NEW YORK (June 28, 2012) – EPIX (@EPIXsports) invites boxing fans from around the world to listen-in live! WBA/WBO/IBF/IBO heavyweight champion WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO and his opponent, top-rated contender TONY THOMPSON (#KlitschkoThompson), will host an international Media Conference Call Today! Thursday, June 28, beginning at 2:00 p.m. ET / 11:00 a.m. PT. They will be discussing their upcoming world heavyweight championship rematch, which will take place Saturday, July 7, at the Stade de Suisse in Bern, Switzerland, and will be televised live in the U.S. exclusively on EPIX, the multiplatform premium entertainment service. EpixHD.com will stream the fight live as part of a special free trial offer for boxing fans. The telecast and the live stream will begin at 5:00 p.m. ET / 2:00 p.m. PT.
Joining Klitschko and Thompson on the call will be Tom Loeffler, Managing Director of K2 Promotions, Thompson’s trainer and manager, Barry Hunter and Jerry Vines, respectively, and Travis Pomposello, EPIX CCO and executive producer of EPIX Sports.
Though fans will not be able to ask questions on the call they will be able to listen-in live as media from around the world interview the fighters about their upcoming world title rumble which is less than 10 days away.
BOXING FAN HOTLINE
(877) 313-8188: U.S. & Canada (Toll Free)
678-825-8305: Int’l (Toll Rates Apply – U.S. Country Code Needed)
Klitschko (57-3, 50 KOs), of Kiev, Ukraine, is a two-time world heavyweight champion. Wladimir began his first title reign in 2000 when he captured the WBO heavyweight title via a unanimous decision over defending champion Chris Byrd. Byrd suffered two knockdowns in that battle. Klitschko’s two-year title reign included five successful defenses – all by knockout – before losing the belt to Corrie Sanders in 2003. Klitschko returned to the world championship throne in 2006, this time as IBF champion, when he dethroned Chris Byrd in a title rematch. This victory was even more emphatic than the first one with Klitschko stopping Byrd in the seventh round. Since that fight, Klitschko has taken on and defeated all comers while unifying the title with victories over WBO champion Sultan Ibragimov, and WBA champion David Haye. He enters this fight riding an eight-year, 15-bout winning streak. His most recent victory was a fourth-round knockout of former two-time world champion Jean Marc Mormeck, on March 3, which was televised live to the U.S. by EPIX.
Thompson (36-2, 24 KOs), from Washington, D.C., is a power-punching southpaw who is ready to give Klitschko his Bern notice when they meet again for the title. Thompson earned his first world title shot with Klitschko by stringing together an eight-year, 27-bout winning streak, which featured victories over top-rated contenders Luan Krasniqi, Timur Ibragimov, Dominick Guinn, and Vaughn Bean. Though unsuccessful in his challenge of Klitschko, Thompson gained valuable experience and a hunger for another world title fight. Since losing to Klitschko in 2008, Thompson has returned to the top of the IBF ratings by winning his five subsequent fights – all by knockout – including stoppages of Chazz Witherspoon and Owen Beck.
Hector Camacho Jr. Stops John David Charles With Devastating Body Shot In First Round
This past Saturday night in San Antonio, Texas, middleweight Hector Camacho Jr., stopped John David Charles just under a minute into the fight with a vicious body shot. This fight was the first time Camacho Jr. stepped between the ropes following an 18 month layoff, and showed the boxing world he is back and ready to make a contention run at the middleweight title.
“I feel great about the fight,” said Camacho Jr. “I would’ve liked to get some work and rounds in, but I was very happy that all of my hard work paid off. I love fighting in San Antonio. The love I get from the fans and supporters means as much as the win.”
Currently Camacho Jr. is looking to return to the ring in late July in Mexico, with an opponent to be named. The middleweight veteran is adamant about remaining busy inside the ring going forward. He currently has a bout with David Medina lined up for September, and a win against the slick orthodox fighter can propel him up the rankings and move him one step closer to a title fight.
“After the win we are right back to work,” said Camacho Jr. “My team and I have been focusing heavily on staying conditioned, and for the fight Saturday night we trained as if I was fighting 12 rounds. It’s all about staying strong mentally.”
Camacho Jr. has the experience and talent to continue to move up the middleweight rankings, and it is feasible that he can be fighting for hardware by the end of the year.
“Lastly, I want to thank all my fans and supporters here in San Antonio,” said Camacho Jr. “And of course Find A Dream, an organization dedicated to enriching the lives of inner city youth by providing them with a facility to help better themselves and work towards a goal.”
Camacho Jr. is an active Board Member of Find A Dream and strives to spread the awareness of the cause and the continual good work they do in communities across the country.
For more information on upcoming events Hector Camacho Jr. will be partaking in with Find A Dream visit www.findadream.org.