ROCHA VS. COBBS: PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES

LOS ANGELES, CA (March 17, 2014) – Fighters on the Alexis Rocha vs. Blair Cobbs card on March 19 hosted their final press conference today at Golden Boy HQ in Downtown Los Angeles. The fights are set to take place at the University of Southern California’s Galen Center and will be streamed. worldwide on DAZN. Hosted by Beto Duran, the event featured special interviews with Oscar De La Hoya and Bernard Hopkins, as they each spoke highly about the fighters on the fight card. In the main event, Alexis “Lex” Rocha (18-1, 12 KOs) of Santa Ana, CA and Philadelphia’s Blair “The Flair” Cobbs (15-0-1, 10 KOs), who are scheduled to face off in a 10-round welterweight fight, were in attendance as they both took turns taking verbal shots against each other which ultimately culminated in a very heated face off. Additional fighters in attendance also featured on the DAZN stream, were Micheal McKinson (21-0, 2 KOs) of Portsmouth, GBR, Bektemir Melikuziev (8-1, 6 KOs) and Evan Sanchez (10-0, 6 KOs) of Perlier, CA.

Fighters on the Golden Boy Fight Night live stream on YouTube, Alex Rincon (9-0, 6 KOs) of Dallas, Texas, Los Angeles’ John “Scrappy” Ramirez (8-0,7 KOs) and Miguel Gaona (1-0); and Alejandro Reyes (6-0, 4KOs), of Mexicali, Mexico; were also onsite to talk about their developing careers and the excitement of fight week in Los Angeles.

Below are what the fighters and their promoters had to say:

First off, I want to thank God, Robert Diaz and the Golden Boy team for moving me up to the main event,” said Alexis Rocha. “The fight was presented to him last November and we didn’t fight. It wasn’t my fault. Kerobyan was your only notable win. You’re acting like a clown here and there. Let’s remember Blair. Just like there’s clowns in the circus, there’s also lions and tigers there too. Remember this face. You’re one fight from the commentary booth. You’ll be announcing my fights after this.”

“There was no fight offered to me last November,” said Blair Cobbs. “Am I the kind of person to turn down fights? Does Blair the Flair look like he gives a shit… I don’t think so. I actually wanted that fight in November but we couldn’t make it happen. Finally we made it happen. I did not hesitate to sign this contract. Then we waited for Alexis to sign. I’m looking for bigger and better fights. McKinson I have nothing but respect. Me and him are cut from the same cloth. Underdogs fighting big fights, undefeated fighters in the fire. I am so good at it. When I put these young fighters in the fire with me they seem to not look the same. He’s only been tested one time against Brad Solomon and he almost lost. What happened when Solomon fought me with more than two months of training. We got the job done in the fifth round.”

“I talked to him (Vergil Ortiz),” said Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy. “He’s back home and he’s feeling better. It’s very unfortunate that it happened so close to the fight. He was ready and looking forward to it. Things happen but we have to look forward to an amazing main event. I actually want to take a moment and thank Cobbs and Rocha for stepping up and willing to fight in the main event. It’s an exciting fight. We have a lot of young prospects who we are looking at that are going to the next level. That’s why this whole card is super exciting. Especially the main event, it’s going to be fireworks. There’s a lot at stake for them but they are ready for the next level.”

“Everybody expects this fight to be exciting,” said Bernard Hopkins, Hall of Famer and Golden Boy Parnter. “To me they match up pretty evenly. This is a dangerous fight for both guys. I’d like to acknowledge Robert Diaz, our matchmaker, for pulling through and making this card work.”

“It’s a dream come true to be here,” said Michael Mckinson. “Unfortunately some things happened on the card but I’m thankful I’m still fighting. The show goes on. I have a lot of people to thank for keeping me on the card. I wish Ortiz a speedy recovery. He’s a young man and health is everything. My full attention goes to Jesus Perez. I had two choices. Spend the last three to four months working on my US debut just to go home and not fight. I’m a fighter. I’m here, I want my US debut. Hopefully I can win some American supporters and impress people on Saturday night.”

“I’m feeling great,” said Bektemir Melikuziev. “I’m feeling confident. I’ve been training in the gym ready to go. What happened [with Rosado] was I made a mistake and paid the price. I got a bit greedy. That’s boxing, one punch can change everything. I’m confident I’ll get that rematch. Even if I have to become world champion first. I just want to prove it was a mistake. I’m on a different level. Congrats to Rosado. I’m looking forward to the fight. Nothing changed for me. I’m still going to bring all the belts at 168 to Golden Boy.”

“Fans should expect a little of everything, boxing, attacking and defense,”said Evan Sanchez. “I can adjust to any fighter. It’s going to be an amazing fight. I feel good. I’ve been out of the gym for awhile because of covid and a shoulder injury. It’s an honor to be here.”

Fans with tickets to Ortiz vs. McKinson do not need to take action to attend Rocha vs. Cobbs, as their tickets and seating locations are still valid.

If a fan purchased tickets directly through the Galen Center, on-line or in-person, for Ortiz Jr vs. McKinson, and do not wish to attend Rocha vs. Cobbs refund requests made by Saturday, March 19th at 3pm PST will be honored, in full by emailing USCTO@USC.EDU. Ticket holders seeking refunds for online purchases via secondary market sites must contact those vendors directly.

Tickets for the event are on sale now and are priced at $150, $75, $50 and $25 not including applicable service charges. Tickets will be available for purchase at www.galencenter.org or www.goldenboypromotions.com. Please note that LADPH guidelines and other protocols relating to admission requirements will be in place for this event, which include that all guests age 2 and older will have to provide proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result within 24 hours for an antigen test or 48 hours for a PCR test.

Rocha vs. Cobbs is a 10-round welterweight fight presented by Golden Boy in association with Matchroom Boxing. The event is sponsored by Hennessy “Never Stop. Never Settle” and “BetOnline – Your Online Sportsbook Experts.” The fight will take place on Saturday, March 19 at Galen Center in Los Angeles, and will be streamed live worldwide on DAZN.

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 #RochaCobbs




CANELO VS. BIVOL TICKETS ON SALE WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23

Tickets 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, will go on sale onWednesday, March 23 at 10 a.m. PT. In the U.S. & Canada, the event will be offered exclusively on DAZN Pay-Per View (PPV).
TICKETS FOR MAY 7 GO ON SALE WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23 – CLICK HERE FOR FULL DETAILS
 Canelo (57-1-2, 39 KOs) returns to Las Vegas for his first Cinco De Mayo fight since 2019 where he defeated Daniel Jacobs at T-Mobile Arena in a Middleweight unification clash. The Mexican superstar has embarked on a sensational run of fights since that night, moving to Light Heavyweight to win a World title at a fourth weight against Sergey Kovalev before returning to Super Middleweight to beat Callum Smith, Billy Joe Saunders and Caleb Plant and becoming the first undisputed champion at 168lbs.

Canelo has chosen the toughest of paths once again for his next challenge as he attempts to become a two-time champion at 175lbs by meeting long-reigning WBA belt-holder Bivol. The 31-year-old (19-0, 11 KOs) has been untouchable as a pro in 19 outings in the paid ranks and Canelo will be his 10th defense of his crown. Bivol has seen off the likes of Joe Smith Jr., Jean Pascal, Sullivan Barrera and Isaac Chilemba on his path to meeting Canelo.

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.



Probellum Evolution weigh-in results from Dubai as Estelle Mossely prepares for history

DUBAI, MARCH 17 – World champion Estelle Mossely and her challenger Yanina del Carmen Lescano both made weight ahead of tomorrow night’s historic lightweight title showdown in Dubai.

The opening night of Probellum Evolution takes place at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium on Friday with the packed card also featuring a WBC super-featherweight title eliminator, a fast-rising British prospect, and a fearsome heavyweight puncher.

French star and Olympic gold medallist Mossely tops the packed card against her dangerous Argentinian rival, in the first ever female world title fight to headline a show in the Middle East, with Ireland’s Jono Carroll acting as chief support in a 10 rounder with Ghana’s Patrick Ayi Aryree.

Boxing starts at 5:20pm local time with the action from a major night of boxing being broadcast by Eurosport’s linear channels, discovery+ and Eurosport App, to 62 million homes across Europe and the Indian sub-continent.

fuboTV will stream both Probellum Evolution shows to its audience in North America, with ESPN KO showing the cards in South America, after a deal was announced last week.

WEIGH-IN RESULTS FROM THE IRISH VILLAGE

Main Event

2250

IBO lightweight world title – 10 rounds

Estelle Mossely (9-0) 9st 8lbs 8oz

Yanina del Carmen Lescano (10-1) 9st 8lbs 8oz

2200

10 rounds Super-featherweight contest

Jono Carroll (21-2) 9st 5lbs 6oz

Patrick Ayi Aryee (21-0-1) 9st 6lbs

2100

WBC super-featherweight title eliminator – 12 rounds

O’Shaquie Foster (18-2) 9st 3lbs 13oz

Muhammadkhuja Yaqubov (18-0) 9st 3lbs 10oz

2010

10 Rounds Super-bantamweight contest

Shabaz Masoud (9-0) 8st 9lbs 11oz

Yoann Boyeux (43-6) 8st 9lbs 11oz

1920

8 Rounds Heavyweight contest

Bakhodir Jalolov (9-0) 18st 3lbs

Kamil Sokolowski (11-24-2) 17st 2lbs

1840

8 Rounds Welterweight contest

Rohan Date (13-0-1) 10st 9lbs 14oz

Tom Hill (9-2) 10st 9lbs 10oz

1820

4 Rounds Super-featherweight contest

Joshua Ridgewell (1-0) 9st 5lbs 3oz

Suraj Ram (3-3) 9st 3lbs 3oz

1750

6 Rounds Super-flyweight contest

Sultan Al Nuaimi (6-0) 8st 1lbs 12oz

Hamza Mchanjo (17-14-3) 8st 4lbs 6oz

1720

6 Rounds Super-welterweight contest

Eyrk Apresyan (8-1) 10st 9lbs 4oz

Burak Akkus (5-2) 10st 9lbs 4oz

Arena float

4 Rounds Light-heavyweight contest

Zlad Wael Hamza (1-0) 12st 9lbs 6oz

Karanjeet Singh (0-2) 12st 0lbs 4oz

For ticket news, live news and updates, be sure to follow Probellum on Facebook and Twitter, Instagram

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).?




TERRELL GAUSHA: “WE’RE GOING TO GIVE TIM TSZYU A DIFFERENT LOOK THAN HE’S EVER SEEN BEFORE.”

LOS ANGELES – March 17, 2022- – U.S. Olympian and super welterweight contender Terrell Gausha is confident that he’ll be spoiling the stateside debut of unbeaten rising star Tim Tszyu when they square off on Saturday, March 26 live on SHOWTIME® headlining a Premier Boxing Champions event from The Armory in Minneapolis.

“We’ve been working on some different things for this fight,” said Gausha. “We’re going to give Tim Tszyu a different look than he’s seen before. Compared to most of the fights that everyone has seen, they’re going to see something new from me on March 26.”

Tszyu, the son of Hall of Fame fighter Kostya Tszyu, will be making his much-anticipated debut in the U.S. against Gausha, after dominating his first 20 fights in his native Australia. For the Cleveland native Gausha, his motivation comes from within and not from the hype surrounding Tszyu entering this matchup.

“I’m just motivated period,” said Gausha. “It’s got nothing to do with any hype around Tszyu. It has everything to do with where I’m at in my life and my career. Things are happening at the right time for me. I’m in a good place. This is the perfect fight for me at this point in my career.

“I appreciate him for taking this challenge. Most other fighters would try to protect their record. This shows that he believes in himself. He wants the tough fights. That being said, I think he took the wrong fight.”

Gausha scored an impressive knockout over young contender Jamontay Clark in his last fight, stopping his opponent in round two in March 2021, and will look to build on that triumph against a bigger name in Tszyu.

“That was a good fight for me against Clark,” said Gausha. “I wanted to get right back in the ring, but sometimes it’s hard to make fights with certain guys. I have a great opportunity against Tszyu and I’m looking to capitalize and build off of my last performance. I’m going to make an even bigger splash in this fight.”

Training in Los Angeles with Manny Robles and Prenice Brewer, Gausha has received excellent sparring leading up to fight night, having shared the ring with 154-pound champion Brian Castaño, welterweight contender Vergil Ortiz and 2020 U.S. Olympian Delante Johnson. While Gausha expects Tszyu to display his typical come forward style, he plans to be ready for anything that his opponent presents.

“I expect Tim to try to bring pressure and come forward,” said Gausha. “He’s a one-trick pony. What you see is what you get. He doesn’t do too many things spectacularly, but what he does do well, he does it very well, and that’s bring the pressure. We have something ready for that and we’re going to do our thing no matter what he tries to do.”

Gausha previously challenged for the 154-pound world title in losing a 2017 decision against Erislandy Lara and also owns a decision defeat to Erickson Lubin and a draw against former champion Austin Trout. Now, Gausha will look to catapult himself right back into the title picture with a victory on March 26.

“After everyone sees this performance on March 26, they’re going to know where I fit into this division,” said Gausha. “I’ve got a job to do. Right now, I’m really just starting to show people my skills and what I can do. This is going to solidify that. I’m knocking on the door of a title fight right now. A win over Tszyu would be great for my career and get me to the world titles.”

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.

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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.




Press Conference Notes: Young Stars Edgar Berlanga & Xander Zayas Ready for ESPN & Madison Square Garden Spotlight

NEW YORK (March 17, 2022) — Three of Puerto Rico’s young stars are ready for the Madison Square Garden spotlight.

Super middleweight sensation Edgar “The Chosen One” Berlanga (18-0, 16 KOs) makes his main event debut Saturday evening in a 10-rounder versus longtime contender Steve Rolls (21-1, 12 KOs).

Xander Zayas (12-0, 9 KOs) takes the co-feature stage in an eight-round junior middleweight bout against Louisiana-born spoiler Quincy LaVallais (12-2-1, 7 KOs).

In the eight-round televised opener, junior welterweight John “El Terrible” Bauza (16-0, 7 KOs) steps up in class against Canadian veteran Tony “Lightning” Luis (29-4, 10 KOs).

The televised tripleheader kicks off at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN & ESPN Deportes (simulcast on ESPN+). Undercard action will stream live and exclusively on ESPN+ (7:15 p.m. ET) and includes the return of Brooklyn-born Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington (2-0, 1 KO), Kelvin Davis (3-0, 2 KOs), and rising junior lightweight Henry Lebron (14-0, 9 KOs).

This is what the main card fighters had to say at Thursday’s press conference.

Edgar Berlanga

“I’m feeling amazing. I want to thank Top Rank and ESPN for finally making it happen here back home. It’s a blessing, man. I’m looking forward to Saturday.”

“It’s about adversity. In my last fight, I tore my biceps in the third round. I broke the guy’s orbital bone in three places. I would have stopped the fight in the 10th, but I got dropped in the ninth. So, for me, I just feel I needed that for my career. I needed that adversity.”

“Every fighter goes through that in their career, especially being this young. I know I was going to come out of that adversity because having a torn biceps in the third round and fighting seven rounds like that—a lot of fighters would have quit because the pain is just ridiculous. But I took it as it came. We got the victory. I won the WBO NABO title, and we moved to Las Vegas, and now we’re here ready for Saturday.”

“I don’t like to predict nothing. He’s a tough veteran. He went in there with the best. And for me, I’m just looking forward to putting on a show. I’m ready to blow the roof off this place. I’m just ready to explode. It’ll be fireworks like always.”

Steve Rolls

“I think he wants to step up and get closer to a world title shot. He wants a challenge. That’s why they chose me. I’m sure he could have taken an easier route. But, credit to him for picking an opponent of my caliber.”

“I’m going to bring experience into this fight. I still got big goals that I have and that I need to accomplish. That’s all that fight was [against Golovkin]. It wasn’t a fight where I was getting blown out or that wasn’t competitive. I made a mistake. He has experience. And I think that’s going to serve me well on Saturday night.”

“I have goals. I want to put a world title around my waist, so we both have pressure on us. He’s not the only one with pressure. This is a fight that we both need. Training camp went well. I’m strong. A lot of people say this, but I’m really in the best shape in my life right now. So, that’s what drives me, man. When I set out to do this, I set out to put a world title around my waist. That’s what keeps me moving forward.”

Xander Zayas

“I’m super excited. It’s my first fight of the year. It’s an eight-rounder against a great opponent. That’s what we were looking for. I’m ready to put on a show Saturday night.”

“It’s a good fight. I wouldn’t say it’s the biggest challenge yet because the biggest challenge is yet to come. It’s another stepping stone. I’ve got to put on a show. I’ve got to make a statement and show the world that I’m here to stay.”

“It all starts with the team and the family. I have a great team and a great family. I know what I’m here to do. I know what my dreams are. I just have to stay focused, keep winning and keep moving forward. That’s what keeps me really grounded.”

Quincy LaVallais

“I feel like my experience will help me in this fight. I don’t feel he’s fully developed yet to be a 154-pounder. I feel like he’s a good fighter, but I’m going to take him to a different level to show him that it’s a different ballgame here.”

“It makes me feel good to know that I can go to somebody’s hometown, beat them, take a couple of their fans, and then go back home and do it again. I’m going to keep on doing it, over and over again.”

John Bauza

“I want to thank God and Top Rank for putting me on ESPN. I didn’t know that was going to happen. I’m very happy that I’m going to be part of that main card.”

“From the beginning, I’ve dedicated myself to being the better boxer. I’ve always liked to implement a nice boxing style, to hit and not get it. But because they were criticizing me a lot, saying I didn’t have any power or that I was boring, I decided to show people that I have power and that I can knock people out. We will see what happens in this fight. We will win, which is most important.”

“It fills me with pride to be next to two future stars, just like I will be as well, and to demonstrate that Puerto Rico is still alive in this sport.”

Tony Luis

“I’ve stayed in shape. I’ve stayed active. We had some trouble last year in getting some fights to materialize. The stuff with COVID kind of sabotaged them. It was out of my control. I stayed in the gym. I stayed active. I’ve been sparring. So, I feel good, and my body is now healthy, too.”

“It’s an honor to be fighting here. We’ve come close before in my career to being here, but things fell through. But now I’m finally here, and it’s nice.”

“I definitely rise up to the level of opponent in front of me. I know the odds are stacked against me. Politically, me winning does not fit the agenda. I know that. That just fuels me. I’ve trained to be at my best. I’m expecting him to be at his best also. It’s going to be a tough fight.”

SATURDAY, March 19
ESPN & ESPN Deportes (Simulcast on ESPN+)
10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT

Edgar Berlanga vs. Steve Rolls, 10 rounds, Berlanga’s NABO Super Middleweight Title

Xander Zayas vs. Quincy LaVallais, 8 rounds, junior middleweight

John Bauza vs. Tony Luis, 8 rounds, junior welterweight

Live and Exclusively on ESPN+
7:15 p.m. ET/4:15 p.m. PT
Jahi Tucker vs. Tracey McGruder, 6 rounds, welterweight

Henry Lebron vs. Josec Ruiz, 8 rounds, junior lightweight

Bruce Carrington vs. Yerui Andujar, 6 rounds, junior lightweight

Armani Almestica vs. Luis Valentin Portalatin, 4 rounds, junior welterweight

Kelvin Davis vs. Phillip Carmouche, 4 rounds, junior welterweight




TICKETS GO ON SALE TODAY FOR ERICKSON LUBIN VS. SEBASTIAN FUNDORA WBC SUPER WELTERWEIGHT INTERIM TITLE SHOWDOWN SATURDAY, APRIL 9 FROM VIRGIN HOTELS LAS VEGAS

LAS VEGAS (March 17, 2022) – Tickets go on sale today for the super welterweight showdown between top contenders Erickson “Hammer” Lubin and Sebastian “The Towering Inferno” Fundora taking place Saturday, April 9 in a Premier Boxing Champions event live on SHOWTIME from the Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, part of Curio Collection by Hilton.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, go on sale today, Thursday, March 17 at 12 p.m. PT, and can be purchased at AXS.com.

Lubin and Fundora will meet for the WBC Super Welterweight Interim Title in the main event of a telecast that begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. Former world champion Tony “Superbad” Harrison will take on Spanish contender Sergio Garcia in the co-main event, while unbeaten Kevin Salgado faces Bryant Perrella in the super welterweight telecast opener.

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

About Virgin Hotels Las Vegas
Virgin Hotels Las Vegas is a reimagined and re-conceptualized casino resort. The property is part of Curio Collection by Hilton and has been awarded the AAA Four Diamond Award in its first year of operation. The integrated resort intermixes a passion for food and beverage with music and culture and features three hotel towers totaling over 1,500 Chambers and suites; the 60,000 sq. ft. Mohegan Sun Casino, operated by Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment; a five-acre desert pool oasis including Élia Beach Club and a multi-functional event lawn; live music and entertainment theater with 4,500 capacity operated by AEG Presents; 24 Oxford showroom accommodating 650 guests; an exclusive portfolio of twelve food and beverage venues including Todd English’s Olives, Kris Yenbamroong’s Night + Market, the legendary Nobu, Michael Morton and David Morton’s ONE Steakhouse, Kassi Beach House from restauranteur Nick Mathers, Casa Calavera by global hospitality company TAO Group, the sports entertainment, daylife and nightlife venue Money, Baby! from Justin Massei and Mikis Troyan of Clive Collective, famous Afters Ice Cream, Pizza Forte by the Ferraro Family and signature Virgin Hotels restaurants and bars including The Kitchen at Commons Club, The Bar at Commons Club, The Shag Room and Funny Library Coffee Shop. The property is owned by JC Hospitality, LLC, in partnership with Juniper Capital Partners, Virgin Group, LiUNA, Fengate Asset Management, Dream and Orlando Development. The off-Strip playground is located at 4455 Paradise Road. For more information, visit www.virginhotelslv.com.

About Virgin Hotels
Virgin Hotels is a luxury lifestyle hospitality brand that combines heartfelt service and a personalized hotel experience inspired by the innovation and smart disruption that Sir Richard Branson’s global Virgin Group has pioneered for over 50 years. Each property intermixes a passion for food and beverage with music, design, and culture, fusing with the local landscape and providing a vibrant and inclusive environment for travelers and locals alike. The current portfolio includes five hotels—Virgin Hotels Chicago, Virgin Hotels Dallas, and Virgin Hotels Nashville, all voted in the top ten Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards in 2021, and newly opened Virgin Hotels New Orleans and Virgin Hotels Las Vegas. Locations in Edinburgh, Glasgow, and New York City are scheduled to debut in 2022, followed by Miami in 2025. In addition, Virgin Hotels continues to explore hotel, conversions, and ground-up development in Boston, Los Angeles, Austin, Philadelphia, Seattle, London, and more.

About Curio Collection by Hilton
Curio Collection by Hilton is a global portfolio of more than 115 one-of-a-kind hotels and resorts in nearly 30 countries and territories. Curio Collection properties offer guests authentic, curated experiences through distinctly local offerings and elevated amenities, while providing the benefits of Hilton and its award-winning guest loyalty program Hilton Honors. Experience a positive stay at Curio Collection by Hilton by booking at curiocollection.com or through the industry-leading Hilton Honors app. Hilton Honors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits. Learn more about Curio Collection by Hilton at newsroom.hilton.com/curio, and follow the brand on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.




“Slugfest” Fact Sheet for this Saturday in Derry, NH

WHAT: “Slugfest” pro boxing event

WHO: MAIN EVENT – LIGHTWEIGHTS (6)

Nicholas “Saint Nick” Molina (7-0, 2 KOs), Lowell, MA

vs.

“Outlaw” Ryan Venable (2-10, 0 KOs), Roanoke, VA

CO-FEATURE – MIDDLEWEIGHTS (6)

Brian Urday (1-1, 0 KOs), Whitman, MA

vs.

Julien “Black Dragon” Baptiste (3-1, 2 KOs), Woburn, MA

HEAVYWEIGHTS (8)

Fabian “El Lobo” Valdez (3-6, 0 KOs), Cananea, Sonora, Mexico

vs.

Justin “Crazy Train” Rolfe (6-3-1, 4 KOs), Fairfield, ME

HEAVYWEIGHTS (4)

Andrew Nolan (0-3), Franklin, NY

vs.

Viktor “The Siberian Express” Lobov (pro debut), Methuen, MA

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS (4)

Igor Pessoa (pro debut), Somerville, MA

vs.

Edet Mkpanam (5-0, 4 KOs), New Bedford, MA

WELTERWEIGHTS (6)

Michael Vongsavath, Jr. (pro debut), Providence, RI

vs.

John Ferrara (0-2), Tiverton, RI

SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS (4)

Steve Sumpter (4-0, 4 KOs), Pittsfield, MA

vs.

Kynndale Prather (3-11, 1 KO), Kansas City, KS

(card subject to change)


WHERE: New England Sports Center, Derry, NH

WHEN: Saturday, March 19, 2022

PROMOTER: Granite Chin Promotions

RING ANNOUNCER: John Vena




Los Angeles Inner-City Legend Undefeated bantamweight prospect John “Scrappy” Ramirez Fighting at home for first time this Saturday

LOS ANGELES (March 17, 2022) – Undefeated Los Angeles bantamweight prospect John “Scrappy” Ramirez (8-0, 7 KOs) returns to the ring this Saturday (Mar. 19) to take on Roberto “Escorpion” Pucheta (10-20-3, 10 KOs), of Mexico, in a 6-round bout on the Blair Cobbs-Alexis Rocha card (replacing Vergil Ortiz, Jr.-Michael McKinson), presented by Golden Boy Promotions.

The main card will be streamed live on DAZN from USC Galen Center in Los Angeles; go to Golden Boy’s YouTube page to watch the Ramirez vs. Pucheta live stream.

Ramirez is an LA inner-city sports legend. His journey started on the gridiron, not in a ring, when he was a key member of the Lincoln High football team, profiled in a 2015 documentary, “ESPN 60: Letterman.” The players were from a crime-ridden section of Hollywood riddled with drugs and guns. Ramirez was a 5’ 4”, 160-pound running back on a team that, starting in Pop Warner competition, and advanced to Lincoln High, which hadn’t experienced success in football. Lincoln High went on to become a 3-time league champion, highlighted by its semifinal playoff appearance in his senior year, which eventually led “Scrappy” to a roster spot on the Los Angeles Valley College’s football team.

“The venue is only a five-minute drive from my home,” an excited Ramirez said. “I literally drive by it every day. I grew up around USC and played football there. Now, I’m fighting in the inner-city where I grew up. That’s pretty dope! My dream is to fight at Staples Center, which is only a three-minute drive for me. I’m getting closer.

“Things like this don’t happen by accident. On March 18th, I’ll showcase my skills in front of my people. LA is the City of Champions, but we haven’t had a world boxing champion since Oscar de la Hoya, who grew up in East LA. My goal is to be the next LA champ.”

“Scrappy,” who was one of the most active fighters in 2021 with seven bouts, successfully transitioned from football to boxing, albeit a relatively short amateur boxing career with only 25 amateur matches. He did garner top honors in the Sugar Bert National Championships, as well as in the regional Golden Gloves and SoCal tournaments.

“I last fought on December 18th, took a week off, and went right back to training camp at Brickhouse Boxing Club (N. Hollywood),” the 26-year-old Ramirez added. “I’m getting better and that’s super exciting for me. I’ve been with my strength-and-conditioning coach, running, and working on my boxing skills. My training hasn’t stopped, it’s going full force.”

Pucheta has been stopped only once in 33 pro fights, back in 2016 by Emanuel Navarrete, the current World Boxing Organization (WBO) Super Bantamweight Champion, who sports a 35-1 (29 KOs) pro record.

“He’s a tough, durable opponent,” Ramirez noted, “who has been in the ring with a lot of good prospects. This is a great opportunity for me to make a statement by becoming only the second to knock him out.”

Ramirez’ accelerated pace and development continues this Saturday, when it’ll be “Scrappy Time” once again, only this time at home.

“I want to be at the top and will,” he concluded. “Every fight elevates me. My goal is to be No. 1 in my weight class, and I’ll get there because of my hard work and dedication.”

INFORMATION:

Website: www.ZurdoPromotions.com

Facebook: /JohnRamirez

Instagram: @zurdoramirez, @zurdopromotions, @Scrappyboxing

Twitter: @ZurdoPromotions, @GilbertoZurdoRamirez




THREE SENSATIONAL UNDERCARD MATCHUPS HIGHLIGHT ERROL SPENCE JR. VS. YORDENIS UGAS SHOWTIME PPV® ON SATURDAY, APRIL 16

ARLINGTON, T.X. – March 17, 2022 – Three sensational matchups have been added to the SHOWTIME PPV lineup headlined by WBC and IBF world champion Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr. and WBA World Champion Yordenis Ugas squaring off in a welterweight title unification clash on Saturday, April 16 live from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas in a Premier Boxing Champions event.

The pay-per-view telecast begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and features exciting lightweight contender Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz taking on veteran former world champion Yuriorkis Gamboa in the 10-round co-main event.

The lineup also includes unbeaten Jose Valenzuela battling former world champion Francisco “El Bandido” Vargas in a 10-round lightweight fight, plus unbeaten Cody Crowley faces veteran contender Josesito Lopez in a 10-round duel of all-action welterweights that kicks off the telecast.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions and Man Down Promotions, are on sale now and can be purchased at SeatGeek.com, the Official Ticketing Provider of AT&T Stadium.

“One of the year’s biggest events will feature a deserving pay-per-view undercard lineup loaded with consequential matchups that are primed to deliver drama and action,” said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “Isaac Cruz showed against Gervonta Davis that he is a star in the making, and he’ll be looking to display those talents once again against an accomplished opponent in Yuriorkis Gamboa. Plus, another rising star in Jose Valenzuela will step up in competition against former champion Francisco Vargas, while Cody Crowley and Josesito Lopez will both bring their high-octane styles into the ring in what shapes up to be a ‘can’t-miss’ showdown to open the loaded SHOWTIME PPV.”

The 23-year-old Cruz (22-2-1, 15 KOs) will return to the ring after dropping a competitive decision against three-division champion Gervonta Davis on SHOWTIME PPV in December. A native of Mexico City, Cruz shot up the lightweight rankings in 2020, announcing his presence with an electrifying first-round knockout over veteran Diego Magdaleno in October. Cruz followed that up in 2021 by winning a unanimous decision over previously unbeaten Matías Romero in March and by defeating former champion Francisco Vargas by decision in June. After making his U.S. debut in December 2019, Cruz went unbeaten in his next four bouts, appearing on SHOWTIME® three times in addition to beating Magdaleno on the Davis vs. Leo Santa Cruz SHOWTIME PPV undercard.

“I can’t wait to be back in the ring and to fight at AT&T Stadium,” said Cruz. “I love the fans in Texas, they always give me tremendous support. My promoter, Manny Pacquiao, has fought at AT&T Stadium before and won both times. I’m excited to follow in his footsteps against a very accomplished former champion in Gamboa. I’m coming to show the fans why I’m one of the best lightweights in the world and to drive Gamboa into retirement on April 16.”

Gamboa (30-4, 18 KOs) is a former unified featherweight champion, holding the IBF and WBA 126-pound titles between 2009 and 2011. A native of Guantanamo, Cuba, he now lives and trains in Miami, Fla. He dropped a showdown against Terence Crawford in a 2014 Fight of the Year, before rebounding to win seven of eight fights. That run included victories over former world champions Jason Sosa and Roman Martinez, putting Gamboa back into world title contention. In his last two fights, Gamboa has dropped contests against current lightweight world champions, losing via 12th-round TKO to Gervonta Davis in 2019 and by decision against Devin Haney in November 2020.

“I always come to the ring to display my talents and April 16 will be no different,” said Gamboa. “It’s very motivating to be facing a young, strong opponent like Isaac Cruz. I’m going to test him and see if he can stand up to my power. I’m coming to win and make a big statement that I still have what it takes to become champion again.”

The 22-year-old Valenzuela (11-0, 7 KOs) now trains as a stablemate of unbeaten two-time world champion David Benavidez as he seeks to move from prospect to contender in 2022. Born in Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico, Valenzuela turned pro in 2018 and rode a five-bout knockout streak before earning his first 10-round decision in a victory over Deiner Berrio in September 2021. Valenzuela capped off his breakout 2021 in December, dominating Austin Dulay on his way to a TKO in round four.

“It’s a dream come true to be on a high-stakes, stacked card like this,” said Valenzuela. “I’ve admired and studied Spence for a long time, especially because we’re both lefties. I can’t wait to get in the ring. I’m not overlooking or underestimating Francisco Vargas in any way. I’m expecting fireworks. You always get a big fight when two Mexican warriors go head-to-head, so I know the fans are going to be delighted with what they see on April 16.”

Fighting out of Mexico City, Vargas (27-3-2, 19 KOs) won a 130-pound title in 2015 by defeating Takashi Miura in one of the year’s best fights. The 37-year-old would go on to fight Orlando Salido to an action-packed draw before losing his title to Miguel Berchelt in another memorable affair. Vargas later defeated Stephen Smith and Rod Salka before losing in his rematch with Berchelt in 2019. Most recently, Vargas began campaigning at lightweight, scoring back-to-back victories over Ezequiel Aviles in 2019 and Otto Gamez in 2020, prior to dropping a decision against Isaac Cruz in his last fight in June 2021.

“It is an honor to be on such a big card with so many great fighters,” said Vargas. “I’m going to come prepared for this fight and ready to leave the ring with a victory. I know Valenzuela will be trying to make a statement, but I’m coming to do the same. As always, the fans can expect a tremendous fight from start to finish.”

Representing his native Ontario, Canada, Crowley (20-0, 9 KOs) returns to the ring after a sensational SHOWTIME debut in December 2021 that saw him beat the previously unbeaten Kudratillo Abdukakhorov by unanimous decision. Crowley had previously defeated Josh Torres in September 2020 following a 2019 run that saw him win a Canadian super welterweight title with a 12-round decision over Stuart McLellan in February before successfully defending that title with a dominant decision over Mian Hussain in October. The 28-year-old returned to fight in the U.S. for his last two fights after seven of his first eight pro fights took place in the U.S.

“After my win in December on SHOWTIME, I’m ready to accept the next challenge on my journey to becoming welterweight champion of the world,” said Crowley. “Josesito Lopez is always tough and he brings an exciting style to the table. Unfortunately for him, he will discover what 20 fighters before him have learned, which is that I will not be stopped from achieving my destiny. I want to thank my team for this opportunity to display my skills, heart and relentlessness on this great card at the home of the Dallas Cowboys.”

Lopez (38-8, 21 KOs) earned the nickname “The Riverside Rocky’’ because of his go-for-broke style in the ring. He has stepped in across from some of the top boxers in the sport, including champions Canelo Alvarez, Marcos Maidana, Andre Berto and Victor Ortiz. The 37-year-old from Riverside, California is always a tough out in the ring as noted by his narrow majority decision loss to then-champion Keith Thurman in 2019. Since that loss, Lopez has put together back-to-back victories, defeating John Molina, Jr. and Francisco Santana.

“I’m eager and very motivated to step back in the ring and prove myself as one of the best fighters in the world,” said Lopez. “I expect a stiff challenge from Crowley and the fans can expect to see me at my very best. I’m in great shape and ready to put everything on the line. You will definitely want to make sure you don’t miss my fight on April 16.”

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

About AT&T Stadium:

AT&T Stadium is one of the largest, most technologically advanced entertainment venues in the world.  Designed by HKS and built by Manhattan Construction, the $1.2 billion stadium features two monumental arches, the world’s largest HDTV video board cluster, an expansive retractable roof and the largest retractable end zone doors in the world.  Features of the stadium include seating for 80,000 and expandability for up to 100,000, over 300 luxury suites, club seating on multiple levels and the Dallas Cowboys Pro Shop, open to the public year round.  The stadium is also home to a world-class collection of contemporary art, made up of over 50 pieces from an international array of curated artists displayed on the walls and in the grand public spaces of the venue.  In addition to being the Home of the Dallas Cowboys since opening in 2009, the stadium has hosted Super Bowl XLV, the 2010 NBA All Star Game, the 2014 NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four, the 2015 College Football Playoff National Championship Game and the annual Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic. The venue has also played host to high school and college football, concerts, championship fights, international soccer matches, and other special events.  For more information, go to www.attstadium.com.




“ROCKIN’ FIGHTS” 41 IS READY TO RUMBLE ON MARCH 18

Long Island, New York (March 16, 2022) – Extremely limited tickets remain to Star Boxing’s “Rockin’ Fights” 41 on March 18th live from The Paramount in Huntington, New York. Just two nights separate us from an electric atmosphere as fans will pour into The Paramount for a stellar night of fights.

In the main event, #6 world rated (WBA) super bantamweight and current NABA Champion, OLEH “UKRAINIAN PITBULL” DOVHUN (Pittsburgh, PA by way of Stebnyk, Ukraine 13-0 5KO’s) puts both his undefeated record and title on the line against Belgian bruiser, GERAM ELOYAN (Brussels, Belgium, 7-2-1 6KO’s). With a victory, Dovhun will push for a top 5 world rating, with a WBA world title shot within his reach.

On the undercard, fan favorite undefeated super welterweight, TYRONE “PRETTY BOY” JAMES (Elmont, NY 11-0 8KO’s) makes his much-anticipated return to the ring. Jumping right back into the fire, James is set to take on his toughest test to date, CES promoted, JIMMY “QUIET STORM” WILLIAMS (New Haven, CT 18-6-2 6KO’s) who is recently earned a major victory over former world champion Yuri Foreman. The two will battle over 8 rounds for the ABO North America Super Welterweight Title.

In 6 rounds of super welterweight action, WENDY “HAITIAN FIRE” TOUSSAINT (Huntington, NY, 12-1 5KO’s) returns against TRAVIS GAMBARDELLA (Revere, MA 7-1-2 3KO’s). Toussaint had his undefeated streak come to an end in 2020 when he took top rated contender Charles Conwell into deep water on Showtime, before falling short, suffering the first loss of his career. Toussaint learned from this experience and is prepared to climb back the ladder at 154 lbs in a big way.

In a trio of four round bouts, New York City fireman, LOU “IL MARTELLO” MAIETTA (Bronx, NY 1-0-1) will showdown with KAMRON HUMPHREY (Brooklyn, NY 2-0 1KO) in a classic Bronx vs Brooklyn battle of the buroughs over 4-rounds at light heavyweight. This will be Maietta’s third appearance in the “Rockin’ Fights” series.

Undefeated Elmont Long Island product, ISAAH FLAHERTY (2-0 1KO) looks to remain undefeated as he faces off with Newark, New Jersey’s ANGELO THOMPSON (0-1) who has eyes set on getting his first professional win. Finally kicking off the action will be EMMANUEL ETIENNE (1-0 1KO) looking for his second win at the Paramount against Amsterdam, New York’s ALEXIS NIEUWKERK (pro-debut).

“There are few nights better than a “Rockin’ Fights” fight night,” said Star Boxing CEO JOE DEGUARDIA. “March 18 will be yet another thrilling night of fights in the long history of fantastic “Rockin’ Fights” cards that Star Boxing has produced since 2011. We are expecting a sell out as there are currently very limited tickets remaining. Be sure to grab them before it’s too late!”

“Rockin’ Fights” 41 is presented by Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing

TICKETS:
Tickets to #RockinFights at The Paramount are now available at ticketmaster.com or by visiting www.starboxing.com. Tickets start at $50. Purchase your tickets, HERE.

MEDIA CREDENTIALS:
To apply for media credentials CLICK HERE. All applications must be submitted no later than Friday, March 11 at 8PM. Accredited media members ONLY.

“Rockin’ Fights” 41 is presented by Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing on March 18, 2022 at the Paramount in Long Island, NY.
Bouts subject to change
“ROCKIN’ FIGHTS” 41 TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE!
BUY TICKETS HERE!
TICKETS START AT JUST $50
FIGHT NIGHT: FRIDAY, MARCH 18 AT THE PARAMOUNT
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 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!




ALEXIS ROCHA VS. BLAIR COBBS SET AS NEW MAIN EVENT ON MARCH 19

LOS ANGELES, CA (March 16, 2022) – The event on March 19, will continue at the University of Southern California’s Galen Center now headlined by Orange County’s Alexis “Lex” Rocha (18-1, 12 KOs) of Santa Ana, CA against Philadelphia’s Blair “The Flair” Cobbs (15-0-1, 10 KOs) in a 10-round welterweight fight streaming live, worldwide on DAZN. In the new co-main event of the night Michael “The Problem” McKinson (21-0, 2 KOs) of Portsmouth, GBR will now face Jesus Antonio Perez (24-3, 18 KOs) from Tijuana, Mexico in a 10-round welterweight fight. Also part of the DAZN live stream, Bektemir “Bully” Melikuziev (8-1, 6 KOs) of Indio, CA will face seasoned veteran David “La Pantera” Zegarra (34-7, 21 KOs) of Lima, Peru in a scheduled 10-round light heavyweight fight. Opening up the stream, Evan Sanchez (9-0, 6 KOs) from Parlier, CA is set for a 6-round welterweight fight against Alejandro Munera (6-6-4, 5 KOs) from Medellin, Colombia.

Also on the card, but featured as part of the Golden Boy Fight Night live stream on YouTube, Azat “Crazy A” Hovhannisyan (20-3, 16 KOs) of Los Angeles, CA makes his grand return to the sport for the first time in 2022 by fighting Victor Ruiz (29-12, 16 KOs) of Tijuana, Mexico in a 8-round Super Bantamweight fight. Fan favorite, Alex Rincon (9-0, 6 KOs) of Dallas, Texas, will make his will take on Puerto Rico’s Luis Sanchez (9-2, 6 KOs) in an 8-round super welterweight fight. Los Angeles’ undefeated fighter John “Scrappy” Ramirez (8-0,7 KOs) will fight Roberto “Escorpion” Pucheta (10-20-3, 6 KOa) of Jalisco, Mexico, in a scheduled 6-round bantamweight bout. Other fights featured as part of the live stream include two 4-round fights featuring prospects Miguel Gaona (1-0) of Los Angeles, CA, in a lightweight fight against Mexico City’s Gilberto Aguilar (0-4); and Delis Kaleiopu (1-0, 1 KOs) of Walanae, HI in a lightweight bout against Tamaulipas, Mexico’s Manuel Lara (2-7). Local fan favorite, Alejandro Reyes (6-0, 4KOs), will take on Daniel Evangelista Jr. (20-12-2, 16 KOs) of Mexico City in a 6-round super lightweight fight. Finally, opening up fight night, London’s Ramla Ali (4-0) will face Toronto’s Shelly Barnett (5-6-2) in an 8-round super bantamweight event.

Fans with tickets to Ortiz vs. McKinson do not need to take action to attend Rocha vs. Cobbs, as their tickets and seating locations are still valid.

If a fan purchased tickets directly through the Galen Center, on-line or in-person, for Ortiz Jr vs. McKinson, and do not wish to attend Rocha vs. Cobbs refund requests made by Saturday, March 19th at 3pm PST will be honored, in full by emailing USCTO@USC.EDU. Ticket holders seeking refunds for online purchases via secondary market sites must contact those vendors directly.

Tickets for the event are on sale now and are priced at $150, $75, $50 and $25 not including applicable service charges. Tickets will be available for purchase at www.galencenter.org or www.goldenboypromotions.com. Please note that LADPH guidelines and other protocols relating to admission requirements will be in place for this event, which include that all guests age 2 and older will have to provide proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result within 24 hours for an antigen test or 48 hours for a PCR test.

Rocha vs. Cobbs is a 10-round welterweight fight presented by Golden Boy in association with Matchroom Boxing. The event is sponsored by Hennessy “Never Stop. Never Settle” and “BetOnline – Your Online Sportsbook Experts.” The fight will take place on Saturday, March 19 at Galen Center in Los Angeles, and will be streamed live worldwide on DAZN.

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 #RochaCobbs




Fight Week: Puerto Rican Junior Middleweight Star Xander Zayas Hits the Big Apple

NEW YORK (March 16, 2022) — At only 19 years old, Puerto Rican junior middleweight phenom Xander Zayas believes 2022 is the year he takes things to the next level. Zayas, who hails from San Juan and now lives in South Florida, will fight Louisiana native Quincy LaVallais in his first scheduled eight-rounder Saturday at Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden.

Zayas-LaVallais will serve as the co-feature to the Edgar Berlanga-Steve Rolls super middleweight main event live on ESPN & ESPN Deportes (simulcast on ESPN+) at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

Zayas (12-0, 9 KOs), who signed with Top Rank at 16 years of age, begins his 2022 campaign following a 2021 that saw him fight six times and earn Prospect of the Year consideration. His last two fights ended via knockout, but he takes a sizable step up against LaVallais (12-2-1, 7 KOs), a six-year pro who has never been knocked out. LaVallais is known to fight fans for his December 2020 upset over Clay Collard inside the MGM Grand Las Vegas Bubble. He is 2-2 since the Collard triumph, with both defeats coming via close decision.

This is what Zayas had to say following his New York City arrival.

“After a very good year in 2021, my goals this year are to have at least four fights, keep moving up in opposition, and finish the year fighting in 10-rounders. I would love to win a regional title and finish the year in the top 15 of the junior middleweight division.” 

“Being back in NYC is something that excites me and motivates me at the same time. Fighting once again at Madison Square Garden and as the co-feature feels amazing. This is such a great opportunity. I’m super grateful for everything Top Rank and my team has done for me.”

“In the not-so-distant future, MSG will be my second home, just like it was for Miguel Cotto and Felix Trinidad.  I want to fill MSG up and bring a lot of glory to my people from Puerto Rico and New York. I want to give my fans a great show.” 

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with DiBella Entertainment, tickets starting at $51 are on sale now and can be purchased by visiting Ticketmaster.com or MSG.com.




Rising prospects Delossantos, Mascarenhas headline Rhode Wars 2 at Crowne Plaza Hotel

Warwick, RI (March 16) – After successfully launching its new 2022 fight series in February, CES Boxing returns to the Crowne Plaza Hotel on Saturday, March 26 with Rhode Wars 2, featuring New England’s best and brightest up-and-comers.

Headlining Rhode Wars 2 is unbeaten featherweight Ricky Delossantos (10-0, 2 KOs) of Pawtucket, RI, in a six-round bout against power-punching Columbian veteran Yeison Vargas (18-9, 13 KOs) while super lightweight Wilson Mascarenhas (5-1, 2 KOs) stars in the co-main event in a six-round bout against undefeated Mexican challenger Abraham Perez (3-0, 2 KOs).

March 26 also features the Jimmy Burchfield Classic Invitational VI, an all-ages, separate-admission amateur boxing event beginning at 2 pm. Rhode Wars 2 follows immediately at 7 pm. Tickets for both events are available online at CESFights.com.

Delossantos’ return ends an eight-month layoff and is his first fight in his home state since August of 2019 when he defeated Yeuri Andujar at Ballys Twin River Lincoln. Vargas, the challenger, has scored knockouts in each of his last three wins, including a second-round knockout win over Jose Palacio on March 5 in Santa Marta, Columbia. Mascarenhas makes his second appearance of the year at the Crowne Plaza just five weeks after a sensational knockout win over southpaw Akeem Jackson at Rhode Wars in February.

Making his Rhode Island debut, lightweight Alejandro Paulino (8-0, 8 KOs) – a national amateur standout – of New London, CT, faces his toughest test to date in a six-round bout against 17-fight veteran Andrew Rodgers (6-9-2, 2 KOs) of Elkhart, IN. Within nine months of making his professional debut, Paulino has accumulated eight wins, all by knockout, and has yet to be pushed past the third round. The 29-year-old Rodgers is a worthy adversary, boasting back-to-back victories against previously-unbeaten Philadelphia lightweight Greg Outlaw and 10-1-1 Thomas Velasquez in Atlantic City.

Also fighting March 26, Providence, RI, heavyweight Tim Hatfield (3-0, 3 KOs) puts his unbeaten record on the line against fellow undefeated heavyweight Quintin Sumpter (2-0, 2 KOs) of Pittsfield, MA, and super featherweight Michael Valentin (6-1-1, 1 KO) of Providence makes his long-awaited return in an interstate showdown against Justin Morales (1-1) of New Bedford, MA, both in four-round bouts.

Italian junior middleweight Nicola Quarneti (5-2-1), whose United States was cut short in February due to an accidental headbutt, returns to the ring to face Rhode Island’s Keenan Raymond (1-1) in a four-round bout. Brockton, MA, super lightweight Kevin Walsh (5-0, 3 KOs) also makes his Rhode Island debut in a four-round bout.

Visit CESFights.com for more information. Updates on CES Boxing can also be found on Facebook in addition to Instagram and Twitter by following @CESBoxing.

INFORMATION

CES Boxing is one of the top promotions in the northeast and one of the few to successfully promote both mixed martial arts and professional boxing. Launched in 1992 by longtime boxing judge Jimmy Burchfield Sr., the promotion is the only in professional boxing to boast two reigning WBC Youth world champions in lightweight Jamaine Ortiz and featherweight Irvin Gonzalez. CES Boxing recently teamed with UFC FIGHT PASS, the world’s No. 1 streaming platform for combat sports, to showcase its events to a worldwide audience, and worked as a promotional consultant for the Mike Tyson-Roy Jones Jr. pay-per-view event in November of 2020.

The Crowne Plaza Hotel Providence-Warwick is the first choice of those seeking the best in accommodations, convenience, service and sophistication in Rhode Island. A nine-time winner of the Intercontinental Hotel Group’s Torchbearer Award, one of the most prestigious accolades in the hotel industry, the Crowne Plaza Hotel has 266 guestrooms and 45,000 square feet of meeting space. Whether you’re a business traveler seeking respite from a long flight, a family on vacation visiting nearby Newport, a trade association holding its annual convention, or a young couple planning a wedding, the Crowne Plaza is ready to satisfy your every need. Located 10 minutes from downtown Providence and two miles from T.F. Green Airport on a spacious landscaped 17-acre site featuring abundant, free parking, the Crowne Plaza Hotel is prepared to treat you like royalty.




UNDEFEATED HEAVYWEIGHT PROSPECT BRANDON MOORE ADDED TO SALITA PROMOTIONS’ DETROIT BRAWL EVENT ON APRIL 2 IN DEARBORN, MI

Undefeated heavyweight prospect Brandon Moore has been added to the bout lineup of Salita Promotions’ next Detroit Brawl event on Saturday April 2, 2022, in the Lincoln Ballroom of the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center in Dearborn, MI.

The current WBC USNBC Silver Heavyweight Champion as a professional, and a former USA national champion as an amateur with several victories over other current professional prospects including unbeaten Dacarree Scott, the 6’ 6” southpaw Moore (11-0, 7 KOs) will appear in an eight-round showdown against divisional gatekeeper Curtis Harper (13-7, 9 KOs).

The two heavyweights will meet in support of the night’s eight-round main event featuring the return of one of Detroit’s own, as undefeated power-punching lightweight contender Erick De Leon (19-0-1, 11 KOs) will return after nearly three years’ absence from the sport due to injuries to face hard-nosed Mexico City veteran Juan Jose “Piquet” Martinez (28-11, 20 KOs).

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 Lina (313.529.7604).

Guided by rising promotional entity Probellum and co-managed by Keith Connolly and Ryan Rickey, Lakeland, Florida’s Moore won his WBC USNBC Silver Heavyweight Championship with a fourth-round knockout over Mexico’s Elvis Garcia in August 2021 and successfully defended it in October of that year with a first-round KO over Mexico’s Jesus Angel Nerio. Moore was last seen in December making quick work of Mexico’s Abraham Pascual via KO 1 in Canadian boxing hotbed Montreal.

28-year-old Moore has also sparred with several of the world’s top heavyweights, including superstar former champion Deontay Wilder.

“I’m excited to fight in Detroit,” said a happy Moore. “Dmitry Salita is a great promoter and he always has first-class events. Fighting here is like the resurrection of Joe Louis in his adopted hometown. Get ready for a show! I’m the most exciting and energetic heavyweight in the world. April 2, everyone gets to see!”

“Brandon Moore is an exciting new force in boxing’s most glamorous division and the fans are in for a treat,” added Dmitriy Salita. “He’s up against a tough and unpredictable opponent in Harper, who has pulled off a few surprises. I’m happy to be joining forces with Brandon and his team to present another young and powerful force in heavyweight boxing to the great fans in Detroit.”

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.

All bouts are subject to change. The Ford Community & Performing Arts Center is located at 15801 Michigan Ave. in Dearborn. On fight night, doors open at 7:00 pm and the action starts at 8:00 pm.
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.




Unbeaten Junior Lightweight Contender Andres Cortes Signs Long-Term Deal with Top Rank

LAS VEGAS (March 16, 2022) — Andres “Savage” Cortes, the Las Vegas-born junior lightweight contender who has authored a string of highlight-reel knockouts, has signed a multi-year promotional contract with Top Rank.

The 24-year-old Cortes (16-0, 9 KOs) will return this spring on an upcoming Top Rank on ESPN card.

“Andres Cortes is a tremendous action fighter and fits right in with all of the contenders at 130 pounds,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “He’s earned a promotional contract and the right to fight on major cards. I truly believe he can be the next homegrown world champion from Las Vegas.”

Cortes said, “This is an incredible opportunity, and I’m thankful to Bob Arum and everyone at Top Rank. Every time I fight, it’s the ‘Savage Show.’ I strive to entertain the fans and give them action-packed fights. With this contract, the sky’s the limit. My goal is to fight in main events and eventually bring a world title home to Las Vegas.”

Cortes, who has a pair of amateur victories over former undisputed lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez, emerged as a junior lightweight to watch in July 2020 with his off-the-deck decision victory over Alejandro Salinas. Last August, he broke through with a first-round stoppage over Genesis Servania. It was a short, brutal battle in Tulsa, Oklahoma, as Cortes leveled Servania with a left hook as the round ended. Servania, a former world title challenger, had never been knocked out in 12 years as a pro. Cortes followed up the Servania demolition with last November’s third-round stoppage over Filipino veteran Mark Bernaldez.




Granite Chin Promotions announces “Hometown Royalty” May 7th in Bridgewater, MA

QUINCY, Mass. (March 16, 2022) – Granite Chin Promotions has announced its third promotional event of 2022, “Hometown Royalty,” scheduled on Saturday night, May 7th, at Bridgewater Veterans Club in Bridgewater, Massachusetts (85 Cottage St.).

“Hometown Royalty,” is presented by Granite Chin in association with Cappiello Boxing Promotions and Shearns Boxing Promotions.

Professional boxers from the South Shore of the Bay State will be featured including reigning New England Welterweight Champion Mike “Ban Man” Ohan (14-1, 8 KOs), of Holbrook, Quincy lightweight Ryan “The Polish Prince” Kielczweski (30-6, 11 KOs), New Bedford light heavyweight Edet Mkpanam (5-0, 4 KOs), and Brockton’s pro-debut of 2020 New England Golden Gloves champion, welterweight David Ribeiro.

Providence (RI) welterweight Damon Towns (4-0, 3 KOs) is also slated to be in action.

“This is the kind of show the South Shore has been waiting for since everything got shut down,” Granite Chin president Chris Traietti said. “It really is an event that everyone – fighters and promoters – are coming together to make something special. Rich Cappiello and Chuck Shearns have been easy to work with and eager to get to work. Over the coming days, we will be announcing fights and getting tickets out to the public. We have no doubt this is going to be a packed house with an electric atmosphere with amateurs fighting during the day and our star-studded pro show in the evening.”

