LAS VEGAS, NEV.  – Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum announced today that the World Boxing Council (WBC) No.1-rated welterweight contender CARLOS “El Potro” ABREGU had signed an exclusive contract with Top Rank.  Abregu, one of the division’s most exciting fighters, will make his Top Rank and his 2013 debut Next Saturday!  April 27.  He’ll be facing Top-Five contender Antonin Decarie, in Buenos Aires, in a 12-round welterweight bout for the vacant WBC Silver Championship.  The Abregu vs. Decarie rumble will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing®, as part of a tripleheader which will also feature the Sergio Martinez vs. Martin Murray WBC middleweight title fight, beginning  at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT.

"We are delighted to have Carlos as part of our Top Rank group of fighters. He is a good, strong welterweight who will perform at the highest level against top competition," said Arum.

Abregu (34-1, 28 KOs), from Salta, Argentina, is a two-time South American welterweight champion.  He enters this fight riding a two-year, five-bout winning streak with all five victories coming by way of knockout.   In his last fight, on October 27, he knocked out previously undefeated contender Thomas Dulorme in the seventh round of their HBO-televised bout.

Decarie (34-1, 28 KOs), of Laval, Québec, Canada, is world-rated No. 5 by the WBC.

Goodwin Promotions are delighted to announce a further addition to their ever expanding team with the signing of a three-year promotional deal with unbeaten middleweight prospect 'Smoking' Joe Mullender.

26 year-old Mullender, from Brentwood in Essex, has won all four of his pro contests and is already rated 21 in the country (BoxRec ratings).

Mullender wants to box for the Southern Area title in the next six months and is determined to blast his way through the rankings.

Promoter Steve Goodwin said: “Joe Mullender is another exciting signing to our expanding team. Boxers and managers know that we deliver what we promise and we are always happy to work with those that understand our ethic and work with us as a team."

Mullender's manager Richard Clark said: “Goodwin Promotions offered us a deal that we thought was very acceptable and we feel that both Joe and Goodwin Promotions will benefit from it.”

Goodwin Promotions' next show is the bumper 'Trail of Destruction' card at York Hall on June 29th and with four more shows pencilled in for the rest of 2013 exciting times lie ahead for the GP boxers.

HAMMOND EAGER TO IMPRESS HATTON

LONDON 2012 Olympian Cameron Hammond is looking to wow promoter Ricky Hatton this weekend.

The stylish Aboriginal boxer faces experienced Kiwi Daniel Roy Maxwell at the Royal International Convention Centre in Brisbane on Saturday night (April 20).

And he's eager to show 'The Hitman' how much he's come on since making his pro debut in December.

"I'm really looking forward to getting back in the ring again and performing in front of a big crowd," Hammond, 23, said.

"It was a great thrill boxing in front of a living legend in Ricky Hatton for my first fight and now I intend on showing him I've improved even further."

As a top amateur who represented his country at major tournaments across the world, you'd expect Hammond to have all the ingredients needed to be considered a top prospect.

But trainer and manager Matt Clark says he's been blown away with his charge's development in the gym.

He said: "Cameron has shown already that he has exceptional speed. He has quick hands and very quick feet.

"After sparring with Michael Katsidis, Mick said Cameron would stop a lot of guys with that kind of speed and I certainly agree.

"We were delighted with his first performance in Hong Kong, last December. I'm confident he's going to back that up on April 20."

Saturday's show is being staged by Hatton Promotions in association with Rightcross Entertainment.

The bill also features the professional debut of Aussie amateur sensation Damien Hooper, an Australian bantamweight title fight between Brad Hore and Roberto Lerio plus a clash between Brisbane-based Irishman Paddy Murphy and Alex Ahtong for the vacant WBF Asia Pacific welterweight crown.

European Silver Medalist Iain Weaver Ready For Pro Debut On 27th April

Following a frustrating few months, outstanding Team GB star Iain Weaver finally makes his most welcome professional debut at York Hall in Bethnal Green on Saturday 27th April, on the Dave Murphy promoted ‘Thunder & Lightning’ event, headlined by Dean ‘Irish Lightning’ Byrne versus Jay ‘IOW Assassin’ Morris International Masters Welterweight title clash.

Weaver, who was an integral part of the Team GB podium squad throughout Rob McCracken’s preparations for the London 2012 Olympics, has enjoyed a highly successful amateur career, culminating in both Commonwealth Boxing Championships Gold and European Silver Medals.

Even though he had been enjoying excellent form, in the pre Olympics build up, Weaver unfortunately wasn’t selected for a London 2012 slot, losing out to eventual Gold medalist Luke Campbell.

Following a full on sparring session at the TRAD TKO Boxing Gym in Canning Town, Weaver spoke briefly about his upcoming professional debut.

“Yeah, my pro debut is on the 27th April at York Hall. It’s gonna be great night for me and my fans.

It’s been a longtime coming, I’ve been waiting nearly a year. I’m just gonna get out there and enjoy every minute.

On the 27th I’m gonna make a real statement. It’s been a long time coming, but I’ve been training hard and I can’t wait, I’m so ready to fight.

I had a very good amateur career, I was in the Team GB squad four and half years, won the European Silver medal and the Commonwealth Boxing Championships Gold medal, so had a good amateur career.

I thought I should have gone to the Olympic Games, I didn’t, which is a bit of a sore subject, but can’t moan had a good amateur career and fought at the European Championships and Commonwealth Games.

I fought all over the World, been to more countries than I can remember, which is something I’m hoping to do as a pro.

I didn’t get an Olympic medal as an amateur, so now I want to put that behind me and see what I can achieve as a pro, as I really want to win a World title, I want to win as many titles as I can.

Finally I’d like to say to all my fans, as well as all boxing fans, it’s gonna be a great night of boxing. I’ve waited a long time for this and I’m gonna put on a great show for the fans.

You’re not gonna want to miss this, so get down to York Hall on the 27th.”

Iain Weaver will be making his debut, against a yet to be named opponent, on the undercard of the Dean ‘Irish Lightning’ Byrne versus Jay ‘IOW Assassin’ Morris International Masters Welterweight Championship clash that headlines Dave Murphy’s Thunderdrome Promotions ‘Thunder & Lightning’ event at York Hall, Bethnal Green in London on the 27th April 2013.

Tickets, priced £65 (Ringside), £35 (Floor) and £30 (Balcony) are available on-line at www.tkoboxoffice.com or in person from Iain himself or alternatively at the TRAD TKO Boxing Gym in Canning Town, London E16 4SA - www.tkoboxinggym.com - or the Ringtone Gym in Euston, London NW1 2PB - www.ringtonehealthandfitness.com - Tel: 07960 850645 or 07557 641597 for further information.