VIDEO: King’s Promotions Press Conference for September 10th Fight card




WBA World Champion Yordenis Ugás Honored with the “Key to the City” of Miami by Mayor Francis Suarez

MIAMI – September 7, 2021 – WBA Welterweight World Champion Yordenis Ugás was honored with the “Key to the City” of Miami by Mayor Francis Suarez this afternoon during a ceremony at Mayor Suarez’s office.

Ugás defeated legendary eight-division world champion and Philippine Senator Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao on August 21, 2021, to retain his title in a fight viewed by millions around the world.

“Ugás could have used that platform to talk about himself,” said Mayor Suarez. “Instead, he highlighted the oppression, the brutal dictatorship in Cuba. That’s something that we have to be eternally grateful for.

“He is more, in that sense, an activist than he is a fighter. And I think that’s really impressive. I knew at that moment that I had to invite him and give him the key to the city. He earned it.”

“It brings me great joy that I was presented with the Key to the City of Miami by Mayor Suarez,” said Ugás. “I had a great victory against a boxing legend like Manny Pacquiao and I was able to bring attention to the oppression my people back home in Cuba are dealing with.

“I will always fight for freedom, not only for my countrymen in Cuba, but those being oppressed all over the world. I’m grateful to all my fans who have been with me from the beginning. Today was a great day from me and I will forever be thankful.”

Ugás joins a select club of elite athletes that have received this distinction in South Florida, making his place among luminaries and past recipients such as Florida Marlins pitcher and World Series champion Livan Hernández, NBA Champions Dwyane Wade and Shaquille O´Neal, global music superstars Shakira and Jennifer López, and actor Will Smith among others that have been honored through the years.




Donald J. Trump, the 45th President of the United States, to HOST AND COMMENTATE for EVANDER HOLYFIELD’S “RETURN TO THE RING

Hollywood, FL (September 7, 2021) – FITE has announced Donald J. Trump, the 45th President of the United States will provide guest commentary in a never-before-seen live event from the Hard Rock in Hollywood, Florida SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 on Pay-Per-View and FITE.  

DUBBED “NO HOLDS BARRED”: PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP TO GIVE AN UNFILTERED BOXING COMMENTARY LIVE FROM THE HARDROCK IN FLORIDA, AIRING ON FITE.

Former Cruiserweight and Heavyweight Undisputed World Champion, EVANDER “THE REAL DEAL” HOLYFIELD makes his comeback fight in a heavyweight battle against UFC Heavyweight World Champion VITOR “THE PHENOM” BELFORT 

Holyfield, who is considered to be the best pound-for-pound Heavyweight Champion alive today, squares off against Former Heavyweight UFC Champion Belfort who still holds the record for most knockouts in UFC history. Also featured is ANDERSON “SPIDER” SILVA fighting “THE HUNTINGTON BEACH BAD BOY” TITO ORTIZ in a professional boxing bout, DAVID “THE HAYMAKER” HAYE also making a professional comeback versus JOE “THE BILLIONAIRE” FOURNIER, followed by ANDY VENCES vs. JONO CARROLL. 

“I love great fighters and great fights. I look forward to seeing both this Saturday night and sharing my thoughts ringside. You won’t want to miss this special event,” said President Donald J. Trump. 

The FREEVIEW window starts on Saturday, September 11 at 6:00 p.m. ET / 3:00 p.m. PT with the Triller Fight Club Pay-Per-View commencing at 7:00 p.m. ET 4:00 p.m. PT. The Pay-Per-View is priced at $49.99 in North America and £13.99 in the UK. Purchasers can use this Direct Link through FITE.TV.  

Additionally, performing LIVE between fights will be Brazilian Pop-Superstar ANITTA, Cuban super-group GENTE DE ZONA and Latino superstar LUNAY.

How to Order: For worldwide live PPV streaming, go to TRILLERFIGHTCLUB.com or FITE or any FITE OTT/Smart TV/mobile apps, or order the event from your local cable/satellite and iNDEMAND partner throughout the USA and Canada.




Friday Punch in Paris: Tony Yoka-Peter Milas Heavyweight Showdown Headlines Afternoon of Fights Live and Exclusively on ESPN+

(September 7, 2021) —Heavyweight contender Tony Yoka, the Paris native who won Olympic gold for France in 2016, returns home for a historic night at the fights. Yoka will face fellow unbeaten Peter Milas in a 10-rounder this Friday, Sept. 10 at Roland Garros, site of the French Open. This marks the first boxing event to take place at the famed tennis venue since 1973.
 
Yoka-Milas will headline a scheduled three-fight card streaming live and exclusively in the United States on ESPN+ starting at 2:45 p.m. ET/11:45 a.m. PT. Top Rank-signed prospect Hugo “The Fresh Prince of Monaco” Micallef will make his pro debut on the card in a four-round welterweight bout against Ezequiel Gregores (2-2, 0 KOs). Highlights of Micallef’s fight will be shown on the stream.
 
Yoka (10-0, 8 KOs) turned pro in April 2017 and stepped up early with wins over the likes of Jonnie Rice, David Allen and former European champion Alexander Dimitrenko. He went 2-0 in 2020, including a first-round knockout over former world title challenger Johann Duhaupas. Yoka made his 2021 debut in March and knocked out Belgian native Joel Tambwe Djeko to pick up the European Union title. Milas (15-0, 11 KOs), from Split, Croatia, has fought most of his pro career in Germany. He’s picked up standout victories over durable spoiler Kevin “Kingpin” Johnson and former world title challenger Francesco Pianeta.
 
In other action streaming on ESPN+:

  • In a 12-round tilt for the vacant European Union light heavyweight title, former world title challenger Igor Mikhalkin (24-2, 11 KOs) looks to extend his winning streak to four against French 2016 Olympic bronze medalist Mathieu Bauderlique (20-1, 11 KOs). Bauderlique has won eight straight fights since a shocking first-round knockout loss.
     
  • Souleymane Cissokho (13-0, 8 KOs), who earned a bronze medal for France at the 2016 Rio Olympics, will make the first defense of his WBA Intercontinental super welterweight strap against Russian veteran Ismail Iliev (13-2-1, 3 KOs). Cissokho won the belt in May with a split decision over Kieron Conway on the Canelo Alvarez-Billy Joe Saunders undercard.

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).




EVANDER HOLYFIELD TO FIGHT ‘THE PHENOM’, UFC LEGEND VITOR BELFORT PLUS, POST-FIGHT VERZUZ BATTLE WITH EXCITING ARTISTS TO BE ANNOUNCED

Hollywood, FL (September 6, 2021) TRILLER FIGHT CLUB has announced the LEGENDS II EVANDER HOLYFIELD COMEBACK FIGHT set for SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, from Hard Rock LIVE at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, FL and LIVE on Pay-Per-View.

Former Cruiserweight and Heavyweight Undisputed World Champion, EVANDER ‘THE REAL DEAL’ HOLYFIELD will battle Former UFC Heavyweight World Champion VITOR ‘THE PHENOM’ BELFORT in an eight-round clash. Holyfield considered to be the best Pound-for-Pound Heavyweight Champion alive today, squares off against Former Heavyweight UFC Champion Belfort who still holds the record for most knockouts in UFC history.

Advance tickets starting at $81 are NOW-ON-SALE and may be purchased at Ticketmaster.com or at this LIVE Event Link! Hard Rock LIVE at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino is located at 1 Seminole Way in Hollywood, FL, 33314. Doors will open on the evening of the event at 6:00 p.m. ET.

The FREEVIEW window starts on Saturday, September 11 at 6:00 p.m. ET / 3:00 p.m. PT with the Triller Fight Club Pay-Per-View commencing at 7:00 p.m. ET 4:00 p.m. PT. The Pay-Per-View is priced at $49.99 in North America and £9.99 ($13.99) in the UK. Purchasers can use this Direct Link  through FITE.TV.

TRILLER breaks the mold plain and simple. This event brings together the worlds of boxing, MMA, music, hip hop and four quadrants. Boys, girls, ladies and gentlemen; this is not your father’s Oldsmobile,” said Triller’s RYAN KAVANAUGH.

“Evander Holyfield is in better shape today than when he last fought and this heavyweight bout is sure to be something for the history books,” continued Kavanaugh.

After record breaking events with the return of MIKE TYSON last year, which shattered PPV records and set the platform for JAKE PAUL, who knocked out NATE ROBINSON; TRILLER FIGHT CLUB followed up with another record breaking PPV which ended with JAKE PAUL knocking out BEN ASKREN in the first round.

With one of the most exciting cards in the history of Combat Sports, also featured is

ANDERSON ‘SPIDER’ SILVA fighting ‘THE HUNTINGTON BEACH BAD BOY TITO ORTIZ in a professional boxing bout, DAVID ‘THE HAYMAKER’ HAYE also making a pro comeback versus JOE ‘THE BILLIONAIRE’ FOURNIER followed by ANDY ‘EL TIBURON’ VENCES vs. JONO ‘KING KONG’ CARROLL.

“To make sure the whole world has a chance to watch we’ve implemented a program where viewers can also get the PPV for free. Text “Fight” to 75303 for into on how to get the fight for free,” said MAHI DE SILVA, CEO of TRILLER.

Additionally, performing LIVE between fights will be Brazilian Pop-Superstar ANiTTA, Cuban super-group GENTE DE ZONA and Latino superstar LUNAY along with a fantastic post-fight event featuring an amazing VERZUZ BATTLE to be announced shortly.

“September 11 will be an extraordinary, once-in-a-lifetime event of world class professional boxing and outstanding music,” said NIGEL LYTHGOE the visionary and producer of LEGENDS II. 

One of the most successful boxers in history, Holyfield is the only fighter to reign as the Undisputed Cruiserweight World Champion and Undisputed Heavyweight World Champion in the three-belt era and was the first boxer to hold world titles in three different decades.

The Three-Time Heavyweight World Champion who was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2015 was victorious over numerous other champions in his career including Mike Tyson (twice), Riddick Bowe, George Foreman, Larry Holmes, Buster Douglas, Hasim Rahman, Michael Moorer, John Ruiz, Francois Botha and Dwight Muhammad Qawi (twice).

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Co-featured at LEGENDS II, UFC Legends, ANDERSON ‘THE SPIDER’ SILVA from Sao Paolo, Brazil and ‘THE HUNTINGTON BEACH BAD BOY’ TITO ORTIZ will clash in an eight-round cruiserweight boxing match for combat sports supremacy.

Also, at LEGENDS II, Former Heavyweight and Cruiserweight World Champion DAVID ‘THE HAYEMAKER’ HAYE will face off against JOE FOURNIER in a scheduled eight-round heavyweight battle.

Additionally, in a highly anticipated super featherweight 10-rounder, ANDY ‘El TIBURON’ VENCES, (23-2-1, 12 KOs), of San Jose, CA will challenge Ireland’s JONO ‘KING KONG’ CARROLL, (19-2-1, 5 KOs).

How to Order: For worldwide live PPV streaming, go to TRILLERFIGHTCLUB.com or FITE or any FITE OTT/Smart TV/mobile apps, or order the event from your local cable/satellite and iNDEMAND partner throughout the USA and Canada.

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iNDemand, the leading transactional video-on-demand and PPV programming provider in North America, will serve as the exclusive U.S. and Canadian cable, satellite, and telco PPV provider for the De La Hoya vs. Belfort fight. Fans will be able to order the event on PPV through their existing cable, satellite, and telco PPV providers across the U.S., including Xfinity, Spectrum, Contour, Fios, and Optimum, among others and from leading operators in Canada.

LEGENDS II will be broadcast globally on FITE, iNDemand and through all leading Cable, Satellite and Telco Providers in the U.S. and Canada. The suggested PPV retail price is $49.99.

**HOW TO WATCH THE SEPTEMBER 11, 2021, TRILLER PPV EVENT**

TV: Cable, satellite & telco PPV providers, including Xfinity, Spectrum, Contour, Fios, and Optimum (U.S.), among others, as well as leading operators in Canada.

Worldwide Streaming: FITE.TV and all FITE mobile, Smart TV, IPTV, game controller and OTT apps as well as the event microsite hub: TrillerFightClub

LEGENDS II is the second event Triller Fight Club has promoted at STAPLES Center, the first being Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. on November 28, 2020. The fight was boxing’s biggest pay-per-view event of the year garnering over 1.6 million buys.

FITE, the world’s premier streaming PPV platform for sports and entertainment recently acquired by TrillerNet, will handle worldwide live pay-per-view streaming distribution online for the September 11 event, and via FITE mobile and Smart TV apps, game controllers and all major OTT devices as well as power TrillerFightClub.com.

