NEW YORK (Oct. 28, 2021)— Josue “The Prodigy” Vargas earned his nickname fighting as an amateur growing up in The Bronx. The Puerto Rican-born junior welterweight contender now has the opportunity to notch a career-defining win roughly 10 miles from where he was raised.

Vargas (19-1, 9 KOs) will take on two-time world title challenger Jose “Chon” Zepeda (34-2, 26 KOs) in an ESPN+ 10-round main event Saturday at Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden. The winner of this crossroads battle will be in line for a world title opportunity. Vargas has won 13 straight since a controversial disqualification defeat, while Zepeda is one year removed from his Fight of the Year knockout victory over Ivan Baranchyk. Zepeda last fought in May, winning a decision over “Hammerin” Hank Lundy.

In the 10-round bantamweight co-feature, Puerto Rican knockout sensation Carlos “Purin” Caraballo (14-0, 14 KOs) will fight former world title challenger Jonas Sultan (17-5, 11 KOs). Caraballo is coming off March’s eye-opening knockout victory over Leonardo Baez. It was also announced today that Caraballo and Miguel Cotto Promotions entered into a long-term co-promotional pact with Top Rank. 

Promoted by Top Rank, tickets starting at $30 are on sale now and can be purchased by visiting Ticketmaster.com or MSG.com. 

At Thursday’s final press conference, this is what the combatants had to say.

Jose Zepeda

“He’s a young fighter. He’s a very energetic fighter, but I’ve been there. I have a lot of experience with rated number one and two fighters in the world. Wherever he takes it, I’m going to take it. I already proved I could go as hard as it gets.”

“He’s a young fighter. He still needs a lot of experience. He doesn’t know it. His team probably doesn’t know it yet, but Saturday he will get to see that boxing is not a game. You put your life in there, and he hasn’t been with any top 20 fighters. He’s going to realize what he got into this Saturday.”

“You’re going to see the best of ‘Chon’ Zepeda. Like I said, wherever he takes it, that’s where I’m going to take it. I know I can go all out if I need to. I don’t think it’s going to go there. I just think I’m going to outbox him. He believes he is a better boxer. He believes he’s faster. He definitely doesn’t believe he hits harder.”

“He’s number 56 in the world. Why is he saying {I haven’t fought anyone}? Saturday, like I said, he’s going to find out there’s levels to this.”

Josue Vargas

“I asked for the fight. I hit him up on Instagram a year ago.”

“I’m fighting in my hometown, Madison Square Garden, the main event. I feel ready, very confident. He said I don’t have the experience he has, but hey, I’ve been in the ring {sparring} the best. I can name them. I’ve been in there with Mikey Garcia, Floyd Mayweather, Gervonta Davis, Teofimo Lopez. The list could keep on going.”

“Now that I became a father, I’m fighting for my child now. I’m fighting for more of a reason, and I’m going to give it my all in there. I’m going to perform, I’m going to shine at Madison Square Garden in front of my hometown, and just come out victorious so you can put me in the top five, top 10 at 140 pounds. I deserve this opportunity. I’ve been in this game 14 years, 14 years strong.”

“All I got in my mind is coming out victorious, and I’m confident about that. That’s like 100 percent. That’s the way a fighter has to think. I’m in the sport for a reason, so therefore I give respect to Zepeda for taking the fight because he ain’t have to. He’s ranked {No. 1} by the WBC, so I give props to him because fighting me is a whole different ballgame. The only fighter he’s {fought} with kind of a good style is {Jose} Pedraza. That was it. He’s never faced anyone like me who’s young. I’m 23 years old who has the energy, but not only that, has great footwork.”

Carlos Caraballo

“There is a lot of talk that I’ll be the next superstar from the island. We’re working hard for that, alongside Miguel Cotto Promotions and H2 Entertainment. Now that I’m signed with Top Rank, we’re going to make this happen.”

“Every opponent is difficult. Everyone trains to win. I’m ready to go the 10 rounds, but if the knockout comes, I will go home early.”

“It’s motivating for me to know that big names in Puerto Rican boxing like Miguel Cotto and Felix Trinidad and other great champions have performed here. I’m ready to put on a great performance and be the next fighter to come out of Puerto Rico.”

Jonas Sultan

“I’m very excited for this fight. I’m proud to be here again on a Top Rank card. I’ve been here before. This fight Saturday night, I will show my best fight ever. This is going to {be a great fight} between me and Caraballo. May the best man win, and maybe I’ll be the best man.”

“{IBF junior bantamweight champion} Jerwin Ancajas is my friend and a sparring partner for this fight. He gave me the confidence and motivated me to win this fight. He gave me a lot of techniques, and let’s get ready to rumble for this fight.”

“If I beat Caraballo, it would have a big impact on my career. I would be looking for another world title fight.”

SATURDAY, October 30, 2021

ESPN+, Approximately 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT

Jose Zepeda vs. Josue Vargas, 10 rounds, Zepeda’s WBC Silver 140-pound title

Carlos Caraballo vs. Jonas Sultan, 10 rounds, bantamweight

ESPN+, 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT

Jonathan Guzman vs. Carlos Jackson, 8 rounds, junior featherweight

Mathew Gonzalez vs. Dakota Linger, 6 rounds, junior welterweight

Kasir Goldston vs. Marc Misiura, 4 rounds, junior welterweight

Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Sport Chairman:

“Good afternoon everyone and welcome back to the second phase of our press conference. Of course, the disappointment that Dillian Whyte will not be fit to fight against Otto Wallin this Saturday but the good news is we have a great fight card ready to go at The O2 this Saturday live around the world on DAZN. When we got the bad news about Dillian Whyte automatically you get asked the question and you have to make the decision on what do you do. Obviously we have an obligation to these men and women to make sure that we deliver for them on many different levels. One to make sure that we advance their careers, two we give them opportunities to fight, we progress their careers, and obviously they get paid as well. It was never in the mind to let these people down. We care for our fighters and there’s a massive opportunity for the people up here on this stage.”

Chantelle Cameron:

“My career has gone from strength to strength, I’m living the life and absolutely loving it.

“This is going to be my toughest fight yet and something I’ve been screaming for years now; I’ve always said I want to face a tough champion and I’ve got it.

“I never change, so, I want to make an exciting fight and Mary’s going to bring that to the ring as well. I feel like my engine is better, I don’t stop.

“It’s all a visualise, all I see. Unified Champion.” 

Mary McGee:

“I’ve trained really hard for this fight; I knew a long time ago that I would be fighting Chantelle because I would listen to her saying she wanted to fight one of the champions – I made sure I prepared for her from that day. When I was offered this fight, I was excited because I knew I could sit next to Eddie Hearn.

“I knew that sitting next to Eddie Hearn, and with Matchroom, was one of the pinnacles of boxing. So, to be a female fighter who used to sell tickets out of her car all night just to get a fight, to sitting up here, I’m more than ready. It’s going to be an exciting fight.

“I started boxing when I was 14, I stayed amateur for maybe five years, after winning the golden gloves a couple years in a row, I needed to make a living for myself, so I went pro. They said you could make $100 a round boxing; it was what I loved to do so I said, ‘hey this sounds like a steal for me’. As I got better and kept winning, I realised that my opponents cost more money, so I had to get out and sell tickets night and day just to get on the card and make sure my opponent got paid.

“I know it’s going to be a tough fight; I’ve watched her beat the hell out of girls and I thought, ‘yeah, I’ve got to make sure I get out there and do my real work’. She’s not coming to lose, I made sure I worked hard for her. I take this fight very seriously.

“I don’t believe so, some of the girls she fought, like the girls she got the title from, she came overweight and out of shape. Chantelle beat her but I can beat someone who’s overweight and out of shape too. Melissa is a good champion, but at Featherweight. I’m a natural Super-Lightweight so I know I have a better chance than those other girls.

“I didn’t come all the way across the pond just to get beat, it’s going to be a rumble in the jungle, like in the Ali days, she’s not going to just beat me believe that.”  

Alen Babic:

“I rate Molina for being here, but I don’t rate him as a tough test of mine. I really don’t think you can fight me on ten days’ notice, he said I don’t respect the Heavyweight division, but he took the fight and training for what – to be a fitness trainer. I think I’m going to smash him and I’m going to do it for my brother Dillian Whyte.

“I want to be knocked out; how can you be fearful when I want to be defeated. I crave it, please somebody defeat me, I love it. I want to take the 0 from my record, I don’t like it. F**k you 0.

“I box for the average Joe. I don’t just want to box for the boxing fanatics, you will value me, it’s just a matter of time. Please come out and support me, I will give it all, I’ll be reckless.”

Eric Molina”

“13-day notice, my wife and my team helped me prepare. Working with the number on promoter in the world, I just can’t say no man. It’s an honour to be here, to be out here halfway across the world, I relish these fights – I just can’t say no, I love it.

“No disrespect to the guys Babic has faced, he’s faced some tough guys. I think Babic is a tough fighter also, in the Heavyweight division, I just don’t think he has the size for this division. I’ve seen some guys even myself, I’m small for this division.

“It’s the Heavyweight division, you have to respect it and stay humble to it. It’s something I’ve learnt in the game, this fight I’ve got to use my experience and size to my advantage.

“He’s got one gear, he comes forward, I think that he’s a fan-friendly fighter because he’s reckless. When you’re reckless, you eventually run into a wreck, that’s what makes it exciting. I feel like my abilities, my counter punches, I think this fight leaves a big opportunity for me to win.

“If you look at all my fights, I’ve landed the big shot, I think Anthony Joshua was the only fight I didn’t. Even looking at the last fight with Wardley who I think is a great fighter also, he took my shots well, but I landed them all night. We’re going to see if he can take those shots on Saturday.” 

Craig Richards:

“This is a fight I wanted, a tough fight, past the British level. He’s ranked above every British fighter behind me so it’s a move forward in my career. I know he’s solid, but this is what I want, a solid test, I want to keep pushing forward, kicking the door down and making waves on the scene.

“I possess a lot of power at 175lbs as you’ve seen in some of my big fights but still, I don’t get the credit that I think I deserve. I feel like sometimes it’s fights like this I’ve got to make sure I go out there and perform, get a good job done on him, otherwise people will put me to the back of the list as always.

“You hear people mention Light-Heavyweights and leave me out of the scene sometimes, although I’ve gone out there and beaten some good names. It’s fights like this I need to go out there and perform well, keep pushing forward until they’ve got no choice but to have my name at the top of the list.

“I believe that eventually everyone’s got to get into the mix right, if you look at me, I’ve been in the mix, I’ve beaten two top five prospects in Britain. I’ve beaten so many domestic talents I could have won the British Title outright, but yet no one talks about that. No other domestic guy has done what I’ve done, yet I’m still left out of the conversation. I’m in the second half of my career now and I’ve got to make it count.” 

