ALLENTOWN, PA (February 7, 2013)—This Saturday night a big night of boxing will originate from the Rodeway Inn in Allentown, PA promoted Marshall Kauffman’s Kings Promotions.

In the main event, local favorite Keenan Collins will take on George Rivera in the eight round Jr. Middleweight main event. The bout is a rematch of a draw between the two that took place on April 27, 2012

An exciting co-feature has been added as undefeated Jr. Middleweight John Thompson takes on once-beaten Grayson Blake in a six round bout.

Collins (14-7-3, 9 KO’s) of York, PA is on a two fight unbeaten streak and has fought some of the top Jr. Middleweights such as former world title challengers Delvin Rodriguez and Gabriel Rosado as well as top contenders Jose Angel Rodriguez, Henry Crawford and Charles Whittaker

Rivera (13-7-1, 4 KO’s) of Charlottesville, VA has a similar resume to Collins as he has been in with top competition such as former world champion Manny Siaca as well as contenders Latif Mundy, & James Stevenson. Rivera has key wins over former Contender contestant Jonathan Reid and undefeated Jesse Nicklow.

Thompson (10-0, 3 KO’s) of Newark, NJ has been stepping up the competition with each fight. The twenty-three year old has quality wins over Jermond Bourgeois (TKO 2), John Mackey (UD) and his last bout when he scored a six round unanimous decision over Elie Augustama on December 1st at Madison Square Garden as part of the Austin Trout – Miguel Cotto championship fight card.

Blake (5-1, 2 KO’s) of State College, PA won his first five contests which includes a six round unanimous decision over then undefeated DeCarlo Perez. Blake will be looking to get back in the win column following his first professional blemish when he dropped a six round unanimous decision to Robert Sockwell on November 10th in Reading, PA

In a six round Heavyweight slugfest, Aaron Kinch (4-1-1, 1 KO) of Newark, NJ takes on William Miranda (6-5-2) of Allentown.

In a six round Super Featherweight bout, Frankie De Alba (5-1-2, 2 KO’s) of Reading, PA takes on Lancaster, PA native Isaac Suarez (7-2, 3 KO’s)

A pair of four round bouts round out the professional bouts: Sammy Quinones (0-1) takes on Charles Mack (0-0-1) of Philadelphia In a Lightweight bout; In a Heavyweight bout, Eric Newell (4-1-1, 2 KO’S) of nearby Bethlehem, PA takes on undefeated Mark Rideout (2-0) of Philadelphia

There will be 12 amateur bouts featuring some of the best young talent in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Washington, DC

The doors open at 5pm

Tickets are priced at $60 (Ringside); $35 (General Admission) with tickets being $5 more at the door and can be purchased at:

King’s Boxing
440 Elm Street
Reading, PA (610-687-5950)

Rodeway Inn
1151 Bulldog Drive
Allentown, PA (610-298-1629)

Empire Surplus-Home Center
2741 Berneville Road
Leesport, PA 19533 (610-926-0500)

Hammer Fitness
420 Allentown Drive
Allentown, PA 18109 (484-554-8804)

The Rodeway Inn is located at

1151 Bulldog Drive in Allentown, PA

For more information on King’s Boxing Promotions, contact:

www.kingsboxing.com

New York, NY (2/7/13) – Yesterday afternoon, former #1 rated 152-pound amateur in the U.S., Freeport, Long Island’s Patrick “All” Day (1-0, 1KO) signed an exclusive long-term promotional contract with DiBella Entertainment (DBE). Day successfully made his pro debut on the DBE-promoted card on January 23, at BB King Blues Club, annihilating his opponent in just 31 seconds of the very first round. The performance immediately impressed Lou DiBella, who had been eager to see the 20-year-old in action after following his amateur career over the past couple of years.

Day will return to action on the upcoming DBE-promoted Broadway Boxing card, on Thursday, February 21, at Roseland Ballroom in NYC.

“DiBella Entertainment is super excited to sign a young man who we believe to be one of the best prospects in the greater New York area,” said DiBella. “Patrick’s amateur credentials rival anyone’s as does the quality of the fighters he fought before turning pro. His potential is limitless and it is going to be exciting to watch him develop.”

“It’s a pleasure to be a part of the DiBella team,” said Day. “I am going to make this journey as pleasant and fun as possible as I dominate the opposition across from me and climb higher in to the professional ranks.”

“I’m very happy that Lou has given Patrick this opportunity to shine under the DBE banner,” said manager and trainer Joe Higgins. “In my estimation Patrick is the total package in and out of the ring. This kid is absolutely the real deal. I’m confident that DBE will provide Patrick with the opportunities to build his legacy. He, without a question, is a very special boxer with the skills, conditioning and the guts it will take to be a World Champion. I think DBE realizes this and that is why they were so aggressive in signing him.”

Undefeated light heavyweight contender Seanie Monaghan, who like Day is trained by Higgins, and has known Patrick for years added, “I truly believe this kid has what it takes to make it all the way. I have been in the ring with many excellent fighters and Patrick might have the greatest combination of speed, skill and power that I have ever seen.”

Day compiled an impressive 75-5 record on his way to becoming the #1-rated 152lb. amateur in the US. Day, a 2012 Olympic Team Alternate, won a slew of championships and tournaments as an amateur including the 2012 USA Boxing National Championship, 2012 PAL National Championship and 2012 NY Golden Gloves. Day was also the 2009, 2010 and 2012 USA Metro Boxing Champion, as well as the 2010 and 2011 NY Golden Gloves runner-up. In addition to pursuing his professional boxing career, Day is currently attending college and plans on getting his degree in Sports Nutrition.

The card on February 21 is promoted by DiBella Entertainment (DBE) and sponsored by Manfredi Auto Group, Newlio.com, and Everlast. The event will be broadcast live on broadband through GFL.TV. SNY will broadcast the event tape-delayed. Tickets are currently on sale and can be purchased through Ticketmaster by calling (800) 745-3000. Tickets are priced at $125, $85, $65 and $45. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. ET with the first bout scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.

SAN DIEGO, CA –February 5th 2013 – WealthTV has secured the rights to air the bout between the WBA #2 contender Felix Sturm (37-3, 16KO) and the IBF #1 contender Sam Soliman (42-11, 17KO). The contest received 5 out of 5 star rating from BoxRec.com.

WealthTV will air the fight on February 14th at 10 PM ET during WealthTV’s usual Thursday “Fight Night” time slot. It will be the first airing of the February 1st fight in the United States.

The bout was the first non-title fight for Sturm since 2007 as he looked to bounce back from a tough loss against Soliman’s fellow Australian, Daniel Geale. Soliman put his title on the line twelve times before finally losing it to Geale.

Soliman needed to win this fight in order to put himself in line for an all-Australian IBFtitle fight against Daniel Geale. Geale successfully defended his title against another Aussie, Anthony Mundine, a day before.

“Boxing fans will enjoy this world-class matchup that is exciting from start to finish,” stated WealthTV Director of Live Events Tommy Morris, “A fight of this quality should be seen all around the world and we are happy to be the television outlet for the American boxing fan.”

All of WealthTV’s fights can be seen on WealthTV nationally on Verizon FiOS TV channel 169 and 669 in HD, AT&T U-Verse TV channels 470 and 1470 in HD,along with over 100 cable systems across the country as well as on line viewing on numerous connected devices and via www.wealthtv.com.

About WealthTV

WealthTV is the premier lifestyle and entertainment network —the destination for exclusive and original programming, simultaneously transmitted in high definition and standard definition. WealthTV delivers to informative shows to its viewers, providing invaluable insights on what every American dreams of – from travel secrets to fast cars, from outrageous homes to live events, and much more. The network fills a television vacuum by delivering intellectually stimulating, thought-provoking entertainment and always-unbiased news from an insider’s perspective. For more information, please visit www.wealthtv.com

LOS ANGELES (February 6) – Due to a broken right thumb suffered by Johnathon Banks during training, his fight against Seth Mitchell, scheduled as the co-main event of the February 16 HBO World Championship Boxing telecast, has been postponed. A new date for the bout is currently being scheduled and will be announced shortly. The February 16 event at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City will still take place as scheduled.

# # #

Broner vs. Rees, a 12-round fight for Broner’s WBC Lightweight World Championship will take place Saturday, February 16 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The event is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, R & R Promotions, sponsored by Caesars Atlantic City, Corona and AT&T and will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT.

Tickets priced at $200, $100, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes and service charges, are available for purchase at the Boardwalk Hall box office, by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 736-1420 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

Las Vegas, Nevada – UFC® lightweight champion Benson Henderson will defend his title in a long-awaited showdown with Gilbert Melendez, the last man to hold the Strikeforce® lightweight title, on Saturday, April 20 when the Ultimate Fighting Championship® brings the Octagon® back to HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif.

The 29-year-old Henderson is 6-0 in the UFC, including two consecutive title defenses over Nate Diaz and Frankie Edgar. He’ll look to cement his status as the world’s best 155-pounder when he meets Melendez, a San Francisco resident riding a seven-fight winning streak.

“Benson Henderson wants to beat Gilbert Melendez to prove once and for all that he’s the best lightweight in the world,” UFC President Dana White said. “Gilbert was a champion in Strikeforce and he’s been on an incredible tear. Benson wants this fight badly and I’m excited that it’s headlining such a stacked card.”

In addition, this outstanding card also features:

· Former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir vs. highly touted Olympic wrestler and winner of the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix, San Jose’s Daniel Cormier.

