CUBAN SENSATION ERISLANDY LARA TO FACE DELVIN RODRIGUEZ AS PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON SPIKE RETURNS TO UIC PAVILION IN CHICAGO ON FRIDAY, JUNE 12 KNOCKOUT ARTIST ARTUR BETERBIEV TO FACE ALEXANDER JOHNSON CHICAGO (June 10, 2015) Cuban boxing sensation Erislandy The American Dream Lara (20-2-2, 12 KOs) returns to the ring on Friday, June 12 to face veteran Delvin Rodriguez (28-7-4, 16 KOs) as Premier Boxing Champions heads back to Spike. Additionally, Russian knockout artist Artur Beterbiev (8-0, 8 KOs) is set to square off against Alexander The Great Johnson (16-2, 7 KOs) of Oxon, Maryland. This edition of PBC on Spike begins at 9 p.m. ET. Doors at UIC Pavilion open at 5 p.m. CT with the first fight set for 5:30 p.m. CT. "I'm very excited to be fighting on Spike TV on June 12th in Chicago." said Erislandy "The American Dream" Lara. "Delvin Rodriguez is a tough veteran fighter who I respect. He has a lot of heart and determination. But once the bell rings I'm looking for the knockout!" On June 12, I am going to change everyone s mind about me and show that I can beat Lara, said Rodriguez. Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Warriors Boxing in association with Group Yvon Michel (GYM) and Star Boxing, are priced at $151, $101, $51, and $31, not including applicable service charges, and are on sale now. To charge by phone with a
major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 or UIC Pavilion Box Office at (312) 413-5740. Tickets are also available at www.ticketmaster.com or by visiting the UIC Pavilion Box Office (Thursday or Friday 9:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m.). The 32-year-old Lara is a slick boxer with the ability to deliver punishment while taking very little of it in return. Lara has notched victories over Alfredo Angulo, Austin Trout and Freddy Hernandez throughout his career. As an amateur, Lara won numerous titles including a national championship at welterweight and also participated in the 2007 Pan- Am games. The fighter originally from Guantanamo, Cuba but fighting out of Houston most recently defeated former world champion Ishe Smith on his way to his 20 th professional victory. Already deep into an accomplished career, the 35-year-old Rodriguez looks to give Lara a stiff test and entertain the crowd at UIC Pavilion on June 12. Having battled the likes of Miguel Cotto and Austin Trout, Rodriguez has also picked up victories over Mike Arnaoutis, Pawel Wolak and Shamone Alvarez throughout his accomplished career. Born in Santiago de le Caballeros, Dominican Republic but fighting out of Danbury, Connecticut, Rodriguez will look to improve on his last outing, a draw against Joachim Alcine in May 2014. Having floored every opponent he s faced professionally, the now 30-year-old former amateur standout Beterbiev will be seeking to keep his knockout streak alive in Chicago. Having notched impressive wins over Tavoris Cloud in 2014 and Gabriel Campillo earlier this year, the heavy-fisted Russian knows he ll be tested with an experienced opponent on June 12. A pro since 2007, Johnson has been a steady force in the light heavyweight division, especially in the mid-atlantic region. The fighter out of Oxon Hill, Maryland won the first 12 fights of his professional career, including a victory over the previously unbeaten Farah Ennis. The 33-year-old is coming off of a first round TKO over Henry Buchanan in Sept. 2014 and is looking to follow that up with another explosive performance on June 12.
