Tag: Zakaria Attou

WBC MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPION JERMALL CHARLO DEFENDS TITLE WITH UNANIMOUS DECISION OVER BRANDON ADAMS

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WBC MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPION JERMALL CHARLO DEFENDS TITLE WITH UNANIMOUS DECISION OVER BRANDON ADAMS IN DOMINATING DISPLAY IN FRONT OF HOMETOWN FANS SATURDAY NIGHT ON SHOWTIME® FROM NRG ARENA

Erickson Lubin Scores TKO Over Zakaria Attou in Co-Featured Bout of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING Tripleheader

Dominican Claudio Marrero Outpoints Mexico’s Eduardo Ramirez in Telecast Opener

Watch The Encore Presentation Monday At 10 P.M. ET/PT On SHOWTIME EXTREME®

 

                                              Photo Credits- Esther Lin/SHOWTIME

HOUSTON (June 30, 2019) – In front of a sold out crowd of his hometown fans, WBC Middleweight World Champion Jermall Charlo defended his new title for the first time and kept his unbeaten record in dominating fashion against Brandon Adams Saturday night at NRG Arena live on SHOWTIME.

In a near-shutout unanimous decision, Charlo (29-0, 21 KOs) won by the scores of 120-108 (twice) and 119-109.

In his first defense since being elevated to WBC Middleweight Champion on Wednesday, Charlo methodically picked apart the much smaller Adams (21-3, 13 KOs), a Los Angeles native who earned his title shot by winning the 2018 reboot of The Contender. Despite an injury to his left hand, Charlo recorded double digit connects in every round but the first while limiting the resilient and durable Adams to single digit connects in all but the final round.

Charlo was unable to punctuate his dominating display with the knockout he craved in front of the 6,408 fans who saw him headline in his hometown for the first time in his career. Despite that, Charlo was even more active than usual and led 151-73 overall in total punches landed and 118-42 in power punches connected. Charlo also made a concerted effort to attack the body, landing more shots to the body than in any his last five fights.

“I wasn’t frustrated that I didn’t get the knockout,” Charlo told SHOWTIME’s Hall of Fame ringside reporter Jim Gray following the fight. “This is boxing and he came out to box. I came out to fight. It was a good fight. The city of Houston, I’ll be back.

“My hand will be alright. I hurt my hand in like the second round but I kept throwing it. It was obvious my jab wasn’t flowing.”

“I was coming up here to win,” said Adams. “I was coming to try to take him out in his hometown. He did what he was supposed to do. He’s a champ for a reason and I take my hat off to hm.
“He’s a much bigger guy, period. I just tried to put my best foot forward and tried to take him out at the end.”

Looking ahead to what’s next, Charlo fired a warning shot to his fiercest competitors in the middleweight division.

“Canelo has done a great job of being a champ, Golovkin also,” said Charlo. “Those guys are at the top but there’s always a young underdog and a lion ready to take over. That’s me.”

In the co-feature, 23-year-old super welterweight contender Erickson Lubin (21-1, 16 KOs) stopped an overmatched Zakaria Attou (27-7-2, 6 KOs) in the fourth round, picking up his third straight knockout since he suffered a setback to Jermell Charlo in a world title fight in 2017.

A vicious barrage of power shots dropped Attou against the ropes at 1:19 of the fourth round, and after rising to his feet, the Frenchman’s corner threw in the towel. Lubin, who looked confident and comfortable from the opening bell, used his excellent jab to set up his power shots. The Orlando, Fla. native landed 19 of his 99 jabs and 32 of his 78 power shots, including 14 of 25 in the ever-important fourth round.

Attou’s problems were exacerbated when he suffered an injury to his right bicep in the third round. The 37-year-old veteran, who was riding a seven-fight win streak entering Saturday’s fight, was unable to muster up any offense. He connected on just six of his 86 punches.

With the win in the WBC super welterweight title eliminator, Lubin positions himself for a future title shot for the belt that is currently held by Tony Harrison.

“I feel like I just came ready,” said Lubin, who has been training with Kevin Cunninham for the last year. “I was just a few steps ahead from the opening bell. I knew I was going to come out here and dominate. After a few shots, he looked hurt. I was going to keep teeing off until he was down or out.

“I don’t think the Jermell Charlo fight was too soon, there was just a few mishaps in camp. My next fight won’t be for a world title but I definitely want to get in there with a top-10 kind of guy. I just want to prove that I’m one of the top fighters.”

