TRENTON, NJ (July 10, 2016) – Undefeated rising super featherweight contender Mario Barrios (16-0, 8 KOs) defeated former title challenger Devis Boschiero (39-5-1, 21 KOs) by unanimous decision (120-107 X 3) in the 12-round main event of Premier Boxing Champions on ESPN & ESPN Deportes from Sun National Bank Center in Trenton, New Jersey.

From the opening bell, Barrios asserted himself as the aggressor, landing his jab at will and finding his distance early.

Barrios said, “Initially my game plan was to work the jab and see what would open (Boschiero) up. But as the rounds went by he didn’t seem like he was going to come at me. He just didn’t seem to want any action.”

A very tall super featherweight at more than six feet, the 21-year-old Barrios proved difficult for the stocky Boschiero to reach. However, near the end of the second round, the experienced Italian found a rare opening and landed several punches that briefly put Barrios on his heels.

In round three, Barrios regained control and coasted throughout the middle rounds, largely due to Boschiero’s hesitation to engage.

“It was pretty frustrating. I came out to put on a show for the fans, and unfortunately it seemed like my opponent was just trying to survive,” said Barrios. “I can try to press the fight all I want, but if he doesn’t want to fight it’s not going to happen.”

Boschiero, who challenged for a world title in 2011, added, “I had trouble finding my range tonight. He was tougher to hit than I expected.”

In round 12, Barrios scored the only knockdown of the fight, but Boschiero was able to get back to his feet and used the final seconds of the fight to execute his best combination of the night.

“I got to him in the final round,” said Boschiero. “But the opportunities were there when they weren’t in previous rounds.”

A victorious Barrios said, “This was my first 12-round fight, and it felt good to get the experience, I just wanted more intense action. But an ESPN main event takes my career to the next level. I’m just hoping for my shot at the title.”

Televised coverage kicked off with undefeated prospect Eddie Ramirez (14-0, 9 KOs) handily defeating Californian contender Jessie Roman (20-3, 9 KOs) by unanimous decision (98-92, 99-91 X 2) in a 10-round super lightweight showdown.

Ramirez, a Chicago Golden Gloves champion, settled in early and controlled the bout from the outset. Ramirez said, “I felt like I was in control and like I was getting hit a lot less than he was.”

In the third frame, the fighters locked up for a thrilling exchange on the ropes, Ramirez landing the harder of the punches.

A frustrated Roman said, “He was landing a lot of combinations, but he never hurt me.”

Ramirez opened up the fourth round with a furious flurry, but Roman fought back with a hard left hook of his own, shocking Ramirez.

“He did catch me with a couple of clean hooks when I let my defense down,” acknowledged Ramirez. “That was my fault, but nothing that hurt me very bad.”

The middle stages of the fight saw Ramirez, the busier more precise fighter, steadily distance himself on the judges’ scorecards.

“I was prepared for tonight because I had a really long training camp,” said Ramirez. “I’ve been ready to fight since mid-June. I was just in great shape.”

Roman didn’t seem as game and admitted, “I gassed out a little bit in the end. I haven’t fought in a year and I think some of my struggles tonight were due to that. My timing was off a little bit too.”

Roman didn’t give up though, landing a barrage of shots near the close of round nine, reminding Ramirez that he was in for a fight. However, it was too little too late as Ramirez coasted to a comfortable victory.

Ramirez concluded, “”Fighting on ESPN is like a dream come true. As an amateur, I always envisioned myself on this network. So this feels like a great accomplishment, and I’m leaving with a lot of new fans tonight.”

# # #

The card was promoted by King’s Promotions.

For information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com and www.sunnationalbankcenter.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @Boxer_Barrios, @KingsBoxing, @ESPNBoxing and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/premierboxingchampions. Highlights available to embed at www.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions. PBC on ESPN is sponsored by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

TRENTON, NJ (July 8. 2016) – Undefeated rising contender Mario Barrios, former title challenger Devis Boschiero, unbeaten prospect Eddie Ramirez and Californian contender Jessie Roman hosted a media workout Thursday as they prepared for their Premier Boxing Champions on ESPN and ESPN Deportes showdowns taking place this Saturday, July 9 from Sun National Bank Center in Trenton, New Jersey.

Televised coverage begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and features Barrios taking on Boschiero in a 12-round super featherweight title eliminator, while Ramirez and Roman square-off in a 10 round super lightweight battle.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by King’s Promotions, are priced at $75, $55, $39 and $24, not including applicable fees, and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased HERE, at the Sun National Bank Center box office or by calling 609-656-3234.

