Number-one ranked Liam Paro solidified his spot with a one-punch knockout of fellow undefeated Brock Jarvis in the opening round of their 12-round bout in Brisbane, Australia.

In round one, Paro landed a perfect left hand that put Jarvis flat on his back and he could not get up, and the fight was over at 2:29.

Paro, 136 lbs of Brisbane, AUS is 23-0 with 14 knockouts. Jarvis, 139.9 lbs of New South Wales is 20-1.

World-ranked heavyweight Demsey McKean stopped Patrick Korte in round three of their 10-round heavyweight bout.

In round one, Korte was cut over his right eye. In round four, McKean dumped Korte on the canvas with a left uppercut that was followed by a left and a right to the chin and the fight was over at 2:59.

McKean, 252.6 lbs of Brisbane, AUS is now 22-0 with 14 knockouts. Korte, 234.1 lbs of Germany is 18-2-1.

Syke Nicolson won a 10-round unanimous decision over Krystyna Jacobs in a featherweight bout.

In round four, Nicolson dropped Jacobs with a right hook.

Nicolson, 127.6 lbs won by scores of 100-89, 99-90 and 98-91 and is now 5-0. Jacobs, 125.1 lbs is 6-4.

Cesar Mateo Tapia scored a 10-round unanimous decision over Abdouleye Sakho in a battle of undefeated super middleweights.

Tapia, 167.2 lb won by scores of 99-91 and 97-93 twice and is now 15-0. Sakho, 167.4 lbs is 7-1.

Rocky Ogden stopped Ben Cameron Hands in the opening round of their eight-round super featherweight bout.

In the opening frame, Ogden landed a hard right to the head that sent Hands to the canvas and the bout was stopped at 2:33.

Ogden, 129.9 lbs of Gold Coast, QUE, AUS is 3-0 with one knockout. Hands, 129.2 lbs of Sunshine Coast is 3-1.

Jalen Tait stopped Rhys Evans after round six of their eight-round lightweight bout.

In round five, Tait dropped Evans with a body shot. In round six, Evans was cut over his left eye. The doctor took a look at the cut and the bout was stopped.

Tait, 134 lbs of Townsville, AUS is 10-0 with six knockouts. Evans, 134.1 lbs was making his pro debut.

Dylan Biggs remained undefeated with an eight-round unanimous decision over Marko Pizzi in a junior middleweight fight.

Biggs, 153 lbs of Queensland, AUS won by scores of 80-72 twice and 78-74 and is now 7-0. Pizzi, 153.4 lbs of Sydney, AUS is 4-3.

WBC Super Welterweight Interim Title – 12 Rounds

Sebastian Fundora – 153 ½ lbs.

Carlos Ocampo – 153 ½ lbs.

Referee: Jack Reiss; Judges: Daniel Fitzgerald (Massachusetts), Rudy Barragan (Calif.), Lou Moret (Calif.)

WBC Middleweight Interim Title – 12 Rounds

Carlos Adames – 159 ¼ lbs. 

Juan Macias Montiel – 160 lbs.

Referee: Ray Corona; Judges: Pat Russell (Calif.), Jerry Cantu (Calif.), Josef Mason (Colo.)

IBF Junior Bantamweight World Title – 12 Rounds

Fernando Martinez – 114 ¾ lbs.

Jerwin Ancajas – 114 ¾ lbs.

Referee: Eddie Hernandez Sr.; Judges: Zachary Young (Calif.), Tiffany Clinton (Calif.), Ellis Johnson (Texas)

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING PRELIMS

Stream Live at 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT

on the SHOWTIME SPORTS^® YouTube Channel

Welterweight Bout – 10 Rounds

Egidijus Kavaliauskas – 147 lbs.

Mykal Fox – 145 ¾ lbs.

Referee: Gerard White; Judges: Ivan Guillermo (Calif.), Jerry Cantu (Calif.), Ralph McKnight (Calif.)

Featherweight Bout – 10 Rounds

Victor Slavinksyi – 126 ½ lbs.

Edward Vazquez – 129 ½ lbs.

Referee: Ray Corona; Judges: Pat Russell (Calif.), Rudy Barragan (Calif.), Ralph McKnight (Calif.)

** Contracted weight 127 lbs.; Fight is on.

Women’s Flyweight Bout – 10 Rounds

Gabriela Fundora – 111 ¼ lbs.

Naomi Reyes – 111 ½ lbs.

Referee: Eddie Hernandez Sr.; Judges: Pat Russell (Calif.), Ivan Guillermo (Calif.), Ralph McKnight (Calif.)

Veteran sportscaster Brian Custer will host the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast while versatile combat sports voice Mauro Ranallo will handle blow-by-blow action alongside Hall of Fame analyst Al Bernstein and three-division world champion Abner Mares. Three Hall of Famers round out the telecast team – Emmy^® award winning reporter Jim Gray, world-renowned ring announcer Jimmy Lennon, Jr. and boxing historian Steve Farhood as unofficial scorer. The executive producer is four-time Emmy award winner David Dinkins, Jr. with Bob Dunphy directing. Former junior middleweight world champion and SHOBOX: The New Generation^® commentator Raúl “El Diamante” Marquez and sportscaster Alejandro Luna serve as expert analysts in Spanish on Secondary Audio Programming (SAP). SHOBOX announcer and combat sports expert

Brian Campbell and his MORNING KOMBAT co-host Luke Thomas will call the action during the live-stream bouts.  

#          #          #

ABOUT FUNDORA VS. OCAMPO

Fundora vs. Ocampo will see unbeaten super welterweight sensation Sebastian “The Towering Inferno’’ Fundora seek to continue his dominance and demonstrate why he’s one of the most feared fighters in boxing when he defends his Interim WBC Super Welterweight Title against former title challenger Carlos Ocampo live on SHOWTIME on Saturday, October 8 from Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California headlining a thrilling Premier Boxing Champions event.

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING^® telecast will see top middleweights Carlos Adames and Juan Macias Montiel square off for the Interim WBC Middleweight Title in the co-main event, while IBF Junior Bantamweight World Champion Fernando Martinez meets former champion Jerwin Ancajas in a highly-anticipated 12-round rematch to open the telecast at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

For more information visit www.SHO.com/sports, www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow #FundoraOcampo,  follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotions, on Instagram @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotionss or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ShowtimeBoxing.

NEW YORK – October 7, 2022 – Fast-rising blue-chip prospect Isaiah Steen will get a chance to slingshot himself up the super middleweight rankings when he takes on dangerous power-puncher Sena Agbeko on Friday, October 21 live on SHOWTIME at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT in the latest edition of SHOBOX: The New Generation. The telecast features four undefeated prospects and six fighters with a combined record of 87-3-2 and returns to Bally’s Atlantic City Casino and Resort, site of the first SHOBOX^® 21 years ago, for the second time in two months.

The heavy-handed Agbeko (26-2, 21 KOs) steps in to face Steen (16-0, 12 KOs) in the 10-round main event at 168 pounds after light heavyweight prospect Ali Izmailov withdrew from his main event with Radivoje “Hot Rod” Kalajdzic for health reasons. Both Steen and Agbeko are SHOBOX alumni, making their contest a classic crossroads matchup of prospects to determine who’s a contender and who has to work to get back into position in the division.

“Steen vs. Agbeko is an exciting main event and the winner of the fight will be a bona fide world title contender in the super middleweight division,” said promoter Dmitriy Salita. “This is an amazing matchup on a talent-stacked card featuring nothing but pick ‘em fights.”

The co-feature will match Sean Hemphill (14-0, 8 KOs) against David Stevens (11-0, 8 KOs) in an intriguing eight-round super middleweight contest between undefeated American prospects. Opening the broadcast will be perennial spoiler and SHOBOX alum Marquis Taylor (12-1-2, 1 KO) taking on undefeated Marlon Harrington (8-0, 7 KOs) in an eight-round super welterweight attraction. Included in the telecast will be highlights of an intriguing eight-round clash between undefeated heavyweight prospects Moses Johnson (8-0-1, 7 KOs) and four-time Oregon Golden Gloves champion Elvis Garcia (12-0, 9 KOs).

The chiseled Agbeko represents the most accomplished opponent of Steen’s career, having gone the distance against undefeated contender and highly decorated amateur Vladimir Shishkin in February 2021 on SHOBOX. Agbeko has since won three straight matches, all by stoppages. Most recently he TKO’d then 22-1-1 Winfred Harris Jr. this past July to earn this shot. Originally from Accra, Ghana, home to many top Ghanaian boxers, such as two-division champion Azuman Nelson, Agbeko now calls Nashville, Tenn., home.

“I’m so excited for this opportunity. This is what I train for, to fight on the biggest stages,” Agbeko said. “I know he’s young and he’s hungry and has also been previously featured on the SHOBOX series but it’s not going to be easy for him. It’s going to be a battle of wills and may the better man win.”

Steen returns to SHOBOX after recording the biggest win of his career against the previously undefeated Kalvin Henderson on July 2021 on SHOBOX (Highlights HERE). An aggressive, come-forward fighter who likes to dig to the body, Steen is the half-brother of super welterweight contender and former U.S. Olympian Charles Conwell. The two shared the same card in August 2020 when Steen of Cleveland, Ohio showed off his power with a first-round TKO of tough Kenneth Council. That was the seventh time Steen stopped his opponent in the first round. Like his half-brother, the 6-2 Steen was a decorated amateur, going 85-15 in the unpaid ranks before he turned pro in 2016. Born in Detroit, Mich., Steen started boxing when he was seven.

