LAS VEGAS, NEVADA (January 23, 2023) —  Eumir Felix Marcial, the Philippines’ 2021 middleweight Olympic Bronze medalist, is intent on making his 2023 return to the pro ranks a coming out party.  A native of Zamboanga, Philippines, Marcial (3-0, 1 KO), eschewed holiday celebrations to set up camp and train in Las Vegas with head coach Jorge Capetillo.  Marcial, 27, returns to the ring, in a six-round middleweight bout, Saturday, Feb. 11, in San Antonio’s Alamodome, on the undercard of the O’Shaquie Foster – Rey Vargas WBO world jr. lightweight title battle, which will be televised live on SHOWTIME.  Marcial’s opponent will be announced soon.   

Since making his professional debut in 2020, Marcial has run the table, defeating Andrew Whitfield and Steven Pichardo by unanimous decision and stopping Isiah Hart in the fourth round, balancing those fights with his amateur career, which has included training for numerous tournaments and the Tokyo Olympics.  In the Hart battle, which was Marcial’s second professional bout, the Filipino warrior displayed the composure of a seasoned veteran to score a TKO of Hart (6-3-1, 4 KOs), at the 47-second mark of the fourth-round despite getting knocked down three times himself, once in the first round and twice in the second round, in a firefight bout scheduled for six rounds.  That’s a lot of experience to get for a fighter in only his second professional fight.  Whitfield, Hart, and Pichardo boasted a combined record of 17-5-1, 8 KOs, when they fought Marcial.    

” I look forward to focusing on my professional career and I am very excited to be fighting in San Antonio, which is not just a great fight town but also where my promoter Manny Pacquiao made ring history, said Marcial.  I have learned a lot in my last three professional fights.  I have had a very productive training camp and I cannot wait to show off what I have learned on February 11.  My three goals are to work hard, to win, and to become a world champion.  And thank you to all my fans for their continued support.  I fight for them and to bring honor to the Philippines.” 

“Eumir is a very special fighter.  Unless you are part of his inner circle, you have no idea how hard it has been to constantly shift training from amateur to professional styles every year,” said Sean Gibbons, President of MP Promotions.  “Yet Eumir does it without a complaint because in his heart, he’s spurred on by his need to bring honor to the Philippines and Filipinos around the world.  Manny and I are so proud of how Eumir has handled the pressure.  Now he can focus on his professional career, and I am confident his true talent will be on full display on February 11 at the Alamodome.”

After winning his pro debut — a four-round unanimous decision over Andrew Whitfield in Los Angeles on Dec. 16, 2020 — Marcial turned his attention to getting prepared for the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo.  In one of the most exciting bouts of the 2021 summer games, Marcial and top-seeded Oleksandr Khyzhniak, of Ukraine, battled tooth and nail in their semifinal battle.  Khyzhniak, who would move on to win the Silver medal, pulled it out in the third and final round by the narrowest of margins.  Marcial won the Bronze.  Another high-water mark in Marcial’s amateur career was capturing a Silver medal at the 2019 World Boxing Championships.

ONTARIO, CA (January 23, 2023) – Super featherweight and emerging star, George “El Yuyu” Acosta (13-1, 1 KO), of Whittier, Ca, will make his 2023 debut against Marlin Sims (8-1, 4 KOs) of Minneapolis, MN. The 8-round bout will serve as the main event on Thompson Boxing’s “New Blood” card.

“New Blood” will take place at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, CA on Friday, February 10, 2023. Doors open at 6:30 pm PT with the first fight starting at 8:00 pm PT. Tickets priced $50, $75, $100, and $125 and are available for purchase by calling 714-935-0900 or online at www.thompsonboxing.com. Fight fans will be able to watch all Thompson Boxing fights, weigh-ins, and behind-the-scenes content, via their new mobile app downloadable on Apple and Google.

In the co-main event, fans will witness a 6-round super welterweight bout as blue-collar local favorite, “Nuckle” Nelson Oliva (5-0, 5 KOs) of Los Angeles, CA, takes on fellow undefeated foe, Wayne Boudreaux (2-0, 1 KO), of Marrero, LA., who fought at the 2019 Olympic Trials.

“I am glad to be entrusted to start the year off for Thompson Boxing and am looking to provide an explosive fight for the fans,” said George Acosta, who is working toward getting into the world title picture this year. “Sims is a tough opponent, a game opponent, and these are the type of fighters that make me the best version of myself. I am looking to be extremely active this year, and to do that, I am looking to make some noise in this fight.”

“This is a great opportunity to get my career back on track,” Sims, stated. “I’ve had a few injuries that halted my activity so now it’s time to start making a name for myself. I’m excited to be taking on Acosta in the main-event of a Thompson card. A win will put me in a great situation since I’ve been out of the ring for over two years. I have big plans to beat Acosta in front of his fans.”

