Weekly Rankings

2 April 2013

* = new entry

Heavyweight

1. Wladimir Klitschko

2. Vitali Klitschko

3. David Haye

4. Alexander Povetkin

5. Tomasz Adamek

6. Kubrat Pulev

7. Eddie Chambers

8. Tyson Fury

9. Tony Thompson

10. Robert Helenius

Cruiserweight

1. Marco Huck

2. Yoan Pablo Hernandez

3. Kryzstof Wlodarczyk

4. Ola Afolabi

5. Denis Lebedev

6. Antonio Tarver

7. Troy Ross

8. Lateef Kayode

9. Francisco Palacios

10. Firat Arslan

Light Heavyweight

Champion Chad Dawson

1. Bernard Hopkins

2. Jean Pascal

3. Sergey Kovalev

4. Tavoris Cloud

5. Nathan Cleverly

6. Beibut Shumenov

7. Gabriel Campillo

8. Karo Murat

9. Denis Grachev *

10. Issac Chilemba

Super Middleweight

Champion Andre Ward

1. Carl Froch

2. Mikkel Kessler

3. Lucian Bute

4. Robert Stieglitz

5. Arthur Abraham

6. Thomas Oosthuizen

7. Sakio Bika

8. George Groves

9. Edwin Rodriguez

10. Adonis Stevenson

Middleweight

Champion Sergio Martinez

1. Daniel Geale

2. Gennady Golovkin

3. Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr.

