NEW YORK CITY (March 4, 2024) – Reigning International Boxing Federation (IBF) Bantamweight World Champion Miyo Yoshida (17-4, 0 KOs) has signed with New York-based lawyer Keith Sullivan.

Yoshida, 35, is a three-time, two-division world champion having captured the World Boxing Organization (WBO) Super Flyweight crowns twice in 2019 and 2021. A native of Japan, she moved to Manhattan last year, trains at the famed Gleason’s Gym in Brooklyn, and is promoted by DiBella Entertainment.

She is one of 23 female world champions from Japan, only the sixth to capture world titles in two or more divisions.

“Keith Sullivan is an excellent lawyer with an undisputed reputation,” Yoshida said. “I believe that he will be able to advance my career forward by becoming my manager. He was highly recommended, and I am happy he is part of Team Miyo. ”It will also broaden the scope of my career.”

“Miyo is a great story on many levels, both in and out of the ring,” Sullivan commented. “She was a single mom in a foreign country coming off a took loss, took that fight on two weeks’ notice and dominated her way to another World title,” Sullivan commented. “She has a lot of fight still in her. It’s an honor to work with someone as professional and respectful as Miyo.”

Last December, Yoshida put on a boxing clinic in San Francisco, replacing injured Avril Mathie on less than two weeks’ notice to defeat defending IBF bantamweight title-holder Ebanie Bridges (9-1) by way of a dominant 10-round unanimous decision (99-91, 99-91, 97-93).

“Without a doubt,” Yoshida talked about her title fight against Bridges, “this match was my greatest career achievement. I want to get stronger than I am now and continue to be a great champion.”

Miyo Yoshida (picture courtesy of DiBella Entertainment)

A single mother of daughter her, Mina, Miyo is known as the “Fighting Single Mother” in Japan, where she is a revered role model back, and for that reason as well as her success in the ring, Yoshida received the 2023 Most Inspirational Female Fighter award from The Ring magazine.

“Many senior Japanese women have paved the way for me without giving up,” Miyo added. I would like to follow in their footsteps and pave the way for my juniors. Women’s boxing in the United States is by far the largest market. In Japan, you get used to fighting against Japanese styles. In the U.S. there are so many various fighting styles. It’s always interesting. The support and scale of women’s boxing is superior in the U.S. than in Japan.”

Ten years ago, Yoshida moved from Kagoshima, Japan, to Hawaii to learn kickboxing because she wanted to change her life. She kickboxed and learned MMA before turning to boxing at the age of 26. After two years out of boxing to take care of her baby, she made her professional debut at the age of 28. Miyo started boxing because as a kickboxer, she often sparred boxers and enjoyed the challenge of the sport.”

Sullivan also manages Brooklyn heavyweight prospect Pryce Taylor (2-0, 2 KOs), standout amateur Nisa Rodriguez, and the reigning WBA Continental Champion from Limerick, Ireland, Paddy “The Real Deal” Donovan (13-0, 10 KOs).

INFORMATION

X: @MiyoBledog

Instagram: @miyo_yoshida_

Facebook: /miyoyoshida

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (March 3, 2024) – Arab boxing power was on display today as Moroccan super featherweight Jaouad “The Moroccan Bomber” Belmehdi (20-1-3, 9 KOs) defeated previously undefeated Ghanian Alfred Lamptey (13-1, 9 KOs) in the main event of the third edition of “Rising Stars Arabia,” which showcases rapidly developing Arab boxers on a worldwide platform.

The Rising Stars Arabia (RSA) series, the first of its kind in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, is sanctioned by the Middle East Professional Boxing Commission.

“Rising Stars Arabia 3” was streamed live on DAZN and ESPN Knockout, outdoors from the picturesque Yas Links Golf Course in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

In a wonderfully matched, entertaining main event, 25-year-old Belmehdi, a former French Lightweight Champion, won his fourth fight in a row by way of a 10-round split decision (96-94, 96-94, 93-97) in a back-and-forth, legitimate Fight of the Year candidate. Belmehdi defeated Lamptey, 21, a former World Boxing Council (WBC) Youth Silver, World Boxing Organization (WBO) Youth and Ghana super featherweight champion.

