Champion vs. Champion: Abner Mares versus Anselmo Moreno

WBC SUPER BANTAMWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION ABNER MARES

TO DEFEND HIS TITLE AGAINST WBA BANTAMWEIGHT SUPER WORLD CHAMPION ANSELMO MORENO ON NOVEMBER 10 AT

STAPLES CENTER IN LOS ANGELES

 

SHOWTIME^® TELEVISED EVENT WILL ALSO FEATURE

IBF BANTAMWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION LEO SANTA CRUZ &

THE RETURN OF ALFREDO “EL PERRO” ANGULO

AGAINST RAUL CASAREZ

LOS ANGELES, October 2 - Sporting a combined record of 57-1-2 with 25 knockouts with three world championships in two weight classes, WBC Super Bantamweight World Champion Abner Mares and former WBA Bantamweight Super Champion Anselmo “Chemito” Moreno prove that great fighters come in small packages.  On Saturday, November 10 the fight true boxing fans have been waiting for is here, as Mares looks to defend his crown against a hungry Moreno who is stepping up in weight class in the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING main event at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, Calif.

 

Also featured will be IBF Bantamweight World Champion Leo “Terremoto” Santa Cruz defending his title against opponent to be determined in a 12-round bout as well as Alfredo “El Perro” Angulo and Raul Casarez squaring off in a 12-round junior middleweight battle.

 

“I feel faster and stronger at 122 pounds and now that I’m used to this weight class, I’m going to be more dangerous than ever for anyone who steps in the ring with me,” said Mares.  “I love this fight with Moreno .  I’ve got a lot of respect for him, but I know I’ll get the win on November 10 with the help of my hometown fans in Los Angeles .”

 

“I’d like to thank Mares for taking this fight as this is the type of moment every fighter waits for and dreams about,” said Moreno .  “I’m ready to show the world what I can do.  I promise my fans that I will put on a great show like always and leave the ring with the belt.”

 

 “You always hear boxers saying that they want to fight the best competition,” said Golden Boy Promotions President Oscar De La Hoya.  “Mares and Moreno are not just talking the talk, they are walking the walk.  These two are the best of the best and to see them in the ring together on November 10 is going to be a special night for the sport.  We are continuing our promise to put on the best fight cards top to bottom and with Mares-Moreno, bantamweight champ Leo Santa Cruz defending his title and the highly anticipated return of Alfredo Angulo in a brawl against Raul Casarez, fans will be on their feet cheering all night long.”

 

“ STAPLES Center is incredibly excited to host this much anticipated fight between Mares and Moreno ,” Lee Zeidman, STAPLES Center General Manager.  “ Los Angeles is home to true boxing fans and this fight will definitely be one they will not want to miss.”

 

“This fall, with world-class championship fights from marquee venues around the country, we have assembled perhaps the strongest SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING run in our 25 year history,” said Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President and General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports. “With upcoming fights at the Barclay’s Center and Madison Square Garden , this telecast from STAPLES Center solidifies the network’s commitment to premiere boxing.  Abner Mares has come of age on this network as he has consistently challenged himself against the toughest men in his division.  November 10 will be no different, as Abner takes on one of the most skilled fighters in boxing, the current bantamweight world champion, Anselmo Moreno. I expect an explosive fight to cap off yet another big night of fights on SHOWTIME.”

           

            “I’m looking forward to defending my title in front of my hometown fans,” said Santa Cruz .  “It’s always very motivating to have my friends and family support me and I’m excited for November 10.”

 

“It’s very exciting to have my comeback fight in my second home of Los Angeles ,” said Angulo.  “I have been working really hard to give the fans a good show like they are used to because I am here thanks to their support.  ‘El Perro’ is back!”

 

“This is the opportunity I have been looking for and I will train hard to make the best of it,” said Casarez.

 

Mares vs. Moreno is a 12-round battle for Mares’ WBC Super Bantamweight World Championship promoted by Golden Boy Promotions taking place on November 10 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles .  The event is sponsored by Corona and AT&T and will be televised live on SHOWTIME.

 

Tickets priced at $200, $100, $50 and $25, not including applicable service charges and taxes, are on sale now and available for purchase at all Ticketmaster outlets, online at www.ticketmaster.com, by phone at (800) 745-3000 or at the STAPLES Center Box Office.