“I’m heartbroken about the injury,” said Attou. “My strategy was to start picking up the pressure after the sixth round. I know that Lubin has never been 12 rounds before, so our plan was to come on in the late rounds and take him out.”

In the telecast opener, Dominican Republic’s Claudio Marrero (24-3, 17 KOs) earned a unanimous decision over Mexican Eduardo Ramirez (22-2-3, 9 KOs) in a feisty battle between two aggressive southpaws in fight in which 1,573 total punches were thrown. The judges scored the fight 116-112, 115-113 and 118-110.

The 30-year-old Marrero impressed the judges with his power punching and body attack. Despite throwing 29 fewer punches than Ramirez, Marrero led 136-108 in power punches and 58-49 in connects to the body. Under the guidance of new trainer Jason Galarza, Marrero displayed a more versatile skillset than he had in previous fights. Prior to tonight, 91 percent of Marrero’s total connects were power punches, but in Saturday night’s 12-round affair, Marrero showed better variety by mixing in his jab and that number decreased to 75 percent.

Marrero, who had lost two out of his last three fights and was 0-2 in 12-round fights prior to tonight, now puts himself squarely in the conversation for a world title shot.

“My strategy was to pressure him all night and break him down,” said Marrero. “He was an awkward fighter that was hard to solve, but I thought I did a good job as the fight went on. I could feel that he was weak in the body so I attacked there and did it well.

“I’m ready for anybody. I always step to the plate and fight who’s in front of me. Bring them on. Leo Santa Cruz could definitely get this action next.”

A disappointed Ramirez said he thought he won the fight. “I disagreed with the judges,” said Ramirez. “I thought it was close but that I won. I dominated enough of the fight to earn it.

“I went forward with my typical Mexican style and attacked all night. I wanted to target the body and I thought I did that well. I want the rematch with Claudio Marrero, that’s my goal.”

Saturday’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING tripleheader will replay on Monday at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME.

An industry leading production team and announce crew delivered all the sights, sounds and drama from NRG Arena. Veteran broadcaster Brian Custer hosted the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast while versatile combat sportscaster Mauro Ranallo called the action ringside alongside Hall of Fame analyst Al Bernstein and former two-division world champion Paulie Malignaggi. Three Hall of Famers rounded out the SHOWTIME telecast team – Emmy® award winning reporter Jim Gray, unofficial ringside scorer Steve Farhood and world-renowned ring announcer Jimmy Lennon Jr. The Executive Producer of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING is David Dinkins Jr. and the Director is Bob Dunphy.

The telecast was available in Spanish via Secondary Audio Programing (SAP) with Alejandro Luna and former world champion Raul Marquez calling the action.

JERMALL CHARLO VS. BRANDON ADAMS FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES & PHOTOS

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JERMALL CHARLO VS. BRANDON ADAMS FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES & PHOTOS

“I want to give my fans in Houston and around the world a show to remember for the rest of their lives,” – Charlo

“I don’t get too much into what other people think. I go by what I believe, and I believe in myself,” – Adams

Charlo Adams Esther Lin Showtime

Unbeaten Middleweight Champion Jermall Charlo Makes Hometown Return to Battle Brandon Adams Saturday, June 29 Live on SHOWTIME® from NRG Arena in Houston

HOUSTON (June 27, 2019) – Unbeaten middleweight champion Jermall Charlo and middleweight contender Brandon Adams went face-to-face at the final press conference Thursday before they square off this Saturday night in the main event live on SHOWTIME from NRG Arena in Houston, in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

Also facing off at Thursday’s press conference, and competing in SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING action beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT were super welterweights Erickson “Hammer” Lubin and France’s Zakaria Attou, who meet in a WBC title eliminator, plus Mexico’s Eduardo Ramirez and hard-hitting Claudio Marrero, who compete in a WBA featherweight title eliminator.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Lions Only Promotions and TGB Promotions, are on sale now and can be purchased through Ticketmaster. Charlo vs. Adams is promoted in association with Banner Promotions and The Tournament of Contenders.

 

         Photo Credits- Esther Lin/SHOWTIME

Here is what the press conference participants had to say Thursday from the East VIP Club at NRG Stadium:

JERMALL CHARLO

“Houston, we’re back. After seven years it feels good to be home and feel the love that this city gives me. I’m thankful to Brandon and his team for stepping up and answering the call. I hope he knows this isn’t going to be easy.

“I plan on delivering something explosive like I always do. I want to give my fans in Houston and around the world a show to remember the rest of their lives.

