Day: September 5, 2017

Caleb Plant Wraps Up Final Days of Training Camp, Talks New Opponent

Photo by Sean Michael Ham – Premier Boxing Champions


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LAS VEGAS, NV (September 5, 2017)
– Unbeaten middleweight contender, Caleb “Sweethands” Plant (15-0, 10 KOs) is just a few days away from making his SHOWTIME debut this Friday at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. Plant will face late
opponent, Andrew Hernandez (19-6-1, 9 KOs) in a ten-round bout.  Tune in this Friday on
SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT).

 

With just a few days away from the fight, Plant gives is thoughts on facing Hernandez, training, and more, as he wraps up the final days of camp. 

On his matchup with late opponent Andrew Hernandez…

“To be honest, it doesn’t matter who they put in front of me, I’ll fight anyone.  I was originally supposed to fight Alan Campa, but he pulled out, like most of my opponents.  Hernandez recently
fought so I know he’s in good shape.  I’m happy that he stepped up, but I’m going to put tips on him.  There’s no two ways about it, I’m coming out on top.”

On his recent training camp…

“Training camp has been unbelievable.  It’s no doubt, one of my best training camps ever.  My weight is perfect and I couldn’t be happier with the way I’ve been looking in the gym.  My trainer
Justin Gamber is doing a phenomenal job, as well as my dad Richie.  Larry Wade, my strength and conditioning coach, has got me in tip top shape.  We are going to dictate our game plan on Hernandez, and try to get him out of there before the final bell.  If
it goes the distance, I’ll be ready.”

 

On making his Showtime debut…

“I’m very excited to be making my debut on Showtime.  This is the first of many as I believe I can become a household name on their network.  Showtime is looking for their next star and I believe
it’s me.  I’m going to put on a spectacular performance.  Everyone watching can expect to see a very skilled and determined fighter when they see me fight this Friday night.”

 

On fighting in his new hometown of Las Vegas…

“This will be my third time fighting in Las Vegas, the mecca of boxing, and I want to stamp my legacy here.  Since moving here from Nashville about a year ago, I’ve been getting some great
work with some top-level fighters.  Nashville will always be home, but Vegas is where I’m at right now.  I have a lot of new fans out here and I can’t wait to put on a great show for them.”

 

On what a victory will do for his career…

“A win this Friday will get me one step closer to a world title shot.  I’m currently ranked WBA #7 and #11 by the IBF.  I’m right there knocking on the door.  David Benavidez
is fighting for the WBC title in the main event, and he’s definitely someone I want to fight.  J’Leon Love, who’s world ranked, is also on the card.  Both are on my radar. I’m want all the champions in my division.  I’m going to be a world champion when I
get my opportunity

Leo Santa Cruz vs. Chris Avalos & Abner Mares vs. Andres Gutierrez  Press Conference Quotes & Photo

Premier Boxing Champions on FOX & FOX Deportes Press Conference Quotes & Photos

 

Leo Santa Cruz vs. Chris Avalos & Abner Mares vs. Andres Gutierrez Saturday, October 14 from StubHub Center in 

Carson, Calif.

 

Click
HERE for Photos from Erick Ramirez/Ringstar Sports

 

LOS ANGELES
(September 5, 2017) – Three-division world champion
Leo Santa Cruz and former title challenger Chris Avalos spoke to media at the Conga Room at L.A. Live Tuesday ahead of their world title showdown Saturday, October 14 that headlines
Premier Boxing Champions on FOX and FOX Deportes from StubHub Center in Carson, Calif.

 

Also in attendance Tuesday was four-time world champion
Abner Mares, who takes on Andres Gutierrez as he looks to setup a rematch with Santa Cruz in early 2018.

 

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Ringstar Promotions and TGB Promotions, are priced at $30, $50, $75, $100, $150, and $250 and are on sale now. To purchase tickets, visit AXS.com
HERE.