4. Peter Quillin

5. Matthew Macklin

6. Sam Soliman

7. Felix Sturm

8. Martin Murray

9. Dmitry Pirog

10. Marco Antonio Rubio

Junior Middleweight

1. Floyd Mayweather

2. Austin Trout

3. Erislandy Lara

4. Saul Alvarez

5. Miguel Cotto

6. James Kirkland

7. Carlos Molina

8. Vanes Martirosyan

9. Ishe Smith

10. Gabriel Rosado

Welterweight

1. Floyd Mayweather

2. Juan Manuel Marquez

3. Manny Pacquiao

4. Timothy Bradley

5. Robert Guerrero

6. Devon Alexander

7. Josesito Lopez

8. Victor Ortiz

9. Paulie Malignaggi

10. Keith Thurman

Junior Welterweight

1. Danny Garcia

2. Lucas Matthysse

3. Lamont Peterson

4. Amir Khan

5. Mike Alvarado ↑

6. Brandon Rios ↓

7. Zab Judah

8. Juan Manuel Marquez

9. Olusegun Ajose

10. Khabib Allakhverdiev

Lightweight

1. Adrien Broner

2. Ricky Burns

3. Miguel Vazquez

4. Richard Abril

5. Antonio DeMarco

6. Paulus Moses

7. Raymundo Beltran

8. Hank Lundy

9. Sharif Bogere

10. Gavin Rees

Junior Lightweight

1. Takashi Uchiyama

2. Argenis Mendez

3. Juan Carlos Burgos

4. Roman Martinez

5. Miguel Beltran Jr.

6. Yuriorkis Gamboa

7. Juan Carlos Salgado

8. Gamaliel Diaz

9. Takahiro Aoh

10. Diego Magdaleno

Featherweight

1. Mikey Garcia

2. Chris John

3. Daniel Ponce De Leon

4. Jhonny Gonzalez

5. Orlando Salido

6. Juan Manuel Lopez

7. Evgeny Gradovich

8. Elio Rojas

9. Daud Yordan

10. Javier Fortuna

Junior Featherweight

Champion: Nonito Donaire

1. Guillermo Rigondeuax

2. Abner Mares

3. Jeffrey Mathebula

4. Victor Terrazas

5. Carl Frampton

6. Rico Ramos

7. Cristian Mijares

8. Vic Darchinyan

9. Scott Quigg

10. Jonathan Romero

Bantamweight

1. Anselmo Moreno

2. Shinsuke Yamanaka

3. Leo Santa Cruz

4. Koki Kameda

5. Hugo Ruiz

6. Joseph Agbeko

7. Malcolm Tunacao

8. Jamie McDonnell

9. Stephane Jamoye

10. Julio Ceja

Junior Bantamweight

1. Omar Narvaez

2. Yota Sato

3. Kohei Kono

4. Tepparith Singwancha

5. Juan Carlos Sanchez

6. Suriyan Sor Rungvisai

7. Juan Alberto Rosas

8. Marco Demecillo

9. Daniel Rosas

10. Carlos Cuadras

Flyweight

Champion Toshiyuki Igarashi

1. Brian Viloria

2. Moruti Mthalane

3. Edgar Sosa

4. Hernan Marquez

5. Sonny Boy Jaro

6. Juan Carlos Reveco

7. Luis Concepcion

8. Milan Melindo

9. Rocky Fuentes

10. Wilbert Uicab

Junior Flyweight

1. Roman Gonzalez

2. Adrian Hernandez
3. Ulises Solis

4. Donnie Nietes

5. John Riel Casimero

6. Kompayak Porpramook

7. Kazuto Ioka

8. Pedro Guevara

9. Masayuki Kuroda

10. Juan Francisco Estrada

Strawweight

1. Katsunari Takayama *

2. Moises Fuentes

3. Mario Rodriguez ↓

4. Nkosinathi Joyi

5. Akira Yaegashi

6. Raul Garcia

7. Ryo Miyazaki

8. Pornsawan Porpramook

9. Wanheng Menayothin

10. Juan Palacios

New York, NY (April 4, 2013) – MSG Network’s Emmy Award-winning series “The Lineup” will return this month with eight new episodes starting Monday, April 8 at 10:30 p.m. “The Lineup: Best Sports Movies,” presented by Tri-State Ford, will attempt to answer one of the most talked about topics among sports fans – what is the greatest sports film of all-time? New episodes from the series will run Monday through Thursday between April 8 and April 18. A full schedule is included below.

Hosted by veteran broadcaster and former Yankees catcher Fran Healy, each 30-minute episode will present five films in one of eight different categories: Baseball, Basketball, Football, Boxing, Golf, Hockey, Horse Racing and Miscellaneous. Healy, along with an expert panel from the film industry – Academy Award-nominated director, producer and actor Spike Lee; Emmy Award-winning actor and writer Robert Wuhl; Academy Award-nominated actor Chazz Palminteri; and acclaimed film critic Jeffrey Lyons – will discuss and debate each film until they ultimately decide on the best of the group.

“The debate over the best sports movie is almost as old as sports itself,” said Healy. “And New Yorkers show as much passion defending their favorite sports movie as they do defending their favorite team, so this series should get some enthusiastic conversations started.”

Some of the athletes and celebrities who offer up their thoughts on the best sports movies throughout the show include: Knicks Carmelo Anthony, Amar’e Stoudemire, Tyson Chandler, Jason Kidd, Steve Novak and Marcus Camby; Rangers captain Ryan Callahan; Rangers greats Mark Messier, Brian Leetch and Mike Richter; Yankees Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera; former Mets David Cone and Mookie Wilson; Giants Eli Manning, Victor Cruz and Prince Amukamara; Boxing great Gerry Cooney; television personality Keith Olberman; and actors Tracy Morgan, Steve Schirripa; John Leguizamo, Vanessa Hudgens and Billy Baldwin.

“The Lineup: Best Sports Movies” is the third installment from “The Lineup” franchise. “The Lineup: New York’s All-Time Best Baseball Players” premiered in the spring of 2010 and “The Lineup: Hits & Errors – The Best and Worst Deals in New York Baseball” made its debut in the spring of 2012.

QUOTES FROM THE SERIES

Mariano Rivera, New York Yankees

On The Natural:

“I love the movie. I don't know about that ball exploding, though. I don't know about that. I haven't seen that happen.”

Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks

On playing for Hoosiers’ Coach Dale:

“It would be very difficult because as a kid you don’t really understand the game… so to have somebody on you like that every second, every day, all day, it can be tough.”

Keith Olberman, Television Personality

On Raging Bull:

“There's something intense about (De Niro’s) acting. There's something that he does that very few of them do, where if he came in tomorrow playing George Washington in a movie, you'd believe that's what George Washington looked like. Not a lot of those guys can do that.”

Tyson Chandler, New York Knicks

On White Men Can’t Jump:

“I love the movie White Men Can’t Jump. It’s just that era and that time of basketball, that’s what street ball was all about and what was going on. Venice Beach was an area I grew up in so, I really enjoyed that movie.”

