News: Maidana vs. Soto Karass added to Canelo-Lopez undercard on September 15th; Gerry Cooney heads to Fantasy Springs

LOS ANGELES (July 17, 2012) – The stacked September 15 “Knockout Kings” quadruple-header at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. just got another shot of pugilistic adrenaline, with the addition of former Super Lightweight World Champion Marcos “El Chino” Maidana. The champion continues his quest for a second world title at 147 pounds in what promises to be an action-packed showdown against Mexico’s Jesus Soto Karass.

This 12-round special attraction is the third fight announced for what is shaping up to be the most exciting boxing event of 2012, with the fourth fight scheduled to be announced in the near future.

“Knockout Kings,” headlined by Canelo Alvarez defending his WBC Super Welterweight World Championship against Josesito Lopez, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Canelo Promotions in association with Goossen Tutor Promotions and Thompson Boxing Promotions and sponsored by Corona, DeWalt Tools and AT&T. In the co-featured attractions, WBC Featherweight World Champion Jhonny Gonzalez defends his crown against former World Champion Daniel Ponce De Leon in fight presented in association with Promociones Del Pueblo and former World Champion Marcos Maidana faces perennial contender Jesus Soto Karass in a fight presented in association with Universum Box-Promotion. The Saturday, Sept. 15 quadruple-header, packed with Mexican pride and power, will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. and will be televised live on SHOWTIME.

SHOWTIME Sports will produce a new edition of its ALL ACESS sports documentary series. ALL ACCESS: Canelo vs. Lopez will premiere on SHOWTIME with multiple replays on additional SHOWTIME and CBS platforms. The exhibition schedule also will be announced shortly.

“This fight is a great match-up which has ‘Fight of the Year’ written all over it,” said Oscar de la Hoya, president of Golden Boy Promotions. “Both of these fighters hit with power, have great chins and fight one way…coming forward. Mix in the fact that it’s a must win fight for each of them and you have the recipe for a classic.”

“I always appreciate the opportunity to fight on the big time boxing event like this one,” said Maidana. “Throughout my career I have always heard I fight like the great Mexican fighters and that Mexican fans love to watch me fight. I will give them something to cheer about on September 15 when I win the fight and move one step closer to getting another world title.”

“I am very fortunate to be fighting on this card alongside my fellow countrymen Canelo, Daniel and Jhonny,” said Soto Karass. “We are going to represent Mexico well that night and I plan to be victorious against Maidana. I have worked hard my whole career to have my dream of being a world champion come true and I feel that with each fight, I get closer to it.”

Buenos Aires, Argentina’s Marcos “El Chino” Maidana (31-3, 28 KOs) has been a worthy member of his country’s fighting fraternity, but one look at his style in the ring will make it evident that he is not satisfied with one world championship. Maidana held the WBA Interim Super Lightweight and WBA Super Lightweight World Championships from 2009 to 2010, a span during which he stopped “Vicious” Victor Ortiz and defended the belt three times before losing it to Amir “King” Khan in 2010’s Fight of the Year. Maidana reclaimed the belt in 2011 with another classic against Erik “El Terrible” Morales, but after one defense, he moved up in weight to 147 pounds. After a loss to Devon Alexander “The Great” in February, the 29-year-old will seek his first welterweight victory on September 15.

Coming off one of his career-best performances on July 7, a blistering fifth round stoppage of Euri Gonzalez, 29-year-old Jesus Soto Karass (26-7-3, 17 KOs) looks like he has started the march to his well-deserved first world title shot. An 11-year professional who has collected an overflowing pile of regional titles, the native of Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico has bounced back from a recent cold spell to defeat hot prospect Said El Harrak and Gonzalez in consecutive 2012 fights. The next mountain to climb is taking on former World Champion Maidana and Soto Karass has every intention of keeping “El Chino” winless at 147 pounds.

Tickets priced at $400, $300, $200, $100, $50 and $25, not including applicable service charges and taxes, go on sale Friday, July 20 at Noon PT. Ticket sales are limited to ten (10) per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also are available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

Boxing VIP Gerry Cooney, heads to Fantasy Springs

July 17, 2012 – INDIO, CA – Known for his big left-hook and his imposing size, professional boxer Gerry Cooney will greet fans at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino prior to the July 28 Telefutura televised: “Solo Boxeo Tecate” fights co-featuring rising star Ronny Rios and former World Champion Julio Diaz in separate fights.

Cooney compiled a professional record of 28 wins and only 3 losses, with 24 wins coming by way of knockout. He is ranked number 53 on Ring Magazine’s list of “The 100 Greatest Punchers Of All Time” due in part to the fact that most of his fights ended in early knockouts.

Most recently he founded the Fighters’ Initiative for Support and Training, an organization which helps retired boxers find jobs. He is involved with J.A.B., the first union for boxers and is also is a supporter with of the “Hands Are Not For Hitting” program, which aims to prevent domestic violence. You can hear Cooney talk boxing weekly as the co-host of “Friday Night At The Fights” on SIRIUS XM Radio.

Cooney will be on hand to meet fans, sign autographs and take pictures from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm inside the Fantasy Springs Special Events Center on July 28. The meet and greet is open to the public with the purchase of a ticket to the event.

The July 28 edition of TeleFutura’s “Solo Boxeo Tecate” is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and is sponsored by Cerveza Tecate. Doors open at 6:00 pm PT on fight night and the first bell rings at 7:00 pm PT. The TeleFutura broadcast begins at 11:00pm ET/PT.

Tickets, priced at $25, $35 and $45, are on sale now and available for purchase at the Fantasy Springs Box Office, by calling (800) 827-2946 or online at www.fantasyspringsresort.com

Al Bernstein’s Book Gets Great Reception

Al Bernstein’s new book, “30 Years, 30 Undeniable Truths about Boxing, Sports and TV,” (from Diversion Books) has already received a great reception. People from the sports, entertainment and media world are talking about this book. Here are some of the comments:

Don Stradley of Ring Magazine: “This book is one of the more humorous looks at sports broadcasting that you are ever likely to read. Using a bright and engaging style, Bernstein is a charming storyteller.”

Garry Shandling, Emmy Award winning comedian and actor: “From rodeo cowboy to nightclub singer to consummate boxing analyst, Al Bernstein’s life is full of surprise, humor and humanity. He takes us into the boxing world in a very exceptional way that I find mesmerizing. Terrific writing.”

Emanuel Steward, Hall Of Fame trainer, manager and broadcaster: “Al came into boxing during one of its greatest eras, the 1980’s. Boxing was like a flower blossoming. Al was right there. This book is so well written that it captures that feeling. I felt like he took me back to that time.”

Barry Tompkins, Sportscaster for HBO, ESPN, Fox and Showtime: “Al Bernstein has seen cable television grow up. In this book, he looks at his time in the industry through a prism that is unique to him. This book gives the reader an insight into the sometimes absurd world of television sports. There is a 31st Undeniable Truth: Al Bernstein is a very funny man.”

30 Years, 30 Undeniable Truths is available at http://j.mp/albernstein or by simply going to Amazon.com.

IN OTHER NEWS:

Al can be heard talking about his new book , Hall of Fame Induction and the current boxing scene when he guests on the Mark and Brian Show on KLOS, Los Angeles on Thursday, July 19 at 9:00 am Pacific time. This show is consistently in the top 5 (adults 25-54) in Los Angeles and can be heard in other markets in California, New Mexico, Arizona and Oregon.