Los Angeles, CA (July 21, 2021) ‘The Golden Boy’, Boxing Legend Oscar De La Hoya of East Los Angeles, CA will face former UFC Superstar, Vitor ‘The Phenom’ Belfort of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Saturday, September 11 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA and broadcast globally on FITE.TV, and through all leading Cable, Satellite and Telco Providers in the U.S. and Canada via iNDemand, it was announced today by Triller Fight Club. The event will be a professional boxing bout, not an exhibition, testing the fighting skills and will of these two greats in combat sports history, competing in the light heavyweight division in a scheduled eight-round bout.

“I’m very excited to announce my comeback against Vitor Belfort at STAPLES Center on Saturday, September 11 in a mega-event celebrating Mexican Independence Day,” said De La Hoya. “Triller Fight Club and My team have been working together to bring the most epic event boxing has seen in a long time. I decided if I was coming back it was for real, none of this exhibition stuff. Two warriors, one walks out the other doesn’t. Vitor Belfort is clearly a very tough MMA legend and while I’m sure he will give me a good run, a knockout is in my plan.” 

“This isn’t that WWE theatrics we’ve been seeing in boxing lately, this is the real deal, a real fight with real knockouts for a real win. This is not to be missed as I’m in better shape than I was 15 years ago.” 

“Oscar De La Hoya is a true superstar in the boxing world and one of the greatest and most popular fighters of our time,” said Belfort. “While we both have a great deal of respect for each other’s accomplishments, on September 11, I will make my MMA fans proud to show that MMA and ex-UFC fighters can take down even the best boxer in the world. I hope I don’t end up killing him but everything is on the table. This is a no holds barred, all out gladiator fight to the bitter end”. 

“It’s truly an honor to be able to announce this highly anticipated event featuring the return to the boxing ring of Oscar De La Hoya against MMA legend Vitor Belfort on Saturday, September 11,” said Triller Fight Club’s Ryan Kavanaugh. “The STAPLES Center, one of the premier sports and entertainment venues in the world, is the perfect location for this fight and we’re excited to return there for another monumental night of boxing.”

The event will be produced by the acclaimed Nigel Lythgoe utilizing his unique vision and background. “In true Triller Fight Club style this will be a four-quadrant entertainment extravaganza where anything can and will happen. By continuing our relationship with Verzuz, we not only bring you the best in boxing but the best in music too.”

Returning to lead the broadcast commentary will be entertainment icon Snoop Dogg who will be joined by HBO legend Jim Lampley.  

“September 11, 2021 will truly be a special day at STAPLES Center as we are full circle welcoming back one of our favorite athletes, Oscar De La Hoya, in his return to the ring against Vitor Belfort,” said Lee Zeidman, President STAPLES Center, Microsoft Theater and L.A. LIVE. “We have always been very proud that Oscar’s fight against Shane Mosley was our first boxing event at the STAPLES Center and that his statue graces our Star Plaza.”

“Our Team is very excited to work again with Triller Fight Club who have some extraordinary ideas to make this a most memorable event for fans.”

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

Boxing’s biggest international star for over 15 years, De La Hoya was an 11-time world champion in six different weight classes while captivating fans all over the world and setting the standard by generating over $700 million dollars in pay-per-view income. 

De La Hoya’s first world championship fight with then rival Shane Mosley was the inaugural event held at STAPLES Center on June 17, 2000. Among the sold-out crowd of 20,744 in attendance were a wealth of celebrities from the sports and entertainment world. 

The blockbuster event made headlines. To commemorate De La Hoya’s unprecedented career, a life size statue was resurrected in acknowledgement of being one of Los Angeles’ homegrown, most influential sports figures.

Known throughout his career for fighting the best competition and ‘taking on all comers’, included among the victories during De La Hoya’s Hall of Fame career are world champions; Julio Cesar Chavez, Pernell Whitaker, Ike Quartey, Fernando Vargas, Hector Camacho, Arturo Gatti, Yori Boy Campas, Ricardo Mayorga, Wilfredo Rivera and Felix Sturm. 

A national hero in his native Brazil, Belfort was taught at a very young age by jiu-jitsu master Carlson Gracie who nicknamed him ‘Vitor Belfort Gracie.’ With fast, powerful hands and a slick ground game, Belfort was selected to compete at one of the first Ultimate Fighting Championship tournaments at the young age of 18.

A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under the tutelage of Gracie, Belfort would continue on to have a highly acclaimed and distinguished career in UFC , becoming one of their most popular international fighters.  He is a former UFC Light Heavyweight World Champion and also the winner of the UFC-12 Heavyweight Tournament Championship. 

A must-see attraction throughout his career for MMA fans, Belfort became known for his explosive striking power with two of his fights heading the list of all-time best-selling UFC Pay-Per-View events. Belfort’s illustrious UFC career includes numerous records and accolades including ‘Knockout of the Night’ (five times), ‘Most Knockouts in UFC History’ (12), ‘Most First Round Finishes in UFC History’ (13), and ‘Youngest UFC Tournament Winner’ (19 years, 313 days).

Among the notable names Belfort defeated in his illustrious career include; Dan Henderson, Randy Couture, Michael Bisping, Luke Rockhold and Wanderlei Silva. He has also battled many other top names; Jon Jones, Anderson Silva, Chuck Liddell, Tito Ortiz and Lyoto Machida.

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

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

About TrillerNet:

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

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

The PPV retail price for the event is $49.99 (U.S. & Canada) plus processing fee. Fans outside North America can check the FITE link at www.FITE.tv  for international pricing.

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

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

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

In addition to being a co-owner, Snoop also provides strategic counsel to Triller Fight Club, helping to select fighters and musical acts for the show-stopping events. An entertainment expert who has successfully maneuvered through a range of projects in a variety of different fields, Snoop secured his spot as a fan favorite during Triller’s first sporting event, Tyson vs. Jones.

About FITE:

FITE is the premier global platform for live sports and entertainment offering many of the industry’s marquee PPV events and SVOD packages with over 4.4MM registered users. FITE is available worldwide through its iOS and Android mobile apps, Apple TV, Android TV, ROKU, Amazon Fire TV and Huawei apps. In addition, FITE supports Samsung, LG, Cox Contour, Vizio SmartCast™, Foxxum, Chromecast, PS4, XBOX, ZEASN, Netrange, Vidaa/Hisense, VEWD, Netgem TV, Virgin Media, Comcast’s Xfinity 1 and Xfinity Flex as well as 7,000 models of Smart TVs. Available online at www.FITE.tv. Follow FITE on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. If it Happens, it’s on FITE.

About iNDemand:

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

Social Media

Triller Fight Club

Instagram: @Triller, @TrillerFightClub

Twitter: @Triller, @TrillerFight

Facebook: @TrillerFightClub

Website www.Triller.co

Oscar De La Hoya

Instagram: @OscarDeLaHoya

Twitter: @OscarDeLaHoya

Facebook: @OscarDeLaHoya

Vitor Belfort

Instagram: @VitorBelfort

Twitter: @VitorBelfort

Facebook: @VitorThePhenom

Staples Center

Instagram: @staplescenterLA

Twitter: @STAPLESCenter

Facebook: @STAPLESCenter

Website: www.staplescenter.com

CARSON, CALIF. (July 21, 2021) – Two-division world champion Guillermo Rigondeaux and WBO Bantamweight World Champion John Riel Casimero previewed their upcoming championship showdown during a virtual press conference on Wednesday before they step into the ring on Saturday, August 14 live on SHOWTIME headlining a Premier Boxing Champions event from Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.

The event is promoted by TGB Promotions. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at AXS.com.

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast will begin at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT and will see Cuba’s two-time Olympic gold medalist Rigondeaux, who has earned pound-for-pound recognition at various points in his career, return to action against the Philippine’s Casimero, a three-division world champion looking for a career-best victory in his second 118-pound title defense.

Here is what the fighters had to say Wednesday:

GUILLERMO RIGONDEAUX

“We are in the home stretch of training and everything has been going great. We’re fully focused on and excited about this fight coming up on August 14.

“It’s about patience before everything. That’s how I live. Whoever is standing across the ring from me on fight night, I will be ready for him regardless.

“I’ve always been at the world championship level and everyone knows that. At this point, I’m just waiting for August 14 to again show what I’m capable of and take care of business.

“I’m not worried about Casimero’s power or anything he brings. I’ve fought in three divisions and I’ve gone after the biggest challenges every time. I’m just not worried about what Casimero will do in the ring.

“It’s simple to me. Casimero is going to do his job and I’m going to do mine. We’ll both bring our ‘A-games’ and see who comes out on top on August 14.

“I’m not a big trash-talker. It’s not about what he’s going to say beforehand. I’ll see him in the ring on August 14 and he’ll get the real Rigondeaux just like he wants. Until then, I’m just focusing on my job.

“He says he’s going to retire me, so it’s on now. We’ll see if he’s able to back up that talk on August 14.

“He’s going to feel my power. Everyone is talking about his power and I feel like my power is being underestimated. I can’t wait to get in the ring on August 14 and show everyone what I’m capable of.

“I can guarantee that everyone is going to see the best of me on August 14. I perform best under the bright lights and that’s what I’m bringing to this fight.

“Casimero is a good opponent. Every opponent that I face believes that they can beat me, but the pressure is on them to back that up. I can only control what I bring and I know I’m going to be ready.

“I moved down to bantamweight because nobody wanted to fight me at 122-pounds. I’m the best fighter at that weight and everyone knows it. But no one wanted to fight me, so it just made sense to go down to bantamweight.”

JOHN RIEL CASIMERO

“I’m so ready for this fight on August 14. Training camp has gone so well and I’m just ready to rumble.

