ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (May 30, 2013) — Fresquez Productions has negotiated an aggressive four-fight deal with Legacy Fighting Championship in order to further develop the mixed-martial-arts career of 14-time, three-division world boxing champion Holly “The Preacher’s Daughter” Holm.

Holm is scheduled to make her Legacy debut on July 19, live on AXS TV, from Houston Arena Theater in Houston, Texas.

“After speaking with all MMA companies,” Holm’s promoter Lenny Fresquez announced, “we have selected Legacy because of its commitment to help prepare Holly for a Super Fight, as well as getting her the right television exposure.”

“We are extremely excited to have someone as talented and of such strong character as Holly,” Legacy Fighting Championship president Mike Maynard added. “We believe she embodies what Legacy is all about.”

Arguably the greatest woman boxer of all-time, Holm retired from the “Sweet Science” this past May 11 after her dominant 10-round win by unanimous decision over Mary McGee (20-2, 11 KOs).

During her illustrious 12 ½ year professional boxing career, Holm registered an imposing 33-2-3 (9 KOs) record, including an incredible 15-1-1 in fights against other world champions, ranging from the light welterweight (140 lbs.) through light middleweight (154 lbs.) divisions.

The 31-year-old Holm has already had three MMA fights, winning all three by technical knockout, and she is a member of the famed Team Jackson-Wink, which boasts UFC superstar Jon “Bones” Jones and Frank Mir, among its more notables.

“I’m excited for Holly and Legacy,” Holm’s longtime manager/head trainer Mike Winkeljohn commented. “Holly Holm will dominate the world of women’s MMA and strike its fans with a fistful of awe.”

For more information about Holly Holm go online to www.FresquezProductions.com or www.LegacyFights.tv. Follow Legacy Fights on Twitter @legacyfightsor visit Legacy Fights on Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/#!/legacyfights?__user=502980360

You just fought a very tough opponent in Orlando Cruz in your last fight. What did you learn from that experience?

Aalan Martinez: I learned plenty and Cruz showed me a lot of stuff in the ring, but I think the most important lesson was realizing that these opportunities are mine for the taking and no one can get it done but me. I have a better understanding of what it means to ‘do it or die trying’ and that is something I will use in both the ring and outside of it. This opportunity I have in front of me now, I know a lot of fighters wouldn’t have gotten this kind of chance under the circumstances.

Now you’re facing Charlie Serrano for the vacant WBO Latino Featherweight title. What are your thoughts going into this fight?

Aalan Martinez: I have my confidence and a new attitude in the gym that I plan on taking with me into the ring. My camp is all about preparing me for the tough scenarios, it can get uncomfortable in a fight and the best way to prepare is to duplicate the awkward times you experience in the ring in your training camp. Being prepared does wonders to confidence and with my preparations so on point I’m free to think about the positive aspects of the fight and my thoughts right now are simple, victory.

This will be another fight where you’ll be fighting on TV. What’s that experience been like?

Aalan Martinez: Well if you’re asking me if TV affects your game then I have to say it makes you more aware, if that makes sense. It doesn’t affect you in a negative or positive manner and it really doesn’t have to affect you at all, it’s more about how you interpret it. It can be a strong motivation to tighten up your game with all the eyes on you and it can be the thing that makes you freeze in the fight, too timid to let your hands go. I think I have good control over it now and it definitely adds to my fire. Like I said, I’m fortunate to have these opportunities and I have a great team behind me.

If you come out victorious, what are you goals moving forward?

Aalan Martinez: My immediate goal is to build momentum and that means staying active and getting W’s. When I win this fight my only goal will be to get another win. I can’t expect to make it to where I want in the sport without paying some dues, but I know how capable I am and I have it in me to fulfill every single one of my goals in boxing.

Your promoter Boxing 360 has been keeping you busy. How many more fights do you want to have in 2013?

Aalan Martinez: Those guys are my saviors, they have not only kept their word with everything they’ve promised me, but they’ve done things above and beyond the call of duty. If any fighter wants to know abhout Boxing360 well then just look at my career and everything they’ve done for me. History dictates that I shouldn’t have the opportunity I have coming off of a loss, but that’s how hard they work and how much they believe in their fighters. I trust my team and I believe that Boxing360 has my best interests in mind, so I would leave it to them. But I can tell you that I want to stay busy and fight as many times as my body will allow.

Any last words for the fans?

Aalan Martinez: I appreciate all of my fans that have been following me and I want to send a special thank you to all of those fans that reached out to me and helped to pick up my spirits after my last fight. I promise you guys that I won’t disappoint and it is those fans that I have had in the back of my mind and I use them for motivation. Make sure you tune into my fight because I am not just going after the win, I want to do it in an entertaining way.

Aalan Martinez is promoted by Boxing 360. For more information on Martinez please visit www.boxing360.com.

Ola Afolabi (19-2-4, 9 KOs) thinks he is ready to finally claim the WBO Cruiserweight World Championship. On June 8, the man from Great Britain will renew his feud with defending champion Marco Huck (35-2-1, 25 KOs). After previously losing and fighting Huck to a draw, Afolabi believes that now it is his time to shine at the Max-Schmeling-Halle in Berlin, Germany. For that reason, the 33-year-old has brought himself into tremendous shape due to changes in his preparations leading up to the fight. In the following interview, Afolabi explains what he has done differently this time round and why he is time has come at last.

Ola Afolabi, it has been over a year that you last stepped into a ring. In May 2012, you fought out a draw against your very next opponent Marco Huck. What do you remember of the fight?

Ola Afolabi: It was extremely tough. Towards the end of it, I lost my focus. That allowed him to get back into the bout. My mental preparation ahead of the fight was not ideal and that took its toll back then.

How is your training going? You have been in Germany for a few weeks now…

Ola Afolabi: It has been really good. I have started my preparations back in November of last year. I went to Big Bear in California to work on my conditioning, which I have also been working on while we were staying in Zinnowitz, Germany. If I compare my current fitness level to previous camps, it is a difference of day and night.

According to yourself, you have been preparing for this fight since November. Is there any danger that you might have been doing too much and that your intense training could have cost too much energy?

Ola Afolabi: No, there is no danger whatsoever. I have mostly been working on my conditioning by running a lot as well as on my mental strength. Sparring only started a few weeks ago. I will be at my best when I step into the ring come June 8.

What do you mean when you say, that you have been doing things you were not doing in your previous preparations?

Ola Afolabi: I have been learning from fight to fight. As I did not have an amateur career, I had to gain experience by fighting against professionals. I am still a raw product. A big difference is that I have changed my diet. I am eating properly and take vitamin supplements. I quit eating Cheeseburgers and other junk food and have turned to healthy food instead. It makes a huge difference. I could make the weight for the fight right now. So by not having to make weight I can concentrate on my training and keep my focus.

You have been quite openly talking about your preparations via the social media, keeping your fans but also your opponents up to date with the progress. Why do you do that and isn’t there a danger of giving away too much?

Ola Afolabi: I am very proud of myself and the way the preparation has been going so far. I want my fans to know, that I am not just talking but backing it up. It also keeps me motivated when the supporters give me a positive feedback. Moreover, I am only posting photos of my progress. I do not talk about my sparring and I do not go into detail. All it does is that it should motivate Huck. He knows that I am ready. So he better be ready himself.

On June 8, you will try to rab the WBO World Championship of Huck for a third time. With what kind of attitude are you going into the fight?

Ola Afolabi: My attitude is pretty simple. This was my belt, this is my belt and I am coming to finally take it from him. I honestly do not see how I could lose this fight. I have been working to hard on myself and on the tactics. I should already have won the title last year. Now the time has finally come.

After two previous encounters, you must know Marco Huck quite well now. Where do you see his strengths and weaknesses?

Ola Afolabi: Huck always comes to fight. When he turns up, he is going for it. He is a bit like a robot and just keeps coming. He is actually too tough to know when he has been hurt. I do not want to talk about his weaknesses. You can ask me again after I beat him.

Obviously, you are planning to win. If everything works out for you, would you then be prepared to face him a fourth time?

Ola Afolabi: I do not know. If it is good business why not. But first, I would like to take on the mandatory challenger Firat Arslan. After that, I would go for Huck again.

What will be the outcome of June 8?

Ola Afolabi: I am not going into the fight looking for a knockout. That would increase the risk of over-pacing during the first few rounds. However, I see myself stopping Huck early. Regardless of that, I am going to do whatever it takes to leave the ring as the winner.

Tickets for the big fight night at the Max-Schmeling-Halle in Berlin, Germany can be purchased at www.eventim.de and www.boxen.com.

Tacoma, WA (May 29th, 2013) – Halquist Productions and the Northwest’s premier professional boxing promotion, Battle at the Boat, will be returning to the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, WA on June 1st for their 92nd installment of world class boxing. In the ten round main event, Zahir Raheem (32-3-0, 19 KO’s) will be taking on Uganda’s Justin Juuko (45-11-1, 30 KO’s). Five other bouts will take place throughout the night including a six round semi-main event featuring Gabriel Pineda (3-0-2, 1 KO) facing off against Dave Petrcyk (4-3-1). Also being featured on the card is CageSport featherweight champion and Tacoma native, Drew Brokenshire, making his professional boxing debut.

Tickets are still available for Battle at the Boat 92, set for Saturday, June 1st, and can be purchased at the Emerald Queen Casino box office or through www.ticketmaster.com. Ticket prices start at $25.

Raheem made waves throughout the boxing world in 2005 when he easily defeated hugely favored Erik Morales, earning Ring Magazine’s “Upset of the Year” award. The fight was supposed to be the launch to superstardom for Raheem, but after losing a heartbreaking split decision to Acelino Freitas for the vacant WBO lightweight title seven months later, he quickly faded into obscurity and took a break from boxing after back to back victories in 2010. In late 2012, Halquist Productions and Raheem crossed paths resulting in a long term promotional contract between the two and officially starting the comeback to Raheem’s career and his quest to become a world champion.

“We have a plan for Zahir that is going exactly as we hoped it would,” said promoter, Brian Halquist. “That plan was to knock the rust off with two favorable matchups followed by a step up in challengers that will put him in position for a title shot. He’s assembled a great team in Atlanta that has been helping him tremendously on the road to become a world champion. After his June 1st fight, we’ll showcase his talents to the world through TV on his next and third fight as a member of Halquist Productions.”

In March, Raheem fought for the first time in over two years at the Emerald Queen Casino against Toppenish’s Santos Pakau (28-8-2, 11 KO’s). Raheem went to work quickly and effectively using his left hook to the body followed up by textbook headshots that dropped Pakau early leading to a second round TKO.

The semi-main event features two gritty northwest fighters, Dave Petryck and Gabriel Pineda, duking it out for a scheduled six rounds. Petryck was also featured in the semi-main event in March when he defeated Northwest junior welterweight champion, Virgil Green by unanimous decision. Many fans in attendance considered the Petryck/Green fight as the fight of the night consisting of a back and forth war with big shots and strong chins that kept the fight going all six rounds.

