Las Vegas – UFC^® today announced that the 10^th Annual UFC International Fight Week^™ will take place in Las Vegas from Monday, June 27, through Sunday, July 3, headlined by UFC^® 276, the 2022 UFC Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and a two-day, interactive fan experience.

Included among the key highlights of the week will be the prestigious 2022 UFC Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, presented by Toyo Tires^®. Held annually as part of International Fight Week, the ceremony honors the contributors and athletes who have helped shape UFC while leaving an indelible mark on the sport of mixed martial arts.

“We’re excited to announce the return of UFC International Fight Week to Las Vegas this summer and we can’t wait to provide our fans with greater access, a wide variety of activations and more memorable experiences than ever before,” UFC Chief Operating Officer Ike Lawrence Epstein said. “IFW is our annual event celebrating all things UFC and combat sports, and we couldn’t do it without our partners from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.”

Spanning more than 200,000 square feet of entertainment activation space, the Las Vegas Convention Center will host UFC’s fully immersive and easily accessible two-day fan experience on Friday, July 1 and Saturday, July 2.

“We’re thrilled to welcome UFC International Fight Week back to Las Vegas and to host the fan experience at the Las Vegas Convention Center,” said Steve Hill, CEO and president of the LVCVA. “UFC has been an integral part of Las Vegas’ evolution as a major sports city, and we know both the fans and fighters will enjoy a week of world-class, only-in-Vegas experiences.”

In addition, the Las Vegas Convention Center will also host the return of amateur tournaments from various disciplines, beginning on Thursday, June 23, and concluding on Sunday, July 3. The Fan Experience will be produced by global full-service cultural marketing agency 160over90.

Fans from around the world who converge on Las Vegas for International Fight Week will also be able to enjoy ceremonial weigh-ins, press conferences and live entertainment of a traditional Fight Week leading to the schedule’s culminating event, UFC^® 276, on Saturday, July 2, at T-Mobile Arena.

Plus, UFC fans can enter for their chance to win an epic UFC Dream Week at International Fight Week.  One lucky winner and a guest will win a one-of-a-kind VIP experience to UFC International Fight Week in Las Vegas including exclusive access to UFC 276, the UFC Hall of Fame Ceremony, the two-day fan experience, and much more!

Details regarding the bout card for UFC 276, event locations and additional activities for UFC International Fight Week will be announced at a later date. For more information, please visit UFCFIGHTWEEK.COM.

Follow all the action as Gary Russell Jr. defends the WBC Featherweight title against Mark Magsayo. The show begins at 9 PM ET / 6 PM PT with Tugstsogt Nyambayar taking on Sakaria Lukas. Subriel Matias takes Petros Ananyan in rematch.

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Round 1: Left from Russell…Right to body from Magsayo..Jab…

ROUND 2: Body shot from Magsayo..Uppercut to body…Straight right..2 Hard Body shots..Right…Right to body..

ROUND 3: Right to body from Magsayo..Left from Russell…Left to body from Magsayo..Hard right..Good counter right…Left from Russell..Good left..Right to body from Magsayo

ROUND 4 Hard right hurts Russell..Hard body shot…Left from Russell..Good left…Hard counter left

ROUND 5 Left from Russell..Uppercut to body from Magsayo…Right…Left to body from Russell..2 body shots from Magsayo..

ROUND 6  Right from Magsayo…Left from Russell..Left to body

ROUND 7 Counter left from Russell..Uppercut from Magsayo…Counter left from Russell..2 Hard rights from Magsayo..Inside left from Russell..Left to body from Magsayo

ROUND 8  Slapping left from Magsayo…Counter left from Russell…and another…Left to body from Magsayo…Left and right…Counter left from Russell

ROUND 9 Quick left from Russell…Left to body from Magsayo…Good right

ROUND 10 Left hook from Magsayo…Hard Snapping left

ROUND 11 Right from Magsayo..Straight righty

ROUND 12 Right from Magsayo….Left from Russell..Left from Russell

114-114….115-113/,,,115-113 FOR MARK MAGSAYO

Round 1 Jab from Matias…Left and right…Right from Ananya…Hard left and right from Matias..Left to body…
Round 2 Jabs from Matias…Left hook from Ananyan…Left from Matias…Trading on the inside…Combination from Matias..Left from Ananyan…Jab from Matias..
Round 3 Right from Matias…Body combination..Right from Ananyan..Left to head from Matias…Fight is a phone booth…Right from Ananayan…Left from MiB
Round 9 Big right from Matias..Left from Ananyan..Big right and left..5 Punch combro from Matias,,,,BIG RIGHT AND DOWN GOES ANANYAN

FIGHT STOPPED IN CORNER AFTER THE ROUND

Round 1: Jab from Lukas…Jab from Nyambayar…counter left hook rocks Lukas..Left and right
Round 2 Leaping left and right from Nyambayar…Jab from Lukas…Jab…Left from Nyambayar…Left hook from Lukas..
Round 3 Left hook from Nyambayar…Left..
Round 4 Body shots from Nyambayar..Jab from Lukas…left-right from Nyambayar…Left hook..Right to body…Left hook..Body shot from Lukas..Right..Left from Nyambayar
Round 5 Right from Nyambayar…Left…Counter left hook…Hard right hurtsd Lukas…Jab from Lukas..
Round 6 Jab from Lukas..another jab…Uppercut from Nyambayar….Left..Good right from Lukas..Right from Nyambayar…
Round 7 Right from Lukas
Round 8 Right and down goes Nyambayar (Ruled a slip)..Uppercut and left from Lukas…Right to body…Body work from Nyambayar…Jab…
Round 9 Right from Nyambayar…Jab…Jab..Right from Lukas
Round 10 Right from Lukas…Counter left from Nyambayar..Left from Lukas…Right from Nyambayar…Left

96-94 LUKAS…96-94 NYAMBAYAR…95-95…A SPLIT DRAW

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ-Mark Magsayo wrestled the WBC Featherweight title with a 12-round majority decision over long-reigning champion Gary Russell Jr. at The Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa.

Magsayo started off well by going to the body in an effort to slow down Russell. Seconds into round four, Russell seemed to hurt his right shoulder. That seemed to affect him as he did not use his right hand much for the remainder of the fight. Magsayo continued applying pressure and landing with both hands. Russell was able to win some rounds by landing some sharp lead lefts.

Magsayo boxed with ease with Russell using his speed and the occasional quick left. He was outworked by the challenger who fought like the title was in his grasp.

Magsayo landed 150 of 543 punches; Russell was 69 of 323.

It was as Magsayo won by scores of 115-113 twice and 114-114.

Magsayo, 125.5 lbs of The Philippines is 24-0. Russell, 125.5 lbs of Capitol Heights, Maryland is 31-2.

“This is my dream come true,” said Magsayo. “Ever since I was a kid, this was my dream. I’m so proud that I’m a champion now. Thank you so much to the Filipino fans for the support.”

 “I believe I have a torn tendon in my right shoulder,” said Russell. “I haven’t competed in almost two years. This is what true champions do. I wanted to step into the ring and display my superiority regardless of the injury. “I hurt the shoulder about two weeks ago,” continued Russell. “But I went through with the fight because I’m a true champion and this is what warriors do. I’m going to fight regardless of what the situation is. I refuse to not compete and display my skillsets to my fans and the people that came out to show support and love. Please believe that I will be back. I still want these fights.”

“I knew that he was hurt in round four,” said Magsayo. “I took advantage of it because he was only using one hand. This was my opportunity to follow through. My coach was telling me to use good combinations and follow through. He said this is your chance to become a champion and now I am a champion.”

“I believed in my skillset and what I bring into the ring,” said Russell. “I felt like I still won the fight to be honest. Hell yeah I want a rematch. Would he want a rematch? That’s the question.” “It’s up to my promotional team,” said Magsayo when asked about a potential rematch. “But I’m willing to fight anybody. I’m the champion now!”

