THE LORD OF THE RING

Posted By Treasure / September, 29, 2013 / 0 comments


The dust has started to settle after my appearance on the biggest boxing event the world has seen in a generation.

There was a record 22 million Mexicans tuned into ‘The One’ boxing event featuring Floyd Mayweather, Saul Alvarez, Danny Garcia, Lucas Matthysse, Ishe Smith, Carlos Molina, Pablo Cesar Cano and of course, yours truly. The American PPV audience was over 2 million viewers, and that’s not counting the people watching in movie theatres and on closed circuit in hotels across Las Vegas.

The significant worldwide audience in Europe, Africa, South America, Oceania and Asia is yet to be totalled.

Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather was guaranteed 41.5 million dollars for his performance against Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez. His pay looks to be near an unbelievable 100 million dollars when all the figures are finally counted up. He has been the highest paid sportsman in the world for the last two years, and unlike any other global sports superstar, none of that is from endorsements.

Floyd Mayweather is a phenomenon.

I opened up this colossal show against two time world title challenger, Pablo Cesar Cano. Three world title fights followed. Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions handed me this huge and life changing opportunity. It gets no bigger than the stage I was given.

Fight week was breath taking and nothing short of superstar stature. From the fighter arrivals, to the media workout, autograph signing, press conference, to the 12,000 fans at the weigh in and the 16,000 fans at the fight in the MGM Arena. This was so special and something I will never ever forget.

I also got to spar with Floyd Mayweather in the lead up to his fight. I’ll always be able to say I helped him get his 45th win. It was an honour and a privilege.

From when I walked into the Mayweather Boxing Club in 2011, Floyd Mayweather and Leonard Ellerbe have always shown me love and respect. All I can say is a deeply felt Thank You. They are two of the greatest guys!

To have a British fighter opening this big a stage, is something that has never been done before. Britain’s three most successful active fighters are Amir Khan, David Haye and Carl Froch, and they have never fought on a stage this big. They are British fighters I have respect for, and in the case of Carl and David, I’m inspired by.

My fight with Pablo was a back and forth, see-saw fight. He hit me with everything he had, and I hit him with my best shots. He buckled my knees and I wobbled him. It was a tough and entertaining fight, and one close enough to have the judges split.

Since the fight, boxing fans have stopped me in Las Vegas, New York and London and told me what a performance I put on and that they believed I won. That is worth hearing. My “granite” chin now has won its own fan club.

The best of UK’s media showed me love in the lead up to the biggest show of my life – The Sun, Daily Mail, The Mirror, Metro, The London Evening Standard, The Daily Star, TalkSport, Zoo, Nuts and Sport magazine all ran articles on me. BoxNation televised my fight, and the British fans were so supportive. I can only say Thank You. It was very much appreciated.

I am due to fight later this year in Las Vegas. I have the backing of Floyd Mayweather and Leonard Ellerbe. My life shows that with hard work, dedication and perseverance that anything is possible.

Two of the most important men in boxing, believe in my talent. Now believe me – the best is still yet to come.

ASHLEY TALKS ‘THE ONE’ AT GLEASON’S GYM

Posted By Treasure / September, 27, 2013 / 0 comments

MORE FROM THE FIGHT

Posted By Treasure / September, 20, 2013 / 0 comments

I STILL HAVE A DREAM

Posted By Treasure / September, 19, 2013 / 0 comments


I’ll never forget this week for the rest of my life.

A dream that started long ago as a five year old kid, was realized as a 33 year old man. I always wanted to fight on a super boxing event and I finally have.

I remember watching Mike Tyson, Marvin Hagler and Sugar Ray Leonard in the 1980s and thinking I’d love to be part of that one day. Well that day happened on Saturday 14th September 2013.

A Floyd Mayweather fight is now so much more than just an event, it’s simply the biggest boxing show in the world.

The week started on Tuesday, when we had the ‘Grand Arrivals’ at the MGM Casino. That was unreal! It finally dawned on me then that this was really about to happen.