· Stockton’s Nate Diaz vs. San Jose’s Josh Thomson in lightweight action

· A welterweight collision between Dan Hardy and Matt Brown

The main card airs live on FOX at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, preceded by the prelims on FX at 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT. FUEL TV previews the card the week before on signature shows UFC TONIGHT and UFC ULTIMATE INSIDER, and also carries the WEIGH-IN SHOW on Friday, April 19 at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT and provides post-event analysis.

Tickets for UFC® on FOX: HENDERSON vs. MELENDEZ go on sale Friday, Feb. 15 at 10 a.m. PT and are priced at $250, $150, $100, $75, and $50. Tickets are available at the HP Pavilion Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, by phone 800-745-3000 or online at www.ticketmaster.com. Ticket prices do not include applicable service charges.

UFC® Fight Club™ members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets to this event Wednesday, Feb. 13 at 10 a.m. PT via the website www.ufcfightclub.com. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers Thursday, Feb. 14, starting at 10 a.m. PT. To access this presale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through UFC.com.

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

About the Ultimate Fighting Championship®

Universally recognized for its action-packed, can’t-miss events that have sold out some of the biggest arenas and stadiums across the globe, the UFC® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts (MMA) organization. Owned and operated by Zuffa, LLC, headquartered in Las Vegas and with offices in London, Toronto and Beijing, UFC produces more than 30 live events annually and is the largest pay-per-view event provider in the world. In 2012, the UFC burst into the mainstream with a landmark seven-year broadcast agreement with FOX Sports Media Group. The agreement includes four live events broadcast on the FOX network annually, with additional fight cards and thousands of hours of programming broadcast on FOX properties FX and FUEL TV. This also includes the longest-running sports reality show on television, The Ultimate Fighter®, which airs on FX.

In addition to its reach on FOX, UFC programming is broadcast in over 169 countries and territories, to nearly 800 million TV households worldwide, in 28 different languages. UFC content is also distributed commercially in the United States to bars and restaurants through Joe Hand Promotions, in English throughout Canada via Premium Sports Broadcasting Inc. and Australia via Main Event and in French throughout Quebec via Interbox. The UFC also connects with tens of millions of fans through its website, UFC.com, as well as social media sites Facebook and Twitter. UFC President Dana White is considered one of the most accessible and followed executives in sports, with nearly 2.4 million followers on Twitter. Ancillary UFC businesses include best-selling DVDs and video games, an internationally distributed magazine, UFC.TV offering live event broadcasts and video on demand around the world, a new franchise in development with EA, UFC GYM®, UFC Fight Club affinity program, UFC Fan Expo® festivals, branded apparel and trading cards.

About HP Pavilion at San Jose

HP Pavilion at San Jose is the premier sports and entertainment venue in Northern California. Home to the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League, the San Jose SaberCats of the Arena Football League and SAP Open men’s professional tennis tournament, HP Pavilion also hosts a multitude of events annually including concerts, family shows and civic events. HP Pavilion offers patrons first-class amenities which contribute to the building’s reputation as one of the finest facilities in the United States.

Philadelphia, PA—Undefeated heavyweight contender Bryant Jennings, with his sights set on a world heavyweight championship fight, now is willing to step in for the injured Jonathon Banks and take on once-beaten Seth Mitchell on Feb. 16 in Atlantic City, NJ

Jennings, who beat then-undefeated lefty Maurice Byarm on six days’ notice one year ago, stays in shape and will gladly fight Mitchell on the HBO-televised card, according to his promoter, J Russell Peltz.

“If we cannot get (Wladimir) Klitschko, we’ll keep calling out all the other heavyweights until one of them decides to fight Bryant,” Peltz said. “Today’s fighters have to get in shape. The old-timers stayed in shape and Jennings trains like the old-timers—he’s always ready.

“I spoke with Eric Gomez (Golden Boy matchmaker) today and told him Jennings was ready, willing and able.”

Jennings, 28, of Philadelphia, is ranked No. 3 by the IBF and No. 22 by the WBC. He turned pro in 2010 and is 16-0, 8 K0s, and he holds the USBA heavyweight title.

An unknown at this time last year, Jennings broke into the heavyweight picture by winning five fights in 2013.
In addition to beating Byarm, he also K0d ex-WBO champion Sergei Liakhovich and he won the vacant USBSA title by pitching a shutout against iron-chinned Steve Collins, of Houston, TX.

In his last fight Dec. 8 in Philadelphia, Jennings defended the USBA crown by knocking out Bowie Tupou, of Tonga, in five rounds.

All of those 2013 fights were televised as part of the NBC Sports Network Fight Night series.

“Let them (Golden Boy) put the money on the table they gave to Chazz Witherspoon or to Jonathon Banks and we’ll be happy to accommodate them,” said Fred Jenkins, who manages and trains Jennings. “We’re right here in Philadelphia and we’ll bring plenty of fans to the fight.”

CARSON, CALIF. (February 6, 2013) — Undefeated World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion and Top-10 pound for pound fighter TIMOTHY “Desert Storm” BRADLEY, JR. will make his 2013 debut, making his first title defense, against the No. 2-rated contender RUSLAN PROVODNIKOV, Saturday, March 16, under the stars at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. Bradley vs. Provodnikov will be televised live as the main event on HBO World Championship Boxing, beginning at 10:15 p.m. ET/PT.

These two gladiators boast a near-perfect record of 51-1 (27 KOs).

Promoted by Top Rank®, in association with Banner Promotions and Tecate, tickets to the Bradley- Provodnikov world championship event will go on sale This Friday! February 8, at 10:00 a.m. PT. Priced at $200, $100, $50 and $25, tickets can be purchased online at AXS.com or by phone at 888-929-7849 as well as The Home Depot Center Box Office (open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.). Suites are available by calling 1-877-604-8777. For information of group discounts, please call 1-877-234-8425.

” I am so happy and inspired to be fighting in the Los Angeles area in front of my home state fans,” said Bradley. “There is nothing more exhilarating than defending your title for the first time. March 16 will be the first step in doing what I did as the junior welterweight champion, cleaning house.”

“I want to thank my team and HBO for making this fight happen and giving me this long awaited opportunity,” said Provodnikov. “I promise that once everyone sees this fight no one will regret making it happen because once we are both in the ring I will fight until the end and the more Bradley will want to fight me the more exciting this fight will be for everyone!”

“We are excited to be able to showcase Tim. He is a tremendous talent,” said Todd duBoef, president of Top Rank. “Tim cleaned out the junior welterweight division as champion, beating everyone. We are confident that he will perpetuate that accomplishment as welterweight champion. It’s going to be an exciting night.”

“Ruslan understands that these opportunities do not come along often. He knows that this is a great chance for him and he will rise to the occasion and win the fight,” said Provodnikov’s promoter Arthur Pelullo of Banner Promotions.

“We are delighted to present Timothy Bradley Jr.’s first defense of his world welterweight title on March 16 at The Home Depot Center in southern California,” said Kery Davis, senior vice president, programming, HBO Sports. “An intriguing part of the fight is that it is as much of an opportunity for Bradley as his challenger Ruslan Provodnikov.”

Bradley (29-0, 12 KOs), from Palm Springs, Calif., a two-division world champion trained by Joel Diaz, returns to the ring off his historic and career-best victory over Manny Pacquiao last June 9, ending the defending WBO welterweight champion’s title reign and his seven-year winning streak. It was only the fourth professional loss Pacquiao had suffered in a 60-bout career that included world titles in eight different weight divisions. Bradley, 29, won his first world title in 2008, travelling across the pond to dethrone the defending WBC super lightweight champion Junior Witter in the Englishman’s backyard of Nottingham, England. Bradley’s sixth-round knockdown of Witter shocked the hometown crowd as Bradley won a hard-fought split decision. One year later, in his second championship defense, Bradley unified the title by dominating then-WBO champion Kendall Holt. In a career-defining fight, Bradley weathered a first-round knockdown, and showed his trademark heart and determination during the remainder of the match, to win a unanimous decision. Bradley opted to keep the WBO junior welterweight title. Bradley successfully defended that title twice. In August 2009 he dominated former world champion Nate Campbell before an accidental clash of heads near the end of round three led to the fight later being ruled no contest when Campbell could not continue due to a nasty gash over his left eye. Bradley followed that up with a December 2009 schooling of undefeated interim WBO champion Lamont Peterson, which included a third-round knockdown, the first time Peterson had ever hit the canvas in his 27-bout professional career. With no worthy contenders available to defend his title against, Bradley moved up to 147 pounds and won a 12-round unanimous decision over undefeated Top-10 welterweight contender Carlos Abregu on July 17, 2010. Bradley kicked off 2011 by reunifying the welterweight titles with a 10-round shellacking of undefeated WBC super light champion Devon Alexander in January, followed by an eighth-round knockout victory of former world champion Joel Casamayor in November, setting up his date with destiny — Pacquiao.

Provodnikov (22-1, 15 KOs), born and raised in Berezovo, Khanty-Mansi, Russia in Siberia, is trained by Hall of Famer World-Famous Freddie Roach. He has built up a steady fan base due to his exciting fights which have been televised nationally. Known for his aggressive style and excellent two-fisted punching power, Provodnikov, 29, is already more than prepared for his world title challenge inasmuch as he has been Pacquiao’s main sparring partner for the past 12 months. Provodnikov, whose professional resume boasts victories over former world champions Javier Jauregui and DeMarcus Corley, is riding a five-bout winning streak, with four of those victories coming by way of knockout. He captured the WBO Inter-Continental junior welterweight title via a sixth-round stoppage of David Torres, January 27, 2012, and successfully defended that title five months later on June 29, knocking out Jose Reynoso in the second round. Torres and Reynoso had a combined record of 37-5-3 when they fought Provodnikov.

