PAULIE MALIGNAGGI BATTLES JOSE MIGUEL COTTO ON APRIL 9 "ACTION HEROES" HBO PAY-PER-VIEW® UNDERCARD

LOS ANGELES, March 23 - Former Junior Welterweight World Champion Paulie "Magic Man" Malignaggi will step back onto the big stage against Puerto Rico's Jose Miguel Cotto in a 10-round welterweight fight on Saturday, April 9, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev., on the "Action Heroes" HBO Pay-Per-View event.

"We promised to deliver the best fights for the April 9 pay-per-view and we are continuing to do that with the addition of the always-flashy and exciting Paulie Malignaggi against the experienced Jose Miguel Cotto," said Oscar de la Hoya, president of Golden Boy Promotions. "It is going to be a clash of a boxer versus a puncher, plus Paulie is looking to avenge his loss to Jose Miguel's older brother, Miguel Cotto, in a fight you won't want to miss."

Flashy in and out of the ring and blessed with the heart of a lion, Brooklyn's Paulie Malignaggi (28-4, 6 KO's) has regrouped and now, fighting at welterweight, the "Magic Man" is in top-notch form as he pursues a world title in a second weight class. Coming off of a sixth round technical knockout win over Michael Lozada in December, the 30-year-old Malignaggi can't wait to show off more of his new tricks on April 9 against the brother of the man - Miguel Cotto - who handed him his first professional loss.

"I'm very excited to be on this great card that is generating a lot of buzz," said Malignaggi. "I think fighting Cotto is a good test and an important next step at this point in my career as I climb back to the top of the sport. His brother Miguel is the best fighter I have fought in my career, so I know when fighting a 'Cotto' I have to be prepared. I'm excited for the challenge and the chance to keep proving 'naysayers' wrong."

A 14-year veteran who can do it all in the ring, Caguas' Jose Miguel Cotto (32-2-1, 24 KO's) represents Puerto Rico with heart and pride every time he steps through the ropes. A longtime lightweight contender who has continued to find success as he has moved up in weight, the 33-year old Cotto has won four of his last five fights. His most recent fight was a fourth round technical knockout win over Christopher Henry in November. He returns to Las Vegas for the first time in nearly a year and expects a win against Malignaggi.

"This is going to be a great fight," said Cotto. "I've been in the gym training my hardest and I feel ready. Having a big win over Malignaggi will move me closer to a title opportunity. I will not let this one go by."

"Action Heroes," featuring Morales vs. Maidana in a 12-round junior welterweight bout and Guerrero vs. Katsidis in a 12-round lightweight battle is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Erik Morales' Box Latino and Universum Box Promotions and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate, AT&T, DeWalt Tools and Tres Generaciones Tequila. Guerrero vs. Katsidis is presented in association with Sampson Boxing. The bouts will be produced and distributed live on HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.

Tickets for "Action Heroes" priced at $350, $250, $150, $75, $50 and $25 are on sale now and available 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.

A stacked slate of undercard bouts, including the rest of the HBO Pay-Per-View broadcast, will be announced at a later date. For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, on Twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @boxlatino, @terrible100, @ChinoMaidana, @TeamGuerrero, @MickKatsidis, @PaulMalignaggi or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing. Follow HBO Boxing newsat www.hbo.com/boxing, Facebook at www.facebook.com/hboboxing and on Twitter www.twitter.com/hboboxing.

The Morales vs. Maidana pay-per-view telecast, which begins at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT, has a suggested retail price of $44.95, will be produced and distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View® and will be available to more than 71 million pay-per-view homes. The telecast will be available in HD-TV for those viewers who can receive HD. HBO Pay-Per-View, a division of Home Box Office, Inc., is the leading supplier of event programming to the pay-per-view industry. For Morales vs. Maidana fight week updates, log on to www.hbo.com.

Mobile Holmes On The Road To Belfast For Graham Earl’s April 2nd Show

TKO Box Office

Graham Earl Promotions

Presents

FISTS OF FURY

2nd April 2011 @ Kings Hall, Belfast

London - Wednesday, 23rd March 2011

Stevenage’s Terry Holmes is set to travel to Northern Ireland for the third fight of his fledgling professional career, where he will take part in former World champ, turned promoter, Graham Earl’s maiden Belfast event ‘Fists of Fury’ at the King’s Hall on Saturday 2nd April 2011.

