ROBERT EASTER JR. AND RANCES BARTHELEMY FIGHT TO A SPLIT-DRAW

Easter Barthelemy Header

ROBERT EASTER JR. AND RANCES BARTHELEMY FIGHT TO A SPLIT-DRAW IN MATCHUP FOR WBA LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE SATURDAY ON SHOWTIME
® FROM THE COSMOPOLITAN OF LAS VEGAS

Viktor Postol Outclasses Mohamed Mimoune In WBC Super Lightweight Eliminator & Efe Ajagba Knocks Out Michael Wallisch In Co-Featured Bouts

LAS VEGAS – April 27, 2019 – Robert Easter Jr. and Rances Barthelemy fought to a split-draw in their matchup for the vacant WBA Lightweight World Title Saturday on SHOWTIME from The Chelsea inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

The challenging fight to score was ruled 115-113 Barthelemy, 115-113 Easter and 114-114. The WBA 135-pound title remains vacant following the split decision.

With both former world champions needing a win in a crossroads affair, neither fighter was able to pull the trigger in a matchup of talented counterpunchers. The tall, rangy lightweights competed on the outside for much of the 12-round bout, and while both relied on their reach to keep their opponent at bay, they failed to land many effective shots from the outside.

The switch-hitting Cuban Barthelemy (27-1-1, 14 KOs), who fought defensively for most of the fight, transitioned to mostly southpaw in the third. The former two-division world champion’s most effective punches appeared to be body shots from the southpaw stance, while Easter (21-1-1, 14 KOs) was at his best when he countered with his right.

As the 12-round affair progressed, the corners of both fighters – Robert Easter Sr. and former Cuban champion Joel Casamayor – pleaded with their pugilists to increase their output to little avail. Neither fighter landed 10 punches in any round, and while Easter was slightly more active they combined to throw just 743 punches. They combined to land just 106 total punches.

“I feel I did enough to win this fight but the judges saw it differently,” said Easter, who was fighting for the first time since losing to pound-for-pound great Mikey Garcia in a unification last summer. “They saw it a different way. Rances is a crafty fighter, an elusive fighter. I tried to take the fight to him but he wouldn’t take it. It was hard to land my shots.”

Barthelemy, who was returning to lightweight after losing a rematch to Kiryl Relikh in his bid to become Cuba’s first three-division world champion, was frustrated with the decision.

“Robert was absent in the ring tonight,” Barthelemy said. “I wanted him to land his right and he didn’t. I wanted him to come forward and he didn’t. We were prepared for a different Robert Easter – the one that attacks – but he didn’t show up so I couldn’t deliver my strategy.

 

      All Photo Credits- Esther Lin/SHOWTIME

“I landed the cleaner and more accurate shots. I feel I threw more punches. I was the busier fighter. I won the fight. I think this was a missed opportunity for me. I really feel I won this fight.”

Former 140-pound world champion Viktor Postol outclassed Mohamed Mimoune in a WBC Super Lightweight Eliminator, winning via unanimous decision 98-92, 97-93, 99-91 in the SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION co-feature.

Postol fought off a stiff jab and utilized his reach advantage to keep the fight at range. The Ukrainian, who was working with Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach, was the more active fighter from bell to bell, throwing 587 punches compared to just 306 for the French Mimoune. While Mimoune was elusive and able to slip many of Postol’s power shots, he never left himself in a position to effectively counter his taller and more aggressive opponent. The southpaw Mimoune (21-3, 2 KOs) averaged just 30 punches per round and was off balance for much of the fight, throwing wide looping shots that rarely landed.

 

After the fight, Postol attributed his victory with being able to remain disciplined and stick to the game plan of Roach.

“I always try to be disciplined,” Postol said. “I did well tonight. My opponent’s style was a little awkward, but I did okay. If I could fight a guy like (Terence) Crawford, I can handle Mimoune. And I did.”

After the fight, Postol, who’s only losses came against top fighters Terence Crawford and Josh Taylor, promised to chase the elite of the 140-pound class.

“I want the next big fight,” Postol said. “Doesn’t matter who – WBC Champion Jose Ramirez would be a great choice. I was away for two years so I was a little bit worried before, but now I feel like I’m back. I’m 100 percent back and ready for the next test.”

Hall of Famer Steve Farhood, who served as unofficial ringside scorer for the SHOWTIME telecast, gave Postol all 10 of the rounds in the WBC Eliminator.

In the opening bout of the telecast, fast-rising heavyweight Efe Ajagba added another knockout to his resume with a second-round TKO of previously once-beaten Michael Wallisch.

Ajagba (10-0, 9 KOs) was aggressive from the outset, throwing nearly 100 punches in the opening round. Utilizing a steady diet of 1-2 combos, Ajagba landed at will in the second against Wallisch, who fought behind a high guard but couldn’t prevent the Nigerian’s power shots from landing. After eating a series of combos in the second, Wallisch (19-2, 12 KOs) took a knee and was given time to recover after Ajagba appeared to throw and land a punch with his opponent on his knee. Wallisch got back up but was defenseless against Ajagba’s onslaught, forcing referee Tony Weeks to step in to stop the contest at 1:40.

“I took my time in there, I used my jab a lot and it worked,” said Agjaba, who landed 43 percent of his power shots. “When I shot my right hand and he took it, I decided to keep unloading. I kept throwing combinations and I knew I was hurting him so I kept doing it.

 

“I’m happy to be training with Ronnie (Shields). He is one of the best trainers in the world. He helped me with my jab and he’s helping me develop as a fighter.”

Said trainer Ronnie Shields: “I think we still have a lot to learn. You saw he’s a busy guy and for a big guy to throw 93 punches in the first round, it’s a lot. He may be about a year away to becoming a contender. He will get there.”

Tonight’s live event was promoted by Mayweather Promotions and TGB Promotions in association with About Billions Promotions.

An encore presentation of the tripleheader will air Monday at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME and will be available via the network’s On Demand platforms.

OFFICIAL WEIGHTS & WEIGH-IN PHOTOS FOR ROBERT EASTER JR. VS. RANCES BARTHELEMY

OFFICIAL WEIGHTS & WEIGH-IN PHOTOS FOR ROBERT EASTER JR. VS. RANCES BARTHELEMY

Easter Barth Bout sheet

 

Photo Credit- Esther Lin/SHOWTIME

RANCES BARTHELEMY & MOHAMED MIMOUNELAS VEGAS MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES & PHOTOS

Easter Barthelemy Header

RANCES BARTHELEMY & MOHAMED MIMOUNELAS VEGAS MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES & PHOTOS

Former Two-Division World Champion Barthelemy Takes on Robert Easter Jr. for WBA Lightweight Title This Saturday, April 27 Live on SHOWTIME® from The Chelsea Inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas and Presented by Premier Boxing Champions

LAS VEGAS (April 23, 2019) – Former two-division world champion Rances Barthelemy and France’s Mohamed Mimoune continued preparations for their respective showdowns at a media workout in Las Vegas Tuesday before they step into the ring this Saturday, April 27 live on SHOWTIME from The Chelsea inside of The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas and presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

Barthelemy faces off against former lightweight world champion Robert Easter Jr. for the vacant WBA Lightweight title in the main event, while Mimoune takes on former champion Viktor Postol in a WBC 140-pound title eliminator as part of the action live on SHOWTIME beginning at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

 

                          Photo Credits- Sean Michael Ham/Mayweather Promotions

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and TGB Promotions in association with About Billions Promotions, can be purchased at http://www.cosmopolitanlasvegas.com or through Ticketmaster.

Here is what the workout participants had to say Tuesday from Mayweather Boxing Club in Las Vegas:

RANCES BARTHELEMY

“The key thing for me to get back to the top, is to get back to my roots. It’s about using what made me a champion and getting back to that. We’ve gone back to our Cuban roots in training with Joel Casamayor and left any distractions behind. You’ll see all of that in my performance on Saturday night.