About TrillerNet:

FITE and Triller Fight Club are owned by TrillerNet, a first-of-its-kind company consolidating technology and content platforms to lead the move to Internet 3.0. TrillerNet pairs the culture of music with sports, fashion, entertainment and influencers through a 360-degree view of content and technology. TrillerNet—which owns the globally popular Triller app used by musicians, celebrities, athletes, and overall culture setters—has more than 300 million users worldwide. The Triller app—unlike other popular short-video apps it is often compared to, encourages its users to post the content created on the app across other social media platforms and websites. The app uses proprietary AI and Machine Learning technology which is uniquely tied to the content rather than the user. By tracking the content, Triller empowers its tastemakers and users to push their content virally to affiliated and non-affiliated sites and networks reaching hundreds of millions of additional users. Data and insights gleaned from the Triller network, its creators, artists and users (from the app and off network) are used to program longer-form content, connect users across the web with the content, and provide unprecedented opportunities for engagement and monetization. TrillerNet has developed highly successful campaigns that begin with the app and continue throughout the entire content and technology ecosystem with some of the biggest brands in the world, including Pepsi, McDonalds, Weedmaps, DraftKings, L’Oreal, and many others. TrillerNet offers brands a unique content and technology solution, including direct deals with the influencers and celebrities. This branded content journey starts with short-form video and can easily expand into valuable long-form content distributed through the Triller Network, such as live-event boxing and music PPVs, fashion shows, and episodic reality content on TrillerTV. Some of the more than 65 original half-hour TrillerTV shows include The D’Amelios Family’s “Ask a DAM Question,” Jennifer Lopez In The Morning, Jake Paul: Staying On Top, 2 Chainz Let’s Do It, DJ Khaled’s Spreading Love, Hype House’s Thomas Petrou’s Coffee Talks, Josh Richards’ Josh Pong, Ur Lov’d: the Noah Beck Show, Fat Joe’s Masterclass, The Perez Hilton Show, and Violet Benson’s Too Tired To Be Crazy, among others. TrillerNet additionally owns Verzuz, the massive live-stream music platform launched by Swizz Beatz and Timbaland, and Triller Fight Club (www.TrillerFightClub.com), which launched last year with the highly successful Tyson-Jones Fight which shattered digital PPV records. Other holdings include leading AI-powered customer engagement platform Amplify.ai, and FITE, the premier live event and PPV, AVOD, SVOD streaming platform.

This marks the third time that FITE, iNDemand and Triller will have partnered to bring value-packed, world-class PPV events to boxing, music, and entertainment fans. iNDemand also served as the cable, satellite, and telco PPV distributor for Triller Fight Club’s November 2020 Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. event (which landed as the 8th best PPV event of all time), as well as the April 17, 2021 Jake Paul vs. Ben Askren event. FITE handled global digital sales for both events and powered the TysononTriller and TrillerFightClub sites.

Fans outside North America can check the FITE link at https://www.fite.tv/watch/evander-holyfield-vs-vitor-belfort/2p9su/

About FITE:

FITE is the premium global platform for live sports and entertainment offering many of the industry’s marquee PPV events and SVOD packages with over 5MM registered users. FITE is available worldwide through its iOS, Android and Huawei mobile apps, as well as via Apple TV, Android TV, ROKU, and Amazon Fire TV OTT streaming apps. In addition, FITE supports Shaw Communications’ Blue Curve IPTV, LG, Samsung, Vizio SmartCast™, Cox Contour and the Contour Streaming Player, Foxxum, Chromecast, PS4, XBOX, ZEASN, Comcast’s Xfinity X1 and Xfinity Flex, Netrange, Vidaa/Hisense, VEWD, Netgem TV, Virgin Media, as well as over 7,000 models of Smart TVs. Available online at www.FITE.tv. FITE is owned by TrillerNet.

 FITE: It’s ON. Follow us on Twitter, InstagramYouTubeLinkedIN, and Facebook

About iNDemand:

iNDemand is an innovative partnership between three of the leading cable companies in the U.S.—Charter Communications, Comcast Cable, and Cox Communications. iNDemand is a company of trusted content aggregators and licensing experts, with unparalleled technical expertise and long-standing relationships with MVPDs, major sports leagues, Hollywood studios, and other entertainment and sports companies across North America. iNDemand delivers great content to more than 80 million homes and has distribution deals with more than 150 companies. For more information, go to indemand.com.

FOLLOW TRILLER FIGHT CLUB AND VERZUZ

Triller Fight Club

Instagram: @Triller, @TrillerFightClub

Twitter: @Triller, @TrillerFight

Facebook: @TrillerFightClub

Website www.Triller.co 

Verzuz

Instagram: @VerzuzTV

Twitter: @VerzuzOnline

Facebook: @Verzuz




“Blonde Bomber” Ebanie Bridges Continues Winning Ways in the UK

NEW YORK (September 6, 2021) – “The Blonde Bomber” Ebanie Bridges won a hard-fought decision over French Bantamweight Champion Mailys Gangloff on Saturday in Leeds, England. Bridges, who was fighting just four weeks after her 3rd round stoppage over Bec Connolly, stepped in the ring sporting the Leeds colors of White, Blue, and Yellow to a wonderful ovation from the fans in attendance.

Coming forward behind a tight guard from the get-go, Bridges appeared to injure her right hand early in the bout and later endured swelling around her right eye – perhaps a remnant of her hard fought battle against Shannon Courtenay this past April. Bridges was forced to bite down and tough it out through eight rounds against a very fit and competitive opponent in Gangloff. Bridges ultimately prevailed, winning by a referee score of 77-76 to raise her record to 7-1.

Bridges’ hand was visibly swollen after the fight with X-rays revealing significant bruising in her hand. The injury will undoubtedly take some time to heal, but when she is back Bridges will be looking to step up into the type of fights that will excite her now global fanbase – likely including a rematch with WBA Bantamweight champion Courtenay.

Bridges is represented by Split-T Management under Split-T’s own Brian Cohen.

Devon Young score 1st round KO in Debut

Young, 23 years-old of Aiken, South Carolina, took out Kenneth Thomas in the opening round in Columbia, South Carolina.

Young compiled an impressive 42-12 mark as an amateur.

As an amateur fighter, Young made it to the 2020 Olympic Trials, and was a Western qualifier champion in 2017 & 2018, and the 2015 Youth Open Champion. He also was a 2014 Junior Olympic champion.

Young has the distinction as being the last American fighter to defeat Olympic Silver Medal winner Super Heavyweight, Richard Torrez




FRIDAY: Xander Zayas-Jose Luis Sanchez & Raymond Muratalla-Jose Angulo Added to Oscar Valdez-Robson Conceição Bill in Tucson

TUCSON, Ariz. (September 6, 2021) — Puerto Rico’s next superstar hopes to break through with a statement-making performance under the desert sun. Xander Zayas, the 19-year-old puncher from San Juan, will step up in class when he meets Jose Luis Sanchez in a six-round junior middleweight bout this Friday, Sept. 10 at the AVA Amphitheater at Casino Del Sol in Tucson, Arizona.
 
Zayas-Sanchez and an eight-round lightweight battle between the unbeaten Raymond “Danger” Muratalla and Ecuador’s Jose Angulo will be part of the undercard of Oscar Valdez’s WBC super featherweight world title defense against unbeaten Brazilian Robson Conceição. 
 
The undercard, which also includes WBO flyweight world champion Junto Nakatani’s title defense against Angel “Tito” Acosta, will stream live and exclusively on ESPN+ at 5:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. PT. ESPN+ will also stream Valdez-Conceição and a 10-round junior lightweight showdown between Gabriel Flores Jr. and Luis Alberto Lopez starting at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

Promoted by Top Rank, limited tickets priced at $25 are on sale now and can be purchased by visiting Etix.com.
 
Zayas (9-0, 7 KOs) has emerged as one of the sport’s top prospects since debuting as a 17-year-old in October 2019. He fought four times in 2020 and has already fought three times in 2021. He shut out James Martin over six rounds in February, blasted out Demarcus Layton in 56 seconds in April, and followed that up with a third-round demolition over Irish veteran Larry Fryers in June. The Fryers fight was Zayas’ welterweight finale, as he’s testing the junior middleweight waters versus Albuquerque native Sanchez (11-1-1, 4 KOs), who is coming off a draw in May against respected spoiler Adrian Granados. Sanchez has not lost since 2013.
 
Muratalla (12-0, 10 KOs), a Robert Garcia-trained Southern California native, has notched seven consecutive knockout wins. The 24-year-old shined a pair of times last year inside the MGM Grand Las Vegas Bubble and stood out in May on the Josh Taylor-Jose Ramirez undercard with a fifth-round knockout over 30-fight veteran Jose Gallegos. Angulo (14-2, 7 KOs) has won two straight fights since a majority decision defeat to then-unbeaten prospect Alejandro Guerrero.  
 
In other undercard action on ESPN+:

  • 2016 Mexican Olympian Lindolfo Delgado (12-0, 11 KOs), who made his Top Rank debut June 19 with a unanimous decision over Salvador Briceno, returns against Miguel Zamudio (45-16-1, 28 KOs) in an eight-rounder at junior welterweight.
     
  • René Telléz Girón (15-1, 9 KOs), who owns a December 2019 knockout victory over top prospect Karlos Balderas, will face Texas native Eduardo Garza (15-4-1, 8 KOs) in an eight-rounder at junior lightweight. Giron has fought once since the Balderas triumph, knocking out Guadalupe Acosta Rodriguez last November in seven rounds.
     
  • Mexican junior welterweight knockout artist Omar “Pollo” Aguilar (21-0, 20 KOs) will step up in class against Paraguay’s Carlos Manuel Portillo (22-3, 17 KOs) in an eight-rounder. Aguilar has 15 first-round knockouts on his ledger and has not been extended past three rounds since December 2018.
     
  • Tucson’s Jose “Fosforito” Ramirez will make his official pro debut against fellow Arizona native Miguel Ceballos (2-0, 2 KOs) in a four-rounder at junior featherweight. 

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).




MAXI HUGHES SIGNS WITH MATCHROOM

Newly-crowned IBO Lightweight World Champion Maxi Hughes has signed a multi-fight promotional deal with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing. 

In the form of his life, Yorkshire’s Hughes (24-5-2, 5 KOs) upset the odds to outclass Jovanni Straffon over 12 rounds at Emerald Headingley Stadium in Leeds on Saturday to wrestle the IBO 135lbs crown from the heavy-handed Mexican. 

Many thought Straffon’s power would be a key factor, but ‘Maximus’ looked the more powerful out of the pair as he came so close to forcing a stoppage in round five, eventually taking the fight with wide scores of 120-107, 120-107 and 119-109 on the judges’ cards. 

Hughes has now won the WBC International, British and IBO Lightweight Titles in his four fights since lockdown, being the better underdog in three of them, and the 31-year-old who is trained by Sean O’Hagan and managed by Stefy Bull has his sights set on a showdown with undefeated WBC Lightweight World Champion Devin Haney.

“Matchroom have provided so many opportunities for fighters, past and present, and to know those opportunities will be heading my way is all I could ask for,” said Hughes. “The victory wasn’t a surprise, not to me anyway, given the preparation I’d put in and the time we had spent tailoring our approach to deal with someone like Straffon. But to win every round and to feel that comfortable feels pretty epic in front of a Yorkshire crowd.

“It’s a pleasure to share a card with that amount of boxing talent and the fact that people think my performance stole the show feels unreal. I’m just glad I got to showcase my skills and make my team and family proud. I only spend a short time reflecting after any fight with Sean and the team, but after that I move on and we agree what step we take next. I’ll reflect properly on my achievements when I retire. I don’t intend to get too drunk on my own success.

“I’ve been on the domestic scene since Scotty Cardle and I fought him back in 2013. I’ve mixed it with the best British and European talent that was there at the time. Boxing careers don’t last forever so my hope is that Matchroom can deliver bigger fights than any of those I’ve had so far, to capitalise on my recent success.

“I’ve already spoken about Devin Haney simply because his opponents seems to be evading him. I might not be the ‘name’ he wants, but I’m game and willing to fight. If that doesn’t come off, then I’m only looking forward in the rankings. I’ll take whatever comes my way.”

“I’m delighted to welcome the ‘Cinderella Southpaw’ Maxi Hughes to the Matchroom Boxing team,” said Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn. “It’s been an incredible year that has seen Maxi inflict shock upsets and incredible performances as he went on to pick up a piece of the 135lbs division on Saturday night. We feel there are plenty of more chapters left in this incredible story and we look forward to some big nights ahead live on DAZN.”

You can follow Hughes’ journey on Instagram: maxihughes and Twitter: BOXERMAXIHUGHES




TOMMY WELCH: “I WAS BORN WITH DAD’S BIG HEART AND BIG BALLS!”

London, UK (6 September 2021) Rising Brighton heavyweight destroyer Tommy Welch believes his genetics, coupled with an insatiable work ethic, will allow him to extend his family’s formidable fighting legacy.

Dad Scott, the original ‘Brighton Rock’, captured British and Commonwealth heavyweight titles and lasted the full course in a bold WBO world title challenge to Henry Akinwande in the 1990s and tenacious Tommy, a multiple national champion and England rep as an amateur, hopes to replicate.

‘Today Dad guides, trains, manages, does everything,’ says the Shoreham-born 26 year old who has triumphed in all four pro starts since debuting last December.