“I’m grateful for this amazing opportunity,” Steen said, “and looking forward to facing a great opponent in Agbeko and showcasing my skills.”

Tickets for the event promoted by Salita Promotions are on sale now priced at $40, $100 and $150 and can be purchased at TicketWeb.com.

Hall of Famer Barry Tompkins calls the action from ringside with veteran combat sports reporter and MORNING KOMBAT host Brian Campbell and former world champion Raul Marquez serving as expert analysts with Hall of Famer Steve Farhood remotely performing unofficial scoring duties.

SHOBOX: The New Generation is executive produced by Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

# # #

For more information visit www.sho.com/sports follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @SHOSports, #ShoBox, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports

About SHOBOX: The New Generation

Since its inception in July 2001, the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series, SHOBOX: The New Generation has featured young talent matched tough. The SHOBOX philosophy is to televise exciting, crowd-pleasing and competitive matches while providing a proving ground for willing prospects determined to fight for a world title. Some of the growing list of the 86 fighters who have appeared on SHOBOX and advanced to garner world titles includes: Errol Spence Jr., Andre Ward, Deontay Wilder, Erislandy Lara, Shawn Porter, Gary Russell Jr., Lamont Peterson, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Nonito Donaire, Devon Alexander, Carl Froch, Robert Guerrero, Timothy Bradley, Jessie Vargas, Juan Manuel Lopez, Chad Dawson, Paulie Malignaggi, Ricky Hatton, Kelly Pavlik, Paul Williams and more. 

Plant City, Florida, October 7, 2022 – China sensation and former world champion Can “Monster” Xu battles Brandon Benitez in the main event Friday, October 7, on ProBox TV and the anticipation of his fans back home is tremendous. There have been over 250,000 downloads of the ProBox TV app this week alone.

“We are pleased but we are not surprised at the allure Xu has in China, and it can be seen in the numbers,” said ProBox TV CEO Garry Jonas. “Can Xu is the Mexican equivalent of Canelo, and China has ten times the population of Mexico.” 

“I took this fight here on ProBox TV because of the relationship they have with China,” said Xu.  “My desire is to carry the Chinese flag with pride and promote the sports in my home country.  I see this as a great opportunity to show the young men and women of China all of the opportunities that come with boxing.” 

This evening’s ProBox TV card begins at 9 pm ET / 6 pm PT.

It can be viewed at ProBoxTV.com and on the ProBox TV App.  Get the App HERE

The ProBox TV subscription is $1.99 per month.

ProBox TV was originally founded by Roy Jones Jr., Juan Manuel Marquez, Paulie Malignaggi, Antonio Tarver and CEO Garry Jonas.  Miguel Cotto recently joined the group.  In 2023 there will be one fight card per month streamed on ProBox TV in each of the USA, Puerto Rico (Cotto Promotions) and Mexico (Marquez Promotions).

Follow ProBox TV at https://twitter.com/ProBox_TV and https://www.youtube.com/c/ProBoxTV

For more ProBox TV info click here https://proboxtv.com/what-is-probox-tv/en

Tampa, Florida, October 7, 2022  —  Former World Champion and Chinese sensation Can “Monster” Xu Friday night ProBox TV bill in his ring return against Brandon “Leoncito” Benitez in a ten-round featherweight China versus Mexico donnybrook. It will be one of four bouts streamed on ProBox TV and on the ProBox TV App beginning at 9 pm ET / 6 pm PT. 

In the co-featured bout, Cesar “Rainman” Francis will clash with Francisco “Roca” Armenta for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) NABO junior welterweight title.

Xu returns to the ring after a hard-fought loss to world featherweight champion Leigh Wood in the United Kingdom, and after making changes within his camp, the Chinese star feels rejuvenated as he sets his sights on becoming a two-time world champion in the featherweight division. “I will not be his steppingstone for bigger opportunities. I am the mountain he cannot climb,” said Xu regarding Benitez braggadocious internet banter. “I have trained hard for this fight. I am in great condition.  My performance against Benitez is the beginning of my comeback and the road back to a world title.”

“I am back better more focused,” said Paul Mendez. “I am a father now, so I have a different perspective on life.  I know Valsaint is young and hungry like I was once. Now I have experience. I will use it to put him through a test.”

“This is a step up for me in the level of opponent,” said Valsaint. “I have had only 5 fights, but I am ready for this challenge. This is the test that I need.”

As is customary on ProBox TV, “The Big Four,” comprising of Roy Jones Jr, Juan Manuel Marquez, Paulie Malignaggi and Antonio Tarver, will be calling the fights from ringside.  Michael Goldberg handles blow-by-blow, and Claudia Trejos is the ringside reporter and post-fight interviewer.

It is $1.99 per month for a ProBox TV subscription.

Here are the four bouts to be streamed:

10 Rounds WBO NABO Jr Welterweight Title  

125.6 lbs. Can Xu, Beijing, China, Former WBA Featherweight Champion, 18-3, 3 KO’s  vs.

126.2 lbs. Brandon Benitez, Queretaro, Mexico, 18-2, 7 KO’s        

10 Rounds WBO NABO Jr Welterweight Title  

147 lbs. Cesar Francis, Brooklyn, NY via San Miguelito, Panama, 11-0 6 KO’s.  vs.             

140 lbs. Francisco Armenta, Los Mochis, Sinaloa, MX, 12-1 4 KO’s           

6 Rounds Middleweights    

162 lbs. Darrelle Valsaint, Orlando, FL, 5-0 4 KO’s  vs.

160.8 lbs. Paul Mendez, Delano, California, 21-3-2 11 KO’s 

8 Rounds Middleweights  

162.6 lbs. Kanat Islam      California via Altay, China, 28-1 22 KO’s  vs.

166.8 lbs. Javier Maciel, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 34-17 23 KO’s

ProBox TV was originally founded by Roy Jones Jr., Juan Manuel Marquez, Paulie Malignaggi, Antonio Tarver and CEO Garry Jonas.  Miguel Cotto recently joined the group.  In 2023 there will be one fight card per month streamed on ProBox TV in each of the USA, Puerto Rico (Cotto Promotions) and Mexico (Marquez Promotions).

Get the App HERE

Follow ProBox TV at https://twitter.com/ProBox_TV and https://www.youtube.com/c/ProBoxTV

For more ProBox TV info click here https://proboxtv.com/what-is-probox-tv/en

QUINCY, Mass. (October 6, 2022) – Granite Chin Promotions will pay tribute to the late trainer Jimmy Farrell on Thanksgiving Eve, November 23rd, with the presentation of the inaugural “Jimmy Farrell Fight Night” at the Bridgewater Veterans Club in Bridgewater, Massachusetts.

Farrell, the well-respected trainer from Quincy (MA), recently passed away after a long battle with cancer. He fought in the 1970’s as a featherweight, compiling a 17-4-3 (6 KOs) pro record. He trained under his father, the late Jim Farrell, Jr., as well as Hall of Famer Cus D’Amato.

Jimmy operated several gyms in the Quincy area during his training career that spanned nearly five decades. He trained more than 40 amateur boxing champions, in addition to numerous professionals such as Chris and Vinnie Traieti, Mark DeLuca, Ryan Kielczewski, Steve Vukosa, Nick Cyr, Nick and Mike Morganelli.

(L-R) – Derrick Whitley, Chris Traietti, and the late Jimmy Farrell

“Jimmy was and always will be a huge part of my life,” Granite Chin president Chris Traietti commented. “The days in the gym, the crazy road trips, the wins, the losses, and life lessons will be stuff that I will cherish for as long as I live. Jimmy was a larger-than-life person who was the most popular guy in any room he walked into. He had no hesitation in saying what was on his mind in his own ‘Jimmy Farrell charm.’ When his friend Dan O’Malley gave his eulogy, the thing that stood out the most was everyone knew him as ‘Jimmy.’ You don’t have to say his last name, everyone in the boxing world when you mentioned ‘Jimmy,’ you were talking about Jimmy Farrell. He was an unbelievable trainer who lived boxing. I’ve never met anyone more passionate about anything the way Jimmy was about boxing. He loved all levels of the sport. He was as passionate about working with a kid who was in the gym for the first time as he was about working with nationally ranked amateurs or a top local pro. So, it is only fitting to do a Pro-Am in his memory.

Along with his family – they were amazing – Old Colony Hospice was great helping Jimmy’s family care for him in the final days. Everyone went above and beyond to send Jimmy into the afterlife with dignity. I am looking forward to donating part of our sponsorships, gate, and 50/50 raffle sales to this great organization to help them continue the work they do.”

“Jimmy Farrell Fight Night” will feature a Pro-Am card, topped by a 6-round battle between Anthony “The Gentle Savage” Andreozzi (3-2, 1 KOs), of Swansea (MA), and Woburn’s Julien “Black Dragon” Baptiste (4-2, 2 KOs) for the vacant Massachusetts State Welterweight Championship.

