Promoted by Top Rank^®, in association with Zanfer Promotions, Wynn Las Vegas, Márquez Boxing, and Tecate, Bradley vs. Márquez will take place Saturday, October 12, at the Thomas & Mack Center, on the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.  It will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View, beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT.

Undefeated light heavyweight contender "Irish" SEANIE MONAGHAN will open the telecast in his pay-per-view debut.  One of the top boxing gate attractions in his native New York, Monaghan (18-0, 11 KOs), of Long Beach, NY, will be defending his World Boxing Council (WBC) Continental Americas light heavyweight title against Pennsylvania State light heavyweight champion Anthony Caputo-Smith (14-1, 10 KOs), of Kennett Square, PA.

Tickets to the Bradley vs. Márquez welterweight championship event, priced at $800, $600, $400, $300, $200, $100 and $50, will go on sale This Friday!  June 21, at 3:00 p.m. ET / Noon PT.  They can be purchased at the Thomas & Mack Center Box Office, online at UNLVtickets.com, at UNLVtickets Outlet Town Square Las Vegas Concierge, or by calling 702-739-FANS (3267).   

Bradley (30-0, 12 KOs), from Palm Springs, Calif., a two-division world champion trained by Joel Diaz, returns to the ring off  two career-best victories.  On June 9, 2012  Bradley moved up in weight and won a split decision victory over Pacquiao, ending the defending WBO welterweight champion's title reign and his seven-year winning streak.  It was only the fourth professional loss Pacquiao had suffered in a 60-bout career that included world titles in eight different weight divisions.  Bradley, 29, won his first world title in 2008, travelling across the pond to dethrone the defending WBC super lightweight champion Junior Witter in the Englishman’s backyard of Nottingham, England. Bradley’s sixth-round knockdown of Witter shocked the hometown crowd as Bradley won a hard-fought split decision. One year later, in his second championship defense, Bradley unified the title by dominating then-WBO champion Kendall Holt. In a career-defining fight, Bradley weathered a first-round knockdown, and showed his trademark heart and determination during the remainder of the match, to win a unanimous decision. Bradley opted to keep the WBO junior welterweight title. Bradley successfully defended that title twice. In August 2009 he dominated former world champion Nate Campbell before an accidental clash of heads near the end of round three led to the fight later being ruled no contest when Campbell could not continue due to a nasty gash over his left eye.

Bradley followed that up with a December 2009 schooling of undefeated interim WBO champion Lamont Peterson, which included a third-round knockdown, the first time Peterson had ever hit the canvas in his 27-bout professional career. With no worthy contenders available to defend his title against, Bradley moved up to 147 pounds and won a 12-round unanimous decision over undefeated Top-10 welterweight contender Carlos Abregu on July 17, 2010. Bradley kicked off 2011 by reunifying the welterweight titles with a 10-round shellacking of undefeated WBC super light champion Devon Alexander in January, followed by an eighth-round knockout victory of former world champion Joel Casamayor in November, setting up his date with destiny -- Pacquiao.  In his last fight, on March 13, Bradley survived a brutal battle, going toe-to-toe for 12 Hellish rounds, against No. 3-rated contender Ruslan Provodnikov to retain his WBO welterweight title in what many consider Bradley's finest  -- and bravest -- fight of his career.  With 2013 half over, it is still considered the fight of the year.    

Márquez (55-6-1, 40 KOs), of México City, trained by Hall of Famer Ignacio "Nacho" Beristáin, is one of only a rare few fighters from México to have won world titles in four different weight divisions.  He captured his first world title -- the vacant International Boxing Federation (IBF) featherweight championship -- with a seventh-round stoppage of three-time featherweight champion Manuel Medina in 2003.  He unified that title that same year with a decisive victory over World Boxing Association (WBA) featherweight titlist Derrick Gainer.  Márquez successfully defended the titles three times during his three-year reign, which included unanimous decision victories over Victor Polo and Orlando Salido and a Draw with Pacquiao.  After losing the crown to Chris John, and winning the interim featherweight crown, both in 2006, Márquez moved up in weight to dethrone the legendary Marco Antonio Barrera and claim his World Boxing Council (WBC) super featherweight championship belt in 2007.  After successfully defending the title, by a unanimous decision over Ricky Juarez, he lost the title in his 2008 rematch with Pacquiao by the slimmest of margins -- a one point split decision. 

Since that fight, Márquez has won seven of his last nine fights, including knockout victories of Joel Casamayor, Juan Diaz, and Michael Katsidis -- the latter two in WBA/WBO lightweight championship fights.  Last year he won his fourth world title in as many divisions, capturing the WBO interim junior welterweight title with a dominant 12-round unanimous decision over Sergey Fedchenko.  He ended the year with his most satisfying victory, a sixth-round knockout of professional nemesis Pacquiao, which was voted the 2012 Fight of the Year and the 2012 Knockout of the Year.       