“Easter and myself are both on the road to redemption coming off of our first defeats. I expect the same Robert Easter Jr. that I’ve seen on tape. He comes forward and tries to fight it out. There’s nothing overly impressive about him to me.

“I’m ready for whatever Robert Easter Jr. wants. If he wants a war, we’ll have a war. Everyone knows I’ve never backed down, but I’m going to win this fight with the intelligence that made me a world champion.

“Casamayor comes from the same streets as me, he knows my style, how I think and how I need to work. We identify with one another a lot so we don’t have to confront each other. With a simple look, I know what he’s trying to tell me. Between him and my brother, Yan, I feel blessed to have two Olympians in my corner.

“To the Cuban people, this will be my best fight and and a strong performance for the Cuban boxing community. I’m going to focus and work hard like us Cubans always have since we were born. I had to grow up through hardships and I’ve worked to show that anything is possible coming from Cuba.”

MOHAMED MIMOUNE

“Postol is one of the best that I will face but I am not afraid. I am confident I will win. I’ve studied him together with my coach and we have a strategy in place that you will see on Saturday.

“I’m very excited for this opportunity. It is every boxer’s dream to fight in Las Vegas and I am happy and ready to show the Americans what I have.

“I have no issues with Postol’s height advantage. I am prepared for it. It is not my first time facing off against a boxer that is taller than me. I have a very good reach as well, but it is my speed that will beat him.

“I have worked very hard after my losses and put all my effort into bettering my performance. I’m stronger and more mature now than ever. I know I have to win and I will win.

I’m looking forward to the opportunity to fight for the world title after I win on Saturday night. I’m dedicating this fight too all French people and I hope they make sure to not miss it on Saturday.”

JOEL CASAMAYOR, Barthelemy’s Trainer

“We’ve been training since mid-February for this fight. It’s been a long three months in the gym together. I see a different Rances. He’s fighting smarter and he’s gotten back to his Cuban roots. That’s what made him a two-time world champion.

“It’s hard to predict, but if it were up to me of course I’d say Rances will win by knockout. From what I’ve seen in training camp, Rances is going to put on a great performance Saturday night. He knows what he has to do.

“We have a great connection throughout camp. I just have to look into his eyes and I feel like I know what he’s going to bring. All the hard work has been done and he’s 100 percent ready for Saturday night.”

MEHDI OUMIHA, Mimoune’s Trainer

“Mohamed Mimoune is an improved fighter who’s shown a lot of new and different skills in training. We have the right tactics to earn this victory on Saturday.

“We are prepared for what Postol can bring, but we’re focused on Mohamed Mimoune being at his best. Everything I have seen in training camp makes me very confident that we’re going to win Saturday and go on to fight for the title.”

LEONARD ELLERBE, CEO of Mayweather Promotions

“Rances has a tremendous amount of experience. If you look at his earlier fights before he became champion and during his championship runs, he’s fought on the big stage time and time again.

“I think Rances’ experience will help in a fight like this, but Robert Easter Jr. has also been in big fights. They both bring a lot of background in exciting, high-quality fights. You have two fighters with something to prove looking to do just that live on SHOWTIME Saturday night.”

 

 

ROBERT EASTER JR. TOLEDO MEDIA DAY QUOTES & PHOTOS

Easter Barthelemy Header

ROBERT EASTER JR. TOLEDO MEDIA DAY QUOTES & PHOTOS

Easter Joined by Easter Bunny at Media Day in Hometown Ahead of Sunday Holiday

Robert Easter Easter Barthelemy Phillip Callahan About Billions Promotions

 

Former Champion Easter Battles Former Two-Division Champion Rances Barthelemy Saturday, April 27 Live on SHOWTIME® from The Chelsea Inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas and Presented by Premier Boxing Champions

 

Photo Credit- Phillip Callahan About Billions Promotions

TOLEDO, OHIO. (April 19, 2019) – Former lightweight world champion Robert “E-Bunny” Easter Jr. hosted a media day in his hometown of Toledo, Ohio Thursday and was joined by the Easter Bunny ahead of Sunday’s holiday. Easter will face former two-division champion Rances Barthelemy for the vacant WBA Lightweight Title on Saturday, April 27 live on SHOWTIME from The Chelsea inside of The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas and presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and TGB Promotions in association with About Billions Promotions, can be purchased at http://www.cosmopolitanlasvegas.com or through Ticketmaster.

Easter discussed his upcoming matchup before posing for pictures with the Easter Bunny. Here is what Easter had to say Thursday:

ROBERT EASTER JR.

“I’ve put in a lot of hard work this training camp. We’ve been grinding every day. We went hard on the strength and conditioning, I’ve been swimming and doing everything possible to be in top shape.

“Most importantly me and my dad have been getting back on track. We had a little break after the last fight but now we’ve both got our timing down and ready for April 27.

“I train for every fight like it’s a big fight. This time, it really is a big fight. I train hard for every fight, no exceptions.

“I expect Rances to come out and fight. He’s an awkward, crafty fighter who likes to put up a fight. It’s not really about what I expect from him though, it’s about what I’m going to do in there. It’s going to be my tempo.

“It’s big for me to fight for a title and it’s something I put myself in position for with the way I’ve always fought. If I don’t get the knockout, I’m going to beat him down for 12 rounds.

“I’ve always been a tall guy for this division and I’m ready to show everyone that I’m still trouble for anyone out there.

“I got the ‘Bunny’ nickname from my dad. Because both of our last names are Easter, you just cut it down to E-Bunny and that’s me. I’m excited to spend a little time not training on Easter Sunday with my family.”

Robert Easter Jr., Luis Ortiz & More Los Angeles Media Workout Quotes & Photos

Garcia Easter

Robert Easter Jr., Luis Ortiz & More Los Angeles Media Workout Quotes & Photos

Lightweight Champion Easter Battles Mikey Garcia in 135-Pound Title Unification That Headlines Action Saturday, July 28 Live on SHOWTIME from STAPLES Center in Los Angeles & Presented by Premier Boxing Champions

LOS ANGELES (July 25, 2018) – IBF Lightweight World Champion Robert Easter Jr. participated in a media workout to kick off fight week in Los Angeles Wednesday as he nears his 135-pound title unification showdown against WBC champion Mikey Garcia this Saturday, July 28 live on SHOWTIME from STAPLES Center in Los Angeles in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

Joining Easter Wednesday and competing on the three-fight SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT) were Cuban heavyweight slugger Luis “The Real King Kong” Ortiz and former title challenger Razvan Cojanu, who meet in a 10-round bout plus unbeaten super lightweight contender Mario “El Azteca” Barrios and hard-hitting Jose Roman, who compete in a 10-round showdown.

Rounding out the workout participants was unbeaten prospect and 2016 U.S. Olympian Karlos Balderas, who competes on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING COUNTDOWN, which will stream on the SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel and SHOWTIME Boxing Facebook page beginning at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Ringstar Sports and TGB Promotions, begin at $50, plus applicable fees, and are on sale now. To purchase tickets, visit AXS.com.

Here is what the fighters had to say Wednesday from City of Angels Boxing Gym:

ROBERT EASTER JR. 

Easter Jr. Scott Hirano SHOWTIME

Photo Credit-Scott Hirano/SHOWTIME

“Training down in Florida allowed me to get away from distractions and just focus on myself. Kevin Cunningham stayed on me every day. We focused on my skills, using my advantages and you’ll see it all on July 28.

“We have a game plan, but we’re professionals in there and we both know we’ll have to make adjustments as the fight goes on. I’m going to fight my fight and leave it all in the ring. My focus is 100 percent on Mikey Garcia Saturday night.

“Early in my career I fought a lot on the West Coast and my first pro fight was actually at STAPLES Center. So I’m very excited to be back in front of a big exciting crowd.

“Coach Cunningham had me really working on the skills that I hadn’t been using as much in past fights. He’s helped me put together a great game plan that focuses on the advantages I have. He knows what kinds of things will give other fighters trouble.

