Demi Lovato to Perform at 2024 Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Gala

Posted on September 30, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Demi Lovato is helping supports ick Los Angeles children…

The 32-year-old half-Mexican American singer/actress will perform at the 2024 Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) Gala on Saturday, October 5, at The Event Deck at LA LIVE in downtown Los Angeles.

The biannual Gala raises funds to support the hospital’s mission.

“Children’s Hospital Los Angeles holds a very special place in my heart,” Lovato said in a statement. “Over the years, it’s been my personal honor to meet so many families in their care and witness first-hand the compassion and brilliance of their staff. Creating hope and building healthier futures is at the heart of their mission, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to celebrate and support that at this memorable event.”

Lovato has notched eight top 10 albums on the Billboard 200, including Here We Go Again, which debuted at No. 1 in 2009. She has also had four top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, topped by “Sorry Not Sorry,” which reached No. 6 in 2017.

Her awards include an MTV Video Music Award for “Skyscraper” and two Grammy nods.

Chuck Lorre, Bernadette and Sugar Ray Leonard, and AEG will each receive the Courage to Care Award for their humanitarian efforts at CHLA and beyond.

Lorre is one of the most successful producers in TV history, with such smash hits as Two and Half Men, The Big Bang Theory and Mom. He was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 2012.

Actor Jon Cryer, one of the stars of Two and a Half Men, and his wife, actress and producer Lisa Joyner, will co-host the event. Kaley Cuoco, one of the stars of The Big Bang Theory, will serve as a presenter, along with actor Jamie Lee Curtis (a past winner of the Courage to Care award), actor Colin Hanks and radio broadcaster

This year’s honorary co-chairs are Jimmy Kimmel and wife Molly McNearny, and Kristin and Jeffrey Worthe. Kimmel and McNearny both won Primetime Emmys earlier in September for their work on the 2024 Oscars, which was voted outstanding variety special (live). Kimmel won as host; McNearny as an executive producer.

Roberto Durán to Be Featured in Showtime’s Docuseries “The Kings”

Posted on April 12, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Roberto Durán is returning to the limelight…

The 69-year-old Panamanian former professional boxer, known as “Manos de Piedra,” will be among four high-impact boxers featured in the Showtime docuseries The Kings.

In addition to Durán, who held world championships in four weight classes: lightweight, welterweight, light middleweight and middleweight, the docuseries will also feature Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvelous Marvin Hagler and Thomas “The Hitman” Hearns.

The first of the show’s four episodes will premiere on Sunday, June 6, at 8:00 pm ET/PT on linear and streaming, the ViacomCBS premium network announced.

Nicknamed the Four Kings during their remarkable, overlapping careers, the quartet contested nine championship fights among them from 1980 to 1989. Their distinct styles and vivid personalities helped spark a renaissance in the sport of boxing, which had endured a downturn after Muhammad Ali’s storybook run concluded.

The backdrop of the series is the 1980s, a go-go decade marked by pronounced socioeconomic and political upheaval in the U.S. as President Ronald Reagan left his mark.

Hagler died last month at age 66.

“These four men defined an era in boxing,” said Stephen Espinoza, president of Showtime Sports, in a press release. “Their individual stories, forever linked by the spectacular battles they waged, reflect a tumultuous period in American culture and history. The Kings takes the viewer beyond the glorious action of some of history’s most memorable prizefights to illuminate each man’s dramatic journey and the societal context that made them stars of sports and popular culture.”

Leonard’s first fight with Durán came in 1980 and kicked off years of tightly contested battles in the ring and surging global popularity outside of it. The four boxers, joined in the latter years of the 1980s by the up-and-coming Mike Tyson, became some of the biggest names in sports and popular culture.

The Boxing Writers Association of America voted each of the four Fighter of the Year every year but one from 1979 to 1985. The Ring magazine named three of their title bouts Fight of the Year and picked Round 1 of Hagler-Hearns as Round of the Year.

The show is premiering during a year that marks the 45th anniversary of Leonard’s Olympic gold medal win and the 40th anniversary of a high point for the Four Kings: Leonard vs. Hearns.

