LONDON (11 FEB) American heavyweight Kevin Johnson has expressed his admiration for Hughie Lewis Fury and backed the unbeaten youngster to fulfil his potential and one day win a world heavyweight title.

The 20-year-old Fury, cousin of Tyson, takes a major step up in class on February 21, when he meets Ukrainian puncher Andriy Rudenko over ten rounds in Monte Carlo, and Johnson, who has helped Hughie with sparring ahead of the fight, is amazed at the rate of improvement.

“I fell in love with the kid back in Canada when I first boxed with him,” he said. “He must’ve only been 17 or 18 years of age.

“What I love about the guy is he’s brought a little bit of the American craft and added that to his style. That’s unusual for fighters from over here. Most fighters from Europe tend to be pretty basic – one-two, one-two, one-two-three type of fighters. But this kid has learnt and developed the American way and that separates him from the rest.

“I see things in him that these other prospects don’t have. He has composure, poise and he can throw shots they can’t. He doesn’t just do the A, B, C, basic stuff. He’s always thinking in there and is able to improvise when he needs to. The kid can hit, too. He hits like a horse kicks. You can’t play with him.

“He’s coming up right behind Tyson already and he’s only 20 years of age. That’s incredible. I really do think he has the ability to go all the way.”

As for the test that awaits Fury on February 21, Johnson sees no reason why Hughie Lewis won’t be able to keep his unbeaten record intact.

“This is no easy walk in the park for Hughie,” said Johnson. “If he gets careless and gets clipped, he could get dropped or worse.

“Some people are surprised he’s stepped up so quickly, but I’m not. I always say this to myself: ‘If you plan on being the world heavyweight champion, why the hell would you worry about a guy who is 21-0? He’s not the heavyweight champion. He means nothing to me.’

“Well, I think Hughie is probably looking at Rudenko the same way. He sees him as a guy who is 24-1 and who has been beaten by Lucas Browne. Those are the cold, hard facts. Rudenko is not a world heavyweight champion and he probably never will be. Hughie, though, is good enough to one day win a world heavyweight title, so he should be confident of beating a guy like Rudenko at this stage.

“Does Hughie want to be a champion? If he doesn’t, this fight will be a struggle on February 21. He may find his level and come unstuck. But if Hughie does want to be a champion – and I’m certain he does – he’ll ace this test with flying colours. He’ll show he’s on a different level.”

Unsurprisingly, Johnson is enjoying his time with Team Fury in Bolton and sees the experience as perfect preparation ahead of a proposed fight against Anthony Joshua on April 25.

“It’s like a reality television show here,” he said. “When we’re not in the gym, we’re not in the gym. But when we’re in the gym, it’s about the gym and it’s about training and giving your best. You give everything. There’s no time to mess around with any foolishness.

“These are serious people and we’ve all got serious fights on the horizon. You have to give it your all because you can get hurt if you don’t. I love camps like this. It’s why I got into boxing. The atmosphere is just great. We work five days a week and do unlimited rounds. It just never stops.”

*** Fury vs. Rudenko is part of the ‘Thunderbolt in Monaco’ show on February 21 (Channel 5). Headlining the event will be the WBA Super world middleweight title fight between the fearsome Gennady ‘GGG’ Golovkin and Britain’s Martin Murray ***

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Paul Smith (35-4, 20 KOs) can settle the score with Arthur Abraham (41-4, 28 KOs) in their WBO World Super Middleweight Championship rematch on February 21 at the O2 World in Berlin, Germany.

Smith was left disappointed after finding himself on the wrong end of a unanimous points decision in his first attempt to dethrone the German champion. Although, the 32 year-old is aware he may face an even tougher task in the repeat of their September showdown, he is confident of bringing the belt back to Britain.

‘’I’m extremely confident,’’ said the 32 year-old former British Champion. ‘’I went into the first fight believing I could beat Abraham, this time I go into the fight knowing I can beat him. I know what I am in with now and I’m 100% confident I will win. He won’t be able to rely on the judges this time.

‘’I do believe Abraham will be fitter this time, he will come to fight and that is exactly what I’ve prepared for. I’m certainly fitter and better than last time too, and I‘ve improved technically. The first fight for me was a chance to prove that I belong at world level. Although, I didn’t get the decision, I felt I beat him and I got a massive confidence boost from that. I now know I belong at world level and I know I can mix it with the best.’’

Despite fighting in Abraham’s hometown, Smith will not have to worry about a lack of support. The Liverpudlian brought a travelling army of fans with him to Kiel for their first fight, and is expecting an even better turn out in the German capital.

‘’I’ve already sold more tickets,’’ reveals Smith. ‘’Last time there was the Merseyside football derby, Liverpool vs. Everton on the same day. I have friends who wouldn’t miss a derby for their own mother’s funeral, never mind one of my fights. This time everyone is coming and we will all be celebrating in Berlin after I win!’’

Judgement Day: Abraham vs. Smith II is available to watch live on Sat.1 in Germany and Sky Sports in the UK. British heavyweight star David Price (18-2, 15 KOs) is also in action, he takes on Irineu Beato Costa Junior (16-2, 14 KOs), while rising German star Enrico Koelling (16-0, 6 KOs) defends his WBA Intercontinental Light Heavyweight title against Mirco Ricci (13-2, 4 KOs). Tickets are available via tickethall.de.

LOS ANGELES (Feb. 10) – Randy “El Matador” Caballero suffered an ankle injury during training camp and has withdrawn from his IBF Bantamweight World Title defense scheduled for Feb. 27 at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino. The Feb. 27 event will proceed, with a new main event to be announced shortly and a full card of exciting fighters featured on the live FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes telecast from Fantasy Springs Resort Casino.

“I was very excited to bring my first title defense to my hometown for all my fans, friends and family who have been on this journey with me from the beginning,” said Randy Caballero. “I am devastated that this injury is stopping me from continuing this journey; however I expect to make a full recovery from surgery and will be ready to face any opponent that wants to stand in my way. I promise my fans that I will back and better than ever!”

As previously announced the Golden Boy Live! card will feature the exciting rising star Diego De La Hoya (8-0, 6 KOs) against Manuel Roman (17-3-3, 6 KOs) as the co-main super bantamweight eight-round event and Chinese heavyweight sensation Taishan (2-0, 2 KOs) will fight against Roy McCary (3-2, 3 KOs) in the opening four-round televised bout. Nick Arce (1-0, 1 KOs) fights in his second professional match against Lyonell Kelly (1-4-1) of Los Angeles, Calif. in a four-round lightweight bout. Finally, Oscar Negrete (7-0, 3 KOs), will make his third appearance at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino as he faces Hemet’s Fernando Fuentes (5-3, 1 KO) in a six-round bantamweight contest.

Fans in attendance will also get a taste of the best talent from the local area as well as the professional debut of two-time Brazilian Olympic team member Everton Lopes in a four-round super lightweight fight against an opponent yet to be announced. Local favorite, Neeco “The Rooster” Macias (7-0, 3 KOs) will face fellow unbeaten Gabriel “Gato Salvaje” Lopez (3-0, 3 KOs) in a six-round super welterweight showdown. In the opener, scheduled for four rounds in the heavyweight division, Alex Rivera (1-0) of Coachella squares off with Los Angeles’ Richard Ballard (0-1).

Due to the nature of the cancelled main event being a championship title fight, Fantasy Springs Resort Casino has reduced ticket prices to $25, $35 and $45 and is accepting ticket exchanges at a the new revised and reduced price in person at the Fantasy Springs Box Office or via telephone (800) 827-2946. Tickets previously purchased will no longer be valid and a ticket exchange is NECESSARY. It is highly recommended to replace tickets at your earliest convenience as new tickets purchased for the February 27, 2015 fight will be based on seating availability. Fantasy Springs Box Office hours are 10:00 a. m. to 6:00 p. m. daily. For more information, please call (800) 827-2946 or visit www.FantasySpringsResort.com.

# # #

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New York, NY, February 10, 2015 – Miller Lite has been named the official title sponsor for Bellator MMA events in 2015, marking the first-ever title sponsorship for the emerging MMA brand.

The partnership will debut with Bellator 134: The British Invasion on Friday, February 27 from the Mohegan Sun Arena, in Uncasville, CT.

“We are thrilled to partner with Miller Lite as we embark on our biggest year ever at Bellator,” said Scott Coker, Bellator president. “We share a similar philosophy with Miller Lite where we put quality above all else.”

“We’ve enjoyed being a part of the Bellator family for the past two years and are excited to become the first premier sponsor,” said Adam Dettman, MillerCoors director of sports, entertainment and licensing. “We know MMA resonates with Miller Lite fans and look forward to another great year.”

“Bellator MMA Presented by Miller Lite” will feature many of the most exciting athletes in the world in hard-hitting events from all around the country. The Miller Lite sponsorship will be across all of Spike and Bellator’s platforms and on-site at venues. The partnership includes an on-air branded fight clock graphic, mat signage, custom tune-in spots, and signage at all press conferences. Miller Lite will also support local market activations.

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 Miller Brewing Company
Miller Brewing Company was founded in 1855 by Frederick J. Miller when he purchased the Plank Road Brewery in Milwaukee, a city he chose as the best place for a brewery given its access to great water. Miller Lite, the original great-tasting light pilsner beer, (MillerLite.com, Facebook.com/MillerLite, @MillerLite on Twitter) was introduced nationally in 1975 and is among the top-five selling beers in the United States. Miller Fortune (MillerFortune.com, Facebook.com/MillerFortune, @MillerFortune on Twitter) is brewed with caramel malt and cascade hops for a balanced taste and smooth finish. The brewery’s oldest enduring beer is Miller High Life (MillerHighLife.com, Facebook.com/MillerHighLife, @MillerHighLife on Twitter). Known as the Champagne of Beers, it was introduced in 1903 and is still brewed with the same yeast strain that Miller carried in his pocket from Germany. Miller Genuine Draft (MGD.com, Facebook.com/MillerGenuineDraft, @Miller_Global on Twitter), introduced in 1986, is the original cold-filtered, packaged draft beer. Miller Brewing Company operates in the United States and Puerto Rico as part of MillerCoors, a joint venture of SABMiller plc and Molson Coors Brewing Company. Learn more at MillerCoors.com, at Facebook.com/MillerCoors or on Twitter through @MillerCoors.

About Spike TV:
Spike TV 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 TV’s Internet address is www.spike.com and for up-to-the-minute and archival press information and photographs, visit Spike TV’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.

