Jared Anderson-Andriy Rudenko Heavyweight Showdown Set for August 26 at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa LIVE on ESPN

TULSA, OK (July 13, 2023) —There is no rest for the sport’s hottest young heavyweight.  Jared “The Real Big Baby” Anderson, the fighting pride of Toledo, Ohio, is set to go for his Sweet 16.

Anderson (15-0, 14 KOs) will take on Ukrainian contender Andriy Rudenko in the 10-round main event on Saturday, August 26 at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa. The 23-year-old slugger will make his third 2023 appearance less than two months after defeating former world champion Charles Martin in front of 7,234 hometown fans in Toledo.

Anderson-Rudenko and additional fight action will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ at 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Holden Productions, tickets starting at $49.50 are on sale now at www.hardrockcasinotulsa.com.

“This is another great test for Jared. When you watch him fight, you are seeing a future heavyweight champion of the world,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “Rudenko is a crafty veteran who has been in there with some top guys. The fans at Hard Rock Tulsa are in for a real treat.”

Anderson debuted as a pro in 2019 and has developed into a top contender. He ended his first 14 fights in six rounds or less. His knockout victims included Jerry Forrest and previously unbeaten standouts George Arias and Vladimir Tereshkin. On July 1, he fought for the first time as a pro in his hometown, debuting as a headlining attraction with a 10-round unanimous decision win over Martin. Ranked 7th in the world by the WBO and 9th by the WBC, Anderson is on track to challenge the division’s top dogs.

Anderson said, “I want to stay active and make my case that I am the present and future of the heavyweight division. Rudenko is a tough, durable veteran. I respect what he’s accomplished in the game, but on August 26 at Hard Rock Tulsa, he’s going to regret accepting this challenge.”

Rudenko (35-6, 21 KOs) is a 39-year-old with more than 16 years of pro experience. He was 24-0 before losses to then-undefeated contenders Lucas Browne and Hughie Fury. Rudenko then tallied seven consecutive wins, earning his first regional title in the process. In recent years, he has provided stern tests to some of the sport’s top big men, losing via decision to former world champion Alexander Povetkin, reigning European champion Agit Kabayel, and top contender Zhilei “Big Bang” Zhang.

Rudenko said, “This is a tremendous opportunity, and I am coming to Tulsa to score the big upset. I dedicate this fight to the people of Ukraine, and I can’t wait to show everyone that I still have what it takes to perform at the highest level.”




Integrity Fighter Management Presents Huge Night of Action on Saturday, July 22 at The Hollywood Casino at Meadows in Washington, PA

Pittsburgh, PA (July 13, 2023) – On Saturday night, July 22nd Integrity Fighter Management and Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing will collaborate for a big night of boxing that will take place at Hollywood Casino at Meadows in Washington, Pennsylvania.

Featured bouts on the card will highlight some of the best talent in a fertile Pittsburgh fight scene.

In an eight-round cruiserweight fight, Lyubomyr Pinchuk (14-4-1, 8 KOs) of Pittsburgh via Lviv, Ukraine takes on Anthony Holloway (5-4-2, 4 KOs) of Peoria, Illinois.

Pinchuk, who is promoted by Joe DeGuardoa’s Star Boxing, has quality wins over Johnnie Langston (7-0) and Jose Mario Flores (8-2-2).

In a four-round cruiserweight grudge match, Joseph Turk (3-0-1, 1 KO) of Pittsburgh battles Michael Manna (6-4, 4 KOs) also of Pittsburgh. This is a fight that has been brewing for several years, and on July 22nd the score will be settled.

Undefeated female super middleweights, Mary Casamassa (2-0, 1 KO of Pittsburgh fights “the Mad Hatter” Christianne “The Celtic Tiger” Fahey (2-0, 2 KOs) from Glenrothes, Scotland. The winner of this should advance in the world hot super middleweight rankings. Casamassa is managed by Derek Gionta. This will be a six rounder. The hard hitting Scotswoman has stopped both of her opponents within 2 rounds. The heavily avoided southpaw Casamassa is coming off a July 2022 TKO over Leann O’Malley.

Former UFC standout turned pro boxer Khama “The Deathstar” Worthy (2-0) of Pittsburgh takes on Martin Bills III (0-2) of Las Vegas Nevada in four round middleweight action. 

Undefeated Paul Palombo (4-0, 1 KO) of Aliquippa, PA takes on Jesse Addison (5-5-1, 2 KOs) of Indianapolis IN in a four round middleweight bout.

Steve “Tugboat” Cunningham Jr. (1-0, 1 KO) of Pittsburgh via Philadelphia takes on debuting Tyrone Albert Adams in a super welterweight contest.

Cunningham is the son of former two-time cruiserweight champion Steve “USS” Cunningham.

The fights will be streamed live on BXNGTV.com and Starboxing.tv

Tickets are available at bit.ly/SummerSlugfest for more info call 412-728-3409




BAUMGARDNER: I’M WANT ALL THE SMOKE

Alycia Baumgardner is hunting the biggest names in the sport – but only when she completes a revenge mission in style as she defends her undisputed Super-Featherweight title against old foe Christina Linardatou at the Masonic Temple in Detroit on Saturday night, live worldwide on DAZN.

Baumgardner (14-1 7 KOs) headlines in her hometown for the first time as she makes the second defense of her undisputed crown and can right the only loss of her career in the process as she meets Linardatou (14-2 6 KOs), the Greek who defeated her over eight rounds in July 2018.

‘The Bomb’ became undisputed with a huge win over Mikaela Mayer in London in October and now headlining at home, the 29 year old is getting a taste of the big time and wants more, providing she can exact her revenge on Saturday night.

“I’m writing a book, on who I am,” said Baumgardner. “Winning on Saturday closes a chapter. People are saying, ‘well Christina was her only loss’. There are only clips of the fight on YouTube, I’ve never seen the whole fight. I remember when I was in the ring that night and her hand was raised, I was like ‘damn, I’ve got my first loss’. But then I was like, ‘I’m not done, who cares?’ 

“It was needed for growth, and I want people to recognize what growth looks like; it’s ugly, and it hurts. But there’s light at the end of the tunnel and it tells a story. 

“I wanted to show people that a loss doesn’t have to be a bad thing. I got to see at that given time, what it would have looked like had I won because I saw her career; she became a World champion after that. And I thought ‘wow, that could have been me’ but everything comes back full circle, and I am happy everything played out the way it was supposed to as now I’m undisputed and fighting her in my backyard. I keep thinking how the fight is going to play out, it will be spectacular, it will give me the feeling that this is what I have been waiting for and I am going to punish her. 

“I want her to know that she is in with someone that isn’t the same fighter that she fought five years ago. I chose her. I could have fought anyone, but I chose her. She’s hungry and she should be. She has fought some great fighters, and she’s pumped that she’s beaten me before, that drives her, but she has no idea. After the first fight she came up to me and said you are the hardest fighter I’ve ever fought. If she thinks I hit hard then, just wait until she gets this work. You are in there with a dog, and I am going to punish you.

“To be in this era now as a woman fighter is everything I imagined when I turned pro. I can say I am part of history and we have been able to showcase to the world what a woman athlete looks like. 

“I would love a fight with Katie Taylor, Amanda Serrano, Chantelle Cameron; those are huge fights. We have undisputed champions at every weight class and it builds to big fights, whatever way you look at it. A rematch with Mikaela, even at 135lbs, would be great, to beat her in the States in front of a sold-out crowd would be amazing. I want the Katie fight, I was there in Dublin, and I saw something different. I want all the girls, I’m hungry, I’m a fighter and I like a challenge. 

“This is going to show everything, the full package, people have seen glimpses and in my last performance I gave myself a B, there’s an A+ out there and on Saturday it’s going to be that.”

Baumgardner’s defense is part of a big night of action in Detroit as Cuban amateur sensation Any Cruz makes his professional debut against former World title challenger Juan Carlos Burgos.

Michigan Heavyweight Jermaine Franklin returns to action after back-to-back fights in London, England against Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte, and he faces unbeaten Mexican Issac Munoz, while the night is kicked-off live on DAZN by Detroit’s Ja’Rico O’Quinn taking on Carlos Mujica over ten rounds at Featherweight.




KALLE SAUERLAND EYES ‘DOMESTIC BLOCKBUSTERS’ FOR JOSH KELLY   

Kalle Sauerland will explore “domestic blockbusters” for Josh Kelly should he see off his unbeaten rival on Saturday night. 

Kelly, the world No2, meets Argentina’s 18-0 Gabriel Corzo at the Vertu Motors Arena in Newcastlelive on DAZN

Victory would put Kelly within touching distance of a shot at the world super welterweight title and while Sauerland says that will be a potential next step, he will also look at matching the former Olympian with some big-name domestic rivals. 

But, first, Kelly must defend his WBO International title against a fired-up Corzo on the Wasserman Boxing show this weekend, which is delivered in association with William Hill

Kalle Sauerland said: “Josh is the world No2 and a win on Saturday night will put you right there, in line for the title, my friend. 

“But you only have to look around Josh’s weight domestically to see some great fights for him. 

“Look at the names around the weight, such as Kell Brook, Chris Eubank Junior, Liam Smith and, potentially, Conor Benn. You can quite easily get a Super Six tournament together! These are exciting times for Josh Kelly. 

“I can see opportunities emerging for Josh in the world title route later this year but there are also these domestic blockbusters.” 

Josh Kelly said: “There are levels to this game and especially so when you reach the top echelons, so Corzo will be swimming with the sharks on Saturday night. He will be a lamb to the slaughter.” 

A confident Gabriel Corzo said: “I have come here to win. I am aware that I am the away fighter, but Kelly has lost before, and he can lose again. He has been knocked out before and so he can be knocked out again.” 

Kelly’s coach, Adam Booth, said: “Those names that Kalle mentioned, they don’t want to fight Josh because they know what a nightmare he is. He is not just a nightmare for them because they can’t touch him, but also because they will get hurt while that is happening. But, first, Josh has a job to do on Saturday.” 