Hometown Hero Al Bloushi Extends His Win Streak in Co-Main Event

In the co-main event, hometown favorite Fahad “Kid Emirati” Al Bloushi (14-1, 3 KOs) – the most experienced United Arab Emirates (UAE) pro boxer of all-time – extended his win streak to 13, taking a hard-fought eight-round decision over Venezuelan lightweight Andres Garcia (14-8-1, 11 KOs).

Another terrific UAE prospect, super flyweight Sultan Al Nuaimi (11-0, 7 KOs) stopped Venezuelan Eliu Canario (14-4, 11 KOs) in the fifth round in another spectacular performance in front of enthused local boxing fans.

Iraq’s light heavyweight prospect Amer Kadhum Ghaneem (3-0-1, 1 KO) suffered the first blemish on his pro record, fighting Russian Kharon Zapolsky (3-1-1, 1 KO) to a six-round majority draw.

Ugandan welterweight Isaac Zebra, Jr. (3-0, 3 KOs) knocked out Ahmed Saad (4-3, 1 KO) in the opening round of their scheduled six-round bout.

Undefeated Indian welterweight Faizan Anwar (17-0, 9 KOs) registered a somewhat surprising opening-round knockout of former Egyptian Super Welterweight Champion Abdumonem “Braveheart” Saad (23-4-1, 11 KOs).

Egyptian cruiserweight Youssef Karrar (4-0, 3 KOs) recorded a third-round technical knockout over late replacement Yusuf Kizito (0-1), of Uganda, while Egyptian featherweight Mostafa Mohammed Fahmi Komsan (2-0, 1 KO) edged Guan Mu (1-3-1, 0 KOs), of China, by way of a six-round majority decision.

Also fighting on the undercard, Morocco welterweight Anas Hafiane improved to 3-0 with his second knockout, blasting out overmatched  Sajan Greece Makesh Daisy (0-3), of India, in round one, and previously undefeated United Arab Emirates super middleweight Fahad Alkhoori (3-1, 3 KOs) was upset by Ariemba Isalah Odhiambo (2-4, 0 KOs), of Kenya, who took a four-round majority decision

In the opener, pro-debuting Syrian heavyweight Kenan Marai (1-0, 1 KO) knocked out the Congo’s Eureka Mwamba Kabeya (0-2) at the end of the first round

“Rising Stars Arabia 3” was promoted by AAM Seddiqi Sports and hosted in Abu Dhabi in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi.

AAM Seddiqi Sports has been promoting and managing fighters in the region for 10 years and it has a growing stable of more than 30 gifted regional and global talents. Its events include five world title shows that have been broadcasted globally on ESPN, Sky Sports, and other major networks.

Complete results below:

_____________________________________________________________________

OFFICIAL RESULTS

MAIN EVENT – SUPER FEATHERWEIGHTS

Jaouad Belmehdi (20-1-3, 9 KOs), Morocco

WDEC10 (96-94, 96-94, 93-97)

Alfred Lamptey (13-1, 9 KOs), Ghana

CO-FEATURE – LIGHTWEIGHTS

Fahad Al Bloushi (14-1, 3 KOs), United Arab Emirates

WDEC8 (78-76, 78-76, 77-75)

Andres Garcia (14-8-1, 11 KOs), Venezuela

HEAVYWEIGHTS

Kenan Marai (1-0,1 KO), Syria

WTKO1 (3 :00)

Eureka Mwamba Kabeya (0-2), Congo

CRUISERWEIGHTS

Youssef Karrar (3-0, 2 KOs), Egypt

WTKO3 (1:55)

Yusuf Kizito (0-1), Uganda

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS

Amer Kadhum Ghaneem (3-0-1, 1 KO), Iraq

D6 (58-56, 57-57-, 57-57)

Kharon Zapolsky (3-1-1, 1 KO), Russia

SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS

Ariemba Odhiambo (2-4 (0 KOs)

WDEC4

Fahad Alkhoori (3-1, 3 KOs), United Arab Emirates

SUPER WELTERWEIGHTS

Isaac Zebra, Jr. (3-0, 3 KOs), Uganda

WTKO1 (2:34)

Ahmed Saad (4-3, 1 KO), Egypt

WELTERWEIGHTS

Faizan Anwar (17-0, 9 KOs), India

WTKO1 (2:34)

Abdumonem Said (23-4-1, 11 KOs), Egypt

Anas Hafiane (3-0, 2 KOs), Morocco

WTKO1 (0:37)

