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Deontay Wilder VS. Luis Ortiz II; Final press conference

Deontay Wilder VS. Luis Ortiz II; Final press conference

 

 

The champion of full weight of the World Boxing Council, Wilder returns to face the Cuban puncher Ortiz.

LAS VEGAS (November 20, 2019) – WBC Deontay full weight champion “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder, and Cuban fighter Luis “King Kong” Ortiz met face to face at the final press conference before their fight of revenge in the main event of FOX Sports PBC Pay-Per-View this Saturday November 23 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Thursday’s press conference also featured three-division champion Leo “El Terremoto” Santa Cruz and Miguel Flores who will face the vacant WBA super featherweight title.

Tickets for the event, promoted by BombZquad Promotions, TGB Promotions and Mayweather Promotions, are now on sale and can be purchased at www.mgmgrand.com  or www.axs.com

This is what the fighters had to say Thursday from inside the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas:

 

DEONTAY WILDER

 

 

“I am the best in the world and I say it with confidence. Having said that, I have to give fans what they want to see. Those are exciting fights. The full weight division was in a dark place, but now it is on fire and I must keep it going.

“Luis Ortiz is one of the best in the world and one of the most dangerous men in boxing. No one in the top 10 has given it a chance. They say he’s old, but if that’s the truth, then one of them should fight him.

“When I look at the panorama of the full weight division, this man was not yet having a chance. It was an amazing fight the first time and I will make adjustments this time. That’s what it is all about. I will be my best version Saturday night.

“I’d rather go through difficulties in the ring than have a perfect career. What kind of legacy would you leave? I want to give you something to remember me. ”

“Luis Ortiz looks good, but I don’t think it will matter against someone like me. I am fit 365 days a year. I come to the camp in shape. The first day of camp, we were training. It is always good to see my opponents fit and properly prepared for a war. That’s all I can ask because they know what they face when they go against me.

“This is a great billboard with great champions and fighters around here. What more could you want? There is nothing more to say. Now is the time to act. I hope to give everyone the best of me. ”

“We train very hard to be prepared and go to war. You know what to expect. The hard part is waiting. This it is. I can’t wait for Saturday night. My opponent has to be perfect to last 12 rounds, I just have to be perfect for a second. ”

 

 

 

LUIS ORTIZ

 

 

“I do not like lose. There were legitimate circumstances why I was not at my best in the first fight. It was a fatigue strike. I think if I had continued, I would have gotten the knockout. It was just fatigue, but I corrected it this time, so the best man will win. ”

“We will show you on Saturday night how we will win. But we are always ready to adapt. We will all see him on Saturday night. ”

“This will be the second world war between us. I’ve had 500 fights, including my amateur fights. In full weight, everyone has power. Sometimes it seems that a horse is kicking you. Wilder is very strong, but I will show what I know and what I can do.

“As I said before, and Deontay also said, this is not going to last 12 rounds. One of us will be knocked out. I wish there were no bells between rounds so we could continue.

“This is not just that Deontay fights with any other opponent. Obviously, Deontay had his reasons for taking this fight. But on Saturday, I’m going to show you why it was a mistake. I will be the new full-weight world champion.

“This is the Holy Grail, face the real world full weight champion. I want to be considered one of the best fighters in Cuba. I am very grateful to the coaches I had as a child who taught me the sport.

“I definitely want to thank Deontay, and all my team, for giving me this opportunity for a rematch. That’s what life is about. This will not be my last chance. I am here to fight and that is what you will see on Saturday night. ”

 

*** ABOUT WILDER VS. ORTIZ II ***

Wilder vs. Ortiz II includes the longest reigning world heavyweight boxing champion, Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder defending his WBC title in a rematch against Cuban fighter Luis “King Kong” Ortiz on Saturday November 23 at FOX Sports PBC Pay -Per-View live action from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

The champion in three divisions Leo “El Terremoto” Santa Cruz looks for a title in another division when he faces Miguel Flores.

 

For more information: visit www.premierboxingchampions.com , http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage  and www.foxdeportes.com , follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @PBConFOX, @FOXSports, @FOXDeportes, @TGBPromotions, @MayweatherPromo and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions , www.facebook.com/foxsports  and www.facebook.com/foxdeportes .

 

Read  more on Wilder HERE

Read more on WBC Boxing HERE

 

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Smith to defend world titles in Liverpool Homecoming

Callum Smith Open Public workout in New York Ahead of his World Title fight against Hassan N'Dam N'Jikam at Madison Square Garden on 1st June 2019. 29th May 2019 Picture By Mark Robinson.