The full card for Battle at the Boat 92 featuring many Northwest fighters can be seen below:

Zahir Raheem vs. Justin Juuko
Dave Petryck vs. Gabriel Pineda

Drew Brokenshire vs. William Fernandez
Antonio Neal vs. Carlos Rodriguez

Zach Cooper vs. Charon Spain
Ricardo Maldonado vs. Cory Vom Baur

Marcello Gallardo vs. Anthony Smith

Doors for Battle at the Boat 92, set for June 1st, will open at 6 PM with the first fight scheduled for 7 PM. Halquist Productions continues to be the Northwest’s premier boxing promotion, promoting everything from the region’s top prospects to world title fights that have been seen around the world. For more information about Battle at the Boat 92 and all other Halquist Productions events, please visit, www.halquistproductions.com along with the official Facebook and Twitter Pages of Halquist Productions, Battle at the Boat, and CageSport MMA.

According to his official Twitter account, Pound for Pound King Floyd Mayweather will take on WBC/WBA Super Welterweight champion Saul Alvarez on September 14th in Las Vegas.

The official statement read: “I chose my opponent for September 14th and it’s Canelo Alvarez. I’m giving the fans what they want. It will be at the MGM Grand”

The rumor is the bout will be contested at 152 lbs.

SAN DIEGO, CA (May 29, 2013)—On Saturday afternoon June 8th, Wealth TV is proud to be airing the WBC Silver Super Middleweight clash between 2008 Olympic Gold Medal Winner James “Chunky” DeGale and former world title challenger Stjepan Bozic in a bout scheduled for twelve rounds.The fight card can also be seen on www.wealthtv.com

DeGale of London has a professional record 15-1 with ten knockouts and in addition to being the WBC Silver Champion, DeGale is also the current European Super Middleweight champion.

After becoming a national hero by capturing gold in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, DeGale raced out to ten consecutive wins while capturing titles.

He has wins over Jindrich Kubin (5-0); Ally Morris (2-0-1); In his sixth bout he won WBA International Super Middleweight title with a 5th round stoppage over Sam Horton (15-1).

He defended that title once with a first round destruction over Carl Dilks (14-2). He went on to win the British Super Middleweight title with a 9th round stoppage over Paul Smith (29-1). DeGale suffered his only blemish when he lost a close majority decision to British rival George Groves.

DeGale won the European championship with a majority decision over Piotr Wilczewski (29-1). He defended that belt twice with wins over Cristian Sanavia (45-5-1) and Hadillah Mohoumadi (13-2-1). DeGale picked up the WBC Silver championship with a decision over former world title challenger Fulgencio Zuniga.

In his last bout, DeGale demolished former world title challenger Sebastien DeMers in two rounds on May 17th in a bout that was televised live on Wealth TV and www.wealthtv.com

He is currently ranked in all four major sanctioning bodies (#5 WBC, #14 WBA, #6 IBF and #3 WBO).

Bozic of Zagreb, Croatia has a record of 26-6 with 17 knockouts.

Bozic won the WBF Super Middleweight title with a 12 round unanimous decision over former world title challenger Nader Hamdan. He defended that bout with a 7th round stoppage over former world champion Julio Cesar Vasquez.

Bozic challenged for the WBA Super Middleweight title but was stopped by Dimitri Sartison. Bozic also was stopped by former world champion Arthur Abraham.

Bozic is on a two fight winning streak with his last bout being a 2nd round stoppage over Gordon Glisic on November 23, 2012.

Said Wealth TV CEO Charles Herring, “We are very excited to continue to broadcast the ascension of James DeGale. With DeGale securing the WBC Silver Super Middleweight championship and with his recent decisive wins the Olympic Gold medal winner has put himself on a short list for a potential clash with Andre Ward or Carl Froch”.

An exciting undercard featuring undefeated Middleweight Chris Eubank Jr. (9-0, 4 KO’s); Super Bantamweight Kid Galahad (13-0, 6 KO’s) and Heavyweight Hughie Fury (4-0, 3 KO’s) will also be part of the card.

UPCOMING FIGHTS ON WEALTH TV

Saturday July 6th, It’s the Heavyweight rematch of the year when Tony Thompson (37-3, 25 KO’s) will look to make it two straight against David Price (15-1, 13 KO’s).

On February 23rd, Thompson shocked the boxing world by scoring a 2nd round knockout over Price. Price was undefeated and heading towards a Heavyweight title shot but Thompson landed the one big shot and changed the landscape of the Heavyweight division.

Price has instilled the services of Heavyweight legend Lennox Lewis for guidance. Will that help Price gain revenge or will Thompson repeat the result from February?

FIND OUT ON JULY 6TH LIVE ON WEALTH TV AND WWW.WEALTHTV.COM

The card can be seen on WealthTV nationally on Verizon FiOS TV channel 169 and 669 in HD, AT&T U-Verse TV channels 470 and 1470 in HD, along with over 100 cable systems across the country as well as on line viewing on numerous connected devices and via www.wealthtv.com.

About WealthTV

WealthTV is the premier lifestyle and entertainment network —the destination for exclusive and original programming, simultaneously transmitted in high definition and standard definition. WealthTV delivers to informative shows to its viewers, providing invaluable insights on what every American dreams of – from travel secrets to fast cars, from outrageous homes to live events, and much more. The network fills a television vacuum by delivering intellectually stimulating, thought-provoking entertainment and always-unbiased news from an insider’s perspective. For more information, please visit www.wealthtv.com.

LINCOLN, R.I. (May 29th, 2013) — In what has been a long stretch of “must-win” fights for John “Doomsday” Howard since his release from the Ultimate Fighting Championships (UFC), another tough test looms on the horizon next Friday at Twin River Casino.

The pressure is greater than ever as the Boston native Howard (19-7, 8 KOs) prepares for his main-event showdown with veteran Chris Woodall (12-3, 5 KOS) of Cummings, Ga., which will highlight Classic Entertainment & Sports’ “New Blood” mixed martial arts event scheduled for Friday, June 7th, 2013.

Tickets for “New Blood” are $36.00, $56.00, $101.00 and $126.00 and can be purchased by calling CES at 401.724.2253/2254, online at www.shop.cesboxing.com or www.twinriver.com, at the Players Club booth at Twin River, or through any TicketMaster location. Doors open 6 p.m. with the first bout scheduled for 7.

Since the UFC released him in 2011, Howard has won five consecutive fights, including the last four by knockout, putting him on the precipice of a possible return to the UFC. As fate would have it, the UFC is coming to Howard’s backyard in August at the TD Garden in an event that will air as the centerpiece of the launch of FOX Sports’ new 24-hour network, FOX Sports 1.

UFC or no UFC, next Friday’s battle against Woodall is another big fight for Howard, not only to keep his win streak alive, but also to keep him at the head of the class among middleweights in the northeast. The 39-year-old Woodall brings plenty of experience to the table; next Friday, he’ll end a seven-year layoff, returning to the cage for the first time since August of 2006.

While next Friday’s event could serve as the final sendoff for Howard on his route back to the UFC, the undercard is loaded with tremendous regional matchups and intra-state showdowns, including the return of Providence light heavyweight Greg “Ribz” Rebello (15-4, 8 KOs) and Bridgewater, Mass., welterweight and former The Ultimate Fighter reality television series standout Chuck “Cold Steel” O’Neil (10-5, 2 KOs).

After knocking out hometown favorite Jesse Peterson in Maine in February, Rebello will face Williamsport, Pa., veteran Lewis Rumsey (8-8, 4 KOs) next Friday while O’Neil, fresh off his win over Rhode Island’s Keith Jeffrey in December, will face Andrew Osborne (6-5, 1 KO) of Fayetteville, N.C.

One of the best intra-state showdowns will take place between East Providence, R.I., lightweight Nate “The Snake” Andrews (4-0, 2 KOs) and Lincoln veteran Jeff “Candyman” Anderson (11-7, 2 KOs). Andrews has risen considerably in the past year with wins in each of his first four fights, but has yet to face anyone as experienced and as tough as Anderson; known for fighting the best opposition in the northeast, Anderson has wins over Damien Trites, John Ortolani and Pete Jeffrey on his resume, but has lost three consecutive bouts, albeit against Mike Campbell, Matt Bessette and Saul Almeida, who have combined for 36 wins.

“New Blood” also features four exciting bantamweight bouts, highlighted by the showdown between Andre Soukhamthath (4-1, 3 KOs) of Woonsocket, R.I., and Blair Tugman (5-4) of Branford, Conn. Soukhamthath has won four consecutive fights since losing his debut while Tugman is returning to the cage for the first time since April of 2011, when he lost to John McLaughlin at the Bellator Fighting Championships.

Also in the bantamweight division, highly-touted amateur Sophanarith Am will make his professional debut Carlos Hernandez of Lynn, Mass., and Providence veteran Joe Reverdes (1-2) – fighting for the first time since August – will fight Williamsport’s Joshua Aarons (1-6). In what could be one of the best fights on the undercard, veterans Pedro Gonzalez (7-5) of Rockport, Mass., and Sidemar Honario (8-3, 2 KOs) will square off in a three-round bantamweight bout.

After beating Thomas Evans in April, Coventry, R.I., featherweight Shaun Marmas (5-4) will step up to face undefeated Boston native Sergio Cabrera (2-0-1) in what will be Marmas’ toughest test to date. Providence welterweight Ruben Ortiz will make his highly-anticipated debut against fellow newcomer Brian Sparrow of Sandwich, Mass., and Eric Spicely (1-0) of Providence will take on newcomer Tundee Oduyingho of Johnston, R.I., in a welterweight bout. All fights and fighters are subject to change.

(Twin River has waived its 18+ rule for “New Blood.” Anybody under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult and must enter through the West entrance).

BETHLEHEM, PA – The next edition of NBC Sports Network’s Fight Night features a dynamite triple header of boxing action on Friday, June 14th, at the Sands Casino Resort in Bethlehem, PA. Each and every combatant in the three nationally televised feature bouts is fully convinced that he will come out victorious. The telecast will begin at 8PM ET. We know this is impossible but all six fighters talk a pretty convincing game.

Philly heavyweight Bryant Jennings, 16-0, 8 KOs, is never short on confidence. His tear through the IBF rankings last year turned “BY BY” from unknown prospect to bona fide contender in 12 months. He sees his 10-round main event meeting with Russian Andrey Fedosov, 24-2, 19 KOs, as another chance to prove what he can do.

“I really don’t know much about him, I just how much I put into this and know what I can bear and that he’s no threat at all,” Jennings said. “I also know that he don’t work as hard as me, he may think he wants it more (than me) but he has no idea how bad I want this. I live this 24/7, 365! He’s not ready for B. Y.! I am confident of a win come June 14th.”

But Fedosov isn’t impressed.