“Nonito Donaire didn’t want to fight me but that’s okay. Donaire is easy for me. Now, I have Rigondeaux and I know he’s very experienced. He’s a two-division world champion and a two-time Olympic Gold Medalist. This will be a great fight.

“Rigondeaux has a much different style from Donaire. I’m actually much more excited to fight Rigondeaux because Donaire is scared of me. I don’t think Rigondeaux is scared. If he’s not scared, he better fight me and not run.

“I want this to be a fight. The fans want this to be a fight. I hope Rigondeaux doesn’t run. If he does, this will be a boring fight. His old fights are no good. All he does is run, run, run. I want the Rigondeaux that doesn’t run, the one that boxes and fights.

“I believe that my work rate will overwhelm Rigondeaux. We put together a nice strategy with my trainer for Rigondeaux. We’ve watched a lot of tape on him. We just hope that the Rigondeaux that fought Nonito Donaire on a bicycle doesn’t show up. We want to see the one we’ve seen recently that comes to fight. I want to excite the people at the Dignity Health Sports Park. It’s a very special place to me because that’s where I won the WBO title. It will be another great fight if Rigondeaux comes to fight.

“When I beat Rigondeaux on August 14, he’s going to retire. He’s finished. Finito!

“We don’t underestimate anybody. I know that he’s a great fighter, a two-division champion and two-time Olympic Gold Medalist. I want to do my best. I prepare very well for every fight. I just hope Rigondeaux leaves his bicycle at home and brings his boxing shoes and comes to fight. I know he’s preparing for this fight with hard work too.

“The change in opponent doesn’t bother me at all. It went back-and-forth between Rigondeaux and Donaire. I don’t care who they put in the ring in front of me. I’m ready and prepared for Rigondeaux.

“Rigondeaux thinks that Donaire is a better fighter than me, so I’m going to change his opinion on August 14.

“I need to win this fight so that I can keep moving along and get the next two big fights against Donaire and Naoya Inoue. But maybe those two are scared of me and don’t want to fight me.

“Manny Pacquiao is my idol. He’s a big inspiration. Being together and being able to train and run alongside him and watch what he does is inspiring. Everything about him is amazing. His power, what he does inside the ring and what he does outside of boxing as a Senator and what he does to help people are all inspiring and impressive.

“I’m very excited to be fighting back at the place where I won my world title. I have great memories there. There’s nothing better than going back to where you won your title. I think Rigondeaux has realized at this age he needs to engage a little more. I think this building brings out great fights. There’s something about the venue, so I think that Rigondeaux will stand and fight me and give the fans at the ‘War Grounds’ what they want to see.”

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ABOUT RIGONDEAUX VS. CASIMERO
Rigondeaux vs. Casimero will see two-division world champion Guillermo Rigondeaux face bantamweight world champion John Riel Casimero for his WBO belt on Saturday, August 14 live on SHOWTIME headlining a Premier Boxing Champions event from Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT and will also see rising unbeaten contender Antonio Russell battle former world champion Emmanuel Rodríguez as they vie for the WBA Interim Bantamweight Title in the co-main event. Kicking off the telecast, former world champion Rau’shee Warren duels Damien Vázquez in a 10-round bantamweight bout.

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

NEWARK, N.J. (July 21, 2021) – Unbeaten rising heavyweight Michael Coffie will look to continue his ascent up the heavyweight rankings when he takes on former title challenger Gerald “El Gallo Negro” Washington on Saturday, July 31 in the main event of FOX PBC Fight Night and on FOX Deportes from Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

“I’m looking to make a big statement,” said Coffie. “I want people to look at this fight and see my calmness. I want it to look like I’m the veteran and he’s the prospect. If he has belief in himself in the beginning of the fight, he’s going to start fast. It’s my job to take that away from him. “

In his last fight, Coffie scored an explosive knockout over previously unbeaten Darmani Rock live on FOX. The triumph was Coffie’s best win to date as a pro, a feat he will look to repeat as he steps up again against Washington.

“I showed in the Rock fight that regardless of the amount of years of experience that someone has over me, you can’t count me out,” said Coffie. “I definitely displayed poise and calmness and I’ve shown that I can put you down with any shot.”

Coffie has continued to train under the guidance of his head coach Josue Aguilar, as the two have put in the work in Orlando, Florida to continue to show improvement fight after fight. For this fight, Coffie has used some new techniques, combined with lessons learned from days sparring Deontay Wilder and Adam Kownacki, to hopefully put on his best performance to date.

“We’ve been working on strategy and how we’re going to expose Washington’s tendencies,” said Coffie. “We’ve been adding pool training and focusing a lot on breathing and explosiveness. I’ve been sparring with young, fast guys to work on my reflexes. I’m combining that with what I learned from Wilder and Kownacki, who really helped me with my range and distance, plus showing me the importance of conditioning.”

The 35-year-old Coffie got a late start into the sport after serving in the U.S. Marines prior to a successful amateur career that saw him put on standout performances at the New York Golden Gloves and Metro Championships. Coffie believes that his unorthodox entry into the sport will actually be a benefit as his pro career continues to burgeon.

“The biggest obstacle I’ve faced as a pro has been that people keep talking about my age,” said Coffie. “That has nothing to do with your boxing ability. If you keep yourself in shape, age is not a big thing. I’ve taken less damage at this point than other people my age who’ve gotten to this point. I also have a strong mentality and I know when it’s time to lock in for a fight. Life experience in general has shown me what I can become.”

As he enters this latest challenge, Coffie will look to take advantage of the opportunity headlining on FOX and deliver the fans a great fight in the style of some of the sport’s all-time greats.

“It’s still surreal to be in this position,” said Coffie. “When I decided to start boxing, I did not know that this would be happening so fast. I’m going to show the fans a piston jab. I want to give the feel of Sonny Liston, Larry Holmes and George Foreman. This is a combat sport, so expect blood and big shots on July 31.”

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

#

ABOUT COFFIE VS. WASHINGTON
Coffie vs. Washington will see rising unbeaten heavyweight Michael Coffie facing former world title challenger Gerald “El Gallo Negro” Washington in the FOX PBC Fight Night main event and on FOX Deportes Saturday, July 31 from Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

The FOX broadcast begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and will also see welterweight prospect and New Jersey-native Vito Mielnicki Jr. will battle James Martin in an eight-round rematch in the co-main event and unbeaten prospect Joey Spencer taking on Dan Karpency in an eight-round battle.

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.

LAS VEGAS, NV (July 21, 2021) – Fernando “El Feroz” Vargas, Jr. (3-0, 3 KOs) and brother Amado “El Malvado” Vargas (2-0, 1 KO), the sons of former two-time light middleweight world champion, Fernando Vargas, will be action this Friday July 23, 2021, in Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico. The show titled, “Campeonata Nacional “Mosca” Cuentas Pendientes”, a $12.99 PPV event, is presented by GRAND MEX-ENT, in association with the WBC.

Fernando Vargas Jr., age 24, stands 5? 11? and fights out of the southpaw stance. Campaigning at middleweight, Vargas Jr. aspires of becoming a world champion one day. He knows he has a long road ahead but has tremendous confidence in himself.

“I grew up in boxing having been around the numerous gyms my dad took me to as a kid,” said Vargas Jr., who will be facing Able Luna of Mexico. “I didn’t have an extensive amateur career, but I’ve been sparring top pros since I was a teenager. I believe in myself, and I know I have the drive to make it in boxing. I’m going to do everything possible to make my dreams of become a world champion come true. I’m grateful to my dad for always being in my corner and I can’t wait to fight this Friday in Mexico, where the fans are the greatest.”

Amado Vargas, age 21, stands 5? 8?, and fights out of the orthodox stance in the featherweight division. Known for his great footwork, Amado also has dreams and aspirations of become a world champion.

“I made my pro debut earlier this year and I was able to get the knockout, which was an incredible feeling,” stated Amado Vargas, who spares off against Fernando De La Cruz. “There is nothing like growing up in a boxing family with a dad who accomplished some tremendous feats in this sport, like becoming a world champion at age 21. I just want to follow in my dad’s footsteps but make my own path. This Friday I’ll be fighting alongside my brother for the first time as a pro, and it’s going to be fun. Fighting in Mexico is always fun because the fans are so passionate.”

Fernando Vargas Jr. and Amado are both co-managed by famed adviser Egis Klimas, who was voted 2016 Manager of the Year from the Boxing Writers Association of America, for guiding Vasyl Lomachenko and Sergey Kovalev to the pinnacle of the boxing world, and Jose De La Cruz, who is best known for making Jorge Linares a multiple world champion.

SHOULD HE BE emphatic, as he intends to be, in repelling the challenge of James Beech jr on July 24, Chris Bourke plans to go against his more reserved nature and call out the British super bantamweight champion, Brad Foster.

Bourke defends his WBC International Silver title against the 12-1 Beech at the SSE Arena, Wembley in support of Joe Joyce taking on the formidable Carlos Takam for the WBO International and WBC Silver titles.

Even though Bourke, 26, acts and fights like a seasoned campaigner, his Wembley date will actually only take him to the early milestone of reaching double figures as a professional.

“I know… I’ve not even been a pro for three years yet,” Bourke acknowledged. “I’m nearly 10-0 and I’ve won the Southern Area, beat the English champion and now I’ve got the WBC belt, which gets me up in the rankings.”

The Streatham Sniper first jumped on the title trail with a points victory over the then also unbeaten Ramez Mahmood during last summer’s lockdown series of shows before going in with the English champ Michael Ramabeletsa with the WBC strap at stake in December.

Ramabeletsa came with a reputation for knocking prospects off their pedestal, but had the tables turned on him when Bourke caught him flush in the second round and didn’t let him off the hook.

Another tough challenge now looms with Beech jr making a challenge for his WBC title. The Midlander’s only loss came in a close-run thing against Foster in the first UK boxing show after last year’s first set of restrictions at the BT Sport studio.

