Richard Schaefer makes Canelo Alvarez prediction for Pat McCormack
LONDON, MARCH 23 – Richard Schaefer has made the same prediction about the future of Pat McCormack as he did for a young Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez – that the Olympian will become a pound-for-pound great.
Probellum President Schaefer said “nobody really believed” him when he told the boxing world that Alvarez was destined for the very top of the sport, when he began promoting the Mexican over a decade ago.
But Schaefer was proven correct as Canelo has grown into a multi-weight world champion and the biggest fighter on the planet.
McCormack, an Olympic silver medallist, makes his professional debut in Newcastle on Friday night at Probellum Throwdown and Schaefer says the 26-year-old will become a world champion and takeover the sport – just like Canelo.
“I know I am going to be right because I was right in 2009 when I signed young fighter and I said: ‘This guy is going to be the face of the sport, he’s going to be pound-for-pound the best fighter in the world’” Schaefer said.
“Nobody really believed me, they said it was promoter talk but that guy was Canelo Alvarez. I consider myself to be extremely fortunate to work with such a generational talent. I am telling you guys, remember where you heard it first, he will be world champion, he will be a superstar, he will be the face of the sport because he has all the ingredients.
“Pat was the most sought-after talent out there, irrespective of weight, following the Olympic Games and if he stays sharp, stays focused and doesn’t listen to all of these outside influences, then the sky is the limit. It is an honour to be able to work with Pat McCormack.”
McCormack faces Nicaragua’s Danny Mendoza over six rounds at the Utilita Arena and has promised to go looking for the spectacular knockout win if the chance presents itself.
“I’ve not boxed since the Olympics and feel like I was celebrating my silver medal for about five months!” McCormack said with a smile.
“But I’ve been training with Ben Davison since January, working on things and I trust Ben and the team, so I am going to go out there and do my thing on Friday night.
“If I smell blood I am going to take Mendoza out.”
McCormack’s coach Ben Davison added: “I’ve not seen someone make the adjustment that quickly before. When he first walked into the gym, he looked like a top amateur but now he looks a world champion. And to make those adjustments that quickly, to be honest with you, is quite mind-blowing for me and the other coaches in the gym.”
For all of the latest on McCormack’s career, as well all ticket information and future announcements, sign up to the Probellum newsletter or follow Probellum on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.???
About Probellum???
Launched in September 2021, Probellum is a global boxing promotion and media company, and the fastest-growing brand in the sport.
Probellum’s elite stable of international fighters includes Nonito Donaire, Regis Prograis, Estelle Mossely, Lee McGregor, Donnie Nietes, Dina Thorslund and Muhammad Waseem.
But the company has also recruited the next generation of stars with Peter McGrail, Mark Dickinson and Pat and Luke McCormack and Shabaz Masoud among the young talents under the Probellum umbrella.
Since launching, Probellum has also signed co-promotional partnerships with some of the biggest promoters globally, including DiBella Entertainment (US), Wasserman (Germany), Universum (Germany), GYM (Canada), Maravilla Box (Spain), Team Ellis (Australia), Titov Boxing Promotions (Russia), Volcano Boxing (El Salvador), BXSTRS Promotions (Mexico), PR Best (Puerto Rico) Glozier Boxing (New Zealand), Box Office Sports (Ghana) and LNK Boxing (Latvia).?
MARLEN ESPARZA AND NAOKO FUJIOKA WILL FACE OFF IN A HISTORIC THREE WORLD TITLE SHOWDOWN

SAN ANTONIO, TX (March 23, 2022) – The Alamodome on April 9 will be a night full of exciting action as popular fighters make their grand return to the ring for the first time in 2022. Houston’s Marlen Esparza (11-1, 1 KOs) will take on Tokyo’s Naoko Fujioka (19-2-1, 17 KOs) in a 10-round fight for three world titles, the inaugural Ring Magazine Flyweight World Championship, the first-ever in the women’s flyweight division, and the WBC and WBA Flyweight World Championships. The historic three-title showdown will be featured as part of the undercard for Ryan Garcia vs. Emmanuel Tagoe in San Antonio, Texas, live, worldwide on DAZN. Also, part of the DAZN live stream, “King” Gabriel Rosado (26-14-1, 15 KOs) of Philadelphia, PA, will face-off against Shane Mosley Jr. (17-4, 10 KOs) of Pomona, CA in a 10-round fight for the WBA Continental Americas Super Middleweight title.
“I am training hard and excited for my return to San Antonio,” said Marlen Esparza. “We are both champions, and we get to fight for the first-ever Ring Magazine Women’s Flyweight World Championship. Fireworks are what you can expect on April 9.”
“I am grateful to Goldenboy and everybody making this fight happen,” said Naoko Fujioka. “I believe that my last victory against Sulem Urbina opened the door for this bigger opportunity to fight Marlen Esparza and unify world titles. I’ve never been more excited. I am ready to go to her backyard and win!”
“I’m excited to get back and start the new year with a bang,” said Gabriel Rosado. “I’m back at 168, where I feel more comfortable. I won’t take Shane Mosley Jr. lightly, this is a big step-up fight for him, and I expect him to be at his best. I’m looking forward to making a run at the super middleweight division, and Shane Jr. is in my way. I respect his father, who is one of the best to do it. So this fight is nothing personal, it’s strictly business, and I plan to get the job done and put on a show for the fans in San Antonio, Texas! Get your popcorn ready, the ‘King’ is back!!!”
“I’m excited for the opportunity to fight on such a great card, and I can’t wait to get back in the ring,” said Shane Mosley, Jr. “This is going to be my first fight in 2022, and I am ready to show fans an exciting show on April 9.”
“We are excited and proud to put on a fan-friendly undercard for the anticipated matchup between Ryan Garcia and Emmanuel Tagoe,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy. “We always want to keep the fans in mind when we put together fights, and I know they will be glad to witness history in the making when #1 world-ranked Marlen Esparza faces #2 Naoko Fujioka for the inaugural Ring Magazine Flyweight World Championship. Both fierce fighters will also put their WBC and WBA Flyweight World Championships on the line for the honor of being crowned the unified female flyweight world champion. Also on the live stream, exciting warriors, Gabriel Rosado and Shane Mosley, Jr. will face off in a fan-friendly bout. This is a major test for both fighters as they both move up to super middleweight in a bid to forge a new path in the sport. I am so excited for this event; I can assure fans that San Antonio will be the place to be on April 9.”
2012 Bronze Olympic medal winner and current WBC Flyweight World Champion Marlen Esparza is seeking to make history again as she fights to be the first woman crowned as the Ring Magazine Flyweight World Champion. Esparza will not only be defending her world championship, but she will also be seeking to unify the division when she faces WBA Flyweight World Champion Naoko Fujioka on April 9. Esparza is coming off a decision victory over former two-time world champion Anabel Ortiz in December 2021.
History will be made on April 9, when WBA Flyweight World Champion Naoko Fujioka fights for the unification of the flyweight division and the inaugural women’s Ring Magazine Flyweight World Championship. Fujioka is a five-division world champion, the first in Japan, and has faced tough opposition in her rise in the sport, beating the likes of Isabel Millan, Irma Sanchez, and Yosaka Valle. She was seen in July 2021, defeating Sulem Urbina, successfully defending her WBA Flyweight World Championship for the third time.
“King” Gabriel Rosado of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is a world-class warrior with an exciting style that has won him the admiration of boxing fans worldwide. He was last seen in the ring in one of the best performances of his career, facing the undefeated Jamie Munguia at the Honda Center last November. Although the decision was not in his favor, he received massive acclaim for his performance. Earlier in 2021, Rosado scored a sensational knock-out victory over previously undefeated fighter Bektemir “The Bully” Melikuziev, a victory that proved Rosado still was a force to be reckoned with in the sport. Now moving up to super weight, a weight class more comfortable for the boricua fighter, Rosado is ready to climb the ranks in the division when he faces Shane Mosley Jr. on April 9.
Second-generation fighter, Shane Mosley, Jr. of Pomona, CA, is looking to get in the ring and score a victory after a controversial loss via majority decision to Jason Quigley in May 2021. The 31-year-old is willing to leave it all in the ring on April 9 and is looking for a fresh start fighting for the first time at super middleweight. A victory against Rosado, an experienced warrior, and world title contender, would establish Mosley, Jr. as a true rival in the super middleweight division.
Tickets for Garcia vs. Tagoe are going fast and are priced at $250, $150, $100, $75, and $40, not including applicable facility fees. Tickets will be available for purchase at Ticketmaster.com or in-person at the Alamodome Box Office, Monday through Friday, from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. CT.
Garcia vs. Tagoe is a 12-round lightweight fight presented by Golden Boy in association with DiBella Entertainment. The event is sponsored by Hennessy “Never Stop. Never Settle,” and “BetOnline – Your Online Sportsbook Experts.” The fight will take place on Saturday, April 9, and will stream live exclusively on DAZN, worldwide.
For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and 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 #GarciaTagoe
QUEEN OF BOXING JOINS ICE WARS PROMOTIONAL GROUP

Detroit, MI, March 22, 2022) – Known as “The First Lady of Boxing,” Jackie Kallen has been involved in the sport of boxing for over four decades. First as a boxing publicist for the famed Kronk Gym in Detroit and Thomas “Hit Man” Hearns, then as a successful manager of champions and a promoter of both Boxing and MMA. Kallen was the subject of the Paramount film “Against the Ropes” starring Meg Ryan and was also a part of the NBC show “The Contender” with Sylvester Stallone and Sugar Ray Leonard.
Kallen, who is no stranger to firsts and known for having an eye on something special, has officially joined the new ICE WARS promotional group. As both an adviser, consultant, and part of the broadcast team, Kallen will bring over 40 years of boxing expertise to the sport that describes itself as ‘Prize Fighting on Ice’.
“It’s an exciting new hybrid sport that I think the fans will absolutely love. It’s fast, fun to watch, and is a new twist on combat sports. There’s lots of action, lots of drama, and it’s all compressed into a short time-frame. No long, boring fights here – the bell rings and it’s ON!”
The authorized biography “Against the Odds”: The Jackie Kallen Story will be released around the same time as ICE WARS’ first event, so it will be an active spring for this dynamic powerhouse. Kallen has also just finished co-producing a film called “The Legend of Jack and Diane” in Los Angeles and is busy moving the careers of two promising professional boxers, Mykquan Williams and Sam Rizzo.
You can follow ICE WARS on Instagram and twitter @iceiswar and more information can be found on www.iwifights.com. The inaugural ICE WARS event will be announced the week of March 28th!
34 West Long Lake Road, Suite 213 Bloomfield, Michigan 4837
SUNNY EDWARDS VS JULIO CESAR MARTINEZ FIGHT ‘AGREED’ LIVE ON AIR BY SCHAEFER AND HEARN
| LONDON, MARCH 23 – Richard Schaefer and Eddie Hearn agreed live on national radio that the huge flyweight unification clash between Sunny Edwards and Julio Cesar Martinez must be made.