For fight updates go to www.toprank.com or www.hbo.com/boxing, on Facebook at facebook.com/trboxing, facebook.com/trboxeo or facebook.com/hboboxing and on Twitter at twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo or twitter.com/hboboxing.

#          #          #

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (Media):

TOP RANK

Lee Samuels/Bradley:  702-378-1083 / Lee@toprank.com

Ricardo Jimenez,/Márquez:  909-615-3436 / Ricardoej@aol.com

Fred Sternburg:  303-548-0707 / TooFred@aol.com

Ed Keenan:  609-399-1330 / Keenan@emcevents.com   

HBO PAY-PER-VIEW

Patrick Byrne, HBO Pay-Per-View:  212/512-1361 / Patrick.Byrne@hbo.com

WYNN LAS VEGAS

Deanna Pettit-Irestone:  702-770-2121 / Deanna.Pettit-Irestone@wynnlasvegas.com  

THOMAS & MACK

Rachel Henry:  702-895-3078 / rachel.henry@unlv.edu

MEDIA CREDENTIALS

Media Credentials:   www.toprank.com/credentials

Promoted by Top Rank^®, in association with Zanfer Promotions, Wynn Las Vegas, Márquez Boxing, and Tecate, tickets to Bradley vs. Márquez, will be priced at $800, $600, $400, $300, $200 , $100 and $50.  They can be purchased at the Thomas & Mack Center Box Office, online at UNLVtickets.com, at UNLVtickets Outlet Town Square Las Vegas Concierge, or by calling 702-739-FANS (3267).   

While both Bradley (30-0, 12 KOs), of Palm Springs, Calif., and Márquez (55-6-1, 40 KOs), of México City, enter this World Welterweight Championship battle fresh from Fight of the Year caliber performances, Márquez will also be attempting to become the first Méxican fighter to win world titles in five different weight divisions.    

For fight updates go to www.toprank.com or www.hbo.com/boxing, on Facebook at facebook.com/trboxing, facebook.com/trboxeo or facebook.com/hboboxing and on Twitter at twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo or twitter.com/hboboxing.

#          #          #

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (Media):

TOP RANK

Lee Samuels/Bradley:  702-732-2717 / Lee@toprank.com

Ricardo Jimenez,/Márquez:  909-615-3436 / Ricardoej@aol.com

Fred Sternburg:  303-548-0707 / TooFred@aol.com

Ed Keenan:  609-399-1330 / Keenan@emcevents.com   

HBO PAY-PER-VIEW

Patrick Byrne:  212/512-1361 / Patrick.Byrne@hbo.com

WYNN LAS VEGAS

Deanna Pettit-Irestone:  702-770-2121 / Deanna.Pettit-Irestone@wynnlasvegas.com   

THOMAS & MACK

Rachel Henry:  702-895-3078 / rachel.henry@unlv.edu

MEDIA CREDENTIALS

Media Credentials:   www.toprank.com/credentials

El campeón peso pluma de la Organización Mundial de Boxeo (OMB), Miguel Ángel “Mikey” Garcíaex y el ex doble campeón mundial Juan Manuel “Juanma” López se presentaron esta tarde ante los fanáticos y los medios en una de las actividades promocionales para el combate de título mundial de este próximo sábado, 15 de junio en el  American Airlines Center de Dallas, Texas, en una presentación de Top Rank, a ser transmitido por HBO en su programa “Boxing After Dark”.

En las afueras del American Airlines Center, específicamente en el AT&T Plaza, y en el fuerte calor Juanma López (33-2, 30 KOs), trabajó frente a los medios locales y los fanáticos presentes, haciendo ejercicios de piso, sombras y guanteletas con los entrenadores Álex Caraballo y Freddy Trinidad. El boricua también compartió con el público que se dio cita.

Mikey García (31-0, 26 KOs) también hizo su rutina y firmó autógrafos y se tomó fotos con los fanáticos.

Mañana, miércoles, López y García participarán de una actividad con los fanáticos de 5:30 p.m. a 7:00 p.m. en La Gran Plaza de Fort Worth Mall en Fort Worth, Texas. Allí, los peleadores compartirán con el público, firmando autógrafos y tomándose fotos.