19 year old Holmes is already earning a reputation as one of the toughest youngsters on the scene after his scintillating performances over Johnny Greaves, back in October, and more recently against Sutton’s Danny ‘Cassius’ Connor, on Graham Earl’s excellent ‘Capital Punishment’ event at York Hall in January.

Back in January Holmes started hard and fast, forcing Connor to use his jab to keep his raging bull attacks at bay. Holmes seemed content to throw bomb after bomb whenever he got in range.

Round two was more of the same, until around midway when one of Holmes’ bombs hit the target - hard. Feeling more confident Holmes went even more on the attack. Connor continued to use his jab to keep the terrier like Holmes at bay, however Holmes just wouldn’t back down.

Things settled down a bit in the third round and some good toe-to-toe action ensued. Holmes slowed things down a bit and instead of launching wild attacks started picking his punches. Connor was boxing well but the tide had turned firmly in favour of Holmes with his more controlled approach.

Round four was more of the same again and at one point looked like Holmes may have the stoppage he predicted after landing a big right before pouncing on Connor with a flurry of big shots. Connor weaved and ducked but with his back to the rope didn’t seem to have an escape route so let rip with a few of his own. This was enough for Holmes to take to the back foot. Connor pushed forward and let rip with a salvo of his own. The crowd were on their feet as the action flowed back and forth until the final bell rang and Holmes was declared victor by a 40-36 points margin.

Following a sparring session at Johnny Eames’ famous Ultrachem TKO Boxing in Canning Town, London, a confident Holmes spoke briefly about his upcoming Belfast fight, “Yeah, I’m back out again on 2nd April in Belfast.

I’m looking to improve and build on my last win. I think I went a little bit wild last time out, I wanted to beat him up because he kept saying he was going to knock me out and things like that.

I don’t think he hit me that much, it went well and now I’m looking forward to fighting in Belfast.

Graham hasn’t old me who I’m fighting yet, but I don’t care anyway I’m going for the win. I’ll go out there and do what you do and get another good win under the belt.

We’ve been training quite hard, sparring all day yesterday and the day before. Been going well they’re all good boxers, it’s been good sparring for me really. I just need to lose a little bit of weight now and then I’m ready.

It’ll be a good fight and a good win for me.”

Terry Holmes, against a yet to be named opponent, will feature on the undercard of Graham Earl’s ‘Fists of Fury’ at King’s Hall, Belfast on Saturday 2nd April 2011.

Headlining the show will be WBU Lightweight World Champion Willie Limond, against a yet to be named opponent.

Graham has put together a superb undercard featuring the cream of local talent and includes the long awaited showdown between Tommy Tolan and Phil Townley. Another explosive local needle match sees Damian Taggert finally come face to face with Paddy McGarrity.

Popular Middleweight prospect Joe ‘The Belfast Banger’ Hillerby is set for his home debut, against a yet to be named opponent, as are Ian Boyd and Michael McLaughlin who will be looking to get the first win under their belts in front of a home crowd.

Local lads Sean Montgomery, Paidrag McCrory, Mark Morris and Mark Ginley will all be making their pro debuts on the 2nd April.

Tickets for the Graham Earl Promoted ‘FISTS OF FURY’ event at the Nugent Hall, King’s Hall, Belfast on Saturday 2nd April 2011 are now on sale and priced £35 (Unreserved), £40 (Outer Ringside) or £50 (Ringside).

For tickets book on-line at www.tkoboxoffice.com or contact local fighters. For further information call TKO Box Office on 07960 850645

DEGUARDIA TRAVELS TO ROME FOR SCHATZ'S "NEW YORK SHOTS" EXHIBIT

This Thursday, March 24th, an exhibition will open in Rome, Italy, at the Museum of Contemporary Art. The curator, Gabriele Tinti will be featuring selected portraits from world renowned photographer Howard Schatz project: The Italian-Americans in Boxing. Star Boxing President and CEO, Joe DeGuardia will be in attendance as his portrait will be one of the pieces featured at the exhibition. Also in attendance with be the chairman of the FPI, Franco Falcinelli and the councilor for the sport of the City of Rome, Alessandro Cochi. DeGuardia arrived in Rome today and will spend the remainder of the week in Rome, taking part in the week's planned activities.

