(December 16, 2008 – Toronto, Canada) – HBO Canada, the recently launched multiplex channel from Astral Media’s The Movie Network (eastern Canada) and Corus Entertainment’s Movie Central (western Canada), is kicking off the new year by delivering subscribers even more of HBO’s renowned and sought-after programming with the debut of two of HBO’s most popular, action-packed live sports series – World Championship Boxing (WCB) and Boxing After Dark (BAD).. These new additions to HBO Canada’s programming roster will give subscribers access to all the hits, jabs, hooks, uppercuts, punches, and TKOs known to light up the boxing ring.
As the new home of World Championship Boxing and Boxing After Dark match-ups, HBO Canada will also make these events available to subscribers in High Definition (HD), and on demand through The Movie Network OnDemand or Movie Central On Demand following the live debut. Additionally, HBO Canada’s uncut and commercial-free environment will give viewers access to complete HBO Boxing event coverage such as commentary between rounds and footage of the fighters normally replaced by commercial breaks.
“For more than 35 years and with over 260 world championship fights, HBO has brought some of the best sports entertainment to television and firmly established itself as the home of boxing’s best,” said Kevin Wright, Senior Vice-President, Programming, Astral Television Networks. “We’re thrilled to be adding World Championship Boxing and Boxing After Dark to the HBO Canada programming lineup, and giving subscribers the chance to gain first access to the hard-hitting action, uncut and commercial-free. Additionally, because we will be making these fights available on our on demand service, subscribers will have the option of watching or re-watching the events on their own time and at their own convenience.”
“HBO is not only the source of groundbreaking dramatic series and specials — its sports offerings are equally legendary. We are thrilled to be able to provide our subscribers even more of the complete HBO experience with the addition of boxing from HBO,” said Erica Benson, Vice President, Programming, Movie Central. “Our subscribers have asked for this and we are giving them more of what they want, for an unparalleled pay TV experience that brings the world’s best athletes into their living rooms.”
Showcasing some of the best match-ups in the sport, HBO’s World Championship Boxing, which includes highly anticipated match-ups between some of boxing’s fiercest and most well-known competitors, arrives on HBO Canada on Saturday, January 24, 2009 featuring Welterweight Champion Antonio Margarito as he steps into the ring with Three Division Champion Shane Mosley. The bout for the World Welterweight Championship will be broadcast live from Staples Centre in Los Angeles, California at 10 p.m. ET/8 p.m. MT.
In January, HBO Canada will also debut HBO’s Boxing After Dark, a late-night boxing series where the most promising contenders are given their chance to battle it out in non-title, non-championship fight events. Featuring live, blow-by-blow commentary from the likes of Lennox Lewis, Bob Papa, Max Kellerman and Harold Lederman, Boxing After Dark will premiere on HBO Canada beginning Saturday, January 17, 2009 at 9:45 p.m. ET/MT as undefeated Welterweight Champion Andre Berto faces former Welterweight champ Luis Collazo.
HBO Canada will have an exclusive first window in Canada for all World Championship Boxing and Boxing After Dark events, with approximately one fight per month from each series.
ESPINOZA BOXING CLUB GAINS WEEKEND SWEEP !!!! UNDEFEATED PROSPECTS GO 4-0 IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
LOS ANGELES (December 15, 2008) Espinoza Boxing Club prospects Luis Ramos, Carlos Molina, Abraham Lopez and Ronny Rios all posted big wins this past weekend to stay undefeated, closing out a huge year for the young fighters.
“Each won stepped up to the plate this past weekend and showed their mettle against tough and sometimes awkward fighters” said manager Frank Espinoza.
In the main event Thursday night at the Irvine Marriott’s “Battle at the Ballroom show”, Santa Ana’s hard hitting Ramos, moved to 9-0 (5KO’s) with a shutout six round unanimous decision over Justo Vallecillo, 5-8 (2KO’s) of San Antonio, Texas. Showing off his slick technical skills and thunderous body shots, Ramos stayed in control throughout the lightweight bout winning on all three judges scorecards, 60-53.
Said Espinoza, “Luis can take a punch and that helped him out against Vallecillo, who tagged him a couple of times. In a young fighter that’s a very important asset as the fights get tougher which they will for Ramos.”
The full Ramos/Vallecillo bout can be viewed on Youtube at this link;
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query= luis+ramos+boxing+vallecillo&search_type=&aq=f
Also on Thursday night, featherweight Abraham Lopez, 5-0 (4KO’s) scored a crushing second round knockout of Moreno Valley ’s Alvaro Muro, 6-11 (2KO’s). Dropping Muro with a hard right body shot in the second, Lopez finished Muro off with right hook, left uppercut combo at the 2:59 mark of the round.
Rounding out the Espinoza Boxing Club night in Irvine , newcomer Ronny Rios, 2-0 (1KO), returned to the ring following his pro debut in October. The former amateur standout was taken the distance this time winning a hard fought four round majority decision over Tuscon’s Carlos Luque, 0-2. Although, Rios seemed to win every round, as he did on two judges scorecards, the super bantamweight bout was scored a draw by the third judge.
On Friday night, at the Alameda Swap Meet, Carlos Molina improved to 6-0 (3KO’s) with a fourth round stoppage of Miami’s Genier Pit, 1-1-1 (1KO) in their scheduled four round lightweight bout. The bout was a grueling fight fought completely on the inside with both combatants trading somewhat equally in the first three rounds, with Molina’s power being the deciding factor.
In the fourth, Molina’s power proved too much as Jack Reiss called a halt to the bout at the 2:17 mark of the round amidst a barrage of hard right hands to Pit’s head.
“Molina really showed what a tough fighter he is tonight. Pit took the fight right to him early but once Carlos settled down he was in control”, said Espinoza. “All four guys closed out the year strongly and it will be a very promising 2009 for each of them.”
The ESPINOZA BOXING CLUB was started in 1991 by Los Angeles area businessman Frank Espinoza. Espinoza has earned numerous accolades for his management skills from many boxing newspaper and internet writers. In the September 2008 issue of Ring Magazine, Espinoza is praised for his outstanding handling of the career of junior featherweight world champion and “Pound for Pound” superstar Israel “EL MAGNIFICO” Vazquez.
In 2006, Espinoza was awarded the Manager of the Year award from the World Boxing Hall of Fame and inducted into the California Boxing Hall of Fame.
Espinoza also has managed retired former world champion Martin “EL GALLITO” Castillo and currently manages world ranked Alex Valdez and Miguel “EL ANESTESISTA” Huerta in addition to undefeated prospects Luis Ramos, Manuel “SUAVECITO” Roman, Jesus “POLLO” Hernandez, Carlos Molina, Abraham Lopez and Ronny Rios.
For more information on The Espinoza Boxing Club, please visit their newly remodeled website at www.espinozaboxingclub.com
GRINBERG FIGHTING HARD TO RECOVER FROM SURGERY AND STROKE
HOLLYWOOD, FL, December 15 – After some frightening days that included open heart surgery and a stroke while having surgery, renowned boxing manager Boris Grinberg is out of intensive care for the first time in two weeks and is resting comfortably in a rehab center.
Grinberg, the manager of former heavyweight champion Sultan Ibragimov, is expected to make a full recovery.
“We were worried for a while, but now that Boris is out of intensive care, we’re pleased to say that he is on his way to recovery,” said Leon Margules, Executive Director of Seminole Warriors Boxing. “It’s an early Christmas present for all of Boris’ family and friends.”
Seminole Warriors Boxing