Posts Tagged ‘Andre Dirrell’

MORE FROM MGM NATIONAL HARBOR: SCORECARDS & COMMENTS FROM RUSSELL JR, ESCANDON, BARTHELEMY, RELIKH, DIRRELL AND UZCATEGUI

Posted: May 23, 2017 in Professional Boxing
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GARY RUSSELL SR.

“I’m ecstatic. I’m really happy. I got three wins. Three stoppages. It’s my birthday. I’m 15 minutes from home and I can go home and relax.

“We prepared fully for Mr. Escandon. We knew he was going to do what he did – come forward. I don’t want to diminish or take anything away from Mr. Escandon. He really is a hard, rough fighter. Throughout the course of the fight, I instructed Gary to hit him with some good shots. Some hard shots. It is a brutal sport.”

 

GARY RUSSELL JR.

“First and foremost, I got to say happy birthday to my father. Secondly, I’d like to tell all the fans that came to support me: I love you all. Thank you.

“I want to apologize for the gladiators. The gladiators are warriors. The Dirrell camp, sometimes emotions build up and take the best of us. Please forgive them.

“I fought a tough competitor. I knew Escandon wanted to come and bring his best. I knew he was going to come forward. I was ready for him. We are warriors. 

“Lomachenko, that’s a no-brainer. I don’t want to do it for the fans or for the media, I  want to do it for myself. And I want to do it twice. I’ll knock him out the first time and then, he’ll want me to fight him again.

“I’d love to unify against all the other guys in the featherweight division. I’d like Leo Santa Cruz, Lee Selby, Oscar Valdez.”

 

OSCAR ESCANDON

“I was getting my rhythm going and I felt like Gary was getting tired. I didn’t see him coming with the big punch he threw at the end and that was it. I went down and was hoping to get a 10 count but the referee didn’t give it to me and he stopped the fight. 

“I knew that Gary was going to go fast from the first to the fifth round and it was part of my strategy to let him do that and get tired. It didn’t work unfortunately. 

“Now we need to go back to the drawing board to rest and see what my manager has planned for me.”

 

JOSE UZCATEGUI

“I felt very good. I was hurting him the entire fight. I felt like I could hurt him anytime I wanted. Nothing he hit me with hurt me. 

“I was throwing a three-punch combination and I didn’t hear the bell. I didn’t mean to hit him. The third punch wasn’t that hard of a punch. I was surprised he stayed down.  

“He did the same thing against Abraham that he did against me tonight. He quit against me and he quit against him. I deserve to be the winner.” 

 

RANCES BARTHELEMY

“It feels great to be going forward. The 11-month layoff really took a toll on my body and I felt it in the ring.

“I knew it was a close fight but knew I should get a unanimous decision.

“Relikh was a hard hitter. He surprised me with a right hook in the 5th round and I hit the canvas, so I knew I had to be careful going forward. I knew I had lost that round and had to come back stronger.

“I took the 6th round to take a breather and then I came back to work the body. Once I knocked him down I saw that he was hurt and protecting himself upstairs a lot more so I knew I was going to have to be more strategic to come out victorious.”

 

KIRRILL RELIKH

“Of course I thought I won. Even TV [SHOWTIME’s Steve Farhood] thought I won. The referee did his job when he called it a knockdown in the fifth. I thought it was over.

“The two low blows definitely affected me. It takes the wind out of you. This is boxing not MMA.”

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[VIDEO] Crawford, Shakur, Beltran win at MSG! BarthĂ©lemy survives; Russell-Russell-Russell win at MGM!

Posted: May 22, 2017 in Professional Boxing
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MGM NATIONAL HARBOR: THE RUSSELL TRIO VICTORIOUS; BARTHELEMY SURVIVES SCARE; DIRRELL WINS DUBIOUS DECISION

Posted: May 22, 2017 in Professional Boxing
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Story by: Robert Uzzell

 

There was plenty of action on Saturday night from the MGM National Harbor as Gary Russell Jr. (28-1, 17 KOs) defended his WBC World featherweight against Oscar Escandon (25-3, 17 KOs).

 

I thought Gary Russell did what he should have done, which was win. However, he needs to be much more active than he has been of late.  If you watch the fight closely, you see that Russell was hit with shots that a fighter of his talent should not allow from a guy a few levels lower.

 

Gary Russell has extremely fast hands. Everyone knows that to be true.  However, boxing is more than just hand speed.  You heard it here first- if Gary doesn’t stay more active and steps up to fight guys like Leo Santa Cruz or Carl Frampton he loses.  I’m not even going to bring up the real fight he’s clamoring for, which is a rematch with Vasyl Lomachenko.  If he takes that based on what I saw Saturday night, he lose worse than he did the first time.

 

My recommendations is for Gary to try to fight 2 to 3 more times in 2017. At this point, I don’t think it will happen.  Gary seems to be lost in the mix.  I don’t think he is big enough or powerful enough to make a move up and make significant noise.  To be real, I’m torn on what he should do next.  I truly believe he’s being set up for a fall if he takes on anybody in the top 5 at this point.  We shall see.

 

The second Russell of the trio, Gary “Antonio” Russell moved to 8-0, 6 KOs as he walked through Jovany Fuentes (7-9, 6 KOs).  Russell scored knockdowns in the second and third.  A left hook on the temple ended Fuentes’s night.

 

Gary Antonio Russell:

“We capitalized on everything we worked on in the gym. We knew he favored his right hook so I would walk to it to try to get him to throw it and he wasn’t really doing it. I just knew I needed to touch and fire and that is exactly what I did.

 

“There was never any extra pressure because we didn’t magnify this fight just because it was at home. We treat every fight like a championship fight.

 

“The Russells are two for two, but personally I think we are already three for three…that’s what’s expected tonight.”

 

Gary Antuanne Russell, (1-0 1 KO) won his pro debut over Josh Ross (2-4-4). Russell cornered Ross against the ropes and landed a body shot to drop him. Ross took an eight count and got up. Russell jumped on him again and stopped him with what appeared to be a double right hook to the head.

 

Gary Antuanne:

“I listened, I followed instructions and it led me to a fast victory. I wish it would have lasted longer. I was looking forward to it being more exciting.

 

“I wasn’t expecting it to be so short. We trained and sparred for twelve rounds, as if I was a professional before my debut and that’s what I was prepared to do – go the distance. But I executed what my father told me to and I got that quick victory.”

 

In the televised opener, Rances Barthelemy (26-0, 13 KOs) won a 12-round unanimous decision over valiant Kiryl Relikh, (25-3, 16 KOs).  The first few rounds featured fantastic flurries from both guys and it was heating up to be the fight of the night.

 

Barthelemy landed what the referee deemed to be a low blow. After a timeout, the fighters were back to action and Relikh tried to take his anger out of Barthelemy.

 

Relikh went on the attack in the 5th round and shook Barthelemy badly and into the ropes.  The referee ruled a knockdown and Barthelemy finished the round on unsteady legs.  Relikh went in for the kill but couldn’t finish.

 

Barthelemy recovered in the next round and out boxed Relikh the rest of the way, scoring a body shot knockdown in the 8th round.

 

Barthelemy:

“It feels great to be going forward. The 11-month layoff really took a toll on my body and I felt it in the ring.

 

“I knew it was a close fight but knew I should get a unanimous decision.

 

“Relikh was a hard hitter. He surprised me with a right hook in the 5th round and I hit the canvas, so I knew I had to be careful going forward. I knew I had lost that round and had to come back stronger.

 

“I took the sixth round to take a breather and then I came back to work the body. Once I knocked him down, I saw that he was hurt and protecting himself upstairs a lot more so I knew I was going to have to be more strategic to come out victorious.”

 

Relikh:

“Of course I thought I won. Even TV thought I won. The referee did his job when he called it a knockdown in the fifth. I thought it was over.”

 

“The two low blows definitely affected me. It takes the wind out of you. This is boxing not MMA.”

 

The drama of the evening unfolded in the title eliminator between Andre “The Matrix” Dirrell (26-2, 16 KOs) and Jose Uzcategui (26-2, 22 KOs).

 

Uzcategui came out blazing and had Dirrell reeling as early as the first round.  The tough as nails Uzcategui chased Dirrell and landed vicious shots everywhere he could on Dirrell.

 

In the middle rounds, both fighters began to exchange, with Uzcategui seemingly getting the best of it.

 

Then came the 8th round!