UNDERCARD BOUTS:

Welterweight Elias Diaz (11-1, 6 KOs) of National City, CA, will take on an opponent TBA. (8-rounds)

Welterweight Juan Sanchez (5-0, 5 KOs), of Buena Park, CA, will look to continue his knockout streak against David Thomas (6-4-1, 2 KOs, of Los Angeles, CA. (6-rounds)

Junior middleweight Anthony Saldivar (2-0, 1 KO), of Ontario, CA, will put his unbeaten record on the line against fellow undefeated rival, Corey Cook (2-0-1, 1 KO). (4-rounds)

Opening the card will be a heavyweight bout featuring Oscar Torrez (8-0, 4 KOs) of Rialto, CA, battling Jesus Martinez Torres (23-16, 13 KOs), of El Paso, TX. (6-rounds).

Beto Duran will operate as the blow-by-blow commentator with expert commentary by Doug Fischer. Cynthia Conte will serve as the onsite ringside reporter.

This event is sponsored by HUSTLER Casino, LA’s only luxury casino; 

Thompson Building Materials, Transforming spaces into beautiful places; Omega Products International, The leading stucco manufacturer in the United States; Belgard, Paves the way; and Makita, Rule the outdoors.

“New Blood” will stream live for free on the Thompson Boxing Promotions website (www.thompsonboxing.com), as well as their Facebook and 

YouTube pages.

For more information, and regular updates on our fighters, events, and promotions, please visit ThompsonBoxing.com. You can also follow the conversation on social media, please use #ThompsonBoxing.

LONDON – January 23, 2023 – Boxing Hall of Famer Floyd “Money” Mayweather will make his long awaited in-ring debut in the U.K. on Saturday, February 25 as he now faces pro MMA fighter and “Geordie Shore” star Aaron “The Joker” Chalmers in an exhibition bout live from the famed O2 Arena in London.

It was previously announced on social media that Mayweather would face Muay Thai star Liam Harrison, however Harrison has since been forced to withdraw due to a knee injury.

“I was originally supposed to face a different opponent, but injuries happen and I’m glad that Aaron Chalmers could step up so that we could give the fans what they want,” said Mayweather, who famously stopped British superstar Ricky Hatton in a 2007 welterweight title. “The fans in the U.K. have always been great to me and supported me throughout my career, so an event like this has been a long time coming. I’m excited to add more history to the O2 Arena in London.”

“I’ve been training with Adam Booth in the boxing gym and I’m eager to make a name for myself in the boxing world,” said Chalmers, who owns a 5-2 pro MMA record, including four Bellator outings. “I jumped on this opportunity immediately. It’s an honor to share the ring with one of the greatest fighters of all time and I’m definitely going to take advantage of it.”

Mayweather’s exhibition tour has seen him compete in electrifying exhibition contests in Dubai, Japan and Miami in recent years, with London now the next on his world tour of delivering memorable action in his signature “Money” Mayweather style. The event is presented by FrontRow Entertainment, who created the FrontRow series to build the sport of boxing and were behind Mayweather’s last two exhibition bouts. Additional details will be announced shortly.

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About FrontRow:

The FrontRow Entertainment team has more than 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry. Founder Keane Anis has been organizing all kinds of events, sporting events, concerts, beach parties and activations for celebrity tours, meet and greets and appearances with names such as Floyd Mayweather, N.E.R.D and Pharrell Williams, Usher, Chris Brown, Ne-Yo, Kelly Rowland, Shaquille, TGT, Rick Ross, T-Pain, Young Thug, Rich Homie Quan, Ty Dolla Sign, Tyga, Redman and Method Man, Ja Rule and Ashanti and P Square are few celebrities that are past and present FrontRow clients. Follow them on Instagram at @keane_frontrow.

SAN ANTONIO, T.X. – January 23, 2023 – Undefeated two-division world champion Rey Vargas will battle top 130-pound contender O’Shaquie Foster for the vacant WBC Super Featherweight World Championship in a showdown that headlines action live on SHOWTIME Saturday, February 11 from the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas topping a Premier Boxing Champions event.

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING^® telecast begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and also features former champion and all-action San Antonio-native Mario “El Azteca” Barrios, now trained by top trainer Bob Santos, returning to the ring in a 10-round welterweight duel against Jovanie Santiago that serves as the co-main event. Kicking off the action, hard-hitting unbeaten heavyweights go toe-to-toe as Cuba’s Lenier Pero takes on Ukraine’s Viktor Faust in a 10-round attraction.

