Saturday evening at Madison Square Garden (ESPN, 9 p.m. ET), Terence “Bud” Crawford (35-0, 26 KOs) will defend his WBO Welterweight World title against Egidijus “Mean Machine” Kavaliauskas (21-0-1, 17 KOs).

The ESPN opener will see Irish sensation Michael “Mick” Conlan (12-0, 7 KOs) hoping to turn back amateur nemesis Vladimir Nikitin (3-0, 0 KOs) in a 10-rounder at featherweight. Nikitin defeated Conlan twice as an amateur, including in their 2016 Olympic quarterfinal bout, a decision that sparked international controversy.

At Wednesday’s final press conference, this is what the fighters had to say.

Terence Crawford

“I’m starting to get used to fighting on these big stages, so it ain’t nothing new to me. This week is going to be a great, spectacular show. I am well-prepared for whatever he brings to the table, and I’m sure they know that as well.”

“Nothing really changed between me and {trainer Brian McIntyre}. We’re a team. Iron sharpens iron. We added some more great fighters to the team. We’re pushing each other each and every day in camp. If I’m tired, {Maurice Hooker} will talk to me, ‘Come on little guy, you tired?’ And that just motivates each and every one of us to go that extra mile. Either we’re running, sparring, hitting the bag. Everything is a competition when we’re in the camp.”

“I’m not focused on no other opponent besides the opponent that’s in front of me. My goal is to make sure I get the victory come this weekend, and that’s the only person I’m focused on now. Anyone else is talk. It goes in one ear and out the other. He’s young, hungry and I’m not taking him lightly.”

Egidijus “Mean Machine” Kavaliauskas

“Crawford was on my mind from the start of training camp in June. So every day was Crawford, Crawford, Crawford. My mindset is good. I’m happy for this fight. When this fight was made officially, I was super happy. I was smiling all day. I want to fight the best, and we’re fighting in the Mecca of Boxing.”

“We started {training} in June, but we started light. Still, all the tactics, everything was about how Crawford fights, which stance {he’ll use}. Sparring, we had lots of different guys, southpaw, orthodox, guys in different stances. And the training camp, [we worked on} speed, power, sparring, technique and tactics, all in this five, six months.”

“Going straight ahead to Crawford is not an option because he’s too smart and he showed in his last fight that he’s smart in the ring. So, yeah, we’ll work on my combinations. We don’t want to go very wild at him.”

Bob Arum On Commey-Lopez

“Some young man who has three of the lightweight titles and is looking to fight for a fourth will be on hand. He’s coming in on Friday to watch this match. Vasiliy Lomachenko will be here. A lot at stake in this Lopez fight with Commey. Both great fighters.”

Photos: Mikey Williams / Top Rank

Anthony Joshua has insisted that he hasn’t underestimated Andy Ruiz Jr. “one bit” ahead of their unified Heavyweight World title clash at Madison Square Garden in New York on Saturday June 1, shown live on DAZN in the US and Sky Sports Box Office in the UK.

The California-based Mexican is in his second World title tilt having pushed former WBO Heavyweight ruler Joseph Parker to the limit in the Kiwi’s hometown in December 2016, being edged out by the finest of margins via a majority decision.

Ruiz has another golden opportunity to create history by becoming the first ever Mexican Heavyweight World Champion in the Big Apple next week and the ‘Destroyer’ has warned IBF, WBA, WBO and IBO champ ‘AJ’ to under-estimate him at his peril.

Joshua heads into his highly-anticipated US debut as a heavy favourite with many bookies but the British sensation says he is all too aware of the threats posed by his latest challenger, who he feels is deserving of a second World title shot after stepping up to the plate when others shied-away.

“It’s not about what you look like, it’s a craft, a skill, and what’s in your heart and your head matters in the end,” said Joshua. “Andy has shown he has all that, he can fight and box, that’s what matters. I think Andy is a great challenger and will bring it on June 1.

“All I’ve heard is ‘AJ will smash him in a round’. From the outside they think that anyone can box, so how is the guy that doesn’t look like a fighter able to box? I always say that if you put ten bodybuilders in the ring, not one of them could fight for a regional title in boxing.

“Take me out of my body but keep the same attributes and height, same jab, same chin, same heart and same mind, but I looked different – I’d still get to the same position I am in because it’s what is within you that makes a champion, your genetics, and his genetics are the same – and he took the fight!

“He’s keen, he’s game and you cannot knock him. He can fight and he’s got hands. He gave a World Champion in Joseph Parker lots of problems, and when you look at the fight the Parker gave Whyte when people are saying Whyte can beat Wilder, Fury and me, Andy is championship level for sure, and I have not underestimated him one bit.”

Joshua and Ruiz clash on a huge night of action at MSG with Irish sensation Katie Taylor clashing with Delfine Persoon for the undisputed Women’s World Lightweight championship, New Yorker Chris Algieri defending his WBO International title against Tommy Coyle is a crunch Super-Lightweight showdown and Josh Kelly making his US debut as he defends his WBA International Welterweight title against Philadelphia’s Ray Robinson – with more exciting undercard additions announced this week.

Tickets for the huge night of World title action in New York are on sale now via Madison Square Garden and StubHub (www.stubhub.com)

Tickets can be purchased at the Madison Square Garden Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster charge by phone (866-858-0008) and online at www.ticketmaster.com or www.MSG.com.

Official Ticket and Travel Packages, including the opportunity to travel on the Official Charter Plane, are available to purchase via Sportsworld (www.sportsworld.co.uk) Prices start at £1,095. Reserve your seat today.

Tickets are priced, $106, $156, $206, $306, $406, $506, $756, $1,006, $1,256 and $2,506 plus applicable booking fees.

Wheelchair seats, companion seats, aisle seats and Assistive Listening Devices are available to purchase by calling 212-465-6034.

🏆 HISTORY! 🏆@SerranoSisters gets the first-round KO to win a title in her SEVENTH weight division! 💯 pic.twitter.com/pZSiu43xch

— DAZN USA (@DAZN_USA) January 19, 2019

Serrano made it a quick night of work, stopping Voraberger to grab the WBO title in just 35 seconds.
By Wil Esco

Amanda Serrano said the hardest part of tonight’s fight would be making the weight, and proved as much as she plowed through Eva Voraberger in only 35 seconds of the first round to win the WBO super flyweight title. In winning the title, Serrano won a major world title in her seventh weight class.

Serrano (36-1-1, 27 KOs) started really quickly tonight, opening up on Voraberger with combinations that were landing from the opening bell. Then a sharp left hook to the body from Serrano hit Voraberger on the live, and Voraberger went down. At that point Voraberger just couldn’t get off the canvas to beat the count, ending the fight promptly.

In the post-fight interview Serrano was asked if she wanted to go for a title in an eighth division, but Serrano pumped the brakes on that for a moment, saying she instead wants to defend her newly-won WBO title for the time being. Serrano was also asked about a prospective fight against Katie Taylor, and Serrano simply said when that fight presents herself she just hopes Taylor is ready for her.

https://www.badlefthook.com/2019/1/18/18188965/amanda-serrano-destroys-eva-voraberger-wins-title-in-7th-divisionhttps://www.badlefthook.com/2019/1/18/18188965/amanda-serrano-destroys-eva-voraberger-wins-title-in-7th-division

NEW YORK CITY (Sept. 25, 2018) – Vasiliy Lomachenko is ready to take another bite out of the Big Apple. Lomachenko, the pound-for-pound superstar and WBA lightweight world champion, will look to unify world titles for the first time as a professional when he clashes with WBO champion Jose “Sniper” Pedraza on Saturday, Dec. 8 at 9 p.m. ET, live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden. This marks Lomachenko’s fourth main event appearance at a Madison Square Garden venue.

Lomachenko-Pedraza will headline a special edition of Top Rank on ESPN, which will follow the 84th Annual Heisman Memorial Trophy Presentation.

Promoted by Top Rank, ticket and undercard information for this world championship event will be announced soon.

