Mikey Garcia's daily roadwork begins at 7 am
and it's something new each day.

"Track, mountains, long distance, sprints -
it's a big mix and it is all done for conditioning,"
said his brother and chief trainer Robert Garcia.

Mikey is making the first defense of his WBO
featherweight title against former champion
Juan Manuel Lopez on June 15 at the
American Airlines Center in Dallas.

"We are looking at this as a tough, physical
fight. All title defenses are big battles," Robert
said.

"Juanma has nothing to lose," Mike said.
"Those kind of fighters are dangerous."

Garcia vs Lopez will be televised on HBO.

+++

USA Olympian Jose Ramirez grew up on a
farm in Northern California and knows how
precious water is to the farmers.

There are water issues there now which is
why Ramirez joined the California Water
Coalition to help bring attention to it. He
was recently honored for his efforts in the
state senate.

Ramirez is next scheduled on a Solo
Boxeo Tecate fight card on June 29
at WinStar World Casino in Thackerville,
Oklahoma. UniMas will televise.

+++

Up and coming Puerto Rico rapper
Alvaro Diaz mentioned Olympian
Felix Verdejo in his new song...
"...I'm a future champion like Verdejo."

DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. (February 26, 2013) - International Boxing Federation (IBF) super featherweight champion Argenis "The Thunderstorm" Mendez (21-2-, 10 KOs) has arrived in England and joined his trainer, Lee Beard, to prepare for his first title defense.

Mendez, a 2004 Dominican Republic Olympian now living in Miami, captured the IBF crown this past March in a rematch, destroying defending champion Juan Carlos Salgado in four rounds.

"We're going to England to begin preparation for our first title defense," Mendez said before departing Florida. "We trained there in the UK before I defeated Salgado and the result was the best. We will be in England for about 45 days with my main trainer, Lee Beard, and other members of our championship team. We will meet to establish a training and nutrition plan to have me in great physical condition right through the night of my next fight. We are dedicated to reaching our goal to retain my title. The only way we know how to achieve success is to continue working hard."

Mendez is scheduled to defend his crown in the middle of July against an opponent to be determined. "My job is to be ready to fight when my promoter tells me who, when and where," added Mendez, who is rated No. 3 in the world by The Ring Magazine. "We had to make many sacrifices to get this world title. There are many good fighters out there at 130 pounds for me to face. If any world-class super featherweight thinks he can beat me, talk to your promoter, and let's make that fight. We only want to fight the best.

"I tell all boxing fans that I'm not an arrogant athlete. I believe in God and family, and give thanks for what I have with humility. However, I also want to tell everyone out there that we are ready to enter the ring with the any of the best 130-pounders in the world like Roman 'Rocky' Martinez, Ricky Burns, Takashi Uchiyama, or Mikey Garcia. These are the fights that boxing fans really want to see, so let's give them the very best fight."

Mendez and his countryman, two-time world champion Joan "Little Tyson" Guzman (33-1-1, 20 KOs), are the undisputed leaders of Team Acquinity Sports, which has developed a strong stable of fighters that includes high-level Latino prospects in various weight classes such as (Dominicans) Ed "The Lion" Paredes (32-3-1, 21 KOs), Claudio "The Matrix" Marrero (14-0, 11 KOs), Juan Carlos Payano (13-0, 7 KOs), Lenin Castillo 8-0, 5 KOs) and 2008 Olympic gold medalist Felix Diaz (12-0, 6 KOs), as well as (Cubans) Humberto "El Don" Savigne (11-1, 8 KOs), Glendy "The Guantanamo Giant" Hernandez (9-0, 8 KOs), 2008 Olympic silver medalist Yudel Jhonson (13-1, 8 KOs), Alexei "The Hurricane" Collado (15-0, 14 KOs) and 2008 Olympian Robert Alfonso (1-0). The newest addition is Mexican warrior Moises "El Chucky" Flores (18-0, 13 KOs).

Other top Acquinity Sports fighters include American-born fighters Hylon "Kid Cosmo" Williams Jr. (16-1, 3 KOs), Isiah Thomas (12-0, 6 KOs) and Dominique "3D" Dolton (13-0, 7 KOs).

"Our team consists of a lot of young people who, very soon, will be fighting on the big stage against great rivals in divisions ranging from 122-pounds to heavyweight," Rivalta noted.