 

Here is what the participants had to say Tuesday:

 

LEO SANTA CRUZ

 

“Hopefully I can come out victorious and then face all of the big names. I want to rematch Mares and Carl Frampton then unify the division. I’m going to be ready to face anyone.

 

“Some fighters when they take long layoffs feel a little bit rusty. I wanted to get in there and test my body and see how I feel heading into the bigger fights in the future.

 

“Chris Avalos is a tough fighter. He has 20 knockouts so I’m not going to underestimate him. Up there in the ring anything can happen. I’m going to be smart, be patient and do what I have to do
to win the fight.

 

“I’ve known Avalos since the amateurs. I beat him the one time we fought but it was a really good, close fight. We went toe-to-toe. He definitely thought he had won the fight. They’ve wanted a rematch
since the amateurs.

 

“I’m very happy to be back fighting here in Southern California. I owe all of this to me team and all the fans who make this possible. I love fighting here and I’m going to give you a great show.

 

“A lot of people think this will be easy for me, but I don’t see it that way. I’ve been in there with him so I know. I’ll never underestimate an opponent. Anyone who gets in that ring with me is
dangerous.

 

“Avalos has good power that I have to be prepared for. I’m really focused on beating him. We both like to come forward so I’m thinking it’s going to be a war.

 

“If I can get the win, I’m going to rematch Abner Mares. It was a really close fight the first time and I think the fans will really enjoy the rematch, especially now that he’s working with Robert
Garcia.”

 

CHRIS AVALOS

 

“I’m not a big talker but I’m ready for this battle. It’s going to be a good fight. This is going to be a war. I like going toe-to-toe and so does he.

 

“I think fighting close to home is exciting, but it doesn’t matter where the fight is. I think there is certain motivation to do better. I have been working hard in this training camp for this fight.

 

“My last world title fight I wasn’t really focused. I was running around with the wrong crowd. I am more focused. I stopped talking to everyone I used to. I am a new person. I am a new fighter.
Seeing this opportunity in front of me is a blessing. I’m really excited for this fight.

 

“We did spar in the past and I’ve been wanting to fight him. We aren’t enemies by any means, but it has been forever that I have been waiting for this opportunity.

 

“I have a lot of tactics on how to fight him strategy wise. It is going to be a good fight and I appreciate they gave me the opportunity.

 

“We are going to see the best Chris Avalos. I am going to bring the best. It is going to be a fight to remember.”

 

ABNER MARES

 

“Andres Gutierrez is a tough fighter and he’s only got one defeat. He’s no tune-up fight. He’s going to give me a good fight. I’m going to learn a lot and try to make the best of it and put on the
best performance that I can.

 

“Leo and I have two tough opponents in front of us. My opponent was ready to fight Carl Frampton and Richard even said that he thought Gutierrez was going to win that fight. I’ve been training hard
for this fight because we all know that young fighters like Gutierrez are warriors.

 

“Gutierrez is no easy test, but he doesn’t have the talent that I have. He doesn’t have the heart that I have. He doesn’t have the corner that I have. I’m going to come out victorious and give the
fans a good fight.

 

“I’m excited to be back fighting in Southern California to perform in front of my fans. I think that Robert Garcia brought the best out of me and we’re going to continue to shine on October 14.

 

“Having the new relationship with Robert Garcia has really changed my career and given me a whole new outlook. It’s made me a better fighter. I’m more mature and I still feel fast and strong.

 

“I’m excited to show-off a new Abner Mares. I say this before most of my fights but it’s really true. I’m always learning more and you will be able to see it in the ring when I defend my title.

 

“I’ve been sparring a lot of young guys and it’s got me feeling great in the gym. I can still hang with the 18 and 19-year-olds coming out of the amateurs. So I’m feel rejuvenated heading into this
fight.”

 

RICHARD SCHAEFER, Chairman & CEO of Ringstar Sports

 

“This is a great fight card on October the 14 from StubHub Center in Carson, California. Los Angeles has clearly become the fight capital of the world. Not only do we have several world champions
making Los Angeles their home, but we really have some of the best venues and the absolute best fight fans.

