PHILADELPHIA, PA. (August 11, 2015) –Global Proving Ground (GPG) announced today that it has appointed seasoned matchmaker and sports entertainment attorney Greg Bloom to the role of matchmaker for the fast-growing Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) franchise.

“I am excited to join the rapidly growing Global Proving Ground organization and its team that has been dedicated to promoting some of the most exciting professional MMA action in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of The U.S.,” said Bloom, who brings over a decade of combat sports industry experience with him to the promotion.

During his career, Bloom, a partner in the Miami-based firm Chase Lawyers, has provided legal counsel to several notable fighters including The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights contestants Brendan Schaub and Justin Wren, former WBA World Lightweight Champion Richar Abril and Olympic boxer turned WBO world title contender Zahir Raheem.

“We are thrilled to welcome such a highly-respected and experienced professional in the fight world like Greg to our team, and are confident that he will be able to strengthen our roster and fight cards with some of the top up-and-coming talent in the region and beyond,” said Global Proving Ground Founder and President James J. Jefferson.

After producing 15 live, professional MMA events around the world including the UK, Arkansas, Portugal, Missouri, Latvia and Virginia, Global Proving Ground has found a home in the Philadelphia area. To date, Global Proving Ground has rolled out 6 events in South Jersey at its own combat sports arena.

Global Proving Ground has played host several notable as well as up and coming competitors, including Sam “Sammy O” Oropeza, Alexander Keshtov, Peter Petties, Sydney “Da Gun” Outlaw, Sean “Shorty Rock” Santella and Matt “Razor Sharp” Rizzo.

The promotion is slated to stage three events this fall. The fight card for the first event, which will take place on Saturday, Oct. 24, will be announced soon.

Global Proving Ground’s last event, “GPG 21: Rizzo vs. Santella,” which was headlined by rival, rising flyweight (125 pounds) stars Matt “Razor Sharp” Rizzo and Sean “Shorty Rock” Santella on Saturday, July 25, is airing throughout this month, in syndication on Comcast SportsNet regional networks. The complete event is also available for viewing online, on GFL.tv.

About Global Proving Ground (GPG)
Global Proving Ground is a New Jersey-based professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) sports franchise that was designed to unearth and build new fight talent in the North Eastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of The United States and to provide an exciting entertainment experience for combat sports fans.

Launched in 2012 by marketing executive James J. Jefferson along with several, original pioneers of MMA, the company operates its own combat sports venue where it hosts all of its events that are distributed live on Real TV as well as PPV on Go Fight Live (GFL.tv) with its syndication deal on a tape delayed basis on Comcast SportsNet and the Comcast Network GPG is not only creating new fighter talent but is developing its own loyal fan base.

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (August 11, 2015) – Joe Warren’s (12-4) road to reclaim the Bellator MMA Bantamweight Championship will begin on Friday, September 25 against L.C. Davis, (23-6) when the two meet at the promotion’s debut at State Farm Arena in Hidalgo, Texas.

In addition, Joey Beltran (16-11, 1 NC) will face Kendall Grove (21-15, 1 NC) in an explosive middleweight encounter.

The contests serve as the headlining and co-headlining bouts of “Bellator 143: Warren vs. Davis,” which airs live on Spike at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT, while preliminary bouts will stream on Spike.com at 7 p.m. ET.

Tickets for Bellator 143, which start at just $20, go on sale this Friday, August 14 at Ticketmaster.com and the State Farm Arena box office, with a special Bellator Nation presale available on the 12th and 13th for fans using the code: Bellator. Doors for the event open at 5:00 p.m. CT local time, and the first contest takes place shortly after. Additional bouts will be announced shortly.

“Mixed martial arts has a rich history in the state of Texas and Bellator looks forward to returning to the Lone Star State for the first time since 2012 with a stacked card in tow,” Bellator MMA President Scott Coker said. “Joe Warren has been itching to get back in action and return to the 135-pound title chase, while L.C. Davis has momentum on his side since his ‘Fight of the Year’ caliber matchup against Hideo Tokoro in March. I’m truly looking forward to it.”
Warren is a two-division champion who also served as a coach during the inaugural season of “Fight Master.” In addition to his win over the current bantamweight champion Marcos Galvao, the Olympic-caliber wrestler has defeated an impressive list of fighters including Georgi Karakhanyan, Patricio Freire, and Eduardo Dantas since taking up the sport of mixed martial arts in 2009.

Davis was one half of arguably the best MMA contest thus far in 2015 when he faced Hideo Tokoro at “Bellator 135: “Warren vs. Galvao 2.” The former World Extreme Cagefighting and Affliction standout has nearly double the amount of fight experience than “The Baddest Man on the Planet” boasts, and has emerged victorious in seven of his last eight professional contests.

It’s safe to assume that whoever emerges the winner on September 25th will have plenty to say about whether their next bout should come with championship gold on the line.

Since entering the Bellator MMA fray in 2013, Beltran has competed against some of the best light heavyweights the promotion has to offer, with matchups against Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, Vladimir “The Janitor” Matyushenko, Emanuel “The Hardcore Kid” Newton. After transitioning to middleweight at “Bellator 136: Brooks vs. Jansen” in April, “Mexicutioner” emerged victorious from an enthralling encounter against Brian “The Predator” Rogers with the majority decision.

The San Diego, Calif., native has finished 13 of his 16 victories as a professional and will look to extend his current winning streak when he returns to the Bellator MMA cage.
Competing professionally since 2003, Grove has been involved in some epic matchups, including his most recent effort against Brandon Halsey at “Bellator 137: Halsey vs. Grove” in May. At only 32-years-old, “Da Spyder” hopes that a win against another prolific striker like Beltran will serve him well in his pursuit of Bellator MMA gold.

Will the high-towering Hawaiian manage to submit Beltran for only the second time in his mixed martial arts run? If there is anyone capable of such a feat, it’s the Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt accredited Grove.

About Bellator MMA
Bellator MMA is a leading Mixed Martial Arts organization featuring many of the best fighters in the world. Under the direction of veteran fight promoter Scott Coker, Bellator is available to nearly 500 million homes worldwide in over 140 countries. In the United States, Bellator can be seen on Spike, the MMA television leader. Bellator MMA is comprised of an executive team that includes top industry professionals in television production, live event orchestration, fighter development/relations, venue procurement, sponsorship creation/development, international licensing, marketing, advertising, publicity and commission relations. Bellator is based in Santa Monica, California and owned by entertainment giant Viacom, home to the world’s premier entertainment brands that connect with audiences through compelling content across television, motion picture, online and mobile platforms.

About Spike:
Spike is available in 98.7 million homes and is a division of Viacom Media Networks. A unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), Viacom Media Networks is one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. Spike’s Internet address is www.spike.com and for up-to-the-minute and archival press information and photographs, visit Spike’s press site at http://www.spike.com/press. Follow us on Twitter @spiketvpr for the latest in breaking news updates, behind-the-scenes information and photos.

LAS VEGAS (August 11, 2015) – World Series of Fighting (WSOF.com) rising star and costumed crime fighter Phoenix Jones (5-1-1) will return to the decagon cage to take on Roberto Yong (2-2) in a 160-pound catchweight contest on the live, NBCSN-televised main card of “WSOF 23: Gaethje vs. Palomino II” at Comerica Theatre in Phoenix, Ariz. on Friday, Sept. 18.

Headlined by a previously announced and much-anticipated rematch between undefeated, reigning World Series of Fighting World Lightweight (155 pounds) Champion Justin “The Highlight” Gaethje (14-0) and hard-hitting rival Luis “Baboon” Palomino (23-10), the star-studded event features a second title fight, the inaugural World Series of Fighting world light heavyweight (205 pounds) championship bout between David Branch (16-3) and Teddy Holder (11-7).

Priced from just $39.99, tickets for “WSOF 23: Gaethje vs. Palomino II” are on sale at the Comerica Theatre box office and online at WSOF.com and Ticketmaster.com.

The 27-year-old Jones of Seattle, Wash. has received national media attention for his heroic deeds as a volunteer crime fighter who patrols his local streets, clad in a full-body suit and mask, in an effort to assist others in distress and curb every day street crimes.

Jones made his World Series of Fighting debut on April 10, coming up short in a unanimous decision against Emmanuel Walo in a 175-pound catchweight contest. The upcoming bout will be contested at a weight closer to Jones’ natural fighting weight of 155 pounds.

Yong, of Glendale, Ariz. is a former professional boxer focused on establishing a career in MMA. The 31-year-old opened his professional MMA career with back-to-back KO victories.