Matias Stops Ananyan in Rematch War

Subriel Matias stopped Petros Ananyan in a grueling war after round nine of a scheduled 12-round junior welterweight rematch

The two stood about four inches from each other throughout the fight. Ananyan was cut over his right eye as early as round two. That did not deter Ananyan as every time he ate big combination from Matias, he would fire back with hard combinations of his own, He fought back valiantly and got himself back in the fight.

In round seven, Matias was deducted a point for low blows. That seemed to light a new fire under Matias as he started landing more power shots, and in round nine, landed a huge left that spun Ananyan to the canvas. Ananyan took a lot of punches and the fight was stopped in the corner by the ringside doctor after the round.

Matias, 140.5 lbs of Fajrado, PR is now 18-1 with 18 knockouts. Ananyan, 141 lbs of Armenia is 16-3-2.

“This is the fight that I wanted,” said Matias, who was jubilant in victory following the fast-paced affair. “Ever since my defeat to him, I wanted to avenge the loss. When you’re sure about yourself and you know that you have the skills that you have, you take the rematch.”

“I’m not just a hard-hitter but the way that I fight is like cutting down a tree,” said Matias. “Just keep hitting them. I think I can improve my power but let’s see what happens with time. I want to thank everybody who made this fight possible, but I’m going to take my time before deciding who I will fight next.”

Nyambayar and Lukas Fight to a draw

-Former world title challenger Tugstsogt Nyambayar and late-replacement Sakaria Lukas fought to a 10-round draw in a junior lightweight bout.

Lukas seemed to have knocked Nyambayar in round eight, but referee Eddie Claudio ruled it a slip.

Nyambayar landed 125 of 417 punches; Lukas was 111 of 479.

Each fighter took a card 96-94 and a third card was even at 95-95.

Nyambayar, 128 lbs is now 12-2-1. Lukas, 127.5 lbs of Namibia is 25-1-1.

“What I saw in real time, he fell down not from the impact of the blow but from his body language, he just slipped. His feet went and he slipped,” said Claudio post fight to ringside reporter Jim Gray.

 “I thought I won the fight and I didn’t believe it was a knockdown,” said Nyambayar. “It was a hard fight, especially against an opponent on short notice. My goal is to fight for the world title again.” “Everyone saw it was a knockdown that should have given me a split-decision win,” said Lukas, who endured a 27-hour flight to the U.S. for the bout from his native Namibia. “I fought my heart out and I deserved the win. I took the fight on short notice, but I was ready to win. I believe I won the fight, but I can’t do anything about the decision. We had the fans behind us, they know what happened.”

IN-NON-TELEVISED ACTION

Abimael Ortiz pounded out an eight-round unanimous decision over Ryan Allen in a super bantamweight contest.

In round two, Ortiz dropped Allen with a left-right combination.

Ortiz, 123 lbs of Coyey, PR won by scores of 76-75 on all cards and is now 10-1-1. Allen, 122 lbs of Jackson, MI is 10-6-1.

Leshawn Rodriguez destroyed Sixto Suazo inside of a round in their scheduled six-round middleweight bout.

Rodriguez battered Suazo as he landed several flush shots that snapped the head of Suazo and the fight was stopped at 1:36.

Rodriguez, 156.1 lbs of Coram, NY is 13-0 with 10 knockouts. Suazo, 156.3 lbs of Atlanta, GA is 9-3-1.

Evan Holyfield remained undefeated with a six-round unanimous decision over Chris Rollins in a super welterweight fight.

Holyfield, 151,5 lbs of Atlanta, GA won by scores of 60-54 twice and 59-55 and is now 9-0. Rollins, 151.5 lbs of Charlottsville, VA is 5-4-1.

In a battle of undefeated featherweights, Katsuma Akitsugi won a six-round unanimous decision over Rasheen Brown.

Akitsugi, 123.5 lbs of Japan won by scores of 60-54, 59-55 and 58-56 to raise his record to 8-0. Brown, 124 lbs of Philadelphia is 11-1.

Max Garland stopped Marik Black in the 2nd round of their four-round wheelwright bout.

Garland beat up Black until the fight was stopped at 1:44 of round two.

Garland of Washington, DC was making his pro debut. Black of Versailles, KY is 1-1-1.

ugo Centeno Jr. 161.2 vs. Antonio Todd 158.2
Winfred Harris Jr. 166.8 vs. Esau Herrera 163.4
Joseph Hicks Jr. 168.4 vs. Montrel James 168.4
Gordie Russ II 153.4 vs. Leslie Michael Klekotta 156
Marlon Harrington 159.4 vs. Terry Roscoe 158.2
Quinton Randall 151.4 vs. Julian Smith 145.4
Joshua James Pagan 137.2 vs. Glenn Mitchell 136

VENUE: Ford Community and Performing Arts Center in Dearborn, MI
PROMOTER: Salita Promotions
TICKETS: $35 and $60 are still available
DOORS: 6:30 pm
STARTS: 7:00 pm
TICKETS: Tickets for “Detroit Brawl” start at $35 (service fees will apply). Order tickets online or from 5 pm to 8:30 pm at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center Box Office (313.943.2354) at 15801 Michigan Ave. 5 pm to 8:30 pm tomorrow.

PLEASE NOTE: Tickets ordered online will be mailed up to one week prior to event date. Tickets ordered within a week of event will be placed in will call in the box office for pickup. A limited quantity of VIP tickets are also available by calling Lina Kurylyuk at 313.529.7604.

POMONA, CALIF. (Jan. 21, 2022): MarvNation Promotions will host its first boxing event of the year on Saturday, Jan. 29 at the Derby Room in Pomona, Calif. The event will be headlined by rising prospect Angel “Moreno” Rodriguez (10-0, 7 KOs) of Pico Rivera, Calif. facing Jose Marrufo (12-10-2, 5 KOs) of Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico in an eight-round battle for the WBC USNBC Silver Super Lightweight Championship.

The entire card will be streamed live in English and Spanish on MarvNation’s official YouTube channel starting at 6:00 p.m. PT/9:00 p.m. ET. Veteran cutman Mike Rodriguez will handle commentating duties for the English stream alongside reporter Vanessa Martinez. Details regarding the Spanish commentary will be announced shortly.

Less than 100 tickets are still available. They can be purchased via Tix.com or by clicking here.

“We’re ready to take this company to another level,” said Marvin Rodriguez, CEO of MarvNation Promotions. “That’s why we’ve decided to host a show every month this year at the Derby Room starting on Jan. 29, which will feature rising talents like Angel Rodriguez, Alejandro Reyes, Raul Salomon and many more. Make sure to watch it in person or through our official YouTube channel. It’s going to be an exciting night of action.”

In the co-main event, Alejandro “Pin Pon” Reyes (5-0, 4 KOs) of Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico will take on Antonio Wattell (3-7-3, 1 KO) of Houston, Texas in a six-round 140-pound fight. Reyes hails from the renowned Westside Boxing Club in Los Angeles and possess a fan-friendly Mexican style that promises to steal the show.

Raul “Money” Salomon (8-1, 8 KOs) of Long Beach, California will look to bounce back from his only defeat in a six-round super middleweight fight against Jeremy Ramos (11-11, 4 KOs) of El Paso, Texas. Salomon was last seen in November in a close decision loss against Aaron Silva that was streamed on DAZN.

Alfredo Fernandez (6-0, 4 KOs) of Downey, California will participate in a four-round super lightweight fight against Nicaraguan slugger Osmel Mayorga (2-3, 1 KO).

Rising Mexican prospect Andy Dominguez (4-0, 2 KOs) will return in a six-round flyweight battle against Mexican warrior Jose Rodriguez Montemayor (5-5, 4 KOs).

Kyle Erwin (3-0, 2 KOs) of San Antonio, Texas will return against a soon-to-be-determined opponent in a four-round fight in the 140-pound division.

Sergio Jimenez (4-0-1, 3 KOs) of Mexico City, Mexico will fight Ray Santiago (2-8) in a four-round cruiserweight clash.