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

“One of the best fighters representing Mexico in the sport today, Rey Vargas will look to continue to add to his resume in a tough fight against O’Shaquie Foster for the vacant WBC Super Featherweight World Title,” said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “Vargas has continued to pass every test put in front of him, and he’ll hope to do so once again on Saturday, February 11 on SHOWTIME. San Antonio is one of the best fight towns in the country, and with their hometown star Mario Barrios in the co-main event, plus an explosive clash of unbeaten heavyweights as the telecast opener, there’s no doubt fight fans will want to be out in full force at the Alamodome.”

Vargas (36-0, 22 KOs) is a former WBC 122-pound world champion and current WBC Featherweight World Champion who will compete in his third weight division since 2019 when he faces Foster for the vacant WBC crown. A master of distance with every punch in the book at his disposal, Vargas captured his 126-pound world title in his last bout with a decision victory over Mark Magsayo at the Alamodome on SHOWTIME last July. That marked his second outing at featherweight after the 32-year-old returned from a layoff due to injury to score a near shutout decision victory over Leonardo Baez in his featherweight debut in November 2021. The product of Otumba, Mexico went on the road to the United Kingdom to capture his super bantamweight title in 2017, winning a decision over previously unbeaten Gavin McDonnell, before racking up five successful title defenses. He has fought in the United States seven-straight times since picking up the 122-pound title.

“The Alamodome is definitely a beautiful venue and a place where I have wonderful memories, and we’re coming back to do it again on February 11,” Vargas said. “I want to thrill the fans so Foster can come at me with whatever he has. Let’s give the fans what they want. I’ve fought all kinds of styles, so nothing really surprises me. I have a hunch that Foster is going to come forward and be aggressive. If he fights me tactically, then I’ll be ready for that too.”

Following an extensive amateur career, Foster (19-2, 11 KOs) turned pro in September 2012, winning his first eight bouts. The 29-year-old, who has fought four times on SHOBOX: The New Generation^®, bounced back from decision losses in 2015 and 2016 to put together his current nine-fight winning streak. A native of Orange, Texas, who now trains in nearby Houston, Foster scored a 2018 victory over the previously unbeaten Jon Fernandez that set him on his path toward the top of the WBC super featherweight rankings. Foster solidified his spot with a knockout of veteran former title challenger Miguel Roman in November 2020 and followed that up with a 12-round unanimous decision over the previously undefeated Muhammadkhuja Yaqubov in March of last year.

“I appreciate Vargas for coming up and challenging me for the world title,” Foster said. “I’ve had to take a lot of ‘0’s’ lately and Vargas is going to be another one on the list. I’m looking to become the first world titlist to come out of my city so that I can make history for Orange, Texas and raise the bar for the next generation. I’m ready to show the world that I’m one of the top fighters.”

The 27-year-old Barrios (26-2, 17 KOs) returns to the ring after challenging former unified welterweight champion Keith Thurman in February 2022, dropping a decision in a hard-fought clash. The San Antonio-product, who now trains with Santos, a top coach, in Las Vegas, became a 140-pound world champion in September 2019, using his aggressive style to edge out Batyr Akhmedov and earn a unanimous decision. Barrios lost the super lightweight title in another action packed, highly competitive bout, as he was defeated by three-division and five-time world champion Gervonta Davis in June 2021.

“Everyone knows I come with everything I got when I step into the ring, and I’m excited to be back for this big opportunity on SHOWTIME,” said Barrios. “I’m even more motivated knowing that I get to fight back at home in San Antonio and give my people a great fight. Everyone is going to see pure boxing entertainment as I’ll be putting my skills on display with bad intentions. I’ve proven that I’m a warrior every time I get into the ring and I’m bringing that same energy for Santiago.”

Born in Bayamon, Puerto Rico and now residing in Dorado, Santiago (14-2-1, 10 KOs) impressed in his U.S. debut in February 2021 despite losing a competitive decision against four-division champion Adrien Broner on SHOWTIME. The 31-year-old followed that up in May challenging top 140-pound contender Gary Antuanne Russell in a bout he lost by sixth-round stoppage. Prior to those fights, Santiago had won four of five contests by knockout, a streak that followed a 10-round decision triumph over DeMarcus Corley in 2017. Santiago’s only blemish before the Broner fight was a majority draw in just his third pro contest.

“This is going to be a very exciting fight,” said Santiago. “I’m ready to go in there and throw a lot of punches. Barrios and I are both looking to bounce back from losses and show that we’re elite fighters. That’s going to make this an action-packed fight and I know that I have everything it takes to leave with my hand raised. The fans in San Antonio can expect us to give it our all from start to finish.”

