Alen Babic has predicted that he will knockout Mark Bennett in “two or three rounds” when they collide in a scheduled eight round contest at Matchroom Fight Camp Week 2 this Saturday August 7 in Brentwood, Essex, live worldwide on DAZN.

‘The Savage’ (7-0, 7 KOs) blasted aside Damian Chambers with a huge left hook as the Croatian Heavyweight contender added another knockout to his destructive record last time out in June at the Vertu Motors Arena in Newcastle.

Babic produced a dramatic one-punch knockout of Chambers in the third round, sealing his seventh straight stoppage, as he returned to the ring following a shoulder surgery that had kept him out of action since his KO victory over Tom Little in November 2020. 

This weekend’s clash with Bennett falls nearly a year on from Babic’s explosive two-round win over American Shawndell Winters on the first instalment of Matchroom Fight Camp – and the Dillian Whyte-managed terror is promising more fireworks as he attempts to become the first man to stop ‘Bad News’ Bennett. 

“Unfortunately for Mark Bennett I think it’s another fight that will last two or three rounds maximum,” said Babic. “I think I knock him out. He lost to Nick Webb, and Nick Webb doesn’t even want to hear my name. I don’t see any way he can beat me. 

“Seven knockouts in seven fights, all lasting three rounds maximum, you’re not going to see anything different. Mark Bennett is going to feel ‘The Savage’. I already know he fears ‘The Savage’. When he looks me in the eyes, he will know that he’s in a real fight. I don’t come to box. I know how to box. I don’t need to box – I destroy people. 

“That’s what I do in the ring – that’s what ‘The Savage’ does. I’m different. I’ve been telling people that for two years. I’m a different breed of fighter. It doesn’t matter how much I weigh. I can go Cruiserweight, Bridgerweight or Heavyweight – I don’t care. I’m a real fighting man and I want to be known as such. 

“I don’t know who that Bennett guy is, I really don’t. They told me he’s big. That’s all I need to know – another giant to slay. I hear he has six or seven victories but zero knockouts, or one knockout. How can you get into the ring with ‘The Savage’ with a record like that?”

Babic vs. Bennett is part of a huge night of action, Sheffield’s Kid Galahad (27-1, 16 KOs) and Liverpool’s Jazza Dickens (30-3, 11 KOs) meet in an all-British clash for the vacant IBF Featherweight World Title at the top of the bill, Ipswich knockout artist Fabio Wardley (11-0, 10 KOs) defends his English Heavyweight Title against Nick Webb (17-2, 13 KOs), popular Australian Ebanie Bridges (5-1, 2 KOs) returns to the UK to face Bec Connolly (3-9) over eight rounds, Romford Heavyweight Johnny Fisher (2-0, 2 KOs) goes for another knockout against Danny Whitaker (4-3) and Oldham prospect Aqib Fiaz (6-0) takes on Kevin Baldospino (9-5-2, 1 KO) over eight rounds. 

BELFAST (Aug. 2, 2021) — Michael “Mick” Conlan hopes to author a career-best victory Friday against former junior featherweight world champion TJ Doheny in front of his hometown fans at Falls Park, around the corner from where the two-time Irish Olympian was raised.
 
Conlan and Doheny, who were scheduled to fight in a 10-rounder at junior featherweight, will now be competing for the WBA interim featherweight world title.
 
Conlan said, “It’s an all-Irish fight, the biggest all-Irish fight in the last 40 years or so. What I’m really excited for is that TJ will have his own fan base, and I’ll have my massive fan base out here in Belfast. It will make a difference from my last fights. I’m really excited. I’ve been putting the work in, and I know what I need to do.”

Conlan-Doheny will stream live and exclusively in the United States on ESPN+. The scheduled five-fight stream, which also includes unbeaten Irish welterweight prospect Paddy “Real Deal” Donovan, will start at 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT.

Friday, Aug. 6, 2021

ESPN+, 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT

Michael Conlan vs. TJ Doheny, 12 rounds, vacant WBA Interim Featherweight World Title

Lee McGregor vs. Vincent Legrand, 12 rounds, McGregor’s European Bantamweight Title

Tyrone McKenna vs. Jose Felix, 10 rounds, vacant WBO Intercontinental Jr. Welterweight Title

Paddy Donovan vs. TBA, 6 rounds, welterweight

Sergei Gorokhov vs. Padraig McCrory, 10 rounds, Gorokhov’s WBC International Silver Super Middleweight Title

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 13.8 million subscribers. Fans sign up to ESPN+ for just $5.99 a month (or $59.99 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).
 

NEW YORK (August 2, 2021)–Welterweight contender Ivan Golub returns to the ring tomorrow night as he takes on Eric Walker in a 10-round bout for the USBA Welterweight title at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden.

The bout will be part of the Trillaverz card.

Golub, who is managed by Split-T Management, has a record of 19-1 with 15 knockouts.

The 32 year-old native of Brooklyn, NY via Golovka, Ukraine is a seven year-veteran, who has wins over Kirk Huff (3-0), Tyson Harrison (2-0), Kendal Mena (20-2), Juan Rodriguez (12-3), Marlon Aguas (9-0), James Stevenson (23-2), Janer Gonzalez (19-2-1) and his last bout when he Ivan took out Luis Eduardo Florez in six-round on February 20th in Orlando.

Walker of Plaquemine, Louisiana has a record of 20-3 with nine knockouts.

Walker, 38, is a eight-year veteran who has compiled wins over Larry Dardar (1-0-2), Kenton Sippio Cook (6-0), K’Lon Spencer (4-1), Chris Pearson (13-0) and Michael Moore (17-2).

He has defeated former world title challengers John Jackson (21-3) & John Thompson (19-3)

In his last bout, Walker dropped a decision to Israil Madimov on August 15, 2020 in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

At Monday’s weigh-in, Golub weighed 146.2 lbs. Walker was 147 lbs.

Golub is promoted by DiBella Entertainment.

MINNEAPOLIS (August 2, 2021) – Hard-hitting rising welterweight contender Eimantas Stanionis will square off against former world champion Luis Collazo in a 10-round duel that headlines FOX PBC Fight Night and on FOX Deportes this Saturday, August 7 from The Armory in Minneapolis.

FOX PBC Fight Night begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and features unbeaten welterweight and two-time Venezuelan Olympian Gabriel Maestre battling Mykal Fox for the Interim WBA Welterweight Title in the co-main event. Kicking off the broadcast, former-two division world champion Devon Alexander “The Great” will return to action for a 10-round welterweight showdown against Luke Santamaría.

Maestre was originally scheduled to face fellow unbeaten Cody Crowley, who was forced to withdraw after a positive COVID-19 test.

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions and Warriors Boxing, are on sale now and can be purchased at the Armory at http://ArmoryMN.com/ and through Ticketmaster.

Stanionis (13-0, 9 KOs) has earned a series of eye-catching victories as he has climbed up the ranks from prospect to contender, most recently earning a career-best 12-round decision over Thomas Dulorme in April. The 26-year-old from Lithuania, who now lives and trains in California, looked impressive as he picked up three solid wins in 2019, beating Samuel Figueroa via unanimous decision and scoring early stoppages against Julio Cesar Sanchez and Evincii Dixon. The undefeated welterweight continued to put the division on notice with back-to-back dominating main event performances in November and December 2020, when he notched ninth-round knockouts over Justin DeLoach and Janer Gonzalez respectively.

An experienced veteran in the welterweight division, Collazo (39-8, 20 KOs) has proven a stiff test over the years for top welterweights such as Keith Thurman, Shane Mosley, Amir Khan, Andre Berto and Ricky Hatton, to name a few. The Brooklyn, New York-native was a world champion in 2005 and has sprung upsets on rising contenders with memorable knockouts of Victor Ortiz and Sammy Vasquez. After triumphing over Bryant Perrella in 2018, Collazo defeated Samuel Vargas in March 2019 and most recently lost a technical decision to Kudratillo Abdukakhorov in October 2019.

A two-time Olympian for his home country of Venezuela, Maestre (3-0, 3 KOs) had an extensive amateur run that included victories over Brian Castano, Carlos Adames, Alexander Besputin, Oscar Molina and Brian Ceballo. The 34-year-old turned pro in 2019 with a pair of impressive triumphs, stopping previously unbeaten Jeovanis Barraza before earning a TKO over veteran contender Diego Chaves. August 7 will mark Maestre’s U.S. debut professionally.

Fighting out of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, Fox (22-2, 5 KOs) towers at nearly six-feet-four-inches tall and has used his length and excellent boxing ability during his pro career that dates back to 2014. The 25-year-old bounced back from a 2019 loss to Shohjahon Ergashev to win his next three outings. In his most recent fight, Fox lost a close decision to Luke Santamaria in August 2020.

Alexander (27-6-1, 14 KOs) makes his return after a June 2019 defeat to Ivan Redkach stunted a previous comeback attempt that saw Alexander go 1-1-1 in fights over a 10-month stretch. Before that stretch, a period of inactivity saw him seek treatment for an addiction to painkillers and eventually prove an inspiration in returning to deliver exciting fights against Andre Berto, Victor Ortiz and Walter Castillo. The St. Louis, Missouri native had an impressive run at super lightweight and unified titles in that division before scoring victories over Marcos Maidana, Lucas Matthysse and eventually Randall Bailey to capture a welterweight championship.

The 32-year-old Santamaría (11-2-1, 7 KOs) steps into the ring to make his FOX debut after dropping a decision to top welterweight prospect Paul Kroll last October. Santamaria had previously scored an August triumph over veteran contender Mykal Fox that saw him drop Fox in round one of their battle on FS1. The Garden Grove, California native also owns a decision over Willie Jones and a split draw against Marquis Taylor in his 2019 contests. Santamaría was unbeaten in 10 fights since his first loss before facing Kroll, with his only other defeat coming via a four-round decision in his third pro bout in 2015.

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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 @WarriorsBoxingProm, and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/foxsports & www.facebook.com/foxdeportes.

Michael Hunter, 217.2 vs. Mike Wilson, 224.2 – Ten Rounds

WBA Heavyweight World Title Eliminator

Chris Algieri, 142.8 vs. Mikkel LesPierre, 144 – Ten Rounds

Aaron Aponte, 139.8 vs. Gerardo Gonzalez, 138 — Four Rounds

Joe Ward, 175.2 vs. Troy Williams, 175.6 – Six Rounds

Eric Walker 147 vs. Ivan Golub, 146.2 – Ten Rounds

Vacant IBF – USBA Welterweight Title

Christina Cruz, 111.2 vs. Indeya Smith, 111.6 – Four Rounds

Matthew Tinker, 174.2 vs. Michael Rycraft, 173.2 – Four Rounds

Robert Sabbagh, 220.2 vs. Cleveland Billingsley III, 251.2 – Four Rounds

Nikoloz Sekhniashvili, 154.2 vs. Guido Schramm, 155 – Six Rounds

Doors Open — 4:00 p.m. ET

First Bell – 4:05 p.m. ET

LIVE Broadcast on FITE.TV and Triller.co – 7:00 p.m. ET / 4:00 p.m. PT

Following boxing, no later than 9:30 p.m. ET – Verzuz Rap Battle Starts Featuring DIPSET and THE LOX

Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden

4 Pennsylvania Plaza

New York, NY 10001

Triller Fight Club launches their monthly TrillerVerz series on Tuesday, August 3 at Madison Square Garden. Held on the first Tuesday of every month, this will be an unprecedented series of spectacular combat sports and music at Madison Square Garden pairing world class professional boxing and an iconic, live Verzuz Rap Battle. 

This event will be the first-ever Verzuz Rap Battle with a live audience. Founded during the pandemic, the Verzuz Rap Battle’s became a social phenomenon with millions of viewers watching from all over the world.