‘He has taught me everything he knew plus what he didn’t know but has learned since. I was born with his big heart and big balls, his natural aggression and skills. One time he taught me tough love. I was ballsy: ‘Lets go!’ and, playing about, he flicked me with a body shot that nearly broke me in half!

‘I was only four when Dad retired but I’ve vague memories of him coming home cut and bruised after big fights,’ continued the 6ft 3 ½in, 234lb colossus who works in the family’s care home business.

‘Dad was certainly responsible for getting me into the world of training. It’s a really lovely part of the country down here but we still have our bad streets and bad gyms and lots of the tough kids in the area trained at his gym. Dad tried to encourage the boxing but I just didn’t want to do it.

‘From the age of eight onwards, I was always happy to spar in the back garden and, by age 11, I was sparring grown men. I was always a big kid, I really liked fighting, just didn’t enjoy the other aspects of boxing training. Initially I found my feet in rugby, a very tough sport, lots of fighting on and off the pitch and I enjoyed the thrill of that. I was a temperamental boy, an angry kid with a terrible temper. Once I saw a red rag, I’d fight as hard as I could.’

Eventually, inevitably, he was bitten by the boxing bug.

‘Once boxing gets a hold of you, you can’t shake it off. It’s the respect you get from people when they know you’re a fighter,’ says Tommy who is co-coached by ex-Marine Ben Pringle at the same Brighton and Hove ABC gym where his father broke sweat.

‘Growing up, I generally tried to be a polite, respectful kid – I was the class joker – but it wasn’t always easy being Scott Welch’s boy. There’s always people who’ll try to cross you and, as a fighting man, you can’t shy away. You have to look after yourself, protect yourself.

‘I had my first sanctioned bout when I was a 91 kilo 14 year old against a 15 year old who was 103 kilos. I lost a home decision. Everyone thought I won. The hall was an absolute war zone; the type that can make or break you. Dad lost his first amateur fight too so I’m in good company.’

Since launching himself into the paid brigade late last year, walloper Welch has ruthlessly dispatched all four victims in six rounds combined.

‘The amateurs is pure sport but professional boxing has been tougher than I expected,’ he claims.

‘Its very business orientated and Dad’s name has proved an advantage in getting me on different shows when other boys haven’t been fighting, so I’m blessed there. The Welch name rings bells but I’m not getting my respect yet. Others at my level already have more hype but they’re pretty average.

‘Dad was a smaller man than me but he was a fast heavyweight and a real roughhouse. I’m naturally more of a boxer but I prefer to fight. At the level I’m at, it’s not about being tough and taking shots. It’s defence, defence, defence, then attack, pick ‘em apart.

‘I see my job being to win, in and out, quick as you can. not please others. Boxing’s a very damaging sport. If journeymen invite me in, I accept and destroy them.

‘I can always hone my skills in the 20 rounds of sparring I do in a day. I’ve sparred the likes of Dubois, Chisora, Dillian Whyte, Fabio Wardley. Top level. The better sparring opposition, the better you can practice your work to be fully ready for your fights.’

Young Welch shall profit from crucial nationwide free-to-air Channel 5 coverage on Saturday 10th September of his four rounder against Spain’s Alvaro Terrero on promoter Mick Hennessy’s mega show from the Coventry Skydome Arena.

‘Fans can expect to witness explosions with skill,’ concludes the Sussex starlet.

‘Over the next 12 months I hope to get to 10-0, and slowly, slowly start moving up to six, eight round fights against tougher opposition before gratefully accepting whatever opportunities may come my way.

‘My goal is to become a respected man through boxing, hopefully with a lot of money and a few belts for the cabinet. I want the best career I can possibly have for myself.’

Remaining tickets are available to purchase from the Coventry Skydome Arena website https://iceaccount.co.uk/championship-boxing

Sam Eggington’s WBC Silver Middleweight title defence against unbeaten French star Bilel Jkitou headlines an action packed card Hennessy All-Stars featuring some of the stars from the promoter’s stable including big-hitting Brixton star Isaac Chamberlain; Irish KO king Stevie McKenna faces France’s Moussa Gary over six rounds ; Birmingham’s Former British Light-Heavyweight Champion Shakan Pitters tackles Holland’s Farouk Daku over eight rounds; Coventry’s dynamite-punching middleweight sensation River Wilson-Bent takes on Bosnian hardman Sladjan Janjanin in a 10-round international contest, Birmingham welterweight ace Kaisee Benjamin battles Finland’s Jarkko Putkonen over ten rounds; Birmingham’s flash and brash Love Island and super-middleweight star Idris Virgo takes on the Czech Republic’s Michal Ryba over six rounds; red-hot Irish super-welterweight talent Brett McGinty faces Lithuania’s Lukas Ulys over four rounds; Brighton heavyweight destroyer Tommy Welch squares up against Spain’s Alvaro Terrero over four rounds and completing the card is the silky skilled Sevenoaks prospect Michael Hennessy Jr. against Latvian Maksims Dembovskis.

ITV Central feature | Michelin starred chef Glynn Purnell gives a masterclass in cooking with Sam Eggington, Shakan Pitters, Kaisee Benjamin and River Wilson-Bent
MEDIA EVENTS
Wednesday 8th September: Press Conference

Samoan Joe’s
Spon Street
Coventry
CV1 3BB
Time: 1.30pm for a 2pm start

In attendance will be Sam Eggington-Bilel Jkitou and the undercard boxers’ will meet head-to-head with their opponents: River Wilson, Isaac Chamberlain, Stevie McKenna, Shakan Pitters, Kaisee Benjamin, Idris Virgo, Michael Hennessy Jr., Brett McGinty and Tommy Welch.

One-one-interviews and photo opportunities will be available.


Thursday 9th September: Weigh-in

Samoan Joe’s
(Address as above)
Time: 12.30pm for a 1pm start

All boxers’ will officially weigh-in for their contests.




FORMER STRIKER JKITOU SAYS HE’LL BEAT EGGINGTON ON FRIDAY NIGHT AND TURN OUT FOR COVENTRY CITY ON SATURDAY!

London, UK (6 September 2021) Former striker Bilel Jkitou has offered to play up front for Coventry City FC this Saturday after he has beaten WBC Silver Middleweight Champion Sam Eggington the night before.

And the unbeaten French hitman has the backing of his superstar friend the Real Madrid and France striker Karim Benzema.

Jkitou challenges Eggington for his crown at the Coventry Skydome Arena this Friday night, but the former Red Star forward is happy to swap his gloves for boots again and turn out at home for the Sky Blues, who are 7th in the Championship, against Middlesborough.

Before Jkitou switched to professional boxing he played as a striker for Red Star, the oldest league football club in Paris, and the sharpshooter scored 15 times in one season.

He has equalled his football prowess in the squared circle with an unbeaten 15-fight record and 6 knockouts and has captured the WBC Mediterranean Middleweight title as he heads into the biggest fight of his career against the Birmingham ‘Savage’ Eggington.

The 29-year-old has been in top form with back-to-back KO’s in his last three fights. In his last fight in March he destroyed Gyorgy Mizsei inside two rounds; prior to that in February last year he smashed Felice Moncelli in the opening round and Ernesto Olvera was despatched in eight rounds in October 2019.

Jkitou said, “It was a real pleasure for me to play and grow at Red Star, a club so prestigious in France for its level and its history. I scored about 15 goals in one season at Red Star. When I beat Eggington and take his title and while I’m still in the city before I go home I’d be happy to help out Coventry City against Middlesbrough

“Karim wanted to come to see the fight but with the Covid and the fact that he plays often complicates matters. Karim and I met on social networks he is passionate about boxing, he liked what I did and he wrote to me and since then our friendship is very healthy, we give advice to each other, we encourage each other. I also had to go see him in Madrid but the Covid has complicated all these trips, but it will be done very soon. Regarding the fight against Sam he encouraged me to win,”

He has also played alongside some other big French stars including former Spurs and Marseille winger Georges-Kévin Nkoudou.

He added, “I played with Nkoudou who played at Marseille and for Spurs in England, who now plays at Be?ikta?. Yacine Bammou who played in Nantes and with the national team of Morocco. I played with Abdoulaye Diaby who played in Lille, Bruges, Be?ikta?. Mario Lemina, he is also a friend, we come from the same neighbourhood.”

Jkitou says he has transferred all the qualities of a striker such as accuracy, speed, strength and confidence to being a boxer and will use them to defeat against Eggington. He finished, “Yes exactly I am a striker in football but also in boxing and you will see that on September 10 in Coventry.”

Remaining tickets are available to purchase from the Coventry Skydome Arena website https://iceaccount.co.uk/championship-boxing

Sam Eggington’s WBC Silver Middleweight title defence against unbeaten French star Bilel Jkitou headlines an action packed card Hennessy All-Stars featuring some of the stars from the promoter’s stable including big-hitting Brixton star Isaac Chamberlain; Irish KO king Stevie McKenna faces France’s Moussa Gary over six rounds ; Birmingham’s Former British Light-Heavyweight Champion Shakan Pitters tackles Holland’s Farouk Daku over eight rounds; Coventry’s dynamite-punching middleweight sensation River Wilson-Bent takes on Bosnian hardman Sladjan Janjanin in a 10-round international contest, Birmingham welterweight ace Kaisee Benjamin battles Finland’s Jarkko Putkonen over ten rounds; Birmingham’s flash and brash Love Island and super-middleweight star Idris Virgo takes on the Czech Republic’s Michal Ryba over six rounds; red-hot Irish super-welterweight talent Brett McGinty faces Lithuania’s Lukas Ulys over four rounds; Brighton heavyweight destroyer Tommy Welch squares up against Spain’s Alvaro Terrero over four rounds and completing the card is the silky skilled Sevenoaks prospect Michael Hennessy Jr. against Latvian Maksims Dembovskis.

ITV Central feature | Michelin starred chef Glynn Purnell gives a masterclass in cooking with Sam Eggington, Shakan Pitters, Kaisee Benjamin and River Wilson-Bent
MEDIA EVENTS
Wednesday 8th September: Press Conference

Samoan Joe’s
Spon Street
Coventry
CV1 3BB
Time: 1.30pm for a 2pm start

In attendance will be Sam Eggington-Bilel Jkitou and the undercard boxers’ will meet head-to-head with their opponents: River Wilson, Isaac Chamberlain, Stevie McKenna, Shakan Pitters, Kaisee Benjamin, Idris Virgo, Michael Hennessy Jr., Brett McGinty and Tommy Welch.

One-one-interviews and photo opportunities will be available.


Thursday 9th September: Weigh-in

Samoan Joe’s
(Address as above)
Time: 12.30pm for a 1pm start

All boxers’ will officially weigh-in for their contests.




Ramos Decisions Mendoza

Jesus Ramos remained undefeated by winning a 10-round unanimous decision over Brian Mendoza in a junior middleweight bout at the Armory in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Ramos landed 141 of 53 punches; Mendoza was 53 of 336.

Ramos, 154.4 lbs of Casa Grande, AZ won by scores of 98-92 on all cards and is now 17-0. Mendoza, 154.6 lbs of Albuquerque, NM is now 19-2.

“I felt strong in there,” said Ramos (17-0, 14 KOs). “I have to go back and look at the tape and see what I did wrong, but I fought with a lot of energy. He caught me with some good punches early on, so I knew I was going to have to take my time with him.”

“I started breaking him down and I started going to the body and touching him a lot more,” said Ramos. “He was a strong dude with a good team behind him. I knew he was going to come prepared and I liked the competitiveness he brought.”

“He started to break a lot more as the fight went on,” said Ramos. “I was coming on really strong. I thought I might have been able to stop him in some of those later rounds, but he was motivated to go the distance.”

“Hopefully I’ll be able to get back in the ring once more this year and finish out strong,” said Ramos. “I’ll talk to my team and we’ll go from there.”

Castillo Decisions Burgos

Starling Castillo remained undefeated with a 10-round unanimous decision over former world title challenger Juan Carlos Burgos in a lightweight fight.

Castillo landed 176 of 671 punches; Burgos was 146 of 490.

Castillo, 135 lbs of Santo Domingo, DR won by scores of 96-94, 97-93 and 98-92 and is now 16-0. Burgos, 134.8 lbs of Puebla, MEX is 34-6-2.

“We always train to go the whole distance,” said Castillo, who entered the fight with a four-bout knockout streak. “The hard work and everything we did in the gym showed up in the ring today. I was able to display my boxing ability and how I can fight well in the middle distance.”

“I’m very thankful to my whole team for this opportunity to showcase my work tonight. We gave everyone a good fight today and I showed what I can do in the future. We’re always working hard and I’m always ready to face the best. I want the opportunity sooner rather than later, but whenever it presents itself, I’ll be ready.”

Hernandez Decisions Resendiz

Marcos Hernandez won a 10-round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Armando Resnediz in a middleweight fight.

In round two, Hernandez was credited with a knockdown after the fighters got tied up and Resendiz went down.

Hernandez landed 132 of 394 punches; Resendiz was 128 of 507.