Bourke reckons all the ingredients are there to cook up a crowd-pleasing spectacle.

“As long as I get the win, that’s what matters, but I reckon it will be a good one because he brings it and I don’t think he is ever in a dull fight. He comes forward, throws a lot of shots – and is there to be hit!

“He is 100 per cent a proper fighter and he gave Brad Foster a hard fight, I thought.

“He will try and bring it to me, so it will be down to me to show my skill and class and do what I need to do to get the win,” continued Bourke, who insists winning is all that matters by whatever method.

“I’m gonna get the win and, if I get him hurt, I will get him out of there. He is a good fighter who can do everything well, so I have just got to focus on the win.”

The product of the Peacock Gym knows this is a big opportunity for him to shine on a big stage and believes he needs to post a statement with his performance that demands a return ticket to the marquee cards.

“Exactly, you want to stand out, be the fight of the night and the one people are talking about afterwards. I feel like, for my weight, I hit hard and I just want to keep that going really.

“I want people to want to watch me so I want to be in exciting fights to get people interested.

“I’m not really a big talker, but when I am in the ring, that is where my fighting needs to do the talking for me.”

But despite being more thoughtful than voluble, Bourke understands his voice needs to be heard if an enticing domestic clash between himself and the also multi-titled Foster is to be delivered by public demand.

Foster is soon to challenge Jason Cunningham for the European title to add to the British and Commonwealth belts already in his possession.

“Yeah, it will only make sense, won’t it. Now he is fighting for the European there could be even more at stake for me. I think he will beat Cunningham, although I was surprised he beat (Gamal) Yafai.

“Once I get the win, depending on how I do, I will be a bit more vocal this time. I need to get people talking a bit more now.”

And on the main event, Bourke cannot see past his former GB teammate Joyce having his arm raised in triumph, but reckons it might not be straightforward for him.

“I am looking forward to that because Takam brings it. I think that Joyce has just got too good a chin for someone like Takam, but I think he will be dangerous for three or four rounds before Joyce gets to him. Like he does with everyone else.

“He will walk him down and get him out of there at some point. It is a good fight and a lot of people are looking forward to it.”

Joe Joyce v Carlos Takam for the WBC Silver and WBO International titles takes place at the SSE Arena, Wembley on July 24.

Hamzah Sheeraz (12-0, 8 KOs) makes the third defence of his WBO European title against Spaniard Ezequiel Gurria (15-1, 3 KOs).
 
Swansea’s Chris Jenkins (22-3-3, 8 KOs) will finally defend his British and Commonwealth welterweight titles against Nottingham’s Ekow Essuman (14-0, 5 KOs) after recovering from injury.
 
In a well matched fourth title fight, Peacock gym ace Chris Bourke (9-0, 6 KOs) defends his WBC International super-bantamweight title against Bloxwich’s James Beech Jnr (12-1, 2 KOs).
 
There is also heavyweight action featuring David Adeleye (6-0, 5 KOs), while Mill Hill’s George Fox (3-0) will make his Queensberry debut. Reading super-featherweight hope Charles Frankham (2-0, 1 KO) has also been added to the stacked bill., along with ‘The Gent’ Micky Burke Jr (4-0, 1 KO) who also returns after his first stoppage victory in November last year.

Tickets are available NOW from AXS.com. Click here to buy tickets.

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NEW YORK (July 21 2021) – Split-T Management is pleased to announce the signing of its biggest athlete in 6’9″ Iowa-native Antonio Mireles.

Mireles, 24 years-old of Des Moines, Iowa is affectionately known as “The Lincoln Giant” because of his tremendous stature and status as a graduate of Lincoln High School in Des Moines.

“I am very excited to sign with Split-T Management. They had their eye on me as an amateur. They saw me in a few tournaments and they were impressed. The goal was the Olympics and now I am ready to turn professional,” said Mireles.

“I am a boxer, I like to keep my opponents at bay and use my range. I am out in Oxnard training with Robert Garcia and hopefully will make my debut in September.”

“I am as excited about signing Antonio as anyone I’ve ever signed,” said David McWater of Split-T Management. “I think he has the ability to be heavyweight champion of the world some day and the opportunity to be a tremendous star.”

Mireles, of Mexican-American descent, initially began boxing at the Des Moines PAL at the age of 12 and started competing at 15. He was guided for his entire amateur career by a pair of two strong coaches in John Saunders and Elly Nunez.

In his relatively brief, but extremely successful run in the amateurs, Mireles compiled a record of 28-4 with 10 knockouts – culminating in winning the 2020 USA Olympic Trials in the Super Heavyweight division. He was also a 2019 National Golden Gloves Champion, a 2019 Eastern Elite Amateur Champion and a five-time Iowa Golden Gloves Champion.

Mireles has already impressed new coach Robert Garcia in his transition to the pro ranks, with Garcia noting his new fighters dedication, boxing skills, and “great power” as reasons for a successful future together.

FRANK WARREN AND Queensberry are proud to announce the introduction of a series of shows that will see our hugely talented prospects take centre stage in front of the BT Sport cameras.
 
With an extra 6 shows added this year to BT’s existing offering, Queensberry’s elite band of young professionals will be put under the spotlight on promotions designed to further their experience, take part in headline contests and give the viewers in the halls or at home the chance to identify talent and get behind fighters at an early point in their careers.
 
Regular competitive activity is paramount for young boxers to progress and this programme will deliver additional and valuable action in an environment that replicates major televised productions and will be broadcast on BT Sport and available for anyone to watch on the BT Sport Boxing YouTube channel.
 
The increase in fight dates for the younger contingent represents a timely boost, especially following a year of restrictions that included a cap on the number of fights permitted per show.
 
Frank Warren, who has explored the concept previously with ‘Box Academy’, believes this to be an extremely positive project that will sit alongside BT Sport’s current boxing output. Details of the first show will follow in due course.
 
“I’d like to pay tribute to BT Sport for getting right behind this initiative and supporting the sport at more of a ‘grassroots’ level. Right from the start BT made clear their intention to tell the story and maximise the exposure of our young fighters and they have been true to their word – and now even more so.
 
“It is particularly important in the times we are currently living to provide every opportunity we can for those starting out in the sport and the restrictions imposed over the last year has denied many youngsters the regular experience in the ring they require.
 
“We have prioritised and done our utmost to keep as many of our young pros as active as possible, but with limits put on the number of fights at each show and no ticket revenue coming in, it has not been an easy job.
 
“What we have found through showcasing the young talents in TV slots is that fans and viewers have been given the chance to see who is coming through the ranks from an early stage and have the opportunity to get behind their journeys.
 
“Now, these fighters will have their own platform on which to shine and show themselves to the nation. The pressure will be on, the cameras will be rolling and the spotlight applied. It will serve them so well in terms of their career progression and, when the time comes for them to headline on the big stage, they will be well prepared and familiar with the experience.
 
“I believe we have got the best, bumper crop of young fighters in the business on our books and I am so looking forward to this series of fight nights providing a vehicle to propel them forward and shine a big light on their undoubted abilities.
 
“I would encourage fight fans to get behind the series and help us with the continued development of potential future world champions.”

LAS VEGAS (July 20, 2021) – An explosive match-up between Mexican featherweights Eduardo “Sugar” Nunez (21-1, 21 KOs) and Jonathan “El Fenix” Aguilar will headline the next installment of RJJ Boxing on UFC Fight Pass®, July 29th at Benito Juarez Auditorium in Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico.

The action will be streamed live and exclusively on UFC FIGHT PASS®, the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports, starting at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT. To sign-up for UFC FIGHT PASS, please visit www.ufcfightpass.com.

RJJ Boxing on UFC FIGHT PASS is co-promoted by Roy Jones Jr. (RJJ) Boxing Promotions and De La O Promotions.

“This could very well be a coming out party for Eduardo Nunez,” RJJ Boxing CEO/co-founder Keith Veltre said, “who will be tested by Jonathan Aguilar in a battle of knockout artists. Nunez is a terrific puncher who is a rising star in the featherweight division. Another fighter to watch is 19-year-old Jorge Lugo Cota. He has all the tools to be a champion someday and he’s become a popular prospect fighting on our cards.

The 23-year-old Nunez is riding an 11-fight win streak, dating back three years, since he suffered his only pro loss to Adam Valle by way of a 6-round decision. Valle remains the only fighter to go the complete distance with Nunez, a former WBC Youth Silver Featherweight Champion. Nunez is hoping to break through on a larger scale, thanks to the exposure he’ll receive fighting UFC FIGHT Pass, and crack the world ratings this year.

Nunez’ opponent is the 10-round main event, power-punching Aguilar, is a former WBC International bantamweight title challenger. Nunez and Aguilar have 38 knockouts in 41 combined victories. Odds are Nunez vs. Aguilar reach the final bell.

In the co-featured event, super featherweight Jose “Checke Choryboy” Valenzuela (10-3, 4 KOs) takes on an opponent from the same state of Sonora, Jose Luis “Cuate” Vazquez (12-2, 5 KOs), in a rivalry fight. Valenzuela is from Los Mochis, Vazquez from Culiacon.

Cota (4-0, 3 KOs) has the potential to be a bonafide star. He has the proper bloodlines as the latest member of the fighting Montiel family, whose grandfather and uncles captured world titles. “Jorgito,” who had a 140-10 amateur record, will fight in a 6-rounder versus upset-minded Rodrigo Felix (4-4, 2 KOs), who is coming off a win by 6-round decision against previously undefeated prospect Oscar Ortega.

The opening UFC FIGHT PASS match is a 6-round, super bantamweight bout between Nazario Castro (6-2, 3 Kos) and Issac “Yaqui” Buitimea (9-7, 4 KOs).