For fight updates go to www.toprank.com, www.banner-promotions.com or www.hbo.com/boxing.

The February 8 edition of ESPN’s Friday Night Fights presented by Corona Extra will feature undefeated Welterweight Kevin Bizier (19-0, 13 KOs) and former undisputed Lightweight world champion Nate Campbell (36-9-1, 1 NC, 26 KOs) in the 12-round main event. Friday’s show from Montreal will air live at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN2 HD, and will be available online through WatchESPN.com and on smartphones and tablets via the WatchESPN app. The card will also air live on ESPN Deportes+, the new digital extension of ESPN Deportes, and will air tape delayed on ESPN Deportes at 10:30 p.m. The card is promoted by GYM.

Joe Tessitore and Teddy Atlas will be ringside at the Bell Centre describing the action for ESPN2 HD. Studio host Todd Grisham (@GrishamESPN) will present the latest boxing news and interview ESPN Deportes’ Delvin Rodriguez (26-6-3, 14 KOs) to discuss Rodriguez’s upcoming fight with George Tahdooahnippah (31-0-1, 23 KOs). That fight will be televised February 15, at 9 p.m. on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights. Alex Pombo and Rodriguez will call this week’s fights for ESPN Deportes’ Viernes de Combates (Friday Night Fights) with Leopoldo Gonzalez and Pablo Viruega in the studio. Bilingual reporter Bernardo Osuna (@osunaespn) will present live interviews and reports for both shows.

ESPN2 will present an encore telecast of Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez 4 at 8 p.m. leading up to Friday Night Fights. December’s HBO Pay-Per-View fight, which ended in a Marquez sixth-round KO of Pacquiao, was named ESPN.com’s 2012 “Fight of the Year” and “Knockout of the Year.” The fight was recently named 2012 “Fight of the Year” by the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA).

Main Event:
Quebec’s Bizier is coming off a December eight-round unanimous decision win over Doel Carrasquillo, while Campbell a native of Jacksonville, Fla., will look to build momentum following an eight-round decision win over Krzysztof Szot.

Campbell enters Friday’s fight with big fight experience, having fought former and current titlists Danny Garcia, Victor Ortiz, Timothy Bradley Jr., Juan Diaz, Isaac Hlatshwayo, Robbie Peden, and Joel Casamayor.

Co-Feature:
Friday’s 10-round co-feature will pit undefeated Junior Lightweights Tyler Asselstine of Toronto (12-0, 7 KOs), against Montreal’s Baha Laham (10-0-1 4 KOs). Asselstine is coming off a first-round TKO win over Sandor Horvath, while Laham won an eight-round unanimous decision over Jose Saez in his last fight.

Follow ESPN’s Friday Night Fights on Twitter @ESPNFNF or like it on Facebook. Follow ESPN Deportes’ Viernes de Combates on Twitter @ESPNBoxeo. Also score the fights round-by-round with the “Live Friday Night Fights Facebook Voting App,” an application on the ESPN FNF Facebook page that allows viewers to score the fight round-by-round.

WHO: Red-hot prospect Eddie “Showtime” Walker

Hard-hitting Andrew Kapel

KO artist Van “The General” Wyk Povey

California State champion Edgar Del Fierro

Former Karate and Sambo champion Evgeny Zotov

Undefeated upstart Mike Lemaire

& all other ROAD TO GLORY USA tournament competitors

WHEN: Friday, Feb. 8 a! t 6:00 p.m. PST

WHERE: Hollywood Park Casino

First Floor Showroom

3883 West Century Blvd.

Inglewood, CA 90303

WHAT: The official weigh-in for the second installment of ROAD TO GLORY USA, a series of one-night, eight-man single-elimination tournaments designed to identify and develop potential future world champions and superstars for GLORY, the world’s new premiere kickboxing league that is home to the greatest kickboxers on the planet. The wei! gh-in is open to the public, free of charge.

Winners of ROAD TO GLORY tournaments earn a $20,000 grand prize and a

one-year development contract with GLORY.

Enlisted for the eight-man middleweight (187 pounds) tournament are red-hot prospect Eddie “Showtime” Walker (9-1-1, 7 KOs) of Atlanta, Ga., hard-hitting Andrew Kapel (11-3, 10 KOs) of Minneapolis, Minn., seven-time South African kickboxing champion Van “The General” Wyk Povey (32-3-1, 22 KOs) of Dublin, Calif. via Pretoria, South Africa.; California State Champion Edgar Del Fierro (18-4, 14 KOs) of Fresno, Calif.; former Karate and Sambo champion Evgeny Zotov (5-2, 3 KOs) of Knoxville, Tenn.; undefeated upstart Mike Lemaire (6-0) of San Diego, Calif.; Casey Gree! n (5-5) of Santa Monica, Calif.; and Jonarth Junio (8-4, 1 KO) of Bellflower, Calif.

Doors at the first floor showroom at Hollywood Park Casino open for the event on Saturday at 5 p.m. PST and the first preliminary bout will begin at 6 p.m.

Tickets for the event, priced from $40, can be purchased by phone at 877-446-7962. The tournament is being held as part of a Dennis Warner-promoted WCK fight card also featuring five Muay Thai bouts.

“No one deserves the Klitschko fight more than me,” says long-time heavyweight contender Fres Oquendo.

WBA #5 and WBA #12-rated Oquendo (35-7, 23 KOs) can make a strong case for being the next to face WBA/IBF/WBO/IBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko on April 6 in Hanover, Germany.

“I’m seeing these newcomer kids talking about how they deserve to fight Klitschko. I haven’t lost a fight legitimately since 2006. In 2003, I had a world-title fight and lost an outrageous robbery against Chris Byrd. Byrd went on to lose the title that I should have won that night to Wladimir. So, if they hadn’t stolen my title from me that night, I would have already had a fight against Wladimir! Me getting the fight against Wladimir is boxing karma making things right.”

39-year-old Oquendo, who began his career in 1997, has won countless regional titles and is still stopping the opponents he’s supposed to stop. He took out capable veterans Robert Hawkins and Joey Abell in his two latest appearances.

“I’m still as sharp as I’ve ever been and I know how to get to Wladimir. I’ve been trying to get him in the ring for years because I see what you need to do to beat him. Plus, if you put my resume next to anybody else’s that they’re talking about it’s like a joke. Nobody else deserves this fight as much as I do. So let’s get it done, call my promoter, Bobby Hitz, so I can start training to go over there and kick his ass.”

New York, NY (2/5/13) – Last week, Cuban Olympian Luis Franco, unexpectedly pulled out of his scheduled March 1 World Championship bout against IBF Featherweight Champion Billy Dib. The bout will be Dib’s second stateside appearance and will be aired live on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights from Foxwoods Resort Casino’s MGM Grand Theater, promoted by DiBella Entertainment and 50 Cent’s SMS Promotions.

Dib is now scheduled to defend his belt against the IBF #11 rated, undefeated Evgeny Gradovich (15-0, 8KO’s). While the sudden withdrawal by Franco was unfortunate, boxing insiders actually view the 26-year-old Gradovich as a much more appealing opponent for the world championship matchup.

“I am thrilled to have this opportunity,” said Gradovich. “Becoming a world champion has been a life-long dream of mine and on March 1st I will finally have that chance. This is going to be a very special night for me, as not only am I fighting for my first world title, but it will be shown on ESPN so the entire country will have the opportunity to watch it. I am already in great shape and I am going to show the world what I am capable of come March 1.”

“Unfortunately Franco pulled out, but now I have just as tough, if not a tougher test in front of me in Gradovich,” said Dib. “I am really excited to be headlining on ESPN against the ‘Mexican Russian’. It is going to be an all out punch up. The fans can definitely expect to see a great fight on March 1st.”

“Anytime a fight falls out, after already being announced, it is an unfortunate situation,” said Lou DiBella. “Fortunately though, we have been able to find an opponent who isn’t just any replacement, but rather a terrific, undefeated fighter who is going to make for an exciting main event on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights.”

The Russian-native Gradovich had a stellar amateur career, putting together an impressive 126-24 record as well as competing for the Russian National Boxing team. Looking to make his mark on the professional boxing world, Gradovich moved to the United States and turned pro on March 19, 2010. Trained by the 2012 “Trainer of the Year” Robert Garcia, Gradovich went a perfect 4-0 last year, working his way into the IBF world ratings in the process.

The ESPN Friday Night Fights card is promoted by DiBella Entertainment and 50 Cent’s SMS Promotions and will be aired live at 9 p.m. ET. In the televised co-feature, Willie Nelson (19-1-1, 11KO’s) looks to defend his NABF middleweight title against Michael Medina (26-3-2, 19KO’s) in a 10-round middleweight match-up. The Nelson-Medina bout is promoted in association with Rumble Time Promotions.

Tickets priced at $200, $100, $75 and $40 may be purchased online at foxwoods.com, by calling the Foxwoods’ box office at 800-200-2882, or in person at the Foxwoods’ box office.

TOTOWA, NJ (January 31, 2013) “The Fighting Pride of Huntington, New York”, undefeated junior welterweight prospect Chris Algieri, 15-0-0 (7KO’s) will face the biggest fight of his career, challenging Jersey City, New Jersey’s Jose “Mangu” Peralta, 10-1-0 (6KO’s) in the televised co-main event of the acclaimed and nationally televised NBC Sports Network, FIGHT NIGHTcard on Saturday, FEBRUARY 23, LIVE from The Paramount in Huntington. The telecast will begin at 10:30PM ET.