Hernandez, 164 lbs of Fresno, CA won by scores of 97-92 and 96-93 twice and is now 15-4-2. Resendiz, 163.8 lbs of Nayark, MEX is 12-1.

“The key for me is that I’ve been fighting good opposition for my last 13 fights,” said Hernandez. “I’ve been fighting tough competition from the beginning. I’ve been going toe-to-toe with good prospects for a while and I beat one today. I’ve gone from prospect to veteran in a short period of time. I was definitely the biggest test that Resendiz had faced and it showed. If you fight me as your first test, it’s going to be a long night for you.”

Kyron Davis was able to eek out an eight-round unanimous decision over Martez McGregor in a super welterweight bout.

In round six, McGregor was docked two points for an intentional elbow, In round seven, he was deducted a point for hitting on the break

Those points were the difference as Davis, 170.2 lbs of Monmouth, NJ won by scores of 75-74 twice and 77-72 to riase his record to 16-2-1. McGregor, 169.3 lbs of Maywood, IL is 8-5.

Justin Cardona remained undefeated with a six-round unanimous decision over Jomar Robles in a super lightweight bout.

Cardona landed 130 of 385 punches; Robles was 51 of 239.

Cardona, 137 lbs of Salinas, CA won by scores of 60-54 on all cards and is now 6-0. Robles, 135.4 lbs of San Juan, PR is 2-2.

Travon Marshall stopped Maycon De Silva in round two of a scheduled four-round super welterweight bout.

In round two, Marshall dropped De Silva with an uppercut. The fight was s topped up De Silva getting to his feet at1:03.

Marshall, 150.8 lbs of Capitol Heights, MD is 3-0 with two knockouts. Da Silva, 151.6 lbs of Sao Paul, BRA is 0-3.

In a battle of undefeated super bantamweights, Michael Angeletti stopped Alexis Salido in round three of a scheduled four-round bout.

In round two, Angeletti dropped Salido with a left to a body. In round three, it was a right to the body that sent Salido to the canvas and the fight was stopped at 2:24.

Angeletti, 121.6 lbs of New Orleans is 4-0 with three knockouts. Salido, 121.2 lbs of Sonora, MEX is 2-1.




LIVE BOXING: 18 Coliseu Boxing Club-Jonhatan Cardoso v Juscelino Bonifacio Pantoja

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5I9Fw9Rzld8



LIVE BOXING: Sora Boxing Night – Titolo Italiano Massimi D’Adamo vs Iannucci




Lara and Warrington Fight to Technical Draw due to headbutt

Mauricio Lara and former world champion Josh Warrington fought to a technical draw after a clash of heads opened up a cut over Lara’s left eye after two rounds at Headlingley Rugby Stadium in Leeds, England.

The fight was just starting to open up when the headbutt occurred. The fight was a rematch of a contest that saw Lara knockout Warrington in February.

Lara, 125 1/2 lbs of Mexico City is now 23-2-1. Warrington of Leeds, ENG is 30-1-1.

Taylor Decisions Han; Retains Undisputed Lightweight Title

Katie Taylor retained the undisputed Lightweight world championship with a 10-round unanimous decision over Jennifer Han.

In round eight, Taylor dropped Han with a left hook. Replays showed that it could have been a slip. Han also started to swell under her right eye in the round.

Taylor landed 93 of 340 punches; Han was 66 of 338.

Taylor, 134 3/4 lbs of Bray, IRE won by scores of 100-89 on all cards, and is now 19-0. Han, 134 1/4 lbs of El Paso, TEX is now 18-4-1-1.

Benn Decisions Granados

Conor Benn remained undefeated with a 10-round unanimous decision in a welterweight bout.

Benn landed 152 of 460 punches; Granados was 99 of 429.

Benn, 146 1/2 lbs of Brentwood, ENG won by scores of and is now 19-0. Granados, 146 1/2 lbs of Chicago, IL is 21-9-3.

Hughes Decisions Straffon

Maxi Hughes pounded out a 12-round unanimous decision over Jovanni Straffon in a lightweight bout.

Hughes hurt Straffon on several occasions including almost having him out in round four.

Hughes, 134 1/4 lbs of Rossington, ENG won by scores of 120-107 twice and 119-109 and is now 24-5-2. Straffon, 134 1/4 lbs of Mexico City, MEX is 24-4-1.

Bridges Decisions Gangloff

Ebanie Bridges won an eight-round decision over Mailys Gangloff in a bantamweight fight.

Bridges, 118 lbs of New South wales, AUS fought through a welled right eye and injured right hand but still won by a 77-76 score and is now 7-1. Gangloff, 116 lbs of Aix-les-Bains, FRA is 5-3.

Hope Price remained undefeated with a 2nd round stoppage of Zahid Hussain in a scheduled 10-round super bantamweight fight.

Just as the bell rang to end round one, Price landed a perfect right hook that clipped the jaw and sent Hussain on his backside. Fortunately for Hussain, he got to his feet to end the round. In round two, it was a combination that put Hussain down for a 2nd time. Price finished the fight with a barrage of punches that forced a referee stoppage at 2:33.

Price, 121 3/4 lbs of Leeds, ENG is 6-0 with two knockouts. Hussain, 121 lbs of Leeds, ENG is 16-2.

Jack Bateson survived a knockdown to win a six-round decision over Felix Garcia in a super bantamweight bout.

In round three, Garcia dropped Bateson with a looping right hand to the chest. Bateson was about to steady himself and win the rest of the fight.

Bateson, 124 lbs of Leeds, ENG won by a 58-56 score and is now 14-0. Garica, 123 lbs of Juigalpa, NIC is now 7-3-1.

Brandon Stansfield won a four-round decision over MJ Hall in a super welterweight bout.

Stansfield, 149 1/2 lbs of Leeds, ENG won by a 40-36 score and is now 2-0. Hall, 148 1/2 lbs of Brierley Hill, ENG is 2-62-2.

In round one, Hall began to bleed from his nose.

Mali Wright made a successful pro debut with a stoppage of Antony Woolery after round two of their scheduled four-round light heavyweight bout.

Wright, 180 bs of Chapeltown, England is 1-0 with one knockout. Woolery, 181 3/4 lbs of Wolverhampton, England is 2-7.




Ebanie “The Blonde Bomber” Bridges in Action TODAY Against Mailys Gangloff in Leeds, England

NEW YORK (September 4, 2021) – Ebanie “The Blonde Bomber” Bridges will be back in action today when she takes on Mailys Gangloff in a scheduled eight-round bantamweight bout at Headingley Rugby Stadium in Leeds, England.

Bridges, 6-1 with three knockouts, is managed by Split-T Management under Brian Cohen. Bridges will be in the ring just four weeks after her third-round stoppage over Bec Connolly on August 7th in Essex, England.

Bridges, who has taken the boxing world by storm since her heroic effort against WBA Bantamweight champion Shannon Courtenay on April 10th, will look to for another big effort to position herself for another shot at a world title.

Bridges of New South Wales, Australia has a record of 6-1 with three knockouts, will be making her 4th start of 2021.

Gangloff of France brings in a record of 5-2 with two knockouts and is the current French Bantamweight champion. She won the title with a fourth-round stoppage over Romane Geffray on May 7th. Gangloff also owns a win over Elodie Bouchlaka (4-1-2).

At Friday’s weigh-in, Bridges was 118 lbs. Gangloff was 116 lbs.

The bout can be seen live on DAZN at 2 PM ET

Photo credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom




STEVIE ‘THE HITMAN’ McKENNA: “I WANT TO GET TO CONOR BENN BEFORE ANYONE ELSE DOES!”

London, UK (4 September 2021) As a professional, world ranked welter Conor Benn can boast more fights (18) than Stevie McKenna has had rounds (15) so far, but that doesn’t dissuade the smoking Smithsborough, County Monaghan ‘Hitman’ from actively staking a shootout with the son of Hall of Fame legend Nigel Benn.

‘I want to get to Conor Benn before somebody else does,’ fired the super confident 24-year-old ex- Irish amateur standout ahead of Benn’s fight tonight in Leeds.

’I’m sure it’s a fight the fans would love to see, probably next year. My style, my physicality, would prove far too much. I’m 6ft 1 (in), huge at 147 (lbs) where he’s very small for the weight. He might have 18 pro fights on his record but he’s not been fighting high calibre and, unlike me, Benn has nominal amateur pedigree.

‘He’ll never have come across anything as hard-hitting as me. He’s wild, easy to hit and he’ll be feeling it whenever I connect. His dad’s career was finished by a man from the south of Ireland (Steve Collins) so they’ll no doubt be coming for revenge. I’ll happily oblige.’

Since debuting at super-lightweight in April 2019, monstrous punching McKenna has flattened all eight victims long before the cards were called. Five faltered in the opening session and, with six succumbing to the full 10 count, the evidence suggests savage Stevie carries a real kayo kick rather than profiting from overly cautious matchmaking.

‘The power is very real,’ warns a man who has done copious sparring rounds with world grade talents such as Josh Taylor, Jose Ramirez, Vasyl Lomachenko and Ryan Garcia

‘It’s down to years of hard work plus my natural leverage. It’s a combination of precision, timing, speed and accuracy. Plus mindset. You obviously hope everyone goes home safely to their family but, it’s the hurt business and, whenever I step inside that ring, my aim is to throw every punch with bad intent. If I stun them, I look to take their head off.’

With 179 amateur contests on his CV, many in the international singlet, the former Commonwealth Youth champion and European Youth finalist is not unduly concerned by the lack of rounds on his pro ledger.

‘It’d be good to go some rounds but I’ll not be dragging fights unnecessarily,’ states McKenna, who made his pro debut in a bull fighting arena in Pico Rivera, California.

‘Every fight, I train as if I need to go the 10 or 12 round distance. There’ll always be one who could take my shots – though I doubt for 12 rounds – and you could always get cut and have a No Contest or a loss. If I clip my opponent, I’m not messing around. Eventually, I’ll get to all of them.’

The possibility of being placed into an involuntary siesta means that the queue to fight McKenna is exceedingly short.

He claims: ‘There’s already guys looking to avoid me but hopefully some will accept the challenge of trying to take me the distance, even beat me. I’ll likely have to force my way into a mandatory position to get the title shots.’

Despite the global pandemic, this most focussed of fighting men insists he’ll be perfectly primed for when he resumes his rampage against Frenchman Moussa Gary on his promoter Mick Hennessy’s Channel 5 screened blockbuster show at Coventry Skydome Arena on September 10th.

‘In truth, every camp is like lockdown anyway,’ says McKenna.

‘I’ve had a tremendous camp, working with my dad Fergal (his coach) and my younger brother, Aaron (an 11-0, super-welter), who provides great spars. We work on technique, bring each other on. I’ve also done some quality sparring with Robbie Davies Jr, a really top guy, at the McGuigan gym on the mainland.

‘I’m really happy to get back and hope Mick can keep the fights rolling. He and Channel Five have big, big plans for me. By the end of the year, I’d like to fighting 10 rounds for a World Youth title. That’s the plan.’

Supremely confident, Stevie warns the fraternity to tune in on time, concluding:

‘I’m there to entertain. You’ll not want to blink!’

Tickets are available to purchase now from only £40* from the Coventry Skydome Arena website https://iceaccount.co.uk/championship-boxing

ITV Central feature | Michelin starred chef Glynn Purnell gives a masterclass in cooking with Sam Eggington, Shakan Pitters, Kaisee Benjamin and River Wilson-Bent
Sam Eggington’s WBC Silver Middleweight title defence against unbeaten French star Bilel Jkitou headlines an action packed card Hennessy All-Stars featuring some of the stars from the promoter’s stable including big-hitting Brixton star Isaac Chamberlain; Irish KO king Stevie McKenna faces France’s Moussa Gary over six rounds ; Birmingham’s Former British Light-Heavyweight Champion Shakan Pitters tackles Holland’s Farouk Daku over eight rounds; Coventry’s dynamite-punching middleweight sensation River Wilson-Bent takes on Bosnian hardman Sladjan Janjanin in a 10-round international contest, Birmingham welterweight ace Kaisee Benjamin battles Finland’s Jarkko Putkonen over ten rounds; Birmingham’s flash and brash Love Island and super-middleweight star Idris Virgo takes on the Czech Republic’s Michal Ryba over six rounds; red-hot Irish super-welterweight talent Brett McGinty faces Lithuania’s Lukas Ulys over four rounds; Brighton heavyweight destroyer Tommy Welch squares up against Spain’s Alvaro Terrero over four rounds and completing the card is the silky skilled Sevenoaks prospect Michael Hennessy Jr. against Latvian Maksims Dembovskis.




LIVE BOXING: LARA VS. WARRINGTON 2 UNDERCARD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xV0dVjs2E58



“ROCKIN’ FIGHTS” 39 WEIGH IN RESULTS – FIGHT NIGHT TOMORROW

Long Island, New York (September 3, 2021)

Star Boxing’s “Rockin’ Fights” 39 makes its triumphant return to the Paramount tomorrow night, Saturday, September 4. All fighters weighed in today at the Huntington Hilton in Melville, ahead of tomorrow nights action packed night of fights.

