January 20, 2021–TONIGHT!!! Two world title bouts highlight a night of Classic Fights on fubo Sports Network.

In a bout that took place on October 10, 2015, Liam Smith (20-0-1, 10 KOs) took on John Thompson (17-0-1, 6 KOs) for the vacant WBO junior middleweight world title. The fight, which took place at the famed Manchester Arena, in Manchester, England, saw an evenly matched fight turn suddenly at the halfway point

Also on the doubleheader, the vacant WBC lightweight world title was on the line when Dejan Zlaticanin (21-0, 14 KOs) took on Franklin Mamani (21-2-1, 12 KOs). The bout, which took place on June 11, 2016, at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York, was a chance for Zlaticanin to present himself to the American fight fans.

The action begins at 8 PM ET.

About fubo Sports Network
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VERONA, N.Y. (June 11, 2016) – John Molina outpunched Ruslan Provodnikov in an all-action fight by revealing a new weapon in his arsenal, a sharp and steady jab. Molina captured a surprising unanimous decision in a 12-round junior welterweight bout that featured fierce exchanges throughout Saturday on SHOWTIME from Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y.

In the co-feature on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING, Demetrius Andrade delivered a statement, knockout victory over Willie Nelson, staking his claim as one of the world’s best in the stacked 154-pound division. In the opening bout, Dejan Zlaticanin knocked out Franklin Mamani to earn the vacant 135-pound world title and make history as the first native of Montenegro to win a world championship.

Molina and Provodnikov promised a war, and they delivered. But what surprised many was the volume of punches and effective jabbing from Molina (29-6, 23 KOs), a veteran more known for engaging in brawls than his boxing prowess. Molina threw nearly 1,110 total punches, including 643 jabs compared to just 265 for Provodnikov, who failed to close the range on his naturally bigger opponent.

“We knew we had to outwork Provodnikov,” said the 33-year-old Covina, Calif., native. “It was a fight that we needed. Ruslan Provodnikov is a very notable name. He’s a tough, tough guy. He kept moving forward.

“People don’t realize I had my amateur career in the pros, and now it’s my time to step out and shine. I have a new trainer. Shadeed (Suluki) showed me how to throw punches and use my power.”

Molina vs. Provodnikov was scored 116-112, 117-111, 115-113.

“I think it (the scorecard) was self-explanatory. A fighter knows when they won a fight. I won that fight and it was going to be hard to take it away from me.”

The judges agreed on nine of the 12 rounds, a relatively high percentage according to SHOWTIME analyst Steve Farhood.

“Today the decision was the right one,” Provnikov said. “Molina won the fight – he was better tonight. Everything was scored the way it should have been.

“We expected that he was going to box, he was going to move. We expected him to do that. It wasn’t my night. Maybe I don’t have the same hungriness as before. I’m not going to make excuses, but it was hard for me to find my groove tonight.

“I don’t think it’s that (the layoff). There are no excuses. I lost the fight tonight. I couldn’t find the hungriness. I have to sit down and think of why that happened.

“I’m sorry if I disappointed.”

Undefeated former world champion Demetrius Andrade put on a masterful performance against top-10 ranked Willie Nelson, flooring the former world title challenger four times including once in the opening round and emphatically in the final round to close the show (TKO 12, 1:38).

With the win, Nelson, who landed a staggering 57 percent of his power punches in just his second fight in two years, moved one step closer to earning another shot at a title fight. Andrade, who never lost his belt in the ring, is now the second mandatory challenger for the WBC Super Welterweight World Title, currently held by Jermell Charlo.

“I’m coming to get those belts,” said the 28-year-old Andrade. “People can’t run no more. The best have to fight the best. I’m coming for them.

“I came back, I’m stronger. Me and my team worked hard. We figured out what we need to do to take it to the next level. I’m ready for the Charlo brothers. I want them.”

Andrade was on his way to pitching a shutout, delivering a statement performance after months of frustration from “boxing politics.” The former WBO 154-pound champion targeted the head and the body of Nelson, relying on a steady diet of combos to floor the 6-foot-3 Nelson in the first, 11th and twice in the 12th.

“I’m young enough and my reaction time is still going,” Andrade said. “Willie Nelson is a true champion. He pushed me to the limit where I had to figure out what punches to throw. But I put the pieces of the puzzle together and got the knockout, baby.