(more…)

GARY RUSSELL JR. DEFEATS OSCAR ESCANDON IN FRONT OF HOMETOWN CROWD FROM MGM NATIONAL HARBOR, LIVE ON SHOWTIME®

Posted: May 22, 2017 in Professional Boxing
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GARY RUSSELL JR. DEFEATS OSCAR ESCANDON IN FRONT OF HOMETOWN CROWD FROM MGM NATIONAL HARBOR, LIVE ON SHOWTIME®

Andre Dirrell Wins Via Disqualification Stoppage, Rances Barthelemy Earns Hard-Fought Decision Win

Gervonta Davis Stops Liam Walsh to Retain IBF Junior Lightweight Title from Copper Box Arena in London

 

Catch The Encore Presentation of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®

 on Monday, May 22 at 10 p.m. on SHO EXTREME

 

Click HERE For Photos

Photo Credit: Tom Casino/SHOWTIME

Click HERE To Watch Gary Russell Jr.’s TKO

 

National Harbor (May 20) – From the MGM National Harbor “Mr.” Gary Russell Jr.,

(28-1, 17 KOs) had a successful homecoming in front of a nearly sold out crowd as he defended his WBC Featherweight World title with a seventh-round stoppage against the very tough, strong-willed Columbian Oscar Escandon (25-3, 17 KOs) in the main event of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING.

 

Russell Jr. took control of the action from the outset, peppering the shorter Escandon at will and dropping him in the third.

 

However, the brave Escandon fought his way back into the fight in the fourth and fifth stanzas, but Russell stormed into the seventh, battering the hurt Escandon and dropping him early, causing referee Harvey Dock to stop the fight at the 0:59 mark of the round (Click HERE to watch the TKO).

 

About the victory, Russell Jr. said, “First and foremost, I want to say happy birthday to my father. Secondly, I’d like to tell all the fans that came to support me: I love you all. Thank you.

“I fought a tough competitor. I knew Escandon wanted to come and bring his best. I knew he was going to come forward. I was ready for him. We are warriors. 

“I want Lomachenko [next], that’s a no-brainer. I don’t want to do it for the fans or for the media, I want to do it for myself. And I want to do it twice. I’ll knock him out the first time and then, he’ll want me to fight him again.

“I’d love to unify against all the other guys in the featherweight division. I’d like Leo Santa Cruz, Lee Selby, Oscar Valdez.”

About the knockout loss, “I was getting my rhythm going and I felt like Gary was getting tired. I didn’t see him coming with the big punch he threw at the end and that was it. I went down and was hoping to get a 10 count, but the referee didn’t give it to me and he stopped the fight. 

 

“I knew that Gary was going to go fast from the first to the fifth round and it was part of my strategy to let him do that and get tired. It didn’t work unfortunately. 

“Now we need to go back to the drawing board to rest and see what my manager has planned for me.”

 

Said trainer and father Gary Russell Sr., “I’m ecstatic. I’m really happy. I got three wins. Three stoppages. It’s my birthday. I’m 15 minutes from home and I can go home and relax.

 

“We prepared fully for Mr. Escandon. We knew he was going to do what he did – come forward. I don’t want to diminish or take anything away from Mr. Escandon. He really is a hard, rough fighter. Throughout the course of the fight, I instructed Gary to hit him with some good shots. Some hard shots. It is a brutal sport.”

 

Co-featured on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING in a 12-round clash for the IBF Interim Super Middleweight Title, Flint, Michigan’s Andre Dirrell, (26-2, 16 KOs), was declared the winner after round eight as Jose Uzcategui, (26-2, 22 KOs) of Merida, Venezuela, was disqualified for a punch after the bell sounded to end the eighth round.

 

Uzcategui started fast, battering Dirrell from the opening round, cutting off the ring and slamming away with body and head shot through the first three rounds. Dirrell saw success starting in the fourth round, countering Uzcategui and scoring

well.

 

Over the next four rounds, the contenders traded even as the fight became more hotly contested. At the end of the eighth round, with Dirrell backed into a neutral corner, Uzcategui let loose with a three-punch combination, the last left hand hitting the southpaw after the bell as he fell to the combination.

 

Following a delay to allow medical personnel to attend to Dirrell, referee Bill Clancy declared that Uzcategui was disqualified with Dirrell being declared the winner.

 

Said referee Bill Clancy about his decision, “The bell rang to stop the round. The round was over and Andre [Dirrell] was knocked out with an illegal punch. So therefore, Dirrell will win this fight by disqualification.

 

“That’s a blatant foul. Earlier in the fight, I had warned Uzcategui. I warned him. Dirrell wins the fight, he was clearly unable to continue.”

