Keith “One Time” Thurman: “I’m more than just a puncher”

_MG_0970 Photo and video courtesy of Carlos Sacriste

Every fighter at the world class level gets tested, in which they’re forced to prove their mental and physical durability. It’s what truly separates the good from the elite.

Interim WBA Welterweight title holder Keith “One Time” Thurman was given that proverbial “trial by fire” in his last outing against hard punching Argentine Diego Chaves, and passed the toughest test of his professional career with flying colors.

On December 14th, in San Antonio, Texas, the 24 year old fighter insists that the boxing world will see even more from “One Time” when he steps in the ring with rugged fight veteran Jesus Soto Karass.

continue

Jean Pascal and Lucian Bute are ready!

InterBox and Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM) are very pleased to confirm the rescheduled date for the much anticipated Light Heavyweight bout featuring Jean Pascal (28-2-1, 17 KO) vs. Lucian Bute (31-1-0, 24 KO). This local bout with high International intrigue will take place on Saturday, January 18th 2014 at the Montreal Bell Centre. HBO World Championship Boxing will televise.

This high profile bout between two former World champions was originally scheduled to take place last May 25th, but was postponed due to an injury to Lucian Bute’s left hand.

Yvon Michel, President of GYM, is very enthusiastic that this long awaited bout is finally rescheduled: “We are preparing for an event like no other in Canadian history. This event will be the new measuring stick for us in our sport, and this statement is true as much for boxing fans as it is for the fight itself and the intensity surrounding it”.

continue

Adrien “The Problem” Broner: “I want to apologize to everybody out there”

While promoting his December 14th, Welterweight title defense against hard punching Argentine Marcos “El Chino” Maidana in San Antonio, Texas, Adrien “The Problem” Broner spent some time apologizing to his die-hard supporters and detractors alike for a shocking “ménage a trois” video that was leaked online earlier this week.

Video interview attached:

“It is what it is,” stated the 24 year old fighter. “I want to apologize to everybody out there. I didn’t leak it, but I just want to apologize.”

While the “X Rated” video has been the topic “du jour” on many internet fan sites, most die-hard boxing fans are much more anxious to hear how the undefeated pugilist plans to deal with a heavy handed and resilient fighter like the former IBF Junior Welterweight title holder.

continue

Golovkin vs. Stevens: Slugfest, Slaughter, or both?

Gennandy Golovkin has taken America by storm shooting up the ladder of success faster than most of his opponents have lasted in his current streak of 14 straight knockouts.

Brooklyn native Curtis Stevens, who will be fighting close to home in the Theatre at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night, has taken a much different path en route to get back on HBO after losing to Andre Dirrell his first time on the network.

The Las Vegas betting lines, boxing fans and media alike aren’t giving Stevens much of a chance besides as a puncher. Can you really blame them in a matchup that looks like a duck?

It seems like HBO is playing a dangerous game of trick or treat with triple G’s.

continue

Broner-Maidana, Thurman-Soto Karass, Ortiz, Shumenov quotes

SAN ANTONIO (Oct. 31, 2013) – An enthusiastic crowd of hundreds of boxing fans turned out for an to the public press conference on the floor of the Alamodome today as Golden Boy Promotions formally announced DANGER ZONE, a blockbuster event headlined by a highly anticipated matchup between undefeated WBA Welterweight Champion Adrien “The Problem” Broner and former WBA Junior Welterweight Champion Marcos “El Chino” Maidana live on SHOWTIME® (8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT) on Saturday, Dec. 14. – The 12-rounder between rising superstar Broner (27-0, 22 KO’s), of Cincinnati, and the always-dangerous, hard-hitting Maidana (34-3, 31 KO’s), of Margarita, Santa Fe, Argentina, tops a stacked fight card to close out what has been a record-breaking year on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®.