The Andreozzi vs. Baptiste title fight was originally scheduled this past August 6th at the same venue, but Andreozzi came down ill on fight night and that fight was canceled.

Atlanta light heavyweight James “Savage “ Hagler, Jr. (3-1, 1 KO) – the grandson of Hall of Famer Marvelous Marvin Hagler – takes on Scott “Bombz” Lampert (3-6, 2 KOs) in the 4-found co-featured event.

Additional pro matches, as well as the amateur portion of the card, will soon be announced.

Tickets are priced at $60.00 (floor seats), $40.00 (standing room only), and $400.00 for ringside tables of 4 are available for purchase at https://granite-chin-promotions.ticketleap.com.

Doors open at 6 p.m. ET, first bout at 7 p.m. ET.

INFORMATION:

Facebook.com/GraniteChin

Twitter: @Granite_Chin

SAN DIEGO, CA (Oct. 6, 2022) – Former IBF Super Featherweight World Champion Joseph “JoJo” Diaz, Jr. (32-2-1, 15 KOs) hosted a media workout at the BXNG CLUB in San Diego for his upcoming 12-round crossroads fight against undefeated, rising lightweight division star William “El Camarón” Zepeda (26-0, 23 KOs). The fight is set to take place at the Pechanga Arena San Diego on Saturday, Oct. 29 on DAZN.

Also participating in the media workout were Diaz, Jr. vs. Zepeda undercard fighters. Newly announced co-main event, Alexis “Lex” Rocha (20-1, 13 KOs) will defend his NABO Welterweight title against hungry challenger from Tijuana, Mexico, Jesus “Ricky” Perez (24-3, 18 KOs) in a 10-round fight. Monterrey, Mexico’s Arely Mucino (31-3-2, 11 KOs) will challenge Chimba, Argentina’s World Champion Leonela Yudica (17-0-3) for the IBF Female World Title in a 10-round match. Jorge “El Niño” Chávez (3-0, 3 KOs) will participate in a six-round super featherweight fight against Houston, Texas’s Adrian Leyva (3-3-2, 1 KO).

Here’s what the fighters had to say:
JOSEPH “JOJO” DIAZ, FORMER IBF SUPER FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPION:
“It gives me goosebumps while here in San Diego knowing that I am going to fight here soon in a couple of weeks. We are three weeks out, and I’m ready and excited.”

“It’s going to be a great night of fights. I know my opponent (William Zepeda) is going to bring his all. But I am ready to execute and do what I do best.”

“I am 150% confident that my hand will be raised after that bell rings. My training and preparation will make sure of that.”

ALEXIS “LEX” ROCHA, NABO WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPION:
“I’m feeling really good. Training hard, staying focused on my fight. I’m continuing to make all the sacrifices to stay at the top of my game come October 29.”

“I know my opponent will come in very determined, and very motivated to win because he’s got a big stage – the Golden Boy stage – to come and perform on and try to steal the show and upset my plans. That doesn’t sit well with me – he’s going to try to come and take away everything that I’ve worked hard for.”

JESUS “RICKY” PEREZ, WELTERWEIGHT FIGHTER:
“This is a fight that we were destined to fight in. We have prepared very hard for this fight. Everyone will see the results from our preparation come fight night. I hope that fans get to see a big performance from the both of us. I feel very proud to represent the people of Tijuana and San Diego since I train here. I am going to feel right at home. This isn’t the first time I am the underdog, and I’ve given my fair share of surprises as the b-side.”

ARELY MUCINO, FEMALE FLYWEIGHT CONTENDER:
“I am excited and filled with so much enthusiasm and adrenaline now that we are three weeks out. Leonela is a great champion and has successfully defended her title many times. Knowing that, we expect for this to be a tough fight because she is a tremendous fighter. But we also know our great potential and it’s not the first time I’m going into the ring without a title in my hands. God has been very good to place the right people in my life at the right time and I feel prepared with this great team behind me.”

JORGE “EL NIÑO DORADO” CHAVEZ, SUPER FEATHERWEIGHT PROSPECT:
“This camp was definitely different. We tried to come into this fight relaxed so we can feel like nothing’s changed and that we’re just here to do our jobs.”

“I feel motivated to show fans who I truly am. In the past couple of years and even months I have developed more as a human being and a business-oriented person. I’m really happy to be fighting in my hometown – I didn’t think that this would happen so soon in my career. We are making the most out of this opportunity.”

Diaz, Jr. vs. Zepeda is a 12-round fight presented by Golden Boy Promotions. The fight will take place on Saturday, October 29 and will be broadcast live exclusively on DAZN worldwide. The event is sponsored by Hennessy “Never Stop. Never Settle” and “BetOnline – Your Online Sportsbook Experts.

Media interested in credentials can apply at https://emcevents.com/diaz_zepeda.html. Media applications are due EOD October 21.

Tickets for Diaz, Jr. vs. Zepeda are on sale and are priced at $125, $80, $60, $40 and $25 not including applicable service charges. Tickets will be available for purchase at AXS.com, PechangaArenaSD.com and GoldenBoyPromotions.com.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and www.DAZN.com. Follow on Twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing and @DAZNBoxing. Become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoy and https://www.facebook.com/DAZN. Follow on Instagram @GoldenBoy and @DAZNBoxing. Follow the conversation using #DiazJrZepeda

BENSALEM, PA (OCTOBER 6, 2022)–Weights for Friday night’s Joe Hand Promotions card at Parx Casino

Joey Dawejko 256.6 – Terrell Jamal Woods 242

Kevin Ford 124.4 – D’Angelo Fuentes 126.6

Daiyann Butt 143.3 – Juan De La Cruz Rodriguez 144

Brendan O’Callaghan 155.9 – Jeremiah Kendrick 156.2

Soslan Alborov 153.5 – Salfeddine Mezzi 153.5

Boris Nde 140.5 – Hakim Smith 139.9

Aaron Newmones 146.8 – Jahqwon Humbert 146.6

Promoter: Joe Hand Promotions

Venue: Parx Casino

1st Bell: 7 PM ET

THE QUEENSBERRY PAIR of Liam Davies and Ionut Baluta will contest the vacant European super bantamweight championship at the Telford International Centre on Saturday November 19, exclusively live on BT Sport.

The bumper Telford card includes David Avanesyan defending his European welterweight title for a sixth time against his mandatory challenger Jon Miguez from Spain, and will also see the return of Anthony Yarde ahead of his world title business in early 2023.

Tickets for Davies vs Baluta at the Telford International Centre on Saturday November 19 are on sale now, available exclusively from ticketmaster.co.uk.

Telford native Davies, 26, has enjoyed a remarkable run since becoming a Queensberry fighter, with four straight wins resulting in a successful shot at the WBC International Silver belt and, last time out in June, becoming British champion by defeating the title holder Marc Leach via a unanimous decision to take his professional record to 12-0 (5 KOs).

The now Bushey-based Romanian Baluta, 28, holds a record of 15-3 (3 KOs) and in May he inflicted defeat on Brad Foster to become WBC International champion. A former WBO European title holder at bantamweight, Baluta has victories over Irish stars TJ Doheny and David Oliver Joyce on his record and only lost by a narrow margin to Michael Conlan.

Avanesyan (29-3-1, 17 KOs) returns to action after making short work of the previously unbeaten Oskari Metz at Wembley in March.

The 34-year-old is on a run of six stunning stoppages and remains firmly in position for a shot at the WBC world title.

Miguez (17-0, 8 KOs) fought a British fighter last time out in his home country of Spain, defeating James Moorcroft via a sixth round stoppage. The former Spanish welterweight champion won the EBU European Union title with a points success over Aitor Nieto in March of this year.

Yarde (22-2, 21 KOs) will be back in the ring for the first time since his resounding rematch victory over Lyndon Arthur in December of last year.

He is next in line for a shot at unified world champion Artur Beterbiev and this major collision at light heavyweight will take place in January. The fight was originally scheduled for October of this year but an injury sustained by the WBO, WBC and IBF champion resulted in the delay and Yarde preparing with a warm-up fight.

Local lad Davies is thrilled that he will once again enjoy home advantage and keep the boxing momentum going in Telford.

“It is good for myself and the town really, bringing boxing back,” he said. “That is what I wanted to do, it was always part of the plan and now I am in a position where it is happening, so I am grateful.

“I get a lot of feedback locally. Last time it was great, we sold a lot of tickets and it was busy. This time I am sure there will be even more eyes on it, with it being another big fight. It gives you that bit more motivation to do the business because, with it being in your hometown, you want to make sure you win in style.

“Baluta has had some good wins and he throws a lot, so I think he will be there to be hit and that will work in my favour. It will definitely be my toughest fight and they are all coming at the right time for me.

“I am on a roll now, on the way up and I will take every fight as it comes. The European title is another step up and I am more than ready.”

For his part, Baluta issued a short and sharp message to his fellow challenger for the prestigious European honour.

“I can’t wait for this fight. This belt is mine. Davies, you will feel sorry for accepting this fight.”

Also appearing on the Telford card is a fight where two prospects put it all on the line, the unbeaten super lightweight Eithan James (9-0) from Northampton goes up against Connor Parker (14-1, 1 KO), Zach Parker’s cousin from Woodville in Derbyshire, for the vacant WBO European title.