 

SMITH MEETS RYDER IN LIVERPOOL HOMECOMING
Domestic World title clash lands on November 23
 

 

Callum Smith will defend his WBA World, WBC Diamond and Ring Magazine Super-Middleweight titles against WBA mandatory challenger John Ryder at the M&S Bank Arena Liverpool on Saturday November 23, shown live on Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN in the US.

 

Smith (26-0, 19 KOs) landed the WBA World title and was crowned World Boxing Super Series Champion following a stunning seventh round knockout victory over British rival George Groves in Saudi Arabia last September – a win that also saw the Liverpudlian claim the vacant Ring Championship.

 

He put those titles on the line for the first time against two-time Olympian and former Middleweight World ruler Hassan N’Dam on his US debut at Madison Square Garden in New York earlier this year, flooring the French-Cameroonian three times in three rounds as he delivered a clinical display.

 

‘Mundo’ returns home to fight in his native Liverpool for the first time since outpointing Sweden’s Erik Skoglund in September 2017 knowing that a win over his fellow Brit Ryder is vital if he is to secure a dream fight at Anfield next year.

 

Ryder (28-4, 16 KOs) earned the number-one ranking with the WBA with a seventh round technical knockout win against previously undefeated Russian Andrey Sirotkin in their final eliminator clash at the Copper Box Arena in London last October.

 

‘The Gorilla’ stopped Bilal Akkawy to win the vacant interim WBA Super-Middleweight title last time out on the undercard of Saul Alvarez-Daniel Jacobs at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, and in doing so kept himself in line for Smith’s crown.

 

 

“I can’t tell you how excited I am to return to Liverpool as World Champion to defend my titles,” said Smith. “It’s always been a dream of mine to bring World Championship boxing to the city and hopefully this is the first of a big run of fights here.

‘My last three fights have been on the road in Germany, Saudi Arabia and New York and whilst they have been incredible experiences, there is nothing quite like a big fight night in Liverpool. It’s also pleasing that I get to be involved in a domestic fight against a tough opponent in John Ryder.

“He has fought his way to mandatory challenger and is on a big run of knockout wins that make him full of confidence. I’m working hard in camp to be at my best and make a statement as we head into a huge 2020. Right now the focus is on Ryder and defending my belts in style in my city on November 23.”

 

“I’m buzzing to be fighting for the full World title,” said Ryder. “I’ve worked hard to get myself into the mandatory position and keep myself there. I feel like I’m in the form of my life and this opportunity has come at the perfect time. Callum Smith is a great opponent and a great champion but I feel unbeatable at the moment. 

“He’s an undefeated World Champion and he hasn’t put a foot out of line so far, so I know what I’m up against on November 23. With the form that I’m in now, I believe that I can beat anyone. I’m confident that I’ll get it right on the night and get the victory. 

“People will see me beating Callum as a big upset but I don’t see it like that. I believe that I’ve got the ability to win and that’s what I plan to do. This is the chance that I’ve taken. I’m heading into the lion’s den to get the win and shatter his Anfield dreams.”

 

“I always love coming to Liverpool but when one of their own headlines in a World title fight, there’s nothing quite like it,” said Eddie Hearn. “I’m so happy Callum gets this chance to return to the city as champion in a brilliant domestic fight. Callum has established himself as the number 1 Super-Middleweight on the planet right now and John Ryder is on a brilliant run that has seen him become the WBA interim champ and the mandatory challenger. It’s Liverpool vs. London in what I expect to be an intriguing fight for the 168 marbles.”

 

Adam Smith, Head of Sky Sports Boxing, said: “Callum Smith returns to Liverpool as the world’s best Super-Middleweight for an exciting domestic clash against John Ryder, who is in red-hot form.

 

“It’s brilliant to have Smith back on Sky Sports, in one of the pivotal nights in our stacked boxing schedule. An Anfield night could lie ahead for him, but Ryder has really transformed his fortunes in recent months and has earned his shot at a World title. 

“We’re expecting another electric atmosphere on November 23 in Smith’s home city, a thriving hotbed for sport as Liverpool target the Premier League title.”

 

 

Read more on John Ryder HERE

Read more on Matchroom Boxing HERE

 

 

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LJUNGQUIST INSPIRED BY FURY SPARRING: “I WANT TO BECOME ONE OF THE GREATS!”