 

A representative of the 2004 Mexican Olympic team, Guadalajara native Abner Mares (24-0-1, 13 KO’s) now makes his home in the Los Angeles area in Hawaiian Gardens, where he has become one of the most popular fighters to emerge from the area in years.  That’s no surprise given his affable personality, willingness to take on all comers and warrior-like style in the ring, but most important to his fans is the character he’s shown in navigating the ups and downs of life in the fight game.  In 2010, he began to make his move on the big-time boxing scene with a hard-fought and controversial draw against Yonnhy Perez and an exciting win over Vic Darchniyan.  However, it was his win over Joseph “King Kong” Agbeko for the IBF Bantamweight World Title in August of 2011 that made him a champion and catapulted him into the spotlight.  After a successful defense against Agbeko in their December 2011 rematch, the 26-year-old Mares won his second divisional world title in April with a 12-round victory over former Two-Time World Champion Eric “Little Hands Of Steel” Morel that earned him the WBC Super Bantamweight World Championship belt.  He now looks to defend against another tough customer in Moreno .

 

Fighting out of Panama City, Panama, 27-year-old Anselmo “Chemito” Moreno (33-1-1, 12 KO’s) had been one of boxing’s best kept secrets for years, but the man with the amazing 27-fight winning streak is unknown no longer thanks to his remarkable skill set and willingness to fight anyone.  A professional since 2003, Moreno won the WBA Bantamweight World Championship title in May of 2008 with a 12-round decision win over Volodymyr Sydorenko.  After that, eight successful defenses followed before Moreno made his United States debut with another defense of his crown, this one a lopsided 12 round unanimous decision win over former World Champion Vic Darchinyan.  Firmly established as one of the best young champions in boxing, Moreno stopped David De La Mora in nine rounds on April 21, 2012.  Now he will step up in weight to challenge Mares in one of the biggest fights of 2012.

 

Coming off of a career-defining win over Eric Morel on September 15 in which he handed the former world champion his first ever knockout loss, IBF Bantamweight World Champion Leo Santa Cruz (21-0-1, 12 KO’s) of Lincoln Heights, Calif. will jump right back into the ring on November 10 eager to keep the momentum going.  Just 24 years old, “Teremoto” went from prospect to champion in 2012, when he stopped veteran Alejandro Hernandez in January and then won his first world title in June with a dominant win over Vusi Malinga.  Now with the fifth round stoppage over Morel under his belt, the sky’s the limit for this young Mexican-American phenom.

 

A devastating puncher with a pressure-filled style that has broken down many of the junior middleweight division’s top contenders, Alfredo Angulo’s (20-2, 17 KO’s) only goal left is to win world championship gold.  Originally from   Mexicali , Baja California , Mexico , but now fighting out of Los Angeles, Calif. , the 30-year-old contender has been chomping at the bit to return to the ring for the first time since his candidate for “Fight of the Year” war with James Kirkland in 2011.  With the immigration issues that kept him out of the ring since that fight cleared up, he is ready to return and prepared to show that he still has the exciting form that saw him finish Joachim Alcine, Gabriel Rosado, Harry Joe Yorgey and Joel Julio.

 

Nicknamed “El Tigre” for his ferocious attacking style in the ring, Edinburg, Texas’ Raul Casarez (19-2, 9 KO’s) is unbeaten since 2006, and on November 10 he has the opportunity he has been waiting his entire career for, to fight on SHOWTIME against a highly-rated contender.  For the 25-year-old, a win over Angulo will not only extend his 11-fight unbeaten streak, which includes a March win over J.C. Candelo, but it will place him among the top contenders in the division and put him on the fast track to a world title shot.

 

DEVON ALEXANDER & RANDALL BAILEY READY TO THROW DOWN RIGHT NOW: TRAINING CAMP NOTES AND QUOTES

Saturday, Sept. 8, at 9 p.m. ET/PT Live on SHOWTIME^®

From Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas

 

In Co-Feature, Ajose Olusegun Meets Lucas Matthysse
for WBC Interim Super Lightweight Title

NEW YORK (Aug. 29, 2012) –- Randall Bailey defends his International Boxing Federation (IBF)  welterweight title against former World Champion Devon Alexander on Saturday, Sept. 8, in the main event on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING live on SHOWTIME^® (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) from Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

 

The fight is still over a week away, but if these confident boxers had their way, they’d fight tonight.