“Telford is once again playing host to what will be a quality night of fights topped by two European title clashes,” added promoter Frank Warren. “The European super bantamweight clash between Liam Davies and Ionut Baluta will be a terrific scrap as neither fighter appears to possess a reverse gear.

“Liam has made massive strides since we teamed up with him and I was so impressed with the way he dealt with a particularly tricky customer in Marc Leach to win the British title.

“Ionut, who is the more experienced of the pair, showed his class in winning his WBC belt against Brad Foster and he will rightly consider himself a world level super bantam. This fight has got all the makings of a classic in what is a highly competitive division.

“David Avanesyan will once again demonstrate why he is best in class in Europe with a staggering sixth defence of his European welterweight title against an ambitious and unbeaten opponent in Jon Miguez.

“David is obviously thinking bigger than European titles, given his run of form, but until he gets a meaningful world level fight in the diary he is rightly not going to surrender his belt.

“I am delighted to be getting Anthony Yarde out in a keep-busy fight ahead of his world title challenge in January. There is always the temptation to simply play the waiting game but, with Artur Beterbiev not currently available due to injury, Anthony needs some time in the ring.

“Eithan James and Connor Parker were originally due to fight in June, but this was postponed due to Connor picking up an injury. We are getting it on again now with the WBO European title at stake and this should be a top fight between two young prospects willing to take a significant step up in class.”

Nottingham light heavyweight Ezra Taylor (3-0, 2), Telford super lightweight Macaulay Owen (3-0, 1), Dublin lightweight Willo Hayden (4-0, 1), Liverpool super bantam Brad Strand (8-0, 3), York super welter George Davey (5-0-1) and Telford bantam Raheem Muhammed (2-0) also feature on the show.

Tickets for Davies vs Baluta at the Telford International Centre on Saturday November 19 are on sale now, available exclusively from ticketmaster.co.uk.

MEDIA ACCREDITATION: Please complete this form to apply to cover the fights in Telford on 19 November.

CARSON, CALIF. – October 6, 2022 – Unbeaten super welterweight sensation Sebastian “The Towering Inferno’’ Fundora promised to deliver another memorable night of action at Thursday’s final press conference before he defends his Interim WBC Super Welterweight Title against former title challenger Carlos Ocampo live on SHOWTIME this Saturday, October 8 from Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California headlining a thrilling Premier Boxing Champions event.

Thursday’s press conference also featured top middleweight Juan Macias Montiel, who squares off against Carlos Adames for the Interim WBC Middleweight Title in the co-main event, plus IBF Junior Bantamweight World Champion Fernando Martinez and former world champion Jerwin Ancajas, who meet in a rematch that kicks off the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING^® telecast at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

The event also saw rising unbeaten flyweight prospect Gabriela Fundora, the younger sister of headliner Sebastian, as she prepares to kick off a three-fight live streaming presentation on the SHOWTIME SPORTS YouTube channel and SHOWTIME Boxing Facebook page at 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT in a 10-round fight against Mexico’s Naomi Reyes.

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions and Sampson Boxing, are on sale now and can be purchased at axs.com.

Here is what the fighters had to say Thursday from Westin LAX as they near their respective showdowns this Saturday night:

SEBASTIAN FUNDORA

“I feel like I proved to the people that I’m an elite fighter. I can hang with anyone and I can stop them as well. I showed that I have what it takes to become a world champion.

“I’m just going to put on a great performance for the fans. We trained really hard in camp. I’m only worried about what I do in the ring.

“I’m going to keep sending the same message as always, and that’s saying clearly that I’m going to become a world champion at 154 pounds.

“I can guarantee the fans get their money’s worth. We put on a great show every single time, but now that I’m headlining my own show, I’m really going to make sure I put it all on the line. Plus, with my sister on the card, it’s just more motivation to perform.

“I’m excited to be in this position. I’ve fought on a lot of big undercards as well and now it’s my time to take center stage.

“I don’t pay attention to any hype. Everyone has their own opinion, but I’m fighting for the people that support me and I’m going to reward them with something memorable.

“I’ve shown that I have a strong uppercut, but we worked on a lot of different things in this training camp. We work on everything and we work on being consistent so that we can break our opponent down.

“Ocampo might come into this fight to display his boxing skills, or he might come on the inside looking to exchange. I’m confident in my corner and how we prepared and it’s going to show in the ring.”

CARLOS OCAMPO

“I’m feeling better than ever right now. I’m ready for what’s going to be a great challenge. This is going to be a war on Saturday night.

“You have to take the opportunities that you’re given. I know that Fundora is a strong fighter, but I’m going to be ready for him.

“I’m going to lean on my preparation and training. I’m strong just like Sebastian is. I’m going to have to stick to my training and the results will come with that.

“I’m really proud to represent Mexico on the big stage. That’s my duty and that’s my job on Saturday night. The Mexican fans are all the way behind me and I feel their support

“I want the fans to know that I’m fighting for them. I’ve put in the work day in and day out in training camp, so I know I have to make the most of it. You’re not going to want to miss this one.

“My goal is to wake up on Sunday morning and have it be the happiest day of my life. I want to party with that belt on Saturday night.

“This is going to be a spectacular fight. There are going to be fireworks on Saturday night.”

JUAN MACIAS MONTIEL

“My fight against Jermall Charlo gave me a lot of experience and a lot of confidence. I learned a lot. I came out on my feet and showed that I could go toe-to-toe with the best fighter in the division.

“Every fighter has to be confident. I’m glad Adames is confident. But I have the utmost confidence in myself and I’m ready to be the very best version of myself on Saturday night.

“My record speaks for itself. I’ll be ready to knock him out. But if we go 12 rounds, I’m prepared for it. We worked hard so that I’ll be able to take on any challenge that comes my way.

“We’re going to go in there and leave it all in the ring. I already showed that I can take a shot from the best. I don’t know if we can say the same about my opponent, but we’re going to find out Saturday.

“I’m only focused on this fight. A rematch with Jermall Charlo is of course what I want, but I can’t get there unless I win spectacularly in this fight. Saturday night is my time to prove myself.”

FERNANDO MARTINEZ

“I’m thankful for the opportunity to be showcased once again on this stage. You can expect another all-out war. We’re going to put on a show and give the fans a great fight on Saturday night.

“It’s going to be a hard fight, but being the champion is a responsibility that I take with humility. I have to keep my feet on the ground and make the fans in Argentina happy. The only way to do that is to give it my all on Saturday night and defend my title.

“I have a plan A and a plan B. We’ll be ready for absolutely anything. It’s going to be another great show for fans all over the world. Everyone is going to be happy that they tuned into this fight.

“I’m very motivated for this fight, as much or more than the first time we fought. We’re familiar with each other now, but I’m not taking anything for granted.”

JERWIN ANCAJAS

“I’m very happy to be back here in this position. We worked really hard in training and got ourselves in great condition so that we can get our belt back.

“I was not in as good of shape in our last fight. I fought toe-to-toe because my legs were cramping in the fight. Now we’ve prepared for what he does in the ring and we’ll be ready to reclaim our belt.

“This will be a big win for me and for my country. I want to bring this belt back home and be a proud champion for the Philippines.

“I can’t wait to get in the ring. Winning my title back is all I’ve been thinking about since we first fought. I know I have what it takes and I’m going to prove it on Saturday night.”

GABRIELA FUNDORA

“It’s very exciting to be here in our hometown fighting together. It doesn’t happen very often. We’re going to bring fireworks and I hope the fans enjoy it.

“The fans should expect a lot of action. We worked really hard in training camp and it’s going to show up in the ring on fight night.

“From what I’ve seen I’m facing a good defensive fighter, but we prepared for that kind of style. I’m very confident with the work we put in at the gym.

“It’s really cool to be fighting on the live stream before my brother’s show. I know that I enjoy watching myself fight and I feel like the fans are going to enjoy it as well.”

#         #         #

ABOUT FUNDORA VS. OCAMPO

Fundora vs. Ocampo will see unbeaten super welterweight sensation Sebastian “The Towering Inferno’’ Fundora seek to continue his dominance and demonstrate why he’s one of the most feared fighters in boxing when he defends his Interim WBC Super Welterweight Title against former title challenger Carlos Ocampo live on SHOWTIME on Saturday, October 8 from Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California headlining a thrilling Premier Boxing Champions event.

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING^® telecast will see top middleweights Carlos Adames and Juan Macias Montiel square off for the Interim WBC Middleweight Title in the co-main event, while IBF Junior Bantamweight World Champion Fernando Martinez meets former champion Jerwin Ancajas in a highly-anticipated 12-round rematch to open the telecast at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

For more information visit www.SHO.com/sports, www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow #FundoraOcampo, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotions, on Instagram @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotionss or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ShowtimeBoxing.

CARSON, CALIF. – October 6, 2022 – Three exciting showdowns featuring contenders and rising prospects will stream live on the SHOWTIME SPORTS YouTube channel and SHOWTIME^® Boxing Facebook page this Saturday, October 8 in a Premier Boxing Champions event from Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif.