Kathy Duva, CEO of Main Events and Joe DeGuardia, President of Star Boxing are very enthusiastic about the opportunity to showcase the Algieri/Peralta battle along with the sensational, sold out crowds that have become common on Long Island’s premier boxing venue.

“We’re very excited to bring NBC Sports Network to the boxing hotbed of Long Island, New York and The Paramount in Huntington where we’ve sold out five straight shows and have a received a tremendous amount of fan and media support,” said Joe DeGuardia.

DeGuardia spoke of the welterweight match up, “Chris Algieri is a very talented junior welterweight that has improved with each outing and Star Boxing is very proud that sports fans across the country will be able to see him fight against Jose Peralta, a very tough prospect from nearby Jersey City, New Jersey-it’s like a throwback to the old cross-town fights. ”

Born and raised in Huntington, New York, Algieri is looking forward to his nationally televised debut against Peralta.

“This is the national exposure I’ve wanted for my career. It’s a great opportunity to be in the spotlight. I’ve see video of Jose Peralta and I know guys he’s trained with. We’re two hungry guys and it’s a perfect fight for both of us.”

Algieri vs. Mathis
Photo Credits to Ed Diller/Star Boxing

About fighting at The Paramount, Algieri stated, “Although I’ve headlined four times at The Paramount in my hometown of Huntington, I don’t see it as an advantage. When the bell rings its just us in the ring and I need to stick to my game plan. That said, the fan support I’ve always received has been terrific and is greatly appreciated.”

Kathy Duva spoke of Peralta’s opportunity, “It is refreshing for a fighter like Peralta to gain national exposure on NBC Sports Network Fight Night. Peralta was given the opportunity to step up and gladly accepted it. Fighting an undefeated competitor like Algieri in his hometown will add a level of excitement that our Fight Night fans have come to expect.”

Peralta is thrilled about fighting on NBC Sports Network, “Fighting on NBC Sports Network is a great way for me to showcase my skills. I am grateful to Main Events for giving me this opportunity. I will not let my fans down.”

Peralta KO’s Steele

Photo Credits to Kamil Krzaczynski

Peralta expressed his thoughts about fighting in his opponent’s backyard, “I have no reservations about fighting in Algieri’s hometown. I will be totally prepared for him no matter where we fight. I intend to give it my all and hope to make some new fans in Huntington myself!”

The sport of boxing is alive and well and doing great as the success of the NBC Sports Network FIGHT NIGHT has illustrated.

The February 23rd card is promoted by Main Events, Star Boxing and Goossen Tutor.

# # #

ABOUT FEBRUARY 23 FIGHTS

Tickets priced at $200, $150, $125 $100 and $50 (standing room) can be purchased through Star Boxing 718-823-200, www.starboxing.com, Paramount Box office 631-673-7300, Ticketmaster 1-800-745-3000 or www.Ticketmaster.com .

Seven bouts are planned for the February 23 card to be held at The Paramount, 370 New York Ave, Huntington, NY.

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NEW YORK (Feb. 5, 2013) — On Friday, Feb. 22, Gary Shaw Productions will present a doubleheader on ShoBox: The New Generation live on SHOWTIME® (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) that features fighters with a combined record of 59-3-3 with 37 knockouts.

Two of Shaw’s top prospects will be featured in each of the fights. His popular, promising super featherweight, Art Hovhannisyan (15-0-2, 8 KOs), of Glendale, Calif., will headline against Alejandro Perez (16-3-1, 11 KOs), of Salinas, Calif., in the 10-round main event at Morongo Casino Resort in Cabazon, Calif.

The eight-round co-feature that opens the telecast will showcase GSP’s Tureano “Reno” Johnson (13-0, 10 KOs), who represented the Bahamas in the 2008 Olympic Games, against fellow unbeaten Willie Fortune (15-0, 7 KOs), of Detroit, Mich., in a middleweight match.

Tickets priced $35 and $55 are on sale at the Morongo Casino Box Office or by calling the Box Office hotline at (951) 755-5391. They are also available by calling Ticketmaster (800) 745-3000 or online at ticketmaster.com. Doors open on fight night at 5 p.m. The first fight starts at 5:30 p.m.

Shaw is excited about his rising stars and the exposure they will get from appearing on ShoBox.

“The card is going to be really special because it is filled with fresh faces that possess real talent,’’ Shaw said. “There are a lot of great fighters in the world and great prospects, but you never get the chance to see them. This show will give fans a chance to really understand that the next star is never too far away. Fighters have different personalities in the ring; they can have similar styles and still perform completely different. This will be a good opportunity for fans to get familiar with two very unique talents.’’

The Armenian-born Hovhannisyan, who moved to the United States in 2007, following a stellar amateur career, will look to continue to impress in the pros. He has been in the ring with tough competition such as Miguel Acosta, who Hovhannisyan defeated on an exciting, hard-fought split decision last July 20 on ShoBox, and former world champion Cristobal Cruz.

Hovhannisyan believes he is coming along exceptionally well as he develops his identity in the ring.

“It’s a demanding sport with constant obstacles on a daily basis,” Hovhannisyan said. “The margin for error is so small that even good fighters that do the right things can slip up in a single instance. I know what is expected of me with every performance and I use my training time wisely. I look at every day as a chance to prove something and I’ve been proving myself for a long time, I focus on the little battles in camp so that I can be victorious in the battle that takes place in the ring.”

The chance to headline an event is always a rewarding feeling, but Hovhannisyan knows that it is extra special when a network takes interests and allows a fighter’s abilities to be broadcast around the world.

“I treat every fight with the importance it deserves and I never underestimate my opponents, but this is definitely a little different knowing that fans that wouldn’t normally get to see you can through SHOWTIME,’’ Hovhannisyan, 31, said. “It’s fitting being on SHOWTIME because that’s how I feel when I go out there. It will be show time for me and I just know the fans of the sport will be pleased with what I bring to the ring.”

Shaw is very confident in Hovhannisyan, the potential he shows and the progress he’s made.

“We’ve matched this kid tough, that’s what he’s wanted,’’ Shaw said. “Art knows what he wants out of boxing; that’s an important part of the process because it’s not enough to want to be the best. That kind of mentality is vague and it puts you in a constant uphill battle. He’s after very specific goals and I believe he is well on his way to achieving his success.’’

Perez, 26, has been a pro since August 2004. He has won two of his last three, including a dominant eighth-round knockout over Derrick Wilson in his last start on Feb. 4. 2004. Perez dropped Wilson four times – once each in the second, fourth, fifth and eighth rounds.

Johnson, who turns 29 on Feb. 12, will be making his 2013 debut after fighting nine times last year. A pro since March 2010, the former amateur standout has been on a knockout tear of late, winning five of his last six by stoppage, including his last four in a row. He is coming off a third-round TKO over Jose Mora on Oct. 22, 2012, in the Dominican Republic.

“I don’t look for knockouts, but they come to me because I put myself in a position to entertain the crowd,’’ Johnson said. “I don’t avoid confrontation in the ring, but I’m comfortable enough to trust my hands and let them go. I’m anxious to work. Some people have to go to their jobs that they don’t enjoy, but I’m fortunate enough to enjoy what I do. I love every day that I get to lace up my gloves because I know what the possibilities can bring. I enjoy camp. The fight is like the icing on the cake.’’

Fortune, 31, hails from a boxing family whose cousin includes Cornelius Bundrage (fighting Ishe Smith on Saturday, Feb. 23 on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®). Fortune will be making his first start outside his native Michigan, where he won the Detroit Golden Gloves in 2008. In his last outing, he registered a second-round TKO over outclassed Shane Geirke on Dec. 28, 2012.

The Morongo Casino Resort and Spa is located at 49500 Seminole Dr., Cabazon, Calif., 92230.

New York, NY (2/5/13) – Middleweight kingpin Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez was on the cover of this month’s Argentine edition of Rolling Stone magazine that hit stands yesterday.

The WBC middleweight champion Martinez (50-2-2, 28KO’s) is set to defend his crown April 27th against the U.K.’s undefeated Martin Murray (25-0-1, 11KO’s) at
Club Atlético Vélez Sarsfield in Buenos Aires, Distrito Federal, Argentina. The soccer stadium will be set up to hold 50,000 + people, and will be the first fight for Martinez in his native country of Argentina since 2002. HBO’s World Championship Boxing will provide live coverage of the event. Martinez has already begun training for his defense on the 27th.

“I am very appreciative to Rolling Stone for placing me on the cover,” said Martinez. “It is a great honor for me, and I had a great time working with the people at Rolling Stone on the latest edition of their magazine.”

“We at DBE have always believed that Sergio rocks. What better publication then to grace the pages of Rolling Stone. That is just flat out cool,” said long-time promoter Lou DiBella.

Martinez’ management team of Sampson Lewkowicz, Miguel Ángel de Pablos and Nathan Lewkowicz were also excited about Martinez being featured on the cover.

“I am very proud and very excited that he is being recognized for his popularity in Argentina. This is a tremendous honor to be part of, let alone on the cover of such a historic magazine as Rolling Stone.” – Sampson Lewkowicz, long-time advisor.

“The hard work of the team is coming to fruition and Sergio is now recognized throughout the world as a true superstar.” – Miguel Ángel de Pablos, business manager.