 

“Oh, yeah, I’m definitely ready to rock ‘n roll,” said Alexander from his camp in Fort Charles , Mo.   “Let’s do it now.  I’m really anxious to get in there and prove to a lot of people that I am one of the best.”

 

Added Bailey from his training camp in Fort Lauderdale , Fla. : “I’ve never felt better and I’m ready to fight this guy right now.  When I hit him right, it’s going to be goodnight.”

 

In the 12-round co-feature, unbeaten Nigerian Ajose Olusegun (30-0, 14 KOs) will face power-punching Argentine Lucas Matthysse (31-2, 29 KOs ) for the vacant WBC Interim Super Lightweight crown.

Alexander vs. Bailey, a 12-round fight for Bailey’s IBF Welterweight World Championship taking place Saturday, September 8 at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with The Great Promotions and DiBella Entertainment and sponsored by Corona and AT&T. The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast will air live at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) with Ajose Olusegun facing Lucas Matthysse for the vacant WBC Interim Super Lightweight World Championship in the co-feature which is presented in association with Gary Shaw Productions and Arano Box Promotions.  Preliminary fights will air live on SHOWTIME EXTREME® beginning at 7:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

 

Tickets, priced at $200, $100, $75, $50 and $25, along with a limited number of VIP suite seats priced at $150, are on sale and may be purchased at the Hard Rock Hotel Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, online at www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at (800) 745-3000.

 

Alexander (23-1, 13 KO’s), of St. Louis , and southpaw Bailey (43-7, 37 KO’s), of Miami , Fla. , have concluded the majority of their training and are in the midst of final preparations.  Each camp lasted approximately two-and-a-half months.  They’ll both arrive in Las Vegas early next week.

 

Alexander and his longtime manager-trainer, Kevin Cunningham, are “putting the finishing touches on camp,” the fighter said.  “My weight is good and everything is running great.  Camp is always a little different from fight to fight, but the regimen and the training are basically always the same.

 

“We know Bailey’s style and what he brings to the table.  If he thinks I am underestimating him, he hasn’t been paying attention to the interviews.  I never take any fighter lightly; I learned that in the amateurs.  A man can beat anybody on a given night.

 

“This is going to be a tough fight.  Anybody who has that kind of power is dangerous.  I know I have to be prepared (for Bailey’s right hand), but I’m not concerned about it.  I do what I have to do.  I just want to take control from the opening bell until the end.”

 

“We’re starting to wind down a little,” Bailey said.  “Training camp’s been great.  I’m a happy camper.  I’m motivated and relaxed.  Strength and conditioning, everything’s gone smoothly.  We’ve really been working it.  I saw the tapes and know what I have to do.  I never felt this good when I was at 140 pounds.

 

“My trainer, John David Jackson, was one of the best defensive southpaws in the game and he’s got me slippin’ and slidin’ in the ring like I never have before.  I’ve fought a rack of southpaws so it shouldn’t be a problem (facing Alexander).  I fought three southpaws back-to-back-to-back (DeMarcus “Chop Chop’’ Corley, Francisco Figueroa and Juan Urango) in late 2008 and 2009.

 

“Talk’s cheap.  I don’t take things personally.  I fight, that’s what I do.  I’m trying to tell you, this (guy) is perfect for me.  I don’t know what they’re thinking in St. Louis, but it isn’t going to be easy like they think.”

 

Alexander, a former World Boxing Council (WBC) and IBF 140-pound world champion, is making his second start at welterweight.  In his debut in the weight class, the world-class boxer-puncher won a one-sided 10-round decision over Marcos Maidana this past Feb. 25.

 

“I love fighting at 147.  It’s awesome.  I feel so much stronger and have so much more energy,” said Alexander, who turned pro in 2004.  “I don’t have to struggle as much and I don’t have to worry about draining myself.  I outgrew the 140-pound weight class.  You definitely haven’t seen the best of me at 147.  There are a lot of action-packed opponents at 147.  It’s going to be interesting.”

 

Alexander says to expect a varied attack.  “I’m going to be versatile in this fight,” he said.  “I can come forward, box and use my power.  I plan to do a lot of things.  I don’t think I have to prove anything.  I just need to continue to win.  People have always had high expectations of me since I started coming up as a prospect.  It’s strange how things go.  People were highest on me at a time when I was having all the weight problems.  Now, it is almost like starting over and I have to make my mark at 147.”