Sajan Greece Makesh Daisy (0-3), India

FEATHERWEIGHTS

Mostafa Mohammed Fahmi Komsan (1-1, 1 KO), Egypt

WDEC4

Guanlin Mu (1-3-1, 0 KOs), China

SUPER FLYWEIGHTS

Sultan Al Nuami (11-0, 7 KOs), United Arab Emirates

WKO5 (1:46)

Eliu Canario (14-4, 11 KOs), Venezuela

____________________________________________________________________ 

#InAbuDhabi 

#RisingStarsArabia3

-END-

About Rising Stars Arabia

Presenting Rising Stars Arabia (RSA) – A fighting series promoted by AAM Seddiqi Sports and powered by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi). This marks a notable series within the UAE and the wider MENA region. This platform, humble in its intentions yet ambitious in its scope, provides aspiring Arab athletes with a unique opportunity to showcase their talents before regional and international audiences.

This significant initiative, grounded in the values of nurturing homegrown and regional talent, represents an important leap towards evolving professional boxing within the region. By doing so, it empowers an emerging generation of athletes with genuine opportunities right at their doorstep – eliminating the need to seek participation abroad.

About the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) drives the sustainable growth of Abu Dhabi’s culture and tourism sectors, fuelling economic progress and helping to achieve Abu Dhabi’s wider global ambitions. By working in partnership with the organisations that define the emirate’s position as a leading international destination, DCT Abu Dhabi strives to unite the ecosystem around a shared vision of the emirate’s potential, coordinate effort and investment, deliver innovative solutions, and use the best tools, policies, and systems to support the culture, creative and tourism industries.

DCT Abu Dhabi’s vision is defined by the emirate’s people, heritage, and landscape. We work to enhance Abu Dhabi’s status as a place of authenticity, innovation, and unparalleled experiences, represented by its living traditions of hospitality, pioneering initiatives, and creative thought.

Jake Paul

On how he felt during the fight and his challengers

“Man I felt good. I felt really sharp, fast, locked in, but I was just getting warmed up really. I am kind of disappointed to be honest. I want more, I want a challenge and we had someone with 20 fights and I just keep on getting these guys out of there in the first round. I train so hard, it’s a little bit disappointing for the fans as well. I want someone to test me so I can make some adjustments and show off some of my new skills. I didn’t really get to show anything. I did feel good, I just wanted more and we will go back to the drawing board and see who’s next.”

On Amanda Serrano’s injury

“It just goes to show the type of woman and type of warrior that Amanda is that she still wanted to fight with an exposed cornea and the skin burnt off of her eye. The chemical was also burning her hands, you can see the skin on her hands melting. She’s so tough, it’s very sad. I wanted nothing more than to support her and see her fight as well, but yeah it’s just an unfortunate series of events but I believe that everything happens for a reason and the universe will unveil that reason soon enough. But we will see and I am very thankful for everyone who did show up and we will have to run it back I guess.”

On Javon “Wanna” Walton’s performance

“Look, it happens in this sport, it’s the toughest sport in the world. You go out there in front of 16,000 people, he’s 17-years-old, adrenal rush happens. You can think you’re prepared for that big moment and it can be pulled out from underneath you, but I thought it was an absolute fucking robbery. How is that a  draw? At least three rounds to one, so that to me is bizarre, but the kid is a warrior and I’ve proven a loss doesn’t define my career and the draw won’t define him as well. He has a great family supporting him and MVP’s behind him.”

On returning to Puerto Rico

“Yeah, we plan on coming back here. We have to. Amanda is going to want that. I loved fighting here. The crowd was amazing, it gave me goosebumps when they were all chanting “Gallo” and it means the world. They welcomed me and were turnt up for me so we have to come back here and put on another event.”

On Krystal Rosado’s performance

“Krystal was amazing. She’s got a bright, bright future. [She faced a] fast, and a very tough opponent, an undefeated opponent. I thought she did amazing and she looks good out there and she’s sharp and I think that getting that experience of getting tested a little bit is something every fighter needs so that’s great for her. Same with Bomba, he did an amazing job, and just happy he brought it home for Puerto Rico.”