The fighters worked out at the Sun National Bank Center for media as they near their primetime bouts, with a chance to elevate themselves closer to world title contention. Here is what the fighters had to say Thursday:

MARIO BARRIOS

“Training has been great. We trained in Las Vegas for a large portion of this camp. We had some good runs at 7,500 feet of elevation and I feel very ready for Saturday.

“Boschiero is a tough fighter with a lot of experience. He has gone the distance plenty of times and I am ready to face the best version of him on Saturday.

“Headlining on ESPN and ESPN Deportes is a blessing. I grew up watching the fights on ESPN and knowing that I am the main event is a dream come true.”

DEVIS BOSCHIERO

“We had a very good training camp. Everything went smoothly and I had great sparring. I couldn’t have asked for a better camp.

“Barrios is a very good prospect and very tall for the weight. We will see what he has on Saturday. We’re prepared for everything and the plan is to test him throughout the fight.

“I am very proud to be fighting on ESPN and I am hoping to give the American public a great fight. I am taking this one step at a time. Saturday will not be an easy fight. May the best man win.”

EDDIE RAMIREZ

“This is a great opportunity. It’s really a dream come true. When I was young. I envisioned fighting on ESPN and now here I am. I am and ready and anxious to just get in the ring and fight. I’m on weight and ready to go.

“Training went very well. I have been ready to fight for weeks. Roman has a decent record and people tell me that he is a good fighter, but I haven’t seen anything of him.”

JESSIE ROMAN

“My father passed away in May and that is my motivation for this fight. He started me in boxing from when I was six-years-old all the way until I was 22.

“I do not know much about Ramirez other than that he is undefeated and he has a lot of power. We are ready mentally and physically for him.

“This is a big opportunity for me to fight on ESPN. It’s great exposure. Keep your eye out for me, I am going to become a world champion.”

MARIO BARRIOS vs. DEVIS BOSCHIERO FIGHT WEEK MEDIA SCHEDULE

*All Times Are Eastern*

Friday, July 8 OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN

2:00 p.m. OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN
Location: Wyndham Garden Trenton Hotel

1:30 p.m. – Media Arrival
2:00 p.m. – Fighters to scales

Saturday, July 9

6:00 p.m. SUN NATIONAL BANK CENTER– DOORS OPEN
Location: 81 Hamilton Avenue; Trenton, NJ 08611

6:30 p.m. FIRST BOUT

9:00 p.m. ESPN & ESPN DEPORTES BROADCAST BEGINS

For information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com and www.sunnationalbankcenter.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @Boxer_Barrios, @KingsBoxing, @ESPNBoxing and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/premierboxingchampions. Highlights available to embed at www.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions. PBC on ESPN is sponsored by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

TRENTON, NJ (June 29, 2016) – Undefeated super featherweight contender Mario Barrios (15-0, 8 KOs) is deep into training camp for his world title eliminator against former title challenger Devis Boschiero (39-4-1, 21 KOs) Saturday, July 9 in the main event of Premier Boxing Champions on ESPN and ESPN Deportes from Sun National Bank Center in Trenton, New Jersey.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by King’s Promotions, are priced at $75, $55, $39 and $24, not including applicable fees, and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased HERE, at the Sun National Bank Center box office or by calling 609-656-3234

Barrios will be taking on the most accomplished opponent of his career as he looks to put himself in the number two position for Jose Pedraza’s 130-pound title. For this training camp, Barrios has moved part of his training camp from San Antonio to Las Vegas where he has sparred at the UNLV Gym and at the gym of former world champion Robert Guerrero.

Here is what Barrios had to say about his fight, training camp and more:

On fighting in his first 12-round main event…
“This is what I’ve worked my whole life for, to be fighting in main events on national television. I’m confident that I’ll be able to the full 12-rounds if need be. My goal is to get the knockout though. I really want to make a statement in this fight.

On his matchup with Devis Boschiero…
“All I know about Boschiero is that he’s got a lot of fights and he’s a top contender. I know he’s hungry so I’m not taking him lightly. I’ve seen some tape on him and I know he likes to come forward. Everyone can expect to see a lot of had punches being thrown by both of us. I’m expecting a war.”

