ZOU SHIMING RETURNING TO MACAO!

Two-Time Chinese Olympic Gold Medallist Headlining an

Exciting Card Featuring Two World Championship Battles

MACAO (May 14, 2013) – Chapter two of the Zou Shiming era will begin when the two-time Olympic gold medallist and three-time Amateur World Champion returns to the ring and headlines an exciting card featuring two world championship fights – WBO/WBA flyweight champion Juan Estrada vs. Milan Melindo and IBF featherweight champion Evgeny Gradovich vs. Mauricio Muñoz – Saturday, July 27, at The Venetian^® Macao’s CotaiArena™. Promoted by Top Rank and Sands China Ltd., in association with Tecate, ZOU SHIMING: Fists of Gold II ticket details will be announced soon; Fists of Gold II ticket holders will be able to purchase advance tickets for November’s Pacquiao vs. Rios event during an exclusive period prior to general public sales. Details are to be announced at a later date.

The fantastic night of entertainment is Sands China’s latest world-class sporting event, part of its multi-tiered entertainment strategy aimed at diversifying Macao’s tourism economy through the varied offerings of its Cotai Strip Resorts, contributing to the city’s development into one of Asia’s top entertainment hubs and a world centre of tourism and leisure. Sands China held the highly-successful greater China debut of Ultimate Fighting Championship last November, and has hosted and sponsored numerous sporting events with some of the world’s most well-known athletes – from basketball greats Kobe Bryant and Yao Ming to tennis legends Pete Sampras and Roger Federer, and golf sensations like Rory McElroy and Lee Westwood. Zou Shiming’s recent April 6 professional debut had all the right ingredients and became another high-octane crowd pleaser, selling out tickets in advance. It was televised internationally to more than 30 countries, including to the U.S. via HBO 2 and in China on CCTV5.

"The exciting matches taking place at The Venetian Macao’s CotaiArena on July 27 highlight the fact that boxing is a major global sport," said Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum.

“Deciding to host Zou Shiming’s professional debut in April was a great move – for Sands China and for Macao,” said Edward Tracy, President and Chief Executive Officer of Sands China Ltd. “We hosted a very successful event, and we remain committed to bringing the world’s best entertainment to Macao, helping to increase the diversity of attractions available. We’re extremely pleased to welcome Shiming back a second time in July for Fists of Gold II.”

"I was very pleased with how quickly Shiming learned what I was teaching during our first training camp and he is the hardest worker in the gym," said Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach. "This time our main focus will be on getting him to punch harder. Shiming will need to learn how to sit down on his punches to maximize their power. I cannot wait to start working with him again."

Zou (1-0), from Guizhou, won his professional debut April 6, via a dominant four-round unanimous decision over gritty Eleazar Valenzuela of Mexico. One of the most popular Olympic athletes in China, Zou was the world's greatest light flyweight, capturing gold medals in the World Amateur Championships in 2005, 2007 and 2011, along with gold medals in the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympic Games. He also owns an Olympic bronze medal from the 2004 games, making him his nation's first Olympic medallist in boxing as well as its first boxing gold medallist in the World Amateur Championships and the Olympics. He signed with Arum’s Top Rank at a press conference in Beijing in January.

Zou, who now campaigns as a flyweight, will be graduating to a six-round bout when he faces Jesus Ortega (3-1, 2 KOs) from Hermosillo, México. A stablemate of world flyweight champion Juan Estrada, the hard-hitting Ortega is an exciting prospect who is entering this fight on a roll, having won his last two fights – his most recent a third-round knockout victory against Arcadio Sanchez on April 19.

"Jesus and I are from Sonora, México,” said Alfredo Lopez, Ortega's trainer. “This is the state in Mexico that has produced champions. The great Julio César Chávez was born here and became champion. Orlando Salido – champion; Tyson Marquez – champion; and current WBO world champion Juan Estrada, with whom we currently train. We know Zou well and have seen him fight. He was a very decorated amateur fighter. But Jesus is no amateur. Jesus spars with the best flyweights in the world, including Juan Estrada and Tyson Marquez. On July 27, Zou Shiming will become another stepping stone on the path to where we are going with Jesus, and that is to become Sonora's next world champion. Viva México! Viva Ortega!"