 

“This is a great doubleheader. Double trouble I have been calling it. Two of the most recognized names in the sport. Two Mexican-American world champions defending their world titles. This is going
to be a special night for fight fans.

 

“This is amazing to have these two fights live on a major network like FOX, and also on FOX Deportes. The StubHub Center is nicknamed the “War Grounds” and I really can’t remember a bad fight at
the venue. It truly brings out the best of the fighters

Unbeaten Rising Contender David Benavidez & Former European Amateur Star Ronald Gavril Battle for Vacant WBC Super Middleweight World Title

SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT TRAINING CAMP NOTES

 

Unbeaten Rising Contender David Benavidez & Former European Amateur Star Ronald Gavril Battle for Vacant WBC Super Middleweight World Title

in Main Event of SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION® Friday,
Sept. 8 Live on SHOWTIME at 10:05 p.m. ET/PT

 

LAS VEGAS (Sept. 5, 2017) – Fight Week is here for the six boxers competing in this Friday’s SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION telecast, headlined
by unbeaten rising star David Benavidez and contender Ronald Gavril who will battle for the vacant WBC Super Middleweight World Championship live on SHOWTIME (10:05 p.m. ET/PT) from The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas.

 

The event, presented by Premier Boxing Champions,
will feature two additional showdowns in the super middleweight division. Once-beaten J’Leon Love (23-1, 13 KOs) will battle Texas-native Abraham Han (26-3, 16 KOs) in a 10-round bout while
unbeaten prospect Caleb Plant (15-0, 10 KOs) takes on 31-year-old Phoenix, Ariz., switch-hitter Andrew Hernandez (19-6-1, 9 KOs), who steps in for Alan Campa for the 10-round attraction.

 

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and Sampson Boxing, are priced at $100, $50 and $25, and are on sale Tuesday, Aug. 22. To purchase tickets visit AXS.com or the Hard Rock
Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas Box Office.

 

The following is a training camp update from each of the fighters on this Friday’s tripleheader.

 

David “El Bandera Roja” Benavidez

* He trains out of The Summit Gym in Big Bear, Calif.

* His trainer is his father, Jose Benavidez Sr.

* With a victory, Benavidez (age 20) would become the youngest Super Middleweight to ever win a world title and the youngest current world champion.

* He’s very familiar with the gym because his brother Jose Benavidez Jr. (former WBA interim super lightweight champion) used to train there when he was active.

 

Benavidez on training camp:

“My training camps are always fairly long. I only take a week off after every fight and go back into training. For the first couple weeks, it’s just moving around, then we slowly work into the hard training.
For this one, I probably had like a month and a half, two months.”

 

On his opponent:

“I feel like he [Ronald Gavril] has a really good style for me to showcase my skills, like how I did against Rogelio Medina. With our sparring partners, we have brawlers and we have boxers, as well. Whatever
style he fights on that night, I’m going to be prepared for it.”

 

Ronald “The Thrill” Gavril

* He trains at the Mayweather Boxing Club in Las Vegas.

* He is a former European amateur standout.

* His trainer is Eddie Mustafa Muhammad (65 years old; former WBA light heavyweight world champion, retired in 1988 with a record of 50-8-1, 39 KOs).

 

Gavril on training camp:

“I feel really sharp and I’m really happy with how everything has gone during training. This is the opportunity that I’ve worked so hard to get to and I’m definitely not letting it slip by. I know that everything
needs to be 100 percent on fight night so I’m pushing myself to be ready to do whatever it takes to leave with the belt.”

 

On his opponent:

“Benavidez is a strong guy who’s coming in with a lot of support behind him, but I’m not going to let any of that distract me from my preparation. Me and my trainer are going to have a great game plan for him.
I know he wants to be active and smother me and we’re going to show him all of the parts of my game.”