Jaivion Cardinal (4-0, 3 KOs) of Long Beach, California will battle against Tyler Jacques (0-1-1) of Orlando, Florida in a four-round super middleweight fight.

Jesus Torres Beltran (4-1, 3 KOs) of Phoenix, Arizona will take on Ryan Venable (2-9) of Martinsville, Virginia in a four-round bout in the lightweight division.

Cris Reyes (10-0, 9 KOs) of Seattle, Washington will face Argentine veteran Lucas Alejandro Mignoni (14-3, 4 KOs) in a six-round battle in the super lightweight division.

Carlos Rodriguez (1-0, 1 KO) of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico and Jerrell Nettles (1-1) will meet in a four-round cruiserweight battle.
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Moreno vs. Marrufo is an eight-round fight for the WBC USNBC Silver Lightweight Title presented by MarvNation Promotions. The event will take place on Saturday, Jan. 29 at The Derby Room in Pomona, Calif. The entire card will be streamed live in English and Spanish on MarvNation’s official YouTube channel beginning at 6:00 p.m. PT/9:00 p.m. ET.

For more information, follow MarvNation on Instagram and Twitter @MarvNation_.

Media Credentials: Media interested in attending the Jan. 29 event must be pre-approved for credentials. The credential application is available by clicking here. Media will not be credentialed on site, no exceptions.

About MarvNation
MarvNation Promotions was founded in 2014 by Marvin Rodriguez and was created with a vision to not only create concerts or boxing events, but to also create experiences for the fans. In 2018, after noticing a lack of support for many young and hungry prospects without an extensive Olympic and amateur background, MarvNation involved itself in the sport of boxing with a mission to make a way for these young prospects and develop them into top contenders and champions in the sport. Established both on a national and international level, MarvNation is here to bring you the best of boxing and live entertainment.

LAS VEGAS (January 21, 2022) – FOX Sports will air “FOX PBC Countdown” TOMORROW, Saturday, January 22 at 2 p.m. ET live on FOX ahead of the Keith Thurman vs. Mario Barrios FOX Sports PBC Pay-Per-View showdown taking place Saturday, February 5 from Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

The behind the scenes show features comments from FOX Sports PBC talent including Brian Kenny, Lennox Lewis, Joe Goossen, Shawn Porter and Kate Abdo as they preview the highly-anticipated showdown that pits the former unified champion Thurman in his return to action as he takes on the former 140-pound champion Barrios, who will be making his welterweight debut.

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

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ABOUT THURMAN VS. BARRIOS
Thurman vs. Barrios will see former unified welterweight world champion Keith “One Time’’ Thurman return to the ring to take on former super lightweight world champion Mario “El Azteca” Barrios in a 12-round welterweight showdown that headlines a jam-packed FOX Sports PBC Pay-Per-View lineup on Saturday, February 5 from Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

In the co-feature, four-division world champion Leo “El Terremoto’’ Santa Cruz will battle Keenan “Bedo’’ Carbajal in a 10-round super featherweight match, while battle-tested all-action welterweights Abel Ramos and Josesito “Riverside Rocky’’ Lopez clash in a 10-round attraction. The pay-per-view telecast begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT with former two-division champion Luis “Pantera” Nery battling unbeaten Carlos Castro in a 10-round super bantamweight duel.

Viewers can live stream the PBC shows on the FOX Sports and FOX NOW apps or at FOXSports.com. In addition, all programs are available on FOX Sports on SiriusXM channel 83 on satellite radios and on the SiriusXM app.

For more information: visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage and www.foxdeportes.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @PBConFOX, @FOXSports, @FOXDeportes, @TGBPromotions and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook atwww.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/foxsports & www.facebook.com/foxdeportes.

TULSA, OK (Jan. 21, 2022) — U.S. Olympian Tiger Johnson, Brooklyn-born phenom Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington and Nico Ali Walsh, grandson of “The Greatest,” are among the rising stars who will fight Saturday, Jan. 29 atHard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa.The bill is topped by the 10-round WBC 130-pound title eliminator between Robson Conceição and Xavier Martinez, and a 10-round junior lightweight co-feature featuring Mexican grinder Rene Tellez Giron and Puerto Rican contender Luis Melendez.

Conceição-Martinez and Giron-Melendez will be televised live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes (simulcast on ESPN+) at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

The following undercard bouts will stream live on ESPN+ at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT:

• Johnson (1-0, 1 KO), a 23-year-old from Cleveland, Ohio, will take on fellow unbeaten Xavier Madrid (3-0, 1 KO) in a four-round welterweight tilt. Johnson advanced to the quarterfinals at the Tokyo Olympics and turned pro last November with a fourth-round stoppage over Antonius Grable.
   
• Middleweight Ali Walsh (3-0, 2 KOs), who grabbed international headlines last year, looks to continue his unbeaten run in a four-rounder against Jeremiah Yeager (1-1-1, 1 KO).
   
• Carrington (1-0), the latest young talent from the Brownsville section of Brooklyn, makes his Top Rank debut against fellow unbeaten Steven Brown (1-0, 1 KO) in a four-round featherweight bout.
   
• Light heavyweight prospect Dante “Free Smoke” Benjamin Jr., a one-time U.S. amateur standout from Cleveland, Ohio, makes his professional debut in a four-rounder against Herman Rendon (2-0). Benjamin signed a long-term promotional contract with Top Rank last year.
   
• Featherweight prospect Haven Brady Jr. (4-0, 3 KOs) will see action in a six-rounder against an opponent to be named.
   
• Tulsa-born heavyweight Jeremiah Milton (3-0, 3 KOs) hopes to thrill the hometown fans when he takes on the well-traveled Jason Bergman (27-20-2, 18 KOs) in a six-rounder. Milton and Bergman fought on the same Top Rank-promoted card in Tulsa last April, with Milton notching a first-round knockout and Bergman losing an eventful three-round shootout against Trey Lippe Morrison.
   
• Junior lightweight Pink Tyson (11-2, 2 KOs) looks to make it three consecutive wins when she fights the durable Carla Torres (6-6) in an eight-rounder. 
   

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Tony Holden Productions, tickets starting at $49.50 are on sale now and can be purchased at tickets.hardrockcasinotulsa.com and at the Box Office at 918-384-ROCK (7625).

About ESPN+
ESPN+ is the industry-leading sports streaming service that offers fans in the U.S. thousands of live sports events, original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks and exclusive editorial content from dozens of ESPN writers and reporters. Launched in April 2018, ESPN+ has grown to more than 17.1 million subscribers.

Fans sign up to ESPN+ for just $6.99 a month (or $69.99 per year)
at ESPN.com, ESPNplus.com or on the ESPN App (mobile and connected devices). It is also available as part of The Disney Bundle that gives subscribers access to Disney+, ESPN+ and Hulu for $13.99/month (Hulu w/ads) or $19.99/month (Hulu w/o ads).

WBC Featherweight World Championship – 12 Rounds

Gary Russell Jr. – 125 ½ lbs.*

Mark Magsayo – 125 ½ lbs.

Referee: Benjy Esteves; Judges: Lynne Carter (Penn.), Mark Consentino (N.J.), Henry Grant (N.J.)

*Note: Russell made the 126-pound weight limit on his second attempt.

Super Lightweight Bout – 12 Rounds

Subriel Matías – 140 ½ lbs.  

Petros Ananyan – 141 lbs.

Referee: Mary Glover; Judges: Debra Barnes (N.J.), Joseph Pasquale (N.J.), Paul Wallace (Md.)

*The fight contracted weight limit is 141 lbs.

Featherweight Bout – 10 Rounds

Tugstsogt Nyambayar – 128 lbs.  

Sakaria Lukas – 127 ½ lbs.

Referee: Edgardo Claudio; Judges: Tony Lundy (N.J.), Ronald McNair (N.Y.), Robin Taylor (N.Y.)

*The fight contracted weight limit is 128 lbs.