The Kings is produced by Box To Box Film in association with Ingenious Media.

Canelo Alvarez to Challenge Light Heavyweight World Titlist Sergey Kovalev in November

Posted on September 14, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a case of a little gain for the pain for Canelo Alvarez..

The 29-year-old Mexican professional boxer and middleweight world champion is set to climb two weight divisions to challenge light heavyweight world titlist Sergey Kovalev.

In a fight finalized on Friday, Alvarez and Kovalev will meet on November 2 (DAZN) at the MGM Grand Garden Arenain Las Vegas.

Alvarez didn’t demand a catchweight in an attempt to drop Kovalev below the division limit of 175 pounds.

Golden Boy Promotionshad hoped to stage the fight at the larger T-Mobile Arena, but the NHL‘s Vegas Golden Knightshave a home game on November 2.

Kovalev is by far the biggest name in the light heavyweight division.

Alvarez, who pressed for the fight, will have the opportunity to win a world title in a fourth weight division after claiming belts at junior middleweight and middleweight and a secondary title at super middleweight.

If Alvarez wins, he would become only the fourth fighter in boxing history to win world titles at junior middleweight and light heavyweight. The other three — Sugar Ray Leonard, Thomas Hearnsand Mike McCallum— are in the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

“The second phase of my career is continuing just as we had planned, and that’s why we are continuing to make great fights to enter into the history books of boxing,” Alvarez said. “That’s also why I’ve decided to jump two weight classes against one of the most feared champions of recent years.

“Kovalev is a dangerous puncher, and he’s naturally the bigger man, but that’s the kind of challenges and risks that I like to face.”

Alvarez, boxing’s biggest star, has never fought at a weight heavier than 167¼ pounds, which is what he was for his third-round knockout win over Rocky Fieldingto win a secondary super middleweight belt in New York in December. Alvarez returned to the 160-pound middleweight division for his next fight in May, a unanimous decision to unify three belts against Daniel Jacobs.

The deal between Golden Boy, Alvarez’s promoter, and Main Events, which represents Kovalev, had been close for the past week. It got hung up, sources told ESPN, when Top Rank— which has rights to Kovalev stemming from a deal it made with Main Events to put his February rematch with Eleider “Storm” Alvarezon ESPN+— sought a low seven-figure fee to give up its involvement in the bout.

After days at a stalemate, Main Events agreed Wednesday to pay Top Rank what it was seeking. Once that contract was signed, Main Events signed the deal it had made with Golden Boy to finalize the November 2 fight. Part of the agreement gives DAZN rights to future Kovalev fights, at least one if he beats Alvarez — possibly a rematch — and two if he loses, before he would return to ESPN under his Top Rank agreement, according to a source.

New Trailer Released for Ramirez’s Roberto Duran Biopic “Hands of Stone”

Posted on July 24, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Edgar Ramirez’s gloves are on…

The Weinstein Company has released its latest trailer for Hands of Stone, the Roberto Duran boxing biopic starring the 39-year-old Venezuelan actor and Robert De Niro.

Duran became a hero in his native Panama as he rose through the ranks behind trainer Ray Arcel (De Niro), winning titles in four different weight classes. But it was his three epic bouts with Leonard that mattered most, the first when Duran beat Leonard to steal his welterweight belt in June 1980, and of course the second only five months later, when Duran famously told the referee “No mas” in the eighth round as Leonard was running circles around him. He also lost a close decision in a third fight in 1989. Duran certainly went on to redeem himself, though, and ended his career with 103 wins and securing his place on experts’ lists of the best fighters of all time.

Usher co-stars as Duran’s rival Sugar Ray Leonard, and Ellen Barkin, Ruben Blades and Ana de Armas co-star.

Hands of Stone debuts on August 26.

Ramirez’s “Hands of Stone” Screening at This Year’s Cannes Film Festival

Posted on May 3, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Edgar Ramirez will be throwing punches at this year’s Cannes Film Festival…

The 39-year-old Venezuelan actor’s latest film, Hands of Stone, will have a special screening at the film festival on Monday, May 16 in homage to fellow star Robert De Niro who will be in attendance.