Marek Matyja:

“It’s a big chance to fight for the British market and in a British ring, it’s up to my hands and fist to fight my position.

“I saw his fight with Bivol and I saw his good side, but I didn’t come here to emphasise his good side but to use his weak side and win.” 

Johnny Fisher:

“Massive thank you to everyone who’s supported me and to those who are coming on Saturday night. Big thanks to you Eddie for keeping the show on, because there would have been a lot of angry people in Romford looking for you somewhere. My Dad’s been a massive help, up until 2/3 in the morning stressing while doing his job so I’ve got to give him a massive thank you.

“None of it matters unless I put on a good performance on Saturday night. We’ve been working hard in the gym with Mark Tibbs, Jimmy Tibbs and the whole team. It’s now down to me to do the business, everything else has been laid down, it’s now time for me to put on a good performance.

“That’s going to be the challenge for this fight, we’ve been working very hard in the gym to measure my distance correctly and I’ve been sparring very well. I was sparring with Fury up in his gym before this as well, as you said, he’s a game fighter and comes to fight. I think that will and ambition he’s got, it’s my job to crush it, when he comes forward and tries to let his hands go, my speed and power will be telling, he’ll feel it in full force.” 

Youssef Khoumari:

“The camp I had in Portugal was the best camp I’ve ever had; I feel like I’m in the best shape of my life and I’m ready to go on Saturday night – bring more than my A game.

“Like I’ve shown in my last couple of fights I’m ready for whatever comes on the night. I’m tough, I’m ready to go, everybody knows from what they’ve seen I love a war. I’m ready to bring the heat on the night and make it another smoky Saturday.” 

Jorge Castaneda:

“I’m ready to come fight and show the people of the UK a war. I’ve trained really hard for this fight, I know Khoumari is going to bring his A game, he’s going to come and get into a hell of a fight with me, you don’t want to miss it.

“I had to take any opportunity they gave me you know; I didn’t go up in the amateur ranks, I didn’t have any amateur fights. Like I said, in the pro rankings, I’ll take any opportunity they’ll give me to showcase my skills and that I’m a great exciting fighter.

“It’s really motivating for me; I’m fighting for a title against a tough guy. These are the types of fights I need to get closer to a World Title, I know winning this fight will bring me more exciting fights, better paydays, that’s what I want. I want to fight, take this win, take this belt back to my family and to the people of Laredo, Texas.”

Ellie Scotney:

“It’s been a long time coming and I feel like I’m finding my feet now. From Saturday night I’m looking forward to getting the ball rolling.

“I’ve been there seven weeks now and I feel like I’m learning every day, if I show a glimpse of that on Saturday night, I’m going to keep learning from there.

“As soon as I get in the ring Saturday and get the business done, I’m looking to get into those big fights because they’re the ones that matter.” 

Thomas Carty:

“Over the last year, this time last year, I flew out to Derek Chisora’s camp when he fought Usyk and from there it’s been non-stop. I’m delighted to be here now, kicking off my own career on a Matchroom show, which is where everyone wants to be. I’m really looking forward to Saturday night.

“I made my debut in Belgium in May, but over the last year I’ve racked up loads of rounds with quality fighters, so I do feel well experienced – I do need the rounds in the ring. I do feel as though I’ve gained massive experience over the last year sparring these guys, seeing what level they’re training and where they’re at.” 

John Hedges:

“I’m looking forward to it, obviously the first one in front of a crowd and there’s a fair few coming. Obviously with Johnny’s support there’s going to be a lot of Essex in the arena. It’s going to be a good night, great night in Austria recently, I’m fresh from just having a fight. I’m looking forward to it, I’m blessed for the opportunity so thank you very much.

“I had a hard start to the pros; we’ve just been full on since then. We’ve moved to Mark Tibbs’ stable and all of us train hard, fight hard. We haven’t been taking the easiest of fights and it’s been good, I’ve been seeing the progression slowly. My last fight there was a big improvement and I look to do the same again come Saturday. I’m grateful for the opportunity and I think I’m going to shine.”

Jordan Thompson:

“It was scary because I’ve been out of the ring for two years now with a bit of a stop-start career, so when the main event got called off, I was definitely one of those that was worried. Thank you for keeping the card on and giving us all the opportunity to get out there and put on a show still.

“Sparring is sparring, hopefully on Saturday night I’ll go out there and put it into play. I’ve gained some really good experience in the last few years, even I’ve been inactive, I do see myself getting in there and in the mix with things. I won’t be shying away from any fight, so I’ll get some momentum behind me Saturday night, hopefully get out again before the end of the year and next year we get into the mix of things.”

Kicking off an unprecedented pair of UFC events on consecutive Saturdays, ESPN+ will make UFC 267 presented by Boost Mobile: Blachowicz vs. Teixeira available to stream for all ESPN+ subscribers at no additional cost as part of a special presentation, live from Etihad Arena on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, this Saturday, October 30.

Just seven days later on November 6, UFC 268: Usman vs. Covington 2, featuring the highly anticipated rematch between UFC welterweight champion and No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter Kamaru Usman and No. 1 contender Colby Covington, will be available to stream on ESPN+ PPV from New York City’s Madison Square Garden. The two back-to-back events – featuring four title fights and 24 top-15 ranked fighters in 29 total bouts – will mark the first time in 10 years UFC will feature two marquee events only one week apart (UFC 137 and UFC 138, October 29 and November 5, 2011).

UFC 267: Blachowicz vs. Teixeira will feature two title fights and many of UFC’s most exciting and explosive rising stars. In the main event, UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz (28-8) defends his belt against No. 1 UFC light heavyweight contender Glover Teixeira (32-7). Seeking his second successful title defense, following a five-round decision over Israel Adesanya at UFC 259 earlier this year, Blachowicz, who lives and trains in Warsaw, Poland, is on a five-fight win streak. Teixeira, who fights out of Danbury, Conn., has also won five consecutive fights, having stopped Thiago Santos by third round submission in November 2020.

In the co-main event, Petr Yan (15-2) will fight Cory Sandhagen (14-3) for the UFC interim bantamweight title. Yan is a former UFC bantamweight champion and the current No. 1 contender with 10 wins in his last 11 fights, while Sandhagen is the No. 3 UFC bantamweight contender with nine wins in his last 11 bouts.

UFC 267: Blachowicz vs. Teixeira will stream exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+ in English and Spanish. The main card will begin at 2 p.m. ET, and prelims will start at 10:30 a.m. ET.

Also on the UFC 267 card:

• No. 5 UFC lightweight contender Islam Makhachev will put his eight-fight lightweight unbeaten streak on the line against No. 6 lightweight Dan Hooker, following his win over Nasrat Haqparast at UFC 266.
• Unbeaten welterweight Khamzat Chimaev will face Li Jingliang, who is coming off a first-round knockout of Santiago Ponzinibbo that earned Li a “Performance of the Night” bonus on Fight Island in January.
• Rising light heavyweight Magomed Ankalaev, who is riding a six-fight win streak – including three first-round finishes, four knockouts and three “Performance of the Night” bonuses – will face fellow title shot hopeful Volkan Oezdemir.
• No. 9 ranked UFC heavyweight Marcin Tybura brings a five-fight win streak into the Octagon to face the No. 5 heavyweight Alexander Volkov, who is climbing back into title contention after a hard-fought, five-round loss to UFC interim champion Ciryl Gane.

UFC 267: Blachowicz vs. Teixeira Original Content:

• UFC 267 Countdown: Blachowicz vs. Teixeira – Behind-the-scenes look at the training camps for the main and co-main fighters. Available to stream on-demand on ESPN+.
• Unlocking Victory: UFC 267 – Available to stream on-demand on ESPN+.
• The Chael Sonnen Show w/Jorge Sedano – Former UFC title contender Chael Sonnen gives his unique takes on the most interesting stories in the world of MMA – past, present and future – alongside ESPN’s Jorge Sedano. Available to stream on ESPN+.
• DC & RC – UFC legend Daniel Cormier and Super Bowl champion, Ryan Clark, both Louisiana natives, hang out and kick around the hottest topics from across the world of MMA. Available on ESPN+ and ESPN’s YouTube channel, as well as audio wherever podcasts are downloaded or streamed.

Key Coverage of UFC 267: Blachowicz vs. Teixeira on ESPN.com  

• Ranking the UFC Title Challengers: Who has the best chance of winning gold?
• The incredible numbers of Khamzat Chimaev’s star-making start in the UFC
• How to watch and stream UFC 267 on ESPN+
• The Return of Khamzat Chimaev: How COVID nearly halted the rise of one of the UFC’s biggest stars
• UFC 267 Expert Picks: Who has the edge in the two title fights? (ESPN+ Premium Article)
• On Friday 10/29 – ‘Only Thing That is Missing is the Belt’: Glover Teixeira’s last chance for UFC gold (by Marc Raimondi)

Interactive Coverage of UFC 267: Blachowicz vs. Teixeira

• ESPN’s MMA FightCenter – Allows fans on ESPN.com and the ESPN App to follow all the action through fight animations, timely updates, statistics, player cards, injury reports, and more.
• ESPN’s UFC 267 Pick’Em – Fans can play for free and compete for a chance to win $5,000.
• ESPN Social Media: @ESPNMMA Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Fans can sign-up for ESPN+ any time at ESPN.com, ESPNPlus.com  or on the ESPN App.

Programming (All times ET) 

UFC 267 Prelims and Main Card

LAS VEGAS (October 27, 2021) – Undefeated IBF Super Middleweight Champion Caleb “Sweethands” Plant held a virtual media workout Wednesday ahead of his highly anticipated 168-pound title showdown against Mexican superstar, four-division world champion and unified WBC/WBO/WBA Super Middleweight Champion Canelo Álvarez taking place Saturday, November, 6 live on SHOWTIME PPV® from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas in a Premier Boxing Champions event.

The unbeaten and supremely talented Plant will attempt to earn a career-defining victory and keep his perfect record intact as he makes his fourth world title defense. The winner of the November 6 bout will stamp his name in the history books as the first undisputed 168-pound world champion of the four-belt era.

Tickets for the live event are on sale now and can be purchased at AXS.com. The event is promoted by Canelo Promotions and TGB Promotions and sponsored by Hennessy and Value.

Watch the replay of today’s workout HERE via the SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel. Here is what Plant, along with co-trainer Justin Gamber, had to say Wednesday:

CALEB PLANT

“This is personal for me, but every fight is personal for me. I’ve sacrificed a lot for this sport and dedicated myself completely, so anybody who’s getting in the way of my goals makes it personal to me. No matter who it is.