Juanma López, quien está clasificado número cuatro por la OMB en el peso pluma, viene de una victoria por nocaut en el segundo asalto sobre el mexicano Eugenio “Dinamita” López el pasado 20 de abril, mientras que el 2 de febrero venció por nocaut técnico al brasileño Aldimar Silva Santos en el noveno round tras casi 11 meses sin ver acción sobre el cuadrilátero. Mikey García, por su parte, ganó el cetro de las 126 libras de la OMB el pasado 19 de enero al vencer por decisión técnica en ocho rounds a Orlando “Siri” Salido en Nueva York. García dominó todo el pleito, derribando cuatro veces a Salido, pero un cabezazo accidental de parte de Salido provocó una lesión en la nariz de García, quien no pudo seguir la reyerta y fueron a las tarjetas, que tenían cómodo a García en la delantera.

La transmisión de la cartelera, encabezada por el combate García-López este sábado, 15 de junio, iniciará a las 10:45 de la noche con el pleito entre Terrence Crawford y Alejandro Sanabria.

Este sábado, también verá acción en el programa, el prospecto, John Karl Sosa, combatirá por primera ocasión fuera de Puerto Rico midiéndose al mexicano Alexis Peña (7-2, 5 KOs) en el peso junior welter y a seis asaltos.

Juanma López regresará a Puerto Rico el domingo, 16 de junio, en el vuelo #1180 de American Airlines, que tocará suelo boricua a las 7:00 de la noche.

TUESDAY, JUNE 11 - OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!

FIGHTERS WORKOUTS

American Airlines Center - Outdoors at the AT&T Plaza (south side of AAC)

2500 Victory Ave., Dallas, TX. 75219

·         2:00 p.m.       Juanma Lopez

·         2:30 p.m.       Mikey Garcia

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12 - OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!

GARCIA and LOPEZ PUBLIC APPEARANCE / AUTOGRAPH SESSION

La Gran Plaza de Fort Worth Mall - Center Court

4200 South Freeway, Fort Worth, TX. 76115

·         5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

THURSDAY, JUNE 13 - OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!

FINAL NEWS CONFERENCE

American Airlines Center - Arena Floor, North Concourse Area

2500 Victory Ave., Dallas, TX. 75129

·         1:30 p.m.       Doors Open

·         2:00 p.m.       News Conference Begins 

FRIDAY, JUNE 14 - OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!

OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN

American Airlines Center - Arena Floor, North Concourse

2500 Victory Ave., Dallas, TX. 75219

·         Noon              Doors Open

·         1:15 p.m.       Fighters on the scale

·         1:30 p.m.       Garcia and Lopez on the ccale

SATURDAY, JUNE 15

FIGHT NIGHT

American Airlines Center

2500 Victory Ave., Dallas TX. 75219

*** MEDIA ENTER AT CORNER OF ALL STAR & VICTORY

·         5:00 p.m.       Media Center Opens

·         6:00 p.m.       Public Doors Open

·         6:05 p.m.       First Fight

·         9:45 p.m.       HBO Telecast Begins

*** The Credential Office opens on Wednesday, June 12.  It will be located at the Hyatt Regency Dallas (300 Reunion Blvd., Dallas, TX. 75207) - in the Aerial Queen / Room 353  

FOTOS: Último prepesaje de Juan Manuel "Juanma" López, aquí.

CAGUAS, PUERTO RICO- Enfocado en adquirir su mejor condición física, Juan Manuel “Juanma” López detuvo la báscula hoy en 130 ½ libras durante el último prepesaje en ruta a combate del sábado, 15 de junio, frente al campeón peso pluma de la Organización Mundial de Boxeo (OMB), Miguel Ángel “Mikey” García, que se efectuará en el American Airlines Center de Dallas, Texas, en una presentación de Top Rank, y será visto a través de la telecadena estadounidense HBO.

López (33-2, 30 KOs) debía marcar esta tarde no más de 132.3 libras, que es el 5% por encima del límite pluma, según establece la Comisión de Boxeo Profesional de Puerto Rico (CBPPR), en la actividad efectuada en el Gimnasio José “Cheo” Aponte de Caguas.

“Este era el peso que esperábamos. Yo quería hacer 128, pero el nutricionista me recomendó estar como en 130, y por ahí lo hicimos”, dijo López, quien después del prepesaje entrenaría. “Lo que esperamos es estar como en 129 libras cuando nos vayamos (el lunes) para trabajar allá lo que reste del peso”.

En estos momentos, Juanma López, que reinó en las 122 y 126 libras de la OMB, está clasificado cuarto por esta entidad en las 126 libras. El púgil zurdo viene de una victoria por nocaut en el segundo asalto sobre el mexicano Eugenio “Dinamita” López el pasado 20 de abril, mientras que el 2 de febrero venció por nocaut técnico al brasileño Aldimar Silva Santos en el noveno round tras casi 11 meses inactivo.