Jason Kidd, New York Knicks

On Hoosiers:

“Hoosiers is a great movie because there are so many story lines and it just shows that a team can come together and if you believe in one another, you can win.”

Gerry Cooney, Boxing Legend

On Raging Bull:

“Jake LaMotta is a very good friend of mine and that was really him…he was the guy who was against the odds and he stuck it out and became Champion of the World. He’s what boxing is really about. When you look at boxing in the dictionary his picture’s next to it.”

John Thompson, Georgetown Coaching Legend

On Hoosiers:

“It touches your heart. It’s an underdog story. It’s a story about a group of kids who are building…when I started at St. Anthony’s High School, it was the only co-ed Catholic high school in Washington. It had probably about 20 boys and all of them were athletes. And you thought about building your program. So when you saw Hoosiers, you say to yourself the underdog team did well. I thought it was a great movie.”

Joe Namath, Former Jets Legend

On North Dallas Forty:

“Yeah, that was gritty, that was pretty close to a lot of things. Nolte was very good. I enjoyed that movie. I enjoyed it more 20 years later, because when you're a football player, at least this one, I have a tendency to critique everything that’s going on right now…we wouldn't do that, we wouldn't be….so it’s distracting. But years later I looked at North Dallas Forty again, and I really appreciated it.”

Steve Schirripa, Actor

On Raging Bull:

“Everybody loved that movie, of course, with what De Niro did, but it was also a history lesson. Not that many people knew about Jake LaMotta before that movie. Now everyone knows. Before that, who’s Jake LaMotta? At least for younger people. And you got a little mob stuff in there, you got boxing stuff, you got New York stuff. That movie had the whole thing.”

PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE

Monday, April 8 @ 10:30pm – “The Lineup: Best Sports Movies” – Baseball

Tuesday, April 9 @ 11:00pm – “The Lineup: Best Sports Movies” – Basketball

Wednesday, April 10 @ 11:00pm – “The Lineup: Best Sports Movies” – Football

Thursday, April 11 @ 11:30pm – “The Lineup: Best Sports Movies” – Boxing

Monday, April 15 @ 10:30pm – “The Lineup: Best Sports Movies” – Golf

Tuesday, April 16 @ 9:00pm – “The Lineup: Best Sports Movies” – Hockey

Wednesday, April 17 @ 11:30pm – “The Lineup: Best Sports Movies” – Horse Racing

Thursday, April 18 @ 10:30pm – “The Lineup: Best Sports Movies” – Miscellaneous

MSG Networks is the exclusive local television home of the New York Knicks, New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, Buffalo Sabres, New York Liberty and New York Red Bulls, and the official regional sports networks of the New York Giants. MSG Networks also telecasts over 100 live college basketball games and over 40 live college football games from top national conferences (SEC, Big 12, Big East, Pac 12, Conference USA), as well as horse racing, boxing and award-winning original programming. In 2012, MSG Networks earned 16 New York Emmy Awards, including 14 for MSG – tops in the New York region for the third year in a row – and two for MSG+. Over the past five years, MSG Networks has totaled 77 New York Emmy Awards, including 69 for MSG – also the most of any New York station or network in that time – and eight for MSG+.

IF IT’S THURSDAY IT MUST BE MACAU!

FINAL ZOU SHIMING: FISTS OF GOLD

PRESS CONFERENCE TO BE STREAMED LIVE

FROM THE VENETIAN MACAO

TODAY! -- 11:30 P.M. ET / 8:30 P.M. PT

www.toprank.tv

MACAU (4 April 2013) – It is T-Minus two days and counting until world championship boxing premieres in Macau and the Shiming Dynasty begins! P.T. Barnum, Florenz Ziegfeld and Cecil B. DeMille combined could not create the excitement and anticipation that is rocking this Asian region as it prepares for its Olympic athletic hero ZOU SHIMING to make his professional debut. Headlining Zou Shiming: “Fists of Gold” – an eight-bout card featuring two world championship rumbles -- Shiming, the two-time Olympic Gold Medalist and three-time World Amateur Champion hailing from the Peoples Republic of China and trained by Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach, will dive into the professional waters against Eleazar Valenzuela (2-1-2, 1 KO), of Gusave, Sinaloa, México, in a four-round flyweight bout.