“Boxing fans are excited that Vasiliy Lomachenko will be back in action on Dec. 8,” said Top Rank CEO Bob Arum. “He knows that in WBO champion Jose Pedraza, he faces a tough opponent with a style that may give him a lot of trouble.”

“I am ready to fight an excellent opponent like Jose Pedraza,” Lomachenko said. “My goal has always been to unify the titles, and Pedraza is standing in my way. There is something special about fighting in New York City and at Madison Square Garden. The fans in New York City are true boxing fans, and I can’t wait to put on another spectacular performance for them.”

“I am grateful to have this opportunity, since I didn’t get the chance to unify titles when I was champion in the junior lightweight division,” Pedraza said. “In this division, I will achieve my goal, and I will do it against one of the best boxers in the world. There will be a surprise on Dec. 8!”

“We are thrilled to bring fans one of the year’s marquee boxing events to ESPN,” said ESPN’s Burke Magnus, executive vice president, programming and scheduling. “Currently ranked as the top pound-for-pound fighter in the sport, Lomachenko is who fans want to watch. His historic victory last year on this night was a tremendous success, and we look forward to showcasing the world’s best once again.”

Lomachenko (11-1, 9 KOs) is widely considered to be the greatest amateur boxer in history, as he posted a 396-1 record with Olympic gold medals for his native Ukraine in 2008 and 2012. In the pro ranks, he has continued to etch his name in the history books. Lomachenko tied a boxing record by winning a world title in his third pro bout on June 21, 2014, a clear points win against Gary Russell Jr. to claim the vacant WBO featherweight title. He made three defenses of that title before moving up to 130 pounds. In his debut at 130 pounds, Lomachenko knocked out Roman Martinez with an uppercut-hook combination to win the WBO junior lightweight world title. Following the Martinez bout, Lomachenko began an unprecedented streak of four consecutive opponents – Nicholas Walters, Jason Sosa, Miguel Marriaga, and Guillermo Rigondeaux – retiring on their stools. The Rigondeaux bout, which took place last December at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden, was the first time in boxing history that a pair of two-time Olympic gold medalists fought as professionals. After six rounds, Rigondeaux quit on his stool.

With nothing left to prove at 130 pounds, Lomachenko moved up to lightweight and challenged WBA champion Jorge Linares. On May 12 at Madison Square Garden, Lomachenko suffered a labral tear of his right shoulder in the second round and was knocked down with a right hand in the sixth, only to come back and stop Linares with a left hand to the body in the 10th round. The Linares victory signified another milestone for Lomachenko. In becoming a three-weight world champion in 12 professional fights, he broke the previous record set by Jeff Fenech (20 fights) in 1988. Lomachenko has knocked out eight consecutive opponents dating back to his fourth professional bout in 2014.

Pedraza (25-1, 12 KOs), from Cidra, Puerto Rico, has climbed back to the top of the sport following a January 2017 TKO loss to Gervonta Davis that saw him relinquish his IBF junior lightweight world title. He returned 14 months later as a lightweight on March 17, shutting out Jose Luis Rodriguez over eight rounds at the Hulu Theater at Madison Garden. After a hard-fought 10-round unanimous decision against Antonio Moran on June 9, Pedraza traveled to Glendale, Ariz., on Aug. 25 to face WBO lightweight world champion Ray Beltran. He scored an 11th-round knockdown to seal the unanimous decision victory, becoming only the second male Puerto Rican fighter to win world titles at 130 and 135 pounds.

NEW YORK — Undefeated World Junior Welterweight Champion and top pound for pound fighter TERENCE “Bud” CRAWFORD will make his 2017 debut, Saturday, May 20, at the Mecca of Boxing, Madison Square Garden.  This will also be his debut headlining in the big room — a testament both to his talent and his growing popularity.  Photos by Ed Mulholland.

Crawford will be defending his unified World Boxing Organization (WBO) / World Boxing Council (WBC) / Ring magazine titles against former Olympic gold medalist and top-rated contender FÉLIX DÍAZ in a marquee all-action fight.  It will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing, beginning at 10:15 p.m. ET/PT.

“Crawford vs. Díaz was made for The Garden and I anticipate a battle between these two warriors worthy of its moniker as the Mecca of Boxing,” said Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum.