“Me siento muy  bien, estamos haciendo cinco comidas al día y trabajando. Lo único que me molesta es que me quitaron el café, pero por lo menos ayer (jueves) me dieron la oportunidad de tomar un poco”, manifestó sonriente López. “Seguimos enfocados en tener la mejor condición para esta importante pelea”.

Su rival del próximo sábado, Mikey García (31-0, 26 KOs), ganó la correa de la OMB en las 126 libras cuando derrotó por decisión técnica en ocho asaltos al azteca Orlando “Siri” Salido el 19 de enero en Nueva York, luego de derribarlo en cuatro ocasiones durante el pleito.

Juanma López viajará junto a su equipo de trabajo, encabezado por su manejador Orlando Piñero y los entrenadores Álex Caraballo y Freddy Trinidad, el lunes, 10 de junio, hacia Dallas, Texas.

Magdaleno, 14-0, says that is how he is dialing in to take on rugged super bantamweight Henry Maldonado, 16-1, of Nicaragua on Top Rank's big Solo Boxeo Tecate fight card at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas on Saturday night.

Tactically, Magdaleno says he plans to "...use my jab to set up every shot and use my speed as well. I've been working a lot on footwork so you will see an improvement there."

The weigh in set for Friday, at 4 pm in the Vinyl Ballroom at the Hard Rock.

"After the weigh-in I will have some pasta and drink plenty of fluids," said Magdaleno.

The big card will be televised on the UniMas network.

Tickets are $50, $25 plus applicable fees and are available at the Hard Rock Box Office and at Ticketmaster.com

"It's an honor to sign with Top Rank.  I have really improved and I know Top Rank will work hard to get me the big fights," said Monaghan.

"We are very excited. Seanie has fought on some Top Rank-promoted boxing events and everyone with the company is very professional. Top Rank is the
No. 1 promoter in the world," said P.J. Kavanagh, Monaghan's manager.  "Seanie wants to fight for the world title and we think being with Top Rank will help us get there.  The sky's the limit for Seanie. We are moving forward with Top Rank."

"We are delighted that Seanie has decided to be promoted by Top Rank. He is a fan-friendly fighter who has a large and loyal fan base," said Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum.  "We expect to showcase his talents on the televised undercard of the much anticipated Juan Manuel Márquez vs. Timothy Bradley pay-per-event on October 12 at the Thomas and Mack in Las Vegas."

"Top Rank has had the pleasure of working with Seanie and his team on some of our recent high-profile shows in New York.  He has a loyal and rabid fan base that brings excitement to our events. We look forward to building on that momentum," said Carl Moretti, Top Rank's Vice President, Boxing Operations.  "Seanie's team has done a terrific job in developing him as an attraction and as a top-light heavyweight prospect. Top Rank's goal will be to bring him to the next level nationally and internationally as well as secure a world title opportunity."    

For fight updates go to www.toprank.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/trboxing or facebook.com/trboxeo and on Twitter at twitter.com/trboxing or twitter.com/trboxeo.

#          #          #

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (Media):

TOP RANK

Lee Samuels:  702-732-2717 / lee@toprank.com

Ricardo Jimenez:  909-615-3436 / ricardoej@aol.com

Fred Sternburg:  303-740-7746 / Toofred@aol.com

Ed Keenan:  609-399-1330 / Keenan@emcevents.com

Murata captured the Olympic gold medal in the middleweight division at the 2012 Olympics held in London.  It was the first gold medal won by a Japanese boxer since Takao Sakurai in 1964, and also is the first-ever boxing medal in a weight class other than bantamweight or flyweight. Murata also became the 100th gold medalist in Japanese Olympic history.  The six-foot orthodox fighter will campaign as a middleweight as a professional.  

For fight updates go to www.toprank.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/trboxing or facebook.com/trboxeo and on Twitter at twitter.com/trboxing or twitter.com/trboxeo.

U.S. Olympian Jose Ramirez explains why he decided to sign with Top Rank:

#          #          #

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (Media):

TOP RANK

Lee Samuels:  702-732-2717 / lee@toprank.com

Ricardo Jimenez:  909-615-3436 / ricardoej@aol.com

Fred Sternburg:  303-740-7746 / Toofred@aol.com

Ed Keenan:  609-399-1330 / Keenan@emcevents.com  

His finals are scheduled in two weeks at Cal State-San Bernardino. If all goes well, Gabino will get his B.A. in Business.

"I've been studying for a long time for this," he said from camp today. "But then I really have an amazing life when you consider all that I am doing."