“I know that Brandon has worked hard with Dub Huntley and Freddie Roach, but I did the same with Ronnie Shields. The work is put in, and I’m ready. I’m going to deliver a statement.

“Right now I’m focused on Brandon Adams and I’ve been focused on him for the last couple of months. We’re going to get the job done Saturday night.

“I have so much more that I want to show and so much more than I want to prove in this sport. Ronnie has taught me so much and we’re here to be explosive and memorable every time we’re in the ring.

“This is a legacy fight for me because I have an opponent coming to my backyard and I’m not letting him take this moment from me.

“Brandon Adams made it to this level, so he’s definitely on my level. This isn’t ‘The Contender’ though, this is ‘The Lions Only Show’.

“Adams has a chance to be able to challenge himself against me on Saturday. I’m sure this is something that he’s looked forward to. But I didn’t get to this point by overlooking anybody.”

BRANDON ADAMS

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to be here. I’m looking to put forth the effort that will make me the new champion and have my hand raised on Saturday night.

“I just want to put on a performance. I want us to give the fans something to remember. I want it to go down in history. I need that opponent who can help me make history.

“I believe Jermall is everything that he has shown and proven to be. That’s what I’m up against and that’s the kind of challenge that I want on Saturday.

“This fight on Saturday is going to be fireworks. We’re both bringing our A-game. I don’t get too much into what other people think. I go by what I believe, and I believe in myself. I always have and always will.

“I’ve been through a whole lot in my whole life and I’m to the point where everything is going golden now and I’m grateful for it. We’re going to put it all on the table and all on the line in that ring.

“The object to boxing is to hit and not get hit, any elite fighter, they do that pretty well. I plan to do that. Jermall is a champion, you can’t take anything from his line of work and what he has done. But since I am the guy that hasn’t been around, or the guy that people don’t know much about, I have a great opportunity to showcase a little bit more of who I am. I am excited to do that.”

“I’m a fan friendly fighter. I’m looking to become a world champion on Saturday night and I’m going to leave it all on the line. It’s one fight at a time and this is the biggest opportunity yet.”

ERICKSON LUBIN

“It’s an honor to be here back on the big stage. I have a solid opponent in front of me. He’s coming to fight and take my spot. It’s my job to run him over.

“I’ve been training for a long grueling fight. I feel like I’m going to have some physical advantages in the fight, so it will just be about listening to my corner and picking the right time to implement our plan.

“The (154-pound) division is wide open and some of the top guys like (Jarrett) Hurd and (Jermell) Charlo have suffered losses. Now I know I’m back in the mix and may have a shot to fight for a world title soon if I take care of business on Saturday night.

“This isn’t a redemption fight for me because I’m not fighting a Charlo. But I realize we’re in Houston and this is their hometown so of course I want to put a good show on for the fans.

“It’s been a tremendous training camp in Florida with Kevin Cunningham. It’s my time. Saturday night is ‘Hammer Time’ on SHOWTIME. “

ZAKARIA ATTOU

“This is a great opportunity for me to show off my skills here in the U.S. on SHOWTIME. As a European champion, I know I’m the underdog. But I’ve trained hard and I have some surprises for Erickson Lubin.

“I have some difficult-to-master skills. I have some good moves and I want to show and use them. That’s the kind of boxer I am.

“It’s great to be here in the U.S but I’m only focused on winning. I’ve trained very hard, my camp was great and from my sparring to my trainers, everything went well.

“I don’t need to talk while I’m up here, I’m going to do all of my talking in the ring on Saturday night.”

EDUARDO RAMIREZ

“This is a great opportunity. We didn’t come to dance. We came to fight. I am very prepared to win this for my country of Mexico.

“I know Marrero is a very tough opponent. He has a very strong punch and likes to attack, but I am very prepared for whatever he brings into the ring.

“I have been training very hard. I know that he is a lefty so we have been training with only southpaws in camp. I know he is a very strong opponent, but I am ready for him.

“I am here to fight, that is what fans want to see. They want to see us fight not dance. So hopefully I come away with a victory.”

CLAUDIO MARRERO

“I’m very prepared for this fight. I’m always ready for war and I’m going to go to war Saturday night. I hope Ramirez is prepared as well, because we’re going to have an intense fight.

“I’m glad to be here in Houston for this fight. I want to thank everyone who’s supporting this event. It’s going to be a great night of boxing.

“Ramirez talks like he wants to apply the pressure but we are going to be the ones that will apply the pressure. So we’ll see if he can stand up to it.