 

Eddie Mustafa Muhammad:

“I got Ronald sparring with the IBF’s number-one super middleweight contender, Jose Uzcategui. He’s giving us good work, too-he can fight. We also sparred Badou Jack for a couple rounds. We’ve got an abundance
of guys that we’re working with.

 

“The way they’re talking about Benavidez, it’s like he’s King Kong. But it’s good-perfect! Ronald is a boxer-puncher, he can adapt. That’s the whole key. He has a wealth of amateur experience. This is our opportunity.
We’ve talked about this for a while now, and Ronald is at a point where he’s ready right now…It’s going to be a great fight.”

 

J’Leon Love

* He trains at the Mayweather Boxing Club in Las Vegas.

* His trainer is Theo Chambers.

* He’s been in training camp for about five months

 

Love on training camp:

 “My training camp-it’s been months! I started training in April. Being that we had fights fall out, I always stayed in the gym. That’s the hardest part, because I feel like I’ve had bad luck with fights falling
out. But one thing I can say-we train our ass off! I just want to go on vacation after this.”

 

“We’ve had a lot of good sparring-Lionell Thompson and Denis Douglin have been in here working. We’ve had so many sparring partners throughout this camp, and we’ve just been working, working, working.

 

On his opponent:

“I remember Abie Han from the amateurs. He’s always been a tough fighter. You can’t look past anybody. Everybody comes in that ring to fight. Everybody comes in with a different mode or a different drive, so
this may be the drive he has to really come out and explode on the scene and beat me. So, I’m taking him absolutely, positively serious, like he’s a world championship fighter and we’re fighting for the world title.”

 

Abraham “The Sun City Warrior” Han

* Trains out of his father’s martial arts studio in El Paso, Texas (Han’s Martial Arts).

* He is trained by Louie Burke — 56 years old; former pro junior lightweight, retired in 1985 with a record of 19-3, 12 KOs; won the “ESPN Junior Lightweight Title” on Apr. 14, 1983, with a 12-round unanimous
decision against Freddie Roach; also won a 10-round decision against Roach in the rematch on Nov. 10, 1983.

* He has sparred with former world champion Austin Trout.

 

Han on training camp:

“I train at my dad’s martial arts studio in El Paso – Han’s Martial Arts. I’m sparring mostly with local people from El Paso, and I also sparred with Austin Trout.

 

“I’ve been working hard and working with Austin (Trout) and that makes a big difference. Austin makes me so much better. He’s been a world champion and he will be a world champion again. His expertise and his
knowledge is amazing. He’s been in those situations and he tells me little things along the way and I think that will make all the difference in this fight.”

 

Caleb “Sweet Hands” Plant

* Moved to Las Vegas from Nashville about a year ago to train

* He is trained by Justin Gamber and his father Richie Plant.

 

Plant on training camp:

“I’ve been living in Las Vegas for more than a year now – since August 24th, 2016. I’ve been in the gym consistently this whole time since my last fight, but my ‘official’ training camp will be seven or eight
weeks. We bounce around to a couple of different gyms for sparring. I’ve had good work this camp – great sparring, good strength and conditioning, good gym work, and I’ve had good rest. I have a good diet.

 

“I know every boxer says, ‘Oh, this is my best camp,’ and a lot of times they don’t mean it. But this has literally been my best camp. Things are very smooth.”

 

Andrew Hernandez

* He is managed by his wife Jacquie Hernandez and trained by Alan Beirs.

* Alfred Quintana serves as his cut man and strength and conditioning coach.

* A late replacement, Hernandez got the call on Aug. 29 and accepted the fight; contract signed the next day.

* Trains at Gents Gym in Arrowhead, Ariz.

 

What Hernandez has to say:

“I’ve known my trainer, Alan Beirs, for a while. He actually helped me with my last couple of fights – we’ve only been together maybe six months or so. He worked my corner in February, but we weren’t working
completely together. Then when I got back in the gym in March, that’s when we really started working together.