Gabino will be in the ring this Saturday, taking on Giorgio Mitchedishvili in a six round featherweight bout on Top Rank's big fight card at the Hard Rock.

For the fight Gabino has been training at the Indio Team Center in Southern California. His father has been training him since he was 11 years old. Ray Bradley, father of world champion Timothy Bradley, is a trainer who deals with Gabino's conditioning, fight night strategies and new training techniques.

Check out JuanMa Lopez's training techniques as he prepares for June 15:

Gabino runs each morning at 6 am in the desert heat.

"My running schedule varies - from distance to track work to conditioning," he said.

Then he goes to the Indio Team Center to help train younger amateur fighters, from 8th grade to 12th grade.

"They are hungry to learn," Gabino said. "I really enjoy helping them. It means a lot to me."

At 5 pm, Gabino begins his daily training.

"I am training hard, because I know that Top Rank has been increasing the quality of my opponents each and every fight.

"When I go into the ring on fight night I first think about all of the sacrifices my family has done to get me where I am today - promoted by Top Rank, managed by Cameron Dunkin. That is a big deal and I know my opponents are trying to defeat me and take all of this away from me. That is what I am thinking about just before the bell rings," he said.

The fight week festivities for Gabino begin when he gets into town on Thursday, then gets onto the scale on Friday 4 pm in the Muse Ballroom at the Hard Rock Hotel-Casino.

It will be his birthday. Gabino Saenz will be 24 this Friday.

++++

Tickets are $50, $25 plus applicable fees and are available at the Hard Rock Box Office and at Ticketmaster.com.

Mayfield, 17-0-1, with 10 knockouts, is a tremendously skilled super lightweight with firepower. He is world rated WBO #2, WBA #4 and is trained by Virgil Hunter.

"Top Rank is extremely happy with the signing of Karim, said Top Rank matchmaker

Brad Goodman. "He is a top fighter who will take on anyone, anytime and that in itself takes deserves credit. Our goal, along with Prize Fight Boxing, is to get Karim to the world championship and win it."

Mayfield calls himself 'Hard Hitta' because  "I hit everything hard. I don't win by decision, but by collision."

Mayfield was a running back on his high school football team in San Francisco.

"I was maybe 20 years old before I even started boxing," he said. "There was a local gym in my neighborhood and I went to check it out. I sparred with a kid who had been boxing for a year or so and I did extremely well - it just inspired and motivated me. I've been with my trainer, Ben Bautista, since day one."

Mayfield was 54-4 in amateur bouts, winning the 2006 Golden Gloves in San Francisco.

"I am naturally righthanded," he said. "I fight fulltime. I also do a little comedy and some fashion design."

Mayfield, a six-year pro, is managed by Marlon Sullivan.

Mayfield, in his HBO debut on Oct. 27, fired hard overhand right-handed punches, in a win over contender Mauricio Herrera in Verona, New York. 

====

Quote of the Day

"When I go into the ring my first thought is destruction. It's a matter how quick I can get it done."  -- Andy Ruiz, undefeated heavyweight contender, Mexicali. 

Avalos has a record of 21-2 with 16 knockouts. Francisco is 23-1-1 with 18 knockouts. The main event is scheduled for 10 rounds.

The big card will include an anticipated showdown between two young undefeated fighters.  Glen Tapia, 18-0, 10 KOs, of Passaic, N.J. will face Abie Han, 19-0, 12 KOs, of El Paso, Texas. The super welterweight bout is set for 10 rounds.

There will be a full card of fights including local favorites. First bell is 5 pm local time. The televised bouts begin 7 pm.

Tickets at $50, $25 plus applicable fees go on sale Friday, May 31.

Tickets may be purchased at any Station Casinos Reward Center and The Fiestas, by logging into www.sclv.com/concerts or through Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000 or www.ticketmaster.com.

Making their Dallas debuts, Garcia and Lopez boast a combined record of 64-2 (56 KOs) -- a winning percentage of 97% and a victory by knockout ratio of 87.5%.

The HBO telecast will open with Top-10 contenders TERENCE CRAWFORD and ALEJANDRO SANABRIA, JR. battling for the vacant NABO lightweight title.  Crawford and Sanabria have a combined record of 54-1-1 (40 KOs) -- an equally sterling winning percentage of 96%.

Promoted by Top Rank®, in association with PR Best Boxing, Foreman Boys Promotions and Tecate, remaining tickets, priced at $200, $100, $60, $40 and $25, plus additional service fees, can be purchased at the American Airlines Center box office (Monday - Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CT), online at Ticketmaster.com, by calling Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000, or by visiting any Ticketmaster outlet (Fiesta Foods, Macy's Wal-Mart and The Shops at Willowbend.)

