TERENCE CRAWFORD and YURIORKIS GAMBOA WORLD LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP CONFERENCE CALL TRANSCRIPT

With Top Rank's Carl Moretti and Crawford Co-Managers Brian McIntyre and Cameron Dunkin Wednesday, June 25 OMAHA, NEB (June 26, 2014) -- World Championship Boxing returns to Omaha for the first time in 42 years!  Undefeated world champions TERENCE CRAWFORD, the Pride of Omaha, and Cuban sensation YURIORKIS GAMBOA, who boast identical 23-0 (16 KOs) professional ring records, will be battling for Crawford's newly-won World Boxing Organization (WBO) lightweight title This Saturday! June 28, at the the CenturyLink Center in Omaha (455 North 10th St.,Omaha, Neb. 68102).  This will be the first world championship fight Omaha has hosted since Joe Frazier successfully defended his heavyweight title against Nebraska's-own Ron Stander on May 25, 1972.  It will also be a professional homecoming for Crawford, who has not fought in his home state since 2011.  The fight will be televised live onHBO Boxing After Dark®, in its first-ever visit to Omaha, beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.  The telecast will open with undefeated Top-Five contenders MATT KOROBOV and JOSE UZCATEGUI battling in a 10-round rumble for the vacant WBO Inter-Continental middleweight title.             This exciting all-action doubleheader features four undefeated gladiators with a combined record of 91-0, 63 KOs.  *********************************** CARL MORETTI:  First I would like to say there is no truth to the rumor that we banned Bob Arum from the conference call.  Bob is home resting comfortably from his knee replacement surgery and I know he'll be watching the show on Saturday night. We pass  along our well wishes.  We have four undefeated fighters fighting Saturdaynight live on HBO [10 p.m. ET/PT]  Their combined records are a perfect 91-0 with nearly 70% of those victories coming by way of knockout.  Matt Korobov and Jose Uzcategui, world-rated No. 1 and No. 4 by the WBO, respectively, open the HBO telecast up and to the victor should go on to become the mandatory challenger to Peter Quillin.  And in the main event, Terence Crawford, the local hometown kid, makes the first defense of his title he won over is Scotland against Ricky Burns, battling one of the greatest amateurs ever and undefeated as a pro and a worthy contender for this title. YURIORKIS GAMBOA:  I am very anxious to get to the fight.  I met all the objectives that  I needed to in training camp to get our game plan together for this fight on Saturday night. CAMERON DUNKIN:  I am just very excited for Terrence and Brian both.  They were out in Omaha and we had a plan and it worked out - we knew we would get here and a lot of people thought we were crazy.  We're here and I'm really excited for them.  We look for a great fight - Gamboa is a great fighter and it's going to be a terrific fight. BRIAN McINTYRE:  I first would like to say thank you to Yuriorkis Gamboa for accepting the fight.  I am excited for Terence that he will be able to showcase his skills at this level and he being in his hometown.  I am expecting a great fight. TERENCE CRAWFORD:  I'm feeling good and I'm ready.  This is what I have been asking for all along and I am just ready for the moment. When you won the title in Glasgow, was it a plan to defend it in your hometown? TERENCE CRAWFORD:  Yes, that was my goal, to make my first defense in Omaha and I was real pleased with Bob [Arum] keeping his word.  Now that we are here I am just happy for everything.  I am in my hometown where my fans have never really got to see me perform as a professional and I am ready for the moment There are always stories of distractions, tickets etc., when a fighter fights in his hometown.  Have you experienced that? TERENCE CRAWFORD:  I don't handle any of that - no tickets or t-shirts, so they can't call me for nothing.  So I am not worried about the distractions. BRIAN McINTYRE:  Well, we already have a game plan planned out - what everybody's job is going to be as far as the tickets go and the t-shirts.  We are keeping Terence secluded so he has no distractions.  We talked about that months in advance and now we are just executing the plan. Do you have knowledge of the last world championship fight that took place in Omaha? [Joe Frazier vs. Ron Stander World Heavyweight Championship, May 25, 1972] TERENCE CRAWFORD:  It was news to me.  I never knew about it until a few years back.  I know about it now and that's all that matters. You looked much bigger than Gamboa at the initial press conference.  Do you feel you have a big size advantage?  Do you think you will use it? TERENCE CRAWFORD:  Like I tell everybody - you never know.  Gamboa is a real skillful fighter and he can make adjustments in the ring as the fight goes on.  We just have to wait to see what happens. Gamboa, you are shorter than most of your opponents, but this seems more so... YURIORKIS GAMBOA:  I answer that question by going back to all of the fights in my professional career.  I have been pretty much the smaller fighter in all of my fights, so I don't think it will have much of an affect.  I know how to adjust and I know how to come in with a game plan.  It's just something I have dealt with since I was an amateur - I have always been the smaller guy. Will the layoff affect you - you fought once in 2012 and once in 2013? YURIORKIS GAMBOA:  Basically no, not as long as I am focused.   I have stayed active - maybe not in the ring but I have done what I need to do outside of the ring to be prepared for Saturday night.  I have remained active in the gym. Gamboa has been tweeting some odd things towards you - how do you feel about that? TERENCE CRAWFORD:  I just look at it as being part of boxing.  That's something he feels he wants to do and I don't take it personally.  