“I’m excited to be coming back to Cannes especially with this movie, Hands Of Stone, that I’m so proud of,” said De Niro. “This movie is uplifting, triumphant and a good time for audiences, so I’m looking forward to seeing my friends from across the world of cinema in joining us for this fun event.”

The rags-to-riches boxing drama by Venezuelan director Jonathan Jakubowicz tells the story of iconinc Panamanian brawler Roberto Duràn (Ramirez) and manager and trainer Ray Arcel (De Niro).

Duran made his professional debut in 1968 as a 16-year‐old and retired in 2002 at the age of 50. He defeated nemesis Sugar Ray Leonard in June 1980, capturing the WBC welterweight title. However, in the rematch that November, Duran shocked the world. He was being outclassed and pummeled by Leonard when he said “No mas,” turned his back on his opponent and quit in the ring. During the course of his career he saw 103 victories in 119 fights.

The film’s title comes from Duran’s nickname, Los Manos a Piedra. Usher plays Leonard. Ellen Barkin, Ruben Blades and Ana de Armas also star.

The Weinstein Company acquired Hands of Stone at Cannes last year after an all-nighter and will release the film domestically on August 26.

The Weinstein Company Acquires U.S. Distribution Rights to Ramirez’s “Hands of Stone”

Posted on May 15, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Edgar Ramirez’s latest film will get the Weinstein treatment…

The Weinstein Company has closed a deal for the U.S. distribution rights to Hands of Stone, the Jonathan Jakubowicz-directed drama that stars the 38-year-old Venezuelan actor as iconic fighter Robert Duran.

Robert De Niro portrays Duran’s mentor and trainer Ray Arcel, and Usher appears as his ring nemesis Sugar Ray Leonard. Ellen Barkin, Ruben Blades and Ana de Armas also star.

The deal includes a theatrical commitment of around 2000 screens that will make this a precedent-setting release for a Latino film, with a strong P&A commitment and backend deals.

The deal makes sense, as The Weinstein Company bought the foreign rights for Hands of Stone a few months ago and now the company will release it globally.

The film tells the rags-to-riches story of Duran, who is best remembered for his two ring matches with Leonard. The first, in 1980, featured two proud all-time greats fighting toe to toe, with Duran emerging victorious to win the WBC welterweight title. And then came the rematch that November, where Duran shocked the world. He was being outclassed and pummeled by Leonard when he said “no mas,” and turned his back on Leonard and quit in the ring.

Jakubowicz wrote the script, and the core of the story is the relationship between Duran and Arcel and how each man changed the other in boxing’s Golden Era, when Duran and Leonard battled among a group of brawlers that included Thomas Hearns, Marvin Hagler, Hector Camacho and Vinny Pazienza.

The title Hands Of Stone came from Duran’s nickname, because the Panamanian hit so hard, with those heavy fists powering him to 103 victories in 119 fights. The “no mas” incident was a terrible ending to a rivalry that was everything depicted by De Niro and Martin Scorsese in Raging Bull, when Jake LaMotta had those classic brawls with Sugar Ray Robinson.

The film will most likely open sometime next winter.

de Armas to Star Opposite Edgar Ramirez in “Hands of Stone”

Posted on October 11, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Ana de Armas is gearing up to bring a little Felicidad to the big screen…

The 25-year-old Cuban actress has signed on to star in the Jonathan Jacubowicz-directed film about legendary boxer Roberto Duran, Hands of Stone.

de Armas, who will be making her English-language debut in the film, will portray Duran’s gorgeous wife Felicidad.

She’ll star alongside Edgar Ramirez, who’s playing the great fighter, Robert De Niro, who’s playing trainer Ray Arcel, and Usher, who’s playing Sugar Ray Leonard.

Hands of Stone centers on the life of the Panamanian boxer, who was nicknamed “Manos de Piedra” during his career.

de Armas’ first film success was Una rosa de Francia, starring with Alex Gonzalez. She later appeared in other films such as Madrigal by Cuban director Fernando Pérez as well as telenovelas like El último Edén.