Edwards expertly defended his IBF title at Probellum Evolution in Dubai on Saturday night and immediately turned his attention to fighting Mexico’s WBC belt holder Martinez next. |
| Probellum President Schaefer was in the talkSPORT studio on Tuesday (March 22) talking to host Jim White when Matchroom chief Hearn joined them to discuss the chances of the unbeaten Edwards meeting Martinez. Both strongly agreed that should the WBC champion come through a mandatory title defence later this year then the fight with Edwards has to happen. Edwards, nicknamed ‘Showtime’, then joined them on the phone from his sun lounger on holiday in Dubai to reinforce that he is ready and waiting to take on Martinez. “Can you two get a deal on here?!” asked Jim White. “I think everybody wants that fight,” said Eddie Hearn. “Edwards is a character and talk about rubbing people up the wrong way! He’s a great guy, he’s very outspoken and he’s a very good fighter. He is, maybe, maybe the best in the division, but it’s between those two. “Martinez against Sunny Edwards is definitely a fight that we need to see.” “This is one of the most talked about fights, and I agree with your assessment of Sunny, I think he is an amazing self-promoter and he has the skills to back it up,” added Richard Schaefer. “He’s a trash talker but he really he can fight – he’s got it all.” Hearn added: “There’s a great narrative in the fight and history, because don’t forget that Julio Cesar Martinez knocked out Sunny Edwards’ brother Charlie Edwards for the WBC world title. But he actually hit him when he was on the floor after knocking him out and the fight was ruled a no contest. “There will be a lot of trash talking and Sunny is a nightmare! He’s been having pops at Eddy Reynoso, at Canelo, of which Julio Cesar Martinez is part of the team, so the build-up is everything you want in a fight, you want two guys to go at it.” Hearn went onto say: “Maybe you do one fight in London and one in California?” “Sunny is a headliner, particularly here in the UK as well, so I’m sure we could build a nice show around it and have some Matchroom fighters against some Probellum fighters and have some fun with it!” said Schaefer. IBF champion Edwards then surprised Hearn, to join the call and said: “It’s the fight that makes the most sense.
“There are other good fights out there for both of us, in the division, but when you really think about it, there’s no other fight with the back story and with the pre-made build up. “It’s a very interesting fight because it’s two completely conflicting styles and it’s splitting opinion pretty much down the middle because if you ask half the people, then I’m getting knocked out in a matter of minutes and the other half is telling everyone I’m going to school him. “I think that’s just great for boxing and like Eddie said, it can happen anywhere.” For all of the latest on the unification bout between Edwards and Martinez, as well all ticket information and future announcements, sign up to the Probellum newsletter or follow Probellum on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.?? |
| About Probellum??? Launched in September 2021, Probellum is a global boxing promotion and media company, and the fastest-growing brand in the sport. Probellum’s elite stable of international fighters includes Nonito Donaire, Regis Prograis, Estelle Mossely, Lee McGregor, Donnie Nietes, Dina Thorslund and Muhammad Waseem. But the company has also recruited the next generation of stars with Peter McGrail, Mark Dickinson and Pat and Luke McCormack and Shabaz Masoud among the young talents under the Probellum umbrella. Since launching, Probellum has also signed co-promotional partnerships with some of the biggest promoters globally, including DiBella Entertainment (US), Wasserman (Germany), Universum (Germany), GYM (Canada), Maravilla Box (Spain), Team Ellis (Australia), Titov Boxing Promotions (Russia), Volcano Boxing (El Salvador), BXSTRS Promotions (Mexico), PR Best (Puerto Rico) Glozier Boxing (New Zealand), Box Office Sports (Ghana) and LNK Boxing (Latvia).? |
CHARLIE EDWARDS WANTS TO MAKE BOXING HISTORY AFTER JOINING PROBELLUM
LONDON, MARCH 23 – Former flyweight king Charlie Edwards wants to make British boxing history by joining his brother Sunny as a reigning world champion.
The 29-year-old has today signed a promotional deal with Probellum, the fastest growing brand in boxing, and firmly set his sights on winning a world crown at a new weight.
The former WBC flyweight champion is aiming to become a two-weight title holder this year and sit with his brother Sunny, who brilliantly defended his IBF flyweight belt at Probellum Evolution in Dubai on Saturday, at the top of the sport.
The dream for Charlie is that he and Sunny could fight for world titles on the same card and with Probellum’s backing, the Surrey-born stylist knows it will become a reality.
“I’ve been a world champion but now I am focused on creating history and leaving a legacy in this sport,” said Edwards (17-1 , 7KO)
“I want titles at super-flyweight and to move through the weight divisions, it is my intention to go down as one of the greatest fighters in British boxing history and I know Probellum share my vision.
“I have no doubt that they can help Sunny and I realise our dream of winning world titles on the same card to create a landmark moment for boxing in this country.
“I have seen first-hand the work Probellum have done with Sunny and how they are superbly promoting the smaller weights because they know we always deliver, pound-for-pound, some of the best fights in the sport.”
Speaking about the announcement, Probellum President, Richard Schaefer added:“We are delighted to have secured the signing of Charlie Edwards, already a world class fighter who has big plans to become a multi-weight world champion.
“Charlie’s attitude and mindset fits perfectly with Probellum’s whole outlook for boxing and we are going to do everything in our power to help deliver those world title shots for him.
“Probellum is all about breaking new ground in boxing and having Charlie and Sunny fighting for world titles on the same card is exactly the type of historic promotion that we are focused on delivering.”
Edwards won the flyweight title in 2018 when he out-pointed Nicaraguan Cristofer Rosales before making a successful defence of the WBC belt the following year against Spain’s Angel Moreno.
The former Great Britain amateur star decided to vacate his belt in late 2019 but after fighting only twice since 2020, Edwards is ready to kick-start his career under the Probellum banner this year.
To keep up-to-date with Edwards’ fight news, as well all ticket information and future announcements sign up to the Probellum newsletter or follow Probellum on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.?
LIVE VIDEO: Kiko Martinez vs Josh Warrington 2 Plus Undercard Open Workout
BLOCKBUSTER CHAMPIONSHIP DOUBLEHEADER HEADLINES UFC® 274 AT FOOTPRINT CENTER
Las Vegas – UFC® returns to Phoenix for the first time since 2019 with a blockbuster championship doubleheader. Headlining the event will be UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira seeking to defend his title against No. 1 ranked contender Justin Gaethje. In the co-main event, UFC strawweight champion Rose Namajunas looks to avenge her loss against No. 2 ranked Carla Esparza. Also on the card, top lightweights aim to make a statement as No. 5 contender Michael Chandler takes on No. 7 Tony Ferguson.
UFC® 274: OLIVEIRA vs. GAETHJE will take place Saturday, May 7 at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Ariz. All bouts will be simulcast on ESPN+ in English and Spanish beginning at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT with the ESPN+ and UFC Fight Pass prelims. The prelims will continue exclusively on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT followed by the ESPN+ Pay-Per-View main card that will kick off at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.
UFC® 274: OLIVEIRA vs. GAETHJE tickets will go on sale Friday, March 25 at 10 a.m. PT and are available for purchase at ticketmaster.com. Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. UFC Fight Club® members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets Wednesday, March 23 at 10 a.m. PT via the website www.ufcfightclub.com. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers Thursday, March 24 starting at 10 a.m. PT. To access this presale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through UFC.com.
Reigning UFC lightweight king Oliveira (32-8, 1 NC, fighting out of Houston, Texas by way of Sao Paulo, Brazil) intends to further his legacy as champion by taking out one of his toughest opponents to date. The record holder for most UFC finishes, submissions and post-fight bonuses, Oliveira has established himself as one of the most exciting athletes on the entire roster. He is also currently on a 10-fight win streak, which includes notable victories over Dustin Poirier, Kevin Lee and Jim Miller. Oliveira now looks to defeat another top contender and continue his rise up the pound-for-pound ranks.
Former interim champion Gaethje (24-3, originally from Safford, Ariz., and fighting out of Arvada, Colo.) is one of the only lightweights that can match Oliveira’s impressive finishing ability. An NCAA All-America wrestler, he has earned nearly all his victories by knockout, including wins over Michael Johnson, James Vick and Edson Barboza. He now plans to put Oliveira’s resolve to the test and finally capture his first undisputed UFC title.
UFC strawweight titleholder Namajunas (12-4, fighting out of Denver, Colo.) returns to action seeking to successfully defend her belt for the second time by avenging her 2014 loss against Esparza. Among the most popular athletes on the UFC roster, she holds the record for most stoppage wins in strawweight history, including victories over former champions Joanna Jedrzejczyk and Zhang Weili. Namajunas now aims to leave no doubt that she is the best 115-pounder on the planet with a statement performance.
Esparza (19-6, fighting out of Irvine, Calif.) has her sights set on regaining her strawweight championship by replicating her submission victory over Namajunas. Currently on the longest win streak of her UFC career, she secured her shot at the crown with memorable performances over Yan Xiaonan, Marina Rodriguez and Michelle Waterson. Esparza is now determined to prove that her first win over the champion was no fluke and begin her second reign atop the division.
Chandler (22-7, fighting out of Nashville, Tenn.) has wasted little time in cementing himself as a must-see fighter since joining the UFC roster. Already a highly regarded competitor before entering the stacked UFC lightweight division in 2021, he quickly ascended to the top of the ladder following a highlight reel KO over Dan Hooker. Chandler now expects to repeat the success from his debut by finishing Ferguson with a statement performance.
Fan favorite Ferguson (26-7, fighting out of Orange County, Calif.) has been entertaining audiences with his unique fighting style since winning season 13 of The Ultimate Fighter in 2010. A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, Ferguson won his own interim UFC title by putting together the longest win streak in lightweight history with 12 consecutive victories, including wins over former title holders Anthony Pettis and Rafael Dos Anjos. He now is gunning to get back on track and reinsert his name into the championship conversation by taking out Chandler.
Additional bouts on the card include:
- Flyweight action sees Tracy Cortez (9-1, fighting out of Scottsdale, Ariz.) face off with Melissa Gatto (8-0-2, fighting out of Sao Paulo, Brazil)
- The legendary Mauricio “Shogun” Rua (27-12-1, fighting out of Curitiba, Brazil) rematches with Ovince Saint Preux (25-16, fighting out of Knoxville, Tenn.) at light heavyweight
- Lightweight veterans finally battle when Donald Cerrone (36-16, 2 NC, fighting out of Albuquerque, N.M.) meets Joe Lauzon (28-16, fighting out of Bridgewater, Mass.)
- No. 4 ranked flyweight contender Brandon Royval (13-6, fighting out of Lakewood, Colo.) and No. 9 ranked Matt Schnell (15-5, 1 NC, fighting out of Shreveport, La.) match up in an early Fight of the Night contender
- No. 14 ranked heavyweight contender Blagoy Ivanov (18-4, 1 NC, fighting out of Sofia, Bulgaria) seeks to defend his spot in the Top 15 against Marcos Rogerio De Lima (19-8-1, fighting out of Sao Paulo, Brazil)
- Macy Chiasson (8-2, fighting out of Dallas, Texas) returns to action against Norma Dumont (7-1, fighting out of Belo Horizonte, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil) in a featherweight bout
- An exciting welterweight matchup sees Randy Brown (14-4, fighting out of Queens, N.Y.) lock horns with Khaos Williams (13-2, fighting out of Jackson, Mich.)