On Ryan Garcia’s social media post of a challenge

In a continuation of Nakisa Bidarian remarks

“Except he’s doing it off some cocaine. That boy is getting that shit straight from Colombia or something, because that shit’s strong. Ryan, I love you, you know that bro, but you gotta chill out bro, because there’s a line and you just seem like you’re losing your mind, acting thirsty and desperate, and saying you’re a billionaire when you’ve had one money fight. I’m just saying just chill bro. If you do want to fight, that’s to me light work. You got no footwork and as long as you’ve been in the game, I’m a better boxer than you.”

On potentially fighting in New York City

“Look, I want to come to NY. I want to fight at MSG, I have to, it’s the mecca. It would be such an honor to fight there. We had something planned there and my opponent pulled out unfortunately, but I will be in New York City and will have an empire state of mind there.”

On potentially facing Indian boxer Neeraj Goyat

“I don’t know when it will happen, but I for sure want to go to India and he is the most viral fighter online and that speaks volumes. I would love to go to India and fight him and make that happen. We’ll just see when the timeline makes sense.”

On other potential challengers

“I am going to stay as active as possible and it’s about finding the right opponent. This is my life now and it’s a lifestyle and I’ll be back hopefully two more times before the end of the year. 

Anyone [from the UFC] who can get out of their contract,  I’ll fight. That’s easy work as far as I am concerned. I do want to do a PFL-MMA match, just has to be the right opponent but Nate did duck my $15 million offer so we’ll see who else is on the chopping block. Tony Ferguson? He said he wanted to fight?

I don’t want to see him go out like that, that would be said. He’s a great guy, we don’t want that for Tony.”

Nakisa Bidarian

On event success and refund of fans in attendance

“Thank you everybody for being here. Thank you for the support throughout this entire process. For MVP, Jake Paul, myself, and of course Amanda Serrano. We want to thank our brand partners throughout this event. Puerto Rico tourism company, the district, Puerto Rico Junte Boricua, Loteria de Puerto Rico, OnlyFans and of course, Celsius, which is our official energy drink partner.

Today’s event achieved a gate of $1.511 million, so one million, five-hundred and eleven thousand. Breaking the Katie Taylor-Amanda Serrano gate record. Breaking the Jake Paul-Tyron Woodley in Cleveland gross sales as well as WWE Backlash that happened here last year, so I’d like to give a round of applause to Amanda, Nina and Jake for that achievement. With that said, Jake and I, and Amanda, have made the decision to refund 100% of the $1.511 million to the fan base, so one million, five-hundred and eleven thousand will be refunded to all fans in attendance who seek a refund. We appreciate the support. Everyone got a chance to see eight fights, and ultimately the main event was not meant to be.

On Amanda Serrano’s injury 

Amanda’s eye was irritated on Friday due to a hair product she used on Thursday evening. MVP was notified of this Friday afternoon. She had a private doctor visit her Friday night and they felt with the prescribed drops the irritation in the eye would subside and allow her to perform.

Amanda came to the arena with the intention to fight given her eye was starting to feel better. MVPs position was that she will be examined by the fight night Commission appointed physicians and they determine if she could compete.

Doctors determined her vision was impaired near the end of Wanna Walton’s bout and would not approve her to fight. We then had a responsibility to communicate to all impacted constituents involved in the event and determine how best to communicate it to the fans in attendance and those watching at home.

Listen, the island has been a big supporter of Amanda since we started working with her two and a half years ago. This is the time for the people of Puerto Rico to get behind Amanda Serrano and show how much they really care about her. She wanted nothing more than to come here and fight in front of her fans. Her heart is broken, her pride is broken, but she’s determined to come back here and have the last fight of her career, she has promised, will be in Puerto Rico. She is the one who drove the decision, first and foremost, to refund every single fan. Jake and I obviously, 100% supported it, but no one should feel that they got anything other than an unbelievable experience thanks to Amanda Serrano.”

On a potential return for Amanda Serrano

“Do we think it will be Meinke or another opponent? It will depend on how the next couple of years of the end of Amanda’s career progress. She still has a desire to fight Katie Taylor, of course she’s going to have a desire to fight Nina Meinke. I think it just depends  on the timing. What I do know for sure is that she wants to have the last fight of her career to be here. So we have to have the right opponent and if the fans want to see that fight, then we will try to make that fight, but it just really depends on how everything else goes over the next few months. First priority is getting her eye healed. 

I think before her career is done, she would like to do her final fight at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico. So I don’t know if the next fight is her final fight, or if she fights somewhere else and does that last fight, or if she has three fights…TBD. Right now the focus is on her health.”

On Javon “Wanna” Walton’s performance

“It’s just a better story now right? It’s a lot sweeter when he comes back and shows everyone this is a win he should’ve gotten, to Jake’s point, he got robbed, all the same, he’s going to be focused on boxing for the rest of his career.”

On Ryan Garcia social media posts

“Ryan Garcia is basically playing the Jake Paul playbook. He’s learning everything that he does and says and acts from what Jake Paul has already done.”

On potentially facing Indian boxer Neeraj Goyat

“He literally had fans at the weigh-in, those weren’t fans that had anything to do with MVP, those were fans of Neeraj Goyat coming to support him at Jake Paul’s weigh-in.”

Closing remarks

“We want to thank all of you, the media of Puerto Rico, and the media that came from abroad, for covering this event, giving it the exposure that it deserves. Giving Jake the coverage that he deserves for the work that he’s doing on the island, for the support he’s showing Puerto Rican fighters, and obviously the love and support for Amanda Serrano. We are going to stick by her. We are going to come back here in a big way with her and we’re excited for her future to continue with MVP.”

Krystal Rosado 

On her win over Gloria Munguilla

“She came tough, that’s exactly what we trained for. We trained for whatever might be possible. It was a very nice experience and yeah, I really enjoyed it.”

On her fight length and if she prefers three minute rounds over two minute rounds

“Absolutely, we are going to keep on going with three minutes. Two minutes can go by very quickly. In three minutes, it gives you a chance to think and be a bit more strategic. If I had to choose, I’d stick with three minutes.”

Jonathan “Bomba” Gonzalez 

On returning to the ring after roughly 16 months 

“There was almost a year and three months out of the ring. I don’t want to take anything away from my opponent. There was a lot of clinching. I had been out with a lot of different problems and illnesses here and there but yeah, I just need to be more active.”

On Amanda Serrano injury

“It’s a very complicated subject. Amanda is a warrior. I know she is going to come back and I know very soon that MVP will set something up for her here in Puerto Rico and she will come back much stronger.”

On his plan going forward

“We are going to have to figure things out. I know a lot was said about my weight and a lot of questions about me making weight. I have to consult with my medical team and get with my team. There are a lot of opportunities out there,  I may move to 112 but its still uncertain and I still need to figure out what’s going to happen.”

Nina Meinke

On hearing about her fight being postponed

“Well I found out just before the fight. Absolutely gutted about it. Yeah, I prepared for so many weeks now, put in so much work. Obviously I am devastated but this is not the way we all wanted it to end, but we really wish for a speedy recovery so we can get this fight to happen. I hope it is just postponed and MVP will speak to my promoter and make another date for the fight. I think this is what the people want to see now, and I am ready, and I am ready whenever she is. 

On when she found out

I found out about an over before the fight. I was ready to fight and then, well, yeah, big disappointment. If I can say, for me, it’s very sad but all the way until this point, I really enjoyed the journey. I really enjoyed Puerto Rico. I love Puerto Rico.”

On her reaction to Amanda Serrano injury

“Yeah, of course. That’s why I am here. It didn’t happen so I want to go into the ring with Amanda and take the belt. This is what I am here for and it didn’t work out this time the way we wanted it to. I hope there will be another date and I hope that we can fix this as soon as she feels better and everything is okay. I hope that she’s okay.”

On what she would say to Amanda

“I would tell her, I’m waiting for you. I haven’t talked to her yet, we only had a quick meeting inside the ring and I am here, I am waiting for you.”

On her experience and Puerto Rico

“The people have been so nice, the warmth of the people here is unreal, the atmosphere was amazing. It’s a shame we couldn’t fight in front of this crowd because everything felt right. I hope the match will be in Puerto Rico because I think the people deserve that and they all came out to support us. It would be a shame if it wasn’t, just for the people as well, because it’s been lovely to be here, and I hope to come back.”

Raymond Ford scored a dramatic 12th round stoppage over Otabek Kohlmatov to capture the WBA Featherweight title at The Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York.