I am going to go in there, comeSaturday, and look at him eye-to-eye and see what he has to say then. Does Gamboa pose a big challenge to you? TERENCE CRAWFORD:  He is going to be a big challenge.  He is a great fighter, like myself.  I never got hit by him so I don't know about his power. How is he different than Burns? TERENCE CRAWFORD:  Gamboa has a lot more amateur experience, but at the same time they are two different fights.  One is tall and one is short and they fight two different styles. How do you feel about fighting in your hometown? TERENCE CRAWFORD:  My managers, Cameron Dunkin and Brian McIntyre - they came in and got the job done.  I am just blessed to be able to fight in Omaha. Do you feel this is a career-defining fight for you? YURIORKIS GAMBOA:  Like in any career, obviously it is a defining moment and I plan to take full advantage. Where does Yuri feel that Terence falls talent-wise? YURIORKIS GAMBOA:  Until I fight him on Saturday I really can't answer that question. How have you dealt with the demands on your time while fighting in your hometown? TERENCE CRAWFORD:  We've been keeping a low profile.  When we got back into town from training camp [in Colorado Springs] there wasn't a big entourage.  I actually didn't let anyone know when I was coming back into town.  It's been kind of cool - just chillin' and waiting on the fight. Cameron? CAMERON DUNKIN:  I leave that up to Brian.  These guys have lived there their whole lives.  Brian and I were concerned about it and we had a long talk about it.  He told me he would set everything up and keep all the distractions away.  Brian has done a great job, giving everyone jobs so Terence is just focused on the fight and ready to go.  He hasn't had any distractions and Brian has assured me he is ready to go. Do you get a feeling, by walking around town, the magnitude of the event? TERENCE CRAWFORD:  Yes, I can tell it is big.  Big not just for me but for the city of Omaha, Nebraska.  It's not just the boxing community; it is all the people in Omaha.  I can also tell that I give the people hope - that they can be what they want to be, if you believe and work hard at it. How do you characterize yourself?  Some say you are a southpaw and some say you are a switch-hitter? TERENCE CRAWFORD:  I don't look at myself as one-dimensional.  I can fight a lot of different ways - I'm very flexible. What type of challenge does Terence pose to you? YURIORKIS GAMBOA:  It's part of the sport.  Obviously you are going to fight guys that can switch up on you.  Some can master either the southpaw or orthodox stance, but it's something you have to deal with.  You have to prepare to face that challenge. When was the last time you went to fight in someone's back yard - or as the B-side of the promotion? YURIORKIS GAMBOA:  In Kazakhstan is the last time I can remember, in 2006. Do you plan to attack Gamboa, since he has been off for a while and he may have a suspect chin? TERENCE CRAWFORD:  I never go into the ring thinking that's the way he is going to be - I just go in to fight my fight.  I don't go in there looking for the knockout.  If it comes it comes and if it doesn't it doesn't. Who made the decision to take this fight against Crawford? YURIORKIS GAMBOA:  I think it is well known that the dialogue and conversation between my team and Top Rank was a fight with Mikey Garcia, but that was not going to happen - there are some legalities between them that wouldn't let the fight take place, and that's when Top Rank suggested we make this fight happen and we decided that was a good option as well. Terence, what do you think you will bring to the table that will give Gamboa problems?  He mentioned that he has been fighting guys like you since his young amateur days in Cuba... TERENCE CRAWFORD:  We are going to have to wait until Saturday.  The guys he has fought, I am pretty sure don't have the same style as me.  He may have fought guys with similar styles but no one has the same exact style as me.  So we will have to see on Saturday. What one thing that you will bring to the table will get you the victory? TERENCE CRAWFORD:  Just me being myself.  Me going in there and fighting my fight. YURIORKIS GAMBOA:  I would say that my boxing IQ I think is very high - that is one thing that a lot of people underestimate in me.  My boxing abilities give me an advantage in a lot of fights that I go into.  My speed and my reflexes - a combination of a lot of those things I think will lead me to a victory on Saturday. TERENCE CRAWFORD:  I say good luck to Gamboa.  I know we are going to be ready and he'll be ready and to all of the fans out there support Gamboa and me and buy tickets to the fight, support the fight and thanks for having me. CARL MORETTI:  Obviously this is a hot event here in Omaha and we have opened up the remaining seats in the upper level to accommodate the demand.   Fans are welcome to watch the live-stream of Thursday's final press conference atwww.toprank.tv [3 p.m. ET / Noon PT] and attend Friday's Official Weigh-In, which will take place at the CenturyLink Center Omaha, beginning at 3:00 p.m. local time.  We are looking forward to it. ********************             Promoted by Top Rank®, in association with SMS Promotions, PS4 andTecate, remaining tickets to Crawford vs. Gamboa, priced at $27, $52 and $102, can be purchased at the CenturyLink Center Omaha box office and all Ticketmaster outlets. To charge-by-phone call 800-745-3000.  To order online, visitTicketmaster.com.              For fight updates go to www.toprank.com, or www.hbo.com/boxing, on Facebook at facebook.com/trboxing, facebook.com/trboxeo, orfacebook.com/hboboxing, and on Twitter at twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo, or twitter.com/hboboxing.  Use the Hashtag #CrawfordGamboa to join the conversation on Twitter.