@LaraBoxing, @DRodriguez1980, @WarriorsBoxProm, @yvonmichelgym, @starboxing and @SpikeTV and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/premierboxingchampions, www.facebook.com/warriorsboxingpromo and www.facebook.com/spike. CONTACTS: Michael Donahue, Premier Boxing Champions: (630) 441-8080 Swanson Communications: (202) 783-5500 Andre Courtemanche, Warriors Boxing: (954) 302-2462 Mario Serrano, Team Lara: 408-607-5756 David Schwarz, Spike TV: (212) 767-8639 UIC Pavilion: (312) 413-5700 Media Credentials: www.magnamedia.com
POPULAR CHICAGO HEAVYWEIGHT ARTUR SZPILKA TAKES ON MANUEL QUEZADA AT UIC PAVILION ON FRIDAY, JUNE 12 Plus Exciting Stars Anthony Peterson, Dominique Dolton & Elieder Alvarez All In Action As Premier Boxing Champions On Spike Returns To Chicago CHICAGO (June 10, 2015) A full slate of exciting fights round out a stacked undercard coming to UIC Pavilion in Chicago on Friday, June 12 as heavyweight bruiser and fan favorite Artur Szpilka (18-1, 13 KOs) takes on Manuel Quezada (29-9, 18 KOs) in a 10- round heavyweight attraction. The full night of undercard action supports the Premier Boxing Champions on Spike doubleheader that features Cuban boxing sensation Erislandy The American Dream Lara (20-2-2, 12 KOs) taking on veteran Delvin Rodriguez (28-7-4, 16 KOs) and Russian knockout artist Artur Beterbiev (8-0, 8 KOs) facing Alexander Johnson (16-2, 7 KOs). This edition of PBC on Spike begins at 9 p.m. ET. Doors at UIC Pavilion open at 5 p.m. CT with the first fight set for 5:15 p.m. CT. Also competing in undercard action is the explosive Anthony Peterson (34-1, 22 KOs) who battles Ammeth Diaz (32-11, 23 KOs) in a 10-round super lightweight bout and undefeated rising contender Eleider Alvarez (16-0, 9 KOs), who battles Anatoliy Dudchenko (16-0, 9 KOs) in a 10-round light heavyweight duel. Ronald Hearns, the son of the legendary Thomas Hitman Hearns, returns to the ring to (27-5, 21 KOs) face David Thomas (10-4-2, 8 KOs) in a six-round super welterweight contest while undefeated prospect Domonique Dolton (16-0, 8 KOs) faces Victor Fonseca (9-4-1, 7 KOs) in eight rounds of super welterweight action.
The card also features a slew of Illinois top prospects including 24-year-old Ramiro Carillo (8-0, 5 KOs) out of Chicago battling 31-year-old Dedrick Bell (12-23-1, 7 KOs) out of Memphis in a six-round welterweight contest and Chicago s Josh Hernandez will make his pro debut as he faces 23-year-old Joe Estrada (0-3) from Kearney, Missouri in a four-round welterweight battle. Rounding out the local flavor is 20-year-old Jose Quezada (6-0, 5 KOs) from Alsip, Ill., taking on 26-year-old Jeffrey Ramos (4-3, 2 KOs) from Puerto Rico in a six-round lightweight bout and 22-year-old undefeated prospect Eddie Ramirez (8-0, 6 KOs) out of Aurora, Ill., battling 35-year-old Gerardo Cuevas (17-14, 15 KOs) from Mexico City in an eight-round junior welterweight attraction. Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Warriors Boxing in association with Group Yvon Michel (GYM) and Star Boxing, are priced at $151, $101, $51, and $31, not including applicable service charges, and are on sale now. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 or UIC Pavilion Box Office at (312) 413-5740. Tickets are also available at www.ticketmaster.com or by visiting the UIC Pavilion Box Office (Thursday or Friday 9:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m.). With only one loss to the undefeated Bryant Jennings on his record, the 26-year-old Szpilka will look to build on his most recent victories, a unanimous decision in Nov. 2014 over heavyweight star Tomas Adamek and a second round TKO over Ty Cobb in April. Born in Wieliczka, Poland, he has made a name for himself in Chicago having fought there three times before and picking up knockout victories each time. He faces the 38- year-old Quezada out of Wasco, California by way of Mexico. The brother of former world champion Lamont Peterson, the 30-year-old Peterson hopes to soon make a name for himself on the big stage. Owner of wins over Daniel Attah, Dominic Salcido and Marcos Leonardo Jimenez, the Washington, D.C. product is looking to win his fifth consecutive fight on June 12. He will be opposed by the 32-yearold former world title challenger Diaz who fights out of Panama.
