Plant on Dirrell: ‘He’s retiring after this’

Last November, former world champion Caleb Plant had the biggest fight of his career when he battled Canelo Alvarez for all the belts at 168 pounds. Plant fought hard and was competitive, but he would eventually suffer his first loss as Alvarez stopped him in the eleventh round.

Plant(21-1, 12 KOs) is back and will have another stern test on October 15 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn(FOX Sports PPV) when he battles former world champion Anthony Dirrell(34-2-2, 25 KOs) in a WBC Super Middleweight Title Eliminator.

Despite the loss, the 30-year-old Plant said the fight against Canelo taught him a lot.

“The biggest thing I took from the Canelo Alvarez fight is the experience in general,” Plant said during a virtual press conference on Wednesday. “Experience isn’t something you can buy. You have to go through it to get it. Obviously, I came up short, and there’s no excuses there. I got right back with my team and went back to work.”

For this fight, Plant added a new member to his team as he brought in trainer Stephen “Breadman” Edwards. According to Plant, he’s had great sparring for this camp, and Edwards has been a great addition to his team.

“I’ve been having a lot of fun in the gym,” Plant said. “This has been the best quality of sparring that I’ve ever had and the most success I’ve had in sparring during camp. I sparred Carlos Adames, Shane Mosley Jr., Kyrone Davis, and other great fighters. It’s been top-quality sparring. Having Stephen Edwards on the team with my dad has given us great chemistry. We’re relaxed and easygoing but also getting after it.”

There’s been a lot of trash talking between Plant and Dirrell, but come October 15, Plant expects to retire ‘The Dog.”

“He can feel how he wants, but he’s not going to do anything on fight night,” Plant said. “He says he’s ‘The Dog,’ but he does a lot of woofing. He woofs a whole lot because he’s a puppy dog, but he doesn’t follow through. He’s trying to hype himself up.

“I’m going to put a vicious whooping on him on October 15. I’m going to teach him a life lesson when we get into the ring.

“He’s retiring after this. He’s done. I’m going to beat him in such a way that he won’t want to be a part of this anymore.”

The 37-year-old Dirrell won’t be easy for Plant. This is an intriguing fight and a 50-50 fight. We’re going to learn a lot about Plant after this one. If he can pull it off, this would be the biggest win of his career and would help land him another title shot. If he loses, there will be a lot of questions about Plant.

Kownacki: ‘I want to fight the best’

Heavyweight contender Adam Kownacki(20-0, 15 KOs) brings the fans out in Brooklyn. The undefeated Polish star and Brooklyn native has a big-time fanbase in Brooklyn and wants to put on a show for the fans on March 7 when he battles Robert Helenius at Barclays Center(FOX).

A win over Helenius will get Kownacki one step closer to a title fight. On Wednesday, Kownacki took part in a media workout from the world-famous Gleason’s Gym in Brooklyn.

Here is what Kownacki had to say:

“It’s been a hard camp, and we’ve been doing extra strength and conditioning to make sure I’m ready. We also worked hard on our skills like we always do. It’s all going to add up to a great fight on Saturday.

“It’s great to be headlining on FOX. We’ve done a lot of promotion, and I love doing interviews with the media. I definitely want to make the most of being on this stage.

“Right now, I’m just focused on Robert Helenius. It’s going to be a tough test and a tall test. I have to be ready to exact my game plan and pass the test.

“His jab is the main thing I’m focused on. If I can get past his jab, I think I’m going to have a lot of success. When I get inside, I’m going to punish him, and If I get the chance, I’ll be ready to end the fight.

“I want to fight the best. My team will talk about what’s next for me and what kind of step-up I can get. Right now, I’m just focused on March 7 and what’s going to be in front of me.

“The support here in Brooklyn keeps getting bigger, and I love it. It shows that if you’re a kid from Brooklyn, you can make your dreams come true. Hard work is all it takes.