Ramírez to Star as Roberto Durán in “Hands of Stone”

Posted on April 16, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

He’s played the god of war and a legendary Latino political leader… And, now Édgar Ramírez is set to portray a boxing champ.

The 36-year-old Venezuelan actor has signed on to star opposite Robert De Niro in Hands of Stone.

The drama, written and directed by Jonathan Jakubowicz, centers on the life of Panamanian boxer Roberto Durán, who was nicknamed “Manos de Piedra” during his career.

Ramírez will portray Durán, while De Niro will play his trainer Ray Arcel in a drama that focuses on how each man changed the life of the other.

The film is set during boxing’s Golden Era, when Durán was among top notch fighters like Sugar Ray Leonard, Thomas Hearns, Marvin Hagler, Hector Camacho and Vinny Pazienza.

The film’s focus will be on Durán’s incredible bouts with Leonard, culminating in an inexplicable ending of the famous fight where Durán quit in the ring and cried “No mas,” on a night when Leonard was having his way.

Hands of Stone will begin production in Panama this September.

“The story of Roberto Durán and Ray Arcel is not only a homage to the golden days of boxing; it is most importantly the story of a fatherless man who teaches every single one of us the true meaning of never giving up,” said the film’s producers.

Ramírez recently appeared in Kathryn Bigelow’s Zero Dark Thirty and next stars in Libertador.

Camacho Sharing His Search for Love on YouTube’s NuevOn Channel

Posted on September 18, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Hector “Macho” Camacho is looking for love on the internet… And, he’s letting the cameras follow his every date.

The 50-year-old Puerto Rican former professional boxer will be getting his own program on YouTube’s NuevOn channel that will give his fans a chance to follow Camacho as he looks for a new love, according to his representatives.

Es…Macho Time, filmed in Puerto Rico, Miami and Las Vegas, will follow the adventures of the boxer during the process of finding the woman of his dreams.

Camacho admits the road to finding a new love is long and arduous, but he’s committed to doing what’s needed to correct the mistakes of the past that have prevented him from finding that special someone, his publicist said in a statement.

Camacho was the first Puerto Rican boxerto win the lightweight division titles of the World Boxing Council and the World Boxing Organization, and he won 79 of his 87 bouts, 38 of them by knockout.

Two of his most important victories of his storied career came against Roberto Duran and Sugar Ray Leonard.

Es…Macho Time is one of the new programs for the second season of NuevOn, which was launched on April 1 and features shows such as the one starring Sofia Vergara’s son, Mi vida con Toty, and the motivational show Yes you can with Chaban, hosted by artist Alejandro Chaban.

Lopez Filling His Resume with Producing Credits

Posted on May 5, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Mario Lopez is beefing up his resume with more producing credits…

The 38-year-old Mexican American actor and Extra host has lined up a number of series projects as a producer.

Lopez, the host of MTV’s dance completion American’s Best Dance Crew, has a 10-episode commitment at MTV Tr3s for Golden Boys, a docu-series following some of the world’s top young Latino boxers. Lopez is executive producing with boxing star Oscar De La Hoya.

Lopez also has a series commitment for Conversations with Mario at Comcast’s Latin-driven channel NuVo. The series takes an in-depth look at some of the most influential Latino celebrities in the world.

At ABC Family, Lopez is the man behind Back To Badass, a pilot for a reality series that aims to take former star athletes back to the top of their game.

Lopez’s latest projects are in addition to the upcoming Mario Lopez And Courtney Mazza Wedding Special, a two-hour special for TLC chronicling the preparations leading to Lopez and Mazza’s December wedding.

In addition, Lopez is working in post on an untitled boxing documentary he’s producing and appearing in, along with Sugar Ray Leonard, Mike Tyson, De La Hoya, Manny Pacquiao, Christian Bale, Mark Wahlberg, Denzel Washington and others. And, Lopez’s Los Angeles radio show, On With Mario Lopez, has just gone national.

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