It was a terrific back and forth bout that saw each fighter score throughout the contest. Ford suffered a cut under his right eye. In round 12, behind on the scores, Ford landed a straight left that forced Kohlmatov across the ring. Kohlmatov was left wide open to eat under flushh left hand that forced referee Charlie Fitch to stop the bout at 2:53.

Ford, 125.9 lbs of Camden, NJ is 15-0-1 with eight knockouts. Kohlmatov, 125.8 lbs of Sirdaryo, UZB is 12-1.

Luis Alberto Lopez Stops Abe in 8; Defends IBF Featherweight Title

Luis Alberto Lopez made the third defense of the IBF Featherweight title with an eighth round stoppage over Reiya Abe.

Lopez dominated the action by coming forward and not letting Abe getting rhythm.

In round two, the right eye of Abe began to swell badly to the point where ringside doctors took a look at it.

In round eight, Lopez turned up the energy and landed a big punches in the middle of the ring which forced referee Mark Nelson to stop the bout at 39 seconds.

Lopez, 125.3 lbs of Mexicali, MEX is 30-2 with 17 knockouts. Abe, 125.8 lbs of Yamato, JAP is 25-4-1.

Brian Norman Jr. and Janelson Bocachica battled to a no-contest at the end of round three of their 10-round welterweight bout due to excessive bleeding from Bocachica.

In round one, Norman was cut over his right eye. Later in the round, Bocachica dropped Norman with a perfect right to the head. In round two, Bocachica was cut over his right eye and then a second cut in his hairline. The cuts were due to a headbutt and elbow and was too much for Bocachica and the fight was halted after round three.

Norman, 147.2 lbs of Atlanta is 25-0. Bocachica, 146.6 lbs of Detroit is 17-2-1.

Local favorite Bryce Mills won a six-round unanimous decision over Gerffred Ngaynt in a junior welterweight bout.

Mills, 138.7 lbs of Syracuse, NY won by scores of 60-54 twice and 58-56 and is now 15-1. Ngaynt, 138.7 lbs of Buffalo is 6-2.

Troy Isley remained undefeated with a thudding seventh round stoppage over Marcos Hernandez in an eight-round middleweight bout.

In round seven, Isley landed a big right hand that put Hernandez on the canvas. Hernandez got to his feet, but the fight was stopped at 1:30.

Isley, 159.3 lbs of Washington, DC is 12-0 with five knockouts. Hernandez, 160.6 lbs of Fresno, CA 16-7-2.

Floyd Diaz remained undefeated with an eight-round unanimous decision over Edwin Diaz in a bantamweight fight.

Diaz, 118 lbs of Las Vegas won by scores of 80-72, 79-73 and 78-74 and is now 11-0. Rodriguez, 117.8 lbs of Juana Diaz, PR is 12-8-2.

Rohan Polanco remained undefeated with a eight-round unanimous decision over Tarik Zaina in a junior welterweight bout.

In round seven, Polanco was credited with a knockdown after what looked like a push put Zaina on the canvas. In round eight, Polanco dropped Zaina with a uppercut.

Polanco, 142.7 lbs of Santo Domingo, DR won by scores of 79-71 twice and 78-72 and is now 12-0. Zaina, 142,4 lbs of Tangier, MOR is 13-1-1.

Nico Ali Walsh won a six-round unanimous decision over Charles Stanford in a middleweight bout.

Walsh, 156.9 lbs of Las Vegas won by scores of 60-54 twice and 59-55 and is now 10-1. Stanford, 155.1 lbs of Cincinnati is 7-6.

Brandon Moore remained undefeated with a eight-round unanimous decision over Helaman Olguin in a heavyweight bout.

Moore, 242 lbs of Lakeland, FL won by sores of 80-72 on all cards and is now 14-0. Olguin, 281.7 lbs of Salt Lake City, UT is 9-7-1.

Abass Baraou defeated Sam Eggington to win the vacant EBU European Super Welterweight title on an emotionally-charged night, live and free on Channel 5.

Baraou defeated ‘The Savage’ via a majority decision after 12 remarkable rounds at the Telford International Centre, with the judges scoring 117-112 and 117-111 in the German’s favour, while the other official saw the fight as 114-114 draw.

After a record-setting year in association with Ladbrokes, Numan and Infinitum, Wasserman Boxing has returned for 2024 by delivering an early contender for Fight of the Year, seen by viewers on Channel 5 in the UK, and worldwide on DAZN.