Go online to www.AquniitySports.com for additional information about Mendez or any of his stable-mates. Follow Acquinity Sports on Twitter @AcquinitySports, or friend is at Facebook.com/AcquinitySports.

THE WBC RECOGNIZES ANDRE WARD'S GREATNESS AND WISHES HIM THE BEST

Andre Ward recently communicated to the WBC through his advisors, and to the public via a press release, his decision to relinquish his WBC Super Middleweight Emeritus World Championship. The WBC has vested the Emeritus World Champion honor only to a few elite, great champions. Legendary WBC champions like Vitali Klitschko, Floyd Mayweather and Erik Morales have received the Emeritus status when extreme circumstances temporarily interrupted their distinguished careers. In every instance the outcome has been fair and just for all involved , proving that this rule is a great provision.

Andre Ward perceived the WBC Emeritus Champion designation as being stripped of his world title belt. With all due respect to Andre's opinions and feelings, it is imperative that the WBC clarifies to the public the chain of events that led to Ward's designation as WBC Emeritus World Champion .

THE SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT SUPER 6 TOURNAMENT

From 2009 through the end of 2011, the WBC fully supported the super middleweight Super Six World Boxing Classic tournament. The WBC's support was conditioned on the organizers allowing the full participation of the WBC Champion clearly stating on all communications that when the tournament was over, the WBC Champion was required to make a mandatory defense. On December 17, 2011, Ward won the Super Six tournament and the WBC Super Middleweight World Championship.

THE FIRST ORDER FOR MANDATORY DEFENSE

In the spring of 2012, the WBC ordered Ward to make a mandatory defense of his WBC title against Anthony Dirrell. Soon thereafter, Dirrell was involved in a motorcycle accident, which freed the mandatory commitment at that time. In an effort to keep the division active, the WBC agreed to sanction Ward's fight against WBC Light Heavyweight Champion Chad Dawson as a voluntary defense of Ward's title with the condition that the winner would make the mandatory defense in his next fight.

WBC ORDERED FINAL ELIMINATION TO DETERMINE THE MANDATORY CONTENDER

In October of 2012, the WBC ordered that the highest rated available boxers in the super middleweight division participate in a final elimination match. In December of 2012, during the WBC annual convention, the final elimination fight between Sakio Bika and Nikola Sjekloca was ratified, with the winner becoming the mandatory challenger for the world title.

WBC ACCEPTED TO SANCTION WARD VS PAVLIK VOLUNTARY DEFENSE

During the convention, the WBC approved the Ward versus Pavlik fight as a voluntary defense of Ward's title. The winner of that fight would then face the mandatory contender without any intervening defenses.

WARD SUSTAINED AN INJURY WHICH LEADS TO SURGERY

In January of 2013, Ward underwent surgery to repair his injured shoulder and issued a press release announcing he would be unable to fight for an indefinite period of time.

BIKA BECAME MANDATORY CONTENDER

Bika became the mandatory challenger by beating Sjekloca on February 16 2013.

WBC ORDERED WARD VS BIKA FOR THE MANDATORY DEFENSE

On February 21, the WBC ordered free negotiations for the mandatory defense between Ward vs Bika. A reminder letter was sent on March 5.

WBC VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO DESIGNATE WARD CHAMPION EMERITUS

In light of his indefinite incapacity, and the fact that the WBC has never received Ward's medical clearance or a definite availability date, on March 23, 2013, the WBC designated Ward as the Emeritus World Champion by sending him a letter. The WBC announced that designation via a press release on April 9, 2013.

As the WBC Rules & Regulations clearly recognize, all World Champions enjoy many benefits, but also have obligations. Even the greatest WBC World Champions are called to honor their commitments to the WBC and to the fans by facing their mandatory challengers in a timely fashion. Floyd Mayweather just fulfilled his mandatory obligation facing Robert Guerrero, Klitschko will fight Bermane Stiverne, who is the mandatory challenger, just to give a couple of current examples.

The WBC granted the Emeritus Championship designation as a way to honor Andre Ward, and to give him sufficient time to recover from his injury while keeping the division active. The facts are clear: he boxed once in 2012, his last fight was nine months ago, and he has not been able to indicate when will he be ready to return to the ring .