A 2016 Olympian from Camaguey, Cuba, Pero (8-0, 5 KOs) had an extensive and highly successful amateur career that spanned over 100 fights, including multiple victories over countryman Frank Sanchez and efforts against heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk, heavyweight prospect Filip Hrgovic and Olympic Gold Medalist Bakhodir Jalolov. The 30-year-old now fights out of Miami, Fla., and made a successful U.S. debut on New Year’s Day 2022, defeating then-unbeaten Geovany Bruzon. He’s added two more victories since then, most recently knocking out Joel Caudle in a bout streamed via the SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel and SHOWTIME Boxing Facebook page in August.

“I’m really looking forward to making my SHOWTIME debut on February 11,” said Pero. “Ever since I started boxing, I’ve been working toward my goal of becoming the first Cuban heavyweight world champion. Faust is a good opponent, and this is by far the biggest fight of my career. A victory will skyrocket my career and put me in a great position. I’m going to seize this moment and bring home a victory for my people in Cuba.”

Faust (11-0, 7 KOs) returns to fight in the U.S. after his last stateside outing saw him engage in one of 2022’s most unpredictable and fast-paced slugfests. The 30-year-old squared off with Iago Kiladze in January 2022 with both men hitting the canvas an astonishing five times combined in less than five minutes of action before the Ukrainian closed out the action in round two to earn a TKO. Faust has followed that up with decision wins over veteran title challenger Kevin Johnson in August and Franklin Lawrence in December before he returns to fight in the U.S. for the third time.

“This is a great opportunity for me to show off my talents in the U.S.,” said Faust. “I’m especially happy to be back against a great opponent like Pero. He was a good amateur, and I know we’ll both be very confident heading into this fight. I’m going to win and show everyone that I’m ready to do everything possible to reach my goal and become world champion.”

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

Jersey City, New Jersey (January 23, 2023) – On Saturday, March 4th, Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing begins its 2023 journey with the first professional boxing card at White Eagle Hall in Jersey City, New Jersey.

White Eagle Hall is a venue in the restored historic building in the quaint neighborhood of Downtown Jersey City, a vintage village. Originally built in 1910 as a community center, in 2013 it underwent a comprehensive multi-million-dollar historic restoration and reopened in April of 2017. The intimate venue, adorned with two unique stained-glass skylights and gothic era design with wood and fixtures taken from the nearby Saint Boniface Church, will be filled with boxing aficionados and notable guests mingling as part of a unique boxing experience.

Star Boxing CEO JOE DEGUARDIA had this to say, “We are excited to bring professional boxing to White Eagle Hall in Jersey City for the first time. We plan on having not just quality boxing, but an experience. It is an intimate and unique setting, and we are thrilled to be working with Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment (HBSE) and expect our joint venture will bring an experience to Jersey City that fans will find unforgettable.”

The unique fight night experience is slated to have a thrilling fight card with serious talent. Recently, Star Boxing announced the signing of undefeated super bantamweight prospect RAJON “PICASSO” CHANCE (7-0-1 5KO’s). Chance will be making his Star Boxing debut in his native New Jersey on March 4th, at White Eagle Hall. Chance was a standout amateur with a record of 135-15 winning three national championships, the first at the age of 11. Turning pro in 2020, the now 22-year-old undefeated professional ABF Champion, is a prospect on the rise who is looking to make a statement in the 122 lb. division – starting on March 4th.

Marching his way into the St. Patrick’s holiday, undefeated super lightweight, 2021 Irish Prospect of the Year “THE SILENT ASSASSIN” RYAN O’ROURKE (Dublin, Ireland 9-0 2KO’s) will make the trip across the Atlantic Ocean to kickstart his 2023. At just 23 years old, O’Rourke is growing into his lengthy frame, evidenced by his first-round demolition of Andreas Maier at Star Boxing’s Shore Wars in November. O’Rourke will fight in an 8-round super lightweight bout.

Undefeated super welterweight rising prospect, JAHYAE “GOLDEN CHILD” BROWN (Schenectady, NY, 12-0 9KO’s) will look to parlay two wins in 2022 into a thrilling first fight in 2023. Brown is an exciting young fighter with a high boxing IQ. 2023 is lined up to be a major year for the Schenectady product with major leap in the world ratings in his sights. Brown will be featured in an 8-round super welterweight bout.

“HBSE is excited to partner with Joe DeGuardia and Star Boxing to bring live professional boxing to White Eagle Hall on March 4th for what is believed to be the first time in the building’s history,” said DYLAN WANAGIEL, VP of Sports Properties & Special Events for Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment/Prudential Center. “We know it will be an exciting night as we welcome some of the top boxing prospects in the world. To continue to diversify the programming across our venues, March 4th will be a launching pad to a very successful boxing program for White Eagle Hall and the entire State of New Jersey.”

March 4th will be a new boxing experience for fans. Yes, the show will have the top prospects list above, and others to be announced soon, but Jersey City Fight Night will be much more. This distinctive boxing experience have a networking atmosphere with a free flowing cocktail party layout. Tickets will be exclusive and limited, giving those in attendance the unique opportunity to mingle with local businesses, representatives, athletes, and other notables.