Yong has since stumbled against longtime veteran Estevan Payan and prospect Joel Champion but, like Jones, will look to return to the win column by dropping below the welterweight (170 pounds) limit.

The live NBCSN telecast of “WSOF 23: Gaethje vs. Palomino II” begins at 7:00 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on Friday, September 18.

Doors at Comerica Theatre will open for “WSOF 23” at 3:00 p.m. MT and the first preliminary card bout will begin at 3:45 p.m.

Additional bouts for the event will be announced soon.

About “World Series of Fighting” (WSOF)
“World Series of Fighting” (WSOF.com) is a world wide premier professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fight promotion dedicated to delivering the best action-packed fights for fight fans by producing the best possible match-ups between elite fighters from around the world. For more information please visit WSOF.com. Follow “World Series of Fighting” on Twitter @MMAWorldSeries and “World Series of Fighting” President Ray Sefo @SugarRaySefo.

ABOUT NBCSN
NBCSN, part of the NBC Sports Group, is dedicated to serving passionate sports fans. Now in more than 85 million homes, the Emmy Award-winning network is the cable television home of the Summer and Winter Olympics, National Hockey League (NHL) – including two games of the Stanley Cup Final — NASCAR, Premier League, Formula One, IndyCar, Tour de France, and America’s Cup. In addition, NBCSN features college football, college basketball, college hockey, cycling, outdoor programming, horse racing surrounding the Triple Crown and Breeders’ Cup, Ironman, the Dew Tour and USA Sevens Rugby. The network is also home to original programs such as NFL Turning Point, Pro Football Talk, The Dan Patrick Show, and NASCAR America. NBCSN is distributed via cable systems and satellite operators throughout the United States.

Philadelphia, PA—The first annual Puerto Rican Boxing Classic, scheduled for Friday, Oct. 2, at the 2300 Arena, will serve not only as a prelude to Philadelphia’s annual Puerto Rican Day Parade on Oct.4, but also as a tribute to all great Puerto Rican fighters, past and present.

It is fitting to do this in Philadelphia since the city boasts the third-largest population of Puerto Ricans in the United States.

The seven-bout fight card figures to attract a sold-out crowd.

From bantamweight Sixto Escobar, who became the first Puerto Rican world champion in 1935, to current title-holder Danny Garcia, of Philadelphia, Puerto Ricans have had a long and storied history in boxing.

Among those area fighters looking to display their talents on the Oct. 2 card are local Puerto Rican fighters from Philadelphia and New Jersey. Many of them bring a loyal following to their fights.

Already committed to the show are lightweight Victor Vasquez (19-9-1, 9 K0s) and junior welterweight David Gonzales (5-0-2, 1K0), both of Philadelphia. Also set is junior middleweight Ismael “Tito” Garcia (8-0-1, 4 K0s), of Vineland, NJ.

In addition, invitations to attend and sign autographs will be sent to outstanding Puerto Rican fighters up and down the East Coast.

First fight is 7 pm.

About Oct. 2

The first annual Puerto Rican Boxing Classic, featuring seven bouts, begins at 7pm at the 2300 Arena at 2300 South Swanson Street in South Philadelphia. Doors open at 6 pm. The Oct. 2 event is being sponsored by, Parx Casino, DonQ Rum and Cricket Wireless. The card will be streamed live by www.gofightlive.tv and on a delayed basis by Comcast SportsNet. Tickets are $50 and $75 and can be purchased by calling Peltz Boxing (215-765-0922) and Wanamaker’s Tickets (215-568-2400). Tickets also can be purchased online at www.peltzboxing.com and www.wanatix.com. The Oct. 2 card is promoted by Peltz Boxing, Joe Hand Promotions and BAM Boxing.

About Oct. 4

The Puerto Rican Day Parade is the Crown Jewel of the Puerto Rican Festival every year in Philadelphia. It is a showcase of Puerto Rican and Latin culture. The Parade begins Sunday morning, Oct. 4, at the Eakins Oval in center city and continues throughout the day along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway with music, concerts and vendors selling their wares. City officials expect more than 5,000 people to attend. The Parade, one of the first of its kind to be televised, will be aired on ABC-TV locally and on Univision nationally.

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NEW YORK (August 11, 2015) – Top Polish fighters Krzysztof Glowacki (24-0, 15 KOs), Artur Szpilka (19-1, 14 KOs) and Kamil Laszczyk (20-0, 8 KOs) held a media luncheon in Manhattan Monday to discuss their respective Friday, August 14 bouts at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

Later in the day, the fighters hosted a fan meet and greet at the Amsterdam Alley Lounge in Linden, New Jersey where they signed autographs and chatted with fans before their upcoming Friday night bouts.

Glowacki will battle cruiserweight world champion Marco Huck (38-2-1, 26 KOs) in the Premier Boxing Champions on Spike co-featured event while Szpilka will take on Cuban heavyweight Yasmany Consuegra (17-1, 14 KOs) in the 10-round televised opener beginning at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Laszczyk takes on fellow unbeaten Oscauris Frias (16-0, 6 KOs) in an eight-round featherweight attraction. The main event of the night features a heavyweight showdown between Antonio “The Magic Man” Tarver (31-6, 22 KOs) and Steve “U.S.S.” Cunningham (28-7, 13 KOs).

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Warriors Boxing and Huck Sports Promotion are priced at $150, $100, $70 and $45, not including applicable service charges and are on sale now via Ticketmaster.com, charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000 or any Ticketmaster outlet. Tickets may also be purchased at Prudential Center’s box office.

Here is what the participants had to say Monday:

KRZYSZTOF GLOWACKI

“I read that Marco Huck said he could bet all his money on defeating me, so I will say the same – I’m betting all my money that I will be a new world champion on August 14.

“This is how it looks in my head. Everything went perfectly. I came a here couple of weeks before the fight, no problems at all.

“I’m a very quiet man, but when I step into the ring, I’m a different man. I’m a beast with no fear at all.

“People are asking me if this fight will be between Huck’s raw power and my ring intelligence. I agree, but what else happens at Prudential Center, you will have to see for yourself.”

ARTUR SZPILKA

“I don’t pay attention to what Consuegra is saying about my skills. In the past, maybe I would explode with some expletives, but now I’m saving my energy for the ring for August 14.

“I know exactly what I will do to him. This is my coming out party for U.S. viewers and they will not be disappointed. I worked to hard in Houston to blow this opportunity.

“Don’t get me wrong – I appreciate Consuegra as a fighter, but I also know what I can do.”

KAMIL LASZCZYK

“I know that I’m fighting a tough fighter who has more knockouts than I have fights. I know that I’m ready to fight the best in the world.

“I will be doing my thing and I’m not going to get crazy in the ring and I will not give up my zero in the loss column. I had a great sparring sessions and great camp fighting with Olympians.

“After this fight, I plan to stay longer in the United States, maybe a year or two to get my experience for world championships fights.”

RONNIE SHIELDS, Szpilka’s Trainer

“Szpilka is ready. He’s in great shape and camp was really good. The most important thing – he’s confident.

“Consuegra had a good amateur career. But this is not the amateurs anymore. You get paid, this is when it all counts. He’s going to be in the ring with the beast, Artur Szpilka, who is going to knock his head off.

“This is the fact; this is what will happen in Prudential Center. Let’s see who will do the running when the fight starts. If he’s a man of his words, Consuegra will stand up and fight. It will be great for us and the fans.”

# # #

For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, www.dbe1.com, www.PruCenter.com and www.spike.com/shows/premier-boxing-champions, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @AntonioTarver, @USSCunningham, @Szpilka_Artur, @LouDiBella, @PruCenter, @SpikeTV and @SpikeSports and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxing, www.Facebook.com/PruCenterand www.Facebook.com/Spike.

Brooklyn, NY (August 11, 2015) –Dmitriy Salita has for the past few years been putting on action-packed fight cards, featuring evenly-matched bouts which showcase champions, contenders and prospects looking to claw their way up the fistic ladder of success.

Now, even more fight fans will get a chance to check out Salita’s “Brooklyn Brawl” fare; The promoter is proud and excited to announce that the latest Salita card, showing off talent like future heavyweight champion Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller, cruiserweight contender Steven Geffrard and middleweight up-and-comer Akil Auguste, will be televised on Fight Network.

Tussles from Brooklyn’s Paramount Theater will premiere on Fight Network on Aug. 29 at 10 p.m. ET and can also be seen on Aug. 30 at 2 p.m. ET.

