A world-class doubleheader featuring featherweight titlist Jhonny Gonzalez (57-8, 48 KOs) defending his 126-pound strap against Gary Russell Jr. (25-1, 14 KOs) in the main event on Showtime Championship Boxing, will take place at The Pearl at Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, on Saturday, March 28.
In the co-feature, undefeated rising star Jermell “Iron Man” Charlo (25-0, 11 KOs) faces a tough test when he takes on the experienced former U.S. Olympian Vanes Martirosyan (35-1-1, 21 KOs) in an important super welterweight showdown.
“I’m very excited to be coming back to the United States. Every time I have fought on American soil, it has been career-changing for me,” said Gonzalez.
“In 2012, [Daniel] Ponce De Leon stopped me in Las Vegas and made me reconsider my whole strategy. I came back to the U.S. in 2013 and I stopped an undefeated champion, Abner Mares. Now I’m back and once again I’m facing a tough opponent. Russell is not an easy test, but I’m confident I’m going to surprise everybody once more. Nobody thought I had a chance in 2013 and I stripped Mares of his title. Food for thought.”
“I’m blessed to be back on this stage, fighting once again for a world title,” said Russell Jr.
“I came up short at my first opportunity for the title and that has me more motivated than ever to get the job done on March 28. I will finally hold up my very own belt.”
“I love fighting on SHOWTIME and I’m excited to put on a show for the fans in Las Vegas,” said Charlo.
“I have a tough opponent, people think I might not be ready, but on March 28, they’re going to know that I’m taking over the sport.”
“This is a great opportunity for me and I’m just thankful to get the chance to showcase my talents,” said Martirosyan.
“Charlo is a tough kid, but I’ve been around this sport longer and I’m going to show him some things he’s never seen before. The fans better get ready for an awesome show.”
“This edition of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING is guaranteed to be action-packed,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment, promoter of the event.
“The main event presents the classic boxer versus puncher matchup, with the slick, talented former Olympian Russell looking for redemption and the title against reigning, three-time world champion brawler Gonzalez. The co-feature between Charlo and Martirosyan is a highly competitive clash of styles. A big fight is in the future for the winner of this bout.”
“March 28 should be a tremendous night of fights to kick off a stacked run of boxing on SHOWTIME and CBS,” said Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President & General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports.
“Both bouts on the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast have world title implications. The main events matches the one-punch knockout power of world champion Jhonny Gonzalez versus the speed of Gary Russell, who is one of the most skilled boxers in any division. And with Jermell Charlo vs. Vanes Martirosyan, we have a matchup of two top 154-pounder contenders, each on the verge of a world title opportunity.”
The event takes place at The Pearl at Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas and will air on Showtime. Tickets for the event are priced from $25 to $200 and are on sale today. Tickets may be purchased through Ticketmaster.