Promoted by DiBella Entertainment, remaining tickets for the full evening of entertainment may be purchased at MSG.com.

Thanks to the generous support of Mexican gambling-industry giants Caliente, on Thursday, August 19, 2021, promoters Sampson Boxing, Best Box and Paco Presents will host the first of a six-event series of professional boxing shows, entitled “Boxeo Caliente,” to be held at the Vasco Núñez de Balboa Convention Center in the El Panama Hotel in Panama City, Panama, broadcast live internationally on TyC Sports, and in Panama on TV Max.

For the inaugural Boxeo Caliente main event, Panamanian hero and WBA #9 super featherweight Jaime “Jaimito” Arboleda (16-2, 13 KOs) will take on Argentinean two-time world champion Jonathan “Yoni” Barros (43-7-1, 22 KOs) in a “can’t miss” all-action war over 10 rounds for the WBA Fedebol Super Featherweight Championship.

And in the “all southpaw” 10-round co-main event that night, former Argentinean super middleweight champion Sebastian “La Promesa” Papeschi (17-3, 6 KOs) will face fellow left-hander and dangerous Colombian puncher Dormedes Potes (12-3-1, 9 KOs) of Barranquilla.

In another important televised battle, lightweight Darvin Galeano (10-0, 7 KOs) of Calidonia, Panama, via Monteria, Colombia, will be put to the test against fellow prospect Humberto Galindo (13-1-1, 10 KOs) of Riverside, California, in a 10-round early-crossroads showdown.

Opening the broadcast will be an exciting eight-round featherweight duel between undefeated hometown hero Jose “Magnifico” Nunez (11-0-2, 4 KOs) of Panama City and fellow southpaw Jorge “El Demoledor” Saquinga (10-7-1, 4 KOs) of Quito, Ecuador.

“This first show, like all the shows, will be packed with top South American talent in sensational matchups guaranteed to produce fireworks,” said Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing. “Thank you to our generous sponsors Caliente. My partners and I are proud to be putting on such a great show that will surely delight the fans around the world and especially from the boxing-rich country of Panama.”

“I am very excited that boxing is reactivating in Panama,” said Carlos Gonzalez of Best Box. “There are many very talented fighters from this area and their time has come to move onto the world stage in these important fights. I thank all my partners on this fantastic series and look forward to a great event to kick it off.”

A series of amateur fights are scheduled to open the show before the professional boxing begins. Sampson Lewkowicz has always been an enthusiastic supporter of amateur boxing programs in South American countries, including the CUBAP tournament he co-sponsors with the WBC annually. One such amateur tournament was won by Uruguay’s Amilcar Vidal, who, fighting under the Sampson Boxing banner, has gone on to become a top-rated contender and American TV favorite.

The second installment of Boxeo Caliente is scheduled for September 10, 2021 with matchups to be announced shortly.
About Sampson Boxing

Sampson Boxing has promotional partners all over North and South America, Africa, Asia, New Zealand, Australia, Europe and Central America. Sampson Boxing events have been televised on such premiere networks as HBO, Showtime, ESPN, ESPN+, DAZN, VS., FOX, Fox Sports and several international networks. For more information, visit sampsonboxing.com.

NEW YORK (August 2, 2021) – Three more exciting matchups have been finalized for the highly-anticipated Jake Paul vs. Tyron Woodley SHOWTIME PPV fight card. Former world champion Ivan Barancyhk will compete along with U.K. stars Daniel “Dynamite” Dubois and Tommy “TNT” Fury makingtheir U.S. debuts in separate bouts on Sunday, August 29 from Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio.

The five-fight SHOWTIME PPV telecast will begin at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and be headlined by renowned content creator and undefeated professional boxer Jake “The Problem Child” Paul taking on the toughest challenge of his young career in the former UFC champion Tyron “The Chosen One” Woodley. The card also features the previously announced world championship showdown between Puerto Rican star and WBC/WBO Featherweight World Champion Amanda “The Real Deal” Serrano and super bantamweight world champion Yamileth Mercado of Mexico, which will serve as the co-featured bout.

A former junior welterweight world champion, Baranchyk will step into the ring to face the unbeaten Cleveland-native Montana Love in a 10-round showdown on the pay-per-view. Baranchyk seeks another run at the 140-pound title, while Love looks to score a career-best win.

The hard-hitting heavyweight Dubois, who is ranked No. 1 by the WBA, will face Joe Cusumano in a 10-round matchup, and Fury, the younger brother of heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury, will square off against combat sports veteran Anthony “Pretty Boy” Taylor in a six-round, 180-pound catchweight fight to open the pay-per-view telecast.

Additional action at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse includes top-10 ranked junior middleweight and 2016 U.S. Olympian Charles Conwell taking on Lucas Bastida of Argentina in a 10-round fight. Paul, Love and Conwell will be fighting critical bouts in front of their hometown fans at the Cleveland arena.

Tickets starting at $45 are still available via RocketMortgageFieldHouse.com. The event is co-produced by SHOWTIME PPV and Most Valuable Promotions and promoted by Tony and Bryce Holden of Holden Productions. The pay-per-view telecast is produced and distributed by SHOWTIME PPV. Barstool Sportsbook is the official sports betting partner for the event and will be incorporated in a unique, fully integrated brand activation that is to be announced in more detail.

The Belarusian Baranchyk now fights out of Oklahoma and will look to move closer to another world title opportunity with a win August 29. Sporting a 20-2 record with 13 knockouts, the 28-year-old returns to the ring after fighting in the 2020 Fight of the Year against Jose Zepeda last October. The two fighters combined to score a staggering eight knockdowns in the instant classic won by Zepeda. Baranchyk became a world champion in 2018 by stopping then unbeaten Anthony Yigit in seven rounds. He steps in against Love, a graduate of the ShoBox: The New Generation series who owns a 15-0-1 record with seven knockouts. A highly accomplished amateur, Love will be fighting in his hometown of Cleveland for the second time in his career.

“This is a big step for me,” said Baranchyk. “I am grateful to get back in the ring with someone like Montana after my loss. I want to show everyone that I’m back, I’m stronger, and I’m a new version of myself. I want to thank my fans for the support you’ve always given me. On August 29, it’s SHOWTIME, baby!”

“I know Ivan is a strong young fighter, but he has some ugly habits,” said Love. “We’re having a grueling camp right now and I’m going to keep it ‘Too Pretty’ on fight night. Cleveland deserves the show I’m about to put on.”

A promising heavyweight contender at 23 years old, Dubois has compiled a 16-1 record with 15 knockouts since turning pro in 2017. Dubois had an impressive amateur career as a five-time British junior national champion. A London-native, Dubois’ lone professional loss came against top heavyweight contender Joe Joyce in November 2020. Dubois rebounded quickly with an emphatic second-round knockout of Bogdan Dinu in June to capture the Interim WBA Heavyweight Title. Now, he takes on the 33-year-old Cusumano, who has won four of his last five bouts with all of those victories coming by stoppage. With a record of 19-3, his 17 knockouts give him an impressive 77% KO ratio. Fighting out of Danville, Virginia, Cusumano most recently knocked out Gregory Corbin in November 2020.   

“I am ready now to push on and build on the WBA interim title I won in my last fight,” said Dubois. “I am thrilled to take the show on the road and look to win the American public over. I am told the American public love heavyweight boxing, so it is time to introduce them to Daniel Dubois. I will make sure it is a name they won’t forget.”

Already a crossover star after his runner-up finish on the hit U.K. reality TV show “Love Island”, Fury will look to follow in the footsteps of his boxing-rich family and establish his own championship legacy. The 23-year-old from Manchester is 6-0 with four knockouts, having most recently earned a unanimous decision over Jordan Grant in June. Fury will be opposed by Alameda, California’s Taylor, an experienced MMA competitor who dropped his sole pro boxing appearance in 2017 by split-decision. The 32-year-old’s MMA experience includes five Bellator fights and a 7-5 overall record with wins in his last five fights. Taylor is currently training in Puerto Rico and is a regular sparring partner of Jake Paul as he prepares for his bout against Woodley.

“American fans can, as always with me, expect a big dirty knockout,” said Fury. “That is what I say and that is what I try to bring. I want to put on a masterclass performance and show levels again and show how much I am improving. This is another step on my journey to world titles.”

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For more information visit www.SHO.com/sports, follow on Twitter via @JakePaul, @TWooodley and @ShowtimeBoxing, on Instagram via @JakePaul, @Twooodley and @ShowtimeBoxing, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing.

To All Boxing Fans,

After reviewing the new CDC government health and mask mandate guidelines for events taking place inside, we have decided to postpone the Box Fan Expo to 2022.

The Box Fan Expo was started to give fans, fighters, and the Boxing industry a place to meet each other and celebrate the sport we love and work in. We will reschedule this event when we can safely hold this. The health and safety of all our attendees is our #1 priority.

We are committed to presenting our Boxing Fan Experience with a world-class event and having the champions, current top fighters and hall of fame boxers that you know and love be there to meet and greet their fans.

While we are extremely disappointed with these turns of events, with Covid-19 cases on the rise and the new Delta variant, we felt it is the wisest decision for all of us involved to move this to 2022.

Thank you for loyalty and patience during these difficult times, looking forward in coming back even stronger than ever.

See you soon

Box Fan Expo

Atlantic City, NJ (August 2, 2021)–This past Saturday night, Hard Hitting Promotions started off it’s 12 fight series at the Showboat Hotel with a bang as Christian Tapia captured the NABA Super Featherweight title with a 2nd round destruction over Mason Menard.

The fight capped off an excellent seven bout card in front of a sold-out crowd at the famed boardwalk venue.

In round two, Tapia hurt Menard with a right hand. Tapia walked in and landed a right uppercut that was followed by a thundering left to the body that sent Menard to the canvas, and he would not get up, and the fight was stopped at 2:34.

Tapia of Coamo, PR is 12-0 with 11 knockouts. Menard of Rayne, LA is 36-6.

Dylan Price remained undefeated with a eight-round unanimous decision over Edwin Rodriguez in a bantamweight bout.

Price of Sicklerville, NJ won by scores of 79-73, 78-74 and 77-75 to remain undefeated with a 14-0 record. Rodriguez of Juana Diaz, PR is 11-6-2.

Hometown favorite Anthony “Juice” Young took an eight-round unanimous decision over Todd Manuel in a welterweight battle.

Young scored a knockdown in the final round, but Manuel was able to reach the final bell.

Young of Atlantic City, NJ won by scores of 79-72 and 78-73 twice to raise his mark to 22-2. Manuel of Rayne, LA is 19-18-1,

Ricardo Caraballo (6-1) and Harold Lopez (6-0-1) fought to a no-contest due to a cut that opened up a cut over the left eye of Caraballo, and the fight had to be stopped before four completed rounds of their scheduled six-round flyweight bout.

Jerome Conquest took a six-round split decision over Wilfredo Garriga in a junior welterweight fight.

Conquest of Philadelphia won by scores of 59-55 and 58-56, while a third judge ruled 58-56 in favor of Garriga.

Conquest is now 11-5. Garriga of Juana Diaz, PR is 4-8-1.

Brendon O’Callaghan made a successful pro debut with a opening round stoppage of Anthony Young in a scheduled four-round middleweight bout.

O’Callaghan dropped Young with a hard combination on the ropes. O’Callaghan jumped on a hurt Young, and another series of punches forced a referee stoppage at 2:39.

O’Callaghan of Philadelphia is 1-0 with one knockout. Young, also of Philadelphia, drops to 0-2.

Isaiah Wise won a six-round split decision over Luis Solis in a middleweight bout.

Wise of Philadelphia won by scores of 59-55 and 58-56; while the 3rd judge scored it for Solis by a 59-55 tally.