In addition to Zou's return, the event line-up includes an undercard highlighted by two 12-round world championship fights. WBO/WBA flyweight champion Juan Estrada (22-2, 17 KOs), of Hermosillo, México, will be making the first defense of the titles he won from Brian Viloria on April 6 at the CotaiArena. Estrada will be facing undefeated Milan Melindo (28-0, 11 KOs), of Manadue, Philippines. Melindo, the number one contender and mandatory challenger, earned his shot at the title by knocking out once-beaten Tommy Seran in the fourth round on the April 6 card. Undefeated IBF featherweight champion Evgeny Gradovich (16-0, 8 KOs), a native of Russia, now fighting from Oxnard, California, will be making his first title defense against No. 1 contender and mandatory challenger Mauricio Muñoz (26-3, 12 KOs), of San Juan, Argentina. Gradovich captured the world title on March 1 when he dethroned defending champion Billy Dib via a split decision. Muñoz earned his title shot by defeating previously unbeaten contender Luis Franco in his last fight, October 13, 2012. The international telecast will open with a 10-round heavyweight rumble between undefeated contenders Andy Ruiz, Jr. (18-0, 12 KOs), of Mexicali, Mexico, and Joe Hanks (21-0, 14 KOs), of Los Angeles.

The undercard will also feature Genesis Servania (19-0, 6 KOs), of Cebu City, Philippines, in an eight-round super bantamweight bout against Konosuke Tomiyama (23-5-1, 8 KOs), of Tokyo, Japan; Paul Fleming (17-0, 12 KOs), of Sydney, Australia, in an eight-round super featherweight bout against Mike Tawatchai (26-1-1, 17 KOs), of Bangkok, Thailand; and Dodie Boy Peñalosa (10-0, 8 KOs) and Dave Peñalosa (5-0, 3 KOs), both from Cebu City, Philippines, in separate six-round featherweight and four-round super bantamweight bouts, respectively. Their opponents will be announced at a later date. Fleming and the Peñalosas were all knockout victors on the April 6 card.

ZOU SHIMING: Fists of Gold IIkicks off at 6 p.m. on July 27 at the CotaiArena. Once details are announced, ticket sales will be available at all CotaiTicketing box offices* and can be booked online at www.CotaiTicketing.com, or by phone at +853 2882 8818 (Macao) / +852 6333 6660 (HK) / 4001 206 618 (mainland China). Tickets will also be available at Tom Lee Outlets, K11 Select and through Hong Kong Ticketing (customer service fee applies) at www.HKTicketing.com, or by phone at +852 3128 8288.

MONTREAL (May 13, 2013) -- InterBox and Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM) have reserved the dates of Saturday, December 7 and Saturday, January 25 at the Montreal Bell Centre for the postponed Lucian Bute vs. Jean Pascal mega-fight.

The promoters reserved two dates in order to afford HBO options and they plan to discuss the two options with HBO executives in a few weeks before announcing the exact rescheduled date.

All tickets purchased will be accepted

All fight fans who already purchased tickets can hold on to them for the Dec. 7 or Jan. 25 rescheduled date. Fans may also purchase tickets to this historic event by visiting www.evenko.ca, through InterBox (450) 645-1074 or GYM (514) 383-0666, or by contacting the club de boxe champion (514) 376-0980).

May 13, 2013 - Undefeated lightweight contender Darley Perez (28-0, 19 KOs) has signed on to fight explosive Cuban superstar Yuriorkis Gamboa (22-0, 16 KOs) in the co-feature of an HBO telecast taking place on June 8th, live from the Bell Centre in Montreal, Canada. The main event that evening will be a light heavyweight title tilt between Chad Dawson and Adonis Stevenson. Perez vs. Gamboa is a strong addition to an already stellar night of boxing.