Gamboa fighting Crawford to be Recognized once again as One of top boxers in world

Saturday's HBO main event in Omaha, Nebraska

MIAMI (June 23, 2014) - Undefeated multiple-time world champion Yuriorkis "The Cyclone of Guantanamo" Gamboa (23-0, 16 KOs) firmly believes he is one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world and he plans to back that up this Saturday night against World Boxing Organization (WBO) lightweight champion Terence Crawford (23-0, 16 KOs). Promoted by Top Rank, in association with 50 Cent's SMS Promotions, PS4 and Tecate, Crawford vs. Gamboa will be the 12-round main event, airing live on HBO Boxing After Dark, starting at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT, from Century Link Center in Omaha, Nebraska. A four-time Cuban National amateur champion, Gamboa clearly has a decisive advantage over Crawford in terms of overall experience and quality of opposition fought. He had more than 250 amateur matches, highlighted by gold medal performances at the 2004 Olympics, 2006 World Cup and 2003 Pan-American Games. After defecting in in 2006, the now Miami-based boxer-puncher has twice captured World featherweight titles, in addition to three Interim World championships in three different weight classes, from featherweight through lightweight. The 32-year-old possessor of rare speed and power doesn't listen to his critics. "I really don't have anything to prove to anybody but myself," he explained. "My goal has always been to be recognized as one of the best fighters in the world. I don't have to prove anything and only need to make accomplishments for me and my family." While Gamboa has defeated three world champions and seven world title challengers in his last 10 fights, the gifted Crawford is relatively inexperienced in major fights with the exception of his last, in which he traveled this past March to Scotland and took the WBO 135-pound division title home to America, winning a 12-round unanimous decision over local favorite and defending champion Ricky Burns (26-2-1). Gamboa is unfazed fighting in Crawford's hometown, or by his skeptics, and he's looking forward to showcasing his immense talent on HBO again. "I can't speak for him but I'm going into this fight with the same approach," Gamboa said. "I think it's going to be more of a thinking game than physical. I need to spot his weaknesses and exploit them. Whether I stop or him, or it lasts 12 rounds, I expect my hand to be raised as the winner." HBO Boxing: Yuriorkis Gamboa Greatest Hits Reserved tickets to Crawford vs. Gamboa are on sale starting at just $27.00, with remaining tiers priced at $52.00 and $102.00. Tickets are available to purchase at the CenturyLink Center Omaha box office and all Ticketmaster outlets, call 800-745-3000 to charge-by-hone, or order online at www.TicketMaster.com. Follow Gamboa on Twitter @Gamboa. -Photo by Shareif Ziyadat -

Burns - Crawford WBO Lightweight championship available LIVE on PlayStation®3 on March 1st

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE San Diego, CA (February 27. 2014)--On Saturday afternoon, Match 1st, Ricky Burns will make the 4th defense of the WBO Lightweight title when he takes on highly regarded and undefeated Terence Crawford in a 12-round bout at the Scottish Exhibition Center in Glasgow, Scotland.   Boxing fans across the United States can enjoy this world championship bout live via the PlayStation®3 system via the Sony Entertainment Network Live Events Viewer.  The price is $9.95 for approximately three hours of world class boxing which includes the Burns - Crawford main event.  PS3 viewers may subscribe early to the event.   "The world title fight showdown has the makings for Fight of the Year,"said AWE President Charles Herring.  "I am pleased to have Sony and have the PS3 viewers able to enjoy this event. We are always looking for the best and unique ways to give fight fans the opportunity to enjoy these world class events."   The event starts at 2pm eastern / 11 am pacific.