Nelson, of Cleveland, dropped to 25-3-1 with 15 KOs.

“He was tough,” Nelson said. “I was forcing my shots too much. I felt like I was getting back into the fight, but he was crafty and mobile.

“I am ready for whatever is next and, despite what happened tonight, I am here to stay. My career won’t end like this.”

In the opening bout of the SHOWTIME telecast, Zlaticanin blasted late-replacement Mamani with a third round TKO (:54) to win the vacant WBC Lightweight World Championship.

The 32-year-old Zlaticanin (18-0, 10 KOs) became the first native of the Southeastern European country of Montenegro to capture a world championship.

“I’m very proud. I made Montenegro proud,” Zlaticanin said. “I want to thank my fans that came to support me. I think I made my country proud. I think they will be delighted. I don’t think they know what this means, but in a few days they will know.”

The southpaw Zlaticanin pounced with a powerful straight left that had Mamani in trouble just seconds into the fight. The Bolivian, who was also aiming to become the first native of his homeland to win a title, survived the round but he was in trouble again in the third. Zlaticanin staggered with an overhand left and followed with a series of unanswered blows that forced referee Charlie Fitch to halt the contest with Mamani (21-3-1, 12 KOs) defenseless against the ropes.

“I knew that I would knock him out. He stood too close to me.

After the fight, Zlaticanin called out Jorge Linares, the WBC Lightweight “Champion in Recess”, who pulled out of a tentatively scheduled match with Zlaticanin due to an injury.

“I want Linares next. He can’t run from me anymore.

In undercard action on SHO EXTREME, Willie Monroe Jr. (20-2, 6 KOs) won a unanimous decision (96-92, 95-93, 99-89) over John Thompson (17-2, 6 KOs) in a 10-round middleweight matchup of former world title challengers. Monroe scored two knockdowns, one in the second and another with a straight right jab in the fifth.

In the opening bout on SHOWTIME BOXING on SHO EXTREME, Russian heavyweight Andrey Fedosov (29-3, 24 KOs) scored four knockdowns en route to a sixth round TKO (1:33) of Mario Heredia (11-2, 9 KOs, 1-2 in WSB).

Saturday’s event from Turning Stone Resort Casino was promoted by Banner Promotions and DiBella Entertainment.

Saturday’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING tripleheader replays Monday, June 13 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME. The SHOWTIME BOXING on SHO EXTREME telecast replays Tuesday, June 14 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHO EXTREME.

Brian Custer hosted the SHOWTIME telecast, with Mauro Ranallo calling the action, Hall of Fame analyst Al Bernstein and former two-time world champion Paulie Malignaggi commentating and Jim Gray reporting. Barry Tompkins and Steve Farhood called. the SHOWTIME EXTREME action. In the Spanish simulcast, Alejandro Luna called the blow-by-blow and former world champion Raul Marquez served as color commentator. The executive producer of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING was David Dinkins Jr. with Bob Dunphy directing.

For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports, follow on Twitter @SHOSports, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports.

Visit Banner Promotions at www.banner-promotions.com, follow on Twitter at @BannerBoxing, follow on Instagram at @BannerBoxing, become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BannerPromotions, follow on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/banner-promotions-inc-?trk=biz-companies-cym, and watch on Youtube at www.youtube.com/user/bannervideo.

For Turning Stone Resort Casino: www.turningstone.com ; Twitter: @turningstone ; Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TurningStoneResort/

VERONA, N.Y. (June 9, 2016) – The six fighters, including main eventers Ruslan “The Siberian Rocky” Provodnikov and John “The Gladiator” Molina, who will compete on this Saturday’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® tripleheader live on SHOWTIME® (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT), participated in the final press conference Thursday at Turning Stone Resort Casino here.

Russia’s Provodnikov (25-4, 18 KOs) and Molina (28-6, 23 KOs) of Covina, Calif., clash in an eagerly awaited matchup in the main event. Provodnikov, a former WBO Junior Welterweight World Champion, was involved in the Fight of the Year in 2013 with Tim Bradley; former world title challenger Molina was in the 2014 Fight of The Year with Lucas Matthysse.