Promoted by Top Rank^® and Sands China Ltd, in association with Tecate, this brilliant event will be televised to the U.S. on Saturday, April 6, beginning at 2:00 p.m. ET/PT on HBO2. Calling the action from ringside at the CotaiArena™, The Venetian® Macao-Resort-Hotel will be broadcasting icons Tim Ryan and Larry Merchant and two-time heavyweight champion Big George Foreman.

The telecast will also feature two-time World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior lightweight champion ROMAN "Rocky" MARTINEZ defending his title against undefeated No. 1 contender DIEGO MAGDALENO and World Boxing Association (WBA)/WBO flyweight champion BRIAN "Hawaiian Punch" VILORIA defending his unified titles against Top-10- contender JUAN FRANCISCO ESTRADA.

Here are some quick notes:

· Today’s press conference will be streamed live at 11:30 p.m. ET / 8:30 p.m. PT via www.toprank.tv.

· Saturday’s international telecast, produced by Top Rank, will be seen in over 40 countries.

· Close to 75% of the tickets in the 15,000-seat CotaiArena have been sold.

· Top Rank has flown over 100 people into Macau to produce this mega event.

TODAY’S QUOTABLES:

Freddie Roach

· Zou Shiming is going to be a world champion in a short time – possibly inside one year. And I think he can do it in fewer fights than Leon Spinks, another Olympic Gold Medalist. Spinks dethroned Muhammad Ali in his seventh professional fight. I think Zou can do it by his sixth professional fight if not sooner.

· Zou has been at weight for most of this week. He is disciplined, smart and just plain good. He has impressed me on a daily basis. He is such a quick study.

· He’s a great student. He has so much talent. Anyone who can win two Olympic gold medals and three World Amateur Championships, you know he has to have talent. I think his amateur experience and accomplishments will take him a long, long way as a professional.

Zou Shiming

· Freddie has taught me a lot – including how to launch my power from my legs. How I can give my opponent body shots. A lot of things. He’s made me more skilled.

· In training camp with Freddie I have to avoid as many power punches from my sparring opponents as I can. I constantly need to remind myself this is not Olympic-style games. This is real. This is professional boxing.

· I am so excited for Saturday night. As big a night as it is for me it is even a bigger night for the sport of boxing and for boxing in China. My goal is to shine as bright a light on the sport in my country and to help advance its development here for amateurs and professionals alike.

*******************************************

Shiming, who trained with Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach at the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood, Calif., will make his pro debut against Eleazar Valenzuela (2-1-2, 1 KO), of Gusave, Sinaloa, México, in a four-round flyweight bout . One of the most popular Olympic athletes in the People's Republic of China, Shiming is the world's greatest amateur light flyweight, capturing gold medals in the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympic Games. In the 2005, 2007, and 2011 World Amateur Championships, Shiming also brought home gold medals, making him his nation’s first boxing gold medalist in the World Amateur Championships and the Olympics. He became his nation’s first Olympic medalist in boxing when he earned bronze in 2004. Known for his extraordinary speed and superb footwork, thanks to years of martial-arts training, many of Shiming's opponents complain that they cannot keep up with him, much less see his punches coming. He has stated that his heroes are Muhammad Ali and Jackie Chan.

Martinez (26-1-2, 16 KOs), from Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, captured his first world title in 2009, knocking out defending champion Nicky Cook out in the fourth round in front of Cook's countrymen in Manchester, England. Martinez successfully defended the title twice -- both by knockout -- during his one-year reign before losing it via a 12-round decision to Ricky Burns. He regained the title last September, winning a gritty split decision over top-rated contender Miguel Beltran, Jr. Martinez retained his title on January 19, surviving a challenge from Juan Burgos, which was judged Draw.

Magdaleno (23-0, 9 KOs), of Las Vegas, Nev., enters this fight having won six of his last eight fights by way of knockout. He captured the vacant NABF super featherweight title in 2011 by knocking out Marcos Leonardo in the fifth round and successfully defended that title five times during his title reign, which lasted through 2012, against top contenders who had a combined record of 137-31-5 when he fought them, en route to his No. 1 contender position.