I train hard all the time regardless of the proximity of a fight. I thrive on it and enjoy it, so I push myself to be the best that I can be. Being in the gym training with great fighters can only get the best out of you.

Seeing the thousands of faces waiting in anticipation for the fighters at the Grand Arrival was crazy. That unique feeling of seeing my opponent, face to face for the first time – is unexplainable. You can’t prepare yourself for an event like this. You can watch it as a spectator, but actually being in there is another thing completely. There’s a heck of a lot of pressure to perform, but I feel like I was born for the big stage.

Pablo Cesar Cano had fought on a Floyd Mayweather card before against the legend, Erik Morales. He has fought Paul Malignaggi at the Barclays Centre in front of over ten thousand people. He has fought boxing legend, Shane Mosley in Mexico. He’d been part of big events before, so he knew the feeling. For me, this was both new and exhilarating.

I knew that I had fought and beaten better fighters than him, but occasions like this test the true character of a man. It can be daunting and nerve racking, or you can love the attention and thrive on the pressure. I loved the pressure and the attention!

Floyd told me later that day in the locker room, that all I have to do is win and he would get me a world title shot. He looked at me and said “you know I can make it happen”. He has presented me with a life changing opportunity, because he believes in me. I’ve waited and worked my whole life for this moment. I’m very grateful to him and Leonard Ellerbe.

On Wednesday the undercard fighters had the autograph signing, and a workout at the MGM Grand. It was again incredible. Everyone had their time slot to sign gloves, and take pictures with the fans. Following this, each fighter was given a chance to show off their skills in the ring in the lobby of the MGM Grand. World champions Ishe Smith and Danny Garcia followed myself and two time world title challenger, Pablo Cesar Cano.

Thursday was the press conference! Leonard Ellerbe introduced me, and summarized the story of how and why I was signed by Mayweather Promotions. Listening to him talk about me, made me feel proud of what I had accomplished. Being signed by the number one boxer in the world isn’t easy, but I achieved it with hard work, perseverance and resilience.

As I walked to the stage. I was surrounded by some of boxing’s top men; Richard Schaefer, Bernard Hopkins and Leonard Ellerbe. These are memorable and unforgettable times, they will last with me forever.

Hundreds of the world’s media were in attendance, patiently listening to me. I started by thanking Leonard and Floyd for this incredible opportunity, because without them, it would not have been possible.

I told my story of how I fell in love with boxing from watching Mike Tyson in the 80’s. Turning professional ten years ago in Britain with no one in Britain’s boxing establishment believing in me. But somehow I had become British champion, and beaten former world champion Demarcus Corley, two time world title challenger, Delvin Rodriguez, who fights Miguel Cotto next and dropped a split decision to world champion, Danny Garcia who had knocked out Amir Khan.

It feels good knowing that I’ve faced some very good fighters on the world stage.

I was told that I stole the show at the press conference, one reporter told me that my story is reminiscent of the “American dream”.

The weigh in at the MGM Garden Arena was filled with 12,000 fight fans, with by far the majority being Mexicans. I was the first to walk out with Notorious B.I.G’s song ‘Juicy’ banging out around the Arena. I signed t-shirts, stopped for pictures and shook hands on my way to the stage to weigh in.

I’ve obviously watched these things so many times on TV over the years, but to be part of it was truly amazing and something I’ll remember to my dying day. This week was the best week in my ten year boxing career.

I got to the stage and Richard Schaefer and Bernard Hopkins were already there. The Commissioner, and the most respected of boxing’s media were below watching and reporting on the proceedings. Some of the Golden Boy and Mayweather Promotions fighters were lined up on stage watching; Shane Mosley, Devon Alexander, Amir Khan, Abnar Mares, Badou Jack, to name but a few.