The WBC continues to support Andre Ward and considers him a great champion. The WBC wishes Andre a prompt recovery and much success in his return to boxing and in his work as a boxing analyst.

Former Junior Middleweight Title Challenger Rodriguez to Meet Former Welterweight Title Challenger Hernandez on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights

ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes Studio Shows on Site at Mohegan Sun Arena

Friday Night Fights-Best KOs & Mike Tyson’s Greatest Hits to Air Before Friday’s Show

The May 24 edition of ESPN’s Friday Night Fights presented by Corona Extra will feature former Junior Middleweight and Welterweight title challenger Delvin Rodriguez (27-6-3, 15 KOs) and former Welterweight title challenger Freddy “El Riel” Hernandez (30-4, 1 ND, 20 KOs) in the 10-round Junior Middleweight main event. Friday’s show from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., will air live at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN2 HD, ESPN Deportes and WatchESPN. Friday’s card is promoted by Star Boxing.

Commentators:
Joe Tessitore and Teddy Atlaswill be ringside describing the action for ESPN2 HD, while studio host Todd Grisham (@GrishamESPN) will be on site presenting all the latest boxing news and highlights. Pablo Viruega and Leopoldo Gonzalez will call this week’s fights ringside for ESPN Deportes’ Viernes de Combates (Friday Night Fights) with Claudia Trejos anchoring the studio on site. Bilingual reporter Bernardo Osuna (@osunaespn) will present live interviews and reports for both shows.

Main Event:

Connecticut’s Rodriguez, who also doubles as a boxing analyst for ESPN Deportes’ Viernes de Combates, is making his 16^th fighting appearance on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights. Rodriguez has had impressive wins throughout his career, including wins over Mike Arnaoutis (W12), Shamone Alvarez (W12), Oscar Diaz (TKO11) and a 10-round unanimous decision win in a rematch over Pawel Wolak, which led to a Junior Middleweight title shot against defending titlist Austin Trout. Rodriguez’s first match against Wolak--a 10-round draw televised on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights--was named “2011 Fight of the Year” by the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA). In his last fight in February, Rodriguez scored a sixth-round TKO win over George Tahdooahnippah.

After the fight, ESPN.com boxing writer Dan Rafael (@danrafaelespn) wrote: “Rodriguez, with his home-state fans loudly behind him, simply pummeled Tahdooahnippah, who had nothing but heart and a good chin. Rodriguez nearly stopped him late in the second round as he teed off with flush right hands over and over. Rodriguez opened a cut on the bridge of Tahdooahnippah's nose in the third and continued to pound him relentlessly, round after round. This was a strong performance from Rodriguez against an utterly overmatched but game foe.”

California’s Hernandez, who challenged former titlist Andre Berto for his WBC Welterweight belt in 2010, enters Friday’s fight with wins over former world titlists Luis Callazo (W10), Mike Anchondo (TKO4) and DeMarcus Corley (KO5). Hernandez is looking to get back to his winning ways following a 10-round unanimous decision loss to 2008 Olympian Demetrius Andrade in his last fight in January.

"He (Hernandez) needs to get a ‘W’ now to get some more opportunities, and he's fighting a guy who's going to give him that opportunity,” advisor Nigel Burns said. “That's not a knock on Rodriguez, but Rodriguez is more of a fighter than a boxer. I think it should be a good fight. Rodriguez is a good fighter and has fought some good people, and I expect him to actually stand in the pocket and trade with us.”

Co-Feature:
Friday’s 10-round co-feature will pit undefeated Junior Welterweight Issouf “Volcano” Kinda (16-0, 6 KOs) against Chris “Hurricane” Howard (15-2-1, 7 KOs). Kinda scored a second-round knockout win over Javier Loya in his last fight, while Howard is coming off an upset third-round TKO win over Bayan Jargal.

Friday Night Fights-Best KOs & Mike Tyson’s Greatest Hits to Air Before Friday’s Show:

ESPN2 and WatchESPN will air the best KOs of Friday Night Fights at 9 p.m. and Mike Tyson’s Greatest Hits at 9:30 p.m. prior to Friday’s live show at 10 p.m.