“There are a lot of things that I possess that are going to give him issues in the fight. Every fighter says this is their best camp, but I am honestly saying that. I’ve had no injuries, amazing sparring and I’m ready to rock.

“I have a lot of respect for this sport. I’ve dedicated myself to this sport and sacrificed every day. I want my name in those history books. November 6 is a big step toward that goal.

“I have a big opportunity ahead of me. I haven’t taken any shortcuts in my training. I’m prepared physically, mentally and spiritually. I’m just locked in.

“There have been some guys who lost before the bell even rang against Canelo. I think that’s why he’s so irritated with me. Some guys just come in and are there to hand over their belt, get their check and leave. Anyone who knows me, they know I’m only here for those belts.

“I’m grateful and appreciative of this opportunity. But I’m not here focusing on building my name, I’m here for those belts and for that win. That’s all I’m focused on.

“He says the first few rounds will be tough, but I’m saying all the rounds are going to be tough for him. He’s got a tall order in front of him. Me and my team are focused and ready. I’m just encouraging everyone to tune in, because it’s going to be fireworks.

“This is the best shape I’ve ever been in. You have to train like a world champion, even before you are one, and that’s what I’ve always done. I’m peaking at just the right time. The moment isn’t going to be too big for me. The closer we get, the smaller the moment feels.

“It’s been a long journey for me and my dad (co-trainer Richie Plant). Those tough moments made me the fighter that I am now. I have a great team behind me and we’re all ready for November 6.

“Camp has been great. Sparring has been pushing me hard. I’m just looking to finish out this camp. I can’t wait for the first bell.”

JUSTIN GAMBER, Plant’s Co-Trainer

“The mood is calm in camp. We’re cerebral and collected. To us, this is just another fight. It’s a big fight, but still just another fight. We train the same way and make our small adjustments, but the mood is calm.

“We’re putting the final touches on training and fine-tuning a few technical points in our game. We’re making sure we solidify the game plan.

“The physical attributes Caleb has over Canelo will make a difference if we use them the right way. There have been a lot of guys against Canelo who haven’t been able to use their attributes. Luckily we have the skills to use our height and reach the right way and I expect Caleb to do that on fight night.

“I’m excited about the challenge going up against Eddy Reynoso. He’s a top coach and I respect what he’s accomplished. I look forward to the challenge.

“When you have two alpha dogs in the same room, it’s not going to be calm. There’s always going to be clashing. It doesn’t surprise me. It’s not personal on the teams’ ends, but these are two Pitbulls and they’re ready to go at each other.

“In my opinion, our team is the best team in boxing. Every person on our team is a great asset. They’re all the best at what they do. Chemistry and camaraderie are extremely important when it comes to teamwork. We all get along great and it’s a great environment for Caleb to work in. It’s going to show on fight night.

“Caleb has always stepped up when the time came. He was an underdog in the Jose Uzcategui fight. The lights and size of a fight have never been too big for him. It sounds like Canelo is hoping that’s going to affect him.

“The more on the line, the more Caleb steps up. That’s how it’s been since we met and that’s what it’s going to be on fight night.

“Representing Nashville means everything to us. We want to put Nashville on the boxing map. To have an undisputed champ from Nashville is so important to us. That’s what we’re planning to do November 6.”

#

ABOUT CANELO VS. PLANT
Canelo vs. Plant will see boxing’s consensus No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter, Mexican superstar and unified WBA/WBC/WBO Super Middleweight World Champion Canelo Álvarez face undefeated IBF Super Middleweight World Champion Caleb “Sweethands” Plant in a historic showdown on Saturday, November 6, live on SHOWTIME PPV at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas in a Premier Boxing Champions event.

The SHOWTIME PPV begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT featuring two-time super middleweight world champion Anthony “The Dog” Dirrell squaring off against exciting contender “Madman” Marcos Hernández in the 10-round co-main event. Unbeaten former super bantamweight world champion Rey Vargas returns to action against Mexico’s Leonardo Báez in a 10-round attraction on the pay-per-view, while lightweight contenders Elvis Rodríguez and Juan Pablo Romero will duel in a 10-round showdown to kick off the action.

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

LAS VEGAS (October 27, 2021) – Mexican superstar, four-division world champion and unified WBC/WBO/WBA Super Middleweight Champion Canelo Álvarez previewed his highly anticipated undisputed 168-pound championship showdown during a media conference call Wednesday before he takes on undefeated IBF Super Middleweight Champion Caleb “Sweethands” Plant on Saturday, November 6 live on SHOWTIME PPV from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Tickets for the live event are on sale now and can be purchased at AXS.com. The event is promoted by Canelo Promotions and TGB Promotions and sponsored by Hennessy and Value.

Canelo will look to capture undisputed status for the first time in his Hall of Fame-caliber career as he returns to SHOWTIME where he made his pay-per-view main event debut in September 2013. The winner of the November 6 bout will stamp his name in the history books as the first undisputed 168-pound world champion of the four-belt era.

Here is what Canelo, along with his trainer and manager Eddy Reynoso, had to say Wednesday:

CANELO ÁLVAREZ

“I hope he has a good chin because he’s going to need it on fight night.

“I’m always ready. I just can’t wait. I feel strong and fast. With all of the talk, it’s become personal. He crossed a line. But I have to remain focused, because this is a very important fight for me.

“Caleb has good boxing skills. He has good movement and a good jab. But it’s nothing new for me. I know what I need to do. I need to be patient in the early rounds and then start doing my job.

“Even harder than getting to the top is staying there. That’s why I try to get better each and every day. That’s what I’ve been trying to do from my first fight up until now.

“I’m 100% focused on this fight. There’s nothing else crossing my mind. After it’s over, we’ll figure out who the next opponent will be.

“Being the undisputed champion is huge for my legacy. Not only would it be an honor to be the first Latin American fighter to do it, but there’s only a select club of fighters who have achieved this. Eddy and I said in the beginning that the goal was to be undisputed, and now we’re one fight away.

“Everyone knows what I’m going to do in the ring. When something is personal with me, it’s different. I have something special in my mind and I’m going to make it a great night for us.

“The pandemic made me have to slow down for about a year, so I’m thankful that I’ve been active since then. Things are going fast now, and I love it. I’m thankful to be in this position.”

EDDY REYNOSO, Canelo’s Trainer and Manager

“We’ve been training for four months and preparation has been great. Anticipation is sky-high and we can’t wait for November 6 to get here.

“Caleb is a skilled fighter who knows how to use his legs. If we come out too aggressive in the first few rounds, we’ll give the fight away. We need to be patient and get to the middle rounds so we can do what we want to do.

“Plant has three main attributes: power in his left hand, his movement and his defense. We’re going to come in and fight our own style. We have to use the style we know how to win with.

“Erislandy Lara is probably the closest comparison to Plant amongst Canelo’s past opponents, or even Shane Mosley earlier in Canelo’s career. In the end, no matter what challenge he presents, we’re not worried about our ability to come out victorious.

“This is going to be a tough fight on November 6. It’s going to be a challenge. But in the end, experience will prevail, and we will become undisputed like we set out to do all those years ago.”

#

ABOUT CANELO VS. PLANT
Canelo vs. Plant will see boxing’s consensus No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter, Mexican superstar and unified WBA/WBC/WBO Super Middleweight World Champion Canelo Álvarez face undefeated IBF Super Middleweight World Champion Caleb “Sweethands” Plant in a historic showdown on Saturday, November 6, live on SHOWTIME PPV at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas in a Premier Boxing Champions event.

The SHOWTIME PPV begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT featuring two-time super middleweight world champion Anthony “The Dog” Dirrell squaring off against exciting contender “Madman” Marcos Hernández in the 10-round co-main event. Unbeaten former super bantamweight world champion Rey Vargas returns to action against Mexico’s Leonardo Báez in a 10-round attraction on the pay-per-view, while lightweight contenders Elvis Rodríguez and Juan Pablo Romero will duel in a 10-round showdown to kick off the action.

Tickets for the live event are on sale now and can be purchased at AXS.com. The event is promoted by Canelo Promotions and TGB Promotions and sponsored by Hennessy and Value.

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

LAS VEGAS (October 27, 2021) – Super lightweight contenders Jean Carlos Torres and Darwin Price will meet in a 10-round bout highlighting non-televised undercard action this Saturday, October 30 in a Premier Boxing Champions event from Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

The card is headlined by a SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® tripleheader that will see WBA Welterweight Champion Jamal “Shango” James defend his title against unbeaten contender Radzhab Butaev in the main event. In the co-main event, rising welterweight star Jaron “Boots” Ennis steps in for a showdown against veteran contender Thomas Dulorme, while exciting unbeaten lightweight contender Michel Rivera faces Argentina’s Matías Romero in the telecast opener at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

Tickets for the live event are on sale now and can be purchased at AXS.com.

Non-televised undercard action will also see a pair of once-beaten welterweights duel as Argentina’s Alberto Palmetta (16-1, 12 KOs) faces Colombia’s Yeis Solano (15-1, 10 KOs) in an eight-round fight. Rounding out the undercard are super lightweight prospects David Lopez and Lazarus Velasquez squaring off in their pro debuts for a four-round fight, and unbeaten prospect Jose Sanchez (7-0, 5 KOs) taking on Mexico’s Fernando Garcia (13-3, 8 KOs) in a six-round featherweight attraction.

The 31-year-old Torres (19-0, 15 KOs) fought in the U.S. for the first time since 2016 in his last bout, as he stopped Zack Kuhn in two rounds in June on the Floyd Mayweather vs. Logan Paul undercard. A native of Carolina, Puerto Rico, Torres fights out of the Mayweather Promotions stable and was a sparring partner for three-division champion Gervonta Davis as Davis prepared to face Leo Santa Cruz in 2020. A standout amateur with a 78-15 record, Torres has stopped his last eight opponents inside of the distance ahead of his toughest challenge to date in Price.

Price (17-1, 10 KOs) returned to the ring in April to knock out Saul Corral in the fifth round. His previous outing had come in December 2019 when he suffered a knee injury that forced him to take a TKO loss against Malik Hawkins, in a fight Price led on the scorecards. Originally from St. Louis and now fighting out of Houston, Price was a standout track and field runner at Grambling State University before turning pro and winning his first 16 fights.

#

ABOUT JAMES VS. BUTAEV
James vs. Butaev will see WBA Welterweight Champion Jamal “Shango” James defend his title against unbeaten contender Radzhab Butaev in a 12-round duel that headlines a night of action live on SHOWTIME Saturday, October 30 in a Premier Boxing Champions event from Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT and features rising welterweight star Jaron “Boots” Ennis in a 10-round showdown against veteran contender Thomas Dulorme in the co-main event. Kicking off the telecast, exciting unbeaten lightweight contender Michel Rivera faces Argentina’s Matías Romero in a 10-round attraction.