Wise is now 9-2-2. Solis is 25-13-4.

Hard Hitting Promotions returns to the Showboat Hotel on Saturday, August 28th

New York, New York (August 2, 2021)-Former WBO World Champion, and Long Island native, CHRIS ALGIERI (24-3 9KO’s) returns to the ring for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, against fellow New Yorker, Brooklyn’s, MIKKEL LESPIERRE (22-2-1 10KO’s) over 10-rounds at the Hulu Theatre at Madison Square Garden.

This all-New York battle takes place on the undercard of Michael Hunter vs Mike Wilson heavyweight bout, and will be aired on Triller Fight Club and FITE.TV. Algieri-LesPierre is promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing.

Chris Algieri won the WBO Super Lightweight World Title in 2014 in a thrilling fight at the Barclays Center against RUSLAN PROVODNIKOV that saw Algieri come back after being downed twice in the first round, with one eye completely shut, to upset Provodnikov for the championship of the world. Algieri would go on to challenge legend MANNY PACQUAIO in Macao China, and then return to New York to face the likes of AMIR KHAN and ERROL SPENCE JR.

Algieri has fought and won his previous two bouts at The Hulu Theatre at MSG, first defeating Star Boxing stablemate and fellow New Yorker, DANNY “EL GALLO” GONZALEZ (on 1/18/19) by unanimous decision in a competitive bout on DAZN, followed by a dominating victory over British fan-favorite, TOMMY COYLE (on 6/1/19), as Coyle could not come off the stool for the 8th round. In the midst of campaigning for another world title at super lightweight, everything was put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but now, Algieri refocuses, preparing for another march to the top of the division.

Opposing Algieri, is Trinidad and Tabago born, Brooklyn raised southpaw, Mikkel LesPierre. LesPierre made a name for himself on the undercard of Star Boxing’s current WBO Light Heavyweight World Champion JOE SMITH JR. – DMITRY BIVOL main event, when he challenged MAURICE HOOKER for the WBO Super Lightweight World Title. While falling short, LesPierre earned the respect of fans everywhere, taking Hooker the full 12-rounds. During the day, LesPierre is a data specialist in the ENT department at Mt. Sinai Hospital.

This bout has major implications for both Algieri and LesPierre, as a victory over the other will bring the victorious fighter one step closer to another world title challenge. Both men are set to tip the scales today at 1PM at MSG ahead of tomorrows fight night. Tune in to Algieri-Lespierre LIVE tomorrow night at 7PM ET on FITE.TV – order HERE.

The Archives: Chris Algieri
The Archives: Chris Algieri

DEDHAM, Mass. (August 1, 2021) — Last night, professional boxing returned to Massachusetts for the first time in 1 ½ years, due to pandemic restrictions, as Vertex Promotions presented it first show, “Fight Night on the Charles at Moseley’s,” at Moseley’s On The Charles in Dedham, Massachusetts.

“Fight Night on the Charles at Moseley’s” also marked the initial pro boxing event ever held in Dedham, the town located on Boston’s southwest border that was settled in 1635. Vertex Promotions’ first show was a sellout, in fact, people were turned away at the door.

“I thought we’d do very well because I know Ryan Roach, and he refuses to fail,” an ecstatic Vertex Promotions president Dave Clark commented about his company’s first promoted event. “I was a little bit surprised how well everything went. We have a really good team (Clark, Roach and Mark Porter). Ryan is a manager, but he really helped us out a lot with his experience. Everybody was happy, even the fighters who didn’t win. They all said they want to work with us again. They loved it in Boston and some of them had never been there before.

“I won’t lie, though, it our first experience and I was stressed the last month, but we’re all very happy now. The crowd was awesome. I want to thank the fans, our staff, and especially the fighters. We couldn’t have done it without all of them. We’ll enjoy this for a little while and then keep things going. We’re steamrolling now and we want to keep those kids active.”

Undefeated junior welterweight Ray Jay “The Destroyer” Bermudez (13-0, 10 KOs) lived up to his nickname in the main event, stopping an over-matched Bergman “The Snake” Aguilar (15-9-1, 5 KOs) in round two to capture the vacant NBA Continental crown.

r – bermudez_aguailr006.JPG
Bermudez (pictured above on left), fighting out of Troy, New York, dropped Aguilar, the former WBA FEDALATIN super featherweight champion, in the second round with an overhand right. Three left hooks to the body put Aguilar on the canvas again, and the end came moments later when Bermudez decked his Nicaraguan opponent for a third and final time with a perfectly place left hook to the body that left Agular grimacing in pain. He was unable to beat the count and Bermudez had a new belt to add to his ABF American West super lightweight strap.

Pre-fight, Bermudez correctly predicted Aguilar wouldn’t last past five rounds. “I saw that his body was open and that was the way to attack him,” Bermudez said after the fight. “I went to work and knew and wouldn’t last too long. I’m ready to fight anybody my team picks. I’m ready for the big dogs!

“I’ve been trained out of Boston (with his uncle, head trainer Hector Bermudez) the last four years and have a nice fan-base. I’m like fighting in New England.”

In the co-featured event, highly touted welterweight prospect Jim “The Slim Reaper” Perella (8-0, 6 KOs) overcame the first knockdown of his young career, albeit it from a questionable shot that appeared to hit Perella behind the head, en route to a third-round win by technical knockout of Rakim Johnson (6-12-1, 5 KOs).

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Perella (above right), fighting out of Mansfield, MA, has a strong amateur pedigree having won the New England USA New England and New England Golden Gloves four times each. His class showed from the start as he boxed effectively, using his jab to set-up his other punches, and other than the flash knockdown in the second round, he cruised past Johnson. Perella registered knockdowns in the first with a big right hand, followed two rounds later by a body shot, and then another liver shot to close the show midway through the third.

Another undefeated promising prospect, Francis “Frank The Tank” Hogan (7-0, 7 KOs) nearly went the distance for the first time in his pro career, but halfway through the sixth and final round, the southpaw finished strong with a left that Isiah “Murder” Hart (6-2-1, 4 KOs) was unable to withstand. Hart was also floored in the second round by a pair of lefts from Hogan (below right), the reigning New Hampshire Super Welterweight Champion, as well as a 2019 New England Golden Gloves champion.

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Boston lightweight Jonathan de Pina (5-1, 3 KOs) pitched a shutout against journeyman “Money” Mike Fowler (7-38, 2 KOs), winning all six rounds for a unanimous decision victory. Pina dropped Fowler twice, once in the second and again in the third, by consistently trapping him the ropes, but Fowler was able to survive.

Weymouth, MA welterweight Eric “Gladiator” Goff (3-0, 3 KOs) continued to impress against Austin Reed Ward (0-7), who was knocked down in the opening round by an overhand right, and a barrage of unanswered punches led to a stoppage in the middle of the first round.

In a fight between pro-debuting welterweights, Boston’s James Murrin took a close but unanimous 4-round decision from Michael Oller Da Silva. Murrin’s aggression put him in early control, but Da Silva got back in the fight with a knockdown to make it close in the judges’ scoring (39-37, 38-37, 38-37).

Worcester, MA junior lightweight Alex Rivera (1-0, 1 KOs) turned in a powerful pro debut, battering Richard Bernard (1-4-1) from the opening bell until a 3-punch combination in the opening round resulted in a knockout.

The first fight of the night only lasted 30-seconds as Boston cruiserweight Bernard Joseph (2-0, 2 KOs) needed only one well-placed body shot to put Francisco Neto (1-14-1, 1 KO) on his knees and aching in obvious pain.

Official results below:

OFFICIAL RESULTS

MAIN EVENT – VACANT NBA CONTINENTAL JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

RayJay Bermudez (13-0, 10 KOs), Albany, NY

WKO2 (1:25)

Bergman Aguilar (15-9-1, 5 KOs), San Jose, Costa Rica by way of Nicaragua

(Bermudez won NBA Continental junior welterweight title)

CO-FEATURE – WELTERWEIGHTS

James Perella (8-0, 6 KOs), Mansfield, MA

WTKO3 (1:46)

Rakim Johnson (6-13-1, 5 KOs), Indianapolis, IN

SPECIAL SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT ATTRACTION

Francis Hogan (7-0, 7 KOs), Weymouth, MA.

WTKO6 (1:36)

Isiah Hart (6-2-1, 4 KOs), Mays Landy, NJ by way of Peru

CRUISERWEIGHTS

Bernard Joseph (2-0, 2 KOs), Dorchester, MA

WKO1 (0:30)

Francisco Neto (1-14-1, 1 KO), Woburn, MA by way of Brazil

WELTERWEIGHTS

Eric Goff (3-0, 3 KOs), Weymouth, MA

WTKO1 (1:39(

Austin Reed Ward (0-7), Garden City, KS

James Murrin (1-0, 0 KOs), Boston, MA

WDEC4 (39-37, 38-37, 38-37)

Michael Oller Da Silva (0-1, Concord, NH by way of Brazil

LIGHTWEIGHTS

Jonathan de Pina (5-1, 3 KOs), Boston, MA

WDEC6 (60-52, 60-52, 60-52)

Mike Fowler (7-38), Milwaukee, WI

JUNIOR LIGHTWEIGHTS

Alex Rivera (1-0, 1 KO), Worcester, MA

WKO1 (1:50)

Richard Bernard (1-4-1), Waianae, HI

London, UK (1 August 2021) It was a successful raid in Italy last night for Brighton heavyweight destroyer Tommy Welch who blasted through Jiri Svacina in one round to maintain his perfect unbeaten record.

Welch had been scheduled to face Petr Frolich, but he was withdrawn at the last minute and replaced with the experienced Svacina for the four-round bout in Fano, Marche, on the Adriatic coast.

Not phased by the change, concrete-fisted Welch heavily dropped Svacina four times in the opening round and the 61-fight Czech Republic veteran didn’t come out for the second, opting to sit on his stool.

The fast-rising talent is blitzing through all opponents put before him with his previous three going inside two rounds as they succumb to the 26-year-old’s big hitting power. It was the second back-to-back foreign assignment for Welch with his prior fight in Brussels in June against Gyorgy Kutasi ending in the second round.

Welch was pleased with his Italian job and felt he had overcome a number of situations presented to him before the fight which will hold him in good stead for the future.

“When I hit him flush with the first big shot in the first ten seconds of the opening round I knew that I had him,” Said Welch.

“From that point on Svacina knew that he was in with an animal and he wasn’t going to escape and I hurt him with every shot as hit the canvas four times. He sat on his stool after the first round and it was clear he didn’t want anymore,”

“He said to me afterwards ‘Man, you’re very strong and fast, these heavyweights are going to struggle with you’ which was good to hear as he’s very experienced and been in with a lot of people,”

“I felt I successfully dealt with what was presented to me out there, we were told the venue was indoor and it was outdoor. Actually, it gave the fight a gladiator feel with it being in Italy and my grandfather had he been alive, who is part Italian, would have been over the moon,”

“The last minute opponent change was another factor. Svacina was the original opponent, but we wanted someone heavier and went with Frolich, but then he was replaced with Svacina again. I was a little angry and that’s why the fight probably ended as quick as it did,”

“Also it was boiling hot and there were no changing rooms either. The Joker face mask went down a treat as well. Due to my performance I had the crowd behind me. It reminded me of the line in the movie Gladiator ‘win the crowd and you will win your freedom’ and that’s what I did,”

“If I can learn and deal now from all these different types of situations and pressures early in my career, I know that when I go to my opponent’s backyard in the future I can deal with it,”

Welch has a busy summer ahead with a further fight on August 29 in Brussels, Belgium, and then on Hennessy Sports’ show on Friday 10th September at the Coventry Skydome Arena, live on Channel 5.