“Big fights like these are important to me. Champion versus champion speaks loudly about who we are as men. It’s the two best guys out there fighting to decide who’s the best in the weight class.

“I’ve been dreaming about fights like this since I was a little kid. It’s finally here and I’m going to show the world what Robert Easter Jr. is really made of.”

LUIS ORTIZ

Ortiz Scott Hirano SHOWTIME

Photo Credit-Scott Hirano/SHOWTIME

“I feel great and I’m happy to get back in the ring on Saturday night. I moved past the loss after a day or two and got right back in the gym. I always knew I would fight again this year, because this is what I love to do.

“I’m excited to be fighting at STAPLES Center and I’m thankful to my opponent for accepting the challenge. I just want to show off my skills and prove again why I’m one of the best heavyweights in the world.

“I’m going to go in there on Saturday and do my job. I’m prepared to take care of the opponent in front of me, whether it’s in round one or round twelve. It’s going to be the same mission that I have going into every fight.”

RAZVAN COJANU

“We worked during training camp and sparred with a lot of southpaws to prepare for this. I feel good about our strategy and the shape I’m in.

“My fight against (former heavyweight champion) Joseph Parker was an interesting fight. I only found out that I was facing him two weeks before, so I was not as ready as I wanted to be heading into it. But it was an opportunity I couldn’t miss and I believed in myself and fought all the way until the end.

“Ortiz is a strong fighter and a big challenge. I’m looking forward to another tough fight and putting on a great performance for the fans.”

MARIO BARRIOS

Barrios Scott Hirano SHOWTIME
Photo Credit-Scott Hirano/SHOWTIME

“I’ve finished off training camp the last four weeks in the Bay Area with Virgil Hunter and I’m feeling great. We had fantastic sparring and everything is looking great heading into fight night.

“I’m excited for this opportunity. I have a really good, experienced opponent in front of me, and I’m coming into his backyard. I have a lot to gain coming into this fight. This is going to be a very explosive fight.

“I’m ready to showcase my talent and dominate with the game plan that we’ve put together. We’re focused on this fight, but I’m looking to climb the ladder and get a title fight or title eliminator by the end of the year.”

JOSE ROMAN

“I trained really hard for this great opportunity that I have here. It was very exciting to find out I’d be on SHOWTIME, especially on a big show like this headlined by a fight everybody wants to see. Now I get to display my talent in front of everybody.

“We had an effective training camp. We worked hard each day and everything really went smoothly. Everybody wants to be in this position, but not everyone gets to experience it.

“Barrios has a really good record and he’s very talented. He’s undefeated for a reason. We’re coming here to win. I’m going to be at my very best on Saturday.”

KARLOS BALDERAS

“When I first made my pro debut I felt like I was rushing things in the ring and trying to do things too fast. Now as I get more fights in I’m going to be able to take my time and break these fighters down little by little. You can’t knock everybody out in the first round.

“I’m only 22-years-old and I still have a long way to go. More than anything I just need to remain patient throughout the bout. We’ve put in the work so I know what I have to do on Saturday night.

“I fought at STAPLES Center last month, so this is nothing new to me. I’m going to go in there and fight my fight, be smart and take him out of there. We’re doing things the right way and we’re planning on being here for a while.”

 

Robert Easter Jr. Talks Unification Showdown with Mikey Garcia, Training in Florida & More

Garcia Easter

 

 

Robert Easter Jr. Talks Unification Showdown with Mikey Garcia, Training in Florida & More

“On July 28, I’m going to show everyone what they’ve been sleeping on & why I’m a world champion,” – Easter

Unbeaten Lightweight World Champion Faces Mikey Garcia Saturday, July 28 Live on SHOWTIME from STAPLES Center in Los Angeles & Presented by Premier Boxing Champions

Click HERE for Photos from Jose Pineiro/SHOWTIME

WEST PALM BEACH, FL. (July 19, 2018) – IBF Lightweight World Champion Robert Easter Jr. has made the most of his inaugural training camp with Kevin Cunningham and will look to bring that same level of focus to the ring when he challenges WBC Lightweight World Champion Mikey Garcia Saturday, July 28 live on SHOWTIME from STAPLES Center in Los Angeles in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

“I decided to go to Florida for a different environment than I usually trained in,” said Easter, a Toledo-native who had trained in his hometown for much of his pro career. “I needed to be taken out of my comfort zone. At home, I was focused on too many other things. Coming to West Palm Beach has allowed me to focus on nothing but myself and boxing.”

Easter saw what Cunningham had done for his close friends Adrien Broner and Gervonta Davis, who both trained with Cunningham leading into April 21 fights on SHOWTIME that saw Broner battle to an entertaining draw against Jessie Vargas and Davis capture a second world title with a spectacular knockout of Jesus Cuellar.

“I was with Adrien Broner and Gervonta Davis every step of the way during training camp with Kevin Cunningham earlier this year,” said Easter. “I saw for myself that it was something I needed to do. I talked with my dad about getting away from the distractions and we agreed this was the right move.”

Easter burst onto the scene in 2016 with a dominant knockout of former champion Argenis Mendez before beating Richard Commey later that year in an entertaining battle to capture the lightweight belt. Easter’s last two defenses however have seen him narrowly escape with decision victories, something the unbeaten champion believes won’t be a factor on July 28.

“People are paying attention to my last couple of fights when I wasn’t using my height and reach,” said Easter. “I can improve on that by taking it back to what I had been doing before. I was knocking people out fight after fight.

“If you’re looking at just my last two fights, you aren’t giving me credit for everything I bring to the table. I faced two tough southpaws recently but on July 28 I’m going to show everyone what they’ve been sleeping on and why I’m a world champion.”

The 27-year-old Easter will now step up to take on one of boxing’s pound-for-pound best in four-division world champion Mikey Garcia. For Easter, this is a fight that he’s had on his mind and one that can put him into the top echelon of the sport.

“I’ve always wanted to fight the best in my weight class and now I have my chance to unify,” said Easter. “I know that Mikey is going to fight his fight and look to counter. He wants to wait for you to make a mistake so he can take advantage.

“What I have to do is go in there and impose my attributes on him. My height and reach are my advantages, but also my speed and power. I just have to combine all that and focus on my footwork.”

Although Easter will be fighting in Garcia’s hometown of Los Angeles, he has no plans to let the partisan crowd effect his focus as he looks for his biggest pro win in the same building where he made his professional debut.

“It doesn’t matter to me where we fight,” said Easter. “None of the fans can help him fight. It’s only about me and him in that ring together.

“My first pro fight was at STAPLES Center and even though it was early on an undercard, I still felt like there were 10,000 fans watching me. I just fought my fight. It’s all about staying focused. There will be no excuses on July 28.”

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Ringstar Sports and TGB Promotions, begin at $50, plus applicable fees, and are on sale now. To purchase tickets, visit AXS.com.

The three-fight SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT) will also see Cuban heavyweight slugger Luis “The Real King Kong” Ortiz returning to action to face former title challenger Razvan Cojanu in a 10-round bout and unbeaten super lightweight contender Mario “El Azteca” Barrios taking on hard-hitting Jose Roman in a 10-round showdown.

MIKEY GARCIA LOS ANGELES MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES & PHOTOS

Garcia Easter

 

 

MIKEY GARCIA LOS ANGELES MEDIA WORKOUT
QUOTES & PHOTOS

Four-Division World Champion Garcia Battles Lightweight Champion Robert Easter Jr. in 135-Pound Title Unification Saturday, July 28 live on SHOWTIME from STAPLES Center in Los Angeles

Click HERE for Photos from Esther Lin/SHOWTIME

LOS ANGELES (July 10, 2018) – WBC Lightweight World Champion Mikey Garcia worked out for the press Tuesday at Fortune Gym in Los Angeles as he prepares for his 135-pound title unification against IBF titlist Robert Easter Jr. Saturday, July 28 live on SHOWTIME from STAPLES Center in Los Angeles in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® tripleheader (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT) will also see Cuban heavyweight slugger Luis “The Real King Kong” Ortiz returning to action to face former title challenger Razvan Cojanu in a 10-round bout and unbeaten super lightweight contender Mario “El Azteca” Barrios taking on hard-hitting Jose Roman in a 10-round showdown.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Ringstar Sports and TGB Promotions, begin at $50, plus applicable fees, and are on sale now. To purchase tickets, visit AXS.com.