Toronto, Canada – The UFC® announced an updated fight card and released ticket prices for UFC® 186: DILLASHAW vs. BARAO II at the Bell Centre on Saturday, April 25. The organization will be returning to Montreal with two championship title fights including the highly anticipated re-match between the world’s No.9-ranked pound-for-pound mixed martial artist, UFC bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw (12-2, fighting out of Sacramento, Ca., USA), and No.1 contender Renan Barao (35-2, 1NC, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil). The new co-main event will feature UFC flyweight champion and the world’s No.3 ranked pound-for-pound fighter Demetrious Johnson (21-2-1, fighting out of Parkland, WA, USA) against No.8 ranked Kyoji Horiguchi (15-1, fighting out of Tokyo, Japan). Tickets for UFC® 186: DILLASHAW vs. BARAO II will go on sale to the general public on Saturday, February 28 at 10 a.m. EST.

Dillashaw and Barao’s first bout earned “Fight of the Night” honours at UFC® 173 in May 2013. The 135-pound champion Barao entered the Octagon® with an impressive 32-fight unbeaten streak and three successful title defenses since becoming champion in 2012. However, Dillashaw dominated Barao throughout four rounds and earned a fifth round TKO victory. The two were slated for a re-match at UFC® 177 in August 2014, but Barao was forced to cancel due to issues with his weight cut. With Barao out, Joe Soto, who was originally scheduled to fight on the undercard, stepped in to challenge Dillashaw for the title. After four rounds, Dillashaw landed a head kick to earn another KO victory in the fifth round to defend his title for the first time. Dillashaw has won seven of his last eight, with three by submission and five by KO. Meanwhile, Barao was back in action in December 2014 and earned a “Performance of the Night” arm triangle choke submission victory over Canadian Mitch Gagnon. Barao is a dangerous submission specialist and has won 15 of 35 by submission and eight by knockout.

Johnson is the first and only flyweight champion in UFC history, winning the belt in 2012 against top competitor Joseph Benavidez. Currently on an eight-fight unbeaten streak, “Mighty Mouse” owns eight wins by submission and four by knockout, proving the range of his dangerous skill set. Johnson will look to defend his belt for the sixth time against rising contender Horiguchi, who is currently 4-0 in the UFC and on a nine-fight win streak. Horiguchi, who has five first-round finishes and nine wins by knockout, will be on a mission to bring UFC gold back to Japan for the first time. The UFC® 186 co-main event also marks the introduction of the 125-pound division to La Belle Province, as it will be the first UFC flyweight tilt ever to be held in the Province of Quebec. The Bell Centre faithful will see firsthand the speed and agility the flyweights bring inside the Octagon® as they demonstrate why the division is like no other in the UFC.

The previously scheduled bout between welterweights Rory MacDonald and Hector Lombard has been removed from the card and updates for both fighters will be provided when available.

The Ultimate Fighter® Nations winner Chad Laprise (10-0, fighting out of Montreal, Canada) has also been added to the card. Laprise will face American Bryan Barberena (10-2, fighting out of Glendale, Ariz., USA) in a lightweight bout.

Other confirmed bouts for UFC® 186: DILLASHAW vs. BARAO II include:
· Former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson (32-10, fighting out of Irvine, Ca., USA) will make his return to the Octagon® after a two year absence. He will face No.13 ranked Fabio Maldonado (22-7, fighting out of Florianopolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil) in a battle of heavy handed strikers at 205 pounds

· No.9 ranked Englishman Michael Bisping (26-7-0, fighting out of Manchester, England) will face a tough test in finishing specialist and No.11 ranked C.B. Dolloway (16-7, fighting out of Tempe, Az., USA) in the middleweight division

· Veteran power-puncher Yves Jabouin (20-9, fighting out of Montreal, Canada) fights undefeated Thomas Almeida (18-0, fighting out of Sao Paulo, Brazil) in a bantamweight fight sure to produce fireworks

· Patrick Côté (21-9, fighting out of Montreal, Canada) will meet knockout artist Joe Riggs (40-15, fighting out of Glendale, Az., USA) in a welterweight showdown

· John Makdessi (12-3, fighting out of Montreal, Canada) will face 12-6 Abel Trujillo (12-6,1NC, fighting out of Boca Raton, FL., USA) in a lightweight bout

· In a battle of The Ultimate Fighter® alums, judo black belt Olivier Aubin-Mercier (6-1, fighting out of Montreal, Canada) clashes with David Michaud (8-1, fighting out of Glendale, Az., USA) in a lightweight tilt

· Welterweight Nordine Taleb (10-2, fighting out of Montreal, Canada) meets Brazil’s Claudio Silva (11-1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)

· World champion boxer Jessica Rakoczy (1-4, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nv., USA), originally from Hamilton, Ontario, makes her return to the Octagon® after becoming The Ultimate Fighter® runner-up in 2013. She will meet another striking specialist and fellow Canadian, Valerie Letourneau (6-3, fighting out of Coconut Creek, Fl., USA by way of Montreal, Canada), in a strawweight bout. Both women have dropped a weight class and enter the newest division in the UFC

Tickets for UFC® 186: DILLASHAW vs. BARAO II go on sale Saturday, February 28 at 10 a.m. EST at evenko.ca and the Bell Centre box office. Tickets are priced at $375, $250, $150, $100, $90, $75 and $50. Ticket sales are limited to eight per person.

UFC Fight Club® members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets to this event Thursday, February 26 at 10 a.m. EST via the website www.ufcfightclub.com and are limited to six per person. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers Friday, February 27 starting at 10 a.m. EST with a limit of eight per person. To access this presale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through UFC.com.

For more information or current fight news, visit ufc.com. All bouts live and subject to change.

About UFC®
Owned and operated by Zuffa, LLC, UFC® is the premier mixed martial arts (MMA) organization and largest pay-per-view event provider in the world. Headquartered in Las Vegas with offices in London, Toronto, Singapore and Sao Paulo, UFC produces more than 40 live events annually that consistently sell-out some of the most prestigious arenas around the globe. UFC programming is broadcast in 129 countries and territories to nearly 800 million TV households worldwide in 28 different languages. In Canada, the UFC has broadcast agreements with TSN, RDS and Fight Network, which includes live events broadcasts, The Ultimate Fighter® reality television show and thousands of hours of programming. In 2014, UFC launched UFC FIGHT PASS™, a digital subscription service with exclusive live events, thousands of fights on-demand and original content. The UFC organization also licenses over 100 UFC GYM® locations, and owns UFC.TV® (offering live event broadcasts and video on-demand around the world), UFC FIT™ (an in-home fitness and nutrition program), UFC Magazine, and has a videogame franchise with EA SPORTS, UFC Fight Club®, UFC Fan Expo®, UFC branded apparel, DVDs and Blu-rays and Topps Trading Cards. For more information, visit www.UFC.ca and follow UFC on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/UFC, on Twitter @UFC_CA and Instagram @UFC.

‘The World Awaits’ as Patrick Nielsen (23-1, 11 KOs) makes the move up to super middleweight. In his maiden fight at 168lbs, the Danish boxing star will headline an action-packed Nordic Fight Night show on March 14 at the Ballerup Super Arena in Copenhagen.

‘’I’ve been fighting at the middleweight limit for five-years,’’ said Nielsen, who returns following a unanimous points victory over Lukasz Wawrzyczek in December. ‘’I’m only 23 years old, so it’s natural that during this time my body is going to grow and develop.

‘’It has been getting more and more difficult for me to make the weight. In my last two fights in particular, I struggled. I was left feeling drained and wasn’t able to perform as well as I know I can.

‘’At super middleweight it’s going to be a different story. I’m going to be able to bring a lot more power and a lot more excitement. I feel stronger already. There are some massive fights out there for me and I’m ready to mix it with the top guys in the division. I want to be the best, and to be the best I must beat the best.’’

The move up to super middleweight marks the start of an exciting new chapter for the Copenhagen-boxer, beginning on March 14 at the Ballerup Super Arena.

‘’It’s a great venue,’’ said Nielsen. ’I’ve been there to watch the Six Day Race, and I’m looking forward to fighting there on March 14. I think the way the arena is set up is going to make for a really special atmosphere. It’s only ten minutes away from my home, so I’m expecting all my fans to come to support me and make a lot of noise!’’

Nielsen’s coach, former two-time world champion, Joey Gamache, believes the time is right for the Dane to move up in weight, and expects a new and improved performance from him in the ring on March 14.

‘’This is the right decision at the right time for Patrick,’’ said Gamache. ‘’I think at super middleweight we are going to see his true potential. He has had to drop a lot of weight going into fights in the past and that has affected his performances.

‘’He’s not a small guy, and with his size, height and reach he is more suited to super middleweight. It’s something we have talked about for a while. We sat down as a team and decided the time is right to make the move up now.

‘’He’s not meant to be a middleweight. His younger brother Micki is a cruiserweight, so that tells you something about his family genetics. He’s been fighting at that weight for five years and he is not a skinny eighteen-year kid anymore. He’s matured and developed. It’s been a struggle for him to make the weight since I started working with him.

‘’At super middleweight he is going to be fresher. Everything is going to be better, his strength, endurance and resistance. It will also allow us to be more aggressive in the ring. He is going to be able to carry a lot more power at super middleweight and that is going to trouble a lot of his opponents.’’

Promoter Nisse Sauerland is looking forward to bringing the Nordic Fight Night to the Ballerup Super Arena, and is promising excitement in Nielsen’s super middleweight debut.

‘’The move up in weight is going to benefit Patrick massively,’’ said Sauerland. ‘’I believe we are going to see a completely different fighter in the ring on March 14. More weight means more power, and with more power comes more excitement.

‘’This is a big step for Patrick. The super middleweight division is one of the strongest in the world. There are some great fighters and great fights out there, Patrick is going to be a part of this.

‘’The Ballerup Super Arena it is a fantastic arena and will provide a great setting for the Nordic Fight Night. As always, we will bring fans an action-packed show, featuring the very best of Scandinavian boxing. We will be making further announcements regarding the undercard and Patrick’s opponent in the coming days.’’

”We‘re delighted to welcome the Nordic Fight Night to the Ballerup Super Arena,’’ said Venue Director, Keith Lemmon. ‘’We have a fantastic history of staging top quality sporting events, and we look forward to hosting another on March 14. We believe the Ballerup Super Arena will provide the perfect setting for an exciting evening of world class boxing!”

Tickets for the Nordic Fight Night go on sale today at 14.00 and are available via billetlugen.dk. All the action will be shown live in Denmark on TV3 and TV3 Sport channels.

LONDON (10 FEB) Though he sees the improvements in his son on a daily basis, coach Peter Fury is well aware of the significance of the test that awaits Hughie Lewis Fury on February 21 in Monte Carlo.

The 20-year-old heavyweight tackles Ukrainian puncher Andriy Rudenko over ten rounds – a fight televised by Channel 5 – and Peter is backing his son to rise to the occasion and steal the show.

“Rudenko is a good test for him,” he said. “By no means is this an easy fight. If Hughie had a bit of a weak chin or some major flaws, Rudenko wouldn’t be the kid we’d pick for this fight. We’d steer clear of him completely.

“You’ve got to be wary of Rudenko because he’s quite good at cutting the ring off. You’re not going to just keep him at bay with your jab. He’ll walk through your shots to land his own. He’s very, very tough and durable.

“Also, let’s not forget we had him over for sparring before Tyson’s (Fury) fight with Dereck Chisora last year. Tyson landed some heavy shots on Rudenko, but the harder he hit him, the more Rudenko fought back. He’s not one to slow down or reduce his work-rate. He’s relentless.”

Hughie Lewis, 14-0 (8 KOs), has been out of the ring since May, due to illness, but is back and ready to make up for lost time. It’s why there was an emphasis placed on returning in a ten-rounder. It’s why they wanted an opponent as dangerous as Rudenko, 24-1 (16 KOs).

“I’m not expecting a stoppage in this one,” said Peter. “Rudenko’s too tough for that. He’s as tough as leather boots. And he also gets close and lets shots of his own go with bad intentions. If you stand with him and let him do that, he can do some serious damage. He’s a formidable fighter. He’s in shape and he can do rounds.

“I’m of the belief, though, that Hughie is just a better man all-round in terms of skill-set. His sheer boxing ability will see him through. He’s got a nice, relaxed style and Rudenko will have serious problems dealing with that.

“Hughie isn’t your conventional heavyweight boxer. He’s not just a slugger or an in-and-out boxer. He can do a bit of everything. I think Rudenko will just get blinded with science, to be honest. Hughie is a fantastic boxer when he wants to be and Rudenko will find it very hard to set his feet and let his bombs go.

“Rudenko knows he has to force the fight and land the big one. He’s never going to sit back and outbox somebody who is 6’6 with skills. He’s got to get in there and try and walk Hughie down.

“He’ll look at the fact that Hughie is only 20, has never really fought anybody of real note, and that this is the first big step up for him. He might take confidence from all that. He’ll say to himself, ‘Can Fury handle it on the big stage? What’s he like after six rounds.’ I guess we’ll find out on February 21. It’s got all the hallmarks of a great fight.”

*** Fury vs. Rudenko is part of the ‘Thunderbolt in Monaco’ show on February 21 (Channel 5). Headlining the event will be the WBA Super world middleweight title fight between the fearsome Gennady ‘GGG’ Golovkin and Britain’s Martin Murray ***

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Las Vegas – The UFC® announced today that Brazilian legend Rodrigo “Big Nog” Nogueira will join the cast of The Ultimate Fighter® Brazil 4, the organization’s signature television reality series, as coach following the departure of UFC middleweight Anderson Silva.

The Nevada State Athletic Commission, which regulates The Ultimate Fighter series’ exhibition fights filmed in Las Vegas, requested that Silva cease participation in the series as a result of his temporary suspension following the recently announced preliminary results of his January 9 pre-fight drug test for UFC® 183.

The UFC and Globo, the show’s Brazilian broadcaster, respect the Commission’s decision, which will allow Silva to focus his attention on the matter before the Commission. Anderson Silva has been an amazing champion and a true ambassador of the sport of mixed martial arts and the UFC will continue to support him as this process unfolds.

The series, which began filming in Las Vegas on Monday, Feb. 2, originally featured Silva and former UFC light heavyweight champion Mauricio “Shogun” Rua as head coaches. Rua will continue on as coach of Team Shogun versus the newly formed Team Nogueira, which will also include Big Nog’s twin brother Rogerio “Lil Nog” Nogueira as an assistant coach.

###

About UFC®
Owned and operated by Zuffa, LLC, UFC® is the premier mixed martial arts (MMA) organization and largest pay-per-view event provider in the world. Headquartered in Las Vegas with offices in London, Toronto, Singapore and Sao Paulo, UFC produces more than 40 live events annually that consistently sell out some of the most prestigious arenas around the globe. UFC programming is broadcast in 129 countries and territories to nearly 800 million TV households worldwide in 28 different languages. The UFC has a multi-year broadcast agreement with FOX in the U.S., which annually includes four live events broadcast on the FOX network, as well as The Ultimate Fighter® reality television show and thousands of hours of programming on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Sports 2. In 2014, UFC launched UFC FIGHT PASS™, a digital subscription service with exclusive live events, thousands of fights on-demand and original content. The UFC organization also licenses over 100 UFC GYM® locations, and owns UFC.TV® (offering live event broadcasts and video on-demand around the world), UFC FIT® (an in-home fitness and nutrition program), UFC Magazine, and has a videogame franchise with EA SPORTS, UFC Fight Club®, UFC Fan Expo®, UFC branded apparel, DVDs and Blu-rays and Topps Trading Cards. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC, Twitter and Instagram: @UFC.

Philadelphia, PA–February 9, 2015– This Friday night , Mohegan Sun will feature the Boxcino Jr. Middleweight quarterfinals. Next Friday, February 20 from the Turning Stone Resort Casino will feature the Heavyweight quarterfinals.

Below are some of the important numbers as the tournament begins this Friday LIVE on ESPN 2 beginning at 9 PM ET.

Jr. Middleweights
Oldest-Alex Perez– 32
Youngest-Brandon Adams– 25
Most Fights: Cleotis Pendarvis– 23
Least Fights: Stanyslav Skorokhod– 8
Most Rounds: Pendarvis– 126
Least Rounds: Skorokhod– 27
Most KO’s: Adams, Perez, Simeon Hardy– 10
Winning %–Skorokhod, Michael Moore, Hardy– 100%
KO %: Hardy– 76.9
Total Record of 8 fighters: 104-10-8 (88.5%)-62 KO’s

Cleotis Pendarvis holds a win over former world title challenger Michael Clark and lost a majority decision to former WBA Interim champion Mauricio Herrera.

Vito Gasprayan lost a unanimous decision to current WBA Jr. Welterweight champion Jessie Vargas

-NOTE—Last year’s Lightweight champion Petr Petov was the oldest participant . He also had the most fights and fought the most rounds going into the tournament.

The weigh in will be Thursday at 5 PM at the Cabaret Theatre at The Mohegan Sun Resort Casino.

The doors will open at 7 PM on Friday with first bout beginning at 8 PM. The first television bout will be at 9 PM.

The entire Boxcino 2015 series will be televised live on “ESPN Friday Night Fights” and is promoted exclusively by Artie Pelullo’s Banner Promotions.

The February 13 event is promoted by Banner Promotions, in association with Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports (CES). The remaining tickets to the February 13 edition of Boxcino 2015, priced at $125, $65, $40 and $30, including facility fee, can be purchased via www.ticketmaster.com, by phone at 1-800-745-3000, all Ticketmaster outlets or in person at the Mohegan Sun boxoffice.

The Boxcino 2014 tournament spawned breakout stars Willie Monroe and Petr Petrov. Both are now world-rated No. 3 as well as future stars Brandon Adams & Fernando Carcamo.

Mohegan Sun Arena is now ranked consistently among the top venues in the world according to Billboard Magazine, Pollstar and Venues Today. It has won “Casino of The Year” at the Country Music Awards in 2008 & 2010 and in 2013, was voted “Arena Of The Year” at the G2E Global Gaming Conference in Las Vegas. Also in 2013, Mohegan Sun won “Casino of The Year” in 2 categories at the Academy of Country Music Awards. For more information on concerts and other great events visit Mohegan Sun. For information on this week’s schedule, call the Entertainment and Special Events hotline at 1.888.226.7711, ext. 27163.

Las Vegas – The UFC® returns to Fairfax, Va. on Saturday, April 4, as the featherweight division’s No. 1 contender Chad Mendes goes to head-to-head with fourth-ranked Ricardo Lamas in the five-round main event at the Patriot Center. Having both gone the distance in title bouts against champion Jose Aldo, these battle-tested 145ers will light up the Octagon® when UFC FIGHT NIGHT® takes center stage in the Greater Washington area.

Mendes (16-2, fighting out of Sacramento, Calif.), one of the heaviest hitters in the featherweight division, has been taking out top contenders in dominant fashion with wins over Darren Elkins, Clay Guida, Nik Lentz and Cub Swanson. His back-and-forth battle with Aldo at UFC 179 went down as one of the greatest fights in 2014. Lamas (15-3, fighting out of Chicago, Ill.) boasts an equally impressive resume that includes wins over Dennis Bermudez, Erik Koch and Swanson. With combined wins over the Who’s Who in the 145-pound weight class, Mendes and Lamas eye each other as their ticket to earning another shot at the title.

The co-main event will feature a staple in the lightweight division as (No. 13) Jorge Masvidal (28-6, fighting out of Miami) takes on rising contender (No. 15) Al Iaquinta (11-3-1, fighting out of Wantagh, N.Y.), a winner of three straight. Plus, The Ultimate Fighter® season 15 winner Michael Chiesa (11-2, fighting out of Spokane Valley, Wash.) takes on Canadian-born Mitch Clarke (11-2, fighting out of Glendale, Ariz.).

In addition, former top featherweight contender Dustin Poirier (16-4, fighting out of Coconut Creek, Fla.) will test the 155-pound waters when he makes his UFC lightweight debut against Diego Ferreira (10-1, fighting out of Pharr, Texas). Also, in a crucial women’s bantamweight bout, former title contender and women’s MMA pioneer (No. 8) Liz Carmouche (8-5, fighting out of San Diego, Calif.) makes her fifth UFC appearance against rising star Lauren Murphy (8-1, fighting out of Glendale, Ariz.).

Additional bouts include:

· (No. 11) Julianna Pena (6-2, fighting out of Spokane, Wash.), the first female season winner to emerge from The Ultimate Fighter, returns after a 17-month layoff to take on rising women’s bantamweight Milana Dudieva (11-3, fighting out of Alagir, Russia).

· Former STRIKEFORCE lightweight champion and fan-favorite (No. 11) Clay Guida (31-12, fighting out of Albuquerque, N.M.) takes on Robbie Peralta (18-5, 1NC, fighting out of Escondido, Calif.) in a featherweight bout.

· Former lightweight title contender Gray Maynard (12-5-1, 1NC, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev.) meets MMA veteran Alexander Yakovlev (21-6-1, fighting out of Fairfield, N.J.).

· Ron Stallings (12-7, 1NC, fighting out of Camp Spring, Md.) will make his second Octagon appearance when he meets middleweight Justin Jones (3-1, fighting out of San Diego, Calif.).

· The Ultimate Fighter season 17 alumnus Clint Hester (11-4, fighting out of Atlanta, Ga.) squares off against fellow season cast mate Luke Barnatt (8-2, fighting out of Cambridge, England).

· Plus, heavyweights Shamil Abdurahimov (15-2, fighting out of Makhachkala, Russia) and Timothy Johnson (8-1, fighting out of Fargo, N.D.) meet in their UFC debuts.

Tickets for UFC FIGHT NIGHT®: MENDES vs. LAMAS go on sale Friday, Feb. 13 at 10 a.m. ET and are priced at $179, $129, $94, $74 and $54 (plus applicable service charges). Tickets are available for purchase at all Ticketmaster outlets including the Patriot Center box office, online at www.ticketmaster.com or via Phonecharge at (800) 745-3000. Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person.

UFC Fight Club® members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets to this event Wednesday, Feb. 11 at 10 a.m. ET via the website www.ufcfightclub.com. A special internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers Thursday, Feb. 12 starting at 10 a.m. ET. To access this presale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through UFC.com.

UFC FIGHT NIGHT®: MENDES vs. LAMAS will air live on FOX Sports 1 at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT on Saturday, April 4, with the prelims kicking off the morning on FOX Sports 1 at 11 a.m. ET/8 a.m. PT and on UFC FIGHT PASS™ at 10 a.m. ET and 7 a.m. PT.

About the Ultimate Fighting Championship®

UFC® is the premier mixed martial arts (MMA) organization and largest pay-per-view event provider in the world. Headquartered in Las Vegas with offices in London, Toronto, Singapore and Sao Paulo, UFC produces more than 40 live events annually that consistently sell out some of the most prestigious arenas around the globe. UFC programming is broadcast in 129 countries and territories to nearly 800 million TV households worldwide in 28 different languages. The UFC has a multi-year broadcast agreement with FOX in the U.S., which annually includes four live events broadcast on the FOX network, as well as The Ultimate Fighter® reality television show and thousands of hours of programming on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Sports 2. In 2014, UFC launched UFC FIGHT PASS™, a digital subscription service with exclusive live events, thousands of fights on-demand and original content. The UFC organization also licenses over 100 UFC GYM® locations, and owns UFC.TV® (offering live event broadcasts and video on-demand around the world), UFC FIT® (an in-home fitness and nutrition program), UFC Magazine, and has a videogame franchise with EA SPORTS, UFC Fight Club®, UFC Fan Expo®, UFC branded apparel, DVDs and Blu-rays and Topps Trading Cards. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC, Twitter and Instagram: @UFC.

Pittsburgh, PA (February 9, 2015) Former world champion PAUL SPADAFORA has been added to “The Pride of Pittsburgh III” on Feb. 20th at CONSOL Energy Center, it was announced today by TOM BROWN of Goossen Promotions.

Sporting a record of 49-1-1 (19KO’s), Spadafora will battle JAKE GIURICEO,
17-2-1 of Youngstown, Ohio (4KO’s) in a scheduled eight round junior welterweight off-TV bout.

“We’re very happy to add Paul in a “special attraction” bout to our Feb. 20 event,” said Brown. “For many years he was among the most skilled fighters in the sport and his battle with Giuriceo, a very tough veteran, should be one of the highlights of the evening for the fans in attendance.”

“The Pride of Pittsburgh III” is headlined by a ten round welterweight clash between local fan favorite SAMMY VASQUEZ JR., 17-0-0 (13KO’s) and Brooklyn, New York native via Accra Ghana, EMMANUEL LARTEY, 17-2-0 (9KO’s) and will be telecast on ShoBox: The New Generation live on SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast)

The IBF Lightweight Champion of the World from 1999 to 2003, Spadafora was undefeated for eighteen years before coming up on the short end of a 12-round majority decision to Johan Perez on November 30, 2013.

Most recently, the born and raised Pittsburgh native won an eight round unanimous decision over perennial contender Hector Velasquez on July 11, 2014 in Pittsburgh.

The 29-year-old Giuriceo returns to the ring following a fourth round knockout of Travis Hartman on July 11, 2014 in Pittsburgh on the same card of the Spadafora/Velasquez fight.

Giuriceo was undefeated from his pro debut in 2009, a span of sixteen bouts, until losing a hard fought eight round majority decision to Michael Clark in July 2012.

Advance tickets priced at $238, $100, $60, $40 and $25 for students and military with valid ID (Box Office Only), plus applicable fees, for “The Pride of Pittsburgh III” will go on sale Friday, January 30 at 10:00 a.m. through the Dick’s Sporting Goods Box Office at CONSOL Energy Center, Ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster outlets or charge by phone at 800-745-3000. Prices increase $5 on the day of the event. Doors will open on the night of the event at 5:30 p.m. with the first bell at 6:30 p.m.

CONSOL Energy Center is located at 1001 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219. Further information can be located at their website, www.consolenergycenter.com

Social Media: Follow Goossen Promotions on Twitter @GoossenBoxing, Sammy Vasquez on Twitter @TeamSVasquez, SHOWTIME Sports @SHOsports and CONSOL Energy Center @CONSOLEnergyCtr. Use hashtag #VasquezLartey to follow the discussion.

For more information on Goossen Promotions view their website at www.GoossenPromotions.com For additional information on Showtime Sports visit www.Sho.com/sports.

About ShoBox: The New Generation
Since its inception in July 2001, the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series, ShoBox: The New Generation has featured young talent matched tough. The ShoBox philosophy is to televise exciting, crowd-pleasing and competitive matches while providing a proving ground for willing prospects determined to fight for a world title. Some of the growing list of the 58 fighters who have appeared on ShoBox and advanced to garner world titles includes: Deontay Wilder, Erislandy Lara, Shawn Porter, Lamont Peterson, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Omar Figueroa, Nonito Donaire, Devon Alexander, Carl Froch, Robert Guerrero, Timothy Bradley, Jessie Vargas, Juan Manuel Lopez, Chad Dawson, Paulie Malignaggi, Ricky Hatton, Kelly Pavlik, Paul Williams and more.

MIAMI (Feb. 9, 2015) – Former Cuban Olympian Robert Alfonso has signed a managerial contract with Si Stern’s SHS Boxing Management. The 28-year-old heavyweight prospect, who is undefeated in four professional fights, lives in Miami where he is trained by veteran Orlando Cuellar.

“I’m very happy and proud to be working with Si and Orlando,” Alfonso recently aid between training sessions. “I’m optimistic about my future and plan to take advantage of this great opportunity to achieve my goal of becoming undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. I haven’t had a good manager and trainer to get me going in the right direction until now.”

The 6′ 5″, 235-pound Alfonso is a hidden jewel who is continuing his native country’s proud heavyweight tradition, established by the late Teofilo Stevenson and carried on by Felix Savon. Alfonso’s classic style reminds some of Hall of Fame-bound Riddick Bowe.

A decorated amateur boxer, Alfonso reached the semifinals of the 2004 World Junior Championships, later becoming Cuba’s No. 1 super heavyweight by defeating Michel Lopez Nunez in the 2007 and 2008 Cuban National Boxing Championships.

At the prestigious Pan American Games in Rio, Alfonso captured a gold medal by beating Brazilian Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, 4-0, in the semifinals and Colombian Oscar Rivas, 8-4, in the championship final. Norgueira went on to become a mixed- martial-arts star in the UFC and PRIDE, while Rivas, a Colombian Olympian who now lives in Canada, is a 15-0 (10 KOs) heavyweight in the pro ranks.

Alfonso won a decision over United States Olympic super heavyweight Michael Hunter, Jr., 9-1, to qualify for the 2008 Olympics.

“As most people in boxing know,” Stern commented, “I’ve been involved in the sport for quite a while and have seen a number of good young fighters. It’s rare to sign a management contract with someone like Robert Alfonso. He’s in perfect heavyweight shape his background as an amateur in Cuba is remarkable. Although he’s undefeated as a pro, he needs a first-class trainer like Orlando, who has trained champions like Glen Johnson and Orlando raves about Robert’s future. I truly believe he has all the tools and heart to get to the top of the heavyweight division very quickly. I feel great about his future.”

Alfonso’s professional career has been relatively slow to develop because he is a free agent who didn’t defect to the United States until 2011. He made his pro debut December 7, 2012, winning a four-round decision over Robert Murray in Kissimmee. Alfonso has won all four of his pro fights, including his first six-round bout a year in his last action to previously unbeaten Zakki Scott (4-0) in Maryland.

Cuba-native Cuellar, perhaps best known for training world champions Glen Johnson and Luis DeValle, has also trained fellow countrymen of his and Alfonso’s such as Yourkis Gamboa, Juan Carlos Gomez and Yan Barthelemy, in addition to his current unbeaten world light heavyweight contender Yunieski Gonzalez.

“Robert was a highly decorated Cuban amateur who won gold medals at several tournaments and he was an Olympian,” Cuellar said. “He is a physical specimen at 6′ 5″, 235 pounds. I train my fighters to drop and stop their opponents and we’re working hard so he can do that in his fights. Robert trains hard and is smart. I’m very high on him.”

SHS Management’s boxing clients also include three-time, two-division world champion Randall “KO King” Bailey, heavyweight Sherman “Tank” Williams, middleweight Marcus “Arillius” Upshaw and welterweight Damian “Devo” Frias.

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (Feb. 9, 2015) – M-1 Global has announced a much-anticipated rematch between M-1 Challenge middleweight champion Vyacheslav Vasilevsky and challenger Ramasan Emeev to headline M-1 Challenge 56, Friday, April 10 in Moscow, Russia.

In the original showdown between these two tough middleweights, Vasilevsky took the coveted title belt from Emeev this past September 7 in St. Petersburg at M-1 Challenge 51: Fightspirit, by way of a fourth-round stoppage from punches.

The 5,000-plus fans in attendance, as well as millions of television viewers, thoroughly enjoyed all of the action from the opening bell until the end at the 4:34 mark of the fourth round.

A Vasilevsky-Emeev rematch was a natural from the moment their first fight ended. The 26-year-old Vasilevsky (26-2-0, 10 KO/TKO, 7 SUB), who trains at Sambo 70, has won his last 10 fights and 16 of his last 17. He will be making his first M-1 Challenge middleweight title defense against Emeev in April. Vyacheslav, fighting out Russia, is unbeaten in eight M-1 Global-promoted shows, including three M-1 Challenge events.

Emeev (11-3-0, 2 KO/TKO, 5 SUB), 27, lives and trains in Makhachkala, Russia. He captured the vacant M-1 Challenge middleweight title April 9, 2012, registering a knockout (strikes) of Mario Miranda (14-4-0) in the third round at M-1 Challenge 38. Emeev, who successfully defended his title five months later via a five-round decision in a rematch with Miranda, hasn’t fought since losing to Vasilevsky.

M-1 Challenge 56 will be streamed live in high definition on www.M1Global.TV. Viewers will be able to watch the preliminary fights and main card by logging on to register at www.M1Global.TV. Fans may watch all of the action on their computers, as well as on Andriod and Apple smart phones and tablets.

All fights and fighters are subject to change. Additional fights to be announced

Fight Network will air M-1 Challenge 56 live on Cablevision’s Optimum TV, Grande Communications, Shentel Cable and Armstrong Cable in the U.S., as well as nationwide in Canada, on Roku devices across North America, and globally in more than 30 countries throughout Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

Information

www.mixfight.ru
www.wmmaa.org
www.M1Global.tv
www.M-1Global.com

Twitter & Instagram:

@M1Global
@VFinkelchtein
@M1GlobalNews

Facebook:

www.facebook.com/pages/M-1-Global/145250878842244
ABOUT M-1 GLOBAL: Founded in 1997, M-1 Global has established itself in the realm of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) as the premiere entity for discovering and developing the world’s next-generation of superstar fighters. With offices in St Petersburg, Amsterdam and Los Angeles and affiliates in Seoul, Tokyo and Paris, the M-1 brand has staged more than 150 events worldwide, including the M-1 Selection, M-1 Challenge and M-1 Global and M-1 Global HWGP events, in addition to co-promoting Strikeforce events and M-1 Global on the Showtime network in the United States. Captivating live, television and broadband audiences with its superior production values and matchups, M-1 Global events have featured some of the sport’s top names, including Fedor Emelianenko, Andrei Arlovski, Aleksander Emelianenko, Gegard Mousasi, Alistair Overeem, Keith Jardine, Ben Rothwell, Melvin Manhoef, Roman Zentsov, Yushin Okami, Mike Pyle, Denis Kang, Martin Kampmann, Amar Suloev, Chalid Arrab and Stephan Struve. 2014 promises to be another sensational year of world-class competition with a full calendar of Challenge events fueled by a talent-rich contention system ranking M-1 Global’s Champions amongst the greatest in the sport. M-1 Global’s greatest asset is renowned heavyweight fighter, Fedor Emelianenko.

ABOUT M-1GLOBAL.TV: Enjoy MMA action now in high definition brought to you by M-1Global.tv, offering only the best fights from M-1 Global and other MMA organizations. M-1Global.tv is a great platform developed specifically to bring together the most exhaustive fight video database. It also provides an easy and intuitive interface, helping everyone to start using the platform in no time while avoiding any spoilers. Besides watching the past fights on demand at any time convenient to the customer, viewers are able to enjoy the action LIVE, all available to M-1Global.tv users through a low-priced month to month digital subscription. Your world of action. Anytime!

New York, NY (2/9/15) – On Saturday, March 14, DiBella Entertainment, Ring of Fire Promotions and FDNY Bravest Boxing will present an exciting night of both professional and amateur boxing, held at the Theater at Madison Square Garden, in New York City, titled “McMayhem in Midtown”. The pro portion of the card will be headlined by Dublin, Ireland’s world-ranked featherweight contender Patrick “The Punisher” Hyland (29-1, 13 KOs). Fans in attendance will also be treated to the long-awaited return of popular light heavyweight boxer-turned-New York firefighter Will “Power” Rosinsky (17-2, 9 KOs). The amateur portion of the card will be made up of fights between the FDNY Bravest Boxing team and the Garda Siochana Boxing team of the Irish National Police Force who will be making the trip over from Ireland.

Tickets for “McMayhem in Midtown” are priced at $100, $65 and $35. Tickets go on sale today, Monday, February 9, at 12 p.m. ET. Tickets will be available for purchase at www.thegarden.com, www.ticketmaster.com, by calling Ticketmaster at (866) 858-0008, or by visiting the MSG Box Office. Doors open at 7:00 PM, with the first bout scheduled for 7:30 PM.

This event will mark the third meeting between the FDNY Bravest Boxing team and Garda Siochana, with the 2015 Transatlantic Championship at stake. An excited FDNY Team President Bobby McGuire stated, “It is an honor to host the Garda Boxing Club in the historic first ever Pro-Am boxing event at Madison Square Garden while also having the opportunity to raise funds for ‘Building Homes for Heroes’, making this a truly special event. The Irish team is a very tough bunch and has a ton of heart, but our guys will be ready and, if history repeats itself, it’s going to be a memorable donnybrook. I can’t think of a better way to kick off the St Patrick’s Day weekend than with some really exciting bouts, for a really great cause, at the Mecca of boxing.”

“This is a great idea and concept and, most importantly, for a great cause, having FDNY’s boxing team square off against the Irish National Police Force just days before the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and festivities that will be taking place all over NYC. We are very excited to be a part of this event, and proud to have two of our own from DiBella Entertainment’s roster fighting on this card, with Will Rosinsky, a member of FDNY’s Bravest making his long-awaited return to the ring, and Ireland’s Patrick Hyland, who is truly one of the best featherweights in all of boxing,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment.

Nicknamed “The Punisher”, Hyland will be returning to the States following a dominant eight-round decision over Oszkar Fiko, on November 15, in Dublin. Sometimes a fighter can be held in high regard in a brave-but-losing effort and that’s exactly what happened when Hyland met the 20-0 interim WBA featherweight champion Javier Fortuna at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, on December 8, 2012. Though Hyland would lose a decision, he proved on a major stage that he was a world-class fighter in providing a competitive fight against the highly touted and undefeated Fortuna. He looked sensational in his ring return on July 23, 2014, stopping the tough Noel Echevarria in four rounds, headlining DiBella Entertainment’s “Broadway Boxing” series in New York City. He has won Intercontinental and International titles in his career thus far and has his focus set on winning a world championship. Looking to continue on that path, Hyland is thrilled to be making his debut at Madison Square Garden, in a featherweight contest scheduled for 10 rounds.

“It’s great to be fighting back in New York again and especially at the Mecca of boxing, Madison Square Garden,” said Hyland. “It’s every boxers dream to fight there and I’m certainly no different. I’ve been to fights there and you can feel the history in the place. All the greats have fought there over the years, so to get a chance to fight there myself is a dream come true.

“I want to prove that I’m ready to take on the best at featherweight and put on a show for the Irish and New York fans. This is going to be a big year for me and I’m hungrier than ever to get my hands on a world title.”

Following a two-year layoff, the highly touted Rosinsky is eager to return to the venue that saw him win four Golden Gloves championships as an amateur. Debuting in 2008, Rosinsky steadily progressed, building his record to 14-0, to earn a shot at the undefeated super middleweight contender Edwin Rodriguez in October 2011, with the bout televised by Showtime’s “ShoBox” series. Though he would lose a decision, Rosinsky gamely battled Rodriguez the entire route, doing his best work in close quarters. An impressive victory over the tall and lanky prospect Aaron Pryor Jr. on “Broadway Boxing” set him up for an HBO-televised contest against former middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik. Once again, Rosinsky gave the former champion a tough outing, but would go on to lose a 10-round decision. Rosinsky bounced back to defeat Otis Griffin, winner of “The Next Great Champ” televised tournament, in December 2012. He then went into his short-lived retirement to pursue another dream of becoming a firefighter. During his probationary period with the FDNY, Rosinsky was unable to enter the ring.

“I left the boxing world temporarily with a simple message to my fans, ‘Be back soon’. Entering the FDNY was one of the best things I have ever done in my life. I have already gained a ton of knowledge, a brand new family and a support system second to none.

“At this moment, I am currently off of my probationary status in the FDNY and ready to enter the ring again. With my faithful family, fans, and friends alongside my new support system (the FDNY), I am glad to come back to where I originally made my mark. MSG is a great landmark of NY and I am proud to say that I was announced Golden Gloves champion there four years in a row. Coming back into the boxing world, I want everyone to know that I am ready and just like any intelligent individual with time, I am more educated, more trained, and better than before.”

The event is sanctioned by USA Boxing and the NYSAC.

LONDON (9 FEB) World-ranked bantamweight Lee Haskins looks to steal the show when he faces Omar Lamiri for the vacant European title on February 21 in Monte Carlo.

The fight, televised by Channel 5, makes up part of the undercard to Gennady Golovkin’s WBA Super world middleweight title defence against St. Helens’ Martin Murray, and former European champion Haskins, thankful for the showcase, is ready to catapult himself towards a world title shot in 2015.

“I always knew I was going to fight for the European title again because I’m the number one contender, but the venue was a big surprise to me,” he said. “A good one, too.

“I’m looking forward to being part of an event like this and boxing in Monte Carlo. It’s supposed to be a really nice place and I’ve heard lots about it. It should be a great experience.

“I’m also a big fan of Gennady Golovkin. I’ve watched a few of his fights over the years and it will be a privilege to box on one of his shows.

“I think Martin Murray is a quality fighter who has been in some very good fights. He’s tough, he’s durable and he’s strong. If Golovkin’s punch power is for real, it will be a great test. Nobody has an easy time with Murray.”

Haskins, 30-3 (13 KOs), doesn’t expect to have an easy time with Lamiri, either. At this point in his 11-year career, no good can come from overlooking an opponent. Haskins knows this better than most.

But that’s not to say he isn’t full of confidence going into the vacant European title fight.

“I haven’t seen anything in Lamiri to worry me too much,” he said. “He’s had a couple of good wins over a couple of good fighters, but he’s still a bit of an unknown quantity. He hasn’t really looked spectacular. It will be good to see what he can do on the night.

“I think he boxes a little bit like me to some extent, but he’s more of a rip-off version. He’s quite unorthodox.

“I just think I’ll be too strong for him. I’m very powerful at the weight, and I’ll be too awkward, too quick and have too many tools for him. I’ll be better than him in every department.

“They all say the same thing – ‘We’ve watched Lee box and we’ve worked him out.’ But there’s no way of working me out. Even I don’t know what I’m going to do until I get in there. Fair play to them if they work me out, but I wouldn’t count on it.”

Haskins is happier at 31 years of age than he’s ever been before. He’s unbeaten since 2012 and is ranked inside the top 15 by the four major world governing bodies. There is perhaps no better time for him to finally realise his dream and fight for a world title.

“I’ve got a lot of experience behind me now and know a lot of tricks of the trade,” he said. “I remember what I was like when I’d had 14 or 15 fights. I was rubbish, to be fair. I was just winning. I never used to train, I never used to take the sport seriously. I just got by on talent.

“Now I’ve got my head properly screwed on and I’m training hard. I’m in the best shape ever and this is the best I’ve felt since I first started boxing.

“Back in the day they used to say age was a big factor. But nowadays people realise it’s a load of rubbish. Obviously, once you get to a certain age you do feel it, but the science behind the sport and the training allows us to to improve all the time.

“If you’d seen my training a few years ago, you’d have laughed. It was nothing compared to what it is now.

“I’m currently in the best place possible, physically and mentally, and I’ll show everybody what I’m all about on February 21.”

*** Haskins vs. Lamiri is part of the ‘Thunderbolt in Monaco’ show on February 21 (Channel 5). Headlining the event will be the WBA Super world middleweight title fight between the fearsome Gennady ‘GGG’ Golovkin and Britain’s Martin Murray ***

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Micki Nielsen (17-0, 12 KOs) continues his ascent to the top of the cruiserweight division. The 21 year-old Dane dominated Julio Cesar Dos Santos (27-4, 24 KOs) last night at the Arena Nord in Frederikshavn, Denmark to claim the WBC International title.

Nielsen proved he is much more than just a power-puncher with an impressive performance against the 37 year-old Brazilian. After ten rounds of action the Albertslund-boxer was ahead on all three of the judges scorecards (100-91, 100-90 and 99-91).

‘’Dos Santos was a tough opponent,’’ said Nielsen. ‘’He is an experienced guy, who boxed with a high guard and made himself difficult to hit. But when I did get to him, I hurt him. I think I was close to stopping him a few times.

‘’I was a little disappointed I didn’t get the knockout, but I’m still happy with my performance. My preparation for this fight was perfect. My coach Joey Gamache had a great game plan for me. This fight was another step up for me and now I’m ready to take more.’’

In the evening’s second title fight, Swedish southpaw Anthony Yigit (12-0-1, 4 KOs) stopped Kim Poulsen (26-2, 7 KOs) with a six-round masterclass to claim the WBC Baltic Welterweight title.

Yigit outworked and outclassed his Danish opponent. Poulsen was floored by a vicious body shot in the fifth-round, before an explosive uppercut put an end to the action in the sixth.

‘’Kim is a good boxer, but tonight I proved I’m a level above,’’ said Yigit. ‘’He couldn’t handle my power or my pace. This is my second win in Denmark against Danish opposition. It was an important victory for me. Now, I want the big fights and I want to challenge for the big titles.’’

Dennis Ceylan (13-0-1, 7 KOs) was back to his best with a seventh round stoppage of Cristian Montilla (6-4-1, 3 KOs). Rising star Abdul Khattab (10-0, 3 KO) battled to a points victory over the experienced Alexey Ribchev (19-12-1, 6 KOs). Danish lightweight Rashid Kassem (7-0, 4 KOs) maintained his unbeaten record with a second round stoppage of Gyula Tallosi (5-2, 4 KOs)).

Norwegian talents Kai Robin Havnaa (2-0, 1 KO), Simen Smaadal (9-1, 4 KOs) and Alexander Hagen (6-1, 2 KOs) all scored knockout victories, while Tim-Robin Lihaug (10-1, 5 KOs) outpointed Ugandan southpaw Farouk Daku (18-7-1, 9 KOs) in a tactical eight-round encounter, and Ghanaian lightweight star Richard Commey (20-0, 18 KOs) improved to 20-0 with a fourth-round technical knockout victory over Mikheil Avakyan (27-19-4, 12 KOs).

Alex Saucedo scored a 3rd round stoppage over Eduardo Flores in a scheduled 8-round Welterweight bout.

The time of the stoppage was 2:05 round three for Saucedo, 145 lbs and is now 17-0 with 12 knockouts. Flores, 146 1/2 lbs is now 20-17-3.

Eduardo Garza won a 4-round unanimous decision over Hector Gutierrez in a Featherweight bout.

Scores were 40-36 on all cards for Garza, 124 1/4 lbs and is now 2-1. Gutierrez, 121 lbs is 2-7.

Daniel Sandoval scored a 3rd round stoppage over Grady Brewer in a scheduled 10-round Super Welterweight bout at Coliseo Olimpico de la UG in Guadalajara, MX.

Sandoval dropped Brewer in round three from a short left hook on the inside. Sandoval scored a 2nd knockdown when he had Brewer in trouble and landed a hard right. Brewer was in trouble and the fight was ended when Brewer was staggered again and the fight was called at 1:21.

Sandoval, 154 lbs is now 37-3 with 34 knockouts. Brewer, 154 lbs is now 32-20.

Carlos Diaz scored a stoppage after round three of his scheduled 10-round Lightweight bout with Rafael Reyes.

Diaz dropped Reyes with a body shot in round three. The fight was called in the corner after the round three.

Diaz, 131 lbs is now 17-0 with 9 knockouts. Reyes, 130 lbs is 14-4.

Jesus Macias won a 4-round unanimous decision over Jose Francisco Zuniga in a Lightweight bout.

Macias registered a knockdown in round one from a combination.

Macias won by scores of 40-35 on all cards and is now 15-3-1. Zuniga is 4-4-2.

Juan Carlos Raygoza won a 6-round unanimous decision over Alexis Salazar in a Super Welterweight bout.

Raygoza won by scores of 59-55 on all cards ans is now 10-7-1. Salazar is now 9-2.

Former WBO Super Flyweight Champion “Marvelous” Marvin Sonsona (19-1-1, 15 KOs) arrived yesterday in Las Vegas to continue working with trainer Jun Agrabio, Sampson Boxing stablemate and fellow former world champion John Riel Casimero, as well as strength and conditioning coach Angel Heredia, for his upcoming fight against Puerto Rico’s Jayson “La Maravilla” Velez (22-0-1, 16 KOs).

Team Sonsona will be training at Roy Jones Jr.’s Gym.

Ranked #2 WBC, #5 WBA, #4 IBF and #12 WBO, Sonsona, will face Velez (ranked #3 WBC) in a final elimination bout to face champion Jhonny Gonzalez and in defense of his NABF Featherweight Championship.

While working with Agrabio, the 24-year-old Sonsona, of General Santos City, Philippines, has rededicated himself to his boxing career and the results have shown. He knocked out former world champion Akifumi Shimoda in three brutal rounds last February and then avenged his only loss, to Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. by way of a split decision victory in June.

“I’m very happy that Sonsona and Casimero are working together in Las Vegas, my hometown,” said the pair’s co-promoter, Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing (along with Sammy Gello-ani), and I’m looking forward to having two more champions for my promotional company in the very near future.”

Casimero, from Cebu City, Philippines, is currently waiting to face the winner of the upcoming IBF flyweight title fight between current champion Amnat Ruenroeng and China’s Zou Shiming in March.

ABOUT SAMPSON BOXING

After a very successful run as a matchmaker and adviser, Sampson Lewkowicz switched over to the promotional side of professional boxing in January 2008.

Sampson Boxing has grown into one of the world’s most prestigious promotional firms, representing many of the world’s best fighters and most promising young contenders.

Sampson Boxing has promotional partners all over North and South America, Africa, Asia, New Zealand, Australia, Europe and Central America and Sampson Boxing events have been televised on such premiere networks as HBO, Showtime, ESPN, VS. and several international networks.

Ghanaian lightweight star Richard Commey (20-0, 18 KOs) improves to 20-0 with a fourth-round technical knockout victory over Mikheil Avakyan (27-19-4, 12 KOs) tonight at the Arena Nord in Frederikshavn, Denmark.

Commey looked slick, dominating the early rounds and scoring well with heavy shots. Avakyan was deducted a point in the fourth round for excessive holding. Moments later referee Freddy Rafn called a halt to the action, sparing the Georgian any further punishment.

‘’I’m happy with my performance,’’ said the current Commonwealth Champion. ‘’He was an awkward opponent. He just wanted to hold and grapple. But as soon as I found my rhythm I was able to start catching him with big shots. It’s great to get another knockout win on my record. Now, I’m looking forward to my next fight on March 21 in South Africa!’’

Former world title challenger Pablo Cesar Cano scored a 1st round stoppage over Jorge Silva in the 1st round of a scheduled 10-round Super Welterweight bout at Domo del Palacio Municipal, Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico

Cano landed a flurry of punches in the corner that sent Silva to a knee. He did not beat the referee’s count and the fight was over at 2:05 of round one.

Cano, 148 1/4 lbs is now 28-4-1 with 21 knockouts. Silva, 150 3/4 is now 20-7-2,

Vic Darchinyan scored a 9th round stoppage over Juan Jimenez in a Super Bantamweight bout.

Jimenez dropped Darchinyan in round three from a left hook. Darchinyan came back to land a hard flurry and drop Jiminez with a body shot in round nine. Darchinyan is now 40-7-1 with 29 knockouts. Jimenez, 122 1/4 lbs is now 19-9.

Luis Sanchez won a 8-round split decision over Alfonso Torres in a Super Featherweight.

Sanchez, 132 1/4 lbs won by scores of 80-72 and 77-77 while Torres, 128 1/2 lbs took a card at 77-75.

Sanchez is now 16-3-1. Torres is now 5-10-1.

Arturo Hernandez won a 6-round unanimous decision over Alberto Cupido in a Super Featherweight bout.

Hernandez, 130 1/2 lbs won by scores of 60-54, 59-55 and 58-56 and is now 4-2-1. Cupido, 129 1/2 lbs is 8-12-2.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, Jermain Taylor has been stripped of his Middleweight championship due to his legal issues of the last couple months.

In stripping Taylor of its title, the IBF invoked its rule 5.C., which says, in part, “Any boxer who is ill, injured, under a legal impediment which would prevent the bout from taking place, or on suspension at the time the championships chairman and president order a bout under this rule shall be considered unavailable.”

On Monday, the IBF would have ordered his mandatory defense against former titlist Hassan N’Dam. Because Taylor is in police custody and unavailable, his handlers cannot negotiate the bout, which would have also caused the IBF to vacate the title.

“The IBF wishes Jermain the best of luck and hopes that he is able to resolve these matters quickly,” IBF president Daryl Peoples said in a statement. “Jermain Taylor’s promoter, Lou DiBella, was advised to notify the organization when Mr. Taylor resumes his boxing career.”

“I have not even a thought into the future of his boxing career or whether he retains the title,” DiBella said. “It’s about whether he can maintain control over his own life.”

Fernando Saucedo scored a 10-round unanimous decision over Leandro Mendes Pinto in a Lightweight bout in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Saucedo won by scores of 98-92 and 97-93 twice and is now 54-6-3. Pinto is now 16-6-2.

Gabriel Calfin scored a 6-round majority decision over Guillermo Paz in a Welterweight bout.

Calfin, 146 1/4 lbs won by scores of 59-58, 58 1/2 – 57 1/2 and 57-57 and is now 21-6-3. Paz, 145 1/2 lbs is now 22-25-3.

Sergio Mora scored a 12-round split decision over Abie Han in a 12-round Middleweight bout at the Beau Rivage Casino & Resort in Bilox, Mississippi.

Mora boxed and moved well throughout the battle. He got caught in round ten when Han landed a right hand to the shoulder while Mora was off balance and Mora hit the canvas. Han pressed over the last three rounds but it was not enough as each fighter took a card by a 115-112 tally and Mora won the third score to the razor thin 114–13.

Mora, 160 lbs is now 28-3-2. Han, 160 lbs is now 23-2.

Erickson Lubin remained undefeated by pounding out a 8-round unanimous decision over late replacement Michael Finney in a Jr, Middleweight bout.

Lubin, 153 lbs won by scored of 80-72 on all cards and is now 9-0. Finney, 157 3/4 lbs is now 12-2-1.

Ahmed Elbiali scored a 2nd round stoppage over Dustin Echard in a scheduled 6-round Light Heavyweight bout.

In round two, Elbiali landed a hard right that sent Echard through the ropes. Elbiali jumped on Echard and landed a some pulverizing blows. At one point Echard looked around as he was getting pummeled and referee Bill Clancy stopped the fight at 44 seconds of round two

Elbiali, 176 1/4 lbs is 9-0 with 9 knockoouts. Echard, 178 3/4 lbs is now 10-1.

Queens, NY (February 6, 2015)–On Saturday Night, February 14 Sal Musumeci’s Final Forum Boxing will promote a very special night of Boxing, Championship Title Boxing from the Resorts World Casino New York City, which will air LIVE on CBS Sports Network at 10:30 PM ET.

In one main event, Perennial Heavyweight contender Derric Rossy (29-9, 14 KO’s) will take on undefeated Akhror Muralimov (16-0, 13 KO’s) in a 10-round bout for the IBF North American Heavyweight title. In a co-main event, the popular & undefeated Mike Lee (13-0, 7 KO’s) will fight Gary Tapusoa (6-3-1, 5 KO’s) in a 6-round bout for the UBF All America’s title.

After Lee gets done with his bout, he will join ringside commentators Bob Sheridan and Benny Ricardo as a special guest announcer for the Rossy – Muralimov bout

“I am excited about this bout & excited about joining the commentators for the main event,” said the undefeated Lee.

“I look forward to commentating on such a prestigious network.”

Rossy of Medford, NY has faced and beaten some of the top Heavyweights in the world such as Gary Bell (22-3-1), Shannon Miller (14-2), Edward Gutierrez (15-3-1), Former Heavyweight champion Ray Mercer (35-6-1), William Shahan (7-0), Carl Davis Drummond (26-1), Alexis Mejias (10-2), Ian Lewison (6-1-1), Travis Walker (39-8-1), and Joe Hanks (21-1).

Rossy, 34 years-old is coming off a highly disputed majority decision defeat to current IBF number-two ranked Heavyweight Vyacheslav Glazkov on August 9 in Bethlehem, PA.

Muralimov of Houston, Texas by way of Toytepa, Uzbekistan is looking for a signature win as he already has wins over previously undefeated Olanrewaju Duradola (9-0) and Nate James (9-2).

In his last bout, Muralimov scored a 2nd round stoppage over Jason Bergman on July 26 in Washington, PA.

Lee of Chicago is popular throughout the country particularly with fans from his alma mater Notre Dame and is also known as a star of several Subway commercials.

The 27 year-old turned pro in 2010 and has wins over undefeated Peter Lewison (6-0), as well as a 6-round majority decision over Paul Gonsalves on July 25 in his hometown of Chicago.

To find out more on Mike Lee, click www.mikeleeboxing.com

Tapusoa of Independence, MO has faced 4 undefeated fighters and has a win over Nick Guivas (4-0-1).

An additional television bout will be announced at a later date.

Also slated to appear on the off-tv portion card are Super Middleweight Devaun Lee (3-1, 1 KO) of Jamaica, Queens, NY; Cruiserweight Armin Mrkanovic (6-2, 3 KO’s) of Queens, NY; Cruiserweight Dave Valykeo (4-3) of Neptune, NJ; Middleweight Henry Beckford (0-1) of New York and pro debuting Phillip LeGrand.

Tickets for this great evening of boxing can be purchased at www.rwnewyork.com or www.etix.com.

1st Bout is at 8 PM with the doors opening at 7 PM

Resorts World Casino New York City is located at 110-00 Rockaway Blvd, Jamaica, NY

LOS ANGELES (Feb. 6) Golden Boy Promotions is excited to announce the premiere of a new Los Angeles fight series adapted from the original Fight Night Club series set to launch exactly one month from today. The new series will take place monthly beginning Friday, March 6, 2015 from the historic Belasco Theater in downtown Los Angeles and will feature the future stars of boxing from Southern California in exciting, can’t-miss matches in an intimate setting. It will be featured as part of the highly rated show Golden Boy Live! on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes.

Golden Boy Promotions Founder and President Oscar De La Hoya will host a press conference next week in downtown Los Angeles to unveil details for the new Fight Night Club series. Also in attendance will be Los Angeles’ undefeated super bantamweight prospect and 2012 U.S. Olympian Joseph “Jo Jo” Diaz Jr. who is set to headline the March 6 event. A full lineup of young undefeated prospects on the card will also be announced during the press conference.

“The rebooted series will be the most unique sports and entertainment event in downtown Los Angeles every month, providing an experience unlike any other the city has to offer,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Founder and President of Golden Boy Promotions. “The series will give the hardcore fans, the casual fans and new fans the opportunity to get up close to the ring, to feel like they are part of the fight and enjoy the experience in a VIP club atmosphere. It has been a dream of mine to bring this exciting live event back to my hometown of Los Angeles.”

Golden Boy Live! is known for showcasing the brightest stars in the sport and the new Los Angeles based fight series will present these exciting matchups in a nightclub atmosphere with an original setup. The boxing ring will be set on the main floor of the Belasco Theater with on-camera standing room for fans in front of the ring similar to a concert pit, as well as, reserved balcony and floor seats. Los Anegeles’ own DJ Ray of Big Boy’s Neighborhood will spin music during the fights and fans will be able to dance and mingle with the fighters when the venue converts into a night club, in a VIP experience not matched by any promoter in the industry.

The original Fight Night Club was Golden Boy Promotions’ critically acclaimed live boxing series hosted at Club Nokia in downtown Los Angeles. The series produced present-day boxing stars including Abner Mares, “Vicious” Victor Ortiz, Ronny Rios, Carlos Molina, Manuel “Tino” Avila, Fidel “The Atrisco Kid” Maldonado Jr., Jessie Vargas, Luis Ramos Jr. and many others who went on to become world champions, and some of whom are still in the running for title matches. The return of the rebooted live show will again be a platform for young talent to display their skills, entertain local family and friends, be showcased on national television and make steps towards their dreams of becoming world champions.

Tickets for the March 6 event go on sale next week and are priced at $20, $40 and $80 with additional VIP experience packages available.

For more information visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.belascous.com, www.FOXSports.com/FOXSports1, www.FOXDeportes.com, follow on twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @FoxSports, @FoxSports1, @FoxDeportes, and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.facebook.com/ TheBelascoLA, www.facebook.com/FOXDeportes, visit us on Instagram at @GoldenBoyBoxing and @belascola.

LAS VEGAS (February 6, 2015) – The highly-anticipated, live NBC Sports Network (NBCSN) televised WSOF 19: Gaethje vs. Palomino world championship Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) event headlined by a lightweight (155 pounds) title fight and featuring the first stage of a star-studded, four-man light heavyweight (205 pounds) tournament will head to the Comerica Theatre in Phoenix, Ariz. on Saturday, March 28.

Priced from $39.99, tickets for the event go on sale on Tuesday, February 10 at 10 a.m. MST at Ticketmaster.com and WSOF.com.

WSOF President, six-time world champion and two-time Hall of Famer Ray Sefo will reveal the previously unannounced fourth tournament entrant as well as news concerning future WSOF events during the live NBC Sports Network telecast of WSOF 18: Moraes vs. Hill on Thursday, February 12.

In the headlining contest, reigning, undefeated lightweight kingpin and wrecking machine Justin Gaethje (13-0), who has been referred to as “the greatest lightweight on this planet,” will risk his belt and his flawless record against dangerous, hard-hitting KO artist Luis “Baboon” Palomino (23-9).

The event also marks the beginning of a multi-event, four-man elimination tournament that will crown its winner the promotion’s inaugural light heavyweight champion later this year. Superstars Ronny Markes (15-3) and Thiago Silva (16-3) will square off in the first bout of the tournament’s first stage.

The second bout in the first stage of the WSOF tournament, pitting wrestling standout and inspiration Matt “The Hammer” Hamill (11-5) against the soon to be announced fourth tournament entrant, will take place at a later date.

The winners of the two, initial stage tournament bouts will square off against each other with the vacant WSOF world title at stake.

The 26-year-old Gaethje of Safford, Ariz. has been on a perfect run since his 2011 professional debut. He made his WSOF debut in March 2013, scoring a first round (2:27) TKO (doctor stoppage) on Gesias “JZ” Cavalcante, before moving on to defeat Brian Cobb, Dan Lauzon and Richard Patishnock.

On July 5, 2014 Gaethje finished Nick Newell by way of TKO (punches) in the second round (3:09) of the first-ever WSOF world lightweight championship bout, live on NBC. Gaethje defended his strap for the first time on Nov. 15, 2014, earning a split decision win over Melvin Guillard.

In his 13 career wins, Gaethje has secured 11 stoppage wins, including 10 victories by KO.

Fighting out of Miami, Fla., the 34-year-old Palomino, a native of Peru, has 13 KO’s and 2 submission victories under his belt.

Palomino has been explosive in the WSOF decagon cage, thus far, picking up back-to-back KO wins over fellow battle-tested veteran Jorge “Macaco” Patino and the previously undefeated “Lethal” Lewis Gonzalez, by way of an onslaught of punches and a knee strike-punch combination, respectively to earn a shot at Gaethje’s title.

Hamill of Loveland, Ohio remains one of the most inspirational athletes in all of MMA, even as he nears 10 years in the sport. Deaf since birth, Hamill managed to earn his way to three NCAA Division III wrestling national titles before turning his attention to MMA.

The subject of a 2010 biographical film entitled “The Hammer,” Hamill, who announced his retirement from the sport less than two years ago, owns notable wins over Tito Ortiz, Tim Boetsch, Keith Jardine and Mark Munoz, among others, and also boasts past clashes with Michael Bisping, Rich Franklin, Alexander Gustafsson, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Jon Jones.

Markes of Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, is a member of his native country’s famed Nova Uniao team. A Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, the 26-year-old turned pro in 2007 and opened his career at 12-1 before moving down to middleweight (185 pounds), where he found mixed results at 2-2 in a four-fight run.

Markes returned to light heavyweight in his WSOF debut, scoring a dominating decision win over Cully Butterfield this past August. In his career, Markes is 13-1 when competing at 205 pounds.

Silva, originally from Sao Carlos, Sao Paulo, Brazil, now fighting out of Oakland Park, Fla., has been fighting professionally for nearly a decade. The 32-year-old Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt opened his career with 13 consecutive victories, a run that included nine first-round stoppages.

Silva’s appearance will mark his first start since earning a unanimous decision over Hamill on Oct. 9, 2013. One bout prior to that on June 8, 2013, Silva scored a brutal first round (4:29) KO (punches) on Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante.

Additional bouts for WSOF 19: Gaethje vs. Palomino will be announced soon.

The live NBCSN telecast of WSOF 19: Gaethje vs. Palomino will begin at 9 p.m. EST/6 p.m. PST.

Doors at Comerica Theatre will open for the event at 3 p.m. MST, and the first preliminary bout will begin at 4 p.m.

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 — Premier League, Formula One, IndyCar, Tour de France, the 34th America’s Cup, and beginning in 2015, NASCAR. In addition, NBCSN features college football, college basketball, college hockey, cycling, outdoor programming, horse racing surrounding the Triple Crown and Breeders’ Cup, Fight Night boxing, Ironman, the Dew Tour and USA Sevens Rugby. The network is also home to original programs such as Costas Tonight, 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.

All the fighters made weight ahead of the Nordic Fight Night on Saturday at the Arena Nord in Frederikshavn, Denmark, which features the WBC International Cruiserweight Championship clash between Micki Nielsen (16-0, 12 KOs) and Julio Cesar Dos Santos (27-3, 24 KOs), and the all-Scandinavian showdown between Anthony Yigit (11-0-1, 4 KOs) and Kim Poulsen (26-1, 7 KOs) for the WBC Baltic Welterweight title.

Official weights:

WBC International Cruiserweight Championship
Micki Nielsen – 90.5 kg
Julio Cesar Dos Santos – 89.1 kg

WBC Baltic Welterweight Championship
Anthony Yigit – 65.7 kg
Kim Poulsen – 65.9 kg

Featherweight – 8 Rounds
Dennis Ceylan – 57 kg
Cristian Montilla – 56.2 kg

Super Middleweight – 8 Rounds
Tim-Robin Lihaug – 76.3 kg
Farouk Daku – 74.4 kg

Cruiserweight – 4 Rounds
Kai Robin Havnaa – 89.6 kg
Merdjidin Yusinov – 90.1 kg

Middleweight – 8 Rounds
Abdul Khattab – 72.5 kg
Alexey Ribchev – 72.6 kg

Lightweight – 8 Rounds
Rashid Kassem – 60.9 kg
Gyula Tallosi – 59.6 kg

Super Middleweight – 8 Rounds
Simen Smaadal – 75.6 kg
Janos Olah – 75.4 kg

Light Heavyweight – 6 Rounds
Alexander Hagen – 79.1 kg
Ivan Stupalo – 77.4 kg

Lightweight – 8 Rounds
Richard Commey – 62.3 kg
Mikheil Avakyan – 62.3 kg

Star Boxing’s Undefeated Jr. Welterweight Cletus “The Hebrew Hammer” Seldin faces Mexican warrior Johnny Garcia, in the main event from The Paramount in Huntington, NY, February 27th live on ESPN’s Friday Night fights. The fight will be a 10 round bout for Seldin’s WBC International Jr. Welterweight title.

This will mark the first time Seldin (15-0 12KO’s, Shirley, NY) will be featured as the main event attraction on ESPN and the popular power punching Long Islander has no easy task in front of him as he battles the ever so tough Johnny Garcia (19-2-1 11KO’s, Holland MI). The thrilling and charismatic Seldin is one of the hardest punchers in the division.

The two fighters have similar styles, both are very aggressive and both carry ‘one-punch’ knockout power. Seldin captured the title in his last bout at The Paramount on December 14th, a stirring 9th round TKO over Bayan Jargal in a fight that kept the fans on their feet throughout the whole bout. These types of fights have become a staple for Seldin making him a must see fighter on the rise.

Garcia is no stranger to these kinds of fights either. For example, in one of his best wins (2012) he outslugged the undefeated Cuban prospect Yordenis Ugas in a thrilling 8 round war. Garcia has promised to come into Seldin’s backyard and upset the apple cart by walking out with Seldin’s WBC International title.

Joe DeGuardia (President/CEO of Star Boxing) had this to say about this upcoming bout, “As a fan I can’t wait to see these two warriors trade bombs on February 27th. I know for the fans in attendance and those viewing on the ESPN network this could be an early candidate for Fight of the Year. You have 2 young, hungry fighters, both like to brawl, both good punchers, both crowd pleasing fighters which should make for another exciting sold out night at The Paramount”.

The undercard bouts will be announced soon. For ticket information you can call Star Boxing, 718 823-2000 or The Paramount box office, 631 673-7300, or Ticketmaster at Ticketmaster.com or by calling 1 (800) 745-3000. Tickets are selling very fast so get your orders in early.

ABOUT THE PARAMOUNT:
Opened September 30, 2011 this 1,555-capacity live entertainment venue, located in downtown Huntington, Long Island, New York, features; concerts, comedy, boxing, community and other special events in a club/theater setting. With over 30,000 Facebook fans, The Paramount was recently ranked by Pollstar Magazine as the #24 highest attended club-venue worldwide (January-June 2013). A Ticketmaster venue, booked by Live Nation, TheParamount hosts nearly 200 events per year and in less than two years since its inception, has quickly established itself as the premier music venue onLong Island, NY. Some artists who have recently taken the Paramount stage include; Billy Joel, Pitbull, Don Henley, Willie Nelson, B.B. King, ZZ Top, Counting Crows, Primus, Matchbox 20, The Blues Brothers, Limp Bizkit, & many, many, more.

ABOUT THE FOX HOLLOW:
Nestled upon 8 private acres of Long Island’s north shore is the Fox Hollow, which features a state of the art event venue, fine dining restaurant and an all-suite luxury boutique hotel. Owned & operated by the Scotto Brothers, their Above & Beyond philosophy in providing each & every guest with superior services and amenities is paramount. Visit the Fox Hollow online at www.TheFoxHollow.com & www.TheInnAtFoxHollow.com

ABOUT CAMELOT LIMOUSINE:
Official Sponsor of the Paramount Boxing Series, Camelot Limos is a family owned and operated business located in Nassau County, with over 25 years of professional experience; serving satisfied clientele since 1984. The owners of Camelot Specialty Limos are very active in the business and play a major role in the company’s day-to-day operations. Camelot Specialty Limos, Inc. is an Accredited Member of the Better Business Bureau. www.camelotlimo.com

ABOUT WBAB 102.3:
WBAB 102.3 is the home of Long Island’s Classic Rock anchored by their Long Island Rock ‘N’ Roll Morning Show with Roger and JP. For more information or to listen online, visit their website at
www.wbab.com and follow them on Facebook.com/1023wbab
and on Twitter @1023wbab.

Allentown, PA (February 6, 2015)–On Saturday night, February 21, rising Jr. Lightweight Frank De Alba will headline a special night of boxing at the Econo Lodge in Allentown and is promoted by Kings Promotions.

De Alba of Reading, PA has a record of 14-1-2 with 5 knockouts and has won 12 in a row and is undefeated his last 16 outings.

The 27 year-old turned professional in 2011 and has wins over Andrew Bentley (1-0) & Benjamin Burgos (1-0). He won the UBF All Americas Super Featherweight title with a 5th round stoppage over Pablo Batres and defended it in his last bout with an 8-round unanimous decision over Jess Carridine in October 4 in Valley Forge, PA.

De Alba’s opponent in the scheduled 8 round main event will be announced shortly.

In the 8-round co-feature, undefeated Super Bantamweight Juan Dominguez will take on an opponent to be named.

Dominguez of Brooklyn, NY has a record of 17-0 with 11 knockouts.

The 28 year-old has wins over Gabriel Gomez, Arturo Santiago for the New York State Bantamweight title, Geyci Lorenzo for the WBA Fedecaribe Super Bantamweight title & Camilo Perez (9-1). In his last bout Dominguez scored an 8-round unanimous decision over German Meraz on December 12 in Chicago.

In 8-round bouts:

Super Middleweight John Magda (8-0, 6 KO’s) of Rutherford, NJ will take on an opponent to be named.

Ivan Golub (5-0, 4 KO’s) of Brooklyn, NY will take on an opponent to be named in a Jr. Middleweight bout.

In 6-round Bouts:

Israel Suarez (4-4-2, 1 KO) of Luquillo, PR will fight an opponent to be named in a Featherweight bout

Danny Kelly (6-1-1, 5 KO’s) of Washington, DC will take on an opponent to be named in a Heavyweight bout.

In 4-round bouts:

Christian Molina (3-0, 2 KO’s) of Allentown, PA will fight Gerald Smith (3-2, 1 KO) of Philadelphia, PA in a Jr. Welterweight bout.

Robert Irizarry (2-0-1) of Cherry Hill, NJ will battle Benjamin Burgos (2-10-1) of Mount Pocono, PA in a Featherweight bout.

Christopher Booker of Philadelphia will make his pro debut against an opponent to be named in a Middleweight bout.

Jonathan Williams (0-3) of Allentown, PA will square off with Shawn Sutton (0-3) of Norristown, PA in a Welterweight bout.

Tickets for this great night of boxing are $45 for General Admission and $60 for Ringside and can be purchased by clicking: www.kingsboxing.eventbrite.com or by calling 610 587 5950

The Econo Lodge is located at 1151 Building Drive in Allentown, PA