EXCITING YOUNG PROSPECT JOSHUA PAGAN CONTINUES BUSY 2023 CAMPAIGN SATURDAY NIGHT IN DETROIT

NEW YORK -– July 13, 2023 – Super lightweight Joshua Pagan, a rising prospect who fights out of the Salita Promotions stable, will enter the ring this Saturday, April 15 in a six-round matchup Gabriel Smith from the Masonic Temple in Detroit. Pagan most recently earned a career-best win by stopping the previously unbeaten Ronnell Burnett in three rounds on June 3.  

I am blessed to have another opportunity to display my talents to my fans and family, and I’m looking forward to putting on another great performance for them,” said Pagan. “I have goals that I want to achieve in this sport, and I am looking forward to achieving them. It’s time to take another step this Saturday!”

Pagan (7-0, 3 KOs) won the 2021 U.S. Amateur Welterweight National Championship with a unanimous decision over Keon Davis. The 23-year-old followed that up by turning pro in January 2022 and earning four victories that year. Pagan has stayed busy in 2023 as he continues his journey from prospect to contender. He will enter the ring for the fourth time this year on Saturday night when he faces the 33-year-old Houston-native Smith (11-9-1, 4 KOs).

“I’m very excited about the growth and progress that Joshua has shown,” said Dmitriy Salita, President of Salita Promotions. “He’s improving with each fight and each training camp. Activity is one of the most important keys to world level success and Joshua is en route to becoming division’s best with each performance.”

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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. 




CRUZ: I AM DOING THIS FOR MY FAMILY

Andy Cruz will step through the ropes for the first time as a professional on Saturday night in Detroit at the Masonic Temple in Detroit, live worldwide on DAZN – and the Cuban star says his drive to replicate his amateur success is all for his family.
 
Cruz struck gold at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo in the Lightweight division against Keyshawn Davis in the delayed games in August 2021 and added an incredible third straight AIBA World Championship gold at Light-Welterweight in Serbia three months later, putting that medal next to those he landed at the World Championships in Germany and Russia in 2017 and 2019.
 
The 28 year old signed a long-term promotional deal with Eddie Hearn in May, and on Saturday night will face Juan Carlos Burgos (35-7-3 21 KOs) over ten rounds for the IBF International Lightweight title. The experienced and rugged Mexican took Cruz’s old foe Davis the eight round distance in December and has never been stopped, ensuring the world gets to see Cruz tested in his very first outing as a pro – just what the man himself wants, as he looks to provide a solid future for his family.
 
“I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time, and since I’m here, I want to take advantage of it,” said Cruz. “It feels spectacular to be back in the ring. 
 
“A few years ago, I’d never thought this could happen. I had other projects in my life, but well, life, everything happens for a reason, and today here I am.
 
“After everything that has happened, the timing is perfect. In life, everything happens for a reason, and I am going to make it all worthwhile. I can’t wait for Saturday night, it’s going to be brilliant, a tough fight to start with by I’m excited for that.
 
“I had a hard time convincing my family to let me become a fighter, especially my Mum. She said I was very skinny, and that they were going to disfigure me. But I always had a passion for combat sports, and I knew if I tried I could do it, because I’ve always been good at doing things that I like. 
 
“As a humble town and united people, they are supportive about what their people do. I lived with my Mum and brother, my Dad lived nearby but not in the same place. We were a humble family, we weren’t wealthy, but my Mum worked very hard to give everything and to keep us happy. 
 
“I didn’t work, my Mum made sure that I always went to school and that I only thought about my studies. I like Karate, I really like music and singing. I like ballad songs and reggaeton. I have several facets, I did a few concerts in Cuba while I was there, when I was resting, I was making music – I am not as good at music as I am a boxer, but I can defend myself!
 
“To start boxing, I had to make a promise to my Mum – it was that if she let me be a boxer, I was going to be Olympic champion and win all the tournaments that came my way, that is how I convinced her, that I was never going to lose.
 
“To achieve that dream of winning Olympic gold, I was firstly keeping my promise to my Mum. I celebrated with my family and friends, and then I was in the World Champioships. And I started to think different things and wanted new challenges in my life. 
 
“Cuba is different – the tournaments there aren’t good economically. It was frustrating, one of the big reasons to get into boxing was to take care of my family, to be able to guarantee a better future for me and my children. 
 
“I had already won all the titles, and I wasn’t able to accomplish everything that I wanted to have my family be as comfortable as I needed or guarantee that future, and that’s when I realized I had to change. 
 
“Being away from my son is one of the hardest things that has ever happened to me. This is one of the best stages of life, watching your child growing up, and I’m not getting that opportunity. 
 
“It’s been many months since I saw my son, maybe six months. It’s not clear to me when I will see him against, but I am working on it, to see him as soon as possible, I want to see him, but I cannot as I’ve only just arrived in America. 
 
“Now, I am focused on my sport, in making history here, but I do think at some point I may need to go back to Cuba to see my son or try to move here with him.” 
 
Cruz’s pro bow is part of a big night of action in Detroit as hometown star Alycia Baumgardner defends her undisputed Super-Featherweight title against Christina Linardatou – the Greek who inflicted the only defeat of Baumgardner’s career in 2018.
 
Michigan Heavyweight Jermaine Franklin returns to action after back-to-back fights in London, England against Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte, and he faces unbeaten Mexican Issac Munoz, while the night is kicked-off live on DAZN by Detroit’s Ja’Rico O’Quinn taking on Carlos Mujica over ten rounds at Featherweight.




AMATEUR SENSATION DAN TOWARD JOINS WASSERMAN BOXING  

Wasserman Boxing is delighted to announce the promotional signing of amateur sensation Dan Toward.

A product of the famous Birtley ABC, Toward is turning professional having won an incredible 10 national titles and been part of the Great Britain squad.

Toward is one of the hottest properties in British boxing and has chosen Wasserman Boxing to guide his career in the pro ranks, signing a multi-year deal with the global promoter.

The 21-year-old, from Newcastle, plans to box in the red-hot super welterweight division and details of his highly-anticipated professional debut will be confirmed in due course. 

Dan Toward said: “I had 84 amateur contests and 72 victories, winning 10 national titles along the way, but the dream has always been to get to the top in the pro ranks.

“Joining Wasserman Boxing was a no-brainer and I know they will get me the right opportunities at the right time, in order to get me to the top.

“For people who haven’t seen me box yet, I will bring something original so make sure you tune-in and follow my journey!”

Kalle Sauerland, Global Head of Boxing at Wasserman Boxing, said: “Everyone at Wasserman Boxing is thrilled that Dan has decided to join our brilliant stable of fighters.

“Dan’s amateur record, and the number of titles he has won, tells you everything you need to know about how talented he is and why he was one of the most sought after young fighters in the country.

“We are incredibly excited about Dan’s journey and privileged that he has chosen Wasserman Boxing to guide his career as a professional.”

Sam Jones, Toward’s manager, said: “This is the first time I’ve worked with Kalle and Nisse, with one of my fighters, and it’s been a long time coming.

“They have been in boxing a long, long time and have a proven track record of successfully building great champions.

“My prediction is that Dan Toward will be their greatest ever signing.”




Weights from Fort Worth, Texas

Fort Worth, Texas (July 12, 2023)–Weights for Thursday Night’s King’s Promotions card at the El Corral West Night Club in Fort Worth, Texas

Emmanuel Moreno 118 – Manuel Chavez Garcia TBA

Jose Gomez 145.8 – Raul Garcia 145.4

Malik Calhoun 164.4 – Austin Dulworth TBA

Alexis Mones 117 – Macy Breaux 117.8

Jordan Najar 122 – Raymond Goodine 121.4

Fernando Solis 125.6 – Waldo Zamudio 127,2

Jaycob Ramos 133.4 – Xazvier Jackson 138.6

Promoter: King’s Promotions

Venue: El Corral West Night Club

1st Bell: 7 PM CT

Stream: DFTV

Tickets are $200, $100, $60 and $40 and can be purchased at

CLICK FOR TICKETS




HARD-HITTING WELTERWEIGHT PROSPECT FREUDIS ROJAS TAKES ON MEXICO’S DIEGO SANCHEZ IN SHOWTIME® TELECAST OPENER THIS SATURDAY, JULY 15 IN PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS EVENT FROM THE COSMOPOLITAN OF LAS VEGAS

LAS VEGAS – July 12, 2023 – Hard-hitting welterweight prospect Freudis Rojas will take on Mexico’s Diego Sanchez in the 10-round telecast opener live on SHOWTIME this Saturday, July 15 in a Premier Boxing Champions event from The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

The previously announced Nonito Donaire vs. Alexandro Santiago bout will now take place on July 29.

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT and is headlined by undefeated top contender Frank “The Ghost” Martin battling undefeated Olympic bronze medalist Artem Harutyunyan in a WBC Lightweight Title Eliminator. In the co-main event, top super lightweight contender Elvis Rodriguez meets former world champion Viktor Postol in a 10-round showdown.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Man Down Promotions and TGB Promotions, are on sale now and available for purchase through Ticketmaster.com.

The 24-year-old Rojas (10-0, 10 KOs), who was already set to face Sanchez in an undercard fight prior to being moved to the telecast, has yet to let an opponent see the final bell since turning pro in January 2021. Rojas’ stellar amateur career included a bronze medal at the 2017 World Amateur Championships and since hitting the pro ranks has not gone past round four. The Las Vegas-native most recently blasted out Gilbert Venegas in the first round of their February clash.

Originally from Tijuana, Mexico and now residing in San Diego, California, Sanchez (19-2, 16 KOs) will compete for the second time stateside on Saturday night when he faces Rojas. The 23-year-old’s only losses have come against then unbeaten fighters Luis Hernandez Ramos in 2019 and Jesus Madueno Angulo in 2021. Sanchez returned to the win column in his last fight, knocking out Daniel Armando Valenzuela in December 2021.

The non-televised undercard will see super lightweight Justin Cardona (8-1, 4 KOs) face Angel Barrera (4-1) in an eight-round bout, lightweight prospect Anthony Cuba (5-0-2, 3 KOs) battle Angel Rebollar (6-2, 3 KOs) in a six-round attraction, undefeated welterweight Quinton Randall (12-0-1, 3 KOs) duel Willie Jones (9-2, 6 KOs) in a fight scheduled for eight rounds, and the pro debut of Dallas-native Alex Holley in a four-round welterweight contest against Michael De La Cruz (1-2-2).