“We are a growing organization with an expanding roster of talented boxers,” Salita said. “We’re excited to have our “Brooklyn Brawl” event televised on Fight Network, which continues to expand in the U.S. market with a longstanding presence in Canada and abroad. Fight fans will be pleased with the talent on display and they can expect much more of the same moving forward. And for people around the world able to see that historic scene at that fabled venue, I am beyond pleased!”

About Fight Network:
Fight Network (www.fightnetwork.com) is the world’s premier combat sports network dedicated to complete coverage of combat sports, including fights, fighters, fight news and fight lifestyle. The channel is available on Cablevision’s Optimum TV, Suddenlink Communications, Grande Communications and Armstrong Cable in the U.S., all major carriers in Canada, over 30 countries across Europe, Africa and the Middle East, a programming block on Pursuit Channel (www.pursuitchannel.com), on TSN Radio in Canada via its program “Live Audio Wrestling,” and its programming on Sirius XM Channel 167. Fight Network’s parent company Anthem Sports & Entertainment Corp. launched Fantasy (FNTSY) Sports Network (www.fantasysportsnetwork.com) across North America in March 2014 and also holds a significant ownership interest in Pursuit Channel.

There is no rest for the highly motivated and driven. On August 27th Sullivan Barrera (16-0 11 KO’s) will return to the high altitude of Big Bear, Calif. to resume training under the guidance of Abel Sanchez.

Barrera is hoping for a quick return to the ring after his 8 round destruction of Hakim Zoulikha on July 25th at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.

On the same card former champion Jean Pascal won a controversial decision over Yuniesky Gonzalez and Barrera still wants revenge for his compatriot.

“I called Pascal out after he got a gift against my boy Yuniesky. He knows he lost that fight. I don’t know why this guy continues to duck me. Is he scared of all Cubans now? Pascal I’m waiting for you papa. Glove up,” said Barrera.

The former Cuban standout is willing to face any top 10 contender but has his sites clearly focused on Pascal.

“Is Pascal going to be a coward and just wait for a Kovalev rematch? No one thought you beat Yuniesky. Fight me to prove you deserve a Kovalev rematch. He already knocked you out so it’s not like that fight is in high demand. You can earn the rematch by winning a real fight. I already said I would go to Canada so man up,” Barrera stated.

NEW YORK CITY (August 11, 2015) Undefeated World Boxing Council Flyweight World Champion ROMAN “Chocolatito” GONZALEZ (43-0, 37 KO’s) will defend his title against former two-division world champion BRIAN “The Hawaiian Punch” VILORIA (36-4, 22KO’s) as the co-feature to the World Middleweight Title Unification battle between GENNADY “GGG” GOLOVKIN and DAVID LEMIEUX set for Saturday, October 17 at the Mecca of Boxing, Madison Square Garden. The championship event will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.

Advance tickets priced at $500, $300, $200, $100 and $50 will go on sale this Wednesday, August 12 at 12:00 p.m. ET through the Madison Square Garden Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster charge by phone (866-858-0008) and online at www.ticketmaster.com or www.thegarden.com.

GONZALEZ vs. VILORIA is presented by K2 Promotions in association with Teiken Promotions.

“I want to thank God, my Teiken family, especially Mr. Honda and my team for helping me fight again in the United States and now on the HBO Pay-Per-View platform,” said Gonzalez. “I know Brian Viloria is a great champion and it will be a hard fight, but I am ready for the challenge. I have faith that God will give me the strength to keep training and be able to give all my fans my best fight ever.”

Stated Viloria, “I’ve fought and won on the world’s biggest stages against the best of the best. I’ve prepared my whole life to win at every level of competition from World Amateur titles to the Olympic Games to professional world titles. And this fight, against Roman Gonzalez, is likely to be my biggest challenge yet. But, it’s Roman’s biggest challenge too. This is the realization of my dreams and I will make the most of it on fight night.”

“I applaud Roman for accepting this fight, together, we will give boxing fans something special, something they can talk about for a very long time.”

“We’re thrilled to welcome back Roman Gonzalez as the co-feature once again to one of Gennady’s fight, his performance at the Forum in May was extraordinary and made for a terrific pairing,” said Tom Loeffler of K2 Promotions.

“With Roman defending his title against former world champion Brian Viloria, one of the best flyweights in the world, fans in the arena and those watching on HBO Pay-Per-View will see an outstanding battle as the lead-in to Golovkin vs. Lemieux.”

“On Oct. 17th, fights fans are going to be treated to a tremendous night of action headlined by not only the spectacular Golovkin-Lemieux main event, but also a terrific co-feature starring ‘Chocolatito” Gonzalez and Brian Viloria,” said Mark Taffet, Senior Vice President, HBO Pay-Per-View. “’Chocolatito’ was spectacular in his HBO debut last May and Brian is the essence of an intense competitor. The co-promoters of this event are determined to deliver tremendous value to boxing fans on Oct. 17 at Madison Square Garden, and we are delighted to be presenting the card on the HBO Pay-Per-View service.”

The 28-year-old Gonzalez, of Managua, Nicaragua had a sensational debut on HBO at the Forum in Los Angeles on May 16 stopping former world champion Edgar Sosa in the second round in front of a huge crowd of over 12,000 Southern California boxing fans. The fight was the HBO televised co-feature to Gennady Golovkin’s sixth round stoppage of Willie Monroe.

The knockout of Sosa, Gonzalez’s ninth straight stoppage, was lauded by the international boxing media who also praised K2 Promotions and HBO for providing Gonzalez the opportunity to showcase his skills on the sport’s biggest stage.

Gonzalez is currently ranked #2 in the ESPN and Ring Magazine’s Pound-For-Pound ratings.

A member of the 2000 U.S. Olympic Team, the 34-year-old heavy-handed Viloria has thrilled boxing fans worldwide with his spectacular performances throughout his career.

Since parting with his WBA/WBO flyweight titles in a very close, split decision loss to Juan Estrada in April 2013, Viloria has stormed back to the win column with four sensational victories including three by knockout.

Most recently Viloria stopped former world title challenger Omar Soto in the first round on July 25 in Hollywood, California.

GOLOVKIN vs. LEMIEUX is presented by K2 Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions in association with GGG Promotions and Eye of the Tiger Management. Further details on a national press tour will be announced shortly.

For fight updates on GOLOVKIN VS. LEMIEUX and GONZALEZ vs. VILORIA via social media, follow on Twitter and Instagram at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @HBOBoxing, @GGGBoxing, @LemieuxBoxing, @ChocolatitoBox, @BrianVilora, @TomLoeffler1, and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing and www.facebook.com/HBOBoxing along with www.facebook.com/GGGBoxing Use the hashtag #GolovkinLemieux and #GonzalezViloria to join the conversation on Twitter.

Patrick Nielsen (26-1, 12 KOs) and Rudy Markussen (38-3, 25 KOs) continue their ‘Collision Course’ on September 12 when the Nordic Fight Night returns to the Arena Nord in Frederikshavn.

With a Danish mega-fight on the horizon, the bitter rivals cannot afford any slip-ups as they prepare to take on tough international opposition.

Nielsen, the current WBA International Champion, returns following a one sided points victory over Charles Adamu to face Brazilian brawler Samir Santos Barbosa (36-12-3, 25 KOs).

‘’Barbosa is a good opponent,’’ said the 24 year-old southpaw. ‘’I’ve watched some of his tapes and I know what to expect. He’s strong, he’s experienced and he likes to fight, but I’m a better boxer and I’ll be prepared for whatever he has to offer. My confidence is high and I’m ready for war!

‘’Nothing is going to stop me! I’ve had three good wins since moving up to super middleweight and the extra kilos are making all the difference. Instead of worrying about my weight, I’m able to concentrate on my boxing. I’m stronger, faster and more dangerous than ever. People have only just begun to see my true potential.

‘’Rudy can talk all he wants because for now all my focus is on this fight, but once I’m finished with Barbosa, I’m coming for him, and it’s not going to be pretty. I’m going to shut Rudy up once and for all and send him back into retirement!’’

It will be youth versus experience in the co-featured main event when Markussen, a former European Champion and World title challenger, squares off against the 20 year-old Georgian Ramazi Gogichashvili (19-6-2, 9 KOs).

‘’This is an important fight for me,’’ said the 37 year-old ‘Hard Hitter’. ‘’I don’t just want to win; I want to look good doing it. Gogichashvili is a good fighter but he’s not on my level. I’m too experienced and too powerful. My advice for him is to keep his hands high or it could be an early night.