Darley Perez is promoted by Gary Shaw Productions and Thompson Boxing Promotions, while Yuriorkis Gamboa is promoted by 50 Cents' SMS Promotions.

Perez is battletested but Gamboa will be his toughest test to date. A win could put either fighter in line for a major opportunity. Perez knows what is on the line and welcomes the challenge.

For Perez, he feels this step up in competition is coming at the perfect time in his career and he has been ready for this kind of test for quite some time.

"I wouldn't dare take Gamboa lightly, I'll train hard for a tough fight and he'd be well-advised to do the same because I'm a top fighter. I will prove to everyone that I am a world-class fighter and the rest of the world will figure out what I already know after June 8th," said Perez.

Gamboa, with his aggressive style, has emerged as one of the best fighters to defect from Cuba. He'll look to continue his winning ways on fight night.

"I keep looking to prove my worth and will now do so in trying to win a 4th world title in a third weight class, the lightweight division," Gamboa said. "I like challenging myself. June 8th I plan on showing my best yet again."

Gary Shaw, Perez's co-promoter, knows how ready his fighter is for this opportunity and is also aware of the fact that a win for Perez would be considered a significant upset. However, he thinks that if people were educated enough on Perez's ability then they wouldn't see it as that shocking an outcome.

"You have to understand that we've been waiting on an opportunity like this for Perez to make his mark. Some may feel like it is Darley's chance to pull off the shocking upset, but I see it as more of a coming out party. We've had him caged in waiting for the chance to unleash the beast and we could've pulled the trigger a couple fights back and then the world would be aware of his chances in this fight. But because we knew that an opportunity like this was only a matter of time we waited and now he will show he's been a top contender all along," Shaw said.

"The fight on June 8th between Yuriorkis Gamboa and Darley Perez is going to be very exciting." said Curtis Jackson (AKA 50 Cent). "Gamboa has been training really hard and his fighting style is aggressive while Perez showcases a calmer demeanor in the ring which will make for a very competitive showing.

Alex Camponovo, general manager of Thompson Boxing Promotions said, "Darley Perez is not a simple opponent, he has the necessary tools to back up his undefeated record and he will be ready to fight a guy like Gamboa. We are excited to get him this opportunity and we trust in his ability."

BIG BEAR, CA (May 13, 2013) Having started training in the mountains of Big Bear, California for his eighth world title defense, WBA and IBO Middleweight World Champion Gennady “GGG” Golovkin has become the best man standingin the division.

Golovkin will defend his titles against Ireland’s Matthew Macklin on Saturday, JUNE 29 at the MGM Grand Theatre at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut in a bout that will be broadcast as the main event on HBO, beginning at 9:45 PM ET/PT.

With an undefeated record of 26-0-0 with 23KO’s, Golovkin’s 88% knockout ratio is the highest among any middleweight champion in the history of the sport. Additionally, his last thirteen bouts have ended by stoppage, the highest active knockout streak of any current champion.

“Gennady has truly distinguished himself as the most exciting, biggest punching and most active fighter in the middleweight division” said Tom Loeffler, Managing Director of K2 Promotions. “Looking through the division, WBC titlist Sergio Martinez has proven to the best, however he is not available until next year due to injuries suffered in his valiant win over Martin Murray last month”.

“Felix Sturmhas all but disappeared since losing his title, although Gennady has offered him an opportunity to fight for his title back in Germany.”

“Daniel Gealerelinquished his WBA “Super” title status in order to avoid having to face Gennady. Although he still has the IBF Title, we don’t see him wanting to face Gennady in a unification bout in the near future. ” continued Loeffler.

“WBO belt holder Peter Quillinhas been stuck fighting on undercards as opposed to main event status granted to a marketable, hard punching, world champion such as Golovkin.”

“Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. is one of the most popular fighters in the division. Fans have been clamoring to see a fight between him and Gennady, the division’s two hardest punchers. We would certainly welcome the opportunity to face him in a mega-event for the fans.”

Golovkin’s title defense against Macklin on JUNE 29 will be his third this year and fourth since debuting in the US and on HBO last September with a dominant fifth round stoppage of European Champion and top rated WBA contender Grzegorz Proksa.

Since the Proksa knockout, Golovkin has become one of the most talked about fighters in the sport.

This year Golovkin has fought at two of the premier boxing locations in the world, stopping Gabriel Rosado on JANUARY 19 in the seventh round at Madison Square Garden, ‘The Mecca of Boxing” and most recently knocking out former world champion Nobuhiro Ishida on MARCH 30 in Monte Carlo, a stunning stoppage that has become a top candidate for the 2013 Knockout of the Year.

Continued Loeffler, “Gennady told us that he wanted to stay busy in 2013, and that he would fight anyone from 154 to 168 anywhere in the world. Right now he’s on pace to fight up to five times this year, quite the contrast from many other top champions who are only fighting twice a year. Now that HBO is firmly behind him, we have the budget to go after high profile opponents such as Matthew Macklin.”

Golovkin arrived in Big Bear on Thursday, MAY 2, and weighed in at 166 at The Summit High Altitude Training Center according to his noted trainer Abel Sanchez.

Marcos Maidana vs. Josesito Lopez, a 12-round fight for Maidana's WBA Intercontinental Championship will take place on Saturday, June 8 at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. The event is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, sponsored by Corona and AT&T and will be televised live on SHOWTIMECHAMPIONSHIP BOXING beginning at 10p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. Also featured will be a 12-round super welterweight showdown between all-action warrior Alfredo "El Perro" Angulo and number one rated WBC super welterweight contender Erislandy Lara. SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING is available in Spanish on secondary audio programming (SAP). Maidana vs. Lopez is presented in association with Goossen Tutor Promotions and Thompson Boxing Promotions. Preliminary fights will air on SHOWTIME Extreme at 8 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

MOSCOW, Russia—World Boxing Association cruiserweight champion Denis Lebedev (25-1, 19 KOs), from Chekhov, Russia, and WBA cruiserweight champion in recess Guillermo “El Felino” Jones (38-3-2, 30 KOs), from Colon, Panama, are set to meet on May 17 at Crocus City Hall in Moscow, Russia. Co-promoter Don King has invited Russian President Vladimir Putin and Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli to attend the event.

“I have invited the leaders of Russia and Panama to attend our big boxing event in Moscow on May 17 as the world champions in the main event hail from these great countries,” King said. “Sports can transcend boundaries and bring us together, so what better way to exemplify that than to have these great leaders on the scene supporting their countrymen.”

The event will take place in the beautiful 7,000-seat Crocus City Hall and has been dubbed “Fight For Peace, The One Will Stand.”

“It’s to Russia with love and understanding, a sports extravaganza to bring people together for peace, democracy and freedom. President Putin said, ‘Nobody and nothing will stop Russia on the road to strengthening democracy and ensuring human rights and freedoms,’ and I support him in his quest to make a better Russia for the Russian people.”

Salita Doesn't Want to Retire, Hopes to Face Bracero

Last month, Dmitriy Salita was quoted in Haaertz as saying, "Physically, I feel great, but the business and inconsistency of the sport has me seriously thinking about doing something else." The former world title challenger recently clarified his comments, telling The Jewish Boxing Blog, "I do not want to retire from the ring. However, I have a family and that is my first focus. Boxing is my job!"

Salita has made a yeoman's effort to step up the competition in recent years, but it's been all for not. Former world champion Mike Anchondo backed out of a fight with Salita twice, once in December of 2010 and again the following spring. Salita signed a contract to face Ismael El-Massoudi sometime late in 2011 or early in 2012, but El Massoudi pulled out. Next, Salita called out beltholder Paulie Malignaggi. Malignaggi said he'd love to fight Dmitiry, but then went in another direction.