A can’t-miss co-feature at Turning Stone Casino will match unbeaten former 154-pound world champion and 2008 U.S. Olympian Demetrius Andrade (22-0, 15 KOs), of Providence, R.I., against Willie Nelson (25-2-1, 15 KOs) of Cleveland, Ohio, in a 12-round WBC Super Welterweight Title Elimination bout. The telecast will begin with a 12-rounder for the vacant WBC lightweight world championship between undefeated No. 1 ranked Dejan Zlaticanin (17-0, 10 KOs), of the Southeastern European country of Montenegro, and Franklin Mamani (21-2-1, 12 KOs) of Bolivia.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Banner Promotions, Inc., are priced at $85, $60, $45 and $35 and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Turning Stone Box Office, by calling 877.833.SHOW, or online at Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com).

Also this Saturday, from Turning Stone, former world title challengers Willie Monroe Jr. (19-2, 6 KOs, of Rochester, N.Y. and John Thompson (17-2, 6 KOs), of Newark, N.J., clash in a 10-round middleweight bout in the main event on SHOWTIME EXTREME (7 p.m. ET/PT). In the SHO EXTREME opener, heavyweight Andrey Fedosov (28-3, 23 KOs), of Hollywood, Calif., meets Mexico’s Mario Heredia (11-1, 9 KOs, 1-2 in WSB) in a 10-round heavyweight bout.

Below is what the fighters said Thursday:

RUSLAN PROVODNIKOV

(On training camp) …

“This camp went very well. Everything went great. Now I’m just waiting for Saturday.”

(His thoughts on Molina) …
“I have a lot of respect for Molina and his team. He’s a great fighter. These are the types of opponents I like. Most of the fights I’ve had are fights like this, opponents like this. This actually motivates me. I don’t have a problem with getting into a fight like this. This is what I’m looking for. This is the type of fight I expect.”

(On his determination and will to win) …
“Words are not so much associated with explaining this because anybody can talk and anybody can say words. I think the fans or the people have to see how my fights have been and the way that I’ve fought those fights. For me to say right now that I’m going to ‘die in the ring’, they’re words right now. The fight will show, then the fans will have an understanding in their mind of was I just saying that or is that really the way it is. The actions show, not the words.”

(On how he sees the fight playing out) …
“It’s very hard to predict and I usually don’t make predictions. I never make predictions for my fights. Let’s just wait on June 11 and see.

(Final thoughts) …
“I want to take this moment to thank everybody that has to do with this fight. All the people that made this happen.”

JOHN MOLINA JR.

(Thoughts and reflections on Muhammad Ali) …

“The world lost a great human being, not only inside the ring but outside the ring. A champion is the best way to describe him. The greatest of all time. An innovator. Somebody that changes the world in and out. My heart goes out to his family.”

(On whether he’s the underdog or this is a 50-50 fight?) …

“In the grand scheme of things, the boxer – experts if you will – I don’t know how many times they’ve been in the ring but for what they do in boxing, they seem to have him as the favorite but rightfully so. In a sense because of the personality and persona that he’s portrayed in past times. I don’t think too much about the hype. We’ve prepped for war on Saturday night. We would be doing ourselves a disservice if we didn’t prepare right for someone like Ruslan. He’s a hell of a fighter, a hell of a competitor and we were both in a Fight of the Year. What people don’t realize is we were both in Fight of the Year on the losing side and now we’re going to be in a Fight of the Year, but both of us going for the winning side. I think the fans are going to be pleasantly surprised. I’m ready. The stage is set to showcase my capabilities Saturday night.”

(On how you prepare for a fighter like Provodnikov) …
“Just like you prepare for a fighter like everybody I’ve faced. Whether it be someone like Matthysse. Whether it be other fighters, I don’t want to go into names because right now my undivided attention is on Ruslan Provodnikov but the preparation is like that of any other man. I hate comparing the guy’s style to other people because again, the whole disservice you’d be doing is to yourself. You can study their style and get used to their mannerisms and what they portray in the ring and you can prepare yourself. With that being said, June 11 will be the first time I ever face Ruslan Provodnikov so what I do to prepare myself is work on my strong points and make sure those are up to par and make sure my energy is set and ready to fire on all cylinders Saturday night and I can tell you that they are set right.”

(On what fans should expect) …
“Fireworks. Like I said, every word that we use in the thesaurus is an understatement. Boxing is a ‘what have you done for me lately’ sport and Saturday night is no different. I believe in my heart of hearts the fans are going to get a treat with Ruslan Provodnikov coming forward, not wanting to take a backward step with myself coming forward not wanting to take a backward step. We’re both going to try and go in there and pose our will on each other and you’re not going to see a boring fight. It won’t be Dancing With The Stars, it’s going to be a fight.”