 

 

LJUNGQUIST INSPIRED BY FURY SPARRING: “I WANT TO BECOME ONE OF THE GREATS!”

 

Danish heavyweight hope Kem Ljungquist (9-0, 5 KOs) has returned home full of ambition following a five-week training camp in Las Vegas with Tyson Fury.

 

Fury, who faces Sweden’s Otto Wallin at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, enlisted the help of Ljungquist, another undefeated heavyweight southpaw, as one of his chief sparring partners in preparation for Saturday’s crunch clash.

 

“It’s a big deal when the greatest heavyweight in the world asks you to come and spar before his fight to help him get ready,” says Ljungquist.

 

“It was just me and two others and Tyson treated us really well. He rented us a house and got us a car so we could drive ourselves around. I definitely don’t think it’s a regular thing to be treated so well when you’re a sparring partner.

 

“It was really motivating for me to be around Tyson. He was very good at complimenting me on my boxing when I had done something good, and his trainer Ben Davison too. They were both really open with me and I learnt a lot.

 

“I’ve never trained with a man like Tyson before. He’s definitely the best in the world in my opinion. He’s got something that not many boxers have. He’s got the size, he’s very strong and durable, but he also moves very well, and it’s not often you have that in heavyweights. He’s also very strong mentally.

 

“He seems like he really has it together right now, and is really on top of his game. It’s great to be sparring him when he’s at this level because it’s very good for my game, and I can see what I have to work on to get to that stage.”

 

The 29 year-old, who has enjoyed a fine start to his professional career, most recently outpointing Spanish Champion Gabriel Enguema, admits he has been inspired by his Vegas experience and is eager to follow in the footsteps of Fury to become a future star of the heavyweight division.

“I want to become one of the greats,” he says. “I know I’ll have to start from the bottom and work my way up, but I’m just so motivated. I’m ready for whatever and I can’t wait to fight again. I want to prove to people that I’m serious. I’m not here for fun. I want to be the best and I’m not settling for anything less.”

 

Having also previously sparred Fury’s opponent Wallin, Ljungquist is uniquely placed to offer his prediction on Saturday’s heavyweight showdown.

 

“I don’t give Otto much of a chance,” he says. “I think Tyson’s experience and movement will work in his favour, but anyone can surprise you in boxing!”
 

 

 

 

Read more on Sauerland Promotion HERE

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RANKIN: I HAVE THE GAMEPLAN TO DETHRONE SHIELDS

WICHITA, KS - NOVEMBER 15: IBF/WBA female middleweight champion Claressa Shields and Hannah Rankin pose after the final press conference at Exploration Place in Wichita, KS for the Matchroom Boxing USA card that will take place on November 17, 2018 at the Kansas Star Casino. (Photo by Ed Mulholland/Matchroom Boxing USA)

 

Scot relishing her underdog status against World ruler in Kansas

 

 
Hannah Rankin believes her team have devised the right gameplan to beat Claressa Shields and claim the WBA, IBF and vacant WBC World Middleweight titles on Saturday night at the Kansas Star Arena in Mulvane, KS, live on DAZN.

 

Tickets are on sale now from ticketmaster.com starting at just $25! Click here to book!

 

Rankin meets Michigan ace Shields in her second World title fight, coming into the clash on the back of moving up two weights to take WBA Super-Middleweight champion Alicia Napoleon the distance in New York in August.

 

The 28 year old feels strong at 160lbs as she prepares to face the two-time Team USA Olympic gold medal star, and as a proud Scot, she’s relishing her underdog status.

 

 

“I’m so excited about the fight,” said Rankin. “She’s one of the top names in the game and that’s why I’ve taken the challenge at the very top level. I’m really looking forward to the fight, we’ve both got aggressive styles and I think it’s going to be great for TV. I hope she brings her A-game as I’m going to bring mine.

 

 

 

“I’m a massive underdog and I’m not going to say it any other way, but I can’t wait to get in there and showcase what I can do. We’ve got a gameplan to execute and I am confident that if I stick to it, I’ll hear ‘and the new’.

 

“Being a boxer is a very Scottish thing to do – we’re always the underdog and we love to prove people wrong. I’ve got a big heart and I am a fighter, I always have been. You are always learning in the gym and in every fight and I thrive on that, it’s what attracts me to the sport.