- Welterweights Francisco Trinaldo (27-8, fighting out of Federal District, Brazil) and Danny Roberts (18-5, fighting out of Liverpool, England) aim to steal the show
- Dana White’s Contender Series signees collide as Kleydson Rodrigues (7-1, fighting out of Laranjal do Jari, Amapa, Brazil) and CJ Vergara (9-3-1, fighting out of San Antonio, Texas) compete at flyweight
- Ariane Carnelossi (14-2, fighting out of Sao Paulo, Brazil) looks to extend her win streak against Loopy Godinez (7-2, fighting out of Vancouver, B.C., Canada by way of Aguascalientes, Mexico) at strawweight
- Journey Newson (9-3, 1 NC, fighting out of Portland, Ore.) has his sights set on spoiling the UFC debut of Dana White’s Contender Series alum Fernie Garcia (10-1, fighting out of Dallas, Texas)
Visit UFC.com for information and content to support your UFC coverage. Please click here to apply for credentials for the event.
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About UFC®
UFC® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 625 million fans and 178 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 sports and entertainment 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 Footprint Center
Located in the heart of Downtown Phoenix, for more than 30 years Footprint Center has been the home of the Phoenix Suns, Phoenix Mercury, Arizona Rattlers and a multitude of live concerts and events each year. Following a $250 million transformation, Footprint Center is the preeminent destination for sports and entertainment in the southwest. The reimagined arena features state-of-the-art improvements that offer a world-class experience to all who step inside the doors. For more information, visit FootprintCenter.com.
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 17.1 million subscribers.
Fans sign up to ESPN+ for just $6.99 a month (or $69.99 per year) at ESPN.com, ESPNplus.com or on the ESPN App (mobile and connected devices). It is also available as part of The Disney Bundle that gives subscribers access to Disney+, ESPN+ and Hulu for $13.99/month (Hulu w/ads) or $19.99/month (Hulu w/o ads).
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.
UNDEFEATED SUPER FLYWEIGHT DAVID ALAVERDIAN ADDED TO SALITA PROMOTIONS’ DETROIT BRAWL EVENT
Las Vegas via Nahariya, Israel, super flyweight David Alaverdian (5-0, 4 KOs), will make his make his United States fighting debut in a six-round showcase bout against Kecskemet, Hungary’s Jeno Tonte (9-9, 8 KOs) at Salita Promotion’s next Detroit Brawl event, on Saturday April 2, 2022, in the Lincoln Ballroom of the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center in Dearborn, MI.
Tickets for “Detroit Brawl” start at $40 and can be purchased by clicking HERE. PLEASE NOTE: Tickets ordered online will be placed in will call at the box office for pick-up. A limited quantity of VIP tickets is also available by calling 313.529.7604.
An eight-time Israeli national champion and a bronze medalist at the 2012 European championships, Alaverdian was brought to the US by his manager, Dr. Daniel Carpenter and promoter, Stephen Reid. The Armenian/Jewish slugger now lives in Las Vegas and trains with the legendary Floyd Mayweather Sr.
After shortages of willing American opponents led him to take his first five fights in Mexico the 28-year-old Alaverdian says he’s happy to be appearing on Salita Promotions’ next event. A successful former fighter turned promoter, Dmitriy Salita was appointed WBC Representative to Israel last year, working alongside the Middle East Boxing Council to develop boxing in the region. He and Alaverdian met through a mutual association with former Attorney General of Israel, Yehuda Weinstein.
“I’m not one of these guys who say I’m going to be a world champion or beat this guy or that guy. I don’t know if that’ll happen. I don’t know the future. If it doesn’t come true, then I didn’t hold true to my word. I’m going to give it my best in boxing, while trying my best to always be a good human being. I can say that with certainty.”
Alaverdian says he was forced into boxing by his father, who was worried his small stature would lead to bullying if he wasn’t able to defend himself. After going on again/off again for a few years, Alaverdian got serious about the sport a few years ago and has gone on a tear, staying undefeated in the ring while becoming a social-media influencer on the strength of his viral training videos with Mayweather.
“It’s pretty great,” recollects Alaverdian of his relationship with Floyd Mayweather Sr., the former fighter, elite trainer and father of the all-time-great Floyd Mayweather Jr. “He’s getting older now but I like to mess around and a lot and laugh and he’s pretty much the same. We have a lot of fun when we train and I’ve learned a lot about defense, obviously, but also counterpunching and moving.”
Alaverdian is also becoming known as a body-punching specialist, with sparring videos online of him delivering one crippling liver shot after another, ala “Irish” Micky Ward.
“In the amateurs, my coach used to emphasize body shots and I noticed they really worked for me. I know how to generate a lot of power. It just comes naturally, so now the liver shot is my best shot. My opponents know it’s my best shot, but they can’t get away from it.”
“I am excited about the world class, international talent we have on our Detroit Brawl events,” said Dmitriy Salita. “On April 2, we are going to have one of Israel’s best put it all on the line against a more experienced Jeno Tonte. Local boxing fans will get to see some of the best prospects, contenders and future world champions all at different stages of their careers in America’s greatest comeback city, Detroit, Michigan.”
The night’s eight-round main event features the return of one of Detroit’s own, as undefeated power-punching lightweight contender Erick De Leon (19-0-1, 11 KOs) will take on hard-nosed Mexico City veteran Juan Jose “Piquet” Martinez (28-11, 20 KOs).
In the main supporting bouts will be a pair of world-class contenders, as undefeated former amateur star and professional middleweight Timur Kerefov (12-0, 6 KOs) and WBC #9, IBF #15, WBO #14 light heavyweight Ali Izmailov (7-0, 5 KOs) will both make appearances, 8 and 10 rounds respectively, against separate opponents, while undefeated Grand Rapids, Michigan-based former amateur lightweight star Joshua “Double J” Pagan (1-0, 1 KO) will appear in a four-round special attraction.
Kerefov will take on well-respected trialhorse Cleotis “Mookie” Pendarvis (21-9-2, 9 KOs) in an eight-round showdown. The murderous-punching Izmailov’s, as well as Pagan’s opponents are yet to be announced.
Also scheduled for action is current WBC USNBC Silver Heavyweight Champion Brandon Moore (11-0, 7 KOs) in an eight-round heavyweight showdown against Curtis Harper (13-7, 9 KOs).
ABOUT THE FORD COMMUNITY & PERFORMING ARTS CENTER:
The mission of the Dearborn Recreation & Parks Department is to help fulfill the social, educational and recreational needs of children, adults and families by providing quality programs and activities in clean and well-maintained facilities and to achieve this through exemplary customer service. For more information, visit their OFFICIAL SITE.
ABOUT SALITA PROMOTIONS:
Salita Promotions was founded in 2010 by Dmitriy Salita, a professional boxer and world-title challenger who saw the need for a promotional entity to feature boxing’s best young prospects and established contenders in North America and around the world. Viewers watching fighters on worldwide television networks including Showtime, HBO, ESPN, Spike TV, Universal Sports Network, UFC Fight Pass, DAZN, ESPN+ and MSG have enjoyed Salita Promotions fight action in recent years. We pride ourselves on offering our fighters opportunities inside and outside the ring. Salita Promotions looks forward to continuing to grow and serve the needs of fight fans around the globe.
Check the Salita Promotions YOUTUBE CHANNEL for regular updates of the modern world’s greatest fighters, contenders and prospects in action.
Miguel Berchelt: I’m Sending a Message to the Lightweight Division!”

| LAS VEGAS (March 22, 2022) — This is a time of firsts for Mexican star Miguel “El Alacran” Berchelt. The former WBC super featherweight world champion is now campaigning as a lightweight and will begin his quest to become a two-weight world champion Saturday against Jeremiah Nakathila in the 10-round main event at Resorts World Las Vegas.
Berchelt also moved his training camp from Mexico to Las Vegas to work with a new head trainer, Jorge Capetillo. The Nakathila bout will be his first since his title reign ended via brutal knockout at the hands of Oscar Valdez in February 2021. Berchelt (38-2, 34 KOs) made six successful defenses of the title he won in January 2017, and he hopes the Nakathila fight is the start of a fruitful lightweight campaign. Berchelt spent camp training alongside UFC star Brandon Moreno, the first Mexican-born champion in the organization’s history. He ran the Mount Charleston roads and had access to more world-class sparring than ever before. This is what Berchelt had to say as he readies to tackle the lightweight elite. “This will be a great comeback. I am very happy and excited to be the first athlete to bring a sporting event to Resorts World Las Vegas. I am ready to make my debut at 135 pounds against a great opponent like Jeremiah Nakathila. I’m going to put on a spectacular show for my people, and I’m sending a message to the lightweight division. They must contend with me!” “My goal is to become world champion at lightweight. It will not be easy because I know that at 135 pounds there are a lot of great fighters. Most importantly, I have the desire and the potential to be crowned once again as world champion.” About training alongside the first Mexican champ in UFC history “It motivated me to train with Brandon Moreno. The truth is that he is a great person, and he has done amazing things to raise the Mexican flag very high. Right now, we are training together, and I feel very happy to be his training partner. We are both working hard to continue representing Mexico with great pride.” About moving his training camp to Las Vegas to train with Jorge Capetillo “The experience of changing my training camp to Las Vegas with coach Jorge Capetillo has been very good. In this city, there are many champions, and I think that God brought me here for a reason. There are many styles of sparring partners, which I was not able to find in Mexico. It has also been a great experience to run up Mount Charleston. I think all these changes are for the best, and we are ready to return to the ring with a big win!” Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Zanfer Promotions, tickets starting at $25 are on sale now and can be purchased at www.rwlasvegas.com/experiences/top-rank. About Genting Group |
Ernesto Mercado Returns April 14th on Fight Club OC Card in Costa Mesa, CA
POMONA, CA (March 22, 2022) – Undefeated prospect, Ernesto “Tito” Mercado (4-0, 4 KOs), who has started his career with four straight knockouts, looks to make it five in a row as he fights at The Hangar, in Costa Mesa, California, on April 14th against an opponent yet to be named. The scheduled 6-round bout is being promoted by Englebrecht Promotions & Events on the popular Fight Club OC series.
“It feels good to be right back in the ring, I am happy to be staying so active, and keeping the momentum going as my career couldn’t have started any better,” said the sensational knockout artist Mercado. “It is important to get ring time especially as I start out so I can improve early in my career and be prepped for what will come later. My goal is not just to be a world champion, but a multiple-weight world champion, and each fight is a step in that direction.”
In Mercado’s last bout he needed only one round to knock out his opponent and has only gone to the second round once in his pro career.
“Getting rounds are key at this point, I know that as I fight better competition, I will have to be better prepared to face tougher opponents, so I am focused on improving each and every fight,” continued Mercado. “This is the start of a long career, and I am trying to make the most out of each fight. I’m looking forward to fighting in front of my SoCal fans.”
