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July 16, 2012

Chelsea FC Announces Roster for Match at Yankee Stadium

Chelsea FC today announced the list of players heading to the United States for their tour as part of the Herbalife World Football Challenge, which will include the first-ever soccer match at the current Yankee Stadium on July 22 at 7:00pm vs. Paris-Saint Germain. To purchase tickets for the match at Yankee Stadium, fans can visit www.yankees.com/soccer.

Chelsea’s roster features experienced players that have won trophies for both club and country. Englishman Frank Lampard captained Chelsea in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich, and is Chelsea’s top scoring midfielder ever, while Czech goalkeeper Peter Cech holds the records for most shutouts and fewest goals conceded in an English top-flight season.

Five players who made it beyond the group stage of EURO 2012 – Ashley Cole, John Terry, Florent Malouda, Raul Meireles and Fernando Torres – will join up during the course of the tour.

Chelsea’s newest signings, 21-year-old Belgian midfielder Eden Hazard and 23-year-old German winger Marko Marin, will take part in the tour. Hazard was instrumental in achieving the French League and Cup double with Lille in the 2010-2011 season, and was named Ligue 1 Player of the Year for the 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 seasons. In his final season at Lille, he was the second-highest scorer in Ligue 1 with 20 goals. Marin comes from Germany’s Werder Bremen, having made 87 Bundesliga appearances with the club and scoring 12 goals. He has 16 caps with the German national side, including two appearances at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

CHELSEA FC ROSTER:

Goalkeepers: Petr Cech, Henrique Hilario, Ross Turnbull, Jamal Blackman

Defenders: Branislav Ivanovic, Ashley Cole, John Terry, David Luiz, Paulo Ferreira, Gary Cahill, Sam Hutchinson, Todd Kane, Nathaniel Chalobah

Midfielders: Michael Essien, Ramires, Flourent Malouda, Raul Meireles, Frank Lampard, John Mikel Obi, Eden Hazard, Marko Marin, Yossi Benayoun, Josh McEachran, George Saville

Forwards: Romelu Lukaku, Fernando Torres, Gael Kakuta, Kevin De Bruyne, Patrick Bamford, Lucas Piazon

July 16, 2012

Yoenis Cespedes named the American League Player of the Week

Oakland Athletics center fielder Yoenis Cespedes has been named the American League Player of the Week for the period ending July 15th. This is Yoenis’ first career weekly honor and the second for an Athletic in a month, along with teammate Brandon Moss, who captured A.L. Player of the Week on June 18th. The announcement was made earlier today on MLB Network. In a shortened week due to the All-Star break, the rookie Cespedes batted .571 (8-for-14) with a double, two home runs, six RBI and five runs scored in a three-game weekend sweep of the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. The 26-year-old finished first in the A.L. in runs scored and total bases (15), was tied for first in hits, was third in batting average, was tied for third in RBI and was tied for fourth in on-base percentage (.571).

In the Friday night opener, Cespedes went 2-for-4 with a pair of singles and two runs scored as Oakland doubled up Minnesota for a 6-3 victory. He scored both of his runs courtesy of the bat of Jonny Gomes, touching home on a fourth-inning grand slam and later on a ninth-inning single to help give the A’s their third consecutive second-half-opening victory dating back to 2010. On Saturday, Cespedes and the Athletics put on a power display in the spacious Target Field with a season-high-tying four homers as the A’s rolled to a 9-3 win. Along with his third-inning blast, the Cuban native doubled, had three RBI and scored a pair of runs in the effort. On Sunday, the right-handed-hitting Cespedes collected a career-best four hits in five at-bats, including a home run and three RBI as the Athletics won, 9-4. The A’s launched four homers for the second straight night, marking the first time they have accomplished the feat since September 7-8, 2001 against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Oakland finished with nine homers and 24 runs scored in the three-game set. Sunday’s win marked their first overall sweep of the Twins since 2002 and their first sweep in Minneapolis since the 2000 season. Oakland, winners of nine of their last 10 games, is within a half-game of the A.L. Wild Card lead, trailing the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the Baltimore Orioles. Among A.L. rookies, Cespedes ranks first in RBI (42), is tied for second in doubles (12) and home runs (11), is third in hits (60) and walks (16), is fourth in games played (57) and at-bats (212) and is tied for fourth in runs scored (24).