A pair of unbeaten Las Vegas-based fighters, junior flyweight Yadira Bustillo (3-0, 1 KO) and featherweight Ezquiel Borrero (3-0, 1 KO), respectively, against Dana Fraire (1-0) Miguel Angel Nides (0-1-1) in 4-round matches.

Card subject to change.

INFORMATION:

Websites: http://www.RoyJonesJrBoxing.com, www.ufcfightpass.com

Facebook: /UFCFightPass, /KeithVeltre

Twitter: @UFCFightPass, @Keith_Veltre, @RoyjonesJRfa @RoyJonesJrOfficial

Instagram: @UFCFightPass, @KeithVeltre, @RoyJonesJrBoxing

ABOUT ROY JONES JR, BOXING PROMOTIONS: Co-founded in 2013 by 10-time world champion Roy Jones, Jr. and Keith Veltre, Roy Jones, Jr. (RJJ) Boxing Promotions is on its way to reinventing boxing. RJJ has already made a huge impact in the boxing community in a few short years. Creating exhilarating content for UFC Fight Pass, CBS Sports, Showtime, ESPN and beIN Sports in some of the finest venues across the country, RJJ has proven it is conquering the sweet science of the sport.

Based in the fight capital of the world, Las Vegas, NV, Roy Jones Jr. Boxing Promotions is climbing to the top at a fast pace, adding young talent to its growing stable: NABF super flyweight champion, IBF #8 and WBC # 14 Jade “Hurricane” Bornea (15-0, 10 KOs); two-time world title challenger, bantamweight “Mighty” Aston Palicte (26-4-1, 22 KOs); NABF welterweight champion, WBC #15 and Santiago “Somer” Dominguez (24-0, 18 KOs); former NABA welterweight champion Kendo “Tremendo” Castaneda (17-3, 8 KOs), former Interim World middleweight title challenger John “The Phenom” Vera (20-1, 12 KO), unbeaten super middleweight prospect Juan “Just Business” Barajas (11-0-1, 7 KOs), and former WBC World Youth heavyweight titlist Alexander “The Great” Flores (18-3-1, 16 KOs).

ABOUT UFC FIGHT PASS®: UFC FIGHT PASS® is the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports. Since launching in 2013, UFC FIGHT PASS is now available in more than 200 countries and territories. UFC FIGHT PASS provides its members with unlimited access to live UFC FIGHT PASS Prelims; live mixed martial arts and combat sports from around the world; original series and historical programming; special features; behind-the-scenes content; in-depth interviews; and up-to-the minute reports on the world of combat sports. UFC FIGHT PASS subscribers also have 24/7 access to the world’s largest fight library, featuring more than 20,000 bouts from dozens of combats sports organizations, as well as every fight in UFC history. Fight fans can access UFC FIGHT PASS on personal computers, iOS and Android mobile devices, Apple TV, Xbox One, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, Roku, Samsung Smart TVs, LG Smart TVs, and Sony TVs with Android TV. For more information, please visit www.ufcfightpass.com.

New York City / Los Angeles (July 20, 2021) Triller Fight Club, the disruptive entertainment and tech platform which has been transforming the norms of entertainment and combat sports, today announced it has brought aboard well-known production-and-logistics expert Thorsten Meier as Fight Club’s new Chief Operating Officer.

“I am thrilled to be joining this team of innovators who, like me, are committed to changing the way boxing and entertainment are presented in the third millennium,” said Thorsten Meier. Triller’s Ryan Kavanaugh shares my goal of bringing a different experience to boxing by combining it with other exciting forms of entertainment, and I think it’s very smart. Boxing is one of the most exciting sports in the world and it’s time we start to act like it, so that new, younger fans have reason to get excited again.”

Already an established industry trendsetter as the Founder & CEO of Life in Motion Group, one of the world’s premier full-service concierge, travel- and event-management agencies with offices in NYC, London, Frankfurt and Scandinavia, Meier brings to the position decades of experience as a 360° Fulfillment Specialist to several well-known promotional firms, athletes, corporations and high-net-worth individuals.

After beginning his career in hospitality at luxury five-star hotels, Meier quickly ascended to Global Managing Director of Leading Group Sales/The Leading Hotels of the World. Sensing an industry need for capable professionals in several untapped niche markets, Meier left to form his groundbreaking Life in Motion Group in October 2009 and set about becoming a distinguished expert at providing tailor-made solutions to the needs of his ever-growing dossier of clientele.

Fluent in five languages and with an irreplaceable network of worldwide contacts, Meier came to be involved with boxing through the Klitschko’s, a pair of Ukrainian co-heavyweight champion brothers, who asked him to handle the comprehensive logistics for their mega-fights around the world. Meier later brought his talents to Kazakhstani middleweight superstar Gennadiy “GGG” Golovkin, even leading him to the DAZN network, who signed the star fighter to a blockbuster six-fight deal in 2018.

It was during the advent of the pandemic where Meier again confirmed his reputation as a mastermind by devising and implementing the “Covid Bubble,” a top-to-bottom set of protocols for preventing viral transmission that allowed Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions to resume staging large-scale “fan free” boxing events while confidently maintaining medically safe conditions for all involved.

The Covid Bubble and Meier’s system for keeping the virus at bay have become standard operating procedure for fighters and promoters, worldwide.

One of the first initiatives Meier will oversee as COO is the launch and execution of the “TrillerVerz”, a series of monthly, Tuesday night, entertainment shows at the Hulu Theater in Madison Square Garden and streamed live on the Triller app as well as Fite TV, beginning Tuesday, August 3.

TrillerVerz will offer a revolutionarily livelier presentation of boxing’s traditional “club show,” modernized to include contemporary forms of entertainment such as “rap battles” and other entertainment bonuses to be announced in the future.

“The UFC was able to create their own distinctive brand – that is what is missing right now in boxing,” continued Meier. “You have all these different promoters and shows and sanctioning bodies. The average fan has little confidence in the matchmaking and the presentation often feels rather stale. I am committed to Triller becoming a recognized institution that brings people to boxing who are not yet fans by changing what to expect at a Triller event.”

Triller Fight Club is a partnership between Triller and Snoop Dogg spearheaded by Hollywood super producer Ryan Kavanaugh with a four-quadrant business model that consists of influencers, legends, music artists and contemporary fighters. Its record-setting 2020 pay-per-view debut, pitting ring legends Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones in an exhibition fight for the ages, shattered all digital fight PPV records and became the eighth most successful fight PPV in history.

The second highly successful event, on April 17 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, saw social influencer Jake Paul level former Bellator and ONE Championship champion Ben Askren in less than a round. The event also featured performances by music superstars Justin Bieber, The Black Keys, Doja Cat, Saweetie, Diplo, Major Lazer, and the exclusive world premiere of the hip hop supergroup Mt. Westmore (Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, Too $hort and E-40) performing for their first time ever together.

“Thorsten is a consummate professional with years of unmatched production and logistics expertise,” said Kavanaugh. “He will help bring Triller Fight Club events to another level. I’m excited to work with Thorsten and the superb team we are putting together to take boxing into the future.”

Effective immediately, Meier will be stepping aside at Life in Motion Group but will continue to retain a majority share in his company.

“It’s going to be about bringing new audiences together,” said Meier. “You won’t be going to just a boxing show or just a concert. Triller Fight Club fans can expect a full evening of entertainment. The sport is changing big time and someone has to start getting it right. This is big. In my opinion, it’s the opportunity of a lifetime to get younger people excited about boxing again.”

LOS ANGELES – Today, BELLATOR officials confirmed a must-see main event pitting hard-hitting heavyweights Cheick Kongo (30-11-2) and Sergei Kharitonov (32-8) against one another tops BELLATOR MMA 265 on Friday, August 20 from the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D. and airs live on SHOWTIME at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

The card has also confirmed top featherweights No. 3 Adam Borics (17-1) and No. 4 Jay-Jay Wilson (8-0) will meet for the right to face the winner of the BELLATOR Featherweight World Grand Prix Final between Patricio “Pitbull” (32-4) and AJ McKee (17-0), which takes place on Saturday, July 31.

Tickets for the event go on sale this Thursday at 10 a.m. CT and are available at Sanford Pentagon Box Office & Ticketmaster.

The preliminary portion of BELLATOR MMA 265: Kongo vs. Kharitonov currentlyfeatures a flyweight bout pitting No.5-ranked Alejandra Lara (9-4) against DeAnna Bennett (10-7-1) and willbegin at 6:00 p.m. ET/3:00 p.m. PT and stream live on the BELLATOR MMA YouTube channel, SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel and Pluto TV. Additional preliminary bouts will be announced in the near future.

Holding an impressive MMA record of 30-11-2, 1 NC, No. 3-ranked Cheick Kongo returns to action for the first time since headlining the first-ever major MMA event in his native France last October. The former kickboxer remains a force to be reckoned with and holds records for the most fights (16) and wins (12) in BELLATOR heavyweight history. With high-profile victories over Vitaly Minakov, Mirko Cro Cop, Antoni Hardonk, and Matt Mitrione, the Parisian is keen to pad his current promotional records, set new ones, and earn his shot at BELLATOR gold.

The man nicknamed “The Paratrooper,” Kharitonov is the owner of an equally notable MMA resume, with the Russian scoring vicious wins against some of the sport’s marquee names, such as Fabricio Werdum, Andrei Arlovski, Pedro Rizzo, Murilo “Ninja” Rua, Matt Mitrione, and Alistair Overeem. Now, fresh off two championship victories on the regional circuit, Kharitonov returns to the BELLATOR cage with the intention of climbing the heavyweight rankings and asserting himself as a BELLATOR title contender.

