FORMER WORLD CHAMPION ANDRE BERTO TO FACE PHILLY’S STEVE UPSHER IN OPENER OF SHOWTIME® TRIPLEHEADER FROM CINCINNATI
FULL UNDERCARD FOR SEPT. 6 EVENT AT U.S. BANK ARENA OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCED
Newark’s Michael Perez and Top Prospect Rau’shee Warren Featured In Separate Bouts in SHOWTIME EXTREME®
Photo by Naoki Fukada
CINCINNATI (Aug. 29, 2014) -Former welterweight world champion Andre Berto will open the three-fight SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast on Saturday, Sept. 6 from U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio against upset-minded veteran Steve Upsher of Philadelphia in a 10-round welterweight bout, live on SHOWTIME immediately following “ALL ACCESS: Mayweather vs. Maidana 2″ Episode 2 premiere at 9 p.m. ET/ 6 p.m. PT.
In the main event, former three-division world champion Adrien “The Problem” Broner fights in front of his hometown fans against Emanuel “Tranzformer” Taylor, and in the co-main event, Argentine knockout artist Lucas “La Maquina” Matthysse battles undefeated Roberto Ortiz.
Before the trio of exciting fights gets underway Newark’s pride Michael “The Artist” Perez will battle for the WBA Fedelatin Super Lightweight Title against South Carolina’s Jared “The Quiet Storm” Robinson in a 10-round bout on SHOWTIME EXTREME® (live at 7 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast). In the opening bout, Rau’shee Wareen will face Jose Luis Araiza in a 10-round bantamweight match.
On the non-televised portion of the card, three-time United States Olympian Terrell Gausha will face an opponent to be named in an middleweight bout.
Two-time welterweight world champion and former Haitian Olympian Andre Berto (28-3, 22 KOs) is consistently one of boxing’s most exciting fighters. Berto, coming off a year-long layoff and recouping from shoulder surgery, says he intends to remind fight fans of just that. Fully healed and coming off his thrilling 2013 bout with Jesus Soto Karass, the Winter Haven, Fla., native will celebrate his 31st birthday a day early when he performs for fight fans in Cincinnati against Upsher.
Philadelphia’s Steve Upsher (24-3-1, 6 KOs) has been a respected member of the east coast fight community for years and is known for his ring knowledge, boxing skill and heart. A pro since 2003, the 29-year-old came up the hard way on the Philly fight circuit, and while he’s looking to bounce back from losses to Eddie Gomez and Luis Collazo, he has all the tools to give Berto a rough night and spoil his comeback attempt.
The 24-year-old Michael Perez (20-1-2, 10 KOs) is on an impressive hot streak, as he’s gone 5-0-1 in his last six fights, a stretch that includes back-to-back wins over Miguel Zuniga and Jorge Romero in his most recent bouts. The 31-year-old Jared Robinson (15-1, 7 KOs) has been patient in his rise through the division, and this Sept. 6 bout is the one he’s been waiting for, as he hopes to shine on national television.
Rau’shee Warren (11-0, 3 KOs) has been a steady performer throughout his pro career, and on Sept. 6 he gets the opportunity to fight in his hometown of Cincinnati for the first time as a pro when he takes on Tecate Baja California, Mexico’s Jose Luis “Tapitas” Araiza (34-8-1, 25 KOs) in a 10-round bantamweight matchup. The 27-year-old Warren has dazzled against his opponents, barely losing a round in the process. The veteran Araiza, who has won two straight, will be Warren’s most experienced opponent to date.
Two of Warren’s 2012 Olympic teammates, Cleveland middleweight Terrell Gausha (11-0, 6 KOs) and New York lightweight Jamel Herring (8-0, 5 KOs), will also be back in action at the U.S. Bank Arena when they face opponents to be announced in eight-round bouts.
In other non-televised bouts, making the short trip from Toledo will be lightweight up-and-comer Robert Easter Jr. (10-0, 8 KOs), a hard-hitting talent who will take on a foe to be determined in a 10-round bout. Other Ohio favorites in action will be lightweight Raynell Williams (4-0, 3 KOs) of Cleveland and super welterweight Jamontay Clark (2-0, 2 KOs) of Cincinnati. Williams will face an opponent to be determined and Clark faces Bryan, Ohio’s Matthew Montalvo (0-0-1). Both bouts are scheduled for four rounds, as is a lightweight matchup between Washington, D.C.’s Lamont Roach (2-0, 1 KO) and Las Vegas’ Rocco Espinoza (4-8).