With action kicking off at 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT, the COUNTDOWN show, hosted by Luke Thomas and Brian Campbell, features veteran welterweight contenders Egidijus “Mean Machine” Kavaliauskas and Mykal Fox squaring off in a 10-round bout. Featherweight contenders Viktor Slavinskyi and Edward Vazquez also meet in an eight-round duel, while unbeaten flyweight prospect Gabriela Fundora, the younger sister of unbeaten headliner Sebastian Fundora, kicks off the show battling Mexico’s Naomi Reyes in a 10-round fight.

The preliminary bouts will lead up to a SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING tripleheader beginning at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT featuring Interim WBC Super Welterweight Champion Sebastian “The Towering Inferno” Fundora defending his belt against former title challenger Carlos Ocampo in the main event.

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions and Sampson Boxing, are on sale now and can be purchased at axs.com.

The stacked non-televised undercard lineup also includes unbeaten lightweight prospects Justin Cardona (8-0, 6 KOs) and Angel Alejandro (10-0, 4 KOs) in a six-round matchup, Filipino Olympic bronze medalist Eumir Marcial (2-0, 1 KO) taking on Steven Pichardo (8-2-1, 2 KOs) in a four-round middleweight attraction and super welterweight Brandon Lynch (11-1-1, 8 KOs) facing Argentina’s Roque Junco (11-12-1, 6 KOs) for eight-rounds of action.

Rounding out the card will be unbeaten Phoenix-native Elijah Garcia (11-0, 9 KOs) battling Mexico’s Edgar Valenzuela (7-1, 6 KOs) in a six-round middleweight duel, unbeaten featherweight Shon Mondragon (7-0-1, 3 KOs) in a six-round bout and featherweight Jose Perez (10-1-2, 4 KOs) stepping into the ring for a six-round showdown.

A two-time Olympian for his native Lithuania, Kavaliauskas (22-2-1, 18 KOs) now fights out of California as he seeks a second shot at a 147-pound world title. The 34-year-old came up short in his first attempt, dropping a 2019 title bout against Terence Crawford before most recently losing to unbeaten Vergil Ortiz Jr. in August 2021. He will be opposed by Maryland’s Fox (22-3, 5 KOs), who returns to the ring after dropping a controversial decision to Gabriel Maestre in August 2021. Standing at nearly six-feet-four-inches tall, the 26-year-old has used his size and boxing acumen to establish himself as a crafty contender in a pro career that dates back to 2014.

Originally from Ukraine and residing in Los Angeles, Slavinskyi (13-1-1, 6 KOs) will look to bounce back from his first defeat on October 8, which came via majority decision against hard-hitting contender Claudio Marrero in February. The 32-year-old had previously ridden a six-bout winning streak into that fight, which included a decision triumph over Leduan Barthelemy in June 2021. He will face the 27-year-old Vazquez (12-1, 3 KOs), a Fort Worth, Texas-native who most recently defeated Jose Argel in July. Vazquez’s only blemish came via split-decision against the unbeaten Raymond Ford in February.

Trained by her father Freddy alongside her brother Sebastian, Fundora (8-0, 4 KOs) has impressed since turning pro in May 2021, dominating her competition on her way to eight early wins. The 20-year-old from Coachella, Calif., will return to Dignity Health Sports Park for the third time after earning her first two pro victories at the venue. She will battle Nayarit, Mexico’s Reyes (9-1, 5 KOs), who turned pro in 2016 and suffered her only loss via decision in 2018. Since then, Reyes has put together five-straight victories, with four coming by stoppage.

#         #         #

ABOUT FUNDORA VS. OCAMPO

Fundora vs. Ocampo will see unbeaten super welterweight sensation Sebastian “The Towering Inferno’’ Fundora seek to continue his dominance and demonstrate why he’s one of the most feared fighters in boxing when he defends his Interim WBC Super Welterweight Title against former title challenger Carlos Ocampo live on SHOWTIME on Saturday, October 8 from Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. headlining a thrilling Premier Boxing Champions event.

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast will see top middleweights Carlos Adames and Juan Macias Montiel square off for the Interim WBC Middleweight Title in the co-main event, while IBF Junior Bantamweight World Champion Fernando Martinez meets former champion Jerwin Ancajas in a highly anticipated 12-round rematch to open the telecast at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

For more information visit www.SHO.com/sports, www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow #FundoraOcampo, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotions, on Instagram @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotionss or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ShowtimeBoxing.

LOS ANGELES, OCTBER 6 – A buzzing O’Shaquie Foster has promised he will dominate the super featherweight division after his world title shot was confirmed.

Foster has been ordered to face Mexico’s Rey Vargas for the vacant WBC 130lbs title, following the decision of champion Shakur Stevenson to move up in weight.

The sanctioning body has confirmed a “free negotiation” period has begun to stage the super featherweight showdown, and that the winner must make two mandatory title defences.

USA’s Foster (19-2, 11KOs) woke on Monday morning to messages on his phone, confirming the WBC’s ruling that he must face Vargas, who moves up a division having been world featherweight champ.

“It’s a dream come true,” Foster told Probellum.com. “And I’m so happy, I can’t even hide it.

“It’s something that I’ve been working for since I was eight years old. I never had a dream to be an Olympian, it was always to be a world champion so I’m feeling great and I’m ready to put on a show for the world.

“I feel like everything is happening at the right time and it’s my time to take over. I would love to unify once I get the title and then go undisputed if I can. I’ve got big, big, big aspirations coming up. We’re going to make it happen.”

The man known as ‘Ice Water’ had a strong feeling in his gut that the WBC would instruct him to face Vargas next, and so Foster spent time last week studying the man who would become his new rival.

“For some reason it was strongly fitting in my head that it might be Vargas next, just because he was a champion trying to move up,” Foster said.

“So, I paid attention to him a lot that day. I’ve got a good idea of what Vargas is about.

“I believe in fate, because if it wasn’t for fate, I wouldn’t be here. I’m here for a reason. I feel like everything’s happening at the right time. It’s all coming together.

“He’s not your typical Mexican fighter, he’s rangy, but I see the things that I can take advantage of. I don’t want to say too much now, because this is big, but most definitely see a lot a lot of things I would take advantage of.”

To keep up to date with the latest news on Foster vs Vargas, sign up to our newsletter?or follow Probellum on?Instagram,?Twitter?and?Facebook.??

You can also follow our official news, results, and information account, Probellum News, on Twitter.

About Probellum???

Launched in September 2021, Probellum is a global boxing promoter, and the fastest-growing brand in the sport.??

Following the success of the opening two shows in December 2021, Probellum held back-to-back world championship nights in Dubai as well as a packed card in Newcastle.

The world title action then headed Liverpool in April and Probellum returns to the city on Saturday, October 15 when Peter McGrail headlines before Sunny Edwards defends his world title in Sheffield on November 11.

Probellum’s elite stable of fighters also includes Nonito Donaire, Regis Prograis, Estelle Mossely, Sunny Edwards, Eimantas Stanionis and Dina Thorslund. ?

But the company has also recruited the next generation of stars with McGrail, Mark Dickinson and Pat and Luke McCormack, Shabaz Masoud and Spencer Wilcox among the young talents under the Probellum umbrella.???

NEW YORK – October 6, 2022 – Most Valuable Promotions and SHOWTIME SPORTS^® today announced that former NFL star running back Le’Veon Bell and elite mixed martial arts striker Uriah Hall will face off in a professional boxing match on Saturday, October 29 as part of the SHOWTIME PPV event headlined by Jake “The Problem Child” Paul vs. UFC legend Anderson “The Spider” Silva at Desert Diamond Arena (formerly Gila River Arena) in Glendale, Ariz., just outside Phoenix. Both Bell and Hall will make their pro boxing debuts in a four-round cruiserweight bout contracted at 195 pounds and will come face to face for the first time during a virtual press conference on Thursday, October 13 hosted by Ariel Helwani. Tickets for Paul vs. Silva are on sale now and can be purchased at ticketmaster.com. 

A strong, intimidating presence with a piston-like right hand, Hall is a 38-year-old former MMA standout who made his mark in both UFC and BELLATOR as a vicious striker. Hall (17-11, 14 KOs MMA record) is tied with Silva and Thiago Silva (no relation) for the most KO/TKOs in UFC middleweight history with eight. Born in Jamaica and raised in New York, Hall showcased his finishing skills when he knocked out Adam Cella with a spinning back kick to the head in the first round of a bout in The Ultimate Fighter series. That performance earned him comparisons to MMA legend Anderson Silva. Hall and Silva eventually met in 2020 with Hall walking away with a fourth-round TKO. He went on to beat former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman in April 2021 via first-round knockout as Weidman suffered a gruesome leg injury just 17 seconds into their bout. Hall started his career 4-0, highlighted by a TKO victory over Edwin Aguilar at BELLATOR 11. He is currently trained by Sayif Saud at the Fortis Gym in Dallas, Texas.

“Le’Veon Bell, I hope you bring your best,” said Hall. “I know I will. Thank you to Most Valuable Promotions for the opportunity.”