Most recently, Salita was scheduled to take on Hector Camacho Jr. The fight was initially postponed due to an injury incurred by one of the main event fighters and then was bizarrely cancelled. Salita explained that, after the fight was inexplicably shelved by Golden Boy Promotions, "Post-cancellation we tried to do the Camacho fight ourselves, but he did not want to take it."

Salita added, "We sold loads of tickets for Camacho fight that we had to return post-cancellation. I did get a lot of frustrated long time fans that did not understand why my fight got cancelled. I hope that it does not damage my relationship with my fans and supporters."

Dmitriy has now turned his sights to another Brooklynite, Gabriel Bracero (22-1, 4 KOs). Salita hopes the fight will be televised by Showtime and will take place on June 22 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. For his part, Bracero announced on Twitter, "I love the idea."

Salita concluded, "At this level of my career, I need the network and promoter to want to make these step up fights... My friends in the boxing world tell me that logically it does not make sense that I do not get good opportunities, especially in New York City, the world's biggest Jewish metropolis. My record and fan support should make things easy, but they are very hard. I honestly feel that I have been getting second class treatment. It's very frustrating as you can imagine."

Salita vs. Bracero would be an interesting fight with a lot of local appeal, although it might be relegated to Showtime Extreme, unfortunately. The winner should vault himself into contention to fight another name opponent at welterweight, possibly on the main Showtime channel. Hopefully, the fight gets made; both men deserve it.

DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla.—Emerging lightweight boxer Bahodir “Baha” Mamadjonov traveled to Don King’s office in South Florida today to sign a long-term promotional agreement with the legendary promoter. 

A heralded amateur with over 200 fights, Mamadjonov won several championships fighting out of his native Uzbekistan before moving to Houston two years ago to turn professional under the guidance of trainer Ken Richardson.  He has fought often and risen rapidly as evidenced by his record: 13-1 with nine knockouts.

“Signing with Don King brings me closer to my goal of winning a world championship,” Mamadjonov said.  “That is what drives me every day.  I want to win a world title for my family and the people of Uzbekistan who always believed in me.”

Key to Mamadjonov’s success has been a fearlessness and work ethic that has allowed the 25-year-old to take fights on short notice that less industrious fighters would have missed.  His trainer said some have gone as far as criticizing him for moving his fighter along too fast.

“My belief is that if a boxer is prepared and stays in training year-round, he can and should be ready to fight at all times,” Richardson said.  “Baha is passionate about the sport and wants to fight as often as he can.”

Mamadjonov’s rapid rise began when his first six fights took place in less than six months.  That was in 2011. He fought six more times in 2012. 

Richardson further tempted fate by accepting four key fights for Mamadjonov in the last 16 months on notice varying from two weeks down to three days.

Archie Ray Marquez was 12-1 before facing Mamadjonov on Nov. 10, 2011, and Michael Clark was 42-6 going in against the Uzbeki on March 1, 2012.  Mamadjonov won both fights by decision, serving notice he would be a force to be reckoned with.

Undefeated Darley Perez was to have met Michael Katsidis last August, but Katsidis pulled out two weeks before the fight with a knee injury.  Mamadjonov took the fight and dominated until round five when an accidental clash of heads resulted in blurred vision in his left eye. 

After suffering a flash knockdown in round eight, Mamadjonov still almost won the fight, which went to Perez by split decision after 10 rounds.

Another undefeated and touted lightweight, Angelo Santana, lost his opponent on April 12 just one week before the match. Mamadjonov willingly accepted the challenge and made the most of the opportunity.

After suffering a flash knockdown from a Santana jab in round 2, Mamadjonov took control of the fight. After six rounds, the three judges had the fight scored even at 66 apiece. 