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ABOUT RUSSELL VS. MAGSAYO

Russell vs. Magsayo will see WBC Featherweight World Champion Gary Russell Jr. defend his world title against top contender and WBC mandatory challenger Mark Magsayo headlining action live on SHOWTIME Saturday, January 22 in a Premier Boxing Champions event from Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City, N.J.

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING^® tripleheader begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and features a 12-round rematch between super lightweight contenders Subriel Matías and Petros Ananyan in the co-main event, plus hard-hitting featherweight Tugstsogt Nyambayar squaring-off against Sakaria Lukas in the 10-round telecast opener.

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

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (January 21, 2022) – Unbeaten prospect Evan Holyfield, the son of legendary heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield, will look to kick off what he hopes to be a big 2022 campaign when he takes on Chris Rollins in a six-round bout on the non-televised undercard this Saturday, January 22 in a Premier Boxing Champions event from Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City, N.J.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, are on sale now and can be purchased through Ticketmaster.com. Holyfield’s fight is promoted by TGB Promotions and Main Events.

“My goals for 2022 are to remain undefeated and win Prospect of the Year,” said Holyfield. “I have to start by winning on January 22. I’ve been growing at a steady rate. Every time I fight I try to keep showing some type of evolution based on what I’ve been doing in the gym during training.”

Despite the large shadow created by his father’s many accomplishments, Holyfield, nicknamed “Yung Holy”, has been able to keep himself focused on his craft instead of worrying about any outside perceptions his family ties might cause.

“I don’t spend too much time thinking about creating my own lane or getting out of my dad’s shadow because I know I’m my own man and that we are different as fighters,” said Holyfield. “My brother plays in the NFL and every game they still mention my dad, even though it has nothing to do with boxing. They’re always going to mention my dad and that’s fine.

“With every fight it’s a chance for people to see who I am and see the differences between us as fighters. That’s the only thing that makes people change their minds and see who I am, is when you show them something. My dad has always been really supportive and encouraging. He’s always been there for any questions that I have. And it’s always nice to make him proud when I do well.”

Co-trained by coaches Mike Stafford and Bert Wells, Holyfield has split his training camp between the Cincinnati Golden Gloves gym and the Paul Murphy Boxing Club in Atlanta. The 24-year-old added three victories in 2021 as he now prepares for his first 2022 outing on Saturday night.

“I approach every camp seriously and with a determined mindset,” said Holyfield. “I’ve learned a lot this camp and I’m ready for January 22. I know I’m facing an opponent who’s about my height, so I think he’s going to try to use his jab a lot against me. I’m going to approach it like all of my fights, which is to do what I can to hit and not get hit. A lot of these fighters try to change their looks against me, so I’ll just have to see what he does on fight night.”

Holyfield is looking forward to the opportunity to compete on Saturday night and maintains he’s going to bring excitement to the ring, along with the ring generalship that helped make his father an all-time great in the sport.

“I’m definitely an exciting fighter,” said Holyfield. “I feel like I can adapt to any situation. I can box when I have to box, and fight when I have to fight. The main thing is to hit and not get hit and protect yourself from taking damage.”

Also on the card is another of Main Events’ prospects – undefeated LeShawn Rodriguez (12-0, 9 KOs) from Port Jefferson, NY. He will battle Sixto Suazo (9-2-1, 7 KOs) in a six-round middleweight bout.

(Danbury, CT, January 21, 2022) – In 2006 Prince George, British Columbia played host to a first of its kind sporting event called ‘The Battle of The Hockey Enforcers’. Over 2,000 fans filled the CN Centre to watch a single night fight tournament of 15 competitors – made up of enforcers from the minor pro and senior hockey leagues. The event was widely considered a success, leaving fans wanting more. A few attempts to revive the event never materialized.

A decade and a half later, the Hockey Enforcers promotional group have partnered with Jimmy and A.J. Galante to become part of the organization. The Galante family were recently the subject of a Netflix documentary spotlighting their now infamous former United Hockey League team, the Danbury Trashers. The documentary has become an instant classic in both the sports and pop culture worlds. AJ Galante, who was just 17 years old when appointed the position of President/GM of the Trashers, is now in the Professional boxing business, and also runs Champs Boxing Club in Danbury. He and his father are now known internationally for creating one of the toughest and most unique hockey teams in history. Aside from putting together two very successful seasons, they are also renowned for their marketing and ‘ahead of their time’ promotion of the ‘Bad Boys of Hockey’.

AJ Galante sees a major opportunity to once again help create something special, “I remember the buzz this event had back in 2006, even here in Danbury. I always love outside the box thinking and unique ideas, and Hockey Enforcers had all that. My father and I are beyond excited to be part of this organization.” Galante stated that the event has been rebranded as ‘Ice Wars’ and the first show is expected to take place in the spring of 2022, “Ice Wars will not be a one and done, we are basically creating a new combat sport. This won’t be the first time I got involved with something from scratch, this will be something new and different, and I believe we can entice more than just hockey fans to tune in. We are willing to take risks and try innovative ideas, and we are looking forward to listening to fans on what’s most important to them. We are a sport, but more importantly, we are entertainment.”

Galante also stated there are a lot of cities in play to host the first ‘Ice Wars’, but a decision has not been made yet by the organization. The organization has also been fielding calls from Pay-Per-View distributors to carry the events. Fans can stay up to date on all Ice Wars social media platforms – Instagram, Twitter, Tik Tok – @iceiswar.

PHILADELPHIA (January 21, 2022)–RDR Promotions kicks off its 2022 fight series with a big night of boxing that will take place on Saturday, February 26th at the 2300 Arena.

In the main event, welterweight contender Ray Robinson will take on veteran Cleotis Pendarvis in a bout scheduled for eight-rounds.

Robinson of Philadelphia, has a record of 24-3-2 with 12 knockouts. The 36 year-old Robinson will be shaking off a two-and-a-half-year layoff as he is coming off of back-to-back draws with world title challenger Egidijust Kavaliauskas (21-0) and former British Olympian Josh Kelly (9-0). In both of those fights, most observers believe that Robinson should have had his hand raised in victory. Robinson has wins over Roberto Acevedo (2-0-1), Darnell Jiles Jr. (8-0-1), Former U.S. Olympian Terrance Cauthen (36-7-1), Ray Narh (26-2), Aslanbek Kozoev (25-0-1) and Sherzodbek Almjanov (22-2).

Pendarvis of Lancaster, California has a record of 21-9-2 with nine knockouts. The 35 year-old Pendarvis is an 18 year veteran of the squared circle, and has wins over John Lewis (5-1), Hector Sanchez (18-0), Rogelio Del Torre (6-0), Michael Clark (43-7-1) and is coming off a loss to Devonte Williams on December 4th in Houston.

A packed undercard will feature a plethora of Philly-Favorites and undefeated prospects.

In six-round bouts:

Muhsin Cason (9-0, 6 KOs) of Las Vegas battles Steven Lyons (5-7-2, 2 KOs) of Larose, Louisiana in a cruiserweight matchup

Jerome Conquest (11-6, 1 KO) of Philadelphia fights Oscar Barajas (16-8-1, 8 KOs) of Mexico in a lightweight battle.

Tahmir Smalls (6-0, 3 KOs) of Philadelphia will fight an opponent to be named in a welterweight fight.

Robert Sabbagh (3-0, 2 KOs) of Brooklyn squabbles with Joel Caudle (8-6-2, 5 KOs) of North Carolina in a heavyweight scrap.

In four-round fights

Isaiah Johnson (3-0, 3 KOs) of Philadelphia will fight against an opponent to be named in a junior welterweight fight.

Rashan Adams (2-0, 1 KO) of Philadelphia will take Nathan Benichou (2-7-1, 2 KOs) of Puebla, Mexico in a super featherweight fight.

Dominique Mayfield (0-1) of Philadelphia takes on Daryl Clark (1-1, 1 KO) of Houston in a heavyweight fight.

Jabril Noble (2-0, 2 KOs) of Philadelphia will fight an opponent to be named in a super featherweight bout.