“Boxing is something I’ve done my entire life. I was born and bred to do this, and I am happy to come back to America to showcase my talents,” Fedosov said. “There is nothing that makes me think I won’t win this fight. I would not have taken this fight if I was not confident that I can beat Bryant Jennings.”

In the 12-round co-main event, undefeated Russian light heavyweight KO sensation Sergey Kovalev, 20-0, 18 KOs, is certain he has the goods to defeat his rugged opponent, Cornelius “Da Beast” White, 21-1, 16 KOs.

“I will win because I am dedicated to this fight, I have a big desire to win, and I am hungry,” said Kovalev. “I do not know much about White, but this is not unusual for me. My job is to train as hard as I can. I have every confidence that I have all the tools I need to beat White.”

Thus far, Kovalev has had more than enough to turn back every foe willing to step into the ring with him. His recent knockouts have moved him up the 175-pound rankings and impressed just about everyone who watched. However, Houston’s Cornelius White thinks a fight with Kovalev is exactly what he needs.

“It is a great opportunity for me to show the world that I am an elite fighter,” White said. “This is the next step I need to get me closer to a world title. To fight a strong, undefeated fighter (like Kovalev) says a lot about me. I’ll fight anybody. This fight will put my name out there. This will change my life!”

The winner of Kovalev-White becomes the voluntary IBF mandatory challenger for Bernard Hopkins’ light heavyweight title.

In a welterweight 10-rounder, Bethlehem’s Ronald Cruz, 17-1, 12 KOs, looks to bounce back from his first pro defeat against battle-tested banger Ray Narh, 25-2, 21 KOs, and Cruz is convinced he can do it.

“Number one, I know I have the skills and capabilities to beat anyone,” Cruz said. “Number two, I’m eager to fight for a world title, and Narh is in my way. Added to all this, I have to prove that I’m a lot better fighter than I was in my last fight.”

However, Narh has made his bones by visiting hometowns and defeating local stars. He sees Cruz as just another opportunity to do what he does best.

“Gonna win this match because I got more experience and his style suits me perfectly,” Narh said. “I’ll teach him the art of boxing. The harder he comes, the harder he will fall.”

There can only be one winner in each of the three fights, so it will be interesting to see who gets the last word.

ABOUT FRIDAY, JUNE 14

The Jennnings-Fedosov, Kovalev-White and Cruz-Narh fights top a seven-bout card at the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem. Doors open at 6:15pm ET. Tickets priced at $50 and $75 and $130 (luxury suites) can be purchased through the offices of Peltz Boxing (215-765-0922) and at all Ticketmaster outlets (800-745-3000). Tickets also are on sale at www.peltzboxing.com, www.SandsEventCenter.com, and www.Ticketmaster.com. In Bethlehem, tickets are available at Deja Brew, Inc., 101 West 4th Street (610-865-2739) and at Pronto Insurance Notary, 232 East 3rd Street (610-419-6790). NBC Sports Network will televise the Jennings-Fedosov, Kovalev-White and Cruz-Narh fights, beginning at 8 pm ET, Friday, June 14th. The card is promoted by Main Events and Peltz Boxing Promotions, Inc., in association with Goossen Tutor Promotions, Hitz Entertainment and Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem.

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (May 29, 2013) – Streaking 25 year-old featherweight (145 pounds) rising star Jeff Smith (10-1) of Harrisburg, Pa. will replace injured Chris Gruetzemacher against Jerrod Sanders (11-1) of Oklahoma City, Okla. in a World Series of Fighting Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) preliminary card bout at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas on Friday, June 14.

The red-hot Smith has won 10 consecutive bouts – 7 by way of submission – since suffering a lone defeat in his professional debut on Aug. 21, 2009. In his last start on July 14, 2012, Smith earned a unanimous decision over D’Juan Owens.

Born in Sarasota, Fla., Smith is a lifelong athlete who competed in both wrestling and football before turning down several offers from NCAA Division II schools that would allow him to continue his football career.

In 2007, Smith turned shifted his focus exclusively to MMA with dreams of becoming a champion. After amassing a 5-1 record under amateur status, he turned pro and hasn’t look back since.

Smith’s opponent, Sanders, will put a nine-fight win streak on the line. The 33-year-old has finished his last three opponents – two by way of submission and the third via TKO.

Tickets for the star-studded, 10-bout World Series of Fighting event, priced from $29 (plus applicable service fees), are on sale at the Hard Rock Hotel Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, online at Ticketmaster.com and charge-by-phone at 800.745.3000.

The four-bout main card will air live on NBC Sports Network, beginning at 11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT.

In the welterweight (170 pounds) main event and a long-awaited rematch, Jon Fitch (24-5) of Fort Wayne, Ind., will square off with fellow superstar Josh “The People’s Warrior” Burkman (25-9) of Salt Lake City, Utah.

The second meeting between the 35-year-old Fitch, a member of San Jose, Calif.-based Team AKA, and the 32-year-old Burkman, a winner of four consecutive fights, comes slightly more than seven years after Fitch submitted Burkman with a rear-naked choke in the second round (4:57) of their initial encounter that, coincidentally, also took place at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

In the co-main event, streaking stars and fearsome submission aces Tyson “Man of” Steele (10-1) of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada and Steve Carl (19-3) of Cedar Rapids, Iowa will face off at welterweight.

Also slated for battle on the main card is heavyweight rising star and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Rolles Gracie (8-1) of Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, who will face off with hard-hitting KO artist Dave Huckaba (20-5) of Sacramento, Calif. All 8 of Gracie’s career victories have come by way of submission and 16 of Huckaba’s 20 career wins have come by way of (T)KO.

Undefeated prospect Justin Gaethje (8-0) of Denver, Colo. will collide with Brian Cobb (20-7) of Bakersfield, Calif., in a lightweight (155 pounds) contest and the first televised main card bout of the night.

In preliminary card action, battle-tested submission specialist John Gunderson (34-14) of Houston, Tex. will be pitted against Dan “The Upgrade” Lauzon (16-4) of Bridgewater, Mass. in another lightweight tilt. All 16 of Lauzon’s professional career victories have come by way of (T)KO or submission.

Grappling wizards Lyle “Fancy Pants” Beerbohm (21-2) of Spokane, Wash. and Jacob Volkmann (15-4) of White Bear Lake, Minn. will meet at lightweight.

Carson “Little Juggernaut” Beebe (13-2) of Schaumburg, Ill. will face undefeated submission ace Joe Murphy (6-0) of Huntington Beach, Calif. in a bantamweight (135 pounds) tilt.

Fellow undefeated prospects Krasimir Mladenov (9-0) of Borica, Bulgaria and Kendrick Miree (5-0) of Atlanta, Ga., will square off at middleweight (185 pounds).

Brenson Hansen (4-1) of Las Vegas will battle Josh Montalvo (2-1) of San Benito, Texas in a featherweight matchup.

Doors at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino will open at 4:30 p.m. PT and the first preliminary card bout will begin at 5:30 p.m.

ABOUT WORLD SERIES OF FIGHTING
Based in Las Vegas, Nev., the fight capital of the world, World Series of Fighting is a professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fight promotion dedicated to delivering an incredible, action-packed entertainment experience for fight fans by producing the best possible matchups between elite fighters from around the globe. For more information please visit www.WSOF.com. Follow World Series of Fighting on Twitter @MMAWorldSeries and World Series of Fighting President Ray Sefo @SugarRaySefo.

About The Joint
The Joint is a 4,000-person capacity venue that serves as a sophisticated, intimate and unparalleled entertainment destination. The Joint features seven Luxury Suites, a VIP Studio Level, state-of-the-art sound system, superior video system and a production package tailor-made for artist comfort. It has received numerous accolades including “Best Concert Venue” in Las Vegas Review – Journal’s “Best of Las Vegas” awards 2010 – 2012, “Best Music Venue” in 2012 Las Vegas Weekly Awards, “No. 1 Hottest Club in America” award by Billboard Magazine in 2011, “Best Live Music Venue in Las Vegas” by MetroWize.com in 2011, “Best New Major Concert Venue” at the 2010 Pollstar Awards, and “Best Live Music Venue” in AOL City’s Best 2010 awards. The Joint delivers unforgettable live music experiences with performances by both legendary and ground-breaking artists including Paul McCartney, The Killers, Bon Jovi, Kenny Chesney, Arcade Fire, Avenged Sevenfold, Rise Against, Paramore, Muse, Drake and No Doubt. The venue created the successful concept of rock ‘n’ roll residencies with Supernatural Santana: A Trip Through the Hits, Mötley Crüe in Sin City, Guns N’ Roses Appetite for Democracy and Def Leppard VIVA Hysteria! as well as Tiësto In Concert, featuring the world’s No. 1 electronic DJ and producer Tiësto. For additional information, visit www.thejointlasvegas.comor call 702.693.5583 or 702.693.5000.

ABOUT NBC SPORTS NETWORK

NBC Sports Network, part of the NBC Sports Group, is dedicated to serving passionate sports fans. Now in more than 80 million homes, the network is the cable television home of the Summer and Winter Olympics, National Hockey League (NHL), Major League Soccer (MLS), IZOD IndyCar Series, Tour de France and the 34th America’s Cup, and beginning in 2013, the Premier League and Formula One. In addition, NBC Sports Network features college football, college basketball, college hockey, outdoor programming, horse racing surrounding the Triple Crown and Breeders’ Cup, Fight Night boxing, Ironman, the Dew Action Sports Tour and USA Sevens Rugby. The network is also home to original programs such as Costas Tonight, The Crossover, NFL Turning Point, Pro Football Talk and The Dan Patrick Show. NBC Sports Network is distributed via cable systems and satellite operators throughout the United States.

London (29 May) Mick Hennessy has announced today that he will be promoting a night of championship boxing at Glow, Bluewater, on Saturday 8th June.

Headlining the event will be the 2008 Olympic Gold Medallist James DeGale MBE, defending his WBC Silver super-middleweight title against Croatian fighter Stjepan Bozic.

“I’m excited to be boxing at Glow again, it was a tremendous atmosphere for my last fight and it’s a great venue to headline at,” DeGale said.

“This year is going to be a big year for me, I’m looking to be the first ever British Olympic Gold Medallist who goes on and wins a professional world title and I just want to show my fans and especially the British fight fans what I’m made of.”

This will be James’s second fight of 2013, announced just 12 days after demolishing Sebastien Demers on his North American debut.

DeGale was originally scheduled to defend his title against Alexander Brand at Glow, Bluewater, in March and now faces Bozic at the same venue – live on Channel 5 in the UK.

The Slovenian-born Croatian has shared the ring against former middle and super-middleweight world champion Arthur Abraham, losing the contest due to a badly injured left hand from hitting Abraham’s right elbow in the second-round.

He has also fought for the WBA World super-middleweight title against Dimitri Sartison, only to be stopped on the advice of the ring doctor for a badly swollen left eye.