DEMETRIUS ANDRADE

(On his opponent and his quality of opposition) …

“Tony Harrison is definitely not Demetrius Andrade. Yes, he’s probably a prospect and doing good things but everybody sounds good, everybody’s a prospect until you get in there with somebody that knows how to fight. They can try to bring the will out of you and that’s what Willie did is bring the will out of himself to beat somebody like Tony Harrison, but Tony Harrison’s definitely not me.

“Willie Nelson, yeah he’s tall, they say he’s strong but I’m all that too. My IQ is greater, smarter and this is my time. This is it. This is something that either makes or breaks me. It’s a good challenge so the people get to see that, due to the layoff and everything. I came back to fight a guy like this and I came back to win the 154 division.

“I came here, chewing bubble gum and kicking ass. I ran out of bubble gum so come June 11, I will be kicking some ass. I am happy that SHOWTIME gave me this opportunity and put me back on the network, put me back on prime TV.

“There’s definitely going to be violence to open up the main event show with Provodnikov and John Molina, which is going to be a tremendous fight. Thanks for everybody coming out … and I am the greatest alive.”

(On the division and possible future opponents) …

“I think that I’m going to make history by beating two twins that hold title belts and it’s going to be a legendary thing for me. So, I’m tuned in, I’m ready and I’m focused. This is my division, it’s my war.”

(On what he sees playing out on fight night) …

“I’m just going in and do my thing, you know, I’m the type of person with character. I’ve been in the ring for many years through the amateur program and fought 300-400 times, against everybody in the whole world. So, there’s not nothing I haven’t seen or fought. A tall guy like Willie Nelson with no legs or upper body, I’m going to push him to the limit. That’s pretty much the plan. I’m going in and its knockout season for me.”

WILLIE NELSON

(On fans not expecting him to win) …

“It’s what happens all the time. I’m always the underdog. It’s OK and I try not to worry about it much.

“I’m not one to predict the fights; about what can and can’t happen, but it’s going to be an interesting fight. We know each other’s background and we have sparred before at the U.S. Training Camp.”

(On Muhammad Ali)…

“It hasn’t really affected my mindset in terms of this fight. With the passing of Muhammad Ali it’s very sad for boxing, and for the world. Because he wasn’t only a great fighter but also a great icon, a great man and a great leader.”

DEJAN ZLATICANIN

(On what fighting for a world title means to him) …

“I’ve prepared for this hard fight for a long time because they changed opponents and it’s hard to be prepared for that. But I have waited for this opportunity for a long time. This is the most important fight of my life, and I am going to win this fight.”

(His prediction) …

“I don’t like to talk too much. I will talk in the ring and I promise I will knock out Franklin Mamani.”

FRANKLIN MAMANI

(On this opportunity)…
“This is the chance of a lifetime, I feel like I have the winning lotto ticket and I just need to cash it in Saturday night. I come for a boxing family of 9 brothers, I have been in boxing since I was 12 years old and I always dreamed of fighting for a world title in the United States. My country (Bolivia) and my family will be watching and I will not disappoint them.”

(On his opponent)…
Zlaticanin is an aggressive, strong and talented fighter. It will be an honor to trade leather with him inside the ring and be able to win the WBC lightweight championship of the world against the number one contender in my division.”

FRIDAY, JUNE 10

5 p.m. OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN
Location: Turning Stone Convention Center
Rooms: Seneca, Onondaga, Cayuga and Tuscarora
5218 Patrick Rd, Verona, N.Y. 13478
4 p.m.- Fighter check-in
5 p.m.- Fighters On-scales

SATURDAY, JUNE 11

5 p.m. Doors Open
6 p.m. First Fight Begins
7 p.m. SHOWTIME EXTREME® Telecast Begins
9 p.m. SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® Telecast Begins

Media Credentials: Please pick up media credentials between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. in the Cypress Room. Valid ID required.

Post-Fight Press Conference will take place immediately after the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast concludes in the Cypress Room.