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

Long Island, New York (October 27, 2021) Star Boxing’s Rockin’ Fights 40, in association with DiBella Entertainment, will feature an undefeated and reigning World Champion in the featured fight on November 11, 2021.

Making his United States debut, undefeated IBO Super Featherweight World Champion MICHAEL “LONE WOLF” MAGNESI (Lazio, Italy, 19-0, 11 KO’s) will face off against EUGENE “RAMBO” LAGOS (Bukidnon, Philippines, 16-5-3, 11 KO’s) in a 10-round non-title match.

Magnesi crosses the Atlantic for the first time, having recently forged an exclusive co-promotional agreement with New York Boxing Hall of Fame Promoters, JOE DEGUARDIA, of Star Boxing, and LOU DIBELLA, of DiBella Entertainment. With the powerful New York Italian duo of DeGuardia and DiBella, the Italian Champion is poised to become a New York sensation.

DeGuardia, CEO of Star Boxing, had this to say about the signing, “We are thrilled to have signed Italian sensation Michael Magnesi and to feature him on our ‘Rockin’ Fights’ series. Michael is skilled, exciting and marketable and I look forward working with his manager Davide Buccioni and my longtime friend Lou DiBella in making him a NY favorite. We expect big things over the next few years for Michael. Come watch him up close at the Paramount on November 11. There is no better venue to see the action.”

“I am happy to be working with my paesano, Joe DeGuardia, and manager Davide Buccioni, in promoting Michael Magnesi, the reigning IBO Super Featherweight Champion, going forward,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “If Magnesi performs as we expect him to on November 11, against Eugene Lagos, he will be defending his IBO title in his next fight. Pound-for-pound, we think that Magnesi is the best fighter out of Italy today and now we’re getting a chance to show him off to US boxing fans.”

Alongside his IBO World Champion status, Magnesi has formerly held the Italian National, IBF Mediterranean, WBC International Silver and IBO Intercontinental Super Featherweight Championships.

The undercard for “Rockin’ Fights 40” will be announced later this week. Be sure to get your tickets NOW as they have been moving rapidly since Star Boxing announced the November 11th date for “Rockin’ Fights 40”. Doors will open at 7PM

Eric Molina has confidently predicted that he will become the first man to defeat fast-rising Croatian Heavyweight contender Alen Babic when they collide in a scheduled eight-round contest on the undercard of Chantelle Cameron vs. Mary McGee at The O2 in London this Saturday October 30, live worldwide on DAZN. 

‘Drummer Boy’ (28-7, 20 KOs) gave Fabio Wardley the toughest test of his career at the Europa Point Sports Complex in Gibraltar earlier this year and heads into his clash with Babic on the back of a third-round knockout win over Alejandro de la Torre in August. 

The two-time World Title challenger from Texas, USA has shared the ring with a who’s who in the Heavyweight division, including losses to Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder, and insists that he isn’t intimidated in the slightest by ‘The Savage’s’ threats and warnings. 

“It’s really not easy to travel as far as we do at short notice, but I firmly believe that I have what it takes to knock this guy out on Saturday,” said Molina. “I look at him as a reckless fighter. I look at him as somebody that has no respect for the Heavyweight division. This Heavyweight division has a very brutal way of humbling fighters at different times. 

“It’s a tough lesson that a lot of fighters have to learn. I’ve learnt it, Anthony Joshua has learnt it, Deontay Wilder has learnt it, the best of the best have learnt it. Babic is going to have to learn that one day to respect this division. 

“He could throw 100 punches in one round. He’s going to need to throw 100 punches to get me out of there in one round. I’ve just got to thrown one punch. One punch and I will devastatingly knock him out. Whatever he thinks in his mind is up to him, I just focus on my energy and my short camp. I know exactly that I’ve got to do.

“I’m not here to talk and I’m not here to prove anything. My resume speaks for itself. I’ve been in with the best. This guy doesn’t intimidate me. I don’t lose any sleep about this fight at all. We’re working on a specific technique to really knock this guy out. I think he gives me every opportunity to do that. 

“I want him to be as confident as possible. I want him to be as cocky as possible. I don’t even want to warn him with what I’m coming with. It’s pointless. I’ve been that guy in the division. I want him to feel it on Saturday, and then I want him to understand. He has never been hit by somebody like me. He is going to get hit really hard on Saturday. We’re going to see what he’s really got.”

Babic vs. Molina is part of a big night of action Greenwich, Chantelle Cameron’s (14-0, 8 KOs) WBC, IBF and Ring Magazine Super-Lightweight Unification clash with the USA’s Mary McGee (27-3, 15 KOs) tops the bill, Craig Richards (16-2-1, 9 KOs) returns to the ring against Poland’s Marek Matyja (20-2-2, 9 KOs) after pushing WBA Light-Heavyweight World Champion Dmitry Bivol all the way in May, Youssef Khoumari (13-0-1, 5 KOs) takes on Jorge David Castaneda (14-1, 11 KOs) for the vacant WBC International Silver Super-Featherweight Title, ‘The Romford Bull’ Johnny Fisher (3-0, 3 KOs) faces Spain’s Alvaro Terrero (5-13-2, 3 KOs) in front of over 1,000 of his fans, Catford Super-Bantamweight Ellie Scotney (2-0) squares off against Eva Cantos (2-1) in her first fight with new trainer Shane McGuigan, Manchester Cruiserweight Jordan Thompson (10-0, 8 KOs) makes his Matchroom debut against Poland’s Piotr Podlucki (6-5, 2 KOs), Takeley Light-Heavyweight prospect John Hedges (3-0) meets Ben Thomas (2-7-3, 1 KO) over four rounds and Dublin Heavyweight Thomas Carty (1-0) has his second professional fight. 

LOS ANGELES – In addition to the Featherweight World Title main event pitting current 145-pound champion Cris “Cyborg”?(24-2, 1 NC) against No. 5-ranked Sinead Kavanagh (7-4), BELLATOR MMA has added several star-studded matchups to the preliminary portion of BELLATOR MMA 271: Cyborg vs. Kavanagh on Friday, Nov. 12, at Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla. 

SHOWTIME will televise the fantastic five-fight main card live at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. Additionally, the must-watch preliminary fights will stream live three hours earlier at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on the BELLATOR MMA YouTube channel, SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel and Pluto TV. 

Tickets for BELLATOR MMA 271: Cyborg vs. Kavanagh are currently on sale at Ticketmaster.com and Bellator.com. Additional bouts will be announced shortly.

In female flyweight action, Miami’s “Master” Valerie Loureda (3-1) hopes to steal the show yet again, as the 23-year-old star prepares for Knoxville’s Taylor Turner (5-7), while Brazilian sensation Bruna Ellen (5-3) challenges the heavy-handed Desiree “Dirty Dez” Yanez (5-3).  

Fighting out of Key West, Fla., the undefeated knockout artist Roman Faraldo (5-0) returns to the BELLATOR cage to face fellow Floridian and Pensacola-native Robert Turnquest (11-7) in a 170-pound contest. Additionally, Roufusport product Jordan Newman (3-0) hopes to keep his perfect record intact in a middleweight showdown against Palm Beach, Florida’s Shane O’Shea (4-2).  

Lastly, former Penn State wrestler and current American Top Team standout Cody Law (4-0) puts his unblemished professional mark on the line in a featherweight clash with Fort Smith, Arkansas’ Colton Hamm (4-3). 

In the co-main event., top-10 heavyweights will go toe-to-toe as No. 5-ranked Tyrell Fortune (11-1, 1 NC) squares up with No. 8 Linton Vassell (20-8, 1 NC).

Rounding out the five-bout SHOWTIME telecast, the always electric and No. 5-ranked Aaron Pico (8-3) will square off against undefeated No. 8 Justin Gonzales (12-0), while No. 1-ranked Arlene Blencowe (14-8) attempts to cement her place as the next in line for a shot at the 145-pound crown against No. 7 Pam Sorenson (9-3). Kicking off the main card, undefeated No. 7-ranked Boca Raton, Fla., resident Steve Mowry (9-0) will continue his quest toward the top of the heavyweight ranks as he takes on veteran Rakim Cleveland (22-13-1, 1 NC).

Updated BELLATOR MMA 271:?CYBORG VS. KAVANAGH MAIN CARD: 

Friday, Nov. 12 – live on SHOWTIME 

10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT? 

Featherweight?World Title Bout: C-Cris “Cyborg”?(24-2, 1 NC) vs. #5-Sinead Kavanagh (7-4) 

Heavyweight Co-Main Event: #5-Tyrell Fortune (11-1, 1 NC) vs. #8-Linton Vassell (20-8, 1 NC) 

Featherweight Bout: #5-Aaron Pico (8-3) vs. No. 8-Justin Gonzales (12-0) 

Featherweight Bout: #1-Arlene Blencowe (14-8)vs. #7-Pam Sorenson (9-3) 

Heavyweight Bout: #7-Steve Mowry (9-0)vs. Rakim Cleveland (22-13-1, 1 NC) 

PRELIMINARY CARD: 

BELLATOR MMA YouTube channel | SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel | Pluto TV 

7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT? 

Flyweight Bout: Bruna Ellen (5-3) vs. Desiree Yanez (5-3) 

Welterweight Bout: Roman Faraldo (5-0) vs. Robert Turnquest (11-7) 

Featherweight Bout: Cody Law (4-0) vs. Colton Hamm (4-3)  

Flyweight Bout: Valerie Loureda (3-1) vs. Taylor Turner (5-7) 

Middleweight Bout: Jordan Newman (3-0) vs. Shane O’Shea (4-2) 

For more information on upcoming BELLATOR MMA events, please visit?BELLATOR.com.? 

** Card subject to change ** 

Updated schedule of BELLATOR events 

Fri. Nov. 5 // BELLATOR 270: Queally vs. Pitbull 2 // 3Arena // Dublin, Ireland 

Fri. Nov. 12 // BELLATOR 271: Cyborg vs. Kavanagh // Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino // Hollywood, FL 

Fri. Dec. 3 // BELLATOR 272: Pettis vs. Horiguchi // Mohegan Sun Arena // Uncasville, Conn. 

****

About BELLATOR

BELLATOR MMA is a leading global mixed martial arts organization featuring many of the best fighters in the world. Under the direction of veteran fight promoter Scott Coker, BELLATOR events take place in major cities worldwide and can be seen on television in over 160 countries to an available audience of over one billion people. In the United States, BELLATOR can be seen on SHOWTIME. BELLATOR is comprised of an executive team that includes top industry professionals in television production, live event orchestration, fighter development/relations, venue procurement, sponsorship creation/development, international licensing, marketing, advertising, publicity and commission relations. BELLATOR is based in Hollywood, Calif. and owned by entertainment giant ViacomCBS, home to the world’s premier entertainment brands that connect with audiences through compelling content across television, motion picture, online and mobile platforms.