He is a former WBA Inter-Continental champion and boasts 26 wins with 17 knockouts and has won his last two contests by way of knockout.

But, the man known as ‘Chunky’ has vowed to make 2013 his year, after dominating former IBO super-middleweight champion Fulgencio Zuniga in Hull back in December – now after a second-round knockout of Demers and the June 8th fight on the horizon, James is building momentum towards a world title opportunity and isn’t taking anyone lightly.

“I’m not overlooking anyone, whoever gets put in front of me I’m training for like it was a world title fight,” DeGale said.

“I know that there are big names out there, but the first thing I have to do is take care of Stjepan Bozic on June 8th.

“I’m the WBC Silver champion and ranked highly with the world governing bodies, I’m aiming to put on a great show at Glow, Bluewater and if either Froch or Groves feel ready for a domestic super fight I hope they realise that I’m ready for them too – let’s get it on.”

Supporting James at Glow will be WBC International super-bantamweight champion Kid Galahad, son of the legend, middleweight sensation Chris Eubank Jr in his 10th professional fight and current World Youth Super-heavyweight champion Hughie Fury in his fifth professional contest.

The undercard will also feature Sammy Cantwell from Bexleyheath, Peter McDonagh from Bermondsey, Dani Davis of Croydon and Eli Green from Guildford.

Ticket Information

Tickets already purchased for the event originally dated for March 23rd at Glow, that have not been returned for a refund, will be able to be used for this new date and no new tickets will be issued.

Anyone unable to attend this new date can get a refund at point of purchase.

Tickets for June 8th are priced from £35 and are available to purchase from the following box offices today:

Hennessy Sports box office 01925 755 222

FOLLOW US ON ON TWITTER @HENNESSYSPORTS

For more information on Glow, Bluewater, please visit www.glowbluewater.co.uk

For more information on Channel 5 and Liquid please visit:

www.channel5.com

www.L1quid.com

FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS VISIT WWW.HENNESSYSPORTS.COM

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (May 28, 2013) – Unbeaten inspiration “Notorious” Nick Newell (9-0) of Springfield, Mass. has signed a multi-fight contract to compete for premier Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) promotion World Series of Fighting, it was announced today.

Newell is expected to make his debut for World Series of Fighting, live on NBC Sports Network, on a summer date to be announced soon.

Born with only one arm, the 27-year-old, 5-foot-10 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belt and skilled Muay Thai-based striker has defied all odds throughout his life, winning over 300 career high school and collegiate wrestling matches before transitioning to MMA.

As a lightweight (155 pounds) competitor, Newell has finished eight of his nine career professional MMA opponents – six by submission and one by KO. All but one of his victories came inside of the first round of action.

“Nick Newell is an incredible individual who exemplifies the sheer strength of the human spirit and the kind of courage and determination that martial arts embodies, so we are naturally thrilled to welcome him to the World Series of Fighting roster, and look forward to having him compete and, hopefully inspire, our national audience on NBC Sports Network,” said World Series of Fighting President, six-time world kickboxing champion and two-time Hall of Famer Ray Sefo.

Newell, a two-time wrestling team captain for Western New England University, also holds the Connecticut state record for most wins (53) in a season of high school wrestling.

On June 20, 2009, Newell made his professional MMA debut, scoring a monstrous first round (4:20) TKO on Daniel Ford with a barrage of punches in Plymouth, Mass. In his last start on Dec. 7, Newell made quick work of Eric Reynolds, submitting Reynolds with a rear-naked choke in the first round (1:22) of their matchup in Nashville, Tenn.

Newell was honored with the 2011 Boston Herald Submission of the Year award after he forced Denis Hernandez to tap out from a splendid heel hook in the first round (1:11) of their bout in Tampa, Fla.

ABOUT WORLD SERIES OF FIGHTING
Based in Las Vegas, Nev., the fight capital of the world, World Series of Fighting is a professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fight promotion dedicated to delivering an incredible, action-packed entertainment experience for fight fans by producing the best possible matchups between elite fighters from around the globe. For more information please visit www.WSOF.com. Follow World Series of Fighting on Twitter @MMAWorldSeries and World Series of Fighting President Ray Sefo @SugarRaySefo.

Sherman Oaks, CA (May 28) – Expectations are bordering at a fever pitch for the Goossen Tutor Promotions main event televised live on ESPN “Friday Night Fights” series on Friday, June 7, 2013 that features Lightweight world contenders John Molina and Andrey Klimov with the winner in line for the next step toward a world championship fight.

The always dangerous NABO champion Molina (25-2, 20 KOs) collides with Russia’s equally perilous Klimov (15-0, 8 KOs) at the Little Creek Casino Resort in the town of Shelton, Washington. Also, Super-Middleweights Farrah Ennis (20-1, 12 KOs) of Philadelphia meets North Carolina’s Anthony Hanshaw (23-2-2, 14 KOs) in another bout catapulting the winner to world contender status.

Doors open at 6 PM with the first bout starting at 6:30 PM and the live ESPN2 broadcast beginning 7 PM Pacific Time (10 PM Eastern).

All four fighters have the ESPN stage to prove their point in earning a world title opportunity. With so much at stake for the fighters, it doesn’t get better than this for the fans, having it all on the line for the two main bouts. Molina knows a victory over Klimov leads directly to a showdown with one of he world champions.

Molina has even more at risk in providing a good performance, and that is regaining the respect from his previous world title bid and realizes he needs to be focused on regaining his top world-class status against Klimov – but he certainly chose a tough nut to demonstrate it.

“As of right now everything in camp is the mindset that is purely on Klimov. I know him and I know sometimes fighters like Klimov go under the radar with the fans and television executives because he’s from Russia and not seen here in America often. But in beating him it will take a great performance from me, and I’m prepared to do just that,” said Molina, 30, who lives in Covina, California.

Klimov has studied Molina and though the Russian fighter has knockout power, he plans to use all of his weapons. “I will box and stay out of a straight line, and try to move in and out on him,” said Klimov, who had an extensive and very successful amateur career. “I will not look for a knockout. I’m ready to go at the same pace for all 10 rounds, if it goes the distance. My ultimate goal would be to fight for the championship of the world. I never duck anybody and fight whoever is put in front of me and now it’s in my hands to beat Molina impressively so everyone knows who I am.”

Molina doesn’t care how the fight ends as long as his hand is raised. “The fight plan is to go out there and look impressive. Control the fight,” exclaims Molina. “If it goes the distance, we’re ready. If a knock out comes, we’ll jump all over it.”

Also ready to jump to the next level are Ennis and Hanshaw.

“I’m a smart boxer puncher. I also can be a blood in guts type of fighter. I love to entertain,” said Ennis, 30. “I’m here and ready and willing to fight the best in the division to get a world title and Hanshaw has some impressive credentials for me to utilize to my advantage.”

The one-time ‘can’t miss’ prospect Hanshaw has come ever so close to winning a world title with a decision loss to future Hall of Famer, Roy Jones Jr. and a draw against former #1 world contender, Jean-Paul Mendy. But time is running out on the former top American amateur.

“I’ve worked very hard to get back to this point and failure is not an option,” said Hanshaw, 35. “After I put the final nail in Farah’s casket, I’ll look for a shot at Andre Ward to concrete my name in boxing history.”

Tickets for the event are priced at $30 for bleachers, $40 for floor seats and $50 for the first two rows of the Skookum Creek Event Center and can be purchased by calling 800.667.7711 or online at www.little-creek.com.

Little Creek Casino Resort is home to the highly acclaimed Salish Cliffs Golf Club and also recently celebrated the opening of Seven Inlets Spa, Skookum Spirit Cigar and Wine Lounge and a state-of-the-art RV Park and is located in the great Pacific Northwest at the gateway to the Olympic Peninsula in Shelton, Washington just minutes north of Olympia on Highway 101. For more information, visit www.little-creek.com

Los Angeles, Calif. (May 28, 2013) – The Metamoris Pro Jiu Jitsu Invitational II, taking place June 9, live from L.A.’s historic Pauley Pavilion, is proud to announce Emmy nominated actor and Gracie jiu jitsu black belt Ed O’Neill as a member of the Metamoris II commentary team alongside Gracie Academy head instructor Rener Gracie.

“I began studying Gracie Jiu Jitsu over 20 years ago,” says O’Neill. “I was actually very hesitant to start, but a 10-minute session with Rorion Gracie was enough to get me hooked. For me, studying jiu jitsu has been an amazing experience. In a way it’s given me a second family. I am honored to serve as a commentator on the Metamoris II card with Rener.”

O’Neill first rose to fame through his role as Al Bundy on Married with Children. He has starred in several television productions including Dragnet, The West Wing, and John From Cincinnati. He currently plays the role of Jay Pritchett on the hit comedy Modern Family.

A longtime athlete, O’Neill played linebacker in college at Ohio State and Youngstown State University. He was briefly signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers where, according to O’Neill, “I stayed for about a minute.” Working as an actor in Hollywood, O’Neill discovered Brazilian Jiu Jitsu through a friend and was awarded his black belt in 2007.

Metamoris Pro Jiu Jitsu Invitational II will be broadcast live via pay-per-view for $19.95 through metamoris.com.

Tickets are available now for purchase through Ticketmaster.

Official Card*:
Shinya Aoki vs. Kron Gracie
Braulio Estima vs. Rodolfo Vieira
Roberto “Cyborg” Abreu vs. Brendan Schaub
Mackenzie Dern vs. Michelle Nicolini
Andre Galvao vs. Rafael Lovato Jr.
Bill “The Grill” Cooper vs. Victor Estima

*Fight card subject to change

Doors open at 3 pm PST
Royce Gracie autograph signing from 3-4 pm PST
Broadcast begins at 4 pm PST

For more information go to www.metamoris.com.

——————————————————————————–

About Metamoris

Founded in 2012 by Ralek Gracie, Metamoris celebrates, honors and preserves the art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu through promoting tournaments featuring the world’s elite practitioners competing in a unique format that encourages submissions instead of points. Metamoris produces a live event atmosphere and pay- per-view experience without peer in the world of grappling tournaments.

www.metamoris.com

With three fights previously confirmed for June 28th, Prospect Boxing is pleased to confirm that Welterweight Mark Parvin (2-1) is added to the card, which takes place at Cleland Miners Club and will also feature music and comedy as well as the four scheduled fights.

After two straight wins, Parvin picked up a 39-36 points defeat to Halifax’s Richard Bitner earlier this year at Ravenscraig. Looking to see his fighter return to winning ways, manager Paul Graham thinks the defeat will help Parvin make improvements in the ring

“In boxing a loss is viewed by some as a negative thing, however If a fighter uses it to improve and get better then it can only be a good thing. I did think the fight was a little bit close, but to be fair to Bitner he boxed out of his skin that night and really switched it up. I can see a lot of potential in Mark and I can see him learning from this.