Tickets are available for purchase by calling (949) 760-3131 on online at socafights.com. The show is almost sold out so get your tickets while they last. Doors open 6:00pm, first bout starts at 7:00pm PT.
RJJ Boxing Fact Sheet
MAIN EVENT – SUPER LIGHTWEIGHTS (8)*
Salvatore “Chango” Tapia (12-3-1, 10 KOs), Tepic, Nayarit, México
vs.
Emiliano “Letal” Cruz (13-3, 12 KOs), Tijuana, Baja California, México
CO-FEATURE – SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS (8)*
Lester Martinez (10-0, 9 KOs), Guatemala City, Guatemala
vs.
José Luis “El Caras” Zúñiga (16-6-1, 9 KOs), Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes, México
LIGHTWEIGHTS – SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS (8)*
Jorge “Jorgito” Lugo Cota (7-0, 7 KOs), Los Mochis, Sinaloa, México
vs.
Ricardo “Palmito” Badillo Rodriguez (7-2-2, 1 KO), Tepic, Nayarit, México
SUPER FEATHERWEIGHTS (8)*
Egar “Diablo” Espinosa Vargas (7-1, 6 KOs), Guadalajara, Jalisco, México
vs.
Armando “El Chica” Ramírez Almanza (5-0-1, 2 KOs), Celaya, Guanajuato, México
FEATHERWEIGHTS (6)*
Héctor “Tigre” Pérez Cruz (6-0, 5 KOs), Tepic, Nayarit, México
vs.
Víctor “Tyson” Tadeo Rodríguez (3-0. 3 KO), Tepic, Nayarit, México
LIGHTWEIGHTS (4)*
Marco Cota Moreno (5-0, 4 KOs), Empalme, Sonora, México
vs.
Jonathan “Lagartijo” Zuniga (6-3, 6 KOs), Morelia, Michoacán, México
SUPER FEATHERWEIGHTS (4)
Paulo“Leon” Pérez Cruz (6-0, 5 KOs), Tepic, Nayarit, México
vs.
TBA
(card subject to change)
*denotes streaming live on UFC FIGHT PASS
WHERE: Palenque de la Expo in Obregón Sonora, México
WHEN: Thursday, March 24, 2022
PROMOTERS: RJJ Boxing Promotions, De La O Promotions, World Cup Boxing Series and Team Cruz Promotions
LIVE STREAM: Streaming live on UFC FIGHT PASS®, the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports, boxing starts at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT. To sign up for UFC FIGHT PASS, please visit www.ufcfightpass.com
BROADCASTERS: James “Smitty” Smith (blow-by-blow) and Amber Dixon (color commentator)
RING ANNOUNCER: Michael Vale
INFORMATION:
Websites: http://www.RoyJonesJrBoxing.com, www.ufcfightpass.com
Facebook: /UFCFightPass, /WorldCupBoxingSeries
Twitter: @UFCFightPass, @RoyjonesJRfa @RoyJonesJrOfficial
Instagram: @UFCFightPass, @WorldCup_Boxing_Series, @RoyJonesJrBoxing
ABOUT ROY JONES JR, BOXING PROMOTIONS: Co-founded in 2013 by 10-time world champion Roy Jones, Jr. and Keith Veltre, Roy Jones, Jr. (RJJ) Boxing Promotions is on its way to reinventing boxing. RJJ has already made a huge impact in the boxing community in a few short years. Creating exhilarating content for UFC Fight Pass, CBS Sports, Showtime, ESPN and beIN Sports in some of the finest venues across the country, RJJ has proven it is conquering the sweet science of the sport.
ABOUT UFC FIGHT PASS®: UFC FIGHT PASS® is the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports. Since launching in 2013, UFC FIGHT PASS is now available in more than 200 countries and territories. UFC FIGHT PASS provides its members with unlimited access to live UFC FIGHT PASS Prelims; live mixed martial arts and combat sports from around the world; original series and historical programming; special features; behind-the-scenes content; in-depth interviews; and up-to-the minute reports on the world of combat sports. UFC FIGHT PASS subscribers also have 24/7 access to the world’s largest fight library, featuring more than 20,000 bouts from dozens of combat sports organizations, as well as every fight in UFC history. Fight fans can access UFC FIGHT PASS on personal computers, iOS and Android mobile devices, Apple TV, Xbox One, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, Roku, Samsung Smart TVs, LG Smart TVs, and Sony TVs with Android TV. For more information, please visit www.ufcfightpass.com.
BUATSI VS. RICHARDS PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES

Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Sport Chairman:
“Welcome to London, a huge press conference for a fantastic fight. I say Domestic fight, but also a fight that has such huge ramifications for the world 175lbs scene.
“Joshua Buatsi, Olympic bronze medallist against Craig Richards, a man who’s won British Titles, challenged for the World Title as well. This is a kind of fight that gets me excited, this is the kind of fight that seems so obvious. Two brilliant Domestic fighters but also two world class fighters as well.
“A World Title challenger in Craig Richards and a man that many believe is destined for greatness at 175lbs. I want to thank to teams of both fighters; you need to understand these guys know each other. One from Croydon and one from Crystal Palace, a stone’s throw from each other and they’ve known each other for many years.
“Sometimes in boxing they don’t want to make these fights, trainers, managers, advisors, fighters – ‘we’ll wait for our World Title shot’. You need to stop waiting, fighters out there that are queuing up for a World Title shot that is not imminent, don’t stall your career when you could be involved in brilliant fights, fights that could take your career to another level. That’s what we’ve got May 21 in London.”
Joshua Buatsi:
“A few months ago, I sat in your [Eddie’s] office and said get me these fights, there’s good Light-Heavyweights in the country so it’s good to mix it with one of them. As fighters you go to shows and watch, when there’s a main event with a buzz you think I wish I was in there. I’ve got mine now, for me it’s’ now just preparing for May 21, Spider will bring his A game but I’m ready.
“I wouldn’t dub it as the hardest test, for me, it’s just the most important fight in my career right now. It’s the next fight, the fight I must win, last time with Bolotniks but this time it’s Spider. I’ll prepared as diligently as I do, come May 21 I’ll be ready.
“I have to thank Matchroom and Spider’s team, also my team, for making this fight happen. Fighters can tend to wait for the opportunity, for me currently it’s looking a bit tricky, but I’ve got a good fight and that’s what I’m concentrating on.
“I think that [Canelo] makes this a big fight for me, makes it even more important. I know what is at stake, what the reward is and that’s what I said when I was in Arizona. I’ll fight these guys as long as I know what’s next. This may lead to a World Title fight next so for me, I’m easy, no matter who it is I’m prepared.
“I’m at the point where I want to fight these guys, I want to get into these big fights. May 21 is the first stop and when we handle that, we deal with whoever is next.”
“This is nothing new, outside I’m cool and calm probably like a lot of boxers but when I’m in that ring I know what time it is. I know what I need to do, and the situation is, nice guys come last and that’s what it is in the ring. Outside the ring be how you want to be, but in that ring, I know what I have to do. In May I’ll be ready.”
Craig Richards:
“I think this was a fight that was always going to be in the pipeline, I believed I was going to get to world level, I believed he [Buatsi] was obviously destined for world level as well so we knew our paths would cross at some point. It’s a good clash.
“For myself, I want to get back into the mix, challenge and win a World Title. I think this is the bridge to cross to make that happen today.
“Obviously I’ve been thrown in the deep end a few times and I’ve just been swimming and swimming. I have no regrets because that’s what has put me in this position today, I’ve had a lot of domestic clashes, grudge matches and cross path fights. That’s all built my experience and ability to be confident enough to go in to win and win on May 21.
“I believe if I didn’t have those fights, it would be a harder fight, if this fight was scheduled without the experience. I’m ready to go, that’s what’s made me confident, I’m seeing the growth in myself every fight and every week, every day in gym. I’m just looking forward to going out and perform, showing that experience of the hard route.
“If you look at the titles I’ve won at Light-Heavyweight, I think three of the fights I was the underdog in those. When I beat Jake Ball, I was a massive underdog, they wrote me off and I went out there, delivered and got the knockout. My last title fight I was the favourite, but it didn’t mean anything different, I went out and delivered. If the bookies want to sleep on me that’s up to them. The same person is in front of me, I’m not interested in the bookies or what people say, I’ve got a job to do, and I’ll deliver.
“Josh is going to the gym to iron out all of his flaws fight by fight, what I have seen is that he showed heart and grit. I know he’s got the will to win, and he will come to win. Like the other unbeaten fighters I’ve faced, more importantly, they’ve more will to win. I know he isn’t going to come out and lie down, that’s for me to go and prepare to make sure I get the task done.
“He’s not a stupid guy, he’s very intelligent, he’s not silly enough to just gas himself up saying yeah, I’m going to walk over Richards. I know he’s going to be preparing very hard, he’s going to invest in his camp and preparing diligently for me.
“I’m not going to be looking at him thinking this is a walk over, I’ll be preparing just as hard if not harder for him. We both know we’re in for a solid fight May 21 and I don’t anyone’s sleeping in each other. I believe we’ll both be well prepared and bringing out A games May 21.
“I think I’ve got the capabilities to win in any way, the most important thing is to prepare all-round the board. I’ve got to be prepared for everything, at this level you can’t just say I’m going to win it by a jab or closing him down. You’ve got prepare for Plan A, B, C or D, you might have to get rough and ready or box and be clever. It all depends on the night, you’ve just got to make sure you’ve prepared, have all your game plans and be fit, ready and strong. On the night just make it happen, listen to your team most importantly and execute what you need to win the fight.”
THE PENNSYLVANIA EASTERN REGIONAL GOLDEN GLOVES (BOXING) CHAMPIONSHIPS TO FILL 2300 ARENA IN SOUTH PHILADELPHIA ON APRIL 30
The Pennsylvania Eastern Regional Golden Gloves (boxing) Championships, after a three-year hiatus, get back in the ring at the 2300 Arena in South Philadelphia on April 30. The next generation of Philadelphia boxers will compete across 15 weight classes to showcase their skills, stamina, and agility, and chase their dreams on this special night. The winners of the Pennsylvania Eastern Regional Golden Gloves event will advance to the Pennsylvania State Championship.
Joe Hand Promotions is excited to present the Pennsylvania Eastern Regional Golden Gloves Championships. In addition, the event will support a new physical therapy office specializing in Parkinson’s disease at the new Joe Hand Gym in Feasterville.
“We are taking an innovative approach towards this disease with physical therapy based on both physical and mental exercises to slow down the disease,” said Joe Hand Sr., who is passionate about fighting this terrible disease. “We are doing our part to help alleviate any discomfort for anyone battling Parkinson’s.”
For many fighters, the Golden Gloves align with the path that needs to be taken to reach the Olympics and then eventually the professional ranks.
Over the years, a long list of great fighters won the Golden Gloves National Championship. A few of those names are Floyd Mayweather Jr., Oscar De La Hoya, Roy Jones Jr., Sugar Ray Leonard, Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, Deontay Wilder, and Muhammad Ali, who was known as Cassius Clay at the time he won.