“Come May 20, I will be ready for whatever Félix Díaz brings to the ring that night,” said Crawford.  “It’s going to be a great experience fighting at Madison Square Garden in the big arena where all the greats have fought.  I’m looking forward to that night.”

“We’ve got our work cut out for us fighting against another Olympic gold medalist,” said Brian McIntyre, Crawford’s trainer and co-manager.  “It’s an honor to fight in the arena at Madison Square Garden.  It’s a step up going from The Theater into the big room.”

“First, I would like to thank the man upstairs for making my dream come true.  I would also like to thank Lou DiBella, Al Haymon, HBO and my manager Jose Nuñez for working around the clock to get me to this point,” said Díaz.  “The time has finally come. I will share a ring with one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world and I tip my hat to Crawford for accepting me as an opponent on May 20 because I am no pushover. I’m coming to bring my A-game and I couldn’t be more grateful to be able to showcase my skills on HBO and at Madison Square Garden, which is just 15 minutes from where I live.  I will take full advantage of this opportunity.  I respect Crawford and believe he is a great fighter, but every king can be dethroned.”

“Félix Díaz is an Olympic gold medalist, a seasoned professional and the best fighter Terence Crawford has ever fought.  We have been chasing this fight for a year because Felix and our team believe we can win.  The fans will win when they see a terrific, competitive fight on May 20th,” said Lou DiBella, the promoter of Díaz.

“On May 20, unified champ Terence Crawford faces gold medalist Félix Díaz in a fight to light up Madison Square Garden,” said Peter Nelson, Executive Vice President, HBO Sports.  “Holding two belts and a place on any top pound for pound list, Terence Crawford looks to have his 2017 debut make a big statement in the Big Apple.  Fans will see both fighters’ mettle tested at the Mecca of Boxing.”

www.boxingscene.boxingscene.com/photos-terence-crawford-felix-diaz-go-face-face-msg–115285?print_friendly=1

 Félix Verdejo ha peleado en el Garden en cinco ocasiones en su corta carrera profesional Peter Amador/Top Rank –

SAN JUAN — El cotizado prospecto Félix ‘El Diamante’ Verdejo y su compañero de cuadra, Christopher ‘Pitufo’ Díaz, partieron en la tarde del lunes a la ciudad de Nueva York de cara a sus compromisos en el evento que tendrá lugar en el Teatro del Madison Square Garden.

Para Verdejo, el más adelantado de ambos, va camino a su tercera defensa del título Latino del peso ligero de la Organización Mundial de Boxeo (OMB).

El púgil de 22 años, enfrentará al también invicto peleador brasileño William Silva, en el choque que servirá de antesala a la defensa titular del campeón junior welter del OMB, Terrence Crawford ante Henry Lundy.

Verdejo está tercero en la OMB y una victoria podría acercarlo aún más a su anhelada oportunidad de título mundial, aunque tanto el púgil como su equipo de trabajo no han definido con exactitud si inclinarse por una correa en las 135 o en las 130 libras.

Ambas divisiones son viables para el exolímpico.

“Yo diría que eso es una oportunidad que vendrá en unos meses”, dijo con una gran sonrisa Verdejo. “Agarraremos ese título mundial porque nos estamos preparando para eso”.

Verdejo, que tiene marca perfecta de 19-0 y 14 KO, saldrá de Puerto Rico acompañado por su grupo de trabajo encabezado por el entrenador Ricky Márquez, el hijo de éste último, Jason Márquez.

Díaz, el otro gran prospecto de la cuadra, y que hace campaña en el peso pluma, tiene récord de 14-0 y 9 nocáuts. Recientemente, el llamado ‘Pitufo’, fue firmado por la empresa Top Rank con quien realizó la mayoría de sus primeros combates en profesional.

Para Verdejo ésta será su sexta pelea en la ciudad de Nueva York y su quinta en el Garden. Para Díaz, que ha formado parte de al menos siete eventos en los que ha estado activo Verdejo, está será su segunda pelea en la ‘Gran Ciudad’.