Other noteworthy performances last week included Gomes (.625, 2 HR, 7 RBI); Cleveland’s Michael Brantley (.727, 8 H, 1.273 SLG); Minnesota’s Josh Willingham (.455, 3 HR, 5 RBI); Kansas City’s Alcides Escobar (.462, 2 HR, 6 RBI); Seattle’s Felix Hernandez (1-0, 12 SO and 0 BB in shutout vs. Texas on July 14th); and Matt Harrison (1-0 and 3 SO in shutout vs. Seattle on July 15th) of the Rangers.

In recognition of his American League Player of the Week Award, Yoenis Cespedes will be awarded a watch courtesy of Game Time, the leader in licensed sports watches, available at MLB.com.

July 16, 2012

Andrew McCutchen named National League Player of the Week

Pittsburgh Pirates All-Star outfielder Andrew McCutchen has been named the National League Player of the Week for the period ending July 15th. This is the second consecutive weekly honor for the 25-year-old, who won his first career weekly award last week after hitting .517 (15-for-29) with three homers and nine RBI. It marks the first time that a Bucs player has won weekly honors twice in the same season since Jason Bay, who also won in consecutive weeks, for the weeks ending May 21st and May 28th in 2006. McCutchen becomes the second N.L. player this season to capture the award in consecutive weeks, joining Matt Kemp of the Los Angeles Dodgers (4/9 and 4/16). The announcement was made earlier today on MLB Network.

In three games last week, McCutchen hit .583 (7-for-12) while leading the Majors with a 1.333 slugging percentage, 16 total bases and tying for the Major League-lead with three home runs. The two-time All-Star also ranked first in the N.L. in on-base percentage (.643), second in hits and was tied for second with four RBI while ranking third in hitting. McCutchen, who was the leading hitter in the Majors during the first half, clubbed a homer in each of his three games after returning from the All-Star break in Kansas City, where he represented the Pirates (along with teammate Joel Hanrahan) at the 2012 Midsummer Classic. On Sunday, McCutchen went 3-for-4 with a solo homer in a losing effort as the Pirates dropped the rubber match of their threegame series at Milwaukee, 4-1. In Saturday’s matchup between the two clubs, the Florida native clubbed a two-run homer in the third inning en-route to a 6-4 victory for the Bucs. The 11th overall selection in the 2005 First-Year Player Draft also went 3-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday’s 10-7 loss in Milwaukee. McCutchen currently leads the Majors with a .371 batting average and .651 slugging percentage and ranks second with 119 hits.

Other noteworthy performances last week included Milwaukee’s Ryan Braun (.500, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 1.100 SLG, SB) and Martin Maldonado (.615, 2 2B, 8 H, .615 OBP); Atlanta’s Freddie Freeman (.545, 2 2B, HR, 5 RBI, 1.000 SLG, .615 OBP); Alfonso Soriano (.545, 2 2B, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 1.273 SLG, .545 OBP) of the Chicago Cubs; and San Francisco’s Tim Lincecum (0-0, 0.00 ERA, 0 ER, 11 SO, 1 BB, 8.0 IP).

In recognition of his National League Player of the Week Award, Andrew McCutchen will be awarded a watch courtesy of Game Time, the leader in licensed sports watches, available at MLB.com.

July 16, 2012July 16, 2012

Canelo Alvarez & Josesito Lopez To Host Los Angeles Press Conference

CANELO ALVAREZ and JOSESITO LOPEZ will host a one-of-a-kind press event festival Tuesday, July 17 at noon PT at the iconic Placita Olvera – Father Sera Park in Los Angeles to officially announce their WBC Super Welterweight World Championship fight taking place Saturday, Sept. 15, at MGM Grand in Las Vegas which will be televised live on SHOWTIME. Canelo and Lopez will be joined by JHONNY GONZALEZ and DANIEL PONCE DE LEON as they announce their WBC Featherweight World Championship showdown which is part of the Sept. 15 quadruple-header. The third “Knockout Kings” bout will also be announced and the fighters will also be at the press conference. This event IS open to PUBLIC.

July 16, 2012

Johan Perez to Defend World Title against Pablo Cesar Cano

Televisa’s “Sabados De Corona” will be the show to watch on Saturday, July 21 when two of boxing’s top talents, Johan Perez and Pablo Cesar Cano, square off for Perez’ WBA Interim Super Lightweight World Championship and the vacant WBC Latino Super Lightweight title at the Grand Oasis Cancun in Cancun, Mexico.