 

About the ending, Dirrell said, “All I remember was him [Uzcategui] throwing a shot at me at the same time the bell rang. After that everything was blurry. I remember a shot and then all went fuzzy.

 

“I forgive Uzcategui. I forgive his camp. I don’t want to win a championship like this. I wanted to win fair and square. But I forgive him.

 

Following the decision, Dirrell’s trainer and uncle Leon Lawson punched Uzcategui in the corner, sparking a brief altercation in the ring that was quelled by MGM National Harbor security and local police.

 

“I’m sorry for what my coach has done. My coach is my family, my uncle, and he was worried. He cares for me. He loves me. Please forgive him.

 

“I’m going to stand up like a man. I didn’t win like I wanted to, but I’ll be back. I’m going to come back as soon as they let me.”

 

Stated a very disappointed Uzcategui, “I felt very good. I was hurting him the entire fight. I felt like I could hurt him anytime I wanted. Nothing he hit me with hurt me. 

 

“I was throwing a three-punch combination and I didn’t hear the bell. I didn’t mean to hit him. The third punch wasn’t that hard of a punch. I was surprised he stayed down.  

 

“He did the same thing against Abraham that he did against me tonight. He quit against me and he quit against him. I deserve to be the winner.”

 

The live televised fights in The Theater kicked-off with two-division world champion Rances Barthelemy (26-0, 13 KOs) winning a 12-round unanimous decision over valiant Kiryl Relikh, (25-3, 16 KOs), of Baranovichi, Byelorussia. Scores in the WBA Super Lightweight eliminator were 116-110, 115-111 and 117-109.

 

The opening two rounds of the fight featured excellent action with both fighters attempting to impose their will.  In the third round Relikh suffered a low blow resulting in a two-minute delay, however, no point deduction was made by referee Kenny Chevalier. Following the low blow, the shorter Relikh became much more aggressive.

 

With the undefeated, blue-haired Barthelemy switching stances often in the fourth stanza, he was able to score at will against Relikh.

 

However, Relikh came out charging in the fifth, battering away against Barthelemy who was caught against the ropes and scoring a knockdown when the ropes held the Cuban up from a barrage of hard punches.

 

Recovering nicely in the sixth and seventh, Barthelemy badly hurt Relikh with a multitude of body shots from both hands. (more…)

WEIGHTS & PHOTOS FROM MGM NATIONAL HARBOR!

Posted: May 20, 2017 in Professional Boxing
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Gary Russell Jr vs Oscar Escandon is on!  Check out the photos from the weigh-ins today.

 

ALL photos in slideshow credited to NaKeela Taylor:  CBoxingInfo/W.A.N.T. TV

 

Gary Russell Jr 125.5 vs. Oscar Escandon 125.75

Andre Dirrell 167.5 vs. Jose Uzcategui 166.5

Rances Barthelemy 139.5 vs. Kiryl Relikh 139.5

 

 

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GARY RUSSELL JR VS OSCAR ESCANDON, ANDRE DIRRELL VS JOSE UZCATEGUI, RANCES BARTHELEMY VS KIRYL RELIKH PRESS CONFERENCE PHOTOS

Posted: May 19, 2017 in Professional Boxing
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Gary Russell oscar escondon

 

Check out the photos from the Gary Russell vs Oscar Escandon press conference.

 

All photos in slideshow  and collage credited to NaKeela Taylor:  CBoxingInfo/W.A.N.T. TV

 

 

 

Featherweight World Championship Showdown Headlines SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING This Saturday, May 20 from MGM National Harbor in Maryland

Posted: May 18, 2017 in Professional Boxing
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Click HERE for Photos Tom Casino/SHOWTIME

 

NATIONAL HARBOR (May 18, 2017) – Featherweight world champion Gary Russell Jr. and top challenger Oscar Escandon went face-to-face Thursday at the final press conference before they square-off in the main event of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING this Saturday, May 20 from MGM National Harbor in Maryland.

 

Also in attendance at Thursday’s press conference and competing in action on SHOWTIME were super middleweight contenders Andre Dirrell and Jose Uzcategui, who battle for the IBF Super Middleweight World Championship, plus two-division world champion Rances Barthelemy and former title challenger Kiryl Relikh, who meet in a 140-pound title eliminator. The telecast begins at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT with Gervonta Davis putting his IBF Jr. Lightweight Title on the line against Liam Walsh from Copper Box Arena in London.

 

Tickets for the live event at MGM National Harbor, promoted by TGB Promotions, are priced at $200, $150, $100 and $50, and are now on sale. To purchase tickets go to http://mgmnationalharbor.com/.

 

Russell Jr. was joined by his brothers, 2016 U.S. Olympian Gary Antuanne Russell and unbeaten prospect Gary Antonio Russell, as the trio of brothers look to pick up a hat trick of victories in their hometown Saturday night and on the birthday of their father and trainer, Gary Russell Sr.

 

Here is what the participants had to say Thursday from MGM National Harbor:

 

GARY RUSSELL JR.

“I never magnify an event, even though it’s at home. The end objective is still the same. But I think it’s cool that everyone in our neighborhood has the opportunity to be in the arena and see what we do.

 

“I’m 100 percent physically and mentally ready for the challenge and I’m on top of everything I can be.

 

“When you get caught up in the hype, it’s a deficiency in yourself. You have to be able to focus on the objective over everything else.

 

“I believe in my ability but also the ability of my brothers. So I’m not nervous for them. I know what they’ve been taught. They conduct themselves like young men in and out of the ring.

 

“I want a unification bout after this. I’m ready for any of the other world champions. We can line them all up in the same night if you want. If I can’t get those fights, I’m going to move up in weight and bully around these bigger guys.

 

“I look at each fighter as their own individual. We don’t prepare the same way for every opponent. He’s a tough fighter who comes forward. He’s very physical and I expect him to be at his best on Saturday. It’s up to me to counteract what he does.

 

“I love this sport. I love what I do. I love being able to prepare for no one else, but the person across the ring and then dismantling him.

 

“We worked on versatility most. We believe in the sweet science. A lot of these guys just win because they’re stronger and faster. We want to be more technically sound too.”

 

OSCAR ESCANDON

“This is a very important fight for my career. This is going to elevate me to where I want to be and give me the platform to do anything in the sport. I’m very well prepared for this.

 

“I feel strong and healthy at 126-pounds. I’m focused on this fight Saturday night. I’ll fight anyone but right now I have to get past Gary Russell Jr.

 

“In my last fight I was the underdog. People counted me out. Same thing applies here. I’ve done the work and I’m confident that I’m going to win.

 

“I didn’t have complete training camps with my past trainers, but now I’m with Ruben Guerrero. I’m learning so much. You can look at me in my previous fights and you’ll see a vast improvement now.

 

“I want that green (WBC) belt a lot. Green is my favorite color. I want to be the best and to me, winning that title signifies that I am the best. To do that I have to beat the best, and that is Gary Russell Jr.

 

“I don’t like to talk much but I will say that I’m coming to bring this world title back to Colombia. I respect Gary but my mindset is that I’m taking this title home.”

 

ANDRE DIRRELL

“It’s been a long hard journey for me. But I’ve always managed to climb back on top. The hard work that I’ve put in will make Saturday night easy work.

 

“My opponent is a fantastic fighter. If anyone should be in line for a title it’s this guy. He has the the power and he has the skill. I just believe he’s up against a better and tougher opponent.

 

“I’m going to get in the ring and display all of my abilities. I’m very confident and ready. It’s time for Andre to get on top and stay on top.

 

“I’ve been out of the ring for a while but most importantly, I’ve stayed in the gym in training the whole time. I’ve kept positive mentally as well. Everything is going upward right now and I’m going to take advantage.

 

“Uzcategui has everything a world champion needs to get to that title, but he’s facing a more skilled competitor on May 20. He’s deserving of the opportunity and that’s why I trained so hard for this fight.

 

“The title means the world to me. We fight for the titles first. We’re all coming from the amateurs where we got trophies. My love will always be here with the sport until the day I retire.”

 

JOSE UZCATEGUI

“You won’t want to miss any of these fights on Saturday night. It’s a great card and I’m planning to steal the show.

 

“I like when my opponent talks a lot. None of the stuff my opponent says can help him in the ring. It’s just me, him and our fists.

 

“It’s a lot of responsibility to be the top contender for the belt. I have to make it clear that we deserve this so that I can move on to bigger and better things.

 

“People are going to get to see my power on display Saturday night, but also my other skills. I can do it all in the ring and I’m going to prove it.

 

“After this I want to take on James DeGale and Gilberto Ramirez. I’m coming to clean out this whole division and be undisputed. It starts on Saturday.”