Anthony Young (0-4) of Philadelphia takes on Antonio Allen (1-13-1, 1 KO) of Philadelphia in a super lightweight contest.

Tickets are $75, $100 and $150 and can be purchased at

Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Sport Chairman:

“We know this main event fight between Michael Conlan and Leigh Wood is taking place in Nottingham, but we wanted to come to Belfast because it’s been a while since we’ve been here for a fight.

“So many times, over the years we’ve seen young fighters from Belfast come through and fill up arenas, here in the Odyssey Arena and of course fight so successfully in England and America.

“This young man, Caoimhin Agyarko, we’ve never really had the opportunity to do a proper press conference with him because of COVID restrictions and the world we live in, but we’re delighted to welcome this young man to the Matchroom Boxing and DAZN team.

“About three or four years ago, someone approached me, said we have a very special fighter here you need to look at. We get a lot of those phone calls; we’d just finished the Olympics and we were signing fighters and unfortunately, I’d never heard of Caoimhin Agyarko and didn’t sign him that day. When I watched him fight after that I kicked myself very quickly and said we missed one there.

“When the opportunity came up with Paul Ready and STN to sign him recently, we signed him immediately. He won his first title, the WBA International Title in Liverpool, great performance and I’m delighted to announce that Caoimhin Agyarko will be in major title fight on the March 12 card in Nottingham.”

Leigh Wood – Nottingham, England – 25-2, 15 KOs – making the first defence of his WBA Featherweight World Title against Michael Conlan:

“I’m not a performing monkey, I’m a fighter. I’m not a media dream, I’ve not been managed well, I’ve done it from the bottom up. I’ve earned everything off my own back the hard way. 

“In my opinion I don’t think Mick’s every been in a 50/50 fight, this is new for him, but I’ve come through those challenges. I’ve been in the bookies not favourite and come out the other side from a pressure point of view. He is right, there’s going to be a lot of people and a lot of pressure, but I thrive on pressure. My whole career I’ve been thrown in and come out the other side, we’ve got seven weeks to find out and I can’t wait.

“My greatest assets don’t even get talked about one bit, dedication, I’ve put my life on hold because boxing is everything to me. It always has been since a young age; he’s going to look at these defeats but that’s going to work in my favour. I don’t need to nit-pick through his performances, I know what I’m going to do, I know exactly what I’m going to do.

“Michael’s a great fighter, he’s had some really great wins and is going to be a really big challenge, but I know what I need to do on fight night. He’s a great champion, a great public image in Ireland, massive, all the best on fight night because he’s going to need it.

“I’ve been there before, in fights in my career, in my life. I’ve not had a promoter, anyone steering me in the right direction, I’ve not had my dad taking me to the gym from a young age. I walked in the gym on own 10/11 years old and it takes a lot to do that, to get to this point on my own. I’ve got here on my own with pure determination and grit, resilience and refusal to give up and that’s what it’s going to take to come through this fight and that’s what I do.”

Ben Davison, trainer of Leigh Wood:

“There’s a complete difference between saying I think someone’s going to lose a fight and being realistic, which is vital in my opinion. If you go the wrong way about a fight, you can lose a fight. This is a fight that if either man goes the wrong way about the fight, they can lose – that’s why it’s drawn so much, and the tickets sales are flying. It is that type of fight.

“I think it’s important to me that you have to be realistic, you have to have the mental strength to absorb that and perform at your absolute best.

“Leigh’s extremely mentally strong, I’ve worked with other elite fighters and Leigh’s got one of the best mindsets going into a fight of any fighters I’ve worked with. I believe in Leigh, and I believe in his mindset, of course.

“There’s been adjustments along the way, maturity, whatever it is – I stand on what I said. I’m not going to be deluded and say Mick can’t rack up a few rounds, of course he can. He’s a very talented boxer and very versatile fighter. I do believe that are certain tendencies and habits there that leave us with the opportunity to find that fight changing moment will happen on the night.

“I don’t think physically size will be a factor, no, although he’s not known as a strong fighter Mick is a stronger than what his record may suggest. There’s a reason why he struggles to make super-bantamweight, he’s not tiny but Leigh is a good size featherweight. I don’t think we’re going to go into the fight relying on physical attributes, it’s a tactical thing that he’s going to win this fight.”

Michael Conlan – Belfast, Northern Ireland – 16-0, 8 KOs – challenging Leigh Wood for the WBA Featherweight World Title:

“I’m in the back garden, I want to come and say what I want to say. There was no fear in me, I’m there and I’m going to talk my shit and say what I needed to say. Leigh stutters, he tries to spit things out and wasn’t making sense, but you know, it’s part of the fight game.

“I love this, this stuff gets my ready to go, I could fight right now. I’m ready to go right now, Leigh is not and doesn’t need to be until the fight night 100%. That’s the thing, I’ve stayed professional, I’ve been in training since September, I thought I was fighting in December – I kept training, stayed in shape, stayed fit. March 12 you’ll hear I’m the new and that’s all I want to say.

“I know exactly what it’s like fighting under that pressure of fighting at home, I’ve done it three times and every show has been massive. Loads of people there, so much expectation, a purpose-built arena in a park. This guy doesn’t understand it, he’s never felt it, you can see his demeanour has changed from yesterday.

“He doesn’t understand the pressure’s that come with fighting in your home city, he had the opportunity to fight at MSG and he can come to Belfast and fight if he wanted to. But no, he wants to fight in Nottingham, in the City Ground before he retires. He knows I can beat him.

“There’s possibilities in anybody losing, anybody, I’m not going to say it’s impossible, but he will not beat me it’s as simple as that. I really respect him as a fighter and a person, but again fuck all that until the fight is over. Once the fight is over, shake his hand. Happy days, can’t wait.

“I’m ready to go right to the end, it doesn’t matter, this fight means everything to me. I’ve taken myself away from both my children, the first time I’ve seen them in four weeks was last night and it’ll be the last time I see them in seven weeks until the fight. This is my life, the only thing I know is boxing, believe me on March 12 I’ll be the new, 100%.

“This is the start of my journey to become the best fighter in the world, once I win this belt, I’ll go on to do what I have to do after. I have to win this belt first before I even have to think about that.”

Jamie Conlan, Conlan Boxing:

“We know we’re the B side in this, we didn’t fly on private jets this morning, we flew on nice British Airways with the security lads – it was a very tight squeeze. We said yesterday what this means to the family, to Michael, to Ireland.

“Michael has carried the flag of Ireland from 2012, pressure on his shoulders that other fighters cannot comprehend. Leigh can’t comprehend the pressure Michael’s had to fight under, whether it’s through the Olympics of World Championships as an amateur, under the microscope as a professional, making his debut headlining a card.

“No one does that, that brings scrutiny and more eyeballs to you which is very hard to match, he’s had to learn in front of everybody and learn the hard way because he’s been open to criticism and scrutiny. This was all worth it to get to this point because there was a lot of learning, ups and downs during the four years he’s been pro.

“We’ve done it across America, over here, now we’re going to Nottingham. As I said yesterday, this is destiny, going to the opponent’s backyard and becoming a legend, creating a legacy. Ripping it away from him in front of his family and friends, the people he’s crowd up with, it doesn’t get much sweeter.

“We’re working-class kids from West Belfast, it’s an area that breeds them tough, we’ve come through tough times. It’s engrained in us, everyone in this room has got a bit of fight that they don’t have in places like Nottingham. This is a tough city; they breed them hard.

“He’s going to get everything checked, I expect this to be his toughest test, Leigh Wood is a fantastic fighter – the hardest hitting featherweight in the world I’ve heard Ben say. Harder hitting than Oscar Valdez he said yesterday, he’s going to test Michael in different way, no doubt about it.

“He’s strong, he’s tall, he’s bigger, he’s got every advantage, they think he’s more skilful. They think he’s got every advantage to Michael so it’s exciting. It adds to the intrigue, it adds to proving people wrong and the big ship we have on our shoulder.

“It’s going to be so good when March 12 comes, sitting 11-12 o’clock at night with the new WBA World Featherweight Champion and a nice big f*ck you to everyone else.