28-year-old Hungarian Adam “The Kid” Borics has won 17 of 18 fights to begin his professional career, bouncing back from his only loss with three straight victories. Training out of South Florida’s Sanford MMA gym, Borics has firmly established himself as a true threat to anyone in the 145-pound division, where he is currently ranked third.

Undefeated in his first eight fights as a professional, New Zealand’s Wilson has won in style, accumulating six finishes in those eight wins. Following a split decision win against Tywan Claxton, Wilson scored a violent knockout of Sergio DeBari, then followed that victory up with an equally vicious spinning backfist stoppage over SBG’s Pedro Carvalho in April. The Kiwi fighter will be looking to secure a high-stakes victory over Borics with a world title shot awaiting the winner.

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BELLATOR MMA 265: Kongo vs. Kharitonov Main Card:

SHOWTIME

Friday, August 20 – 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT 

Heavyweight Main Event: #3-Cheick Kongo (30-11-2) vs. Sergei Kharitonov (32-8)

Featherweight No. 1 Contender’s Bout: #3-Adam Borics (17-1) vs. #4-Jay-Jay Wilson (8-0)

Preliminary Card: 

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

6:00 p.m. ET/3:00 p.m. PT

Flyweight Bout: #5-Alejandra Lara (9-4) vs. DeAnna Bennett (10-7-1)

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

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

About SHOWTIME

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

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA (July 20, 2021) — As we look forward to the showdown between eight-division world champion and boxer laureate Senator Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao and unified WBC/IBF welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr., which is 32 days away, it seems only fitting to look back at Manny’s thrilling victory over  then undefeated WBA welterweight “super” champion Keith Thurman, which took place two years ago today in Las Vegas.  Manny opened the fight with a first-round knockdown of Thurman en route to a 12-round split decision victory.  As Thurman accurately stated in his post-fight interview, “It was a night of blessings and lessons.”  Manny’s victory over Thurman was a career highlight for boxing’s longest and most successful partnership.  For 20 years, Manny has had his trainer, world-famous Freddie Roach, in his corner, literally and figuratively, winning world titles in seven different weight divisions in a career of firsts that not only defines the champion he repeatedly became, but the Filipino spirit which has been embraced by the world.  During those the past 20 years, Manny has played David to a roster of Hall of Fame Goliaths, scoring the most impressive victories of his era against the likes of Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera, Juan Manuel Márquez, Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto, and Shane Mosley.  In his last three fights, which took place during a 12-month period, from July 15, 2018 through July 20, 2019, Manny ran the table, winning welterweight world title fights against Lucas Matthysse, Adrien Broner, and Thurman.  

Below, please find selected clips from ringside, and a link to the FOX Sports PBC Pay-Per-View telecast.          

• Manny Pacquiao vs. Keith Thurman Full Fight | HIGHLIGHTS | PBC ON FOX – YouTube
• Manny Pacquiao: Thurman win the perfect ending, if he wants it – Sports Illustrated
• Manny Pacquiao remains the most riveting fighter of his generation (espn.com)
• Manny Pacquiao beats Keith Thurman by split decision (apnews.com)
• Ellerbe squashes talk of Pacquiao-Mayweather rematch (yahoo.com)
• Dwyre: Manny Pacquiao’s victory would be the ultimate farewell to a storied career – Los Angeles Times (latimes.com)
• Whicker: Manny Pacquiao’s win over Thurman will reverberate for a while – Orange County Register (ocregister.com)
• Manny Pacquiao defies Father Time with another signature victory | Las Vegas Review-Journal (reviewjournal.com)
• Pacquiao mulls future after title stunner (yahoo.com)
• Manny Pacquiao beats Keith Thurman by split decision for welterweight title – Los Angeles Times (latimes.com)
• In a blistering bout, Thurman couldn’t keep up with the ageless Pacquiao (and other observations from Las Vegas) – The Athletic

*********************

Manny (62-7-2, 39 KOs), the one-time Boxing Writers Association of America Fighter of the Decade and three-time BWAA Fighter of the Year, hails from Sarangani Province in the Philippines.  He faces his biggest professional boxing challenge when he takes on Spence (27-0, 21 KOs), of Desoto, Texas.  Spence is 11 years younger and over four inches taller than the amazin’ Manny.  Would Manny have it any other way?  The Pacquiao-Spence world championship event, which headlines a FOX Sports PBC Pay-Per-View, Saturday, August 21 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, is promoted by TGB Promotions, MP Promotions and Man Down Promotions.  The pay-per-view will begin at 9 p.m. RT / 6 p.m. PT.  Remaining tickets can be purchased through t-mobilearena.com and axs.com.

         #         #          #

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

BOSTON (July 20, 2021) – Like so many of his fellow Irish boxers, amateur standout Thomas O’Toole is following the green and gold path from Ireland to Boston, after signing a managerial contract with Ryan Roach’s Fighter Locker.

The 23-year-old O’Toole is a promising light heavyweight prospect who captured top honors at the 2019 Irish Elite Championships. Last year, the Irish southpaw upset pre-tournament favorite Tony Browne in semifinals of the Irish Elite Championships, and he lost by split decision in the final to Emmet Brennan, who is representing Ireland in Tokyo at the Olympics.

Irish boxer who’ve moved to the Boston area as a base for their professional careers include WBO World Super Middleweight Champion Stevie “Celtic Warrior” Collins (36-3, 21 KOs – 1986-97), WBA World light middleweight title challenger Sean Mannion (42-14-1, 13 KOs) – 1979-93), and heavyweight Kevin “The Clones Colossus” McBride (35-10-1 (29 KOs) – 1992-2011), best known as the man who knocked “Iron” Mike Tyson into retirement.

“I’ve only heard good things about Ryan, and I like the family aspect he talked about for his fighters,” O’Toole explained why he signed with Fighter Locker. “I know every manager will talk about how they will take care of you, but I really believed you, and I trust you will get a great promoter for me when the time comes. Plus, you have some Olympians, so you’re not taking just any and all fighters to sign. You want champions, which was the main thing for me. Knowing I’m in a stable with Olympians/national champions is great.

“I always intended to turn pro after Tokyo and had interest in waiting around for 2024 (next Olympics in Paris). It all worked out. I achieved more than I had hoped as an amateur an at just 23, I can’t wait to see what the next few years bring.”

O’Toole is tentatively scheduled to make his pro debut September 25th in Boston.

“Signing Thomas was very special to me,” manager Ryan Roach said. “He is one of the best in Ireland and in a very elite class. We talked a few times and we really hit it off. Last Friday, he shot me a message saying, ‘I’m all yours.’ I was ecstatic.

He really is a great fighter with a lot of skill. He’s a southpaw with some serious pop. Thomas is very young, so we will see which weight class suits him well. Boxing fans in New England, particularly in Boston, will love him. He’s a great person and fighter.”

Fighter Locker’s growing stable of gifted boxers include California super flyweight Rocco “So Cal Kid” Santomauro (21-1, 6 KOs), Troy, NY ABF American West super lightweight Ray Jay “The Destroyer” Bermudez (12-0, 9 KOs), ABF USA super welterweight Jimmy “Quiet Storm” Williams (18-5-2, 6 KOs), ABF American West super middleweight champion “The Amazing” Shawn McCalman (8-0, 4 KOs), super bantamweight Daniel “G.D.F.E.” Bailey, Jr. (7-0, 4 KOs), lightweight Leonel de los Santos (3-0, 3 KOs), a 2-time Dominican Republic Olympian, Boston featherweight Troy Anderson, Jr. (1-0, 1 KO), pro-debuting Dominican Republic welterweight Juan Solano, Salt Lake City, 2016 Brazilian Olympic silver medalist Yuberjen Martinez, Brazilian Olympian Jorge Vivas, Colorado super middleweight Marvin “Too Much” Cordova, Jr. (23-2-1, 12 KOs), West Palm Beach, FL light heavyweight Robert Daniels, Jr. (4-0, 4 KOs), Utah brothers, ABF American West lightweight champion Ignacio Chairez (9-0-1, 5 KOs) and lightweight Gabriel Chairez (4-0-1, 2 KOs).

INFORMATION:

WEBSITE: fighterlocker.com, punch4parkinsons.com

FACEBOOK: /fighterlocker

TWITTER: @RoachRyan

INSTAGRAM: @RyanRoach82

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

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

Rosemont, IL.– After nearly a two absence, Hitz Boxing returned with a night of fistic bombs in the ring and fireworks outside of the ring, as it put on entertaining card in front of a huge and enthusiastic at the Jennie Finch Stadium in Rosemont, Illinois.

“The layoff made us recharge our batteries and the show was a draw. It was refreshing to see a large turnout, despite not having a huge name on the card. This speaks well for the future of our program,” said Bobby Hitz.

The card was dubbed “Rock’n’Box” and featured the number-one Tom Petty Tribute Band in the nation called “Petty Union.” They put on a terrific show and that was followed by a great evening of boxing.

In the opening bout, Olivia Curry (2-0) won a four-round majority decision over Miranda Barber (1-2) in a middleweight contest. The fight was full of action as each fighter left everything in the ring. Curry won by scores of 40-36, 39-37 and 38-38.

In the evening’s final bout, Caleb Hernandez stopped Mike Montoya in round four of a scheduled six-round super middleweight bout.

In round three, Montoya took a knee. Later in the round, Hernandez was docked a point for hitting on the break.

In round four, Hernandez rocked Montoya with an uppercut, and then put him down with a hard flurry. It was another flurry that forced a ref stoppage at 2:42. It was learned that Montoya dislocated his shoulder during the fight.

Hernandez is now 6-0 with six knockouts. Montoya is 8-4-1.

Simon Buetnner won a four-round majority decision over James Ballard in a light heavyweight contest.