“It’s a very well written article and it introduces people that do not follow boxing to one of the sport’s best representatives.” – Nathan Lewkowicz, VP Sampson Boxing

Two of Chicago’s hottest boxing prospects are set to appear at promoter Bobby Hitz’s next installment of his wildly successful boxing series entitled “Fight Night at the Horseshoe” on Friday, February 15, at the Horseshoe in Hammond, Indiana.

Undefeated Mike “Hollywood” Jimenez and Dimar “Strongman” Ortuz will each be featured in separate fights in support of the night’s intriguing main event rematch between Chicago (via Lithuania) middleweight Donatas Bondorovas (16-3-1, 5 KOs) and Evansville, Indiana’s “King” David Thomas (10-3-2, 8 KOs).

32-year-old cruiserweight Ortuz (7-0, 5 KOs) will go six rounds against Memphis southpaw Grover Young (7-8-1, 4 KOs).

Coming off back-to-back sensational victories at the Horseshoe over then-undefeated opponents Donta Woods and Terry Martin, the relentless Ortuz is looking to stay busy while looking forward to his televised debut later this year.

Already a celebrity in his hometown Chicago, 25-year-old super middleweight “Hollywood” Jimenez (9-0, 6 KOs) will continue to ride his massive momentum by taking on local veteran Michael Walker (19-17-3, 12 KOs).

Prior to demolishing over-matched Jordan Brown in two rounds last Friday, Jimenez scored a very impressive stoppage of former world title challenger Antwun Echols last November at the Horseshoe.

“Both these prospects are headed for high-profile main-event fights,” said promoter Bobby Hitz, the Godfather of Chicago Boxing. “This is the year they both will break out into the world scene, so we’re very happy to be featuring them in what will prove to be some of their final preliminary fights. Dimar is already a problem for any cruiserweight in the world. He’s that tough. Just an old-school pressure fighter with heavy hands that could wear down anyone he’s in the ring with. And Mike Jimenez has future star written all over him. He’s flashy and powerful and throws bone-breaking combinations. With both of them, it’s a chance to say ‘I saw them before they became world champions.'”

###

In other matches already finalized, Hammond, Indiana’s own heavyweight powerhouse David Martin III (6-0-1, 5 KOs) is coming back for a six-rounder against Chicago tough guy Felix Abner (3-2, 2 KOs); and 21-year-old Rockford, Illinois, lightweight Anthony Linenfelser (3-3, 3 KOs) will bring his brand of excitement to bear against explosive Chicago native Russell “Rocky” Fiore (6-2-1, 6 KOs) in a four-rounder.

Popular locals also featured in four-round fights will be junior welterweight Genaro Mendez (5-1-1, 3 KOs); pro super flyweight and former National Jr. Olympic Champion Johnny “WiteBoi” Determan (5-0, 4 KOs) from Nebraska, as well as the other heavily decorated Chicago-based amateur he is on a collision course with: 21-year-old super flyweight prospect Adan Ortiz (5-0, 4 KOs); welterweight “Irish” Jimmy Murphy (1-0, 1 KO) and the second fight of welterweight Nick Ramirez (0-0-1).

All opponents not specified will be announced shortly.

The high-class atmosphere and luxurious surroundings the Horseshoe has to offer make their boxing shows a Las Vegas-style night of boxing that Chicago-area fans don’t have to get on a plane to enjoy.
The Horseshoe Casino has an intimate, comfortable venue with luxurious seats, a spectacular gaming area, free parking, exquisite food and all the amenities — and is just 20 minutes from Downtown Chicago.

Tickets are priced at $90 Ringside & $40 Orchestra and available at all Ticketmaster outlets and ticketmaster.com.

On fight night, doors open 6:30 pm and the action starts at 7:30.

All bouts are subject to change.

Belfast, Northern Ireland/New York, NY (2/5/13) – On Saturday night, “Irish” Andy Lee, returns to the ring for the first time since his unsuccessful bid at claiming the WBC Middleweight Championship when he takes on Anthony Fitzgerald (13-3, 4KO’s) at the Odyssey Arena in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The bout is scheduled for 10 rounds in the middleweight division and is promoted by Matchroom Sport in association with DiBella Entertainment.

Sporting an impressive 28-2, 20KO’s, record and ranked #7 by the WBC and #9 by the WBA in the middleweight world ratings, Lee, the 2004 Irish Olympian, is looking to get back into the win column and make another run at capturing a piece of the middleweight crown. Lee is now training out of London with Adam Booth, who took over the reigns after the tragic death of Lee’s longtime trainer and mentor Emanuel Steward.

“I’m ready to fight,” said Lee. “My training has gone to plan. I’m really enjoying working with Adam. I am learning and improving with every training session. I’m very focused for this fight and expect a good performance.

“First and foremost, I want to thank my good friend Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Sport for allowing Andy to be on this card,” said Lee’s promoter Lou DiBella. “Andy is still one of the top middleweights in the world, and we expect a great performance out of him Saturday night.”

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ (February 5) – When it comes to Valentine’s Day, even the toughest guys can be softies. This is the case with WBC Lightweight World Champion Adrien Broner, NABO & WBC International Heavyweight Champion Johnathon Banks and heavyweight contender Seth Mitchell. Despite being deep in training camp for their respective February 16 fights at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City which will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing, Broner, Banks and Mitchell took time to discuss their Valentine’s Day memories, secret admirers and their special some ones for this year.

Even Broner, whose ring name is “The Problem,” offered his recipe for a successful relationship saying, “If you feel like you have somebody special, hold on to them, don’t let them go and fight for them.”

VALENTINE’S DAY Q&A:

Q: Do you remember your first Valentine? If so, what grade were you in and why was she your Valentine?

Adrien Broner: Should I name all eight? I was in first grade and they were all cute. I have had all types of Valentines. I even had teachers as Valentines.

Johnathon Banks: My first Valentine was in the third grade. I thought she was pretty. She was in the same class as me and was the smartest girl in the class. Brains and beauty, I fell for her like a sack of rocks.

Seth Mitchell: My first real Valentine was in the 10th grade. She was my first Valentine because we were actually dating at the time. I didn’t have a car, so her mom came, picked us up and dropped us off at Red Lobster. We ate dinner and then went to a movie. Then her mom came and picked us up and dropped me back off at home. I was able to sneak in a hug, but that’s about it. It was a fun night though.

Q: What was the nicest Valentine you ever received?

Adrien Broner: I have gotten too many to count. I got a huge heart shaped cake once, which was pretty tasty. Other than that, I would rather not say…

Johnathon Banks: The nicest Valentine I received was a teddy bear, candy and a card with money from a girl when I was 15. She became my girlfriend after that. She knew that I liked her and I knew she liked me, but I was too shy at the time.

Seth Mitchell: When I was a junior in college, my girlfriend at the time invited me over. When I walked into her apartment, slow jams were playing. I could smell something good cooking in the kitchen. I sat and watched her put the final touches on the meal she was making for me, while she wearing my favorite pumps. It was the beginning of a very romantic evening…let’s just say that girl ended up being my wife.

Q: What was the best/most exciting Valentine’s Day gift you have given someone?

Adrien Broner: I am usually in training camp so that’s tough, but I always send gifts. This year, I am sending my girlfriend a huge teddy bear, it’s as big as a couch. All I can say is when it comes to Valentine’s Day presents, you have to go all out, every time. Every year, presents should be better than the year before.

Johnathon Banks: I gave my mom a large sum of cash on Valentine’s Day a couple of years back. The smile on her face was priceless.

Seth Mitchell: When I’m with my wife, I pay attention to comments she makes about things she likes while we are at the mall or out and about. I make mental notes of these things and Valentine’s Day is one day out of many days of the year, where I try to surprise her by getting her a gift to make her day special.

Q: Did you ever have a secret Valentine or crush that you always wondered about?

Adrien Broner: All the girls that were cute back then have kids now and are all out of shape…so no.

Johnathon Banks: I don’t remember having a secret Valentine, but I have always had a crush on [actress] Halle Berry.

Seth Mitchell: Growing up, [actress] Nia Long was my wish for a Valentine. I thought she was beautiful and I have a thing for dark-skinned women. I thought she was a natural beauty.

Q: When was your first kiss? Who was she and how did it happen?

Adrien Broner: Whew. I don’t know. I can’t think that far back. It was like really early. I was a ‘baby kid.’

Johnathon Banks: It was in the fifth grade, after a choir assembly in an after school program. I was scared and shaking-I kissed her on the lips.

Seth Mitchell: My first kiss was when I was in the second grade. The girl I kissed was in the fourth grade. She lived next door to me. It happened on her porch. We were just talking and one thing led to another. I was scared and I didn’t know what I was doing. It took a few more years to perfect my technique.

Q: Even though it will be two days before your fight, who is your Valentine this year and why?

Adrien Broner: My girlfriend. We are going to celebrate Valentine’s Day after the fight. It’s going to be good.

Johnathon Banks: I don’t have one this year, I’ll send flowers to my mom like I do every year.

Seth Mitchell: My Valentine this year is my wife. She’s my best friend. She knows what makes me happy. She has given me my children, who are my two most precious gifts. I trust her and I can confide in her. She makes me feel special by just being around me.

# # #

Broner vs. Rees, a 12-round fight for Broner’s WBC Lightweight World Championship will take place Saturday, February 16 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The event is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, R&R Promotions, sponsored by Caesars Atlantic City, Corona and AT&T and will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT. The co-main event will be a 12-round heavyweight rematch between Johnathon Banks and Seth “Mayhem” Mitchell for Banks’ NABO and WBC International Heavyweight titles which is co-promoted by K2 Promotions.