Viloria (32-3, 19 KOs), a native Filipino who hails from of Waipahu, HI, is a two-division, three time world champion. The former U.S. Olympian captured his first world title, the World Boxing Council (WBC) light flyweight crown, in 2005, knocking out defending champion Eric Ortiz in the first round. He held the title for nearly one year before losing it Omar Nino. He earned his second world title in 2009, knocking out International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior flyweight champion Ulises Solis in the 11th round. After losing that title to Carlos Tamara the following year Viloria moved up to the flyweight division. He captured the WBO world title in 2011, upending defending champion Julio Miranda via a unanimous decision. After two successful defenses of his crown -- both by knockout -- Viloria unified the flyweight titles last November 17, knocking out WBA champion Hernan Marquez in the 10th round. Viloria enters this fight riding a three-year winning streak.

Estrada (22-2, 17 KOs), of Hermosillo, México, returns to the ring for his second straight world title shot. A natural flyweight, Estrada dropped down to challenge undefeated WBA light flyweight champion Roman Gonzalez last November 17, losing a unanimous decision. Now back at his natural fighting shape, Estrada will be looking to bring the flyweight world championship belts back to México.

RISING AMERICAN HEAVYWEIGHT STAR DEONTAY WILDER TO FACE AUDLEY HARRISON IN ACTION-PACKED 27 APRIL "THE RETURN OF THE KING" BILL AT MOTORPOINT ARENA SHEFFIELD

STACKED UNDERCARD ALSO FEATURES NATE CAMPBELL AND GARY SYKES

PLUS, PROFESSIONAL DEBUTS OF 2012 OLYMPIC BRONZE MEDALIST

ANTHONY OGOGO & PROSPECT HAROON KHAN

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND, April 3 - Deontay "Bronze Bomber" Wilder (27-0, 27 KO's) of Tuscaloosa, Alabama will be crossing the Atlantic to take on Harlesden's 2000 Olympic Gold Medalist Audley 'A-Force' Harrison (31-6, 23 KO's) in the co-featured fight that will headline a thrilling undercard on "The Return of the King: Khan vs. Diaz" bill at Motorpoint Arena Sheffield on Saturday 27 April.

Wilder, a rising star on the American heavyweight scene, has shown his phenomenal punching prowess by blasting his way past all of his opponents. The knockout king now steps into the ring against a respected veteran in Harrison who harbours his own dreams of reaching the top and fulfilling his potential.

The pair will clash in a 12-round heavyweight showdown with the victor propelling themselves into world title contention.

 "There's nothing like the day before, the morning of and night after you've claimed VICTORY," said Wilder. "The emotion, the excitement and adrenaline rush that I have is ready to explode out of me. I'm a starving lion that's ready to eat. On April 27 in Sheffield, England my next meal will be served; on the menu: Audley Harrison...Bon appetite. For the many fans in England, Deontay 'Bronze Bomber' Wilder is coming. You've been waiting for this moment and now it's here. I can't wait to show you guys why I am the light and the way for this dark division."

"Deontay is a fast, dangerous puncher, but he has not been tested as a pro," said Harrison. "I have lot of respect for him, so it's not personal, but this is the door I must walk through. Lose and it's over, win and I'm in the top ten for sure, eligible to challenge for the world title. Biggest risk, for the biggest reward. It can't get any better than that."

Also featured on the undercard will be former Unified Lightweight World Champion Nate "The Galaxxy Warrior" Campbell (36-10-1, 26 KO's) of Jacksonville, Florida who takes on the exciting undefeated Manchester prospect Terry "Turbo" Flannigan (19-0, 5 KO's) in a 10-round lightweight bout.

"It's a great honor to be fighting in England," said Campbell. "I'm in great shape and looking forward to returning to the lightweight division and this fight will serve notice as to how serious I am."

"I'm looking forward to showcasing my talents against a former world champion in Nate Campbell," said Flannigan. "This is the type of fight I have been waiting for and I'm ready to move up to the next level and prove that I belong there. It's going to be tough, but come the end of the fight, I have no doubt it will be my hand that is raised."