 

The 25-year-old Alexander, whose lone blemish on his record is a loss to Timothy Bradley, fought once on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING and twice on ShoBox: The New Generation.  “I won my first title on SHOWTIME when I knocked out Junior Witter (TKO 8 on Aug. 1, 2009).  It was on SHOWTIME that I first made my mark.

 

“I hope to make a mark again.  We definitely saw Bailey’s fight against Jones.  It’s the reason we made the fight.  Bailey is a suitable opponent.  Jones fought scared the whole fight against him and it made for an ugly fight.  Fighting scared against a guy who’s throwing five to six punches a round?  I’m just going to go to work and do what I do.  I’m really looking forward to this fight.

 

“I really don’t know why he’s saying what he’s saying.  I haven’t disrespected him.  I haven’t done anything to his family.  This is the wrong sport in which to have a chip on your shoulder.  You can’t take it into the ring.  You’ve got to have discipline.  I guess he’s angry about taking this fight or maybe he’s trying to hype himself to fight.  I don’t care.”

 

Bailey showed why he is regarded as one of the most prolific one-punch knockout artists in history in his last start on June 9 when he dramatically rallied from the brink of defeat to render previously unbeaten Mike Jones unconscious in the 11^th round to capture the IBF 147-pound title.  After nine rounds, Bailey was losing by the scores of 90-81, 89-82 and 88-83, but he scored a knockdown in the 10^th with the great equalizer - the right hand - and another in the 11^th with a right uppercut.  Jones was counted out at 2:52 and a spectacular Bailey knockout victory was in the books.

 

“It’s been such a long road, I really wanted to win a world title again,” said Bailey, a former WBO and WBA Interim super lightweight titleholder who’ll be entering the ring on Sept. 8 as a defending world champion for the first time since 1999.  “I went through a lot of nonsense and hardship for a long time.  It was really frustrating.  I hung around at 140 a lot longer than I wanted because I wanted a title shot, but I didn’t argue when it never came.  I just stayed steady, fought who they put in front of me and got the job done.”

 

Bailey, who knocked out Carlos “Bolillo” Gonzalez to capture the WBO title on SHOWTIME in May 1999 and made his first two defenses on the network, knows he’ll have to let his fists fly significantly more often than he did against Jones.  He thinks he’ll benefit from facing a shorter man this time around.  Bailey is 5’9”, an inch taller than Alexander.

 

“I know I have to throw more punches and definitely be busier,” Bailey said.  “He’s going to require that.  Alexander isn’t nearly as tall as Jones, a big guy who uses his height well.  l have what I have, the punching power to catch guys, and Jones left the door open for me.  I knew I was losing the whole fight.  My corner was cussing me out between every round to get busy, but I got the job done. 

 

“No one gave me a chance against Jones and no one is giving me a chance again, but I’m prepared and I’ve done my homework.  Devon is in for a rude awakening.  He’s smaller than me.  If I have to walk him down and throw caution to the wind, I will.  I won’t wait to counter.  They’re saying he’ll go to my body.  If that’s what they want, be my guest, but I’m not buying it.  He won’t stay in front of me.  Just like Jones until he got caught, he won’t want me to get close.  I hit too hard and one punch is all it takes.”

 

Since December 2004, Bailey has knocked down 16 of his 18 opponents – seven were on the canvas two times, and one was decked five times.  A pro since 1996, Bailey will turn 38 five days after the fight.

 

“I’m looking forward to an early birthday present,” he said.  “The odds will be against me, but I am going to knock out Alexander like I did Jones.

 

“Believe me, I jumped at this opportunity.  When we were promoted by the same promoter years ago, I asked for the fight, but they said no.  When this fight gets out of hand, I know Kevin’s not going to let his kid get messed up.  Any fight I’m in, if it gets rough, it gets rough, I’m not backing down.  They’ve spoon-fed these guys to a world title, but he’s running into a bad man.  I’m going to bust his butt.  Fight night can’t come soon enough for me.’’

 

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, http://Sports.SHO.com, follow us on Twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing,@DAlexandereal, @TheJointLV, @hardrockhotellv, @SHOsports, follow the conversation using #AlexanderBailey or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing or www.facebook.com/ShoBoxing.