Here is what Garcia, his brother and trainer Robert Garcia and Ringstar Sports Chairman and CEO Richard Schaefer had to say ahead of Garcia’s first title unification fight:

MIKEY GARCIA

“It’s been seven years since I last had the chance to fight here in LA, and that was even before I was champion. Now after all of my accomplishments, I get to come home and put on a unification match for my local fans.

“Every time I walk into the ring, there’s a moment where I get butterflies and feel the emotions from the fans. This time it’s with my hometown fans and that’s really special. I’m really looking forward to it because I know the fans are going to show up and show their love and support.

“I think I’m in my prime right now. I’m in the best shape physically and mentally that I’ve ever been in. I need to take advantage of the moment right now and take on the biggest challenges. I want to give the fans fights to remember. Those are the fights that excite me the most.

“I know Easter is very tall and has a longer reach than me. In the gym, we’ve been working on sparring partners who present different challenges and made adjustments from there. I have to catch him reaching in or put pressure and work my way inside. There are different things that I’m capable of doing.

“I’m pretty experienced from fighting taller guys in the past, so I don’t think it’s going to make too huge a difference. It’s a disadvantage on paper, but once fight night comes, I’ll be ready.

“This is a big fight for me and I’m sure it’s the biggest fight of Easter’s career so far. I’m glad to hear he’s training extra hard. It shows me that he’s motivated and hungry to show off his very best, just like I am.

“This is my natural weight and so far everything in camp has been smooth. The weight started coming off right away and now just restricting the diet enough so we get to where we want to be.”

ROBERT GARCIA, Garcia’s Brother & Trainer

“We know that Robert Easter is training like never before to be ready for this fight against Mikey. He has a huge reach advantage, so we know he’s going to come in and use that. He has a new trainer [Kevin Cunningham] who is going to try make us box with him.

“We don’t listen at any criticism of Easter for having close decisions in his last couple of fights. We know that Easter is going to come in having trained like never before. It’s going to be the best Robert Easter Jr. possible on fight night.

“Mikey fighting at home in front of his hometown fans is huge for us. We know that there’s extra pressure that comes with it, but everything we’ve done together so far in his career has prepared him for it. I’m confident it’s going to bring out the best in him.”

“We have to use our experience advantage. Mikey has fought the better competition, but Easter is a young guy who wants to take Mikey’s spot. Mikey is very smart, so he’s going to look for the right punch to do damage.”

RICHARD SCHAEFER, Chairman & CEO of Ringstar Sports

“Mikey Garcia has the opportunity to dominate at 135 and 140-pounds, plus he even wants to move up in weight and challenge himself against the best at 147-pounds. It shows the character and strength of Mikey Garcia. No challenge is too big for him.

“Whenever Mikey Garcia fights, it is must-see TV. He’s as good as it gets in the sport. This challenge against Robert Easter Jr. is the kind of fight that can turn you into a boxing fan. This is going to be a barnburner. They say that styles make fights and these two styles are made for each other.

“There was always somebody who carried the sport of boxing who was in Los Angeles, but right now there isn’t. Mikey is coming to fill that void. To have Mikey back at STAPLES Center is a perfect pairing of fighter and arena. STAPLES Center tends to bring out the best in fighters and that’s sure to happen again on July 28.”

 

 

World Champions Mikey Garcia & Robert Easter Jr. to Meet in Lightweight Championship Unification Saturday, July 28

WORLD CHAMPIONS MIKEY GARCIA AND 
ROBERT EASTER JR. TO MEET IN LIGHTWEIGHT
 CHAMPIONSHIP UNIFICATION
 
Unbeaten Stars Collide Saturday, July 28 Live on SHOWTIME® from STAPLES Center in Los Angeles in an Event Presented by Premier Boxing Champions
 
Tickets on Sale Today at 12 p.m. PT!
 
LOS ANGELES, (June 11, 2018) – WBC Lightweight World Champion Mikey Garcia and IBF Lightweight World Champion Robert Easter Jr. will square-off in a 135-pound unification showdown between unbeaten stars Saturday, July 28 live on SHOWTIME from STAPLES Center in Los Angeles in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions.
 
The main event of the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT) will see Garcia look to become a unified champion for the first time in a career that has seen him win titles in four weight classes. Easter, who enters with a 5-inch height and 8-inch reach advantage, looks to stamp his name amongst boxing’s elite by unifying titles at 27 years old, less than two years after capturing his first belt.
 
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Ringstar Sports and TGB Promotions, begin at $50, plus applicable fees, and are on sale today at 12 p.m. PT. To purchase tickets, visit AXS.com.
 
“SHOWTIME Sports continues to lead the industry with the biggest events, the most important matchups, week after week, month after month,” said Stephen Espinoza, President Sports & Events Programming, Showtime Network Inc. “Mikey Garcia vs. Robert Easter Jr. is the third world championship unification match on SHOWTIME this year. A consensus top-10 pound-for-pound champion facing an undefeated young champion while both are in the prime of their careers. July 28 has all the makings of an instant classic.”
 
“Mikey Garcia vs. Robert Easter is an outstanding lightweight matchup that is sure to deliver drama for fight fans at STAPLES Center and on SHOWTIME,” Said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “Garcia will look to unify in his hometown and further solidify his credentials as boxing’s pound-for-pound best. He’ll have perhaps the toughest test of his career in the unbeaten Easter, who has a lethal combination of size, speed and power that he brings to the ring. With both fighters defending their titles and undefeated records, this is shaping up to be a can’t-miss night of boxing in downtown Los Angeles.” 
 
“This is the kind of matchup that boxing fans love and a fight that I believe will certainly live up to expectations,” said Richard Schaefer, Chairman & CEO of Ringstar Sports. “With two undefeated world champions, and two of the top guys at 135 pounds, this fight is guaranteed drama. Mikey Garcia will look to become a unified world champion and add another accolade to a career that is already shaping up to be historic. Robert Easter Jr, a proud champion in his own right, is coming to STAPLES Center on July 28 to upset Mikey Garcia in his hometown. This is the quality of matchup that fans watching on SHOWTIME have come to expect and I suspect they will be fulfilled once again when these two warriors meet in the ring.”
 
“We are really looking forward to this incredible fight at STAPLES Center,” said Lee Zeidman, President, STAPLES Center. “These two fighters will undoubtedly headline an amazing night of fights for boxing fans in Los Angeles and we are looking forward to welcoming back Premier Boxing Champions and SHOWTIME for the second time in just two months.”
 
One of Southern California’s most popular fighters, Garcia returns to STAPLES Center for his first fight since becoming a world champion, and his first in California in seven years. Easter returns to the site of his professional debut, having started his career at STAPLES Center in 2012 after serving as an alternate in the London Olympic Games.
 
Garcia (38-0, 30 KOs), of Moreno Valley by way of Oxnard, Calif., became only the third fighter in modern history to become champion at 126, 130, 135 and 140-pounds, joining future Hall of Famers Juan Manuel Marquez and Manny Pacquiao, when he defeated Sergey Lipinets for the IBF 140-pound title in March. The 30-year-old relinquished that title so that he can unify the WBC Lightweight World Championship that he won in January 2017 with a highlight reel knockout of Dejan Zlaticanin (ClickHERE to watch Garcia-Zlaticanin KO video)
 
These wins, combined with a summer 2017 victory over Adrien Broner, have seen Garcia return to the top of pound-for-pound lists after a layoff of two and a half years. Garcia accrued wins over a list of notable names while winning his first two titles at 126 and 130-pounds, including Orlando Salido, Roman Martinez and Juan Manuel Lopez.
 