Follow ESPN’s Friday Night Fights on Twitter @ESPNFNF or like it on Facebook. Follow ESPN Deportes’ Viernes de Combates on Twitter @ESPNBoxeo. Also score the fights round-by-round with the “Live Friday Night Fights Facebook Voting App,” an application on the ESPN FNF Facebook page that allows viewers to score the fight round-by-round.

HBO Sports lights up Memorial Day weekend with a thrilling showdown across the pond when WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING: CARL FROCH VS. MIKKEL KESSLER II is presented live from the O2 Arena in London, SATURDAY, MAY 25 (6:00 p.m. ET/3:00 p.m. PT), exclusively on HBO. The HBO Sports team of Jim Lampley, Max Kellerman and Andre Ward along with unofficial scorer Harold Lederman will be ringside for the action, presented in HDTV and in Spanish on HBO Latino. The fight also has a prime-time replay later the same day at 10:00 p.m. (ET/ PT).

® WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING is a registered service mark of Home Box Office, Inc.

GOLOVKIN-MACKLIN HBO TELEVISED UNDERCARD BOUTS ANNOUNCED

THOMAS OOSTHUIZEN VS. BRANDON GONZALES IN CO-FEATURE

WILLIE NELSON VS. LUCIANO CUELLO IN TELEVISED OPENER

SATURDAY, JUNE 29, 2013

FOXWOODS RESORT CASINO

HBO Boxing After Dark® triple-header, 9:45 p.m. ET/PT

THOMAS OOSTHUIZEN VS. BRANDON GONZALES

WILLIE NELSON VS. LUCIANO CUELLO

NEW YORK, NY (May 21, 2013) - Ever since it was first announced, boxing insiders and fans alike have been buzzing about the much-anticipated upcoming middleweight championship showdown between defending WBA/IBO champion Gennady "GGG" Golovkin (26-0, 23KO's) and Ireland's top-rated former world title challenger Matthew "Mack The Knife" Macklin (29-4, 20KO's). Lou DiBella, president of DiBella Entertainment, promoter of Macklin, has made references to the fight as "Gatti/Ward-like" and even hall-of-fame promoter-arguably the greatest promoter in boxing history-Bob Arum was quoted as saying that it is a fight that he would pay to see.

Adding to the excitement of what promises to already be a can't-miss main event are the two HBO-televised undercard bouts. In the co-feature bout, red-hot super middleweight contender and IBO Champion Thomas "Tommy Gun" Oosthuizen (21-0-1, 13KO's) puts his undefeated record on the line against fellow undefeated contender Brandon "Flawless" Gonzales (17-0, 10KO's) while top-rated junior middleweight NABF champion Willie "The Great" Nelson (20-1-1, 12KO's) squares off against Luciano Cuello (32-2, 16KO's) in the televised opener. Both bouts are scheduled for 10 rounds.

The stacked card will take place on June 29^th at the MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods ® Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut. The HBO Boxing After Dark® triple-header will be televised live beginning at 9:45 p.m. ET/PT

"Both of these bouts have huge implications for each fighter's respective divisions," said DiBella, promoter of Oosthuizen, Nelson and Cuello.

"Tommy is not only one of the best 168lb. fighters in the division, but, in my eyes, one of the top prospects pound-for-pound in the entire world. He is taking on another undefeated, highly regarded fighter in Gonzales, and the winner of the bout truly emerges as not only a force in the 168lb. division, but as a potential star."

"Willie is coming off back-to-back-to-back tremendous performances and is one of the hottest and most feared fighters in the junior middleweight division right now. Cuello is a proven contender, riding a six-fight winning streak and whose only two career losses have come against Canelo and Chavez Jr. This is a real fight and it will provide a true litmus test to see exactly where Willie is at."

"June 29^th is a big-time opportunity for all four of these fighters on the undercard to step into the HBO spotlight and establish themselves on a national level," said Kery Davis, senior vice president of programming, HBO Sports.

With a combined record of 90-3-2, a nearly 95% win-to-loss ratio, and the bouts being the HBO debut for all four fighters, each fighter is chomping at the bit to get in the ring and prove their worth on June 29^th.