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




FUTURE HALL OF FAMER NONITO DONAIRE AND MEXICO’S ALEXANDRO SANTIAGO TO MEET FOR VACANT WBC BANTAMWEIGHT WORLD TITLE ON SPENCE VS. CRAWFORD SHOWTIME PPV® UNDERCARD SATURDAY, JULY 29

LAS VEGAS – July 12, 2023 – Future Hall of Famer Nonito Donaire will battle Mexican contender Alexandro Santiago for the vacant WBC Bantamweight World Championship on the SHOWTIME PPV undercard for Errol Spence Jr. vs. Terence Crawford on Saturday, July 29 in a Premier Boxing Champions events from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

In the telecast opener, top prospect Yoenis Tellez, who is guided by renowned trainer Ronnie Shields will take on Spanish contender Sergio Garcia in a 10-round super welterweight attraction. Garcia was originally scheduled to face Jesus Ramos Jr. However Ramos was forced to withdraw due to a hand injury.

The Donaire vs. Santiago fight, which was originally scheduled to take place July 15, will be the second fight of the pay-per-view. The previously announced Gurgen Hovhannisyan vs. Viktor Faust bout was removed after Faust was forced to withdraw because of a back injury.

The pay-per-view begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and also features hard-hitting contender Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz facing unbeaten Giovanni Cabrera in a 12-round WBC and WBA Lightweight Title Eliminator in the co-main event.

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

One of the sport’s most accomplished active fighters, Donaire (42-7, 28 KOs) has captured titles at flyweight, bantamweight, super bantamweight and featherweight. He will look to make another run at bantamweight after capturing the title with a May 2021 knockout of Nordine Oubaali and eventually a defeat to Naoya Inoue in their June 2022 rematch. Representing his native Talibon, Bohol, Philippines, Donaire’s previous campaign at bantamweight began in 2018 by upsetting then unbeaten champion Ryan Burnett in his hometown to capture a title once again, before eventually dropping the belt in the 2019 Fight of the Year in his first matchup against Inoue.

“I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to become a world champion once again on an already historic night for boxing,” said Donaire. “I’m thankful to my team for this opportunity and I’m going to do everything I can to make the most of it. We’re working really hard on defense and being as fast as possible. It’s been an amazing camp and I can’t wait to get in the ring.”

A native of Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, Santiago (27-3-5, 14 KOs) will compete for a bantamweight crown for the first time in his career on July 15, as he enters this fight on a three-bout winning streak since a majority decision loss to Gary Antonio Russell in November 2021. The 27-year-old had previously fought for a 115-pound championship in September 2018, battling Jerwin Ancajas to a split-draw. Santiago most recently avenged one of the draws on his record, as he stopped Antonio Nieves in seven rounds last October.

“I have been waiting five years to get another world title opportunity, so another two weeks is nothing,” said Santiago. “I’m still focused and working hard. The objective and target is still the same. I’m very fortunate and would like to thank my team for this great opportunity to be part of such an amazing event on July 29.”

The 23-year-old Tellez (5-0, 4 KOs) is the latest young standout from boxing-rich Cuba looking to make a splash early in the pro ranks. A native of Santiago de Cuba, Tellez now trains in Stafford, Texas with Shields and first turned pro in June 2020. Tellez has already scored two victories in 2023, including most recently earning a shutout unanimous decision over Cameron Krael in May.

“I’m super excited to be a part of this huge event,” said Tellez. “Spence vs. Crawford is the best fight in boxing and it is a blessing to be part of this big night and facing a legit top-10 contender in Sergio Garcia. I look forward to boxing fans seeing a new star of the super welterweight division. I can’t wait to shine under the bright lights!”

Garcia (34-2, 14 KOs) returned to the ring in April to defeat Ricardo Sebastian Cabana before he steps into the ring for his third stateside bout on July 29. His only career defeats have come via decision as he dropped a December 2021 bout against top contender Sebastian Fundora and an April 2022 clash against former world champion Tony Harrison. Fighting out of Torrelavega, Cantabria, Spain, the 30-year-old has competed professionally since 2012. He ascended the rankings by traveling to the U.K. to defeat then unbeaten Ted Cheeseman on his home soil in 2019 and followed that up with a triumph over veteran contender Sergey Rabchenko.

“I’m very thankful to my team for keeping me on this exceptional card,” said Garcia. “I’m very happy to be able to show my boxing skills to the whole world. It is very unfortunate what happened to Rams, but these things happen in boxing. Now I’m facing Tellez, who is at a much higher level than his record shows. He’s a great fighter and I’m going to give it my all to beat him. I know that a good performance on a big card in the U.S. will put me right on the doorstep of a world title.”

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For more information visit www.SHO.com/sports and www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow #SpenceCrawford, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @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/.




ERROL SPENCE JR. VS. TERENCE CRAWFORD VIRTUAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES

 

LAS VEGAS – July 12, 2023 – Undefeated boxing superstars and pound-for-pound greats Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr. and Terence “Bud” Crawford previewed their showdown for the undisputed welterweight championship during a virtual press conference on Wednesday as the WBC, WBA and IBF champion Spence and WBO champion Crawford clash on Saturday, July 29 headlining a SHOWTIME PPV from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas in a Premier Boxing Champions event.

The pay-per-view telecast begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and will see Spence and Crawford vie to become the first undisputed welterweight world champion in the four-belt era and likely emerge as the sport’s No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter.

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

Here is what the fighters had to say on Wednesday:

ERROL SPENCE JR.

“There’s no backing down for either one of us. Me and Terence put together is just a recipe for a great fight. We both come to win and now we have everything on the line. I know we’re gonna put on a great performance.

“I came out here to Las Vegas three weeks early to train and acclimate. We’ve been 100% focused and training hard. We’re going over the game plan and making sure we’re on point and not leaving any stone unturned. This is a legacy fight and a fight people are gonna talk about for a long time.

“This fight does a lot for the sport of boxing. I hope a lot of the best fighters are ready to face each other. This is an old school fight with the two best fighters in the world. It’s rare that you get that. We’re two old school fighters who are going to go in there and give it their all.

“This fight boils down to grit, determination and focus. It’s about who’s body and mind can withstand the most punishment, but also make it through different highs and lows of the fight. Whoever can impose their style on their opponent will win the fight.

“There have been fighters way more gifted than Terence who have lost in boxing. They can say what they want about him, but I know my capabilities. I know my mindset when I step into the ring. I believe that I can beat any fighter.

“Everyone in Derrick James’ gym pushes each other. Even if it’s indirectly. We watch each other work and naturally you’re gonna try to work a little harder and make sure you’re really working, because another top fighter is watching you and trying to see how you work. We’re feeding off each other and Derrick does a great job giving us all our own time slot.

“The level of opposition you face definitely matters. I’ve fought guys at the top when they really had something to lose. But once we get in the ring, it’s really all about abilities. It’s about dictating the pace and implementing the game plan.

“I didn’t want to risk anything that would jeopardize this fight. I was willing to sacrifice to wait on Terence. Everyone knows the magnitude of this fight and what this means for our legacy. I put the ego to the side.”

TERENCE CRAWFORD

“This fight puts a stamp on everything that I’ve accomplished in this sport. People have tried to discredit me for this and that and have been calling for this fight. This solidifies everything. This is the fight that boxing needs.

“Training camp is going great and not much has changed. We’re firm believers in if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.’ So we’ve been steady.

“This fight boils down to who prepared the best and then on fight night, who’s on their A+ game. That’s what it comes down to.

“I’m not focusing on a potential rematch. I plan on winning the first match. The rematch is not in my mind. I’m focused on the job at hand right now.

“I’m not worried about any size difference. Look at Jeff Horn and Shawn Porter. Even Jose Benavidez Jr. was a big welterweight. This is nothing new. I was always the smaller guy, even when I was fighting at 140-pounds. The bigger they are, the harder they fall.

“Everyone Errol faced had a loss and had something already taken from them. He faced guys who already knew how to lose. I take a fighters’ belt and their ‘0’. Those fighters are never the same after that face me.  

“The objective is always to get the win first and foremost. But if you’ve followed our careers, you know that Errol and I are always in exciting fights. There’s no doubt in my mind that this fight will be more of the same.

“With the magnitude and the stage and just everything that’s surrounding this fight, yes I needed Errol. But legacy-wise, I had already accomplished a lot and was already a Hall of Famer. This win is the cherry on top for me.

“Errol and I got on the phone to get the biggest fight in boxing made. We both understood the assignment and had the same goals and dreams in mind. We came together to make sure we were both mature enough to get the fight made.”

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For more information visit www.SHO.com/sports and www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow #SpenceCrawford, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @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/.




“ROCKIN’ FIGHTS” 45 PRESALE TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE – USE CODE “STAR”

Long Island, NY (July 12, 2023) — “Rockin’ Fights” 45 is scheduled for October 28, 2023 at the Pollstar #1 World Rated venue and Star Boxing’s home away from home, The Paramount, in Huntington, NY.

Tickets for “Rockin’ Fights” are officially available via presale to Star Boxing’s loyal social media and mailing list followers. Get access to tickets before anyone else when using the code word, “STAR” to unlock tickets.

Stay tuned to Star Boxing socials for fight card information and announcements coming soon!




NESTOR BRAVO AND WILL MADERA FACEOFF FOR WBA FEDELATIN TITLE IN MOST VALUABLE PROMOTIONS’ SECOND INSTALLMENT OF MOST VALUABLE PROSPECTS

NEW YORK, NY – July 12, 2023 – Today, Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) announced their main event for its second Most Valuable Prospects event on Friday, August 18 in Orlando, Florida. The WBA Fedelatin title bout will feature super-lightweight Puerto Rican-American talent Nestor “El Mas Bravo” Bravo (21-0, 15 KOs)and Will “Ill Will” Madera (17-2-3, 10 KOs). The 10-round bout is contested at 140 lbs and will be taking place at the Caribe Royale Resort.

