JOSE SNIPER PEDRAZA DISPLAYS VICIOUS BODY ATTACK WHILE DEFEATING VILLANUEVA ON HBO LATINO

NEW YORK, June 10, 2013 - This past Saturday at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, highly touted Puerto Rican prospect, Jose "Sniper" Pedraza (13-0, 9 KO's) made an impressive HBO Latino debut by defeating tough Mexican, Sergio Villanueva ( 25-3-2, 13 KO's ) by scoring a 7th round TKO.

The 24 year old ambidextrous fighter was able to establish the pace of fight from the opening bell. In the middle rounds Pedraza was fighting from both stances, southpaw to conventional, confusing his opponent while landing clean shots. Pedraza's body attack was superb throughout the entire match and in the fifth round he managed to send Villanueva to the canvas.  As the body attack continued the bout was halted in the seventh round at the 2:59 mark when Pedraza dropped Villanueva twice, prompting the intervention of his corner right after Villanueva beat the 8 count. 

"I was surprised with my opponent's heart.  He never backed down and was able to recover too.  I kept boxing without losing focus, until we achieved the victory," said Pedraza, who is promoted by Gary Shaw Productions, Universal Promotions and DiBella Entertainment. "I want to thank God for this victory, my promoters and HBO."

"The body work Pedraza displayed against Villanueva showed me he's becoming a complete fighter," said Gary Shaw. "I see him improving on his craft with each fight. His stock is rising and his talent will be seen again soon."

In 2011, Pedraza captured the WBC Youth super featherweight champion over African Herbert Quartey by way of technical knockout in the fifth round.

During his amateur boxing career, Pedraza represented Puerto Rico in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and won a gold medal at the Central American and Caribbean Games in 2010. He won silver medals at the 2009 World Championships in Milan and at the 2010 Pan American Games in Ecuador, among other achievements.

JOSE SNIPER PEDRAZA ADDED TO DAWSON-STEVENSON CARD

Photo by Mario Vayas

NEW YORK, June 3, 2013 - Highly touted Puerto Rican boxer Jose "Sniper" Pedraza (12-0, 8 KO's) is ready to return to the ring after defeating veteran Mexican Gerardo Zayas by TKO in the first round last February in Puerto Rico.

Pedraza is fighting Mexico's Sergio Villanueva (25-2-2, 13 KOs) on Saturday, June 8, as part of an HBO Latino special broadcast starting at 12:15am ET (Sunday) at the Bell Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

"This is another great opportunity to showcase my God-given talent to those watching on HBO," said Pedraza. "My goal is to come out victorious and use superior boxing skills to defeat my opponent. I'm looking forward to giving the fans a fan-friendly fight."

"Pedraza is a special fighter who can bring excitement to all Puerto Rican fans around the world," saidGary Shaw. "He's gaining great experience each time he steps in the ring. He's got a bright future."

"We are very pleased that Pedraza is having great exposure on June 8, in Canada. He will impress the fans in attendance and those watching on TV because Pedraza is one of the best technically pure professional boxer you'll ever see, and he's also getting stronger with each fight," said Javier Bustillo, President of Universal Promotions.

"It's great that Jose Pedraza has an opportunity to showcase his talents on HBO Latino in a tough matchup against Sergio Villanueva. We expect big things from Jose," said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment.

In 2011, Pedraza captured the WBC Youth super featherweight champion over African Herbert Quartey by way of technical knockout in the fifth round.

During his amateur boxing career, Pedraza represented Puerto Rico in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and won a gold medal at the Central American and Caribbean Games in 2010. He won silver medals at the 2009 World Championships in Milan and at the 2010 Pan American Games in Ecuador, among other achievements.

Pedraza is a member of "Team Puerto Rico", which is a collaboration between Gary Shaw Productions, DiBella Entertainment and Universal Promotions, made with the goal of gathering the best of Puerto Rico's boxing talents.

This boxing event will be headlined by WBC light heavyweight champion Chad Dawson facing Adonis Stevenson and co-featured by Yuriorkis Gamboa against Darley Perez in a 12-round lightweight bout. Both fights will be televised live on HBO BOXING AFTER DARK® beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.   