 

“I train at a place called Gents Gym in Arrowhead, Ariz. I trained there with the Busted Knuckles Boxing crew – that’s Alan Beirs’ crew. We’re all pushing each other to get better and I know they’ll have me
ready for fight night

Undefeated Rising Prospect Leduan Barthelemy Meets Fellow Unbeaten Eduardo Ramirez in Main Event of Premier Boxing Champions TOE-TO-TOE TUESDAYS on FS1

Undefeated Rising Prospect Leduan Barthelemy Meets Fellow Unbeaten Eduardo Ramirez in Main Event of Premier Boxing Champions
TOE-TO-TOE TUESDAYS on FS1 & BOXEO DE CAMPEONES on FOX Deportes Tuesday, September 26 from the Cannery Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas

 

Featuring Once-Beaten Alejandro Salinas Taking on

Undefeated Duarn Vue Plus a Battle Between Unbeaten Prospects

Bryan Figueroa & Ivan Jimenez

 

Tickets on Sale Now!

 

LAS VEGAS (September 5, 2017) – Unbeaten rising prospect
Leduan Barthelemy (13-0, 7 KOs) will face undefeated prospect Eduardo Ramirez
(20-0-2, 7 KOs)in a 10-round featherweight battle that headlines Premier Boxing Champions
TOE-TO-TOE TUESDAYS on FS1 and BOXEO DE CAMPEONES on FOX Deportes Tuesday, September 26 from the Cannery Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

 

Televised coverage begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and features hard-hitting prospect
Alejandro Salinas (8-1, 8 KOs) matching up against unbeaten Duarn Vue
(12-0, 4 KOs) in an eight-round super featherweight attraction plus a six-round showdown between unbeaten lightweight prospects
Bryan Figueroa (12-0, 5 KOs) and Ivan Jimenez (7-0-1, 4 KOs).

 

“I’m excited to be returning to FS1 and FOX Deportes in a career changing fight,” said Barthelemy. “Eduardo Ramirez is a world ranked contender who brings an undefeated
record to the ring. This is a huge step up for me and I plan to show the world why I’m the top prospect in the featherweight division.  A victory will catapult me to world title contention. I will do everything in my power to come out on top. The fans watching
will see a spectacular show, that I guarantee.”

 

“This is a great opportunity for me and I want to take advantage,” said Ramirez. “I’m thankful for everyone who got me to this position and now it is my time to prove what I’m capable of. I’m training
hard and I expect a great fight from Leduan Barthelemy. I will be too much for him on fight night and be one step closer to my dream of a world title.”

 

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Sampson Boxing, start at $29 and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased by visiting

www.ticketmaster.com or calling 800-745-3000.

 

The youngest brother of two-division world champion Rances and Olympic gold medalist Yan, Barthelemy picked up four victories in 2016 and started his 2017 campaign with a victory over Jesus Aguinaga
and a stoppage of Reynaldo Blanco. The 28-year-old fights out of Las Vegas by way of Cuba and continues to rise under the tutelage of Ismael Salas.

 

With 22 pro fights under his belt at just 24-years-old, Ramirez will look to make a mark when he makes his U.S. debut on September 26. Fighting out of Sinaloa, Mexico, Ramirez most recently defeated
Guillero Soloppi in May and has taken down then unbeaten rivals Edivaldo Ortega, Roman Morales and Miguel Martinez during his pro career that dates back to 2010.

 

Fighting out of Youngstown, Ohio, Salinas has recorded stoppage victories in all eight of his triumphs as a professional. The 22-year-old is unblemished outside of one narrow split decision defeat
in his fourth pro fight. A pro since 2014, Salinas will fight in Las Vegas as a pro for the first time when he enters the ring on September 26.

 

Originally from Thailand, Vue grew up in Madison, Wisconsin while largely fighting out of the state since turning pro in June 2014. Vue has picked up two victories in 2017 including a stoppage of
Lance Williams and a 12-round decision over Miguel Angel Mendoza. The 31-year-old also owns a 12-round decision victory over Jorge Luis Munguia last May.