 

CANELO ALVAREZ, TRAINER CHEPO REYNOSO & PROMOTER OSCAR DE LA HOYA LOS ANGELES WORKOUT QUOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Wednesday, Aug. 29, From TSB-44, Santa Monica , California

 

Canelo Defends WBC Super Welterweight Title Against Josesito Lopez

In Main Event Of “Knockout Kings” On Mexican Independence Day Weekend,

Sat., Sept. 15, From MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Live On SHOWTIME ^®

 

LOS ANGELES (Aug. 29, 2012) –- Incredibly popular Mexican superstar Canelo Alvarez participated in a spirited open media workout Wednesday at TSB-44 in Santa Monica, Calif. as he prepares to defend his WBC Super Welterweight World Championship against upset-minded breakout star Josesito Lopez in the main event of “Knockout Kings’’ on Mexican Independence Day weekend, Saturday, Sept. 15, live on SHOWTIME ^® (9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT, delayed on the West Coast) from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. 

 

In front of a jam-packed gym working with trainer Chepo Reynoso and co-trainer Eddy Reynoso, the undefeated champion hit the heavy bags, performed calisthenic exercises, shadowboxed and sparred for five rounds during an intense one-hour workout. 

 

Here’s what Canelo, his trainer, and Oscar De La Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions, said Wednesday:

 

CANELO ALVAREZ

“Every fight there’s more and more pressure and more and more attention on me.  The way I deal with it is to take it one fight at a time.  Keep training and trying to get bigger every day.  I want to learn and I’m still learning. 

 

“I don’t want to say I’m the best, but I am a world champion and I want to fight the best.  I’d love to fight guys like Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto, but first I have to get past Josesito. 

 

“This is going to be a tough fight and a great fight for the fans.  Josesito has a great chin.  I feel I’ll have to work him little by little and throw my best combinations to hurt him. 

 

“He’s my opponent and he’s definitely earned the opportunity for this fight.  He’s durable, he’s dangerous and he’s coming to win.  He’s coming to win and to take my belt. 

 

“I’m not even thinking of the $100,000 knockout bonus.  I just want to win convincingly for all my fans.  I’m dedicating this fight to them. 

 

“My sole focus is on Sept. 15.  Fighting on Mexican Independence Day weekend is a very big responsibility for me. 

 

“Working in Santa Monica at this gym has been great.  Everything has gone perfectly.  I’ve had good sparring and I’ve been working with guys that are similar in size and style to Josesito.

 

“I’m relaxed and I feel no pressure.  It’s different for me now than it used to be.  I don’t have as much private time to myself; people know me and recognize me, but I fight for the people, my fans.  

 

“I’m looking for a big win so that fans can celebrate happily and properly on Mexican Independence Day weekend.  This is a very important date.  I hope the fans come out and support us.  This is a big night and I’m really looking forward to the fight.”

 

 

CHEPO REYNOSO

“This is a very important fight against a very durable and determined opponent.  People don’t believe in Lopez, but they didn’t believe in him before he fought Victor Ortiz either. 

 

“There are no weak opponents.  We know that Josesito is capable of causing damage.  That’s why we have had 10 weeks of preparation for this fight.  We don’t want the same thing to happen to Canelo that happened to Ortiz. 

 

“This has been a great camp from start to finish.  There haven’t been any problems.  Canelo is very focused.  He has tunnel vision.”

 

OSCAR DE LA HOYA

“This is an amazing card, one that easily could have been on pay-per-view.  The fact SHOWTIME stepped up to the plate is great for the sport and great for the fans.  We are all very excited about it. 

 

“The millions of fans watching live on SHOWTIME will see a great night of non-stop action and knockouts.  The $100,000 bonus we’re giving to the top knockout winner only gives more motivation to all the fighters.  Actually, this bonus is so enticing I’m thinking about maybe coming back. 

 

“You know Jhonny Gonzalez is thinking the bonus the way he fights.  Ponce De Leon, Canelo, it’s hard to pick who’s going to be the eventual winner.  Every fighter on this card possesses tremendous punching power and they can all lay down the hammer and it will be “goodnight” for their opponents when they do. 

 

“Every fight from top to bottom is going to be exciting.  I expect them all to end by knockout.  They’re all amazing matchups – the matchmaking was crucial to this card and I feel we did a great job.

 

“Fans are in for a real treat – a night of great action and knockouts.  The fighters are motivated and ready to fight.”

