By Edward Chaykovsky
Saturday's card is a hot ticket at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. According to Barclays CEO Brett Yormark, the second edition of Premier Boxing Champions on NBC sold faster than any previous boxing event which took place at the venue.
PBC on NBC will be headlined by a showdown between junior welterweight champions Danny "Swift" Garcia (29-0, 17 KOs) and Lamont Peterson (33-2-1, 17 KOs), who collide at a catch-weight of 143-pounds. And in the televised co-feature, IBF middleweight champion "Irish" Andy Lee (34-2, 24 KOs) will defend his crown against undefeated challenger Peter "Kid Chocolate" Quillin (31-0, 22 KOs). The second installment of PBC on NBC begins at 8:30 p.m. ET
"This Saturday marks a historic moment for Barclays Center as we host our 11th professional boxing event and our first Premier Boxing Champions event. When you combine the talent in the ring, the production of the show and the iconic broadcasting team of Al Michael, Bob Costas and Marv Albert plus boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard this will be one of the best fight nights that New York has hosted in decades," Yormark said.
"Signifying the magnitude of the event, tickets have sold faster than at any other boxing show Barclays Center has hosted. At Barclays Center, we have not only served as a launch pad for many local boxers' careers, but have relished in the role of becoming the home for Champions."
Lou DiBella, the promoter of record, expects a big night of action.
"We have a great night of boxing from beginning to end, you will be hearing a lot more from these young fighters. If you want to see everything, get there to Barclays Center at 5 p.m. We're very thrilled that this is going to be televised in primetime on NBC. PBC on NBC. It has a nice ring to it," DiBella said.
"Peter Quillin makes Brooklyn his home. It's his third fight at Barclays Center and he has a perfect record of 31-0. He's going to try to take Andy's belt, but it won't be easy. The bout that will close the show is one of the most eagerly anticipated bouts in all of boxing. Lamont Peterson is noted for being one of the most technically sound boxers in the game and he has an outstanding record to a back it up."
"Danny Garcia really embodies what it means to be a Philadelphia fighter. He's a tough guy with an undefeated record. He's going to look to keep that record perfect against Lamont Peterson." [\QUOTE]