Team Crawford expect title winning effort this Saturday on AWE

San Diego, CA (February 27. 2014)--This Saturday afternoon, undefeated Terence Crawford will look to capture his 1st world title when he takes on WBO lightweight champion Ricky Burns from Glasgow, Scotland in a bout that can be seen LIVE on AWE at 2pm eastern / 11 am pacific. Boxing fans in the United States can enjoy this world championship bout live via  PlayStation®3 system via the Sony Entertainment Network Live Events viewer.     Crawford of Omaha, Nebraska has a record of 22-0 with 16 knockouts has traveled to the United Kingdom for once purpose and that is to bring back the world championship.      "I am ready.  Training went excellent," said Crawford after a workout on Tuesday.    The opportunity to fight for a world title will not add any pressure to the even keeled Crawford.      "I am treating like this any other fight."    He respects Burns but he does not believe that champions has anything that Crawford can't handle. "Burns brings the belt and experience.  Whatever else he has, I will be ready for."      Crawford is not worried about getting a fair shake from the judges but isn't necessarily looking for the stoppage.    "If I get the knockout then it comes.  The only thing that I am looking for is being victorious."      "Just tune in Saturday and there will be a new champion."      Said manager Brian Mcintyre, "We started preparing for this when Terence won the NABO title in June.  We have been training the whole time for this.  We are not worried about the judges.  Bob Arum has talked to (WBO President) Paco Varcarcel and we know there will be good experienced judges.  We are just going over there handle our business.  We know Burns does not want this fight.  He tried offering us step-aside money for us not to take this bout to get out of it."      One of the men, who help mold career path for Crawford is Top Rank matchmaker Brad Goodman who said, "The expected 10,000 fans wont faze Terence.  Terence is a professional and he comes from a tough area and he will not be intimidated."   About AWE For 2012, AWE earned 2 of the 6 Boxing Writers Association of America nominations for "Fight of the Year" candidates, beating out all other networks except HBO which earned three. AWE also showcased live all 2012 David Price fights.  In 2013 AWE has featured the stunning upsets of Tony Thompson over Price, bouts with Adonis Stevenson and Tony Bellew, who just fought each other for the Light Heavyweight championship; 2008 Olympic Gold Medal winner James DeGale and possibly the two most controversial bouts which saw Ricky Burns keep his Lightweight title against Ray Beltran as well as the debatable stoppage that saw Carl Froch retain his title against George Groves.   The network is currently available nationally on Verizon FiOS TV channel 169 and 669 in HD, AT&T U-Verse TV channels 470 and 1470 in HD, along with over 100 cable systems across the country and worldwide.   The new website for AWE is www.awetv.com AWE is the premier lifestyle and entertainment network -the destination for exclusive and original programming, simultaneously transmitted in high definition and standard definition. AWE delivers informative shows to its viewers, providing invaluable insights on what every American dreams of - from travel secrets to fast cars, from outrageous homes to live boxing events, and much more.  The network fills a television vacuum by delivering intellectually stimulating, thought-provoking entertainment and always-unbiased news from an insider's perspective.  For more information, please visit www.awetv.com

BOB ARUM SPEAKS ON BURNS - CRAWFORD; MARCH 1ST ON AWE

SAN DIEGO, CA (FEBRUARY 10, 2014)--Below is a video interview with Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum discussing the March 1st WBO World Lightweight title bout between champion Ricky Burns and challenger Terence Crawford. Arum has a some interesting things to say about the bout, which will televised live on AWE at 3 pm est / 12 pm pacific. Websites may use the video for journalistic use by copy/paste the embedded code on their websites. Bob Arum Burns Crawford AWE About AWE For 2012, AWE earned 2 of the 6 Boxing Writers Association of America nominations for "Fight of the Year" candidates, beating out all other networks except HBO which earned three. AWE also showcased live all 2012 David Price fights.  In 2013 AWE has featured the stunning upsets of Tony Thompson over Price, bouts with Adonis Stevenson and Tony Bellew, who just fought each other for the Light Heavyweight championship; 2008 Olympic Gold Medal winner James DeGale and possibly the two most controversial bouts which saw Ricky Burns keep his Lightweight title against Ray Beltran as well as the debatable stoppage that saw Carl Froch retain his title against George Groves. The network is currently available nationally on Verizon FiOS TV channel 169 and 669 in HD, AT&T U-Verse TV channels 470 and 1470 in HD, along with over 100 cable systems across the country and worldwide.   The new website for AWE is www.AWEtv.com. AWE is the premier lifestyle and entertainment network -the destination for exclusive and original programming, simultaneously transmitted in high definition and standard definition. AWE delivers informative shows to its viewers, providing invaluable insights on what every American dreams of - from travel secrets to fast cars, from outrageous homes to live boxing events, and much more.  The network fills a television vacuum by delivering intellectually stimulating, thought-provoking entertainment and always-unbiased news from an insider's perspective. For more information, please visit www.awetv.com