A 2008 Colombian Olympian, the 31-year-old Alvarez has risen to contender status in the light heavyweight division as he remained undefeated with three big wins in 2014. Fighting out of Montreal by way of Columbia, his 2015 debut will also be his U.S. debut when he takes on the 36-year-old Dudchenko who fights out of Los Angeles by way of Ukraine. Son of the legendary Thomas Hitman Hearns, the 36-year-old Hearns looks to build on his last win, a fifth round knockout over Roberto Ventura in Dec. 2014. The Southfield, Michigan native is an exceptional athlete who played Division 1 basketball at American University while getting his degree in Criminal Justice. He faces the 32-year-old Thomas out of Evansville, Indiana. Undefeated since turning pro in 2008, the 25-year-old Dolton got off to a strong start in 2015 as he dominated Juan Carlos Rojas in February. The Detroit-native looks to keep his momentum going when he meets the 22-year-old Mexican Fonseca on June 12. For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, www.spike.com/shows/premier-boxing-champions, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @LaraBoxing, @DRodriguez1980, @WarriorsBoxProm, @yvonmichelgym, @starboxing and @SpikeTV and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/premierboxingchampions, www.facebook.com/warriorsboxingpromo and www.facebook.com/spike. CONTACTS: Michael Donahue, Premier Boxing Champions: (630) 441-8080 Swanson Communications: (202) 783-5500 Andre Courtemanche, Warriors Boxing: (954) 302-2462 Mario Serrano, Team Lara: 408-607-5756 David Schwarz, Spike TV: (212) 767-8639 UIC Pavilion: (312) 413-5700 Media Credentials: www.magnamedia.com
ERISLANDY LARA QUICK FACTS Full Name Erislandy Lara Nickname The American Dream Height 5-9 Weight 154 (Super Welterweight) Date of Birth April 11, 1983 Hometown Guantanamo, Cuba Record 20-2-2, 12 KOs BACKGROUND Began boxing at the age of 6 Defected from Cuba to Mexico in 2008 before eventually making his way to Germany PRO CAREER Turned pro in July 2008 with decision victory over Ivan Maslov Won his first 15 fights including 10 by knockout Defeated Freddy Hernandez and Ronald Hearns as part of undefeated 2012 campaign Defeated Alfredo Angulo by 10 th round TKO in June 2013 to win Defeated former world champion Austin Trout by unanimous decision in Dec. 2013 Won a unanimous decision over Ishe Smith in Dec. 2014 AMATEUR CAREER 2005-07 National Amateur Champion 2005 Amateur World Champion SOCIAL MEDIA Twitter - @LaraBoxing Instagram - LaraBoxing
DELVIN RODRIGUEZ QUICK FACTS Full Name Delvin Rodriguez Height 6-0 Weight 154 (Super Welterweight) Date of Birth May 4, 1980 Hometown Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic Record 28-7-4, 16 KOs BACKGROUND Grew up in the Dominican Republic with an older sister and younger brother Moved to Danbury, Connecticut at age 9 Started boxing at age 10 PRO CAREER Turned pro in January 1999 with a decision victory over Hamilton Verano Undefeated in his first 11 fights Defeated previously unbeaten Troy Browning in Feb. 2008 by unanimous decision Won a unanimous decision over Mike Arnaoutis in April 2010 Defeated previously unbeaten George Tahdooahnippah and Freddy Hernandez in 2013 Most recently fought Joachim Alcine to a draw in May 2014 AMATEUR CAREER Competed in 65 amateur fights Connecticut Silver Gloves Champion Junior Olympics Campion SOCIAL MEDIA Twitter - @DRodriguez1980 Instagram ElPeligro80
ARTUR BETERBIEV QUICK FACTS Full Name Artur Beterbiev Height 6-0 Weight 175 (Light Heavyweight) Date of Birth January 21, 1985 Hometown Khasavyurt, Daghestan, Russia Record 8-0, 8 KOs BACKGROUND Born in Russia, of Chechen descent, but now lives in Montreal Discovered by former manager Anna Reva PRO CAREER Turned pro in June 2013 with second round TKO over Christian Cruz Knocked out former World Champion Tavoris Cloud in the second round in Sept. 2014 Delivered a second round knockout over previously unbeaten Jeff Page in Dec. 2014 Defeated former World Champion Gabriel Campillo by fourth round knockout in April 2015 on the inaugural PBC on CBS card AMATEUR CAREER 2012 & 2008 Russian Olympian 2009 World Amateur Championship Gold Medalist 2007 World Amateur Championship Silver Medalist 2010 & 2006 European Amateur Championship Gold Medalist SOCIAL MEDIA Twitter - @ABeterbiev
ALEXANDER JOHNSON QUICK FACTS Full Name Alexander Lewis Johnson Height 5-11 ½ Weight 175 (Light Heavyweight) Date of Birth December 22, 1981 Hometown Oxon Hill, Maryland Record 16-2, 7 KOs PRO CAREER Turned pro in Aug. 2007 with a first round knockout over Ed Edwards Won his first three fights by knockout Was victorious in his first 12 professional bouts Defeated previously unbeaten Farah Ennis in April 2011 Two defeats came to opponents with zero combined defeats Most recently delivered a TKO over Henry Buchannan in Sept. 2014 A favorite of the Beltway Boxing region having fought 15 times in the D.C.- Maryland-Virginia area