READING, PA. (July 1, 2016) – Four fighters set for pivotal showdowns this Saturday, July 2 held an open media workout Thursday as they prepare for their Premier Boxing Champions on ESPN and ESPN Deportes battles live from Santander Arena in Reading, PA.

Unbeaten lightweight contender Jamel “Semper Fi” Herring will take on former title challenger Denis Shafikov in the main event of the evening. Televised coverage begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and features unbeaten Polish prospect Patryk Szymanski taking on former title challenger “Silky” Wilky Campfort.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by King’s Promotions, are priced at $20, $35, $55 and $75, and are on sale now via Ticketmaster.

Here is what the fighters had to say Thursday:

JAMEL HERRING

“Camp was great. I started in Cincinnati and finished in D.C. with Barry Hunter, Patrice Harris and of course Mike Stafford. During my time in D.C., I sparred with Lamont Peterson, who turned southpaw for me.

“I have a great deal of respect for Shafikov. Tough guy, experienced but he had his chance and it’s my time now. This is my toughest fight on paper but I feel good. It’s my time to earn my respect.

“It’s a huge honor and blessing to headline on ESPN on 4th of July weekend. I want to put on a good show,

“Its extra special to honor on this weekend, being that I was a marine and to headline and I want to put on a patriotic and great performance.

“I believe a win will open the doors for a world title. In my mind, I am taking this fight as a world title fight. That is how important this fight is and before the end of the year, I hope to get a crack at a world title.”

DENIS SHAFIKOV

“Everything went well in camp. We had a four-month camp. We were supposed to fight a couple of months ago but when that fight was cancelled, Denis relaxed for a minute and then this opportunity came up.

“Herring has a great record and he represented the U.S. in the Olympics. He is still young and I feel that my experience will be the determining factor.

“I accepted this fight because a win gets us in line for big opportunities, including another shot at a world championship.”

PATRYK SZYMANSKI

“I’m excited about the opportunity to take on an experienced opponent. I think it will be a good test for me and a chance to show off my skills.

“I’ve worked very hard so that I can leave an impression with my performance. These are the kind of fights that I have to win and win in style if I want to reach my goals in this sport.”

WILKY CAMPFORT

“Training camp went very well. I don’t know too much about my opponent but I did see him fight once in Tampa. Come Saturday night, I will see what he has.

“It means a lot to fight on ESPN. The first fight that I saw that involved a fellow Haitian was Daniel Edouard on ESPN and it gave me a lot of motivation to pursue my career.

“I am not only fighting for myself, but all of the people in Haiti and Florida that have been supporting me.

“A win will put me right back into where I was when I had my long winning streak. A win will put me back in the mix at 154-pounds.”

Saturday, July 2

6:00 p.m. SANTANDER ARENA DOORS OPEN
Location: 700 Penn Street;Reading, PA 19601

6:30 p.m. FIRST BOUT

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

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For information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @JamelHerring, @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.

READING, PA. (June 14, 2016) – Unbeaten lightweight contender and 2012 U.S. Olympian Jamel “Semper Fi” Herring (15-0, 8 KOs) will take on former title challenger Denis Shafikov (36-2-1, 19 KOs) in the 10-round main event of Premier Boxing Champions on ESPN & ESPN Deportes Saturday, July 2 from Santander Arena in Reading, Pa.

The Fourth of July weekend action begins at 9 p.m. ET with undefeated Polish prospect Patryk Syzmanski (15-0, 9 KOs) taking on former title challenger “Silky” Wilky Campfort (21-2, 12 KOs) in a 10-round lightweight bout.

“I am just excited about the fight. I have been looking for a big step up to get me in title contention,” said Herring. “I started training before I got the call before the fight. I have been training in D.C. with Mike Stafford, Barry Hunter, Patrice Harris and Levi Smith and I feel after this fight, it will get me up to a championship fight. He is a tough guy. If you train hard and stay ready, you can make the fight a lot easier on yourself.”

“I am looking forward to facing Jamel Herring,” said Shafikov. “He is undefeated and a former Olympian. I have the experience of fighting for a title and I know with a win, it will get me another opportunity.”

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by King’s Promotions, are priced at $20, $35, $55 and $75, and are on sale now via Ticketmaster.

“This should be an outstanding and intriguing bout,” said Marshall Kauffman of King’s Promotions. “It’s a real test for Herring as Shafikov is a former world title challenger and Herring is looking to get there. We look forward to putting on a great show on ESPN.”

The 30-year-old Herring represented the United States at the 2012 Olympic games after winning the U.S. National Amateur title the same year. Fighting out of Cincinnati but originally from Coram, New York, Herring picked up four victories in 2015 including a dominant triumph over Yakubu Amidu in October. A former member of the U.S. Marine Corps, Herring started 2016 with a dominant victory over Luis Eduardo Flores in February.

Having fought in eight countries throughout his pro career, the 31-year-old Shafikov brings a full career of experiences with him into this matchup on July 2. Born in Miass, Russia, he won three fights in a row over Rustam Nugaev, Miguel Mendoza and Roy Mukhlis before dropping a world title fight against Rances Barthelemy.

Undefeated at just 23-years-old, Szymanski will look to build on his perfect resume on July 2. The Konin, Poland-born fighter picked up three victories in 2015 with a second round TKO over Yoryi Estrella, a first-round stoppage over Maurice Louishomme and a decision victory over Richard Gutierrez.

Born in Haiti but fighting out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Campfort has only lost once since his second pro fight in 2009 when he was defeated by Jermall Charlo in November 2015. The 31-year-old has fought professionally in the U.S., Cayman Islands, Dominican Republic and his native Haiti. He’s won six fights since the beginning of 2014 including stoppages of Milton Nunez, Devon Moncrieffe and Ronald Montes.

For information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @JamelHerring, @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.