Baraou was overcome with emotion following the biggest win of his career but after wiping away the tears of joy, spoke of his determination to “keep the motor running” and use his Euro title win as a springboard to huge fights later this year.

The 29-year-old’s incredible battle with Eggington also doubled up as an official eliminator for the WBA world title and Baraou issued a stunning statement of intent to the rest of the 154lbs division.

On the undercard in Telford, Newcastle’s Dan Toward move to 3-0 by forcing the retirement of Frank Madsen in the fifth round, after another classy display.

New Wasserman Boxing recruit Sultan Zaurbek dropped Victor Julio en route to a convincing eight round points win, and is primed for an assault on the world super featherweight title in 2024.

Heavyweight hope Matty Harris got back to winning ways after last summer’s shock defeat, winning every round against Amine Boucetta, as he boxed under the guidance of Peter Fury for the first time.

And ‘Atomic’ Tom Welland extended his perfect start to life as a professional. to 3-0, with a second round stoppage of Esteban Troetsch. 

An action-packed night of ‘Knockout Chaos’ – live worldwide on DAZN PPV – awaits at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh on Friday, March 8, where Anthony Joshua faces Francis Ngannou at the top of another huge card in Saudi Arabia. 

With just one week to go until his blockbuster Heavyweight showdown with the former MMA king, two-time World Champion and London 2012 Olympic gold medallist ‘AJ’ has taken a special stroll down ‘Memory Lane’ with DAZN’s iconic lead commentator, Mike Costello, to reveal the fascinating inside story behind some of the key moments during his illustrious career so far.

From turning up in a George ASDA suit at his Matchroom signing over a decade ago in July 2013, to downing a pint of Forged Irish Stout with Conor McGregor, Joshua fondly looks back at a collection of key images from his incredible journey in the sport – before he switches focus to his new link-up with trainer Ben Davison and his plot to bring down Ngannou in Saudi Arabia before climbing back to the summit of the Heavyweight division.

You can watch the full video on the Matchroom Boxing YouTube channel with a downloadable free for use, 90-second trailer HERE.

The full transcript from the interview is provided below. Please credit Matchroom Boxing with any use, with reference to the fight taking place live worldwide on DAZN PPV.

FULL TRANSCRIPT

PICTURE 1: Anthony Joshua proudly holding the Union Jack flag after his London 2012 Olympics Games glory for Team GB. August 2012.

MIKE COSTELLO: London 2012. When you look at that, what’s the first thing that enters your mind?

ANTHONY JOSHUA: What am I doing here? You know, three years before that I was looking at a long, lengthy court case and a possible sentence in jail – and now, I’m the flag bearer of Great Britain. So, it was fun, but I didn’t know what was coming or how I ended up there, to be honest with you. 

MC: You’ve gone on to win a World Title, James DeGale did the same, but it’s only the two of you who have done that in men’s boxing from Great Britain (won have Olympic gold for Team GB and gone on to win a World Title).

AJ: Is it? Wow. I do believe that someone else will achieve it too. It’s like when the four-minute mile was first spoken about. It was impossible until someone done it. For now, it is rare, for sure, but I can’t wait for the next young lot of Heavyweights, or whatever weight they come through, and make us look like ordinary people. I think there’s so much talent out there that hasn’t been discovered yet. 

PICTURE 2: AJ shaking hands with Eddie Hearn after signing his first professional promotional agreement with Matchroom Boxing in July 2013.

MC: Onto the next one. This is handshakes with Eddie Hearn for your first promotional agreement. You look like you’ve been dressed by your mum for your first day at school!

AJ: Haha! Yes. I used to get my stuff from ASDA. George, ASDA! I’d take it to a tailor and get it chopped up for a tenner, then come and present myself to the world. You must remember up until this point, the only time I’d ever really have to wear suits was to court dates or funerals. Now I’m doing big business. From a young age, I always had a hustler’s head on my shoulders so I could stand strong with Eddie Hearn – an educated man, who’s come from a good family. I’ve come from a good family too, but for me, personally education wasn’t always my main priority. I felt like at this stage in my life, boxing wasn’t the hard part. Making sure my business was in the right order was the hardest part.  

MC: And that was the promotional agreement that you were so keen to, as you say, ‘hustle’ and keep control of your career from a management side?