Buettner won by scores of 40-36, 39-37 and 38-38 to raise his mark to 8-1. Ballard falls to 10-3.

There were fireworks both in and out of the ring during a light heavyweight bout that saw Robin Safar score a fifth round stoppage over Josue Obando in a scheduled eight-round affair.

The was an actual fireworks display that was going on for much of the fight.

In round five, Safar landed a crushing right to the jaw that backed Obando onto the ropes. Safar followed up with five unanswered blows, and the fight was stopped at 1:17.

Safar of Sweden is now 12-0 with nine knockouts. Obando of Mexico drops to 20-30-2.

Jimmy Quiter remained undefeated with a third round stoppage of James Warfield in a scheduled four-round light heavyweight bout.

In round one, a clash of heads caused a cut on the forehead of Warfield. In round three, Quiter hurt Warfield with a series of punches. A follow up flurry on the ropes forced a referee stoppage at 1:46.

Quiter is now 4-0 with four knockouts. Warfield falls to 0-2.

In an entertaining lightweight fight, Angel Barrera remained undefeated with a four-round majority decision over Daniel Buenaventura.

This fight was considered The Fight of the Night, as the two stood toe-to-toe for the entire four round contest. If both guys continue to develop, Hitz is already thinking about a rematch with bigger stakes down the road.

Barrera won by scores of 40-36, 39-37 and 38-38 to raise his mark to 2-0. Buenaventura is 2-3.

In a mild upset, Chris Chatman (16-11-1) scored a six-round split decision over local favorite Mike Gavronski (26-5-1) in a cruiserweight bout.

The fights can be seen on the following links:

LOS ANGELES – BELLATOR MMA returns to action on Saturday, July 31 with BELLATOR 263 headlined by Featherweight World Champion Patricio Pitbull (32-4) squaring off with No. 1 ranked AJ McKee (17-0) in the Featherweight Grand Prix Finals with both the title and one million dollars on the line. Also, top-ten featherweights collide in the co-main event as No. 2 ranked Emmanuel Sanchez (20-5) takes on the surging No. 8 ranked Mads Burnell (15-3). 

BELLATOR 263 emanates from The Forum in Los Angeles andairs live on SHOWTIME at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. Limited tickets remain and are available at www.bellator.com.

Click here for additional information detailing fighter eligibility, as well as additional voting criteria.

MEN’S POUND-FOR-POUND1. Patricio Pitbull (32-4)2. Vadim Nemkov (14-2)3. Gegard Mousasi (47-7-2)4. Ryan Bader (28-6, 1 NC)5. Yaroslav Amosov (26-0)6. AJ McKee (17-0)7. Sergio Pettis (21-5)8. Douglas Lima (32-9)9. Corey Anderson (15-5)10. Juan Archuleta (25-3)	WOMEN’S POUND-FOR-POUND1. Cris Cyborg (24-2, 1 NC)2. Juliana Velasquez (12-0)3. Ilima-Lei Macfarlane (11-1)4. Julia Budd (15-3)5. Liz Carmouche (16-7)6. Denise Kielholtz (6-3) ?17. Arlene Blencowe (14-8) ?18. Cat Zingano (12-4)9. Kana Watanabe (10-1-1)10. Leslie Smith (12-9-1)	MEN’S HEAVYWEIGHTC. Ryan Bader (28-6)IC. Valentin Moldavsky (11-1) 2. Tim Johnson (15-7) 3. Cheick Kongo (30-11-2) 4. Tyrell Fortune (11-1) ?15. Linton Vassell (20-8) ?16. Steven Mowry (9-0)7. Matt Mitrione (13-9)8. Davion Franklin (3-0)9. Gokhan Saricam (5-1)10. Jake Hager (3-0)
MEN’S LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTC. Vadim Nemkov (14-2)1. Ryan Bader (28-6)2. Corey Anderson (15-5)3. Phil Davis (22-6) 4. Anthony Johnson (23-6)5. Julius Anglickas (10-1)6. Lyoto Machida (26-11)7. Grant Neal (6-0)8. Christian Edwards (5-0) 9. Melvin Manhoef (32-15-1) ?110. Karl Albrektsson (11-3) NR	MEN’S MIDDLEWEIGHTC. Gegard Mousasi (47-7-2)1. John Salter (18-4)2. Austin Vanderford (11-0) 3. Costello van Steenis (13-2) 4. Fabian Edwards (9-2) 5. Johnny Eblen (9-0)6. Charlie Ward (9-4)7. Romero Cotton (5-0)8. Mike Shipman (14-3)9. Ed Ruth (8-3)10. Norbert Novenyi Jr. (5-0)	MEN’S WELTERWEIGHTC. Yaroslav Amosov (26-0)1. Douglas Lima (32-9)2. Michael Page (19-1)3. Jason Jackson (14-4)4. Neiman Gracie (10-2)5. Logan Storley (11-1)6. Joey Davis (8-0) 7. Derek Anderson (17-4) 8. Paul Daley (43-18-2) 9. Oliver Enkamp (10-2) ?110. Sabah Homasi (15-9) ?1
MEN’S LIGHTWEIGHTC. Patricio Pitbull (32-4)1. Patricky Pitbull (23-10)2. Sidney Outlaw (16-4) 3. Benson Henderson (28-10) 4. Peter Queally (13-5-1) 5. Goiti Yamauchi (25-5) 6. Myles Jury (19-6) 7. Aviv Gozali (6-0) 8. Alexander Shabliy (20-3) 9. Dan Moret (15-6) 10. Adam Piccolotti (12-4)	MEN’S FEATHERWEIGHTC. Patricio Pitbull (32-4)1. AJ McKee (17-0)2. Emmanuel Sanchez (20-5)3. Adam Borics (17-1)4. Jay-Jay Wilson (8-0)5. Aaron Pico (8-3)6. Daniel Weichel (41-12)7. Pedro Carvalho (11-5)8. Mads Burnell (15-3)9. Justin Gonzales (12-0)10. Jeremy Kennedy (16-3, 1 NC)	MEN’S BANTAMWEIGHTC. Sergio Pettis (21-5)1. Juan Archuleta (25-3)2. Patchy Mix (14-1)3. Magomed Magomedov (18-1)4. Raufeon Stots (16-1)5. Leandro Higo (21-5)6. James Gallagher (11-1)7. Josh Hill (20-4)8. Jornel Lugo (6-0)9. Cass Bell (5-2)10. Darrion Caldwell (15-5)
WOMEN’S FEATHERWEIGHTC. Cris Cyborg (24-2, 1 NC)1. Julia Budd (15-3)2. Arlene Blencowe (13-8)3. Cat Zingano (12-4)4. Leslie Smith (12-8-1)5. Leah McCourt (5-1) 6. Sinead Kavanagh (7-4) 7. Janay Harding (6-5) 8. Jessy Miele (9-5)9. Talita Nogueira (8-2) ?110. Jessica Borga (3-3) NR	WOMEN’S FLYWEIGHTC. Juliana Velasquez (12-0)1. Ilima-Lei Macfarlane (11-1)2. Liz Carmouche (16-7)3. Denise Kielholtz (6-3) 4. Kana Watanabe (10-1-1) 5. Alejandra Lara (9-4)6. Veta Arteaga (6-4)7. Kate Jackson (11-5-1)8. Diana Avsaragova (4-0) NR9. Hannah Guy (3-1) ?19. Valerie Loureda (3-1)

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.

TUCSON, Ariz. (July 20, 2021) — WBC super featherweight world champion Oscar Valdez authored a title-winning knockout for the ages in February over Miguel Berchelt. For his encore — and the first defense of his title — the undefeated two-time Mexican Olympian will make his desert homecoming.

Valdez (29-0, 23 KOs) will look to make it 30 for 30 against undefeated 2016 Brazilian Olympic gold medalist Robson Conceição on Friday, Sept. 10 from the AVA Amphitheater at Casino Del Sol in Tucson, Arizona.

A native of Nogales, Mexico, Valdez moved to Tucson as a young child and spent his elementary school years there before returning to Mexico.

In the 10-round co-feature, undefeated junior lightweight star Gabriel Flores Jr., from Stockton, California, will fight Mexican veteran Luis Alberto Lopez. Valdez-Conceição and Flores Jr.-Lopez will stream live and exclusively on ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

Promoted by Top Rank, tickets starting at $25 go on sale Tuesday, July 27 at 10 a.m. MST and can be purchased by visiting Etix.com.

“Oscar Valdez is coming off a career-best performance and wants to put on a spectacular showing in front of the great Tucson fans,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “Conceição has been waiting for this shot ever since he turned pro, and having promoted him for his entire career, I know he’ll be at his very best. We have a great co-feature, as the young Flores wants to prove he is a contender to watch, and he can do that by beating a tough Mexican in Luis Alberto Lopez.”

Valdez cemented his status as one of the faces of Mexican boxing with his 10th-round knockout over longtime champion Berchelt. He is 8-0 in world title fights, including six defenses of the WBO featherweight world title he won in July 2016. Valdez and Conceição fought as amateurs in the gold medal match of the 2009 Pan American Games, with Conceição prevailing by a single point. Valdez turned pro nearly four years before Conceição (16-0, 8 KOs), who made history as the first Brazilian boxer to capture Olympic gold. A native of Bahia, Conceição made his pro debut in November 2016 on the Manny Pacquiao-Jessie Vargas undercard and knocked out four of his first five foes. Last October, he survived an early knockdown to edge Louie Coria by unanimous decision. He last fought April 10 in Tulsa and knocked out Jesus Antonio Ahumada in the seventh round.

“I am very excited to fight in my second home, Tucson, Arizona, where I will have my first defense of the WBC super featherweight world title,” Valdez said. “It motivates me to know that I will defend the title in front of my friends and my family, and I will be willing to put it on the line as in all my fights. I’m coming to give a great show to my people, and I can’t wait to see you on Sept. 10.”