"Mikey proved in his last fight that he is a world champion. Now he has to prove he can remain a world champion when he faces one of the toughest men in the division in two-time world champion Juanma," said Todd duBoef, president of Top Rank.  "This caps off an incredible run for boxing during the first half of 2013."

"Mikey Garcia versus Juan Manuel Lopez is a can't miss attraction," says Kery Davis, senior vice president, HBO Sports. "Dallas is a first-class sports destination and we're thrilled to be going to the American Airlines Center. June 15 is a date fight fans need to circle on their boxing calendar."

Garcia (31-0, 26 KOs), of Oxnard Calif., a 2010 graduate of California's Ventura County Police and Sheriff's Reserve Officer Academy, returns to the ring having won 14 of his past 16 bouts by knockout.  In his last fight, on January 19, he dethroned two-time featherweight champion Orlando Salido at Madison Square Garden via an eight-round technical win that had Garcia winning virtually every round against the seasoned veteran.  Garcia, 25, had a career-best year in 2011, knocking out previously undefeated contender Matt Remillard in the 10^th round in March to capture his NABF and NABO title belts. He followed that with four-round knockout title defense victories of Rafael Guzman and Juan Carlos Martinez in June and October, respectively. Guzman and Martinez had a combined record of 47-14-1 when they fought Garcia. Last year, he continued his winning ways, knocking out one-time world title challenger Bernabe Concepcion and former world champion Mauricio Pastrana, in the seventh and second rounds, respectively. He ended his 2012 campaign by knocking out former WBA featherweight champion Jonathan Barros in the eighth round on November 10, 2012. Garcia is trained by his father Eduardo Garcia and co-managed and trained by his brother, 2012 Trainer of the Year Robert Garcia, the former IBF junior lightweight champion.

Lopez (33-2, 30 KOs), from Caguas, Puerto Rico, returns to the ring for the third time this year, with 21 of his past 22 victories coming by way of knockout.  The latest victims were Aldimar Santos and Eugenio Lopez on February 2 and April 20, respectively. The pride of Puerto Rico's only blemishes on his sterling record have come from Salido, who scored world title victories over Lopez in 2011 and 2012.  Lopez earned his first world title by knocking out defending WBO junior featherweight champion Daniel Ponce De Leon in the first round of their June 2008 fight. After five successful title defenses – four by knockout – he vacated the title and successfully challenged WBO featherweight champion Steven Luevano, stopping him in the seventh round, on January 28, 2010, at Madison Square Garden. He successfully defended his featherweight crown twice during his 15-month reign  with an exciting second-round TKO of Bernabe Concepcion and an eighth-round TKO of two division world champion Rafael Márquez.

Crawford (20-0, 15 KOs), of Omaha, Neb., returns to the ring from a career-best victory.  The former amateur standout stepped up to face the formidable contender Breidis Prescott on March 30 with only one week's notice.   Prescott, who boasts professional victories over world champions Amir Khan and Richard Abril, entered the ring that night as the heavy favorite and left 10 rounds later a unanimous decision loser.  Making the most of his HBO and 10-round debut, on the undercard of the Brandon Rios-Mike Alvarado rematch, Crawford consistently outboxed and outworked the veteran, dominating Prescott most of the fight en route to a 10-round unanimous decision victory (99-91, 97-93, 100-90).  As an amateur he defeated current world champions Mikey Garcia and Danny Garcia while capturing gold medals at the 2007 Pan American Games Qualifier, the 2006 National PAL Championships and the 2006 Blue & Gold National Championships. He was also an alternate on the 2008 U.S. Olympic team.  Crawford, 25, is currently world-rated No. 5 by the WBO.

Sanabria (34-1-1, 25 KOs), of México City, enters this fight riding a three-year, 10-bout winning streak.  Known for his prowess as a deadly body puncher with two-fisted power, Sanbria's current winning streak is highlighted by a 12-round unanimous decision over 2000 Olympic silver medalist Rocky Juarez in 2011 and World Boxing Council (WBC) Silver Championship lightweight knockout victories of Jhunriel Ramonal and Vinvin Rufino.  Sanabria, 26, is currently world-rated No. 10 by the WBO.          

For fight updates go to www.toprank.com or www.hbo.com/boxing, on Facebook at facebook.com/trboxing, facebook.com/trboxeo or facebook.com/hboboxing and on Twitter at twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo or twitter.com/hboboxing.