ADRIEN BRONER, Undefeated WBA Welterweight World Champion

“Like I’ve said before, I’ll fight whoever you all want me to fight. The next one is going to be the same way. After I (expletive) him up on Dec. 14, I’ll fight whoever you want.

continue

Brandon Rios Media Workout Quotes

OXNARD, CALIF (October 31, 2013) — Former world champion BRANDON “Bam Bam” RIOS (31-1-1, 22 KOs), of Oxnard, Calif., and reigning Trainer of the Year ROBERT GARCIA hosted their only U.S. Media Workout today at the Robert Garcia Boxing Academy in Oxnard.

KEVIN HART, who stars as a savvy boxing promoter in the upcoming Warner Bros. Pictures movie “Grudge Match,” was also in attendance.

Rios is in deep training for his eagerly-anticipated welterweight collision with Fighter of the Decade, Congressman MANNY “Pacman” PACQUIAO (54-5-2, 38 KOs). Rios departs for Macau on November 11 to acclimate to the environment.

continue

Broner vs Maidana on Dec 14 live on Showtime

SAN ANTONIO (Oct. 31, 2013) – WBA Welterweight Champion Adrien “The Problem” Broner and former WBA Junior Welterweight Champion Marcos “El Chino” Maidana are no strangers to facing the most feared competitors in the sport of boxing. On Saturday, Dec. 14, in a SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® mega-bout to air live from the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, the bold and brash Broner and the punching powerhouse Maidana will enter the DANGER ZONE like never before, with “The Problem” defending his title against the Argentine knockout artist determined to wrap championship gold around his waist once again.

Who will emerge from the DANGER ZONE unscathed? Will it be the fast and precise Broner or the aggressive and powerful Maidana? The world will find out on Dec. 14.

“Maidana is one-dimensional and not in my league,” said Broner. “I’m a Ferrari and he’s a go-kart and my fans will see that in my return to Texas. It’s been over four years since I’ve fought there and I’m going to put on a show. Watch me light Maidana up like a Christmas tree on Dec. 14.”

continue

Brandon Rios: “We Know He Can’t Take a Good Punch”

When Brandon Rios and Manny Pacquiao signed their respecting contracts to face each other, the boxing community wasn’t sure whether this fight should count as a legitimate comeback for Manny Pacquiao. Brandon Rios is no Marquez after all. Boxing forums were buzzing with people’s dislike of this fight, calling it anything from a waste of time, to nothing more but a sparring session for Pacman.

Nonetheless, slowly but surely the boxing fans and the media cooled their jets, and began to get progressively interested in the outcome. Brandon Rios is a good, strong, young, and hungry for respect fighter, and we have seen him take a punch. With the fight getting closer, there is talk that it is not all that crazy, to think that Rios will end Pacquiao’s career come November 23, 2013.

continue

Golovkins vs Stevens: Times Square and MSG Workout Photos / Videos

All photos, Will Hart/K2 Promotions – WBA/IBO Middleweight World Champion Gennady “GGG” Golovkin and top rated contender Curtis Stevens stopped traffic Wednesday in Times Square as highlights of their past fights were very featured on multiple video boards.

Both fighters were mobbed by media and fans as they took photos and signed autographs during their visit just days ahead of their showdown this Saturday night, November 2 at Madison Square Garden, “The Mecca of Boxing” and LIVE on HBO®

continue

Ricky Hatton: Richard Towers and Lucas Browne will steal the show

Ricky Hatton says Richard Towers and Lucas Browne’s Heavyweight battle will be a showstopper at the Hull Ice Arena on Saturday night, live on Sky Sports.

Towers and Browne clash in an eliminator for the Commonwealth title, and as promoter of both men, ‘The Hitman’ knows exactly what to expect with the stakes so high – and that’s fireworks.

“It’s a great fight, a great clash of styles,” said Hatton. “Being the promoter of both, it’s a little bit upsetting to see them fighting each other. They’re two of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet, but there’s nothing nice about the way they fight.

“This is great opportunity for them both. Lucas has a WBC ranking of 15th, which is a scalp Richard will be after. If you get to 15th in the world, things open up so it’s a big, big fight and it’s going to be very interesting.

continue