The Most Valuable Prospects series is produced and promoted by MVP, with Boxlab Promotions serving as the official licensed promoter and is distributed by DAZN. The second event in the series continues the commitment from MVP co-founders Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian to highlight the world’s best up-and-coming boxing talent. All events within Most Valuable Prospects will take place on Friday nights in 2023 and will be hosted by the series’ official title sponsor, Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, FL. DAZN will air the series across its platforms as a part of its subscription package which will include the entire main card lineup and prelims. Tickets are now on sale at https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/22005EEADB50BF76

Bravo, the undefeated fighter out of Orlando, FL, by way of Arecibo, Puerto Rico, is ranked seventh in the world by the World Boxing Association as a super lightweight. The cross-weight talent also holds the WBO-NABO junior welterweight title, which he won in October 2022 by stopping Adrian Yung in seven rounds and becoming the second fighter ever to do so. Bravo hopes to return to his winning streak after facing a disappointing no-contest against WBC Latino Champion Jair Valtierra in February 2023 when Valtierra clashed heads with Bravo in the fourth round. He is trained by Bob Santos, who was named Ring Magazine’s 2022 Trainer of the Year.

Madera, the Puerto Rican super lightweight out of Albany, NY, comes to the ring following a series of high-octane matchups. The orthodox fighter handed Brandun Lee the first knockdown of his career via a vicious overhand right in August 2022, ending in a narrow loss after Lee got up at the 11th second and won the bout. Previously, Madera stopped Jamshidbek Najmitdinov (20-1) in the 5th round of their faceoff at the Barclays Arena in October 2021 and defeated Thomas “Gunna Man” Mattice (13-0-1) by a unanimous decision in February 2019. Madera, a father to six, is trained by Ty Goldston.

“Our first Most Valuable Prospects event was incredibly successful and we are thrilled to announce the lineup for Most Valuable Prospects II,” said Nakisa Bidarian and Jake Paul, co-founders of Most Valuable Promotions. “Our commitment to cultivating the next generation of great boxers is evident in the work that we do, and we want to thank each of our partners for sharing that same mission. The matchups on this card will serve our audiences with nothing less than an exciting night as we all witness these young athletes work towards becoming tomorrow’s must-watch names in boxing. We appreciate Caribe Royale Resort’s hospitality and partnership and want to thank our distribution partner, DAZN for their dedication to bringing the action to global audiences at home.”

Viewers can expect to see nine total fights on the 18th, with some of the world’s most promising prospects in boxing. The full undercard and broadcast team will be announced in the coming weeks.

“We are excited to be working with the team of Most Valuable Promotions on our second Most Valuable Prospects event. The main event is a great one for the fans in attendance and those watching on DAZN. Two top talents will be vying for the WBA Fedelatin Title in what will be an action packed bout,” said Amaury Piedra, Managing Director of Caribe Royale Resort and President of Boxlab Promotions. “In addition the list of up and coming prospects on the co-main and remainder of the card is exceptional. We will feature some of the top rising stars in boxing from around the world. Caribe Royale and Boxlab Promotions are proud to be a part of bringing this event to Orlando. This is part of Caribe Royale’s strategy of being the top All Suite hotel in Orlando for both locals and visitors alike.”

For more information, follow on Twitter via @JakePaul, @MostVPromotions, @DAZNBoxing, @Boxlab_AP, and @cariberoyale or on Instagram via @JakePaul, @MostValuablePromotions, @DAZNBoxing, and @cariberoyaleorlando.

About Most Valuable Promotions (MVP)

Most Valuable Promotions was founded by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian in 2021. With the mission to provide more creative control to fighters, MVP works to identify, grow, and maximize return for its own events and talent partners. One year into its inception, MVP was nominated as one of the prestigious Sports Breakthroughs of the Year in 2022 by Sports Business Journal. MVP has produced Jake Paul’s last four global pay-per-view events, including the recent Paul vs. Fury match, which surpassed 800,000 Pay-per-view buys worldwide. The promotion company also signed one of the most decorated Hispanic athletes of all time, Amanda Serrano in its first year. Serrano and MVP made history in April of 2022 when Serrano went head-to-head with Katie Taylor, marking the first female fight to headline at Madison Square Garden, recently earning a nomination for Event of The Year by Sports Business Journal. Co-founder Nakisa Bidarian was an executive producer of the historic Triller Presents Mike Tyson v. Roy Jones Jr., which was the 8th most bought pay-per-view event in history.

About DAZN

DAZN is a leading digital sports platform in Italy, Spain, Germany, Belgium, Portugal, Japan, Canada, US, and the UK.? Its wide range of exclusive content includes top-flight football from the world’s most popular competitions – Bundesliga, English Premier League, J.League, LaLiga, Serie A, and the UEFA Champions League, in addition to the biggest sports from around the world – Formula 1, NFL, NBA, MotoGP and the UFC.? 

DAZN is the NFL’s global partner and, from the 2023 season, will be the only place for fans around the world to watch every NFL match through the NFL Game Pass International add-on subscription. DAZN is a global home for boxing and combat sports through its partnerships with Matchroom Boxing the Professional Fighters League, and a global home for Women’s Football with UEFA Women’s Champions League and Finetwork Liga F.? DAZN is adding more and more sport to its platform to create a destination for sports fans.?

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DAZN is reimagining the way people enjoy sport. With a single, frictionless platform, sports fans can watch, bet, play, share, socialize, and buy tickets, NFTs and merchandise. Live and on-demand sports content, anywhere, in any language, on any device – only on DAZN.?

DAZN is available on most connected devices including smart TVs, set-top boxes, streaming sticks, smartphones, tablets, PCs and game consoles, ensuring that fans have access to ground-breaking rights catalog and slate of incredible content. In the UK and globally, DAZN can be accessed on Samsung, LG, Sony, and Panasonic Smart TVs and on Games Consoles including PlayStation and Xbox. Subscribers also have access to DAZN on their Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Google Chromecast, and Apple TV and can find the app on their iPhone, iPad, and android mobile devices. DAZN is available as an Amazon Channel on Amazon Prime TV and can be viewed on Channel 429 on Sky in the UK and Ireland.   

DAZN is a global, privately-owned company with employees in over 25 countries. For more information on DAZN, our products, people, and performance, visit?www.dazngroup.com.??

About Caribe Royale Orlando Resort

Located just minutes from the Walt Disney World® Resort in the nation’s number one convention and tourist destination, Caribe Royale Orlando is the only AAA Four Diamond all-suite meetings resort in Orlando. A TripAdvisor 2022 Travelers’ Choice Award winner – among just 10 percent of hotels worldwide to receive the distinction – the upscale Caribe Royale is emerging from a $140 million renovation that includes fully remodeling all of its one-bedroom suites, an all-new 50,000-square-foot grand ballroom (bringing the total meeting space to 220,000 square feet), and an inviting new lobby. Being privately-owned, Caribe Royale offers meeting planners faster approval cycles and more flexibility to create stand-out events. To learn more or to book a visit, event or meeting, visit www.cariberoyale.com. Follow the all-suite convention hotel on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter(@cariberoyale), LinkedIn and Pinterest. #cariberoyaleorlando




BOXING SUPERSTAR CLARESSA SHIELDS WINS “BEST BOXER” AWARD AT 2023 ESPYS; BECOMES FIRST WOMAN TO EVER TAKE HOME THE HONOR

LOS ANGELES – July 12, 2023 – Boxing superstar Claressa “G.W.O.A.T.” Shields continued to make history this week, as the world’s top pound-for-pound women’s boxer was awarded the 2023 ESPY Award for “Best Boxer” prior to Wednesday’s award ceremony. Shields became the first ever female boxer to win the award that has been given out since 1993.

“First I want to thank God. I am truly humbled to become the first woman ever to win the ‘Best Boxer’ of the year award for the ESPYS,” said Shields. “This award may have my name on it but it is for every female boxer who has stepped into the ring and hopefully will inspire generations of young women in the future to pursue their dreams with no boundaries. I want to thank ESPN and all my fans who voted for me all over the world! To win this award against the likes of Shakur Stevenson, Gervonta Davis and Devin Haney is an incredible honor. What a feeling to be the GWOAT amongst men!”

Shields beat out men’s boxing stars Davis, Haney and Stevenson to win the fan voting for the award. The Flint, Michigan-native was already one of just three women since 2008 to be recognized in the category, having earned a nomination for the 2021 ESPYS, and is the only woman to receive multiple nominations in that time span.

Shields’ recent run has included her two victories in 2022, capped by an action-packed victory last October over Savannah Marshall that saw Shields become the undisputed middleweight world champion for the second time. Already boxing’s only champion to become undisputed in two divisions, Shields defended her four belts successfully this June in front of a huge crowd at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit as she shut out Maricela Cornejo on her way to a unanimous decision.

“This is an incredible honor for a generational great, the ‘G.W.O.A.T.’ Claressa Shields,” said Dmitriy Salita, Shields’ promoter and President of Salita Promotions. “It is yet another first for women’s boxing and most importantly more fuel for women’s empowerment all over the world. Claressa Shields is building the bridge to equality with the bricks of her unmatched, unparalleled accomplishments inside and outside of the ring.”

Mark Taffet, Shields’s manager and President of Mark Taffet Media, added: “Claressa continues to shatter every glass ceiling and accomplish what, prior to her, was considered unachievable. The only two-time US Olympic boxing gold medal winner, fastest man or woman to win world championships in three weight divisions, only man or woman to hold undisputed world titles in two weight divisions simultaneously, and only woman in the past twenty five years to win Sportswoman Of The Year twice is now the first woman to win the Best Boxer ESPY award!”

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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. 




GALAL YAFAI HEADLINES BIRMINGHAM NXTGEN CARD AGAINST TOMMY FRANK ON AUGUST 19 

Galal Yafai will headline Matchroom Boxing’s latest NXTGEN card at the Utilita Arena Birmingham on Saturday August 19 when he puts his WBC International Flyweight Title on the line against Tommy Frank, shown live worldwide on DAZN

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Champion Yafai (4-0, 3 KOs) fights in his home city for the first time as a professional after racking up four wins from four fights since joining the paid code with a long-term promotional deal back in January 2022. 

Amateur sensation Yafai picked up the WBC International crown on his professional debut at The O2 in London before making defences at the world-famous Madison Square Garden In New York, the stunning Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi and The O2 once more last time out in April.

Sheffield’s Frank (15-3-1, 3 KOs) conceded his British Flyweight Title to Wales’ World Title contender Jay Harris last time out in Rotherham, succumbing to a tenth-round stoppage after an entertaining back and forth barnstormer.

The former Central Area, Commonwealth, WBC International Silver and IBO Intercontinental Flyweight Champion is out to cause a big upset and claim the biggest scalp of his career, a win that would propel himself to the front of the queue for massive fights in the Flyweight division. 

Alnwick’s rising Welterweight star Cyrus Pattinson (6-0, 4 KOs) broke down and stopped former British Champion Chris Jenkins last time out in March in his first headline fight at the Utilita Arena Newcastle to pick up the WBA International Title.

The 29-year-old former Team GB standout puts his Title on the line against Wolverhampton’s former Midlands Area Welterweight Champion Conah Walker (11-2-1, 3 KOs) as he continues to climb the 147lbs ladder towards further title shots later this year.

Warley Heavyweight hope Solomon Dacres (6-0, 2 KOs) looks to build on his two-round demolition of Robert Ismay earlier this year while Oxford’s Jordan Flynn (9-0, 1 KOs) and Birmingham’s Kane Baker (19-10-1, 3 KOs) rematch in an eliminator for the English Super-Featherweight Title following their April clash.

There’s also action on the card for Bolton Super-Lightweight Khaleel Majid (10-0, 3 KOs), Coventry Middleweight Aaron Bowen (2-0, 1 KO) and Leicester Bantamweight prospect Muhammad Ali (2-0), plus professional debuts for Birmingham duo Sahil Khan and Ibraheem Sulaimaan

“I’m excited to be fighting in my home city for the first time as a professional and to be headlining the show makes it even sweeter,” said Yafai. “I haven’t fought in Birmingham in around ten years so it’s going to be special fighting in front of my friends and family for the first time since capturing Olympic Gold and starting my pro career with Matchroom. 

“Tommy Frank is in the opposite corner and he’ll be fully motivated to get the upset but this is my city and I’ll be getting the win with a big performance on home soil. My career is progressing nicely and this is another step on my journey towards fighting for and winning World Titles. See you on August 19 Birmingham.”

“Although my last fight against Jay Harris was a defeat I learnt a lot from it and I have more belief in myself than ever before,” said Frank. “I wasn’t expecting this opportunity but I believe that things happen for a reason and I’ll be ready to make my mark on the big stage on August 19.

“Yafai is a quality fighter with a great pedigree and I’ve got a lot of respect for him. I’m grateful for the opportunity and to be showcased on such a big platform. I will no doubt be underestimated but that’s fine with me, I believe I have a lot more to achieve in boxing and with a rejuvenated confidence in myself I believe this opportunity has come at the perfect time.”

“I’m excited to be returning to Birmingham for our first show in the city for almost five years,” said Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn. “Olympic gold hero Galal Yafai gets the opportunity to headline his first show and it’s a WBC International Title defence against Sheffield’s former British Champion Tommy Frank. Galal has looked sensational so far on his professional journey and he’ll be determined to impress on home soil as he continues to work towards World Titles in the Flyweight division and beyond.

“There’s plenty of emerging Midlands talent on display with Solomon Dacres taking his next step in the Heavyweight division and destructive Coventry Middleweight Aaron Bowen returning for his third fight in the pros. North East Welterweight star Cyrus Pattinson looks to build on his sensational scrap with Chris Jenkins and there’s plenty more on offer for our second NXTGEN helping of the year. Catch it all live around the world on DAZN.”

Tickets for Yafai vs. Frank are priced £40, £60, £120 and £200 (VIP).

General Sale tickets can be purchased via Stage Front and The Ticket Factory from midday on Thursday July 13.




JAI OPETAIA AND TASMAN FIGHTERS AGREE CO-PROMOTIONAL GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP WITH MATCHROOM

Tasman Fighters and Jai Opetaia have agreed to work with Matchroom as part of a global promotional partnership.
 
Opetaia (22-0 17 KOs) wrestled the IBF and Ring Magazine World Cruiserweight titles away from Mairis Briedis on home turf with an outstanding display in Queensland, Australia in July 2022, outboxing the Latvian with a show of skill mixed with guts after breaking his jaw in both the second and final rounds.
 
The 28 year old extended his unbeaten slate to 22 fights in the paid ranks on that famous night, landing World title honors at the first attempt in a professional career that began in August 2015 after the imposing southpaw said goodbye to a glittering amateur stint that yielded gold in the World Junior Championships in 2011 and saw him become the youngest ever Australian Olympian fighter when he represented his country in at the 2012 Games in London.
 
Opetaia is determined to make more history with the goal of unifying the Cruiserweight division, and the IBF and Ring king is itching to get back into the ring and turn those dreams into reality with Matchroom.
 
“This is something that Tasman Fighters and myself have always worked towards and now I just want to start taking these big fights and unify all the titles,” said Opetaia.
 
Penning a deal with Opetaia sees another Australian star added to Hearn’s blossoming stable Down Under, with the world’s leading Cruiserweight joining the likes of Liam Paro, Stevie Spark, Ebanie Bridges and Skye Nicolson, and Hearn is excited to be able to plot big events in Australia following a successful first outing in Queensland in October – and with Matchroom joining forces with Tasman Fighters on Opetaia, fighters and fight fans alike in Australia are the big winners in the deal, with huge nights on the horizon.
 
“I am thrilled to welcome Jai to the Matchroom Boxing Team and delighted to be working closely once again with Tasman Fighters,” said Hearn. “Jai’s win over Briedis was an historic moment for Australian boxing and solidified him as the number one in the Cruiserweight division. There is no doubt that he can collect all the belts to become undisputed ruler and not just become a superstar at home, but all over the world.
 
“Australian boxing continues to rise and Matchroom want to be a major part of that growth, and with Jai joining our other Aussie stars, we look to returning there soon.”
 
“The deal Tasman Fighters has struck with Matchroom is a massive opportunity for Jai Opetaia to move forward in his career on a global scale, it also opens the door for all of our contracted fighters and Australian boxing in general,” said Mick Francis, Company Director of Tasman Fighters. “Pathways for our athletes is something we consider is the key to developing boxing in this part of the world and with Matchroom it is finally a reality. We are looking forward to the future.”
 




Steve “The Savage” Sumpter  Predicts James Perkins fight won’t go the full distance


QUINCY, Mass. (July 12, 2023)
 – Undefeated super middleweight prospect Steve “The Savage” Sumpter (8-0, 7 KOs) has never turned down a fight. Neither has his next opponent, James “Pitbull” Perkins (12-0-1, 9 KOs), and that’s why the two undefeated fighters will throw-down August 19th.

Sumpter vs. Perkins headlines “Pandemonium at The Palladium”, presented by Granite Chin Promotions (GCP), in an eight-round showdown for the vacant International Boxing Association IBA) Americas Super Middleweight Championship.

“Pandemonium at The Palladium” will be streamed live on www.bxngtv.com from the famed Palladium in Worcester, Massachusetts.

“This fight is one of the best main events Massachusetts has seen this year,” GCP president Chris Traietti commented. “What more can you ask for? Two undefeated guys with knockout power going for it all for a chance to elevate their careers to the next level. The spectators better take their bathroom and concession breaks before this one starts. It could end at any moment!”

More than a belt is at stake, more like Bay State (MA) bragging rights for the winner of this potentially “lights-out” fight between these Western (Sumpter, Pittsfield) and Eastern (Perkins, Lynn) Mass. rival fighters.

Sumpter, 29, leaped at the opportunity to fight another undefeated fighter because of the upside for his career that an impressive victory will make within New England boxing circles.

“’ll be better known after this fight,” Sumpter said. “I don’t care about my opponent’s record or anything else. This is the type of fight that will establish me as one of the better boxers around. This fight will open up a lot of doors for me, when I come out on top. More people will start taking notice of me and I’ll be getting calls for bigger fights.

“We are both explosive fighters. I don’t think he’s going the full distance. It’ll come down to skills. I’ve seen some things from him I’ll exploit. Nobody studies me better than me. I’m sure he has watched me, too.”

Pittsfield is 100 miles to the west of Worcester, but Sumpter, who is the reigning Massachusetts Light Heavyweight Champion, is confident his fans will travel in force.

“I’ll feel good traveling,” Sumpter added. “This will be the second card I’ve headlined. I have a solid fan-base and it’s growing with each win. And, like I said, he’s not going the distance.”

In the co-featured event, undefeated Massachusetts Welterweight Champion Denzel “Double Impact” Whitley (11-0, 6 KOs), of Holyoke (MA), takes Hector “El Gatito” Ednar Bobadilla (9-14-1, 4 KOs) in an eight-round bout for the vacant United States Boxing Federation (USBF) Atlantic welterweight title.

Other fighters expected to be in action on the “Pandemonium at The Palladium” undercard include another  Holyoke boxer, super welterweight Carlos Castillo (7-0, 4 KOs), unbeaten Springfield super featherweight Isaiah “Baby Warrior” Cruz (6-0, 4 KOs), and New Haven (CT) featherweight Felix Parrilla (7-0, 6 KOs).

Card subject to change. Tickets are on sale and available for purchase online at www.ThePalladium.net.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. ET, first bell at 7:30 p.m. ET.

INFORMATION:  

Facebook.com/GraniteChin

Twitter: @Granite_Chin




WBA calls for a Romero-Davies bidding

The World Boxing Association (WBA) Championships Committee has called for a Purse bid to grant the promotional rights of super lightweight world title fight between champion Rolando Romero and challenger Ohara Davies on July 24, in Panama City, Panama.




10-ROUND SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT MAIN EVENT LESTER MARTINEZ – LUCAS DE ABREU MARTINS OFFICIAL WEIGH IN RESULTS

Plant City, FL (July 11, 2023) — Star Boxing’s Brazilian super middleweight, LUCAS DE ABREU MARTINS (14-3 11KO’s) is set to take on undefeated Guatemalan, LESTER MARTINEZ (15-0 13KO’s) tomorrow night, July 12, at the ProBox Event Center in Plant City, Florida. The 10-round super middleweight bout will air live on Probox.TV and the ProBox Youtube channel.

Both De Abreu and Martinez weighed in today ahead of their clash, with De Abreu coming in at a fit 166.6 lbs and Martinez coming in at 165.6 lbs. De Abreu always comes to fight, having made a good account of himself against top prospects, Diego Pacheco, Ernesbadi Begue, and Darrelle Valsaint. Tomorrow night he looks to be a stiff test for Martinez who is coming off an emphatic TKO victory over Isaiah Steen this past April.

Tune in to ProBox.TV or the ProBox Youtube page to watch the LIVE along with the rest of the five fight card.




Robeisy “El Tren” Ramirez: “Get Ready for Another Great Show!”

LAS VEGAS (July 11, 2023) – Robeisy “El Tren” Ramirez promises to deliver fireworks as he prepares to defend his WBO featherweight world title on enemy turf.
 
Ramirez will face Japanese contender Satoshi “Diamond Left” Shimizu on Tuesday, July 25, at Tokyo’s Ariake Arena. Ramirez-Shimizu will serve as the co-feature to the world title showdown between  WBC/WBO junior featherweight champion Stephen Fulton and pound-for-pound king Naoya “Monster” Inoue.
 
Fulton-Inoue, Ramirez-Shimizu and additional undercard bouts will stream live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+.
 
Ramirez (12-1, 7 KOs), a two-time Olympic gold medalist, took the fast track to becoming a world champion. In 2022, the 29-year-old stopped Irish veteran Eric Donovan in February, starched then-unbeaten contender Abraham Nova in June, and defeated Jose Matias Romero via ninth-round TKO in October. He defeated former world champ Isaac Dogboe on April 1 to capture the vacant WBO featherweight crown. Ramirez, who trains in Las Vegas with Ismael Salas, will now finish training camp in Japan. Shimizu (11-1, 10 KOs) is a 37-year-old southpaw making his first attempt at a world title. The two-time Olympian and 2012 bronze medalist is coming off a second-round stoppage win over Landy Cris Leon last December. 

Following a recent training session, this is what Ramirez had to say about his first world title defense:
 

“Just a few months ago, I fulfilled my cherished goal of becoming world featherweight champion. The time has now come for the first defense of my title, and I couldn’t be happier or more honored for it to be in Tokyo, Japan, in front of a sold-out arena and as chief support to the much-anticipated unification clash between Fulton and Inoue.”

 
“Becoming world champion was a big leap in my quest to be considered the world’s top featherweight and eventually becoming a consensus pound-for-pound fighter. My battle against the tough and experienced Shimizu will be another important stop in my journey.”
 
“I’m looking forward not only to the fight, but also experiencing all that this beautiful country has to offer with its passionate boxing fans, it’s vibrant culture and rich history, among so many other things. See you all at the Ariake Arena on July 25, and get ready for another great show from El Tren!”




FURY VS NGANNOU: WHO IS THE BADDEST MAN ON THE PLANET?

RIYADH, Saudi, Arabia (July 11, 2023) —TYSON FURY, THE undefeated Lineal and WBC heavyweight champion of the world, and Francis Ngannou, the former UFC heavyweight champion, will collide on Saturday, October 28th in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in an epic showdown between two giants of their fields following the opening of Riyadh Season.

The clash to find out who is the “Baddest Man on the Planet” will take place under the official rules of professional boxing, with 3 judges ringside adopting the 10-point must system. Both fighters however are promising to meet in the middle of the ring, go to war and win by knockout in devastating fashion.

An agreement has been reached with Queensberry, Top Rank and Ngannou’s promotional banner, GIMIK Fight Promotions, to partner with Riyadh Season to host the history-making event that will capture the imagination of fight fans around the globe.

The world will discover who can rightly claim the title of “Baddest Man on the Planet” in the capital of the Kingdom, when “The Gypsy King” goes up against “The Predator” to determine the true Heavyweight King.

The fight will see the toughest chin in boxing tested by the Most Powerful Punch in the world, as confirmed by the Guinness World Records. This is a matchup where there will be no quarter given.

The mega-fight, one of the richest in history, will take place in a regulation boxing ring under the standard boxing rules in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s largest city.

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Tyson Fury: “As soon as that bell goes, it’ll be bombs away! This guy is supposed to be the hardest puncher in the world, but let’s see how he reacts when he gets hit by the Big GK. I can’t wait to get back out there under the lights. I’m looking forward to showing the world that The Gypsy King is the greatest fighter of his generation in an epic battle with another master of his craft. Francis looked tough when he jumped in the ring after the Whyte fight, but there is no one tougher than me, and you’ll all see that in devastating fashion on October 28. I’d like to thank my promoters Frank Warren and Bob Arum, my manager Spencer Brown, and the guys at Riyadh Season for making this incredible event possible. It’s going to be a fight for the ages. Get up!”

Francis Ngannou: “I’ve been waiting to meet Tyson in the ring for the past three years. My dream was always to box, and to box the best. After becoming the undisputed MMA Heavyweight Champion, this is my opportunity to make that dream come true and cement my position as the baddest man on the planet.  I’d like to thank Riyadh Season and my team at 3Point0 Labs for helping put this event together. All I will say to Tyson for now is he better dance in that ring because if I touch him, he’s going to sleep.”

His Excellency Turki Alalshikh (Chairman of the Board of the General Entertainment Authority and Head of Riyadh Season): “Riyadh Season 2023 is back for its fourth edition of world class experiences and live events — keeping its claim as one of the most anticipated entertainment seasons worldwide. Following its opening ceremony, Riyadh Season 2023 will kick-off with an electrifying boxing match on October 28th, 2023. MMA and boxing audiences will witness the ultimate clash between two champions, Tyson Fury against Francis Ngannou. This face-off will set a new standard for such an event.”

Frank Warren (Queensberry Chairman): “This heavyweight clash has ‘war’ written all over it. Tyson Fury is the most exciting heavyweight on the planet. It is a game changer; we didn’t want to wait for Tyson to get out and here we are at Riyadh Season in a super-fight. Tyson is at his best when he is breaking new boundaries and this event is one of a kind. History will be made in Riyadh with a battle of the giants from the two leading codes of combat fighting. Tyson is the true King of the Ring and Francis Ngannou will present an intriguing challenge as he has the much publicised Most Powerful Punch in the world, this guy has a sledgehammer in each hand. Can Tyson avoid the sledgehammer all fight? What happens if it lands? It will be a truly spectacular event and Riyadh Season will provide a stage fit for two champions in one boxing ring.”

Bob Arum (Top Rank Chairman): “Tyson Fury is one of the finest heavyweight boxers in history, and he now has an opportunity to lock horns with an MMA legend. This will be a historic event, and we know that Tyson Fury will put on a tremendous fight. The people of Riyadh and fight fans around the world are in for a real treat.”

Marquel Martin (Chief Executive Officer, 3Point0 Labs): “Francis has been defeating the odds since he was born and so has Tyson from what I understand. Both are ‘Kings’ of their respective heavyweight divisions in their primes, and we finally get to see whose head is fit to wear the crown. We have all the respect in the world for Tyson and his team, but they are not accustomed to dealing with a force of nature like Francis. He’s simply BUILT DIFFERENT and I think Tyson will feel that in the Ring come October 28th in Riyadh. History is made here and we’re very much looking forward to shocking the world once again.”

Andrew Cutrow (Chief Business Officer, 3Point0 Labs): “All due respect in the world to a heavyweight fighter of Tyson’s calibre, sitting up there with the Mike Tysons and Muhammad Alis of the world, but there is no one with the will and fight that Francis has. He’s beaten every insurmountable challenge in his life, whether in the ring or in life, and it’s fair to say that NO ONE wants to be on the end of one of his punches. Riyadh should get ready for a fight for the ages – one that will go down in history as one of the greatest sporting events of this generation.”

Tyson Fury background:
The undefeated Fury, 34, the 6-foot-9 self-styled Gypsy King with a record of 33-0-1 (24 KOs), first became unified world heavyweight champion back in November 2015 when he toppled the long-standing ruler Wladimir Klitschko.

Dusseldorf, Germany, was the scene of one of the biggest upsets in heavyweight history, when the unified king was befuddled by the bashful Brit. The Ukrainian was completely outfoxed by his younger challenger and Fury wasn’t to be denied. Klitschko was parted from his four belts and Lineal champion status.

After a lengthy period out of the ring, Fury teamed up with Hall of Fame promoter Frank Warren to plot his route back to heavyweight domination and, after just two return fights, he accepted the challenge of taking on the previous WBC champion and biggest puncher in world boxing, Deontay Wilder, in December 2018.

The outcome was a hotly disputed draw, which ensured the Fury-Wilder chapter still had a couple more pages to run. Fury linked up with Top Rank and ESPN in America, and a rematch with Wilder took place in February 2020. Fury took many experts by surprise by stating his intention to meet the ferocious hitter in the centre of the ring.

To that end, he teamed up with old comrade SugarHill Steward in order to maximise his own offensive weapons. True to his word, Fury rocked Wilder and put him down in the third and fifth before the towel came in from Wilder’s corner just over halfway through the seventh.

An absolute thriller took place in October 2021 in Las Vegas. Fury picked up where he left off and put Wilder to the canvas in the third before a spirited revival from the ‘Bronze Bomber’ saw Fury down twice in the fourth. The champion prevailed convincingly in the end, with Wilder down the 10th and then out for count in the 11th. An epic trilogy had played out before the eyes of the world.

London was calling when a mandatory defence against WBC interim champion Dillian Whyte was called by the governing body. There was only one place fit to stage the homecoming of The Gypsy King and a packed to the rafters Wembley Stadium became Fury’s field of dreams. Wembley is traditionally known as the ‘Home of Legends’ and Fury added his name to the illustrious list with a spectacular sixth-round stoppage in front of 94,000 spectators.

Fury sold out another stadium last December, this time Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with 60,000 people braving the night air to see him overwhelm Derek Chisora for a third time via a 10th-round stoppage in what represented a third defence of his WBC world championship.

Francis Ngannou background:
Ngannou, 36, 17-3 (12 KOs) has a life-story that most wouldn’t believe possible. The 6’4, 280-pound physical specimen, hailing from Batie, a small village in Cameroon, Africa, grew up working in a sand quarry starting from the age of 10. At 22 years old, harbouring a dream to box, Francis decided to leave on foot across the Sahara, traveling on raft across the Strait of Gibraltar on a life-threatening journey, only to find himself homeless on the streets of Paris, walking into a gym. It didn’t take long for his coaches and peers there to realize his raw talents and God-given power to knock people out.

He was encouraged to enter an MMA tournament to make some extra cash in November 2013, and less than 8 years later, Francis would become the UFC’s first-ever African Heavyweight Champion, knocking out arguably the greatest Heavyweight in UFC History, Stipe Miocic, spectacularly in the second round. In January 2022, Ngannou defended his title against the undefeated interim UFC Champion Ciryl Gane, winning the fight via unanimous decision, all while fighting on a torn ACL and MCL against doctors’ guidance.

In late 2022, Ngannou decided to enter free agency and departed the UFC following the end of his contract, subsequently signing an unprecedented mega-deal as a global strategic partner with global MMA co-leader Professional Fighters League (PFL) and their Super Fights Division in 2023, further serving as the Chairman of PFL Africa, set to launch in 2025.

About Riyadh Season:
Saudi Arabia’s capital embraces one of the world’s biggest entertainment event every year during winter. Since the launch of the Riyadh Season in 2019, the festival has welcomed visitors from all over the world to experience thousands of concerts, sporting events, dining experiences and other unique cultural events. In 2023, Riyadh Season will commence on Saturday, 28 October with a spectacular opening ceremony and an historic boxing match between Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou.




Undefeated John “Scrappy” Ramirez Super Flyweight Division’s Best Kept Secret

LOS ANGELES (July 11, 2023) – Undefeated super flyweight John “Scrappy” Ramirez (11-0, 8 KOs), fighting out of South-Central Los Angeles, seems to be the best kept secret in the super flyweight division.

Ramirez, 26, is rarely if ever mentioned by the media as an elite super flyweight, despite him being the top rated 115-pounder in the World Boxing Association (WBA) ratings.

Boxing is a risk-reward sport, and the bottom line is “Scrappy” is too risky for many of the “name” super flyweights to fight, at least right now. His problem is the relatively late start he got in boxing. He has been on the fast track, capturing the WBA Continental and North American Boxing Association (NABA) super flyweight titles along his long, arduous journey. More significantly, though, is that he’s extremely explosive in the ring and improving each fight.

“Scrappy” accepted an offer last December to face veteran Thai boxer Sirichai Thaiyen (64-4, 42 KOs), who was then rated No, 3 (the No. 1 spot is open), in a WBA Title Eliminator to determine the mandatory challenger for WBA Super Flyweight World Champion Joshua “El Profesor” Franco. Nothing materialized, Thaiyen has been dropped to No. 8 in the WBA’s ratings, and Franco lost his title to Kazuto Ioka (30-3-1, 15 KOs) and retired. Ramirez’ opponent is being determined. The WBA will go down its ratings until it secures the highest-rated fighter who is available and accepts the challenge to fight “Scrappy.”

“I’ll fight whoever is put in front of me,” Ramirez explained. “In the end, boxing is a business and the only thing I’m missing is a world title. I am on the path to what I want, fighting the new WBA super flyweight champion, (Kazuto) Ioka. I’ll go to Japan to fight him if that’s what it’ll take.”

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WBA SUPER FLYWEIGHT RATINGS

Champion : Kazuto Ioka (30-2-1, 15 KOs), Japan

  1. Unrated
  2. John “Scrappy’’ Ramirez (12-0, 8 KOs), USA – WBA Continental Champion
  3. Kosei Tanaka (19-1, 11 KOs), Japan
  4. Roman “Chocolito” Gonzalez (51-4, 41 KOs), Nicaragua
  5. Bin Lu (3-1, 2 KOs), China – WBA International Champion
  6. “El General” David Cuellar Contreras (23-0, 16 KOs), Mexico
  7. Ronal Batista (15-3, 9 KOs), Panama
  8. Sirichai Thaiyen (65-5, 43 KOs, Thailand
  9. Argi Cortez (25-3-2, 10 KOs), Mexico
  10. Phumelele “Truth” Cafu (8-0-3, 7 KOs), South Africa
  11. Felix Montenegro (12-9-1, 8 KOs), Panama
  12. Kenta Nakagawa (24-4-1, 12 KOs), Panama
  13. Rene “El Indio” Calixto Bibiano (20-0, 7 KOs), Mexico
  14. Winston “El Fantasmas” Guerrero (19-0, 12 KOs), Nicaragua
  15. Keiver “El Chamo” Fernandez (25-1-1, 13 KOs), Venezuela 

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Ramirez adds, “The WBA is the oldest organization with great champions throughout its history.”

Ramirez, the lone USA representative in the WBA super flyweight rankings, simply hasn’t had enough time fighting yet as a professional to have an elite name in the WBA ratings such as No. 4 Roman “Chocolito” Gonzalez, the 5-time, 4-division world champion, or even No. 5 Bin Lu, who was a 2020 Chinese Olympian that had a world title fight in only his second pro fight, albeit in a loss to WBA Light Flyweight World Champion to Carlos Canizales. The other world super flyweight champions are all better known than “Scrappy” at this stage of his career: Juan Francisco Estrada (WBC), Fernando Martinez (IBF Super champ), and Junto Nakatani (WBO).

There are also other more recognizable names in the top 15 of the major sanctioning bodies than Ramirez’ in the super flyweight division such as former world champion Donnie Nietes, Srisket Sor Rungvisai and Carlos Cuadras, Andrew Maloney, and Jade Bonea. Plus, Ramirez is a dangerous opponent for any fighter, including world champions.

“Either the media doesn’t want to talk about me or I’m not relevant,” Ramirez said. “I’m the WBA Continental champ, so I’m in the loop. It doesn’t matter because I’ll get the respect that I deserve. “I’m a high-risk, low-reward fighter right now. I’ve been saying that since day one. I know  I’m risky to fight but there are other fighters like me out there. There have been some changes in the WBA with Ioka being the new super flyweight champion. I’m pursuing the eliminator to become Ioka’s mandatory challenger. I won’t be denied. Somebody has to step up in the WBA top 15 and fight me. My time is coming!”

“Scrappy” Ramirez is working with 3 Point Management (3 PM), a growing company based in Los Angeles that has a growing stable of gifted boxers including former world super middleweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (44-1, 30 KOs), light heavyweight Kareem Hackett (10-0, 5 KOs), super middleweight Cem “Champ” Kilic (17-1, 11 KOs), and heavyweights Darius “DFG “ Fulghum (6-0, 6 KOs) and Zach Spiller (3-0, 2 KOs).




WBA Minimum Weight Resolution

The World Boxing Association (WBA), through its Championships Committee, issued a resolution for the minimum weight in which it ordered a Purse bid between Thammanoon Niyomtrong and Erick Rosa for next July 21, to be held via Zoom




WEIGHTS FROM NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE (July 10, 2023)–Weight’s for Tuesday night’s Jimmy Adams Promotions card at The Troubadour Nashville.

Victor Hernandez 133.6 – Mike Fowler Will weigh in Tuesday

Desmond Lyons 139.6 – Ivan Reyes 140.2

Eric Arellano 224.4 – Javier Frazier 204

Ermes Orta 139 – Jason Page Jr. Will weigh in Tuesday

Kevin Torian 198.4 – Raphael Carolina 200.6

Promoter: Jimmy Adams Promotions

Venue: Troubadour Nashville

1st Bell: 7 PM CT (8 PM ET)

Free Stream: countrybox247.com / FITE.TV (Marc Abrams & Former NFL All-Pro Albert Haynesworth on the call)




King’s Promotions back at The El Corral West Night Club in Fort Worth, Texas

Fort Worth, Texas (July 10, 2023)–After a successful debut in Fort Worth, Texas on April 27th, King’s Promotions will be back for what will be an entertaining night of boxing this Thursday night at The El Corral West Night Club.

In a six-round featured bout, Emmanuel Moreno (3-0) of nearby Wichita Falls, Texas takes on Manuel Chavez Garcia (1-1) of Mexico in a bantamweight fight.

In Four-round bouts:

Jose Gomez (3-0) of Dallas battles Raul Garcia Jr. (2-9,1 KO) of Oklahoma City in a welterweight bout.

Alex Araiza Mones (0-1-1) of Fort Worth fights debuting Macy Breaux of Larose, Louisiana in a bantamweight contest.

Jaycob Ramos (1-0) of Plano, Texas fights an opponent to be named in a featherweight bout.

Malik Calhoun Khalil (2-1, 2 KOs) of North Richland, Texas takes on Austin Dulworth (0-3) of Dallas in a middleweight contest.

Jordan Najar (1-0) of Fort Worth, Texas fights debuting Raymond Goodine in a super bantamweight fight.

Fernando Solis (1-0) of Fort Worth, Texas boxes Raul Zamudio of Pasadena, Texas in a featherweight bout.

Nathaniel Vincent of Grand Prairie, Texas will make his pro debut against Daniel Gray of Laurens, South Carolina in a welterweight bout.

Tickets are $200, $100, $60 and $40 and can be purchased at

CLICK FOR TICKETS




HARLEM EUBANK BOLSTERS LEE MCGREGOR HOMECOMING SHOW 

Harlem Eubank will tackle Ishmael Ellis in Edinburgh next week, as Lee McGregor’s huge homecoming show becomes ever bigger. 

The unbeaten Brighton stylist fights Ellis over 10 rounds, live and free-to-air on Channel 5, at the Meadowbank Sports Centre, on Friday, July 21

‘Lightning’ McGregor headlines the show by taking on Mexican puncher Erik Robles for the vacant IBO world super bantamweight title on what promises to be an emotionally charged night in the Scottish capital. 

Now, super lightweight contender Eubank has been confirmed for the hard-hitting undercard, which already boasts the UK’s most fearsome heavyweight prospect, Matty Harris, world-ranked super featherweight star, Sultan Zaurbek and returning featherweight contender Isaac Lowe

Wasserman Boxing, in association with LadbrokesNuman and Infinitum Entertainment, can also reveal that heavyweight Kash Ali will face Bodhan Myronets over six rounds on an evening not-to-be-missed. 

The full card, with emerging talents and local heroes still to be announced, will be confirmed in the coming days. 

Harlem Eubank said: “The super lightweight scene is on fire at the moment, both domestically and internationally, and I know I am on the cusp of some huge fights. 

“And because those big fights are on the horizon, there is no room for error, so I have to be firing on all cylinders in Edinburgh on July 21. 

“But training has gone very well, and I plan on making a statement in front of the Scottish fans.”  

Kalle Sauerland, Global Head of Boxing at Wasserman Boxing, said: “This is going to be a breakthrough year for Harlem, where his career goes to new levels. 

“He dealt brilliantly with a late replacement, as the headline fighter, at York Hall in March and now, in Edinburgh next week, he gets to show what he is all about to a new audience. 

“Harlem is on the brink of some massive nights and, mark my words, he will be the next Eubank to become a world champion.” 




DKO Boxing’s Undefeated and World Ranked Junior Lightweight William Foster III to face Fradimil Macayo This Wednesday Night in Plant City, Florida

New Haven, CT (July 10, 2023)–World ranked junior lightweight contender William Foster III will be back in action this Wednesday night when he takes on Fradamil Macayo at The Probox Event Center in Plant City, Fl.

The fight will headline a card on ProBox TV beginning at 7:30 PM ET 

Foster has a record of 15-0 with nine knockouts. The 29 year-old is ranked number 15 by the WBA. His resume includes wins over Sulaiman Segawa (10-0), Angel Suarez (8-2), Jahmal Dyer (9-2), Donald Smith (10-0), world rated and fast rising contender Edwin De Los Santos (13-0) and in his most recent bout he scored a convincing win over Avery Sparrow on July 23, 2022 in Philadelphia.

Macayo is a power punching southpaw from Venezuela who has a record of 16-1 with 13 knockouts. Macayo has wins over undefeated fighters Jose Luis Marcano (9-0) and Armando Ramirez Almanza (5-0-1).

?“We are excited to see the best William Foster the world has seen to date on July 12. He gets better every time he steps in the ring. He has had a great camp and his coach always has him fully prepared for battle. William is a true warrior who is ready and willing to take on any of the division’s elite. This bout is for two regional titles (WBA Fedecentro and WBO Global). He is already ranked in the WBA and with a win over Macayo he will crack the WBO world ratings which means he is then one phone call away from a well deserved world title opportunity. His recent victories over Edwin De Los Santos and Avery Sparrow coupled with an impressive showing against Macayo should catapult William up the world rankings. His resume of victories is quite impressive for someone with only 15 fights! By facing and defeating such stiff competition William is fully prepared for anything that he sees in the ring. It is just a matter of time before William is recognized as the class of the 130 pound division!”, stated David Dubinsky of DKO Boxing, Foster’s Co-Manager.

Said Foster, “Camp went really well. I sparred more than 78 rds for this fight and I sparred with different types of fighters, my coach always pushes me beyond my limits.. I expect Macayo to be the pressure fighter and try to take the fight to me but he seems smart enough to not go straight in. I’m going to surprise him with my speed and skills that I have developed over the years and with a victory I am hopeful to get a world title fight next. I’ve been in the business long enough and it’s time to get my shot at the title.”




Tommy “The Governor” Hyde & Thomas “The Kid” O’Toole Fighting again in adopted home

QUINCY, Mass. (July 10, 2023) – Like some of his fellow countrymen in the past, undefeated Irish light heavyweight prospects Tommy “The Governor” Hyde (5-0, 3 KOs) and Thomas “The Kid” O’Toole (7-0, 5 KOs) have traveled across “the pond” from their native Ireland to Boston in order to enhance their professional boxing careers.

They will both be fighting on the August 11th (Aug. 12th rain date) on the “Veterans Stadium Showcase” Pro-Am card, presented by Granite Chin Promotions (GCP), at Veterans Memorial Stadium on Quincy (MA), a suburb of Boston only 10 miles to the south of the Massachusetts capital.

“This card wouldn’t be complete without some Irish flair to it,” GCP president Chris Traietti said. “With that said, I didn’t want just any Irish fighters on the show. I wanted two of the hottest prospects. Working with both guys has been a pleasure. Their teams have been great. Their fan-bases are in for a treat come August 11th.”

They’ve built solid fan-bases of Irish natives who now live in the United States, as well as Irish American boxing fans, just like their predecessors from the Emerald Isle, world champion Steve Collins and Mike Tyson-conqueror Kevin McBride.

Although Hyde and O’Toole will be fighting in separate six-round bouts this could be a prelude to a showdown between the Irish light heavyweights. They fought twice as amateurs with each winning one and in the future, they could be matched against each other once again, only this time as professionals.

Tommy Hyde (L) – (picture credit: Garreth Croke)

The 24-year-old Hyde is a three-time Irish National Champion who had an 80-26 amateur record. His father, Gary Hyde, is an international matchmaker who has represented numerous world champions.

“I am delighted to be fighting in Boston again,” Hyde said. “It’s like a second home now. I have a lot of family and friends living there and they all show me great support when I’m fighting there. It’s a big boxing city and it’s great to be following in the footsteps of Steve Collins and Kevin McBride who I really admire.

“I fought all over the world as an amateur in 2019. I fought outdoors in a multi-national tournament in Odessa, Ukraine. It was a really good experience, so I’m really looking forward to fighting outdoors in a Boston stadium.

“This will be the second show we shared since we’ve been pros and it probably won’t be the last. A fight between us could be big down the line in Boston or Ireland. He’s an Irishman like me, so I’ll be supporting him until we fight just like any other Irish boxer.”

Hyde faces an opponent to be determined.

Thomas O’Toole (R) – (photo credit: Emily Harney / Fightography

O’Toole, 25, is another celebrated Irish amateur boxer who captured top honors in the Haringey Box Cup and Irish Elevate final, in which he decisioned Hyde. “The Kid” won 51 of 60 amateur matches. Ten Years ago, O’Toole fought outdoors for the first and only time in an amateur show at Boston City Hall, arranged by then- Boston Mayor Marty Walsh.

A southpaw, O’Toole lives in nearby Braintree (MA). Six of his seven pro matches have been held in Greater Boston, the lone exception in Manchester, New Hampshire. “The Kid” is moving up one division to fight Massachusetts cruiserweight champion Scott “Scottie Bombs” Lampert (5-8, 4 KOs) for the vacant United States Boxing Federation (USBF) cruiserweight crown.

“Fighting outdoors does make a difference,” O’Toole commented, “especially if it’s hot and humid. I couldn’t prepare for fighting outdoors here in the summer if I was training in Ireland. We don’t have hot and humid weather there. I’ve been training here in this weather. It’s amazing how the weather can zap your strength. It did have an effect on me when I fought in Boston outdoors as an amateur.

“Tommy and I have gone our separate ways as pros, but our paths may grow down the line. We haven’t seen much of each other when we fought on the same card here. He is coming on very well in the pro ranks. He has a good man behind him in his father, Gary, and I think Tommy can go far. He’s said that a fight between us can easily be made if it makes sense. I agree. We both have big fan bases. This is going to be an amazing, fun night.”

Irish eyes will certainly be smilin’ Aug. 11th in Quincy.

In the eight-round, main event, former New England Welterweight Champion Mike “Bad Man, Ohan, Jr. (18-2, 9 KOs), of Holbrook, and Haverhill’s Harry “The Hitman” Gigliotti (9-4, 3 KOs), reigning ABF Atlantic super lightweight title holder, will throw-down in a non-title fight.

United States Boxing Federation (USBF) Champion Julien “Black Dragon” Baptiste (5-3, 2 KOs), of Woburn, and Massachusetts titleholder Jamer Jones (3-1, 3 KOs), of Pittsfield, are in a middleweight unification bout for their titles in the eight-round co-featured event.

Gigliotti’s stablemates, undefeated Lowell lightweight Gabriel “The Menace” Morales (7-0, 4 KOs) and unbeaten Methuen middleweight Luke “The Quiet Storm” Iannuccilli (6-0, 3 KOs) will also be in action, respectively, versus Nathan Benichou (2-16-1, 2 KOs) and Ryan Thomas Clark (2-4, 1 KO).

Also fighting on the undercard is undefeated middleweight prospect Francis “Frank The Tank” Hogan (14-0, 13 KOs), of nearby Weymouth (MA), will be in action, as well as Scituate heavyweight Kevin Nagle (2-0, 2 KOs), vs. TBAs. Hogan was a celebrated amateur who was a 2020 USA Boxing Olympic Team alternate as well as a 2010 New England Golden Gloves champion.

Card subject to change.

Tickets for “Veterans Stadium Showcase,” are on sale and available for purchase online at www.EventBrite.com.

Sponsorship opportunities are available by contacting Traietti at chris@granite-chin-promotions.com for details.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. ET with the amateur matches starting at 6:30 p.m. ET, pro card commences at 8 pm. ET.

INFORMATION:

Facebook.com/GraniteChin

Twitter: @Granite_Chin

 




“ROCKIN’ FIGHTS” 45 ANNOUNCED FOR SATURDAY OCTOBER 28, 2023 AT THE PARAMOUNT

Long Island, NY (July 10, 2023)– Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing’s critically acclaimed fight series, “Rockin’ Fights” is back at The Paramount in Huntington Long Island on Saturday, October 28, 2023.

Star Boxing is proud to present the 45th “Rockin’ Fights” professional boxing card at The Paramount. The Paramount has become a second home to Star Boxing, developing the likes of world champions Chris Algieri and Joe Smith Jr., along with other top prospects and talent that have graced the squared circle in Huntington, Long Island. Star Boxing is pleased to continue the tradition of action-packed fights on Long Island and is looking forward to another thrilling show on October 28th.

Tickets for “Rockin’ Fights” 45 will be available via presale and public on sale at the following times:

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS




AUDIO: Undefeated Heavyweight Steven Torres talks about 3rd Round KO over James Evans