“This is the toughest fight of my career to date,” said the four-division champion Garcia. “Robert Easter Jr. is an undefeated world champion who presents serious challenges that I’m going to have to work hard to overcome. Unifying titles is something I’ve dreamed of doing for many years, and to do it at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles will make it even more special. This is the kind of fight that will help my legacy. To be the best you have to beat the best, and Easter is certainly one of the best out there. I’m very thankful to have this opportunity and I’m going to make the most of it on July 28.”
 
Representing his hometown of Toledo, Ohio, Easter (21-0, 14 KOs) has made three successful defenses since winning his world title in an exciting contest over Richard Commey in 2016. The 27-year-old delivered a fifth-round destruction of former champion Argenis Mendez to earn the title shot, and since winning the title has held off challenges from Javier Fortuna, Denis Shafikov and Luis Cruz to retain his 135-pound belt.
 
Easter will be making the move to work with Kevin Cunningham for the first time for this fight and conducting training camp in West Palm Beach with him. Cunningham, the longtime trainer of former world champions such as Devon Alexander and Cory Spinks, spurred Adrien Broner to a strong performance in a draw against Jessie Vargas and Gervonta Davis to a dominant knockout of Jesus Cuellar in their first fights together in April.
 
“This is a fight I’ve been waiting for and I’m really excited that the time is now,” said Easter. “This is the best fighting the best. These are the fights that boxing is all about. I made the move to train with Kevin Cunningham down in Florida and I think it’s going to help me reach another level. It’s just eat, sleep and train down there. We’re going to be ready on July 28 to put on a show and deliver fireworks.”

UNBEATEN TOP MIDDLEWEIGHT CONTENDER SERGEY DEREVYANCHENKO HIGHLIGHTS ACTION-PACKED UNDERCARD SATURDAY, JANUARY 20 FROM BARCLAYS CENTER IN BROOKLYN

UNBEATEN TOP MIDDLEWEIGHT CONTENDER SERGEY DEREVYANCHENKO HIGHLIGHTS ACTION-PACKED UNDERCARD SATURDAY, JANUARY 20 FROM BARCLAYS CENTER IN BROOKLYN
 
Plus, Super Lightweight Contender Anthony Peterson Faces Luis Florez And Unbeaten Prospects Richardson Hitchins, Dylan Price & Keeshawn Williams Enter the Ring 
in Separate Bouts
 
BROOKLYN (January 12, 2018) – Unbeaten middleweight contender and IBF No. 1 challenger Sergey Derevyanchenko (11-0, 9 KOs, WSB: 23-1, 7 KOs) will enter the ring for an eight-round bout as part of an exciting undercard on Saturday, January 20 from Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING®.
 
The Premier Boxing Champions event is headlined by welterweight world champion Errol Spence Jr. taking on two-division champion Lamont Peterson live on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT). Lightweight world champion Robert Easter squares up against two-division champion Javier Fortuna. The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP telecast will be available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP).
 
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment and TGB Promotions, are priced starting at $50, and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased at ticketmaster.combarclayscenter.com, at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center or by calling 800-745-3000. Group discounts are available by calling 844-BKLYN-GP.
 
Additional action inside of the arena will see the brother of Lamont Peterson, once-beaten Anthony Peterson (37-1, 24 KOs), facing Luis Florez (23-7, 19 KOs) in a 10-round super lightweight matchup plus once-beaten welterweight Ivan Golub (13-1, 11 KOs) in an eight-round fight against Colombia’s Fidel Monterrosa (38-14-1, 30 KOs).
 
Undercard fights continue with undefeated 2016 Haitian Olympian Richardson Hitchins (3-0, 1 KO) entering the ring for a four-round welterweight fight against Preston Wilson (4-2-1, 3 KOs), Philadelphia’s Dylan Price (4-0, 4 KOs) competing in a four-round super flyweight bout against Nestor Ramos (7-7, 3 KOs) and welterweight prospect Keyshawn Williams (1-0, 1 KO) taking on Denis Okoth (1-0, 1 KO) in a four-round matchup.
 
Rounding out the night is a four-round showdown between unbeaten Desmond Jarmon and Dallas-native Charles Clark plus New Jersey’s Matthew Gonzalez in a six round middleweight fight against Alexander Serna.
 
A highly decorated amateur who represented his native Ukraine in the 2008 Olympics, Derevyanchenko now lives and trains in Brooklyn and most recently earned the top spot in the IBF rankings with an impressive 12th round stoppage over Tureano Johnson. The 32-year-old also defeated previously unbeaten Kemahl Russell in 2017 after his 2016 saw him earn a TKO victory over Mike Guy in March before stopping former champion Sam Soliman in the second round of a world title eliminator in July. The unbeaten fighter defeated a slew of experienced contenders in 2015 with wins over Elvin Ayala, Alan Campa, Vladine Biosse and a third-round stoppage of Jessie Nicklow.
 
Derevyanchenko and Golub make it a pair of Ukrainian sluggers fighting out of Brooklyn who will compete on the undercard looking to put on impressive performances in their adopted hometown. 

Robert Easter, Javier Fortuna, Marcus Browne & Adam Kownacki Media Conference Call Transcript & Audio Recording

Robert Easter, Javier Fortuna, Marcus Browne & Adam Kownacki Media Conference Call Transcript & Audio Recording
 