 

“I’m not a trash talker, I’ve worked on my things in camp so she better be ready for me on Saturday as I’m ready to bring it. Alicia was my first ten round title fight and I stepped up two weights for that. I’m outside my comfort zone again but I learnt a lot in my last fight and I’m going to bring all that out on Saturday.

 

“Women’s boxing is taking massive steps forward and being live on DAZN on a Matchroom Boxing show is another big step in the right direction. Katie Taylor is leading the way for us too and things are starting to change for the positive and slowly we’re getting there, getting the props and the airtime to build up our fanbases.” 

 

 

Shield’s clash with Rankin is part of a huge night of action in Kansas in association with KO Night Boxing with a host of stars and local talents in action.

 

Brooklyn’s Heavyweight star Jarrell Miller meets fellow unbeaten big-hitter Bogdan Dinu in a crunch clash at the top level of the division.

 

Middleweight contenders Luis Arias and Gabriel Rosado clash in what promises to be a real war as the pair look to gatecrash the lucrative top table, and there’s an all-Mexican clash and a homecoming for Brandon Rios against Ramon Alvarez, brother of ‘Canelo’, as both men look to make a splash at Welterweight.

 

Team USA 2016 Olympic bronze medal man Nico Hernandez has raced to 5-0 (4 KOs) – the Wichita talent fights for the third time in the Kansas Star Casino and Arena since debuting there in March 2017, unbeaten Wichita Super-Middleweight and police officer Manny Thompson looks to improve his 7-0 record and Las Vegas’ Jeremy Nichols meets Wichita’s Jeremiah Page at Middleweight.

 

Unbeaten Light-Heavyweight contender Anthony Sims Jr. and Brooklyn’s exciting newcomer to the Middleweight scene Nikita Ababiy, fresh from a first round KO on debut in Chicago in October, are also in action.

 

 

Read more on Claressa Shields HERE

Read more on The Wild Night in Kansas HERE

Read more on Matchroom Boxing Events HERE

 

Images by Ed Mulholland of Matchroom Boxing

 

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VARGAS VS DULORME TO CLASH FOR WBC SILVER TITLE

 

Welterweights meet in Chicago on October 6 – clash with Porter targeted for the winner

 

 

Jessie Vargas and Thomas Dulorme will clash for the WBC Silver Welterweight title at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago on October 6, live on DAZN.

 

Former two-weight World ruler Vargas (28-2 10KOs) is gunning for the chance to become a two-time champion at 147lbs and victory over Dulorme (24-3 16KOs) would move him into pole position to face newly crowned WBC champion Shawn Porter as the mandatory challenger, after Porter defeated Danny Garcia in Brooklyn earlier in the month.

 

Las Vegas star Vargas headlines Matchroom Boxing USA’s first show in the States on DAZN and will have his hands full with the Puerto Rican – but with the stakes now raised even more, Vargas believes he can deliver a ‘tremendous’ victory and kickstart an exciting period in the peak of his career.

 

“My focus has to be solely on Thomas Dulorme,” said WBC #3 ranked Vargas. “This man is no walk in the park, he fights with his heart and always gives it his all, but I have prepared properly and record a tremendous victory. It’s going to be a great show and I’m proud to be headlining it.

 

“This is the first step in the new phase of my career. As a fighter, it’s always best to have fights lined up and have a clear plan, have a promoter that shows you ‘you are going to fight three times in 12 months’ and when you get that certainty you know you have a couple of weeks off after a fight and then you are into another training camp to give the fans another great. I am stull young and I have plenty of years left in me at the very top level – I’m truly excited.

 

“Shawn Porter is my boy and he’s a great fighter, he’s got a lot of experience, great stamina and power. I will fight the top guys, all the champions, there are some huge fights to make out there at Welterweight. We’re all going to go at it and we’re going to see who ends up on top.”

 

“Jessie is the leading contender in the WBC rankings and I am very confident that victory on October 6 will lead him to the mandatory position for Shawn Porter,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “That’s a great fight that we would be very interested in but first he must win the Mexico vs Puerto Rico battle in Chicago.”

 

Vargas and Dulorme clash on a huge night of action in Chicago, with two World title clashes and a huge fight for an American Heavyweight star.

 

Russian Artur Beterbiev defends his IBF World Light-Heavyweight title against fellow unbeaten puncher Callum Johnson, the Brit in his first World title fight.