After tasting defeat, Parvin also hopes he can return to winning ways “It is always hard to taste your first defeat, however I have no excuses and just want to put it behind me. I am looking forward to getting back into the ring, I am usually focused but with an added incentive of getting the win and maybe re matching Bitner down the line I am looking forward to June 28th

Prospect Boxing present an evening of Professional Boxing the pro debut of Martin McCord and the return of trio Sean Watson, Rhys Pagan and Mark Parvin a four fight card at the Cleland Miners Welfare Club on Friday June 28th.

Tickets priced £35 are available from the boxers or by calling 01698 338 888 .

Further information available from www.prospectboxing.co.uk or www.facebook.com/ProspectBoxing or via twitter @ProspectBoxing

New York, NY (5/28/13) – Defending WBA/IBO champion Gennady “GGG” Golovkin (26-0, 23KO’s) and Ireland’s top-rated former world title challenger Matthew “Mack The Knife” Macklin (29-4, 20KO’s) both took time out of their busy training schedules to talk about their eagerly anticipated upcoming middleweight championship showdown on June 29th at the MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods ® Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut. The championship matchup will be the main event on the HBO Boxing After Dark® triple-header, which will be televised live on HBO® beginning at 9:45 p.m. ET/PT.

Golovkin is training at The Summit High Altitude Training Facility in Big Bear with head trainer Abel Sanchez, while Macklin has been preparing at his brand new state-of-the-art facility, Macklin’s Gym Marbella (MGM) in beautiful Marbella, Spain. Macklin left his camp in Spain this past Sunday to travel to New York City for his final preparations with head trainer Buddy McGirt.

Below are camp notes from both fighters.

GOLOVKIN: “Training has been going very well, we have a very good atmosphere up in Big Bear. This is where I have trained for my last seven fights and I am very comfortable here. I have been getting great sparring, training with WBO junior middleweight champion Zaurbek Baysangurov.

“Every morning I wake up at 6:30 and do my morning run, which is anywhere between 4-5 miles. We go to the gym in the afternoon and, depending on the day, I will either spar or work on strategy with Abel. Every night, we all have dinner together as a team and then we spend the latter part of the evening socializing, relaxing and watching movies.

“We respect Macklin, but I don’t believe that the strengths that he has shown in the past against previous opponents will have any effect on me. I expect him to be a complete different fighter with a completely different game plan against me. Whatever he brings though, we will be more than ready to come away successful, and as always I plan on putting on a very strong, and entertaining performance on June 29th.”

MACKLIN: “I have had an excellent camp so far here in Spain, and I am looking forward to coming over to NYC to join Buddy and get acclimated to the time difference. It is great having my own gym when I am preparing for a fight, but I also cherish the fact that the facility is home to a number of world-class athletes from all types of sports, as well as for the local kids here to come in and learn the sport of boxing.

“We start our day with an early morning run. I divide my running sessions up between hill runs, through the beautiful mountains, and sprints. After my run, I go home and have a good breakfast and relax until the afternoon. In the afternoon, I head to the gym for my main session of the day. I switch things around to keep things fresh; depending on the day, the main focus of the session will either be pad-work or sparring. On alternate days, I’ll go back to the gym in the evening and work with my strength and conditioning coach. At night, I will either watch a movie to relax, or go for a long walk around the beautiful harbor in Marbella.

“I have been a pro since 2001, but I am always learning and trying new things in training. There is no substitute for experience and through that, you find out what works for you and what doesn’t. It is important to listen to your body and not be afraid to adapt your training routine based on what your body is telling you.

“I am very excited about this fight, because Golovkin is there to be hit. With someone like Sergio Martinez, because of his style and movement, it can be very hard to land cleanly on him and get your combinations off, and that is frustrating. With Golovkin, obviously he is very dangerous, but he is right there in front of you. Everyone talks about his power, and believe me, I am well aware of it, but just like I am going to have to deal with his, he is going to have to deal with mine.

“I’ve always had a lot of confidence in my own ability. I think the nature of my career and the ups and downs that I’ve had to get to this point have made me a very mentally strong person. To become World Champion and finally lift that world title belt is a goal that has driven me since the first day I put on a pair of boxing gloves. I’ve won everything else in terms of Irish, British and European titles and I should have had the world title after I got ripped off in the Sturm fight. Each setback though has just made me more determined to become World Champion so that’s really the driving force behind me at this point in my career.

“As much as I am looking forward to June 29th, the the fans are the real winners in this fight. This is a real old fashioned, middleweight ‘fight’ and a throwback to the great middleweight heyday of the 40’s and 50’s where the best fought the best. I don’t think there are going to be too many tactical surprises in there from either of us. You have two physically strong punchers who love to come forward, so it’s no surprise that people are predicting a real war.

“Gennady’s a great fighter and he will go on to achieve a lot in this sport, but every great fighter hits a bump in the road at some point, and for Gennady, that will come on June 29th.”

Tickets are currently on sale and are priced at $300, $200, $90 and $45. Tickets may be purchased online at foxwoods.com by calling the Foxwoods’ box office at 800-200-2882, or in person at the Foxwoods’ box office. Tickets may also be purchased through any Ticketmaster outlet and online at Ticketmaster.com.

The event is promoted by K2 Promotions and DiBella Entertainment. The bouts will take place on June 29th at the MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods ® Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut. The HBO Boxing After Dark® triple-header will be televised live beginning at 9:45 p.m. ET/PT.

For fight updates, please visit www.K2Promos.com, www.dbe1.com or www.hbo.com/boxing.

Next month from his hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio, undefeated lightweight up-and-coming prospect Mel “Black Diamond” Crossty (5-0-1, 1 KO) will return to action following a near 16-month layoff as he seeks his sixth consecutive win as a professional.

Having turned pro in 2008, Crossty stayed consistent within the squared circle, defeating the opponents he needed to, keeping his unblemished record intact.

His career hit a speed bump in 2009 when he encountered managerial issues, and was unable to get a fight. But rather than becoming complacent with his training he stayed diligent and awaited his opportunity to lace up the leather again and go to work.

Recently signing with Starpower Boxing out of Cincinnati— a full spectrum boxing managerial company—Crossty is anxious to return to action June 14.

“Come June 14 I’m looking to be very impressive, which I know I will be,” said Crossty. “I am ready to get back in there and do what I know how to do. At the end of the day it is about getting that victory, and I’m ready to get it done.”

At 27-years-old Crossty has already has the chance to spar with world champions and contenders, including Adrien Broner, Devon Alexander and Sharif Bogere, to name a few, and most recently has been training in Las Vegas with Floyd Mayweather Sr. in preparation of his upcoming bout.

Crossty has the fast hands and the determination to reemerge onto the boxing scene and make an impact within the lightweight division, and his road to working towards the hardware will commence June 14.

“My training has been going great,” Crossty continued. “I have been getting great work, and been giving those guys great work as well. I really feel that right now, I am ready to match someone will my skill level. I believe that going forward in six or seven fights I will be able to compete with any of the top fighters. Right now it’s about going out there and feeling comfortable in the ring.”

Now teamed up with Starpower Boxing, Mel Crossty has a promising future ahead of him as long as he can execute inside the ring as he has done through the early part of his pro career. A soft-spoken, class act in and out of the ring who wants nothing more than to fight and pursue his dream of going to war for a world title one day, Crossty is anxious to pick up where he left off last April.

“Now being with Starpower Boxing, we are taking it straight up,” said Crossty. “I am one of the first fighters on Starpower, and we are ready to take it to the next level. We are going to make my name big and the Starpower name big. Getting to the top is what we are set on, and that’s what we plan on doing.”

Also on the card is Starpower’s welterweight William “Action” Jackson (10-1-1, 5 KO). Jackson is a quick and powerful welterweight who stayed busy inside the ring until 2011 when he ran into his own promotional problems. During his run he took down up-and-coming undefeated prospects, and at 24-years-old is bringing both experience and maturity into the ring June 14 when he looks to get back to his winning ways and put on a show in front of his Ohio fan base.

Starpower Boxing was established Michael Grace in 2013 to give boxers a stable managerial company to be fight under with the fighters’ best intentions in mind.

The undercard has been announced for the Friday, June 21, night of ESPN Friday Night Fights boxing, presented by Seconds Out Promotions and Warriors Boxing, at the Minneapolis Convention Center.

A total of eight big fights are scheduled in support of the 12-round main event featuring Cuba’s IBF #2-rated Rances “Kid Blast” Barthelemy (18-0, 11 KO) taking on Thailand’s IBF #5-rated Fahsai “Mountain Boy” Sakkreerin (39-3-1, 21 KO) and the explosive, 10-round middleweight co-main between local hero “Golden” Caleb Truax (21-1-1, 12 KO) of Osseo, Minnesota, and Chicago’s Don “Da Bomb” George (24-3-2, 21 KO).

Tickets to Friday Night Fights at the Convention Center start at $35 and can be purchased through www.sofights.com.

An eight-round crosstown battle will highlight the night’s undercard, as St Paul’s Jeremy “Lights Out” McLaurin (10-5, 5 KOs) will face St Paul’s Tony “2Sharp” Lee (7-1, 3 KOs) for the vacant Minnesota State Lightweight Championship.

Local bragging rights will be on the line for these two local scrappers, so expect fireworks. McLaurin has been in with the better opposition in his career, while Lee has fewer losses.

Also scheduled is an eight-round junior middleweight scrap between “Sir” Charles Meier (7-2, 3 KOs) of Coon Rapids, MN and Tyler Hultin (5-1-2, 3 KOs) of Fergus Falls, MN and a four-round junior middleweight contest between Gavin Quinn (1-0) of Circle Pines, MN and Kenneth Glenn (2-0, 1 KOs) of Minneapolis.

Several fighters will make their professional boxing debuts that night, including a four-round junior middleweight match-up of pro debuters between LeWayne Hardiman of Las Vegas and Dustin Petron of Rosemount, MN; a four-round heavyweight bout featuring the pro debut of Pat Quinn from St Paul, MN against John Schimon (0-1) of Minneapolis; and a four-round lightweight tilt between Milwaukee’s pro debuting Adrian Martinez and Kurtis Erhorn (0-1) of Grand Rapids, MN.

Tickets to Friday Night Fights at the Convention Center start at $35 and can be purchased through www.sofights.com.

The Minneapolis Convention Center is located at 1301 2nd Ave South, in Minneapolis. On fight night, doors open at 6:00 pm and the fights start at 7:00 pm. All bouts and entertainment are subject to change.

About Seconds Out Promotions

When retired professional boxer Tony Grygelko found himself unable to stay out of the gym, he realized that his passion for the sport was something he couldn’t deny. At age 29, Grygelko formed Seconds Out Promotions.

By utilizing the vast boxing knowledge of world-class trainer Ron Lyke, Grygelko and Seconds Out Promotions found instant success.