The two level White Eagle Hall includes four ticketed price points. Each floor features bar and food amenities. On the second level over looking the ring from above “Up Town” GA tickets are $50 and “Seated Up Town” tickets are $150. On the ringside level, “Chill Town” floor tickets are $100 each, and provide a cocktail party atmosphere at ringside. The extremely limited “Elite Town” tickets are $200 and provide exclusive reserved seats on the stage at ring level.

Jersey City Fight Night is promoted by Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing. The full thrilling fight card will be announced soon with tickets set to go on sale starting Monday, January 23. Tickets can be purchased by visiting whiteeaglehalljc.com or www.StarBoxing.com.

White Eagle Hall is located at 337 Newark Ave., Jersey City, New Jersey, 07302.

All bouts are subject to change;

For more information visit: whiteeaglehalljc.com and StarBoxing.com

Guests can purchase tickets for all upcoming shows by visiting whiteeaglehalljc.com.

For the most up-to-date news on event announcements, follow:

White Eagle Hall on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Star Boxing on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook

JERSEY CITY FIGHT NIGHT TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

Tickets Start at $50. Fight Night: March 4, 2023 at White Eagle Hall

BUY TICKETS HERE

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STAR BOXING ARCHIVES:

JAHYAE BROWN vs KEANE MCMAHON

HULU THEATER AT MSG

JUNE 18, 2022

RYAN O’ROURKE VS FAYCAL REZKALLAH

RIVERS CASINO

APRIL 9, 2022

About Star Boxing:

For three decades Star Boxing has consistently delivered boxing events of the highest caliber that attract loyal fans from all corners of the globe. Star Boxing has promoted events at practically every locale and on every network. From the Antonio Tarver – Roy Jones trilogy to the meteoric rise of Chris Algieri and Joe Smith Jr. through the critically acclaimed Rockin’ Fights Paramount Series, Star Boxing continues to develop world rated contenders and red-hot prospects into future world champions. Founded by its Hall of Fame promoter, Joe DeGuardia, an attorney, former boxer and respected boxing leader, Star Boxing has become revered worldwide throughout the industry for its credibility, integrity, and exciting fights.

About White Eagle Hall:

White Eagle Hall is a historic 8,000-square-foot live performance and private event venue in Jersey City, NJ which hosts live performances and private events before an 800-standing and 350-seated capacity audience. Originally constructed in 1910 and reopened in 2017 after a multi-year, multi-million-dollar renovation, the venue has hosted a variety of notable artists over the years including The Front Bottoms, Mitski, Kamasi Washington, Japanese Breakfast, The Bouncing Souls, Parquet Courts, Yo La Tengo, The Mountain Goats, Thursday, Screaming Females, Spoon, Waxahatchee, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Guster, Built to Spill, New Found Glory, and many more. White Eagle Hall has presented numerous sold out shows, community events, theater productions, and private events. As of 2021, the venue is operated by the entertainment, management and booking team at Prudential Center.

White Eagle Hall

337 Newark Avenue

Jersey City, NJ 07302

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Star Boxing

4 West Red Oak Lane, Suite 312

White Plains, New York 10604

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Las Vegas – UFC^® today announced that former WEC^® and UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo will be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame’s ‘Modern Wing’ as a member of the Class of 2023. The 2023 UFC Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, presented by Toyo Tires^®, will take place during the 11^th Annual UFC International Fight Week^Ô this summer in Las Vegas and will be streamed live on UFC FIGHT PASS^®.

“Jose Aldo is the greatest featherweight of all time,” UFC President Dana White said. “From WEC to UFC, Jose helped us build the sport of MMA and UFC as a brand, as well as change the perception of the smaller weight classes and what they could accomplish inside the Octagon. It will be an honor to induct him into the UFC Hall of Fame this summer.”

Aldo will enter the UFC Hall of Fame as a member of the Modern Wing, joining others in this distinguished category, including Forrest Griffin (2013), BJ Penn (2015), Urijah Faber (2017), Ronda Rousey (2018), Michael Bisping (2019), Rashad Evans (2019), Georges St-Pierre (2020), Khabib Nurmagomedov (2022) and Daniel Cormier (2022). The “Modern Era” category includes athletes who turned pro on or after November 17, 2000 (when the first UFC event under the unified rules of MMA was held), are a minimum age of 35, or who have been retired for one year or more.

A veteran of 39 fights during his 18-year professional MMA career, Aldo compiled a record of 31-8 (24-7, UFC / WEC / PRIDE / Shooto Brazil), securing victories over UFC Hall of Famers Urijah Faber and Cub Swanson. He also scored wins over former UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar,former WEC featherweight champion Mike Brown, former Pancrase Korea lightweight tournament winner Chan Sung “The Korean Zombie” Jung, and former Shooto lightweight champion Alexandre Nogueira. 