Pennsylvania has been very well represented, with many fighters advancing to win the Golden Gloves National Championship, including Meldrick Taylor, Rashiem Jefferson, Jaron Ennis, Jesse Hart, Miguel Cartagena, Christian Carto, and Stephen Fulton. These champions have shown that Philly has excellent talent that can compete nationwide.
Tickets at $25 are on sale through Joe Hand Promotions by calling 215-364-9000 or purchasing at the 2300 Arena door.
ABOUT THE GOLDEN GLOVES
Since the first Golden Gloves tournament in 1923, the Golden Gloves of America, Inc. and its member franchises have provided an opportunity and environment for young athletes to develop lifetime skills. Hundreds of dedicated administrators, coaches, trainers and counselors have unselfishly spent countless time and effort to assist young people in the development of personal character and athletic skills. The Golden Gloves program has led the way in promoting amateur boxing in the United States and has produced many competitors for America’s boxing teams in the Pan-Am and Olympic games.
ABOUT JOE HAND PROMOTIONS
Founded in 1971, Joe Hand Promotions is the nation’s oldest and largest television distributor of pay-per-view and closed circuit sports and entertainment events, such as the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), championship boxing, and concerts. JHP’s event consultants provide their marketing knowledge and promotional expertise to help commercial establishments grow their business through the use of live sports and entertainment programming. Additionally, JHP hosts 4-6 live boxing events per year in the Philadelphia area. These events have held sold-out crowds at various venues and arenas.
Unbeaten Rising Prospect Joey Spencer Takes on Ravshan Hudaynazarov Highlighting Non-Televised Undercard Saturday,March 26 in Premier Boxing Champions Event fromThe Armory in Minneapolis
MINNEAPOLIS (March 22, 2022) – Unbeaten rising prospect Joey Spencer will battle Ravshan Hudaynazarov in an eight-round middleweight attraction that highlights the non-televised undercard lineup on Saturday, March 26 in a Premier Boxing Champions event from The Armory in Minneapolis.
Top super welterweight contender and rising star Tim Tszyu will make his long-awaited U.S. debut in the main event when he takes on U.S. Olympian Terrell Gausha in a 12-round showdown live on SHOWTIME.
The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and will feature rising undefeated lightweight contender Michel Rivera dueling fellow unbeaten Joseph “Blessed Hands” Adorno in the 10-round co-main event, plus hard-hitting super lightweight contender Elvis Rodríguez faces Juan José Velasco in the 10-round telecast opener.
Tickets for the event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, No Limit Boxing and Warriors Boxing, are on sale now and can be purchased at the Armory at http://ArmoryMN.com/ and through Ticketmaster.
The undercard lineup will also include super welterweight contender Brian Mendoza (19-2, 13 KOs) squaring off against San Antonio’s Benjamin Whitaker (15-7, 3 KOs) for eight rounds of action, undefeated Australian heavyweight Joseph Goodall (7-0-1, 6 KOs) facing Matthew McKinney (8-4-2, 5 KOs) in an eight-round fight and unbeaten super welterweight contender Bakhram Murtazaliev (19-0, 14 KOs) in a 10-round bout against Ahmad Cheikho (18-7, 13 KOs).
Rounding out the card are a trio of unbeaten prospects as 21-year-old Travon Marshall (4-0, 3 KOs) takes on fellow unbeaten Timothy Parks (3-0, 2 KOs) in a six-round super welterweight tilt, 25-year-old Michael Angeletti (4-0, 3 KOs) steps in for a six-round super bantamweight contest against Angel Luna (15-9-1, 8 KOs), and 19-year-old lightweight Breeon Carothers (1-0, 1 KOs) battles Deljerro Revello (0-2) in a four-round attraction.
The 21-year-old Spencer (14-0, 10 KOs) turned pro in February 2017 and immediately caught the eye of fans and pundits with his combination of speed, power and athleticism. Following an impressive 2020 campaign, the Linden, Michigan native added three more victories to his ledger in 2021, including his first eight-round fight as he earned a unanimous decision over James Martin in July. Most recently, Spencer delivered a sensational Christmas Day knockout of Limberth Ponce in the fifth-round of action.
A native of Uzbekistan, Hudaynazarov (19-4, 14 KOs) now fights out of Las Vegas as 12 of his last 14 bouts have taken place stateside. The 37-year-old was unbeaten in his first 17 pro fights before suffering four defeats from 2018 to 2020. Hudaynazarov bounced back to win his last two fights, stopping Eduardo Ayala in April 2021 before most recently winning a decision over Sergio Sarabia in June 2021.
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ABOUT TSZYU VS. GAUSHA
Tszyu vs. Gausha will see top super welterweight contender and rising star Tim Tszyu make his long-awaited U.S. debut when he takes on U.S. Olympian Terrell Gausha in a 12-round showdown that headlines action live on SHOWTIME Saturday, March 26 from The Armory in Minneapolis in a Premier Boxing Champions event.
The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and will feature rising undefeated lightweight contender Michel Rivera dueling fellow unbeaten Joseph “Blessed Hands” Adorno in the 10-round co-main event, plus hard-hitting super lightweight contender Elvis Rodríguez facing Juan José Velasco in the 10-round telecast opener.
For more information visit www.SHO.com/sports, www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow #TszyuGausha, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotions, on Instagram @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotionss or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ShowtimeBoxing.
RDR Promotions Fight Card This Friday Night at The 2300 Arena
PHILADELPHIA (March 22, 2022)–This Friday night, RDR Promotions will present an action-packed six bout card at the 2300 Arena.
In a featured bout, Isaiah Wise will take on veteran Cameron Krael in a middleweight bout scheduled for six-rounds.
Wise of Philadelphia has a record of 10-2-2 with six knockouts. The 29 year-old Wise is a six-year veteran and has wins over previously undefeated Mike Daniels Jr. (3-0) and Enver Halili (10-2). Wise has won three in a row and his latest outing he stopped Dewayne Williams in the opening round on October 9, 2021 at The 2300 Arena.
Krael of Las Vegas is a deceiving 18-21-3 with five knockouts. The 28 year-old Krael has faced a who’s-who of boxing in his 11 year run. He has wins over Luis Adrian Bello (5-0), Manuel Lopez (5-0), Demond Brock (8-2), Josh Torres (14-3-2), Maurice Lee (7-0), Jose Miguel Borego (14-1) and Razvan Hudaynzarov (17-3). Krael has also faced former world champions Maurice Hooker and Jamal James; contenders Alex Martin, Erick Bone, Keith Hunter, Elvis Rodriguez, Shinard Bunch, Montana Love and Custio Clayton; Former world title challenger Egidijus Kavaiauskas
In Six-Round Bouts:
RDR Promotions signee, Raekwon Butler (4-2, 2 KOs) of Brooklyn, New York fights Leonidis Fowlkes (2-7-1) of Winchester, Virginia.
Isiah Seldon (14-4-1, 5 KOs) of Somers Point, NJ will take on Temirlin Raimkulov (4-1-2) of Philadelphia in a middleweight bout.
Romuel Cruz (6-0-1, 2 KOs) takes on Frank Boston (3-5, 1 KO) of San Antonio, Texas in a super bantamweight contest.
In Four-round Bouts:
New RDR Promotions signee Nimal “The Chosen One” Farmer of Philadelphia tales on Anthony Curtiss (3-15, 2 KOs) of Butte, Montana junior middleweight fight.
VeShawn Champion (2-0, 1 KO) of Dayton, Ohio battles Jorge Rodrigo Sosa (3-3, 3 KOs) of Asuncion, Paraguay in a welterweight bout.
Despite a brief amateur career, Farmer has defeated several highly-regarded amateur boxers.
Tickets are $55, $75 and $100 and can be purchased at
Gustavo Lemos v Lee Selby: Live and Exclusive on Premier Sports

Premier Sports have today announced live and exclusive coverage of Welshmen Lee Selby’s (28-3, 9 knockouts) fight versus the undefeated Gustavo Lewis (27-0, 17 knockouts) in Buenos Aires, Argentina this Saturday night – Premier Sports 1 from 11pm.
The 35 year old from Barry will take on Lemos in a final eliminator in a bid to earn a world title shot against lightweight champion George Kambosos Jr. Lee Selby previously lost to Kambosos in October 2020 via a split decision and is currently ranked fourth by the IBF while his opponent Lemos is ranked third after winning all 27 professional fights.
The fight will be held in Buenos Aires, Argentina following Lemos’ promoters winning the purse bid and held in the Estadio Luna Park. The Argentinian has been fighting professionally for five years and his last fight took place last April as he defeated fellow Argentinian Maximiliano Ricardo Veron in a TKO.
Speaking ahead of the fight, Selby commented: “My final eliminator for the IBF Lightweight World Title is all set for 26 March at the historic Estadio Luna Park in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Trust me, I’m ready and hungrier than ever to secure that world title shot.”
Premier Sports will have live coverage of the fight on Saturday Night, March 26th exclusively on Premier Sports 1, available in HD via Sky (412), Virgin TV (551), online via the Premier Player available on app and desktop and through Amazon for Prime customers. New and returning subscribers to Premier Sports can easily sign up via the website – www.premiersports.com with prices beginning from £9.99 per month.
Richard Webb, COO of Premier Sports said, “We are delighted to broadcast Lee Selby’s final eliminator matchup versus Gustavo Lewis this weekend live from Buenos Aires. There is huge interest in this event from fans in the UK especially Wales and we’re pleased to make it live and exclusive to Premier Sports customers.”
Formed in 2009, Premier Sports is currently broadcasting in the UK and Republic of Ireland with live and exclusive rights to games from the Premier League, LaLiga, United Rugby Championship, Scottish Cup Football, Rugby League Championship and Challenge Cup, GAA, NHL, NASCAR and also operate BoxNation, a dedicated boxing channel. Many of these rights are available in both territories with some exclusive to each region.
PARKER SET TO LIVE HIS DREAM
ZACH PARKER DESCRIBES fighting Demetrius Andrade on the hallowed turf of his hometown football club as the stuff of dreams.
The super middleweight destroyer takes on the unbeaten American for the WBO Interim world title at the Pride Park Stadium, home of Derby County FC, on May 21.
Parker has blasted out all before him since teaming up with Frank Warren and Queensberry, scoring brutal knockouts victories over Vaughn Alexander, Sherzod Khusanov and Marcus Morrison – three men who had not previously been stopped.
Now he goes up against the formidable Andrade, a world champion at both super welterweight and middleweight.
Parker insists it is his time now and a changing of the guard will take place in the middle of the pitch at Pride Park, suggesting Andrade has miscalculated the scale of the job in front of him.
“I am obviously over the moon and it is a dream for me,” said the 27-year-old. “Fighting for the Interim title against one of the best out there in Andrade, a two-weight world champion and awkward southpaw.
“I am ready for it and he has made a bad decision coming over to Derby in front of what will be a hostile crowd at Pride Park. He is coming up a weight as well, so nothing is in his favour.