Through determination, integrity and hard work, Seconds Out Promotions strives to become a leading fight promotional company in the world, by giving young fighters the ability to showcase their talents to a worldwide audience, along with offering our fans the highest quality programming available.

Seconds Out Promotions was created to bring the very best fights to all fans and participants worldwide. Seconds Out Promotions is committed to the recruitment and development of the best and brightest young fighters to help achieve our mission. Seconds Out Promotions continues to expand its web and television presence, and is establishing itself as one of the fastest-rising fight promotions in the world.

For more information on Seconds Out Promotions, visit their website at www.SoBoxing.com.

About Warriors Boxing

Launched in 2003, Warriors Boxing operates under a simple philosophy-bring the best boxers in the world to fight fans, match them in competitive bouts, and in doing so help re-establish the sport of boxing for a new generation.

With a series of successful Pay-Per-View shows and packed houses to it’s credit, the Warriors business model is working wonders in a sport that was sorely in need of the innovation and energy that the company brings to the table.

When it comes down to it though, a promotional company is only as good as the fighters and fights it promotes. Warriors Boxing has delivered on all fronts, with outstanding bouts such as Lara-Molina, Cayo-Peterson, Abraham-Miranda I and II, Miranda-Pavlik, Miranda-Green, Ibragimov-Briggs, Ibragimov-Klitschko, Urango-Hatton, Urango-Bailey, Cayo-Maidana and Ibragimov-Holyfield.

For more information on Warriors Boxing, visit their website at www.WarriorsBoxing.com.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (May 28, 2013) – Tickets priced from $35, for the highly-anticipated Invicta Fighting Championships women’s Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) world championship doubleheader event at Ameristar Casino Hotel Kansas City on Saturday, July 13, are on sale online at TicketFly.com.

In the main event of the stacked 13-bout card, ferocious KO artist and pound-for-pound sensation Cris Cyborg (11-1, 1 NC) of Curitiba, Brazil will face off with fellow superstar and submission ace Marloes Coenen (21-5) of The Netherlands in the first-ever Invicta FC world featherweight (145 pounds) championship bout.

The showdown between rivals Cyborg and Coenen marks a highly-anticipated rematch to their explosive, barnburner first fight in Sunrise, Fla. on Jan 30, 2010 in which Cyborg emerged victorious by way of TKO (punches) in the third and final scheduled round (3:40) of action.

In the co-main event, reigning Invicta FC world strawweight (115 pounds) champion Carla “Cookie Monster” Esparza (9-2) of Redondo Beach, Calif. will put her title on the line against undefeated JEWELS champion Ayaka Hamasaki (9-0) of Tokyo, Japan.

The 25-year-old Esparza, a winner of four consecutive bouts, became the first strawweight champion in Invicta FC history by stopping Lynn Alvarez with a barrage of punches in the first round (2:53) of their matchup in Kansas City, Kan. on Oct. 6, 2012. Esparza, who has claimed six of her nine professional career victories by way of (T)KO or submission, is unbeaten in her three Invicta FC starts to date.

Hamasaki, a 31-year-old submission specialist, has been an unsolvable puzzle in action, thus far. After reeling off victories in her first seven stars in Japan, she made her debut in the U.S. at Invicta FC 2 last July 28, submitting Lacey Schuckman in the third round (4:45) of action with an armbar. Hamasaki recorded her latest conquest in on Dec. 15, a unanimous decision over Emi Fujino in a JEWELS-promoted contest in Japan.

In other action on the Invicta FC 6 main card, three-time Invicta FC fight winner Sarah D’Alelio (7-3) of San Jose, Calif. will take on undefeated upstart Lauren Taylor (6-0) of Anchorage, Alaska at bantamweight (135 pounds).

After her second Invicta FC “Fight of the Night” performance, prolific striker Leslie “The Peacemaker” Smith (5-3-1) of Pleasant Hill, Calif. will drop from bantamweight to flyweight and face off with Jennifer Maia (7-2) of Curitiba, Parana Brazil. Maia is coming off her second consecutive win, a unanimous decision over superstar Zoila Frausto Gurgel, at Invicta FC 5 on April 5.

Former Invicta FC world atomweight (105 pounds) champion Jessica Penne (10-2) of Huntington Beach, Calif. will look to rebound from her hard-fought defeat at the hands of Michelle Waterson in the main event of Invicta FC 5 when she squares off with battle-tested road warrior Nicdali “The Night Queen” Riveral-Calanoc (8-6) of Tulsa, Okla.

Undefeated, fast-rising stars Joanne Calderwood (6-0) of Glasgow, Scotland and Claudia Gadelha (9-0) of Mossoro, Rio Grande Do Norte Brazil will put their perfect records on the line against each other in a flyweight (125 pounds) bout.

Submission ace Ediane “India” Gomes (10-2) of Sao Paulo, Brazil will battle hard-punching Julia “The Jewel” Budd (5-2) in a featherweight (145 pounds) tilt.

Crowd-pleasing finisher “Rowdy” Bec Hyatt (5-2) of Brisbane, Queensland Australia will look to notch her second straight victory under the Invicta FC banner in a strawweight showdown with JEWELS star Mizuki Inoue (5-1) of Nagoya, Aichi Japan. Inoue has won all five her professional stars to date by way of submission inside of two rounds of action.

Hard-hitting Muay Thai stylist Miriam Nakamoto (1-0) of Dublin, Calif. will square off with Duda “Diamond” Yankovich (1-1) of Rio De Janeiro, Brazil in a bantamweight bout.

A four-bout preliminary card will be highlighted by a strawweight collision between unbeaten upstarts Rose Namajunas (2-0) of St. Paul, Minn. and Tecia “The Tiny Tornado” Torres (2-0) of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Namajunas captured the attention of the entire MMA fight world when she scored a stunning, 12-second submission on Kathina Catron at Invicta FC 5.

Ashley “Smashley” Cummins (3-1) of St. Louis, Miss. will face Emily Kagan (2-1) of Albuquerque, N.M. at strawweight.

Power striker Veronica “The Heartbreaker” Rothenhausler (1-0) of Sacramento, Calif. will collide with Mollie Estes (1-2) of Oceola, Miss. in a featherweight scrap.

Cassie Robb (0-1) of Casper, Wyo. will meet Livia Von Plettenberg (1-1) of Vienna, Wien Austria in the event’s opening strawweight bout.

About Invicta Fighting Championships:

Invicta Fighting Championships (www.invictafc.com) is a world championship Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fight series dedicated to providing female athletes with a major platform to hone their skills on a consistent basis. Founded in 2012 by longtime MMA executive Shannon Knapp and sports aficionado Janet Martin, Invicta is committed to pioneering the future growth of women’s MMA by promoting the best possible matchups between female competitors and identifying and developing future superstars of the sport.

About Ameristar Kansas City

Ameristar Casino Hotel Kansas City is owned and operated by a wholly owned subsidiary of Ameristar Casinos, Inc. (NASDAQ-GS: ASCA), and is a premier property characterized by a state-of-the-art casino floor and outstanding dining, lodging and entertainment options. The property features the largest casino and the most games in the Kansas City area, as well as one of the largest poker rooms in the Midwest. Ameristar offers nine diverse dining venues — The Horizon Buffet, The Falcon Bakery, Pearl’s Oyster Bar, Great Plains Cattle Co., Amerisports Brew Pub, Casino Deli, Arthur Bryant’s Barbeque, Burger King and Sbarro The Italian Eatery, as well as the Star Club, a private players’ lounge. Entertainment amenities include the Star Pavilion, featuring national headliners; Depot #9, with popular regional and local acts; the Regal Cinema’s Kansas City 18 Theater; Hi-Vi video arcade; and Kids Quest, a supervised child-care facility. The property also includes a 184-room hotel. The property was awarded “Favorite Casino” for the Kansas City Convention & Visitors Association’s 2012 Visitor Choice Awards. Best Casino in 2012 Ingram’s Magazine “Best of Business Awards;” in the 2003, 2005, 2007 – 2009, 2011 Kansas City Magazine’s “Best of Kansas City” readers’ poll and 2011 Best Casino in Home in the Northland Magazine’s readers’ poll. Ameristar Casino Hotel Kansas City also was awarded Best Steakhouse, Best Buffet, Best Live Poker and Best Tournaments in the 2012 Casino Player Magazine’s “Best of Gaming” awards.

Visit Ameristar Casinos’ website at www.ameristar.com

(which shall not be deemed to be incorporated in or a part of this news release).

FORT MYERS, Fla. (May 27, 2013) – The once promising career of former amateur standout Derrick Wilson (9-4-2, 3 KOs) is at the crossroads for his 10-round main event fight this Saturday night against undefeated featherweight Braulio Santos (10-0, 9 KOs) in Sunrise, Florida.

Wilson, fighting out of Fort Myers (FL), was a 2004 National Silver Gloves champion. He won 50 of 57 amateur bouts, all losses coming in national competition, but he’s been relegated to the “B” side as an opponent throughout most of his professional career.

“I took a different route than usual because I didn’t have the right backing,” Wilson explained. “I come from a small town, Fort Myers, and after my first pro fight I signed with a manager who brought me to Miami. I left my trainer, Larry Wills, who taught me everything, and went from trainer to trainer. I was young and living by myself in Miami. I’ve been through a lot but I’m back working with Coach Larry.

The 24-year-old won his first four pro fights, drew on the road with unbeaten (6-0-1) Kermit Gonzalez, and then registered his most significant victory thus far against 11-0 Charles Huerta in Los Angeles. Wilson showed his promise by stopping Huerta in the opening round, after which he signed a contract with Golden Boy Promotions.

“I was supposed to lose to Huerta,” Wilson said. “All the hype was about him but I won that fight in his hometown. I took it on short notice but knew that I was going to win. I just didn’t give him a chance. I missed an overhand right, blocked a punch as I pulled back, and then I hit him with a left hook that made his whole body shake.”

Unaware of same-day weigh-ins in Pennsylvania versus Philadelphia, Wilson was weak when he entered the ring in Philadelphia versus Guadalupe De Leon (7-9), and he proceeded to lose a four-round split decision. Wilson then fought another draw on the road, to Adam Ocha, followed with a win by four-round decision over Samuel Sanchez.

Next up was a fight in Denver against 7-0 Ricky Lopez, who was decked in the opening round, en route to a loss by six-round decision. Four months later, Wilson avenged his loss to DeLeon, taking one-sided eight round decision in Florida, which set-up a World Boxing Council Youth Intercontinental title fight against future Puerto Rican world champion, Javier Fortuna. Fortuna (13-0, 10 KOs) knocked out a game Wilson in the eighth round.

“I had no business being in that fight with Fortuna,” Wilson admitted. “I had trained only two weeks, not knowing he was left-handed and sparring right-handers. It was a close fight until it stopped.”

Wilson bounced back with a first-round technical knockout of Mario Lacey, but Derrick has lost his last two fights against Alejandro Perez (15-3-1) and Luis Rosa (11-0), respectively, by eighth-round knockout and eight-round decision.