"I am extremely excited about this opportunity," said the IBF #5, WBC #6 and WBO #14-rated super middleweight Oosthuizen. "There is no bigger stage than fighting on HBO. This is what I have dreamt about since I was a young child. I respect Gonzales as a fighter. He had a great amateur pedigree and he has yet to lose as a professional, but he never faced a fighter like me, and come June 29^th, he is going to find that out very quickly."

"Tommy gets his long-awaited opportunity on HBO. Fight fans around the world will have the chance to witness the most gifted super middleweight on the planet," stated Rodney Berman of Golden Gloves, LTD., Oosthuizen's co-promoter and the premier promoter in South Africa.

"I want to thank my team and HBO for this great opportunity," said the IBF #12-rated Gonzales, promoted by Goossen-Tutor Promotions. "Fighting on HBO has always been one of my dreams. Winning this fight will put me in a great position for a world championship and I look forward to putting on a great performance on June 29^th."

"Fightinga guy like Cuello on HBOwill give me a chance to make a big splash in the junior middleweight division," said the WBC #3 and IBF #14-rated Nelson. "He's a high quality fighter whoseonly two losses have been to world champions (Canelo and Chavez Jr.).I want to beat him in a better fashion than they did to prove that I belong at the top of the 154-pound division. I need to win and win impressively. My ultimate goal is to become world champion and this fight puts my in line for that."

"This fight is a major step toward Willie becoming world champion," echoed Steve Smith of Rumble Time Promotions, Nelson's co-promoter. Fans all over watching him in his first HBO fight will see what a tremendous talent he really is."

"I am very excited about this opportunity to fight Wille Nelson on HBO and to have the chance to showcase my skills in the USA," said the WBC #13-rated Cuello. "I am confident that we will achieve a major victory on June 29^th. I would like to thank my manager Pedro Garcia and my advisor Elvis Grant Phillips for putting this fight together and of course my new promoter Lou Dibella and HBO."

Tickets are currently on sale and are priced at $300, $200, $90 and $45. Tickets may be purchased online at foxwoods.com by calling the Foxwoods' box office at 800-200-2882, or in person at the Foxwoods' box office. Tickets may also be purchased through any Ticketmaster outlet and online at Ticketmaster.com.

The event is promoted by DiBella Entertainment and K2 Promotions, in association with Golden Gloves, LTD., Goossen-Tutor Promotions and Rumble Time Promotions. The bouts will take placeon June 29^that the MGM Grand Theater atFoxwoods ® Resort CasinoinMashantucket, Connecticut. TheHBO Boxing After Dark®triple-header will be televised live beginning at 9:45 p.m. ET/PT

NEW YORK, NY (May 20, 2013) – Ring 8 will pay tribute to the late, great matchmaker Johnny Bos tomorrow night (Tuesday, May 21 starting at 7:00 p.m. ET) at historic Waterfront Crabhouse, in Long Island City, New York.

Many of Bos’ friends, family and associates have been invited to attend tomorrow's Ring 8 monthly meeting in an effort to raise funds to help defray the costs of Bos’ funeral. One-hundred percent of all proceeds raised tomorrow from new Ring 8 membership fees ($30.00 per year entitles each member to a buffet dinner at Ring 8 monthly meetings), as well as any group or individual donations, will go directly towards Bos’ funeral expenses.

The eccentric Bos – known as “The Wizard of Bos” – helped develop the careers of countless boxers over the years, particularly in New York, as a matchmaker and advisor. Some of “Bos’ boxers” include Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield. Pernell Whitaker, Gerry Cooney, Paulie Malignaggi, Joey Gamache, Yuri Foreman, Jameel McCline and Tracy Harris Patterson.

“We just became aware of this situation (funeral expense needs) over the weekend and Ring 8 wanted to help,” Ring 8 president Bob Duffy said. “All monies raised will go directly to Johnny’s family towards his funeral expenses. Ring 8 member and Johnny’s close friend, Don Majeski, was the driving force in this effort.

“Anybody from New York who has been involved in boxing for the past 25 years or more, if asked to identify one person in New York boxing, would say Johnny Bos. He was a boxing icon who everybody knew and respected. He was a tough guy to make matches with, though, because he always knew what he was doing. Johnny Bos was a great guy and Ring 8 is privileged to pay tribute to him.”