Aldo made his professional MMA debut on August 10, 2004, as part of EcoFight 1, knocking out his opponent via head kick in 18 seconds. He would win nine of his next 10 fights across nine MMA promotions, including Pancrase, Shooto Brazil and Jungle Fights, before joining WEC in 2008.

Jose made his U.S. debut on June 1, 2008, on the prelims of WEC^® 34: FABER vs. PULVER, which took place at ARCO Arena in Sacramento, Calif. He defeated former Shooto lightweight champion Alexandre Nogueira via TKO (punches) in the second round. Jose would win his next four WEC fights via knockout, earning him his first title shot against champion Mike Brown.

WEC^® 44: BROWN vs. ALDO took place on November 18, 2009, at The Pearl at the Palms Casino in Las Vegas and served as Aldo’s first headlining event as a professional mixed martial artist. Brown entered the main event as the undisputed WEC featherweight champion with a 22-4 record and a 10-fight winning streak over three years.

Aldo, who entered the match on an eight-fight winning streak of his own, used his speed, kicks, flying knees and takedown defense to control the fight until mounting and ending the bout two minutes into the second round to become the new WEC featherweight champion.

Jose would win his next nine fights, defending the title each time and pushing his winning streak to an impressive 17 over eight years. During his title reign, he would serve as the final WEC featherweight champion and become the inaugural UFC featherweight champion in 2010, as the organization was absorbed by Zuffa.

After losing the UFC featherweight championship to Conor McGregor at UFC 194, Aldo would bounce back and capture the interim UFC featherweight title by defeating former UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar at UFC 200 in 2016.

Over the next six years, Jose would continue fighting top contenders in the featherweight and bantamweight division, securing wins over up and coming fighters such as Rob Font, Marlon Vera, and Renato Moicano, as well as veteran Jeremy Stephens. He retired in September 2022 after a loss to top-ranked bantamweight Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 278.

Aldo enters the UFC Hall of Fame with an impressive resume that includes:

• Most wins in UFC / WEC featherweight history – 18

• Most title fight wins in UFC / WEC featherweight history – 11

• Most knockouts in UFC / WEC featherweight history – 11

• Most finishes in UFC / WEC featherweight history – 11

• Most consecutive wins in WEC history – 8

• Youngest champion in WEC history – 23 years old

• Highest takedown defense percentage in UFC / WEC featherweight history – 92.6%

• Tied for second-fastest knockout in UFC / WEC featherweight history – 0:08 seconds

• Tied for third-most knockdowns in UFC / WEC featherweight history – 9

Outside the Octagon, Aldo has been honored with numerous awards during his career, such as being acknowledged by Sherdog as Fighter of the Year (2009) and the Fighters Only World MMA Awards Fighter of the Year (2010). His 2014 fight against Chad Mendes was awarded Fight of the Year honors by ESPN, the World MMA Awards and MMA Junkie.

As one of the most popular combat sports athletes in Brazil, the film ‘Mais Forte que o Mundo – A Historia de Jose Aldo’ is a biographical movie that chronicles his life. In 2018, this film was nominated at the 46^th International Emmy Awards or best TV Movie / Mini-Series.

A native of Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil, Aldo trained in capoeira, Brazilian jiu-jitsu and luta livre (submission wrestling), excelling in all three. A talented martial arts athlete, Jose holds a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and luta livre. Aldo captured the bronze medal in the 2001 World Jiu-Jitsu Championships and won gold in the 2003 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Championships and 2004 CBJJO World Cup. He currently resides in Rio with his wife, Vivianne, and two children.

To view Aldo’s UFC FIGHT PASS collection please visit: https://ufcfightpass.com/playlist/13233/jose-aldo-ufc-hall-of-fame.

To see a complete list of UFC athletes and fights enshrined in the UFC Hall of Fame, as well as details regarding the UFC Hall of Fame format, please visit UFC.com/HOF. For additional information, please visit UFC.com.

Liam Smith scored a fourth round stoppage over Chris Eubank Jr. in their scheduled 12-round middleweight fight at The AO Arena in Manchester, England.

In round four, Smith hurt Eubank with a hard right in the corner that set off a vicious six-punch barrage that featured a left uppercut and a left hook that put Eubank on the deck. Eubank was badly hurt and tried hold on, but Smith landed another flurry of punches that put Eubank down again, and the fight was stopped at 1:09.

Smith of Liverpool, ENG is 33-3-1 with 20 knockouts. Eubank is 32-3.

Riakphore Stops Glowacki in 4

Richard Riakphore stopped former world champion Kryzystof Glowacki in round four of their scheduled 10-roud cruiserweight bout.

In round four, Riakphore hurt Glowacki with a hard right hand that drove him to the ropes. Four punches later the bout was stopped at 2:44.

Riakphore of England is 16-0 with 12 knockouts. Glowacki of Poland is 32-4.

Essuman Decisions Kongo

Ekow Essuman won a 12-round majority decision over Chris Knongo in a welterweight bout.

Essuman of England won by scores of 116-113, 115-114 and 114-114 and is now 19-0. Kongo is 14-2.

Parker Decisions Massey

Former world Heavyweight champion Joseph Parker won a 10-round unanimous decision over Jack Massey.

In round eight, Massey was deducted a point for holding. In round 10, Massey was cut over his left eye.

Parker of New Zealand won by scores of 97-97, 96-93 and 97-93 and is now 31-3. Massey is 20-2.

Clarke Stops Espindola in 4

Frazer Clarke remained undefeated with a stoppage after round four of his scheduled eight-round heavyweight bout with Kevin Espindola.

Clarke of England is now 5-0 with four knockouts. Espindola of Argentina is 7-7.

BETHLEHEM, PA--David Stevens remained undefeated with a final second knockout of Sean Hemphill in the eighth and final round of their entertaining super middleweight bout at the Wind Creek Event Center in Bethlehem, PA.

The fight was full of action with both guys landing some solid shots throughout the contest. In the final round, the pressure of Stevens finally wilted Hemphill as Hemphill was floored with a hard three punch combination. Hemphill was wobbly on his feet, but was able to continue. He took three vicious punches that sent him down and the fight was stopped at 2:59.

Stevens of Reading, PA is 12-0 with nine knockouts. Hemphill of New Orleans is 14-1.

David Stevens

“I felt like it was a good performance in front of my hometown crowd. I didn’t know how the judges had it scored and I knew I wasn’t executing like I should have been and I had to pick it up like my corner was telling me. Near the end I just had to stay relaxed.

“I know I didn’t have a great performance, so I don’t think it shows the 168-pound division much. I need a way better performance to start getting people’s attention and open doors and letting people know who I am.

“I think I could have done a better. Just improved on a little bit of everything. We were both breathing pretty heavy near the end there and I knew I just needed to keep pushing.”

Atif Oberlton remained undefeated with a eight-round unanimous decision over Artem Brusov in a light heavyweight figt.

In round one, Oberton was cut over his right eye from a headbutt.

Oberlton of Philadelphia won by scores of 78-73 and 78-74 twice and is now 8-0. Brusov of Russia is 12-1.

Atif Oberlton

“I feel good and was glad I went the eight rounds. It really showed my conditioning. A lot of guys who have my type of record early on in their careers don’t take advantage of the opportunities and taking on opponents like I am.

“I knew it wasn’t going to be easy. He’s a guy from Russia and he’s no slouch.

“I started a little slow, but that’s the thing about pro boxing is you have more rounds to show what you need to show. I’m proud of myself tonight.

“I love SHOWTIME. I’d love to come back and show more. I definitely want to fight on SHOWTIME again.”

Julian Gonzalez stopped Rosalindo Morales in a battle of undefeated junior lightweight.

At the end of round one, Gonzalez nailed Morales with a perfect straight right on the chin and knocked him flat on his back. Morales got to his feet sporting a bloody nose and very wobbly, but the bell sounded to end the frame. In round four, Gonzalez landed two hard rights that staggered Morales and the fight was stopped at 27 seconds.

Gonzalez of Reading, PA is 9-0-1 with nine knockouts. Morales of Elwood, PA is 9-1.

Jonathan Rodriguez took out Ira Terry in round three of their six-round bantamweight contest.

In round two, Rodriguez dropped Terry with a left hook. Rodriguez was all over Terry to start round three and landed some vicious right hands including hard right that snapped Terry’s head back and the fight was stopped at 53 seconds.

Rodriguez, of Bethlehem is 13-1-1 with five knockouts. Terry of Memphis, TN is 28-24.

James Bernadin remained undefeated with a six-round unanimous decision over Clay Burns in a lightweight bout.

Bernadin of Lancaster, PA won by shutout scores of 60-54 on all cards and is now 10-0-1. Burns of Fort Worth, Texas is 10-16=2.

Thanjhae Teasley remained undefeated as he pounded Joe Sambrano over four-rounds over the welterweight bout.

Teasley of Bethlehem, PA won by scores of 40-36 on all cards and is now 5-0. Sambrano of Pleasantville, TX is now 4-17-2.

In round four, the nose of Sambrano was bleeding.

Francis Oran made a thunderous pro debut with a first round stoppage over Marlon Haywood in a scheduled four-round heavyweight bout.

Oran dominated the action and landed a huge flurry of punches and the fight was stopped at 2:38.