“Everything I stated yesterday was true, I gave him the opportunity to own up and he didn’t, so he lied. Everything he says from here on in I don’t believe, it’s bullsh*t.

“I like Leigh and I like Ben, but everything I stated was true. We also have more proof, screenshots from texts stating Ben’s doubts of Leigh Wood. I believe Ben believes in Leigh’s power; does he believe in anything else? No, he doesn’t.”

Caoimhin Agyarko – Belfast, Northern Ireland – 10-0, 7 KOs – undefeated Middleweight contender:

“Another Irish card, it was a great win for me last time out, a great learning fight, an unbeaten opponent who came to fight. Obviously, I could have performed better but thankfully I’m out in quick succession and looking to improve from that win.

“The Belfast fans have always supported me the amateurs and now into my professional career. I saw in Liverpool it was very noisy when I was fighting, and I expect the same in Nottingham – especially with Mick on the card. It’s a great card for me to be on, by the end of the year I want to be headlining shows or fighting back home in Belfast and giving them some great nights.

“I have said in the past that I’m a ten-fight novice, another two of three step ups and I’ll be ready to headline shows back home. I put myself in the top 15 in the world and that’s where I wanted to be by the end of 2021. Heading in 2022 it’s to go and get some names on the record.

“An Irish invasion, every person at this press conference will be at the fight and plenty more. It will be a very noisy and I can’t to relish the moment, hopefully have a good performance and a good win.”

Tickets for Wood vs. Conlan are priced £40, £60, £80, £100, £150 and £300 (VIP).

General Sale tickets can be purchased via StubHub (www.stubhub.co.uk) NOW.

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (January 20, 2022) – WBC Featherweight World Champion Gary Russell Jr. and unbeaten top challenger Mark Magsayo went face-to-face Thursday at the final press conference before they meet in the SHOWTIME main event this Saturday, January 22 in a Premier Boxing Champions event from Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City, N.J.

The press conference also featured super lightweight contenders Subriel Matías and Petros Ananyan, who meet for a rematch in the 12-round co-main event, plus hard-hitting featherweight contender Tugstsogt “King Tug” Nyambayar and once-beaten contender Sakaria Lukas, who square off in the 10-round telecast opener at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

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

Here is what the fighters had to say Thursday from the Music Box at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City, N.J.:

GARY RUSSELL JR.

“At the end of the day, I’m a gladiator and I love what I do. I love showing the skillset that I bring to the sport of boxing. Nothing has come easy for us. This is not unfamiliar territory for me or my family.

“There are no concerns about ring rust. I’m always in the gym. I haven’t taken two months off from training since I was about four or five. Boxing is not just what I do, it’s a lifestyle for me.

“If I go out there and I destroy Mark on Saturday, then the big fights that I want, those fighters won’t be in a rush to face me, not that they are now anyway. I’m always trying to give the same message when I enter the ring. I believe in intellect over athleticism, no matter the situation.

“Mark is actually willing to put it all on the line. He’s going to go out there and give it his best. A lot of other fighters want to hide from the best. But I know Mark wants this badly. It’s a pleasure to share the field of battle with him.

“He said he’s going to show his skills and that’s what I’m looking forward to. I wish other fighters would step up like he did. That’s what the sport of boxing needs.

“I’m competing in the first month of the year, so if we can get through the fight injury-free, we’re going to try to swing back around this summer. I just need a willing opponent. I’m willing to move up in weight, but if I move up, I want to compete against another champion.”

MARK MAGSAYO

“Gary is a really good fighter. I’ve wanted to fight him for a long time. Now the opportunity is here and I can’t wait for the fight. I’m not expecting any ring rust from Gary Russell.

“I think I’m the fighter who wants to beat him more than anyone else has. I’m here to give him his second loss on Saturday night.

“I can fight and I can adjust. I have speed just like Gary does. On Saturday, we’ll put our skills up against each other.

“Manny Pacquiao is my idol, ever since I was a kid. I started training at eight-years-old because of him to one day become world champion. Now that time is here. I’m so happy that Manny signed me to his promotional company and I’m grateful.

“I learned a lot from the Julio Ceja fight. I showed that I can adjust, that I can brawl and that I can box when I have to. That fight has helped me so much.

“It’s great to have Freddie Roach and Marvin Somodio helping me every day. I thought that I already knew boxing, but when I came to the gym they corrected my mistakes and made me a much more accurate puncher.

“Filipinos are born strong, we are warriors. I’m going to bring that attitude and that mentality into the fight.”

SUBRIEL MATIAS

“This is a great opportunity for me to show the world who I am. I’m so excited that my mom is here to watch me fight for the first time in the U.S. I’m excited and I’m ready. Saturday is showtime.

“On Saturday you’re going to see my improvements. All of the questions about me and about what happened in the first fight, they’re going to be answered in this fight.

“It’s either him or me, but one of us is getting knocked out. I need to make this a big victory to redeem myself and my career.

“I’ve always promised my mother since we started boxing that I’m going to buy her a home of her own. I haven’t done that yet, but I promise I’m going to fulfill that promise.

“Everyone knows how I fight and that I’m a fan-friendly fighter. That’s not going to change, but I’m so much better in so many ways and I’m going to display my skills in this fight.”

PETROS ANANYAN

“This fight is a very good opportunity for me. I’m ready to give everyone a big fight. I have to thank Matias, because he’s giving me this chance to fight him again on a big stage like this.

“Everyone knows it’s been difficult through the pandemic and I’ve been wanting this fight throughout the whole time. I promise I’m going to be ready on Saturday night. I’ve been waiting for a long time for this one.

“I’m just taking it one step at a time. I want to be world champion one day, but those fights don’t matter to me yet. It’s all about this fight on Saturday night.

“I believe in my heart that I’m ready. I just love to fight. Knockout or not, it doesn’t matter. I’m going to show my skills and give it my all to win this fight. This is the kind of fight that boxing needs.”

TUGSTSOGT NYAMBAYAR

“I believe in myself and I’m excited to take advantage of this great opportunity for me. I’m ready to give everyone a great fight.

“I’ve seen what I needed to see from Lukas. I’m going to do everything I can to win this fight and I’m confident in the result.

“I would definitely love another fight against Gary Russell Jr. I want the winner of the main event. I’m focused on my fight, but I want another shot at the title.”

SAKARIA LUKAS

“This is the stage where I want to be. I’m ready to go on Saturday night. I don’t want to go back, I want to stay on this stage and keep climbing.

“Styles make fights. This is short notice for me, so I’m just prepared to go in and do what I do best. Anything can happen. Talk is cheap, it’s a different story when you get smacked in the face.

“It’s been my dream since I was young to fight on events like this in the U.S. I have to leave it all in the ring and make sure there is no doubt about what I can do after Saturday night.”

#

ABOUT RUSSELL VS. MAGSAYO
Russell vs. Magsayo will see WBC Featherweight World Champion Gary Russell Jr. defend his world title against top contender and WBC mandatory challenger Mark Magsayo headlining action live on SHOWTIME Saturday, January 22 in a Premier Boxing Champions event from Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City, N.J.

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® tripleheader begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and features a 12-round rematch between super lightweight contenders Subriel Matías and Petros Ananyan in the co-main event, plus hard-hitting featherweight Tugstsogt Nyambayar squaring-off against Sakaria Lukas in the 10-round telecast opener.

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

January 20, 2022 – ST. PETERSBURG, FL – Keith “One Time” Thurman has declared his intention to return to the top of the boxing world as he steps back into the ring on Saturday, February 5 for the first time since his 2019 performance against Manny Pacquiao. Thurman takes on former champion Mario Barrios in the FOX Sports PBC Pay-Per-View main event live from the Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. To purchase the pay-per-view go to FoxSports.com/ppv (fight fans watching outside of the U.S. can purchase through Fite.TV).

In a training camp video, Thurman showcases, and elaborates on, his declaration and offers a glimpse of his training camp fitness routine.