ABOUT RING 8: Formed in 1954 by an ex-prizefighter, Jack Grebelsky, Ring 8 became the eighth subsidiary of what was then known as the National Veteran Boxers Association – hence, RING 8 – and today the organization’s motto still remains: Boxers Helping Boxers.

RING 8 is fully committed to supporting less fortunate people in the boxing community who may require assistance in terms of paying rent, medical expenses, or whatever justifiable need.

Go on line to www.Ring8ny.com for more information about RING 8, the largest group of its kind in the United States with more than 350 members. Annual membership dues is only $30.00 and each member is entitled to a buffet dinner at RING 8 monthly meetings, the third Tuesday of every month, excluding July and August. All active boxers, amateur and professional, are entitled to a complimentary RING 8 yearly membership.

May 19, 2013 - Gary Shaw Productions in association with Grange Old School Boxing, Matchroom Boxingand Greg Cohen Productions are pleased to announce the finalization of a fight between two of the middleweight division's best and most exciting as IBF champion Daniel Geale (29-1, 15 KOs) has signed on to defend his title against highly regarded contender Darren Barker (25-1, 16 KO's). The 12-round championship bout will take place at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York on August 17, 2013. The event will be televised live on HBO BOXING AFTER DARK® beginning at 10:15 p.m. ET/PT.

Geale is fresh off of his redemption win over Anthony Mundine in their January rematch, while Barker has won 2 in a row since his KO loss in what was a very spirited effort against Sergio Martinez. Geale acknowledges that Barker is a tough challenge, but is quick to remind everyone that he has been matched tough for the past few fights in a row. This will be the first time the Australian superstar has fought on American soil.

"Barker has to be one of the toughest opponents I've faced on paper, but I've been in the ring with world titlists and it remains to be seen whether or not Barker can offer up anything extra," said Geale. "He is a top rated fighter amongst 160 pounders, but in the middleweight division that's saying a lot because the entire division is dangerous. A guy in the top 10 at middleweight would be top 3-4 in almost any other division."

"Fighting in the United States for the first time is truly an honor." Geale continued. "I'm going to give the fans a great night of boxing while representing my country with dignity."

Geale mentioned that he hasn't thought much about a game plan for his opponent, but he will prepare accordingly. While he has yet to put together a strategy on Barker, Geale is familiar with his work, specifically against Martinez and he knows that the fighter that steps in the ring with will likely be better than the one that gave Martinez so much trouble.

"I'm going to have my hands full, that's for sure. Barker gave Martinez all sorts of fits, but he is an even better fighter now and I think he has improved a great deal since the Martinez fight. I'm not sure Martinez could beat Barker now, maybe Martinez planned on fighting Barker before he got too good? I want the fights that will give me the biggest challenges and I plan on handling Barker better than anyone has, it won't be easy but that's what I'll attempted to do," Geale said.

After suffering his first defeat to Sergio Martinez, Barker has bounced back with two consecutive knockout victories. His quest to become a world champion is ever so close and he promises to bring the title back to the UK.

"This is a golden opportunity for me and I feel it's my time to shine," Darren Barker stated. "It's been a tough journey for me but I'm one fight away from realizing my dream and becoming World Champion. I've dedicated my entire life to this sport and since the Sergio Martinez fight I really feel like I've grown as a fighter. I can't wait to bring that IBF World title back to the UK."

Gary Shaw is excited about this fight and he knows that it has huge implications for the division.

"This is a fight that separates the good from the great, the great from the elite. This division is so good that everywhere you look you see tough fights, but Daniel could've taken an easier fight, there are easier fights out there compared to Barker but Daniel wanted this fight. The winner will be in a position to be considered the best middleweight out there," Shaw said.

"It's always exciting whenworld classboxers accept a fight without hesitation, as was the case for this bout," said Garrie Francisco of Grange Old School Boxing. "Daniel has been keen to make a stateside debut for many years, to be defending his crown on a HBO cardis the perfect beginning. A healthy sporting rivalryhas existed between our countries (Australia/England)for 130 years. We would like to thank H.B.O., Gary Shaw and Eddie Hearn for their roles incementingan opportunity to givefans a fight that will be remembered."

Matchroom Boxing's Eddie Hearn is confident his fighter will be victorious.