 

The 19-year-old Figueroa turned pro in 2014 with a pair of stoppage victories and has continued to build up his resume, including fighting eight rounds for the first time last year on his way to defeating
Hector Ambriz. Representing Tijuana, Mexico and fighting out of San Diego, Figueroa makes his U.S. debut after beginning his 2017 campaign with a first round knockout of Marcelino Hernandez in July.

 

After a majority draw in his pro debut in 2015, Jimenez has racked up seven straight wins including two victories in the U.S. The 21-year-old hails from Cuba but fights out of Las Vegas and will step-up
in competition when he enters the ring on September 26.

Unbeaten Contender Mario Barrios Takes On Naim Nelson in Main Event of Premier Boxing Champions   TOE-TO-TOE TUESDAYS on FS1 

 

Unbeaten Contender Mario Barrios Takes On Naim Nelson in Main Event of Premier Boxing Champions  



TOE-TO-TOE TUESDAYS on FS1 &


BOXEO DE CAMPEONES on FOX Deportes Tuesday, September 19 From Sands Bethlehem Events Center in Bethlehem, Pa.

 

Plus! Battle of Unbeaten Prospects Stephen Fulton & Adam Lopez While Rising Prospect Earl Newman Faces Paul Parker in Undercard Action

 

Tickets on Sale Now!


BETHLEHEM, PA.
(September 5, 2017) – Unbeaten rising contender Mario Barrios
(19-0, 11 KOs) will battle Naim Nelson (13-3, 1 KO) in a 10-round super lightweight bout that headlines
Premier Boxing Champions TOE-TO-TOE TUESDAYS on FS1 and BOXEO DE CAMPEONES
on FOX Deportes Tuesday, September 19 from Sands Bethlehem Events Center in Bethlehem, Pa.

 

Televised coverage begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT and will feature an eight-round matchup between unbeaten featherweight prospects
Stephen Fulton (11-0, 5 KOs) and Adam Lopez (8-0, 3 KOs) plus undefeated prospect
Earl Newman (10-0, 7 KOs) taking on Paul Parker (8-2, 4 KOs) in an eight-round light heavyweight attraction.

 

“I’m thrilled to be fighting once again on FS1 and FOX Deportes, especially as the main event,” said Barrios. “I have a tough hometown fighter
in Naim Nelson standing in my way. My goal is to be explosive and give the fans a great performance.  I’m very thankful for all the opportunities that have come my way and I’m going to take full advantage of the situation come fight night.”

 

“I am at a different stage of my career now,” said Nelson. “I have experienced losses, but I learned you have to keep on fighting. I am the best
and most experienced guy Barrios has fought. He’s is a good fighter and has a good coach in Virgil Hunter.  He is tall and that’s what jumps out about him.  But being tall is not everything.  I am training hard and I expect a great fight from him.”

 

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by King’s Promotions, are priced at $50, $75 and $100, not including applicable service charges and taxes and are on sale now. Tickets are
available at www.ticketmaster.com.
To charge by phone call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000.

 

A tall fighter for his division at more than six feet, the 21-year-old Barrios picked up seven victories in a jam-packed 2015 in which he stopped five opponents inside the distance and
followed it up in 2016 with three more victories, including a 12-round decision over Devis Boschiero in July. The San Antonio native began his 2017 campaign with a stoppage victory over Yardley Suarez on the Keith Thurman vs. Danny Garcia undercard in Brooklyn
in March and followed it up with a knockout victory over Jose Luis Rodriguez in June. He makes his third appearance on FS1 and FOX Deportes on September 19 and his first as the main event.

 

The 27-year-old Nelson won his first 12 pro fights before dropping a decision to former world champion Mickey Bey in December 2015 but bounced back with a decision victory over Carlos
Velasquez. Fighting out of nearby Philadelphia, Nelson has recently challenged top contender Alejandro Luna and last fought in Bethlehem against Tre’Sean Wiggins in April.