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

LOS ANGELES – The culmination of the nearly two-year featherweight tournament featuring the greatest BELLATOR athlete and the top undefeated prospect in the history of the promotion is in the books and AJ McKee emerged victorious, notching an emphatic submission win in the opening round.

With the win, McKee extended his winning streak to 18 fights, and took home not one, but two belts in front of a partisan crowd at the world famous Forum in Los Angeles.

#1-AJ McKee (18-0) defeated C-Patricio Pitbull (32-5) via submission (guillotine) at 1:57 of round one

AJ McKee following his championship win:

“We are just getting started. This is only the beginning. When it first started and they were selecting the bracket, I wanted the third or fourth pick.  But God told me that I am number one so when I picked that first draw, I knew that I was number one and now I am. Mentality is the key.  You have to put the work in and my dad always says, hard work beats talent.”

Additionally, BELLATOR Heavyweight World Champion Ryan Bader joined the commentary team tonight. It was announced earlier this morning that his upcoming bout with Corey Anderson has been scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 16 at the Footprint Center, home of the Phoenix Suns, as part of the BELLATOR MMA Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix Semifinals. Three of the participants spoke tonight at BELLATOR 263.

Rumble Johnson:

This is my home now (BELLATOR) and I am going to make the most of it. Going against Nemkov, I see that it is going to be a big challenge. He doesn’t have any weaknesses. He’s a winner. I know he hits very hard. I have to be on my A-game.  I can’t be lazy and play around.  I am not saying I was lazy against Jose Augusto. But now I’ve got to go against the champ and I’ll be ready.  

Corey Anderson:

“It was super important for me to make a statement in the opening round and I did that. I came in and did what I said I was going to do.  I worked my ground and pound and I showed my power to get the win. I was able to do it against a guy that everyone said is a Russian killer.  

Ryan Bader:

“Corey looked good in that fight but, really, who was that guy? You say he was a dark horse but he’s a dark horse because no one knows him. And your ground and pound didn’t show any power. It was volume, not power. Look, I am a gamer. I‘ve proven that again and again. I came here a two-division champion and I am still rolling.”

#8-Mads Burnell (15-3) defeated #2-Emmanuel Sanchez (20-5) via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

Mads Burnell following his dominant win:

“About Emmanuel Sanchez, and this ain’t some post-fight bull where I talk up my opponent.  He is one tough dude. This guy is straight up gangster. I am tired of hearing that I am only a submission expert.  I can box, too.  The plan was with Sanchez to walk him down. To go to him and use my shoulder roll and when he changed his angle, take his butt down. He’s a dog.  You think you have him and then he gets energy from someplace, I don’t know where.

Usman Nurmagomedov (13-0) defeated Manny Muro (12-7) via TKO (punches) at 3:30 of round one

Usman Nurmagomedov after remaining undefeated:

“I wanted to make statement in this fight… I wanted to show that I could wrestle, and I could grapple. I can take the fight anywhere it goes.  That I am not just striking. I showed that tonight.”

Islam Mamedov (20-1-1) defeated Brent Primus (10-2) via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Islam Mamedov after his close decision win:

“Honestly, I thought I won all three rounds without a doubt. I am not sure why any judge gave my opponent the fight. In my mind I was thinking that if this fight goes to him, it would be crazy, and I wouldn’t understand why. Well, now he must be unhappy that he is not on my level. I heard him saying that and I feel like I proved I am better than him.”

“He was very negative about this fight, and I think he needs to do something to deserve this rematch. To me, he did not do a single thing in that fight that showed he won or deserved a rematch. Before this fight, I knew what he was able to do. He was trying to submit me, but he didn’t even come close. Even if he did, I have trained with so many good people for years and he would’ve had to rip my hand off to get this victory.”

#5-Goiti Yamauchi (26-5) defeated Chris Gonzalez (6-1) via TKO (punches) at 3:53 of round one

Goiti Yamauchi following his victory:

“Training camp was devoted to be ready for his wrestling background. But the more I train for grappling, the fights become more striking. That’s what happened tonight.”

Preliminary Card:

#10-Vanessa Porto (23-9) defeated Ilara Joanne (9-6) via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Gadzhi Rabadanov (16-4-2) defeated Daniel Carey (7-5) via KO (punch) at 3:57 of round one

Khasan Magomedsharipov (6-0 defeated Jonathan Quiroz (4-4) 4:21 of round two TKO (strikes)

 Joshua Jones (11-5) defeated Johnny Cisneros (13-8) via TKO (strikes) at 4:15 of round two

Georgi Karakhanyan (31-11-1) defeated Kiefer Crosbie (8-3) via submission (arm-triangle choke) at 4:25 of round one

Brian Moore (14-7) defeated Jordan Winski (11-3) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26)

About BELLATOR

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

About SHOWTIME

Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly owned subsidiary of ViacomCBS Inc., owns and operates the premium service SHOWTIME^®, which features critically acclaimed original series, provocative documentaries, box-office hit films, comedy and music specials and hard-hitting sports. SHOWTIME is available as a stand-alone streaming service across all major streaming devices and Showtime.com, as well as via cable, DBS, telco and streaming video providers. SNI also operates the premium services THE MOVIE CHANNEL^™ and FLIX^®, as well as on demand versions of all three brands. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV^®. For more information, go to www.SHO.com. 

Leigh Wood captured the WBA Featherweight title with a 12th round stoppage over Xu Can at the opening week of Fight Camp at the Matchroom HQ in Essex, England.

Wood outboxed Can over the course of the fight, and in round 12, landed a big right that sent Can to the canvas. With Can hurt, Wood landed seven unanswered punches that forced a referee stoppage at 2:43.

Wood, 125 1/2 lbs of Nottingham, ENG is now 25-2 with 15 knockouts. Can, 125 1/4 lbs of Beijing CHN is 18-3.

“It feels good you know, to get the stoppage over the line in a great and high-paced fight, the last round with six weeks’ notice, I couldn’t have done anymore,” Wood told Matchroom afterwards. 
 
“I did say in an interview that I’m going to be catching him clean and it’s not down to me how long the fight lasts, it’s down to him pretty much. I could have sustained that all night. He took some big shots, big heart, credit to him but the accumulation has its effect as well. The shot I finished him with wasn’t as big as the ones I caught him with earlier on, but they took their toll, I caught him and got the stoppage.
 
“I had belief in my power, not only do I have big power, but I know how to get it off, how to set it up and how to mix it up. That’s the biggest factor in working with Ben, Lee Wylie and Barry Smith, they’ve really changed the game for me.
 
“He definitely wasn’t throwing 120 punches a round and that’s down to the game plan. Everyone was saying how are you going to do it, what are going to do, are you going to hit him hard, are going to hold him, it was down to the game plan. Even people watching don’t understand, but that’s a conversation for another day.
 
“Hopefully the younger generations see this and think you know what, he’s done it, World Champion, British, Commonwealth, European, hopefully people decide to go pick up a pair of boxing gloves and start their journey.
 
“Ben and Lee said to me they’ve never been so confident in someone getting the tactics right as much as me going into this fight. I thought that was a big statement, I was doing everything they wanted me to do. I executed it pretty much to perfection and credit to those guys for getting it right – I just do as I’m told, and it works.
 
“I’m easy, redemption with Dickens would be great for myself. Full confidence in Ben getting my tactics right for that fight, I had a bad night that fight, first southpaw I boxed as a pro, I’d like to put that right naturally.
 
“But if there’s bigger fights, I said I wanted the Navarrete fight he’s explosive like me, that’ll be absolute fireworks. People might slate me and say it’s a regular title, let’s fight for the super title, let’s unify – I want big fights.
 
“My career was stalled earlier on. In three years I’ve been British, Commonwealth, WBO European and now World Champion. My best years are definitely to come.”

Chris Billiam-Smith won a 12-round split decision over Tommy McCarthy in a hotly contested cruiserweight bout.

In round six, McCarthy was cut over his right eye.

Billam-Smith landed 155 of 637 punches; McCarthy was 154 of 506.

Billiam-Smith won by scores of 115-114 and 116-112, while McCarthy took a card 115-114.

Billiam-Smith-199 1/2 lbs of Bournemouth, ENG is 13-1. McCarthy, 199 1/4 lbs of Belfast, NI is 18-3.

“It’s crazy, as Shane said, it’s been a bit of a tough camp towards the end – I had an injury and I haven’t sparred in 3-4 weeks,” Billam-Smith told Matchroom afterwards. “All that emotion came out, it was an interesting build up the fight, future fights, but I’m over the moon.
 
“It was a good shot, the best shot he landed all fight, I was with it, but it was a good shot, it buzzed me in a way, but I was in control, I could see, I knew I’d been hit but I just had to ride it a bit.
 
“I was really confident, the corner had it closer. In my head I thought I’d won probably eight rounds, but I wasn’t scoring it as I went along – so maybe seven. There was no way he won seven rounds, absolutely no way, that first round he landed one shot. It was a good shot, but I also had him hurt and hit him a lot more – those rounds should really go in my favour.
 
“He was harder to hit clean to be fair to him, but that was my own fault, I was loading up looking for one shot. Shane said that so the jab to the body was key, it was everything. It won me the fight, we watched the Askin fight today and that was the key – props to Shane.
 
“I sent the tweet out and it got him going, he built the fight really well. I played the villain at the beginning and just let him run away with it. All respect to Tommy, he was tougher and better than I thought he was.
 
“I’m so much better than that, I just walked back into the changing rooms and Shane has a massive go at me and said, ‘what was that?’ We know what I’m capable of but then I get too excited in there when I hurt someone. That’s because I’ve only had 14 fights, I’ve got a lot of learning to do but it’s a long process, I’m not the finished article and that’s the sort of fight I need.
 
“I was fit in there, comfortable in there, still ready to work in that last round and go up a gear which is good, but I’ve got to learn to be more articulate with how I go about things.
 
“They all work hard in the gym; I like to do the little 1% that they probably can’t be bothered to do. They work hard, Lawrence runs every morning, everyone’s a grafter in the gym but that comes down to Shane and Josh, they set such a high standard. You’ve got to be world class and act like a professional the whole time in that gym to survive.
 
“There was a group of twelve lads from Bournemouth that I kind of know and they all come up, to see them in crowd and to making the noise they did, it was really special. It’s so good to have fans back and some normality.
 
“I want a show in Bournemouth, I really do. We’ve tried it almost 18 months ago, it would be unbelievable to have a show down there. We’ve got the Bournemouth International Centre which Eddie had booked for last March which he couldn’t get an opponent for. I need a show in Bournemouth, I love my fans, they’ve been superb to me. I’ve been on the road, Riakporhe in London, Glover in Liverpool, here in London, I want to go home.”

Campbell Hatton remained undefeated with a four-round decision over Jakub Laskowski in a lightweight fight.

Hatton, 135 1/2 lbs of Manchester, ENG won by a 40-36 score and is now 3-0. Laskowski, 135 1/2 lbs of Poland is 4-5-1.

“I was happy again really; I thought my defence was a lot better,” Hatton told Matchroom afterwards. “I was a bit more composed again, I think there were a few times where I’d hurt him and probably could have smothered my work fully and not caught him with anything. I managed to control myself a little when he was going. I didn’t quite get the knockout because I was smothering, and he was tricky, but it was exactly what I need. I need the rounds more than I need a stoppage.
 
“He was tricky customer, slippery, doing a bit of switching and some different looks. That’s the perfect fight and it has been matched perfectly for me to learn. There are people out there they could bring in and anyone could hit them and knock them over. That’s not how they’re matching me, we’re getting me people who are going to get the rounds out of me and give me different things to overcome – that’s what he did tonight.
 
“I think I showed some more classy work than I have before, working off my jab. My jab is one of my best shots in the gym and now I’m bringing it into play in the fights now.
 