“Of course there’s pressure on me fighting at home. But if you want to be great, you have to perform in those situations. It’s going to keep getting bigger and bigger, and I’m going to keep putting the work in get better and better.”

Pascal: ‘Canada has Drake, the NBA Champions, and now I’m bringing the belt home’

The co-main event saw former world champion Jean Pascal (34-6-1, 20 KOs) earn a narrow technical decision over previously unbeaten Marcus Browne (23-1, 16 KOs) to capture the WBA interim light heavyweight title after an accidental headbutt ended the fight in round eight.

“Boxing is boxing,” said Pascal. “We clashed heads, but at the end of the day, I was winning the round. I dropped him three times. It was a close fight, but I believe I was winning.”

Browne appeared to be in control early, using his jab effectively and finishing his combos with power punches. Throughout the fight, Browne would land 52% of his power punches according to CompuBox.

In round four, Pascal broke through landing a perfect right hand that connected with Browne as he threw his own right hook. Browne hit the canvas for the third time in his career, but was able to make it through the round.

Watch Pascal score the knockdown HERE

Browne looked to have regained control of the fight until late in round seven when Pascal again connected on a powerful right hook that caught Browne during an exchange. Pascal jumped on Browne after he got to his feet and knocked him down a third time right before the bell ended round seven.

Montreal’s Pascal was looking to finish Browne in round eight, while Browne looked to effectively navigate the ring while recovering from the previous round. It was midway through the round that Pascal hit Browne with an accidental headbutt on the ropes that opened a cut over Browne’s left eye.

Referee Gary Rosato halted the bout 1:49 into the round, on the advice of the ringside physician, meaning the fight went to the scorecards. By winning the shortened eighth round on all three judges’ cards, Pascal won the fight by the score of 75-74 three times.

“I could hear my daughter ringside and that was motivation for me,” said Pascal. “She was yelling my name all night long. I’m going to go home and talk to my team to see what is next.

The co-main event saw former world champion Jean Pascal (34-6-1, 20 KOs) earn a narrow technical decision over previously unbeaten Marcus Browne (23-1, 16 KOs) to capture the WBA interim light heavyweight title after an accidental headbutt ended the fight in round eight.

“Boxing is boxing,” said Pascal. “We clashed heads, but at the end of the day, I was winning the round. I dropped him three times. It was a close fight, but I believe I was winning.”

Browne appeared to be in control early, using his jab effectively and finishing his combos with power punches. Throughout the fight, Browne would land 52% of his power punches according to CompuBox.

In round four, Pascal broke through landing a perfect right hand that connected with Browne as he threw his own right hook. Browne hit the canvas for the third time in his career, but was able to make it through the round.

Browne looked to have regained control of the fight until late in round seven when Pascal again connected on a powerful right hook that caught Browne during an exchange. Pascal jumped on Browne after he got to his feet and knocked him down a third time right before the bell ended round seven.

Montreal’s Pascal was looking to finish Browne in round eight, while Browne looked to effectively navigate the ring while recovering from the previous round. It was midway through the round that Pascal hit Browne with an accidental headbutt on the ropes that opened a cut over Browne’s left eye.

Referee Gary Rosato halted the bout 1:49 into the round, on the advice of the ringside physician, meaning the fight went to the scorecards. By winning the shortened eighth round on all three judges’ cards, Pascal won the fight by the score of 75-74 three times.

“I could hear my daughter ringside and that was motivation for me,” said Pascal. “She was yelling my name all night long. I’m going to go home and talk to my team to see what is next. Canada has Drake, the NBA Champions and now I’m bringing the belt home.”

After the fight, Browne was taken to NYU Lutheran Medical Center due to the cut.

 Photo/courtesy: Nabeel Ahmad/Premier Boxing Champions

Breazeale on Wilder fight: ‘I’m the more skilled, more athletic and bigger, stronger guy’

Heavyweight contender Dominic Breazeale(20-1, 18 KOs) has a tall order ahead of him on Saturday night in Brooklyn. Breazeale is set to face undefeated WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder(40-0-1, 39 KOs) at Barclays Center.