"Not everyone knows the story about Darren Barker but those that do understand it when I say that few deserve this more," said Eddie Hearn. "This is the fight that Darren wanted so badly and now he's got it. This is a wonderful fight between two incredibly gifted Middleweights, it's a pure 50-50 fight and I know Darren is going to bring it home."

"HBO has been a great supporter of bringing international champions to the United States to showcase their talents. I want to thank Ken Hershman, Kerry Davis, Peter Nelson and the entire staff at HBO for being the pioneers in this area. I know Geale and Barker are very appreciative for this wonderful opportunity." Gary Shaw concluded.

DEVON ALEXANDER vs. LEE PURDY

The fighters for tomorrow night’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast from Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey stepped on the scales today at Caesars Atlantic City for the Official Weigh-in. Main event fighters Lamont Peterson and Lucas Matthysse made the catch-weight limit of 141 pounds with Peterson weighing in at 141 lbs. and Matthysse tipping the scale at 140 lbs. IBF Welterweight World Champion Devon Alexander made the welterweight limit of 147 lbs., but his opponent, Lee Purdy, was unable to make the weight after two attempts, coming in at 147.8 lbs. As a result Purdy will not be eligible to win the world championship title in tomorrow night’s fight.

The telecast will air live on SHOWTIME at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) immediately following ALL ACCESS: MAYWEATHER vs. GUERRERO Epilogue. Preliminary fights will air live on SHOWTIME EXTREME^® at 7:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

Attached is the entire bout sheet with the official weights, and the weigh-in photos.

ABOUT “PETERSON VS. MATTHYSSE”:

Peterson vs. Matthysse, a 12-round 141 pound catch-weight fight,will take place Saturday, May 18 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The event is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, sponsored by Caesars Atlantic City, Corona and AT&T and will be televised live on SHOWTIME^® at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) immediately following ALL ACCESS: MAYWEATHER vs. GUERRERO Epilogue. In the co-main event, IBF Welterweight World Champion Devon Alexander defends his title against IBF number four rated welterweight contender Lee Purdy. SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING^® is available in Spanish on secondary audio programming (SAP). Preliminary fights will air live on SHOWTIME EXTREME^® at 7:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

Tickets priced at $250, $125, $75, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes and service charges, are available for purchase at the Boardwalk Hall box office, by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 736-1420 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

HUGE BOXING WEEKEND IN CANCUN...

MAY 18 SUGAR SHANE MOSLEY VS. PABLO CESAR CANO

EVENT SO BIG, IT HAD TO BE SPLIT IN TWO

SERGIO THOMPSON VS. GUSTAVO SANDOVAL IN

CO-FEATURE WITH ROBERTO MANZANAREZ, ADAN MARES &

MORE FEATURED ON SATURDAY NIGHT AT GRAND OASIS CANCUN

PLUS: SPECIAL FREE ADMISSION FRIDAY AFTERNOON EVENT

CREATED FROM FIGHTS ORIGINALLY SCVHEDULED FOR

SATURDAY FEATURING FRANCISCO VARGAS, JORGE SILVA & ENRIQUE ORNELAS

FOX SPORTS NETWORKS TO TELEVISE MOSLEY VS. CANO AND

THOMPSON VS. SANDOVAL LIVE IN THE UNITED STATES

CANCUN, MEXICO, May17 - Saturday's card featuring the return of Sugar Shane Mosley against Mexican star Pablo Cesar "El Demoledor" Cano at The Grand Oasis in Cancun, Mexico has added even more fistic firepower with the addition of a stellar co-main event pitting Sergio "Yeyo" Thompson against Gustavo Sandoval, as well as undercard bouts starring Golden Boy Promotions' newest signing, Adan "Speedy" Mares, along with Roberto "Massa" Manzanarez, Miguel Angel Gonzalez and Ivan "Macanón" Cano.

Mosley vs. Cano and Thompson vs. Sandoval will be telecast live on FOX Sports Networks and FOX Deportes in the United States and on Televisa in Mexico on a delayed basis.

Plus, three fights originally scheduled for Saturday have been moved to Friday afternoon creating a special free admission event at The Grand Oasis featuring Francisco "El Bandido" Vargas, Jorge "Pantera" Silva and Enrique Ornelas.