"It is an honor to be featured in the exhibit in Rome and in Howard's project," said DeGuardia. "Howard, is one of the most prolific photographers in the entire world, and his work, especially with respect to the boxing world, is absolutely extraordinary. I can't wait to see how the entire exhibition actually all comes together."

In 2010 Schatz was announced as the winner of the prestigious American Photo: Images of the Year award and the Priz de la Photographie Paris as Photographer of the Year. His photos have been published in the world's leading magazines, including Time, Sports Illustrated, ESPN Magazine, Vogue, Vogue Italia, GQ Italia, The New York Times Magazine, The New Yorker, Stern, Life, Black/White, and American Photo. Schatz has also worked with such companies as Ralph Lauren RLX, Escada, Sergio Tacchini, Nike, Rebok, Wolford, Etienne Aigner, Sony, Adidas, Finlandia Vodka, MGM Grand Hotel, Virgin Records and Mercedes-Benz.

In addition to Schatz's exhibition; which will be attended by such Italian world champions as Gianfranco Rosi, Francesco Damiani, Nino Benvenuti , Sumbu Kalambay, Maurizio Stecca and Gianluca and Silvio Branco, and current boxers Vinny Maddalone, Domenico Spada, Daniele Petrucci, Andrea Di Luisa, and Manuel Ernesti amongst many others; a book, written by Gabriele Tinti, the curator of the exhibition about Italian-Americans in boxing, will also be presented. The book will be published by Allemandi and will include a short text by actor, Michael Imperioli.

The exhibition will be held in the main exhibit of the Museum which will be transformed into a unique, stunning artistic ring that includes ten large photographs taken by Schatz, including the portrait of DeGuardia.

Kevin McBride Media Workout

Kevin McBride held a media workout today in preparation for his April 9th fight against Tomasz Adamek. This is what he had to say:

"I've been doing what I have to do to get fit for 12 rds. I have a good team behind me. I want to show the world that I'm a contender. When I hit him on the chin he'll think the whole of Ireland was doing it. The best thing about it is the Polish People will be there to witness it!"

"I'm expecting a good fight. It's going to be exciting; the Polish and the Irish is a great combination. I'd love to see a few Irish there too, but a hostile crowd won't affect me at all. It was a hostile crowd when I fought Mike Tyson. With Tyson nobody gave me a chance, but I proved different. That's what I plan to do on the 9th of April."

"This is my last chance to show the world that I am a contender and I'll follow my dream to be the first Irish born Heavyweight Champion. I have a good team with manager Jerry Quinn & trainers Goody Petronella who will be in my corner with Nirmal Lorick."

"Adamek was a great champion in light heavyweight and cruiserweight, but this is the heavyweight division. I know that one punch can do the job."

"There's only two ways that I could go out of the ring: the winner; or on a stretcher. There is only one man who could win that night and that is Kevin McBride."

The Adamek - McBride fight will be the main event on the April 9th card at Newark's Prudential Center. The card is presented by Main Events & Ziggy Promotions. Doors open at 6:45pm, first fight 7:00pm.

Tickets are priced at $253, $103, $78, and $53. Tickets are available online at http://www.ticketmaster.com, Charge-by-phone: 1-800-745-3000, Ticketmaster Express 866-448-7849 and Ticketmaster ticket centers. Tickets are also available at Prudential Center's Box Office.

Adamek vs. McBride will be distributed in the United States and Canada by Integrated Sports Media for live viewing at 9 PM/ET - 6 PM/PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, DISH Network and Avail-TVN and Canada via Viewer's Choice, Bell TV and Shaw Cable PPV for a suggested retail price of only $29.95

Available as an Ustream online PPV exclusive, the live video broadcast of the fight will be offered for $29.95 in U.S. / Canada at http://www.ustream.tv/brickcityboxingUSA and $4.95 Worldwide at http://www.ustream.tv/brickcityboxinginternational.

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