This will Breazeale’s second chance at a title. The last time he fought for a title, he was stopped by unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua in 2016.

Wilder is the favorite coming into this fight, but according to Breazeale, he has more skills than the Alabama native.

“He’s been champion for about four years. He hasn’t grown. He hasn’t changed,” Breazeale said on a conference call last week. “Yes, he’s got a big right-hand but don’t we all in the heavyweight division? We all have knockout power.

‘So, I think I’m walking into a fight where I’m the more skilled, more athletic and bigger, stronger guy.”

Breazeale has decent power, but Wilder’s power is the next level. A lot of guys have better skills than Wilder, but as we have seen, a lot of guys have a hard time standing up to his power. However, Breazeale believes he will be just fine.

“Wilder’s going to throw some leather and make some contact by all means,” Breazeale said. “Boxing, it’s all about hitting and not getting hit. I don’t plan on getting hit a lot May 18, and if I do, I’ve been there. I’ve done that before.

“At the same time, I plan on putting on all the punishment. And if the right hand comes, so be it. I’ll deal with it. It’s part of boxing.”

Charlo-Monroe, Charlo-Harrison set for 12/22 in Brooklyn

The Charlo twins make their return to the ring on December 22 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The fights will air live on FOX & FOX Deportes.

Middleweight Jermall Charlo takes on Willie Monroe Jr., while WBC junior middleweight champion Jermell Charlo battles Tony Harrison.

At a press conference on Thursday, the Charlo’s will flip a coin to determine which fight will be the main event on December 22.

Back in April, Jermall stopped Hugo Centeno in two; Jermell is coming off a unanimous decision victory over Austin Trout back in June.

 