About SHOWTIME 

Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly owned subsidiary of?ViacomCBS?Inc., owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™?and FLIX®, and also offers SHOWTIME ON DEMAND®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™?ON DEMAND and FLIX ON DEMAND®, and the network’s authentication service SHOWTIME ANYTIME®. Showtime Digital Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of SNI, operates the stand-alone streaming service SHOWTIME®. SHOWTIME is currently available to subscribers via cable, DBS, and telco providers, and as a stand-alone streaming service through Amazon, Apple®, Google, LG Smart TVs, Oculus Go, Roku®, Samsung Smart TVs,?Xbox One?and?PlayStation®4. Consumers can also subscribe to SHOWTIME via Amazon’s Prime Video Channels, Apple TV Channels, AT&T TV Now, FuboTV, Hulu, The Roku Channel, Sling TV, and YouTube TV. Viewers can also watch on computers at?Showtime.com.?SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV®. For more information, go to?www.SHO.com.? 

QUINCY, Mass. (October 27, 2022) – In short two years, after signing a contract with Granite Chin Promotions, veteran New Jersey boxer Tyrone “Hands of Stone” Luckey has gone from journeyman to legitimate opponent with a promising upside.

“Guys like Tyrone have a special spot for me,” Granite Chin Promotions president Chris Traietti commented. “I’ve helped to build up his record, developed trust between us, and we’ll see where we go from here. He’s a big Dallas Cowboy fan and he really wanted to fight in AT & T Arena. He dreamed of fighting there and I got him on the Spence-Garcia card, and he got the biggest purse of his life

“He is a fighter’s fighter. Any promoter would be very happy to have 25 like him in their stable. His goal now is to make as much as he can over the next few years and get out with his health. He continues to trust me. He wants to be part of the team and I just signed him to a new 3-year deal. Tyrone has had a bit of a rebirth in his career.”

The former New Jersey Golden Gloves Champion had a 9-12-4 pro record, when he joined the Granite Chin stable, and since then Luckey has won six of nine fights, capturing the ABF USA Mid-American super lightweight title along the way.

“I had no choice but to get better,” Lucky spoke about his resurgence the past two years. “It first changed when I started going to Gladiator’s Gym for help with trainer Shawn Darling. My career in boxing changed since the pandemic started.

The 36-year-old Luckey (15-15-4, 11 KOs), fighting out of Galloway (NJ), is a throwback fighter back to the days boxers only asked when and where they were fighting, no pickin’ and choosin’ soft touches. Evidence of his admirable attitude is the fact he’s fought in six different weight classes, from super featherweight to super welterweight, during his 11-year-pro career.

“I’m not afraid of anyone,” Luckey said. “I fight guys others avoid, even some that world champions wouldn’t fight. I’m able to fight in different weight classes because I know my body and how to properly get done in weight. Right now, I feel comfortable at 140 pounds, and I feel like I have a ton of power at 130 or 135 pounds. I’m naturally small, but psychologically, I’m always the bigger fighter no matter what position I find myself in.”

Luckey’s stock jumped in his last two fights, both against previously unbeaten Eduardo Aguilar, who was knocked out, respectively, in the first round and he couldn’t continue past the sixth round in their most recent fight, in which Luckey dropped Aguilar seven times.

A married man who is and endoscopy technician, Luckey has been saving his boxing purses to eventually buy a house.

“I plan to box until I’m 39, maximum of 40,” Luckey remarked. “I’ll call it quits and maybe become a trainer or pro bowler. I’m trying to get into a sanctioned league (he averages 215 and rolled a perfect 300 game in 2017).”

Luckey and Traietti, also a pro boxer, have a mutually beneficial relationship today. “Our relationship has always been great,” Tyrone confirmed. “I had a fight fallout and the matchmaker set me up with Chris, who was working a fight in Minnesota. He said that after the fight we could talk. He’s a good dude, great promoter. I’m glad our paths crossed because he’s put me in a new situation. I put my faith in him. It’s always love when we talk.”

“We hit it off right away,” Traietti concluded. “He’s easy to work with and will fight anybody. To his credit, he signed with me when it wasn’t really popular, not until 8 to 10 months later. Granite Chin has blown up and my some of my fighters have been performing on some of the biggest cards in boxing.”

Do you feel lucky? Tyrone Luckey certainly does and he’s finally cashing in on all his hard work and perseverance, fighting under the Granite Chin banner.

INFORMATION:

Facebook.com/GraniteChin

Twitter: @Granite_Chin

HARTFORD (October 27, 2021) – Unbeaten super lightweight prospect “Marvelous” Mykquan Williams (16-0-1, 7 KOs) has been on a long, strange trip in 2021, starting with his career-defining victory to date last January, unfortunately, followed by a car accident resulting in a wrist injury, leading to the entrepreneurial launch of his “Marvelous” merchandise and products, and last Thursday he became a father for the first time.

“It’s been very frustrating,” Williams said about his injury. “This is what I do; I’m a fighter. At times it has been hard, and I’ve been frustrated the entire time. I’m eager to fight again, but I need to be patient. When the time is right and I’m back 100-percent, I’ll be back in the ring, hopefully, early next year. Now, I have to build-up my wrist, strength-wise.”

Williams was in a car accident this past March 5th, in which he suffered a dislocated right wrist, popped into place that evening in the trauma unit. The next morning, Williams underwent surgery to insert four pins, which left him in a splint for 11 weeks, until the pins were removed May 15th. Therapy and exercises were all he could do, no boxing at all, until he returned to training, and he threw his first punch only three weeks ago.

When a boxer suffers a serious injury to his hands like Williams, it often leaves questions about his or her boxing future. No different for “Marvelous” Mykquan, as he admits.

“Personally,” Williams explained, “I worry about coming back close to where I was, but I keep faith and keep working. People have been very supportive. Sometimes I think about not being able to box again, but I try not to think about that, but that is positioned in my mind.”

“We’re in no rush,” Williams’ head trainer Paul Cichon noted. “We’re doing exactly what his doctors are saying. I believe he’ll be back stronger, and more focused than ever now that he has a son to consider. I think he’ll be back strong in 2022.”

Williams has taken advantage of his downtime to launch his “Marvelous Chili,” as well as a “Marvelous” clothing line and gear, and he’s also looking into purchasing property.

His is life was dramatically altered this past Thursday, when his girlfriend, Zuleyma, delivered his son, Attikus Williams, who weighed in at, as a ring announcer would say, a fit and ready 9-pounds.

Baby 3.jpg
Mykquan & Attikus Williams

As he prepares for his comeback, Williams and Cichon will promote an amateur show November 20th at a venue to be determined.

“We’re hosting the show to help kids at our gym, Manchester ROCS (in CT),” the DiBella Entertainment promoted Williams remarked. “We want to do a couple a year.”

The 23-year-old Williams has already overcome the murder of his father when Mykquan was only one, in addition to having his family house burned to the ground 10 years later. A dislocated wrist has no chance of making him less than “Marvelous.”

WHAT: “Down & Dirty” professional boxing

WHO: The Line-Up

MAIN EVENT – ABF CONTINENTAL AMERICAS SUPER WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP (8)

Jeovanis Barraza (22-1, 15 KOs), Barranquilla, Colombia

vs.

Jorge Martin Garcia (13-7-1, 6 KOs), General Lavalle, Buenos Aires, Argentina

CO-FEATURE –VACANT ABF MID-ATLANTIC LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP (6)

Jonathan Depina (5-1, 3 KOs), Boston, MA

vs.

Gonzalo Carlos Dallera (13-7-1, 6 KOs), Ciudadela, Buenos Aires, Argentina

ABF ATLANTIC MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP (8)

Anthony Hines (7-0, 4 KOs), Champion, Dorchester, MA

vs.

Fidel Monterrosa Munoz (39-26-1, 31 KOs), Challenger, Barranquilla, Colombia

HEAVYWEIGHTS (4)

Dennis Ventura (4-0, 3 KOs), Lynn, MA

vs.

Vercell Webster (1-4-1, 1 KO), Hattiesburg, MS

Sean Bey (2-0,2 KOs), Providence, RI

vs.

Brandon Grundy (pro debut), Draper, UT

SUPER LIGHTWEIGHTS (4)

Brandon Idrogo (4-1, 4 KOs), Ellenville, NY

vs.

Stacey Anderson (0-7), Falls Church, VA

LIGHTWEIGHTS (4)

Alexandro Paulino (4-0, 4 KOs), New London, CT by way of Dominican Republic

vs.

Christian Danilo Guido (8-20, 6 KOs), Tigre, Buenos Aires, Argentina by way of Italy

Gabriel Morales (2-0, 1 KO), Dracut, MA

vs.

Juan Garcia (pro debut), Carrie Springs, TX

WHEN: Friday, Oct. 29, 2021

WHERE: Melrose Memorial Hall, Melrose, MA

PROMOTER: Reyes Boxing

TICKETS: Priced at $75.00 (General Admission), $90.00 (Reserved), $125.00 (Ringside) and $250.00 VIP (dedicated server on stage) and available for purchase online at https://throwdownsports.com/programs/reyes-boxing-10-29-21 or directly from any of the participating boxers on this show. Limited tickets will be available at the door while they last.

LIVE STREAM: Streamed live and exclusively on pay-per-view at https://throwdownsports.com/programs/reyes-boxing-10-29-21, starting at 6:30 p.m. ET / 3:30 p.m. PT, for $29.95.

OFFICIAL WEIGH IN: Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021 @ 1 p.m. ET Reyes Boxing Club (Salem Fitness Center), 38 Swampscott Road, Salem, MA — MANDATORY FACE MASKS MUST BE WORN INDOORS IN SALEM — PUBLIC WELCOME

OTHER: Doors open at 6 p.m. ET, first bout at 6:30 p.m. ET.

INFORMATION:

Website: www.ReyesBoxingClub, www.AFightingChanceinc.org

Twitter: @boxing_inc

Instagram: @ReyesBoxing, @FightingChance501c3

LinkedIn: @MichaelReyes

Facebook: /MichaelReyes, /ReyesBoxingInc, #FightingChance501c3

HOLLYWOOD, CA (October 26, 2021) – The people’s champion “King” Gabriel Rosado (26-13-1, 15 KOs) hosted a media workout ahead of his showdown against Jaime Munguia (37-0, 30 KOs) on November 13th at Anaheim’s Honda Center. Rosado was on hand to speak to the media about his upcoming fight in addition to showing off some of his training alongside Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach. Rosado is set to face Munguia in a 12-round all-out-war for the WBO Inter-Continental Middleweight World Championship, live exclusively on DAZN worldwide, excluding Mexico, starting at 6:00 p.m PT.