CHAD DAWSON: "I CAN SAY WITH ABSOLUTE CONFIDENCE THAT MY POWER IS BACK"

NEW YORK, June 3, 2013 - Light Heavyweight kingpin Chad Dawson (31-2, 17 KOs) is ready to go on the road once again and defend his WBC title against top contender and dangerous power puncherAdonis Stevenson (20-1, 17 KOs) in Stevenson's backyard of Canada at the Bell Centre in Montreal.  The 12-round championship showdown is scheduled to take place Saturday, June 8th on HBO Boxing After Dark as part of a doubleheader featuring Yuriorkis Gamboa vs. Darley Perez as the co-main event.  The HBO telecast will begin at 10:00 p.m. (live ET/tape-delayed PT).

Dawson is a throwback fighter who is willing to give advantages to his opponents in order to make the best fights possible.  This will be his third time going to Canada to meet an opponent on his home turf, the first time was back in August of 2010 against Jean Pascal and then again in May of 2011 against Adrian Diaconu.  Now Dawson will fight Stevenson, who's originally from Haiti, and makes no excuses for traveling to hostile territory.

"I expect the crowd to be against me, but I'm not worried about that because I know that I can win them over with my performance," said Dawson. "Stevenson is a worthy opponent but he's not on my level.  I've fought and won over there before so I hope he's not banking on home field advantage because it's going to take a whole lot more to beat me.  Once again I'm going to fight in someone's backyard and I'm fully confident I'll come out victorious."

"I'm grateful to my promoter Gary Shaw and HBO for giving me this opportunity.  Now that I'm back at Light Heavyweight I'm going to get back to dominating the division." Dawson continued.

The Andre Ward fight in Oakland was Dawson's last outing and he not only fought in Ward's home town, but he also came down in weight.  He fought Ward at Ward's weight class of 168 lbs, a move that proved to be Dawson's downfall. However, Dawson is back at his natural weight of 175 lbs, the weight class in which Dawson reigns as the lineal champion.

With Dawson back at his real weight, he insists that he feels stronger and his training camp is operating on a much higher efficiency level.

"No excuses in my last fight, we'll just say that I'm a different fighter when I'm at 175 lbs. I can say with absolute confidence that my power is back, and not just my power but my strength as well.  It's like I'm stronger in every aspect and it is playing a huge roll in training camp.  I'm strong enough to push myself more miles, strong enough to go more rounds, and I'm stronger at the end of my workouts." Dawson said.

Gary Shaw Productions knows Dawson-Stevenson is a top quality main event and the fans will be witnessing a great night of boxing. 

"This is Chad's return to his rightful thrown at 175 lbs and he is fighting the most dangerous opponent available.  Stevenson has been avoided by all the top guys and he is more dangerous with one punch than most guys throwing ten.  On top of it all, he's going to Canada because he is a true warrior willing to prove time and time again why he is top dog at light heavyweight.  HBO has been doing a great job televising meaningful fights in boxing, of course the lineal light heavyweight title falls under that umbrella.  Everyone watching will get to see two warriors giving it their all to come out on top.  This makes for a great night of boxing." Shaw said.