About Provodnikov – Molina

On Saturday, June 11, Ruslan Provodnikov (25-4, 18 KOs), a former WBO Junior Welterweight World Champion, and former world title challenger John Molina Jr. (28-6, 23 KOs), of West Covina, Calif., will face each other in the 12-round main event. In the co-feature, undefeated former 154-pound world champion and 2008 U.S. Olympian Demetrius Andrade (22-0, 15 KOs), of Providence, R.I., will face Willie Nelson (25-2-1, 15 KOs) of Cleveland, Ohio, in a 12-round WBC Super Welterweight Title Eliminator.

Opening the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® tripleheader is a battle for the vacant WBC Lightweight World Championship between No. 1 ranked Dejan Zlaticanin (17-0, 10 KOs), of the Southeastern European country of Montenegro, and WBC No.-ranked

Also on June 11, former world title challengers, Willie Monroe Jr, (19-2-0, 6 KOs), and John Thompson, (17-2-0, 6 KOs,) will meet in a 10-round middleweight bout in the main event on SHOWTIME EXTREME® (7 p.m. ET/PT). In the SHOWTIME BOXING on SHO EXTREME® opener, heavyweight Andrey Fedosov (28-3, 23 KOs) takes on Mario Heredia (11-1, 9 KOs, 1-2 in WSB) in a 10-round heavyweight bout.

Turning Stone Resort Casino is no stranger to hosting high caliber nationally televised boxing events. Last year, Turning Stone hosted the epic battle between Provodnikov and Matthysee, selected over arenas in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Miami. When Provodnikov returns to Turning Stone on June 11th, it will mark Turning Stone’s 18th nationally-televised boxing event, cementing the resort as a mecca for knockout fights. Located in Upstate New York, Turning Stone is an award-winning destination resort, offering world-class amenities including four hotels, 21 restaurants and dining options, two luxurious spas, five beautiful golf courses, and several bars, cocktail lounges and nightlife venues.

For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports, follow on Twitter @SHOSports, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports.

Visit Banner Promotions at www.banner-promotions.com, follow on Twitter at @BannerBoxing, follow on Instagram at @BannerBoxing, become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BannerPromotions, follow on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/banner-promotions-inc-?trk=biz-companies-cym, and watch on Youtube at www.youtube.com/user/bannervideo.

For Turning Stone Resort Casino: www.turningstone.com ; Twitter: @turningstone ; Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TurningStoneResort/

NEW YORK (June 2, 2016) – WBC No. 5-ranked lightweight contender Franklin Mamani will face No. 1-ranked lightweight Dejan Zlaticanin for the vacant WBC 135-pound title on Saturday,June 11, live on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) from The Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y.

Mamani (21-2-1, 12 KOs), who is the leading available contender in the WBC rankings, replaces the injured Emiliano Marsili, who pulled out of the fight on Tuesday with an illness.

Mamani, of La Paz, Bolivia, was in camp training to fight Chad Bennet for the WBC Silver Lightweight World Title in early July. Now, the 29-year-old Mamani gets a shot at the vacant WBC Lightweight World Championship in his U.S. debut. The aggressive-minded Mamani has won 10 straight, including his last three by knockout.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Banner Promotions, Inc., are priced at $85, $60, $45 and $35 and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Turning Stone Box Office, by calling 877.833.SHOW, or online at Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com).

In the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING main event, Ruslan Provodnikov (25-4, 18 KOs), a former WBO Junior Welterweight World Champion, and former world title challenger John Molina (28-6, 23 KOs), of West Covina, Calif., will face-off in a 12-round super lightweight bout. In the June 11 co-feature, undefeated former 154-pound world champion and 2008 U.S. Olympian Demetrius Andrade (22-0, 15 KOs), of Providence, R.I., will face Willie Nelson (25-2-1, 15 KOs) of Cleveland, Ohio, in a 12-round WBC Super Welterweight Title Eliminator.

Also on June 11, former world title challengers, Willie Monroe Jr, (19-2-0, 6 KOs), and John Thompson, (17-2-0, 6 KOs,) will meet in a 10-round middleweight bout in the main event on SHOWTIME EXTREME® (7 p.m. ET/PT). In the SHOWTIME BOXING on SHO EXTREME® opener, heavyweight Andrey Fedosov (28-3, 23 KOs) takes on Mario Heredia (11-1, 9 KOs, 1-2 in WSB) in a 10-round heavyweight bout.