“Félix está listo y creo que el entrenamiento ha sido excelente”, reiteró Márquez. “Está rápido, contento y enfocado. Listo para dar una gran demostración. A este nivel ya todas las peleas son importantes. Todas marcan un paso importante, pero ésta en especial representa el potencia ascenso a esa pelea de título mundial que tanto esperamos”, aseguró el también manejador.

Díaz enfrentará al dominicano Angel Luna que tiene marca de 11-1-1 y 6 nocáuts.

También como parte del respaldo, otro de los llamados ‘Diamantes’ del club que lleva el mismo nombre, estará activo en la función.

Se trata del súper ligero Jean Carlos ‘Lobo’ Torres quien enfrentará en la pelea que abrirá la función a Miguel Gloria, natural de Albuquerque, Nueva México.

http://www.espn.com.ve/boxeo/nota/_/id/2602664/encaminado-felix-verdejo-a-su-quinta-pelea-en-el-garden

  Félix Verdejo milita al presente en 135 libras, peso en el cual enfrentará al también invicto William Da Silva Joe Camporeale/USA TODAY Sports –

SAN JUAN — El joven prospecto peso ligero Félix ‘El Diamante’ Verdejo está inmerso en una fase muy importante de cara a su combate del próximo 27 de febrero en el Teatro del Madison Square Garden en Nueva York: la etapa de fuerza y afinamiento corporal, la misma que a finales de año le revelará si se inclinará por una oportunidad titular en las 130 o 135 libras.

Ricky Márquez, entrenador y manejador del invicto peleador puertorriqueño, reveló que Verdejo comenzó hace unas semanas las sesiones de carga más duras de su preparación.

El resultado: mucho mejor que lo que pensaba el propio Márquez.

“Cada vez lo veo más fuerte. Más maduro físicamente. Estamos llegando a ese punto físico que precisamente queríamos ver”, comentó Márquez.

“Se está logrando ese desarrollo y todo va viento en popa. Estamos en la etapa de carga, la más fuerte de la preparación”.

Verdejo, de apenas 22 años, tiene récord de 19-0 y 14 nocáuts. En la ‘Gran Manzana’ enfrentará al también invicto peleador brasileño William Silva en un combate en el que
hará su segunda defensa del título Latino de la Organización Mundial de Boxeo del peso ligero.

Aunque actualmente pelea en las 135 libras, Márquez aseguró que no descartan incursionar en las 130, ya que los resultados, tanto en el gimnasio como en la nutrición les podría permitir buscar fortuna en cualquiera de ambas.

“Aquí lo que más sorprende es que a medida que su cuerpo se desarrolla, adquiere más velocidad y pegada. Además se ha mantenido bien suelto y hace el trabajo de fuerza sin problemas. Todo está en el plan de trabajo que hemos diseñado y en este momento puede hacer las 130 libras sin problemas. Claro que tendríamos que trabajarlo con un poco más de limitaciones en la comida. Ser más supervisado diría yo. Pero (pelear en 130 o 135 un título mundial) es una decisión que no hemos tomado todavía. Aún faltan ocho o nueve meses, y también habría que ver las posibilidades que se presenten en cualquiera de esos pesos”, añadió.

En el 2015, Verdejo compiló un total de tres victorias y vio detenida su carrera por espacio de seis meses tras ser sometido a una operación en la mano izquierda luego de su triunfo sobre Iván ‘Bam Bam’ Nájera en el mes de junio.

Regresó a los ensogados el pasado 11 de diciembre en Puerto Rico, para vencer al brasileño Josenilson Dos Santos por nocáut técnico en el segundo asalto.

Verdejo está sexto en el ranking de la OMB; octavo en la FIB; segundo en la AMB y décimocuarto en el CMB. El boricua es una de las principales figuras del joven establo de la empresa Top Rank en donde también se destacan el californiano José Ramírez y el sonorense Oscar Valdéz.

http://espndeportes.espn.go.com/boxeo/nota/_/id/2575995/no-descartan-que-felix-verdejo-busque-el-titulo-junior-ligero

 Por José A. Sanchez Fournier /

Esa noche enfrentará al brasileño William Silva.

Félix Verdejo continuará fortaleciendo lazos con la comunidad boricua en Nueva York cuando el próximo 27 de febrero coestelarice un cartel en el Teatro del Madison Square Garden de Manhattan. Esa noche enfrentará al brasileño William Silva.

Y aunque Silva peleó en la antesala de la última pelea de Verdejo (19-0, 14 nocauts) el pasado  11 de diciembre en el coliseo Roberto Clemente, El Diamante desconoce los pormenores del estilo de su rival.

“No sé mucho de él. No lo he visto pelear”, admitió Verdejo hoy en entrevista telefónica desde Nueva York, donde se llevó a cabo la conferencia oficial del cartel que coprotagonizará junto al campeón Terence Crawford. “’Na’ más sé que (Silva) es fuerte y alto, como el (rival) anterior. Esperemos que sea una pelea buena”.

Silva tiene marca de 23-0 y 14 nocauts contra oposición desconocida. Antes de sus dos últimos combates -uno en Puerto Rico y otro en Hollywood, California- nunca había peleado fuera de su Brasil natal.

En la antesala al duelo de Verdejo con el también brasileño Josenilson Dos Santos en el Clemente, Silva noqueó en tres episodios al mongol Bayan Jargal (17-8-3, 11 nocauts). En esa pelea, Silva mostró ser un peleador fuerte y corpulento, con un estilo frontal y de poca técnica.

Será la quinta pelea de Verdejo en el Garden, conocido como “la meca del boxeo”. El boricua arriesgará su fajín regional Latino de la Organización Mundial de Boxeo en las 135 libras.

El barranquiteño Christopher “Pitufo” Díaz también verá acción en el cartel, en lo que será su primera pelea como un miembro de la cuadra de Top Rank.

Hoy, Díaz (14-0, nueve nocauts) oficialmente se unió a la empresa fundada por Bob Arum, acordando un contrato de cuatro años y recibiendo un bono por su firma.

“De verdad que estoy bien contento. Estoy bien agradecido de Dios. Y agradecido de Ricky (Márquez, su manejador y entrenador) por llevarme de la mano”, dijo Díaz, quien será padre por primera vez en los próximos días. “Ya logramos una de las metas que nos teníamos propuestas. Ahora nos toca trabajar más duro para seguir adelante”.

Díaz, uno de los peleadores más emocionantes del patio hoy día, enfrentará a Ángel Luna (11-1-1, seis nocauts), quien en papel luce como el mejor rival que ha tenido el barranquiteño hasta ahora.

“(Luna) es un dominicano bien fuerte, que le quitó el invicto a José ‘Wonder Boy’ López. Es aguerrido y viene hacia el frente”, dijo Márquez en entrevista telefónica por separado.

En la coestelar, Crawford (27-0, 19 nocauts) se medirá a Henry Lundy (26-5-1, 13 nocauts).

Las peleas estelares serán transmitidas en directo a Estados Unidos y Puerto Rico por la telecadena HBO.

http://www.primerahora.com/deportes/boxeo/nota/felixverdejopelearael27defebreroennuevayork-1131291/

Date: Saturday, April 25, 2015

WBO/WBA/IBF  HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE BOUT

Location: Madison Square Garden, New York, New York USA

Promoter: K2 Promotions (Tom Loeffler) / Gary Shaw Productions (Gary Shaw)

Supervisor:  Francisco Valcarcel, Esq.

Referee: Michael Griffin

Judges:  Max DeLuca (118-109); Steve Weisfeld (116-111); Robin Taylor (116-111)

Results:   The Super Champion Wladimir Klitschko retained the WBO/WBA/IBF Heavyweight Title against Bryant Jennings by UD.

TV: Germany RTL   USA HBO  Hungary DigiSport

By:  Patrick Byrne (HBO) –

New York City (February 4, 2015) Undisputed Heavyweight World Champion WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO will defend his 10-year title reign against top rated challenger BRYANT JENNINGS on Sat., April 25 emanating from the “The World’s Most Famous Arena”,Madison Square Garden and televised Live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Said Klitschko about the highly anticipated battle, “I do have great respect for Bryant Jennings and his achievements. He has good movement in the ring and good technique. I know this will be a tough challenge.”