Dawson vs. Stevenson card announced for June 8 in Montreal

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE YURIORKIS GAMBOA VS. DARLEY PEREZ    ALVAREZ, LEMIEUX, BENCE & BETERBIEV  International stars on Dawson-Stevenson card June 8 in Montreal  MONTREAL (May 22, 2013) --The interesting battle preceding the much-anticipated showdown on Saturday night, June 8, between the most dangerous super middleweight, Adonis "Superman" Stevenson (20-1-0, 17 KOs), and World Boxing Council (WBC),The Ring Magazine and linear light heavyweight champion, "Bad" Chad Dawson (31-2-0, 17 KOs), features a pair of international stars adding spectacular excitement for boxing fans in attendance as well as those watching on HBO's "Boxing After Dark," live from the historic Bell Centre in Montreal. GAMBOA VS. PEREZ - 50 Cent in Montreal   Former two-time world champion Yuriorkis "El Ciclon" Gamboa (22-0-0, 16 KOs) will be showcased in the June 8th co-feature. The 2004 Olympic gold medalist from Cuba faces another undefeated boxer, Colombian Darley Perez (28-0-0, 19 KOs), as Gamboa makes a foray into the lightweight division. Gamboa is considered one of the world's top pound-for-pound boxers, as well as one of the most exciting boxers in the world. In addition, Gamboa will be accompanied by his promoter, internationally known rapper 50 Cent. ALVAREZ VS. GREEN   Fast-rising light heavyweight Eleider "Storm" Alvarez (12-0-0, 8 KOs) is on his way to positioning himself for a world title shot. Already ranked No. 4 by the World Boxing Association (WBA) and No. 7 by the World Boxing Organization (WBO), the North American champion has every intention to impress as he confronts a seasoned veteran in American opponent Allan Green (32-4-0, 22 KOs), who participated in the famous international Super Six tournament.  Green, who will be fighting in Quebec for his third time, fought two of the top super middleweights in the world, Andre Ward and Mikkel Kessler, in the Super Six. In his first Quebec fight, Green registered a win by unanimous decision over Sebastien Demers, and followed that in his last Canadian appearance when he knocked-out Renan St-Juste. LEMIEUX VS. SWIERZBINSKI   Power-punching middleweight David Lemieux (28-2-1, 27 KOs) remains a major attraction in any boxing event. Bright, fast and uncompromising in the ring, he quickly became a Quebec favorite and on this occasion he faces Polish fighter Robert Swierzbinski (11-1-0, 3 KOs). Lemieux will be seeking his 28th career knockout, unmatched by any active Quebec fighter. BENCE VS. BARRACK   The fight that could steal the Gala Grand Prix show finds two unbeaten heavyweights, Didier "Big Daddy" Bence (8-0-0, 2 KOs) and Eric Barrack (7-0-0, 6 KOs), in a classic confrontation between a brawler (Barrack) and boxing stylist (Bence), insuring a fight that certainly will attract attention. BOUCHARD VS. COTRONI   Quebecers are fond of fights featuring local favorites like on June 8th when young Sébastien Bouchard (6-0-0, 2KO) is opposed by Mascouche Francesco Cotroni (7-1-0, 4  KOs). BETERBIEV VS. CRUZ   GYM predicts a great career for former world amateur champion Artur Beterbiev, who will make his professional debut against California invader Christian Cruz (12-14-1, 10 KOs). PEDRAZA VS. TBA   Finally, another rising star in professional boxing, 2008 Puerto Rico Olympian Jose "Sniper" Pedraza (12-0-0, 8 KOs), will also be fighting against an opponent to be announced shortly.    The gala June 8 boxing event is part of that weekend's Canada Formula One Grand Prix activities, providing additional entertainment alternatives for visitors to Montreal for the race, highlighted by a tremendous evening of world championship boxing the day before, at centrally-located Montreal Bell Centre area where most visitors will be staying. The overall atmosphere in the arena will reflect the high-profile fever pitch of the most anticipated week of Montreal sports.  Champagne will be on all tables, vintage decorations will serves as reminders of 1960 Detroit-designed cars, and accompanying young ladies will be dressed accordingly.  There will also be an exposition of vintage automobiles at the Bell Centre. Co-promoted by Yvon Michel (GYM) and Gary Shaw Production Group. (GSP), the June 8th event is a co-presentation of Mise-O-Jeux and Videotron.    Tickets, starting at ranging from 50$ in the red section of the Bell Center to 300$ at ringside are available to purchase at Bell Centre, online at www.evenko.ca, by calling GYM at (514) 383.0666 or Club de Boxe Champion (514) 376-0980 About Groupe Yvon Michel Inc.: Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM) was founded in 2004. The organization's mission is the development of high-level boxers through supportive coaching and management, especially in competition. To achieve its objectives, GYM actively recruits talent and organizes events. Since its inception eight years ago, GYM has presented 108 events, including some historic in terms of ticket sales and PPV views, like Pascal vs. Hopkins I and II. GYM has produced over 300 hours of TV for Canal Indigo, Bell TV, Shaw TV, TVA Sports, VOX, TVA, CBC, RDS and V, in Canada, as well as HBO, Showtime and ESPN in the US. A total of six different GYM boxers have fought in 16 world championship fights. Under the tutelage of GYM, Joachim Alcine captured the WBA super welterweight title in 2007 and Jean Pascal the WBC Light Heavyweight championship in 2009.