 

RANCES BARTHELEMY

“I’m living a dream right now that I myself never in a million years imagined. Every time I get to speak with my mother in Cuba, I tell her of this dream that I am currently living and how it is still surreal to me. To be able to fight on these big cards in the U.S. after the long journey, after all the setbacks, I could not be any more grateful.

 

“Being a world champion in two different weight divisions is something still unreal to me after people doubted whether I would even become a world champion one day. But this journey does not stop here for me. I have the urge to keep on going, make history for my people, and fight the big names in boxing.

 

“Everyone in my team supports and motivates each other because we know we as Cubans have to work twice as hard as everybody else. There is an unfair representation of Cuban boxers among the press and fans here in America. We are misconstrued as being boring fighters therefore we are determined to erase that stigma and prove to everyone that we can brawl and put on a good show just as much as we can box.

 

“I have been working on some new and different things to add to my arsenal this training camp. My whole team has been incredible and pushed me every day.

 

“Don’t miss this fight on Saturday night. It’s going to be eventful and exciting. I’m coming to get a spectacular win.” (more…)

GET YOUR POPCORN & CORONA READY! MAY 20 IS BOXING BINGE-WATCH DAY WITH SLATE OF TELEVISED BOXING SHOWS FROM U.K. AND U.S.

Posted: May 17, 2017 in Professional Boxing
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Gervonta Davis Defends 130-pound Title Against Liam Walsh From London, England On SHOWTIME

Gary Russell, Jr. Defends 126-pound Title Against Oscar Escandon At MGM National Harbor on SHOWTIME

Rising Star David Benavidez Meets Rogelio “Porky” Medina in 168-pound Title Eliminator From Laredo, Texas on Premier Boxing Champions                                   on FS1 & FOX Deportes

LAS VEGAS (May 17, 2017) – Let the boxing binge watching begin this Saturday, May 20 when separate shows on SHOWTIME and FS1 deliver six matches running over six consecutive hours. This boxing extravaganza will present a unique opportunity for fans to watch boxing starting at 6 p.m. ET and continue throughout the evening.

 

“It’s not unusual to spend all day Sunday watching the NFL or to spend the day watching the NBA playoffs,” said Tim Smith, Vice President of Communications for Haymon Boxing. “But it’s rare for boxing fans to be able to turn on the television in the early evening and binge watch great action until late at night. The slate of shows on May 20 will provide that opportunity for boxing fans.”

 

Kicking off the day will be an action-packed 130-pound championship match with undefeated young star Gervonta Davis (17-0, 16 KOs) defending his title against No. 1 contender Liam Walsh (21-0, 14 KOs) from Copper Box Arena in London, England with coverage beginning on SHOWTIME at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT.

 

The 22-year-old Davis is the youngest reigning American world champion in boxing and he will travel to England for his first title defense against Walsh, an undefeated southpaw fighting in his hometown of London.

 

Immediately following the Davis-Walsh bout, things kick into high gear with three matches originating from MGM National Harbor outside of Washington, D.C. Gary Russell, Jr. (27-1, 16 KOs) defends his 126-pound world title against Oscar Escandon (25-2, 17 KOs) in the main event.

 

A pair of world title eliminators round out the televised portion of the card.  Andre Dirrell (25-2, 16 KOs) and Jose Uzcategui (26-1, 22 KOs) meet in a 168-pound match with the winner set to fight for the interim IBF title and a shot at current champion James DeGale. Two-division champion Rances Barthelemy (25-0, 16 KOs) takes on Kiryl Relikh (21-1, 19 KOs) in a 140-pound title eliminator with the winner earning an opportunity to fight for a world championship.

 

Rounding out the night is a pair of Premier Boxing Champions matches on FS1 and FOX Deportes from Laredo Energy Arena in Laredo, Texas that start at 10 p.m. ET.

 

David Benavidez (17-0, 16 KOs), an ascending star, will meet former world title challenger Rogelio “Porky” Medina (37-7, 31 KOs) in a 168-pound title eliminator in the main event. Benavidez will face the toughest test of his career against Medina, a veteran who gave DeGale all he could handle last year. The winner will get a shot at the 168-pound world championship.

 

Unbeaten 126-pound contender Jorge Lara (28-0-2, 20 KOs) takes on hard-hitting brawler Mario Briones (28-5-2, 22 KOs) in a 10-round featherweight match in the co-feature.

 

Binge Away!