Oran of Bethlehem, PA is 1-0 with one knockout. Haywood of Kaokakee, IL is 0-2.

Terrell Jamal Woods and Moses Johnson fought to a split draw in a six-round heavyweight bout. In Round two, Woods landed a hard flurry of punches that caused a cut over the left eye of Johnson. In round four, Woods hurt Johnson bad on the ropes with a hard flurry. Johnson was able to fight back and scores were 58-56 each way and 57-57.

Johnson of Huntington, NY is 9-0-2. Woods of Houston, TX is 28-55-10.

Uncasville, CT – The weights are in and the stage is set as CES Boxing makes its 2023 debut tomorrow night at Mohegan Sun Arena with Winter Brawl, featuring 10 exciting bouts.

Winter Brawl is headlined by a 10-round featherweight showdown from the vacant WBC Silver title between Irvin Gonzalez Jr. (15-3, 11 KOs) of Worcester, MA, and San Cristobal, Dominican Republic native Dannis Aguero Arias (19-2, 16 KOs).

Tickets for Winter Brawl are available online at MoheganSun.com, or through the Mohegan Sun box office. The event will also stream live on Spectation Sports beginning at 9 pm ET featuring play-by-play from CES Boxing publicist Michael Parente alongside color commentator and New England boxing icon “Sucra” Ray Oliveira.

Other bouts at Winter Brawl include Stamford, CT, light middleweight Chordale Booker (17-1, 7 KOs) in an eight-round showcase against 37-fight veteran Angel Hernandez (17-17-3, 11 KOs); New London, CT, super featherweight Alejandro Paulino (11-0, 9 KOs) in a six-round bout against Ryizeemmion Ford (8-3, 6 KOs); and a four-round cruiserweight bout between John Gotti III (1-0) of Oyster Bay, NY, and Alex Citrowske (1-1-1, 1 KO) of Saint Cloud, MN.

Listed below are official weights from Friday’s weigh-in. For more information, follow CES Boxing on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @CESBOXING.

WEIGH-IN RESULTS

Irvin Gonzalez; Worcester, MA; 125.5

Dannis Aguero Arias; San Cristobal, Dominican Republic; 123.75

John Gotti III; Oyster Bay, NY; 175.5

Alex Citrowske; Saint Cloud, MN; 174.25

Alejandro Paulino; New London, CT; 134

Ryizeemmion Ford; Alliance, OH; 134

Chordale Booker; Stamford, CT; 154

Angel Hernandez; McAllen, TX; 151.2

Kevin Walsh; Brockton, MA; 130.25

Christian Otero; New York, NY; 133.5

Mike Kimbel; Waterbury, CT; 141.5

Robert Banks; Baldwin, NY; 141

Kendrick Ball Jr.; Worcester, MA; 174

Victor Hugo Exner; Felicia, Santa Fe, Argentina; 174.5

Josniel Castro; Boca Raton, FL; 153.5

Mitch Louis-Charles; Boston, MA; 154.5

Stevie Jane Coleman; Columbia, CT; 134

Michaele Nogue; Egg Harbor, NJ; 134.5

Chad Leoncello; Brockton, MA; 221

Gabriel Aguilar Costa; Sao Paulo, Brazil; TBA

For more information, follow CES Boxing on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @CESBOXING.

INFORMATION

CES Boxing is one of the top promotions in the northeast and one of the few to successfully promote both mixed martial arts and professional boxing. Launched in 1992 by longtime boxing judge Jimmy Burchfield Sr., the promotion is the only in professional boxing to boast two reigning WBC Youth world champions in lightweight Jamaine Ortiz and featherweight Irvin Gonzalez. CES Boxing recently teamed with UFC FIGHT PASS, the world’s No. 1 streaming platform for combat sports, to showcase its events to a worldwide audience, and worked as a promotional consultant for the Mike Tyson-Roy Jones Jr. pay-per-view event in November of 2020.

Mohegan Sun Arena is one of the busiest Arenas in the United States and is ranked consistently among the top venues in the world according to Billboard Magazine, Pollstar and VenuesNow. Mohegan Sun Arena finished 2021 with its first “#1 Indoor Arena” ranking for its capacity in the world according to Pollstar and VenuesNow, ranked among the top 10 venues in the United States regardless of size based on ticket sales, and was named “2021 Innovator of the Year” by Celebrity Access for its ViacomCBS residency.  In recent years, the award-winning venue has also been the “#1 Casino Venue in the World,” “#1 Social Media Venue in the World” and a seven-time national award winner for “Casino of the Year – Arena” by the Academy of Country Music. For more information on concerts and other great events, visit MoheganSun.com. For information on this week’s schedule, call the Entertainment and Special Events hotline at 1.888.226.7711.