“Boxing is my American Dream come true,” proclaimed Thurman during one of his training sessions at his home boxing gym, the St. Pete Boxing Club. “This is my life, this is my passion, this is what I do. This is where I put my blood, my sweat, my tears. It’s why I wear red, white, and blue every time I fight.”

“The sport of boxing, my legacy, is not over. The story is still being written. In 2022 we have a new chapter for Keith Thurman…With a belt, without the belt, I’m one of the greatest welterweights in the world today.

“This sport is one of the toughest in the world. If you’re looking for action. If you’re looking for entertainment, you’re going to want to watch our show on February 5.”

#

ABOUT THURMAN VS. BARRIOS
Thurman vs. Barrios will see former unified welterweight world champion Keith “One Time’’ Thurman return to the ring to take on former super lightweight world champion Mario “El Azteca” Barrios in a 12-round welterweight showdown that headlines a jam-packed FOX Sports PBC Pay-Per-View lineup on Saturday, February 5 from Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

In the co-feature, four-division world champion Leo “El Terremoto’’ Santa Cruz will battle Keenan “Bedo’’ Carbajal in a 10-round super featherweight match, while battle-tested all-action welterweights Abel Ramos and Josesito “Riverside Rocky’’ Lopez clash in a 10-round attraction. The pay-per-view telecast begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT with former two-division champion Luis “Pantera” Nery battling unbeaten Carlos Castro in a 10-round super bantamweight duel.

Viewers can live stream the PBC shows on the FOX Sports and FOX NOW apps or at FOXSports.com. In addition, all programs are available on FOX Sports on SiriusXM channel 83 on satellite radios and on the SiriusXM app.

For more information: visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage and www.foxdeportes.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @PBConFOX, @FOXSports, @FOXDeportes, @TGBPromotions and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook atwww.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/foxsports & www.facebook.com/foxdeportes.

LAS VEGAS (January 20, 2022) — RJJ Boxing on UFC FIGHT PASS® will stream the semifinals of World Cup Boxing Series (WCBS) inaugural “4-Man Lightweight Tournament,” presented by Roy Jones Jr. (RJJ) Boxing Promotions, live and exclusively on February 24 from Palenque De La Expo in Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico.

RJJ Boxing’s fourth consecutive year streaming on UFC FIGHT PASS will commence with an All-Latino, lightweight card, headlined by the WCBS semifinal round.

RJJ Boxing was the first boxing promotional company to sign a live and exclusive streaming deal with UFC FIGHT PASS, the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports. To sign-up for UFC FIGHT PASS, please visit www.ufcfightpass.com.

“I know I speak for the entire RJJ Boxing organization when I say how excited and thrilled we all are to kick-off our 2022 season in Mexico, especially with this line-up of warriors,” RJJ Boxing president Lisa Veltre said. “I have had the honor of watching some of these fighters climb the ranks over the past year and it truly is an honor to witness how they have earned their position in this tournament. All of their blood, sweat and tears will be showcased in the square circle come February 24th. To be able to showcase talent like this to the world, thanks to the UFC FIGHT PASS, is going to be a thrill in and of itself.”

The World Boxing Council (WBC) is sanctioning the WCBS’ “4-Man lightweight Tournament,” created by CEO Terry Hollan and matchmaker Guy Taylor, and the winner will be crowned the WBC Latino Lightweight Champion, as well as positioned in the WBC’s top 15 ratings.

The WCBS “4-Man Tournament” semifinals matchups have been announced: Luis “Koreano” Torres (14-0, 9 KOs) vs. Rodolfo “Rudy” Flores (14-5, 6 KOs), Alberto “El Alacan” Ruiz (11-4, 8 KOs) vs. Isai “Gaga” Hernandez (11-2-2, 7 KOs).

Semifinal’s action will be contested in 8-round bouts, 10 rounds for the championship final. The WCBS will also feature one “overtime” round, if needed, to declare a winner in the event of a draw upon the conclusion of the scheduled distance.

WCBS will also be offering a “Fight of the Night” and “Knockout” bonuses to each contestant through the duration of its “4-Man Lightweight Tournament.”

The 20-year-old Torres, a former WBC Youth Silver lightweight champion, is the pre-tournament favorite.

Flores, 26, has notable victories, both by way of decision, over Jesus Acosta Zazueta (16-5-2) and Jairo Lopez (18-5).

Ruiz upset 15-0 WBC Latino Lightweight Champion Jair Valtierra by way of a fifth-round knockout to capture the crown last August, which he has since lost in a non-title fight, which left this coveted title vacated for the tournament victor.

Excluding a “no-contest” in his last fight against 13-0-1 Francisco Lopez, Hernandez goes into the tournament having won five of his last six fights.

Torres and Ruiz will be fighting at home in Obregon.

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“It was a big surprise when we got the call from Roy Jones Jr., Boxing president Lisa Veltre asking if we’d like to be the opening show on UFC FIGHT PASS to kick-off its 2022 season,” Taylor remarked. “It’s a great opportunity and platform and we at World Cup Boxing Series thank RJJ Boxing, Lisa, and UFC FIGHT PASS for this opportunity.”

Also scheduled to be streamed on RJJ Boxing on UFC FIGHT PASS are a pair of tantalizing light matches.

Venezuelan knockout artist Fradimil Macayo (15-1, 13 KOs) clashes with his unbeaten Mexican opponent, Armando Ramirez (5-0-1,2 KOs) in an 8-round bout.

Undefeated 19-year-old prospect Jorge “Jorgito” Cota (6-0, 4 KOs), the youngest in the famed Mexican fightin’ Montiel family, led by his grandfather Fernando Montiel, battles Guatemalan challenger Rene “Kampana” de Leon Mazariegos (7-3, 4 KOs), in a scheduled 6-rounder.

Cota, who was 140-10 as an amateur, is following in the footsteps of his Montiel (54-6-2, 39 KOs from 1996-2016), a 5-time, 3-division (flyweight, super flyweight, and bantamweight) World champion.

INFORMATION:

Websites: http://www.RoyJonesJrBoxing.com

Facebook: : /WorldCupBoxingSeries

Twitter: @RoyjonesJRfa @RoyJonesJrOfficial

Instagram: @RoyJonesJrBoxing, @World_Cup_Boxing_Series

ABOUT ROY JONES JR, BOXING PROMOTIONS: Founded in 2013, Roy Jones, Jr. (RJJ) Boxing Promotions has already made a huge impact in the boxing community in a few short years creating exhilarating content for UFC Fight Pass, CBS Sports, Showtime, ESPN and beIN Sports in some of the finest venues across the country and also in Mexico, Russia, and Japan. RJJ Boxing has proven it is conquering the sweet science of the sport.

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NEW YORK (Jan. 20, 2022) — Three future fistic superstars are set to unite under the Madison Square Garden spotlight.

Brooklyn-born super middleweight sensation Edgar “The Chosen One” Berlanga will defend his NABO belt against crafty Canadian Steve Rolls in the 10-round main event Saturday, March 19 at Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden. Berlanga, whose family hails from San Juan, Puerto Rico, makes his main event debut in his stiffest test to date.

In the junior middleweight co-feature, 19-year-old Puerto Rican star Xander Zayas will fight in his first scheduled eight-rounder against Louisiana-born spoiler Quincy “Chico” LaVallais.

The eight-round televised opener will see the return of lightweight U.S. Olympic silver medalist Keyshawn Davis against Mexican veteran Esteban Sanchez.

Berlanga-Rolls, Zayas-LaVallais and Davis-Sanchez will air live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes (simulcast on ESPN+) at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with DiBella Entertainment, tickets starting at $51 go on sale Friday, Jan. 28 at 12 p.m. ET and can be purchased by visiting Ticketmaster.com or MSG.com.

“Edgar, Xander and Keyshawn are future pound-for-pound superstars, and it will be a special evening in front of a sold-out New York City crowd,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “All three are in there with the toughest fights of their respective careers, but I expect them to pass with flying colors.”