“I believe I have the best game plan for Saturday. It’s going to be a strategic type of fight. I’m going to play my pieces right. I’m going to be aggressive and be right where I want to be.

“I’m very motivated. Extremely motivated. It’s been one of my best camps of my life and it’s going to show on Saturday.”

ERICKSON LUBIN TRAINING CAMP QUOTES & PHOTOS

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                                      ERICKSON LUBIN TRAINING CAMP QUOTES & PHOTOS

Hard-Hitting Erickson Lubin Takes on Zakaria Attou in a WBC Super Welterweight Title Eliminator in Co-Main Event Saturday, June 29 live on SHOWTIME® from NRG Arena in Houston and Presented by Premier Boxing Champions

WEST PALM BEACH, FL. (June 21, 2019) – Hard hitting super welterweight Erickson “Hammer” Lubin discussed his upcoming showdown and more from training camp as he prepares to take on France’s Zakaria Attou in a WBC title elimination bout in the co-main event Saturday, June 29 ive on SHOWTIME from NRG Arena in Houston, Texas.

The broadcast begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and is headlined by unbeaten top middleweight Jermall Charlo battling contender Brandon Adams in a 12-round showdown.

Tickets for the event are on sale now and can be purchased through Ticketmaster (ticketmaster.com).

 

 

                                                    Photo Credit- Team Lubin

Here is what Lubin (20-1, 15 KOs) had to say about his upcoming matchup, training camp with Kevin Cunningham and more as he prepares to enter the ring June 29:

On his matchup with Zakaria Attou:

“Attou is coming into this fight with a lot of confidence being that he hasn’t lost a fight since 2015. He’s on a nice winning streak and I’m looking at this fight like a world title fight.

“Stylistically I feel I’m going to have every advantage with my speed, power and footwork. I’m taking this fight very serious. I’m going to adjust after the first few rounds and go from there. I see this being a fan friendly fight because both of us will have everything on the line.”

On working recent training camp with Kevin Cunningham:

“This is a 12-round bout, so I’ve been training for a long grueling fight. This will be my second fight with Kevin Cunningham as the lead and we are working great together. Right now, we are finalizing the last days of camp out here in West Palm Beach Florida. I feel great and I’ll be at my best on June 29.

On working his way back to a world title shot…

“Everything takes time and right now we are solely focused on Attou. When I’m victorious against him, I’ll be knocking on the door of another world title shot. When that time comes, I will take full advantage of the opportunity. I will be a world champion in my career.”

On the state of the super welterweight division…

“Right now, the 154-pound division has a lot of good fighters from top to bottom. All the champions are beatable though, so the division is wide open for me to take over, in my opinion. I must win this fight first. One thing for sure is I’m coming for all their heads.”

Unbeaten Top Middleweight Jermall Charlo Makes Hometown Return to Battle Brandon Adams

Unbeaten Top Middleweight Jermall Charlo Makes Hometown Return to Battle Brandon Adams Saturday, June 29 live on SHOWTIME® from NRG Arena in Houston and Presented by Premier Boxing Champions

Hard-Hitting Erickson Lubin Takes on Zakaria Attou in a WBC Super Welterweight Title Eliminator in Co-Main Event

Plus! Eduardo Ramirez Faces Claudio Marrero in WBA Featherweight World Title Eliminator

Tickets on Sale Monday, May 13 at 12 p.m. CT!

HOUSTON (May 10, 2019) – Unbeaten WBC Interim Middleweight Champion and Houston-native Jermall Charlo will return to his hometown to defend against middleweight contender Brandon Adams Saturday, June 29 live on SHOWTIME from NRG Arena in Houston and presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and features hard-hitting super welterweight Erickson “Hammer” Lubin taking on French contender Zakaria Attou in a 12-round WBC title elimination bout in the co-main event. Opening the telecast is a WBA featherweight title eliminator between slick Mexican southpaw Eduardo Ramirez and power-punching Dominican Claudio Marrero.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Lions Only Promotions and TGB Promotions, are on sale Monday, May 13 at 12 p.m. CT and can be purchased through Ticketmaster. Charlo vs. Adams is promoted in association with Banner Promotions and The Tournament of Contenders.

“Jermall Charlo is already a star and on June 29 he gets to bring the excitement that follows him into every fight back to his hometown of Houston,” said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “We can’t wait to see the fans embrace their champion and push him to another electric performance at NRG Arena and live on SHOWTIME. He’s going to have tricky opposition in middleweight contender Brandon Adams, who’s highly motivated to upset Jermall’s homecoming. It’s going to be a great atmosphere in Houston and I’m sure that will propel each man to be at their very best.”