“The first fight I was saying all week I was dead relaxed, but I had nothing to compare it to. The second fight I was more composed, and I was more composed this fight – next time it’s going to be the same pattern and even better.
 
“This was a different experience, it’s different to anything that I’m probably going to face very often in my career. It was different making the ring walk this time, you feel breezy seeing people tucking into their tea and having a pint. It was weird making my ring walk to that but as soon as the bell went it was just like any other ring and I just got to work.
 
“Gibraltar, the amount of media commitments I had to and how much time was invested into me on the media side, I think that set me up, so I’ve not had to do much really. We’ve got it all out the way in the first one, I’m never going to have to deal with anything like that again, the pressure will always be there but each time I’ll be dealing with it better. I’m dealing with the pressure like it’s not there now.
 
“You see all these opponents, if it was any other kid he was fighting with any other surname, I don’t think he would have been digging in half as much as he did there. They want to make a point, whether it’s to stop me, or just survive – they raise their game a bit when they know it’s me and I’ve got to do the same.”

Anthony Fowler stopped Rico Mueller in round eight of a scheduled 10-round junior middleweight fight,

In round two, Mueller began to bleed from his nose.

Mueller hung tough, but over the course of the fight, Fowler started breaking down Mueller. In round eight, Fowler landed a jab that buckled Mueller. Fowler continued to batter Mueller all over the ring until the bout was stopped at 2:12.

Fowler, 155 1/4 lbs of Liverpool, ENG is 15-1 with 12 knockouts. Mueller, 156 lbs of Eberswalde, GER is 28-4-1.

After the fight, it was announced that Fowler would take on Liam Smith on October 9th.

“My next opponent is a really good fighter, much better than him, but I needed the rounds,” Fowler told DAZN afterwards. “I thought in round two I wobbled him but thought, ‘not today’. My last fight was three rounds and I thought, ‘I need rounds today’, so I stepped back and worked on a few things.
 
“The one thing I haven’t had in my career is rounds, I’ve always blasted my opponents out and haven’t really learnt much. I’m learning plenty in the gym but that’s where it counts, it means nothing in the gym.
 
“I’m from the south of Liverpool, Liam’s (Smith) from the north. It doesn’t bother me, I respect Liam a lot, he’s a really good fighter, ten times better than that lad tonight so I need to be on top of my game. I don’t turn fights down, since day one I’ve boxed anyone, I’ve asked for all these big fights, but it never happened for me.
 
“Even tonight, I wanted to box Roberto Garcia, a good, experienced veteran. Rico Mueller gaveca good fight and I’m happy he replaced Garcia because I said in the ring, ‘thanks for giving it your all’, after six rounds he was six rounds down and he was still trying.
 
“Liam is a much higher level, but I needed the rounds and that’s what I got.”

Jack Cullen won a 10-round unanimous decision over former world title challenger Avni Yiildrim n a super middleweight bout.

Cullen, 163 1/2 lbs of Little Leaver, ENG won by scores of 100-90, 98-92 and 9793 and is now 20-2-1. Yildrim, 163 lbs of Istanbul, TUR ks 21-4.

“I’m absolutely buzzing and listen; we came with a game plan, a couple of rounds in I wasn’t doing what I should have been doing, but I stuck to my game plan and it paid off eventually,” Cullen told Matchroom afterwards. 
 
“I knew he was going to come forward, he’s a tough fighter and he comes to fight – that’s what he did tonight. Like I said with my game plan, using the jab and trying to not get caught with the right hand. I got caught a few times stupidly, but I got back on my boxing and got through the ten rounds.
 
“To be honest with you every fight I’ve seen him in he’s been one paced. It’s me not doing too much, using the jab, and letting him come forward, instead of me getting involved in a scrap – it worked. We stuck to the game plan, it worked, and I’m delighted. 
 
“I’ve been working over and over, every day, it’s starting to pay off. Like I said, you’re going to see a different Jack Cullen and I think you did tonight.
 
“At the end of the day, I’m in this game to fight the best and anything can happen, anything is around the corner. It’s all about being switched on and ready, whoever you get offered you’ve got to take the fight with both hands and go for it.
 
“I have got a brilliant support, a lot of fans that love watching and supporting me. There were only 25 in there tonight, but it sounded like 100, it’s brilliant and I’m going to have a nice little rest – we’ll see. Hopefully Eddie will sign me now!
 
“It’s moving in the right direction, the direction I want it to go. Everyone said Yildirim is going to be a tough opponent and I knew that, but I knew I should be beating fighters like him because of where I want to take my career to.
 
“I will go with flow, who knows, I reckon there will be all sorts of people jumping out the closet wanting to fight me, but we’ll see.”

Prized amateur Sandy Ryan made a successful pro debut with a six-round decision over Kirstie Bavington in a super lightweight bout.

Ryan, 144 1/2 lbs of Darby England won by a 60-54 tally and is 1-0. Bavington, 144 1/2 lbs of Pensnett, ENG is 3-2-2.

“It was a very good fight,” Ryan told Matchroom afterwards. “I’m over the moon and I’m so happy. I enjoyed every minute of that, the walk, everything, I’m just made for the pro game.
 
“I took my time; I enjoyed the ring walk – I enjoyed it so much.
 
“I wanted a tough fight, to prove the levels. I showed glimpses of it, there were times where she was a bit messy and holding. The pro game and each fight as it goes on, I’m going to get much better.
 
“Levels, I said that even if I had a bad day, she wasn’t going to beat me. It’s not disrespect to her, but I just know what I’m capable of. Boxing’s my life and I’m going all the way.
 
“I’ve got the right team behind, Matchroom, DAZN, Eddie Hearn, Paul Ready my manager and Clifton my trainer, that’s all I need – that’s my team. I don’t need a big entourage around me, this is all I need and we’re going all the way.”

Atlantic City, NJ (July 31, 2021)–Weights for Tonight’s Hard Hitting Promotions fight card at the Showboat Hotel in Atlantic City.

Christian Tapia 130 – Mason Menard 129.2
(NABA Super Featherweight Title)

Dylan Price 119 – Edwin Rodriguez 118
Anthony Young 146.8 – Todd Manuel 146.4
Ricardo Caraballo 111.4 – Harold Lopez 111.8
Jerome Conquest 140.4 – Wilfredo Garriga 140
Brendan O’Callaghan 158 – Anthony Young 154
Desmond Lucas 146.4 -Trey Martin 147.4
Isaiah Wise 158.6 – Luis Solis 159.8

Promoter: Hard Hitting Promotions
Venue: Showboat Hotel
1st Bell: 7 PM ET
Doors: 6 PM ET
Stream: Flo Combat

London, UK (30 July 2021) Promoter Mick Hennessy will showcase the brightest boxing talents of his quality packed stable in one mega night of boxing at the Coventry Skydome Arena on Friday 10th September, live and free in the UK and Ireland on Channel 5.

Hennessy’s biggest stars, champions and prospects will get to show off their skills and dynamite punching in front of a live crowd and viewing TV audience as they aim to become British boxing’s next big thing.

Presented by Hennessy Sports in association with William Hill, Infinitum, Numan and Everlast, tickets will start at £40 and go on sale on general sale shortly.

The action packed line up features:

Sam Eggington: Multi-tilted, all-action Eggington won the WBC Silver Middleweight title in a thrilling battle with Carlos Molina in May and picked up a World ranking as he closes in fast on a World title.

Isaac Chamberlain: The Brixton banger makes his highly anticipated return to the ring following career enhancing shoulder surgery which will make him better than ever and is now ready to rock and is back to his big-punching best again.

Stevie McKenna: The Irish dynamo has TNT packed in his fists with all eight out of eight of his opponents KO’d within five rounds. The County Monaghan welterweight terror is gunning for a showdown with English rival Conor Benn next year as he continues leaving a trail of destruction in his wake.

Shakan Pitters: The charismatic Birmingham giant signalled his explosive return to the ring earlier this year with a KO of Jermaine Springer and now looks to regain his mantle as British Light-Heavyweight Champion.

River Wilson Bent: The fast-rising Coventry middleweight hot shot has been hailed as the new Ricky Hatton with his exhilarating knockout style and lifted the roof off the Planet Ice Arena with his KO of George Farrell last time out.

Kaisee Benjamin: Thrilled in his last fight when he floored rival Martin Harkin with a searing body shot in the sixth round and Harkin didn’t come out for the next round. Super skilled Benjamin is shaping up to be a serious threat in the welterweight division.

Idris Virgo: The Love Island star is proving to be the real deal as he continues on the road to his first title fight. With a physique carved out of rock, the flash and brash Birmingham super- middleweight ace has backed everything up so far.

Brett McGinty: The sensational Ricky Hatton trained, Donegal super-welterweight, and former amateur standout talent is unbeaten in two fights and is showing signs of becoming a force to be reckoned with as he developes.

Tommy Welch: The Brighton heavyweight star and former amateur sensation brings hell every time he fights and he doesn’t hang about with all three of his fights ending by KO inside two rounds.

Michael Hennessy Jr.: A former top amateur with a wealth of experience, the stylish Sevenoaks super-welterweight is looking better and better each time with some eye-catching combinations to head and body as looks to stamp his mark in the pro game.

Hennessy was the first boxing promoter to open the doors to the public in May at the Coventry Skydome Arena and the allocated tickets – put on sale just five days before the show – sold out within minutes and the action starved fight fans were given to a fistic treat.

This time the Coventry Skydome Arena will be open to full capacity on Friday 10th September and Hennessy is promising a night of entertainment that they won’t forget.

He said, “This is a real boxing bonanza of a card for the fight fans. After a very tough time that everyone has had, this is a show for the fans where they can come out and enjoy the fights, see the Hennessy Sports stable of champions from Sam, Kaisee, River, the return of Isaac, Shakan on his comeback, and our exciting future of young talents like Stevie, Idris, Brett, Tommy and Michael all showcasing their skills. The breadth of talent across the weight divisions is just incredible and shows the strength of British and Irish boxing as they look to shine on this massive night. There will be real entertaining, fifty-fifty, fights throughout the card to savour so don’t miss this one.”

The full card will be announced in the coming weeks.

Tickets will go on sale shortly and are expected to sell out fast so keep a close eye on Hennessy Sports social media accounts for more announcements.

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

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – BELLATOR 263: Pitbull vs. McKee will be broadcast tomorrow, Saturday, July 31 on SHOWTIME at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT, while preliminary bouts will stream on the BELLATOR MMA YouTube channel, the SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel, and on Pluto TV beginning at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT.

BELLATOR 263: Pitbull vs. McKee Main Card:

Saturday, July 31 – Live on SHOWTIME

10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT 

Featherweight World Title Main Event: C-Patricio Pitbull (144.5) vs. #1-AJ McKee (145)

Featherweight Bout: #2-Emmanuel Sanchez (145.3) vs. #8-Mads Burnell (145.5)

Lightweight Bout: Usman Nurmagomedov (155.3) vs. Manny Muro (156)

Lightweight Bout: Brent Primus (155.2) vs. Islam Mamedov (154.9)

Lightweight Bout: #5-Goiti Yamauchi (155.5) vs. Chris Gonzalez (155)

Preliminary Card:

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

7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT

Women’s Flyweight Bout: #10-Vanessa Porto (125.6) vs. Ilara Joanne (125.2)

150 lb. Contract Weight Bout: Gadzhi Rabadanov (149) vs. Daniel Carey (149.1)

Featherweight Bout: Khasan Magomedsharipov (144.6) vs. Jonathan Quiroz (146)

180 lb. Contract Weight Bout: Joshua Jones (179.6) vs. Johnny Cisneros (179.2)

Lightweight Bout: Georgi Karakhanyan (155.6) vs. Kiefer Crosbie (155.9)

Bantamweight Bout: Brian Moore (135.8) vs. Jordan Winski (134.7)

Please visit Bellator.com for additional information.