“I am extremely happy to fight in New York City again. I had my first unification fight there and a lot of great heavyweight matches have taken place at Madison Square Garden. It will definitely be a great fight night and I will do everything for it from my side.”

Stated undefeated contender Jennings, “This is the moment I have been waiting for,” now it’s time to bring the belts home.”

“For the fourth time Wladimir will be boxing in the world’s most famous arena.” said BERND BOENTE, CEO of the Klitschko Management Group. “It’s always something special to promote at Madison Square Garden, where legends such as Joe Louis, Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield stood inside the ring. We are looking forward to another exciting fight and a great event.”

Continued TOM LOEFFLER, Managing Director of K2 Promotions: “Wladimir has proven to be the most dominant heavyweight champion in recent history and we are looking forward to another great performance on April 25.”

“We’re proud to present Jennings with the opportunity to win the Unified Heavyweight Title of the World,” said GARY SHAW, head of Gary Shaw Productions

“On April 25th at Madison Square Garden, Wladimir Klitschko defends his heavyweight championship for the first time in the United States since 2008,” said Peter Nelson, vice president, programming, HBO Sports. “Heavyweight is boxing’s supreme glamour division, and its champion could not be a better ambassador to the sport in a career heading toward historic landmark achievements. Bryant Jennings has an opportunity to halt those ambitions and become America’s first unified heavyweight champion in more than 13 years, challenging for the crown in the media capital of the world. HBO is thrilled to present the event live on our flagship World Championship Boxing series.”

“It is an honor to host the World Heavyweight Championship at Madison Square Garden and welcome back Wladimir Klitschko, who last fought at The Garden in 2008,” said Joel Fisher, executive vice president, MSG Sports. “Throughout our 135 year existence, The Garden has hosted the very best in sports and entertainment, and to bring the World Heavyweight Championship back so our passionate boxing fans can see Bryant Jennings challenge for the heavyweight title is a moment not to be missed.”

Holder of the IBF/WBA/WBO/IBO and “The Ring Magazine” world titles and undefeated over the last ten years, Klitschko returns to Madison Square Garden for the fourth time sporting a record of 63-3-0 (54KO’s).

On November 15, Klitschko scored a fifth round knockout over #1 ranked contender Kubrat Pulev in Hamburg, Germany. Looking as dominant as ever during his illustrious career, Klitschko dropped the heavy handed Bulgarian four times in front of a sold out crowd at the 02 World Arena.

Returning to HBO® for his third straight fight, Philadelphia native Jennings has compiled a record of 19-0-0 (10KO’s) over his five-year professional career.

Making his HBO and Madison Square Garden debut on January 25, 2014, the 30-year-old Jennings devastatingly stopped undefeated Polish contender Artur Szpilka in the tenth and final round.

Following up on his knockout victory over Szpilka, Jennings won a 12-round unanimous decision over top contender Mike Perez on July 26, 2014 setting up the showdown with Klitschko.

http://www.boxeomundial.com/wladimir-klitschko-vs-bryant-jennings-saturday-april-25-live-hbo/

Photos: Chris Farina – Top Rank

“I’m in the big leagues now” exclaimed World Bantamweight Champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire after a visit to the famed ‘Mecca of Boxing’ Madison Square Garden in New York City Monday night. Donaire, who is making his New York debut, spoke about the ‘New York city lights’, ‘the millions of people in the Big Apple’ and ‘the excitement he feels’ about his upcoming battle against undefeated Omar Narvaez of Argentina, Saturday, October 22 in the Theater at Madison Square Garden. Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Madison Square Garden, Donaire vs Narvaez will be televised by HBO Boxing After Dark.

Earlier today, Nonito visited the Jersey City Public Library / Greenville Branch Auditorium to speak to a group from the Filipino School of New York and New Jersey. Nonito fielded questions and took photos with the kids before he was off to training in final preparations for Saturday’s World Bantamweight Championship defense.

School Photos: Ed Keenan / Top Rank

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