JOHNATHON BANKS, NABO & WBC International Heavyweight Champion

"I'm very excited to get back in the ring against Seth on June 22.  Boxing is my life and you can see by my smile how I feel.

"The thumb is fine.  No problems at all with it for this camp.

"It's been an easy transition back to boxing from my role as a trainer of Wladimir Klitschko.

"I expect a smarter and very well prepared Seth Mitchell for this rematch.

"[On his birthday falling on June 22] I can't think of a better way to celebrate my birthday than in the ring on June 22.

"[On the fan turnout at his open workout at Ecorse High School in Detroit] I'm very active here in a mentoring role at the school and they've been very supportive of me.  It's great to see so many members of the community, family and friends turn out."

 

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Malignaggi vs. Broner, a 12-round fight for Malignaggi's WBA Welterweight World Championship, will take place Saturday, June 22, 2013 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.  The event is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and R & R Promotions, supported by Golden Boy Promotions' sponsors Corona and AT&T and will be televised live on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.  In the co-featured bouts, Johnathon Banks will look to repeat his 2012 upset win over Seth "Mayhem" Mitchell as he defends his NABO and WBC International Heavyweight titles in a 12-round fight presented in association with K2 Promotions and number one rated WBC super middleweight contender Sakio Bika faces number four rated WBC super middleweight contender Marco Antonio Periban in a 12-round fight for the vacant WBC Super Middle weight World Championship.  SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® is available in Spanish on secondary audio programming (SAP).  Preliminary fights will air on SHOWTIME EXTREME at 7:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

 

Tickets priced at $250, $125, $75, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes and service charges, are on sale now at www.barclayscenter.com, www.ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster locations, by calling 800-745-3000 and at the American Express Box Office.  For group tickets, please call 800-GROUP-BK.