****

About BELLATOR

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

About SHOWTIME

Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly owned subsidiary of ViacomCBS Inc., owns and operates the premium service SHOWTIME^®, which features critically acclaimed original series, provocative documentaries, box-office hit films, comedy and music specials and hard-hitting sports. SHOWTIME is available as a stand-alone streaming service across all major streaming devices and Showtime.com, as well as via cable, DBS, telco and streaming video providers. SNI also operates the premium services THE MOVIE CHANNEL^™ and FLIX^®, as well as on demand versions of all three brands. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV^®. For more information, go to www.SHO.com. 

NORWOOD, Mass. ( (July 30, 2021) — The official weigh in for tomorrow night’s “Fight Night on the Charles at Moseley’s,” presented by Vertex Promotions, was held today at Dan O’Brien Motorsports in Norwood, Massachusetts.

Tomorrow night’s event will be held at Moseley’s On The Charles in Dedham, Massachusetts. It’ll be the first professional boxing match ever held in Dedham, which borders Boston, as well as the first pro show in Massachusetts in 1 ½ years.

Two championship final matches of the New England Silver Gloves Tournament will highlight an amateur card preceding the evening’s pro card, during the afternoon segment, between 1-4 p.m. ET ($20.00 admission fee at door).

Limited tickets for the evening’s pro card will be available at the door for $95.00 (row 1), $85.00 (2nd row), $65.00 (3rd row), $55.00 (general admission) and $45.00 (standing room).

Doors will open at 7 pm. ET with the first bout scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Fighters’ weights are below:

(pictures by Emily Harney / Fightography)

WI – Bermudwz-Aguilar.JPG
MAIN EVENT – VACANT NBA CONTINENTAL JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP (8)

(L) RayJay Bermudez (12-0, 9 KOs), Albany, NY 140 lbs.

(R) Bergman Aguillar (15-8-1, 5 KOs), San Jose, Costa Rica by way of Nicaragua 140 lbs.

WI – Perella-Johnson.jpg
CO-FEATURE – WELTERWEIGHTS (6)

(L) James Perella (7-0, 5 KOs), Mansfield, MA 147 lbs.

(R) Rakim Johnson (6-12-1, 5 KOs), Indianapolis, IN 148 lbs.

WI – Hogan-Hart.JPG

SPECIAL SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT ATTRACTION (6)

(L) Francis Hogan (6-0, 6 KOs), Weymouth, MA 159 lbs.

(R) Isiah Hart (6-1-1, 4 KOs), Mays Landy, NJ by way of Peru 166 lbs.

WELTERWEIGHTS (4)

Eric Goff (2-0, 2 KOs), Weymouth, MA 140 lbs.

Austin Reed Ward (0-6), Garden City, KS 145 lbs.

LIGHTWEIGHTS (4)

Jonathan de Pina (4-1, 3 KOs), Boston, MA 135 lbs.

Mike Fowler (7-37), Milwaukee, WI 134 lbs.

WELTERWEIGHTS (4)

James Murrin ((Pro Debut), Boston, MA 147 lbs.

Maycow Oller (Pro Debut), Concord, NH by way of Brazil 150 lbs.

JUNIOR LIGHTWEIGHTS (4)

Alex Rivera (Pro Debut), Worcester, MA 129 lbs.

Richard Bernard (1-3-1), Waianae, HI 130 lbs.

CRUISERWEIGHTS (4)

Bernard Joseph (1-0, 1 KO), Dorchester, MA 192 lbs.

Francisco Neto (1-13-1, 1 KO), Woburn, MA by way of Brazil 187 lbs.

(card subject to change)

Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Sport Chairman:

“Thanks Chris, thanks Darren and thanks to everyone for joining us here as we look outside to Fight Camp. Just two days to go, with the most incredible experience to come for fighters, for fans and for viewers on Saturday night as Fight Camp returns.

“As Chris said, we do have some sad news to bring you, the fact that Conor Benn tested positive for COVID-19 this morning. He will be off the card on Saturday night. That fight will be rescheduled as soon as physically possible and when it is safe to do so.

“Leigh Wood against Xu Can for the WBA World Featherweight Title will main event here on Saturday night. A chance for Leigh Wood to become only the second person from Nottingham to become a World Champion.

“We have a great co-main event – the European, British and Commonwealth Title showdown – Tommy McCarthy against Chris Billam-Smith. Jack Cullen against Avni Yildirim now elevated to that main card as well. Anthony Fowler against Rico Muller. Anthony Fowler, Campbell Hatton, Sandy Ryan – a huge night of boxing to come.”

Adrian Granados:

“It’s just the nature of the world we live in now. It’s unfortunate, Conor and I were very gun-ho about this fight, excited about it, chomping at the bit. It’s the day and age we live in, anything can happen now – this unfortunate disease that’s conquering the world right. I’m upset and frustrated but what can we do.

“This says Benn vs. Granados, let’s go. This was the fight that was supposed to happen, Benn’s being talking a lot of stuff. I’ve said some things, but I just wanted to get it on, ready to rumble. It’s unfortunate but I’m hoping for a speedy, 100% recovery for him, no excuses. The 14^th August or the 14^th September we’ll be 100% ready.”

Xu Can – Beijing, China – 18-2, 3 KOs – defending his WBA Featherweight World Title against Leigh Wood:

“I’m in the best state, I wasn’t able to fight in the last 20 months. I’m fully prepared and looking forward to the fight on Saturday night.

“Now I want to focus on this fight, Leigh Wood is a great fighter and I’m taking this really seriously. I will think about the other fighters after Saturday night.

“We will show the fans a big show on Saturday night. For the fans, I will take the victory back to my family and country. Nothing can stop me.” 

Pedro Diaz, trainer of Xu Can:

“I’m very happy to be here, thanks for the opportunity in Fight Camp. I think Saturday will be a very good fight, I see this big fight starting fast, Leigh has big power and an experienced corner. However, Xu Can has a great defence against the big power.”

Leigh Wood – Nottingham, England – 24-2, 14 KOs – challenging Xu Can for the WBA Featherweight World Title:

“It’s the thing you dream of stepping into the gym as a kid, fighting for a World title. It’s not going to be good enough to fight for one, I need to win. I’m 100% confident in getting the win across the line on Saturday night. I’ve worked really hard, my testament in being in the gym and staying ready, ticking over, and improving with Ben is the reason I’ve got myself ready in short notice.

“My last fight for the British title I only had a short time with Ben, I was working on things and just did as I was told, I just trusted him, and it worked. Now I’ve been back in the gym after that fight, picking things up and now I understand what I’m doing. It’s going to be key for a victory on Saturday night.

“After my last fight I was looked at pursuing one of the champions, but there’s so many names at Featherweight – the division is red hot. I can’t look too far ahead; I’ve got to be extremely focused on Saturday because all of that can dissolve into the abyss. I need to be 100% focused on Saturday night, I am, and I truly believe I will win this fight.” 

Ben Davison, trainer of Leigh Wood:

“I believe Leigh can do this. We’re very confident, like you said Eddie it’s very random but fortunately Leigh was in the gym – he’s look after himself all year round. He’s very well prepared, this is the best prepared I’ve seen him physically, emotionally, tactically, we’re ready to go.

“Leigh’s been in with other good punchers as well, the hardest punchers don’t always become the best fighters, so you need a little bit more than that. But like I said before Leigh is very well prepared, tactically. Anybody that knows Xu knows he’s got phenomenal output and it’s up to us to deal with that. We believe we know what to do to solve it.”

“I believe 100% Leigh Wood will become World Champion on Saturday.”

Tommy McCarthy – Belfast, Northern Ireland – 18-2, 9 KOs – fighting Chris Billam-Smith for the European, British and Commonwealth Cruiserweight Titles:

“There’s no real size difference, he’s 6’3 and I’m 6’2½, we’re the same weight so it’s not a major factor. Nothing concerns be about Chris, I’ve got better boxing skills, I’m elusive, I’ve got more experience, all those cards are stacked in my favour. 

“Chris is just rolling the dice here, it’s a big mistake to take this fight in this stage of his career. I’ve said it before, he isn’t ready for such a big jump, he hasn’t been fighting at a good level and he’s coming up to my level. I’m going to prove that on Saturday night.

“I will fight anyone but to fight Chris Billam-Smith to get the clean sweep and go for a World title after, you couldn’t have picked a better opponent. Some people have World title eliminators against killers, and I’ve got Chris, I couldn’t say no.

“Chris is a good fighter but he’s not on my level. That’s not an opinion that’s looking at the facts, he hasn’t got my experience or boxed at my level. Saturday night I’m going to thump him all over the ring.

“He’s been saying he’ll KO me; he’s been saying the exact same one-liner in every interview – I think I’ll stop him in the mid to late-rounds – somebody is saying it to him. He is saying what Shane is saying. I’m coming in here to smash him to bits.”

Mark Dunlop

“This is the triple crown of British and Irish boxing; we’re delighted that we’re facing Chris for all three belts. Chris seems like a nice guy, but I feel he’s being pushed to say the things he’s saying. At the end of the day, when you get into that ring there’s only going to be one winner and that will be Tommy McCarthy.

“I’ve never seen Tommy so dedicated, he hasn’t been out of camp since the last fight and that’s why he’s in incredible shape. He’s chomping at the European level and kicking the door of a World title – he’s number three in the IBF. Tommy’s going for everything, all the belts and World title. That’s why we’re here, not for the money but for the glory.” 

Chris Billam-Smith – Bournemouth, England – 12-1, 10 KOs – fighting Tommy McCarthy for the European, British and Commonwealth Cruiserweight Titles:

“It’s been exciting, it’s a fight you can really get up for with everything that’s on the line. The chat and interviews between us have been good and I’m excited for Saturday.

“This is the right steps at the right time for me, with the British, Commonwealth and European titles being on the line this is another step on the ladder.

“I’ve said it all along, I believe I’ll stop Tommy in the mid to late rounds. That’s what I said at the beginning and that’s what I still believe.” 

Shane McGuigan, trainer of Chris Billam-Smith:

“Credit to both guys for taking the fight, it’s a domestic title but they’re both highly ranked by the governing bodies at world level. They could have sat and waited for an opportunity at the top but it’s fantastic, it allows Chris to win the European and British title, while defending his Commonwealth title.

“It’s exactly what he’s in this sport for, big fights, domestic fights that we can get up for. It’s a competitive fight, after Riakporhe it’s probably Chris’ hardest fight to date.

“I think Tommy’s not the biggest Cruiserweight, he’s very skilful, got good movement, sits back well, is very elusive but I think close mid-range size is going to tell as the fight goes on and I can see Chris stopping him in the later rounds.

“This is a massive step for Chris. He wasn’t touted to be the best, he didn’t go to the Olympics, he wasn’t on the national set-up, but we’ve been working together now four years and he’s been progressing gradually. He’s maximised him as an athlete throughout and I think this will be a real defining fight for him and will put him on the world scene.” 

Campbell Hatton – Manchester, England – 2-0 – fighting Jakub Laskowski in a four round Lightweight contest:

“This is a step up, he’s tricky and a tall fighter, it’ll take a big of figuring out – it’ll be a bit awkward. It’ll be a good learning experience for me.

“I showed big improvements from my second professional fight to my first, just because of how much more relaxed I was. I showed a lot more composure, kept my shape better just because I was handling my nerves better. It’s getting more and more the norm to me now; I’ll be even more relaxed, and we’ll see even bigger improvement on Saturday.

“I’ve always wanted to box at the Manchester Arena which I did last time, but it was empty. I can’t wait to do it with a full crowd, we’re getting back to normal now. My minds on the job this weekend but it’s another motivator to look good on Saturday and move on to the next.”

Jakub Laskowski – Siemianowice Slaskie, Poland – 4-4-1, 2 KOs – fighting Campbell Hatton in a four round Lightweight contest:

“I’m excited for a good fight. Campbell Hatton get ready!”

Anthony Fowler – Liverpool, England – 14-1, 11 KOs – defending his WBA International Super-Welterweight Title against Rico Mueller:

“I was a bit worried on Monday/Tuesday because I wasn’t boxing at all, I had the baby in my hand – I was thinking I better switch on here. I knew as soon as I got back in the gym with Shane and the lads I’d switch back on and I’ve got to. It’s a fight, one shot can change a fight.

“I’m back in the gym now, I’m on weight, my life is on the line every fight – I can’t think about the baby. I need to worry about my opponent which I am doing.

“I left no stone unturned at camp, I’m really focused, I never have an off say. I’m switched on all the time, and I will be on Saturday night. I look at him as a 5’9 orthodox boxer, we prepared for that style. Whatever he does I’ll have an answer for.

“If I lose this fight, all the plans go away. I’ve got to win, and I will win.”  

Rico Mueller – Eberswalde, Germany – 28-3-1, 19 KOs – challenging Anthony Fowler for the WBA International Super-Welterweight Title:

“Unfortunately, with Conor Benn it didn’t work out but when I got the call about Fowler, I knew I wanted to take the fight. This is the first time I’ll step up in weight but I’m confident and on Saturday there will be fireworks.” 

Avni Yildirim – Istanbul, Turkey – 21-3, 12 KOs – fighting Jack Cullen for the vacant IBF International Super-Middleweight Title:

“First of all, thanks to Matchroom and my promoter for the great opportunity again. I don’t want to talk too much but I need a great comeback.

“After the Canelo fight, I opened a new page, I have a new division, a new target. Hopefully everything will go good.” 

Jack Cullen – Littler Lever, England – 19-2-1, 9 KOs – fighting Avni Yildirim for the vacant IBF International Super-Middleweight Title:

“I’m just grateful that I’m back out there and what an opponent I’m fighting. Yildirim is a tough, strong lad and he’s going to come for it – it’s going to be a great fight.

“This is it, if/when I get past him where does it put me. At the end of the day, it’s all about fighting the best and he is what one the best – I appreciate that.

“You’re going to see the same Jack Cullen, but I’ve got a lot of stuff we’ve been working on and it’s going to pay off. There’s no reason why I’m not winning this fight.”

Sandy Ryan – Derby, England – Professional Debut – fighting Kirstie Bavington in a six round Super-Lightweight contest:

“Respect to Kirstie for taking the fight, we know she’s going to come to win. Let’s go.

“My former GB teammates are out in Tokyo, what a week this is going to be – them securing medals for the country and me making my debut on Saturday. I can’t wait, right in it with 6 rounds, Kirstie coming to win, let’s go.

“She [Kirstie] said she’s going to take me to the trenches, so let’s see. I hope she brings that energy Saturday night.” 

Kirstie Bavington – Pensnett, England – 3-1-2, 2 KOs – fighting Sandy Ryan in a six round Super-Lightweight contest:

“I’m excited and ready to go. I’ve been training hard all through lockdown and waiting for this opportunity to come. I’m going to give it all I’ve got and take her to the trenches.” 

“I’m just going to enjoy every moment here, enjoy the whole experience and do the best I can – hopefully make people proud at home.”

LOS ANGELES – BELLATOR MMA’s Featherweight and Lightweight World Champion Patricio Pitbull (32-4) and undefeated top-ranked challenger AJ McKee (17-0) previewed their must-watch Featherweight World Grand Prix Final and 145-pound title fight during a heated press conference on Thursday, just two days before they enter the cage in the main event of Saturday night’s BELLATOR 263 live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT) from The Forum in Inglewood, Calif. Click HERE to watch the exchange at the end of today’s press conference.

The culmination of the nearly two-year featherweight tournament featuring the greatest BELLATOR athlete in the history of the promotion and the company’s best homegrown fighter of all-time comes with a one-million-dollar grand prize on the line.

Saturday’s exciting card also features former featherweight title challenger and No. 2 ranked Emmanuel Sanchez versus Denmark’s No. 8 ranked Mads Burnell and lightweight bouts between Usman Nurmagomedov and Manny Muro and Brent Primus and Islam Mamedov. The SHOWTIME telecast opens with a lightweight bout between No. 5 ranked Goiti Yamauchi and Chris Gonzalez.

Here is what Pitbull, McKee and their coaches had to say Thursday:

Patricio Pitbull, BELLATOR Featherweight World Champion & BELLATOR Lightweight World Champion

“This is one of the biggest fights of my career. I have fought several guys that were very tough too. I beat Michael Chandler which was revenge for me. Now is a new opportunity to show my talent.”

“He is very nervous, he doesn’t want to be there in the cage. When your enemy is making a mistake, don’t interrupt him.”

I fought four times against someone like McKee, it was Daniel Straus. I feel comfortable, I have several training partners in my gym like him.”

AJ McKee, No. 1 Ranked BELLATOR Featherweight & Featherweight World Grand Prix Finalist 

“I plan on fighting smart, keeping my range, and making him bring the fight. Everyone goes out there and rushes him, so let’s see what he does.”

“All my training in my entire life has been built up for this moment. I’ve been on big stages since I was a kid. He thinks I’m nervous but I think that’s him trying to self-reflect and push his little self on me. 

“There is definitely a lot on the line. Being undefeated, there is an extra 0, it’s not just the six in that check I am fighting for. I’m fighting to live up my legacy, continue my father’s legacy, and be a champ. It’s now time for me to go get my belt.”

“At 18-0 in the organization there’s nothing left for me in the division. What more can I do? I want to go conquer the 155-pound title as well. I’ve been calling for it, before anyone did it I said I was going to be champ-champ. It’s time for me to go get my goals.”

“For 22 years I’ve been dreaming for this moment. It’s now here so you embrace it and enjoy every second of it, and you continue to build off of it.”

“It’s not going to the championship rounds. He doesn’t want to go championship rounds, I know that. If it comes down to it I can fight five fives. The Pat Curran fight was a perfect example, it was three five minute rounds of easy work. To do another two rounds like that is bread and butter.” 

“Hard work and dedication is the key. My three year old brother is a gym rat already. I want him to fight for the love of the art of fighting and for the love of the sport.”

“You want to know what disrespect was? I asked Pitbull to sign a newspaper for my legacy and to hang up on my wall one day. Disrespect was crossing my picture out.” 

“Remember when you said you were going to beat my ass in front of my father? I’m going to beat your ass in front of your wife and kids. Now the disrespect is out. The cat is out of the bag now.”

Scott Coker, BELLATOR President

“This is a relaunch of Bellator. We have had about 16 months of doing fights in a closed environment where we have had to do fights without an audience. It’s been challenging for the fighters and the staff, and it’s been a grind, but we are finally here.”

“We have announced some great fights coming up not just domestically but worldwide. The fight this Saturday is an unbelievable main event. When I was watching the pairings I was honestly sitting there hoping that A.J. and Pitbull would be the final fight. Here we are 15 months later with $1 million on the line, the belt, and the tournament belt. I wish both fighter’s good luck.”

“Pitbull has been the champ since this A.J. came here, that’s how long he’s been taking care of business. That’s why this fight will be so interesting.”

“Sports need fans, and fans need sports. The fans are the oxygen of the people competing. When there’s no audience it doesn’t mean people can’t compete and do their best, but at the end of the day I do believe the fans can make a difference in the outcome of a fight.”

“This fight made a lot of sense for Los Angeles, and I’m glad we did it here. It’s the right place to have this fight.”

Antonio McKee, Team Bodyshop Head Coach

“We are either psychic or we have some type of prophecy thing going on here. This has all been written since he was three, it has happened step by step. He wrote a million dollar check when he was ten years old and he couldn’t even spell one million. 

We need to make sure we carry ourselves with respect and pride. We want to be respected and we want to be a trendsetter for people who want to do this sport. We want to be the example.

It’s up to him. He has the IQ when he’s out there. He knows what he’s doing, I have a lot of confidence in what he’s doing, and I believe in him. 

We don’t talk smack about Pitbull, we just state facts. My son is younger, he’s longer, he’s stronger, he faster, and he doesn’t have the same mouth on him.”

BELLATOR 263: Pitbull vs. McKee Main Card:

Saturday, July 31 – Live on SHOWTIME

10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT 

Featherweight World Title Main Event: C-Patricio Pitbull (32-4) vs. #1-AJ McKee (17-0)

Featherweight Bout: #2-Emmanuel Sanchez (20-5) vs. #8-Mads Burnell (15-3)

Lightweight Bout: Usman Nurmagomedov (12-0) vs. Manny Muro (12-6)

Lightweight Bout: Brent Primus (10-1) vs. Islam Mamedov (19-1-1)

Lightweight Bout: #5-Goiti Yamauchi (25-5) vs. Chris Gonzalez (6-0)

Preliminary Card:

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

7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT

Women’s Flyweight Bout: #10-Vanessa Porto (22-9) vs. Ilara Joanne (9-5)

150 lb. Contract Weight Bout: Gadzhi Rabadanov (15-4-2) vs. Daniel Carey (7-4)

Featherweight Bout: Khasan Magomedsharipov (5-0) vs. Jonathan Quiroz (3-4)

180 lb. Contract Weight Bout: Joshua Jones (10-5) vs. Johnny Cisneros (13-7)

Lightweight Bout: Georgi Karakhanyan (30-11-1) vs. Kiefer Crosbie (8-2)

Bantamweight Bout: Brian Moore (13-7) vs. Jordan Winski (11-2)

190 lb. Contract Weight Bout: Justin Barry (pro debut) vs. Daniel Compton (4-3)

About BELLATOR

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

About SHOWTIME

Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly owned subsidiary of ViacomCBS Inc., owns and operates the premium service SHOWTIME^®, which features critically acclaimed original series, provocative documentaries, box-office hit films, comedy and music specials and hard-hitting sports. SHOWTIME is available as a stand-alone streaming service across all major streaming devices and Showtime.com, as well as via cable, DBS, telco and streaming video providers. SNI also operates the premium services THE MOVIE CHANNEL^™ and FLIX^®, as well as on demand versions of all three brands. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV^®. For more information, go to www.SHO.com. 

NEWARK, N.J. (July 29, 2021) – Fighters competing on FOX PBC Fight Night and on FOX Deportes this Saturday, July 31 previewed their respective matchups during a virtual press conference Thursday before they enter the ring at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

Thursday’s presser featured unbeaten rising heavyweight Michael Coffie and Jonnie Rice, who meet in the main event, and James Martin and New Jersey-native Vito Mielnicki Jr., who meet in a rematch in the co-main event.

The FOX broadcast begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT with unbeaten middleweight prospect Joey Spencer facing Dan Karpency in the opening attraction.

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

Here is what the fighters had to say Thursday:

MICHAEL COFFIE

“I feel blessed to have this opportunity and it keeps me smiling. I know that this kind of situation is not normal for everyone, but I just have to go out and take advantage of it.

“When I look at Jonnie Rice, I think he might be more durable than Gerald Washington. To me, that just makes this a better fight. He’s big and tall, but so am I. He’s got some good experience with some known prospects and he’s gone the distance. I think it makes for a better fight for the fans. That’s what I want to give them.

“There’s some level of difficulty with a late opponent change. I can’t know for sure if he’s a tougher opponent until I’m in the ring with him. That’s just life though. You have to be prepared for things to go unexpectedly. I’ll be prepared for anything Saturday.