‘’I’ve definitely not lost any of my punching power, if anything I’ve got stronger. On September 12, I want to make a statement and knock this guy out. I’ve been training hard, sparring ten and twelve rounds, and I’m as fit as I’ve ever been. I’m going to show everybody that I’m back and better than ever!

‘’Of course I need to be professional and give this fight my full attention, there is always a risk whenever you get into the ring no matter who the opponent is, but I’ve got Patrick on my mind 24/7, and when the time comes, I’ll be ready to knock him out too!’’

‘’This is it,’’ said promoter Nisse Sauerland. ‘’The final test for Patrick and Rudy ahead of a huge domestic showdown. Patrick has impressed since moving up to super middleweight and must continue to do so in order to beat Barbosa, while Rudy faces a tough test for his ring return against a young, hungry fighter like Gogichashvili.

‘’There are no give-me fights at this level and neither fighter can afford to look past their opponent. They will need to stay 100% focused and win convincingly to guarantee a grudge match later this year.’’

Tickets for ‘Collision Course’ featuring Patrick Nielsen vs. Samir Santos Barbosa and Rudy Markussen vs. Ramazi Gogichashvili are on sale now and available via arenanord.dk. All the action will be shown live on Viasat channels in Denmark.

Last Saturday, August 8, lightweight contender “Rock Hard Mighty” Mason Menard (30-1, 22 KO’s) made his debut fighting under the Greg Cohen Promotions banner a memorable one by knocking out veteran Jesus Lule with one punch in the first round.

Fighting for the first time in over a year, in the co-main event of an event entitled “Summer Slugfest II” at the Evangeline Downs Casino in his home state of Opelousas, Louisiana, Menard caught Florida’s Lule with a huge left hook and that was it.

The impressive stoppage was Menard’s 28th consecutive victory.

Lule, who had fought to a draw with 7-0 Antonio Dubose in his previous fight, was no match for the world-class skills of Menard. “Mason was a big acquisition for us and tonight he fought like it,” said promoter Greg Cohen. “He’s been fighting mostly close to home but tonight it was once again apparent that he’s a talent on the world level. I am happy to have him back in the ring and scoring impressive victories and will be looking to move him up the lightweight ladder at a steady pace.”

The event was a complete sell-out for promoter Chad Broussard and his Boxncar Promotions.

“Chad Broussard is an absolute pleasure to work with,” continue Cohen. “He put the event together and it was truly a world-class show. We look forward to working with him again.”

About Greg Cohen Promotions

One of boxing’s premier promotional outfits, Greg Cohen Promotions (GCP) is a well-respected name for staging world-class professional boxing events and promoting elite professional fighters throughout the world.

Founder and CEO Greg Cohen has been involved with professional boxing in various capacities since the late 1980s, honing his craft and establishing himself as a shrewd international boxing businessman.

Distinguished by his ability to spot and develop raw talent, Cohen made headlines for his expert guidance of, among many others, former WBA Junior Middleweight Champion Austin “No Doubt” Trout, who Cohen helped guide from unknown New Mexico prospect to elite pay-per-view level superstar.

In addition to Trout, Greg Cohen Promotions has worked with established names such as former unified and two-time heavyweight champion Hasim “The Rock” Rahman (50-8-2, 41 KOs); and all-time-great multiple-weight class world champion James “Lights Out” Toney (74-7-3, 45 KOs).

Current world-rated contenders in the GCP roster include Arash Usmanee, universally recognized as a top-10 super featherweight; former WBA International Middleweight Champion and world-rated middleweight contender Jarrod Fletcher; top-rated featherweight Joel Brunker; cruiserweight Lateef Kayode; Canadian lightweight and TV action hero Tony Luis, and WBA and five-time Irish National Amateur Champion, Dennis Hogan; and Rising Welterweight sensation Cecil McCalla.

Greg Cohen Promotions has hosted world-class boxing events in the finest venues throughout the United States and the world and has also proudly provided talent and/or content for several television networks including HBO, Showtime, ESPN, NBC Sports Network, CBS Sports Network, MSG and FOX Sports Net.

For more information, visit gcpboxing.com. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GCPBoxing. Twitter: @GCPBoxing.

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (August 10, 2015) – Furthering “Bellator MMA: Dynamite 1” as the premier combat sports event of 2015, Bellator MMA competitors Paul Daley and Fernando Gonzalez will set up shop inside the GLORY kickboxing ring and showcase their superior striking skills during the must-see Spike-televised main card, which emanates September 19 from the SAP Center in San Jose, Calif.

The landmark spectacle will see both a Bellator cage and a Glory kickboxing ring on one arena floor at the same time — something that has yet to be seen in the combat sports landscape. In the evening’s main event, Tito Ortiz (18-11) will challenge undefeated Liam McGeary (10-0) for the Bellator Light Heavyweight World Championship.

Additionally, the previously announced fight card features two Glory kickboxing title fights featuring Zack Mwekassa (13-2, 12 KO) and Saulo Cavalari (31-2, 19 KO) for the vacant Glory Light Heavyweight Championship as well as Gabriel Varga (26-2, 8 KO) defending his featherweight title against challenger Serhiy Adamchuck (29-5, 14 KO).

On the mixed martial arts side, Bellator MMA will conduct a four-man, one-night light heavyweight tournament to determine the No. 1 contender in the division that includes the promotional debut of Phil Davis (13-3), as well as Emanuel Newton (25-8-1), Linton Vassell (15-4-1) and the return of Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal (15-4, 1 NC).

“Bellator MMA: Dynamite 1” airs live and free on Spike at 9/8c. Tickets for the historic event start at just $30 and are on sale now at the SAP Center box office and are also available for purchase at Ticketmaster.com and Bellator.com.

“Glory has been a great partner for this event, bringing several world-class, championship kickboxing matches to the table,” said Bellator MMA President Scott Coker. “Daley and Gonzalez are two incredible strikers in our welterweight division, and we’re looking forward to seeing them lay it on the line with Glory gloves on their hands. It would be great to see the winner of this fight take on Glory’s welterweight champ Nieky Holzken in the future.”

“We’re thrilled to have athletes the caliber of Daley and Gonzalez testing their striking inside the ring” said GLORY CEO Jon Franklin. “Under GLORY rules, our fans know to expect non-stop action, and these two fighters that Bellator has selected are perfect fits. We’re expecting fireworks.”

This won’t be Daley’s first time entering a kickboxing ring. “Semtex” has intermittently taken kickboxing bouts throughout his nearly 13-year combat sports career, amassing a 20-3 record with 14 knockouts along the way. Most recently, the former Strikeforce competitor dispelled of Dennis Olson in MMA action at “Bellator 140: Lima vs. Koreshkov,” finishing his foe with strikes in the second frame. It’s no secret that the 32-year-old yearns for another shot at recent Bellator MMA signee Josh Koscheck, but first a very game Gonzalez stands in the way.

While Gonzalez may not have the kickboxing pedigree that his opponent owns, “The Menifee Maniac” was at one time the WBC National Muay Thai Cruiserweight champion. In addition, Gonzalez has amassed plenty of fights in what many consider the oldest of fighting disciplines: boxing. The 31-year-old doesn’t shy away from overcoming adversity inside the Bellator MMA cage and it should be no different inside the Glory kickboxing ring on September 19. In his last outing, Gonzalez finished Curtis Millender via guillotine choke, pushing his present winning streak in mixed martial arts to four.

“Bellator MMA: Dynamite 1” – Saturday, September 19 – SAP Center, San Jose, Calif.

Bellator Light Heavyweight Title Fight: Tito Ortiz (18-11) vs. © Liam McGeary (10-0)
Glory Vacant Light Heavyweight Title Fight: Saulo Cavalari (31-2) vs. Zack Mwekassa (13-2)
Glory Featherweight Title Fight: © Gabriel Varga (26-2) vs. Serhiy Adamchuck (29-5)
Bellator Light Heavyweight Tournament Competitors (first round pairings TBD): Phil Davis (13-3), Emanuel Newton (25-8-1), Linton Vassell (15-4-1), Muhammed Lawal (15-4, 1 NC)
Glory Welterweight Feature Fight: Paul Daley (37-13-2 MMA/20-3 Kickboxing) vs. Fernando Gonzalez (24-13/1-2 Kickboxing)

About Bellator MMA
Bellator MMA is a leading Mixed Martial Arts organization featuring many of the best fighters in the world. Under the direction of veteran fight promoter Scott Coker, Bellator is available to nearly 500 million homes worldwide in over 140 countries. In the United States, Bellator can be seen on Spike TV, the MMA television leader. Bellator MMA is comprised of an executive team that includes top industry professionals in television production, live event orchestration, fighter development/relations, venue procurement, sponsorship creation/development, international licensing, marketing, advertising, publicity and commission relations. Bellator is based in Santa Monica, California and owned by entertainment giant Viacom, home to the world’s premier entertainment brands that connect with audiences through compelling content across television, motion picture, online and mobile platforms.

About GLORY:
Founded in 2012, GLORY is owned and operated by GLORY Sports International (GSI), a professional martial arts organization and television content provider that maintains offices in New York, Denver, London, Amsterdam, and Singapore. GLORY programming is seen in over 170 territories. GLORY kickboxing rules are comprised of a mix of several combat disciplines including Karate, Muay Thai, Tae Kwon Do and traditional Boxing. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter @GLORY_WS, and visit us online at gloryworldseries.com.

About Spike:
Spike is available in 98.7 million homes and is a division of Viacom Media Networks. A unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), Viacom Media Networks is one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. Spike’s Internet address is www.spike.com and for up-to-the-minute and archival press information and photographs, visit Spike’s press site at http://www.spike.com/press. Follow us on Twitter @spiketvpr for the latest in breaking news updates, behind-the-scenes information and photos.

About SAP Center in San Jose
Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, SAP Center at San Jose is the premier sports and entertainment venue in Northern California. Each year, SAP Center hosts approximately 175 events featuring professional and amateur athletes, Olympic athletes, Grammy award-winners, international recording artists, and a variety of performers who appeal to children and families alike. SAP Center at San Jose is home to the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League as well as the San Jose SaberCats of the Arena Football League. For more information about SAP Center at San Jose and for a list of upcoming events, visit the SAP Center home page at www.sapcenter.com.

MASHANTUCKET, CT (August 10, 2015) – Undefeated middleweight star Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin (31-0-1, 22 KOs) will headline in a 12-round middleweight bout against Michael Zerafa (17-1, 9 KOs) while super welterweight world champion Cornelius “K-9” Bundrage (34-5, 19 KOs) defends against undefeated rising star Jermall Charlo (21-0, 16 KOs) on an action-packed edition of Premier Boxing Champions on NBC Saturday, September 12 live from Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut starting at 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT.

“I’m ready and excited to return to the ring on NBC on September 12,” said Quillin. “I’m already deep into training camp and preparing to be in the best shape of my career. I know my opponent is dangerous and he’s coming to make a name for himself. I’m at the top of my game and I plan to stay there.”

“I’m excited for this fight. This sport is all about fighting the best and giving the fans what they want to see,” said Zerafa. “This is a great opportunity and I’m looking forward to coming over there and putting on a show.”

“It’s a blessing to be the junior middleweight world champion,” said Bundrage. “I want to thank my entire team for making this fight happen. I’m looking forward to my debut on PBC and successfully defending my second world title. Detroit is where the title is at, it’s not going anywhere. I will be ready to give my supporters all around the world a great performance, in victory.”

For Charlo this is a long-awaited title shot. He and his brother, Jermell, are both top prospects in the 154-pound division.

“This is my time, I’ve never been more ready for a fight,” said Charlo. “I’ve dreamed about a fight like this for a long time and it’s here in front of me. I will be spectacular and I will finish Cornelius Bundrage.”

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment, are priced at $150, $85 and $45, not including applicable service charges and taxes and are on sale now. Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com and www.foxwoods.com or by visiting the Foxwoods’ Box Office. To charge by phone call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000.

“Peter Quillin is coming off the toughest fight of his career. We are looking forward to him getting back in the ring, in anticipation of the long-awaited showdown with Daniel Jacobs later this year,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “Young, hungry Michael Zerafa is looking to upset the apple cart. With no pressure and nothing to lose, he will try to throw a wrench into Kid Chocolate’s lofty plans. Young Jermall Charlo looks to put his name on the 154-pound map by taking a world title from veteran champion and puncher Cornelius ‘K9’ Bundrage. We are thrilled to bring this PBC event to DiBella Entertainment’s New England home, Foxwoods.”

“For 23 years, Foxwoods has been the East Coast capital for the best in entertainment and sports, especially boxing, where we have been privileged to host hundreds of fights featuring the best fighters in the world,” said Felix Rappaport, President and CEO Foxwoods Resort Casino. “On September 12, continuing in that rich tradition, The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation and Foxwoods will be honored to work with the best in the business, Lou DiBella and Premier Boxing Champions series, as they present a nationally televised afternoon of championship boxing live coast-to-coast on NBC.”

Quillin returns to action on September 12 fresh off of a hard-fought draw against middleweight world champion Andy Lee looking to keep his undefeated record intact. He won a middleweight belt in 2012 with his star-making, six-knockdown performance against Hassan N’Dam in the first boxing card hosted at Barclays Center. Born in Chicago but fighting out of New York City, the 31-year-old went on to defend that title against strong contenders Fernando Guerrero, Gabriel Rosado and Lukas Konecny. Now, “Kid Chocolate” looks to show off his superstar skills on network television for the second time.

After turning pro at 18-years-old, Zerafa won the first 15 starts of his career while fighting out of his native Australia. At 23-years-old Zerafa will make his U.S. debut on September 12 when he comes to Connecticut to take on Quillin. He owns wins over previously unbeaten fighters Bruno Carvalho and Luke Sharp and is coming off of a fourth round TKO over Yodmongkol Singmanasak in March.

Bundrage’s career has skyrocketed in recent years since a world title winning performance in 2010 over Cory Spinks. The Detroit-native went on defend the title against Sechew Powell and Spinks. He would lose the title in 2013 but quickly earned another shot against Carlos Molina, who he would defeat by unanimous decision to become a two-time world champion. He defends against the very hungry Charlo on September 12.

Highly regarded and undefeated,the 24-year-old Charlois primed for his first world title opportunity. He remained undefeated in 2014 with dominant victories over Hector Munoz, Norberto Gonzalez and Lenny Bottai and started 2015 by shutting out Michael Finney in March. Fighting out of Houston, Charlo will no doubt look to be impressive in his first PBC opportunity.

For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, www.dbe1.comand www.nbcsports.com/boxing,follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @KidChocolate @K9Boxing, @FutureOfBoxing, @LouDiBella, @FoxwoodsCT and @Swanson_Comm,
become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainmentand www.facebook.com/NBCSports.

Representing the Joe Hand Boxing Gym are
(left to right) Shamar Fulton, head trainer Danny Davis,
Kyree Williams, Eli Knight and coach John Davis (front).
Amateur boxers from the Joe Hand Boxing Gym in the Northern Liberties section of Philadelphia turned in very strong performances over the weekend at the 15th annual Ringside World Championships held at the Independence Events Center in Independence, MO.

Shamar Fulton, 19, and Kyree Williams, 11, both earned world titles, while Eli Knight, 11, finished as a silver medalist.

Considered to be the largest amateur boxing tournament in the world, the Ringside World Championships featured more than 1,500 boxers representing all 50 states and 10 countries competing in 62 divisions.

Fulton (9-2 record) took top honors in the Men’s Senior Novice Division for ages 19 to 40 at 141 pounds. Fulton entered the tournament with a 5-2 record and was just one of two 19-year-olds competing in a division dominated by much older fighters in their 20s and 30s.

Williams (5-0 record) earned his world championship in the Boy’s Bantam Novice Division for ages 11 to 12 at 70 pounds.

Also competing in the 11 to 12 age group, Knight (3-2 record) took silver in the Boy’s Bantam Novice Division at 85 pounds.

The Ringside World Championships represented the first tournament for all three boxers, who had four fights on four consecutive days from Wednesday, August 5 to Saturday, August 8.

“They really brought it” said Danny Davis, head trainer at the Joe Hand Boxing Gym. “They really worked hard to earn a tremendous accomplishment. We couldn’t be prouder.”

Manuel Rey ”The Punisher” Rojas secured the vacant Universal Boxing Organization™ Latino Lightweight title on Saturday night (August 8) when he defeated tough contender Chris Singleton at the Waco Convention Center in Waco, Texas.

On a show labeled “CKO 7 Brawl on The Brazos” promoted by Jesse Rodriguez Promotions in association with Cavalry Knockout, Rojas scored his careers biggest victory to date, as he boxed well on his way to a unanimous decision.

31-year old Singleton, from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, came to fight and had his moments of success, but Rojas used his speed and reflexes well to win most of the rounds.

With the victory Rojas picked up his first title in the professional ranks and improved his record to 12-2 (4 KOs). Singleton, also fighting for his first championship, falls to 15-3 (7 KOs).

LOS ANGELES, CALIF. (August 10, 2015) – Decorated world boxing champion Amir Khan has stepped into the Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) business as a new owner and promoter of world championship MMA sports franchise Super Fight League.

Khan, a former, two-time world champion, will join a new, blue-chip ownership and management team dedicated to expanding the former India-based Super Fight League’s footprint in The U.S., beginning with a television distribution agreement that the company expects to announce soon.

“I am extremely excited about this new venture and chapter in my career that will allow me to utilize my experience and relationships in the fight world to further the mission of, what I believe, is a company that has tremendous growth potential in the MMA and sports entertainment space,” said Khan, who will also continue his career in boxing where he has won his last five bouts, and holds an outstanding career record of 31-3, with 19 of his victories having come by way of (T)KO.

“Under the management of our new team of veterans from both the MMA and media industries,” continued Khan, “Super Fight League will unveil a new platform as well as an unprecedented new format for MMA competition in 2016 and, in doing so, will provide a potentially career-changing opportunity to hundreds of professional athletes in this great sport.”

Joining Khan at the helm of the franchise is new Super Fight League CEO and business tycoon Bill Dosanjh; digital media executive George Chung, whose expertise lies in international (Europe, Asia, Latin America, India and The Middle East) content aggregation and monetization; and Brian Halquist a Seattle, Wash.-based veteran promoter of over 140 live combat sports events who, among other feats, was a partner in the “STRIKEFORCE at the Dome” fight card that set a new record for live gate receipts for a combat sports event in the state of Washington on Feb. 23, 2008.

Super Fight League was founded in 2012 and has since produced 41 live events, including 5 in the U.S, and generated dozens of millions of views of its video content through a strategic, digital partnership with YouTube.

The promotion has been a home to a number of MMA champions and other superstars, including Olympic Judo medalist Satoshi Ishii, Trevor Prangley, Todd Duffee, Jeff Monson and Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou. The next Super Fight League live event in the U.S. will be announced soon.

About Super Fight League
Super Fight League (www.superfightleague) is a world championship Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) sports franchise that was founded in 2012, and has since produced 41 live events in India, Dubai and the U.S., and showcased its product to tens of millions of fans through content partnerships with YouTube and STAR Sports Network in Asia. The company is dedicated to placing competitors from around the world in fiercely competitive matchups held inside its circular cage.

About Amir Khan
Amir Khan is an athlete, businessman and humanitarian. A former two-time world champion, having won the WBA and WBC and IBF Light Welterweight titles. He currently holds the WBC Silver Welterweight title and has fought at three weight classes lightweight, light welterweight and welterweight.

Khan is the youngest British Olympic boxing medalist winner silver at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games at the age of 17. He is also one of the youngest British World champions of all time winning the WBA Light Welterweight title at age 22. His professional record stands at 31-3 with 19 wins coming by way of knock out.

His charity worked has been noted by press and royalty with his contributions both monetary and personal time. Noted groups include NSPCC, Pakistan Earthquake Relief, BGC Charity Day, Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Unicef and OxFam Aide. The Amir Khan Foundation has built orphanages around the world, beginning with Gambia Africa.

LAS VEGAS (August 10, 2015) –The live NBCSN telecast of “WSOF 22: Palhares vs. Shields” averaged 254,000 viewers during the two-hour live telecast that began at 10:40 p.m. ET/7:40 p.m. PT – ranking as the best World Series of Fighting show on NBCSN in more than a year (6/21/14). In addition, the viewership is up 9% from NBCSN’s 2014 WSOF average of slightly over 233,000.

“We are thrilled with the outstanding, recent performance of our programming on NBCSN,” said World Series of Fighting CEO Carlos Silva. “World Series of Fighting has been putting on some incredible fights in our decagon cage, and NBCSN has been a great partner, offering its audience a healthy dose of both live events and replays of recent, past events, all of which undoubtedly helps the continued growth of our brand and our great sport through consistent and prominent exposure to a national audience.

“WSOF 22: Palhares vs. Shields” was headlined by a long-awaited showdown between World Series of Fighting World Welterweight (170 pounds) Champion Rousimar “Toquinho” Palhares and challenger and two-time world champion Jake Shields

Live World Series of Fighting action returns to NBCSN with “WSOF 23: Gaethje vs. Palomino II” on Friday, September 18 at 7:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. PT from Comerica Theatre in Phoenix, Ariz. In the highly-anticipated main event, undefeated, reigning world lightweight (155 pounds) champion Justin “The Highlight” Gaethje will put his title on the line for the second time against hard-hitting Luis “Baboon” Palomino.

About “World Series of Fighting” (WSOF)
“World Series of Fighting” (WSOF) is a world wide premier professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fight promotion dedicated to delivering the best action-packed fights for fight fans by producing the best possible match-ups between elite fighters from around the world. For more information please visit WSOF.com. Follow “World Series of Fighting” on Twitter @MMAWorldSeries and “World Series of Fighting” President Ray Sefo @SugarRaySefo.

ABOUT NBCSN
NBCSN, part of the NBC Sports Group, is dedicated to serving passionate sports fans. Now in more than 85 million homes, the Emmy Award-winning network is the cable television home of the Summer and Winter Olympics, National Hockey League (NHL) – including two games of the Stanley Cup Final — NASCAR, Premier League, Formula One, IndyCar, Tour de France, and America’s Cup. In addition, NBCSN features college football, college basketball, college hockey, cycling, outdoor programming, horse racing surrounding the Triple Crown and Breeders’ Cup, Ironman, the Dew Tour and USA Sevens Rugby. The network is also home to original programs such as NFL Turning Point, Pro Football Talk, The Dan Patrick Show, and NASCAR America. NBCSN is distributed via cable systems and satellite operators throughout the United States.

Hyannis, Massachusetts [August 10, 2015] – In front of over 800 people Saturday night at the Hyannis Youth & Community Center (HYCC), Boston Boxing Promotions brought Professional Boxing back to Cape Cod for the first time in nearly a decade, and it was an action packed evening of professional fights.

In the main event of the evening, Hyannis’ Jesse Barboza (10-1-1, 6 KO’s) made quick work of Pennsylvania’s Jesse Oltmanns (10-6, 7 KO’s) with a first round KO to win the Northeast Heavyweight Championship. A left hook early in round 1 staggered Oltmanns into the ropes. A follow up barrage of body punches and another big left hook to the head put Oltmanns down. Referee Jackie Morell immediately called a halt to the fight and the official time of the KO was 1:11 of round 1.

Pembroke, Massachusetts’ Vinnie Carita (10-1-1, 9 KO’s) did two things he has never done before in earning an eight-round unanimous decision win over Mexico’s Jose Humberto Corral (18-19, 12 KO’s) – he went eight rounds and also won a fight on the scorecards as all nine of his previous win were by KO. Official scores were 79-73 (twice) and 78-74 in favor of Carita.

Harwich’s Paul Gonsalves (8-7-1, 4 KO’s) scored a first round TKO over Mexico’s Rafael Valenzuela (8-6, 1 KO) in a light heavyweight bout. Gonsalves dropped Valenzuela with a left hand early in the fight, and while Valenzuela beat the referee’s 10-count, the official deemed him unfit to continue as he stumbled to his feet. Official time of the TKO was 1:22 of round 1.

In a middleweight bout, Brockton’s Lionel Young (1-2, 1 KO) picked up his first professional boxing win over New Jersey’s Tolan Tascoe (1-7-1) via third round TKO. Young, a former regional mixed martial arts champion, showed great improvements in his pure boxing ability.

In the show opener, the fight of night and KO of the night took place. New Jersey’s Malik Jackson (2-6-4, 1 KO) and Connecticut’s Oscar Diaz (0-8) exchanged blows on even terms for the first two rounds much to the crowds delight. Then in round 3, Jackson blasted Diaz who fell backwards through the ropes and onto the arena floor. The fight was stopped then and there. Thankfully, Diaz was okay and even managed to come back into the ring for the official announcement of the TKO in a display of good sportsmanship.

The event was promoted by Boston Boxing Promotions. Boston Boxing Promotions is dedicated to the resurgence of professional boxing at the regional level, particularly in the New England area. To learn more about the promotion, you can follow them on Twitter @BostonProBoxing, join the promotion’s official Facebook page “Boston Boxing Promotions,” and visit the promotion’s websitewww.BostonBoxingPromotions.com .

MIAMI (August 9, 2015) – A pair of respected gatekeepers and noted road warriors, heavyweight Sherman “Tank” Williams and super middleweight Marcus “Arillius” Upshaw, will both be in crossroads fights this month, according to their manager, Si Stern, of SHS Boxing Management.

Williams (37-14-2, 20 KOs), fighting out of Nassau, Bahamas, travels to Romania to take on Christian Hammer (17-4, 10 KOs), August 28, in the 10-round main event in Galati’s hometown of Galati.

Upshaw(17-4-4, 8 KOs), 35, will fight in his home state for the first time in 2 ½ years on August 15, when he faces undefeated Turkish prospect Bugra Oener (9-0-0, 3 KOs) at Wynwood Stadium in Miami, in a 10-round fight for the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) Interim Mediterranean super middleweight title.

“These two fights are very big for both fighters,” Stern remarked. “Sherman has a great opportunity to be back on top in the heavyweight division. He’s very smart and very experienced. Marcus can get back on the winning track where he should be.”

Williams will be fighting in his eighth different country against Hammer, the former World Boxing Organization (WBO) European heavyweight champion. “I’m a Bahamian warrior,” Williams explained why he fights so many opponents in their backyard. “By nature, in the Caribbean, we are known as pirates. I’ve traveled all my life. We have no borders, only waters to cross. Wherever I fight, I feel like it’s my hometown of Nassau. This is the sixth different fight for me this year but the only one that’s really happening. The others fell apart for one reason or another. I’m going to take advantage of this opportunity. I’ll face adversity fighting in Romania for the first time but I’m going there with the intention of belting him from pillar to post. I’m going to take him out. I’m bringing my Conch punch (big overhand right), which is synonymous with the Bahamas, and people everywhere love it.”

Hammer, who has defeated familiar names such as Kevin Johnson and Danny Williams, is coming off a loss this past February to unbeaten Tyson Fury, in which Hammer retired after the eighth round in their WBO International title fight.

“Hammer is tough,” Williams said. “I have an advantage in my experience, who I’ve fought over the years. I’m going to be more explosive than in the past. I’m going inside, keep fighting him there, and then take him out. Guys like me and Fres Oquendo, who I train with in Florida, are the last of the Mohicans from our generation of fighters. I’m strong and healthy for this fight. I’m going to take this guy into deep waters and then drown him.”

Upshaw’s most recent fight resulted in a disappointing loss, by way of a controversial eight-round decision, last June to hometown favorite Lanell Bellows (12-1-1) in Las Vegas. “I dominated that fight and still lost,” Upshaw commented. “I’m looking at boxing differently since my fight in Las Vegas. I was robbed but learned that I can’t let up until my opponent is knocked out. I can’t afford to go the distance in this fight (vs. Oener).”

Upshaw’s signature win came in 2010 when he traveled to Quebec City and upset 21-1-1 local hero Renan St. Juste by way of a 10-round decision, elevating Marcus in world middleweight rankings to IBF #6, WBO #9 and WBC #11. Upshaw has gone the distance, albeit in losses, with the likes of Mario Antonio Rubio, David Lemieux, Gilberto Ramirez Sanchez, Edwin Rodriguez, Patrick Majewski and Tarvis Simms.

Against Oener, Upshaw is on a seek-and-destroy mission, aiming to take the final outcome out of the judges’ hands, despite him fighting at home. “Oener is pretty fast but he has no power on his punches,” Upshaw noted. “He has a lot of speed, so I’ll go to his body early to take his legs away, and then stop him. He’s not lasting 10 rounds with me. I’m getting that belt and it’ll put me on the map.”

Upshaw is the nephew of the late, great Gene Upshaw, who was an NFL Hall of Fame offensive guard for the Oakland Raiders.

INFORMATION:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sherman-Tank-Williams/162745437106239

Twitter @MarcusUpshaw or @MarcusArilliusUpshaw

www.facebook.com/pages/Marcus-Upshaw/260365894066319

Carlos Ocampo won a 10-round unanimous decision over Jhonny Navarrete in a Welterweight bout.

Ocampo dropped Navarrete in round one with a perfect right hand and cruised home to the victory by scores of 100-89, 99-90 and 97-92 and is now 16-0. Navarrete is 29-7-1.

Dimitrill Mikhailenko scored an 8th round stoppage over Johan Perez in a scheduled 10-round Welterweight bout at the Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, California.

Mikhailenko landed a big barrge of punches on a bloody Perez in round eight. A follow up flurry forced referee Ray Corona to stop the bout at 1:21 of round 8.

Mikhailenko, 146 lbs of Russia is 20-0 with 9 knockouts. Perez. 147 lba of Caracas, VEM is 20-3-1.

Manuel Avila scored a stoppage after six-rounds over Yoandris Salinas after Salinas could not continue due to a hand injury in their scheduled 10-round Super Bantamweight bout.

Avila dropped Salinas in round one from a perfect counter right. After Salinas got to his feet, the two engaged in a furious exchange.

Salinas hurt his hand and pulled the plug on the fight between round six and seven.

Avila, 121 1/2 lbs of Fairfield, CA is 18-0 with 8 knockouts. Salinas, 122 lbs of Miami, FL is 22-2-2.

Tevin Farmer scored an 8th round stoppage over Daulis Prescott in a scheduled 10-round Super Featherweight bout.

Farmer scored a knockdown in round four from a right hook. In round six, Farmer dropped Prescott again with a body shot but was deducted a point for hitting Prescott while he was down.

In round eight, Farmer dumped Prescott with a hard straight left that sent him on his back and the fight was stopped at 52 seconds of round eight.

Farmer, 130 lbs of Philadelphia is 20-4-1 with 5 knockouts. Prescott, 29 1/2 lbs of Baranquilla, COL is 29-3.

Highlights from the kickoff press conference announcing the upcoming showdown between pound-for-pound champion Floyd Mayweather and former world champion Andre Berto.

When he enters the ring next Friday, August 14, Polish heavyweight hero Artur Szpilka says he is eager to show off the improvements he has made working with trainer Ronnie Shields.

Szpilka (19-1, 14 KOs) will face Cuba’s Yasmany Consuegra (17-1, 14 KOs) in the chief supporting bout of the Premier Boxing Champions on Spike doubleheader featuring Antonio “Magic Man” Tarver (31-6, 22 KOs) facing Philadelphia’s Steve “USS” Cunningham (28-7, 13 KOs) and cruiserweight champion Marco “Captain” Huck (38-2-1, 26 KOs) defending his title against Szpilka’s countryman Krzyzstof Glowacki (24-0, 15 KOs) at the Prudential Center, in Newark, New Jersey.

Tickets for the event, promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Warriors Boxing and Huck Sports Promotion, are priced at $150, $100, $70 and $45, not including applicable service charges and are on sale now via Ticketmaster.com, charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000 or any Ticketmaster outlet. Tickets may also be purchased at Prudential Center’s box office. Televised coverage begins at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Undercard action begins at 6:00 p.m. ET, with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. ET.

Going into his third fight with the well-respected Shields, Szpilka says he’s a different fighter. “Ronnie shields is the best coach. Every time I go to the gym, he teaches me something new. I come to training excited because my coach believes in me that I will be champ. We have a great time in the gym and everything is going great.”

The southpaw Szpilka says he respects his opponent, Consuegra, but has come too far to lose working with Shields. “He’s a good fighter. He has a good right hand and he’s a good mover. I feel it will be a good fight, but I know what I have to do to win.

Stacked with Polish boxing talent, in addition to Glowacki vs. Huck and Szpilka vs. Consuegra, the Premier Boxing Champions on Spike event will also include middleweight Maciej Sulecki (20-0, 5 KOs) and world-ranked featherweight Kamil “Little Tyson” Laszczyk (20-0, 8 KOs).

“I am so excited to be arriving in Newark tomorrow (Sunday). I look forward to showing off my new skills and to seeing my friends win their fights,” continued Szpilka. “Next Friday I will be one step closer to my dreams of winning a championship. I look forward to it and to continuing my work with Ronnie Shields. He is making me into a champion.”

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For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, www.dbe1.com, www.PruCenter.com and www.spike.com/shows/premier-boxing-champions, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @AntonioTarver, @USSCunningham, @Szpilka_Artur, @LouDiBella, @PruCenter, @SpikeTV and @SpikeSports and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxing, www.Facebook.com/PruCenterandwww.Facebook.com/Spike.

Indio, California (August 8, 2015)–Streaking Featherweight, Tevin “The American Idol” Farmer will be back in action TONIGHT!! when he takes on Daulis Prescott in a 10-round bout at the Fantasy Springs Casino. The bout is will part of an HBO Latino televised tripleheader.

Farmer of Philadelphia has been on quite a roll as he has won 12 consecutive fights that has raised his record 19-4-1.

This will be the 2nd consecutive national television appearance for the 25 year-old Farmer as he is coming off an impressive 8-round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Angel Luna on April 17 in Uncasville, Connecticut. That bout was televised on ESPN Friday Night Fights.

“I have worked hard for nine weeks. I have been ready and I am looking forward to tonight” said Farmer.

In Prescott, he is facing a man who has a gaudy record of 30-2 with 22 knockouts and is a former world title challenger. Prescott was stopped in 7 rounds by Nicholas Walters in 2012 in a bout for the vacant WBA Featherweight title.

“I haven’t really checked him out. It doesn’t matter because I prepare for anyone with any style.

Farmer continues to get better with every fight and he looks nothing like the fighter that started his career 4-3-1. In his win against Luna, Farmer drew heavy praise from ESPN announcer Teddy Atlas.

“I thought I did well in that fight but I am going to look even better tonight. That’s been one of the goals for each fight is to get better and I feel I have been doing that.”

Although not looking past Prescott, Farmer has the confidence to realize he is close to realizing his major goal.

“Tonight, I plan to make it look easy. After that I want a title shot. To be quite honest, If i can’t get a title shot, I will be a bit disappointed. During this run, I have fought a lot of fights and I have made them look easy. Tonight, the fans will see a stronger faster and even more improved version of Tevin Farmer and I can not wait to get in there and have my hand raised.”

“I want to thank my team, my manager Mark Cipparone of Club 1957 Management and my promoter Lou DiBella for getting me this opportunity.”

Said Farmer’s manager Mark Cipparone of Club 1957 Management, “From the day that I teamed up with Tevin I knew that there was something very special about him. Against all odds I believed in Tevin from day one and since that day he has done everything both in and out of the gym to earn not only my respect but the respect of the larger boxing community. I always look forward to his fights because Tevin brings something new every single time! We stood strong with our game plan and it finally beginning to work out. We have an awesome promoter in Lou DiBella as he too has been doing an amazing job. After this win there shouldn’t be that much separation between Tevin and a Title shot. Hard work and talent… It’s that simple?

Farmer weighed 130 while Prescott was 129.8 at Friday’s weigh in

The HBO Latino telecast airs live at 10:30 p.m. (live ET/tape-delayed PT)

Club 1957 Management was founded in 2013 by local businessman Mark Cipparone. Cipparone is the owner of the widely successful and popular Rocco’s Collision. Since the formation of Club 1957 Management he has guided the careers of some the top fighters in the country. Currently he manages Heavyweight Joey Dawejko, Welterweight Raymond Serrano, & Jr. Lightweight Tevin Farmer

LAS VEGAS, NV. — Superstar heavyweight LENNOX LEWIS, the last undisputed heavyweight champion and who won an Olympic gold medal with a victory over Riddick Bowe and scored professional victories over boxing legends such as Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield and Vitali Klitschko, confirmed Wednesday that he will return to Las Vegas this weekend to attend the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame’s third annual induction gala at Caesars Palace on Saturday, August 8.

Lewis is the latest in a gaggle of stars who have announced they’ll attend the popular gala induction ceremony. In addition to Lewis the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame has confirmed that Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Felix Trinidad, Marco Antonio Barrera, Eddie Mustafa Muhammad and Roger Mayweather will also attend the high-profile event as the newest members of the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame.

Lewis, who was 41-2-1 with 32 knockouts and had a win over every man he ever faced in the ring, is one of the headliners of the NVBHOF’s 2015 class of inductees, chosen in the non-Nevada boxer category.

Lewis avenged the only two losses of his career, stopping both Oliver McCall and Hasim Rahman after losing to them earlier.

Lewis was a classic boxer with a powerful punch. He’s probably best known for his 2002 win over Tyson, where he won every round before stopping him in the eighth round.

He held all, or a version of, the heavyweight title from 1993 until 1994 and then again from 1997 through the end of his career in 2003

Lewis had great success in Nevada and avenged both of his losses in Las Vegas. He was 8-0 in his Nevada career and won fights at both Caesars Palace and Caesars Tahoe.

In the latter part of his fighting career, Lewis joined HBO Sports as an expert analyst and was a familiar figure at ringside for many of the biggest bouts of the late 20th and early 21st century in Las Vegas.

The Hall was founded by noted boxing broadcaster Rich Marotta. Its chief operating officer is Michelle Corrales-Lewis, whose late husband, Diego Corrales, was an inaugural inductee into the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame. For more information, phone 702-3-NVBHOF, or 702-368-2463.

Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM), in association with Global Legacy Boxing (GLB) and Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE), made an official announcement this week, along with Lennox Lewis, that Light Heavyweight World Champion Adonis “Superman” Stevenson will defend his titles against Tommy “Kryptonite” Karpency on Sept. 11 at Toronto’ Ricoh Coliseum in “The Revival: “KO in TO”.

The upcoming World Championship title fight card will also see Canadian Heavyweight Champ Dillon “Big Country” Carman defend his title against legendary Donovan “Razor” Ruddock.

Global Legacy President Les Woods s, :”I am so pleased to see The Champ, Lennox Lewis, recognized by the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame. It’s a privilege and honor to call him my friend and to be a partner teamed with him in Toronto to promote Boxing in Canada.”

Hyannis, Massachusetts [August 7, 2015] – This Saturday, August 8th at the Hyannis Youth & Community Center (HYCC), Hyannis’ Jesse Barboza (9-1-1, 5 KO’s) and Pennsylvania’s Jesse Oltmanns (10-5, 7 KO’s) will compete for the Northeast Heavyweight Championship. Also on the card, Harwich’s Paul Gonsalves (7-7-1, 3 KO’s) are scheduled to face off in an eight-round light heavyweight fight against Mexico’s Rafael Valenzuela (8-5, 1 KO), and Pembroke’s Vinnie Carita (9-1-1, 9 KO’s) takes on Jose Humberto Corral (18-18, 12 KO’s) and two additional four-round fights on the undercard.

Earlier today, the weigh-ins for the event were held at Trader Ed’s in Hyannis. Weigh-ins were highlighted by a brief scuffle between Barboza and Oltmanns on the scale. Both title challengers were nose to nose and shoves were exchanged before officials quickly separated them.

The weights from Hyannis (card subject to change):

NORTHEAST HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE – Jesse Barboza (248.0) vs. Jesse Otlmanns (216.5)

CRUISERWEIGHTS – Vinnie Carita (189.5) vs. Jose Humberto Corral (195.0)

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS – Paul Gonsalves (177.0) vs. Rafael Valenzuela (179.0)

MIDDLEWEIGHTS – Tolan Tascoe (156.0) vs. Lionel Young (157.0)

WELTERWEIGHTS – Malik Jackson (147.0) vs. Oscar Diaz (147.5)

The August 8, 2015 event will be presented by Boston Boxing Promotions. It will be the first professional boxing event held in Hyannis since 2006. General admission tickets are $40 and are on sale now at www.CapeCodBoxing.com. Tickets will also be on sale at the door.

Boston Boxing Promotions is dedicated to the resurgence of professional boxing at the regional level, particularly in the New England area. To learn more about the promotion, you can follow them on Twitter @BostonProBoxing, join the promotion’s official Facebook page “Boston Boxing Promotions,” and visit the promotion’s websitewww.BostonBoxingPromotions.com.

Sergio Mora was diagnosed with a fracted ankle and ligament tears from his bout with Daniel Jacobs last Saturday night at Barclays Center in Brooklyn according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

Mora’s injury was diagnosed Thursday, when he visited a doctor in his hometown of Los Angeles. An avulsion fracture occurs when a chunk of bone tears away from the main bone.

Mora suffered the injury when he fell awkwardly and got his ankle caught underneath him as he was knocked down in the second round of a fight against middleweight titleholder Daniel Jacobs on Aug. 1 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, in the co-feature of a Premier Boxing Champions card on ESPN.

“The X-rays show an avulsion fracture; more damage was shown on the MRI with ligament tears,” Mora said. “That’s what I heard pop, the doctor said.”

“Rehab and back in there,” he said. “[Manager] Al [Haymon] promised me a big fight next. No tuneup. Heal up properly first. I’ve broken my left ankle, that required surgery and still have pins. This is not as severe as that injury. It took me about two months to begin walking then. I can estimate less time for this injury.”