FOX Deportes will air this potential Fight of the Year candidate in the United States along with a 10-round co-featured bout between lightweight standouts Jorge Romero and Rudy Lopez.

Perez vs. Cano, a 12 round bout for Perez’s WBA Interim Super Lightweight World Championship and the vacant WBC Latino Super Lightweight title, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Pepe Gomez Promotor Deportivo and sponsored by Corona, Periodico QueQui, The Grand Oasis Cancun, Quintana Roo Tourism and Cancun Tourism. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. CT and the first fight begins at 7:00 p.m. CT. The Televisa broadcast will air on Canal 5 and begins at 10:30 p.m. CT and the FOX Deportes broadcasts will air at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT.

Tickets, priced at 100 pesos, 500 pesos, 1000 pesos, 1500 pesos, and are available for purchase at Hooters Z.H., Farmacia Paris Centro de Cancun and The Grand Oasis Cancun.

Caracas, Venezuela’s Johan “El Terrible” Perez (15-0-1, 12 KO’s) has had highs and lows over the course of his career which began in 2005. In 2009 he returned from a two-year layoff and began making moves at 140 pounds. A WBA Fedebol and Fedecentro Champion, the 29-year-old power puncher made big statements in his last two fights, knocking out Kenny Galarza last October and then stopping Fernando Castaneda two months later for the WBA interim crown. On July 21, he makes his first title defense against his sternest test to date in Cano.

Pablo Cesar “El Demoledor” Cano (24-1-1, 19 KO’s) may have made a name for himself by stepping in on short notice and giving a gutsy effort against the legendary Erik Morales in their September 2011 title fight, but the 22-year-old from Tlanepantla is far from content with that reputation. In two fights in 2012, Cano stopped then 16-1 prospect Francisco Contreras in six rounds and then knocked out Colombian contender Fidel Monterrosa in nine. Just like that, he had fought his way back to a world title shot, but this time, he is even more hungry and determined to leave the ring with the belt.

Cancun’s Rudy Lopez (25-5-2, 16 KO’s) began his professional career in 2000 as a junior featherweight, but when he moved up to 126 pounds, he made his first mark in the sport by first winning the WBC Youth title and then the WBC World Championship with a seventh round technical knockout over Takashi Koshimoto in July of 2006. Lopez would lose his crown in his first defense against In-Jin Chi five months later, but there was still plenty of fight left in him. After a two year break from 2007 to 2009, he returned and with an eight-fight run that has seen him go 5-1-1 with 1 no contest as he enters his fight against Romero.

Jorge Romero (22-5, 19 KO’s) of Culiacan has a simple philosophy in the ring, but one that has garnered him many fans since his professional debut at only 15 years old in 2006: he’s going to do everything in his power to get you before you get him. What has resulted have been 15 knockout wins in three rounds or less, including eight in the first round. While such an aggressive attack has lead to some losses along the way, no one ever asks for their money back after seeing the 22-year-old in the ring.

July 15, 2012September 27, 2013

Curacao Earns 2012 Little League World Series Berth

It’s been a while since a team of Curacao represented the Caribbean region at the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. After making it to the Little League World Series for nine consecutive years from 2001 through 2009, the Boys of Summer will reappear in the 66^th Little League World Series.

Pariba Little League from Willemstad, Curacao, won all six of its games in the Caribbean Region Tournament by at least seven runs to earn the region’s berth in the 2012 Little League Baseball World Series.

The team form Curacao joins Asia-Pacific Champion, Kuei-Shan Little League from Taoyuan County, Chinese Taipei, in the 16-team Little League Baseball World Series field.

In the past Pariba Little League advanced to the International Championship game in each of its first two trips to the World Series in 2001 and 2002, losing to the Asia Region Champion, a team from Japan, both times.

Pariba Little League will play its first game of World Series, Aug. 16, against the Japan Region Champion in a 1 p.m. contest that will open the tournament.

July 13, 2012

Saudi Arabia Joins Brunei Darussalam and Qatar in Sending Female Athletes to London 2012

The announcement today that Saudi Arabia will be sending two female athletes to the London 2012 Olympic Games means that every National Olympic Committee (NOC) will have been represented by women at the Games.