“I just can’t wait now,” he added, before reflecting on the gesture of donating £10 from every ticket sold back to his team in a time of financial strife.
“I said with us doing it at Pride Park that we need to give something back to Derby because they are going through hard times. With £10 from each ticket going to the club what more incentive is there needed for fans to get behind me now?
“It is amazing to be able to do it and hopefully it will help out the club.”
While his local team battle against points deductions and strive to remain in the Championship against all odds, Parker believes his region is in need of another hero.
“Derby is such a big team and we need a winner to get behind. I’ll be that winner. I am undefeated in 22 fights and Derby is such a good county and on May 21 everyone will see what Derby is all about.
“We are going to light up Pride Park,” is Parker’s prediction, another being that the reign of Andrade will come to an abrupt conclusion.
“My style is all wrong for everyone. Every time I face someone I change my style to work in my favour.
“I think he is on his last legs and his promoter hasn’t got behind him, has he? Not like my promoter, that is what you are meant to do and get behind your fighter. He is 34, coming up a weight against someone who is big for the weight. You could see that in my last fight against Marcus Morrison, when a middleweight comes up I just put them to sleep.
“Trust me I will be the first to stop Andrade and I haven’t been as confident about anything in my life. I’ve been waiting for these big fights to show what I am about and on May 21 everyone will know who Zach Parker is.”
Tickets for Zach Parker vs Demetrius Andrade at Pride Park on Saturday, 21st May go on sale at 11am on Thursday, 31st March.
Fans are advised to sign-up for Ticket Alerts at frankwarren.com to receive the ticket link directly to their inboxes.
A full undercard will be announced in due course.
Please Note: This event is subject to contract and licence approval.
LIVE VIDEO: JOSHUA BUATSI – CRAIG RICHARDS PRESS CONFERENCE
AUDIO: Interview with Undefeated VeShawn Champion
VIDEO: Interview with Undefeated VeShawn Champion
Split-T Management Fighters Go Two-For-Two on Saturday Night
New York, NY (March 21, 2022)-Split-T Management fighters came home with two wins in as many fights on Saturday night as junior welterweight John Bauza and junior lightweight Dalis Kaleiopu remained undefeated with wins in New York and Los Angeles respectively.
At The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden, John Bauza remained undefeated with an eight-round unanimous decision over Tony Luis in a junior welterweight bout.
Bauza boxed well, and controlled the fight with his quicker hands and variety of punches.
Bauza landed 109 of 329 punches; Luis was 90 of 449.
Bauza, 140.2 lbs of Coamo, PR won by scores of 80-72, 79-73 and 78-74 and is now 17-0. Luis, 140.8 lbs of Cornwall, ONT, CAN is now 29-5.
The bout was televised live on ESPN.
Bauza is promoted by Top Rank.
Photo By Tom Hogan / Golden Boy
At the Galen Center In Los Angeles, Dalis Kaleiopu stopped Manuel Lara in the fourth and final round of their lightweight bout.
In round one, Kaleiopu dropped Lara with a right to the head. Later in the round, Lara went down from a body shot.
In round four, it was a three-punch combination to the head that dropped Lara to his knees and the bout was stopped at 2:15.
Kaleiopu, 132.4 lbs of Waianae, HI. is 2-0 with two knockouts. Lara, 134.2 lbs of Celaya, MEX is 2-8.
Kaleiopu is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions.
LOVE VS. VALENZUELA LANDS ON CANELO-BIVOL UNDERCARD

| Montana Love and Gabriel Valenzuela will clash in a mouthwatering Super-Lightweight battle on the undercard for Canelo Alvarez vs. Dmitry Bivol at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 7, live on DAZN, excluding Latin America and Mexico. In the U.S. & Canada, the event will be offered exclusively on DAZN Pay-Per View (PPV). Tickets will go on sale on Wednesday, March 23.
TICKETS FOR MAY 7 GO ON SALE WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23 – CLICK HERE FOR FULL DETAILS AXS, Fighter, DAZN and Matchroom (codes) Pre-Sales: Tuesday, March 22 from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.Public On-Sale: Wednesday, March 23 at 10:00 a.m. “These are two great fights for a massive night in Las Vegas,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “Montana Love is ready for big fights now and in Gabriel Valenzuela, he’s got a huge test of his ambitions at the very top level – Gabriel will lay everything on the line and will have the Mexican fans roaring him on, so Montana will need to produce his best. |
HRGOVI? VS. ZHANG CONFIRMED FOR CANELO-BIVOL UNDERCARD

The IBF World Heavyweight Title Final Eliminator between Filip Hrgovi? (14-0, 12 KOs) and Zhilei Zhang (23-0-1, 18 KOs) will take place on the Canelo Alvarez vs. Dmitry Bivol undercard on May 7 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Hrgovi? has been hunting a dance partner for a showdown to name the mandatory challenger for the IBF World Title held by Oleksandr Usyk. The 29-year-old Olympic bronze medal man has cut a lethal swathe through the pro ranks to sit in a prime position for a deserved shot at the big prize, ending all but two of his fights inside the distance, and not going past the fifth round in his last seven outings.
A host of Heavyweights were offered the clash with the dangerous Croatian, but not until it came to #13 ranked Zhang was a dance partner found, with the lofty Chinese star accepting the challenge. The 38-year-old has been circling for a major showdown, and ‘Big Bang’ gets his wish against Hrgovi? in Sin City with the two KO artist promising to leave it all in the ring with the stakes so high.
“I’ve been waiting for this opportunity for more than year,” said Hrgovi?. “Finally, I have an opponent willing to face me for the chance to fight for the IBF World Title. So many fighters turned down this challenge so credit to Zhang for being brave enough to accept.
“I know he’s a good opponent. He won silver at the Olympics so that means he’s a good boxer, but he is too slow on his feet, and I believe I have better the qualities. My speed, stamina and footwork will be too much for him. I will break him down and I will beat him.
“I’m now only one fight away from my dream of boxing for a World Title and nothing is going to stop me. Canelo is the face of boxing and I’m excited to get this opportunity on such a big show. I’m ready to show the whole world that ‘El Animal’ is coming!”
“I am very happy that this fight is going to happen,” said Zhang. “I’ve been waiting on an opportunity – now it’s here and I’m not going to let it pass.
“When no-one else from the top 15 wanted to face Hrgovic, I told myself that I had to do it for me, and for the sport of boxing. This is the most important fight of my whole career. I’m all in. Don’t miss it!”
“Finally, we’ve found an opponent willing to accept the challenge,” said promoter Kalle Sauerland. “Having gone through the IBF rankings twice, Zhang has stepped up to face Filip Hrgovi? in an IBF World Title final eliminator. We now have ‘El Animal’ versus ‘Big Bang’ for a shot at the biggest prize in boxing. This epic battle is going to light up the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, where fans can witness the next Heavyweight Champion of the World in action.”
“I love the Heavyweight dust-up between Filip Hrgovic and Zhilei Zhang,” said Eddie Hearn. It’s been a long-time coming for someone to step up to the plate and fight Filip, credit to Zhilei and his team for taking on the challenge. Both men carry huge power, and they know that victory takes them one step closer to sport’s ultimate prize – Heavyweight champion of the World. There won’t be a backwards step taken when they rumble, it’s going to be fireworks on an already electric night.”
Hrgovi? vs. Zhang is the latest addition to what promises to be a stacked card in Las Vegas with Montana Love and Gabriel Valenzuela also set to square off in a mouth-watering Super-Lightweight battle in support of the blockbuster main event as pound-for-pound Mexican king Canelo looks to become a two-time World ruler at 175lbs against long-reigning WBA champion Bivol on Cinco De Mayo weekend.
Tickets will go on sale starting at $105 (plus fees) on the following dates and times (all times PT) at AXS.com.
- AXS, Fighter, DAZN and Matchroom (codes) Pre-Sales: Tuesday, March 22 from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
- Public On-Sale: Wednesday, March 23 at 10:00 a.m.
March 26: U.S. Olympian Tiger Johnson & Puerto Rican Junior Featherweight Contender Carlos Caraballo Highlight Berchelt-Nakathila Undercard Action at Resorts World Las Vegas
LAS VEGAS (March 21, 2022) — Boxing’s rising stars are headed to Resorts World Las Vegas. Welterweight U.S. Olympian Tiger Johnson and Puerto Rican junior featherweight contender Carlos “Purin” Caraballo will see action on the Miguel Berchelt-Jeremiah Nakathila undercard Saturday, March 26 at the Resorts World Events Center.
Johnson will face an opponent to be named in a six-rounder, while Caraballo hopes to bounce back from his first career defeat against Luis Fernando Saavedra in an eight-rounder.
Berchelt-Nakathila and a 10-round featherweight battle between Jose Enrique Vivas and Eduardo Baez will be televised live on ESPN & ESPN Deportes (simulcast on ESPN+) at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. Undercard bouts, including Johnson and Caraballo-Saavedra, will stream live and exclusively on ESPN+ at 6:45 p.m. ET/3:45 p.m. PT.
“There’s plenty of great young talent on the card, including a young man in Tiger Johnson who I believe can one day become a world champion,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “We are thrilled to bring world-class boxing to Resorts World Las Vegas.”
Johnson (2-0, 1 KO) had a sterling 188-17 amateur record, culminating in his run to the quarterfinal round at the Tokyo Olympics. He had an eye-opening professional debut last November in Las Vegas, knocking out Antonius Grable in four rounds. Johnson returned in January with a shutout decision over the previously unbeaten Xavier Madrid.
Caraballo (14-1, 14 KOs), from Guayanilla, Puerto Rico, won his first 14 fights by stoppage and was never extended past the sixth round. That changed last October when he went the 10-round distance against Jonas Sultan. He knocked down Sultan once and survived four knockdowns to lose a narrow decision in one of the best fights of 2021. Caraballo now has a stiff challenge in Saavedra (9-6, 3 KOs), a Mexican pressure fighter with a deceiving record. Saavedra has won two straight fights against previously unbeaten fighters, including last June’s six-round domination over Robert “Biggie” Rodriguez (9-0-1 at the time) on a Top Rank card.
In other undercard action streaming live on ESPN+:
- Josue “The Prodigy” Vargas (19-2, 9 KOs) will fight an opponent to be named in an eight-round junior welterweight tilt. Vargas was one of the division’s rising contenders until a stunning first-round KO loss to Jose “Chon” Zepeda last October in New York City.
- Featherweight Haven Brady Jr. (5-0, 3 KOs), the one-time U.S. amateur star, aims to notch his second victory of 2022 against Chilean veteran Jose Argel (8-2, 2 KOs). Argel has never been knocked out as a pro and has gone six or more rounds six times in his career.
- Light heavyweight prospect Dante Benjamin Jr. (1-0, 1 KO), fresh off a first-round knockout in his professional debut, will face fellow unbeaten Kevin Johnson (2-0, 1 KO).
- Arturo Cardenas (2-0, 2 KOs), a junior featherweight knockout artist who trains out of the world-famous Robert Garcia Boxing Academy in Riverside, California, will fight Mexican upstart Juan Hernandez Martinez (2-0) in a four-rounder.
- Adrian Serrano, a 17-year-old lightweight from Salinas, California, will make his pro debut in a four-rounder against Estevan Partida (0-1).
Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Zanfer Promotions, tickets starting at $25 are on sale now and can be purchased at www.rwlasvegas.com/experiences/top-rank.
# # #About Resorts World Las Vegas
Resorts World Las Vegas was developed by Genting Berhad, a publicly traded Malaysian corporation registered with the Nevada Gaming Commission. The company has affiliated operations in the Americas, Malaysia, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the Bahamas. In partnership with Hilton, Resorts World Las Vegas integrates three of Hilton’s premium brands into its resort campus, including Las Vegas Hilton, the resort’s full-service brand; Conrad Las Vegas, Hilton’s lifestyle luxury brand; and LXR, Hilton’s network of independent luxury properties, which operates as Crockfords Las Vegas, Genting’s internationally renowned ultra-luxury brand. Resorts World Las Vegas features 3,506 guest rooms and suites, an innovative, next-generation gaming floor, world-class food and beverage options, a 5,000-capacity theatre, distinct nightlife venues, a curated retail collection of designer and boutique shops and more. The integrated resort weaves time-honored traditions of the international Resorts World brand into the fabric of Las Vegas, introducing a bold, fresh take on hospitality to the city with stunning design, progressive technology and world-class guest service. Resorts World Las Vegas is?Sharecare Health Security VERIFIED™?with?Forbes Travel Guide,?a verification that ensures the resort has appropriate health safety procedures in place.?For?more information, visit?rwlasvegas.com?or find us on?Facebook,?LinkedIn,?Twitter?and?Instagram.
About Genting Group
Genting Group comprises Genting Berhad (KLSE: GENTING), the holding company, and its listed companies Genting Malaysia Berhad (KLSE: GENM), Genting Plantations Berhad (KLSE: GENP) and Genting Singapore Limited (SGX: G13). Genting Group is involved in leisure and hospitality, power generation, oil and gas, property development, life sciences and biotechnology activities, with operations spanning across the globe, including in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, India, China, the United States of America, Bahamas and the United Kingdom. Genting Group is a leader in the global gaming and hospitality industry. Founded in 1965, Genting Group has more than 50 years of experience in developing and operating destination resorts in the Americas, Malaysia, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the Bahamas, offering an unparalleled resort experience and iconic entertainment attractions to over 50 million visitors a year. For more information, visit?www.genting.com.
BUATSI AND RICHARDS COLLIDE IN HUGELIGHT-HEAVYWEIGHT CLASH

Joshua Buatsi will face former World Title challenger Craig Richards in a huge all London Light-Heavyweight clash on Saturday May 21, live worldwide on DAZN (excluding New Zealand and Australia).
Croydon’s Buatsi (15-0, 13 KOs) scored his tenth knockout in a row when he stopped Latvia’s Ricards Bolotniks in the eleventh round of their WBA Light-Heavyweight World Title Eliminator on the third and final week of Matchroom Fight Camp in August.
The 29-year-old was set to face Russia’s former World Title challenger Maxim Vlasov on the undercard of Joseph Parker’s rematch with Derek Chisora at the AO Arena in Manchester in December before suffering a hand injury.
Crystal Palace’s former British Light-Heavyweight Champion Richards (17-2-1, 10 KOs) put in a spirited display as he pushed WBA Light-Heavyweight World Champion Dmitry Bivol all the way in his first World Title attempt in May 2021.
‘Spider’ returned to winning ways at The O2 last October on the Cameron vs. McGee undercard, impressively stopping Poland’s Marek Matyja in six rounds to earn the vacant WBA International Light-Heavyweight Title.
“Two London boys coming together, it’s going to be a huge night,” said Buatsi. “The Light-Heavyweight scene in this country is thriving and I’m glad that we are able to get one of the biggest fights made. The crowd are going to be in for a treat. I am coming to win and nothing else, I am sure Richards is doing the same. He had a close fight with Bivol so will want to make things straight, but I have other plans. Win well and then push onto the World Title by any means necessary.”
“We’re two top tier fighters from the UK,” said Richards. “This is one of the biggest London domestic clashes for a long time. This is a very exciting fight for us both, but also one the fans will enjoy. Buatsi has got his plans and I’m sure he be well prepared, but nobody is going to stop me from fulfilling my destiny of becoming a World Champion! He is a solid competitor and will be coming to win, but I am confident and believe I have the tools to get the job done. I proved myself at world level and I’m eager to prove that’s where I belong.”
“A big well done and thank you to Joshua and Craig for taking this fight, it’s exactly the kind of fight boxing should be making,” said Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Sport Chairman. “Two domestic Light-Heavyweights on the verge of a World Title shot decide to put it on the line rather than wait in a queue, giving us a fantastic battle of London that can only be a thriller.”
“Who doesn’t love a big domestic dust up? And this certainly fits that description, what a fantastic fight this is set to be,” said Ed Breeze, EVP Rights at DAZN. “With an electric Light-Heavyweight scene in the UK, Joshua Buatsi will face a big test on May 21 against former World Title challenger Craig Richards. This will be all out action from start to finish, all live and exclusively on DAZN.”
*Venue to be confirmed tomorrow at launch press conference
CHRISTIAN THUN AND AMRON SANDS TO MEET IN HEAVYWEIGHT BATTLE IN CO-MAIN EVENT OF MIMONE VS. FRANCIS ON MARCH 25
PLANT CITY, Florida (March 21, 2022): Christian Thun (7-0, 5 KOs) of Schwelm, Germany and Amron Sands (11-1, 9 KOs) of Orlando, Florida will meet in a heavyweight battle in the eight-round co-feature to Mimoune vs. Francis on Friday, March 25. The event, which also will feature a stacked card of undefeated prospects, will take place at the ProBox Events Center in Plant City, Florida. Streaming information will be announced shortly.
Thun is a native of Ennepetal, Germany who debuted as a professional in March 2018. The 30-year-old puncher has since remained undefeated in seven fights, maintaining a more than 70% knockout ratio in the process by scoring wins in different parts of the world, including Monaco, Spain, the United States and in his home country.
In his last outing, Thun stopped Keenan Hickmon via knockout in only one round. It won’t be too long before he gets to challenge some of the big names in the division, but first he’ll need a similar performance against Sands in order to earn a top stop in the rankings.
Sands, a 27-year-old native of the Bahamas, debuted as a pro in 2017 and has since developed in to a local favorite in the South Florida area. His only loss has been against a fellow undefeated fighter and he possesses more knockouts than Thun has fights, so he has everything it takes to ruin Thun’s plans at moving up the rankings.
The March 25 event features a full slate of undercard action.
Cruiserweight prospect Najee Lopez (3-0, 3 KOs) of Ellenwood, Georgia will face Anthony Stewart (6-1-2, 4 KOs) of Tuscaloosa, Alabama in a six-round bout.
Jusiyah Shirley (3-0, 3 KOs) of Orlando, Florida will take on Javonni Bemett (1-0) of Chicago, Illinois in a scheduled six-rounder in the super lightweight division.
Darrelle Valsaint (2-0, 1 KO) of Orlando, Florida will face off against Jorge Martin Garcia (13-8-1, 3 KOs) of General Lavalle, Argentina across six-rounds of middleweight action.
Jaycob Gomez (2-0) of Caguas, Puerto Rico will battle Pedro Hernandez (7-10-1, 2 KOs) of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico in a four-round super featherweight bout.
Daniel Blancas of Milwaukee, Wisconsin will make his pro debut against Andre Graham (2-1) of Arvada, Colorado in a four-round super middleweight clash.
Jan Paul Rivera-Pizarro (22-7) of Salinas, Puerto Rico will return against a soon-to-be-announced opponent in a four-round super featherweight battle.
Marsellos Wilder (5-2, 2 KOs), the younger brother of former heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder and native of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, will fight Eric Abraham (6-13, 3 KOs) of Schenectady, New York in a six-round cruiserweight bout.
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Mimoune vs. Francis is a 10-round super lightweight fight presented by ProBox Promotions. The event takes place Friday, March 25 at the ProBox Events Center in Plant City, Florida. Streaming information will be announced shortly.
Tickets for Mimoune vs. Francis are on sale now, priced at $75, $100, $125, $150, $200 and $250, excluding applicable services charges. Tickets are available for purchase at TicketLeap.com or by clicking here.
About ProBox Promotions
ProBox Promotions is a Florida-based company founded by entrepreneur Garry Jonas out of a desire to combine his love of boxing with business marketing to develop a revolutionary way to promote the sport. The company boasts an impressive stable of fighters that includes Erickson Lubin, Najee Lopez, Casey Dixon, Julio Solis, the Valle Brothers Marques and Dominic, and more.
DAMIAN SOSA TO DEFEND WBO LATINO SUPER WELTERWEIGHT TITLE AGAINST JESUS VEGA IN TOSCANO BOXING PROMOTIONS MAIN EVENT
TIJUANA, Mexico (March 21, 2022): Toscano Boxing Promotions returns on Friday, April 8 as WBO Latino Super Welterweight Champion Damian “Samurai” Sosa (19-1, 10 KOs) faces Jesus “Ingeniero” Vega (22-2-1, 13 KOs) in a 10-round main event at Zonkeys Auditorium in Tijuana, Baja California Mexico. The event will be streamed live on Pay-Per-View via FITE.TV beginning at 6:00 p.m. PT/9:00 p.m. ET.
Tickets for Sosa vs. Vega are on sale now and are priced at $50, $100, $250 and $500, excluding applicable services charges. Tickets are available for purchase at BoletoMovil.com or by clicking here.
“We’re excited to return to Tijuana for this action-packed event on April 8,” said Jorge Toscano, CEO and Founder of Toscano Boxing Promotions. “Damian Sosa is a powerful super welterweight and a tremendous counterpuncher, but he’ll have a very tough test against Jesus Vega. We’ll also have undefeated prospect Manuel Jaimes making his return in the co-main event atop of a stacked card of action.”
Sosa is a 25-year-old native of Mexico City, Mexico who made his professional debut in 2016. He fought for most of his career in his native country, before challenging Artem Oganesyan for the WBO Youth Junior Middleweight Championship on enemy territory. Despite losing, Sosa put on a tremendous effort and bounced back with eight victories, the last of which was against “Cassius” Clay Collard. Sosa looks to shake up the division at 154 pounds by scoring a dominant victory in a career-defining fight against Vega.
“I feel very happy and excited because I’ll be fighting in Tijuana,” said Damian Sosa. “It’s been about two years since I’ve fought here, and the last two times were without fans due to the restrictions promoters were implementing because of COVID. So, it’s been a long time since I’ve fought in Tijuana with people here coming to watch me. That’s one of the reasons I’m so motivated and excited. Another reason is that I’ll be defending my title for the first time.”
“I know that my opponent has a lot of experience,” Sosa continued. “He has had two or three more fights than I, and one of them was against Omar Chavez, so he’s definitely a fighter who knows how to fight under pressure. That will make it an interesting fight. He’s going in confident in his ability to defeat me. But I have other plans for him.”
Vega is a 28-year-old native of Sinaloa, Mexico who has participated in 25 bouts since making is pro debut in 2015. Vega possess more experience than Sosa, having fought the likes of Alessandro Riguccini and Omar Chavez, and he’ll look to derail Sosa’s plans at becoming a top contender on April 8.
“I want to thank Toscano Boxing giving me this great opportunity to fight for the WBO Latino title,” said Jesus Vega. “This fight will be against a great prospect in Damian Sosa. I’m very grateful and happy to be in Tijuana, Baja California to deliver a great fight and a great boxing event. May the best man win.”
In the co-main event, Manuel Jaimes (12-0, 10 KOs) of Stockton, Calif. will defend his WBC Youth Lightweight Championship against Pedro Bernal (8-1-2, 3 KOs) of Mexico City, Mexico.
Carlos “El Burrito” Garcia (9-0, 7 KOs) of Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico will return in a six-round welterweight bout against David “El Nena” Rangel (13-10, 9 KOs) of Cintalapa, Chiapas, Mexico.
Jose Luis “El Morro” Vazquez (6-0, 3 KOs) of Tlaquepaque, Jalisco, Mexico will battle against Omar Martinez (4-2, 3 KOs) of Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico in a six-round super featherweight clash.
In the FITE.TV Pay-Per-View opener, Gabriel “Maestrito” Muratalla (6-0, 3 KOs) of Fontana, California will put his undefeated record on the line against Jose Giovanny Pineda (4-3, 1 KO) of Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico in a six-round bantamweight battle.
The rest of the card will stream live on the Toscano Boxing Promotions official YouTube Channel as well as on TV Boxeo beginning at 4:00 p.m. PT/7:00 p.m. ET.
Jose “Karma” Alvarado (9-0, 5 KOs) of Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico will face Cesar “Bulldog” Salcedo (9-4, 5 KOs) of Tepic, Nayarit, Mexico in a super featherweight battle scheduled for six rounds.
Artur “Cheche” Cortez (5-0-1, 4 KOs) of Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico will participate in an eight-round super featherweight battle against Carlos Alberto Ocampo (9-3-4, 6 KOs) of Guasave, Sinaloa, Mexico.
Welterweight Felix Soria (4-0, 2 KOs) of Riverside, Calif. will take on Raul “Borrego” Gomez (3-0, 2 KOs) of Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico in a four-round bout.
Middleweight Erik Aguirre (1-0) of Riverside, Calif. will fight Brian “Niño de Oro” Landeros (1-0, 1 KO) of Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico in a four-rounder.
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Sosa vs. Vega is a 10-round battle for the WBO Latino Super Welterweight Championship presented by Toscano Boxing Promotions. The event will take place on Friday, April 8 at Zonkeys Auditorium in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico and will be streamed live on Pay-Per-View via FITE.TV beginning at 6:00 p.m. PT/9:00 p.m. ET. The prelim undercard fights will be streamed live on the Toscano Boxing Promotions official YouTube channel as well as on TV Boxeo beginning at 4:00 p.m. PT/7:00 p.m. ET.
About Toscano Boxing Promotions
Toscano Boxing Promotions is a promoter based out of Stockton, California and founded by Jorge Toscano in 2018. The company has hosted events both in the United States and in Mexico, including the 2021 battle between Anderson Silva and Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. The Toscano Boxing stable includes rising stars Damian Sosa, Manuel Jaimes, Jose Alvarado, Jose Carrillo and more.
TOURNAMENT LINE-UP CONFIRMED FOR BOXXER SERIES: COVENTRY
Coventry, England – (March 3, 2022) – BOXXER, the next-generation boxing promotion, today announced the names of the eight British lightweights who will enter the BOXXER Series: Coventry at Coventry SkyDome on Saturday, April 16.
Airing live and exclusively on Sky Sports, the one-night, eight-man tournament is one of the toughest tests in professional boxing and, alongside significant prize money, opens up major new career opportunities for successful participants.
BOXXER Series tournaments utilize the short-form boxing format (3 x 3-minute rounds), creating fast-paced, explosive contests as boxers seek to score definitive wins and guarantee their passage to the next stage of the tournament.
Events are planned for every major city in the UK as part of BOXXER’s commitment to grassroots boxing in Britain, with BOXXER Series events offering boxers across the country a chance to showcase their skills on the sport’s biggest platform.
Tickets for BOXXER Series: Coventry are on sale now via Boxxer.com and Ticketmaster
BOXXER Series Coventry: Lightweight Tournament
Dylan Cheema (2-0)
Coventry
Tion Gibbs (7-0)
Birmingham
Joe Underwood Hughes (7-0)
Beeston
Scott Melvin (4-0)
Chelmsley Wood
Otis Lookham (1-0)
Nottingham
Brooklyn Tilley (2-0)
Rainham
Rylan Charlton (6-2-1)
Norwich
Shaun Cooper (12-3)
Willenhall
The BOXXER Series launched in November with an event in Liverpool. Tournament winner Cori Gibbs emerged with his undefeated record intact, his largest-ever professional purse and a long-term promotional agreement with BOXXER and Sky Sports Boxing.
The event was also successful in producing notable follow-on opportunities for several other tournament participants, underlining the benefit BOXXER Series tournaments and the Sky Sports platform bring to British grassroots boxing.
BOXXER Series: Coventry is presented in association with our partners bet365, Everlast, Wow Hydrate and Village Hotels.
ROCKIN’ FIGHTS 41 RESULTS: SOLD OUT PARAMOUNT THRILLS
Long Island, New York (March 20, 2022) — A sold out Paramount was draped in Ukrainian flags from the rafters to ringside as a prideful OLEH “UKRAINE PITBULL” DOVHUN (now 14-0 5KO’s) made his first defense of his NABA Super Bantamweight title against gritty Belgium bruiser GERAM ELOYAN in an absolutely grueling 10 round main event.
Dovhun garnered the energy of his throngs of Ukraine supporters, starting fast and strong dictating the action. His impressive work rate continued through the first three rounds when a clash of heads caused a cut over his left brow. The fourth round saw the fight turn into a grueling bloody battle of wills. Dovhun’s work rate continued to impress but Eloyan was finding a home for his left hook. In the 6th round, Eloyan buzzed Dovhun with a hard left, but Dovhun returned fire with an eight punch combination. Eloyan (now 7-3 6 KO’s) came on strong in the back half of the battle but it would prove to be too little too late as Dovhun, maintaining an extraordinary work-rate, defended his title and took home a split decision by scores of 96-94 (Dovhun), 97-93 (Eloyan), 97-93 (Dovhun).
In the 8 round co feature, TYRONE “PRETTY BOY” JAMES (now 12-0 9KO’s) returned to the Paramount after nearly 3 years out of the ring caused by the COIVD-19 hiatus and Tommy John surgery on his elbow due to a torn UCL. James opposed New Haven’ veteran JIMMY “QUIET STORM” WILLIAMS (now 18-7-2 6KO’s) for the vacant ABO North American Super Welterweight Title.
Williams, fresh off his upset over former world champ Yuri Foreman, controlled the pace early forcing James to fight off his back foot. In the second round, a James counter right impressed the crowd even though Williams continued to press the action. James appeared to be shaking off the ring rust while working off the back foot and began to find his timing. Midway through the fourth round James landed a picture perfect counter right over a lingering jab of Williams, blasting Williams into the ropes. Williams was hurt, and James unleashed in the corner, throwing power punches with blazing speed and accuracy in an impressive onslaught. The barrage of punches forced the referee to stop the fight as a wobbling Williams tried to stay upright on very shaky legs. With the TKO victory James was crowned the new ABO North American Champion.
WENDY “HAITIAN FIRE” TOUSSAINT (now 13-1 6KO’s) wasted no time getting back to his winning ways, eating up TRAVIS GAMBARDELLA (now 7-2-2 3KO’s). Toussaint landed a hard right midway through the first round, and then unleashed a vicious seven punch combination while tracking Gambardella into the ropes before landing the final blow causing the referee to step in and stop the action.
Brooklyn’s KAMRON HUMPHREY (now 3-0 2KO’s) bested Bronx native LOUIS MAIETTA (now 1-1-1) via a 2nd round TKO in the scheduled 4 round bout.
ISAAH FLAHERTY (now 3-0 2KO’s) and ANGELO THOMPSON (now 0-1) went to battle over their 4 round super welterweight contest with Flaherty coming out on top by unanimous decision in a fan friendly, entertaining scrap.
“The fans came early and stayed late for another exciting “Rockin’ Fights” at the Paramount” said Star Boxing CEO JOE DEGUARDIA. “I was humbled and impressed with all the Ukrainian flags and fans. Their unity in traveling to support Oleh Dovhun in his grueling and gutsy title fight defense was truly inspiring. It was also nice to see Tyrone James shine after his surgery with an explosive stoppage in a true step up fight. Thank you to ALL the fighters, their teams, my staff, the Paramount and the fans who continue to impress me every show. Looking forward to be back in June at the Paramount for “Rockin’ Fights” 42!”
ABOUT ROCKIN’ FIGHTS
Created in 2011, the “Rockin’ Fights” series has developed elite boxing talent and has produced current WBO Light Heavyweight World Champion, the “Common Man”, JOE “THE BEAST” SMITH JR. (Mastic, Long Island 27-3 21KO’s) and former WBO Super Lightweight World Champion, CHRIS ALGIERI (Huntington, NY 24-3 9KO’S), two of only four Long Island World Champions EVER.
“ROCKIN’ FIGHTS” 41 is presented by Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing.
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For more information visit us at www.StarBoxing.com. For 30 years of action packed fights, subscribe to our YouTube channel HERE. Follow along on social media for fight announcements and updates @StarBoxing, and join the conversation using #RockinFights.
PAST RELEASES:
ROCKIN’ FIGHTS 41 ANNOUNCED FOR MARCH 18
ROCKIN’ FIGHTS 41 MAIN EVENT ANNOUNCED: DOVHUN vs SILVA
ROCKIN’ FIGHTS 41 TYRONE JAMES vs JIMMY WILLIAMS ANNOUNCED
ROCKIN’ FIGHTS 41: THE JAMES FAMILY ROOTS
ROCKIN’ FIGHTS 41: ROCKIN’ FIGHTS IS READY TO RUMBLE
ROCKIN’ FIGHTS 41: WEIGH IN RESULTS
ROCKIN’ FIGHTS ARCHIVES:
Rockin’ Fights 38: Cletus Seldin vs Luis Flores NABA Title Bout
CLETUS “THE HEBREW HAMMER” SELDIN returned to the Paramount at “Rockin Fights” 38 to face off with late replacement LUIS FLORES in a WAR for the NABA Super Lightweight Title
Rockin’ Fights 35: Tyrone “Pretty Boy” James vs Ray Oliveira Jr.
TYRONE “PRETTY BOY” JAMES left his mark on “Rockin’ Fights” 35 with a vicious TKO victory over RAY OLIVEIRA JR. to remain undefeated!