Click HERE for Audio Transcript
Lou DiBella         
Thanks for joining us.  Greetings from the blizzard in New York City.  I know that Marcus Browne and Adam Kownacki are both local right now, so they’re experiencing this insanity with me, and I guess a lot of you are also.  So we’re going to try to warm up this blizzard afternoon and talk boxing for a little bit.
Errol Spence versus Lamont Peterson, terrific fight Saturday, January 20, 2018 on SHOWTIME, 9 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT, presented by Premier Boxing Champions and of course at the beautiful Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Tickets for the event are priced starting at 50 bucks, and they can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com, BarclaysCenter.com, the box office at Barclays Center or by calling 800-745-3000.
We have a terrific undercard, and we’re going to talk to the principals on that undercard on this call.  We’re going to start with two gentlemen that are going to be in two fights that are going to start our televised evening off on SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel and SHOWTIME Boxing’s Facebook page.
Marcus Browne, 20-0, 15 KOs in Staten Island, New York, coming off a sensational knockout of Seanie Monaghan, rated Number 3 by the WBC, 7 by the WBA, 6 by the IBF, 4 by the WBO.  One of the rising stars at light heavyweight, making his 12th appearance at the Barclays Center and pretty much fighting and waiting out his chance for a huge fight and a world title fight that will be coming, I think, shortly in 2018.
But first he’s got to get past the tough Francy Ntetu.  Ntetu is 17-1.  His only loss was at the Barclays Center in a hotly contested bout with David Benavidez, the WBC 168-pound champion.  The fight was stopped very controversially.  Ntetu is a legitimate guy and a guy that’s going to try to test Marcus Browne.
But in getting in the ring with Marcus Browne, he’s getting in with one of the very, very best in the world. Marcus, want to say a couple words?
Marcus Browne
Thank you guys.  How you doing?  Most importantly, I’m just honored to be able to continue my career on the undercard with guys like Robert Easter, Jr., Adam, myself, and a couple other young fighters.
I know Francy’s a very tough, tough live game guy and we’re prepared for that.  And we’re prepared for what he brings to the table.  Come January 20, I just can’t wait to go to work, show my skills and continue that march towards the world title.
This is a guy that that’s definitely going to test me.  He’s definitely going to be there all night and we got to convince him to not be there.  That’s the plan.
L. DiBella            
Thanks Marcus. Marcus has really been one of the cogs of the BROOKLYN BOXING®program at Barclays Center.  This will be Marcus’s 12th appearance at Barclays Center.  So he’s one of the fighters that’s brought the most in the building.
The other fighter on the stream telecast is one of the up-and-coming young heavyweights in the world.  He’s already got a huge fan base with Polish fans and Polish-American fans.  He’s got a history as a New York Golden Gloves fighter and a young fighter that’s been developed in the New York area, Adam Kownacki, 16-0, 13 KOs, out of Brooklyn.
Born in Lomza, Poland and he moved to Brooklyn with his family when he was 7-years old.  Two-time Golden Gloves champion, rated Number 13 by the WBC.  In his last fight, he had a sensational four-round knockout of world title challenger Artur Szpilka.  That was on the same show that Marcus fought at at the Nassau Coliseum.
On the 20th of January, he’s going to take on a tough kid Iago Kiladze, Number 15 in the IBF.  Kiladze is 26-1 with 18 KOs. This is really another step in the road for Adam toward a heavyweight championship opportunity.  Adam?
Adam Kownacki
Thanks for the introductions Lou. I can’t wait to get back in the rings on January 20.  I would say I’m very hard.  I’m ready to shine and prove that I belong with the best heavyweights in the world.  This fight will take me one step closer to being heavyweight champion of the world. I’ll prove it once again on January 20 that we’re ready to fight with these top-notch heavyweights. I’ll keep climbing up the ranks.
Q
Adam, how much do you feel that your win against Szpilka kind of legitimized you in being a heavyweight contender and show people that you might be ready for a title shot?
A. Kownacki       
I think I showed that I’m ready to shine at the bigger stage.  It took Deontay Wilder ten rounds to take Szpilka out of there.  It took me four.  So that was a big statement, and I’ll continue to improve on that statement on January 20.
Q
Obviously Deontay Wilder fights a lot at Barclays Center.  It’s a place where you’ve also fought a lot.  He’s probably going to fight there on March 3.  But how much have you thought about the possibility of somewhere down the line maybe you challenging Deontay for the WBC title there?
A. Kownacki
My goal is to be world champion.  Whoever has the title, that’s who I want.  If it’s Deontay, then it’s Deontay.
Q
Marcus, what do you know about your opponent specifically since I know you just got him secured a couple weeks ago?  But what have you been able to find out about him and what he brings to the table?
M. Browne          
He’s a real scrappy guy in the category of a Sakio Bika kind of.  He’ll make a fight ugly if you allow him to do it.  Another thing is he throws a high line of punches and he’s real crafty.  He may not look like what he seems in the ring on tape.
So I’m just prepared and ready for whatever he brings that night.  And I’m just ready to implement our game plan that we have in order to break him down.
Q
Marcus, you obviously had a very good 2017 with some spectacular wins on your record.  How important is it for you to kind of start this year off in a similar way and build toward a title shot later in the year?
M. Browne
It’s super important because at the end of the day this is the first actual big card of the year.  I have to put the light heavyweights out there on notice that I’m here and I’m not playing.
Q
Marcus is there one guy more than the other that you want to fight or is it just whoever gives you the opportunity to fight for the title?
M. Browne
No, no one guy more than the other.  I’m just ready and willing and waiting my turn for whoever gives me the chance at fighting.  And I have no picks.  I ain’t got no favorites right now.  It is what it is.  I’m at the point where you either eat or get ate, and I’m ready to eat.
Q
Hey Lou, can you speak on how far Marcus has come and maybe where he’s now in position to get a title shot later this year?
L. DiBella
I think when you look at the light heavyweight division there’s a tremendous demand for quality contenders, guys capable of taking on the top of the division.  It’s sort of a division that’s got a little bit heavy at the top and there aren’t a lot of Marcus Brownes.
Marcus is one of the elite prospects in the division.  But he’s past the point of prospects.  He’s really at the point of contender right now just waiting for the biggest fight out there to materialize.
There’s some big light heavyweight fights on the horizon.  Some of them I think will be announced fairly soon. I think in 2018 Marcus is going to get that huge opportunity. He deserves it because he’s really in that handful of top guys.
There are the champions and there’s like a handful of other guys out there.  And those guys are all going to be competing in the next year and Marcus is going to get that opportunity.  He’s also a professional.  He knows he has to take care of business on January 20.
Ntetu, who’s moving up in weight for this chance, really doesn’t have anything to lose.  So Marcus can’t look past that.  He’s just going to go out there, do his thing.  He knows that the title shot is waiting for him later this year.
Q
Can you speak on what Adam showed in the Szpilka fight, especially getting rid of him the way that he did and kind of opening some people’s eyes in that fight?
L. DiBella            
I love Adam as a fighter.  I’ve always loved Adam as a fighter.  He’s a tremendously skilled boxer for a heavyweight.  His natural build is not like King Kong.  So people look at him and they tend to underestimate them.  But what he has is everything – movement, speed, power, boxing skills.
This guy’s a legitimate heavyweight contender, like not like only just a prospect.  He’s a legitimate heavyweight contender, and he showed that when he wiped out Szpilka.  He didn’t just beat Szpilka, he destroyed Szpilka.  No one expected that kind of victory.
Artur Szpilka was a perennial top 10, 15 kind of guy in recent years and a guy that everyone viewed as a tough, rugged heavyweight, certainly a huge test for a young heavyweight. Adam didn’t only pass the test.  Adam blew him out of the ring.
In my mind, a couple of more performances like that just keeping the winning track he’s on is going to earn Adam a shot at a world title, particularly with the huge following he has in the Polish and Polish-American communities and the number of people he can bring out when he does eventually challenge for a title, particularly if that bout takes place at the Barclays Center.
Q
Against Szpilka, were you were sure that you were going to do what you did to him?
A. Kownacki
Yes, I told you that before it happened.  I’m a man on a mission.  That mission is becoming the first Polish, Polish-American heavyweight champion of the world.  No one will stop me.
Q
It seems like you have a killer instinct in you that no one really sees until you like get into the ring.  Can you talk about that?
A. Kownacki
Yes, as humbly as I can say it, I’m blessed with the talent that God has given me with boxing. I’m trying to build on this, maximize my potential and give my family a better life.  But like you said, boxing is a war zone.  We put our lives on the line when we fight.  So it’s me or him, and I’m just going to keep putting the pressure on guys and making them fold.
Q
What have you heard from the Polish community since that fight? How much has that inspired you further?
A. Kownacki       