“This is a great fight for him,” Wilson’s manager Si Stern noted about Saturday’s match-up versus Santos. “I give Golden Boy credit. Things didn’t work out when they signed Derrick but they still think enough of him to put him in the main event against their undefeated prospect. When Derrick has his mind straight, he’s one helluva fighter who is very tough. If he wins this fight, the sky’s the limit.”

Four of upset-minded Wilson’s nine victories have come against undefeated opponents. He’s determined to turn his career around by defeating another unbeaten opponent, hard-hitting Santos, this Saturday evening.

“People haven’t seen the real me, yet, but they will in this fight,” Wilson concluded. “This is my first fight back with my coach. I’m sharp with speed and quickness; my speed will confuse him. I won’t be loading up like I have in the past. A win will boost me up. I’m going in as the opponent but I’m not going to be used as a stepping-stone anymore.

“I never had people picking the right opponents for me like some fighters. I wasn’t in a position to turn down fights. I took some on late notice and fought in everybody’s backyard. Now, I have Si as my manager. I need to prove myself to get on the ‘A’ side and this fight could do that for me.”

MANILA (May 26, 2013) — The CNN Freedom Project documentary, “The Fighters,” which recently debuted on CNN International, is now available online, in its entirety.

Two years in the making, CNN had exclusive access to Fighter of the Decade and recently reelected Congressman Manny Pacquiao and activist Celia Flores-Oebanda, following their dramatic battle against sex slavery as they try to save the children of the Philippines who have become victims of human trafficking.

Warning: Due to the graphic nature of the following content, it may not be suitable for all viewers. http://www.cnn.com/ASIA/the-fighters/

*********************

For CNN Freedom Project updates go to http://thecnnfreedomproject.blogs.cnn.com/, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CNNFreedom and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/CNNFreedom

Carl Froch extracted revenge and retained the IBF and won the WBA Super Middleweight title with a twelve round unanimous decision over Mikkel Kessler in a terrific fight at the O2 Arena in London.

The bout was very competitive with Froch’s volume and come forward style being the difference in the outcome.

Froch was effective early with Kessler only looking for one shot. Kessler started to come forward and landed some vicious right hands that the Nottingham, Englad native Froch walked right through. The two had frequent toe to toe exchanges throughout the second half of the fight the had the capacity crowd of 19,000 people on the edge of their seats for much of the bout. The fight mirrored the first fight, which was won by Kessler on April 24, 2010 in Denmark in a thrilling battle.

Froch won by scores of 118-110, 116-112 and 115-113 and is now 31-2. Kessler of Denmark fought a tremendous fight but came up short and is now 46-3.

Follow all the action LIVE from the O2 Arena in London as Carl Froch and Mikkel Kessler meet in a unification rematch. The fight will begin at 6pm eastern / 3 pm pacfic / 11 pm in London and Midnight in Copenhagen.

12 ROUNDS–IBF/WBA SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLES–CARL FROCH (30-2, 22 KO’s) vs Mikkel Kessler (46-2, 35 KO’s)

Round 1 Good left from Kessler..Kessler jabs to the body..Jab..body..Froch lands a jab..good combination..Kessler lands a good body shot and left hook…10-9 Kessler

Round 2 Kessler lands a right to the body…Froch lands a left to the body and a hard right..Kessler hold on..Froch lands a right and shot drives Kessler to the ropes..lead right...19-19

Round 3 Froch has some redness around the nose…Kessler redness over the left eye…Froch lands a jab..Kessler lands a double jab..3 rights from Froch…Kessler lands a body..Froch lands a right to the head..good body punch and combination..29-28 Froch

Round 4 Kessler lands a left hook…Jab from Froch…Good left hook from Kessler..38-38

Round 5 Good left hook from Kessler..2 jabs…Hard right stuns Froch..Froch lands a right to the body...48-47 Kessler

Round 6 Big right from Kessler..Left hook..Left hook…right from Froch…58-56 Kessler

Round 7 Combo from Kessler…big left hook…Froch lands a left..good left hook from Kessler..Froch lands a body shot and a hard right wobbles Kessler…big right and left…67-66 Kessler

Round 8 Froch lands a big left hook..Kessler lands a hard right..left hook…Froch lands a huge right…uppercut from Kessler…Hard right…they trade rights…left hook from Kessler….77-75 Kessler

Round 9Hard right from Kessler..left hook..2 shots from Froch..trading shots..Froch 2 body shots…86-85 Kessler

Round 10

Delvin Rodriguez scored an eighth round stoppage over Freddy Hernandez in what was a scheduled ten round Jr. Middleweight bout at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut

In round two, Hernandez started getting through with the left hook. Rodriguez started to bleed over his right eye as early as round three from a headbutt. Rodriguez did well in spurts while Hernandez landed the cleaner blows. Those Rodriguez landed a hard right hand that opened up nasty gash above the left eye of Hernandez but the referee ruled a headbutt and the fight was stopped.

It was a close fight as one judge ruled it even at 76-76 while two judges ruled in favor of Rodriguez by scores of 78-74 and 77-75. The stoppage was originally ruled from a headbutt but later changed to a stoppage for Rodriguez

Rodriguez, 154 lbs of Danbury, CT is now 28-6-3 with 16 knockouts. Hernandez, 154 lbs is 30-5

Chris Howard scored a technical decision over previously undefeated Issouf Kinda in an aborted ten round Jr. Welterweight bout.

It was a close fight that saw Howard work the body early but Kinda came on in the later rounds with effective right hands. Swelling started around the left eye of Howard in the fifth round due to an accidental headbutt.

Howard was unable to come out for round seven and they went to the scorecards which read 58-56 on two cards for Howard while a third card read 59-55 for Kinda.

Howard, 140 lbs of Crossville, TN is now 16-2-1. Kinda, 139 1/4 lbs of Bronx, NY is now 16-1.

Canstantin Bejenaru and Excell Holmes fought to a no decision as a headbutt in round two forced a bad cut on the forehead of Bejenaru.

Benjearu had what looked liked a sure win taken away from him as he dropped Holmes in round two and was all over him with a barrage of punches before the headbutt stopped the bout.

LOS ANGELES, May 24 – A full undercard of action is expected on Saturday, June 8 when a roster of top local talent and international contenders step into the ring at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. to lead up to the highly anticipated SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®tripleheader headlined by the WBA Intercontinental Welterweight title bout between Marcos “El Chino” Maidana and “The Riverside Rocky” Josesito Lopez.

A clash between welterweight contenders and a showdown of heavyweight power hitters will be on tap for SHOWTIME EXTREME® viewers when unbeaten Japanese standout Yoshihiro Kamegai faces Venezuela’s former World Champion Johan Perez in a ten-round bout. Also on SHOWTIME EXTREME, undefeated heavyweight prospect Gerald Washington meets Sherman “Tank” Williams in an eight round battle. With time permitting, 2012 United States Olympian Joseph Diaz Jr. will see action on SHOWTIME EXTREME® against an opponent to be determined. Also in action on the undercard will be some of California’s top pugilists including Luis Ramos, Ronny Rios, Jamie Kavanagh, Manuel Avila and Edgar Valero.

Maidana vs. Lopez, a 12-round fight for Maidana’s WBA Intercontinental Championship, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona. The tripleheader will take place on Saturday, June 8 at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. and will be televised live on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT. The event can be heard in Spanish using secondary audio programming (SAP). Maidana vs. Lopez is presented in association with Goossen Tutor Promotions and Thompson Boxing Promotions. Also featured will be a 12-round super welterweight showdown between all-action warrior Alfredo “El Perro” Angulo and top rated super welterweight contender Erislandy Lara and a 12-round fight between veteran Demetrius Hopkins and unbeaten phenom Jermell Charlo for Hopkins’ USBA Junior Middleweight Championship and Charlo’s WBC Continental Americas Super Welterweight Championship. Preliminary fights will air on SHOWTIME EXTREME at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

Tickets priced at $150, $75, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes, fees and services charges are available at AXS.com or by phone at 1-888-9-AXS-TIX (1-888-929-7849), as well as The Home Depot Center Box Office (Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. PT). VIP Suites are available by calling 1-877-604-8777. For more information on group discounts or VIP packages, please call 1-877-234-8425.

After engaging in a hard fought draw against Jorge Silva in Sacramento last October that impressed stateside fight fans, Sapporo, Japan’s Yoshihiro Kamegai (22-0-1, 19 KO’s) will return to the United States to battle Venezuelan Johan Perez. A punishing puncher with both hands, Kamegai most recently knocked out Jose Alberto Leal in two rounds on February 2. With 19 of his 22 wins coming by way of knockouts, it’s a safe bet that he’ll look to end his fight on June 8 early as well.

A former WBA Interim Super Lightweight World Champion from Caracas, Venezuela, Johan “El Terrible” Perez (16-1-1, 12 KO’s) bounced back from the lone loss of his career against Pablo Cesar Cano last July with a gritty 10 round win over former World Champion Steve Forbes on January 12. With his sites set on a title shot at 147 pounds, he hopes to make his case with a big win over Kamegai.

With the search for boxing’s next great American heavyweight always ongoing, fans may not need to look any further than Los Angeles, home to highly touted prospect Gerald Washington (7-0, 5 KO’s). Squaring off again Williams in his toughest test to date , the United States Navy veteran and former USC football player Washington hopes to keep his perfect record intact on June 8.

Unbeaten in 11 of his last 13 bouts dating back to 2005, Sherman “Tank” Williams (35-12-2, 19 KO’s) is a vet of the sweet science who shows opponents that life begins at 40. A native of the Bahamas, who now makes his home in Florida, the latest chapter in Williams’ 16-year career lands him in Carson, California for a pivotal bout against the unbeaten Washington.

In a fight that will air on SHOWTIME EXTREME time permitting, 2012 United States Olympian Joseph “Jo Jo” Diaz Jr. (4-0, 2 KO’s) of South El Monte, California will face an opponent to be named in a four or six-round junior featherweight contest. Diaz, who impressed fans and boxing insiders for years as an amateur, turned pro in December of last year and has shown no growing pains while transitioning to the pro game. Fresh off of a third round technical knockout win over Eric Gotay on May 3, Diaz is ready for battle once again.

Unbeaten in 20 pro bouts, 23-year-old Ronny Rios (20-0, 9 KO’s) has been steadily climbing up the world ratings, most recently defeating former World Champion Rico Ramos for the NABF featherweight title. On June 8, Santa Ana’s Rios collides with Sonora, Mexico southpaw Leonilo “Veneno” Miranda (32-5, 30 KO’s) in a 10-round junior lightweight bout.

A native of Dublin, Ireland, Jamie “The Nuisance” Kavanagh (13-0-1, 5 KO’s) has become a popular attraction in his adopted hometown of Hollywood, California. He will risk his undefeated record on June 8 against Tijuana veteran Sergio “Sirenito” Perez (27-14, 18 KO’s) in an eight-round lightweight match.