Weights from Huntington Hilton:

6-Round Super Lightweight Main Event
ALEX VARGAS 142.2 lbs.
ALEJANDRO MUNERA 143.6 lbs

4-Round Light Heavyweight Bout
LOU MAIETTA 173 lbs.
PEREZ AUGHTRY 177 lbs.

4-Round Middleweight Bout
AYANNA TRAMONT 159.4 lbs.
MIRANDA BARBER 159.4 lbs.

Unfortunately, due to a medical issue concerning his opponent, the previously scheduled Cletus Seldin bout will no longer take place on Saturday night. We will advise on Seldin’s next bout shortly.

Alex Vargas vs
Alejandro Menura

Lou Maietta vs
Perez Aughtry

Ayanna Tramont vs
Miranda Barber

“Rockin’ Fights” 39 is presented by Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing.
Bouts subject to change
“ROCKIN’ FIGHTS” 39 TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE!
BUY TICKETS HERE!
!LIMITED TICKETS REMAIN!
TICKETS START AT JUST $50
FIGHT NIGHT: SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 AT THE PARAMOUNT
ABOUT ROCKIN’ FIGHTS

Created in 2011, the “Rockin’ Fights” series has developed elite boxing talent and has produced current WBO Light Heavyweight World Champion, the “Common Man”, JOE “THE BEAST” SMITH JR. (Mastic, Long Island 27-3 21KO’s) and former WBO Super Lightweight World Champion, CHRIS ALGIERI (Huntington, NY 24-3 9KO’S), two of only four Long Island World Champions EVER.

“ROCKIN’ FIGHTS” 39 is presented by Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing.
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For more information visit us at www.StarBoxing.com. For 28 years of action packed fights, subscribe to our YouTube channel HERE. Follow along on social media for fight announcements and updates @StarBoxing, and join the conversation using #RockinFights.

PAST RELEASES:
Rockin’ Fights is BACK September 4
Alex Vargas Signs with Star Boxing – Set to Return at Rockin’ Fights
FIGHT ARCHIVES: CLETUS SELDIN & ALEX VARGAS
Rockin’ Fights 38: Cletus Seldin vs Luis Flores NABA Title Bout
CLETUS “THE HEBREW HAMMER” SELDIN returned to the Paramount at “Rockin Fights” 38 to face off with late replacement LUIS FLORES in a WAR for the NABA Super Lightweight Title
Rockin’ Fights 37: Dashaun Johns vs Alex Vargas
ALEX “EL TORO” VARGAS put his undefeated record on the line against fellow undefeated super lightweight DASHAUN “TOO SWEET” JOHNS at “Rockin’ Fights” 37 in an electric fight!




Anthony “Juice” Young Takes on Luis Sanchez in Main Event at Boardwalk Boxing Powered by Hard Hitting Promotions in Association with The Showboat Hotel Fight Card on Saturday, September 25th at The Showboat Hotel in Atlantic City

Atlantic City, NJ (September 3, 2021)–After a sold-out maiden show, The 2nd installment of “Boardwalk Boxing Powered by Hard Hitting Promotions in Association with Showboat Hotel Atlantic City” will take place on Saturday night, September 25th.

In the eight-round main event, recent Hard Hitting Promotions signee Anthony “Juice” Young will take on Luis Sanchez in the headline welterweight bout.

Young, 33 of Atlantic City, New Jersey has a record of 22-2 with eight knockouts.

Young is a 10 year-professional who has developed into one of the most popular fighters in the Tri-State area.

Young became a household name in the boxing world when he scored an emphatic 3rd round stoppage over former world champion Sadam Ali (27-2) on May 4, 2019 in Las Vegas. With that win, Young won the WBC USNBC Silver welterweight title.

Young is also a former New Jersey State Welterweight champion.

Young also defeated tough Jose Javier Calderon.

Young is coming off a unanimous decision over Todd Manuel on July 31st at The Showboat Hotel in Atlantic City.

Sanchez of San Juan, Puerto Rico has an impressive record of 9-1 with six knockouts.

Sanchez, 27 years-old, is a five-year professional who is coming off a win over Ryan Pino on March 25th in San Juan.

In six-round bouts:

Thomas Velasquez (10-1, 6 KOs) of Philadelphia will see action in a lightweight bout.

Isaiah Wise (9-2-2, 5 KOs) of Philadelphia takes on Gabor Gorbics (26-20-1, 16 KOs) of Budapest, Hungary in a middleweight fight.

Jan Carlos Rivera (4-1, 4 KOs) of Philadelphia battles Janos Penzes (2-0, 1 KO) of Budapest, Hungary in a super lightweight contest.

Jerome Conquest (11-5, 1 KO) of Philadelphia takes on an opponent to be named in a lightweight battle.

Wesley Ferrer (14-1-1, 7 KOs) of Brooklyn, NY takes on an opponent to be named in a lightweight fight.

Isiah Seldon (14-4-1, 5 KOs) of Atlantic City, NJ fights Brandon Baue (16-24, 11 KOs) of Troy, MO in a middleweight bout.

In Four-Round Bouts:

Dezmond Lucas (2-0, 1 KO) of Bronx, NY takes on Tray Martin (1-4, 1 KO) of Mabery, MO in a welterweight affair.

Tahmir Smalls (4-0,3 KOs) of Philadelphia will battle Shaquan Moore (0-0-1) of Coram, NY in a welterweight fight.

Rodney Brooks (1-0, 1 KO) of Atlantic City takes on debuting Quaymayne Johnson in a heavyweight tussle.

Joshua Lebron (2-0, 1 KO) of Orlando, FL takes on an opponent to be named in a bantamweight contest.

Tickets for this amazing evening boxing are $175, $100, and $60 and can be purchased by Clicking:

CLICK FOR TICKETS




THE ROAD TO UNDISPUTED: WOMEN’S 140LBS CROWN UP FOR GRABS IN FOUR WAY SHOWDOWN

Matchroom Boxing, in partnership with DiBella Entertainment, announce today that the Undisputed Super-Lightweight crown will be put on the line as Chantelle CameronMary McGeeKali Reis and Jessica Camara fight it out for 140lbs supremacy, live on DAZN around the world.

Cameron (14-0, 8 KOs) displayed an impressive performance last time out in her maiden WBC World Title defence, beating former champion Melissa Hernández by TKO in the fifth round to retain the green and gold strap and continue her flawless record since turning professional in 2017.

Mary ‘Merciless’ McGree (27-3, 15 KOs) comes into the fight with increased momentum, notching seven straight wins since her World Title loss in 2013 and picking up the IBF Super-Lightweight Title on the way. The American’s last win came via a ninth round TKO against Deanha Hobbs to retain her crown. 

American two-weight World Champion Kali Reis (18-7-1, 5 KOs) retained her WBA World Title and won the vacant IBO Super-Lightweight belt in August 2021 in a convincing unanimous decision against Australian challenger Diana Prazak at Sycuan Casino, California. 

‘The Cobra’ Jessica Camara (8-2) beat former World Champion Heather Hardy impressively last time out, scoring a unanimous decision to hand the Hardy her second career loss and dramatically boost the Canadian’s ranking in the 140lbs division.

“I’m delighted to have this opportunity to show that I’m the number one fighter in the world at 140lbs,” said Cameron. “All I’ve wanted since I started in boxing is to become Undisputed, and now I have a fantastic chance to achieve that.

“These tough fights against the other champions are what motivates me and pushes me in the gym, and you’re going to see the very best Chantelle Cameron.

“They are all great champions, and first things first I have Mary McGee to take care of, and then once I come through that I’ll be ready to make history against the winner of Kali Reiss and Jessica Camara.”

“This is an exciting time for women’s boxing,” said Camara. “I’m honoured to be a part of an event of this magnitude that will help to bring a lot of exposure to the ladies. Kali, Mary and Chantelle are all great fighters, and I know these fights will bring out the best in me. Thank you to Lou DiBella and Eddie Hearn for coming together to make this possible and for providing a platform for me to show the world what I am capable of.” “If we can work together to find one champion for every division then it would be a massive moment for the sport and we have a great opportunity to do that in the 140lbs division,” said Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Sport Chairman. “Women’s boxing is red hot at the moment and huge credit to these 4 champions for putting it on the line in the road to Undisputed on DAZN. Lou and I have been heavily committed to women’s boxing for a number of years now and it’s great to see them finally getting the plaudits and the rewards they deserve.”

“Both DiBella Entertainment and Matchroom have been leaders in advancing women’s boxing and elevating the great female fighters in our sport,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “I’m happy that Eddie and I were able to arrange these historic fights and I’m grateful to my friends at DAZN, who will be streaming it. Chantelle, Mary, Kali and Jessica are four elite 140-pound athletes, deserving of this incredible opportunity. After two terrific semi-finals, a queen will be crowned at Super-Lightweight.”

“What a way to crown the true 140lbs champion. We’re thrilled to feature on DAZN these two hugely competitive match-ups with four fearless fighters ready to leave it all in the ring for the undisputed crown,” said Joseph Markowski, EVP of DAZN. “We’re committed to growing women’s sport around the world and this elite four-way showdown will undoubtedly showcase to fans worldwide that women’s boxing is sensational as ever.”

Dates and venues for Cameron vs. McGee and Reis vs. Camara will be announced in due course.




Dana White’s Contender Series Episode Two September 7 Exclusively on ESPN+

The ESPN+ exclusive presentation of Dana White’s Contender Series presented by ZipRecruiter continues next Tuesday, September 7, at 8 p.m. ET from UFC APEX in Las Vegas. 

A new group of contenders will meet next week, all looking to make their way into the UFC.  Episode one of DWCS saw five athletes earn highly-coveted UFC contracts.

DWCS introduces some of UFC’s top prospects from around the world in a ten-episode season, with new episodes available every Tuesday evening exclusively on ESPN+, the leading direct-to-consumer sports streaming service. Showcasing approximately five bouts in each episode, prospects will compete for the chance to earn a contract with UFC.

Following Tuesday night’s fights, 122 athletes throughout the series have now earned UFC contracts, including “Suga” Sean O’Malley, Ryan Spann, Maycee “The Future” Barber, Johnny Walker and Marina Rodriguez, who will be the first non-champion woman in UFC history to headline multiple events in a calendar year.

Dana White’s Contender Series on ESPN+, Episode Two Bouts:

  • Welterweight  – Darian Weeks vs. Josh “The Maverick” Quinlan
  • Middleweight – Mario “Coracio Valente” Sousa vs. Chidi “Bang Bang” Njokuani
  • Bantamweight  – Saimon Oliveira vs. TBD
  • Flyweight – CJ Vergara vs. Bruno “Korea” Rodrigues Mesquita
  • Bantamweight – Muin “Tajik” Gafurov vs. Chad “The Monster” Anheliger

UFC Rise of the Contenders, a 30-minute series recap of seasons one through four of Dana White’s Contender Series, airs on ESPN2 on Saturday, September 11, at 2 a.m. and 10 a.m. showcasing some of the best and brightest prospects from UFC. Rise of the Contenders highlights the background of the Contender Series, UFC headliners the show has produced, and how the series fits into the overall plan to identify and develop future UFC athletes.

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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.comESPNplus.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).

About UFC®
UFC® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 625 million fans and 142 million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world, while broadcasting to nearly one billion TV households across more than 171 countries. UFC’s athlete roster features the world’s best MMA athletes representing more than 72 countries. The organization’s digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS®, one of the world’s leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC was acquired in 2016 by global entertainment, sports and content company Endeavor, along with strategic investors Silver Lake Partners and KKR. UFC is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada.?For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC, Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram: @UFC.




Premier Boxing Champions to Deliver FS1 PBC Fight Night Action Back-To-Back Nights on Saturday, September 18 & Sunday, September 19 from Mechanics Bank Arena in Bakersfield, California

BAKERSFIELD, CA. (September 3, 2021) – Big-time boxing returns to Bakersfield, California as back-to-back nights of FS1 PBC Fight Night action, and on FOX Deportes, will take place at Mechanics Bank Arena in Bakersfield, California on Saturday, September 18 and Sunday, September 19.

Tickets for the live events, which are promoted by TGB Promotions, are on sale now and available at AXS.com.

Additional card and telecast information will be announced shortly.

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

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




STEPHEN FULTON JR. MOVES TRAINING CAMP TO LAS VEGAS AHEAD OF SUPER BANTAMWEIGHT TITLE UNIFICATION BOUT SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 ON SHOWTIME®

LAS VEGAS (September 3, 2021) – With just over two weeks until his highly anticipated super bantamweight unification fight on SHOWTIME, undefeated WBO 122-pound world champion

Stephen “Cool Boy Steph” Fulton Jr. has relocated to Las Vegas to put the finishing touches on his summer-long training camp. Fulton Jr. will face WBC champion Brandon “Heartbreaker” Figueroa in the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING main event on Saturday, September 18 (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) in a Premier Boxing Champions event from Park Theater at Park MGM in Las Vegas.

“I am trying to get used to everything in Vegas,” said Fulton Jr. “I wanted to get away from home, be away from everyone and get myself a little uncomfortable to finish up camp.”

Born and raised in West Philadelphia, Pa., Fulton Jr. (19-0, 8 KOs) is the city’s only world champion following a triumphant win over then-unbeaten Angelo Leo in January on SHOWTIME. This will mark the first title defense for Fulton and Figueroa, who have been on a collision course for many years and finally meet to determine the king of the 122-pound division.

“I don’t feel any extra pressure going into this fight,” added Fulton Jr. “I don’t know why people expect me to feel more pressure entering my first defense and this huge unification fight, but I don’t let any of that get to me.  I know there are people doubting me and I can’t wait for them to watch what happens on September 18.”

The 24-year-old Figueroa (22-0-1, 17 KOs) captured his world title from former two-division champion Luis Nery via devastating seventh-round knockout in May on SHOWTIME. Immediately following his win, Fulton entered the ring for a face off with the newly minted champ which set up their September unification. Figueroa is well-known for his hard-charging style while Fulton Jr. is lauded for his boxing prowess, setting the stage for an excellent clash of styles.

“I feel like this is a classic boxer-brawler matchup, but I showed in my last fight that I can brawl too,” explained the 27-year-old champ. “He can’t become a pure boxer now though, it’s too late in the game to teach him that. I am more than prepared for him to come in and try to walk me down but if he has a different game plan, I have the adjustments ready.”

The fight marks Fulton’s first fight as a professional in Las Vegas, the site of boxing’s biggest title fights in history. Figueroa will make his second appearance in Vegas where he suffered his lone pro blemish – a split draw against Julio Ceja in 2019.

“This is my first professional fight in Las Vegas,” stated Fulton Jr. “I fought in Nevada as an amateur. I fought in the Junior Golden Gloves here and won the whole tournament.”

Trained in his hometown by coach Wahid Rahim, Fulton has adopted a new approach to his training camps when preparing for his last two fights.

“I trained alone for this camp and I feel like this is how it needs to be moving forward as a championship fighter,” added Fulton. “Due to the COVID situation, I just tried to stay away from everybody.

“I was locked down like this when training for the Angelo Leo fight, too. I like it better to be in the gym by myself or with less people. I like it better because I get to focus more on myself. I have the ring to myself; I have the bags to myself. You don’t have to worry about taking turns or waiting for anything when you are the main priority. You get your job done faster, easier, and more efficiently.

“I worked harder. I sparred more, I focused more on my endurance. The world will see September 18 on SHOWTIME.”

The three-fight boxing event will open SHOWTIME’s combat sports doubleheader on September 18. Immediately following the main event from Las Vegas, BELLATOR MMA will air live from San Jose, Calif. with a three-fight event headlined by light heavyweight contenders Phil Davis and Yoel Romero.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, are on sale nowand can be purchased at ticketmaster.com.

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For more information visit www.SHO.com/sportswww.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.




Heralded Prospect Jalan Walker Remains Undefeated with 4th Round Stoppage over Gregorio Soto Molinero

Los Angeles, CA (September 3, 2021) – Heralded featherweight prospect Jalan Walker remained undefeated with a 4th round stoppage over veteran Gregorio Soto Molinero.

The bout took place this past Saturday in Tijuana, Mexico.

Walker, 19 years-old of Los Angeles, went up in weight to junior lightweight for this contest, and took the bout on short notice.

Molinero, who came in with a record of 12-6-2, tried to use his experience against the young standout Walker. He tried to rough-up and use questionable tactics by trying to throw Walker to the canvas.

That did not work as in round two, Walker dropped Molinero with an overhand left. Later in the round, it was a left to the liver that sent Molinero down for a 2nd time. Somehow Molinero was able to beat the 10-count, but that would be the proverbial beginning of the end.

In round three, Molinero continued his “veteran moves” by spitting the mouthpiece out three times. At the beginning of round four, Molinero was slow to get out of his corner, which forced the referee to administer an eight-count. Molinero must have known the end was near as he ate a barrage of punches and then turned his back to the referee and bowed of of the fight.

With the win, Walker is now 9-0-1 with eight knockouts.
Walker, is managed by Rene Symonds and Clement Kwan of Waterfront Management, and is a promotional free agent.

Photos by Tom Hogan–Hogan Photos / Ring City USA




LARA VS. WARRINGTON 2 + UNDERCARD PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES

Eddie Hearn:

“Thank you for being here in Leeds today, what a turnout, it feels so good. I forgot what this felt like, the big stage, the media, the fans, the atmosphere and anticipation for a massive night on Saturday in Leeds.

“20,000 people at Headingley Stadium, the home of Leeds Rhinos transformed for an epic night of boxing, live and exclusively on DAZN all around the world.

“This is one of the best cards we have ever put on and on Saturday night you are going to have a night and experience you will never forget. Inside the stadium, inside the ropes, the fans in the arena will get one of the best nights of live boxing they have ever witnessed and on screen we will bring you the best talent line-up in boxing.

“This Saturday Laura Woods leading the presentation with Tony Bellew, over to Darren Barker and Chris Lloyd, then we mix it up with Mike Costello the legend and Andy Lee. What a team we have here and what a night we have.”

Josh Warrington:

“It’s good to be back, it’s nice of everyone to turn up and nice to see there’s going to be a big crowd on Saturday night – it feels normal. This is what I got used to, I got used to this big stage ever since I won the World Title. I’ve been looking forward to this for such a long time, we were talking about conquering the world together, winning the Ring Magazine belt, Las Vegas, New York and ride off into the sunset.

“What happened on February 13 happened, it was a hard lesson to take but this is where the next stage goes on, the next chapter begins. I’ve been about the game a long time and I can’t wait to redeem myself.

“I take him [Lara] very seriously, I think the first time he said that he saw fear in my eyes, there’s not fear in there I was just looking straight through him. I didn’t think that he could bring what he delivered and that’s my mistake, that’s me being too cocksure of myself. I won’t make that same mistake again; I have the fear factor about this one. He said some random comments about me slagging his dad off, I slag my own dad off, but there’s no personal animosity between me and Mauricio – it’s just business.

“When Anthony Joshua got his redemption against Andy Ruiz Jr, it was done and forgotten about and that’s going to be the same Saturday night. I’m sure he’s come over with a bit of an entourage, he looks smart today, had a haircut, but once he’s been done, he’ll have given me a massive lesson in my career but that will be it, we’ll move on.

“I’m a proud man and it would have made my toes curl to see and watch somebody else fight Mauricio Lara. I want to get my redemption, I feel that Lara is a great fighter, a strong fighter, but I feel like I’ve been at a higher level for such a long time and beaten fighters that are such a higher level than what he is.

“I turned a few book deals down last year and I think after February 13 publishers weren’t bothered about writing a book about Josh Warrington anymore. After Saturday night we’ll put it right, add a few zeros onto that book deal. Going back to normality, going back to a stadium, having people in the crowd – they’re my second wind, my adrenaline, my twelfth man, that little advantage. They’re part of Josh Warrington’s attributes, it’s going to be special to walk out, I’ll give them redemption.” 

Mauricio Lara:

“I hope everyone is well, we have to think now that February 13 February is in the past. I’m now completely and 100% focused on putting on a good show on Saturday. I’m prepared not 100%, but 1000%. Perhaps people didn’t know me previously, but they do now in certain areas, there’s going to be a repeat of what happened – there are no surprises in life.

“It really hurt me that a great champion like him [Josh] didn’t give me the credit for my performance but that’s in the past now. I can’t wait for Saturday to come along now and I’m going to show him, in his words, that we’re definitely not on the same level – I’ll have my hand raised on Saturday night.

“I’ve prepared for a knockout, but I’ve also prepared for the twelve rounds, I can assure you it won’t go the distance.” 

Katie Taylor:

“This is the first fight in a long time where I’ve actually fought in front of a live crowd, the fact that’s here in Leeds, some of my best memories as a kid are visiting this city, going to Leeds United games at Elland Road. This city has a special place in my heard and I never thought I’d have a chance to fight here. I’m just so excited about it.

“This is a huge fight for both of us, I don’t overlook anybody, I can’t afford to get complacent and when you do it’s when you start to actually lose fights. I have prepared for this fight just like I’ve prepared for any fight. I’m expecting a tough challenge on Saturday, and I’m prepared for that.

“I feel great, I know I can’t do this forever, but I still feel very fresh right now and I still have plenty more years in the ring. This training camp has gone great, I feel sharp and strong, I can’t wait to produce one of my best performances on Saturday night.” 

Jennifer Han:

“My team and I have travelled a long way, all the way from El Paso, Texas, to be here to show the world what we have. I’ve worked my entire life for this kind of opportunity and I’m excited to be here – it’s my time.

“It’s already been life changing, we’ve worked hard, and I’ve overcome many obstacles to get to this point. I’ve never fought on this kind of a stage, so this is going to be amazing.

“I do have a lot of respect for Katie, I’ve studied her and it’s time to shine on Saturday.”

Conor Benn:

“It’s either going to be a proper serious fight or someone’s getting laid out, and it isn’t going to be me. That’s for sure. I work so hard, confidence is a luxury for the hard working, and people mistake by confidence for arrogance. But those people aren’t up with me running at 3 in the morning. I’m crushing it in the gym, and when I work as hard as I do, I have the right to be confident because I leave no stone unturned.

“Look at the shape of me. That’s a testament to the five years hard work, that’s a testament to my team working overtime, my strength and conditioning coach, my physio, my nutritionist, Tony, my agent, it all plays a massive part. Teamwork makes the dream work they say, that’s where we’re at. All I have to do is focus on beating the geezer up in the other corner, my team allows me to do just that – I’ve done it now 18 times.

“I’m very confident, Granados is a massive test, he’s been in with the top boys, the top dogs. He thinks he’s experienced and that he’s tested at a high level. What did Formella say, what did Vargas say. If they don’t want to believe the hype, I’ll make them believe the hype, it’s as simple as that. I work so hard to be denied and that’s where that ends. It’s been five years of hard work, I love this life, I’m a fighter.

“You’ve seen the change, the transformation, it hasn’t come overnight, and it hasn’t come easy. I’ve put the work in every single time, I give 100%, I’m leaving it all in there Saturday night.

“I don’t believe the hype whatsoever, not in the slightest, otherwise I still wouldn’t be getting up and doing my runs – I’d think I was all that and a bag of chips. I don’t rely on my power, I’ve been watching Granados’ fights, against Broner and Easter, he gave them one hell of a fight. One of the best Granados and I believe I’m going to get the best Granados. Create the hype and don’t believe it.

“I’ve had so many people come up to me and say it’s going to be some reception you know; it’s going to be incredible. I’m thinking they’re going to top my O2 debut you know, I just have a feeling about it. I’ve had such a warm welcome here, big shoutout to the Leeds supporters, thank you. We’ve got a job to do Saturday but after that, I might join you lot in the pub and have a beer.”

Adrian Granados:

“First and foremost, I want to give thanks to God. Thanks to Eddie for reaching out for me, giving me this opportunity, everyone at Matchroom and DAZN. It was unfortunate, both of us were chomping at the bit for this fight, very exciting build-up and then a day before the weigh-in Conor tested positive for COVID.

“This is the age we live in now, although I was very frustrating and upset, everything happens for a reason, and I believe it worked out. Now we’re fighting in Leeds in front of 20,00 people, I’m excited, I’ve already dreamt about fighting here, overseas, I come from Chicago. It’s a dream come true, everyone has been very welcoming and accepting. Now it’s fight time and I’m ready to get this fight going Saturday.

“It’s boxing talk, I understand the confidence he’s portrayed and that’s why I’ve answered back and let him know I’m obviously not here to lay done either. I think it makes for an exciting fight, I think our styles are going to match well, l think we’ve got a classic in the making. May the best man win, may God protect us both and we both come out safely.”

Jovanni Straffon:

“It’s great to be back here in England. What I would say about the fight is it’s not a fight between Mexico and the UK, it’s me and my opponent in the ring. What I will say is that I have the hunger when I go into these fights, I look at this as if this belt was vacant and I have to go in and win it – I have to show that hunger to do that.

“Any fighter that’s in front of me is a block in the road for and I have to take them away. They’re also a thief because they’re taking money from my family. I come to fight, and I hope he also comes to fight.

“First and foremost, I’m not overlooking Maxi in this instance, he shouldn’t either. It’s dangerous when fighters do that, I want to show I have the hunger, if he wants to win this fight, he’ll have to kill me. On Saturday you’ll be shouting Viva Mexico.” 

Maxi Hughes:

“I’m grateful for the opportunity, I’ve worked hard and been in the pro game eleven years. I believe I am just getting started, whoever’s the oldest world champion, I’m going to try and break that record.

“A lot of people are now referring to me as the Cinderella Man, that couldn’t be truer, this morning my missus said to me this house needs cleaning before you leave this house. I’ve been cleaning the house, but when I go to the ball on Saturday night in Headingley I’ll be coming home with two glass slippers on.

“It’s the experience, I’m older and wiser, you can’t buy or steal experience, you’ve got to go out and earn it. Doing this as long as I have and being around some top domestic opposition, it’s all led me to where I am. Everything happens for a reason, every fight I’ve took and not got the decision has led me to this, now’s the time to capitalise on it and reap the rewards of the resilience, hard work and dedication I’ve shown.

“I want to put my name up there in the top ten across the world, hopefully across all the sanctioning bodies. While I’m in this red-hot form, get the win on Saturday and you better put me in the ring with Canelo in this form before it runs out.

“Josh has been a great World Champion, not only did he win the World Title, but he defended it successfully in great fashion. You only need to look at what he’s doing in the gym, copy what Josh does because he’s laid out how you become and stay a world champion. We get on well aside from boxing, it’s been brilliant bouncing off each other in the gym. It’s been brilliant to share training camp with him.”

Ebanie Bridges:

“I’m actually really excited about this fight, watching her [Mailys] fight with Ellie, I think she has a great style, and our styles are going to gel really well together. I think with that it’s going to make it an exciting fight, she’s tough and I love tough opponents. I’m looking forward something exciting there, another good performance by myself. I’m only getting better, feeling stronger than ever, I’m looking forward to showing you all what I’ve got come Saturday night.

“Training with Brian Cohen in America and having those eight weeks in Philadelphia, I’m really focused on footwork and balance – plating my feet. We all know I’m strong but if you can’t get into position, it’s not effective. Now I feel like I’m really nailing that, we saw that with Bec, about the positioning and planting the feet to throw those shots to get my full power into it.

“My cut for this fight was easy, I just fought four weeks ago. I’m hungry as ever, I love to fight, I’m hungry to punch on.” 

Mailys Gangloff:

“It’s a good fight because it will be at my perfect weight class, I think I’ll bring something that couldn’t bring the last time I was here. I’m very excited, I hope it will be a very good show.”

Hopey Price:

“It’s good to keep busy, I’m glad I got out two weeks ago and it’s good to be back home, in front of my hometown and fans. It’s another step up, another step forward in my career, there’s a lot of good fighters on this show, a lot of fighters from Leeds, but I’m coming to steal the show on Saturday night.

“Another good performance this weekend and I’m looking to step up again and it won’t be long before the domestic titles come my way.”

Zahid Hussain:

“I’m definitely looking forward to it, in front of 20,000 people. I’d like to thank Matchroom, my manager Steve Wood and my coach for spending time training me.”

“I’m just going to do what I do best. Experience is going to play a major part on Saturday night.”

Jack Bateson:

“I’m buzzing to be back here in Leeds with a crowd, now Covid’s on its way out. Thanks for the opportunity, Eddie and yeah, I’m looking to shine, it won’t be last time I’ll be on one of these big cards. I’m looking forward to it.

“I’ve known Josh since we were young kids, growing up, I want to be where he is now. He paved the way for us and I’m sure that one day if I keep working hard, I can be where he is and doing it for the city.” 

Felix Garcia:

“First and foremost, thanks for the opportunity to be here. I’m extremely happy to be here and I’ve prepared extremely hard for this night. Hopefully you’ll see the best of me on Saturday.”

Brandon Stansfield:

“This is a massive opportunity for me, a big stage now coming from Bradford Hotel on my last fight jumping to this fight, it’s a massive opportunity for me and I cannot wait.

“I did quite well with tickets, a lot really. I’m one of the first ones on, I’ll get changed and watch Josh Warrington do his thing again.”

Mali Wright:

“I’m looking forward to it man, I can’t believe it, fighting in my hometown of Leeds. I went to university in Headingly, I used to live there, 2-minute walk from the stadium. It’s surreal even seeing my name here, so I can’t wait and I’m looking forward to it.”




EDWARDS WARNED NOT TO RUN FROM MAMA

JAYSON MAMA has accused rival Sunny Edwards of running from an old man in his title winning performance.

The unbeaten Filipino challenges for the Croydon man’s IBF World Flyweight championship at London’s Copper Box Arena on Saturday September 11, live on BT Sport.

Mandatory challenger Mama (16-0, 9 KOs) stepped aside so Edwards  (16-0, 4 KOs) could challenge Moruti Mthalane for the title in April.

Edwards delivered one of the best performances so far this year thrashing the South African on points.

Mthalane had been unbeaten for more than 12 years, but Mama scoffed: “Mthalane was old.

“Edwards was running all night. I hope he doesn’t run when he fights me but I think he will run from me.”

Mama, 24, hails from General Santos City home all-time great Manny Pacquiao and believes he can take over from Pacquiao who is considering retirement as the Philippines next big boxing star.

He has prepared at the Sanman gym close to his home under trainer Ronerex Dalut and strength and conditioning coach Ronerex Dalut.

Despite being critical of Edwards tactics against Mthalane, Mama admits: “Edwards is a great boxer but I have trained really hard to bring back the belt to the Philippines. 

“I will be a World champion on September 11.”

Mama warmed up for his big fight against Edwards with a eight round retirement win against Romshane Sarguilla in April – the challenger’s third inside the distance win in his last four fights.

Also on the bill World title chasing Light-Heavyweight Callum Johnson (19-1, 14 KOs) defends his WBO Global belt against Serbia’s Marko Nikolic (27-1, 12 KOs).

Battersea Middleweight Denzel Bentley (14-1-1, 12 KOs) meets Wolverhampton’s Andrew Robinson (24-5-1, 7 KOs).

Exciting Batten’s Boxing Gym stablemates Mark Chamberlain (8-0, 5 KOs) and Ryan Garner (10-0, 6 KOs) both box eight rounders.

Bromley Cruiserweight Ellis Zorro (9-0, 6 KOs) boxes a six rounder in his first fight of 2021. Islington Super-Featherweight Masood Abdullah (1-0, 1 KO) steps up to six rounds.

Super-Featherweight Charles Frankham (3-0, 1 KO), Super-Bantamweight Umar Khan (1-0), and Stratford Welterweight Khalid Ali debutant are in four round action.

Tickets available from £55 via SEETICKETS




VIDEO: Final press conference: Lara vs Warrington 2, Taylor vs Han






UNDEFEATED BANTAMWEIGHT PROSPECT JA’RICO O’QUINN TAKES ON SAUL SANCHEZ ON THE NEXT EDITION OF SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION® FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 LIVE ON SHOWTIME®

NEW YORK – September 2, 2021 – ShoBox: The New Generation returns with a three-fight telecast headlined by an exciting matchup featuring two rising bantamweight prospects and ShoBox returnees as Ja’Rico O’Quinn takes on Saul Sanchez Friday, September 24 live on SHOWTIME at 10:35 p.m. ET/PT from Main Street in Broken Arrow, Okla.

O’Quinn vs. Sanchez headlines a tripleheader that features six prospects who boast a combined record of 72-2-1, including two fighters who are ranked inside the top 10 by one of the four major sanctioning bodies.

In the 10-round bantamweight main event bout, the 26-year-old Detroit native O’Quinn (14-0-1, 8 KOs) returns to the ring for the first time since January 2020 against Sanchez (16-1, 9 KOs), a once-beaten prospect who has fought four times since O’Quinn last entered the ring. The co-main event pits undefeated featherweight prospects Jayvon Garnett (10-0, 5 KOs) and Luis Reynaldo Nunez (11-0, 8 KOs) against each other in a ten-round bout and Alejandro Guerrero (12-1, 9 KOs) faces the undefeated Otar Eranosyan (9-0, 6 KOs) in an eight-round super featherweight contest that opens the telecast.

The event is promoted by Salita Promotions.

“In our main event, we have an excellent style matchup featuring two returning ShoBox fighters that with a win, are both on the verge of becoming contenders,” said Gordon Hall, executive producer of ShoBox: The New Generation. “The co-feature brings two new, undefeated faces to ShoBox in a fight for recognition and advancement. The opener features two amateur standouts – a new face in bruiser Otar Eranosyan, and a ShoBox veteran in Alejandro Guerrero, a fighter that we had high expectations for. On ShoBox, we have had 15 fighters who lost on the series and went on to become a world titlist and with a victory, Guerrero can get right back on track for that pursuit.”

“I am honored to promote this excellent September 24 ShoBox event that features crossroad fights from top-to-bottom,” said promoter Dmitriy Salita. “We are doing the fights in a unique outside setting in beautiful Downtown Broken Arrow, Okla., with real fight fans who love good action fights.”

O’Quinn vs. Sanchez – 10-Round Bantamweight Main Event Bout

Previously rated in the top-ten in the world by the WBO at 115 pounds, O’Quinn last fought at 118 pounds in a dominating unanimous decision over Oscar Vasquez in the 250th edition of ShoBox in January 2020. Ranked as the No. 1 amateur bantamweight in the country compiling a record of 130-18 before turning professional in 2015, O’Quinn boasts blazing-fast hands and an ability to throw effortless combinations. A fan favorite in his hometown of Detroit, he was busy in 2018 and 2019, winning three times in each year, with five of the six fights taking place in his home state of Michigan.

“I’ve been waiting for this moment,” said O’Quinn. “I can’t wait to show my talent to the world again. I don’t really know much about him, but he better learn all he can about me. Not that it will help him any. I’m going to win because there are levels to this and he is not on my level. That will be very apparent quickly. I’m a strong force in the bantamweight division. Training is going good but it’s hard. I train hard and fight easy.”

The 24-year-old Sanchez, who is ranked No. 8 by the WBA at 118 pounds, is riding a four-fight winning streak. His last time out, Sanchez made quick work of Frank Gonzalez, knocking him down three times en route to a first-round stoppage. The Pacoima, Calif. native scored an eighth-round stoppage of Brandon Benitez in an entertaining and all-action fight in his ShoBox debut in May 2019. He dropped his next fight, a split decision to Edwin Rodriguez, but rebounded with a unanimous decision over Victor Trejo Garcia to jumpstart his winning streak. Trained by Manny Robles, Sanchez is the younger brother of 19-1 professional featherweight Emilio Sanchez.

“This is the biggest fight of my career on the biggest stage of my career, and I’m not going to let this opportunity pass me by,” said Sanchez. “I’m going to show everyone watching on SHOWTIME that I belong with the big boys. O’Quinn is a good fighter but I’m going to give him his first loss. I’m at a point in my career where I need to make that turning point to a world title shot, and that time is now.”

Garnett vs. Nunez – 10-Round Super Featherweight Bout

Jayvon Garnett hails from the boxing talent-laden city of Cincinnati, Ohio, where he first put on a pair of boxing gloves at the age of six. He had a stellar amateur career fighting over 110 times, developing his style and sharpening his skills in Ohio’s very competitive amateur boxing scene. The 26-year-old is coming off his career-best professional win, a unanimous decision over the once-beaten Jose Argel in June. Combining exceptional quickness and accuracy with a propensity for power, the 5’3” Garnett stopped five of his first six professional opponents. He has won his last four contests on the scorecards, all unanimously.

“It feels great to be fighting on SHOWTIME,” said Garnett. “I always dreamed of fighting on big platforms, but never dreamed it would be ShoBox for my first TV fight. I don’t know much about my opponent, but I will win this fight because I’m smarter. In the ring, I’m a boxer and a thinker, but I also have heavy punches. With this victory, I’m going to the next level up the ladder and getting closer to being in the world rankings.”

A decorated amateur in the Dominican Republic, Puerto Plata’s Luis Reynaldo Nunez started boxing at age eight and went on to win a number of national championships as a member of the Dominican national team, including gold in the 2016 Youth Championship. A fan-friendly pressure fighter with heavy hands, Nunez turned professional at 18, passing every test put in front of him in his native country. His unblemished resume includes a unanimous decision over then 20-3-1 Eliezer Aquino and a fourth-round KO over then once-beaten Giovanni Gutierrez.

“I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to be fighting on SHOWTIME,” said the 21-year-old Nunez, who will be fighting outside of the Dominican Republic for the first time. “My opponent is a good fighter but I am here to show him what happens against real competition. Thanks to my team for getting me this opportunity and I look forward to making a splash on national television.”

Guerrero vs. Eranosyan – Eight-Round Lightweight Bout

Fighting out of Houston, Texas, Guerrero is a big-punching prospect who will be making his third appearance on ShoBox, looking to improve his record to 2-1 on the prospect development series. He won a closely contested slugfest via majority decision over Jose Angulo in March 2020, but was upset by Abraham Montoya in February. A celebrated amateur who won two junior national titles, the 23-year-old “Pork Chop” has sparred with the likes of world champions Mikey Garcia and Brandon Rios at the famed Garcia Boxing Academy in California.

“Training is going great,” said Guerrero. “I’ve been in shape for two months so now it’s just touching up basic stuff here and there with my technique. I know Eranosyan will be tough, so we’re going in with a strong mind knowing he can fight. I’m training hard because I will have to be more than ready. The guy will not be a walk in the park. But I have a different mentality now. The last fight, I went in with the mentality of ‘I can beat everybody.’ This one, I have to go in with a smart mind and actually box the guy and use all my skills.”