Lara-Gausha, Charlo-Lubin, Hurd-Trout announced for October 14 in Brooklyn

A trio of 154-pound world champions will defend their titles as part of a SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING tripleheader headlined by Erislandy Lara defending against undefeated Terrell Gausha, in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions on Saturday, October 14 live on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) from Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING®.
The card, promoted by DiBella Entertainment and TGB Promotions, will feature four undefeated 154-pound boxers and will pave the way for an undisputed king of the 154-pound division.
Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara (24-2-2, 14 KOs), generally recognized as the best boxer in the super welterweight division and its longest reigning champion, will defend his title against undefeated 2012 U.S. Olympian Terrell Gausha (20-0, 9 KOs).
In the co-main event, hard-hitting unbeaten champion Jermell “Iron Man” Charlo (29-0, 14 KOs) takes on top contender Erickson “Hammer” Lubin (18-0, 13 KOs), while “Swift” Jarrett Hurd (20-0, 14 KOs) will make his first title defense against tough former world championAustin “No Doubt” Trout (30-3, 17 KOs).
“On October 14 at Barclays Center, three world champions will be defending their belts, on SHOWTIME, in a night of tremendous super welterweight action,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “Long reigning Cuban Erislandy Lara takes on undefeated Olympian Terrell Gausha and newly crowned Jarrett Hurd faces respected former world champion Austin Trout. This card also features one of the best matchups that can be made between two undefeated fighters, champion Jermell Charlo and young sensation Erickson Lubin.”
“This is a blockbuster card for boxing fans,” said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “The 154-pound division is full of talent and this card is loaded with the best champions and top-ranked contenders in the division. The guy who will be the eventual king of the division is fighting on this show and the fans will be treated to matches that will determine who that unified champion will be.”
Tickets to the event will go on sale on tomorrow, August 31 at 10 a.m. ET and start at $50 (not including applicable fees). Tickets can be purchased at ticketmaster.combarclayscenter.com or by calling 800-745-3000. Tickets can also be purchased at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center starting Friday, September 1 at noon ET. Group discounts are available by calling 844-BKLYN-GP.
“We are thrilled to continue our best year yet of BROOKLYN BOXING with our fifth major boxing event of 2017,” said Brett Yormark, CEO of Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment. “We always aim to deliver fight fans an evening packed with top-notch matchups from start to finish, and this card certainly does that.”
Lara, a 34-year-old Cuban southpaw, owns victories over Trout, Alfredo Angulo and a slew of former champions and top contenders in addition to a controversial split decision loss to Canelo Alvarez on the way to cementing his credentials as the top boxer in the division. Lara will make the seventh defense of his world title as he continues to train with renowned trainer Ronnie Shields.
“I’m very excited to be making another title defense back on SHOWTIME headlining a great tripleheader,” said Lara. “This is an interesting fight versus an undefeated U.S. Olympian in Terrell Gausha. I know he will be ready because it’s his opportunity to beat the best fighter in the division and become a champion. But come fight night, he will quickly realize and know why I’m the consensus No. 1 super welterweight in the world.  After this performance, I look forward to, one-by-one, adding a WBC and IBF title to my collection.”
The 29-year-old Gausha, of Cleveland, Ohio, earned a shot at the world title with solid victories in his last two matches. He won a hard-fought decision over Steven Martinez last August and followed it up with another impressive victory over Luis Hernandez on Feb. 10.  Lara figures to be his toughest battle in his pro career that dates back to 2012.
I’ve been talking about this since I was a three-year-old watching Muhammad Ali on television,” said Gausha. “I’m here now and blessed for this opportunity. Lara’s a tough fighter, champion and the best opponent I’ll fight on paper. He’s been in with the bigger names. But the better the opponent, the better I am, and I’m coming to dethrone him. He’s crafty, but the world hasn’t seen all that I can bring to the table. I’ll make adjustments on the fly and do things that I’ve never shown before. Seeing other Olympic team members win titles gives me motivation to earn the victory and the notoriety I’ve been looking for.”
Charlo of Houston, Texas will be making the second defense of his title, which he won by knockout victory over John Jackson on May 21, 2016. The 27-year-old Charlo successfully defended the title with a highlight reel knockout victory over fellow Texan Charles Hatley on April 22 at Barclays Center. He and his twin brother, Jermall, both held world titles at 154-pounds, before Jermall relinquished his title to move up to 160 pounds. Charlo now trains in Dallas with Derrick James, trainer of world champion Errol Spence Jr.
“Lubin is young and hungry and I know he always comes to fight, but there’s a reason why I’m where I am in the sport,” said Charlo. “I’ve been through the trenches and I don’t plan to stop anytime soon. This is what boxing always needs — two young, undefeated fighters willing to risk their ‘0’. But I think it’s a little early for Lubin to step in the ring with me, and I plan on keeping my title. October 14 I’ll show everyone why I’m a world champion.”
Lubin, 21, is nicknamed “The Hammer” because of his power in both hands and his ability to bring a quick conclusion to every match. Lubin of Orlando, Fla., has picked up 10 victories since the beginning of 2015 including seven knockouts on his way to contender status. Lubin most recently scored a sensational knockout of Jorge Cota in a title eliminator in March at Barclays Center.
“This is a fight for the fans,” said Lubin. “You have an undefeated champion against an undefeated Prospect of the Year. I’m very excited to be fighting for the belt and it’s truly been a dream of mine ever since I first got into boxing. Come fight night, Charlo will either give it to me or I’m going to rip the belt out of his hands. Many fans and reporters have said that he’s one of the best, and that will make it even sweeter. My mentality will be to seek and destroy, so everyone tune-in to SHOWTIME on October 14, you will witness boxing’s new superstar!”
Hurd, 26, will be making the first defense of the title that he won with a KO victory over Tony Harrison on Feb. 25. Fighting out of Accokeek, Maryland, Hurd soared up the rankings with stoppage victories over previously unbeaten fighters Frank Galarza and Oscar Molina at Barclays Center plus veteran Jo Jo Dan.
“I got a Trout to catch,” said Hurd. “His losses have all been to top champions Canelo Alvarez, Erislandy Lara and Jermall Charlo. But I’m on a streak of six straight knockouts and Trout has never been stopped, so I’m looking for the stoppage to make a statement that the other fighters couldn’t make. This is definitely my toughest fight, and I didn’t have to take it since it’s a voluntary defense. But I wanted this fight to stop Austin Trout, proving to the fans and people in general I’m the real deal and a true champion.”
Trout, a 31-year-old southpaw from Las Cruces, New Mexico, has faced some of the top 154-pound boxers in the division. He defeated Miguel Cotto in New York to win a title in 2012 and has close losses to Canelo Alvarez and Lara on his resume. In his most recent attempt at winning the title, Trout gave Jermall Charlo perhaps the toughest test of his career after looking impressive in four straight victories leading up to the challenge.
‘What a blessing it is to have this opportunity at a world title shot,” said Trout. “I want to thank everyone who has been in my corner to help get me career defining fights. It’s refreshing to see young champions showing heart and testing their skill with the best in the game. With thatsaid, salute to Hurd for allowing this fight to go through.