The decision to send Wodjan Ali Seraj Abdulrahim Shahrkhani (judo, + 78kg) and Sarah Attar (athletics, 800m) follows earlier confirmation by Brunei Darussalam and Qatar — the only other NOCs yet to send female athletes to the Games — that they would also have female athletes competing at London 2012.

The two Saudi athletes, invited to the Games by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), were entered by the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee by the official deadline of 9 July.

Attar, 17, said she was honoured by the prospect of competing for her country at London 2012. “A big inspiration for participating in the Olympic Games is being one of the first women for Saudi Arabia to be going,” she said at her training base in San Diego, USA. “It’s such a huge honour and I hope that it can really make some big strides for women over there to get more involved in sport.”

The news was also welcomed by IOC President Jacques Rogge, a long-time advocate of gender equality in sport. “This is very positive news and we will be delighted to welcome these two athletes in London in a few weeks’ time,” he said. “The IOC has been working very closely with the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee, and I am pleased to see that our continued dialogue has come to fruition. The IOC has been striving to ensure a greater gender balance at the Olympic Games, and today’s news can be seen as an encouraging evolution. With Saudi Arabian female athletes now joining their fellow female competitors from Qatar and Brunei Darussalam, it means that by London 2012 every National Olympic Committee will have sent women to the Olympic Games.”

Brunei Darussalam has entered Maziah Mahusin (athletics), while Qatar has entered Nada Arkaji (swimming), Noor Al-Malki (athletics), Aya Magdy (table tennis) and Bahiya Al-Hamad (shooting).

Qatar’s Al-Hamad has been tapped not only to compete at London 2012 but also to carry her country’s flag during the Opening Ceremony. “I’m overwhelmed to have been asked to carry the Qatari flag at the Opening Ceremony,” she said. “It’s a truly historic moment for all athletes.”

The IOC has worked for many decades to promote women in sport, both on and off the field of play. The goal of gender equality is enshrined in the Olympic Charter, the guiding document for all Olympic organisations, while defining strategies to dismantle gender barriers is the primary goal of the IOC’s Women and Sport Commission.

Fifteen years ago at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, 26 NOCs had yet to include female athletes in their delegations. Four years ago in Beijing, the figure had dropped to just three – the three NOCs that have confirmed they will be sending female athletes to London 2012, thus marking a historic milestone in Olympic history.

The Olympic Games have seen female participation rise from 1.8 per cent at London 1908 to 9.5 per cent at London 1948 and more than 42 percent at Beijing 2008. The latter figure is expected to be improved upon again this summer.

Another milestone in the fight for gender equality in sport at London 2012 will be the inclusion of women’s boxing on the Olympic programme, ensuring that women will compete in every sport for the first time in the 116-year history of the modern Olympic Games.

July 11, 2012

Rigondeaux Labels Donaire ‘The Filipino Phony’

A frustrated World Boxing Association (“WBA”) Super Bantamweight Champion Guillermo “El Chacal” Rigondeaux (10-0, 8 KOs), upon learning that Nonito Donaire plans to move up to the featherweight division after his next fight, has labeled Donaire, “The Filipino Phony.”

“Donaire is running scared of any super bantamweights with power,” Rigondeaux said from his Miami training camp. “He hasn’t knocked out anybody at 122 pounds. One thing is for sure, though, he will get knocked out if he has the guts to fight me.”

Rigondeaux trained at Wild Card Gym with one of his favorite fighters, Manny Pacquiao, who may be wondering at this point exactly why his fellow countryman, Donaire, doesn’t fight Rigondeaux to determine the contemporary King of the Super Bantamweights.

“Manny fought the best fighters around when he was moving up through weight classes but this phony, Donaire, is disappointing fans all over the world, especially Filipino people, by running scared from the best fighter at 122 pounds,” Rigondeaux continued. “I competed against more than 250 amateur boxers from every continent and none of those guys were paid to fight me. ‘The Filipino Phony’ will be paid a king’s ransom to fight me, but he’s scared enough to move up to 126 just to avoid fighting me. The problem he faces, though, is I will also move up to featherweight once I’ve cleaned out the super bantamweight division. What’s he going to do then, move up to super featherweight?”

Arguably the greatest amateur boxer of all-time, Rigo is a two-time Olympic Gold Medalist, as well as a 7-time Cuban national champion who captured a pair of World Championship titles during his incredible amateur career.