On the landscape of the super featherweight division…
“It’s a very tough division loaded with a lot of great fighters. I would say Lomachenko, Pedraza and Vargas are the top dogs for now. Salido is also up there. It’s one of the toughest divisions in boxing. I’m hoping I can become a champion in this division. A victory against Boschiero puts me right there to challenge for the title. I’m a hungry fighter and everyone will see that on July 9.”

On hosting training camp in Las Vegas for the first time…
“Training in Las Vegas has been incredible. Running in high elevation is something new for me. I had to get used to it when I first got out here. It’s been a tough camp but I know all the hard word will pay off.”

On fighting on ESPN during primetime on Saturday night…
“I’m very happy to be fighting on ESPN during primetime on Saturday night. I have a lot of family, friends and fans back home who’ll be tuning in. I just want to go out there and shine. I feel my style is explosive for television and I hope everyone enjoys what I bring to the table. Everyone will see a determined fighter in myself, who’s going to leave everything in the ring.

For information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com and www.sunnationalbankcenter.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @Boxer_Barrios, @KingsBoxing, @ESPNBoxing and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/premierboxingchampions. Highlights available to embed at www.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions. PBC on ESPN is sponsored by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

TRENTON, NJ (June 14, 2016) – Undefeated rising super featherweight contender Mario Barrios (15-0, 8 KOs) will take on former title challenger Devis Boschiero (39-4-1, 21 KOs) in the 12-round main event of Premier Boxing Champions on ESPN & ESPN Deportes Saturday, July 9 from Sun National Bank Center in Trenton, New Jersey.

Televised coverage begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and features an exciting battle of undefeated super lightweight prospects as Los Angeles-native Kevin Watts (11-0, 4 KOs) takes on Chicago’s Eddie Ramirez (13-0, 9 KOs) in a 10-round fight.

“This will be a great opportunity to showcase my talent to the world on ESPN,” said Barrios. “The time is now to take the super featherweight division by storm. A victory will put me one step closer to fulfilling my dream of becoming a world champion. I will not be denied.”

“I look forward to making my American debut on July 9 in New Jersey,” said Boschiero. “I know a win over Barrios will take me towards a world title shot. I plan on coming to America and putting on a great performance and bringing a great victory back to Italy.”

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by King’s Promotions, are priced at $75, $55, $39 and $24, not including applicable fees, and are on sale tomorrow, June 15 at 12 p.m. ET. Tickets can be purchased HERE, at the Sun National Bank Center box office or by calling 609-656-3234

“This will be another exciting night in Trenton,” said Marshall Kauffman of King’s Promotions. “Barrios is one of the best prospects around and it will be interesting to see how he deals with a veteran like Boschiero. The co-feature will pit two undefeated fighters in Watts and Ramirez against each other and the winner will be looked upon as a serious contender.”

A tall super featherweight at more than six feet, the 21-year-old Barrios picked up seven victories in a jam-packed 2015 in which he stopped five opponents inside the distance, including an uppercut left hook combo that ended the night for Manuel Vides in December. The San Antonio-native turned pro in 2013 and is on the fast track towards a world title shot as he made his 2016 debut with a dominant victory over Edgar Gabejean.

An experienced fighter out of Veneto, Italy, Boschiero challenged for a world title in 2011 and won his last two fights by knockout heading into this July 9 clash. He was unbeaten in his first 34 pro fights before challenging Takahiro Ao for the 130-pound world title in a bout that he dropped via split decision. Previously he had won an Italian title with a knockout of Ivan Fiorletta and a European title by defeating Jesus Garcia Escalona. His main event showdown on July 9 will be his first pro bout in the U.S.

Born in Lancaster, California but fighting out of Los Angeles, Watts turned pro in 2013 and has been unblemished since. The 24-year-old defeated previously unbeaten Maximilliano Becerra in April 2015 and in his last two outings he took down once-beaten fighters Michal Chudecki and Manuel Damairias Lopez. He makes his first start outside the state of California on July 9.

A Chicago Golden Gloves champion, Ramirez knocked out seven of his first nine professional opponents and picked up five victories in 2015 including a decision over former world champion Cristobal Cruz. The 23-year-old debuted in 2016 with a second round stoppage of Osumanu Akaba in April.

For information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com and www.sunnationalbankcenter.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @Boxer_Barrios, @KingsBoxing, @ESPNBoxing and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/premierboxingchampions. Highlights available to embed at www.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions. PBC on ESPN is sponsored by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.