 

Born and raised in West Philadelphia, Fulton defeated previously unbeaten Luis Rosario in April after a 2016 that saw him stop then unbeaten Adalberto Zorrilla and Cristian Renteria.
The 23-year-old is unbeaten since turning pro in 2014 and will be looking to make it a perfect 12 wins in 12 pro starts when he enters the ring on September 19.

 

The 21-year-old Lopez has beaten fighters with a combined record of 13-0-1 in his last three fights including a victory in July over Paul Romero. Fighting out of Glendale, Calif., Lopez
has picked up four victories this year as he prepares for his toughest opponent to date and his first fight on the east coast.

 

A former New York Golden Gloves champion, Newman has shown impressive power in stopping seven of his first ten opponents since turning pro in 2014.
The 26-year-old out of Brooklyn is coming in off of a victory over then once-beaten Leo Hall and a stoppage over Dustin Craig Echard last year. Newman has fought professionally since 2014 and won his first eight fights in his first two years as a pro.

 

Representing Toledo, Ohio, Parker has challenged top contenders Sullivan Barrera and Vyacheslav Shabranskyy sandwiched around a victory over Lionell
Thompson in 2016. The 32-year-old has fought professionally since 2012 and won his first seven fights before stepping up in competition. 

Former World Champion Nonito Donaire Returns to the Ring to Take onRuben Garcia Hernandez for the WBC Silver Featherweight Title  September 23 at the Alamodome in San Antonio

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Press Release

 

Former World Champion Nonito Donaire Returns to the Ring to Take on

Ruben Garcia Hernandez for the WBC Silver Featherweight Title  

September 23 at the Alamodome in San Antonio

 

Plus! Once-Beaten Cruiserweights Keith Tapia & Lateef Kayode Battle in

World Boxing Super Series Reserve Match

 

Tickets
on Sale Now!

 

SAN ANTONIO (September 5, 2017) – Exciting
former world champion Nonito Donaire (37-4-0, 24 KOs) will return to the ring to take on
Ruben Garcia Hernandez (22-2-1, 9 KOs) for the WBC Silver Featherweight Title in a bout that takes place alongside the World Boxing Super Series Quarterfinals
on Saturday, September 23  from the Alamodome live in San Antonio and presented by Ringstar Sports.


Additional action will feature a 10-round showdown between once-beaten cruiserweights
Keith Tapia (17-1, 11 KOs) and Lateef Kayode (21-1, 16 KOs) that will serve as the reserve match for the World Boxing Super Series Quarterfinal matchup of Cuban WBA World Champion Yunier ‘The KO Doctor’ Dorticos (21-0, 20 KOs) versus Russian Dmitry
‘Russian Hammer’ Kudryashov (21-1, 21 KOs).


Donaire returns to the ring after a controversial loss last November to Jessie Magdaleno.  Donaire recently teamed up with Ringstar Sports where he plans to reclaim his
supremacy in the featherweight division.  Garcia Hernandez is a tested Mexican fighter looking to make a name for himself in the U.S. at the Alamodome.


“I’m ready to return to the ring and show that I still have what it takes to be a world champion and face the best in this sport,” said Donaire. “I’m thankful to Ringstar
Sports for helping me in this next chapter of my career and I know with them in my corner, I’ll be back to where I belong soon. I’m excited to give the great fight fans in San Antonio a great show, just like when I fought Wilfredo Vazquez at the Alamodome
in 2012. After this fight, I’m coming for all of the featherweight champions and to prove I’m the best in the division.”


 “I am grateful for this opportunity and I can’t wait to get in the ring,” said Garcia Hernandez. “I know that I am facing a great fighter and that has motivated me to
train harder than ever before for this matchup. I’m planning on giving it my all and giving the fans a great fight. I hope Donaire comes to fight because I am coming to knock him ou on September 23rd.”