 

“Knockout Kings,” headlined by Canelo Alvarez defending his WBC Super Welterweight World Championship against breakout star Josesito Lopez, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Canelo Promotions in association with Goossen Tutor Promotions and Thompson Boxing Promotions and sponsored by Corona , DeWalt Tools and AT&T.  In the co-featured attractions, WBC Featherweight World Champion Jhonny Gonzalez defends his crown against former World Champion Daniel Ponce De Leon in fight presented in association with Promociones Del Pueblo, former World Champion Marcos Maidana faces perennial contender Jesus Soto Karass in a fight presented in association with Universum Box-Promotion and Leo Santa Cruz defends his IBF Bantamweight World Championship against former Two-Time World Champion Eric Morel.  The Saturday, Sept. 15 quadruple-header, packed with Mexican pride and power, will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and will be televised live on SHOWTIME Saturday, Sept. 15 at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.

 

Tickets priced at $400, $300, $150, $50 and $25, not including applicable service charges and taxes, are on sale now and available for purchase.  Ticket sales are limited to 10 per person.  To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000.  Tickets also are available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

 

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.goossentutor.com, www.thomsonboxing.com, www.mgmgrand.com, http://Sports.SHO.com, follow us on Twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @GoossenTutor, @ThompsonBoxing, @CaneloOficial, @JosesitoLopez, @DanielPoncedel1, @ChinoMaidana, @MGMGrand; @SHOsports, follow the conversation using #CaneloLopez or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, or www.facebook.com/ShoBoxing.

ROBERT GUERRERO RETURNS WITH IMPRESSIVE UNANIMOUS DECISION VICTORY OVER SELCUK AYDIN SATURDAY ON SHOWTIME®

Saturday’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING^® Telecast Will Replay

Tuesday, July 31 at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME^®

Available On Demand from Sunday, July 29, through Aug. 26

        

SAN JOSE, Calif., (July 28, 2012) – Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero won the World Boxing Council (WBC) Interim Welterweight World Championship with a unanimous decision victory over previously undefeated Selcuk Aydin in front of a hometown crowd on Saturday in the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING main event  at HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif.

 

Guerrero, who was moving up two weight classes after a 15-month layoff, was the more active boxer despite admitting having to shake off some rust in his return to the ring.  The Gilroy , Calif. , native threw and landed more punches while showcasing a surprising display of power and aggressiveness in an impressive debut in his new division. 

 

“He’s a strong guy,” Guerrero said.  “I want to take on the best and that’s why we challenged him.  It’s my first fight back in a year and I took care of business. 

 

“I believe in my talents and my skills.  I stood with him a little too long, but I’m a fighter. Now you know I can take a shot at the welterweight division.  Floyd Mayweather, you want this belt, its right here.  Come and get it. “

 

Guerrero (30-1-1, 18 KO’s) built an early lead over the Turkish Aydin (23-1, 17 KO’s), who rallied with his powerful right hand in the middle and later rounds, but Guerrero, who fought with a second wind in the championship rounds, had built a steady lead and won by scores of 117-11 and 116-112 (twice). 

 

“I think I did wrong, not the judges,” Aydin said.  “I could not do what I wanted to do.  It’s my mistake, I blame it on me.  After the fourth round something happened with me.  I saw double and I don’t know why, but there’s no excuse - I lost.” 

 

SHOWTIME boxing analyst and Hall of Famer Al Bernstein was impressed with Guerrero’s performance. 

“It was fairly remarkable that Guerrero was able to move up two weight classes after a long layoff and win a battle of attrition with a true welterweight,” Bernstein said.  “Aydin is not a stylist and has technique issues, but he is a powerful puncher and he made this an exciting fight.”

 

In a fast-paced, exciting fight, Shawn Porter kicked off the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast with a hard-fought unanimous decision (96-94, 97-93, 98-92) victory over Alfonso Gomez in the 10-round welterweight co-feature. 

 

The ShoBox: The New Generation alum proved too tough and durable for Gomez, who seemed unable to hurt Porter (20-0, 14 KO’s), of Cleveland , Ohio , with his best shots.  Porter, who landed 45 percent of his power punches compared to Gomez’s 34 percent, dominated the middle rounds with effective body shots and powerful combos as Gomez (23-6-2, 12 KO’s), of Guadalajara, Mexico, tired. 

 

“He has a lot of heart,” Porter said.  “We came in here and we knew what to expect.  I’m an aggressive fighter, my team knows that.  If there’s anything I can change it’s that I come forward too much. 

 

“I’m 20 and 0.  I can do 10 (rounds) with no problem.  I’m on my way up to 12.”