Below is what the fighter and his trainer had to say about the upcoming Mexico vs. Puerto Rico battle.

“KING’ GABRIEL ROSADO, MIDDLEWEIGHT CONTENDER

“Freddie has taught me to be disciplined, sticking to game plan, and everyday getting better and better.

“I define this fight as a historical fight, a legacy fight. This fight will go down in the history books, featuring two latino: a Mexican warrior and a Puerto Rican warrior. We are gonna clash and the fans will win.

“This fight means everything, this is the reason why I got with Freddie. It was to take it to the next level. I have always had the skill, have always had the ability, but I knew that for me to take it to that world class level I had to get with a trainer that knows what it takes to get there, guide me there, lead me there. Getting with Freddie is just bringing out the best of me.

“I feel like I am still 25, I feel great, I am blessed, I am healthy. In this fight he is the younger guy and I understand what it means to be the younger fighter. But I need to use my experience and my boxing ability to make him pay for his mistakes.

“You can teach a lot, but you can’t teach experience. I feel like I have fought the tougher fighters so I definitely have experience on my side. Like I said, I am healthy, I am strong. I am not fading. I am just getting better.

FREDDIE ROACH, HALL OF FAME TRAINER

“This fight is going to be fun. Erick Morales and I have known each other for a while. We are both doing well as trainers, so may the best man win.

“I think this is going to be a really good fight. You have two really good fighters in a real fight. This is what boxing is all about. I think we got lost a little bit with celebrity boxing but this is two real fighters going into a real fight. I love this.

“Gabriel is very clever and he’s a very good boxer, but we’re fighting a veteran ourselves and a very good puncher so we have to be very careful. Both fighters have a lot of heart and that makes this fight interesting, it’s gonna be a ‘Fight of the Year’ type of fight.

“I know I have to worry about Munguia’s punching power and his strength so I have to work on staying away from those situations and countering when Munguia makes mistakes. This is going to be a very psychological fight and I think the the person who’s mentally ready for this fight is going to win this fight.

“In his last fight, Gabriel took a knee and then he looked at me, and I knew when he looked over at me, I knew everything was okay. I thought at that moment, ‘your opponent is coming to finish this now because he’s a great puncher and he he knocks a lot of guys out’ and Gabriel just flipped the coin and finished him. It was a great win for us for sure

“The Mexico vs. Puerto Rico rivalries always produce great fights. The Puerto Ricans are are very good fans and the Mexicans are very good fans and it’s gonna be a great night. I can’t wait for this fight to happen.”

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Tickets for Munguia vs. Rosado are on sale now and are priced at $250, $150, $100, and $50 not including applicable service charges. Tickets will be available for purchase at ticketmaster.com. Please note that California Department of Health guidelines and other protocols relating to admission requirements may be in place for this event, which may include a requirement that all guests show proof of a negative COVID-19 test or full vaccination status.

Munguia vs. Rosado is a 12-round fight for the WBO Intercontinental Middleweight Title presented by Golden Boy in association with Zanfer Promotions. The event is sponsored by Tecate “The Official Beer of Boxing,” Hennessy “Never Stop. Never Settle,” and “BetOnline – Your Online Sportsbook Experts.” The fight will take place on Saturday, November 13, and live exclusively on DAZN worldwide, excluding Mexico, starting at 6:00 p.m. PT / 9:00 p.m. ET.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and DAZN.com. Follow on Twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing and @DAZNBoxing. Become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoy and https://www.facebook.com/DAZN. Follow on Instagram @GoldenBoy and @DAZNBoxing. Follow the conversation using #MunguiaRosado.

ABOUT HONDA CENTER
Nestled in the heart of Orange County, Honda Center stands as one of the premier entertainment and sports venues in the country. Owned by the City of Anaheim and managed by Anaheim Arena Management, LLC, the arena is home to the 2007 Stanley Cup champion Anaheim Ducks, and annually hosts dozens of top-name concerts such as The Rolling Stones, Justin Timberlake, Ariana Grande, J. Cole, and Foo Fighters. Since 2005, Anaheim Arena Management/Anaheim Ducks owners, Henry and Susan Samueli, have invested millions of dollars into facility upgrades, continuously improving the guest experience at Honda Center.

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CALIF. (October 26, 2021) – Unbeaten two-time world champion David “El Bandera Roja” Benavídez and his older brother, longtime contender José Benavídez, previewed their respective showdowns before they enter in the ring in their hometown of Phoenix, Ariz. on Saturday, November 13 live on SHOWTIME in a Premier Boxing Champions event from Footprint Center.

David will battle former champion José Uzcátegui in a super middleweight title eliminator bout that headlines the event, while José faces Argentina’s Francisco Emanuel Torres in the 10-round co-main event. The Benavídez brothers have their sights set on impressing their hometown fans in long-awaited homecoming bouts November 13, which will mark their first time entering the ring in Phoenix since 2015.

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

Here is what the Benavídez brothers, plus their father and trainer José Benavídez Sr., had to say from training camp in North Hollywood, California:

DAVID BENAVÍDEZ

“Everything has been amazing in camp. We’re sparring 12-13 rounds and running six or seven miles a day. I’ve worked very hard and I can’t wait to put on a show November 13.

“Uzcátegui is a tough competitor and he was a former world champion, so I have to give him that respect. There are big fights on the horizon for me, so I have to prepare accordingly for Uzcátegui.

“I feel like I’m the better fighter. I have the better skills, more power, more speed and I’m hungrier too. It’s going to be a great night for my team. I feel like I’m going to go in there and get the knockout victory.

“A lot of people in Phoenix are excited for this one. I’m excited to go back. The timing is perfect. For me, this is the biggest fight of my career. I’m ready for anything that comes my way November 13.

“We’re just focused on Uzcátegui, but of course there are bigger fights for me in the future. If I win this fight, I’m in the number one spot for whoever wins between Canelo Alvarez and Caleb Plant.

“Facing Canelo would be a huge fight in the super middleweight division, but I have to go out there on November 13 and get this victory first.

“Right now, with the level I’m at, the fighters that I’m seeking to fight are champions and former champions. Whether it’s Canelo, Plant or Jermall Charlo, I feel like we’re all going to end up facing each other at some point.

“Canelo vs. Plant is a great fight for the division. It’s a fight where both guys have a lot to prove. Those kinds of fights tend to bring the best out of everybody. There’s a lot of pressure and a lot of glory on the line, so I feel like they’re going to be the best they’ve ever been. I’m going to be ready for the winner next.

“I’ve been a pro for eight years already. I just want the biggest fights out there. This is the level I’ve been working to get to for a long time, and we’re finally here at this moment. I want to fight the best of the best and prove myself. I want to show that I’m the best super middleweight in the world.

“Uzcátegui is strong and he has a will to win, but I just believe that I have the better skill set. These are the types of fighters that I need to test myself against. It’s definitely going to be a war, but I’m going to come out on top.”

JOSÉ BENAVÍDEZ

“It feels great to be on this card with my brother, and to be making my comeback in my hometown. There’s going to be a lot of support for me. It’s a great feeling and I’m looking forward to giving my fans a great outcome.

“I had to take a break, but now I have a different kind of mindset. I just want to keep fighting, training and staying ready. I want to get to the top of the super welterweight division.

“The delay has just given me more time to train, more time to get stronger and more time to get ready. I’ve just been making the most of it.

“I’m going to be an animal on fight night. I’m coming for everything. I’m hungry. I’ve been out of the ring for years, so I need to make a statement. That’s what I’m looking to do November 13.

“We have a great team here. We all came from nothing and we all started this journey at the same time. We learned day by day and that’s what makes our bond strong. Without my team, I wouldn’t be boxing.

“I have a lot of friends, family and fans who are coming out for my return. That’s really what’s motivating me. I’m happy that people still want to see me in the ring.

“I don’t know too much about my opponent, and I honestly don’t care, because I’m taking him down. No matter who they put in front of me, good luck to them.

“After my fight, which I’m going to end early, I’m going to be ready to walk out with my brother and support him for his fight.

“I’ve been spending a lot of time with my wife and my two daughters during this time off because there were so many things I wasn’t able to be around for earlier in my career. It’s been amazing but I’m excited to be back. I still have a lot to prove.”

JOSÉ BENAVÍDEZ SR., David and José’s Father and Trainer

“David is looking very strong right now. With every fight he gets stronger and stronger and matures more and more. He’s just getting his man strength, so I think everyone is going to see something spectacular November 13.

“Words can’t even describe how it feels to be coming back to Phoenix training my two sons for this big show. It’s something I’ve only dreamed of. Now it’s happening, and we’re super excited.

“I always have to continue adjusting and growing as a trainer. I have to understand that these are grown men now. I had to stop thinking of them as my little kids. I’m always trying to learn more so that I can support their careers as best I can.

“I’m super proud of Jose for getting to this point after his injury. Everything he does now is just extra, it’s up to him to stay focused and work hard. He’s very strong both physically and mentally and that’s why I never gave up on him.

“We’ve been dedicating ourselves and sacrificing every day so that we can give our people in Phoenix a really good show. They’re going to get an exciting night and I can’t wait.”

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ABOUT BENAVIDEZ VS. UZCATEGUI
Benavidez vs. Uzcategui will see unbeaten two-time world champion David “El Bandera Roja” Benavídez square off against former champion José Uzcátegui in a super middleweight title eliminator as Benavídez returns to his hometown of Phoenix for the first time in six years in the SHOWTIME main event on Saturday, November 13 in a Premier Boxing Champions event from Footprint Center – home of the Phoenix Suns and Mercury.

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and will feature the much-awaited return of longtime contender José Benavídez, the older brother of David Benavídez, facing Argentina’s Francisco Emanuel Torres in a 10-round super welterweight bout.

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

HOLLYWOOD, FLORIDA – The Professional Fighters League, the fastest growing and most innovative sports league, held official weigh-ins for the 2021 PFL World Championship, the culminating event in the widely successful 2021 season. Headlining the card will be a PFL Women’s Lightweight Championship showdown between Kayla Harrison and Taylor Guardado. 

Harrison tipped the scales at 153.8-pounds, as she tries to remain undefeated and become a two-time PFL Women’s Lightweight Champion. Guardado, the talented newcomer, came in at 154.4-pounds as she faces the biggest challenge of her young MMA career. 