Pablo Cesar Cano came to the stage after me. The crowd was electric, and we could feel them pulse through our veins as the world’s cameras focused on us. We both weighed in below the 143lb weight limit which was stipulated in the contract. The great modern day champion, Bernard Hopkins stood between us. We did the traditional stare down, no one blinking, no one showing fear. We both so much wanted and needed this win.

Danny Garcia, Lucas Matthysse, Ishe Smith, Saul Alvarez and Floyd Mayweather all weighed in after me. What a gathering to be part of. The bill had already broken the record for ticket sales, and Floyd Mayweather had also broken the record previously held by Mike Tyson, for the highest guaranteed purse of 41.5 million dollars. Which could rise to 100 million after PPV has been added to it.

I was playing my part in the biggest boxing show in history. Ashley Theophane from London. Who would have dared to think that ten years ago when I turned professional. Coming from where I’ve come from, I’m a winner already. I followed my dream and I made it a reality. From London to Las Vegas! But now I was here, I wanted so much more, on a platform like this – I so wanted to win.

Saturday 14th September 2013. Two time world title challenger Pablo Cesar Cano and I went at it, no quarter asked for, and believe me, none given. The Mexican fans were making a deafening roar for their man. Many of the fans in the arena were gripped to their seats.

It was a hell of a fight, it went back and forth. No respect was given, it was full on every minute. We both gave our all and both had to dig deeper than we ever had before. It was a relentless pace, and we felt each other’s blows again and again. The momentum changed quickly from one to the other, we called on our reserves and battled all the way to the final bell. It was tough, very tough indeed.

We waited anxiously for the scorecards, boxing judges Richard Houck and Patricia More seeing the fight different to Richard Ocasio, who scored the fight to me 96-94. He had his strong moments and I had mine. Just like my fight with future world champion Danny Garcia, it was a fight that could have gone either way.

British boxing legends, Ricky Hatton and David Haye both sent me positive messages after the fight. Ricky told me “what a great performance at world level”. David, who has inspired and motivated me with his performances over the years, gave me words of encouragement. “It’s good to be officially ‘world class’, so you never know what title shot may arise.”

Thank you gentlemen, you taking the time to share your supportive words with me will never be forgotten.

Floyd Mayweather told me after the fight that I’d be okay and that he still had love for me. When he was doing his post-fight press conference he told the world’s media “Ashley fought like a champion, I’m still proud of you”.

René Carayol flew from the UK to watch me take part in a historical event. He was proud of my performance and told me “The dream continues”.

Very few people are able to follow their dream and make it a reality. It takes hard work, dedication, and you have to be very mentally strong as you’ll come across many non-believers who, if allowed to, can suck your energy and self-belief. I have not given them the pleasure of seeing me wilt on my special journey.

I only have very good things to say about Floyd Mayweather. He’s obviously a great elite athlete, but he’s an even greater person. Floyd, the most sincere thanks for believing and investing in me.

CEO of Mayweather Promotions, Leonard Ellerbe gave me this extraordinary opportunity, and also believes in my talent.

On the long and arduous road to success, set backs are a necessary part of the process. I have the best team in the world behind me. We will get there!

Some succeed because they are destined to. But most succeed because they are determined to.

I have learned loads, I gave loads and took loads from this unbelievable experience – winners never quit, and quitters never win. I’m no quitter.

FIGHT PHOTOS

Posted By Treasure / September, 16, 2013 / 0 comments

WEIGH IN PHOTOS

Posted By Treasure / September, 14, 2013 / 0 comments

THEOPHANE V CANO OFFICIAL WEIGH IN

Posted By Treasure / September, 14, 2013 / 0 comments

ASHLEY DISCUSSES SATURDAY’S FIGHT

Posted By Treasure / September, 14, 2013 / 0 comments

PRESS CONFERENCE

Posted By Treasure / September, 13, 2013 / 0 comments

MEDIA WORKOUT

Posted By Treasure / September, 13, 2013 / 0 comments

« First...101819202130...Last »