Berlanga (18-0, 16 KOs) took the boxing world by storm with 16 straight first-round knockouts to open his pro career. He went the distance twice in 2021, opening his campaign in April by knocking down Demond Nicholson four times in eight rounds in an ESPN-televised rout. Berlanga returned on the Tyson Fury-Deontay Wilder III card in October, defeating Marcelo Esteban Coceres via 10-round unanimous decision despite suffering a torn biceps in the third round and the first knockdown of his career in the ninth.

Berlanga said, “I’m so excited to fight in my first main event in my hometown. It’s a dream come true for a fighter representing New York City and Puerto Rico. I can’t wait to show the world what I’m truly about. We are going to blow the roof off the Hulu Theater, so grab your tickets early and get your popcorn ready for this performance.”

Rolls (21-1, 12 KOs), a 37-year-old from Toronto, is an 11-year pro who was an undefeated middleweight contender before moving up in weight. In June 2019, he challenged pound-for-pound stalwart Gennadiy Golovkin at Madison Square Garden and found some success in the second round before being stopped in the fourth. Rolls has tallied two wins since the Golovkin bout, most recently knocking out Christopher Brooker in the ninth round last month on the Artur Beterbiev-Marcus Browne undercard in Montreal.

Rolls said, “I’m happy to be back headlining at Madison Square Garden. Training camp has been going well, and I feel very strong with nothing but war on my mind. Berlanga has power, but I’ll be ready for whatever he brings. I’m looking forward to March 19. I’ll see you then.”

Zayas (12-0, 9 KOs) had a breakthrough 2021, going 6-0 with four knockouts while being mentioned prominently in Prospect of the Year debates. He made his Madison Square Garden debut last December and finished his 2021 campaign by knocking out Alessio Mastronunzio in the first round. He steps up against LaVallais (12-2-1, 7 KOs), who notched a December 2020 upset over Clay Collard at the MGM Grand Bubble. LaVallais, who is 2-2 since the Collard victory, has never been knocked out.

Zayas said, “It’s an honor to fight again at Madison Square Garden, where I know my Puerto Rican people will come out to show their support. 2021 was a great year, but I’m looking forward to an even bigger 2022. Quincy LaVallais is a solid veteran, so I can’t overlook him. I want to make a major statement on March 19.”

Davis (4-0, 3 KOs), from Norfolk, Virginia, won three bouts in the first five months of 2021 before journeying to Tokyo and earning a silver medal. He then signed a long-term promotional contract with Top Rank and improved to 4-0 with a second-round stoppage over Jose Zaragoza on December 11. Davis makes his 2022 debut against Sanchez (18-1, 8 KOs), a 23-year-old from Ensenada, Mexico, who has won two straight bouts and will be making his American debut.

Davis said, “I put on a show at Madison Square Garden in December, and I’m going to do it again. Esteban Sanchez is supposed to be my hardest fight as a pro, but it’s going to be easy work. The Davis Brothers are coming to represent Norfolk and leave no doubt that we are the future of boxing.”

Undercard action will stream live and exclusively on ESPN+ and is scheduled to include a host of undefeated talents, including Puerto Rican junior welterweight John “El Terrible” Bauza (16-0, 7 KOs) in an eight-rounder, welterweight and Berlanga’s New York City stablemate Pablo “Pretty Boy” Valdez (6-0, 5 KOs) in a six-round attraction, Puerto Rican junior lightweight Henry “Moncho” Lebron (14-0, 9 KOs) in an eight-rounder, and a four-rounder featuring junior welterweight Kelvin Davis (3-0, 2 KOs).

ALL GUESTS AGE 5 AND OLDER are required to provide proof they have received either two doses of a two-shot COVID-19 vaccination, or one dose of a single-shot vaccine. 

Fully vaccinated guests are not required to wear a mask. Please note that full COVID-19 vaccination means the day of your event is at least 14 days after your final vaccine dose. Everyone else age 2 and older is required to wear a mask while in the venue, except while actively eating or drinking. 

Government mandates, venue protocols and event requirements are also subject to change, so be sure to continue to check MSG.com for the latest information. 

BOSTON (January 20, 2022) – Undefeated lightweight RayJay “The Destroyer” Bermudez (15-0, 11 KOs) recently gained invaluable experience sparring World Boxing Council (WBC) Featherweight World Champion Gary Russell, Jr. (31-1, 18 KOs) at his Washington D.C. training camp.

Bermudez is the reigning ABF American West and NBA Continental champion, fighting out of Albany, New York. He is scheduled to fight an opponent to be determined in an 8-round bout February 12th in Saint Augustine, New York, on a card presented by Christy Martin Promotions.

“He (Russell) is very, very fast, skilled, and he knows when to punch,” Bermudez spoke about the 2 weeks he served as Russell’s sparring partner. “Sharing the ring with him I learned how confident and composed he is. He’ll stay right there (pocket) and remain composed at all times. He’s also very humble. He doesn’t walk about acting like he’s entitled.

“He has tremendous speed, but he can pop, too. I think he’s the whole package, who has a great IQ and more power than people think. Gary was the first big name I’ve sparred with. He was very gracious, and I learned from watching how he prepares.”

Russell will make his sixth World title defense this Saturday against Mark Magsayo (23-0, 16 KOs) in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

“This was a great experience for RayJay to spar with one of the best boxers in the world,” Roach added. “Just being around world champions mentally elevates a fighter. We talked while he was down there, and he said the work was great.”

RayJay is trained by his uncle, Hector Bermudez, who has cornered several world champions, including TJ Doheny and Javier Fortuna.

Fighter Locker’s growing stable of gifted boxers also includes California super flyweight Rocco “So Cal Kid” Santomauro (21-1, 6 KOs), Connecticut’s ABF USA super welterweight Jimmy “Quiet Storm” Williams (18-5-2, 6 KOs), Colorado’s ABF American West super middleweight champion “The Amazing” Shawn McCalman (10-0, 6 KOs), Massachusetts super lightweight Adrian “Tonka” Sosa (12-0, 9 KOs), Florida super bantamweight Daniel “The Dedication” Bailey, Jr. (9-0, 5 KOs), Massachusetts featherweight Troy Anderson, Jr. (3-0, 2 KOs), 2-time Brazilian Olympian & 2016 Olympic silver medalist Yuberjen Martinez, Brazilian Olympian Jorge Vivas, 2-time Dominican Olympian, lightweight Leonel de los Santos (5-0, 5 KOs), Dominican cruiserweight Roki “Rocky” Berroa (2-0, 1 KO), Dominican super welterweight Juan Solano Santos (1-0, 1 KO), Dominican featherweight Orlando Perez Zapata (10-0, 8 KOs), Dominican lightweight Isaelin Florian Henriguez (8-1, 4 KOs), Florida light heavyweight Robert Daniels, Jr. (5-0, 5 KOs), Irish light heavyweight Tommy “The Kid” O’Toole (2-0, 2 KOs), Texas super lightweight Miranda “La Alacrana” Reyes (5-0-1, 2 KOs), Kansas City (KS) brothers Marcus (2-0, 2 KOs), a lightweight, and pro-debuting lightweight Marcell, and Utah brothers, ABF American West lightweight champion Ignacio Chairez (9-0-1, 5 KOs) and lightweight Gabriel Chairez (4-0-1, 2 KOs).

INFORMATION:

WEBSITE: fighterlocker.com, punch4parkinsons.com

FACEBOOK: /fighterlocker

TWITTER: @RoachRyan

INSTAGRAM: @RyanRoach82

ABOUT FIGHTER LOCKER: Established in 2019, Fighter Locker is a comprehensive sports agency that manages professional boxers. Fighter Locker also helps to brand boxers by finding their voice with a 100-percent customized service. Fighter Locker does not really believe in working models. It believes in partnership optimization models in motion.

Fighter Locker uses four creative steps because it believes in “the foundation is everything”: 1. wisely conceived, 2. creatively restrained, 3. Proudly judged, 4. sharply targeted.