A former Michigan State standout and top NFL running back for both the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Jets, Bell is no stranger to boxing. The Columbus, Ohio native spent the past seven years sharpening his boxing mechanics as he readied himself for the gridiron, and that fluency in a boxing ring was on display last month when he flattened legendary NFL running back Adrian Peterson with a one-punch knockout that quickly went viral. Bell and Peterson clashed in an exhibition bout that was conducted under the auspices of the California State Athletic Commission with CSAC officials. The bout ended in the fifth round when the 6-foot-1 Bell connected on a straight right hand that put Peterson on his back and rendered him unable to continue. It was a startling display of power, not unlike Jake Paul’s one-punch knockout of Tyron Woodley last December, and it showed off Bell’s commitment and proficiency in boxing. The 30-year-old Bell has relocated to Los Angeles, where he currently trains full time at the Fortune Gym under the watchful eye of respected, no-nonsense trainer Justin Fortune, famous for his work with boxing legend Manny Pacquiao. Known for his long strides and ability to stop on a dime and accelerate, Bell played in the NFL from 2013 to 2021, also suiting up for the Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was a two-time First Team All-Pro, two-time Second Team All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowler.

“As soon as Most Valuable Promotions approached me about joining the Paul-Silva pay-per-view, I told them, ‘I want in,’ and didn’t care who the opponent was,” Bell said. “Uriah Hall is going to feel my punching power and tap out like he’s getting submitted. He is not built like me.”  

“Adding NFL superstar Le’Veon Bell to the card only increases this fight’s star power and to have him go head-to-head with a fighter as experienced and dangerous as Uriah Hall – it’s going to be fireworks,” said Jake Paul. “Taking on this challenge is proof that Bell, like myself, is serious about professional boxing and after his knockout of Adrian Peterson, he looks like a force to be reckoned with. Hall on the other hand has already proven himself multiple times in the UFC, and we know what he is capable of. I’m keeping a close eye on this one and may even take on the winner in the future.”

“I’m just as excited to watch Hall vs. Bell as I am for Paul vs. Silva. You have a legitimate top-10 MMA striker versus a world-class athlete who has proven he has true boxing skills and knockout power,” said Nakisa Bidarian, co-founder of MVP. “This fight elevates our pay-per-view to a new level, and these guys will undoubtedly put on an unforgettable fight for the fans in the stands and those tuning in.”

International superstar and serial risk-taker Paul will face the biggest challenge of his career when he takes on UFC legend and accomplished boxer Silva in an eight-round bout at a catchweight of 187 pounds. In undercard action, teenage sensation Ashton Sylve will put his knockout streak on the line against Braulio Rodriguez in an eight-round lightweight bout contested at 133 pounds. Chris Avila, a disciple of UFC superstar Nate Diaz, will square off against “Doctor Mike” Varshavski, a board-certified family physician and social media influencer, in a four-round cruiserweight bout contracted at 185 pounds. 

The Hall vs. Bell press conference hosted by Helwani will be held on Thursday, October 13 (1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT) and streamed live via the SHOWTIME SPORTS YouTube channel. The Paul vs. Silva event is co-produced by SHOWTIME PPV and Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) and promoted by Holden Boxing. The pay-per-view telecast is produced and distributed by SHOWTIME PPV. 

For more information visit www.SHO.com/sports, follow #PaulSilva, follow on Twitter via @JakePaul, @ShowtimeBoxing and @MostVpromotions, on Instagram via @JakePaul, @ShowtimeBoxing and @MostValuablePromotions or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ShowtimeBoxing.

Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly owned subsidiary of Paramount, owns and operates the premium service SHOWTIME^®, which features critically acclaimed original series, provocative documentaries, box-office hit films, comedy and music specials and hard-hitting sports. SHOWTIME is available as a stand-alone streaming service across all major streaming devices and Showtime.com, as well as via cable, DBS, telco and streaming video providers. SNI also operates the premium services THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ and FLIX^®, as well as on demand versions of all three brands. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV^®. For more information, go to www.SHO.com. 

Las Vegas – UFC^® returns to UFC APEX with an intriguing women’s flyweight contenders’ bout that will see No. 5 ranked Alexa Grasso and No. 6 Viviane Araujo look to make a statement in their first UFC main event. Also on the card, all-action bantamweights meet as Cub Swanson faces Jonathan Martinez.

UFC FIGHT NIGHT^®: GRASSO vs. ARAUJO will take place Saturday, October 15 at UFC APEX in Las Vegas. The entire card will be available on ESPN+ in English and Spanish, with the main card starting at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT and the prelims at 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT.

Highly touted contender Grasso (14-3, fighting out of Guadalajara, Mexico) intends to rise to the occasion and deliver her most emphatic performance yet. Grasso is currently on the longest win streak of her UFC career, earning victories over Joanne Wood, Maycee Barber and Ji Yeon Kim. She now plans to become the first person to finish Araujo in the UFC and cement herself as a title threat.

Araujo (11-3, fighting out of Brasilia, Brazil) looks to crack into the flyweight Top 5 for the first time in her career. A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt with dangerous hands, she has secured notable wins over Andrea Lee, Roxanne Modafferi and Alexis Davis. Araujo now aims to make the most of her first UFC main event opportunity with another dominant showing.

Fan favorite Swanson (28-12, fighting out of Palm Springs, Calif.), who was recently inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame’s Fight Wing for his epic win over Dooho Choi, strives to a make a successful bantamweight debut in his first 2022 appearance. Currently tied for the most total fight night bonuses in UFC featherweight history with nine, Swanson has delighted fans with victories over Darren Elkins, Kron Gracie and Artem Lobov. He now hopes to vanquish another rising prospect and prove he can still compete with the best in the world. 

Martinez (16-4, fighting out of Plainview, Texas) seeks to extend the longest win streak of his UFC career and make a run at the bantamweight rankings. At 28 years old, he is in his athletic prime and has found his groove with recent wins over Vince Morales, Alejandro Perez and Zviad Lazishvili. Martinez now intends to add Swanson’s legendary name to his resume with a signature finish.

Additional bouts on the card include:

• No. 4 ranked UFC flyweight contender Askar Askarov (14-1-1, fighting out of Dagestan, Russia) looks to defend his spot in the rankings against No. 5 Brandon Royval (14-6, fighting out of Lakewood, Colo.)
• Exciting middleweights Jordan Wright (12-3 1NC, fighting out of Lake Sherwood, Calif.) and Dusko Todorovic (11-3, fighting out of Belgrade, Serbia) lock horns
• No. 13 ranked welterweight Neil Magny (26-10, fighting out of Denver, Colo.) aims to defend his spot in the rankings against No. 14 Daniel Rodriguez (17-2, fighting out of San Gabriel, Calif.).
• Light heavyweight finishers face off as Misha Cirkunov (15-8, fighting out of Toronto, Ontario, Canada) faces Alonzo Menifield (12-3, fighting out of Dallas, Texas)
• Mana Martinez (9-3, fighting out of Houston, Texas) and Brandon Davis (14-9, fighting out of D’lberville, Miss.) collide in a bantamweight bout
• Middleweight grapplers clash as Nick Maximov (8-1, fighting out of Chico, Calif.) takes on Jacob Malkoun (6-2, fighting out of Oran Park, New South Wales, Australia)
• Veteran Raphael Assuncao (27-9, fighting out of Alpharetta, Ga.) clashes with Victor Henry (22-5, fighting out of South Gale, Calif.) at bantamweight
• Piera Rodriguez (8-0, fighting out of Malaga, Spain) and Sam Hughes (7-4, fighting out of Everett, Wash.) intend to steal the show in a women’s strawweight bout
• Tatsuro Taira (11-0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev. by way of Okinawa, Japan) plans to keep his undefeated record intact against CJ Vergara (10-3-1, fighting out of San Antonio, Texas)
• Mike Jackson (1-1 1 NC, fighting out of Houston, Texas) and Pete Rodriguez (4-1, fighting out of Tucson, Ariz.) open up the card in a welterweight bout

Visit the UFC.com for information and content to support your UFC coverage. Please click here to apply for the event.

###

About UFC^®

UFC^® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 688 million fans and 207 million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world, while broadcasting to nearly 900 million TV households across more than 170 countries. UFC’s athlete roster features the world’s best MMA athletes representing more than 75 countries. The organization’s digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS^®, one of the world’s leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC is owned by global entertainment, sports and content company Endeavor, and is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram and TikTok: @UFC.

About ESPN+

ESPN+ is the industry-leading sports streaming service that offers fans in the U.S. thousands of live sports events, original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks and exclusive editorial content from dozens of ESPN writers and reporters. Launched in April 2018, ESPN+ has grown to more than 22.8 million subscribers. Fans sign up to ESPN+ for just $9.99 a month (or $99.99 per year) at ESPN.com, ESPNplus.com or on the ESPN App (mobile and connected devices). 

About ESPN

ESPN, the world’s leading sports entertainment brand, features eight U.S. television networks, direct-to-consumer ESPN+, ESPN Radio, ESPN.com, endeavors on every continent around the world, and more.  ESPN is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc. (an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company) and 20 percent by Hearst.

LAS VEGAS (Oct. 5, 2022) —Two-time Olympic gold medalist Robeisy “El Tren” Ramirez, the southpaw fighting pride of Cienfuegos, Cuba, is on the precipice of a featherweight title shot. In order to earn that opportunity, Ramirez (10-1, 6 KOs) will have to take care of business against former world champion Jessie Magdaleno (29-1, 18 KOs) in a 10-rounder Saturday, Oct. 29 at Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden.

Ramirez-Magdaleno is the co-feature to the Vasiliy Lomachenko-Jamaine Ortiz main event, streaming live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+.

