HBO Sports spotlights some of the sweet science’s brightest young stars on both sides of the Atlantic when WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING: ANDRE BERTO VS. VICTOR ORTIZ AND AMIR KHAN VS. PAUL McCLOSKEY is seen SATURDAY, APRIL 16 (9:45 p.m. ET/6:45 p.m. PT) from the MGM Grand Arena at Foxwoods in Mashantucket, Conn. and the M.E.N. Arena in Manchester, England, exclusively on HBO. The broadcast team of Jim Lampley, Larry Merchant and Emanuel Steward will call all the action, presented in HDTV and in Spanish on HBO Latino.
Other HBO playdates: April 17 (8:45 a.m.) and 18 (midnight)
HBO2 playdates: April 17 (3:30 p.m.) and 19 (5:30 p.m., 2:25 a.m.)
Kicking off the evening in a special tape-delayed presentation from across the pond, British sensation Amir Khan (24-1, 17 KOs) makes his 2011 debut by putting his super lightweight title on the line against undefeated Paul McCloskey (22-0, 12 KOs) of Dungiven, North Ireland in a scheduled 12-round bout. The 24-year-old Khan is coming off a sensational unanimous decision victory over Marcos Maidana last December that was dubbed the BWAA Fight of the Year. In his HBO debut, 31-year-old southpaw McCloskey intends to stop the fast-rising British star and make a name for himself.
The 12-round main event takes place live at the MGM Grand Arena when welterweight titleholder Andre Berto (27-0, 21 KOs) of Winter Haven, Fla. makes his 2011 debut against fast-rising challenger Victor Ortiz (28-2-2, 22 KOs) of Oxnard, Cal. The 27-year-old Berto efficiently defended his title last November with a first-round TKO of Freddy Hernandez, and will be counting on his trademark lightning-fast hand speed and explosiveness in this sixth title defense. Making his first title bid in the talent-rich division, the 24-year-old Ortiz will seek to counter Berto’s ferocity with devastating knockout power. Having defied long odds to become an elite fighter, he wants to prove he is the one to beat at 147 pounds.
All HBO boxing events are presented in HDTV. HBO viewers must have access to the HBO HDTV channel to watch HBO programming in high definition.
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Williams vs. Leyva on April 15th
ST. LOUIS, MO (April 13, 2011) Sensational lightweight prospect Dannie “The Chopper” Williams heads home to St. Louis, Missouri this Friday night, April 15th for the biggest fight of his career. The 26 year old Williams, 16-1-0 (13KO’s), will battle Mexican veteran Manuel Leyva, 18-2-0 in the ten round main event for the WBC Continental Americas Title. The Williams/Leyva bout headlines BATTLE ON THE BANKS, an action packed evening of world class professional boxing presented by St. Louis’ Rumble Time Promotions.
Finishing his training in Youngstown, Ohio, under the watchful eye of highly respected trainer Jack Loew, Williams is anxious to head to St. Louis and challenge for the title in his hometown.
“I can’t wait to get back to St. Louis. This is the biggest fight of my career and I’m looking forward to winning the title at home” said Williams. “I’ve put in a great deal of work and had terrific sparring for this fight.”
“For me, my game plan is simple, use my speed and power, body first then the head. This is the biggest fight of my career and I’m ready for it.”
Since dropping a very close unanimous decision to Eloy Perez in September of 2009, Williams has won four in a row, most recently dominating veteran Harrison Cuello on February 19th enroute to an eight round unanimous decision in Youngstown, Ohio.
The 28 year old Leyva made his US debut on March 11th in Las Vegas, battling former world champion Joel Casamayor evenly in a very hard fought ten round battle which he lost by split decision.
Said trainer Jack Loew, “This camp we’ve worked extensively on tightening up Dannie’s defense. Leyva’s not as fast or slick as Danny, but he just went ten even rounds with Casamayor so we’re prepared for a very tough fight.”
“Dannie sparred ten rounds Saturday with Miguel Gonzalez who’s also fighting on Friday night. Miguel’s a southpaw like Leyva so he’s been terrific for Dannie to spar with. Dannie’s at 138 now; he’s strong and can eat what he wants this week.”
Also in action at BATTLE ON THE BANKS is St. Louis fan favorite Ryan Davis. Sporting a record of 22-8-3 (8KO’s), Davis will face off against Brad “The Firecracker” Hill, 11-13-1 (9KO’s), of Russellville, Arkansas in a scheduled six round junior middleweight tilt.
In a special feature attraction bout, top prospect Miguel “Silky Smooth” Gonzalez, 15-2-0 (13KO’s), of Cleveland, Ohio, will battle California based veteran Hector “’The Mongoose” Alatorre, 16-14-0 (5KO’s) in a six round junior welterweight bout.
Super bantamweight newcomers will also see action as St. Louis’ Jamal “The Mailman” Parram, 4-2-1 (4KO’s) faces off against Sergio Cristobal, 2-1-0, of Chicago, Illinois.
The big boys of boxing will be represented at the BATTLE ON THE BANKS with Todd Brown, 2-0-0 (1KO) of St. Louis, challenging De Soto, Missouri’s Wesley Banks, 0-1-1, in a scheduled four rounder.
Rounding out the card, St. Louis’ Keandre Gibson, 1-0-1, will face Matt Schaefer, 2-3-1 (2KO’s) of Harrison, Arkansas, in a four round welterweight bout.
Two additional mixed martial arts matches will also be part of BATTLE ON THE BANKS.
Advance tickets, starting at $35, for BATTLE ON THE BANKS, presented in association with Shamrock Promotions, may be purchased by calling the Rumble Time Promotions office (314-662-2000), online through Tickets.com and through the Ameristar Casino Gift Shop (314-534-1111). Doors for this event will open at 6:30pm with the first bell at 7:30pm.
Along with Steve Smith, Rumble Time Promotions is comprised of chief financial officer Gail Hull, match maker Derrick Spicer, recruiting and development, former world champion Harold Petty, vice president/attorney Blake Fischer and webmaster/photographer Bob Barton.
Rumble Time Promotions has consistently promoted world class fighters, working with numerous broadcasts networks. Among the fighters under their banner are Deandre Latimore, Dannie Williams, Willie Nelson and Prenice Brewer.
For more information on Rumble Time Promotions, please visit their website at www.rumbletimepromotions.com. Tickets to their events can be purchased by calling 312-662-2000.
The Ameristar Casino Resort Spa is located at 1 Ameristar Boulevard in St. Charles, Missouri, just outside of St. Louis. For more information, please visit their website at www.ameristar.com/St_Charles.aspx