Turning Stone Resort Casino is no stranger to hosting high caliber nationally televised boxing events. Last year, Turning Stone hosted the epic battle between Provodnikov and Matthysee, selected over arenas in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Miami. When Provodnikov returns to Turning Stone on June 11th, it will mark Turning Stone’s 18th nationally-televised boxing event, cementing the resort as a mecca for knockout fights. Located in Upstate New York, Turning Stone is an award-winning destination resort, offering world-class amenities including four hotels, 21 restaurants and dining options, two luxurious spas, five beautiful golf courses, and several bars, cocktail lounges and nightlife venues.

For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports, follow on Twitter @SHOSports, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports.

Visit Banner Promotions at www.banner-promotions.com, follow on Twitter at @BannerBoxing, follow on Instagram at @BannerBoxing, become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BannerPromotions, follow on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/banner-promotions-inc-?trk=biz-companies-cym, and watch on Youtube at www.youtube.com/user/bannervideo.

For Turning Stone Resort Casino: www.turningstone.com ; Twitter: @turningstone ; Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TurningStoneResort/

LOS ANGELES (May 25, 2016) – Ruslan “The Siberian Rocky” Provodnikov was involved in the Fight of the Year in 2013 with Tim Bradley. John “The Gladiator” Molina Jr. was embroiled in the 2014 Fight of The Year with Lucas Matthysse.

On Saturday, June 11, Provodnikov (25-4, 18 KOs) a former WBO Junior Welterweight World Champion, and former world title challenger Molina (28-6, 23 KOs) will face each other in the 12-round main event of a SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® tripleheader live on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT), from Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y.

On Tuesday, Provodnikov, Molina and undefeated WBC No. 1-ranked lightweight contender Dejan Zlatacanin participated in a Media Workout Day at Fortune’s Gym in Los Angeles.

Zlatacanin (17-0, 10 KOs), of the Southeastern European country of Montenegro, will be opposed by fellow unbeaten and WBC No. 2-ranked Emiliano Marsili (32-0-1, 14 KOs), of Italy, for the vacant WBC Lightweight World Championship in the opening match of the SHOWTIME telecast.

In the co-feature, undefeated former 154-pound world champion Demetrius Andrade (22-0, 15 KOs), of Providence, R.I., battles Willie Nelson (25-2-1, 15 KO’s), of Cleveland, Ohio, in a 12-round WBC Super Welterweight Title Eliminator.

Also on June 11, former world title challengers, Willie Monroe Jr. and John Thompson, will meet in a 10-round middleweight bout in the main event on SHOWTIME EXTREME (7 p.m. ET/PT). In the SHO EXTREME opener, heavyweight Andrey Fedosov (28-3, 23 KO’s) takes on Mario Heredia (11-1, 9 KOs, 1-2 in WSB) in a 10-round heavyweight bout.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Banner Promotions, Inc., are priced at $85, $60, $45 and $35 and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Turning Stone Box Office, by calling 877.833.SHOW, or online at Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com).

Below is what the boxers said Tuesday:

RUSLAN PROVODNIKOV

(On the importance of this fight)

“Every fight is important. I come out for every fight to give everything I have. For me, every fight is like the last fight. So this is a very important fight, just like any other.

“I don’t like to make predictions too much; boxing is an unpredictable sport and it’s hard to say what will happen. Anything can happen on June 11. We’ve got a little bit to wait and we’ll see what happens.

“I don’t know if it will go to the scorecards. Anything can happen. He is also a great fighter, so maybe it will go to the scorecards.”

(On what he expects from John Molina Jr.)

“I’m expecting him to come to fight. No doubt he’s a fighter, he’s a warrior. For somebody to defeat me is a big motivation and I know he’ll be coming to win.

“No matter what, he’s going to do anything possible to win this fight. That’s what I expect from people that take a fight with me – that they’ll die in the ring to defeat me because it would be a great accomplishment. So I’m expecting a real war, a real fight.”

(On the style of fighting and the matchup)

“I think this is the type of fight that will be exciting and all-action. I think it’s a great matchup and it will be exciting for the fans.”

(On who he’s looking to fight next)

“I’m not thinking about that too much right now. Luckily my weight classes, both 140 and 147, there’s no problem with the opposition. There (are) a lot of guys, a lot of stars. After this fight on June 11 we’ll be able to start thinking about what’s next.

“I’ve always said that I’m willing to fight anyone at 140 and 147, just let me know when and I’ll be there. I’m ready to fight any of the top guys.”