Conceição said, “I’ve been waiting my whole life for this opportunity, and that’s why I’m training with great determination. I will represent my family and Brazil. I already won a gold medal for my country and now I will bring home a world title. With great determination, I will deliver a great performance. It will be a true spectacle!”

Flores (20-0, 7 KOs) made history in 2017 when, at 16 years old, he became the youngest fighter ever to sign a promotional contract with Top Rank. He went 3-0 in 2020, including a shutout decision over Matt Conway on the Deontay Wilder vs. Tyson Fury II undercard. Flores performed three times inside the MGM Grand Las Vegas Bubble, punctuated by a sixth-round stoppage over former world title challenger Jayson Velez in February. Lopez (22-2, 12 KOs), from Mexicali, Mexico, has won five straight bouts since a 2019 decision loss to Ruben Villa. He notched his signature win last July with a split decision over Andy Vences.

“This is the next step in my journey towards a world title, and I will convincingly defeat Lopez,” Flores said. “I’m going to prove once again that I’m ready for the next level.”

Lopez said, “I appreciate matchmaker Brad Goodman and Top Rank for the opportunity to fight Gabriel Flores Jr. I know he’ll be prepared to give everything on Sept. 10, but so am I, and I guarantee nothing but my very best. I’m a man of few words, and I’ll let my actions do the talking inside the ring.”

The undercard, streaming live and exclusively on ESPN+, will feature Japan’s undefeated WBO flyweight world champion Junto Nakatani (21-0, 16 KOs) defending his title against Puerto Rican former world champion Angel “Tito” Acosta (22-2, 21 KOs). Nakatani, who has never fought outside of Japan, knocked out Filipino contender Giemel Magramo in eight rounds last November to win the vacant world title. A former Japanese flyweight champion, Nakatani has won four straight bouts by stoppage. Acosta, who made three successful defenses of the WBO light flyweight crown, has won two fights since a debated 12th-round stoppage at the hands of Elwin Soto. Acosta was leading on all three scorecards when he was stopped on his feet early in the round.

The ESPN+ undercard will also see undefeated Puerto Rican sensation Xander Zayas (9-0, 7 KOs) in a six-round junior middleweight bout against an opponent to be named and lightweight sensation Raymond Muratalla (12-0, 10 KOs) in an eight-rounder.

Also scheduled to appear in eight-round bouts: 2016 Mexican Olympian and junior welterweight prospect Lindolfo Delgado (12-0, 11 KOs), rising junior lightweight René Telléz Girón (15-1, 9 KOs) and Mexican junior welterweight knockout artist Omar Aguilar (21-0, 20 KOs).

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).

JOE JOYCE HAS identified the ideal venue to stage his world title tilt, should he be successful in seeing off the challenge of Carlos Takam in their heavyweight showdown at the SSE Arena, Wembley on Saturday.

Joyce’s field of dreams is still in North London, but further round the North Circular at the Emirates Stadium, home of his footballing favourites Arsenal FC.

Victory on Saturday will ensure the 35-year-old remains at the head of the queue to take on the winner of the forthcoming Anthony Joshua-Oleksandr Usyk battle pencilled in for September.

With Joshua/Usyk now official, Joyce has been confirmed as the first WBO mandatory challenger for the winner. 

Joyce would love to lure whoever emerges as WBO champion to N7 to unleash his own Arsenal on the champion.

“That would be a great one for the history books and there is a first time for everything,” said the heavyweight force, who would relish being the first to headline on the hallowed Emirates turf.

“The Emirates is an amazing stadium, so I am looking forward to it happening hopefully.”

Big fights, of course, have been staged at football grounds across London and the country, with Upton Park, Loftus Road, the old White Hart Lane, Elland Road and Old Trafford among the stadiums to host the noble art.

Arsenal’s previous ground, Highbury, was the venue for another major sporting event that took place in 1966, when Muhammad Ali fought Henry Cooper for a second time.

Since this time, the home of Arsenal has been strictly football.

Joyce visited the stadium today ahead of his big night on Saturday to perhaps get a feel of what might be should he continue to successfully hunt down a shot at a world title belt.

Even though Joyce is typically associated with Putney, north of the capital isn’t so far away from his place of birth.

“I actually started off in East London and was born in Mile End. I lived with both my parents in Bethnal Green before they split up and my mum moved to Hackney, then Leytonstone, before we went south to Putney when I was six.

“I got to go to Highbury sometimes when one of my uncles took me because my dad wasn’t into football much so I didn’t get the chance to follow as closely as I would have liked.

“The first game I watched – I can’t remember how old I was, but I was pretty young at the time – was an Arsenal-Liverpool game in the era of Ian Wright and David Seaman.

“I have always been an Arsenal fan since school and soon I am getting to do a fishing show soon with my childhood heroes Wright and Seaman.”

Joe Joyce v Carlos Takam for the WBC Silver and WBO International titles takes place at the SSE Arena, Wembley on Saturday (July 24).

Hamzah Sheeraz (12-0, 8 KOs) makes the third defence of his WBO European title against Spaniard Ezequiel Gurria (15-1, 3 KOs).

Swansea’s Chris Jenkins (22-3-3, 8 KOs) will finally defend his British and Commonwealth welterweight titles against Nottingham’s Ekow Essuman (14-0, 5 KOs) after recovering from injury.
 
In a well matched fourth title fight, Peacock gym ace Chris Bourke (9-0, 6 KOs) defends his WBC International super-bantamweight title against Bloxwich’s James Beech Jnr (12-1, 2 KOs).
 
There is also heavyweight action featuring David Adeleye (6-0, 5 KOs), while Mill Hill’s George Fox (3-0) will make his Queensberry debut. Reading super-featherweight hope Charles Frankham (2-0, 1 KO) has also been added to the stacked bill., along with ‘The Gent’ Micky Burke Jr (4-0, 1 KO) who also returns after his first stoppage victory in November last year.

Tickets are available NOW from AXS.com. Click here to buy tickets.

£50 Tier
£70 Floor/Tier
£100 Floor
£150 Floor

Unified Heavyweight Champion of the World Anthony Joshua OBE will put his IBF, WBA, WBO and IBO World Titles on the line against Oleksandr Usyk at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on Saturday September 25, live on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK and Ireland.

Joshua (24-1, 22 KOs) dominated and then floored IBF Mandatory Challenger Kubrat Pulev to score a brutal ninth-round knockout at The SSE Arena, Wembley last time out in December in what was his first fight on UK soil since he stopped Alexander Povetkin in seven explosive rounds at Wembley Stadium back in September 2018. 

The Heavyweight division’s biggest attraction has sold-out stadiums and arenas around the world and now ‘AJ’ returns to the Capital for his fifth stadium fight looking to create more history as he faces his latest WBO Mandatory Challenger at the new state of the art home of Spurs, following in the footsteps of Frank Bruno MBE who defeated Joe Bugner in Matchroom Boxing’s first Heavyweight promotion at the old White Hart Lane in October 1987.

Ukrainian pound-for-pound star Usyk (18-0, 13 KOs) made the move to the Heavyweight division after dominating at Cruiserweight, ending his extraordinary spell at 200lbs as the Undisputed king with a phenomenal run of victories in his opponent’s backyard against Marco Huck, Mairis Briedis, Murat Gassiev and Tony Bellew. 

The 2012 Olympic Gold medallist began his assault on the Heavyweight division by retiring Chazz Witherspoon in seven rounds at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago in October 2019 and continued his bid to become a two-weight World Champion when he outpointed Derek Chisora over 12 rounds at The SSE Arena, Wembley last October. 

“The date is set and we are fully locked in,” said Joshua. “September 25, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, I put it all on the line again and it’s time to defend my crown. We are two Olympic Gold medallists who have fought our way to the top and never avoided challenges. 

“The stadium is exceptional, the atmosphere will be electric, I’m honoured to be the first person to fight in such an awe inspiring venue. The stage is set and I am ready to handle business.”

Usyk said: “The path will be mastered by the walking one.”

Eddie Hearn, Chairman, Matchroom Sport, said: “Olympic Gold vs. Olympic Gold, Unified World Heavyweight Champion vs. Undisputed Cruiserweight World Champion this one has it all and I can’t wait to stage this huge event in front of over 60,000 at the stunning Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on September 25.”

Freddie Cunningham, Managing Director, 258MGT, said: “AJ once again shows why he is the number one in the division by defending his belts against the toughest opposition in the rankings. Another UK boxing stadium event and another world’s first by staging the fight at the new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium make this one of the biggest UK sporting events of the year.” 

Alexander Krassyuk, General Director, K2 Promotions, said: “This is a huge fight between two gentlemen of the sport. Wow! The two London 2012 Olympic Champions are set to collide for the Heavyweight crowns. Let the best man win, and we will see you again for the rematch!”

Daniel Levy, Chairman, Tottenham Hotspur, said: “This is a huge occasion for Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – Anthony Joshua is an icon in the world of sport and to have him fight here in London N17, against a top opponent in Oleksandr Usyk, will be amazing for the area of Tottenham. This event will once again showcase the stadium’s ability to take the hosting of world-class sporting occasions to the next level – we cannot wait for September 25.”

Adam Smith, Head of Boxing Development, Sky Sports, said: “Anthony Joshua is back, live on Sky Sports Box Office, in an epic evening of World Heavyweight Title action on September 25. We’ve followed Anthony Joshua’s enthralling journey since the very start – and now Ukraine’s pound-for-pound star Oleksandr Usyk stands in the way of ‘AJ’s’ ultimate ambition of becoming an Undisputed World Champion.