Ramirez has won 10 straight fights since losing his August 2019 pro debut. He linked up with Cuban trainer Ismael Salas in Las Vegas and has lived up to his nickname in recent fights. Ramirez began his 2022 campaign in February with a third-round stoppage over Irish veteran Eric Donovan. Less than four months later, he knocked out then-unbeaten contender Abraham Nova with a left hand. Ramirez now hopes to add a marquee name to his résumé in Magdaleno, who has won four bouts since losing his world title to Isaac Dogboe.

From his Las Vegas training camp, this is what Ramirez had to say:

“It has been an excellent training camp under the guidance of Ismael Salas. He has drawn out a strategy and roadmap for success. It is now up to me to execute it and make it clear to all that “El Tren” is the true powerhouse of the featherweight division.”

“I’m as fast, strong, and smart in the ring as anyone in the featherweight division. On October 29, I will show the world that it is only a matter of time before I become a world champion.”

“Magdaleno is a formidable opponent, a former world champion. While he deserves my respect, he needs to understand he is going up against a TRAIN. I see this fight as an opportunity to take a big leap in my quest to earn my first world title and eventually become king of the featherweight division.”

GLENDALE, ARIZ. – October 5, 2022 – Ashton “H20” Sylve, Most Valuable Promotion’s teenage sensation and one of boxing’s most exciting prospects, promised to make it “eight KOs in eight fights” during a virtual press conference on Wednesday alongside his upcoming opponent Braulio Rodriguez, who vowed to continue the recent string of success for Dominican boxers in the sport. Sylve vs. Rodriguez takes place Saturday, October 29 from Desert Diamond Arena (formerly Gila River Arena) in Glendale, Ariz., just outside of Phoenix, live on SHOWTIME PPV^® in a Most Valuable Promotions event.

Also speaking with the media to preview their October 29 showdown were two of the sport’s most intriguing newcomers, combat sports veteran and Nate Diaz disciple Chris Avila and his opponent, “Dr. Mike” Varshavski, a board-certified family physician and social media influencer with nearly 23 million followers.  Avila, a veteran of both the UFC and BELLATOR, hopes that a strong performance against Varshavski can lead to more opportunities against top boxers while “Dr. Mike” shed light on his motivation behind making his pro boxing debut and revealed that he will be donating his entire fight purse to the Boys and Girls Club of Harlem in New York City.

Tickets for the event are on sale now and can be purchased at ticketmaster.com.

Here is what the fighters had to say on Wednesday:

ASHTON SYLVE

“We came together as a team to figure out what opponent is best for my career path. I don’t want to rush anything. I’m only 18 years old so I don’t want to put anything past the speed that we’re going but we all felt like this is a great step-up fight. Every fighter that I’ve fought was a step-up. This fight will let me showcase my talents and show that I am built for this.

“The message that I’m trying to send is that I’m built for this and that I’ve been groomed for this since the amateurs where I was going overseas and fighting different kinds of fighters and doing everything that has led to where I am now. That message will be sent on October 29.

“The knockout streak will definitely continue. That’s what I’m looking forward to. I’m not going in there with the mindset that I will take him out in the first round but if it comes, it comes. But yes, the streak will continue.

“Rodriguez is an experienced fighter. He knows different techniques. But at the end of the day, I think he is low-key a sloppy fighter. He’s a sloppy and dirty fighter from what I saw from the Ryan Garcia fight. But we will see on October 29.

“This is something I’ve dreamed of my entire life so of course this is going to be big. This is just my eighth fight and being on this platform will put me in the next stage and show everyone who H20 is.

“Jake Paul is a great guy. He is teaching me both the game of boxing and outside of boxing. He’s more like a brother to me. Promotion wise, you see where I’m at and where Amanda [Serrano] is at so those are examples right there.

“I don’t feel any pressure at all being on this stage. I’ve been in the spotlight since I was eight years old. I was recognized by Floyd at an early age. I don’t think there is any pressure from here on out. I’ve been dealing with this type of stuff with my family and friends and the city of Long Beach so stuff like this doesn’t bring any pressure to me.

“I envision the fight as me knocking him out. I don’t see myself on the other side of the table. I respect him of course. But the other side of respect is being earned, so he has to earn it by showing up. For him to fight back, that’s a great thing because I feel like my other opponents didn’t bring the type of pressure he is about to bring so it’s going to be an exciting fight. I can’t wait.

“I always want to put on a phenomenal performance first and foremost, rather than just focusing on having a knockout. But I’m not overlooking him and I believe that breaking him down will be the key to success in this fight. If I break him down, sooner or later the knockout will come.”

BRAULIO RODRIGUEZ

“This is going to be a great fight. It’s going to come down to who takes care of the details best and who is the most ready to fight when the time comes. The goal is to give the fans a great fight and to show that I am here to stay.

“I feel like it’s night and day compared to when I fought against Ryan Garcia – I underestimated him. I didn’t prepare the way I should have. I only had eleven days to prepare for that fight, but that’s not an excuse. I know that I was punished for overlooking how dangerous Garcia could be. Now I’m more mature. I’m ready to show the world best version of myself.  I’m not going to make the same mistake twice. I’m taking Sylve very seriously.

“Ashton can say whatever he wants, but I do agree with him that this fight isn’t going to reach the judges. It’s going to be do-or-die. You knock me out or I knock you out. I know what I’m doing inside the ring, and I know exactly what I have to do to come out victorious in this fight. I see your confidence and I see what you’re saying, but let’s see what happens inside the ring on October 29. The rest is just talk.

“When it comes to the Ryan Garcia fight, I was not in the proper shape. I overlooked the fight and underestimated Garcia and I paid the price. I’ve also won plenty of fights by knockout. I shouldn’t be defined by just that one loss. I’m in a new stage of my life where I feel at peace and I’m in great physical and mental shape right now. Ashton Sylve is a great opponent and we’re going to put on a great show. When it comes time to show my worth, trust me, I’m going to show that I am willing and able to show that I am the real deal.

“Dominican boxing is on fire right now. My compatriot Edwin De Los Santos was an underdog against Jose Valenzuela and he came out with the win. Alberto Puello and Hector Garcia were great and proved why they are champions. I hope that I can join that club now by proving that I am a quality fighter. With all due respect to Sylve, I’m a professional fighter who has a lot of talent. I know what I can do and I hope to continue the Dominican line of success and make everybody proud.

“My strategy is focused on Ashton’s inexperience because he has never fought against somebody of my quality or my experience. Put the Ryan Garcia fight aside and I have a 95 percent knockout rate. 18 out of 20. Ashton, don’t get cocky. If you do, then boxing and life will surprise you in ways that you least expect. I have firsthand experience in that given how I underestimated that Ryan Garcia fight. My experience can be the deciding factor in this fight.

“I just want to win and don’t care whether it’s by knockout or decision. I respect Ashton a lot and know that he has tremendous talent. I know that it’s not going to be easy, but I’m going in there like it’s do-or-die. I’m going to have my arm raised in the end and I don’t care how.”

CHRIS AVILA

“I’m excited to fight on this card against a good opponent. I’m ready to showcase that I’m a real boxer and I’m just happy to be able to fight on such a good card. I’m excited to go out there and put on a good show for everybody.

“I do believe Dr. Mike is playing a dangerous game. I’m not overlooking anybody. It’s a dangerous game. It’s the fight game, so I’m ready.

“I think this is just the next step that’s going to line me up for better fights that I want and deserve. I plan on fighting real competition and real boxers after this fight. I want to get back to facing real competition, but I’ll fight anybody at the end of the day. Why not take this fight?

“I saw a little bit of his fight against [iDubbbz]. I’m sure he’s got a little bit of a skillset. I’m taking him seriously.

“I plan to go in there and look for the finish like I always do. It’s whatever. I don’t care about what anybody says. We’re boxing. I believe in myself and believe I can do whatever I want.

“There’s no extra pressure because people expect me to win and knock him out. I take my stuff very seriously. I’m taking this fight, going to get it done, and then I want to line myself up for a real fight after this and get back to fighting high-level competition. I’m not overlooking this guy at all, though. I’m taking him seriously. I want to get in there with a vet, somebody like Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. I was in talks to fight him a while back and I would like to get in there with him.

“I’ve been fighting real fighters my whole career. I’ll fight anybody. Whoever wants to fight me, what’s up? I ain’t tripping.

“I just want to show the boxing world that I’m a real boxer. I’ve been in the game for a while. It’s just the beginning for me. I’m always going to be fighting. I’m still young. I still have a lot in me. It’s just the beginning.”

“DR. MIKE” VARSHAVSKI

“I’m extremely excited to be a part of this event and to be on SHOWTIME Pay-Per-View. It’s obviously a dream for any fighter and I realize the blessing and opportunity I have in front of me, so I’ve been working extremely hard with my coaches and making sure I’m putting in the valuable work while maintaining my day job as a physician.

“I do suspend that Hippocratic oath of do no harm when I step into the ring, but I respect the fight game. I have incredible respect for Chris Avila and the work he’s put in as a combat veteran. When I was younger, I would frequently throw around words that this fighter is not that good or this fighter is amazing or this fighter is a bum, but being in the fight game to the small degree that I am now, I realize the work that all fighters put in, so I have tremendous respect for everyone that steps into the ring.

