves Tournament of Champions finalist. As a professional, Ramirez has beaten his first six opponents, including 5-0 Manny Brown (KO 3), 4-1 Alexis Del Bosque (UD 4) and 3-1-1 DeMarcus Rogers (KO 1). 21-year-old Patryk Szymanski had over250 amateur fights and spent seven years on the Polish national team before turning professional in 2012. Szymanski recently relocated to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where he lives and trains with well-regarded Chico Rivas. Despite having just 11 professional fights, the talented Szymanski has already won the WBO Youth Welterweight, World Boxing Foundation International Light Middleweight and Republic of Poland International Light Middleweight Championships. Opponents for all will be announced shortly, as will the participants of the other nine bouts scheduled. On fight night, doors open at 5:30 PM and the first fight is at 6:00 PM. The UIC Pavilion is located at 525 S Racine Avenue in Chicago. For more information and updates, visit www.warriorsboxing.com.

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.

ANDRZEJ FONFARA vs. DOUDOU NGUMBU TOMOKI KAMEDA vs. ALEJANDRO HERNANDEZ MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES & PHOTOS

SHOWTIME BOXING: Special Edition This Saturday, Nov. 1, Live On SHOWTIME^®

At 9 p.m. ET/PT From UIC Pavilion In Chicago

Click HERE To Download Photos

Photo Credit: Esther Lin/SHOWTIME

CHICAGO (Oct. 29, 2014) – Hometown favorite Andrzej “The Polish Prince” Fonfara,  France’s Doudou Ngumbu, WBO Bantamweight World Champion Tomoki Kameda and Interim WBO Bantamweight Champ Alejandro Hernandezworked out for the media on Wednesday at Oakley Fight Club in Chicago as they reach the apex of preparation for Saturday’s SHOWTIME Boxing: Special Edition from UIC Pavilion in Chicago.

Fonfara (25-3, 15 KOs) and Ngumbu (33-5, 12 KOs) will square off in the 10-round light heavyweight main event while Kameda (30-0, 19 KOs) will defend his belt against mandatory challenger Hernandez (28-10-2, 15 KOs) in the 12-round co-feature. 

Saturday’s tripleheader, which will air live on SHOWTIME at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast), is promoted by Warriors Boxing.  In the opening bout of the telecast, undefeated super featherweight contender and former Interim WBA Featherweight World Champion Javier Fortuna will take on Puerto Rican Abner Cotto in a 10-round super featherweight bout. 

Kameda was joined in the gym by his two brothers, Koki and Daiki, who made history when all three recently held world titles at the same time.  While Tomoki held the WBO Bantamweight Championship, Koki was the WBA Bantamweight Champion until he voluntarily relinquished the title in December in order to move down to flyweight. Daiki was the IBF Junior Bantamweight Champion until he lost by decision last December.  Koki will fight on the non-televised undercard on Saturday. 

Here’s what the fighters had to say on Wednesday:

FONFARA:

“I’ve seen a couple of his fights. I know he’s quick and has a different boxing style, an odd style.  He’s fast and sneaky, but if I want to be the best and get a rematch with [Adonis] Stevenson then I need to beat guys like him. 

“Training camp in Big Bear [Calif.] went well.  We had good sparring partners and good preparation for this fight.  We had two weeks in Big Bear after a nice camp in Chicago so I’m ready for this fight.

“I know he’s fought tough opponents in Europe, and he’s used to fighting 10 or 12 rounds.  He doesn’t have the strongest punch, but he has solid technique and he’s fast. 

“It’s very exciting to be fighting back in Chicago, to be fighting in front of my fans.  It’s a huge motivation for me. 

“I want to show everyone that I’m in great shape.  We’ll see, if I get a chance to knock him out I’ll knock him out.  If not, I just want to win the fight.  It doesn’t matter how, I just want to win the fight.

“My next step is the rematch with Stevenson because I feel I can beat him.  I don’t know if he’ll take the fight, but if I win this one and become a mandatory challenger at some point then he’ll have to fight me.  I want to be the champion.”

NGUMBU:

“Training camp went very well.  We took Fonfara very seriously because he’s a well-known boxer, not just in the U.S. but in the world.  So we didn’t take him lightly.

“The fight is going to happen in the ring.  You can’t predict what is going to happen in advance.  There will just be two of us in there on Saturday. 

“I’m not concerned with his power.  If I was concerned about it I wouldn’t have come all the way to Chicago. 

“I actually think I’ve faced the tougher fighters than he has.  And I think I’ve faced a few guys that are stronger than Fonfara. 

“I came here to do my job, which is to box, and I came here to win.

“It’s a huge honor to be able to box on U.S. soil.  The time difference and travel isn’t an issue for me.  I’ve fought all over the world so I know how to adapt.”

KAMEDA:

“All fights are different, all opportunities are different, but we are always prepared to win.  We’ll take what we get in the ring, but if the right hook to the body is there we’re going to take it.

“I’ve always dreamed of fighting in the U.S., and I’ve always dreamed of fighting on TV.  Now that I’m here and I’ve signed with Al Haymon, I know all the doors will open for me.  But our main goal is to win on Saturday and put on a good show for the fans.

“I sparred with him [Hernandez] about six years ago, but we’ve both changed a lot since then.  He’s matured and I’ve matured.  But the difference is that I’m the champion now.

“Training camp was great.  We put in all the work in the gym and now we’re ready to get in there and put on a show.”

HERNANDEZ:

“I prepared very well for this fight. I had a very strict and rigorous routine. Definitely the hardest training camp I’ve ever had.

“Tomoki and I have sparred in the past, and that might help. But not as much as everybody might think. It’s been a while since our sparring sessions and we’ve both  changed our styles and techniques. I have changed and matured as a fighter, and comeSaturday night, it will show.

“I’m going to implement a different game plan. I’m not going to be focused on one particular area or punching style. I just have to go at him with everything I have. I’m going to surprise him; he won’t see me coming.

“It’s a dream of any boxer to leave a mark and make an impact in this sport and I’m grateful I have my chance on SHOWTIME this Saturday.”

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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 (Thursdayor 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 andhttp://www.uicpavilion.com/pavilion, follow on Twitter at @andrzej_fonfara,@DoudouNgumbu, @TomokiKameda, @SHOSports, and become a fan on Facebook at www.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.