Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum announced today the signing of undefeated World Boxing Association (WBA) featherweight champion NICHOLAS "The Axe Man" WALTERS to a promotional contract. Top Rank® will be promoting Walters in association with Warriors Boxing and Premium Boxing Promotions.
Walters (22-0, 18 KOs), of Montego Bay, Jamaica, will make his Top Rank and U.S. debut and the first defense of his world title on the November 9 championship tripleheader, featuring WBO junior lightweight championship between Rocky Martinez vs. Mikey Garcia, 2012 Fighter of the Year Nonito Donaire's long-awaited rematch against former two-division world champion Vic Darchinyan and the Vanes Martirosyan vs. Demetrius Andrade WBO junior middleweight title tilt. All three fights will be televised live on HBO Boxing After Dark®, beginning at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT from the American Bank Center. Walters title defense will be televised live on Top Rank's international broadcast only.
The 27-year-old Walters enters this fight having won eight of his last nine bouts by way of knockout. He captured the vacant WBA title last December, knocking out Daulis Presscott (26-1, 19 KOs), in the seventh round.
"It's a dream and a privilege come true for me to be with Top Rank, the top promotional company in the world," said Walters. "And as they have made many great fighters with the likes of Ali, Leonard De La Hoya and Floyd Mayweather, just to name a few, I hope that they will help me reach my different goals in the future."
"We are delighted Nicholas Walters, the WBA featherweight champion, has become a Top Rank fighter," said Arum. "We really envision greatness for Walters and his future. His first fight will be a world title defense in Corpus Christi on November 9. Our boxing card there now will include four major fights, including three world championships and unquestionably this will be the greatest fight card ever in Corpus Christi."
"I know that Nicholas is a spirited and a disciplined fighter whose boxing style will please the boxing fans of America. He will be an exciting TV fighter, one who will make both Top Rank and HBO proud," said Jacques Deschamps, Walters' manager.
Promoted by Top Rank®, in association with Foreman Boys Promotions, PR Best Boxing, Arthur Pelullo's Banner Promotions, Joe DeGuardia's Star Boxing and Tecate, remaining tickets to the Martinez vs. Garcia world championship event are priced at $200, $100, $60, $40 and $25, plus applicable charges. They can be purchased at the American Bank Center Box Office (Monday-Friday, 10am-6pm), all Ticketmaster Outlets (HEB Stores), ticketmaster.com, or by phone at 1-800-745-3000.
For fight updates go to www.toprank.com and www.hbo.com/boxing, Facebook at facebook.com/trboxing, facebook.com/hboboxing, and facebook.com/trboxeo, and on Twitter at twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo, or twitter.com/hboboxing.