Terence Crawford to Battle Ricky Burns for the WBO Lightweight World Championship Live and Exclusively on AWE on Saturday, March 1st

SAN DIEGO (JANUARY 22, 2014)--On Saturday afternoon, March 1st, Ricky Burns will make his 4th defense of the WBO Lightweight title when he takes on highly regarded and undefeated Terence Crawford in a 12-round bout from the Scottish Exhibition Centre in Glasgow, Scotland. The fight can be viewed live and exclusively across the United States on AWE, A Wealth of Entertainment. "This world title fight showdown has the makings of a 'fight of the year'. Crawford is undefeated and coming off some big wins. Burns is a proven champ. We're ecstatic to be bringing this world-class title fight to boxing fans across the United States", said Charles Herring, president of AWE. Burns of Coatbridge, Scotland has a record of 36-2-1 with 11 knockouts and has not lost a fight in over seven years which spans 22 fights. He won the WBO Super Featherweight title with a thrilling 12 round unanimous decision over Roman Martinez.  He made three defenses of his crown which includes wins over Andreas Evensen and Joseph Laryea.  Burns then stopped former WBO Super featherweight champion Nicky Cook in one round.  Burns moved up to Lightweight and in his first fight at the higher weight class, he scored a 12 round unanimous decision over former champion Michael Katsidis to win the WBO Interim title. Burns won the full title with a 12 round unanimous decision over former WBA champion Paulus Moses.  Burns looked great in taking out fellow United Kingdom fighter Kevin Mitchell in four rounds.  He then was able to outlast undefeated Jose Gonzalez when Gonzalez was forced to retire on the stool after the 9th round. In his last bout, Burns fought through a broken jaw to salvage a controversial draw with Ray Beltran on September 7, 2013. In the bout, Burns started off fast, but Beltran responded. By the end of the fight, many US boxing fans felt that Beltran should have walked away with the title belt. Burns is 8-0-1 in world title fights. Crawford of Omaha, Nebraska will be making his 1st attempt at a world title and brings in a perfect ledger at 22-0 with 16 knockouts. The 26-year old is widely regarded as one of the top fighters in the division and has been performing at a high level. He started to open eyes when he scored a shutout victory over hard-hitting power puncher Breidis Prescott on March 30, 2013. Crawford followed that up with a 6-round beat down of Alejandro Sanabria (34-1-1) on June 15, 2013. In his last bout, Crawford showed his terrific boxing ability by winning via shutout on all three judges' score cards against previously undefeated Andrey Klimov (16-0) on October 5, 2013 in Orlando, Florida.    There will be a full undercard which will include a world title bout featuring WBA Super Bantamweight champion Scott Quigg announced shortly.    About AWE Live Boxing For 2012, AWE earned 2 of the 6 Boxing Writers Association of America nominations for "Fight of the Year" candidates, beating out all other networks except HBO which earned three. AWE also showcased live all 2012 David Price fights.  In 2013 AWE has featured the stunning upsets of Tony Thompson over Price, bouts with Adonis Stevenson and Tony Bellew, who just fought each other for the Light Heavyweight championship; 2008 Olympic Gold Medal winner James DeGale and possibly the two most controversial bouts which saw Ricky Burns keep his Lightweight title against Ray Beltran as well as the debatable stoppage that saw Carl Froch retain his title against George Groves. The network is available nationally on Verizon FiOS TV channel 169 and 669 in HD, AT&T U-Verse TV channels 470 and 1470 in HD, along with over 100 cable systems across the country and worldwide.   AWE is the premier lifestyle and entertainment network -the destination for exclusive and original programming, simultaneously transmitted in high definition and standard definition. AWE delivers informative shows to its viewers, providing invaluable insights on what every American dreams of - from travel secrets to fast cars, from outrageous homes to live boxing events, and much more.  The network fills a television vacuum by delivering intellectually stimulating, thought-provoking entertainment and always-unbiased news from an insider's perspective. For more information, please visit www.awetv.com