Also in action will be Fairfield, California’s Manuel “Tino” Avila (11-0, 4 KO’s) facing off against St. Louis’ Jamal Parram (6-7-1, 4 KO’s) an eight-round junior featherweight contest and Edgar Valero (2-0, 2 KO’s) of Los Angeles who will meet fellow Angelino David Reyes (2-3-1) in a four-round bantamweight bout.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.sports.sho.com and www.homedepotcenter.com, follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/shosports, www.twitter.com/HomeDepotCenter,
www.twitter.com/ChinoMaidana, www.twitter.com/JosesitoLopez, www.twitter.com/ElPerro82, www.twitter.com/LaraBoxing, www.twitter.com/TwinCharlo, follow the conversation using #MaidanaLopez or become a fan on Facebook www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.facebook.com/SHOBoxing and www.facebook.com/HomeDepotCenter.

LOS ANGELES, May 24 – As the holiday weekend gets underway in the United States, there will be no rest for the warriors stepping into the ring at Domo De La Feria in Leon, Mexico, when Golden Boy Promotions and Canelo Promotions present a championship doubleheader featuring two of Mexico’s finest which will be televised on Televisa in Mexico and on FOX Deportes in the United States. In the main event, one of the best female fighters on the planet, Mexico City’s Zulina “La Loba” Muñoz, defends her WBC Super Flyweight World Championship in a 10-round fight against Soledad “La Negra” Macedo. In the co-featured bout, the WBC USNBC Middleweight title will be on the line in a 12-round contest pitting champion Bruno “Tiburon” Sandoval of Mexico City against Rafael “Locomotora” Sosa Pintos.

Muñoz vs. Macedo is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Canelo Promotions and sponsored by Corona. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. CT and the first fight begins at 6:00 p.m. CT. The Televisa broadcast begins at 10:30 p.m. CT and the FOX Deportes broadcast begins at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT.

Unbeaten for nearly six years, Zulina “La Loba” Muñoz (37-1-2, 24 KO’s) is perhaps the most dominant world champion in the sport of women’s boxing today. Just 25-years-old, Muñoz held the WBC Silver title in two divisions before winning the WBC Super Flyweight World Championship in November of 2012 with a win over Maribel Ramirez. In March of this year, Muñoz successfully defended her title with a 10-round win over Japan’s Tenkai Tsunami and will look to extend her reign this Saturday.

30-year-old Soledad “La Negra” Macedo (11-8-1, 4 KO’s) is a fierce competitor hoping to prove that the third time is the charm for her in world title fights. Victorious in 10 of her last 14 bouts after a rough start to her pro career, Salto, Uruguay’s Macedo has fallen short in two previous challenges for a world championship, but with her style and determination, she is more than prepared to score the upset in Mexico.

One of Mexico’s top young boxers, 22-year-old Bruno Sandoval (13-0, 12 KO’s) lives up to his nickname “Tiburon” (shark) every time he steps into the ring with his quick charging and attacking style. On a nine fight knockout streak that includes six wins in two rounds or less, Sandoval has shown no mercy towards his opponents thus far and he’s not about to start now.

A veteran of 49 professional fights, 32-year-old Rafael Sosa Pintos (42-7, 17 KO’s) may be giving up youth and power to Sandoval, but the Salto, Uruguay native has the experience that a young fighter can’t hope to match, and he plans on showing off some tricks of the trade on Saturday night as he looks to keep his four fight winning streak going in hostile territory.

For more information visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, and www.televisadeportes.com, follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/TD_Deportes and www.twitter.com/FOXDeportes and visit on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing and www.facebook.com/FOXDeportes.

Ten Rounds-Main Event
IBF North American Junior Middleweight Title

Delvin Rodriguez, 154 vs. Freddy Hernandez, 154

Ten Rounds-Co-Main Event
Issouf Kinda, 139.5 vs. Chris Howard 140

Eight Rounds
Michael Moore, 155 vs. Doel Carrasquillo 154

Four Rounds
Constantin Bejenaru, 217 vs. Excell Holmes, 232

Four Rounds
Saul Almeida, 162 vs. Michael Mitchell, 158.5

Four Rounds
Jimmy Williams, 148 vs. Jimmy Williams, 148.5

Advance tickets priced at $95, $45 and $30, can be purchased through Ticketmaster, (www.Ticketmaster.com, phone 800-745-3000), or through Star Boxing, (www.StarBoxing.com, phone 718-823-2000). Doors on the evening of the event will open at 6:30 p.m. ET with the first bell at 7:30 p.m. ET.

The Mohegan Sun is located at I Mohegan Sun Boulevard, Uncasville, CT 06382. For more information please visit their website at www.mohegansun.com

ABOUT STAR BOXING:

Star Boxing Inc. recently celebrated its 20th Anniversary (promoting pro boxing continuously since 1992). The company has produced some of the most exciting and memorable boxing events in recent history. Star Boxing continues to work with and develop a number of very exciting world champions, world rated contenders and young prospects. Star Boxing is proud that is has consistently brought credibility, integrity, and exciting fights to the boxing industry. For more information on Star Boxing, visit their official website at www.StarBoxing.com and follow them on Twitter @ Star Boxing and Facebook at Star Boxing.

WBA Super-Middleweight Champion
Mikkel Kessler – 11st 12lbs 7oz
IBF Super-Middleweight Champion
Carl Froch – 11st 13lbs 9oz

The enigmatic British heavyweight Dereck Chisora will top a big British fight card LIVE and EXCLUSIVE on BoxNation on Saturday July 20th. Chisora’s opponent will be named shortly, but offers have been made to leading contenders Tyson Fury, Manuel Charr, Tomasz Adamek and Fres Oquendo.

Also featuring on the bill, unbeaten champions Frankie Gavin and Denton Vassell clash in a hotly anticipated domestic showdown with their British and Commonwealth titles and records on the line in what promises to be an explosive fight. One of the nation’s brightest up and comers Paul Butler, the current British and Commonwealth Super-Flyweight Champion, fights for the second time in three weeks and Ireland’s Gary O’Sullivan defends his WBO International Middleweight title for the first time.

PAUL SMITH V TONY DODSON MOVED TO JUNE 28TH
Paul Butler will also feature on Liverpool Olympia bill
BoxNation commentator Paul Smith returns to the ring when he takes on Merseyside rival Tony Dodson for the Vacant British Super-Middleweight title in this eagerly awaited rematch and Paul Butler’s Vacant WBO Intercontinental Super-Flyweight title challenge will now feature on a bumper Liverpool Olympia bill LIVE on BoxNation on June 28th.

SAUNDERS V RYDER WILL BE LIVE ON BOXNATION
Big hitting Saunders to face unbeaten Ryder in British title fight
British and Commonwealth Middleweight Champion, the dynamite fisted Billy Joe Saunders, faces one of his biggest tests so far as he’s challenged by the dangerous, 14-0 (8 KO) John Ryder. The date and venue are yet to be confirmed, but Queensberry Promotions have won the purse offer and we’re all set for another high octane British fight night on BoxNation!

Find out more about all these fights and see BoxNation’s growing summer schedule here.

It’s your channel. Be a part of it. Are you in?

Orange, CA (May 23) – Banner Promotions and Thompson Boxing Promotions are re-signing Tijuana’s crackerjack super featherweight contender Juan Carlos Burgos (30-1-1, 20 KOs) to a second promotional contract.

After coming extremely close to winning a world title why stop now?

Co-Promoters Banner Promotions and Thompson Boxing Promotions and Burgos held a press conference luncheon earlier today in East Los Angeles to celebrate the re-connection at the world famous Tamayo Restaurant.

“We know Juan Carlos Burgos can be the best 130 in the world. He is ranked #1 in the world by the WBO and he should be challenging for that title in the very near future. I’m happy to have been able to work with Burgos thanks to my friendship and association with Ken Thompson and Alex Camponovo, I know we will continue doing great things together,” added Art Pellulo (President of Banner Promotions).

“We all saw what happened in New York and we know the next time out that Burgos will have his hand raised and be crowned world champion”, finished Pelullo
Said Thompson, “Juan Carlos Burgos should be recognized as the best 126-130 pounder out there. He has done a great job in every facet of his young career and today we will solidify his future and we will make sure he gets what he so eagerly deserves, a belt around his waist. Although he is 25 years old, he is a veteran of the sport as he started his professional career at the age of 16 and we know one day he will be considered as one of the greats. This is a happy day for our company.”

Said Camponovo, “we have worked very hard to make sure Juan Carlos Burgos stays with our family. We know of his potential and value it as such, we will show him the way and he will get there soon. He tried to capture that elusive belt twice, once he was close but inexperienced (Hasegawa), the last time he was robbed (Martinez) and got a draw, so we are hopeful that the third time will be the charm.”

“Mini” Burgos as boxing enthusiasts call him, has come razor close to winning a world title on two occasions. Last January, in New York City, the Mexican slugger was soundly beating Puerto Rico’s Roman Martinez and was the recipient of the worse judging seen in several years. After 12 rounds the fight was ruled a split draw and the Tijuana fighter was denied the WBO junior lightweight world title.

Many in the boxing media including those on the HBO telecast found the scoring an abomination.

Offered Burgos, “I want to thank both my promoters, Ken Thompson of Thompson Boxing and Art Pelullo of Banner for having the confidence in me and in my career and to Alex Camponovo for guiding me along the way, I also have to thank my trainer Gerardo Espinoza and my manager Roberto Sandoval for being always there for me. All of them have given me the opportunity to get to a world title in two occasions and now is my turn to pay them back. I will be a world champion and that day we will have a big celebration because they have been with me during the happy and hard times of my career.”

Added Sandoval (Burgos’ manager), “The signing of a new contract is really not the main significance of this event. It’s the confidence of our promoters in a young boxer who will be a world champion and now he has to show it in the ring. We are thankful because we want to continue the good work we started some five years ago and I know that Juan Carlos can reach all his goals but with the people that really care for him and have been there since the beginning.”

Back in 2010, Burgos was blocked from winning the WBC featherweight world title while challenging Hozumi Hasegawa. That fight held in Nagoya, Japan ended in a unanimous decision in favor of the Japanese boxer.

Burgos, who is the nephew of former mini flyweight world champion Victor Burgos, has rattled off some impressive wins while fighting under the promotional banner of Thompson Boxing Promotions and Banner Promotions. Wins over undefeated Luis Cruz and Cesar Vazquez established Burgos as a force in the 130-pound division. Other notable wins came against Ricardo “Piolin” Castillo and former world champion Cristobal Cruz.
There’s little doubt that Burgos will follow in the footsteps of other Thompson Boxing fighters who achieved world championship status such as Yonnhy Perez and Timothy Bradley. More than a few think it’s just a matter of time.

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Photos by Carlos Baeza / Thompson Boxing