“It’s beyond belief that the so-called No. 3 pound-for-pound fighter in the world is scared to fight Rigo,” Rigondeaux’s manager Gary Hyde added. “There can be no doubt in anyone’s mind that this is what’s happening now with Donaire. When a member of our team, Paddy Cronan, approached Donaire at Rigo’s June 9th fight to ask him if he would step-up to the plate and fight Rigondeaux, Donaire clearly indicated that he had no intention of fighting Rigo.”

A lethal puncher, particularly to the body, Rigondeaux looked sensational in his most recent fight last month against Teon Kennedy (17-1-2), who was decked five times before the fight was mercifully stopped in the fifth round.

Rigondeaux, a savvy southpaw, is trained by Cuban coach Jorge Rubio and working with conditioning coach DJ Montanocordoba. Rigondeaux’s promotional contract with Top Rank expires July 15 and discussions are ongoing with Hyde and Rigondeaux’s team to determine what path to take from here on.

July 11, 2012

Rising Stars Look To Shine on Khan vs. Garcia Undercard

With five unbeaten prospects and one of boxing’s most exciting young competitors making up the undercard for Saturday night’s world championship showdown at the Mandalay Bay Events Center between Amir Khan and Danny Garcia, attendees will be treated to a one of the best collections of rising stars seen in one place this year, making it a must see event for all fight fans.

Also, the stakes will be even higher in the main event as with Khan and Garcia now rated numbers one and two respectively by Ring Magazine, their fight will be waged for the prestigious Ring Magazine World Championship in addition to Garcia’s WBC title.

Heading up this talented undercard lineup will be Maryland action hero Fernando Guerrero, who meets New Hampshire’s Jose Medina in a 10 round super middleweight fight. Also hitting the ring this weekend will be unbeatens Phil Lo Greco, Daquan Arnett, Jamie Kavanagh, Abner Cotto and J’Leon Love.

Khan vs. Garcia,a 12-round fight for Garcia’s WBC Super Lightweight World Championship and for the vacant Ring Magazine Junior Welterweight World Championship, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Khan Promotions and sponsored by Corona and AT&T. Doors open at 3:00 p.m. and the first bell rings at 3:30 p.m. The main event will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing^® at 11:00 p.m. ET/ PT in the United States and live on Sky Sports 1HD in the United Kingdom at 2:00 a.m. BST on July 15.

Tickets priced at $250, $200, $150, $100 and $50, not including applicable service charges, are available for purchase at the Mandalay Bay box office and all Las Vegas Ticketmaster locations (select Smith’s Food and Drug Centers and Ritmo Latino). To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also are available for purchase atwww.mandaylaybay.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

The East Coast’s best-kept secret for many years, Salisbury, Maryland’s Fernando Guerrero (23-1, 18 KO’s) is on everyone’s radar now thanks to his all-action style and impressive punching power. The winner of two in a row over Robert Kliewer (TKO5) and Jason Naugler (TKO4), the 25-year-old Guerrero is prepared to put on a show in Vegas against always-tough Jose “The Stinger” Medina (17-10-1, 7 KO’s), a Mexico native now residing in Tilton, New Hampshire whose recent 5-1-1 stretch has shown that he’s ready for anyone who steps in his way.

Already an international star both in Italy and Canada, Toronto’s 28-year-old Phil “The Italian Sensation” Lo Greco (23-0, 12 KO’s) is one of Golden Boy Promotions’ most highly-touted new signees and for good reason. Fresh off of his Golden Boy Promotions debut win, a decision victory over Hector Orozco in April, Lo Greco’s next challenge will be an eight round junior welterweight showdown with fellow prospect Brandon Hoskins (16-1-1, 8 KO’s). Hannibal, Missouri’s Hoskins is looking to bounce back from the lone loss of his career in May against hot prospect Keith Thurman, and knows he has the skill and determination to do just that on Saturday.

Fighting out of Hollywood, California, Ireland native Jamie “The Nuisance” Kavanagh (10-0-1, 5 KO’s) has been in impressive form in 2012 thus far, stopping Cesar Cisneros and Jorge Ibarra in back-to-back fights. In an eight round lightweight contest this weekend, Dublin’s finest will meet up with Orange, California’s Paul Velarde (3-1-3).