Tickets priced at $200, $100, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes and service charges, are available for purchase at the Boardwalk Hall box office, by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 736-1420 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

Philadelphia, PA—Undefeated heavyweight contender Bryant Jennings is more than willing to challenge heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko on April 6 in Germany, according to Jennings’ promoter, J Russell Peltz.

“I cannot understand why Klitschko’s people are having such a tough time finding someone to fight,” Peltz said. “I spoke with their American representatives a few weeks ago and offered Jennings but I was told we were not being considered.”

Jennings, 28, of Philadelphia, is ranked No. 3 by the IBF and No. 22 by the WBC. He turned pro in 2010 and is 16-0, 8 K0s, and he holds the USBA heavyweight title.

“I am sure there are more than a few European boxing fans who have heard of Jennings, especially after he knocked out (ex-WBO champion) Sergei Liakhovich last year in Brooklyn,” Peltz added. “Some of the recent names that have been tossed out there couldn’t stand up to Jennings, so I do not see what the problem is with finding someone credible to fight Klitschko.

“Bryant has been asking for this fight for months.”

Jennings, an unknown at this time last year, broke into the heavyweight picture by winning five fights in 2013. In addition to beating Liakhovich, he pinned the first loss on previously unbeaten lefty Maurice Byarm, of Washington, DC, and he won the vacant USBSA title by pitching a shutout against iron-chinned Steve Collins, of Houston, TX.

In his last fight Dec. 8 in Philadelphia, Jennings defended the USBA crown by knocking out Bowie Tupou, of Tonga, in five rounds.

All of those 2013 fights were televised as part of the NBC Sports Network Fight Night series.

“I see things in their (Klitschko) arsenal, things that I could apply,” Jennings recently told Chris Mannix, of Sports Illustrated. “It’s not that (Klitschko) has weaknesses, it’s that I see things in him that I may be able to break through on. Wladimir has a problem being challenged. He is very seldom challenged. I know that if he gets hit on the chin, he is going down. I have confidence in my ability. I know I will try harder than those other guys he has fought. One of his weaknesses is that I think he would underestimate me, just like the rest of the guys I fought. I’m a light guy and he would think he can just push me around.

“Everyone knows how bad I want that fight. I don’t want to wait for my career. I don’t have 10 more years. I have a pace that I created and I’m just trying to keep up with that pace. I don’t have time to be slowed down. I cam here fast and I’ll leave fast.”

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Feb. 5, 2012) – Flyweight (125 pounds) superstar Zoila Frausto Gurgel (12-2) of Cincinnati, Ohio has signed a multi-fight contract with Invicta Fighting Championships and will make her debut for the women’s world championship Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) promotion at its next event on an April date to be announced soon.

Frausto Gurgel will square off with submission expert Jennifer Maia (6-2) of Curitiba, Parana Brazil.

“We are thrilled to welcome Zoila, an established superstar in the sport, to the Invicta FC roster and are looking forward! to seeing her compete in our rapidly growing flyweight division,” said Invicta FC President Shannon Knapp. “Zoila has turned in a number of thrilling performances while rising through the ranks of fighters over the last few years, and we are confident that she will help raise the bar of competition even further in the Invicta FC cage.”

The 29-year-old Frausto Gurgel, the wife of former UFC and Strikeforce competitor Jorge Gurgel, is coming off a sensational, 6-1 run in Bellator Fighting Championships action that included victories over rival superstars Rosi Sexton, Jessica Aguilar and submission wizard Megumi Fuji, who entered the Oct. 28, 2010 matchup with Frausto Gurgel with a perfect 22-0 record. Frausto Gurgel edged out a split decision to snap Fuji’s unbeaten run that began in 2004, and become the first Bellator women’s strawweight (115 pounds) champion in history.

During the Bellator stint, Frausto Gurgel also handed Jessica Penne the only defeat of her career before Penne went on to become the first-ever Invicta FC champion at atomweight (105 pounds).

“I am excited to join Invicta FC, where the best women fighters in the world are competing,” ! said Frausto Gurgel, whose 22-year-old sister Stephanie Frausto, also fights for Invicta FC as an atomweight. “Invicta FC has become more than just a promotion – it’s evolved into an entire movement for women’s MMA, and I’m proud to represent that movement while continuing to fight and beat the best opponents out there.”

About Invicta Fighting Championships:

Invicta Fighting Championships (www.invictafc.com) is a world championship Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fight series dedicated to providing female athletes with a major platform to hone their skills on a consistent basis. Founded in 2012 by longtime MMA executive Shannon Knapp and sports aficionado Janet Martin, Invicta is committed to pioneering the future growth of women’s MMA by promoting the best possible matchups between female competito! rs and identifying and developing future superstars of the sport.

February 5, 2013 – Gary Shaw Productions has signed light heavyweight prospect Trent “The Terrible” Broadhurst, who resides in South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Broadhurst, who stands 6’2 and comes from Angelo Di Carlo’s Ace Boxing team, possess a record of (9-1, 6 KOs). As a decorated amateur, the hard punching Broadhurst compiled an astonishing record of 112 wins with only 9 defeats.

“I want to thank Angelo Di Carlo of Ace Boxing Promotions for trusting me to lead his fighters,” said Gary Shaw. “Trent is a wonderful kid with fantastic boxing skills and he’ll be a great addition to our already deep roster. I look forward to promoting him here in the U.S. as well as his native land of Australia, with my partner Angelo Di Carlo.”

Like most professional prize fighters, Broahurst had a rough childhood as he was raised with four other siblings by a single father. When living with his dad got complicated at age 16, he moved in with his current coach Chris McCullen. The sport of boxing has been the outlet that was needed to save Broadhurst from a life filled with trouble.

“I’m truly grateful for the opportunity Gary Shaw has given me,” said Broadhurst. “I want to thank Chris McCullen for taking me under his wing as a teenager. In the past I’ve let myself down with my discipline outside of the gym and I haven’t always committed myself 100%. I’ve come to realize there is no second chance at this sport and it starts now. I’m committed, boxing is my life, and I’m going to show everyone I’m a force to be reckoned with.”

“Undefeated featherweight contender Joel Brunker is a good friend of mine and he and I both are very excited to be fighting under the Gary Shaw Productions banner. Angelo DiCarlo is a very smart promoter and a great friend. We thank Angelo for bringing us both to Gary Shaw.”

Look for the very skilled Broadhurst to be back in the ring by the end of this month as he looking to extend on his two fight winning streak both of which came by knockout.

“I have immediate plans to bring Trent to the United States in the near future. With Daniel Geale leading the movement of great Australian fighters, Brunker and Broadhurst are sure to follow with their own success. The sky is the limit for all my Australian fighters.” said Shaw.

SINGAPORE (Feb 5, 2013) – – Glory Sports International, the parent company of the world’s new premiere kickboxing league, GLORY World Series, today announced the appointment of former WWE Executive VP Andrew Whitaker to the position of global CEO of Glory Sports International.

“We are excited that Andrew has agreed to assume the leadership mantel at GLORY in the pivotal role of CEO, on the front lines of our fast-growing organization,” said GLORY Sports International Chairman, co-founder, and award-winning hedge fund investor Pierre Andurand. “Andrew’s breadth of global experience in the media space is a tremendous asset to GLORY’s day-to-day business.”

“Andrew joining as CEO is an imp! ortant milestone in the development of GLORY as a company and kickboxing as a sport. We’ve had an incredible first year – we have over 40 of the world’s top kickboxing athletes signed to us exclusively, we’ve staged four amazing events, achieved TV distribution in 200 countries and trended No. 1 globally on Twitter on New Year’s Eve 2012 – GLORY and kickboxing are for real. As we start a new season in 2013, we have a calendar of over 10 events on 3 continents, an active global standard for athlete rankings, and we are rolling out a successful global format for kickboxing tournaments with our Grand Slams, Slams and Road to GLORY events. In addition, we are fully committed to entering the US market, and we are delighted Andrew has joined GLORY to oversee all this growth.”

Marcus Luer, co-founder of Glory Sports International, who has spearheaded GLORY’s rapid global expansion as interim-CEO over the last ! year since its inception, will resume the title Managing Director, allowing him to drive many of GLORY’s initiatives in Asia where he continues as CEO and founder of Asia’s leading, full-service sports marketing agency, TSA.

“At the same time,” Andurand continued, “this move will free up Marcus to focus on building the GLORY brand in the territories where his experience and business relationships are greatest.”

Whitaker will be spearheading the opening of a new GLORY office in the tri-state region of the United States.

“I am looking forward to taking a hands-on approach to driving the growth of what I have believed, for months, is an incredible combat sports entertainment product with tremendous global appeal,” said Whitaker, who previously served on the GLORY Sports International Board of Directors as Non-Executive Director.

“Our kickboxing rules distinguish our sport by requiring elite athleticism, skill, and! honor, from GLORY kickboxers, and produce some of the most exciting knockouts ever seen in combat sports. Our martial artists define the word ‘warrior,’, and our superb level of production makes our live events one of the most fan-friendly entertainment experiences in the world. GLORY has already redefined the standard for kickboxing, and has all the elements necessary to become a major player in the global sports industry,” continued Whitaker.

“I look forward to working with Andrew again and continuing our successful partnership which began over 10 years ago while he was with WWE. Together, we ushered the wrestling brand into Asia,” said Luer. “GLORY is truly a global product now, which operates on a 24/7 basis with events and offices across three different continents – the U.S., Europe, and Asia.