(On if he would rather fight a boxer or a come-forward fighter like Molina)

“I definitely like the guys that come to fight. For me that is a better, more enjoyable fight. I like to fight a guy that wants to brawl.

(On if he’s ready to box if Molina choses to box instead of brawl)

“On June 11, I’ll be ready for anything that can happen in the ring. I’ve been watching previous fights and correcting my mistakes and I’ll be ready for anything he decides to bring.”

(On not fighting for eight months)

“I don’t see too much of a negative side to that. I just wanted some time off and now I’m ready to come back. I’m always in shape; I’m always in the gym, always training.

“I’m training all the time and always moving around even when I’m at home. Right now, training camp is going very well. Joel Diaz is very happy with training and he says everything is going a lot better than the last training camp. Everything is 100 percent. I’m not worried at all.”

(On his relationship with trainer Joel Diaz)

“Everything is going great. When Joel and I are training together it’s always very positive. That’s important for me. I’m enjoying the training camp and I’m having a good time, which is the most important thing.

“Boxing-wise I’ve added a lot of different things. Most importantly, I’ve increased my defensive skills and that’s going to show in this fight very much and I’m positive of that. More than that, my punching combinations have gotten better in the last few camps and that’s going to show. Joel and I work well together and that’s definitely important.”

JOHN MOLINA JR.

(Thoughts leading up to the fight)

“I am really excited. Ruslan is a hell of a fighter and competitor. I think it’s a can’t-miss, all-action fight when you have someone like myself and Ruslan in there.

“Stylistically I think there are thing that I have to my advantage. Stature-wise: my height, my reach. But with that being said, when the fight starts, all of that is going to go out the window and we’re going to fight.

“We were both in Fights of the Year, but we were both on the losing ends. Now we want to be on the winning end. I think that is an unwritten motivation for both of us.

“Stylistically it’s a great matchup. We’ve had a common opponent and of course you can draw that he was in a Fight of the Year with some other fighter. But I’m not that stature. I am 5-feet-11 with a reach that he can’t compare with. On June 11 after the first bell rings, I’ll be able to tell you exactly how the fight is going to play out.”

(On the importance of winning this fight)

“Every fight is important. Fortunately and unfortunately, boxing is a ‘what have you done for me lately’ type of sport. For me, I didn’t have an extensive amateur career so the pros were, in essence, my amateur career. But I believe I’m at the right spot right now, where I need to be to hit my stride.

“Of course a victory is always the goal. I don’t like to lose at checkers and I don’t want to lose at boxing. To keep the lifestyle that I have going, I have to continue to be victorious and move forward.

“We definitely want to catapult off of a big marquee name. We want to be on the winning side. That is the goal 110 percent. We won’t be satisfied with anything less than a victory. I’m not content with getting in these fights because people love to watch me fight. I want to be content with getting these fights because I’m victorious and that’s what we’re planning on doing on June 11.

“I feel like you’re going to get the best of me now. I feel like my longevity isn’t a question because I didn’t have the extensive amateur career. A lot of these guys have been boxing since they were eight years old. I didn’t start until I was 17. I didn’t turn pro until I was 24. I only had 22 amateur fights. So the miles on my odometer, so to speak, are less than someone like Ruslan who had an extensive amateur career. He’s been in more wars than me.

“Either way you slice it, boxing takes something from you. Whether it’s your youth, your sharpness, boxing is that kind of a sport where it draws something from your body. I believe he’s had it worse than me. I feel stronger and more experienced for lacking those years.”

DEJAN ZLATCANIN

(On what this fight means for his career)

“This is the most important fight for me because the WBC title has been my dream since the first day I went to the gym. I will be the new champion.

“I was always the underdog in every fight but now I don’t get underestimated. My opponent is going to get the best me on June 11. I think those who underestimated me were wrong all along, but I will put some good shots on him and he’ll go down. I will knock him out.

“I think they [fans] will cheer for me like I am a home fighter and I will do my best to bring the good fight.”

(On his opponent)

“He’s a boxer. He’s smart, but he has no power. He will try to box, keep a distance and use his height advantage. He will use his footwork to keep me at bay, but it won’t work.”

(Thoughts on fighting for first world title)

“I am very excited and I am very happy to be fighting for my first world title. I am coming from a little country and I want everyone to know where Montenegro is and I can’t wait to get in the ring.

(On fighting in U.S. for first time)

“People in America, they’re fans, they love good boxing. It doesn’t matter where you are from, they just like good fights. They like my style because I am a fighter and I go forward.”

NEW YORK (April 11, 2016) – An outstanding super welterweight clash has been added to SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING on Saturday, June 11 as undefeated, former WBO Junior Middleweight Champion Demetrius Andrade will face hard-hitting perennial contender Willie Nelson in a WBC Super Welterweight Title Eliminator. The winner of the 12-round co-feature will become the mandatory challenger to the winner of the May 21 showdown between Jermell Charlo and John Jackson, who face off for the vacant WBC 154-pound title on SHOWTIME.

Andrade vs. Nelson will serve as the chief support to the all-action matchup between former junior middleweight world champion Ruslan Provodnikov and former world title challenger John Molina Jr., live on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) from Turning Stone Casino in Verona, New York. Andrade vs. Nelson is a co-promotion with Banner Promotions, Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing and DiBella Entertainment

In the opening bout of the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING tripleheader during International Boxing Hall of Fame weekend, WBC No. 1-ranked lightweight Dejan Zlaticanin will take on No. 2-ranked Emiliano Marsili for the vacant WBC Lightweight World Championship.

Fighting out of his native Providence, R.I., the 28-year-old Andrade has compiled an unblemished record of 22-0 with 15 knockouts since turning professional in 2008 after representing the United States in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China.

A crafty southpaw with a piston-like jab and knockout power in each hand, Andrade won the vacant WBO Junior Middleweight World Championship with a career-best performance over Vanes Martirosyan on November 9, 2013 and successfully defended the title against No. 1-ranked mandatory challenger Brian Rose on June 14, 2014. Most recently Andrade, who is a consensus top-5 super welterweight, scored a second-round knockout over Dario Fabian Pucheta on October 17, 2015.

A true road warrior who is extremely tall for a junior middleweight at 6-foot-3, Nelson (25-2-1, 15 KO’s) has faced and defeated numerous top contenders over his 10-year career. Fighting only once in 2015, the Cleveland native upset highly regarded and undefeated junior middleweight prospect Tony Harrison with a ninth-round knockout on July 11 in Tampa, Florida. In his first start of 2016, Nelson stopped Jonathan Batista in the second round on March 25.

Other notable names the all-action Nelson has defeated include John Jackson, Luciano Cuello, Michael Medina and Yudel Jackson. On October 14, 2014, Nelson came up just short against Martirosyan, losing a hotly contested 10-round decision on SHOWTIME.

The southpaw Zlaticanin (17-0, 10 KOs) was an accomplished amateur in Eastern Europe before making a statement in his U.S. debut with an impressive fourth-round TKO of previously undefeated Ivan Redkach in a 135-pound title eliminator last June 13 on SHOWTIME.

Two bouts prior to the win over Redkach, Dejan (pronounced “DAY-han) Zlaticanin (silent “z” – pronounced “la-ti-CAH-nin) earned a well-deserved 12-round split decision over hometown favorite and former two-division world champion Ricky Burns in 2014.

The 31-year-old Zlaticanin is an offensive-minded fighter who constantly pressures his opponents, outworks them and wears them down. Zlaticanin, of the Southeastern European country of Montenegro, will be making his first start in nearly 12 months.

The win over Redkach last June earned Redkach the WBC’s mandatory position at 135 pounds. He was scheduled to face WBC Champion Jorge Linares in early 2016, but Linares pulled out of the bout with a broken hand. Due to the injury, the WBC has since named Linares their champion in recess, creating the opportunity for the vacant title shot.

The Italian Marsili (32-0-1, 14 KOs) will make his 2016, U.S. and SHOWTIME debut. The undefeated southpaw has fought all but one of his professional fights in Italy, the lone exception a 2012 TKO of veteran contender Derry Matthews in Britain.

The 39-year old fought twice in 2015, a seventh-round TKO of Gyorgy Mizsei Jr., for the European lightweight belt and a 12-round unanimous decision over Gamaliel Diaz for the WBC’s 135-pound silver title.

For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports and www.banner-promotions.com follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @BannerBoxing; @RuslanProvod, @johnmolinajr135 or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports. www.facebook.com/BannerPromotions