In a pivotal round eight, Mamadjonov battered Santana unmercifully along the ropes before he crumbled to the mat.  The Cuban made it to round nine, but Mamadjonov floored him twice more before the referee halted the contest.

“I hit Santana with a body shot in the seventh round and I heard him groan so I tried to stop him,” Mamadjonov said.  “In the eighth round, I said to myself, ‘Baha, you must stop him now.’  “Don’t forget, I took the fight on short notice and had to lose a lot of weight quickly.  There was no time for me to waste.”

Promoter Don King loves what he has seen from his newest fighter.

“I am extremely pleased and proud to have Baha with me,” King said.  “I expect great things from this young man because he’s dedicated and committed to becoming a world champion.  He took the fight with Santana on almost no notice and stopped a great lightweight.

“Baha reveres industrialist Alisher Usmanov from his native Uzbekistan and he wants to bring a world title back home for him and the people of Uzbekistan.”

Mamadjonov risked everything to come to the United States to pursue his dream of winning a world title.

“When you see me fight ferociously it’s because I want to achieve great things,” Mamadjonov said.  “I want a world title more than anything I have ever dreamed of in my life.”

Mamadjonov is proud to be represented by King.

“Don King is a superstar in my country,” Mamadjonov said.  “Just the fact I was meeting with him in his office today was news in Uzbekistan.  I can’t wait to tell everyone back home he is now my promoter.

Trainer-manager Richardson echoed the feelings of his fighter.

“Don always took my calls when I was looking for a promoter,” Richardson said, “and I never forget that.  When fate brought us together for the Santana fight, I was reminded that Don is a world promoter.  I’ve always said that if you are or want to be a world champion boxer, Don King is the guy you want to be with.”

Chicago, IL, Thursday, May 9, 2013--This week "Hitz Boxing," the online actuality show produced by Bobby Hitz and Frankie "Hollywood" Rodriguez, has surpassed 5 million cumulative views on YouTube, since it launched in August of last year. The show, which gives viewers behind the scenes access to Hitz's life as a boxing promoter, stars him, Rodriguez and Renee Tedesco, who serves as the chief operating officer of the boxing operation. Episodes can be found on YouTube or hitzboxing.com.

"When we started this show last year I knew that it could attract a decent following, but we had no idea it would be as successful as it is," said Hitz. "This show is not about boxing, its about the lives of the people who work in this industry. Its great sharing our stories."

Hitz and Rodriguez call "Hitz Boxing" an "actuality show" as opposed to a reality show because its not staged like many reality shows. Whether its following the cast around on fight night and on other boxing related business or spending personal time with them at birthday parties or school plays, "Hitz Boxing" gives the viewers full access. After 17 episodes the show is averaging just over 300,000 views per installment.

"This is a peak into the lives of normal people who working in an industry they love and are trying to make a living like everyone else. That is why it is so popular," said Rodriguez. "The world of boxing is chaotic and fun. Its like 'Rocky' meets 'Jersey Shore.'"

In addition to Hitz, Rodriguez and Tedesco, viewers meet numerous consultants, managers, commissioners, trainers, ring card girls, sponsors and boxers including Frank Scalise, Dimar Ortuz, Mike "Hollywood" Jimenez and Simon Buettner.

Since its debut in 1991, Hitz Boxing has been the Midwest's leading boxing promoter. Led by Bobby Hitz, who boasted a 21-4 record with 18 KO's as a boxer, Hitz Boxing is the longest running boxing promoter in the Chicago area dating back to the bi-monthly boxing series the "Ramada Rumble," held at the former Rosemont Ramada Inn. The organization currently promotes the wildly popular "Fight Night at the Horseshoe" at the Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, IN and is the subject of "Hitz Boxing," a reality show airing on YouTube which has amassed over 3 million views. Over the years the organization has produced matches that have included some of the top names in boxing such as James Toney, Antonio Tarver, Montell Griffin, Iran Barkley, Andrew Golota and "Fast" Fres Oquendo.