Photos from Broner-Garcia; Garcia wins in dominating fashion

Mikey Garcia showed that he one of the best fighters in boxing. Garcia defeats Adrien Broner (33-3, 24 KOs) by unanimous decision at Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Saturday night. The scores were 116-112, 116-112 and 117-111 all for the winner, and still undefeated Garcia (37-0, 30 KOs). 

Garcia, 29, goes on to bigger and better fights, while Broner, 28, tries to figure out what’s next.

Here are photos from tonight’s fight:

 

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Photos: Ed Diller/DiBella Entertainment

Adrien Broner: ‘If I was Mexican, I would be a billionaire already’

Adrien Broner has a big test at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY on Saturday night. Broner will be battling Mexican-American star Mikey Garcia in a 12-round, junior-welterweight clash. 

Broner has had a lot of success in his career. The 28-year-old, Cincinnati native is a four-division belt holder, and has made some decent money along the way. However, Broner feels he would be a bigger star if he got more support from African-Americans.

Here is what he told Fighthype.com:

“No disrespect to my race, but if I was Mexican I would be a billionaire already. Point, blank, period – but, it’s more tough for us to reach that certain level because our people don’t really back our people the way their people back their people,” Broner said

“When you talk about, as we say, n****s. When you talk about n****s, it’s so many of us going against our own people that it’s like a crab in a bucket. A lot of reasons a lot of us don’t prevail is because the people we look up to really don’t bring us up like they can. I’m not one of them people,” Broner said.

You agree with Broner?

 

Photos: Broner-Garcia weigh-in

In a highly anticipated fight, Adrien Broner will battle Mikey Garcia in a 12-round, junior-welterweight battle at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY on Saturday night.

The weigh-in was today in Brooklyn. Both fighters made weight (140 pounds), which was very important to Broner because he would have been fined $500,000 if he missed weight.

Broner came in at 138.7 pounds, and Garcia weighed in at 139.5 pounds.

Here is how both fighters looked during the weigh-in:

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Photos from Amanda Westcott/SHOWTIME and Ed Diller/DiBella Entertainment

Floyd Mayweather: ‘I be forgetting that I’m famous’

Floyd Mayweather lives a pretty good life. He has many houses, jets, and cars. Fortunately, for Mayweather, his life is about to get even better! Mayweather is expected to make $200 plus million on August 26 when he battles Conor McGregor in Las Vegas.

Mayweather is a very famous guy; he is one of biggest stars in the world of sports.

Mayweather talked about his fame in Brooklyn last week.

What he says might surprise you: