HANEY AND PROGRAIS MEET IN BLOCKBUSTER WORLD TITLE CLASH AT CHASE CENTER, SAN FRANCISCO ON DEC 9

Devin Haney and Regis Prograis will clash in a Super-Lightweight blockbuster at Chase Center in San Francisco, California on Saturday December 9, live on DAZN PPV in North America and on DAZN worldwide.

PRESALE TICKETS GO ON SALE THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5 AT NOON PT – FANS INTERESTED IN SIGNING UP FOR PRESALE CAN DO SO HERE.

TICKETS GO ON SALE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 6 AT NOON PT AT CHASECENTER.COM.

Haney (30-0 15 KOs) returns to his Bay Area roots in his quest to become a two-weight World champion, moving up from 135lbs having become undisputed after beating George Kambosos Jr in Australia in June 2022, and then successfully defended his crown twice, once in a rematch Down Under in October and then against modern-day legend Vasiliy Lomachenko in Las Vegas in May, and now the San Francisco-born 24 year old can make more history in his first fight on his home turf.

Prograis (29-1 24 KOs) puts his WBC title on the line for the second time after successfully seeing off the Danielito Zorrilla on his New Orleans home patch in his first defense in April. ‘Rougarou’ became a two-time holder of the green and gold belt in November when he knocked out Jose Zepeda in the 11th round in Carson, California – and the 34 year old returns to The Golden State to face the former undisputed Lightweight king.

“It’s been a long time coming,” said Haney. “It’s been a dream of mine to fight in my hometown. I’m excited for the opportunity to become two-division World champion in The City [The Bay] where it all started. The energy in the building is going to be electric. I haven’t fought at home since I was an amateur, so I’m looking for my city to show up and show out. 

“As a kid, I always envisioned fighting at The Oracle in Oakland. Now with Chase Center, I have two dream locations with a bridge between them. So, my first order of business is to blow the roof off Chase Center on December 9 with an amazing event. I picked a focused and hungry champion to invite to my hometown. Regis is going to be trying to knock me out and that’s exactly what I need him to be TRYING to do. This is what you do when you are the youngest promoter in boxing. I’m the real face of boxing. December 9. Legacy and Money.

“On paper this is a tough fight because it’s my first fight at a heavier weight division. I’m comfortable with the plan have. God willing, I’m going to be stronger and faster than ever. I’m going to dominate him, and the Welterweight division will be put on notice.

“It’s never personal, this is a business at the end of the day. We’re two gentlemen at the end of the day, but when we get in the ring, we don’t have respect for each other. I’m going to go in in there and do my job.”

“Finally, we’re ready to go on Saturday, December 9 and I can’t wait to put on a show,” said Prograis. “I’ve already started training camp and I’ll be more than ready to do what I do best.
 
“Devin has done well at 135lbs but I’m the best in the world at 140lbs and I will prove that once again!
 
“Since my last fight they mentioned Devin’s name and that’s the only person I’ve had on my mind. I will not only beat him, but I will beat him up. I will hurt this kid. It’s nothing he can do that’s going to stop me from dominating. It’s going to be a massacre. Again, I will hurt him.”
 
“It’s been quite a journey from East Oakland,” said Bill Haney, Devin’s father and trainer. “Everything us represents “The Bay.” Strong and independent. It’s surreal to finally get a chance to go home where The Dream started.

“We’re taking this fight seriously. Regis is a tough guy from New Orleans. He’s a two-time champion with KO power, so he speaks with confidence. I’m anticipating a sharp strong Devin Haney at 140 lbs. This is why this is an exciting matchup. 

“This fight shows the level of competition Devin is going after, and there’s no built-in excuse for either fighter. They both need to fight each other to get where they’re going. It’s a winner-take-all.”

“Regis will show that he is the best 140lb boxer in the world,” said Bobby Benton, Regis’ trainer. “He will get to show all of his skills and also his IQ against Haney.”“I am thrilled that we can finally get our teeth into talking about one of the best fights of 2023,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “The build-up to this one is going to be like the fight itself – intense, fiery, and explosive. There is no love lost between them and bragging rights alone are a huge prize on offer, but with Regis wanting to prove he’s the man to beat at 140lbs and Devin aiming to become a two-weight World champion as a homecoming hero, the stakes simply couldn’t be higher on what promises to be an electric night of action in San Francisco.” 

The mouth-watering clash is another huge addition to DAZN’s stunning schedule to close 2023. London is the scene for World title action this weekend as Australian Cruiserweight king Jai Opetaia defends his IBF and Ring Magazine titles against Jordan Thompson, and the following weekend (October 7) an all-British blockbuster sees Nottingham’s Leigh Wood defend his WBA World Featherweight title against Leeds’ Josh Warrington in Sheffield.

Leading Super-Lightweight star Jack Catterall has hometown advantage on October 21, but former World ruler Jorge Linares has fond memories of Manchester and will be looking to rekindle them in what promises to be a war. A week later, the action switches to Cancun in Mexico as O’Shaquie Foster defends his WBC World Super-Featherweight title against big punching Mexican Rocky Hernandez.

The Super-Featherweight division remains the focus when Matchroom return to Monte Carlo on November 4, where Joe Cordina will defend his IBF World title against Texan Edward Vazquez. The next American show on Hearn’s packed slate sees future Super-Middleweight ruler Diego Pacheco continues his rise in a hometown show in Los Angeles against Marcelo Coceres.

After an incredible night in Dublin in May, Chantelle Cameron and Katie Taylor meet again in the Irish capital for the Undisputed Super-Lightweight crown, and the week after Haney and Prograis clash, there’s another fight that has boxing fans purring, as Jesse Rodriguez and Sunny Edwards head to Glendale, Arizona in a Flyweight unification battle.

“What a great night of boxing this will be”, said Jared Kass, SVP North America, “A proper fighter’s fight, which will see two of the divisions finest facing off in December in San Francisco. Watch Devin Haney vs Regis Prograis live and exclusive on DAZN PPV on December 9.”

Haney vs. Prograis is the first boxing event to be held at the world-class Chase Center in San Francisco. Opening its doors in 2019, Chase Center is an award-winning 18,064-seat sports and entertainment arena in San Francisco’s Mission Bay neighborhood that is home to the seven-time NBA champion Golden State Warriors and San Francisco’s top events and performances.




CAMERON VS. TAYLOR 2LAUNCH PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES

Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Sport Chairman:

“November 25 at The 3Arena, live and exclusive on DAZN, the undisputed World Super-Lightweight Championship with the champion Chantelle Cameron against Katie Taylor.

“Last time around, in my opinion, we had one of the greatest atmosphere’s we’ve witnessed in many year of promoting  shows around the world, it was incredible. Katie suffered her first professional defeat at the hands of an outstanding Chantelle. This time, whether people like to talk about it or not, legacy is on the line, belts are on the line, careers may be on the line. It’s a must-win fight for both as we look forward to an outstanding schedule live on DAZN.”

Chantelle Cameron, defending her undisputed Super-Lightweight World Titles:

“I can’t be complacent, I’m never complacent. Katie is a great fighter and I know that all she wants is revenge, I gave her a first defeat, so for me I have to be better. Jamie and I have been watching it over and over, and I am sick of watching it because I did make so many mistakes, some bits of it I cringe at so I know that I have more gears to go through. I have to come back to Dublin, do the business again and then carry on with my career.

“It was the first fight where I’ve thought ‘wow, I’ve just beaten Katie Taylor’, whereas I’ve had other wins that haven’t really fazed me. I’ve always wanted the fight with Katie, and thought you beat Katie and you have kind of completed boxing because she’s such a good fighter. That’s been and done now, I just have to do it again, it’s just about improving and being better, so that’s changed my mindset.

“I expect a better Katie Taylor, she needs to win against me so she can put it to bed. So I am making sure that I am lot better, I had more gears and the first fight was good but the second fight has got to be even better; I’ve got to be spiteful, go back to the old ways where I am a bit more aggressive. I’ve never boxed on as big a stage before, it was a great night with a great atmosphere, but I’ve experienced that now so I can focus on the main thing and that’s fight.

“I never go looking for the stoppage but I know what I have to do and I need to be more aggressive. I showed too much respect in the first fight, it was a weird night because I didn’t feel I had that spite in me, I think I am better when I have a bit of beef between my teeth and that spite, and I have that now because I know I have a massive job on my hands, so I will definitely come out more aggressive and try and win in a better fashion. 

“Jamie and Nigel always go mad if I say I can’t be hurt because I lose my defence, I have to make sure that I don’t take silly shots, but I can’t be hurt and I can walk Katie down, I have got that confidence,  I’ve got to make sure that I move my head more but at the same time, I’m not worried that I am going to get stopped.”

Jamie Moore, trainer of Chantelle Cameron:

“It was an unbelievable night for us as a team, and the atmosphere was phenomenal. There was one scorecard that was a draw which I thought was too close but other than that, I couldn’t complain, and we’re coming back to do it all again.

“I think from the experience of being here last time and going into the first fight, even though we were confident, you are going in against Katie Taylor in Dublin, so you don’t know what to expect. But we do now, and watching the fight back, we have sat together and analysed it, and we know she can perform better than she did. I am sure Katie will be better too, it’s probably at the stage now when her career is on the line which is going to give her that extra motivation in training and bring out the best in her. I think this will be a better fight than the first fight and we will have to up our game to make sure we are better, which we will be.

“With the experience from the first fight and the confidence you get from putting in a performance like that and knowing that Chantelle has got more gears in her, I do expect a better performance this time and she expects it of herself, so I think it could do Chantelle a favour coming back. We would have liked a homecoming in Northampton or even a neutral territory, but it’s stoked the flame by coming back to Dublin and given her that extra determination that she needs.”

Katie Taylor, challenging for the undisputed Super-Lightweight World Titles:

“Every single fight is a must-win and I think the attitude of every fighter is that the next fight is the most important one, regardless of what is on the line, but I am very aware that this fight is a must-win fight. I’m very grateful to have the chance for a rematch, not every fighter gets this opportunity, so I am grateful I get the chance to rectify things and I have been here before not as a pro, but as an amateur when I have suffered defeat, and I know how to make the necessary adjustments, to come back strong. As a Christian, resurrection is built into my mindset and it’s in my DNA, so I am just excited to have this rematch and I can’t wait to step back in there.

“It doesn’t matter to me whether I am seen as the underdog or the favorite, whether my name is on the left or right hand side. My mindset is always the same, we always train to win and I will have to push myself to the brink to do that. I have no problem being in the trenches, the last fight was a fantastic fight, it was very, very close, we have the chance to do it again and I am very, very confident that if I perform at my best I will win this fight. Regardless of who is on the other side of the ring, I think I win when I am at my very best.

“I am expecting the best of Chantelle, an improved Chantelle, and I am obviously expecting to improve my performance as well. I am going to adjust and make improvements but I believe I am going to win this fight and I don’t think that Chantelle can hurt me either. We shared ten rounds together, it was a great fight, and we’re both super-confident that we’ll win this time. 

“Everyone could see that I wasn’t at my very best, but who cares? She won the fight, there’s no point in talking about the fight, I am just excited to be back in camp, I’ve got my head down and I am excited to be able to rectify things, a second chance and to be able fight at home again in Ireland is amazing. Even though it didn’t go my way last time, it was an amazing night packed with entertaining fights, and I think every time we bring big time boxing back to this nation, it just embeds boxing back into our culture again where it belongs. Boxing belongs at the forefront of Irish sport, it’s our most successful sport, so to have another chance for a massive fight here is so special and to have another history-making fight where I can become a two-time two-weight undisputed champion means it’s the biggest fight of my career so far.”

Ross Enamait, trainer of Katie Taylor:

“It’s definitely must-win and it’s obviously the biggest fight of her career at this stage, it doesn’t get any bigger than this, and Katie knows that and I am more confident this time around and looking forward to it.

“I know Katie can perform a lot better, she wasn’t at her best but when she’s 100 per cent healthy and strong which she is going to be, I’m very confident that she can beat anybody in the world.

“I think that you definitely get a better fight from the both this time around.”




ATLANTIC CITY BOXING HALL OF FAME UNVEILS DISTINGUISHED GUEST LIST FOR 7th ANNUAL AWARDS & INDUCTION WEEKEND

Atlantic City, N.J. September 26, 2023 – The Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame (ACBHOF) proudly announces the roster of special guests attending the 7th Annual Awards & Induction Weekend, held from Friday, September 29th to Sunday, October 1st, 2023, at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City. The guest list features notable boxing figures such as: Roberto Duran, Michael Spinks, James Toney, Vinny Paz, Gerry Cooney, Ray Mercer, Tim Witherspoon, Kelly Pavlik, Lamon Brewster, Mark “Too Sharp” Johnson, Junior Jones, Reggie Johnson, Mark Breland, Sharmba Mitchell, Eva Jones-Young, John Scully, Michael Olajide, Iran Barkley, Michael Nunn, Danny “Little Red” Lopez, Jeff Chandler, Montell Griffin, Yaqui Lopez, Al Cole, Kali Reis, Hector Camacho Jr., Rodney Moore, Kendall Holt, Dave Tiberi, Nate Miller and William Joppy, to name a few.

The weekend kicks off on Friday, September 29th, with the “Opening Bell” VIP Cocktail Reception from 5:00pm – 8:00pm, followed by the Friday Night Fight Presented by Hard Hitting Promotions at Bally’s Casino Atlantic City. On Saturday, September 30th, the Fight Fan Experience & Boxing Exhibits at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City will be open from 11:00am – 1:00pm

The highlight of the weekend is the Red-Carpet Formal Awards & Induction Ceremony, taking place on Saturday night inside the Sound Waves Theater. Attendees will enjoy a unique opportunity to mix and mingle with other boxing luminaries and special VIP guests, as well as honor all who helped put Atlantic City on the boxing map. The Pre-VIP Cocktail Reception will begin at 5:00pm, and it leads into the Official Awards & Induction Program from 7:00pm – 9:00pm. After the Awards Ceremony, guests with VIP tickets will have the chance to experience the Post-VIP Reception, which includes a bonus fight watch party for Canelo Alverez vs. Jermell Charlo

 

The 2023 class members of the Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame include:

 

George Foreman, Shannon Briggs, David Tua, Pinklon Thomas, Tracy Harris Patterson, Doug Dewitt, Darroll Wilson, Shamone Alvarez, Jamillia Lawrence, Joe Hand Sr., Matt Howard, Rudy Battle, Benjy Esteves Jr., Arnold Robbins, Joseph Santoliquito, Lee Samuels They will be inducted alongside Posthumously & Pioneers such as Buster Drayton, Marty Feldman, Rocky Castellani, Frankie Polo, Joe Miller, Horace M. Leeds, “KO” Becky O’Neill and Willie O’Neill

For more information on event tickets, room reservations, and weekend schedules, visit the Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame website at: www.acbhof.com

The ACBHOF gives a special thanks to their partners and sponsors: Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City, Boardwalk Resorts – Flagship Hotel, Mayor Marty Small Sr., City of Atlantic City, Bare Knuckle Fighting Champions, Hard Hitting Promotions, Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, The Irish Pub-Atlantic City, Moustakas & Nelson Law, Quail Hill Realty, Gionta Management LLC, T&K Boxing Promotions, Sparbar Boxing LTD, Patrick Killian Arts, Guzman Gloves, Adams Boxing, WBC, IBF, Icons of Boxing Memorabilia, and Fight Night Apparel




VIDEO: Canelo Alvarez vs. Jermell Charlo: Grand Arrivals | SHOWTIME PPV




CANELO ÁLVAREZ AND JERMELL CHARLO MAKE GRAND ARRIVALS IN LAS VEGAS AHEAD OF UNDISPUTED CHAMPIONSHIP CLASH SATURDAY NIGHT

LAS VEGAS – September 26, 2023 – Undisputed super middleweight champion and global superstar Canelo Álvarez and undisputed junior middleweight champion Jermell Charlo made their grand arrivals in Las Vegas on Tuesday as they kicked off fight week events for their historic showdown headlining a SHOWTIME PPV this Saturday, September 30 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Canelo Promotions will present the Premier Boxing Champions pay-per-view. 

Canelo and Charlo will meet in the first matchup of the four-belt era pitting two reigning male undisputed champions against each other, as Canelo puts his 168-pound titles on the line. Both fighters expressed their excitement about the fight in front of throngs of fans at MGM Grand.

“I feel the love and support from my people and I’m proud to represent my country,” said Canelo. “I am 100% right now and ready to show you a different Canelo on Saturday. Charlo is a great fighter who knows how to box. He is strong and has nothing to lose. He came to my division to win it all. But I’ve been in this position for a long time and I’m ready.”

“These fans think Canelo is the best in the world, but I’m going to come here and show that I’m the best,” said Charlo. “I do this for the dogs, the hungry ones. I do it for the animals. I’m made for this. After I beat Canelo, the world will be screaming ‘Charlo, Charlo!’ You dig? Now it’s my turn, my time, my moment. I’m going to shine on Saturday night. We can’t talk about it; we have to be about it. Come fight night, you’ll all see what that means.”

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Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Canelo Promotions and TGB Promotions, are available through AXS.com.

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ABOUT CANELO VS. CHARLO

Canelo vs. Charlo will see pound-for-pound great Canelo Álvarez defend his undisputed super middleweight world titles in a blockbuster showdown against hard-hitting undisputed junior middleweight world champion Jermell Charlo headlining a SHOWTIME PPV on Saturday, September 30 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Canelo Promotions will present the Premier Boxing Champions pay-per-view. 

The pay-per-view begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and will see undefeated sensation Jesus “Mono” Ramos Jr. take on hard-hitting top contender Erickson “Hammer” Lubin in the 12-round super welterweight co-main event. The pay-per-view also includes former world champions Yordenis Ugas and Mario “El Azteca” Barrios going toe-to-toe for the Interim WBC Welterweight Title. Opening up the action are rising middleweights Elijah Garcia and Armando Reséndiz squaring off in a 10-round attraction.

For more information visit SHOWTIME.com/ppv and www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow #CaneloCharlo, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @SHOSports, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotions, on Instagram @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotionss or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ShowtimeBoxing and www.Facebook.com/premierboxingchampions/.




TOP SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT CONTENDER VLADIMIR SHISHKIN RETURNS TO BATTLE RAMON AYALA THIS FRIDAY NIGHT

DETROIT, MI – September 26, 2023 – Top super middleweight contender Vladimir Shishkin will return to action this Friday, September 29 as he duels Mexico’s Ramon Ayala in an eight-round matchup from Miccosukee Indian Gaming Resort in Miami, Florida.

The IBF’s No. 2 contender at 168-pounds, Shishkin has worked his way into position for a world title fight since turning pro in 2016. If he continues his winning ways, he’ll look to earn a world title fight against current undisputed IBF, WBC, WBA and WBO super middleweight world champion Canelo Alvarez, who is slated to defend his titles this Saturday against undisputed 154-pound champion Jermell Charlo.

“I’m staying active and sharp and making sure that I’m getting better every day,” said Shishkin. “I’ll be watching the Canelo vs. Charlo fight closely, but I’m laser focused on being at my best this Friday night. To get that Canelo fight I know that I have to win impressively and earn my shot.”

Now fighting out of the resurgent Detroit boxing scene under the guidance of the renowned SugarHill Steward, Shishkin (14-0, 8 KOs) turned pro in 2016 following a prolific amateur career. The 32-year-old stopped veteran contender Nadjib Mohammedi in October 2018 before putting together his most recent six victories in stateside bouts. Most recently, Shishkin bested former world champion Jose Uzcategui via a unanimous decision in December in a bout that aired on SHOWTIME. He will duel the 34-year-old Ayala (25-8-1, 13 KOs), who has fought professionally since 2006. A native of Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico, Ayala has faced former champion Omar Figueroa Jr. in addition to a slew of contenders including Bryant Perrella, Chris van Heerden, Leonardo Zappavigna and Neeco Macias.

“Vladimir is one of the best super middleweight contenders in the world, if not the best,” said Dmitriy Salita, President of Salita Promotions. “The champions will only fight him when they have to, and he’s in a position right now to make that happen. I believe in activity, so while Canelo’s fight takes place, Vladimir is going to stay prepared and ready for the day his number is called.”

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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. 




FIGHT WEEK KICKS OFF IN LAS VEGAS AHEAD OF FIRST EVER MATCHUP BETWEEN REIGNING, FOUR-BELT, MALE CHAMPIONS SATURDAY NIGHT ON SHOWTIME PPV®

LAS VEGAS – September 26, 2023 – Fight week in the Boxing Capital of the World is officially underway as global superstar and Undisputed Super Middleweight World Champion Canelo Álvarez and Undisputed Junior Middleweight World Champion Jermell Charlo make their Grand Arrivals to Las Vegas today before they meet in a historic, first-of-its-kind matchup on Saturday, September 30 for Canelo’s undisputed 168-pound belts live on SHOWTIME PPV from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Canelo Promotions will present the Premier Boxing Champions pay-per-view.

As the two undisputed champions finalize preparations for one of the most anticipated fights of the year, here is a collection of news and notes from SHOWTIME SPORTS® for Fight Week.

HISTORY IN THE MAKING

For the first time in history, two reigning, male undisputed champions will go toe-to-toe. All four of Canelo’s 168-pound belts will be up for grabs as the 154-pound champion Charlo moves up two weight classes to challenge Canelo. The only other undisputed vs. undisputed matchup in the four-belt era took place when undisputed women’s light welterweight champion Chantelle Cameron defeated undisputed lightweight champion Katie Taylor in May.

Having captured world titles at 154, 160, 168 and 175-pounds, Canelo will look to become the first man during the four-belt era to defend all four titles successfully three consecutive times.

With a win, Charlo would become just the second man to earn the undisputed title in two divisions during the four-belt era, after Terence Crawford, and would add his name alongside legendary champions such as Sugar Ray Leonard, Thomas Hearns and Roy Jones Jr. by successfully jumping two weight classes to win a world title.    

FIGHT WEEK FESTIVITIES

The SHOWTIME SPORTS YouTube Channel will be home to live streaming coverage of all fight week events, including today’s Grand Arrivals, starting at 2:30 p.m. PT, Wednesday’s main event final press conference at 1 p.m. PT and open media undercard workouts kicking off at 3 p.m. PT, the final undercard press conference Thursday at 11 a.m. PT, the weigh-in on Friday at 2:30 p.m. PT, and the post-fight press conference. Luke Thomas and Brian Campbell, co-hosts of the award-winning live digital talk show MORNING KOMBAT, along with ALL THE SMOKE co-host and NBA Champion Stephen Jackson and former world champion and SHOWTIME Boxing®analyst Raul “El Diamante” Marquez will serve as the streaming hosts of the weigh-in. Thomas and Campbell will announce the SHOWTIME PPV COUNTDOWN show on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. PT, which will include live coverage of preliminary bouts and analysis of the upcoming pay-per-view card.

WHERE TO CATCH ALL THE ACTION

The four-fight pay-per-view event kicks off at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and is widely available for purchase and live streaming in the United States at SHOWTIME.com/ppv and via the SHOWTIME App on supported devices including Apple iOS and tvOS devices, Android Mobile, AndroidTV, Roku, Amazon FireTV, Samsung Smart TV and LG Smart TV (2019 models and newer), Xbox One, Xfinity Flex, the Cox Wireless 4K Contour Stream Player and online at SHOWTIME.com, FITE.tv and PPV.com. The event is also available for purchase in the U.S. via cable, satellite and telco systems including iNDEMAND, DIRECTV®, DISH and Sling TV. The suggested retail price is $84.95 (SRP). In Canada, viewers can purchase and access the event via traditional cable and satellite distributors (Bell, Rogers, Shaw, SaskTel/TELUS and digital distributor FITE TV). Liberty and Claro TV will offer the event in Puerto Rico. Joe Hand Promotions is the commercial distributor within the U.S., Puerto Rico and Canada.

The official promotional spot, which spotlights the historical significance and star power of the September 30 showdown, is available HERE.

THE INDUSTRY LEADERS

SHOWTIME SPORTS is in the midst of one of the hottest runs in the network’s 37-year history of televising live boxing. Since the start of 2023, the industry’s strongest schedule has included 20 marquee events (including Saturday’s event).

The schedule has included Fight of the Year contenders – Subriel Matias stopping Jeremias Ponce on February 25 and Brandon Figueroa decisioning Mark Magsayo on March 4. It has included KO of the Year contenders – Brian Mendoza’s one-punch KO of Sebastian FundoraTim Tszyu’s left-hook KO of Carlos Ocampo and Jaron Ennis’ brutal finish of Roiman Villa. It has also included the biggest names in the sport facing each other: Gervonta Davis vs. Ryan Garcia in a matchup that captured the world’s attention and served to elevate the star power of both men; David Benavídez vs. Caleb Plant, establishing Benavidez as one of the world’s top super middleweights; Errol Spence Jr. vs. Terence Crawford featuring two great, undefeated champions in their prime in the biggest welterweight fight since Mayweather-Pacquiao in 2015; and now Canelo vs. Charlo, another matchup with historic implications.

The 2023 slate adds to an industry leading schedule that has included the biggest names and most meaningful fights in the sport over the past seven years. Since the start of 2017, SHOWTIME has televised 103 world title fights (not including interim title fights), 13 world championship unification fights and five undisputed world championship fights. The network has been the home to some of the most memorable fights of recent times, including Anthony Joshua vs. Wladimir Klitschko (Ring Magazine 2017 Fight of the Year), Jarrett Hurd vs. Erislandy Lara (ESPN 2018 Fight of the Year), Deontay Wilder vs. Tyson Fury I (Ring Magazine 2018 Round of the Year), Gervonta Davis vs. Leo Santa Cruz (Ring Magazine 2020 KO of the Year), Stephen Fulton vs. Brandon Figueroa (CBS Sports 2021 Fight of the Year) and Sebastian Fundora vs. Erickson Lubin (Ring Magazine 2022 Round of the Year).

AWARD-WINNING STORYTELLING

Two episodes of the EMMY® Award-winning SHOWTIME® original documentary series ALL ACCESS: CANELO VS. JERMELL CHARLO are available now on SHOWTIME, Paramount+ with SHOWTIME and on the SHOWTIME SPORTS YouTube channel for non-network subscribers. ALL ACCESS, which is voiced by Barry Pepper,provides an exclusive look into the mental and physical preparations of both men, and reveals never-before-seen aspects about the two champions.

Episode One currently has 1.7 million views, while Episode Two has 1.3 million views on the SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel alone. Both episodes also are available on SHOWTIME and the Premier Boxing Champions YouTube channel amassing additional viewership.

The ALL ACCESS cameras will be in Las Vegas all week, filming ALL ACCESS: CANELO VS. JERMELL CHARLO EPILOGUE, which will premiere Saturday, October 7. The epilogue will spotlight the drama of fight week and provide an exclusive, first-hand account from fight night like no other show on television, revealing private moments between the fighters, their teams and loved ones.

SHOWTIME VETERANS

September 30 will mark Canelo’s seventh appearance on SHOWTIME and Charlo’s 16th appearance on the network.

Canelo has previously appeared four times on SHOWTIME PPV and twice on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®. Canelo’s September 2013 blockbuster against Floyd Mayweather Jr. stands as the third highest grossing pay-per-view event of all time. Canelo also defeated Alfredo Angulo, Erislandy Lara and Caleb Plant in SHOWTIME PPV main events.

Charlo has risen up the ranks, graduating from the prospect development series SHOBOX: The New Generation®, all the way up to SHOWTIME PPV. He has appeared 11 times on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING, twice on SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION and made his SHOWTIME PPV debut when he headlined alongside his twin brother, Jermall, in a SHOWTIME PP doubleheader in September 2020.

HIGH PRAISE FROM A HALL OF FAMER

Hall of Fame SHOWTIME expert analyst Al Bernstein, who has called over 150 major pay-per-view telecasts in his storied career, says that the September 30 undercard is “perhaps the best of any I’ve done.”

Three matchups featuring rising stars, top contenders and former world champions from 147 to 160 pounds highlight the robust pay-per-view undercard. In the co-main event, undefeated sensation Jesus “Mono” Ramos Jr. takes on hard-hitting top contender Erickson “Hammer” Lubin in a WBC Super Welterweight Title Eliminator. The pay-per-view also includes former world champions Yordenis Ugas and Mario “El Azteca” Barrios going toe-to-toe for the Interim WBC Welterweight Title. Opening up the action are rising middleweights Elijah Garcia and Armando Reséndiz squaring off in a 10-round attraction.

“I think every one of these matches could be terrific and one or two may be fight of the year candidates,” Bernstein says.

HOW MUCH YOU WANT TO BET?

DraftKings, the official sportsbook sponsor of Canelo vs. Charlo, views the pound-for-pound Mexican star as the clear favorite on Saturday night. Álvarez is currently listed as a -400 favorite ($100 to win $25). Believers in Jermell Charlo have a chance to triple their money if he pulls off the upset, as he is currently listed at +300 ($100 to win $300).

The oddsmakers at DraftKings view the fight going into the later rounds as the most likely outcome. The odds for the fight to go over 10.5 rounds are -320 and the odds for the fight to go under 10.5 rounds are +220. For those who believe the fight will end via stoppage, the odds for Canelo to win by KO/TKO/DQ are +230, while the odds for Charlo to win via the same method are +900.

A HOMETOWN SENDOFF

Houston’s own Jermell Charlo received a hometown sendoff at Saturday’s University of Houston vs. Sam Houston State University college football game at TDECU Stadium. Charlo held a boxing clinic for kids from the Stafford Boys & Girls Club and was honored on the field during a timeout. Houston went on to defeat Sam Houston 38-7. Click HERE for photos from the sendoff event.

THE MAN BEHIND THE SCENES

David Dinkins Jr., the executive producer of SHOWTIME SPORTS, will once again be in control of what the fans at home see on September 30.

Since joining SHOWTIME in 1987, Dinkins has produced more than 600 world championship fights, 30 unification fights and over 1,000 professional prizefights. He has been in control of the two most-watched pay-per-view events in television history (Mayweather-Pacquiao and Mayweather-McGregor), and the three most lucrative (Mayweather-Pacquiao, Mayweather-McGregor, Mayweather-Canelo). 

He has also produced six Fight of the Year bouts:

  1. Ray Leonard vs. Marvin Hagler (1987)
  2. Evander Holyfield vs. Mike Tyson I (1996)
  3. Diego Corrales vs. Jose Luis Castillo I (2005)
  4. Israel Vazquez vs. Rafael Marquez II (2007)
  5. Israel Vazquez vs. Rafael Marquez III (2008)
  6. Anthony Joshua vs. Vladimir Klitschko

Dinkins has played an integral role in spotlighting the careers of many of the sport’s greatest fighters including Mike TysonSugar Ray LeonardLennox LewisEvander HolyfieldThomas HearnsMarvin HaglerJulio Cesar ChavezFelix TrinidadPernell Whitaker and so many more.

“David Dinkins produced many of my fights,” said Tyson. “And as the years have gone by, I’ve watched them many times. The way he told my story as it was happening was excellent then and even better now.”

THE A TEAM

Veteran sportscaster and “The Last Stand” podcaster Brian Custer will host the SHOWTIME PPV telecast while versatile combat sports voice Mauro Ranallo will once again handle the blow-by-blow action alongside Hall of Fame analyst Al Bernstein and three-division world champion Abner Mares. The telecast will include Hall of Famers Jim Gray as ringside reporter, Jimmy Lennon, Jr., in his role as ring announcer and Steve Farhood as the unofficial scorer. Sportscaster Alejandro Luna will call the action in Spanish on Secondary Audio Programming (SAP) with former world champion and SHOBOX: The New Generation commentator Raúl “El Diamante” Marquez serving as the expert analyst. Felix DeJesus will serve as Spanish language interpreter. Dinkins will executive produce the telecast with acclaimed boxing director Bob Dunphy directing.

BELLATOR 300: FOUR TITLE FIGHTS IN ONE NIGHT

On Saturday, October 7, San Diego’s Pechanga Arena will host the culmination of over 14 years of mixed martial arts excellence, which for the first-time ever, includes four massive world championship fights for BELLATOR MMA’s historic 300th event. Nearly 3,500 MMA bouts and 5,300 days will have passed on the illustrious road from BELLATOR 1 to BELLATOR 300.

The one-million-dollar BELLATOR Lightweight World Grand Prix rolls on when incumbent champion Usman Nurmagomedov puts his belt and undefeated record on the line against former champion and current No. 4-ranked Brent Primus in a semifinal main event matchup. The top pound-for-pound female fighter in the world and current BELLATOR featherweight world champion Cris Cyborg faces No. 1-ranked Cat Zingano in what can best be described as a grudge match between two of the most recognizable athletes on the planet. BELLATOR’s reigning Heavyweight World Champion Ryan Bader defends his belt in a rematch against No. 1-ranked Linton Vassell. Finally, two of San Diego’s top fighters collide as Liz Carmouche defends her belt against former World Champion and No. 2-ranked Ilima-Lei Macfarlane in a highly anticipated battle between two close friends and training partners.

The action takes place live on SHOWTIME at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

#          #          #

ABOUT CANELO VS. CHARLO

Canelo vs. Charlo will see pound-for-pound great Canelo Álvarez defend his undisputed super middleweight world titles in a blockbuster showdown against hard-hitting undisputed junior middleweight world champion Jermell Charlo headlining a SHOWTIME PPV Saturday, September 30 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Canelo Promotions will present the Premier Boxing Champions pay-per-view. 

The pay-per-view begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and will see undefeated sensation Jesus “Mono” Ramos Jr. take on hard-hitting top contender Erickson “Hammer” Lubin in the 12-round super welterweight co-main event. The pay-per-view also includes former world champions Yordenis Ugas and Mario “El Azteca” Barrios going toe-to-toe for the Interim WBC Welterweight Title. Opening up the action are rising middleweights Elijah Garcia and Armando Reséndiz squaring off in a 10-round attraction.

For more information visit SHOWTIME.com/ppv and www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow #CaneloCharlo, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @SHOSports, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotions, on Instagram @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotionss or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ShowtimeBoxing and www.Facebook.com/premierboxingchampions/.




BOSTON’S MARK DELUCA SIGNS WITH DON KING PRODUCTIONS!

BOSTON, MA (September 26, 2023) Waymaker Management’s Middleweight Contender, Mark “The Bazooka” DeLuca (30-4, 18 KOs) has inked a promotional agreement with Don King Productions.

The fan favorite DeLuca has been boxing his whole life. After compiling six wins in his first year as a pro, DeLuca joined the United States Marine Corps in 2008, putting his boxing career on pause while he was serving his country and deployed to Afghanistan in 2011.

Returning in 2014, DeLuca picked up where he left off and became a local star fighting in front of sold out arenas throughout New England. DeLuca’s impressive resume includes wins over Brandon Brewer (23-0-1, 11 KOs), Jimmy Williams (16-1-1, 5 KOs), Walter Wright (17-4, 8 KOs), Travis Scott (19-2, 5 KOs), Matthew Strode (24-2, 9 KOs) and Gabor Gorbics (19-2, 12 KOs).

DeLuca has earned numerous regional titles including the WBA affiliated NABA Championship. Two of DeLuca’s most notable fights were in enemy territory when he came up short against former world champion, Kell Brook (38-2, 26 KOs) in the United Kingdom and against world title challenger, Steven Butler (30-3-1, 24 KOs) in Canada.

Now the US Marine Veteran is ready for his next big opportunity, this time on American soil. DeLuca will challenge WBA #7 ranked Ian Green (17-2, 11 KOs) for the WBA Inter-Continental Middleweight Title. This fight will take place on Don King Productions’ “Only in America 92 Celebration” event on November 4th at Casino Miami Jai Alai in Miami, FL.

Mark DeLuca, “I would like to thank my manager and Don King for putting this deal together. I’m excited to be fighting on this big event on November 4th in Miami.”

Waymaker Management’s Founder, Artie DePinho said, “Don King is a legendary promoter and we are fortunate to work with him and his team as we support Mark’s career. The Bazooka is ready to capitalize on this opportunity and blast into the world ratings.”

The stacked November 4th event is headlined by  former four-division World Champion Adrian “The Problem” Broner (35-4-1, 24 KOs) vs. Chris Howard (18-2-1, 8 KOs). Noel Mikaelian (26-2, 11 KOs) vs. Ilunga Junior Makabu (29-3, 25 KOs) will battle for the WBC Cruiserweight World Championship, and Trevor Bryan (22-1, 15 KOs) vs. Cassius Chaney (22-1, 15 KOs) will clash in a heavyweight showdown. Tickets are on sale now and the event will be broadcast on FITE TV.




Khalil Coe Remains Undefeated with Second Round Stoppage over Kenmon Evans in Orlando

NEW YORK (September 25, 2023) – Khalil “Big Steppa” Coe remained undefeated as he stopped Kenmon Evans in round two of their eight-round light heavyweight bout.

The bout took place at The Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, Florida.

At the beginning of round two, Coe dropped Evans with a right hook. Coe ended things when he landed a right to the side of the head and the bout was stopped as he fell to the ground at 1:21.

Coe, 179.6 lbs of Jersey City, NJ is 7-0-1 with five knockouts. Evans, 179.8 lbs of New Smyrna Beach, FL is 10-2-1.

Coe is is co-managed by Split-T Management Keith Connolly, and is promoted by Matchroom Boxing.




Former World Champion Tevin Farmer Takes on Oscar Barajas This Friday Night at The 2300 Arena in Philadelphia

Philadelphia (September 25, 2023) –- This Friday night, former lightweight world champion, Tevin Farmer gets back into the ring for the second time in three months when he takes on Oscar Barajas in an eight-round lightweight bout at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia.

The seven-bout card is promoted by R & B Promotions.

Farmer of Philadelphia is 31-5-1 with six knockouts. The 33-year-old Framer defeated Angelo Ward (1-0), Tim Witherspoon Jr. (6-1-1), Tyrone Luckey (4-1-1), Camilo Perez (9-0), Noel Echevarria (11-10), Emmanuel Gomez (14-0), Viktor Chermous (15-1-1), Angel Luna (10-0-1), Daulis Prescott (30-2), former world champion Gamailei Diaz, Ivan Redkach (19-1-1) and Dardan Zenunaj (12-2).

On August 3, 2018, Farmer traveled to New South Wales, Australia, and defeated Billy Dib (44-4) to win the IBF Junior League championship. Farmer defended the title four times with wins over James Tennyson (22-2), Francisco Fonseca (22-1-1), Jono Carroll (16-0-1) and Guillaume Frenois (46-1-1). Farmer came back after a three-and-a-half-year hiatus with a 10-round unanimous decision over Avery Sparrow on June 24th at the 2300 Arena.

Barajas of Zamora, Mexico has a record of 19-8-1. The 33-year-old Barajas has wins over Roxie Lam (7-1) as well as three big upset wins over Philly fighters Jerome Conquest and Damon Allen (16-1-1) as well as a decision win over Roberto Gomez (5-1) on March 4th in Newtown, PA.

In Six-Round Bouts:

Oluwafemi Oyeleye (13-0, 7 KOs) of Los Angeles takes on Jimmy Williams (18-12-2, 6 KOs) of New Haven, CT in a junior middleweight bout.

Carlos Rosario (9-3, 4 KOs) of Somerdale, NJ fights Phillip Davis (3-6-2) of Worcester, MA in a lightweight bout.

In Four-Round Bouts:

Joshua Jones (7-0-1, 3 KOs) of Philadelphia battles Jonathan Perez (41-37, 33 KOs) of Barranquilla, COL in a lightweight contest.

In a battle of undefeated middleweights, Allen Otto (2-0, 2 KOs) of Pennsauken, NJ fights James Abraham (2-0, 2 KOs) of Queens, NY

Daniel Bean (2-1, 2 KOs) of Old Bridge, NJ scraps with Rob Perez (1-0) of Worcester, MA in a a heavyweight tussle.

Gandi Romain (0-1) of Irvington, NJ takes on debuting Beni Beguy of New York in a welterweight contest.

The fight will be streamed at

CLICK FOR STREAM

Tickets are $80, $105 and $150 and can be purchased at

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS




IRELAND’S ‘KING’ CALLUM WALSH MAKES HIS MADISON SQUARE GARDEN DEBUT IN TITLE DEFENSE VS. BRONX BEAST ISMAEL VILLARREAL ON THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9!

New York City, NY (September 25, 2023) The Fastest Rising Star in Boxing, ‘King’ Callum Walsh will make his New York debut on one of boxing’s biggest stages, The Theater at Madison Square Garden.  The ten-round main event on Thursday, November 9 will be broadcast globally on UFC FIGHT PASS, which is also making its Garden debut for boxing.  Ranked No. 16 by the World Boxing Council (WBC), the native of Cork, Ireland returns to battle following a fourth-round stoppage of veteran Juan Jose Velasco in Los Angeles, CA.

Presented by Tom Loeffler’s 360 Promotions, the highly touted 22-year-old Walsh, (8-0, 7 KOs), will make the second defense of his WBC US Silver Super Welterweight Title, against Ismael Villarreal (13-1, 9 KOs), from Bronx, NY.  On Sept. 20, Villarreal defeated John Martinez (19-3, 16 KOs), via a TKO 2, ending the Miami fighter’s four-year, eight-fight winning streak.  Villarreal scored three knockdowns in round two, forcing the referee to end the fight with two seconds remaining in the round. The combined record of Villarreal’s last six opponents when he fought them was 93-19 – a winning percentage of 83%.

Tickets to the Walsh-Villarreal super welterweight title event at The Garden are on sale now.  Tickets priced at $205, $155, $55, and $35are available now and can be purchased online at ww.msg.com or at the Madison Square Garden box office and via Ticketmaster locations.  Accessible and companion seats are available via the Accessibility Department at 888.609.7599.

“Every fighter aspires to fight at Madison Square Garden,” said the Freddie Roach-trained southpaw.  “It’s a big combat sports week and a dream come true to fight at ‘The Mecca of Boxing’ in New York City ahead of UFC 295.  I can’t wait to put on a great show for the fans and my Irish compatriots.” 

“For Callum to be making his Garden debut is a testament to his hard work and talent,” said Walsh’s Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach. “But to be the headliner, in just his ninth pro fight, and during this special week, that is a ringing endorsement from The Garden executives.  Villarreal is another big test for Callum.  Callum wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“My dream is to be a world boxing champion and to achieve it I have to eliminate all the obstacles that come my way and Callum Walsh will be no exception,” said Villarreal.  “I will be happy to do it in New York in front of my fans, in the city where I was born and have lived all my life.  I know that this victory will open the doors for me to compete in a world championship no later than 2024. On November 9, the boxing world will know who Ismael “Maelo” Villarreal is.”

“I couldn’t be happier for Ismael Villarreal in getting this opportunity to headline at the Garden, it’s every fighter’s dream growing up in New York,” said Kathy Duva, Villarreal’s Hall of Fame promoter.  “He has worked incredibly hard to get to this point, accepted every fight that has been offered to him, and now has a chance to prove that he is a legitimate player at 154 lb. I want to thank 360 Promotions and UFC Fight Pass for this opportunity, and I have no doubt that this will be a very entertaining fight.”

Tom Loeffler has promoted numerous sold-out events at Madison Square Garden including memorable evenings headlined by middleweight icon Gennadiy ‘GGG’ Golovkin and heavyweight champions Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko.

“Fighting at Madison Square Garden is a huge step for every future superstar in boxing,” said Tom Loeffler. “Callum draws sold-out, celebrity-filled crowds to his events in Los Angeles and we’re expecting another tremendous evening for his New York debut at The Garden.

“Dana White and his team at the UFC continue to be tremendous partners for the growth of Callum and we’re very excited to be part of their tremendous week at Madison Square Garden.”




HALL OF FAME SPORTSWRITER BERNARD FERNANDEZRELEASES ROUND 4 OF HIS POPULAR CHAMPIONSHIP ROUNDS BOXING ANTHOLOGY

PHILADELPHIA, PA — Award-winning sportswriter, author, and multi-Hall of Fame inductee Bernard Fernandez has just released the fourth book of his popular boxing anthologyChampionship Rounds, Round 4 (RKMA Publishing), a history-spanning compilation of Fernandez’s finest work covering the sweet science, with a foreword by Ron Borges.  Championship Rounds, Round 4, (as well as his three previous collections)is available at major retail book outlets, including Amazon, Amazon UK,and Barnes & Noble.

Fernandez’s first major book signing will take place this Saturday, Sept. 30, at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino during the Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame’s Fight Fan Experience, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET.

Long considered an international boxing treasure by fans and sports writing brethren alike, Round 4 is Fernandez at his best, and that’s saying a lot!  The breadth, detail and storytelling is as entertaining as it is impressive.  Many of his stories hail from his 28-year tenure at the Philadelphia Daily News during the sports department’s golden era where Fernandez and his colleagues were recognized for their unparalleled reporting and writing that always matched up and usually surpassed its national competition. 

Highlights of Round 4 include:

·         No Mas Fight Showed Every Fighter Fears Something:  Fernandez’s take on why a relentless warrior such as Roberto Duran thought it preferable to quit in mid-fight in his rematch against Sugar Ray Leonard than to endure the one-sided shellacking he was being served, only to find out that are worse things than being beaten bloody and getting knocked out.

·         Mystery of the Orient: Fernandez’s report of his onsite coverage of the Mike Tyson-Buster Douglas fight week in Tokyo, an adventure complete with interesting sidelights in addition to the’ upset of the century.’

·         Arguello, Pryor Not Really Such an Odd Couple: Alexis Arguello and Aaron Pryor will go through boxing history linked because of their two epic ring battles.  Fernandez follows them on how they became friends in retirement and discovered they had more reason to like each other than to harbor any lingering resentment.

·         Manute Bol Stands Up to a Tall Challenge: In addition to boxing, Fernandez has also included a section on other sports he has covered.  This one is about the 7′ 7″ Bol’s journey from Africa to the minor league USBL and ultimately the NBA, where he enjoyed quasi stardom.            

“After 55 years as a married couple and 58-plus years together, I don’t think I can really detect any line of demarcation separating Anne and me,” Fernandez said.  “If there ever were such a line, I’m pretty sure it has been permanently erased.  Which is just as well, as she has been the very best part of me for almost as far back as I can remember.  Dedicating my fourth — and, I think, the best yet — boxing anthology to her might be the easiest thing I’ve ever done.”

A native of New Orleans and a longtime resident of Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, Fernandez now splits his time between his hometown and adopted hometown.  A five-term president of the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA), he is an inductee of the International Boxing Hall of Fame, as well as the New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Atlantic City Halls of Fame.  Honors he has received include the Nat Fleischer Award for career excellence in boxing journalism and the Barney Nagler Award for long and meritorious service to boxing.     




Richardson Hitchins Decisions Jose Zepeda

Richardson Hitchins remained undefeated with a 12-round unanimous decision over Jose Zepeda in a junior welterweight bout at The Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, Florida.

Hitchins, 139.8 lbs of Brooklyn, NY won by scores of 120-109 twice and 119-109 and is now 17-0. Zepeda, 140 lbs of La Puenta, CA is 37-4.

In round seven, Zepeda was cut on his forehead from a headbutt.

Conor Benn came back after an 17-month layoff to win a 10-round unanimous decision over Rodolfo Orozco in a junior middleweight bout.

Benn was suspended for failing an anti-doping test before his bout with Chris Eubank Jr. looked aggresiver throughout the contest.

In round two, Orozxo was bleeding under his right eye.

Benn, 153.6 lbs of Ilford, ENG won by scores of 99-91 twice and 96-94 and is now 22-0. Orozco, 154.4 lbs of Sinaloa, MEX is 32-4-3.

“We didn’t want a walk in the park,” said Benn. “I needed the rounds after 18 months out, he’s a true Mexican, my first Mexican I’ve fought, and we knew he was durable. Credit to him, he’s never been stopped before and he’s one tough man and I hope he progresses.
 
“They are stronger and take shots more, I don’t think there was ring rust, I was going through the gears after going through hell.
 
“Britain is my home and it’s only right I fight back there, sooner rather than later.”

WBA/WBC Welterweight champion Jessica McCaskill and WBO champion fought to a split draw in their unification bout.

Scores were 97-93 for McCaskill, 96-94 for Ryan and 95-95.

McCaskill, 136.4 bs of Chicago is 12-3-1. Ryan, 146.4 lbs of Darby, ENG is 6-1-1.

Austin Williams won a 10-round unanimous decision over veteran Steve Rolls in a middleweight. bout.

Williams, 160 lbs Houston won by scores of 97-93 on all cards and is now 15-0. Rolls, 159.2 lbs of Tornoto is 22-3.

Orestes Velazquez stopped Mohamed Soumaoro in round seven of their scheduled 10-round super lightweight fight.

In round eight, Velazquez landed a big and relentless flurry of punches that forced a referee stoppage at 2:19.

Velazquez, 140 lbs of Miami, FL is now 8-0 with seven knockouts. Soumaoro, 1396 lbs of Montreal is 13-2.

Khalil Coe remained undefeated as he stopped Kenmon Evans in round two of their eight-round light heavyweight bout.

At the beginning of round two, Coe dropped Evans with a right hook. Coe ended things when he landed a right to the side of the head and the bout was stopped as he fell to the ground at 1:21.

Coe, 19.6 lbs of Jersey City, NJ is 7-0-1 with five knockouts. Evans, 179.8 lbs of New Smyrna Beach, FL is 10-2-1.

Jeovanny Estela stopped Gerardo Carabello in the opening round of their eight-rround super welterweight clash.

Estela dropped Carabello with a vicious uppercut and the fight was stopped at 2:10,

Estela, 153.5 lbs of Orlando, FL is 13-0 with four knockouts. Carabello, 153,4 lbs of Trujillo Alto, PR is 6-2-1.

Jasmine Artiga remained undefeated with a eight-round unanimous decision over Josefina Vega in a featherweight bout.

At the end of round three, Artiga dropped Vega with a long left.

Artiga, 116 lbs of Tampa, FL won by scores of 80-71 on all cards and is now 11-0-1. Vega, 114 lbs of Quito, ECU is 9-7.




REPEAT!! Zhang Knocks Joyce in 3

Zhilei Zhang scored a third round stoppage over Joe Joyce to retain his interim WBO Heavyweight Title at Wembley Arena in London, England.

Zhang dominated the action and at the end of round three, landed a booming right hook on the jaw that put Joyce on the canvas face-first. Joyce got to his feet, but the fight was waved off at 3:07.

Zhang of China is now 26-1-1 with 21 knockouts. Joyce of London is 15-2.

The fight was a rematch of a Zhang stoppage from April.

Former two-time world title challenger Anthony Yarde stopped very late replacement Jorge Silva in round two of their light heavyweight fight.

In round two, Yarde landed a right hand that dumped Silva in the corner and the fight was stopped at 2:07.

Yarde, 177.9 lbs of Essex, ENG is now 24-3 with 23 knockouts. Silva, 178 lbs of Portugal is 22-9.

Ezra Taylor scored a eighth and final round stoppage over Joel Mcintyre in a light heavyweight bout.

Taylor dominated the bout and then opened up a big flurry in the corner and got the last second stoppage at 2:59.

Taylor, 176 lbs of Nottingham, ENG is 7=0 with five knockouts. Mcintyre, 178 lbs of Portsmouth, ENG is 20-8.

Tommy Fletcher dropped Alberto Tapia five times en-route to a fourth-round stoppage in a scheduled six-round cruiserweight bout.

In round one, Fletcher dropped Tapia with a hard straight left to the body. At the end of the round, Fletcher landed an uppercut that put Tapia on his knee. In round two, Fletcher landed a left on the inside that put Tapia down once again. Later in the round Fletcher scored a fourth knockdown with a left to the body. In round three, Fletcher dumped Tapia yet again with a left to the body.

In round four, Fletcher landed a flurry that included a hard right hook to the head and a straight left that forced the corner to throw in the towel at 1:28.

Fletcher, 198.2 lbs of Norfolk, ENG is 6-0 with five knockouts. Tapia, 197.5 lbs of Spain is 3-5.

Sean Noakes remained undefeated with a six-round decision over Lukasz Barabasz in a junior middleweight bout.

Noakes won by a 59-55 score and is now 6-0. Barabasz is now 2-9.




LIVE BOXING: Zhilei Zhang vs Joe Joyce 2 LIVE UNDERCARD! Featuring: Sean Noakes, Tommy Fletcher & Ezra Taylor




Undefeated Light Heavyweight Khalil Coe in Action TONIGHT against Kenmon Evans

NEW YORK (September 23, 2023) – Undefeated light heavyweight Khalil “Big Steppa” Coe will take on Kenmon Evans tonight at The Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, Florida.

Coe of Flemington, New Jersey is 6-0-1 with four knockouts. The 27-year-old will be making his third start of 2023. Coe has already racked up wins over Dylan O’Sullivan (1-0), Bradley Olemda (5-0), James Quiter (6-1-1) and his last outing where Coe was impressive in taking out previously undefeated Buneet Bisia (7-0) in seven rounds on June 24th in New York.

Evans of New Smyrna Beach, Florida is 10-1-1 with three knockouts. Evans has a win over previously undefeated Isaiah Thompon (5-0-1)..

Coe, who is co-managed by Keith Connolly and promoted by Matchroom Boxing, weighed 179.6 lbs. Evans was 179.8 lbs.

?Photos By Ed Mulholland / Matchroom Boxing.




VIDEO: Bam Rodriguez v Sunny Edwards Launch Press Conference




RODRIGUEZ VS. EDWARDS: LAUNCH PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES

Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez and Sunny Edwards came face-to-face for the first time at a launch press conference yesterday (September 21) in Orlando ahead of their blockbuster Flyweight unification clash at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona on Saturday December 16, live worldwide on DAZN.
 

TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW VIA TICKETMASTER.COM

 
The unbeaten pair meet in a mouth-watering battle to determine the top dog in the division, with WBO ruler Rodriguez and IBF king Edwards defending their titles for the first and fourth times respectively and both appearing in their first unification bouts. 
 
Rodriguez and Edwards will appear on tomorrow night’s broadcast on DAZN where Richardson Hitchins headlines against Jose Zepeda on a card that features the return of British star Conor Benn. The pair will then head to London to continue the promotional activities around their December battle next week.
 
Here’s what the fighters had to say:
 
Jesse Rodriguez (18-0 11 KOs):
 
“I’ve never been one to say no to a fight, I’ve always said yes. This is the best vs. the best, it’s what every boxer dreams of, unifying titles. December 16 is going to be a movie.
 
“We’re two different people, he shows his confidence running his mouth, I show mine in the ring. I never have my will broken, in my last fight I broke my jaw and kept going for six rounds, that shows the confidence I have in myself, I know that anyone that I get in the ring with, I am going to beat. 
 
“Sunny is a great fighter, every fight of his I’ve seen he’s the one on the back foot, hitting and moving, hit and don’t get hit, but I feel like he hasn’t faced anyone like me, someone with good footwork and the determination to win. 
 
“This is the biggest fight of my career and I’m excited to finally face-off with Sunny. I saw a lot of talk about the fight before it was signed, so I know a lot of people are going to buy their tickets and tune in on December 16. My people from San Antonio are coming and I think it’s going to be like another hometown fight. 
 
“I don’t need to hurt him. I just need to outpoint him. My last fight was a little glimpse of how the fight is going to go. I feel like I will be ready on December 16 and people need to tune in for something special. I’m going to go in and do what I do, it’s got me this far, this is no different. I’ll have the same mindset, a little different game plan that Robert and I are going to work on, so I’ll be ready. That belt right there is coming back to San Antonio.”
 
Sunny Edwards (20-0 4 KOs)
 
“Thank you to you Eddie, to DAZN, Bam and his team, Robert Garcia and Mr Honda; this is the fight that I have been waiting for before it was even Bam. Before he went up in the weights and shocked a great fighter and continued to do all of that, before that I’ve been waiting for the big event, and I think Jesse is one of the best fighters under 30 in the world right now, I don’t think it’s the only time we’ll be sat here and I don’t think it’s the only weight we’ll fight at either, I think we’ll see each other again. 
 
“I’m really looking forward to the event, the whole process so far has been great – thanks for the first-class tickets, Eddie, we flew comfortably – this is what it’s about, sitting here, seeing his WBO title. I was on the WBO route before I was on the IBF route, so I’ve got all the WBO and IBF baubles around my house, so to have the two proper belts is a dream come true.
 
“I crave the challenge. Boxing has probably been too easy for me; I’ve been too much within myself. I am already into camp, I’ve been in Tenerife for a couple of weeks, had great sparring, I’m flying, if anything, the amount of time is a problem, but we have a good run up, we can build the fight up and it gives Bam time to recover from the last fight and the injury, I know what that’s like because I’ve been there myself. So, there was never questions like ‘should we take this fight?’ ‘Is this a good fight for me?’ When I signed with you Eddie, I said all the names I wanted to fight and what price, whenever and wherever, it wasn’t an issue who or where. I wanted the best fight and the easiest one to make, so props to the champion on your right, he’s the first person in my pro career that is a fight that I’ve wanted and got. 
 
“Mind games, trying to get little advantages, get them in certain gloves, the ring size – all of that is so immaterial to me. He’s a great fighter, he’s shown that he’ll fight scarier fighters than me on paper at a weeks’ notice, so am I going to try and get inside his head? I don’t need to. His approach, demeanor and character in the sport is who he is, he’s not trying to be anyone else, he hasn’t taken this fight and started acting different. I don’t think I need an advantage; I think I am good enough, Bam is a tremendous fighter but the reality is to walk through the gates and get to the other side where I show how good I am, that I’ve got to go through a 23 year old fighter, that’s just the way I see it, a 30 year old Bam will be better than a 23 year old one. 
 
“I’ve been in with fighters every bit as good as him, fighters that if he was in with them, it would be a hard fight for him. We’ll find out about each other in the ring. I don’t need to get in his head, I just like speaking about the fight and every day I wake up excited about it. I was talking more about Bam in the Campos fight week than I was caring about Campos. I knew I was going to beat him, I could have beaten him with my eyes closed, so I stood in range and let him throw as many punches as he wanted, and he still couldn’t beat me. Bam will be different, he’s more dangerous and a lot better, but at the same time, it’ll bring a better version of me out and I’m already seeing that in camp.
 
“It’s easy to just say ‘you have to cut the ring off against Sunny’ – everyone can cut the ring off. The thing with me is, I don’t go in with a set plan; I get in there, measure my range, and let them beat themselves. I don’t knock people out, I don’t need to, 16 unanimous decisions. I’ve beaten the best in the world, people that haven’t lost in 13 years, eight years, lots of KOs. I’m not scared of them, I sit in the pocket and trade with them, there’s nothing I haven’t seen in a boxing ring. He has got very good footwork, I’ll give him that, but defensively, reactions, composure, ring IQ – I feel I’ve got a skillset and mindset that is very hard to break down, to even get two rounds of success in a row is a hard enough task for most of my opponents. 
 
“Maybe Bam is that first fighter in my 18 years of boxing that I will get in and feel like ‘he’s really good’, but I don’t think so. His youth with count against him once he gets in there. He talks about it being a home fight, they made sure of that, last year his team were saying they were coming to the UK to take my belt, that didn’t happen, he won the WBO as a vacant title at home. I never said ‘it has to be in the UK’ because I didn’t care. I never stalled on money, the ring size; that to me shows signs of a team that doesn’t have full belief in their system. I felt great disrespect from his stablemate and a legend in Chocolatito that he said that this is an easy fight for him; no-one has ever had an easy fight with me and it’s not going to start now. My message is clear, I beat Bam and there’s only one fight I want and that’s Roman Gonzalez. 
 
“It’s only people that just watch me on fight night that say I don’t have any power. When I get in the ring, I make sure I win, I’m sorry my ego isn’t insecure enough that I’ll be sat there in the third round thinking ‘Eddie is saying I need to knock him out, I better do it’. The only thing that matters to me in my career is my contract, the roof over my kids’ heads and their schooling is winning. I get in there and win. Come down and watch me spar and then talk about who can and can’t punch hard. I don’t get in the ring and try to take people’s heads off. 

“I get in there and give myself 100 per cent chance of the win. I don’t put myself in a position to land a big shot and can catch one back, and that’s going to be his biggest task in the fight. Is he the bigger puncher? Maybe. I think he plants his feet and tries to punch holes in people more, and it is, for some eyes, more exciting and entertaining, easier to market, easier to promote. It doesn’t make him any more likely to win, if anything, I would pick the fighter that gets in the ring in the first round and gets out after the 12th, and barely loses and minute or second of the fight. 
 
“Regardless of how powerful or exciting it is, you look at the champions now, the Devin Haneys, the Shakur Stevensons, they do very little wrong. Are they going out there constantly trying to blow people out, no they are not. They box them and react to what is in front of them, and I think I do that. A 23 year old Bam is going to try to impress, maybe try to hurt me and say ‘no-one else has hurt him, but I can, I am that guy’. I am saying he’s not and no one in these weight classes is. But his ego and his pride will make him force it and that will be the thing that unravels him. If you look at me and think that I’m fragile or easy, you probably haven’t watched all my fights because I can stand there for two minutes and two or three shots get through from like 100 maybe? 
 
“I’ve got a very good defense inside and outside the pocket. I think I am enigma, a Rubik’s cube tied up in a puzzle and a riddle after it. You can’t prepare for what I bring into the ring, you can’t plan for it because no-one sees life like I do, let alone a boxing ring. No-one sees the work I’ve put in, the years of graft. I could sit here and name fighters in your stable weights above me that I have had in my gym, fresh when I’ve six rounds work and I’ve stood them on their head. I’m not going to, but I could, World champions, European champions, British champions, Featherweights, Super-Featherweights – and they couldn’t argue. I’m comfortable in the boxing ring, it’s the only thing I know.
 
“It’s going to be a good fight, a great event, people are going to show out and I am just excited to be a part of it and 100 per cent confident of the win.”




TOP HEAVYWEIGHT FRANK SANCHEZ, FORMER WORLD CHAMPION OLEKSANDR GVOZDYK AND U.S. OLYMPIAN TERRELL GAUSHA HIGHLIGHT THREE-FIGHT CANELO VS. CHARLO SHOWTIME PPV® COUNTDOWN SHOW IN SEPARATE BOUTS ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30

LAS VEGAS – September 22, 2023 – Top heavyweight Frank “The Cuban Flash” Sanchez will highlight the stacked three-fight SHOWTIME PPV COUNTDOWN show as he takes on Scott Alexander in a 10-round matchup on Saturday, September 30 leading up to the Canelo Álvarez vs. Jermell Charlo SHOWTIME PPV event taking place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Canelo Promotions will present the Premier Boxing Champions pay-per-view.

The lineup will also see former light heavyweight champion Oleksandr Gvozdyk battle Brazil’s Isaac Rodrigues in an eight-round duel, while 2012 U.S. Olympian Terrell Gausha faces KeAndrae Leatherwood in an eight-round middleweight bout. The live stream will begin at 5:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. PT and be available on the SHOWTIME SPORTS YouTube channel and SHOWTIME Boxing® Facebook page.

The show will be hosted by award-winning MORNING KOMBAT live digital talk show hosts Luke Thomas and Brian Campbell.

These fights lead into a four-fight pay-per-view telecast beginning at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and headlined by Undisputed Super Middleweight World Champion Canelo Álvarez defending his titles against Undisputed Junior Middleweight World Champion Jermell Charlo in a historic battle of reigning undisputed champions.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Canelo Promotions and TGB Promotions, are available through AXS.com. 

An amateur standout from his native Cuba, Sánchez (22-0, 15 KOs) now trains in California with renowned trainer of Canelo Álvarez, Eddy Reynoso. The 31-year-old caught the heavyweight division’s attention when he scored a career-best win in October 2021, dropping the previously unbeaten Efe Ajagba on his way to a unanimous decision victory. Most recently he blasted out Daniel Martz in one round in April. He will be opposed by the 34-year-old Alexander (17-5-2, 9 KOs), who most recently knocked out Jaime Solorio in August 2022. The Los Angeles-native has challenged many contenders throughout his career, including Zhilei Zhang, Carlos Negron and Travis Kauffman.

After earning a bronze medal representing his native Ukraine at the 2012 Olympics, Gvozdyk (19-1, 15 KOs) turned pro in 2014, eventually defeating a slew of contenders to earn a light heavyweight title shot. He went on to become WBC champion with an 11th-round knockout of Adonis Stevenson and defended the title in 2019 by stopping Doudou Ngumbu in round five. Since losing the belt in a unification match against Artur Beterbiev, Gvozdyk has picked up a pair of victories in 2023, besting Josue Obando in February and Ricards Bolotniks in May. He will take on Mocajuba, Para, Brazil’s Rodrigues (28-4, 22 KOs), who most recently dropped a decision to Richard Rivera in February. Rodrigues has also challenged contender Demond Nicholson in a career that dates back to 2005.

A member of the 2012 U.S. Olympic team, Gausha (23-3-1, 12 KOs) was born in Cleveland, Ohio but now fights out of Encino, Calif. The 36-year-old has faced tough competition throughout his career, having fought former champion Austin Trout to a draw in 2019 in addition to decision losses against former champion Erislandy Lara, top contender Erickson Lubin and interim champion Tim Tszyu. Gausha has shown impressive power in recent years, blasting out Jamontay Clark in two rounds in 2021 and most recently stopping Brandyn Lynch in round nine in March. He faces Tuscaloosa, Alabama’s Leatherwood (23-8-1, 13 KOs), who has faced numerous former champions and contenders including Caleb Truax, Andy Lee, Hugo Centeno Jr., John Jackson, Steve Rolls and Christian Mbilli.

The non-televised undercard will see 140-pound contender Gabriel Valenzuela (27-3-1, 16 KOs) duel Yeis Gabriel Solano (15-2, 10 KOs) in an eight-round attraction, amateur sensation Curmel Moton in his pro debut taking on Ezequiel Flores (4-0, 3 KOs) in a six-round super featherweight fight, and super featherweight prospect Justin Viloria (3-0, 3 KOs) stepping in for a six-round match against Chicago’s Angel Barrera (4-2).

Rounding out the lineup is a pair of unbeaten prospects from Kazakhstan as Bek Nurmaganbet (10-0, 8 KOs) squares off against Abimbola Osundairo (5-0, 3 KOs) in a six-round super middleweight tilt, while middleweight Abilkhan Amankul (4-0, 4 KOs) faces Joeshon James (7-0-1, 4 KOs) for six rounds of action.

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ABOUT CANELO VS. CHARLO

Canelo vs. Charlo will see pound-for-pound great Canelo Álvarez defend his undisputed super middleweight world titles in a blockbuster showdown against hard-hitting undisputed junior middleweight world champion Jermell Charlo headlining a SHOWTIME PPV on September 30 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Canelo Promotions will present the Premier Boxing Champions pay-per-view. 

The pay-per-view begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and will see undefeated sensation Jesus “Mono” Ramos Jr. take on hard-hitting top contender Erickson “Hammer” Lubin in the 12-round super welterweight co-main event. The pay-per-view also includes former world champions Yordenis Ugas and Mario “El Azteca” Barrios going toe-to-toe for the Interim WBC Welterweight Title. Opening up the action are rising middleweights Elijah Garcia and Armando Reséndiz squaring off in a 10-round attraction.

For more information visit SHOWTIME.com/ppv and www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow #CaneloCharlo, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @SHOSports, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotions, on Instagram @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotionss or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ShowtimeBoxing and www.Facebook.com/premierboxingchampions/.




STEVE ROLLS TAKES ON AUSTIN “AMMO” WILLIAMS FOR IBF NORTH AMERICAN MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, ON DAZN

ORLANDO, FLA. (September 22, 2023) — Steve Rolls steps back into the ring this Saturday, September 23, facing Austin “Ammo” Williams. This highly-anticipated clash promises 10 rounds of nonstop action, with the IBF North American middleweight championship up for grabs. Presented by Matchroom Boxing in association with Lou DiBella’s DiBella Entertainment, this contest will be broadcast live on DAZN at 8:00pm ET / 5:00pm PT, from the Caribe Royale in Orlando, FL.

Steve Rolls (22-2, 12 KOs) has been part of the DiBella Entertainment stable since 2015. Hailing from Toronto, Canada, Rolls boasts an impressive professional record and is determined to prove he is one of the division’s top fighters. In his last fight, Rolls fought at home in Toronto defeating Shady Gamhour via 10-round unanimous decision.

“I’ve been in the gym,” said Rolls. “You have your goals and you’re constantly training and sacrificing. I feel like I’ve had an eight-month training camp.

“I can’t even put into words how it feels to be getting back into the ring,” continued Rolls. “A lot of people in Toronto and around the world are going to tune into DAZN for the fight.”

Standing in Rolls’ way is the formidable “Ammo” Williams (14-0, 10 KOs), whose electrifying style has garnered him a reputation as a prospect to watch. Williams, with his unbeaten record and a knack for delivering thrilling knockouts, is a force to be reckoned with in his own right. This battle promises high stakes, intense exchanges, and the potential for fireworks inside the ring.

“Steve Rolls always gives his all whenever he fights. After his last bout, he went right back to the gym, staying in shape,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “Ammo Williams is a very capable fighter with a promising future, but Steve has been in the ring against the very best at middleweight. I am confident that his experience will make for a competitive match with Rolls’ hand raised in victory. I look forward to an exciting fight tomorrow night.”

Tune in tomorrow night to witness the electrifying action unfold live on DAZN. Don’t miss the chance to see two warriors battle for the IBF North American middleweight championship.




VIDEO: Richardson Hitchins vs Zepeda, Conor Benn, McCaskill vs Ryan Weigh In




WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER FOR HITCHINS VS. ZEPEDA

8 x 2 mins Featherweight contest
 
Jasmine Artiga (116lbs) vs. Josefina Vega (114lbs)

Tampa, Florida             Quito, Ecuador
 
Followed by
 
8 x 3 mins Super-Welterweight contest
 
Jeovanny Estela (153.5lbs) vs.        Gerardo Carabello (153.4lbs)

Orlando, Florida           Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico
 
Followed by
 
8 x 3 mins Light-Heavyweight contest
 
Khalil Coe (179.6lbs) vs. Kenmon Evans (179.8lbs)

Jersey City, New Jersey         New Smyrna Beach, Florida
 
Followed by
 
10 x 3 mins WBA International Super-Lightweight title 
 
Orestes Velazquez (140lbs)   vs.     Mohamed Soumaoro (139.6lbs)

Miami, Florida              Montreal, Quebec
 
Live on DAZN from 8pm
 
10 x 3 mins WBA International and IBF North American Middleweight titles
 
Austin Williams (160lbs)       vs. Steve Rolls (159.2lbs)

Houston, Texas            Toronto, Canada
 
Followed by
 
10 x 2 mins WBA, WBC, WBO, IBO and Ring Magazine titles
 
Jessica McCaskill (146.4lbs)  vs.     Sandy Ryan (146.4lbs)

Chicago, Illinois            Derby, England
 
Followed by
 
10 x 3 mins Super-Welterweight contest
 
Conor Benn (153.6lbs) vs.     Rodolfo Orozco (154.4lbs)

Ilford, England              Sinaloa, Mexico
 
Followed by 
 
12 x 3 mins WBC Silver, WBO NABO and IBF North American Super-Lightweight titles
 
Richardson Hitchins (139.8lbs) vs. Jose Zepeda (140lbs)

Brooklyn, New York               La Puenta, California
 




FORMER WORLD CHAMPION JOSEPH “JOJO” DIAZ TO FIGHT RICHARD “EL CASTIGO” MEDINA IN LIGHTWEIGHT CO-FEATURE ON ROCHA VS. SANTILLAN CARD

INGLEWOOD, CALIF. (September 22, 2023) – Former World Champion Joseph “JoJo” Diaz (33-4-1, 15 KOs) of South El Monte is scheduled to return in a 10-round fight against the up-and-coming pugilist Richard “El Castigo” Medina (15-1, 8 KOs) of San Antonio, Texas. The lightweight match will be featured as the co-main event on the upcoming Rocha vs. Santillan card taking place at the Kia Forum on Saturday, October 21 and presented in association with Top Rank. The fight night will be broadcast worldwide on DAZN beginning at 5:00 p.m. PT. 

In the night’s championship fight, IBF Flyweight Titleholder Arely ”Ametralladora” Muciño (32-3-2, 11 KOs) will defend her hard-won title against the Coachella Valley’s undefeated Gabriela Fundora (11-0, 4 KOs). This will be the four-time flyweight titlist’s first defense after a war with Leonela Yudica in October 2022 that saw her take the Argentinian’s belt. Fundora’s first attempt at a world championship belt, she was last seen in a victorious fight against Maria Santizo that went the distance.

Also on DAZN in a 10-round flyweight fight, Rialto’s Ricardo “El Niño” Sandoval (22-2, 16 KOs) will return to the ring after a tough, toe-to-toe matchup against Rocco Santomauro. Opening the broadcast, David “Dynamite” Stevens (13-0, 9 KOs) will hope to maintain his clean record in an eight-round super middleweight match. Opponents for both will be announced soon. 

On the preliminary card, San Fernando’s Iyana “Roxy” Verduzco will make her anticipated professional debut with a four-round featherweight fight after a robust and decorated amateur career. Waianae, Hawaii’s Dalis Kaleiopu (4-0, 3 KOs) will participate in a six-round lightweight match. He was last seen going the distance last March against veteran boxer Jonathan “Popeye” Perez. Opponents for both will be announced soon.

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Rocha vs. Santillan is a 12-round welterweight fight presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Top Rank. The event will be available worldwide to all subscribers on DAZN, both live and on demand.

Tickets for Rocha vs. Santillan are priced at $150, $100, $75, $50 and $30 plus applicable fees. A limited amount of Golden Boy VIP Experience tickets will also be available for purchase with exclusive merchandise and fight night upgrades included. Standard and VIP tickets can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com or GoldenBoyPromotions.com.

Media interested in covering the fight can apply for a credential at https://www.emccredentials.com/rocha_santillan. Applications are due EOD, October 13, 2023.

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 #RochaSantillan 

About the Kia Forum

The Kia Forum, located in Inglewood, California, is the only arena-sized venue in the country dedicated to music and entertainment, delivering a superior experience for artists and fans alike. The iconic venue attracts a wide variety of premier events including the biggest names in music and entertainment, award shows, combat sports and more. Fans at the Kia Forum enjoy approximately 8,000 square feet of event level hospitality offerings, including merchandise and food and beverage options. A tinted glass wall separates this concession area from the arena, ensuring fans do not miss a moment of the show. A 40,000-square-foot outdoor terrace wraps around the perimeter of the building and offers comfortable furnishings and food and beverage options from some of SoCal’s most celebrated brands. Designed with entertainers and performers in mind, Kia Forum Backstage includes star-caliber dressing rooms that provide unparalleled comfort. The Kia Forum was honored at the 2022 Pollstar Awards as recipient of the Arena of the Decade award. For more information, please visit thekiaforum.comInstagram | Facebook | Twitter




JOHNNY FISHER NAMED BEST YOUNG BOXER OF THE YEAR BY BOXING WRITERS’ CLUB

Romford Heavyweight sensation Johnny Fisher has been named the 2023 Best Young Boxer of the Year by the prestigious Boxing Writers’ Club.

The fast-rising star beat a talented shortlist of young British fighters, and joins a roll of honour stretching back to the first winner, Randolph Turpin, in 1951, which includes no fewer than 27 young boxers who went on to win World Titles.

This illustrious roll call of talent includes the likes of Terry Downes, Howard Winstone, Ken Buchanan, John H Stracey, John Conteh, Barry McGuigan, Frank Bruno, Nigel Benn, Joe Calzaghe, Amir Khan and Kell Brook.

Big punching Fisher, 24, is quickly establishing himself as one of the best young talents coming through the domestic scene with an explosive unbeaten record of 10 fights and nine knockouts since making his professional debut against Matt Gordan back in February 2021. 

‘The Romford Bull’ claimed his first professional belt last time out on the Anthony Joshua vs. Robert Helenius card at The O2 in London, taking out Harry Armstrong in seven rounds to win the vacant Southern Area Heavyweight Title. 

“It is an absolute honour to receive the award of Best Young Boxer of the Year by the Boxing Writers’ Club,” said Fisher. “I think of the names that have come before me and it’s unbelievable; Frank Bruno being one of them that springs to mind immediately.

“To be among the names like Nigel Benn, Amir Khan, Frank Bruno and Barry McGuigan is just feels surreal and it’s an honour to be in the company of those sort of names. To be amongst those names is a privilege and I’ll remember this day for the rest of my life. I really appreciate it. 

“I’m excited for the future; I know I’ve got a long long way to go but we’ve shown in a short amount of time what we’re capable of. The support that I have is immense, and I’m getting better all the time. I know I can get even better and I’m excited to show everyone.”

“I’m thrilled that Johnny has been awarded the Boxing Writers’ Young Boxer of the Year of the award and he deserves it for all the hard work he has put in over the past twelve months,”said Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn. “It has been a hell of a journey since Johnny turned over back in 2021 behind closed doors and things are only just getting started after he picked up his first title last month.

“He has a great team behind him in trainer Mark Tibbs, who continues to do a brilliant job, and S-JAM Boxing, not forgetting his devoted mum and dad. It won’t be long before Johnny starts headlining shows and filling arenas himself – he is one of the most popular young fighters in British boxing.”

Trainer Mark Tibbs added: “This is absolutely fantastic for Johnny and I’m over the moon for him. This is the beginning of big things to come for Johnny because I know his heart and work ethic is second to none.”

Fisher will be presented with his award at the 70th Anniversary Dinner, to be held at The Savoy in London on Monday October 9. 




ERICKSON LUBIN: “ON FIGHT NIGHT, RAMOS IS GONNA KNOW I’M THE BETTER MAN”

LAS VEGAS – September 22, 2023 – Hard-hitting contender Erickson “Hammer” Lubin will look to catapult himself right back to the top of the stacked 154-pound division with an emphatic victory over unbeaten rising sensation Jesus “Mono” Ramos in the Canelo vs. Charlo SHOWTIME PPV co-main event on Saturday, September 30 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Canelo Promotions will present the Premier Boxing Champions pay-per-view.

“Ramos is nothing that I haven’t seen before, and on fight night, he’s gonna know that I’m the better man,” said Lubin during a short breather from training camp. “He’s a tough southpaw, but I’ve watched enough to dissect him and go out there and execute in the fight. He’s a good fighter, but he’s not perfect. There are a lot of flaws that I can definitely capitalize on and that’s what I’m going to do on September 30.”

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Canelo Promotions and TGB Promotions, are available through AXS.com. 

Lubin (25-2, 18 KOs) returned from a defeat to Sebastian Fundora in one of 2022’s best fights to stop contender Luis Arias in June and begin another ascent toward a world title shot. Before stepping into the ring for a pivotal matchup on September 30, Lubin spoke extensively about training camp, Ramos, bouncing back from defeat and more:

On his edge in experience and how it could play out in the fight:

“When it comes to ‘A-side’ or ‘B-side’, it doesn’t really matter in this fight. I’m the one with experience. He wants to be in my spot. He’s young, he’s undefeated, he’s been on big undercards and stuff like that. But they must have given him the ‘A-side’ because of his looks or something because I’m really the ‘A-side’ if it comes down to it. He wants to take what I have. On September 30, it’s my job to stop this young boy’s dreams. He bit off more than he can chew too early. This is an important fight for me. I’m going to show the world that I’m not a gatekeeper in this division. I’m one of the top dogs in this division. Being a gatekeeper doesn’t sit well with me. So I’m motivated. I’ve got a chip on my shoulder and it will show on September 30.”

On training camp in South Florida with head trainer Kevin Cunningham:

“We haven’t done too much differently this training camp. The one thing we have done differently is the game plan. Every training camp we give it our all. We train really hard and that’s just the program and system that we live by. I’ve had over 200 rounds of great sparring with young guys and veterans, so I’m sharp.”

On when he first targeted Ramos as a potential opponent:

“I asked for this fight before Ramos fought Joey Spencer. They told me no. I guess he was still growing, but now is the time for him. I’m excited for it. He’s a young lion and I’m going to show him that I’m a young lion with more experience. I’m hungrier than he is. I just want it more.”

On what taking on this challenge says about him as a fighter:

“Look at my resume. It’s been like this from the beginning. They know what type of fighter I am. I feel I’m one of the best in the world and I want to leave my mark on the sport as one of the greatest to ever do it. I could have been fighting a YouTuber and I still would have trained just as hard. I look at every fight as my most important one, especially while I’m right here, close to a title. I still want to avenge my defeats against Sebastian Fundora and Jermell Charlo, but in order to do that, in order to get another world title shot, I’ve got to go out and prove myself. I’ve got to win in a good fashion.”

On how he’s able to bounce back from his defeats:

“I’m strong mentally. I really believe in myself. I know the talent that I have. I’m very talented. My hiccups only made me better. With the Charlo fight, I was a little bit too young. Charlo was fighting in his 30th fight and it was just my 19th. The experience level was different.

“With the Fundora loss, that was a fight I was winning. My trainer had to throw in the towel because of my face. He cares for me beyond boxing. He saw my face swollen and lumped up and he did what he felt was best. We live to fight another day. I came back, went to the drawing board and got better and smarter. Right now, I’m just entering my prime. I’m 27 years old and the best of me will show on September 30. I’m excited, I’m stoked, and I definitely want to show that I’m the best fighter in the division.”

On how important a statement victory is to him:

“I don’t feel that I have to make a statement, but I will make a statement. I’m always motivated to just win. That’s the only objective. But I feel I will make a statement. With the hard training camp that we had with Kevin Cunningham, who is a zero-tolerance type of trainer, he’s drawn up a great game plan and it always works. So I’m definitely going in there, listening to him, and it’s going to be a great night on September 30.”

On what fighting in the co-main event of a pay-per-view mega fight means to him:

“I’ve been waiting for moments like this. I feel like this is going to bring the best out of me. We put in a hard 10 weeks of camp. I just got back from fighting in June. Activity brings the best out of me. This is what I asked for. It’s the big stage and I’m going to show that I’m a very elite fighter. They know I’m elite, but I’m going to show that I’m one of the best in the world and I’m here to stay. I’ve got this young kid in front of me and he wants to take my spot.”

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ABOUT CANELO VS. CHARLO

Canelo vs. Charlo will see pound-for-pound great Canelo Álvarez defend his undisputed super middleweight world titles in a blockbuster showdown against hard-hitting undisputed junior middleweight world champion Jermell Charlo headlining a SHOWTIME PPV on September 30 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Canelo Promotions will present the Premier Boxing Champions pay-per-view. 

The pay-per-view begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and will see undefeated sensation Jesus “Mono” Ramos Jr. take on hard-hitting top contender Erickson “Hammer” Lubin in the 12-round super welterweight co-main event. The pay-per-view also includes former world champions Yordenis Ugas and Mario “El Azteca” Barrios going toe-to-toe for the Interim WBC Welterweight Title. Opening up the action are rising middleweights Elijah Garcia and Armando Reséndiz squaring off in a 10-round attraction.

For more information visit sho.com/ppv and www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow #CaneloCharlo, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @SHOSports, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotions, on Instagram @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotionss or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ShowtimeBoxing and www.Facebook.com/premierboxingchampions/.




ZHANG-JOYCEII WEIGH-IN RESULTS

The WBO interim Heavyweight World Championship 12 x 3 Minute Rounds
Zhilei Zhang 287.2lbs
Joe Joyce 281.2lbs

The WBC International Super-Lightweight Championship 10 x 3 Minute Rounds
Pierce O’Leary 139.3lbs
Kane Gardner 139.6lbs

10 x 3 Minute Rounds International Light-Heavyweight Contest
Anthony Yarde 177.9lbs
Jorge Silva 178lbs

10 x 3 Minute Rounds International Super-Middleweight Contest
Zach Parker 170.9lbs
Khalid Graidia 168lbs

6 x 3 Minute Rounds International Heavyweight Contest
Moses Itauma 237.9lbs
Amine Boucetta 296lbs

8 X 3 Minutes Rounds Light-Heavyweight Contest
Ezra Taylor 176lbs
Joel McIntrye 178.2lbs

6 X 3 Minute Rounds International Super-Featherweight Contest
Royston Barney-Smith 131.6
Engel Gomez 132lbs

6 X 3 Minute Rounds International Cruiserweight Contest
Aloys Jr 203.1lbs
Eric Nazarayan 203.7lbs

6 X 3 Minute Rounds International Cruiserweight Contest
Tommy Fletcher 199.2lbs
Alberto Tapia 197.5lbs

6 X 3 Minute Rounds International Welterweight Contest
Sean Noakes 151.7lbs
Lukasz Barabasz 154lbs




AUDIO: Interview w/Joey Dawejko






VIDEO: Interview w/Joey Dawejko




QUOTES ZURDO RAMIREZ HOSTS MEDIA WORKOUT AHEAD OF CRUISERWEIGHT BATTLE AGAINST JOE SMITH JR. ON OCT. 7

LOS ANGELES, CA (September 21, 2023): Former World Champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (44-1, 30 KOs) hosted a media workout at Brickhouse Boxing Club ahead of his grand debut in the cruiserweight division against former light heavyweight World Champion Joe “Common Man” Smith Jr. (28-4, 22 KOs) of Long Island, New York on Saturday, October 7. The clash is presented in association with Star Boxing, will take place live from The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas and live around the world on DAZN.

A number of undercard fighters of the Zurdo vs. Smith Jr. event also participated in the workout to promote their upcoming matches. Recently signed to Golden Boy, John “Scrappy” Ramirez (12-0, 8 KOs) will co-headline with a 12-round, WBA Super Flyweight Final Eliminator fight against Panama City, Panama’s Ronal Batista (15-3, 9 KOs). Bektemir “The Bully” Melikuziev (12-1, 9 KOs) of Shoimbek, Uzbekistan, who also proudly represents Indio, will face Upper Marlboro, Maryland’s Alantez “SlyAza” Fox (28-4-1, 13 KOs). Daniel “Ikaika” Luna (3-0, 3 KOs) will participate in a four-round super lightweight fight against Guadalajara, Mexico’s Erick Benitez (4-5, 1 KO).

Here is what today’s participants had to say:
GILBERTO “ZURDO” RAMIREZ, FORMER WORLD CHAMPION:
“I am excited for me an my team to return on October 7 in Las Vegas. I am most excited for myself because some of the best shows happen in Vegas.”

“I feel great at cruiserweight, this is typically the weight I’ve walked around my entire life. I feel much stronger in this class and most importantly I feel healthy.”

“Dealing with the Bivol loss was really tough. It hurt my soul and it hurt my ego as a warrior. Now that I have been able to move past it, I want to come back even stronger and I want to win. I want to feel like I can do it.”

“I’ve been watching Joe Smith Jr. for many years now; probably his whole career. He is a great fighter and it’s exciting for me to face him because he is a former world champion, he has faced many former champions and great top opponents.”

JOHN “SCRAPPY” RAMIREZ, SUPER FLYWEIGHT WORLD TITLE CONTENDER:
“This final eliminator is just another fight, something that I have been working for and it has finally came into fruition. It’s all about staying ready so you don’t need to get ready.”

“My path to a world championship is fight to fight, opponent to opponent. Right now, my focus is the man in front of me. He is Panamanian, has tremendous experience, he is hungry, and he is looking for that opportunity to make a statement. So I am not taking him lightly. When the competition is good, I perform better.”

BEKTEMIR “THE BULLY” MELIKUZIEV, SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT FIGHTER:
“I feel good after my great win against Gabriel Rosado. I am excited to finally be back. We’re ready for all the big fights in the division. Gabe was a very principal fight for me. I am now in my hunting mode for the world titles.”

“My team have done their homework on my opponent. It doesn’t matter to me who I fight. I know he is very tall for our weight class, he is very awkward, tough, and always in good fights. I am not looking past my opponent, it’s going to be a very interesting fight.

DANIEL “IKAIKA” LUNA, SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT PROSPECT:
“We had a really quick night last month with my second-round knockout, so I just thought why not? My team and I talked about it, and we felt that I was all ready, in-shape, and prepared to come back this month. We just want to stay busy.”

“We don’t focus on the knockouts, we focus on staying busy. If the knockout comes, it comes. I know my opponent is pretty tough and comes to fight, but so do I.”

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Zurdo vs. Smith Jr. is a 12-round cruiserweight fight presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Star Boxing. The event will be available worldwide to all subscribers on DAZN, both live and on demand.

Media interested in covering the fight can apply for a credential at: https://www.emccredentials.com/10-07-23. Applications are due EOD, October 2, 2023.

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




UNDEFEATED TOP JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHT PROSPECT TITO MERCADO FACES FORMER WORLD TITLE CHALLENGER JEREMIA NAKATHILA ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11 IN ONTARIO, CA

Ontario, CA (September 21, 2023) Undefeated Top Junior Welterweight Prospect Tito Mercado, (12-0, 11 KOs), of Pomona, CA returns to battle on Saturday, November 11 against Former World Title Challenger Jeremia Nakathila, (23-3-0, 19 KOs) of Windhoek, Namibia in the ten-round main event at the Lumcolor – Phoenix Center in Ontario, CA.

Presented by Fight City Promotions, tickets starting at $75 can be purchased via email at Info@FightCityPromotions.com. The Lumcolor – Phoenix Center is located at 11255 Central Ave., Ontario, CA 91782. Doors will open on the night of the event at 4:00 p.m. PT with the first bell at 6:00 p.m. PT. The event will be broadcast on the Fight City Promotions’ YouTube Channel.

“These are the types of fights I want,” said the 21-year-old promotional free agent Mercado. “Nakathila has fought numerous world class fighters and is the perfect challenge for me.”

“Ontario has become my second home and I love the huge amount of support I get from the fans. I’ve already started training and can’t wait to show that I’m ready right now to face any top 140lb. fighter in the world.”

Mercado is coming off a show-stopping first round knockout of veteran Carlos Manuel Portillo on August 26, 2023. He also holds impressive stoppage victories over former world title challengers Hank Lundy and Jayson Velez.

Nakathila knocked out former world champion Miguel Berchelt in the sixth round on March 22, 2022. He also has engaged in hotly contested battles against current Pound-for-Pound fighter Shakur Stevenson, Zoltan Kovacs and Raymond Muratalla.

Social Media

Instagram: @realtitomercado

Facebook: @tito.mercado