(more…)

Oscar Escandon Training Camp Quotes & Photos

Posted: May 15, 2017 in Professional Boxing
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Press Release

 

For Immediate Release

 

Oscar Escandon Training Camp Quotes & Photos 

Top Featherweight Challenger Battles Featherweight Champion Gary Russell Jr. in Main Event Showdown Saturday, May 20 from MGM National Harbor in Maryland on SHOWTIME

 
Click HERE for Photos from Team Escandon/
Premier Boxing Champions

NATIONAL HARBOR, MD. (May 15, 2017) – Top 126-pound challenger Oscar Escandon shares his thoughts on training camp and more ahead of his first world title opportunity against WBC Featherweight Champion Gary Russell Jr. Saturday, May 20 on SHOWTIME from MGM National Harbor in Maryland.

 

Coverage on SHOWTIME begins at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT and features super middleweight contenders Andre Dirrell and Jose Uzcategui battling for the IBF Super Middleweight World Championship plus two-division world champion Rances Barthelemy taking on Kiryl Relikh in a 140-pound world title eliminator. In the telecast opener, from Copper Box Arena in London, Gervonta Davis puts his IBF Jr. Lightweight Title on the line against Liam Walsh.

 
Tickets for the live event at MGM National Harbor, promoted by TGB Promotions, are priced at $200, $150, $100 and $50, and are now on sale. To purchase tickets go to http://mgmnationalharbor.com/.
 
Here is what Escandon had to say from Las Vegas before he wraps camp and heads east to headline at MGM National Harbor in Maryland:
 
On his recent training camp:
 
“Training camp started off in Gilroy, California where we got a lot of good sparring in the Bay Area.  But then we moved camp to Las Vegas where we are training in high elevation.  We are running up at Mt. Charleston where the elevation is 8400 feet.  All in all, it has been a fantastic camp.”
 
On fighting in his first main event on SHOWTIME:
 
“It’s a dream come true to be fighting on SHOWTIME, especially in the main event for a world title. I believe the fans watching will enjoy my fighting style. I always bring excitement to the ring. This will be a fan-friendly fight to watch.”
 
On facing his opponent, champion Gary Russell Jr:
 
“Gary Russell Jr. is one of the best fighters in the division. I know it’s not going to be an easy task to defeat him but I’m confident in my ability to come out victorious. I will dig deep and impose my will on him.”
 
On training with head coach Ruben Guerrero:
 
“Together Ruben and I get along very well. He’s always there for me when I need him.  We are doing everything to get better and we’ll be ready to go. We have a nice game plan that we will display on fight night.”
 
On what a victory will do for his career:
 
“This is the biggest fight of my career and a win will lead to bigger and better things, like unification bouts. To capture the WBC world title will be an honor for my team and my people of Colombia. I need to win this fight and capture that WBC title. I can see myself in major fights with a victory.”
 
 
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ABOUT RUSSELL JR. vs. ESCANDON

Gary Russell Jr. vs. Oscar Escandon is a featherweight world championship showdown that headlines SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING on Saturday, May 20 from MGM National Harbor in Maryland. Televised coverage begins on SHOWTIME at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT and features super middleweight contenders Andre Dirrell and Jose Uzcategui in a matchup for the Interim IBF Super Middleweight World Championship plus two-division world champion Rances Barthelemy in a WBA 140-pound world title eliminator against Kiryl Relikh. In the telecast opener, from Copper Box Arena in London, Gervonta Davis puts his IBF Jr. Lightweight Title on the line against Liam Walsh.

Prediction: Gary Russell Jr vs. Oscar Escandon by Robert Uzzell

Posted: May 14, 2017 in Professional Boxing
Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
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Story:  Robert Uzzell

Gary Russell Jr

Oscar Escandon   
Record:      27-1, 16 KO  25-2, 17 KO
Height:      5’4 1/2″  5’1 1/2″
Reach:      61″

     unlisted
Weight:      126 lbs

     126 lbs
Age:      28      26
Stance:      Southpaw      Orthodox

Hometown:

   Capitol Heights, Maryland

Ibague, Columbia

KO%

 57%

  63%

Russell Jr’s Strengths: Exceptional hand speed is the first thing that comes to mind. He punches in combinations and has some of the fastest hands in boxing. He’s very explosive and has good punching power. He can counter well with either hand, and maintains a fast pace consistently.

Escandon’s Strengths: He has power in both hands and knows how to cut off the ring when stalking the opponent. He has a very good uppercut and can use the entire ring to his advantage, if necessary. Unlike many Columbian fighters, he’s well-travelled enough not to be thrown by the DMV crowd that’ll be there rooting for Russell, Jr. As short as Escandon is, I believe he has the reach advantage over Russell.

Russell Jr’s weaknesses: Gary sometimes stands to trade when he should be giving angles and range. Gary also uses the same cadence with his output, instead of mixing it up. His footwork is decent, but not the best. Sometimes Gary leaves himself open for counter, even though his hands are so fast, it’ll take a great counterpuncher to connect with something big. Inactivity is an issue with Gary.

Escandon’s weaknesses: Oscar doesn’t have the fastest hands in the world. When he does use hand-speed, he punches too wide. Oscar is also only 5 foot 1, so height is a challenge for him. Sometimes his punch carries late in fights, but in others it seems to fade much earlier. He doesn’t smoothly transfer from defense to offense.

The Pick: I think this fight is going to be action packed. It will be a tale of two game plans. I think Ruben Guerrero’s plan is for Oscar Escandon to attack Gary Russell Jr. I think Gary Russell Jr’s plan is to knock Escandon out.

Escandon has fought southpaws before, so this isn’t new to him. He got a gift victory over southpaw Tyson Cave. He also scored a KO victory of lefty Julian Aristule. A big win for him, on the road against another southpaw, was a KO over Jesus Cuellar. He also most recently stopped Robinson Castellanos, who upset Yuriorkis Gamboa on May 5.

I think Guerrero is training Escandon to attack in this fight. Much like he trained his son Robert Guerrero to press Andre Berto. He’s going to come forward and make it a rough fight for Russell Jr.

During the media workout last week, I noticed Gary Russell Jr working his upper body a lot. I think he’s going for strength so he can be able to handle Oscar *and future opponents) on the inside. I also think he’s building his body like that because he’s going for the knockout in this fight. Yes’ you’ll see the usual flash, but I think the plan is to sit down on his shots and put something behind them.

Somebody’s plan will fail. If Escandon comes in hard and gets picked off by Russell’s hand speed, it could get ugly. One thing Russell does is make a guy with a high punch output lower his output. That’s because his fast hands puts guys on the defensive and if they aren’t skilled enough to switch back to offense fast enough, the punches overwhelm them.

If Russell focuses on the knockout, it could play into Escandon’s hands. If he is unable to get Oscar out, he may fall victim to Oscar’s sneaky right hands and short left shots that seem to either buzz or knock out the best opponents on his resume.

Escandon is not the typical slow guy who is going to get busted up and take too many shots and be a bloody mess by the 4th round. He’s coming to National Harbor to win.

I think it’ll be an action fight and I believe it’ll be a rough one too.  Action because Oscar is going to push the action.  Action because it’ll force Gary to be active.

The main reason it’ll be a rough and action battle is because each fighter will use the game plan that the other should use. Russell should use his offense and attack with hand speed and try to overwhelm Escandon at range with speed boxing. Escandon should hold his grounds and be attempt to counter and try to get the KO.

Instead, both teams go in with higher risk strategies.

I believe eventually Russell will start to counter the hard charging Escandon and Oscar will wear down. Russell may catch Oscar and drop him, but I think Gary will win a decision instead.

I like Russell by decision in an action fight.

Bonus picks:

I’ll take Gervonta Davis (17-0, 16 KOs) by late corner stoppage over Liam Walsh (21-0, 14 KOs). Walsh is an okay fighter, but I think Tank overwhelms him and the corner will graciously stop it.

Jose Uzcategui (26-1, 22 KOs) takes on Andre Dirrell (25-2, 16 KOs) for the rights to be mandatory challenger to James DeGale. Jose is slow but he is punching! Think Kelly Pavlik. Hand speed isn’t there but if he catches you, it’s lights out. See here:

This could be Andre Dirrell’s last chance. Will the pressure get to him? He is too talented to have never been a world champion.  I think Dirrell survives a scare and holds on for a win. I’ll take his speed and experience to carry him.

Rances Barthelemy (25-0, 13 KOs) faces Kiryl Relikh (21-1, 19 KOs) in a WBA eliminator. Relikh stopped 12 straight before losing a decision to Ricky Burns. I like Barthelemy in this one. With a win, Rances becomes the mandatory for Julius Indongo (22-0), but I would love to see a Rances Barthelemy vs. Terence Crawford showdown if they both win. I think Barthelemy would be a problem for Crawford.

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