“I think there are definitely big names around the corner for me. Sooner rather than later too. What’s worked out in my favor is the learning curve of this sport. I’ve been able to pick up intricate parts of the sport quickly.

“I already had mental toughness coming into the sport. I’ve just been building it in the gym and then displaying it in the ring. It’s about building up brick-by-brick.

“The hardest part of this sport is the training, but it’s enjoyable to me because it’s what I’m used to. Even if I wasn’t boxing, I’d still be in the gym doing something. The most enjoyable part though is that I get to participate in a sport that I love. I have a lot of years left to give.

“My trainer always told me that every camp, we’re training to fight the champion. It doesn’t matter too much that the opponent was switched. The fighting styles are different, but the stature is similar. No matter who it is in front of me, I would have put in the same effort in the gym.

“After my initial reaction to hearing about Gerald getting sick, I just had to change the focus to Rice. I watched some tape and we made some minor tweaks to what we’re doing. We’re ready to go now and Saturday should be a good night.
“We’re the big guys, so you can expect big shots, blood and fireworks. Make sure you don’t miss it on Saturday night.

“My ability to focus and compartmentalize has helped me the most in my boxing career. I learn what the mission is, install a game plan and then follow it. It’s Marine Corps stuff really.”

JONNIE RICE

“I’m feeling great. I’m very prepared and excited. I’m also grateful for the opportunity. I was upset to hear about Gerald Washington getting sick and I wish him a speedy recovery, but when it’s time for your opportunity, you have to step up.

“I was on standby in the event that something happened to the fighters in the main event. I knew that I always had to be prepared no matter what.

“I have to give it my all on Saturday. I have to do my best to impress everyone. This is my time to show everyone who I am. The biggest thing is that I’m going out there to go to battle.

“I definitely feel like I’m a different kind of opponent than Gerald would have been. It’s going to be an exciting fight because of the unknown. We’re both coming to prove ourselves, so it’s really just about who wants it more.

“The pressure is really on me right now. Gerald was a big name and everyone wanted to see how Coffie did against him. My pride and ego is on the line, but I’m only focused on what I have to gain. Coffie has to prove himself against me now.

“When I got the call, I knew that I was already prepared to step right in. I had just done 20 rounds of sparring with Michael Hunter. That left me with zero doubt in myself. I’m going to do my best to capitalize on those rounds.

“I took a shot from Efe Ajagba that I didn’t see and that would put most people down, but I stayed up. That really gave me a lot of confidence. I’m more focused on my offense because I know I can take that big punch. I’m coming forward with a lot of offense.”

JAMES MARTIN

“I’m looking to deliver another victory on Saturday night. I had a great training camp and everything is on track for a repeat performance.

“He couldn’t handle my pressure. So I know that I have to bring the pressure to him again in this fight. If he’s ready for that, then I know that I can box with him too. I have different styles that I can use.

“This is my hometown too. I’m from Philadelphia, but I’m going to make this my hometown on Saturday night. I’m very confident I can repeat my performance from the first fight.

“My last fight was in the bubble, so it’s going to feel great to fight in front of fans again. It’s just going to help me push forward in this fight.

“I’m coming into this fight feeling great and very strong. I’m ready to win once again. You just have to tune in and watch me get that victory.”

VITO MIELNICKI JR.

“I’m very excited for this fight in front of my family and friends. I’m thankful to my team for giving me the opportunity for this kind of fight. I can’t wait to put on a dominant performance Saturday night.

“I think it all comes down to preparation for me. When you have a real camp and you’re ready to go, you have no doubts going into the ring. That’s what I had this time and that’s going to show on Saturday.

“I’ve watched our first fight plenty of times. You will see the best version of me on Saturday night. I wasn’t having any problems with weight heading into that last fight though.

“It’s going to be an electric night in the building. I have a lot of people coming that night. But the only thing on my mind is putting on a great performance. It’s great to be in front of family and friends, but winning is the only thing on my mind.

“I was the one who wanted the rematch immediately. My whole team knows what kind of person I am. I have winners around me. After the last fight, we knew what was next. We went back to the drawing board and I’m as confident as ever.

“We set up a camp house in New Jersey and brought in great sparring. This is the best version of me and I feel great. It’s going to be a great show on Saturday night.

“Everyone go out and get your tickets if you haven’t gotten them yet. It’s going to be a great night of boxing. We have a lot of local talent and guys who are going to bring fireworks.”

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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.

CONTACTS: Swanson Communications: (202) 783 5500, contact@swansonpr.com
Tim Smith, Premier Boxing Champions: timothy@haymonboxing.com
Andrew Fegyveresi, FOX Sports: Andrew.Fegyveresi@FOX.com
Vernon Cheek, FOX Sports: Vernon.Cheek@FOX.com
TGB Promotions: (818) 817-8001
Matthew Ackermann, Prudential Center: matthewackermann@prucenter.com

MONTREAL (July 29, 2021) – Finally NABF champion and WBC # 1 contender Kim Clavel is back in a ring in Quebec for her first career fight at the IGA Stadium in Montreal on August 28th. The wait was long, the procedures laborious, the requirements numerous, but finally GYM received the approval of its sanitary protocol from both the Montreal Regional Public Health Direction and the Quebec Public Health Direction. GYM would like to thank Mr. Daniel Tierney and his DRSP team for their important collaboration.

Clavel (13-0, 2KO) will face powerful Mexican challenger Noami Arellano Reyes (9-1, 5KO) for the prestigious WBC Silver title in a 10-round showdown. Reyes has won her last five fights including four by knockout. In her last fight in November 2020, she beat former world champion Carina Moreno (25-6-0, 6KO) by decision. Clavel will return to a Quebec ring for the first time since November 2020. In her last outing she took the measure of Barbara Munoz in Cuernavaca, Mexico.

This event will also mark the return of world contender Mikael Zewski (34-2-0, 23KO), who led on points against Egidijus Kavaliauskas in Las Vegas in his last fight in September 2020 before making a mistake in the 8th round. The charismatic Trois-Rivières’ resident has only second defeat in 36 professional fights, and he intends to return to victory and relaunch his international career with an impressive showing in August. For this occasion, Mikael will make the jump to the 154-pound super welterweight division. His opponent will be 23-year-old Dilan “El Tremendo” Loza (15-4-1, 9KO), a tough, young brawler fighting out of Mexicali.

Sébastien Bouchard (19-2, 8KO) has been bothered by injuries in recent years and this will be the first time since 2018 that he will compete in two fights in the same year. In his last outing this past March, he stole the limelight at the Plaza Quebec hotel in Quebec City, fighting Ontario Mario Perez (20-7-5, 12KO) for a spectacular victory by decision. Based on his performance, the Quebecer has shown that he has recovered from his injuries, and he intends to make up for lost time. He will face veteran left-hander, former world contender, American Cleotis “Mookie” Pendarvis (21-8-2, 9KO), fighting out of Los Angeles.

A total of nine fights will be scheduled involving several local hopefuls in action. The spectacular Marie-Pier Houle (3-0-1.1KO) versus. Jeanette Zapata (2-3-0, 0KO) of Mexico, skillful heavyweight Alexis Barrière (2-0, 2KO) against Angel Barron, of Mexico, and the talented Mazlum Akdeniz (13-0-0, 7KO) will have the opportunity to display their talent.

Petar Gavrilovic will make his pro debut. An intriguing matchup of two undefeated opponents, Diizon Belfon (2-0-0, 2KO) and Kevin Menoche (4-0, 4KO) trying to keep their unbeaten records intact. In the opening 4 rounder Samuel Lajoie-Dery will make his debut against MMA specialist Patrick Lafleur (1-3-1, 1KO).

This will be the sixth time that GYM has presented a boxing gala on the center court of the cozy tennis stadium and each time it was a resounding success. Former world champions Joachim Alcine, Jean Pascal, Adonis Stevenson, David Lemieux, and Bermane Stiverne all left their mark there between 2006 and 2010. On the unforgettable evening of June 8, 2007, when in the middle of the IBF super lightweight IBF title Eliminator between Quebecer Hermann Ngoudjo and American Randall Bailey, a deluge flooded the amphitheater, fuses blew and there was darkness for a few minutes, live on the American television channel ESPN2. This event eventually received the 2007 ESPN Boxing Event of the Year.

GYM has obtained authorization to put 5,000 tickets on sale for the occasion, available on ticketmaster.ca or at GYM (514) 383-0666. The prices are $35, $??50, $90 and $150 in the stands. At ringside there are 38 tables of six available for $2,500 which includes a great meal and wine served to guests. Tickets went on sale today at 12 noon / ET.

This event under the stars will also be available on pay-per-view on Canal Indigo, Bell TV, Shaw TV and on Fite.TV for $ 49.99.

Kim Clavel, unbeaten in 13 professional fights has had an incredible journey since the start of the pandemic in March 2020. She was to be the main star of a series of events at the Casino de Montreal to bring her to a world title fight at the end of her fifth fight. This Series resulted in her professional boxing career leading to a whole new dimension. A week before her first fight, the COVID-19 pandemic completely upset her plans. Instead of complaining and doing nothing, she decided to take over her nursing career and put herself at the service of CHSLDs to help the elderly confined to their rooms, facing this pandemic that was sweeping all over the planet. It was with great self-sacrifice and courage that she set about the task for endless days due to the shortage of personnel and without much protection. The enemy being, at that time, fairly unknown in terms of the vaccine’s full impact.

Kim took on this fight quite naturally just wishing to make herself useful without realizing that her story would touch the planet and become a huge source of inspiration during these difficult times:

• First. in May 2020 the North American champion (NABF) received the “Hero of Humanity” award from the World Boxing Council at the same time as did the great international stars Manny Pacquiao and Juan-Carlos Ramirez for their social involvement.

• In June 2020, she received the “Pat Tillman Award” during the annual ESPY gala on ESPN, which commenced in 2014, for being a person with a strong connection to sport and who has served the population with the spirit of service, duty, and altruism. It was the first time that this honor had not been bestowed on an American.

• The following July, ESPN and US promoter Top Rank offered Clavel a fight live on US television against American Natalie Gonzalez, which the Quebecer won by unanimous decision.

• In November 2020 it was the prestigious Time Magazine which honored the champion as a “Top Ten Next Generation Leader for 2020”

• In December 2020, in her last fight she faced Barbra Munoz in Cuernavaca in Mexico where she won her 13th professional fight.

• In January 2021 the WBC, during its annual awards ceremony, awarded 2 important prizes to Kim; that of “Hope of the Year” and that of “The most inspiring athlete”

• Thanks to her new notoriety Kim Clavel was invited to participate in “Big Brother Celebrity” of Noovo where she finished in 3rd position after 13 weeks of reclusion.

Kim Clavel doesn’t shy away from flaunting her “Girl Power” beliefs as she has a deep belief in gender equity no matter what. GYM has always been extremely successful when presenting its events at the Jarry Park Stadium. This morning, Canada finds itself in 11th place at the Olympic Games in Tokyo thanks to 10 medals won, all by women, which demonstrates the major contribution of girls to the sporting success of our country on the international scene. We know that the people in Quebec promote and enact gender equity in all areas of our society. Coming to attend the professional boxing gala where the main star is a woman would be a confirmation of this direction.

We are convinced that Kim Clavel’s return to the ring should generate tremendous interest and will spark major popular excitement! on August 28 at the IGA Stadium, Kim Clavel returns with great pomp and circumstance to the ring, her first fight in Quebec since December 2019. It marks the return of international boxing in Canada as well as the relaunch of GYM activities. If she wins the WBC Silver title, she will become the mandatory contender for WBC champion Yasenia Gomez, whom she could face this year with a victory at IGA Stadium. A special event not to be missed!

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