 

Daniel Roman defends his WBA Super-Bantamweight crown against another Brit, second time World title challenger Gavin McDonnell, while Brooklyn’s brash Heavyweight star Jarrell Miller meets Polish legend Tomasz Adamek and three debutants grace the bill as Team USA talents Reshat Mati, Nikita Ababiy and Nkosi Solomon lace them up for the first time.

 

Along with these World stars and promising youngsters, Chicago fight fans will be able to back two of their own on the night, with former World Lightweight title challenger Jessica McCaskill in action on the bill along with unbeaten Bantamweight prospect Shawn Simpson.

 

 

DAZN HAVE ANNOUNCED AN EIGHT-YEAR DEAL WITH
MATCHROOM BOXING USA TO EXCLUSIVELY BROADCAST FIGHTS IN CANADA


First event headlined by Jessie Vargas vs. Thomas Dulorme on Saturday, Oct. 6

 

 

TORONTO, Sept. 25, 2018 – DAZN, the live and on-demand sports streaming platform, announced that it has signed an eight-year distribution deal with Matchroom Boxing USA, a world-leading boxing promoter, to exclusively deliver a series of fight nights along with original programming on DAZN Canada.

 

ABOUT DAZN CA

DAZN is the world’s first dedicated live sports streaming service and is leading the change to give sports fans around the world access to sport anytime, anywhere. DAZN remains the only place for Canadians to watch every single live NFL game, and is the exclusive home of RedZone. DAZN has also become the new home of UEFA Champions League, Europa League, Serie A and offers MLS Live, MLB Network, Six Nations Rugby, boxing, cricket and much more live and on-demand.

 

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CANELO DEFEATS GOLOVKIN IN FIERCELY COMPETITIVE BATTLE

 

 

Youth and power were significant factors for Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, in winning the WBC middleweight title from Gennady “GGG” Golovkin, who suffered his first defeat as a pro, in a very close and fiercely competitive classic, which really deserved the overused term…WAR!

Triple G (38-1-1, 34 KOs) and Canelo (50-1-2, 34 KOs) were hand to hand “In the trenches” for the entirety of the twelve rounds on Saturday night at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

 

Canelo who in their first encounter had chosen to move, evade and counterpunch for most of that fight night, radically changed strategy, standing his ground and fighting from close range, becoming the aggressor, connecting with the harder punches. Yet often getting tagged with stiff straight left jabs and long straight punches as he swept in.

 

 

 

Canelo and Golovkin felt each other out as they jabbed in the opening round. Things picked up, as Canelo let his hands in round two, landing a hard left uppercut, while Golovkin stalked behind the jab, connecting well with his own middle range left hook.

 

The Mexican maintained  the unforgiving pace and was busier in round three sneaking in a right uppercut that snapped Golovkin’s head. Golovkin landed a long hard right.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Standing in the centre in round four, Golovkin landed a left jab flush in Canelo`s face, connecting with a solid right that caught Canelo’s attention, to the extent that he retaliated with a very hard right to the face, although he was also swinging missing.

 

In round five, a hard left to Canelo`s face, prompted instant retaliation. Canelo went to the body, and then a huge flush overhand right from Canelo found its mark, checking Golovkin’s momentum. Canelo began to go downstairs more frequently and follow as Golovkin was uncharacteristically forced on to the back foot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Past the halfway point in the seventh Golovkin continued to use the stiff jab as Canelo stalked, but Canelo appeared heavier handed. The two fighters also clashed heads.

 

The eighth round saw Canelo bleeding from a cut, and so was Golovkin, who`s right cheek was also badly swelling. Just before the bell, Golovkin landed a right hook to the head.

 

 

 

In the tenth a superb right uppercut from Golovkin and Canelo met it with a cracking left hook. Another accurate right countered by a stiff left. A big attack from Golovkin stemmed by a right uppercut.

 

The twelve and final round started with another right uppercut to the head from Golovkin with Canelo driving him back and then slipping. To his sportsmanlike credit, Golovkin held back, not following through.  Everyone was on their feet but Referee Benji Estevez quickly ruled it a slip. The fight ended with another right uppercut from Golovkin and an instant later the bell with them embracing.

 

 

Scores were 114-114, 115-113, 115-113 for “Young Blood” Canelo.

 

The eight year difference significantly favoured Canelo.  By the half way point Golovkin was visibly tiring, although he stuck to his task, refusing to allow his work rate to drop.  Between rounds Golovkin was breathing the heavier and he suffered the worst facial damage.  Yet it was desperately close, a truly great and classic fight.