In the co-main event, rivals face off for the PFL Welterweight World Championship, as 2019 champion Ray Cooper III faces 2018 champion Magomed Magomedkerimov. 

Cooper came in at 169.8-pounds as he looks to even the score with the man that denied him the 2018 PFL Welterweight Championship. Magomedkerimov meanwhile weighed in at 170-pounds, as he tries to once again become the league’s top welterweight. 

OFFICIAL 2021 PFL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP WEIGH-IN PHOTOS: CLICK HERE

2021 PFL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FIGHT NIGHT LIVE LINKS 

OFFICIAL 2021 PFL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP WEIGH-IN RESULTS: 

ESPN2 Card

Women’s Lightweight Championship

Kayla Harrison (153.8) vs. Taylor Guardado (154.4)

Welterweight Championship

Ray Cooper III (169.8) vs. Magomed Magomedkerimov (170)

Women’s Lightweight Bout

Claressa Shields (155.8) vs. Abigail Montes (154.4)

Heavyweight Championship

Bruno Cappelozza (236.4) vs. Ante Delija (243)

Featherweight Championship

Movlid Khaybulaev (145) vs. Chris Wade (145)

ESPN+ Card

Light Heavyweight Championship

Antonio Carlos Jr. (204.4) vs. Marthin Hamlet (205)

PFL Lightweight Championship

Loik Radzhabov (155) vs. Raush Manfio (155)

Light Heavyweight Bout

Omari Akhmedov (203.6) vs. Jordan Young (206)

Women’s Lightweight Bout

Julia Budd (154.6) vs. Kaitlyn Young (155.6)

Lightweight Bout

Don Madge (155.6) vs. Nathan Williams (155.4)

(Oct. 26, 2021) — British junior lightweight contender Archie “Sharpshooter” Sharp has designs on a world title shot, but he must keep his unbeaten record intact. Sharp, ranked No. 2 by the WBO, will defend his WBO Global belt in a 10-rounder this Friday, Oct. 29 at London’s York Hall against Alexis Boureima Kabore.
 
In the 10-round co-feature, Kazakh prodigy Tursynbay Kulakhmet will defend his WBC International 154-pound belt versus Dominican veteran Juan Carlos Abreu.
 
Sharp-Kabore and Kulakhmet-Abreu will top a bill streaming live and exclusively in the United States on ESPN+ at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT.
 
Sharp (20-0, 9 KOs) is a former WBO European belt-holder who fought on an ESPN+-streamed Michael Conlan/Carl Frampton doubleheader in August 2020, edging Jeff Ofori by a single point. He made his 2021 debut on July 10 and survived a pair of cuts to top Mexican upstart Diego Andrade Chavez via unanimous decision. Kabore (28-4, 7 KOs), from Burkina Faso, has fought the majority of his bouts in his home nation and is making his European debut against Sharp. He is a former African Union and WBC International champion at 122 pounds.
 
Kulakhmet (4-0, 3 KOs), a former amateur standout, won the WBC International belt in his second pro fight with a dominant decision over Macaulay McGowan. He defends that belt in his toughest test to date in Abreu (23-6-1, 21 KOs), a 10-year pro who has fought the likes of former world champion Humberto Soto, Jamal James, Jesus Soto Karass, Egidijus “Mean Machine” Kavaliauskas, Alexander Besputin and Jaron “Boots” Ennis.
 
In other streaming action on ESPN+:

• Junior middleweight prospect Jordan Reynolds (2-0) looks to make it three for three against Italy’s Rodolfo Paterno (2-4-2, 1 KO) in a six-rounder.
   
• Shiloh Defreitas, a Jamaican-born fighter who now resides in England, will make his pro debut in a six-round junior welterweight tilt against 123-fight veteran Fonz Alexander.
   
• Former Southern Area welterweight champion Sam Gilley (11-1, 5 KOs) hopes to rebound from his first career loss against Daniel Lartey (14-5-1, 12 KOs) in a six-rounder at junior middleweight.
   
• Dublin-born junior welterweight Pierce O’Leary (7-0, 3 KOs) will aim for his third KO in four fights against Siar Ozgul (15-6, 3 KOs) in an eight-rounder.

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 14.9 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).
 

Coventry, UK (26 October 2021) Big-hitter River Wilson Bent can’t wait to prove Coventry is anything but a Ghost Town by lifting the English title in the hometown of iconic band The Specials.

The marauding middleweight takes on Tyler Denny for the vacant 160 pound title at the Coventry Skydome Arena on Saturday, November 13, on the Hennessy All-Stars show, live and free on Channel 5

Bent’s showdown with Denny will be the 11th fight of his pro career but he knows winning the English belt will shoot him straight up Britain’s boxing charts like The Specials who recently hit number two in the vinyl albums chart with Protest Songs 1924-2012.

The legendary band from Coventry created the culturally ground-breaking 2-Tone sound, produced two number one hits and have recently finished touring more than 40 years after changing the British music scene with their unique blend of ska and punk music.

And Bent’s promoter Mick Hennessy is heavily investing in the boxing revival in Coventry by promoting at the Skydome Arena and bringing in Channel 5 cameras to the city with the aim of turning all-action hero Bent into a world champion

Exhall’s Bent, the former Midlands Area Champion, said: “I’ve lived in Coventry all my life and boxing hasn’t been thriving for a while, but it is now. I don’t think we’ve had that since people like Neil Simpson and Dean Pithie.

“But we are getting a new generation coming through and I am making the first stamp. The English title is the perfect step towards the British.

“I walk into one of the football songs, In Our Coventry Homes and We Live and Die in These Towns by another Coventry band, The Enemy, but I might do a little edit, who knows.

“Everyone in Coventry knows The Specials and what they’ve done. They all still talk about them and even the younger generations like me, know this is the home of 2-Tone. I don’t mind a bit of it, either.

“There will be a brilliant atmosphere at the Skydome. Expect fireworks. It will be like the city at 2the moment, buzzing.

“As for that one song, that was about the old Coventry. It’s nothing like that now. Coventry is no Ghost Town, I’m telling you!”

Bent (10-0, 5 KO’s) sees this English title scrap as a “genuine 50-50 fight” and readily admits that 32-year-old Denny (13-2-2) has more experience as a professional.

But with a huge home support behind him the 27-year-old expects to be much too young and have too much for his foe as he looks to do what The Specials last did in 1989 and reach number one in the UK.

He added: “Tyler boxed for the English title twice now and has lost both times, so it is going to be third time unlucky for him. It’s his last chance to get anywhere, so he will give it his all.

“This will move me in the right direction. I could’ve gone for one of those international belts but really I am chasing the British, so the English and win this and hopefully I become the mandatory.

“That’s the next step on my ladder so this is a very, very important fight. And I am going to win it.”

Shakan Pitters v Reece Cartwright for the Vacant WBC International Light-Heavyweight Championship headlines the triple-title card that includes a fiery midlands derby between Coventry hot-shot River Wilson-Bent against Rowley Regis rival Tyler Denny for the Vacant English Middleweight Championship. Red hot Irish middleweight sensation Aaron ‘The Silencer’ McKenna will challenge for his first championship title. Aaron’s joins older brother Stevie ‘The Hitman’ McKenna who is lighting up the welterweight division with his dynamic and KO performances. The rest of the Hennessy All Stars team will be out in full force starting with Brixton cruiserweight ace Isaac Chamberlain, welterweight ace Kaisee Benjamin, Birmingham super-middleweight Idris Virgo; Sevenoaks highly talented super-welterweight Michael Hennessy Jr.; undefeated County Donegal middleweight starlet Brett McGinty and unbeaten Brighton heavyweight destroyer Tommy Welch.

Presented by Hennessy Sports in association with William Hill, Infinitum, Numan and Everlast, tickets are priced at £45, £55, £90 and £120 and are available from https://iceaccount.co.uk/wbc-championship-boxing-info

For further information go to www.hennessysports.com or social media: Facebook @HennessySports, Twitter @HennessySports and Instagram @hennessysports

Wasserman Boxing and Probellum are delighted to announce a huge night of action on December 3 in Ilsenburg, Germany as Denis Radovan (14-0-1, 6 KOs) defends his IBF European Middleweight Title against former World Title Challenger Brian Rose (32-7-1, 8 KOs).
 
This is the first in a series of high-profile events that will take place in Germany following a ground breaking new partnership between powerhouse promoter Wasserman Boxing, formerly Team Sauerland, and major global boxing and media company Probellum that is set to galvanise German boxing.
 
Radovan, who is undefeated in fifteen professional contests, will make the first defence of the IBF belt he claimed with a unanimous points win over Nuhu Lawal in September 2020. The exciting fighter from Cologne can expect a tough test as he takes on former British champion and World Title Challenger Rose.
 
“I’m looking forward to getting back in the ring,” said Radovan. “My opponent is very experienced. He has fought at a high level and shared the ring with many world class boxers. I am expecting hard fight but I will be well prepared and ready to defend my title.”
 
“Following successful shows in Austria, England and Latvia in the last few weeks, we can’t wait to get things started again in Germany,” said promoter Kalle Sauerland. “This is the first of many events we will stage in partnership with Probellum that will help bring German boxing back to the glory days. Fans in Ilsenburg can look forward to an incredible night of boxing on December 3, full of great match ups, exciting fights and world class fighters.”
 
“This is what we hoped for from our partnership with Wasserman Boxing: the joint implementation of events that promise excitement and high-quality boxing,” said Richard Schaefer, President of Probellum. “I look forward to seeing rising German star Denis Radovan and further fights that will be announced soon. This is just the beginning of our new partnership; we look forward to many more events together with Wasserman Boxing.”
 
Tickets for December 3 in Ilsenburg go on sale tomorrow (Wednesday, October 27) and are available via www.eventim.de and www.reservix.de.

Here are quotes from today’s press conference . . .

ABIGAIL MONTES

I have been training really hard for this. Claressa in the world of boxing is who she is and there is no denying that and I am not going to sit here and say otherwise. But this is the world of MMA and this is something I have been training a long time for and have been really preparing myself for this opportunity. Every single weapon in my arsenal I am going to utilize in order to go after her as best that I can.

Every single trainer I have had are the best at what they do. I am using every effort to train and adapt all of their teachings so that I have the confidence to use everything that I have learned to really put it into action and this actions will speak for themselves. I can’t thank my trainers enough for all of the knowledge they have passed on. That’s why I am confident and I am ready.

I don’t know what will happen in the cage but I feel that I am prepared for anything.

I saw that Claressa made a lot of mistakes in her first MMA fight using Jiu Jitsu. While I can’t get overconfident, those mistakes that she made may happen again, so I just have to be ready for anything that she is ready to throw at me. Just because she is from the world of boxing and not Jiu Jitsu, I can’t bank on her making the same mistakes.