Mosley vs. Cano is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and "Cancún Boxing" de Pepe Gómez and sponsored by Corona, Periodico QueQui, TheGrandOasisCancun, Quintana Roo Tourism and Cancun Tourism. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. CT and the first fight begins at 6:00 p.m. CT. The FOX Sports Networks and FOX Deportes broadcast will air live at 9:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT respectively and the Televisa broadcast will air on Canal 5 beginning at 10:30 p.m. CT.

Tickets, priced at 200 pesos, 300 pesos, 500 pesos, 1000 pesos and 1500 pesos are available for purchase at Periodico Quequi by calling +52 (998) 193 2100, Hotel Gran Oasis, Farmacias Paris, sucursal Yaxchilan and Crucero, Presidencia Municipal de Benito Juarez.

A native of Chetumal now making his home in Cancun, 29-year-old Sergio "Yeyo" Thompson (26-2, 24 KO's) has been crushing the competition at 130 pounds for years and on May 18 he will attempt to stop Gustavo Sandoval. Currently sporting a 12-fight win streak that includes 10 straight knockouts, Thompson has dispatched Jorge Linares, Moises Castro and Juan Ramon Solis during the streak, establishing himself as perhaps the division's most feared puncher.

Barranquilla, Colombia's Gustavo "Huracan" Sandoval (13-4-1, 11 KO's) is a talented up and comer ready to make his move on the world elite on Saturday. The winner of three of his last four fights, the 21-year-old power hitter is eager to go punch for punch with Thompson in his Yeyo's hometown.

In a 10 round battle for the vacant WBC Youth Intercontinental Lightweight title, 18-year-old Los Mochis phenom Roberto Manzanarez (22-1, 18 KO's) meets 21-year-old Oscar Arenas (24-5, 21 KO's) of Coahuila in a fight many feel has the potential to steal the show from the headliners

Before his older brother Pablo Cesar Cano steps into the ring with Mosley in Saturday's main event, Mexico City's Ivan Cano (21-5, 14 KO's) will meet Los Mochis' Daniel Ruiz (27-6-1, 20 KO's) in eight-round lightweight action.

The younger brother of Three-Division World Champion Abner Mares, Adan "Speedy" Mares (8-0, 3 KO's) was a solid amateur prospect, compiling a 45-5 record, but his true calling was in the professional game and in February of 2012 he made his debut with a first round body shot knockout over Francisco Cervantes. Since then, he has lit up the Mexican fight scene, showing off speed, power and ring generalship while putting together his perfect pro slate. In his most recent bout on February 16, Mares won a shutout four-round decision over Antonio Chuc and on Saturday he faces Chetumal's Alberto Cupido (7-8-2, 6 KO's) in a six-round junior featherweight battle.

Also featured will be junior lightweight prospect Miguel Angel Gonzalez (8-0, 7 KO's) of Los Mochis who squares off against Queretaro's Luis Becerra (9-5-1, 8 KO's) in a six-round junior lightweight bout

In fights now to be featured on Friday afternoon which presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Pepe Gomez Promotor Deportivo and sponsored by Corona, Periodico QueQui, TheGrandOasisCancun, Quintana Roo Tourism and Cancun Tourism with doors opening at 3:30 p.m. CT and the first fight beginning at 4:00 p.m. CT.

Now fighting out of Los Angeles, 28-year-old Francisco Vargas (15-0-1, 12 KO's) represented his native Mexico in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, going 1-1 in the prestigious competition. Turning pro in 2010, Vargas has built a strong reputation for his versatile skill set and ring savvy. Last year, he turned up the heat, fighting and winning six times with five of those wins coming by way of knockout. On January 26, Vargas kept his hot streak going with a second round knockout win over Ira Terry and, following the cancellation of his scheduled May 3 bout when his opponent passed out trying to make weight, he will be back in the ring this weekend to take on Chiapas' Cristian Arrazola (7-7-1, 4 KO's) in a lightweight contest scheduled for eight rounds.

Plus, Tijuana's Jorge Silva (18-3-2, 14 KO's) will take on Guasave's Cesar Chavez (21-3, KO's) in a 10-round welterweight fight, while veteran fan favorite Enrique Ornelas (33-8, 21 KO's) of Guanajuato is back in action in an eight-round super middleweight clash against Chihuahua's Isaac Mendez (16-9, 14 KO's).