Ranked No. 9 by the WBA at 130 pounds, Eranosyan was a highly decorated Georgian amateur who has transitioned seamlessly into the paid ranks. The 27-year-old didn’t turn professional until August 2020, but has already fought nine times. Now based in Miami Beach, Fla., “Pitbull” owns two notable fourth-round KOs over the 32-4 Juan Carlos Pena, including in his last time out on August 13. Eranosyan will make his ShoBox debut as he fights for the seventh time in 2021, which also marks his first pro fight outside of Florida.

“I haven’t studied Guerrero too much, but I watched a couple fights and he’s a good fighter with very good punching power and very good stamina,” said Eranosyan. “I’m adding a lot of stamina training and working on my legs for this fight to be ready for him. I don’t know exactly what will happen, but simply I am the best in the division, so I will win.”

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For more information visit www.sho.com/sports follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @SHOSports, #ShoBox, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports

About ShoBox: The New Generation

This year, the critically acclaimed prospect developmental series, ShoBox: The New Generation, celebrates its 20th anniversary on the air as it continues to match top young talent tough. Since its inception in July 2001, the ShoBox philosophy is to televise exciting, crowd-pleasing and competitive matches while providing a proving ground for willing prospects determined to fight for a world title. Some of the growing list of the 84 fighters who have appeared on ShoBox and advanced to garner world titles includes: Errol Spence Jr., Andre Ward, Deontay Wilder, Erislandy Lara, Shawn Porter, Gary Russell Jr., Lamont Peterson, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Nonito Donaire, Devon Alexander, Carl Froch, Robert Guerrero, Timothy Bradley, Jessie Vargas, Juan Manuel Lopez, Chad Dawson, Paulie Malignaggi, Ricky Hatton, Kelly Pavlik, Paul Williams and more.




HUGHES – I DIDN’T SEE THIS COMING A YEAR OR 18 MONTHS AGO

Maxi Hughes wants to keep his Cinderella story rolling as he challenges Jovanni Straffon for the IBO World Lightweight Title at Emerald Headingley Stadium in Leeds this Saturday September 4, shown live worldwide on DAZN.

Hughes (23-5-2, 5 KOs) has been in the form of his life through the pandemic, handing Jono Carroll defeat in August, travelling to Dubai two months later to take the WBC International Lightweight Title from Viktor Kotochigov and then realised a dream by landing the vacant British Title in March by stopping Paul Hyland Jr in Bolton to win the Lord Lonsdale belt at the third attempt.

The Doncaster man, who trains alongside main event star Josh Warrington under the guidance of Sean O’Hagan, now tackles a highly motivated Straffon for the IBO Title on the biggest stage of his career. The Mexican is familiar to UK fight fans after his stunning first round KO of James Tennyson to win the title in Manchester in May, but Hughes says he won’t allow his train to be delayed and wants victory tonight to stamp his ticket to a dream fight in America.

“I didn’t see this coming a year or 18 months ago,” said Hughes. “A year ago I was brought in as an opponent to keep Jono Carroll busy, now I am two titles up and fighting for a World Title, the Cinderella man. It cannot get better.

“You get older, wiser and mature as a person and that’s a part of the success too, and happiness of course. Things fall into place and if you want something bad enough, go and get it. I came close twice to walking away, losing to Sam Bowen was the first one and it was hard to swallow. I had a six-month break and got the hunger back, but when I lost to Liam Walsh I was gutted. It was a close fight but the right man won, and I just thought to myself ‘I am never going to be good enough to win these domestic fights’. The four-hour journey on the way home with Josh, Sean and Reece Mould, just talking about stuff, and then having a few days rest, I thought, ‘I will be good enough, I will get there, I will win something’.

“I’ve known Josh and Sean a long time, sparred with Josh for years and Sean has always been there as another voice and eyes in the corner. We we’re familiar with each other anyway but the link up came because I live in Wakefield and the gym is close by, with having a young daughter it made sense so that I don’t have so far to travel to the gym and I can spend more time at home with her. It makes me a better and happier fighter because the work and home life balance is great. We get on and have a laugh, and Sean has found a way to bring out the best in me, the results speak for themselves, it’s been three years now and we’re just getting better and better as a team, and we have everything we need to produce results. 

“I know James Tennyson, I’ve sparred many rounds with him, and I don’t think he was 100 per cent in there. We’ve seen him better than that but that doesn’t take away from Straffon. What you see is what you get from him, even if that fight hadn’t happened and his name came up to fight me, we wouldn’t have approached it differently. Mexicans are known for being tough and his record shows he’s a puncher. So, we’ve done our homework, prepared well and we’ll take it round by round and adapt. I just hope I come out with some credit, he looks a million dollars with the win over James so if I turn him over, I don’t want people to say ‘oh maybe he wasn’t that good’ because no one else is in a rush to fight him.”

Straffon vs. Hughes is part of a huge night of action in Leeds, Mauricio Lara (23-2, 16 KOs) and Josh Warrington (30-1, 7 KOs) face each other again in a huge rematch for the Featherweight divisionUndisputed Lightweight ruler Katie Taylor (18-0, 6 KOs) defends her WBC, WBA, IBF, WBO and Ring Magazine crowns against her latest Mandatory Challenger Jennifer Han (18-3-1, 1 KOs), rising Welterweight star Conor Benn (18-0, 12 KOs) faces Adrian Granados (21-8-3, 15 KOs) after their Fight Camp Week 1 headliner fell through, Australia’s Ebanie Bridges (6-1, 3 KOs) looks to build on her impressive KO win over Bec Connolly at Fight Camp earlier this month when she meets Mailys Gangloff (5-2, 2 KOs), Super-Bantamweight prospect Hopey Price (5-0, 1 KO) steps up against Zahid Hussain (16-1, 2 KOs) in an all-Leeds clash, undefeated Super-Bantamweight talent Jack Bateson (13-0, 3 KOs) clashes with Felix Garcia (7-2-1, 3 KOs) over six rounds, 1-0 Super-Welterweight Brandon Stansfield takes on MJ Hall (2-61-2) and Light-Heavyweight Mali Wright makes his pro debut against Antony Woolery (2-6).

Limited remaining tickets are available from StubHub (www.stubhub.co.uk).




UNBEATEN SUPER BANTAMWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONS BRANDON FIGUEROA AND STEPHEN FULTON JR. MEET IN TITLE UNIFICATION SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 ON SHOWTIME

LAS VEGAS (September 2, 2021) – Undefeated 122-pound world champions will go toe-to-toe as WBC champion Brandon “Heartbreaker” Figueroa and WBO champion Stephen “Cool Boy Steph” Fulton Jr. meet in the SHOWTIME main event Saturday, September 18 in a Premier Boxing Champions event from Park Theater at Park MGM in Las Vegas.

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING will begin at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and will include undefeated super bantamweight contender Ra’eese Aleem battling Mexico’s Eduardo Baez in the 10-round co-main event. Opening the telecast, unbeaten rising bantamweight contender Gary Antonio Russell takes on Mexico’s Alejandro Barrios in a 10-round showdown.

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

“This night of high-stakes action is headlined by two undefeated young stars in one of the most anticipated fights of the year.” said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “The winner of this fight will not only hold the mantle as the division’s best but will have a case as one of the top pound-for-pound rising stars in the sport. With Ra’eese Aleem and Gary Antonio Russell also on the card, the future of the sport takes centerstage on September 18.”

The three-fight boxing event will open SHOWTIME’s combat sports doubleheader on September 18. Immediately following the main event from Las Vegas, BELLATOR MMA will air live from San Jose, Calif., with a three-fight event headlined by light heavyweight contenders Phil Davis and Yoel Romero.

Figueroa vs. Fulton has loomed as a potential showdown for several years prior to the two unbeaten fighters joining the world championship ranks with career-best performances in 2021. Fulton struck first, dominating then-unbeaten Angelo Leo to capture the WBO title in January, while Figueroa made his own statement in stopping two-division champion Luis Nery to capture the WBC strap in May.

The 24-year-old Figueroa (22-0-1, 17 KOs) used his youth and relentless pressure to become the first person to defeat Nery in their championship clash on SHOWTIME. Figueroa’s body attack was the difference, as he was able to stand up against Nery’s offense and eventually overwhelm him to earn the knockout. A native of Weslaco, Texas, Figueroa added to his family’s legacy in capturing the world title, joining his brother Omar Figueroa who previously held the lightweight world championship. Figueroa took down a slew of veteran contenders on his way to championship status, knocking out Moises Flores, Oscar Escandon and Damien Vazquez on his ascent.

“We train hard for every fight and make sure we go 110% come fight night,” said Figueroa. “I expect Fulton to be flashy and slick with his movements, and perhaps he’ll want to mix it up a little as well, so we’re ready for anything. People know I always come to fight and with this being my second back-to-back fight against another undefeated world champion it makes this an exciting fight on paper and it should be even more exciting to see it live on September 18.”

Born and raised in West Philadelphia, Pa., Fulton (19-0, 8 KOs) faced impressive competition while rising up the 122-pound rankings to earn the opportunity that eventually saw him become world champion on SHOWTIME by besting Leo. In his last 13 professional fights, the 27-year-old has beaten eight previously undefeated fighters, including Leo, Josh Greer, Arnold Khegai, Adam Lopez and Luis Saul Rosario. Trained in his hometown by coach Wahid Rahim, Fulton has displayed sublime boxing skills that have allowed him to dominate opponents of varying styles and control fights from start to finish.

“We will have a new king of the division on a historic day,” said Fulton. “Training camp has been great, rough and dirty. I know where I need to be for this fight and I’m right there not running away from it. History will be made September 18 on Mexican Independence Day weekend in Las Vegas. Let’s celebrate with a bang!”

Owning a top-10 ranking at 122-pounds from multiple sanctioning bodies, Aleem (18-0, 12 KOs) put on the most impressive performance of his career in January to capture the interim WBA title on SHOWTIME. Aleem dominated in a battle of unbeatens, dropping Victor Pasillas four times before eventually stopping him in round 11. Raised in Michigan and training out of Las Vegas, Nev., Aleem, 31, has stopped his past seven opponents inside the distance.

“It’s great to be back fighting on SHOWTIME,” said Aleem. “I’ve been waiting patiently, working hard in the gym, and now it’s go time. Eduardo Baez is a good fighter who is trying to make a name for himself, but he’s standing in my way of becoming world champion, and I’m going to take him out. I’m on a mission to prove I’m the king of the super bantamweight division, and the journey continues on September 18.”

The 26-year-old Baez (19-1-2, 6 KOs) will look to earn a career-best victory and build on back-to-back triumphs over previously unbeaten fighters when he takes on Aleem on September 18. Originally from Baja California, Mexico, Baez now fights out of Calexico, California as he nears his second stateside outing. Baez most recently won a decision over Abimael Ortiz in March, after his U.S. debut saw him defeat Narek Abgaryan in his U.S. debut in December 2020.

“I can’t wait for this opportunity against Ra’eese Aleem,” said Baez. “Success is the most precious treasure, the more you are willing to pay, the more valuable the prize will be. I will win this fight and we will all scream ‘viva Mexico!’”

The middle brother between WBC Featherweight Champion Gary Jr. and 2016 U.S. Olympian Gary Antuanne, Antonio Russell (18-0, 12 KOs) announced his arrival amongst the bantamweight division contenders with a technical decision over former world champion Juan Carlos Payano in December 2020 on SHOWTIME. The 28-year-old from Capitol Heights, Md. turned pro in 2015 after an impressive amateur career. After four wins in 2019, Russell kicked off 2020 defeating Jesus Martinez in February. Russell returns to action after his August 14 fight against former champion Emmanuel Rodriguez ended in a no-decision in round one due to a clash of heads.

“I’m excited to be back after I trained so hard for my last fight before it ended early,” said Russell. “Now, I’m just taking that same fight energy that I had for Emmanuel Rodriguez and bringing it on September 18 for my new opponent.”

The 25-year-old Barrios (24-2-5, 13 KOs) has not been beaten since 2014, a streak spanning 20 fights. Representing his native Tijuana, Mexico, Barrios has won his last eight contests since a 2018 draw against Jerwin Ancajas in a 115-pound title bout. After defeating Erick Hernandez and Willibaldo Garcia in 2020, Barrios knocked out Juan Gabriel Medina to begin his 2021. In addition to the draw against Ancajas, Barrios has fought then unbeaten Jose Martinez-Mercado to a draw twice while also earning the same result against then undefeated Antonio Nieves.

“I want to thank my whole team and everyone else who made this fight possible,” said Barrios. “It has been a long road for me. I’ve been looking for another title fight or a rematch with Ancajas, ever since our draw. We decided to move up to 118-pounds and I’ve just remained focused and worked hard for the next opportunity. Now I get to share the ring with a great and talented fighter in Gary Antonio Russell. On September 18, I will leave everything in that ring, put on a great fight for all boxing fans and leave victorious.”

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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.