British fight fans will also be able to enjoy a simmering local rivalry with a Lancashire-Yorkshire battle set as former British Champion Gary "Five Star" Sykes (23-3, 5 KO's) puts his English super-featherweight crown on the line against Jon "2 Smokes" Kays (16-2-1, 4 KO's) in a 10-round clash.

No love has been lost between the duo and the April 27 card is all set for fireworks when they go head-to-head.

"John Kays is a good fighter so I will need to be at my best," said Sykes. "I know what to expect, but I'm confident and believe that my experience is going to help me. I'm coming off of a good winning streak and hope to put myself back into the mix for a British title shot by winning. I'm focused and am ready for this fight. I'm not giving up my English title to anyone."

"I'm going into this fight ready to give it everything," said Kays. "This is my time and I won't let anyone take it away from me. I'm super fit, have a good boxing brain and know I have the ability to cause him trouble. It won't be easy, but to get that title I'm willing to do whatever it takes. It's going to be a really exciting fight."

Also appearing on the show will be 2012 Olympic Bronze Medalist Anthony Ogogo of Lowestoft making his professional debut against Kieron Gray (5-13-1, 1 KO) of Telford in a six round middleweight fight and the younger brother of Amir Khan, Haroon Khan making his professional debut against an opponent to be determined in a four-round bantamweight fight. Plus, Manchester's Adrian Gonzales (6-1) facing Marc Callaghan (19-32-1, 4 KO's) of Barking in a six-round welterweight battle, Jack Catterral (3-0, 2 KO's) of Chorley taking on Marc McKray (4-18-1, 3 KO's) of Manchester in a four-round welterweight fight, Tomasz Mazurkiewicz (5-8-2, 1 KO) of Warsaw, Poland up against Doncaster's Adam Jones (2-3) in a four-round junior middleweight fight and Carl Spencer (2-0, 2 KO's) of Doncaster featured in a four round heavyweight bout.

"The Return of the King: Khan vs. Diaz" is a 12 round 143 pound catch-weight bout presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Khan Promotions and sponsored by JD Sport and Maxi Muscle.

Tickets priced at £300, £200, £125, £75 and £50 plus applicable taxes and service charges are on sale at the Motorpoint Arena box office, by calling (+44) 0114 256 5656, online at www.motorpointarenasheffield.co.uk or through Sports Corporation by calling 0845 163 0845 or at www.sportscorporation.com.

Fans in the United Kingdom can watch "The Return of the King: Khan vs. Diaz" live on BoxNation (Sky Channel 437 or Virgin Channel 546) on Saturday April 27. To subscribe visit www.boxnation.com.

Boxing writer extraordinaire Bernard Fernandez will be inducted into the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame Class of 2013, along with Mike Tyson, Marvelous Marvin Hagler and Ray Mercer.

He was the first media person to be inducted into the Pennsylvania Boxing Hall of Fame in 2005, received the Nat Fleischer Award from the BWAA in April 1999 for lifetime achievement and informed and entertained readers of the Philadelphia Daily News on the Penn State football and boxing beats.

Congratulations to Bernie, from the entire TSS Universe!

April 3, 2013, Macau, China --- "Countdown to - Fists of Gold" --- Zou Shiming, two-time Olympic gold medalist and three-time World Amateur Champion poses next to the official "Countdown Clock" Wednesday night at the Venetian Macau Resort in Macau ,China. Shiming will make his professional Top Rank boxing debut against Eleazar Valenzuela of Mexico on Saturday,April 6, at the Cotai Arena at The Venetian Macao Resort in Macau,China. This historic world championship boxing event will be televised to the U.S. on Saturday,April 6, beginning at 2:00 p.m. ET/PT on HBO2. --- Photo Credit : Chris Farina - Top Rank

Undefeated Lightweight Jonathan Maicelo to Meet Rustam Nugaev on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights

The April 5 edition of ESPN’s Friday Night Fights presented by Corona Extra will feature undefeated Lightweight Jonathan “Inca Peruano” Maicelo (16-0, 10 KOs), and Rustam “The Mongoose” Nugaev (22-6, 12 KOs) in the 10-round main event. Friday’s show from the Chumash Resort Casino in Santa Ynez, Calif., will air live at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN2 HD, ESPN Deportes+ and WatchESPN. Reairs of Friday’s show will be televised April 6, at 5 a.m. on ESPNEWS and 6:30 p.m. on ESPN Deportes. The card is promoted by Gary Shaw Productions.