 

In SHOWTIME EXTREME action, Hugo Centeno (15-0, 8 KO’s), of Oxnard, Calif., kept his unbeaten record intact with a near-shutout eight-round unanimous decision victory (79-73, 80-72 twice) victory over Ayi Bruce (14-8, 8 KO’s), of Albany, N.Y.

 

Undefeated British super middleweight prospect George Groves (15-0, 12 KO’s) opened up the SHOWTIME EXTREME telecast with a bang with a brutal knockout at 2:15 of the sixth round over Francisco Sierra (24-6-1, 22 KO’s), of Tepic, Mexico. 

 

The fights will air on replay on SHOWTIME EXTREME on Tuesday, July 31, at 10:30 p.m. ET / PT and will be available On Demand from Sunday, July 29 through Aug. 26.

 

Gus Johnson called the action on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING with Al Bernstein serving as expert analysts. Barry Tompkins and Steve Farhood announced the fights on SHOWTIME EXTREME. David Dinkins Jr. was the Executive Producer with Bob Dunphy directing.

Final Press Conference Photos: ROBERT GUERRERO-SELCUK AYDIN

FORMER THREE-DIVISION WORLD CHAMPION 

ROBERT GUERRERO

AND UNDEFEATED WELTERWEIGHT

SELCUK AYDIN

FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE PHOTOS

 PHOTO CREDIT: Tom Hogan - Hoganphotos/Golden Boy Promotions.

Former Three-Division World Champion Robert Guerrero (Left) and undefeated number one rated WBC welterweight contender Selcuk Aydin (Right) pose on July 25, 2012 in San Jose, California during the final press conference for their July 28, 2012 fight for the vacant WBC Interim Welterweight World Championship at HP Pavilion in San Jose which will be televised live on SHOWTIME Championship Boxing.

Former Three-Division World Champion Robert Guerrero (Left) addresses undefeated number one rated WBC welterweight contender Selcuk Aydin (Right) on July 25, 2012 in San Jose, California during the final press conference for their July 28, 2012 fight for the vacant WBC Interim Welterweight World Championship at HP Pavilion in San Jose which will be televised live on SHOWTIME Championship Boxing.

Former Three-Division World Champion Robert Guerrero speaks to members of the media on July 25, 2012 in San Jose, California during the final press conference for his July 28, 2012 fight against undefeated number one rated WBC welterweight contender Selcuk Aydin for the vacant WBC Interim Welterweight World Championship at HP Pavilion in San Jose which will be televised live on SHOWTIME Championship Boxing

Undefeated number one rated WBC welterweight contender Selcuk Aydin (Right) speaks to members of the media on July 25, 2012 in San Jose, California during the final press conference for his July 28, 2012 fight against former Three-Division World Champion Robert Guerrero for the vacant WBC Interim Welterweight World Championship at HP Pavilion in San Jose which will be televised live on SHOWTIME Championship Boxing.

Undefeated welterweight prospect Shawn Porter (Left) and former world title challenger Alfonso Gomez (Right) pose on July 25, 2012 in San Jose, California during the final press conference for their July 28, 2012 fight for the vacant NABO welterweight title at HP Pavilion in San Jose which will be televised live on SHOWTIME Championship Boxing

(From Left to Right) Undefeated welterweight prospect Shawn Porter, former Three-Division World Champion Robert Guerrero, undefeated number one rated WBC welterweight contender Selcuk Aydin and former world title challenger Alfonzo Gomez pose on July 25, 2012 in San Jose, California during the final press conference for their July 28, 2012 fights at HP Pavilion in San Jose where Guerrero will face Aydin for the vacant WBC Interim Welterweight World Championship and Porter will face Gomez for the vacant NABO welterweight title, both of which will be televised live on SHOWTIME Championship Boxing.

ABOUT "GUERRERO VS. AYDIN":

Guerrero vs. Aydin, a 12-round fight for the WBC Interim Welterweight World Championship, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Arena-Box Promotion and sponsored by Corona, DeWalt Tools and AT&T.  The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast will air live at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) with Shawn Porter facing Alfonso Gomez for the NABO Welterweight title in the co-featured fight and preliminary fights to air live on SHOWTIME EXTREME® at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Tickets priced at $252, $127, $62, and $26 are available for purchase online at Ticketmaster.com, charge by phone at (800) 745-3000 and at the HP Pavilion Ticket Office.