“Twenty-three million followers, in a very successful day job — I’m doing this to inspire people to reach their full potential. I’m trying to lead by example to show you should take on challenges when it’s a challenge you feel you can accomplish, and this is something I’ve always wanted to take on.

“I fell in love with boxing 11 or 12 years ago when my mom passed away and I was really struggling to find ways to stay active and healthy and boxing became a passion of mine. I was doing it for fitness, which is what I recommend to my viewers. Not everyone has to step into the ring to enjoy what boxing can deliver, but over the last year or two I’ve been training very hard and sparring with amateurs and professionals. I understand this isn’t a game. I know that people can get really hurt. I’m not only a boxer but I’m also a doctor at the end of the day, so I know the dangers involved with stepping into the ring.

“This is my pro debut. I had an exhibition fight earlier this year that was comfortable and now I’m drastically stepping up the quality of opponent that I’m going to be competing against. Chris is a veteran in the fight game, he’s never been knocked out, he’s a tough guy, he comes from a tough training background. I didn’t want to go in and have an easy fight and fight other YouTubers that didn’t have any training or experience. If I want to do this for real, I need to see what it’s like and this was a great opportunity, so I’m grateful for Chris for giving me this opportunity.

“In May I stepped into a main event that was sold out with over 100,000 pay-per-view buys. I did quite well. It was a five-round fight. The judges gave me every round. The quality of the competition — I felt I could handle more. It would be cool to fight YouTubers if it was about raising clout, making money. That’s not what this is about for me. In fact, I’m donating my entire fight purse to the Harlem Boys & Girls Club of New York. This is a challenge that I set for myself and that I take quite seriously.

“I’m confident going into this fight because of my coach, Thomas Baldwin, who has really guided me on this journey. What’s interesting about this relationship is that even though he’s been training me for 10 years, I take care of his family as their physician. He entrusts me with their lives, so I then entrust my life to him. He believes I’m ready, so I believe I’m ready.

“To me this is about reaching the top of my potential, which is something I tell all my viewers to do, and I get a lot of joy inside that ring. I can’t imagine doing something else right now. Despite the fact I’m working two or three days a week in the hospital, filming two and three days a week for the YouTube channel, just launched a new podcast with a new guest Steve-O, coming out next week that I’m really excited about – I still continue training twice a day, six days a week, just like any other professional, making sure I eat right, and making sure I rest. It’s just a true passion and I truly want to give my one last shot before I age out of competitive fitness.

“The game of life is inherently dangerous. Whatever we choose to do — whether it’s crossing the street, driving to work, taking an airplane, skydiving, there’s inherent risks all around us. The goal as a doctor is to balance those risks with enjoyment of life and for me this is a risk that is calculated and that I’m willing to take for the passion of the sport. And to be frank, I’m not going to be a boxer for 10-15 years and take punishment. If I do this, it will be for the next few years as a really strong passion of mine and to see how far I can go. So, this is a risk that I’ve calculated well for my family and friends.” 

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ABOUT PAUL VS. SILVA

International superstar and serial risk-taker Jake “The Problem Child” Paul will face the biggest challenge of his career when he takes on UFC legend and accomplished boxer Anderson “The Spider” Silva in an eight-round bout at a catchweight of 187 pounds on Saturday, October 29 in a Most Valuable Promotions event live on SHOWTIME PPV (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) from Desert Diamond Arena, just outside of Phoenix, Ariz. In undercard action, teenage sensation Ashton Sylve will put his knockout streak on the line against Braulio Rodriguez in an eight-round lightweight bout contested at 133 pounds. Chris Avila, a disciple of UFC superstar Nate Diaz, will square off against “Doctor Mike” Varshavski, a board-certified family physician and social media influencer, in a four-round cruiserweight bout contracted at 185 pounds. 

For more information visit www.SHO.com/sports, follow #PaulSilva, follow on Twitter via @JakePaul, @ShowtimeBoxing and @MostVpromotions, on Instagram via @JakePaul, @ShowtimeBoxing and @MostValuablePromotions or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ShowtimeBoxing.

QUINCY, Mass. (October 5, 2022) – “Springfield Championship Boxing,” presented by Granite Chin Promotions, will showcase the top Western Massachusetts pro boxing prospects in legitimate fights, November 19th, at Mass Mutual Center  in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Granite Chin’s inaugural show in Springfield, “Springfield Championship Boxing at Mass Mutual Center, will feature a Tripleheader of undefeated prospects such as Holyoke’s Denzel “Double Impact” Whitley (9-0, 6 KOs) Pittsfield’s Steve Sumpter (6-0, 6 KOs), and Carlos Castillo (5-0, 3 KOs).

“This is the kind of show that will not only draw-in fight fans from Western Massachusetts, but from all over New England as well,” Granite Chin president Chris Traietti remarked. “From top to bottom, all of these fights are evenly matched and are going to bring non-stop action. I want to congratulate all of the fighters for being eager to step up and put on a great show for local boxing fans.”

Whitley, the latest pugilist from Holyoke’s fightin’ Whitley family, meets his toughest opponent to date in Fall River (MA) welterweight Kris Jacobs (5-2-1, 2 KOs). Whitley is a red-hot prospect  trained by former pro fighters and brothers, father Derrick and Uncle Darrin. Jacobs has defeated three previously undefeated opponents, including 2-0 Ryan Thomas Clark in his last fight by way of a 6-round split decision.

“I’m excited,” Whitley said. “I fought there as an amateur in the semifinals and final of the Western New England Golden Gloves. This will be my first time fighting there as a pro. I know I’m packing Mass Mutual with all my people. I’m fighting close to home, basically in my hometown. I love the support I get from my city. I’ve been asking to fight on a bigger card and now I am. My people followed me on the road. Imagine what it’s going to be like so close to home? I look forward to fighting at home; it makes me feel good.”

“I had no reservations about fighting there (in his opponent’s home base), because I’m used to it,” Jacobs explained. “It’s not an issue. I fought two other guys in their backyards – Harry Gigliotti and Brandon Higgins — and beat them. I’m not worried about fighting him in his backyard, I’m going there to win the fight.”

Granite Chin’s best overall show pits a pair of undefeated prospects in an 8-round bout for the vacant Massachusetts Light Heavyweight Championship, Sumpter vs. New Bedford’s Edet “Papito” Mkpanam (8-0, 7 KOs).

Sumpter has stopped all six of his professional opponents to date campaigning as a super middleweight, while Mkpanam was a 2018 New England Golden Gloves silver medalist.

“This is my first time fighting at Mass Mutual,” Sumpter commented. “I’m excited about that but it’s just another fight. I’ll have a lot of people there supporting me. I love that. There’s nothing better than having a bunch of support. It’s not a big deal for me to move up to light heavyweight after fighting as a super middleweight, but my first two pro fights were at light heavyweight. Super middleweight is probably where I’m going to make my home.”

“I’m not concerned about fighting in his backyard,” Mkpanam commented. “Honestly, it’s part of boxing and I’ve got to do it. I’m an old-school fighter and boxers need to fight on the road. Now, it’s my time. I felt it was time to take a step up like in the old days. Today a lot of guys fight guys with losing records, no tests, and people know who will win before the fight starts. I accepted this test to fight another undefeated fighter. Steve’s undefeated and we are going to put on a great fight for the fans.”

Rounding out the tripleheader of the Western Mass. power base in a 6-round bout is 24-year-old Castillo against Revere (MA) welterweight Travis Gambardella (7-2-2, 3 KOs). Castillo is a skilled boxer who is stepping up to fight Gambardella, who has won 5 of his last 7 fights and his two draws could have easily been victories.

“I’m really excited for this one,” Castillo admitted. It’s going to be a pretty good fight. I really want to put on a show for the city. I fought there as an amateur a few times at the Western New England Golden Gloves. I reached the finals in 2016, 2017 and 2018. Every year there was a sold-out crowd. It’s only 10 minutes away from Holyoke. This will be my first fight there as a pro and I’m sure it is going to be crazy. I don’t feel any pressure fighting at home. It’s my job and I will do what I got to do. I’m just excited to put on a show for the people.”

“Not at all,” Gambardella answered a question about being concerned about fighting in his opponent’s backyard. “It’s part of boxing and I understand what I’m getting into. I don’t talk about it, just fight my fight. I’m an active fighter who keeps moving forward; Mexican style but I move my head a lot.”

Topping the undercard is an 8-rounder between undefeated lightweight prospect RayJay “The Destroyer” Bermudez (16-0, 11 KOs) and gatekeeper Tyrone “Hands of Stone” Luckey (15-18-4, 11 KOs) in an 8-round match. Bermudez is trained by his uncle Hector Bermudez, who owns and operates a gym in Springfield.

Also fighting on the undercard in 4-rounders is Springfield super featherweight Isiah Cruz (4-0, 2 KOs) vs. TBA, as well as Springfield lightweight Carlos Gonzalez (2-0, 2 KOs) vs. pro-debuting Mathew McGee, of Fairfield, Maine.

Tickets range between $203.00 and $48.00 and are available to purchase online at https://www.massmutualcenter.com/events/detail/springfield-championship-boxing

Doors open at 6 p.m. ET, first bout at 7 p.m. ET.

INFORMATION:  

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