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

Main Event:

New Jersey’s Maicelo, who will be making his U.S. television debut, is looking to continue his undefeated streak after a second-round TKO win over Tyler Ziolowski. A celebrity in his native Peru, he has appeared in T.V. commercials, has his own clothing line, and includes the President of Peru among his fans.

“Come April 5, the people of the United States are going to see a technical boxer, a boxer with a lot of drive, a lot of hunger, and a boxer they're going to want to see again,” Maicello said. “I will not disappoint and I'll give the fans what they want, which is action."

Los Angeles’ Nugaev, is looking to build momentum following an eight-round majority decision win over Shavkat Madaminov.

Co-Feature:
Friday’s 8-round co-feature will pit undefeated Lightweight Jorge “Machito” Maysonet Jr. (11-0, 10 KOs) against Gabriel “The Ghost” Tolmajyan (12-2-1, 3 KOs). Maysonet scored a second-round knockout win over Pedro Salcedo in his last fight, while Tolmajyan is coming off a six-round unanimous decision win over Juan Sandoval.

Opening Fight:

Friday’s card will open with a four-round Heavyweight bout between Avery Gibson (1-4-2, 0 KOs) and John Sarellano (professional debut).

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.

Sherman Oaks, CA (April 1) - Former world champion Rico "Suave" Ramos takes on Mexico's Oscar "Fantasma" Gonzalez in the featherweight main event broadcast by the very popular ESPN "Friday Night Fights" series on Friday, April 12 at the beautiful Little Creek Casino Resort in Shelton, WA.

Ramos (21-2, 11 KOs) lost his WBA junior featherweight world title to Cuban Guillermo Rigondeaux, who many consider the greatest Cuban boxer ever, and now faces upset minded Gonzalez (17-2, 13 KOs) with the winner placing them in contention for a world championship bout. In the semi-main bout, Farah Ennis (20-1, 12 KOs) will challenge the heavy-handed Francisco Sierra (25-7-1, 22 KOs) of Mexico in a super middleweight clash.

The world-class night of boxing is being promoted by Goossen Tutor Promotions and will take place in the Skookum Creek Event Center at Little Creek.

Los Angeles native Ramos, 25 is set on regaining his world championship status and a return to prominence by taking on the very tough task in Gonzalez to do it. The hard-hitting and durable Gonzalez, a native of Mexico City, has his thoughts on adding the former world champion to his resume.

The speedy Ramos lost a close decision two months ago and is anxious to turn things around. "I can't wait to get back into the ring and get back to my boxing style and winning ways. I was very disappointed with my last performance and have made that commitment of 'whatever it takes' attitude to turn things around," said Ramos. "I know I have the skills, talent and determination to take my career back to the world championship level. I am really grateful that I have the ESPN platform to showcase all of the hard work that I have put into the gym. My dedication will be evident to all of those fans that are ringside and watching me on ESPN on fight night."

Gonzalez, 23, who is promoted by former multi-world champion Erik Morales and Mexico's Zanfer Promotions, understands that a victory over Ramos can put him back on track for his career goal, a world title. The fight is scheduled for 10-rounds and will prove significant for the man that emerges victorious.

"I've seen Ramos fight before and I don't believe he's going to be able to take my punches," said Gonzalez. "Ramos is a talented fighter and a win over him, especially when I knock him out cold, will put me in a good position."

Promoter Dan Goossen echoed the sentiments of the fighters, "A career is on the line in the Ramos-Gonzalez fight. The winner moves on and the loser moves out. Can't have any more at stake than that."

Continued Goossen, "In the Ennis-Sierra bout, we will find out if Farah has what it takes to add his name to the likes of the other top super middleweights in the world. I know one thing, Sierra has spoiled many fighter dreams and he won't give up an inch to Ennis when the bell rings."

Little Creek Casino Resort is home to the highly acclaimed Salish Cliffs Golf Club and also recently celebrated the opening of Seven Inlets Spa, Skookum Spirit Cigar and Wine Lounge and a state-of-the-art RV Park.