Prior to joining GLORY Sports International, Whitaker was the Managing Partner ! of Kings Highway Media, a global brand and media distribution advisory that serves sports and entertainment IP rightsholders, private equity and venture capital.

Whitaker also served as the Executive Vice President of International for NYSE-listed WWE Inc. where he was responsible for establishing and growing the leading professional wrestling entertainment company’s business via sales, marketing, promotion and public and government relations across television, digital media, live events, licensing and PPV/VOD.

Last week, GLORY debuted its new ROAD TO GLORY development fight series uniquely designed to identify and develop future kickboxing champions and other superstars in the U.S. and elsewhere, with an eight-man light heavyweight tournament (209 pounds/95 kilograms) at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tulsa, Okla. On Saturday, Feb. 9, the ROAD TO GLORY series heads to Hollywood Park Casino in Los Angeles, Calif. with an eight-man middleweight (187 pounds/85 kilograms) tournament.

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The next stop for GLORY’s championship series, home to the world’s greatest kickboxers, will be Excel Arena in London, England, where a stacked fight card, headlined by a heavyweight showdown between superstar Tyrone Spong (68-6-1 42 KO’s) and decorated, all-time great Remy “The Flying Gentleman” Bonjasky (77-15, 40 KO’s), will take place on Saturday, March 23.

For more information, visit www.gloryworldseries.com

About GLORY:

GLORY World Series (www.gloryworldseries.com) is the world’s new premiere kickboxing league, producing live events across the globe and offeri! ng a total of US$2 million in prize money to the winners of one-night, 16-man ‘Grand Slam’ tournaments and 8-man “Slam” tournaments, which are open to only the best fighters in each of GLORY’s six different weight classes. The fight series also includes events with traditional single bouts which include Title Fights for individual Weight class Championships.

With major events in the US, Europe and Japan and television deals spanning every continent, online live video streaming of all shows and the world’s largest online martial arts library, GLORY is the world’s fastest growing new Sports properties.

Owned and operated by Glory Sports International (GSI), the organization has offices in the Singapore, UK, Netherlands, Japan, Singapore and in the USA. Its personnel include an unprecedented mix of accomplished entrepreneurs and senior level executives from the diverse worlds of finance, sports marketing, television and martial arts fighting.

In 2013, GLORY launched the ROAD TO GLORY tournament fight series to identify and develop new kickboxing talent in The United States, Japan and elsewhere around the globe into future champions and superstars of the sport.

New York, NY (2/4/13) – Quickly becoming one of the more popular attractions throug

hout the New York City boxing scene, DiBella Entertainment’s (DBE) undefeated super bantamweight Heather “The Heat” Hardy (4-0) will be featured on NYC’s 24-hour news channel NY1 tomorrow.

NY1’s esteemed lead reporter Roger Clark will drop by Brooklyn’s famed Gleason’s gym, where Hardy trains full time, to speak with the undefeated prospect on her budding career as a professional female boxer. NY1 will broadcast two live segments featuring Hardy; the first airing at 7:15am ET followed by the second one hour later at 8:15am ET. Following those segments, NY1 will run a condensed two-minute piece that will air periodically throughout the rest of the day.

Hardy made her pro debut on August 2, 2012, winning a four-round unanimous decision at Roseland Ballroom in NYC. Since then, Hardy has signed an exclusive promotional contract with DBE and has continued to impress and excite her large contingent of fans that come out to support her each time she steps into the ring.

Look for Hardy to be back in action very soon.

DETROIT (February 4) – Due to a bicep injury suffered by Devon Alexander “The Great” during training, his championship defense against Kell Brook, scheduled as the main event of the February 23 SHOWTIME telecast, has been postponed. A new date for the bout is currently being scheduled and will be announced shortly.

The February 23 event at the Masonic Temple Theatre in Detroit will still take place as scheduled with the card now being headlined by the world title showdown between Detroit native and IBF Junior Middleweight World Champion Cornelius “K9” Bundrage and Ishe “Sugar Shay” Smith.

This exciting evening of world championship boxing is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Mayweather Promotions and sponsored by Corona, AT&T and MGM Grand Detroit. The SHOWTIME telecast begins at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

Tickets priced at $200, $125, $100, $75, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes, fees and services charges, are on sale now and are available for purchase at the Masonic Temple box office, online at www.ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster locations or by calling 800-745-3000.

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (Feb. 4, 2013) – World Series of Fighting (WSOF) and NBC Sports Network have entered into a three-year partnership to deliver live, world championship Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fight programming, beginning with the promotion’s second event, “WSOF 2,” live Saturday, March 23 at 10 p.m. ET at Revel Resorts & Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

The agreement calls for a minimum of six live events annually on the national television platform that reaches over 80 million homes. Additionally, later this year, NBCSports.com will live stream World Series of Fighting events via TV Everywhere.

“We are thrilled to call NBC Sports Network the home of World Series of Fighting,” said World Series of Fighting President and six-time world kickboxing champion, Ray Sefo. “This partnership will allow us to build the World Series of Fighting brand of world-class MMA competition before a dedicated national audience of passionate sports fans and place our athletes on the big stage that they deserve.”

The inaugural World Series of Fighting 1 aired live on NBC Sports Network on Nov. 3, 2012.

ABOUT WORLD SERIES OF FIGHTING
Based in Las Vegas, Nev., the fight capital of the world, World Series of Fighting (“WSOF”) is a professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fight promotion dedicated to delivering an incredible, action-packed entertainment experience for fight fans by producing the best possible matchups between elite fighters from around the globe. For more information please visit www.WSOF.com. Follow World Series of Fighting on Twitter @MMAWorldSeries and World Series of Fighting President Ray Sefo @SugarRaySefo.

ABOUT NBC SPORTS NETWORK
NBC Sports Network, part of the NBC Sports Group, is dedicated to serving passionate sports fans. Now in more than 80 million homes, the network is the cable television home of the Summer and Winter Olympics, National Hockey League (NHL), Major League Soccer (MLS), IZOD IndyCar Series, Tour de France and the 34th America’s Cup , and beginning in 2013 the Premier League and Formula One. In addition, NBC Sports Network features college football, college basketball, college hockey, outdoor programming, horse racing surrounding the Triple Crown and Breeders’ Cup , Fight Night boxing, Ironman, the Dew Action Sports Tour and USA Sevens Rugby. The network is also home to original programs such as Costas Tonight, NFL Turning Point, Caught Looking, NBC Sports Talk, Pro Football Talk and The Dan Patrick Show. NBC Sports Network is distributed via cable systems and satellite operators throughout the United States.

For more information about NBC Sports Group shows and properties, including press releases, photos, talent and executive bios and headshots, please visit NBCSportsGroupPressBox.com.

Andres Gutierrez scored an impressive second round destruction over Jose Carmona in a scheduled ten round Featherweight contest.

Gutierrez scored three knockdowns in the decisive send frame. After the first knockdown the two went to war and a body shot sent Carmona down for a second time. Carmona was reeling and a barrage of punches sent him down for a third and final time as he did not beat the referee’s count.

Gutierrez is 25-0-1 with 21 knockouts. Carmona is 18-3.

Carlos Carlson remained undefeated by scoring a first round stoppage over Aaron Olivares in a scheduled eight round Bantamweight bout.

Carlson dropped Olivares twice and pounced on him after the second knockdown before the fight was stopped just seconds before the first round was over.

Carlson, 118.8 lbs of Tijuana, MX is now 9-0 with 6 knockouts. Olivares is now 6-3

Javier Mercado scored a stoppage in round four over Jesus Vazquez in a scheduled eight round Super Featherweight bout.

Mercado dropped Vazquez in round’s two and three and the bout was stopped ten seconds into round round four.

Mercado is now 18-5-1 with 16 knockouts. Vazquez is 11-2-1.

Bruno Sandoval scored a third round stoppage over Antonio Martinez in a scheduled eight round Middleweight bout.

Sandoval dropped Martinez twice in round three and the bout was stopped.

Sandoval of Mexico City is 12-0 with 11 knockouts. Martinez of Guanojato, MX is 1-2

Jose Felix scored a ten round unanimous decision over Gerardo Robles in a Lightweight bout in McAllen, Texas

Felix controlled the fight with the exception of being deducted a point in round seven for a low blow.

Scores were 98-91, 97-92 and 96-93 for Felix, 134 lbs of Los Mochis, MX and is now 23-0-1. Robles, 134 lbs of Durango, MX is now 18-11

David Rios remained undefeated with a four round unanimous decision over Noe Santamaria in a Lightweight bout.

Scores were 40-36, 39-37 and 39-37 for Diaz who is now 2-0. Santamaria is now 1-4

Juergen Braehmer is the new European Light Heavyweight Champion. After twelve exciting rounds, the 34-year-old won an unanimous decision over previous titlist Eduard Gutknecht in Berlin on Saturday night.

“It was a very tough fight against Eddy. I did manage to take advantage of most of my strengths, but it was difficult for me to keep focus for the whole duration of the fight,” said the prodigy of coach Karsten Roewer after the championship bout at the Max-Schmeling-Halle.

Right at the beginning, the former titleholder Gutknecht was keen to put his stamp onto the fight and went straight into attack mode. The 30-year-old caught Braehmer on the head, who seemed a bit overrun by this ferocious start. However, this was not going to be the only unwanted surprise for the man from northern Germany. Gutknecht tried everything he could which resulted in him not only showing an aggressive approach with his fists but also using some unclean methods by pushing his opponent to the ground.