“I am very happy for Brandon to have this great opportunity,” said Artie Pelullo, President of Banner Promotions. “This is the right fight at the right time in Brandon’s career. I want to thank SHOWTIME for giving Brandon this chance to prove he belongs here.”

“Brandon Adams is out to prove once again that The Contender creates world champions and contenders,” said Jeff Wald of The Tournament of Contenders.

The 28-year-old Charlo (27-0, 21 KOs) won a world title at 154-pounds when he scored a devastating third-round knockout of Cornelius Bundrage to win the IBF Junior Middleweight Title in 2015. Born in Richmond, Texas and growing up in Houston, Jermall still trains in Houston with renowned coach Ronnie Shields. He successfully defended his 154-pound title three times, including a devastating knockout of top contender Julian Williams, before moving up in weight to campaign at middleweight.

Jermall proved to be just as dominant at 160 pounds as he was at 154 pounds when he made his middleweight debut by stopping Jorge Sebastian Heiland in the fourth round of their July 2017 bout. He became the interim WBC middleweight champion with a second round knockout victory over Hugo Centeno, Jr. Jermall is one-minute older than his identical twin brother, former champion Jermell Charlo, and most recently defeated Matt Korobov to retain his interim title in December.

“It’s time for me to put up for my city of Houston,” said Charlo. “George Foreman is back and he’s in the middleweight division. That’s the way I feel about fighting in my hometown. You know how hot it gets down here in the summer and no one is going to be able to take this heat that I’m about to deliver. I’ve been working hard with Ronnie Shields and making some adjustments and now you’re going to see me back with the knockout power. I know Brandon Adams is looking at this as a big opportunity, but it’s a big step up for him. The pressure isn’t on him. It’s on me, because I’m fighting in my hometown and I’m going to deliver what the fans have come to expect from me.”

The Los Angeles-native Adams (21-2, 13 KOs) shot up the middleweight rankings by winning the 2018 reboot of The Contender. He is currently ranked fifth by the WBO and seventh by the WBA after beating Ievgen Khytrov, Tyrone Brunson, Eric Walker to make the series’ final, where he defeated Shane Mosley Jr. by unanimous decision in a 10-round fight.

The 28-year-old’s current run came after a three-year absence from the ring following a loss to John Thompson in 2015. He was 17-1 in his first 18 pro fights after turning pro in 2011, with his only loss coming to Willie Monroe Jr.

“I am very grateful for the opportunity and ready to prove that I belong in the conversation as one of the top fighters in the middleweight division,” said Adams. “This is an opportunity that I couldn’t turn down. They must feel that I am beatable, and want to use my name that I built up on The Contender, so now I need to show why I won The Contender and continue my winning ways. Charlo is a solid fighter and he’s a champion for a reason.I look forward to matching skills with him and showcasing my ability.”

Lubin (20-1, 15 KOs) is coming off an impressive TKO victory of Ishe Smith in which he became the first to ever stop the durable former champion. The 23-year-old from Orlando, Florida is looking to get back into world title contention and a victory over Attou will do just that. The only loss of Lubin’s career came in a world title fight against former champion Jermell Charlo in October 2017.

Born in Paris, France Attou (29-6-3, 7 KOs) will be making his U.S debut, having campaigned primarily in his home country. He is coming off a unanimous decision victory over Stefano Castellucci on March 16. Attou is currently riding a seven-fight win streak after having fought to a draw against Emanuele Della Rosa in 2016.

Ramirez (22-1-3, 9 KOs) has strung together two TKO victories since suffering the only loss of his career, in which he dropped a unanimous decision to Lee Selby in a world title match in 2017. The 26-year-old southpaw from Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico bounced back from the loss with a stoppage victory over Carlos Jacobo in 2018 and stopped Bryan De Gracia in his last fight on March 2 on SHOWTIME.

Marrero (23-3, 17 KOs) is keen to get back into the championship ranks and wants to remove the sting of losing a unanimous decision to Tugstsogt Nyambayar in his last fight in January. The 30-year-old southpaw from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic won the interim WBA featherweight title with a knockout victory over Carlos Zambrano in 2017. Five months later he lost the title to Jesus Rojas, but he bounced back from that loss with an impressive knockout of then unbeaten Jorge Lara in April 2018.