Tickets for the live event are priced at $250, $125, $100, $50, and $30, and are on sale now. Tickets are available at ticketmaster.com

HERE. 

 

“The return of Nonito Donaire to the ring is a treat for boxing fans in San Antonio as he looks to return to his place as one of the top fighters in the sport,” said Richard Schaefer, Chairman & CEO of Ringstar Sports. “He will
be in an all-action matchup against a tough Mexican fighter in Ruben Garcia Hernandez and I expect them to give the fans an exciting night. The entire card will be jam packed with rising prospects and contenders, plus a great cruiserweight showdown between
Keith Tapia and Lateef Kayode that will be the reserve match for the World Boxing Super Series Quarterfinal that night.”


The Filipino fighter known as the “Filipino Flash” Donaire grew up in Northern California and now fights out of Las Vegas.  His last fight was November 2016 when
he battled Magdeleno for a junior featherweight world title in a bout that he lost by controversial decision.  Hoping for a rematch that was never made, he partnered with Ringstar Sports looking to return to the top of the featherweight division. Prior to
that, Donaire won belts in four different weight classes and was recognized as the 2012 Fighter of the Year by the BWAA, ESPN and Ring Magazine.


Fighting out of Mexico City, Mexico, Hernandez
made his pro debut in 2010.  Since that time he has battled his way through Mexico while fighting in the U.S. four times.   Hernandez enters this bout on a seven fight winning streak and plans to make a name for himself in the United States on September
23rd when he takes on Donaire.

 

The 27-year-old Tapia returns to the ring after dropping a decision to unbeaten Andrew Tabiti that snapped a 17-fight win streak to begin his professional career. Originally from Puerto Rico but fighting out of the Bronx,
Tapia has picked up victories over durable veterans Garrett Wilson and Anthony Caputo Smith and will look to cement his status as a cruiserweight contender on September 23rd.

 

A former title challenger at cruiserweight, Kayode
last battled Denis Lebedev for his cruiserweight crown in a November 2015 bout in Russia. Fighting out of Hollywood, Calif., by way of Nigeria, Kayode has shared the ring with the likes of Antonio Tarver and Luis Ortiz while taking down Felix Cora Jr, Matt
Godfrey and Nick Kisner on his way to an unbeaten mark after his first 21 pro fights. 

*** 

 

WORLD BOXING SUPER SERIES FIXTURES
09/09/17 – Cruiserweight Quarter-Final: 
Oleksandr Usyk vs. Marco Huck (WBO World) 
Max-Schmeling-Halle, Berlin, Germany
 
16/09/17 – Super Middleweight Quarter-Final: 
Callum Smith vs. Erik Skoglund (WBC Diamond)
Echo Arena, Liverpool, United Kingdom 
 
23/09/17 – Cruiserweight Quarter-Final: 
Yunier Dorticos vs. Dmitry Kudryashov (WBA World)
Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas, USA

30/09/17 – Cruiserweight Quarter-Final: 
Mairis Briedis vs. Mike Perez (WBC World) 
Riga Arena, Riga, Latvia
 
07/10/17 – Super Middleweight Quarter-Final: 
Chris Eubank Jr vs. Avni Yildirim (IBO World)
Hanns-Martin-Schleyer Halle, Stuttgart, Germany  

14/10/17 – Super Middleweight Quarter-Final: 
George Groves vs. Jamie Cox (WBA Super)
The SSE Arena, Wembley, London, United Kingdom  
 
TO BE CONFIRMED
Cruiserweight Quarter-Finals: 
Murat Gassiev vs. Krzysztof Wlodarczyk (IBF World)
 
Super Middleweight Quarter-Finals:
Juergen Braehmer vs. Rob Brant
 
WORLD BOXING SUPER SERIES AT A GLANCE
Number of participants: 16 
Number of belts: 7
Number of world champions: 6
Number of former world champions: 3
Number of undefeated fighters: 9
Combined Record of participants: 423 wins, 17 losses, 294 KOs