Nevertheless, Braehmer was not impressed and went for it. The two opponents exchanged some vicious shots both taking as well as throwing hard punches. After a while, Braehmer managed to get the required distance between him and his opponent. Especially his straight left hand was causing some serious problems for Gutknecht, which did not only impress his foe but also the judges.

In round nine, the prodigy of coach Ulli Wegner was his own worst enemy. After pushing Braehmer to the ground once again, referee Terry O’Connor deducted a point. From that moment onwards, the orthodox fighter knew that he could only turn things around in one way.

“I can’t complain, I should have knocked him out. I had the chance to. In the end I was too focused on the harder punches and forgot about the easy ones,” said Gutknecht.

However, an early ending was not meant to be and the judges had to declare a winner. All of them were in favor of Braehmer and scored the fight 114:113, 116:111 and 117:110.

However, there were not any losers on the night – at least that was the opinion of the new European Champion: “I haven’t seen such an exciting fight in Germany for years. I believe that everybody left as a winner today.”

In the second main event of the evening, Robert Woge won the vacant IBF Intercontinental Light Heavyweight Title against Hakim Zoulikha. The 28-year-old once again proved that he is the man for exciting battles. In a fight that mainly consisted of trades of one big blow after another, both boxers were bruised from an early stage. Every time Woge got caught, he replied immediately with a counter punch and the same has to be said about his opponent Zoulikha.

In round eleven the German landed a vicious left hook right on the head of the man from France whose knees caved in. He did manage to get back up again but as soon as Woge went back on the attack, Zoulikha took a knee and the referee stopped the bout after two Minutes and 25 Seconds.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, undfeated Jr. Middleweight prospect Omar Henry passed away on Friday due to Gallbladder Cancer.

Henry was due to appear on SHOBOX on November 16th but fell ill just a few days before the fight and was diagnosed with Gall Stones which then led to the Cancer diagnosis.

“My liver was so swollen that the doctor asked me if I had been in a car accident,” Henry said. “When I told him I had not been in a car accident, he told me that I was very lucky to have not participated in a boxing match in this condition. He said I could have easily ruptured my liver if I entered the ring at this time.

“Looking back, I guess there were symptoms back in California (where he had been training), but when you’re in training there are always aches and pains that you try to ignore. As disappointed as I am right now, it does help that the doctors said I would have risked my life had I not learned about my ailments.”

“This is a real human tragedy for a young man of just 25 years and so much energy to have his life taken away. The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. Blessed be the name of the Lord,” promoter Don King said in a statement given to ESPN.com.

Henry would have been 26 years old on February 8th and had a pro record of 12-0-1

TULSA, Okla. (Feb. 2, 2013) – After accepting the opportunity to fight just one day before the event, 24-year-old Dustin Jacoby (9-3) of Arenzville, Illin. rose to the occasion, defeating three consecutive opponents, all by way of (T)KO, in one night to capture the inaugural ROAD TO GLORY USA light heavyweight (209 pounds/95 kilograms) tournament championship at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa on Friday, Feb. 1.

Jacoby was called on to compete just 4! 8 hours in advance of the event and drove to Tulsa from Arenzville, after Manuel Quezada, one of the original eight entrants, suddenly withdrew from the tournament for unknown reasons.

In the tournament’s quarterfinal stage, reigning ISKA world champion Randy “Boom Boom” Blake (25-2, 17 KOs) of Tulsa, a local superstar and favorite to win the tournament, battered the left leg of Jacoby and hammered Jacoby with punching combinations for over two rounds. In the third stanza, though, Jacoby suddenly countered with a flurry that put Blake down and forced the referee to intervene and stop the bout at the 1:43 mark of the final scheduled round.

In the semifinal stage, Jacoby faced off with Roy “Wreckin’ Ball” Boughton (9-4, 8 KOs), who had defeated Daniel “Sandman” Brison (9-3, 6 KOs) by way of unanimous decision to advance past the quarterfinal stage. After eating a right h! and, Jacoby responded with a series of stiff jabs that snapped Boughton’s head back.

Jacoby exploded with a knee strike to the head that sent Boughton to the canvas. Boughton beat the referee’s 10 count, but was put down for the second time with a Jacoby left hook to the body. The tournament’s “two knockdown rule” took effect, giving Jacoby the TKO victory at the 2:47 mark of the second round.

With a considerable amount of momentum behind him, Jacoby came out the aggressor in the tournament’s championship round, against previously undefeated Brian Collette (19-1, 16 KOs), who had scored a second round (:14) KO on Jeremy Freitag in the quarterfinal round of the event and a first round (1:29) TKO on Kyle Martin in the semifinal stage of the tournament.

Jacoby began connecting with a series of stiff jabs and a left hook to Collette’s body. With ! less than 10 seconds remaining in the opening round of action, Jacoby unloaded a barrage that put Collette on the mat face first, unable to recover. Jacoby was declared the victor of the bout by way of first round (3:00) KO.

COMPLETE ROAD TO GLORY USA LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT TOURNAMENT RESULTS:

Tournament Reserve Fight:

John King def. Jason Bloom via unanimous decision – 29-28, 29-28, 30-27

Quarterfinal Round:

Roy Boughton def. Daniel Brison via unanimous decision – 30-26, 29-27, 29-27
Dustin Jacoby def. Randy Blake via TKO – Round 3 (1:43)

Kyle Martin def. Myron Dennis via unanimous decision – 28-29, 29-28, 29-28

Brian Collette def. Jeremy Freitag via KO – Round 2 (:14)

Semifinal Round:

Dustin Jacoby def. Roy Boughton via TKO – Round 1 (2:47)

Brian Collette def. Kyle Martin via TKO – Round 1 (1:29)

Championship Round:

Dustin Jacoby def. Brian Collette via KO – Round 1 (3:00)

About GLORY:

GLORY World Series (www.gloryworldseries.com) is the world’s new premier kickboxing league, producing live events across the globe and offering up to $2 million in prize money to the winners of one-night, 16-man ‘Grand Slam’ tournaments, which are open to only the best fighters in each of six different weight classes. The fight series also includes 8-man ‘Slam’ tournaments and events with traditional, single bouts.

With television deals spanning every continent, online live video streaming of all shows and the world’s largest online martial arts library, GLORY is one of the world’s most widely distributed sporting organizations.

Owned and operated by Glory Sports International (GSI), the organization has offices in the UK, Holland, Tokyo, Malaysia, Singapore and! soon in the USA. Its personnel include an unprecedented mix of accomplished entrepreneurs and senior level executives from the diverse worlds of finance, sports marketing, television and martial arts fighting.

In 2013, GLORY launched the ROAD TO GLORY tournament fight series to identify and develop new kickboxing talent in The United States, Japan and elsewhere around the globe into future champions and superstars of the sport.

02 February 2013 –Malaysia: ONE Fighting Championship™ (ONE FC), Asia’s largest Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) organization, wowed the sold-out crowd in attendance at Stadium Putra with ONE FC: Return Of Warriors. The event was ONE FC’s second in Malaysia and fans were treated to a night of unforgettable action as ONE FC warriors battled inside the famed ONE FC cage. A new ONE FC Featherweight Champion was crowned as Honorio Banario defeated Eric Kelly via TKO. The two Filipino warriors went back and forth in a striking duel. The finish came in the fourth round as Banario won the striking battle with a punch that staggered Kelly.

Visit the official ONE FC: Return Of Warriors photo gallery by clicking:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/u4nic9pgb17472w/lUVw8XFf1C

In the co-main event of the night, Shinichi Kojima defeated Rey Docyogen via submission. The Japanese veteran showed toughness in defeating his Filipino opponent, who was largely winning the standup battle. Kojima showed his experience by pulling off a guillotine choke in the clinch and pulled guard to finish the fight. By emerging victorious, Kojima guaranteed himself a future flyweight title opportunity.

Vuyisile Colossa and Lowen Tynanes put on a showcase that exhibited the many facets of MMA. Tynanes utilized his wrestling to subdue Colossa in the first round, coming close to finishing the contest with several submission attempts. The South African Muay Thai champion Colossa came storming back in the second round as he peppered Tynanes with leg kicks and elbows. Tynanes returned to his wrestling roots in the third stanza as he secured a takedown and eventually tightened a rear naked choke that forced Colossa to concede defeat.

Malaysians Peter Davis and Adam Kayoom emerged victorious in front of a boisterous Malaysian crowd that was definitively behind their compatriots in the cage. Peter Davis engaged in a back-and-forth battle against Indonesian submission specialist Leo Krishna and was declared the winner after the doctor called a stop to the fight due to an injury in the first round. Davis dropped a series of thunderous kicks on his downed opponent, which are legal under ONE FC’s global rule set. Kayoom easily dispatched of his Indonesian opponent, Zuli Silawanto in clinical fashion. Kayoom used a picture-perfect takedown and smothered Silawanto with his top control while dropping sharp elbows. The opportunistic Kayoom managed to secure back control and slipped in a rear naked choke to finish the fight in round one.

For more updates, log on to www.ONEFC.com

About ONE Fighting Championship™

Headquartered in Singapore, ONE Fighting Championship™ (http://www.onefc.com) is Asia’s largest mixed martial arts organization. ONE Fighting Championship™ hosts the best Asian mixed martial artists and world champions on the largest media broadcast in Asia. ONE Fighting Championship™ has partnered with STAR Sports, the number one leader in sports content, for an unprecedented 10-year cable television deal with a coverage that spans across 28 countries in Asia.