King’s Promotions Triumvirate on Display TONIGHT on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®

Reading, PA (August 1, 2020)–.TONIGHT at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut, King’s Promotions will be featured prominently as three members of the
promotional outfit will see action on a SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING tripleheader.

In the televised co-feature, it will be a rematch of King’s Promotions super bantamweight’s as WBA Number-13 ranked Raeese Aleem (16-0, 10 KOs) and WBA Number-eight ranked Marcus Bates (11-1-1, 8 KOs) square off in a WBA Elimination contest.

In the televised opener, Joseph George (10-0, 6 KOs) will look to repeat the outcome of his November 15th battle with Marcos Escudero (10-1, 9 KOs) as the two will square off in a 10-round light heavyweight bout.

Raeese Aleem

The fights, which begin at 9 PM ET / 6 PM PT, will be headlined by the WBO Super Bantamweight title bout featuring Angelo Leo taking on Tramaine Williams.

“This is a big night for our company,” said Marshall Kauffman, CEO of King’s Promotions.

“We have three of our fighters in two big rematches. The winners of each fight set themselves up for huge opportunities in their next fight. I want to thank Stephen Espinoza and Al Haymon for the opportunities for Raeese, Marcus and Joseph. They will all prove that they belong on this stage on Saturday night, and I hope this will be the 1st of many big fights on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING for the three.”

At Friday’s weigh-in, both Aleem and Bates weighed 121 1/4 lbs.

George was 174 1/4 lbs while Escudero was 173 1/2.

Below are fight week quotes from Aleem, Bates and George.

RA’EESE ALEEM

“My first fight against Marcus was a good fight, I believe I won every round. That was my first fight back after a two-and-a-half-year layoff. I just couldn’t get a fight and he accepted the challenge at that time. I gave him his first loss and you always remember your first loss. I’m sure he thinks about me at night.

“Facing a new opponent on late notice doesn’t take away from my aggression, if anything it amps it up. I’m probably going to be more aggressive, if anything, because it is more of a grudge match. The first time that I fought him, head-to-head, I beat him fair and square and he has the audacity to say that something was up with his water or whatever. Real fighters don’t make excuses and that’s exactly what he has done. He called me out and told people I was scared to fight him. Well, now he gets his chance and it’s going to be more than what he bargained for.”

MARCUS BATES

“I’ve been working hard to get to where I’m at and everybody who boxes dreams of being a world champion. For this to fall into place at this point of my career, I think it’s perfect timing a perfect opportunity. I’ve wanted the rematch with Aleem and I couldn’t get it, so for us to get the rematch on SHOWTIME is great. If I win this, I will be in position to fight for a world title and every boxer’s dream is to get a belt.

Marcus Bates

“Even though there was a chance I wouldn’t be fighting, I came here expecting to fight. I didn’t come all the way up here just to go home without a fight. Once they told me I was definitely fighting and it was going to be a rematch to the only guy I’ve lost to, I was very excited. I always wanted to fight him again after I lost to him so I’m so excited.”

JOE GEORGE

“I’m in better shape for this fight compared to our first fight. We’re working on fighting off of the ropes better and fighting in the center of the ring more effectively.

“A knockout is always good, but I like to take it one round at a time. If the knockout comes, it comes, and we’re going to take advantage. I’ve been dropping fighters in camp, so the chance of a knockout is pretty high.

“He was an okay opponent. He had a chin and was in shape. His punches weren’t effective though. I made sure my punches landed and I hurt him a few times, I just couldn’t really finish him.

Joseph George

“This fight will be different because I’m going to work off the ropes more instead of letting him gain momentum with his punches. Last fight was just him being really active and having a good chin -that’s all that stopped him from getting knocked out. If I was in better shape, I could have finished him. If I get the opportunity this fight, I’ll finish it.

“I expect to see a slight difference in Escudero. If you change trainers, then you should have made some changes. I had a good hard camp and whatever he brings, I’ll be ready for it.

“Some people think that Escudero won, and that’s their opinion. But I knew what I was doing. He wasn’t effective. I think just by me being on the ropes it made some people think that I was losing. But for me, I’m very comfortable fighting on the ropes.

“I didn’t really spar with people my weight in camp, it was either with heavyweights or guys who are lighter. The lighter guys helped with my speed and the heavyweights helped with my power. It worked out perfectly and I got the best of both worlds.

“My manager Trent Williams is a young athlete so he knows how this goes. He knows the things to do and what to say. You never see him angry or frustrated, the only time he’s aggressive is when he’s training or on the field. His work ethic is incredible and that’s motivation in itself. He’s a great role model and I learn a lot from watching him.”

Raeese Aleem talks rematch with Marcus Bates
Raeese Aleem talks rematch with Marcus Bates
Marcus Bates Media Availability
Marcus Bates Media Availability
Media conference with undefeated light heavyweight Joseph George
Media conference with undefeated light heavyweight Joseph George

Saturday’s fights are presented by Premier Boxing Champions and promoted by TGB and Mayweather Promotions in association with Kings Promotions. The main event is promoted in association with New World Sports and Warriors Boxing.

For more information visit www.SHO.com/sports, www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @TGBPromotions or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing