LOS ANGELES, CA (March 1, 2023): Golden Boy Promotions announced today the signing of 18-year-old Mexican bantamweight prospect Gael Cabrera. 

“I would like to express to Oscar De La Hoya and Eric Gomez my sincerest gratitude for making my dream come true,” said Gael Cabrera. “Every fighter’s dream is to sign with the best promoter. I have done so with Golden Boy Promotions. They will guide me, they will polish me, and most importantly, they will be by my side to lead me to become one of Mexico’s next great fighters. I promise to work hard. I promise to be committed, and I promise to deliver a world title to my family when the opportunity presents itself.” 

“Gael Cabrera has the amateur pedigree and the heart of a champion that we look for in top prospects,” said Chairman and CEO Oscar De La Hoya. “He has been battle-tested amongst the best in his division in the amateurs and has the discipline to continue to improve his craft. We are excited to launch his professional career under our coveted promotional banner.” 

Hailing from Ciudad Obregón, Sonora, Mexico, the pugilist is an eight-time State Champion, three-time Mexican National Champion, two-time Mexican National Bronze Champion, and the 2022 IBA Junior World Championship Silver Medalist. With more than 200 amateur fights under his belt, the naturally ambidextrous boxer-puncher has the solid foundation for a bright professional career. 

Cabrera began boxing at age 4 where the love for boxing was instantaneous. He developed his passion for the sport by watching his older brother, Misael, train at the gym. Misael, along with his trainers Gabriel Lopez and Gabriel Escarsega, have been an integral part of Gael’s development since day one. Gael trains at a small, humble gym next door to his home in Mexico that his father, his brother, and he have constructed. 

With his sights set to be recognized in Mexico as one of the best young prospects in his division once he makes his professional debut, he hopes to get closer to becoming a world champion within the next five years.

Gael Cabrera’s Instagram: @terrorcabrera__

NATHAN HEANEY REPORTS that his dashing good looks are still intact with his facial features having survived a brush with the dome of Jack Flatley back in September.

Heaney and Flatley were approaching the midway point of a fascinating title fight at the Manchester Arena when battle was halted after Heaney was sliced open above the right eye following a heavy clash of heads.

The fight was stopped on medical advice by referee Steve Gray and Stoke favourite Heaney was judged to be leading on all three cards, therefore retaining his IBO International middleweight title.

The Stoke vs Bolton rivalry will now resume at the Telford International Centre on March 25 when the pair will rematch with the WBA Continental title on the line.

Despite the severity of the wound, Heaney reveals that the fight night doctor adopted a less is more approach when it came to sewing up the gash.

“To be fair it actually healed, superficially, in about a week,” said the 33-year-old ‘Hitman’. “It was dead weird, it was like it never happened a week later. But, I didn’t get punched on it for at least eight weeks after, when I started sparring again.

“Now it is bang-on.

“He literally put four stitches in and I thought ‘is that it?’ for like a cut of that size. So he put four in and two of them fell out two days later!

“When I saw the surgeon in Stoke, he said the doctor at the fight did great because the less stitches you have, the less tight it is in the seal. If it is too tight, basically the skin dies in the seal where the pressure is too much and it doesn’t heal as well.

“So I was buzzing with that, really,” continued Heaney, who has recently sat down to assess his abbreviated night’s work in Manchester.

“I actually watched it back the other day because I hadn’t watched it for ages. The way I felt the fight was going was I was in complete control and I was picking the pace up going into round five.

“Even the round where the commentators had him winning, if I was being very generous, I’d give it a 10-10. I still thought I was winning it when I watched it back.

“He caught me with a right hand in round three, but just because he caught me with a shot doesn’t mean he was winning it, he just did better than he did in the first two when I was jabbing him.

“The way I saw it, I was controlling all the rounds and then picking the pace up. That is why I was moving more and throwing more combinations, which is what led to the head clash coming because he lunged in while I was moving in and out.

“That is how I felt it was going,” concluded Heaney, who went on to answer whether he feels the sequel will follow a similar pattern.

“I would imagine he has to start at a fast pace, but that is a double edged sword because it is a 10-round fight. Unless he believes he can go in there and stop me within the first five rounds… I don’t think he has got the power to do that.

“That is the only way he could change it, but if he gets to round five by setting a really high pace he has got another five rounds of me sticking the jab in his face and stuff.

“In the first few rounds you are gauging each other and setting a game plan. It wasn’t a terribly exciting first five rounds first time around and the exciting part would have been in that second half.

“Now we’ve got the chance to do it again with the crowd much closer this time because my guys were in the gods last time. I don’t think he felt the atmosphere like he will at this event because ticket sales have gone amazing, as always.

“It is a much tighter arena and it will be very loud in there.”

Tickets for the Telford show headlined by Heaney vs Flatley 2 and Cain vs Baluta at Telford International Centre on Saturday, 25 March are on sale now from: ticketmaster.co.uk.

NATHAN HEANEY WILL rematch Jack Flatley with the vacant WBA Continental middleweight title at stake and Andrew Cain will defend his WBC International Silver super bantamweight title against Ionut Baluta at the Telford International Centre on Saturday March 25, live on BT Sport.

Tickets for the Telford show headlined by Heaney vs Flatley 2 and Cain vs Baluta at Telford International Centre on Saturday, 25 March are on sale now available from ticketmaster.co.uk.

Las Vegas – UFC^® returns to Kansas City, Mo. for the first time in almost four years with a star-studded lineup as former UFC featherweight champion and No. 2 ranked contender Max Holloway faces No. 4 Arnold Allen in a crucial matchup with title implications. Also, in another featherweight clash sure to produce fireworks, No. 14 ranked Edson Barboza battles Billy Quarantillo.

UFC FIGHT NIGHT^®: HOLLOWAY vs. ALLEN will take place Saturday, April 15 at T-Mobile Center. The main card will be available on ESPN and ESPN Deportes, as well as simulcast in English and Spanish on ESPN+, starting at 8:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. PT. The prelims will kick off streaming exclusively on ESPN+ at 5:30 p.m. ET / 2:30 p.m. PT.

UFC FIGHT NIGHT^®: HOLLOWAY vs. ALLEN tickets will go on sale Friday, March 3 at 10 a.m. CT and are available for purchase at AXS.com. Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. UFC Fight Club^® members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets Wednesday, March 1 at 10 a.m. CT via the website www.ufcfightclub.com. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers Thursday, March 2 starting at 10 a.m. CT. To access this presale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through UFC.com.

Media members wishing to apply for UFC FIGHT NIGHT^®: HOLLOWAY vs. ALLEN fight week credentials may sign up here.

Fan favorite Holloway (23-7, fighting out of Waianae, Hawaii) aims to make his first Octagon appearance of 2023 a dominant one. Among the greatest featherweights to ever compete in the UFC, Holloway holds the divisional records for most wins (18), most finishes (10), longest win streak (13), and total strikes landed (2,872). He now plans to earn his way back into the title picture by taking out a fellow top contender.

Allen (19-1, fighting out of Trimley St. Martin, Suffolk, England) intends on delivering his best performance yet in the biggest opportunity of his MMA career. Undefeated in the UFC since joining in 2015, he has worked his way to the Top 5 rankings with notable wins over Calvin Kattar, Dan Hooker and Gilbert Melendez. Allen now looks to leave no doubt against Holloway and stake his claim for a title shot.

Barboza (22-11, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) returns to action aiming to add another spectacular highlight to his resume. An explosive striker, Barboza has delighted fans with finishes over Shane Burgos, Dan Hooker and Terry Etim. He now has his sights set on becoming the first person to KO Quarantillo in the UFC. 

Rising contender Quarantillo (17-4, fighting out of Tampa, Fla.) seeks to break into the Top 15 for the first time. Known for his relentless cardio and pace, he owns thrilling victories over Alexander Hernandez, Gabriel Benitez and Kyle Nelson. Quarantillo now plans to secure his second Performance of the Night bonus in a row and begin his run toward title contention.

Additional bouts on the card include:

• No. 15 ranked light heavyweight contender Azamat Murzakanov (12-0, fighting out of Nalchik, Russia) defends his undefeated record against Dustin Jacoby (18-6-1, fighting out of Springfield, Ill.)
• Tanner Boser (20-9-1, fighting out of Alberta, Canada) makes his light heavyweight debut against Ion Cutelaba (16-9-1 1NC, fighting out of Chisinau, Moldova)
• In a battle of Top 15 bantamweights, No. 9 ranked Pedro Munhoz (19-7 2NC, fighting out of Sao Paulo, Brazil) faces No. 12 Chris Gutierrez (19-3-2, fighting out of Littleton, Colo.)
• Featherweights Bill Algeo (16-7, fighting out of King of Prussia, Penn.) and TJ Brown (17-9, fighting out of Little Rock, Ark.) collide in a Fight of the Night contender
• Kansas City’s own Zak Cummings (24-7, fighting out of Kansas City, Mo.) matches up with fellow veteran Ed Herman (27-15 1NC, fighting out of Portland, Ore.) at light heavyweight
• UFC Hall of Famer Clay Guida (38-19, fighting out of Johnsburg, Ill.) returns against Rafa Garcia (15-3, fighting out of Imperial, Calif.) at lightweight
• The record holder for most finishes in UFC women’s flyweight history, Gillian Robertson (11-7, fighting out of Coconut Creek, Fla. by way of Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada) aims for another signature stoppage against Piera Rodriguez (9-0, fighting out of Maracaibo, Venezuela)
• Top 5 flyweights lock horns as No. 4 Brandon Royval (14-6, fighting out of Lakewood, Colo.) meets No. 5 Matheus Nicolau (19-3-1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
• Dana White’s Contender Series alums Bruna Brasil (8-2-1, fighting out of Sao Paulo, Brazil) and Denise Gomes (6-2, fighting out of Niteroi, Brazil) clash in a strawweight tilt
• Bantamweights Aaron Phillips (12-4, fighting out of Lafayette, La.) and Gaston Bolanos (6-3, fighting out of Dublin, Calif.) vie to secure their first UFC wins
• Lando Vannata (12-6-2, fighting out of Albuquerque, N.M.) and Daniel Zellhuber (12-1, fighting out of Estado de Mexico, Mexico) battle in a striker’s delight at lightweight
• Joselyne Edwards (12-4, fighting out of Panama City, Panama) and Lucie Pudilova (9-6, fighting out of Pribram, Czech Republic) kick off the event at bantamweight

For the latest information on additional bouts for this event, please visit www.ufc.com. All bouts are live and subject to change. Please click here to apply for the event.

###

About UFC^®

UFC^® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 700 million fans and 228 million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world, while broadcasting to over 900 million TV households across more than 170 countries. UFC’s athlete roster features the world’s best MMA athletes representing more than 80 countries. The organization’s digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS^®, one of the world’s leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC is owned by global entertainment, sports and content company Endeavor, and is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram and TikTok: @UFC.

About T-Mobile Center

T-Mobile Center is Kansas City’s home for live entertainment and sporting events. Anchor to more than $8 billion of reinvestment in a revitalized downtown Kansas City, the award-winning venue operated by ASM Global has welcomed more than 12 million guests and transformed the live entertainment experience in the Midwest. For additional information or to join the conversation, follow T-Mobile Center on social media via Facebook: @TMobileCenter; Twitter: @TMobileCenter & Instagram: @TMobileCenter.

About ESPN+

ESPN+ is the industry-leading sports streaming service that offers fans in the U.S. thousands of live sports events, original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks and exclusive editorial content from dozens of ESPN writers and reporters. Launched in April 2018, ESPN+ has grown to more than 24.9 million subscribers. Fans sign up to ESPN+ for just $9.99 a month (or $99.99 per year) at ESPN.com, ESPNplus.com or on the ESPN App (mobile and connected devices).

About ESPN

ESPN, the world’s leading sports entertainment brand, features eight U.S. television networks, direct-to-consumer ESPN+, ESPN Radio, ESPN.com, endeavors on every continent around the world, and more. ESPN is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc. (an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company) and 20 percent by Hearst.

ZHILEI ZHANG PROMISES that Joe Joyce will feel the Far East force when the pair collide at the Copper Box Arena on April 15, live on BT Sport.

Big Juggernaut and Big Bang will trade bombs with Joyce’s WBO Interim world heavyweight title at stake, with the pair fighting for the right to challenge for the full world championship, currently held by unified champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Joyce is renowned for walking through heavy fire without flinching, as evidenced throughout his career and last year in fights against Christian Hammer and Joseph Parker.

Zhang, who fought a final eliminator for the IBF belt against Filip Hrgovic last year and rocked the fancied Croatian, warns that being prepared to take punishment would be a risky strategy against himself.

“Joe Joyce has good punch resistance but he has never felt Chinese power,” is the chilling warning coming from the 39-year-old who hails from Zhoukou in China.

Promoted by Queensberry Promotions, Joyce-Zhang will be broadcast live in the U.K. on BT Sport and streamed live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+.

Also featuring at the Copper Box will be the return of Denzel Bentley with a defence of his British middleweight title against Scottish challenger Kieran Smith. Peacock Gym puncher Bentley is back fighting in London after his unsuccessful WBO world title tilt against Janibek Alimkhanuly in November.

Former unified super-featherweight belt-holder Mikaela Mayer, fighting in the U.K. for the second time in a row, will make her lightweight debut against former two-time super-lightweight world champion Christina ‘Medusa’ Linardatou.

Commonwealth super bantamweight champion Dennis McCann will make a first defence of the title he won via defeating Joe Ham last time out, with his Queensberry iBox Gym teammate Sam Noakes defending his WBC International Silver and Commonwealth lightweight titles.

McCann made it a title treble at The O2 in November, with the 22-year-old Menace having won the WBC International Silver featherweight championship and the WBO Youth super bantamweight title in his previous two fights, beating James Beech Jr and Charles Tondo respectively.

Former amateur star Eithan James, winner of five national titles, is on the card in an eight round super lightweight contest. While another super lightweight Sonny Liston Ali will fight in a six-rounder with Dagenham super welterweight Joel Kodua fighting over four.

Tickets for the showdown between Joe Joyce and Zhilei Zhang on Saturday, 15 April at the Copper Box Arena, London are on sale now from: ticketmaster.co.uk

Images are free to use, please credit Queensberry

Top local talent and rising stars are confirmed to feature on Wasserman Boxing’s first free-to-air show of 2023, live on Channel 5 from the University of Bolton Arena on Friday March 24 in association with Infinitum Entertainment.

Manchester boxer Lyndon Arthur (21-1, 15 KOs) tops an action-packed event as he faces Argentina’s Braian Nahuel Suarez (18-1, 17 KOs) for the IBO World Light Heavyweight Championship.

An electric undercard will see Wigan’s James Moorcroft (18-2, 6 KOs) and Liverpool’s Nathan Bennett (12-3, 2 KOs) put it all on the line in an epic Final Eliminator for the English Welterweight Title over 10 Rounds.

After three impressive wins in his beloved Merseyside, Bennett will be looking to pick up from his flawless wins against the likes of Mykhailo Sovtus, Rustem Fatkhullin and Lee Connelly to edge out an incredible eliminator matchup against his domestic foe.

Moorcroft will also be looking to build on the foundations of familiar surroundings when he returns for his third consecutive fight in Bolton. After a TKO win against Olaide Fijabi in September 2022, Moorcroft produced a dominant points win over Serge Ambomo to set up this tantalising bout.

Rickey Hatton’s Flyweight protégé, and former Team GB star, Chloe Watson (4-0) will be returning to take on Carolina Ornella Ferrari (3-2-2) at Flyweight. With the six-rounder confirmed, Watson will look to keep her undefeated record going following a dominant points victory over Minerva Gutierrez in November 2022 at York Hall.

Watson has not only impressed the likes of Hatton as she shows fantastic signs of improvement in each fight, the 23-year-old is showing maturity beyond her years as she continues to bank valuable rounds in her quest to become the next poster girl of British boxing.  

In another mouth-watering domestic match up, Wolverhampton’s Conah Walker (11-1-1, 3 KOs) takes on Manchester’s Kane Gardner (15-2, 7 KOs) in an eight-round Super Lightweight contest. “Sugar Kane” had an untouchable 2022 as he remained unbeaten in his three fights during the calendar year. With two victories coming by way of unanimous points wins, the highlight for Gardner came in his bout against Samuel Opaogun as he twice put the Nigerian down on the way to a fourth-round stoppage win.

Walker bounced back from a narrow English Welterweight Title loss to dominate Iliyan Markov in his backyard of Wolverhampton in May of last year. Walker has shown he is a class above in the professional ranks after a statement points win to claim the Midlands Area Welterweight Championship against Levi Ferguson to get his first taste of titles. In a clash that could swing either way, there could be a potential domestic title shot waiting in the wings for the man who makes it to the other side with their hand raised.

Another Mancunian features on the card at Cruiserweight, as Ashley Marron makes his professional debut against the experienced Daryl Pearce. Traie Duberry also makes his professional debut as he lines up a Cruiserweight clash over 4 rounds. The undefeated Nial Brown looks to build on his seven wins as he goes toe-to-toe with fellow Middleweight Bahadur Karami over 6 rounds.

Lyndon Arthur faces Braian Nahuel Suarez for the IBO World Light Heavyweight Championship on Friday March 24 at the University of Bolton Stadium, live and free on Channel 5, promoted by Wasserman Boxing in association with Infinitum Entertainment.

Tickets are on sale now and available via WassermanBoxing.com.

NEW YORK (FEBRUARY 27, 2023)–Three Split-T Management fighters came home with victories over the past five days.

It all started on Wednesday night as junior middleweight Marques Valle remained undefeated by winning a six-round unanimous decision over Jarrod Tennant in Plant City, Florida.

Valle of Wesley Chapel, Florida won by scores of 60-54 twice and 59-55 to keep his unblemished mark at 8-0. Tennant of Los Angeles falls to 8-2.

Valle is promoted by Pro Box Promotions

Saturday night in Orlando, Florida, Otha Jones III won a six-round unanimous decision over 63-fight veteran Raymond Chacon.

The bout, which took place at The Caribe Royale Resort saw Jones win by scores of 60-54 on all cards to raise his record to 6-1-1.

Jones is promoted by GH3 Promotions.

Also on Saturday. Joseph Hicks Jr. remained undefeated with a tough six-round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Bilal Quintyne in a super middleweight contest.

Hicks was sent to the canvas at the end of the opening frame. Hicks showed heat by shaking off the first round and coming back to get the better of the next five rounds in the crowd pleasing fight.

Hicks of Grand Rapids, Michigan won by scores of 57-55 and 57-56 twice to raise his record to 5-0. Quintyne is now 4-1.

Hicks is promoted by Salita Promotions.

NEWTOWN PA (February 27th, 2023)–THIS SATURDAY NIGHT, Saturday March 4th, RDR Promotions will present a huge night of boxing at The Newtown Athletic Club in Newtown, Pennsylvania.

In the featured six-round bout, rising and undefeated junior welterweight Isaiah Johnson will take on veteran Antonio Sanchez.

Johnson of New Jersey has had an explosive start to his career as he is 6-0 with five knockouts. The 20 year-old Johnson is coming off a six-round unanimous decision over William Parra Smith on October 22, 2022 in Philadelphia.

Sanchez of Toa Alta, Puerto Rico is 7-15-3 with three knockouts. He has quality wins on his resume over Carlos Lopez (4-0), Bernard Leon Figueroa (10-1) and Courtney Jackson (21-3).

In a six-round bout, Roberto Gomez faces veteran Oscar Barajas in a junior welterweight bout.

Gomez of Mexico is 5-1 with five knockouts. Gomez is coming off a shocking stoppage win over Quadir Albright (6-0) on October 1, 2022 in Philadelphia.

Barajas of Zamora, Mexico is 18-8-1 with eight knockouts. The 32 year-old Barajas had defeated Roxie Lam (7-1) as well Edgardo Navarrete Correa (11-2). Barajas has developed into a “Philly-Killer” as he has defeated two favorites from the City of Brotherly Love in Jerome Conquest and Damon Allen (16-1-1).

In Four-Round Bouts:

Nimal Farmer (2-0, 2 KOs) of Lindenwold, NJ takes on Boris Nde (4-1, 1 KO) of Harrisburg, PA in a welterweight contest.

Dominique Mayfield (2-1) of Philadelphia takes on Jerome Aiken (1-6-1, 1 KO) of Annapolis, MD in a heavyweight bout.

Ghandi Romain of Union City, NJ will make his pro debut against Jeremiah Kendrick (1-3, 1 KO) of Philadelphia in a super welterweight bout.

Erron Peterson (3-0, 2 KOs) of Philadelphia battles Tariq Green (2-2) of Philadelphia in a middleweight clash.

Najeem Johns (2-0, 2 KOs) of Darby, PA tussles with Raekwon Butler (5-4.3 KOs) of Brooklyn, NY in a super lightweight battle.

Brendan O’Callaghan (4-1-1, 1 KO) of Philadelphia takes on Soslan Alborov (1-1-1, 1 KO) of Philadelphia in a super welterweight fight.

Jonathan Wiles (0-2) of Philadelphia will take on debuting Ali Ellis of Philadelphia in a heavyweight battle.

First Bout at 5 PM ET

The Newtown Athletic Club is located at 120 Pheasant, Newtown PA 18940

Tickets are $200, $100, $75 and $50 and can be purchased at The Following Link

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

NEWARK, N.J. (Feb. 27, 2023) —Jared “The Real Big Baby” Anderson has climbed the heavyweight rankings with his devastating knockout power. The 6’4, 240-pound wrecking ball will face fellow unbeaten George Arias in a 10-rounder Saturday, April 8, at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Anderson-Arias will be the co-feature to the WBC lightweight title eliminator between Shakur Stevenson and Shuichiro Yoshino. 

U.S. Olympic silver medalist Keyshawn Davis will face his stiffest challenge in the 10-round lightweight televised opener against former world title challenger Anthony Yigit.

Stevenson-Yoshino, Anderson-Arias, and Davis-Yigit will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

Promoted by Top Rank, tickets starting at $55 are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com.

Anderson (13-0, 13 KOs), a 23-year-old from Toledo, Ohio, has notched five consecutive second-round stoppages, including a demolition of the normally durable Jerry Forrest last December. Anderson received international headlines for his work as Tyson Fury’s chief sparring partner, but he’s now forging his own path as boxing’s most decorated young heavyweight.

Anderson said, “This is the kind of fight I’ve been waiting for, a big fight between two undefeated heavyweights. I’m excited to once again be fighting on the same card as Shakur Stevenson. Don’t miss this fight. April 8 is going to a special night in Newark.”

Arias (18-0, 7 KOs), a Dominican boxer-puncher, began his pro career in 2014 and has toppled seven unbeaten fighters in his ascension to contender status. Arias continued that trend in his previous two fights, defeating Cassius Chaney and Alante Green by split decision. The New York City resident will give up five inches and roughly 20 pounds to Anderson. 

Arias said, “I’m excited for the opportunity to go to war with Jared Anderson, one of the most highly regarded heavyweights right now. I thank my team for helping me get to this position. I can’t wait to show my skills on such a big platform. On April 8, I will pull off the upset.”

Davis (7-0, 5 KOs), from Norfolk, Virginia, went 3-0 in the pro ranks before capturing a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics. In November 2021, he signed a long-term promotional contract with Top Rank and has scored four wins since, including a violent knockout over Omar Tienda at Prudential Center last year. In his most recent outing, the 23-year-old standout dominated former world title challenger Juan Carlos Burgos.

Davis said, “The Newark fans showed me so much love last time, and I can’t wait to give them another special performance. I’m going to make Yigit regret taking this fight. He’s been in the ring with some good fighters, but I’m on another level.”

Yigit (26-2-1, 10 KOs) is a Swedish contender who represented his homeland at the 2012 Olympics. The 31-year-old began his pro career the following year and scored wins over DeMarcus Corley and Sandor Martin before unsuccessfully challenging Ivan Baranchyk for the IBF junior welterweight title in 2018. Yigit bounced back with three victories before losing to Rolando Romero in July 2021. He is now settled as a lightweight and has knocked out his last two opponents. 

Yigit said, “I’m excited to get back into the mix. Huge respect to Keyshawn for taking this fight, but he’s young. Too young. He’s fast, I’m fast. He’s strong, I’m strong. He’s an Olympian, I’m an Olympian. My edge is my experience. I’m going to use it.”

ABOUT PRUDENTIAL CENTER
Prudential Center is the world-class sports and entertainment venue located in downtown Newark, New Jersey. Opened in October 2007, the state-of-the-art arena is the home of the National Hockey League’s (NHL) three-time Stanley Cup Champion New Jersey Devils, Seton Hall University’s NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball program, and more than 175 concerts, family shows and special events each year. The arena is also home to the GRAMMY Museum Experience Prudential Center, which opened its doors to the public in October 2017. The 8,200-square-foot experience marks the first GRAMMY Museum outpost on the East Coast and features a dynamic combination of educational programming and interactive permanent and traveling exhibits, including a spotlight on legendary GRAMMY winners from New Jersey. Ranked in the Top 8 nationally by Pollstar, Billboard and Venues Today, Prudential Center is recognized as one of the premier venues in the United States, and hosts over 2 million guests annually. For more information about Prudential Center, visit PruCenter.com and follow the arena on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @PruCenter. Prudential Center is a Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment property.

QUINCY, Mass. (February 27, 2023) – Style make fights and a potential instant classic in on tap March 11^th in the “Springfield Championship Boxing 2” main event, when undefeated Kenny “Lionheart” Larson (6-0, 5 KOs) challenges defending Massachusetts State Welterweight Champion Denzel “Double Impact” Whitley (10-0, 6 KOs) in the 8-round headliner, at MassMutural Center in Springfield, Massachusetts.

“Springfield Championship Boxing 2”, presented by Granite Chin Promotions (GCP), will be streamed live on BXNGTV.com.

“This fight has all the makings to be one of those local fights that people talk about for years,” GCP president Chris Traietti commented. “You have a hyper aggressive guy like Kenny going up against a slick counter-puncher like Denzel. Both guys are undefeated and there’s a state title on the line. Kudos to both guys for taking this fight, one that nobody will want to miss.”

Larson, 33, is an ultra-aggressive fighter who constantly applies pressure on his opponent; Whitley’s an intelligent counter-puncher that breaks down the other guy in the ring. It figures to be an exciting showdown to determine who fights his fight. It’s so rare for a pair of undefeated prospects to fight each other so early in their professional careers.

“We are looking to showcase that we are both serious,” Larson explained. We both want to make statements! As long as I do what I’m supposed to do, fighting like I do in the gym, it doesn’t matter that I’m fighting him in his neck of the woods. (Whitley is from Holyoke, which is only 8 miles from the Springfield venue.) One night a fan said to me,

‘You fight with the heart of a lion.’ I couldn’t think of a better nickname for me. He (Whitley) beat Kris Jacobs (WMDEC8) in his last fight (to capture the vacant Mass. welterweight title) and I knocked out a guy (Ryan Clark) in the first round who defeated Jacobs.

“We’ll see what happens when the kitchen starts getting heated up (vs. Whitley). Everybody has a plan going into a fight. Anyone who knows me knows my assets and what I have for him. I’ve watched him (Whitley) on tape and saw a few things that interested me. I was kind of amused by what he had to say. Let the cards lay where they may and we’ll see what it comes down to. I’ll have people there for me. I’ve always had a huge crowd behind me since I was an amateur because of my fan-friendly style.”

Larson was a hockey player who didn’t pick up boxing until he was in high school. He started at a gym that wasn’t, as he described, super serious about boxing, more for fitness, and one day a friend suggested that he go to train at the Somerville Boxing Club., where he changed his life,  both in and out of the ring.  

“Everything there was serious,” Larson reported. “Things clicked and I had focus and direction. I had a substance abuse problem, drinking, but I changed addictions from drinking to boxing for the last 10 years. Today, I have no days off from boxing.”

Larson now trains out of Broadway Boxing in Everett (MA) with Joe Riccardi as his head trainer.

A native of Salem (MA), Larson was a 3-time Central New England Golden Gloves runner-up, as well as a 2016 New England Golden Gloves champion in the novice division.

The O must go for either Larson or Whitley. Fans will be the biggest winner!

The Cruz brothers, lightweight Isaiah (5-0, 3 KOs) and super lightweight Calixto (1-0), fighting out of Springfield, will both be in action in front of fans, family, and friends. In the 6-round co-featured event, Isaiah “Baby Warrior” Cruz will face Akeem “Action Action” Jackson (6-5, 5 KOs) in the 6-round co-featured event, while Calixto meets Luis “Broccoli” Gerardo Avila (8-22-3, 5 KOs) in a 4-round bout.

Also schedule to be in action are unbeaten Dominican welterweight Carlos Castillo (6-0, 4 KOs), of Holyoke (MA); Puerto Rican super lightweight Ian “Dinamite” Garcia (2-0-1, 1 KO), of Springfield; Springfield super featherweight Carlos Gonzalez (4-0, 4 KOs), and Springfield super lightweight Liz Humphries (0-1-1)

Card subject to change.

Tickets range between $203.00 and $48.00 and are available to purchase online at https://massmutualcenter.evenue.net/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/SEGetEventInfo?ticketCode=GS%3AMMC%3AMMC22%3AEX031123%3A&linkID=mmc&shopperContext=&pc=&caller=&appCode=&groupCode=CHIN&cgc=&dataAccId=224&locale=en_US&siteId=ev_mmc  or from any of the participating boxers.

Doors open at 6 p.m. ET, first bout at 7 p.m. ET.

White Plains, NY (February 27, 2023) – STARBOXING.TV is scheduled for an electric month of fights in March with three professional boxing cards streaming LIVE and free to current “KO Plan” subscribers. The action will take place across the globe on three different weekends and includes multiple championship fights.

The StarBoxing.TV network now brings you the action direct to your mobile device or in-home entertainment system through the IOS app store, Android Google Play store, Roku or Fire TV devices.  Simply search for “StarBoxing TV,” download the application, create a login and begin streaming.

STREAMING LIVE IN THE MONTH OF MARCH ON STARBOXING.TV

In a bout that was two years in the making, Tommy Fury won a eight-round split decision over Jake Paul in a cruiserweight bout in Saudi Arabia.

It was a tactical fight that picked up with Fury getting the better of the action by landing right hands. Paul fought back well and was able to get some good shots in.

In round five, Paul was deducted a point for hitting behind the head. In round six, Fury was deducted a point for holding the head down. In round 10, Paul dropped Fury with a hard jab. That was not enough as Fury won two cards by 76-73 scores. Paul won a card 75-74.

Fury is now 9-0. Paul is 6-1.

Fury landed 88 of 302; Paul was 49 of 157.

Fury said, “For the past two years, this is all that has consumed my life. Broken rib. Denied access. Everybody thought I was running scared. Tonight, I made my own legacy. I am Tommy Fury.
 
“All through these past two years, I had a dream and a vision that I would win this fight. And no one believed me. Now I can stand up and everybody can take note. It’s my first main event at 23 years old. I had pressure on my shoulders, and I came through.
 
“This is my first main event. I’m only going to get stronger, and I’m only going to get bigger. There were a lot of nerves going into that fight, but I override that. If he wants a rematch, bring it on.”
 
Paul said, “All respect to Tommy. He won. Don’t judge me by my wins. Judge me by my losses. I’ll come back. I think we deserve that rematch. It was a great fight. It was a close fight. I don’t know if I agree with the judges. I got a 10-8 round twice. So, it is what it is. I’ve already won in life, man. I’ve already won in every single way. I have an amazing family. Amazing friends. Amazing work ethic. I’ve made it farther than I ever thought I would.”

Badou Jack Stops Makabu; Wins Cruiserweight Title and Becomes 3-Division Champ

Badou Jack won the WBC Cruiserweight title with a 12th round stoppage over Ilunga Makabu.

In round four, Jack landed a quick right hand on the inside that sent Makabu down on his back.

In round nine, Makabu started to bleed from his Nostrils. In round 10, Jack dropped Makabu again with the right hand. In round 12, Jack landed a booming right to the head that hurt Makabu badly. A follow up flurry on the ropes forced a stoppage at 54 seconds.

Jack now becomes a three-division world champion with a record of 28-3-3 with 17 knockouts. Makabu of the Congo is 29-3.

Jack said, “I was standing there too much. My trainer told me to box and move. That’s not really my style. I mean, I box. But I also like to come forward and fight. Makabu is a hell of a fighter. He’s an African brother of mine. We used to be training partners. He is still my brother.”

Ziyad Almaayouf won an entertaining four-round split decision over Ronald Martinez in a welterweight bout.

After Almaayoud came out strong, Martinez landed a perfect right to the jaw that sent Almaayouf down. Almaayouf was able to right himself by landing hard punches that snapped the head back of Martinez that thrilled the crowd.

Almaayouf, 145.6 lbs of Saudi Arabia won by scores of 38-37 on all cards and is now 2-0. Martinez, 142 lbs of Ecuador is 3-2-1.

Muhsin Cason stopped Taryel Jafarov after the opening round of their eight-round cruiserweight bout.

In round one, the first punch of the fight was a booming right by Cason that put Jafarov on the canvas. Jafarov had enough after the round, and the fight was stopped.

Cason, 199.1 lbs of Las Vegas via Baltimore is 11-0 with nine knockouts. Jafarov, 200.6 lbs of Azerbaijan is 18-6.

Badeer Samreem stopped Viorel Simion in the opening round of their eight-round junior welterweight bout.

Samreem dropped Simion with a hard right and the fight was stopped at 1:26.

Samreem Dubai via Jordan is 8-0 with seven knockouts. Simion, 138.6 lbs of Bucharest, ROM is 23-10.

Follow all of the action as Jake Paul takes on Tommy Fury in an much anticipated grudge match. The action begins at 2 PM ET with a 4-fight undercard that will feature the WBC Cruiserweight title fight between Ilunga Makabu and Badou Jack.

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Round 1: Fury going after Paul..Referee warning for holding..Jab from Fury..Right from Paul..Left hook..Right to body…Combination from Fury
Round 2 Jab from Fury..Right on the inside..Jab…Right down the middle…Jab..Right..Left hook from Paul
Round 3 Paul lands a jab…Jab..Jab..Counter left hook..overhand right…
Round 4 Hard right from Fury…Combination…4rights…Combination from Paul..
Round 5 Right from Paul..Right from Fury…POINT DEDUCTED FROM PAUL FOR HITTING BEHIND THE HEAD…Lett Hook from Paul..Jab..Big right from Fury
Round 6 Left hook from Paul..Uppercut from Fury…uppercut..Right..POINT DEDCUTED FOR FURY FOR HOLDING THE HEAD…
Round 7 Right from Fury..Overhand right from Paul..3 rights from Fury…Fury bleeding from around the left eye
Round 8 JAB AND DOWN GOES FURY…Right from Fury…Uppercut from Fury..

75-74 PAUL,,,76-73 Fury,,,,76-73 Fury

ROUND 1 Left to body from Makabu…Body shot..

ROUND 2 1-2 From Jack…Right…Left to the body with Makabu..2 lefts 

ROUND 3 Right from Jack….Right from Makabu..2 lefts to the body…Big right hook..Chopping left..

ROUND 4 2 lefts to the body from Makabu..RIGHT HAND AND DOWN GOES MAKABU…Right from Jack

ROUND 5 Right from Jack..Right hand..

ROUND 6 Left from Makabu…right hook..Right to body,…Left 

ROUND 7 Right from Jack..Right to body..Big Right..Right to the body from Makabu…1-2 from Jack…2 rights to the body…

ROUND 8 Counter right from Jack

ROUND 9 Right from Jack…Blood from Nostril of Makabu…Right from Jack..Makabu coming forward…right to body and jab..Left from Makabu..Overhand right from Jack..Right at the bell

ROUND 10 Left from Makabu…2 hard rights from Jack….Right to body..Flurry from Makabu..Big left from Jack…3 more lefts.

ROUND 11 BIG RIGHT AND DOWN GOES MAKABU…Big right from Jack..Right to the body hurts Makabu

ROUND 12 BIG RIGHT HURTS MAKABU BAD….FOLLOW UP FLURRY AND THE FIGHT IS STOPPED

Round 1: Almaayouf going after Martinez,,Big Right…Double jab followed by a right…HUGE RIGHT AND DOWN GOES ALMAAYOUF…Right from Almaayouf
Round 2 Right from Martinez…Right uppercut…Big right from Almaayouf…Big left..
Round 3 Right from Martinez..Double jab from Almaayouf…Right over the top..Big right over the top..
Round 4 Double jab from Almaayouf..Left hook..Nice right to the body..Big right over the top..Left hook..

38-37 oN ALL CARDS FOR ALMAAYOUF

Round 1 1st PUNCH A BIG RIGHT AND DOWN GOES JAFAROV..Combination in the corner by Cason..Big right to the head..Right over the top…sweeping right from jafarov..Right to the body by Cason….THE FIGHT IS WAVED OFF IN THE CORNER
Round 2

Round 1 Left hook to body from Samreen..Nice right…right to head…BIG RIGHT AND DOWN GOES SIMION…THE FIGHT IS OVER

Follow all the action as Subriel Matias takes on Jeremias Ponce for the vacant IBF Junior Welterweight title. The action kicks off at 9 PM ET with Elvis Rodriguez against Joseph Adorno and Jamal James vs Alberto Palmetta

NO BROWSER REFRESH NEEDED. THE PAGE WILL UPDATE AUTOMATICALLY

Round 1: Ponce landing body punches..Right…Ripping upprcuts…Lefts from Matias..

ROUND 2 Right from Ponce…Ponce crowding Matias…Ponce working on the inside..Left uppercut from Ponce..Matias lands a left hook..2 bog left hooks..

ROUND 3 Left hook from Ponce…another and another..Both guys just whaling away on each other on the inside…

ROUND 4 Left hook to the body from Ponce…counter right from Matias..Beautiful left hook..Left hook from Ponce

ROUND 5 Good combination from Matias..Left..Left…MATIS STAGGERS AND DROPS PONCE…..PONCE’S CORNER STOPS IT IN BETWEEN ROUNDS

Round 1 Combination from James…Jab…Right..Combination..
Round 2 Left from Palmetta…
Round 3 2 lefts from Palmetta…Right hook..left
Round 4  Jab and combination from James..Cuffing right hook..Jab and right hand..Combination to the body..left hook to the body
Round 5 Right from James..Another right to the head..Body shot from Palmetta…Counter by James..Right..Body and uppercut from James..2 lefts hooks to the body from James…Good counter right from Palmetta…Body shot…
Round 6 Good counter right hook from Palmetta…Right-left…2 counter punches from James..Right
Round 7 Right to the body from James…Hard right…Body shots…hard rights..Sharp right…Right hook to body from Palmetta…left hook from James..
Round 8 Left from Palmetta..Right hook to body..Right from James..Trading body shots…James lands a head shot..Right from Pakmetta..Chopping left…Left uppercut…right uppercut to body from James..Left to body from Palmetta…
Round 9 James lands a right…Straight left…James landing 2 rights to the body
Round 10 Combination from James…3 punch combination..Right hook to body from Palmetta..right uppercut.

99-91 and 98-92 FOR JAMAL JAMES

Round 1 Adorno Jabbing…
Round 2 Lead right hook from Rodriguez..Left down the middle…Body..Counter to the body..Adorno lands a jab and left hook..Body shot from Rodriguez…Lead right from Adorno…Combination Rodriguez
Round 3 Double left hook to Body shot from Adorno..Jab from Rodriguez..Short right to body from Adorno…Body shot…Right hook to body from Rodriguez…Double jab and right to body from Adorno…
Round 4 Exchanging jabs to the body…Left hook to the body…Lead right..Counter
Round 5 Right from Adorno…Lead right hook to body from Rodriguez…Counter from Adorno..Double right..Nice counter from Rodriguez..Left hook to head from Adorno
Round 6 Combination from Rodriguez…Left from Adorno..Combination from Rodriguez..Counter right from Adorno..Counter from Rodriguez…Left hook from Adorno..Right hook from Rodriguez..Counter right to body from Adorno
Round 7 HUGE RIGHT HOOK ROCKS ADORNO AND DOWN HE GOES…Rodriguez landing big shots, but Adorno landing some shots of his own..Big right uppercut from Rodriguez
Round 8 Jab from Adorno..Right hook from Rodriguez..Right hook to the body…Left…2 lefts from Adorno…straight right to the body..Counter left from Rodriguez..Right to body…Right hook rocks Adorno
Round 9 Straight left and right hook from Rodriguez..Lead left…Double jab from Adorno..Lead right to the body..Right uppercut from Rodriguez.Lead right…jab to the body…
Round 10 Counter right from Adorno..Straight left..combination from Rodriguez,,,Double left hook from Adorno……BODY SHOT AND DOWN GOES ADORNO

97-91, 95-93 and 94-94 FOR RODRIGUEZ

Subriel Matias stopped Jeremias Ponce after round five to win the IBF Junior Welterweight Title in a blistering fight at the Armory in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Ponce came out firing punches in bunches. Ponce was all over Matias, but Matias was calm and fired back in between to starve off any sustained assault from Ponce. The pace continued throughout the fight with toe-to-toe action. Matias slowly started getting the better of these exchanges and in round five was starting to break down Ponce. Late in the round, Matias landed a flurry of punches that sent Ponce to the canvas. Ponce looked spent as he went to the corner, and his trainer/father stopped the bout.

Matias, 139.25 lbs of Fajardo, PR is now 19-1 with 19 knockouts. Ponce, 139.5 lbs of Buenos Aires, ARG is 30-1.

“I’m on cloud nine right now,” said Matias. “I don’t think I’ve woken up from this dream. Maybe I can tell you how it feels tomorrow, but right now, it’s a dream come true. I wanted to work him from the first round on, because I knew he wouldn’t have the same power as me as the fight went on.”

“I thought it was an even fight, but one punch can change everything and that’s what happened,” said Ponce. “Subriel is a tough, strong fighter and I knew what he was capable of.”

“I’m fine now,” said Ponce. “My team knows me, and they made the decision that they had to make. It hurts, but the most important thing is that I’m healthy.”

“I wasn’t really surprised,” said Matias. “Once I saw how his corner reacted. I saw that [Ponce] was hurt. I thought that I was patient in the first four rounds, so I came out with a different approach and mindset in the fifth.”

“Regis Prograis, I’m coming for you,” said Matias. “I’m the world champion now. I promise that I’m coming to hurt you. Prograis likes to talk the talk, but I have that same mentality. Let’s see who prevails. I want him to see that there are people crazier than him in this sport.”

Jamal James Decisions Palmetta

Jamal James won a 10-round unanimous decision over Alberto Palmetta in a welterweight bout.

James landed 193 of 728 punches; Palmetta was 111 of 541.

James, 146.75 lbs of Minneapolis, MN won by scores of 99-91 and 98-92 twice and is now 28-2. Palmetta, 147 lbs of Buenos Aires, ARG is 18-2.

“I’m pretty sure everybody can see that layoff affected me,” said James. “I had a lot of rust in me. My legs weren’t sharp, my punches weren’t sharp, but I’m glad I was able to get in there. I liked that because it’s pushing me mentally and it made me step up to the occasion.”

“I thought it was an even fight,” said Palmetta. “I was the aggressor throughout against a former world champion, a taller opponent with longer reach than me.”

“I was trying to adapt,” said James. “I definitely felt like I won the fight but I believe I could’ve done much better. I know that I’m a lot sharper. I know that my endurance is a lot stronger. I just had a lot of time off and my body is still getting back in shape. I’ll be back for sure.”

“I also like to counter, but I ratcheted up the pressure in the second half of the fight,” said Palmetta. “Maybe it looked like Jamal James was superior in the first half because he kept being conservative and countering.”

“I know I can be a champion again because I was a champion before,” said James. “I have to stay focused. Stay in the gym and back and study this fight – actually, my last two fights – and step it up. Thanks to everybody in Minneapolis for coming and showing me love.”

Elvis Rodriguez Decisions Adorno

Elvis Rodriguez scored a 10-round majority decision over Joseph Adorno in a junior welterweight bout.

In round seven, Rodriguez landed a huge right hook that rocked Adorno and eventually sent Adorno to the canvas. In round 10,Rodriguez landed a little body punch and Adorno appeared to slip, yet was ruled a knockdown.

Rodriguez landed 90 of 316 punches; Adorno was just 69 of 320.

Rodriguez, 139.75 lbs of Santo Domingo, DR won by scores of 97-91, 95-93 and 94-94 and is now 14-1-1. Adorno, 140 lbs of Allentown, PA is 17-2-2.

“Ring rust was definitely a factor,” said Rodriguez. “Maybe the struggle was more mental than physical in a way, but the important thing is that I overcame it.”

“I thought I had him once I landed that right hook, but he got up,” said Rodriguez. “He’s a warrior and a good fighter… The seventh round was huge, that’s when I truly started to win this fight. I have to give credit to Adorno for being savvy and knowing how to keep his distance before then.”

“I thought the judges were blind,” said Adorno. “I can’t get a win with these judges. I don’t know how you see the fight 97-91. I thought I won every round except the ones he dropped me. He never out worked me at all. I had the jab in his face and was snapping him to the body. He couldn’t do anything. No way he won seven rounds. I thought 94-94 was okay because of the two knockdowns.”

“Like I said yesterday at the weigh-in, bring on the winner of the main event,” said Rodriguez. “And to my people in the Dominican Republic, just know that I’ll be back even bolder and even better next time.” 

VeShawn Owens scored an upset 10-round unanimous decision over Kudratillo Abdukakhorov in a welterweight bout.

Owens, 147 lbs of Minneapolis, MN won by scores of 99-91, 98-92 and 97-93 and is now 14-3. Abdukakhorov, 156 lbs of Uzbekistan is 18-2.

Willie Jones shocked previously undefeated Derrick Jackson by scoring a one-punch first round stoppage in an eight-round welterweight bout.

Jones landed a perfect left hook to the head of Jackson that dropped him hard on his back and the fight was stopped immediately.

Jones, 147.75 lbs of Burlington, NC is 9-2 with six knockouts. Jackson, 149 lbs Orlando, FL is 10-1.

Mikkel Spencer made easy work of Margarito Lopez with a first round stoppage in their four-round super lightweight bout.

Spencer dominated the fight by landing fast power shots and culminating with a left that sent Lopez down and the fight was stopped at 2:18.

Spencer, 139 lbs of Linden, MI is 3-0 with two knockouts. Lopez, 140 lbs of Wapato, WA is 3-5-1.

    •  Jake Paul 183.6lbs vs. Tommy Fury 184.5 lbs
(Cruiserweight — 8 Rounds)

   •  Ilunga Makabu 198.5lbs vs. Badou Jack 199.8 lbs
(Makabu’s WBC Cruiserweight Title — 12 Rounds)

•  Ziyad Almaayouf 145.6 lbs vs. Ronnald Martinez 142.5 lbs
 (Welterweight — 4 Rounds)

•  Muhsin Cason 199.1 lbs vs.Taryel Jafarov200.5 lbs
 (Cruiserweights — 8 Rounds)

• Bader Samreen 138 lbs vs. Viorel Simion 138.6 lbs
 (Junior Welterweight — 8 Rounds)

Paul vs. Fury will stream live on ESPN+ PPV (2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT), the exclusive digital distributor for the event in the United States. Additionally, it will be available via cable and satellite pay-per-view providers and will be priced at $49.99.

NEW YORK (FEBRUARY 25, 2023)–Three fighters under the Split-T Management banner will be on display in fights throughout the United States.

Junior Welterweight Joseph Adorno will take on Elvis Rodriguez as part of a big card LIVE on SHOWTIME® (9 PM ET / 6 PM PT). The bout will originate from The Armory in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Adorno of Allentown, New Jersey is 17-1-2 with 14 knockouts. The 23 year-old Adorno is a seven year pro who has defeated Marco Antonio Ocano (1-0), Kenneth Cruz (8-0), Damian Alejandro Soso (9-2) and his last bout when he scored a career best victory by winning a 10-round unanimous decision over Hugo Alberto Roldan (21-0-1) on September 9, 2022 in Atlantic City.

Rodriguez of Los Angeles, California is 13-1-1 with 12 knockouts. The 27 year-old Rodriguez is considered one of the top fighters in the division with wins over Ramon Mascarena (6-0), Cody Wilson (9-2), Luis Alberto Veron (18-2-2), Juan Pablo Romero (14-0) and Juan Jose Velsaco (23-2).

Adorno weighed 140 lbs. Rodrigues was 139.8 lbs.

Saturday night at Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, Florida, lightweight Otha Jones III will take on 63-fight veteran Raymond Chacon in a six-round bout.

Jones of Toledo, Ohio is 5-1-1 with two knockouts and will be making his first ring appearance in 22-months.

Adorno and Jones are promoted by GH3 Promotions.

In Detroit undefeated middleweight Joseph Hicks takes on Bilal Quintyne in a battle of undefeated fighters.

Hicks of Grand Rapids, Michigan 4-0 with four knockouts. Quintyne of Marietta, Georgia is 4-0 with one knockout.

Hicks was a stellar amateur where he was elected Captain of Team USA Boxing, National Golden Gloves Champion 2019. Three-time Eastern Elite Qualifier Champion (2017, 2018, 2019) & a five-time Michigan Golden Gloves Champion (2013, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019).

Hicks is promoted by Salita Promotions.

IBF Junior Welterweight World Championship (vacant) – 12 Rounds

Subriel Matías – 139.2 lbs.

Jeremías Ponce – 139.6 lbs.

Referee: Mark Nelson; Judges: Patrick Morley (Ill.), Chris Wilson (Ariz.), Mike Fitzgerald (Wisc.)

Welterweight Bout – 10 Rounds

Jamal James – 146.8 lbs.

Alberto Palmetta – 147 lbs.

Referee: Ernie Sharif; Judges: Chris Wilson (Ariz.), Ludy Webster (Minn.), Jon Schorle (Texas)

Super Lightweight Bout – 10 Rounds

Elvis Rodríguez – 139.8 lbs.

Joseph Adorno – 140 lbs.

Referee: Jon Schorle; Judges: Scott Erickson (Minn.), Patrick Morley (Ill.), Mike Fitzgerald (Wisc.)

SHOWTIME BOXING COUNTDOWN

Stream Live at 6:45 p.m. ET/3:45 p.m. PT

on the SHOWTIME SPORTS^® YouTube Channel and SHOWTIME Boxing Facebook page

Welterweight Bout – 8/10 Rounds

Kudratillo Abdukakhorov – 146 lbs.

VeShawn Owens – 147   lbs.

Referee: Ernie Sharif; Judges: Kyle Shiely (Minn.), Scott Erickson (Minn.), Jon Schorle (Texas)

Welterweight Bout – Eight Rounds

Derrick Jackson – 149 lbs.

Willie Jones – 147.8 lbs.

Note: Contracted weight is 149 lbs.

Referee: Mark Nelson; Judges: Ludy Webster (Minn.), Mike Fitzgerald (Wisc.), Patrick Morley (Ill.)

Super Lightweight Bout – Four Rounds

Mikkel Spencer – 139 lbs.

Margarito Hernandez – 140 lbs.

Referee: Jon Schorle; Judges: Bobby Brunette (Minn.), Kyle Shiely (Minn.), Chris Wilson (Ariz.)

POST WEIGH-IN FLASH QUOTES

Here is what the fighters had to say following the weigh-in:

Subriel Matías

“I’m 30 years old and to this day, I don’t know what the canvas feels like. I’m going to be the one knocking him out. I told my mom ever since I was 12 or 13 years old that I was going to make her proud and become a world champion. This is my chance.

“It would be very exciting for me to win this fight by knockout, and I think that’s the way it’s going. The ‘Orgullo de Maternillo’ is going to win by knockout before the seventh round.”

Jeremías Ponce

“I didn’t come here on vacation. I want everyone to see that I’m here to win and prove that I’m the best. It’s going to be an outstanding fight. The fans are going to love it. We’re both winners and we both came here to win. You’re going to see an all-out battle.

“I’m very proud to write a new chapter in the Puerto Rico vs. Argentina rivalry. I’m looking forward to showing everybody what Argentina can do inside the ring on Saturday night. I’m going for the knockout.”

Jamal James

“It feels good to be back fighting at home. I think the people missed me. We put in the work and now, I just want to give a great show. This fight is very important, but every fight is important. You have to take every fight very seriously and you can’t underestimate anybody. I’ll go out there and leave everything in the ring. That’s what I intend to do.”

Alberto Palmetta

“I hope I can win some fans here in Minnesota. But I also want to congratulate Jamal James because I like the way that he supports his community. Boxing is not just about thinking about yourself, it’s also about thinking about others. That makes you a champion. I hope that after Saturday, Minnesota won’t be too mad at me.”

Elvis Rodríguez

“It’s going to be just like he said, somebody is getting knocked out. But I’m going to be the one knocking him out. I’m focused on this fight one hundred percent. But when I win this fight, I want the winner of the main event. It’s going to be hard rock in Minnesota on Saturday night. Elvis is in the building!”

Joseph Adorno

“He’s scared. He thinks I’m just a walkover and that’s not going to happen. I’m a 135-pounder but I came up to his weight just to prove that I can hang with the elites.”

Veteran sportscaster Brian Custer will host the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast while versatile combat sports voice Mauro Ranallo will handle blow-by-blow action alongside Hall of Fame analyst Al Bernstein and three-division world champion Abner Mares. Three Hall of Famers round out the telecast team – Emmy^® award winning reporter Jim Gray, world-renowned ring announcer Jimmy Lennon, Jr., and boxing historian Steve Farhood as unofficial scorer. The executive producer is four-time Emmy award winner David Dinkins, Jr., with Ray Smaltz III producing and Chuck McKean directing. Sportscaster Alejandro Luna will call the action in Spanish on Secondary Audio Programming (SAP) with former world champion and SHOBOX: The New Generation^® commentator Raúl “El Diamante” Marquez serving as the expert analyst. 

The SHOWTIME BOXING COUNTDOWN show is hosted by award-winning MORNING KOMBAT live digital talk show hosts Luke Thomas and Brian Campbell, who also serves as an analyst alongside Marquez on SHOBOX.

# # #

ABOUT MATIAS VS. PONCE

Matías vs. Ponce will see top super lightweight contenders square off as popular knockout artist Subriel Matías meets undefeated Argentine Jeremías Poncefor the vacant IBF 140-pound World Championship on Saturday, February 25 live on SHOWTIME from The Armory in Minneapolis headlining a Premier Boxing Champions event.

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and features the return of Minneapolis-native Jamal “Shango” James in the 10-round welterweight co-main event as he battles 2016 Argentine Olympian Alberto Palmetta. Kicking off the telecast, exciting super lightweight contender Elvis Rodríguez duels the hard-hitting Joseph “Blessed Hands” Adorno in a 10-round attraction.

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions and Warriors Boxing, are on sale now and can be purchased at the Armory at http://ArmoryMN.com/ and through Ticketmaster.

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

Criztec Bazaldua has signed a promotional deal with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom.
 
The amateur sensation is set to make his professional debut on Saturday March 4 at the Polideportivo Arena in Culiacan, Mexico exclusively live on DAZN over four rounds at Lightweight against Jose Bustamante (1-0). 
 
Bazaldua brings a glittering CV into the paid ranks, and the rangy southpaw exits the amateur code as the #1 ranked fighter at 139lbs in 2022, a six-time National champion and the 2022 WBC US Amateur champion.
 
The 18 year old has a stellar team behind him with Hearn and Matchroom joining world-renowned trainer Manny Robles, who is looking to make ‘El Flaco’ the first World champion he’s trained from the amateurs and manager Richard Moore, who guides the career of Somali Olympian and unbeaten Super-Bantamweight Ramla Ali.
 
“I am humbled and privileged to have signed a professional contract with the leading promotional company in Matchroom,” said Bazaldua. “It’s become the home for incredible Mexican talent, here and across the U.S with the likes of Canelo Alvarez, Jesse Rodriguez, Juan Francisco Estrada, Julio Cesar Martinez, and Mauricio Lara on the roster. I hope I can entertain La Raza and Latin fans equally over these next few years and win over their hearts.”
 
“I am delighted to welcome Criztec to the stable,” said Hearn. “This young man has bags of potential and with Matchroom, Manny and Richard guiding him, every key is within reach for him to unlock it.
 
“We are dedicated to unearthing young talents and guiding them to the very top. Criztec joins Puerto Rican talent Yankiel Rivera and Peter McGrail in the UK as the latest starlets joining the team, and we will continue to seek the best up-and-coming fighters all over the world and give them every opportunity to achieve their dreams.”
 
“Coaching amateurs was a long time ago and a different part of my career, but I decide to make an exception for two kids a few years back that I thought were destined to be exceptional and have been working with them since, as part of my professional stable. Criztec was one of them, the other being his sister Perla,” said Robles. “They’ve developed and grown so much in the last three years and have had the opportunity to train alongside and spar some of the best champions in the world that walk through the gym, week in week out. Criztec is a tough Mexican but also has that US boxing ability, standing at 6ft 1in as a southpaw at 135lbs, he could cause a lot of fighter’s problems.”
 
“Criztec is a rare kind of athlete that in my opinion has it all,” said Moore. “The ability to grow into a superstar in the ring considering the coaching team he has in his corner, his technical ability, which is testament to his amateur credentials and the opportunity to build a special connection to the people he represents like Julio Cesar Chavez and through his inspirational story in boxing transcend the sport.
 
“I know how hard it can be and how much energy needs to be invested from a manager to really ensure that the fighter has every chance to succeed in boxing, it’s unlike many other sports, having worked in a lot of others and other areas of sport before boxing. Often managers get a promotional deal signed and think their job is done. For me at this stage it’s barely started, and the real work begins. Aside from Ramla I’ve not made this kind of investment into any other fighters before because of what I understand it takes. Criztec will have my full commitment to helping him achieve his dreams and change not only his life but his families.”
 
Bazaldua’s debut comes on Matchroom’s first foray into Mexico in 2023 following three action-packed nights in 2022, with Angel Fierro topping the bill against Eduardo Estela.
 
Fierro (20-1-2, 16KOs) defends his WBO NABO Lightweight title against Uruguay’s once-beaten Estela (14-1, 9KO’s) in what promises to be an explosive main event. The WBO #5 rated Fierro is closing in on a coveted World title shot in 2023, but he must first get by the very dangerous Estela, who is coming off a career best win in November over previously undefeated Ruben Torres. Estela, who is promoted by former great Marcos Maidana who will be attendance on fight night, has a lone loss as a pro against rising Mexican powerhouse Mauricio Lara back in 2019. 
  
Eduardo Nunez will provide the co-main event action as he meets unbeaten Jesus Ceyca over ten rounds at Super-Featherweight. KO merchant ‘Sugar’ Nunez (23-1 23 KOs) has won all of his bouts inside the distance, and the 25 year old comes into the bout on the back of a tenth round stoppage win in Culiacan in September, his only fight of 2022. The Los Mochis man will be eager to keep his streak going on March 4, but will need to take the ‘0’ of local man Ceyca (17-0 8 KOs) to do so, who will be on home turf for his first action in 2023 and in his first ten round contest.
 
Elsewhere on the stacked card, 2016 Mexican Olympian Misael Rodriguez (12-0, 7KO’s) who will take on Aaron Guerrero (10-1-1 6 KOs) over eight rounds at Middleweight, and teenage sensation Yair Gallardo (2-0 2 KOs) is looking for a third straight first round KO and takes on KO artist Bernardo Jimenez (9-1 9 KOs) over six at Light-Heavyweight and the second pro fight for Uzbek Olympian Dilshodbek Ruzmetov (1-0) who meets Jesus Palomares (7-1-1 4 KOs) over eight at Super-Middleweight.
 

Liverpool amateur sensation turned 6-0 Super-Bantamweight prospect Peter McGrail has signed a long-term promotional deal with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing and will make his debut under the promotional banner on the stacked Callum Smith vs. Pawel Stepien show at the M&S Bank Arena on Saturday March 11, shown live worldwide on DAZN (excluding Australia and New Zealand). 

One of Merseyside’s most decorated amateur boxers, McGrail first broke through with bronze medals at the Youth Olympics and World Youth Championships back in 2014. The gifted southpaw then won gold at the European Championships in Kharkiv in 2017 before winning Commonwealth gold a year later in Australia. 

The 26-year-old, who trains out of the renowned Everton Red Triangle Gym on Albion Street under Paul Stevenson, was hotly-tipped for a Featherweight medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games but succumbed to a premature defeat against Thai fighter Chatchai-decha Butdee in the opening round. 

McGrail made his highly anticipated professional debut on Matchroom’s sold-out Liam Smith vs. Anthony Fowler show at the M&S Bank Arena Liverpool back in October 2021, comfortably outpointing Ed Harrison over six rounds to kick off life in the paid ranks with a win.

He returned to the arena two months later for his second fight on the undercard of the sold-out Conor Benn vs. Chris Algieri and Katie Taylor vs. Firuza Sharipova double-header, earning his first stoppage win without a vest by halting Nicaragua’s Engel Gomez in just two rounds.

McGrail racked up four wins from four fights in 2022 – all inside the distance – to further establish himself as one of the exciting talents in the 122lbs division. He started the year by taking out Alexandru Ionita in Dubai before returning to Liverpool to score stoppages over Uriel Lopez Juarez and Alexander Espinoza. In his last outing McGrail stopped Hironori Miyake on the Naoya Inoue vs. Paul Butler undercard in Japan.

“I’m absolutely over the moon to have signed with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing,” said McGrail. “I’m looking forward to being a part of more huge nights with Matchroom in my hometown and up and down the country and around the world. I always stay ready and I’m ready to go again on March 11 and put on another good performance. I couldn’t have asked for a better professional debut walking out in front of a sold-out arena on the Smith vs. Fowler undercard and I’ve banked some brilliant experience since boxing out in Dubai and Japan and headlining my own bill in Liverpool. I’m ready to crack on towards some titles. 

“I’ll fight anyone. I’ve always been like that since I was a kid. I’ve been in there with some top amateurs over the years and I wouldn’t shy away from anyone. I wouldn’t mind picking up some international titles to start climbing the world rankings, but if a domestic title popped up then I wouldn’t shy away from anybody. It’s coming very soon and it’s really exciting times for me. I’ve found my way now in the pros and it’s time to push on with the rounds and push on with the opponents and step up a few levels. Whichever way it works I’ll be ready. There’s going to be some great nights coming to Liverpool.”

“I’m delighted to welcome another Team GB Olympian to the Matchroom Boxing team,” said Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn. “Peter McGrail made his professional debut on one of our shows and I class him as one of the best prospects in world boxing. We’re developing an incredible stable of young talent. Peter is ready for ten-rounders now and will return to the M&S Bank Arena Liverpool on March 11. Expect big things and big titles for Peter in 2023. I believe this young man will bring World Championship boxing to Liverpool for many years to come.” 

You can follow McGrail’s journey on Instagram: peter_mcgrail and Twitter: @peter_mcgrail

Tickets for Smith vs. Stepien are priced £40, £60, £100, £150 and £300 (VIP).

Tickets can be purchased via Stage Front and the M&S Bank Arena NOW.

World-Ranked John “Scrappy” Ramirez remained undefeated with a 10-round unanimous decision over Luis Padilla in a super flyweight contest at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, California.

Ramirez landed 231 of 716 punches. Padilla was 94 of 522.

Ramirez, 114.8 lbs of Los Angeles, CA won by scores of 100-90 and 99-91 twice and is now 11-0. Padilla, 115 lbs of Guadalajara, MEX is 15-4-2.

“This wasn’t a tough fight for me,” said “Scrappy” Ramirez. “He wasn’t on my level. I made sure that the fight wasn’t boring for the fans here and made it as entertaining as possible. Even though I give myself a C for my performance because I should have never gotten hit, I was willing to take a gamble. I want the eliminator next.”

Manuel Flores remained undefeated by winning an eight-round split decision over Franklin Gonzalez in a super bantamweight fight.

In round five, Flores dropped Gonzalez with a solid left. In round six, Gonzalez was cut over his left eye as a result of a punch.

Flores landed 131 of 462 punches; Gonzalez was 103 of 466.

Flores, 119.6 lbs of Coachella, CA took two cards by 77-74 scores. Gonzalez won a card 76-75.

Flores is now 15-0. Gonzalez, 120 lbs of Los Teques, VEN is 25-2.

“This was a really good experience,” said Manuel “Gucci” Flores. “I’ve never gone a full eight-rounds before against a tough opponent like Gonzalez. This was a great test for me; I give myself a C-. I kept going to his head when his body was there. He was using some dirty tactics like head butting and such, but at the end I’m glad we were able to get the victory.”

Katherine Lindenmuth took a six-round split decision from Lorraine Villalobos in minimumweight bout.

Lindenmuth, 102.2 lbs of Albuquerque, NM won by scores of 59-55 and 58-56. Villalobos took a card 58-56.

Lindenmuth is 3-1. Villalobos, 103 lbs of Los Angeles is 5-5.

Grant Flores made a successful pro debut with a first round stoppage over Jorge Lopez in a four-round super welterweight bout.

Flores dropped Lopez in the first 10 seconds with a left hand. Later in the round, Flores bloodied the nose of Lopez and then landed a hard shot on the ropes that forced a referee stoppage at 2:35.

Flores, 149.8 lbs of Coachella, CA is 1-0 with one knockout. Lopez, 151 lbs of Queretaro, MEX is 0-2.

Stefanie Cohen won a four-round unanimous decision over Leanne Calderon in a bantamweight fight.

In round two, Cohen dropped Calderon with a right hand.

The knockdown was the difference as Cohen, 116.6 lbs of Miami won by scores of 38-37 on all cards and is now 3-1-1. Calderon, 117.2 lbs of Austin, TX is 1-3-1.

Zachary Spiller remained undefeated with a four-round unanimous decision over Kaleel Carter in a heavyweight bout.

Spiller, 265.4 lbs of Houston, TX is 4-0. Carter, 227 lbs of Bellflower, CA 3-4.

Heather Hardy kept hopes alive for another big opportunity by winning an eight-round majority decision over Taynna Cardoso at a packed Sony Theater in New York City.

Hardy, 134 lbs of Brooklyn won by scores of 78-74, 77-75 and 76-76 and is now 24-2. Cardoso, 133.4 lbs of Miami via Brazil is 5-2.

Terrell Bostic won a six-round unanimous decision over Clay Burns in a lightweight bout.

In round three, Bostic dropped Burns with a right uppercut to the chin.

Bostic, 137.6 lbs won by scores of 60-53, 58-55 and 57-56 and is now 8-1. Burns, 135.2 lbs of Fort Worth, TX is 10-17-2.

Michael Hughes won a four-round unanimous decision over Nelson Morales in a junior welterweight bout.

Hughes, 140.2 lbs of New York won by scores of 39-37 on all cards and is now 4-1. Morales, 141.8 lbs of Scranton, PA is 3-4.

Tsendbaatar Erdenebat stopped Giovanni Gutierrez in round three of their six-round lightweight bout.

Erdenebat beat up Gutierrez and the bout was stopped after he landed a big flurry on the ropes at 1:46.

Erdenebat, 134.4 lbs of Los Angeles via Mongolia is now 5-0 with three knockouts. Gutierrez, 134.8 lbs of Managua, NIC is 11-4-1.

Frederick Julan won an eight-round unanimous decision over DeCarlo Perez in a light heavyweight bout.

Julan, 174.6 lbs of Brooklyn via France won by scores of 78-74 twice and 79-73 and is now 13-2. Perez, 174 lbs of Egg Harbor, NJ is 19-8-1.

February 23, 2023–Weights for Friday night’s fight card at Hialeah, Park

Guillermo Rigondeaux 118.8 – Jesus Martinez 119.6

Ariel Perez De La Torre 122.2 – Yonfrez Parejo 123

Francisco Rodriguez 144.8 – Brodyx Gilman 149.8

Damian Lescaille 153.4 – Lucas McDonald 154.8

Yoanki Urrutia 160.8 – Luis Eduardo Florez 161.6

Carlos Fromenta 203.6 – Armondo Reeved 206.6

Jose Brayan Fonteboa 138.8 – Ashton Royal 139.6

Adlay Rodriguez 144.2 – Ryan Schwartzberg 147.

Gustavo Trujillo 235.8 – Jawaski Bethly 244.4

Promoter: Warriors Boxing

Venue: Hialeah Park

Stream: BXNGTV.COM

(Marc Abrams and Glen Johnson on the call)

1st Bell: 7 PM ET