A lot of doubters turned to believers.  I was in Poland a month ago.  The love I got there was ridiculous. I really liked that. I have to keep working hard, keep training hard and my goal is be world champion.
So I’m very focused on Iago Kiladze right now. I have to pass this next test on January 20 on my way to become world champion.
Q
Marcus, what does it mean for you to fight in your home state?
M. Browne
At this point, being an Olympian and just being an amateur who fought in different countries, the earth is my turf. Of course it’s cool to fight in New York and it’s a plus.
But it’s annoying at the same time because people ask you for tickets and things of that nature.
So I’m just at the point in my career where I’m just blessed to have the opportunity to fight in general. Fighting in New York is great though.  It’s always a great thing to come out and see your people, your family and your friends. But where I’m at in my career right now and mentally, I really don’t care where I’m fighting honestly.
Piggybacking off of Adam, we’re all on missions.  His mission is to be the first Polish heavyweight champion and mine is to be the first world champion from where I’m from. We’re on that mission and nothing going to stop that.  Whether it’s fighting in New York, Guam, or Dubai, it doesn’t matter.
Q
Marcus, your last fight in Brooklyn, there wasn’t the definitive victory that you wanted. Do you want to return to Brooklyn and be more definitive than that?
M. Browne          
Correct. There’s no pressure for me honestly.  At the end of the day, we got the win and, everybody has their opinions and everyone’s entitled to their opinions.
But I’m just ready to go in there, implement our game plan, not put on a show for anybody, be defensively sound, be smart and take care of business and just break the tough guy down.
He doesn’t come to play.  He comes to work and he’s a real live game guy.  He’s not going to give you nothing so you got to take it.  And that’s where I’m at with it mentally, physically and spiritually at this point in my career.
I don’t really have anything to prove to anybody. I’m going to just let my skills speak for themselves and not put pressure on myself to do anything that I don’t need to.
Q
But wouldn’t it be nice to keep that streak going?
M. Browne          
Of course. It’s always good to knock this guy out.  But like the great Bernard Hopkins always told me, take them how they come because they’re all not going to be that easy. So I’m just prepared. I’m prepared for however many rounds we’ve scheduled to fight.
If a knockout comes, it comes.  I’ll be implementing our game plan and setting him up and doing what I got to do.  I’m not forcing any issues. Because that’s when you get caught up with lunging and fighting outside of yourself and trying to impress people.
I’m going to just stay within myself and be the best Marcus Browne on January 20.  I can’t wait to fight.
L. DiBella            
One other thing to clarify.  You said that Ntetu had been knocked out in his last time at Barclays Center.  If you watched the fight, the fight was stopped in a tremendously controversial manner that caused the SHOWTIME announcers to call it one of the strangest stoppages they’d seen.  No disrespect to the winner of the fight but I would say if Marcus was able to knock out Ntetu on January 20, he’d be the first person who ever did that.
Q                          
Marcus, you look really on the cusp of a major fight. If the two most likely fighters you’d fight I would assume would be Adonis Stevenson and Badou Jack.  Just wondered if you could give your quick thoughts on each of those fighters.
M. Browne          
Quick thoughts on each of those fighters.  I’m super focused.  I’m not super locked-in on Francy Ntetu at this point. I’m a fighter at heart.  So I don’t see no special effects in either of those guys. Adonis is super strong.  Badou is a work horse.  He comes and he works.
But I don’t see any of them beating me personally. Speak to me after January 20.  Then we’ll talk about it more.  We can elaborate on it more, but at this point I’m focused on Francy. Those guys are definitely in my sights and I don’t really see nothing crazy impressive.
Q
Adam, can you talk about what we can expect in the fight with Kiladze?  Kiladze had been a cruiserweight up until a few years ago.  How will that affect your weight and what can we expect for this fight?
A. Kownacki
Like you said, Iago was a cruiserweight. I’m a real heavyweight, so he will feel the difference in the size.  I plan to be around 250 come fight day.  I’m in great shape though.  Sparring ten rounds easily.
I put in great work with a lot of great guys.  I’m going to have Bryant Jennings come spar with me. I’ll do what I did to Szpilka, get on the W and keep proving myself.
Q
Adam, where do you think you are in the heavyweight division?  Because this year we’re going to see a lot of talk of various title fights, maybe unification fights and all of that.  Where are you in the picture and what’s your timeline for getting a title shot?
A. Kownacki       
I’m on top. It’s just a matter of time till I get my shot to prove it. That’s what my mind’s telling me. I think I’m the best heavyweight fighter.  It’ll take fight after fight to prove it. Iago has it coming on January 20.
Q
Do you want to make a prediction for that fight with Kiladze?
A. Kownacki
Listen, like I always say, if I don’t knock him out, then I’ll take the punishment for ten rounds.
L. DiBella            
So let’s start with Robert Easter.  The IBF lightweight champion 20-0, 14 KOs, proudly represents Toledo, Ohio, where he’s got a huge following.  A lot of his fans travel, so Robert I know we’re going to see a lot of your fans from Toledo there at Barclays Center on January 20.
This is his return to the Barclays Center for the first time since his fifth pro fight in 2013.  He won the IBF lightweight title in September ’16 in a terrific fight against very talented Richard Commey.  He defended that belt twice by unanimous decision since then.
Trained by his dad Robert, Sr., and he was a U.S. Olympic Team alternate in 2012.  The IBF lightweight champion of the world and one of the best young fighters of the world, Robert Easter.
Robert Easter     
It’s always a pleasure to fight in Brooklyn in front of my fans on the East Coast. I have a big fan base out there.  You’re going to expect the same or even greater in this fight for me. Another victory, it may come by knockout.  It may come by knockout.
Q
Do you feel like you are a little bit of a forgotten guy in your weight division and you want to wake people up to the fact that you shouldn’t be?
R. Easter             
I wouldn’t actually say I’m the forgotten guy. I’m just the guy they don’t want to fight. You heard these interviews, these guys talking.  They always bring up everybody else names except for mine.  You cannot forget about me.
I’m tallest in the weight class, maybe the fastest and probably one of the strongest.  Of course they’re not going to mention my name because they don’t want to fight me. I’ve been calling these guys out.  I know they see that.  So how can they not acknowledge that.
Jorge Linares and Mikey Garcia, they’re doing their thing.  They’re winning these fights like champions supposed to.  But it’s time we unify these titles like I’ve been trying to do.
Q
Can you tell me from your side of things how serious that discussion about fighting Mikey Garcia was and what that was about?
R. Easter             
I wanted to fight.  It was serious on my side.  I wanted to fight.  I didn’t care where at.  I don’t care about any of that.  I wanted to fight.
At first it was I didn’t produce enough fans or the fight didn’t make sense, which that didn’t make sense, and some other excuses the guy came up with.  But like I said, I was ready to fight whenever, whatever, how much.  It didn’t even matter.
We didn’t actually get an offer. I guess they made an offer towards him.  Like I said, I didn’t really care.
Q
Do you feel like you’re just a huge favored in this fight against the smaller guy?
R. Easter             
Yes.  But, I’m taller than most of my opponents.  That’s nothing new.  Of course I’m the favorite.  I’m the champion.  And he’s a former world champion.
These guys haven’t faced nobody with the skills of mine so you’re going to see another great performance from me in this fight.
I would like to make the same statement I’ve been making and that’s why these guys are scared to fight me.
Q
How much longer do you think you can hold 135?
R. Easter             
I can hold it just as long as they want me to.  But like I said, I’m trying to unify these titles and then move up after that until my goal is reached. For now, I’m going to be at 135, giving these guys trouble.
L. DiBella            
Javier Fortuna, 33-1-1 with 23 KOs.  Born in the Dominican Republic.  Now lives in Braintree, Massachusetts.  Promoted by the illustrious Sampson Lewkowicz and Sampson Boxing.  He’s a former two-time, two-division world champion.
He was a champion at featherweight and at super featherweight.  Now he’s moving up to lightweight to challenge Robert Easter, Jr.  So translator, if you could ask Javier to say a few words please.
Javier Fortuna
Good afternoon.  God bless everyone. I’m very happy and fortunate that Robert Easter gave him the opportunity to fight for the world title. Nevertheless, it will be the end of his reign. I know he has his fans.  He’s a champion.  My goal is to become world champion again.
Q
If you win this fight here against Fortuna, do you think it’s realistic that some of the other guys will give you the chance?
R. Easter             
When I win this fight. I don’t know.  I’ve been calling these guys out for a while.  It’s kind of up to them.  I’ve been sitting back, taking these mandatory fights and fights that really don’t make sense like unifying the titles will.
Hopefully all the champions meet up and fight.  So when I win this fight, hopefully.
Q
If you aren’t going to get the chance to fight one of the other 135 guys, is it possible that you go up to 140 for your next fight?
R. Easter             
I don’t know.  We’re going to sit back and talk to my camp and we’re going to see what’s the best move after that.
Q
Looking at Fortuna, he’s obviously a leftie, is there anything that you have to do training-wise or that you have done training-wise in preparation for him?
R. Easter
I’ve been facing left-handers my whole career, amateur and pro. I have to make a few adjustments.  That’s what professionals do when they get in the ring.  That’s why I really don’t study tapes or nothing because they might not fight you the same as what they fought the last person or how they fought an orthodox fighter.
So it’s all about making adjustments once you get in that ring.  Whenever I’m in the gym I always give it 110% and I always train till I ain’t got no more left in the gym.
Q
When you’re looking at this fight going into it, what’s the thing more than anything else that you want to gain from fighting Fortuna?
R. Easter
Just keep putting on like I’ve been putting on.  He’s going out there making these statements, telling people that “I can’t be beat.”  Not only him but these other fighters.  As you can see, none of the champions are heading my way, so obviously I’m doing something right.
Q
Do you get a sense maybe the Mikey Garcia fight might not happen for you because he doesn’t necessarily want it for one reason or another?
R. Easter             
I’m sensing that.  But if both camps come to agreement, I’m hoping we can face off one day – not only Mikey though.  You still have Jorge.  You still have him.  He’s still a champion as well.
Q
Are you looking at it may be like if Garcia decides to stay at 140 pounds that the Linares fight is a fight that you could make for your next fight assuming you win on January 20 also?
R. Easter             
Of course.  It doesn’t matter if he stayed or he didn’t.  I still wanted that fight.  Like I said, I’ve been ready to unify these titles for so long.  I’ve been sitting back waiting not only on Mikey but the other champions.  Flanagan, he has moved up.  And now we have Linares.
Q
What do you think of Linares from what you’ve seen from him?
R. Easter             
He’s a crafty fighter, fast, moves a lot, but nothing I haven’t seen before.  He’s nothing special I haven’t seen before.
Q
Fortuna’s obviously said a lot of things over the last week or so about knocking you out and the referee’s going to have to save you and things like that.  What do you make of it?
R. Easter             
Those are things he’s supposed to say.  He’s supposed to hype himself up, and he’s supposed to hype the fight up.  But he and his camp knows the truth.  They know what they’re getting themselves into. I don’t really have to trash talk.  My work is done in the ring. January 20 we’re all going to see that.
Q
Javier what do you think about Easter and why do you thinks it’s a fight that you’lll be able to win by knockout, maybe some of the flaws or whatever you feel are weaknesses that Robert has?
J. Fortuna
So of course he’s a tall fighter but it’s also very convenient to me. I feel that he won’t be able to hold my punches, the power of them. In this fight I’ll come more focused than any other fight.
I want to tell Easter that hopefully, there’s no excuses with him or his camp.  I want the best Easter that could possibly come to fight.
Q
Robert what’s your response to that?
R. Easter             
Like I said, he’s supposed to hype himself up. I never have made excuses in the ring. My record is perfect. I’m doing what I’m supposed to do, and I’m winning these fights. He’s trying to get where I’m at.  He’s trying to get another shot which is going to fail coming January 20.
Like I said, he’s supposed to hype himself up.  All this talk, I don’t get into none of that.  Everybody has a game plan till they get hit.
Q
Javier you’re viewed as an underdog in this fight.  How much has that motivated you?
J. Fortuna
That does motivate me much more. It gives me the opportunity to concentrate that much more.  I’ve been the underdog a few times. Like the Omar Douglas fight, I surprised everybody in his hometown.
I would have liked for this fight to be in Ohio. That would have been much better for me because I perform better under pressure.
Q
What do you think of Robert’s last couple of fights?
J. Fortuna
I figure he’ll be a little better now because if he comes the way he fought his last fight, he won’t reach the fifth round.        He’s got to reinvent himself because if he doesn’t, he won’t go far.
Q
So Robert do you think that this is just hyping the fight, or do you feel he has the power to knock you out?
R. Easter
Of course they’re just hyping the fight.  He has had power in the lower weight classes.  But like I said, all that goes out the window once you get hit.  Once he gets hit by what I’m bringing, then all that talking is going to go out the window.
He hasn’t faced nobody with the skills I have.  He’s been knocked out for one.  He’s telling me I got to reinvent myself.  He has to reinvest himself.  You know, that’s why he’s trying to become a champion again as you said.  You know, so I’m already a champion.  I’m already in the shoes he wants to be in.
January 20 we’re going to put the gloves on. We’re going to get in that ring and I’m going to come out victorious like I’ve been doing.
Q
Do you feel that you can put together an offer to those other parties like Garcia and Linares to bring the fight to your hometown where you are popular?
R. Easter
That’s just a lame excuse to say when I fight, I don’t produce enough fans.  What does Lipinets do?  No disrespect to him, but come on now.  Everybody knows that is not true.
I have fans all over. My fan base is big, and it doesn’t matter we if we fought in a room with nobody.  It shouldn’t even matter to both parties, is the money good and the contract’s good, then we should fight.  I wouldn’t care about fighting in front of nobody because I know what I’m going to do.
Q
When it comes specifically to the Mikey Garcia fight, is there maybe something personal there because of your promotion/affiliation with About Billions and Broner having that last fight with Mikey?  What is it that you see or seem that you feel that you can do better than your big bro?
R. Easter             
This has nothing to do with AB.  This has everything to do with Mikey being a champion at 135 and Jorge Linares being a champion at 135. It’s time to unify.
If I was that much of an easy fight for them, the fight would have been made.  After the offer they gave Mikey, it would have been made.  It just didn’t make sense.  I don’t make no excuses.  I’m coming to fight and they know that.
Q
Do you think that maybe Robert is overlooking you and can you capitalize on that?
J. Fortuna
I’m just trying to get in position to fight Garcia.  January 20 there will be history made in Dominican Republic because from what Easter said about me being knocked out, that never happened to me.  I’ve been hurt but that never happened to me, so he got to look out for that.
Q
So can you just express to us how comfortable you’re going to feel at 135?
J. Fortuna
I’m going to be super good at 135 because I am very close to weight and I’ve made that weight a few times already in the last couple fights. I feel a lot stronger and a lot more prepared for this fight.
Q
Robert, just wondering if you can talk about your connection to your fans in Toledo and if you expect a good turnout at Barclays Center?
R. Easter             
My connection to my hometown fans, my fans is important. I try to respond to almost each and every person who reaches out.  People be so amazed that I do say something back on Twitter or Instagram or Snapchat.
All my fans is real, especially my hometown fans.  They love traveling to see me fight because they know where I come from.  We all grew up together. I’m first hand here.
I’m one of the only things they got that’s still here, that’s hands on with them.  So they come and show support.  I love that they always step out whenever they know I’m fighting.
Q
You had good offensive performances in your last three fights but couldn’t get a stoppage.  So Javier is a very tough opponent but I’m just wondering if you’re gunning for a knockout, if you’re motivated to try to get back on the knockout track?
R. Easter             
Shafikov was a tough opponent. Richard Commey was a tough opponent. Cruz is tough.  All these guys are tough.  We’re preparing.  We’re making adjustments in the ring.  And if a knockout comes, it comes.
I’m not going to shoot for a knockout, but I know I’m going to set something up to where I can knock him out.  But like I said, if it comes, it comes.  But ain’t no way he’s going to beat me.  He knows that.  His camp knows that.
Q
Javier I’m just wondering why type of sparring you’re doing in preparation for this, if you’re fighting bigger guys?  If so, what weight classes they’re coming from? Because there really aren’t many guys at 135 who are that tall.
J. Fortuna
All the fighters that are helping me out sparring they’re 135, 140 and they’re part of my team.
I understand what Robert is saying that he’s more skillful but he can have more skill.  He could have whatever he thinks he have.  But he’s not going to have my will to win. The only way I can demonstrate it is in the ring.
L. DiBella            
I think that’s right and we’re going to get the answer in the ring when champion Robert Easter takes on the challenge of Javier Fortuna.  I think we’ve done enough talking for a snowy Thursday afternoon.  Thanks everybody for joining us.  Robert, thank you.  Thank you, Javier. We’ll see you both fight week.  And thanks everybody in the press.
Once again, tickets are on sale Barclays Center box office, Ticketmaster.com, BarclaysCenter.com.  We hope everybody joins us at the Barclays Center on January 20 for a great night of boxing presented by Premier Boxing Champions.
And if they can’t be there, SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING starting at 9:00 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT with the earlier bouts featuring Marcus Browne and Adam Kownacki to take place on SHOWTIME’s Facebook page stream and SHOWTIME’s YouTube channel.  So I look forward to seeing everybody fight week and brave the storm.