“The unbeaten Usyk is returning to the city where he struck gold at the same Olympic Games as ‘AJ’ and we know him well from that dramatic win over Tony Bellew and a breathless battle with Derek Chisora. I couldn’t be more delighted after working for two years to secure a spectacular Heavyweight showdown at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, a stunning backdrop for fight fans as Joshua vs. Usyk lights up London.”

An announcement on tickets will be made in due course.

FRISCO, TEXAS (July 20, 2021): Roger “The Kid” Gutierrez (35-3-1, 20 KOs) will defend his WBA Super Featherweight World Championship against Rene “El Gemelo” Alvarado (32-9, 21 KOs) in a scheduled 12-round trilogy fight that will be the co-main event to Ortiz Jr. vs. Kavaliauskas. The event, which will also feature Felix Alvarado and several rising talents, will take place on Saturday, Aug. 14 at Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas and will be streamed live on DAZN.

“The final chapter of the longstanding rivalry between Roger Gutierrez and Rene Alvarado will end on Aug. 14,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy. “The results of their first two fights were sharply different from each other, though both battles produced an equal amount of excitement. This third fight will put an end to their rivalry with even more action and place the winner on the path to unify titles in the division.”

Gutierrez is a Venezuelan world champion who had initially suffered several setbacks in his young career, including a stoppage loss to Rene Alvarado. However, Gutierrez maintained his tenacity and turned his career around by scoring an upset knockout win against Rocky Hernandez in 2019. Since then, the 26-year-old has been on an incredible streak in which he avenged his first professional loss by defeating Alvarado and becoming a world champion. Gutierrez plans to remain champion by winning decisively on Aug. 14.

“I am very excited for this trilogy fight that I am going to have with Rene Alvarado,” said Roger Gutierrez. “I know that the fight will not be easy and my opponent is tough. He beat me in the first fight, and then I took the title from him in the second bout.. It will be an exciting battle, and I know the fans will enjoy it very much. ”

Alvarado is a 32-year-old former world champion of Managua, Nicaragua who has fought the likes of Robinson “Robin Hood” Castellanos, Jayson “La Maravilla” Velez, Danis “Djingis Khan” Shafikov, Carlos “The Solution” Morales and Andrew “El Chango” Cancio, the man he beat to become a world champion. Though he lost his belt to Gutierrez in his first defense, he planas on regaining the title and initiating a long reign.

“I am happy to have the opportunity to rectify the loss I suffered against Roger Gutierrez,” said Rene Alvarado. “I made mistakes in that second fight, but I promise to correct them all on August 14 so I can deliver to Nicaragua a great victory. As always, I will train 100% and leave everything in the ring.”

Felix Alvarado (36-2, 31 KOs) of Managua, Nicaragua will defend his IBF light flyweight world title against Erick López (16-5-1, 10 KOs) of Guadalajara, Mexico in a scheduled 12-round clash.

Pablo Cesar “El Demoledor” Cano (33-7-1, 23 KOs) from Tlalnepantla, Mexico and Danielito “El Zorro” Zorrilla (15-0, 11 KOs) from Toa Baja, Puerto Rico will open DAZN’s main broadcast in a 10-round clash in the 140-pound division.

Additional bouts will be streamed live on Golden Boy’s official Facebook page.

Alex Martin (16-3, 6 KOs) of Chicago, Illinois will meet Josec Ruiz (22-4-3, 15 KOs) of Miami, Florida in a 10-round battle in the super lightweight division.

George Rincon (11-0, 7 KOs) of Dallas, Texas will return in a 10-round super lightweight fight against a soon-to-be-announced opponent.

Leonardo Baez (19-4, 10 KOs) of Mexicali, Mexico and Hector Valdez (14-0, 8 KOs) of Dallas, Texas will clash in a 10-round matchup for the NABA Super Bantamweight Title.

Alex Rincon (8-0, 6 KOs) of Dallas, Texas will participate in an eight-round super welterweight bout against Sanny Duversonne (11-3-2, 8 KOs) of Miami, Florida.

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Ortiz Jr. vs. Kavaliauskas is a 12-round fight for the WBO International Welterweight Title presented by Golden Boy The event is sponsored by Hennessy “Never Stop. Never Settle” and “BetOnline – Your Online Sportsbook Experts.” The fight will take place on Saturday, Aug. 14 at Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas and will be streamed live on DAZN.

Tickets for Ortiz Jr vs. Kavaliauskas are on sale now and are priced at $250, $150, $100, $75, $50 and $35, not including applicable service charges. Tickets will be available for purchase at www.seatgeek.com.

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

About The Star
The Star is the 91-acre campus of the Dallas Cowboys World Headquarters and training facility in Frisco, Texas. Developed as a first-of-its-kind partnership between the City of Frisco, Frisco ISD and the Dallas Cowboys, The Star features Ford Center, a 12,000-seat stadium that hosts Frisco ISD football games, concerts and other events; Cowboys Fit, a 60,000 square-foot gym developed in partnership with leading fitness developer, Mark Mastrov; Cowboys Club, a members-only club where the country club meets the NFL; the Omni Frisco Hotel, a 16-floor, 300-room luxury hotel; Baylor Scott & White Sports Therapy & Research at The Star, a 300,000 square-foot center of excellence for sports medicine; Twelve Cowboys Way, a 17-story, luxury residential tower in partnership between Pro Football Hall-of-Fame Quarterback #12 Roger Staubach, and Dallas-based developer and former Dallas Cowboys center, Robert Shaw; Formation, a dynamic coworking experience offering a collaborative work environment of open workspace, dedicated desks and private offices; as well as a variety of shopping, dining and nightlife options throughout The Star District. For more information on The Star, visit www.TheStarInFrisco.com.

PROVIDENCE, RI (Tuesday, July 20) – Back in business, back-to-back.

CES MMA and CES Boxing invade the MGM Springfield in the heart of Metro Center in Springfield, MA, with back-to-back shows next month, a blockbuster summertime spectacular signaling a long-awaited return to full-time promoting for one of the region’s top combat sports attractions.

The weekend kicks off Friday, August 6 with CES 63 live on UFC FIGHT PASS®, featuring a heavyweight showdown between five-time UFC veteran Yorgan De Castro (6-3, 5 KOs) of Fall River, MA, and Iowa’s Rakim Cleveland (21-13, 13 KOs), followed by live championship boxing on Saturday, August 7, headlined by reigning WBC USNBC Silver Super Middleweight Champion Kendrick Ball Jr. (16-1-2, 11 KOs) defending his title against Meridian, MS, challenger Tyi Edmonds (14-3, 9 KOs).

Tickets for both events are available online at CESFights.com. CES 63 streams live on FIGHT PASS beginning at 8 pm ET with play-by-play announcer Michael Parente (@MichaelParente) and color commentator Joe Lauzon (@JoeLauzon), a 27-time UFC vet, and FUN 107 on-air personality and cageside correspondent Madelyn Grimaldi (@maddieonair).

Visit CESFights.com for more information and follow CES MMA on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @CESMMA. Updates on CES Boxing can also be found on Facebook in addition to Instagram and Twitter by following @CESBoxing.

CES MMA is a mixed martial arts promotional company based out of Providence, R.I., founded by legendary boxing promoter Jimmy Burchfield Sr. It promoted the first sanctioned professional mma event in the state of Rhode Island on Sept. 17, 2010 at Twin River Casino Hotel. Since its inception, CES MMA has been a gateway to the UFC developing the careers of UFC contenders Calvin Kattar, Rob Font, Charles Rosa, William Knight, Mike Rodriguez, Tony Gravely, Andre Soukhamthath and others. In October 2012, CES MMA promoted its first pay-per-view event at The Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, featuring the professional MMA debut of former WWE superstar Dave Bautista, and recently signed a two-year extension to broadcast exclusively on UFC FIGHT PASS®.

CES Boxing is one of the top promotions in the northeast and one of the few to successfully promote both mixed martial arts and professional boxing. Launched in 1992 by longtime boxing judge Jimmy Burchfield Sr., the promotion is the only in professional boxing to boast two reigning WBC Youth world champions in lightweight Jamaine Ortiz and featherweight Irvin Gonzalez. CES Boxing recently teamed with UFC FIGHT PASS, the world’s No. 1 streaming platform for combat sports, to showcase its events to a worldwide audience, and worked as a promotional consultant for the Mike Tyson-Roy Jones Jr. pay-per-view event in November of 2020.

UFC FIGHT PASS® is the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports. Since launching in 2013, UFC FIGHT PASS is now available in more than 200 countries and territories. UFC FIGHT PASS provides its members with unlimited access to live UFC FIGHT PASS Prelims; live mixed martial arts and combat sports from around the world; original series and historical programming; special features; behind-the-scenes content; in-depth interviews; and up-to-the minute reports on the world of combat sports. UFC FIGHT PASS subscribers also have 24/7 access to the world’s largest fight library, featuring more than 17,000 bouts from dozens of combat sports organizations, as well as every fight in UFC history. Fight fans can access FIGHT PASS on personal computers, iOS and Android mobile devices, Apple TV, Xbox One, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, Roku, Samsung Smart TVs, LG Smart TVs, and Sony TVs with Android TV.

MGM Springfield covers three city blocks in the heart of downtown Springfield, Mass. As the world’s first LEED™ Platinum-certified gaming resort, MGM Springfield ignites a cultural and economic renaissance in a historic New England city by seamlessly blending new design with restored historic buildings. The resort offers more than 125,000 square feet of gaming space, a 240-room boutique hotel on Main Street, superior spa services, diverse retail and inspired dining headlined by Costa and The Chandler Steakhouse. MGM Springfield also features a sevenscreen Regal luxury cinema complex, bowling lanes, a seasonal skating rink and outdoor marketplace displaying local art, events and talent. For more information, visit the MGM Springfield Newsroom or mgmspringfield.com.