#          #          #

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (Media):

TOP RANK

Lee Samuels:  702-732-2717 / lee@toprank.com

Ricardo Jimenez:  909-615-3436 / ricardoej@aol.com

Fred Sternburg:  303-740-7746 / Toofred@aol.com

Ed Keenan:  609-399-1330 / Keenan@emcevents.com

FOREMAN BOYS PROMOTIONS

George Foreman IV:  713-822-6637 / foremang4@gmail.com

THE BEDFORD AGENCY

Lester Bedford:  817-296-4546 / wlbedford@aol.com

HBO

Kevin Flaherty:  212-512-5052 / kevin.flaherty@hbo.com

AMERICAN AIRLINES CENTER

Jenny Walker:  214-665-4217  / jwalker@americanairlinescenter.com

MEDIA CREDENTIALS

www.toprank.com/credentials                                                       

Finney, from Smiths Station, Alabama, says he is an "up and coming fighter" who is 11-0-0 and will box Raul Tovar of Texas on Top Rank's Solo Boxeo Tecate fight card at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas on June 8.

Finney, 21, trains with former champion Richie Sandoval at the Top Rank Gym in Las Vegas.

"While growing up I tried all of the sports - baseball, football, basketball - even a little soccer. I wasn't too good in any of those," Finney said. "Then my mother said there is a new boxing gym opening near our house. In a few days I was over there."

Jessie Magdaleno also fights on the June 8 card:

Finney found his sport. As an amateur boxer he fought over 150 times, won medals and was spotted at the 2009 U.S. Nationals by Cameron Dunkin, who became his manager.

"Cameron was the first to talk to me. It was pretty exciting for a kid from Alabama," Finney said.

"The key thing for me now is training," said Finney, who signed with Top Rank.  "I want to do well and I know what kind of work it takes to get where I want to go - to the big fights.

Tickets for the Top Rank boxing event are $50, $25 plus applicable fees and are available at the Hard Rock box office and at ticketmaster.com.

"Jessie is having a great camp, working very hard," said manager and trainer Pat Barry. "Jessie is showing more skill, discipline and displaying great work ethic. My biggest job is keeping Jessie from over-working as he always wants to keep at it."

Magdaleno, 14-0, will take on Henry Maldonado, 16-1, of Nicaragua in an eight round super bantamweight fight at the Hard Rock.

Tickets are $50, $25 plus applicable fees and are available at the Hard Rock box office and at www.ticketmaster.com

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Magdaleno, heavyweight Andy Ruiz and unbeaten super welterweight Michael Finney will be at a Top Rank Media Day at Barry's Gym, 2664 South Highland Ave., Las Vegas 89109 on Wednesday, May 29, noon.

Ruiz, 18-0, is working with chief trainer Big Jeff Grmoja at the Bones Adams Gym in Las Vegas. Ruiz says he has one goal:  "I am doing all of this to win the world heavyweight championship.

"I have good chemistry with my team and I will make the sacrifices to become one of the few instead of one of the dreamers," Ruiz said.

Manager Joe Gagiliardi hired Big Jeff to train Ruiz. 

"When Joe asked me, I came out of retirement to help Andy. We have been together since August 2012," Big Jeff said.

"We have been working on improving Andy's skills. I am not a believer in making unecessary changes. Rather, I want to perfect the skills Andy has and develop a style best suited for him."

Ruiz, a big puncher, added  "...I take nobody for granted in the ring.  My goal is to impose my will and fight my fight."

David Sample of Las Vegas is the strength and conditioning coach for Ruiz.

Ruiz vs Davis will be on Top Rank's Solo Boxeo Tecate fight card at the Hard Rock on Paradise Ave. in Las Vegas.

The big card will be televised by UniMas. 

MIAMI, FL. (25 de mayo del 2013) - El sensacional prospecto puertorriqueño, Félix “El Diamante” Verdejo (6-0, 5 KO’s) llegó hoy a “La Ciudad del Sol” del Sur de la Florida en donde MAÑANA, domingo 26 de mayo realizará una aparición especial en uno de los programas más vistos de la cadena Univision, el gustado programa deportivo que se transmite de costa a costa en los Estados Unidos, Republica Deportiva.

El programa será retransmitido en Puerto Rico a las 10 p.m. por TeleIsla, canal 7 y también podrá ser visto en toda la “Isla del Encanto” en estos proveedores de cable y satélite: DirecTV -167, Dish - 012, OneLink, Liberty y Choice - Canal 7.

Durante su participación en el programa Verdejo compartirá junto al Presidente de la Republica, Fernando Fiore, junto a Félix Fernández y también junto a las hermosas Senadoras (Alba Galindo, Natalia Saenz y Carolina McCallister).

En su último combate, su primero a seis asaltos y que se celebró el pasado sábado, 18 de mayo en una transmisión de “Solo Boxeo Tecate” desde el Coliseo Rubén Zayas Montañez de Trujillo Alto, P.R., “El Diamante” brilló en grande ante su gente al desmantelar en el transcurso de cuatro asaltos al experimentado púgil estadounidense, Corben Page.