An eight round middleweight fight sure to get the fans on their feet and cheering will pit Dearborn Heights, Michigan’s J’Leon Love (11-0, 7 KO’s) against Caguas, Puerto Rico’s Joseph De Los Santos (10-9-3, 4 KO’s). The 24-year old Love has ended seven of his fights in three rounds or less, but the rugged De Los Santos, the winner of seven of his last eight fights, with his only loss coming via a split decision loss to unbeaten Eddie Gomez, has no intention of leaving Las Vegas with anything less than a victory.

In a six round junior middleweight battle, Orlando’s Daquan Arnett (4-0, 2 KO’s) will look to build on the impressive start he’s had to his professional career when he faces Clearfield, Utah’s Eddie Cordova (3-2-1, 1 KO). The 19-year old Arnett is coming off of a four round victory over Yosmani Abreu last month will look to continue his winning ways.

Also representing the boxing-rich island of Puerto Rico will be Caguas prospect Abner Cotto (13-0, 5 KO’s). The cousin of fistic heroes Miguel and Jose Cotto, the 24-year-old is currently the WBC Fecarbox and Puerto Rican lightweight champion. He will meet Mexico City’s Juan Manuel Montiel (7-5-3, 2 KO’s) in an eight round bout.

July 11, 2012

Canelo Alvarez To Face Breakout Star Josesito Lopez

Mexican Independence Day weekend will come alive in one-of-a-kind fashion on Saturday, September 15 when “Knockout Kings” featuring undefeated Mexican sensation Canelo Alvarez taking on boxing’s breakout star and upset-minded Josesito Lopez for Canelo’s World Boxing Council (WBC) Super Welterweight World Championship, takes place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, live on SHOWTIME. Fans can expect fireworks all night long with the unparalleled quadruple-header, which also features WBC Featherweight World Champion Jhonny Gonzalez defending his title against former World Champion Daniel Ponce De Leon.

“Knockout Kings,” a tremendous evening of pure Mexican power and pride, is promoted 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. The quadruple-header will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. and will be televised live on SHOWTIME. Additional co-featured fights will be announced soon.

SHOWTIME Sports will also produce a new edition of its ALL ACESS sports documentary series. ALL ACCESS: Canelo vs. Lopez will premiere on SHOWTIME, with multiple replays on additional SHOWTIME and CBS platforms. The exhibition schedule will be announced shortly.

“We know the exceptional talent we have in Mexican superstar Canelo, and certainly Josesito Lopez deserves the opportunity to face him after his stunning upset victory over Victor Ortiz on June 23,” said Oscar de la Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions. “It is going to be another prideful Mexican Independence Day weekend for Mexican and Mexican-American fans having their most celebrated fighter, Canelo, fighting that night along with Jhonny Gonzalez and Daniel Ponce De Leon, who are going to deliver their own electrifying championship battle.”

“It is a great pleasure for Golden Boy Promotions to be working with MGM Resorts International and SHOWTIME Sports on this exciting night of boxing,” said Richard Schaefer, CEO, Golden Boy Promotions. “To be able to showcase top-caliber boxing talent in Canelo, Josesito Lopez, Jhonny Gonzalez and Ponce De Leon on the same show packs a lot of power and pride into a tremendous evening for attendees and viewers watching at home. It’s also a special gift for Mexican and Mexican American fans who have supported the sport for so long to have Canelo appear once again on Mexican Independence Day weekend. If there is anyone who deserves a shot at Canelo, it’s Josesito because he showed that heart and will can determine the outcome of any fight. I’ve never seen a fighter show that.”

“SHOWTIME has fully committed to promoting this tremendous night of boxing as if it were a pay-per-view, but instead is offering this quadruple-header to all boxing fans across the country,” continued Schaefer. “We are very pleased that CBS will also be committed to promoting this event on various platforms.”

“We are excited to be able to offer SHOWTIME subscribers a chance to see boxing’s newest star, Canelo Alvarez, in what promises to be a dramatic fight,” said Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President and General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports. “Canelo’s talent and charisma has re-energized boxing and drawn legions of casual fans to the sport. Josesito Lopez may not be as well-known as Canelo, but he has already shown that it would be a mistake for any opponent to overlook Josesito Lopez. Many counted him out in his last fight against Victor Ortiz, but he stunned the SHOWTIME audience and boxing fans worldwide with his gutsy performance and earned his shot at Canelo. This match-up, and this entire card as a whole, promises to be non-stop action and we are proud to deliver explosive fights to our viewers.”