CLARESSA SHIELDS

In my last fight, she had a background in kickboxing and she also had amateur background in boxing and I thought we were very evenly matched. This fight, I am not taking her lightly.

I am 1-0 in MMA. I’m not 12-0. She has experience. She has a kickboxing background. I watched her fight and she takes girls down. She’s a ground and pound girl. She throws kicks. She throws punches and combinations and stuff. I have to be very alert for this fight. It is a different kind of fight. I am going for a very competitive fight and she is going to know she was in a fight. I need to not get messed up by her, and mess her up. We are very evenly matched. I’m not taking her lightly and I don’t think she is taking me lightly.

With the girls I train with, it is very exciting working with them (Holly Holme, Cyborg). I can say, ‘oh I should have done this or I should have done that.’ Instead of watching them and being confused. I’ve been learning on the job and getting better and better. I am being taught arm bars and being taught how to get out of them. I am doing really great at wrestling and learning how to get out of clinches and stuff like that. That stuff used to be confusing now I feel good at it.

I felt a part of MMA when I made my debut, now I feel a lot more because I know better. I am looking forward to showing the world that I am putting a lot of work in and I am better at Jiu Jitsu and better at wrestling and betting better at being a mixed martial artist overall. I’m just happy that I have a chance to do better. My team and I went back and watched the film and we have a great game plan.

Well, if I was 30 I wouldn’t be trying MMA. I am 26 so I have a lot of time to learn and I don’t have to rush myself. Next year I can fight in the PFL tourney at 27 and then 28. I think 2023 is the golden year – I will get the chance to get a lot of experience inside the cage and become a great fighter.

I let the right hand go in boxing just like I do in MMA. I just have to widen my stance a little bit to throw kicks. It’s a little different but fighting is fighting. In order to get a powerful punch you need to twist the boxing and you’ve got to have legs. Others I train with that came from boxing we have to remind ourselves ‘he we still have to use our hands.’

When I spar with MMA people, they have it up on e with their legs but I have an up on them with my hands. I have great sparring and we all challenge each other and learn from each other. Before my first MMA fight I would forget that I have legs. I was so used to defending myself with my hands in a fight and now I have to use my legs and sometimes I feel like my legs aren’t there and my partners are like ‘OMG, us too.’

MMA is hard, but boxing is hard also. People think boxers strike harder because MMA fighters can use the ground game but the truth is it’s all kind of equal. Boxers only use their hands and it’s great. But nobody wants to see people own the ground – they want to see punches. You need punches in both. You need punches in MMA and you need punches in boxing. The ground game is hard but if you’re being taught right, you will be good at it.

I was great at boxing and made a great career out of it. If I become PFL champion that will be great and I can be champion at both at the same time. I don’t think you can do combat sorts if you just like it – you have to LOVE fighting and if you don’t, you’re not going to last long.

I’m not thinking about Savannah Marshall. Savannah Marshall is thinking about me. After this, I have a boxing match in about a month. She also has a fight. When those are taken care of, then maybe we can talk about fighting each other.

It takes about a month for me to prepare for a fight. We can look at some tape of my opponent then get ready. My next fight is at 160 and this fight is at 155 so I don’t have to worry about weight. We will look at the girl, game plan and go from there.

I hear people say that Amanda Nunez and Cyborg have better hand than me but I know that I have the best hands. I think Cyborg could go to boxing but I don’t think the other girls could go to boxing and become champion.

Bare knuckles? I feel like the rules in boxing, the gloves, are put in place for fighters’ safety and head trauma would become a bigger issue.

I have proven myself over and over and over again and I never fought PPV on Showtime. I fought in a main event and I sold out arenas, but they won’t pay us even as men. We put on great fights that are entertaining – they see us as valuable but not as valuable as the men. Hopefully they will open their eyes.

Jake Paul? Please. I don’t know what world people live in that think a person that has no boxing background, a man who has not fought professionally, look, there are a lot of women in boxing that can beat up men, especially an average Joe like Jake Paul. If I was to spar Jake, which is all I would get because a real fight would be too embarrassing, right? But if we were to spar, I would use one hand – not even the banger – I’d use my (left) jab and I could out jab and hook and uppercut him and embarrass him. That’s how skilled I am. It’s not a shot at Jake, but he’s not as good a boxer as me. If you are, go to the Olympics and medal. I’ve sparred against those guys too – Olympic Gold Medallists, Silver Medallists – I’ve sparred against all of them. Those guys would destroy Jake just like I would. I box for real – not play stuff – I box for real.

About Professional Fighters League
Professional Fighters League (PFL) is the first and only to present MMA in the sports-season format where individual fighters compete in Regular Season, Playoffs, and Championship. PFL is the innovation leader with the PFL SmartCage delivering viewers on-screen fight analytics and real-time prop bets. The 2021 PFL Season began with 60 fighters in six weight divisions. The Playoffs commence with 24 fighters competing for 12 spots in the Championship event and one of six $1 million title purses. All PFL 2021 Playoff events are live in primetime on ESPN/ESPN2/ESPN+ in the U.S., as well as on leading broadcast and streaming outlets in 160 countries worldwide.

For more info visit www.PFLmma.com and follow PFL on Instagram (@PFLmma), Twitter (@PFLMMA), and Facebook (/PFLmma).

Los Angeles, CA (October 25, 2021) – Heralded featherweight prospect Jalan Walker remained undefeated with a 2nd round stoppage over 64-fight veteran Ernesto Guerrero on Friday night at The Celebrity Theater in Phoenix, Arizona.

Guerrero was game during the first round as he came out swinging. But the 19 year-old sent the 32 year old veteran to the floor with a vicious body shot, before blasting him with another hard body shot that put Guerrero down for a 2nd time and Guerrero did not get up.

The win raised Walker, of Los Angeles to 10-0-1 with nine knockouts. This was Walker’s fourth fight of 2021.

“My opponent was a tough veteran with over 60 fights, so this experience will serve me greatly in the years to come,” said Walker
Walker is managed by Rene Symonds and Clement Kwan of Waterfront Management, and is a promotional free agent.

SALEM, Mass. (October 25, 2021) — This past August in Portland, Maine, Reyes Boxing launched “Down & Dirty,” the only ongoing professional boxing series in New England, and it will make its Massachusetts debut this Friday night (Oct. 29) at Melrose Memorial Hall in Melrose, Massachusetts.

The second installment of “Down & Dirty,” presented by Reyes Boxing, will be headlined this Friday evening by Colombian Welterweight Champion Jeovanis “Meque” Barraza (22-1, 15 KOs) making his United States debut against Jorge “Tomatito” Martin Garcia (13-7-1, 6 KOs) in the 8-round main event between for the vacant ABF Continental Americas Super Welterweight Championship.

All the action will be streamed live and exclusively on pay-per-view at https://throwdownsports.com/programs/reyes-boxing-10-29-21, starting at 6:30 p.m. ET / 3:30 p.m. PT, for $29.95.

Reyes was a standout amateur boxer in Massachusetts, finishing with a 60-4 record, when he gave up boxing and enrolled in Norwich University, where he graduated in 2001 majoring in business and economics. He then spent six years as a U.S. Marine in military intelligence. After his military discharge, Reyes became a certified fitness and personal trainer, opening Reyes Boxing Club 2 ½ years ago in Salem, Massachusetts.

“I started managing some fighters I was training,” Reyes explained, “but realized about 1 ½ years ago that I needed to be a promoter to put fighters I trained on cards. ‘Down & Dirty’ is boxing, at least to me, and I wanted to let people know where we are at and what we’re doing.

“I feel New England has a big talent pool, but over the years it has dwindled. But it’s still here! We have boxers here who bring boxing back to where it was when people knew who New England fighters were. Our series is centered around young, talented fighters on the way up. We want to help them step up to the next level by giving them this platform. We’re streaming out shows live and working on a television partner.”

Reyes Boxing’s plan for 2022 is to promote shows in Maine, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Vermont, and Massachusetts.

“We’ve signed some local prospects and some veterans as well,” Reyes added. “I grew up watching Tuesday Night Fights and my dream is for this series to develop over the next few years into a weekly series on a major network.”

Boston lightweight prospect Jonathan Depina (5-1, 3 KOs) faces Gonzalo Carlos Deller (9-14, 7 KOs) in the 6-round co-featured event for the vacant ABF Mid-Atlantic Lightweight Championship.

ABF Atlantic Middleweight Champion Anthony “Big Daddy” Hines, fighting out of nearby Dorchester (a Boston district) makes his first defense versus challenger Fidel Montero Muñoz, a former Colombian Light Heavyweight Champion, in an 8-round bout.

Also fighting on the undercard, all in 4-rounders, is Lynn (MA) heavyweight Dennis Ventura (4-0, 3 KOs) vs, Vercell Webster (1-4-1, 1 KO), of Mississippi, New York super lightweight Brandon Idrogo (4-1, 4 KOs) vs. Virginian Stacey Anderson (0-7), undefeated New London (CT) lightweight prospect Alejandro “El Abusador” Paolino (4-0, 4 KOs) vs. Italian-born, Argentina resident Christian “El Nija” Danilo Guido (8-20, 6 KOs), Providence (RI) heavyweight Sean Bey (2-0, 2 KOs) vs. Utah’s pro-debuting Brandon Grundy, and Dracut (MA) lightweight Gabriel Morales )(2-0, 1 KO) vs. TBA.

Card is subject to change.

Tickets are priced at $75.00 (General Admission), $90.00 (Reserved), $125.00 (Ringside) and $250.00 VIP (dedicated server on stage) and available for purchase online at https://throwdownsports.com/programs/reyes-boxing-10-29-21 or directly from any of the participating boxers on this show. Limited tickets will be available at the door while they last.

Doors open at 6 p.m. ET, first bout at 6:30 p.m. ET.

New York (October 25, 2021)–Featherweight prospect Haven Brady Jr. remained perfect by pounding out a four-round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Roberto Negrete in a bout that took place at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.

The 19 year-old Brady is managed by Split-T Management.

Brady landed the more accurate punches and controlled most of the action against hard charging Negrete. Brady used his ring IQ to set up solid combinations, and won by scores of 40-36 on all cards.

Brady of Albany, Georgia is now 4-0. Negrete falls to 3-1.

Brady began boxing at the age of 12 because he wanted to do something different and be involved with a solo sport. He also wanted to learn to defend himself.

That spawned an amateur career that saw him go 65-10 with 30 knockouts. Besides winning the Jr. Nationals, Brady won the 2019 Eastern Qualifiers and 2019 Jr. National PAL.

The bout was streamed live on ESPN+.

Brady is promoted by Top Rank.