El mes de mayo ha sido uno de gran celebración para el ex olímpico boricua, ya que en el mismo consiguió su sexto triunfo como profesional, al día siguiente de esa gran victoria celebró sus 20 años de edad y como si fuera poco, en este mes también logró quedar entre los nominados a la categoría “La Nueva Promesa” del Deporte de los “Premios Juventud”.

Los fanáticos que deseen votar por Félix “El Diamante” Verdejo como ganador al premio “La Nueva Promesa” del deporte, deben visitar la página web:www.PremiosJuventud.com y seleccionar la categoría Deportes. Votaciones cierran el 31 de mayo de 2013 a las 11:59 p.m., hora del Este.

Se espera que tras su triunfo ante Page, Verdejo se tomé un descanso de dos meses y regrese al cuadrilátero para el mes de agosto.

"It shows me what I can do while being on a good conditioning and nutritional schedule," Juanma said from Caguas, Puerto Rico. "I want to prove I can still be an elite fighter in this (featherweight) division. Mikey Garcia is a good champion, a tough opponent. But I plan to return to Puerto Rico with the title belt."

Mikey Garcia vs Juan Manuel Lopez is scheduled June 15 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. HBO will televise.

Juanma's chief trainers, Alex Caraballo and Orlando Pinero, say the former champion is training at a high level.

"Juanma is working hard, is focused and he knows what is at stake," said Caraballo.

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Michael Finney, a rugged 11-0, 9 KO super welterweight, is training at the Top Rank Gym in Las Vegas. Richie Sandoval, the former world champion, has been working with Finney who is scheduled to box June 8 on a Solo Boxeo Tecate event at Hard Rock Hotel-Casino in Las Vegas. 

Finney, from Alabama, is handled by manager Cameron Dunkin. Finney will take on Raul Tovar of Texas in a six-round bout at the Hard Rock.

El “Zurdito” Sánchez (18-1-1, 10 ko’s) arriesgará su título mundial Supermosca FIB, ante su retador oficial, el invicto argentino Roberto Domingo Sosa (24-0-0, 14 ko’s) en función de Zanfer y Top Rank a realizarse en el Hard Rock Hotel y Casino de Las Vegas, y que será en los Estados unidos por UniMás y en México por la señal de la “Casa del Boxeo”, Azteca 7.

Sánchez se coronó en febrero de 2012 venciendo por decisión a Rodrigo Guerrero, y ha realizado dos defensas: Ante Juan Alberto Rosas (en mayo, por decisión) y contra Rodel Mayol (en septiembre, por nocaut en 9 rounds), siendo estas tres contiendas en territorio mexicano, pero en esta ocasión, su pelea significa subir un escalón más en su carrera boxística.

El “Zurdito” saldrá por primera vez de México, y peleará en la meca del boxeo mundial, Las Vegas, y será el peleador estelar enfrentando a un rival que va invicto en 24 peleas, que es el primer clasificado y que viene de vencer al sudafricano Zolani Tete en pelea eliminatoria.

Para llegar al 100% física y mentalmente, Juan Carlos Sánchez realiza su sesión de acondicionamiento físico por la mañana, realizando carrera tanto en pista como en ruta, alternando etapas de velocidad y de resistencia.

Por la tarde realiza hasta 16 rounds de trabajo entre aparatos y sparrings, luciendo poder, velocidad y gran condición.

“Hemos hecho la mejor preparación de mi carrera, con un equipo multidisciplinario y un programa de cargas de trabajo que hemos cumplido a la perfección. Me siento fuerte, con mucha velocidad y el peso va controlado conforme a los planes. Llegaré en excelente condición porque sabemos que el reto es grande”, dijo el “Zurdito” desde su natal, Los Mochis enrenado por su padre del mismo nombre.

Respaldando la función del 8 de junio en Las Vegas, el también originario de Los Mochis, José Félix Jr. (23-0-1, 18 ko’s) se enfrentará a 10 rounds en peso Ligero ante el colombiano Oscar Cuero (16-9-0, 13 ko’s). Jessie Magdaleno (14-0-0, 10 ko’s) pondrá en riesgo su calidad de invicto ante el nicaragüense Henry Maldonado (16-2-0, 11 ko’s) a 8 en Supergallo en tanto que la esperanza mexicana de los pesos Completos, Andy Ruiz Jr. (18-0-0, 12 ko’s) va ante Carl Davis (16-5-0, 12 ko’s), en pleito pactado a ocho asaltos.