Richard Sturm, president of sports and entertainment for MGM Resorts International, said, “We look forward to celebrating Mexican Independence Day weekend with one of the most exciting events of the summer. There is no doubt that Golden Boy Promotions will deliver a fight that has a major impact on boxing fans worldwide.”

Already a phenom in his home country of Mexico, Canelo turned professional at the age of 15 and has amassed a record of 40-0-1, with 29 knockouts. Since 2008, he has knocked out 14 of 18 opponents and is coming off of a dominant unanimous decision win over future Hall of Famer and former Three-Division World Champion Sugar Shane Mosley in May. Now, the 21-year-old considered to be one of boxing’s fastest-rising stars will make his SHOWTIME debut on Mexico’s biggest holiday weekend of the year, Mexican Independence Day weekend. Canelo will look to continue his meteoric rise to international superstardom as he follows in the footsteps of De La Hoya, his childhood idol and current promoter.

“I am happy to be fighting Josesito Lopez on Mexican Independence Day weekend and to give all of our fans a tremendous battle,” said Canelo. “I was ringside for his fight against Victor Ortiz and saw the talent he possesses. It will be very competitive, but nothing can take away my desire to be the best in the sport. I am also excited to be fighting for the Mexican people and Mexican American fans on Mexican Independence Day weekend. I look forward to showing so many people who will be watching me across the United States that I love being a champion. I want them to think of me as one of the greatest fighters ever.”

In June, Lopez emerged from relative obscurity and scored the biggest win of his career over the heavily favored Ortiz in the main event of a SHOWTIME Championship Boxing. Lopez shocked the boxing world by stopping Ortiz, one of today’s most popular and talented fighters. Lopez (30-4, 18 KO’s) of Riverside, Calif., has the opportunity to recreate his “Rocky moment” on Sept. 15, when he challenges for his first world title against a man that many believe to be boxing’s next superstar.

“I am so happy to have the chance to continue my career fighting another great champion in Canelo Alvarez especially on such a big weekend like Mexican Independence Day,” said Lopez. “I know they put me in the ring with Victor Ortiz to have me beat and now they are doing the same thing with Canelo. I was a big underdog with Ortiz and now I’m a bigger underdog with Canelo, but I’m up for the challenge.”

Also featured on the SHOWTIME telecast will be reigning Mexico City’s Jhonny Gonzalez (52-7, 45 KO’s) who once ruled the bantamweight division with his iron fists, winning two world titles and defeating the likes of Fernando Montiel, Irene Pacheco and recently inducted Hall of Famer Mark “Too Sharp” Johnson. Reinventing himself at featherweight, where he has gone 12-0 with 11 knockouts, he won the WBC 126-pound title by stopping Hozumi Hasegawa in the fourth round in April 2011. Four title defenses, including an April 2012 decision over Elio Rojas, have followed, and on September 15, the 30-year old will seek a fifth successful defense against De Leon.

“This is a fight I have been wanting for a long time and now to have the opportunity to do it for my Mexican people is so great,” said Gonzalez. “That is a big weekend for everyone and I am going to show the world why I am still the best in the division.”

Power puncher Daniel Ponce De Leon (43-4, 35 KO’s) has long been one of boxing’s most dependable warriors. Former WBO Junior Featherweight World Champion De Leon defended his crown six times during his 2005-08 reign. After losing the title to Juan Manuel Lopez in 2008, he began the next chapter of his career, winning nine of his next 11 fights following that defeat. In 2012, wins over Omar Estrella (KO6) and Eduardo Lazcano (W10) at featherweight have put him in line for a shot at 126-pound gold, but to get it, he will have to beat countryman Gonzalez on the 15^th of September.

“Gonzalez is a very good fighter, but I have the experience and ability to beat him and take his title from him,” said De Leon. “The Mexican fans will all be watching and there is going to be tremendous pressure on all of us to win our bouts and look great doing it. I will become the new champion that night and my career will move up to a new level.”

Tickets priced at $400, $300, $150, $50 and $25, not including applicable service charges and taxes, go on sale Saturday, July 14 at Noon PT. Ticket sales are limited to ten (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.