Bouts will be announced soon. Card subject to change.

Tickets will go on sale next week and be available for purchase at www.TicketRiver.com (Search: Hometown Royalty).




Tim Tszyu Arrives in Las Vegas and Vows to Take Over America

LAS VEGAS, NV (March 16, 2022) – After a long flight from Australia, WBO # 1 ranked contender Tim Tszyu (20-0, 15 KOs) has arrived in the U.S. in preparation for his upcoming showdown with 2012 U.S. Olympian Terrell Gausha (22-2-1, 11 KOs). Tszyu vs. Gausha, a 12-round clash, will headline live on SHOWTIME Saturday, March 26 from The Armory in Minneapolis in a Premier Boxing Champions event.

“I have come to America with big visions of taking over the whole super welterweight division and becoming the next great 154-pound champion of the world,” said Tszyu, the son of the Hall of Fame fighter Kostya Tszyu. “To become a legend, you must come to America at some point in your career and leave a mark on the sport. I want to continue my family’s legacy in boxing, as well as forge my own journey. March 26 is the start of my era.”

“I respect my opponent, he has a world-class amateur pedigree, and has fought at the championship level,” continued Tszyu, who will be making his U.S. debut. “I feel that facing someone like Gausha, who is coming off a big win in his last outing, makes for a great fight. This will be my SHOWTIME debut, and I am looking to not just be the best, but also the face of the network. My goal is to follow in the footsteps of my father, and one day be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.”

“We are ready to take the next step in Tim’s career as we have had amazing success back home, but we want to show the whole world what he is capable of, and what better place than America for that?” Said Tszyu’s trainer Igor Goloubev. “I know that he has the ability of a Hall of Fame fighter, now we must prove it. 2022 will be a great year for us and we look forward to the journey fighting here in the U.S.”

“We have big plans for Tim Tszyu to really make a name for himself here in the United States,” said George Rose, CEO of No Limit Boxing, who promotes Tszyu. “A great performance on SHOWTIME will be the start of something special for our fighter, who we believe will be the next superstar in boxing.”

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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 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.

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.




NEW START, NEW DEAL FOR MIDDLEWEIGHT HAMZAH

HAMZAH SHEERAZ HAS marked the week of his Middleweight baptism by signing a new three-year promotional contract with Frank Warren and Queensberry Promotions.

The strapping 6ft 4″ Sheeraz, still only 22, has reached 14-0 (10 KOs) in the professional ranks since making his debut at the Copper Box Arena in September 2017.

On Saturday he will battle Jez Smith for the WBC International Silver middleweight title at the OVO Arena, Wembley, having departed the Super-Welterweight scene as WBO European champion, a title he defended on four occasions.

“I am very, very grateful,” said the Ilford man on signing his new deal. “I am grateful for the opportunity and I will always remember that Frank and my manager Andy Ayling gave me a chance when nobody else did.

“I say it all the time and I won’t ever forget that. I wasn’t a big, standout amateur but they gave me a chance, so it is only right to renew and carry on until we get to the top and win world titles, God willing.

“Frank has got behind me and I have been proving him right with every fight. I haven’t lost yet and I am doing everything that is asked of me and that little bit more, so all I have got to do is keep winning and keep shining.

“My career has been handled perfectly so far and that is down to your promoter, your manager and the matchmaker. Obviously I am now moving up to middleweight and I have to keep winning and keep following what they say.

“Before this contract is up I want to be fighting for world titles. By then my apprenticeship and all the learning will all be done. Hopefully I can win this WBC belt and soon be up there with all the big names.”

Frank Warren added: “Hamzah is undoubtedly a future star of the sport and I was quickly able to identify that and his potential very early on in his professional journey. He gives his all to boxing and willingly makes the sacrifice of taking himself over to the States, away from his family, to experience better sparring and world class preparation.

“He couldn’t really be more likable and is such a personable young man who has attracted a massive following already and sponsors and his fans cannot get enough of him.

“I am thrilled he has signed a new contract with Queensberry and I am looking forward to seeing him make a big impact in the middleweight division, which I believe he is perfectly suited to and where he can reach the very top.”

Tickets for an incredible night of Championship boxing at the OVO Arena are available at AXS.com

European welterweight champ David Avanesyan tops the night of multiple championship clashes on March 19 at the OVO Arena, Wembley against the unbeaten Oskari Metz, 15-0, in what will be a fifth defence of his EBU belt.

Thrilling bantamweight star Dennis McCann is entering into title business for the first time. ‘The Menace’ (11-0, 6 KOs) will fight for the WBO Youth world title over eight rounds against Charles Tondo (12-4-2, 5 KOs), a southpaw from Tanzania.

The two leading young lightweights in Britain are also in action at Wembley, with Sam Noakes (8-0, 8 KOs) making a first defence of his WBC International Silver title against the Italian Vincenzo Finiello (15-4-2, 1 KO). While Mark Chamberlain (9-0, 6 KOs) takes on a 10-rounder for the first time.

Completing the card, gifted super lightweight prospect Henry Turner (6-0) will have a fourth six-rounder, explosive super feather Masood Abdullah (3-0, 3 KOs) goes in with Engel Gomez (8-4, 4 KOs) over six rounds and super lightweight Sonny Liston Ali (2-0) fights Birmingham’s Sean Davis (14-18), also in a six-rounder.

In four-round action, Khalid Ali (1-0, 1 KO) will look to double his win tally against Kris Pilkington (2-10-1).

Finally, Frank Warren gets to unleash his latest young star onto the professional ranks, with two-time European championship gold medallist Royston Barney-Smith, who turned 18 in January, making his pro debut at super-featherweight against Adan Martinez (0-2).

Tickets for an incredible night of Championship boxing at the OVO Arena are available at AXS.com

Images are free to use, please credit: Queensberry Promotions




LIVE VIDEO: TrillerVerz V Press Conference





AUDIO: Christian Tapia talks after Thrilling win over Luis Lebron






VIDEO: Christian Tapia talks after Thrilling win over Luis Lebron




AUDIO: Lamar Russ Talks about his March 26 Ring Return






VIDEO: Lamar Russ Talks about his March 26 Ring Return




VERGIL ORTIZ, JR. PULLS OUT OF FIGHT AGAINST MICHAEL MCKINSON

LOS ANGELES, CA (March 15, 2022) – Unfortunately, Vergil Ortiz Jr. has had to pull out of this Saturday’s main event vs. Michael Mckinson after being diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis. Vergil is recovering well in hospital and is expected to make a full recovery.

“We wish Vergil a very quick and speedy recovery,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy. “As fighters, our first instinct is to fight whatever we have and tough it out. It takes a lot of courage to admit that something is wrong and get the care that you need. We are confident that we will be seeing Vergil in the ring again very soon.”

More information on the March 19 event will be announced shortly.




Saturday: Rising Stars Bruce Carrington, Kelvin Davis and Henry Lebron Set to Shine on Edgar Berlanga-Steve Rolls Undercard at Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden  

NEW YORK (March 15, 2022) — Featherweight prodigy Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington, the latest standout boxer to come from the Brownsville section of Brooklyn, makes his New York City debut this Saturday, March 19 in a six-rounder against Yeuri Andujar at Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden. Carrington-Andujar, which will be contested at junior lightweight, highlights undercard action before the 10-round super middleweight main event featuring Brooklyn’s Edgar “The Chosen One” Berlanga against Steve Rolls.

Berlanga-Rolls, an eight-round junior middleweight bout between Xander Zayas and Quincy LaVallais, and unbeaten junior welterweight John Bauza in an eight-rounder versus Tony Luis will be televised live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes (simulcast on ESPN+) at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

Carrington-Andujar and additional undercard bouts will stream live and exclusively on ESPN+ at 7:15 p.m. ET/4:15 p.m. PT.

Carrington (2-0, 1 KO) had a nearly decade-long run as one of Team USA’s star amateurs, including a victory in the 125-pound division of the 2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials. He turned pro last October on the Tyson Fury-Deontay Wilder III undercard and made his Top Rank debut in January with a stunning second-round stoppage over Steven Brown. Andujar (5-4-1, 3 KOs), from San Cristobal, Dominican Republic, is coming off a six-round draw last December against Pablo Cruz (22-4 at the time).

In other undercard action streaming on ESPN+:

  • Long Island-born welterweight sensation Jahi Tucker (6-0, 4 KOs), a 19-year-old power puncher, hopes to increase his knockout streak to three when he battles Tracey McGruder (6-1, 4 KOs) in a six-rounder. The explosive Tucker opened eyes in January with his second-round blitzing of the normally durable Akeem Black.
     
  • Rising Puerto Rican junior lightweight Henry “Moncho” Lebron (14-0, 9 KOs) steps up in class against Honduran veteran Josec Ruiz (23-5-3, 16 KOs) in an eight-rounder. Ruiz, a 10-year pro, has never been knocked out.
     
  • Kelvin Davis (3-0, 2 KOs), the eldest of the fighting Davis Brothers from Norfolk, Virginia, will face Phillip Carmouche (2-2) in a four-round junior welterweight bout. Davis made his Top Rank debut last December at Madison Square Garden and notched a second-round stoppage.
     
  • Lightweight prospect Armani Almestica (4-0, 4 KOs), a 20-year-old from Orlando, Florida, returns in a six-round lightweight battle against Eliseo Villalobos (2-2, 1 KO). As an amateur, Almestica was a force, winning gold at the 2017 USA Junior Olympics and 2018 USA Youth National Championships.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with DiBella Entertainment, tickets starting at $51 are on sale now and can be purchased by visiting Ticketmaster.com or MSG.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 21.3 million subscribers. 
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Fans sign up to ESPN+ for just $6.99 a month (or $69.99 per year) at ESPN.comESPNplus.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).




SHOWTIME SPORTS® UNVEILS LOADED BOXING SCHEDULE FEATURING MARQUEE MATCHUPS FROM PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS WITH TWO WORLD TITLE UNIFICATIONS, SEVEN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOUTS AND THREE WORLD TITLE ELIMINATORS ACROSS FIVE MONTHS

NEW YORK – March 15, 2022 – SHOWTIME Sports and Premier Boxing Champions today announced nine boxing events across the first half of 2022 featuring some of the sport’s most accomplished and dynamic stars in highly competitive matchups. The lineup pits champions against champions and top contenders against top contenders to form the strongest and most ambitious schedule in the industry.

The robust lineup includes:

  • Nine marquee events across five months featuring 21 undefeated fighters;
  • Two world championship unifications bouts, one for all four world title belts and the coveted title of Undisputed Champion, and one for three world title belts;
  • Seven world championship matches with at least 13 world title belts at stake and three world title eliminators;
  • All of the top-six ranked super welterweights fighting in a seven-week span;
  • Several pivotal crossroads fights from super bantamweight to super middleweight with an average of two events per month through July.

The massive schedule features the sport’s biggest stars: Errol Spence, Jr., Gervonta “Tank” Davis, Jermell CharloDavid Benavidez and Jermall Charlo.  

There are also 18 fighters aged 27 years and younger including unified world champion Stephen Fulton, Jr., and highly regarded, undefeated welterweight contender Jaron “Boots” Ennis. With this emphasis on youth and kingmaking, SHOWTIME Sports and Premier Boxing Champions are well positioned to carry the sport into the future.

Led by Stephen Espinoza, President, Sports & Event Programming, Showtime Networks Inc., and four-time Emmy® Award-winning executive producer David Dinkins, Jr., who guides an all-star cast of commentators and production aces, SHOWTIME® remains the most tenured and trusted platform in boxing.

Arguably the best active welterweight of this era, the undefeated Spence, already a unified champ, will seek to collect a third world title when he puts his WBC and IBF straps on the line against WBA World Champion Yordenis Ugas on Saturday, April 16 in the main event on SHOWTIME PPV® at AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys. Spence-Ugas is only the 12th unification match in the history of the welterweight division, joining classic matchups such as “Sugar” Ray Leonard vs. Thomas Hearns I and Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao. The match is rich with intrigue as Spence attempts to claim supremacy in one of boxing’s deepest divisions, while Ugas, who nearly quit the sport, aims to complete a stunning turnaround after beating eight-division world champion Pacquiao in August.

Boxing superstar and five-time, three-division world champion Tank Davis will headline his fourth straight SHOWTIME PPV event against nemesis Rolando Romero on Saturday, May 28, at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY, for Davis’ WBA Lightweight World TitleThe bout comes on the heels of Davis’ hard-fought 12-round unanimous decision win over Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz in which Davis overcame an injury in front of a star-studded, sellout crowd in Los Angeles last December.

WBO 154-pound No. 1-ranked contender Tim Tszyu, the son of Hall of Famer Kostya Tszyu, who fought many of his most memorable bouts on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING, will make his U.S. debut Saturday, March 26 against 2012 U.S. Olympian and top contender Terrell Gausha at The Armory in Minneapolis. The streaking southpaws Erickson Lubin and Sebastian Fundora will engage in a Super Welterweight Title Eliminator, for the WBC interim title, in the second of back-to-back, intriguing crossroads matchups in the division on Saturday, April 9 from Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas.

Jermell Charlo and Brian Castaño once again will seek to become the first undisputed 154-pound champion in the four-belt era and just the third overall undisputed champion today when they meet in a rematch of their 2021 classic on Saturday, May 14 in Los Angeles. Plus, rising welterweight star Ennis, possiblythe most talented boxer yet to win a world title, returns as the co-feature against Custio Clayton in an IBF Welterweight Title Eliminator.

Former two-time world champion Benavidez returns to action on Saturday, May 21 against knockout artist David Lemieux at 168 pounds in Phoenix, Ariz., in a bout between two of the sport’s biggest punchers.

Fulton, in his first bout since his title unification win in the 122-pound division against Brandon Figueroa, will defend his titles on Saturday, June 4 in Minneapolis, against former unified world champion Danny Roman in another can’t miss matchup.

Jermall Charlo will defend his WBC Middleweight World Championship for the fifth time on Saturday, June 18, when he faces former world title challenger, WBC No. 6-ranked Maciej Sulecki on the Juneteenth holiday weekend in Houston. 

On Saturday, July 9, in San Antonio, Texas, newly minted WBC Featherweight World Champion Mark Magsayo will make his first title defense since dethroning Gary Russell Jr., on SHOWTIME against unbeaten mandatory challenger and former super bantamweight titleholder Rey Vargas.

Additional high-stakes matches will be announced as individual fight cards fill out.

“It’s a good time to be a boxing fan and SHOWTIME viewer with so many high-level, consequential matchups on our schedule,” said Espinoza, President, Sports & Event Programming, Showtime Networks Inc. “We continue to grow the sport at every level, from our grassroots series SHOBOX to crowning unified and undisputed champions across boxing’s deepest divisions. When you consider the competitive nature of these fights, the star power of fighters like Errol Spence, Jr., ‘Tank’ Davis, David Benavidez, the Charlo brothers—and the youthful vitality of Stephen Fulton, Jr., Jaron Ennis and Brandun Lee—it’s never been clearer that SHOWTIME is the destination for the most compelling fights and will be for years to come. This SHOWTIME Boxing lineup is hands down the most potent of any network or platform in 2022.”

The SHOWTIME Sports boxing schedule features seven editions of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® and two significant SHOWTIME PPV events, all presented by Premier Boxing Champions:

·       March 26 – SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING

The Armory, Minneapolis, Minn.

  • Tim Tszyu vs. Terrell Gausha, Super Welterweight Bout
  • Michel Rivera vs. Joseph Adorno, Lightweight Bout
  • Elvis Rodriguez vs. Juan Jose Velasco, Super Lightweight (142 LBS) Bout

·       April 9 – SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING

The Theatre at Virgin Hotels, Las Vegas

  • Erickson Lubin vs. Sebastian Fundora, WBC Super Welterweight Interim Title
  • Tony Harrison vs. Sergio Garcia, Super Welterweight Bout
  • Kevin Salgado vs. Bryant Perrella, Super Welterweight Bout

·       April 16 – SHOWTIME PPV

AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas

  • Errol Spence Jr. vs. Yordenis Ugas, WBC, WBA & IBF Welterweight World Championship Unification

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING (preceding PPV):

  • Radzhab Butaev vs. Eimantas Stanionis, WBA Welterweight Title Bout
  • Brandun Lee vs. Zachary Ochoa, Super Lightweight Bout

·       May 14 – SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING

Los Angeles

  • Jermell Charlo vs. Brian Castaño II, Undisputed IBF, WBA, WBC & WBO Super Welterweight World Championship Unification
  • Jaron Ennis vs. Custio Clayton, IBF Welterweight Eliminator

·       May 21 – SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING

Phoenix

  • David Benavidez vs. David Lemieux, Super Middleweight Bout
  • Yoelvis Gomez vs. Jorge Cota, Super Welterweight Bout

·       May 28 – SHOWTIME PPV

Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY

  • Gervonta Davis vs. Rolando Romero, WBA Lightweight World Championship

·       June 4 – SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING

Minneapolis

  • Stephen Fulton, Jr. vs. Danny Roman, WBO & WBC Super Bantamweight World Championship
  • David Morrell vs. Kalvin Henderson, WBA Super Middleweight World Title

·       June 18 – SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING

Houston

  • Jermall Charlo vs. Maciej Sulecki, WBC Middleweight World Championship 

·       July 9 – SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING

San Antonio

  • Mark Magsayo vs. Rey Vargas, WBC Featherweight World Championship

For more information and future fight announcements visit www.SHO.com/sportswww.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotions on Instagram @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotions or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing.

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




Mexican quartet of undefeated pro Boxing prospects to be showcased

LAS VEGAS (March 15, 2022) – Mexican boxing’s future will be on full displayed March 24th on RJJ Boxing card, showcasing an undefeated quartert of professional boxing prospects, at Palenque de la Feriz in Tepic, Nayarit, Mexico.

Presented by Roy Jones Jr. Boxing Promotions (RJJ Boxing) in association with De La O Promotions, World Cup Boxing Series (WCBS) and Team Cruz Promotions, the action will be streamed live and exclusively on UFC FIGHT PASS®, the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports, starting at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT. To sign-up for UFC FIGHT PASS, please visit www.ufcfightpass.com.

The RJJ Boxing on UFC FIGHT PASS event is part of the 40th Nayarit National Festival, which is celebrated between March 10 and 27. The festival displays the cultural identity of Nayarit, like the Indigenous community, also providing entertainment by offering regional artists at national and international events. It attracts between 20,000 and 30,000 people each day of the festival.

The four 19-year-old Mexican fighters have a combined pro record of 24-0 (15 KOs): lightweights Jorge “Jorgito” Lugo Cota (7-0, 5 KOs) and Marco Cota Moreno (5-0, 4 KOs), as well as twin Tepic brothers, featherweight Hector “Tigre” Perez Cruz (6-0, 5 KOs) and super featherweight Paolo “Leon” Perez Cruz (6-0, 5 KOs).

The Mexican quartet had an incredible 470-24 amateur record: Lugo (155-15), Moreno (146-4), Pablo (86-2) and Hector (83-3) Cruz.

“These young men are the future of boxing in Mexico,” RJJ Boxing’s veteran matchmaker Guy Taylor said. “I have never had four undefeated boxers with nearly 500 combined amateur victories, all under the age of 20, fighting on the same card as this.”

Cota, who has become a semi-regular fighting on RJJ Boxing on UFC FIGHT PASS shows, is matched against Ricardo “Palmito” Badillo Rodriguez (7-2-2, 1 KO), of Tepic, in a 6-round match. Cota is the youngest member of the famed Mexican fightin’ Montiel family, led by 3-division world champion Fernando Montiel.

Moreno was a decorated amateur boxer who captured five-Sonora State championship titles. He will meet Jonathan Zuniga (6-3, 3 KOs) in a 4-round fight.

The Cruz twins are slated to fight in 6 and 4 round bouts, respectively, Hector versus crosstown rival Victor “Tyson” Tadeo Rodriguez (2-0, 2 KOs), and Paolo vs. TBA (off-UFC FIGHT PASS).

The RJJ Boxing on UFC FIGHT PASS 8-round main event finds hometown favorite Salvatore “Chango” Tapia (12-3-1, 10 KOs), the former WBC FECOMBOX super lightweight champion, and lightweight Emiliano “Letal” Cruz (13-3, 12 KOs) in a potentially explosive battle between Mexican knockout artists who have combined for 22 knockouts in their 25 victories (88-percent win percentage).

In the co-featured event, WBO Latino Super Middleweight Champion Lester Martinez (10-0, 9 KOs) returns on the RJJ Boxing on UFC FIGHT PASS platform in a non-title fight. The WBO No. 14-rated Martinez, who fights out of Guatemala City, Guatemala, figures to be tested in an 8-round bout by Jose Luis “El Caras” Zuniga (16-6-1, 9 KOs), the former Mexico Super Welterweight Champion.

Card subject to change.

INFORMATION:

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Facebook: : /WorldCupBoxingSeries

Twitter: @RoyjonesJRfa @RoyJonesJrOfficial

Instagram: @RoyJonesJrBoxing, @World_Cup_Boxing_Series

ABOUT ROY JONES JR, BOXING PROMOTIONS: Founded in 2013, Roy Jones, Jr. (RJJ) Boxing Promotions 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 and also in Mexico, Russia, and Japan. RJJ Boxing 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, FIGHT PASS is now available in more than 200 countries and territories. FIGHT PASS provides its members with unlimited access to exclusive, live UFC FIGHT PASS Prelims; live mixed martial arts and combat sports from around the world; original series and historical programming; special features, in-depth interviews, behind-the-scenes content, and up-to-the minute reports on the world of combat sports. FIGHT PASS subscribers also have 24/7 access to the world’s largest fight library, featuring more than 17,000 bouts from dozens of combat sports organizations, as well as every fight in UFC history. Fight fans can access FIGHT PASS on personal computers, iOS and Android mobile devices, Apple TV, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, Roku, Samsung Smart TVs, LG Smart TVs, and Sony TVs with Android TV. For more information, please visit https://www.ufc.tv/page/fightpass.




Split-T Management Fighters Earn Four Wins on Friday Night

New York, NY (March 15, 2022)–Four members of the Split-T Management stable posted victories on Friday night.

Three of those victories came in Deadwood, South Dakota as Ardreal Holmes Jr. remained undefeated with a 10-round unanimous decision over Vernon Brown in a junior middleweight bout that headlined a SHOBOX: The New Generation card that was live on SHOWTIME.

Holmes used his 6’2″ frame to box very well and land some hard straight left hands on the gritty Brown. Holmes was able to win by scores of 98-92, 97-93 and 96-94 to raise his mark to 12-0.

“I was reborn tonight,” Holmes said. “This performance showed that I still have it in me. I hurt my left hand in the second round. I couldn’t punch how I wanted to. I was in a bunch of pain but I pulled through. Thinking about my family pushed me through the pain.”

Holmes said no matter how much Brown hurt him, he was going to push through the pain. “I was rusty. I believe I need another fight to get the rust off. My timing wasn’t there. I’ve been off for like 800 days, but this fight showed that I have a lot of heart. I want Paul Kroll next. He was talking a lot of junk against me. We have a history in the amateurs. He’s who I want.”

Holmes is promoted by DiBella Entertainment and Holden Productions.

In the opening bout, Giovanni Marquez made a successful pro debut with a four-round unanimous decision over Nelson Morales in a welterweight bout.

Marquez displayed the boxing skills that propelled him to a National Golden Gloves title, as he boxed well and mixed some crisp power shots. Despite injuring his hand, Marquez looked like a seasoned veteran as was very composed in the ring.

Marquez of Houston, won by scores of 40-36 and 39-37 twice.

“I felt great,” said Marquez. “I hurt my left hand in the second round on a jab. I think I would have been able to stop him if I hadn’t hurt my hand.”

Added Giovanni: “It was a great experience. He was a tough, durable guy, but I feel like I handled everything, the cameras, all the attention pretty well. I started a little slow but after the first round I settled down and fought my fight. I felt fine without the headgear. We kept bumping heads, but he never hurt me. There was a lot of pressure on me, and I was a little nervous in the leadup to the fight, but once I got into the fight I relaxed and I felt comfortable. Overall, it was a great experience.”

In non-televised action, David Navarro won a six-round unanimous decision over Gavino Guaman in a featherweight bout.

Navarro is settling into the pro game as he dominated the action and took every round convincingly and won by scores of 60-54 on all cards.

With the win, the 22 year-old native of Los Angeles upped his record to 4-1.

In Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, LeAnna Cruz remained undefeated with a four-round unanimous decision over Anyela Lopez in a bantamweight fight.

Cruz featured solid right hands that landed flush on Lopez, which was a delight to the large hometown fan base that Cruz performed in front of.

Cruz, 113.7 lbs of Allentown, PA won by scores of 40-36 and 39-37 twice to go to 2-0. Lopez, 115.3 lbs of Tucson, AZ is 2-2.

Cruz is promoted by King’s Promotions.
LeAnna Cruz talks about her unanimous decision over Anyela Lopez




SCARDINA AND DE CAROLIS MEET IN HUGE ALL-ITALIAN CLASH

Matchroom and OPI Since 82 return to Italy and Super-Middleweights will take centre-stage with Daniele Scardina and Giovanni De Carolis meeting in a huge all-Italian showdown on Friday May 13 at the Allianz Cloud in Milan, while unbeaten 168lbs talent Ivan Zucco faces Marko Nikolic at Palazzetto dello Sport in his Verbania, Piemonte hometown on Friday April 22, live worldwide on DAZN.

Scardina (20-0 16 KOs) defends his WBO Intercontinental Super-Middleweight title against De Carolis (29-10-1 13 KOs), but there’s so much more at stake with bragging rights as the number one 168lber in the country to be settled on the night.

Scardina sits at 10 in the WBO rankings, so the bout presents the chance for the winner to crash into the top five and begin to eye the biggest fights in the division. The 29 year old recorded a pair of stoppage wins in 2021 in Milan as he returned to the ring from a 14 month absence, and picked up the title he defends in the second of those wins, dispatching Juergen Doberstein inside four rounds in October.

De Carolis, former WBA World champion, can reignite his title ambitions with victory over Scardina. The 37 year old battled Lerone Richards for the European title in May 2021 in London and after being outpointed by the Briton, he returned to winning ways over six rounds in his Roma backyard in October.

In support of Scardina and De Carolis, Spaniard Mary Romero (7-2 2 KOs) will make the second defence of her European Super-Bantamweight title against Italy’s Maria Cecchi (6-0 1 KO), the vacant Italian Super-Bantamweight title will be claimed by Vincenzo La Femina (10-0 5 KOs) or Matteo Lecca (9-2 4 KOs), and there’s eight round action for Welterweight Maxim Prodan (19-1-1 15 KOs), while Super-Welterweight Cristian Cangelosi (6-0 2 KOs) and Cruiserweight Oronzo Birardi (2-0 2 KOs) will fight in six rounder bouts. 

“It’s going to be an important and great fight,” said Scardina. “We are super focused; it will be a great show live worldwide on DAZN.”

“I am thrilled to compete with Daniele,” said   De Carolis. “It is a match that Italian boxing needs and it will attract great attention on an international level.”

Scardina and De Carolis will certainly attract the full attention of the unbeaten Zucco, who will look to land his first international strap against Nikolic, with the WBC International title on the line. Zucco (15-0 13 KOs) is leaving the domestic scene behind having landed the Italian title in April with a six round win over Luca Campano in Milan and took just three rounds to see off Ignazio Crivello in his first defense in his hometown in July. The 26 year old extended his KO streak to five with a fourth round stoppage of Giorgi Gujejiani in December, a 13th win inside the distance in 15 pro outings. Nikolic (28-1, 12 KOs ) will be out to stop the rise of the Italian, and the well-traveled and experienced Serbian takes on his fourth title fight in his 30th bout in the paid ranks.

Unbeaten Roma man Mirko Natalizi (11-0 7 KOs) fights for his first title against Welshman Tony Dixon (13-3 4 KOs) for the WBC International Silver Super-Welterweight title on the undercard that also features Francesco Grandelli (15-1-2 3 KOs) takes on Briton Kane Baker (17-8-1 1 KO) over ten rounds at Featherweight, Samuel Nmomah (16-0 5 KOs) meets Felice Moncelli (22-6-1 5 KOs) over eight rounds at Super-Welterweight, and there is six round action for Mauro Forte (Featherweight,16-0-2 6 KOs), Joshua Nmomah (Middleweight, 10-0 3 KOs), Giovanni Sarchioto (Middleweight, 2-0 2 KOs) and Voldy Toutin (Light-Heavyweight, 1-0).

“I am proud to headline an event of such an international importance in my hometown of Verbania,” said Zucco. “I will be ready to win the Green belt. As I have always said: “Verbania is inexpugnable!”

“Our boxing schedule at DAZN just keeps getting better as we put on shows around the world, this time in Italy with a huge all-Italian showdown between Daniele Scardina and Giovanni De Carolis and Ivan Zucco facing off against Marko Nikolic in his hometown,” said Ed Breeze, EVP Rights at DAZN. “This are two cracking fights with homegrown talent looking to make a statement domestically and across the world scene. You do not want to miss out back-to-back Italian fight nights, live around the world on DAZN.”
“Delighted to be back in Italy with 2 shows on April 22 and May 13” said Matchroom Boxing CEO Frank Smith. “We have been building over the years with Scardina and now the biggest domestic rival is happening in Milan on May 13. Following the pandemic is amazing to have fans back. Don’t miss it live and on demand on DAZN!”

“I want to thank Daniele Scardina and Giovanni De Carolis for accepting this fight,” said Christian Cherchi for OPI Since 82. “Without any doubts is the biggest fight Italian boxing can present at this time. We are expecting a sold-out arena and great viewers on DAZN. We are also very happy to promote the first International title of Ivan in his beautiful hometown of Verbania. His fight with Nikolic will be a step up in competition. Natalizi will challenge Dixon in his first title attempt and Grandelli will square off against Baker in a fight that promise fireworks. Don’t miss it live and on demand on DAZN.”

Tickets for both shows will be available on ticketone.it. Full details will be released this week.




MATCHROOM RETURN TO SPAIN WITH UPCOMING EVENTS IN BARCELONA AND BILBAO

Matchroom Boxing will return to the Palau Olímpic Vall d’Hebron in Barcelona, Spain on Friday 1 April for a huge night of action topped by Sandor Martin taking on Jose Felix for the WBA International Super-Lightweight Title, live on DAZN

Following his sensational victory over Mikey Garcia in October last year – Barcelona’s Martin (39-2, 13 KOs), is set for a homecoming event against the all-action, hard hitting Felix (39-5-1, 30 KOs). In what was arguably one of the biggest wins in Spanish boxing history, Sandor Martin will be looking to maintain momentum towards a World Title shot against the dangerous Mexican.

Unbeaten Olympian Samuel Carmona builds on his impressive and destructive performance in December, with his toughest assignment to date – taking on the seasoned Super Flyweight Fadhili Majiha (28-14-4, 14 KOs). After taking on Galal Yafai four times as an amateur, Carmona looks to keep winning and target an eventual meeting in the pro ranks with the Olympic Gold Medal winner Yafai.

Barcelona’s exciting Super-Lightweight Spanish Champion Alejandro Moya (15-0, 10 KOs) takes a step up against Liverpool’s Tom Farrell (20-5, 5 KOs) and Ricards Bolotniks (18-6-1, 8 KOs) is back in action against unbeaten Croatian Hrvoje Sep (11-0, 8 KOs). 

Following the return of one Spanish golden boy, Matchroom head to the hometown of another on Friday May 20 – as Kerman Lejarraga (34-2, 26 KOs) takes on another British rival James Metcalf (21-2, 13 KOs) at the Bilbao Arena, Bilbao. After a brutal KO win in December, ‘The Revolver’ will be looking to pull the trigger on another standout performance which would propel him towards a first World Title shot.

“I’m so excited to fight again in Barcelona, for me it is a very special comeback after beating Mikey Garcia in California. I needed to fight in front of my people again and feel their support. It could be my last fight before fighting for the world title. I don’t want any surprises, I’ve worked hard and I want to show that I’m ready,” said Sandor Martin.”I’m happy to return to Bilbao before a great fight with Metcalf and then I’m ready for a World Title. My team knows it!” said Kerman Lejarraga.

“Spanish boxing is on the up and we’re thrilled to work with Matchroom Boxing to bring Spanish boxing fans, and fans around the world, the best fighting the best,” said Ed Breeze, EVP Rights at DAZN. “Sandor Martin faces a tough challenge in Jose Felix for the WBA International Super-Lightweight title, after a career changing win last time out against Mikey Garcia. Hometown hero Kerman Lejarraga take on another British rival James Metcalf, looking for a statement and future first World title shot. Don’t miss all the action, live worldwide on DAZN.”“We’re really excited to be returning to Spain with these two consecutive events, live on DAZN,” said Matchroom Boxing CEO Frank Smith. “There is absolutely no doubt that Spanish boxing is in the healthiest position it has ever been in – with huge wins by last year for Sandor Martin, Kerman Lejarraga and of course Kiko Martinez. We want to ride that wave and keep delivering big events to the market! The atmosphere in Barcelona and Bilbao is always special and we look forward to two massive events over the coming months.”

Further details; including full undercard and ticket information will be released in due course.