AJ: Yes. There’s a saying in Boxing, where Boxing is the only jungle where the lions are afraid of the rats – because you’ve seen what many other promoters have done to boxers before. It wasn’t so long ago, in the 1980s and 90s, when athletes were being taken advantage of by some. It’s such a shame because you see them today – and these are my heroes, and the heroes of so many others – and they’re the guys who really made the Boxing industry work. Thankfully, Eddie has proven to me to be one of the best in the business. The Hearn family and Matchroom Boxing have stuck to their word, so I’ve stuck with them, and I would advise anyone in Boxing to look at them as a promoter and a promotional outfit. They taught me, not only how to navigate my career, but they gave me access to help understand how the business fronts. 

PICTURE 3: AJ facing Emanuele Leo in his professional debut. 5 October, 2013. The O2, London.

MC: And you’ve been good to them as well, and this is where it all started with your pro debut, almost a year after the Olympics against Emanuele Leo. 

AJ: Yes, Emanuele Leo. And 8-0 fighter. It’s good to get people talking: “Oh my god, this new boxer is coming in and taking on some guy who has had eight fights and won them… let’s see how he’s going to get on.” We did that and I got the job done. 

MC: What was the standard like and what did it feel like on the night, to come off the back of the standard at the Olympics against [Roberto] Cammarelle, [Ivan] Dychko, [Zhilei] Zhang and all the rest?

AJ: It didn’t really mean anything at this stage if I’m honest. I didn’t know what was going on! I just kind of trained well and gave my best. You must remember before then I never really had any intention of being a boxer. It wasn’t like, “this is my dream”. This was an experience, rather than a dream. So, I was just riding the wave. I call it a situation where if you know where you’re going, you can turn up to a red carpet and know how to walk down it – you’ll know where you’re going because this has always been part of your plan. But, for me, it’s like the red carpet has been rolled out and I’m just a few steps behind it as it’s going and I’m figuring it out as I go along. 

MC: So, did it take time to get comfortable in that space and in that environment?

AJ: Yeah, the pro ranks is different. No head guard, different gloves, smaller ring. Your bare. You’re fighting some of the toughest and best fighters in the world, so this was my learning time in the pro ranks. 

PICTURE 4: AJ with his arms raised during fight with Vladimir Klitschko, August 2017. Wembley Stadium, London.

MC: In this one, we move on to 2017 and this is you with your arms raised after the first knockdown against Vladimir Klitschko. What’s going through your mind here as the referee is counting?

AJ: I thought I had won! And I thought I was going to win it from this point on. This is round five and I went on to fight another six rounds after this. So yeah, I thought I’d won it but there was still a long, steep mountain to climb against one of the former greats in Vladimir Klitschko. What I learned after this fight is that there are levels. This guy [Klitschko] is the first guy who ever took me to 11 rounds and obviously he had the pedigree to be in that position to do that. For me, I’ve always said that I need to be a cut above the rest, so I went away to improve, change my style and so forth… and it has brought me to where I am today you know. That fight is the fight that brought to this point here and big-time boxing is back.

PICTURE 5: AJ ring-walking with British rapper K-Trap ahead of his win over Jermaine Franklin at The O2 in April last year. 

MC: We’re onto ring walks, how big and how important, of the entire experience, are they to you?

AJ: They’re not so much, because fight focused fight focused. There’s nothing bigger than a victory. It’s not how you walk in; it’s how you walk out. That’s my opinion. But at the same time, I do know it’s not for me, it’s for the crowd. I only do it for the crowd. I’ve walked in with no music before. It is a job. You want to get in there and do your job at the end of the day. All of this stuff here, like Prince Naseem Hamed – what a an entertainer, he was one in a million – but it’s not for everyone.

PICTURE 6: AJ taking a sip of Conor McGregor’s Forged Irish Stout immediately after his seventh-round KO win over Robert Helenius at The O2 in August last year. 

MC: This is Conor McGregor after Robert Helenius last year. Talking about entertainment and the whole package, what do you make of Conor McGregor?

AJ: Conor? Larger than life character. He’s someone that you can take inspiration from. Remember, we’re only here once and you have to love live life. A lot of people are like, each to their own, reserved, quiet and just getting through life. He’s someone that is at the forefront of live and living it to its full capacity in his own right – and I like that about him a lot. I like that about him.

MC: Is there any mileage in talking to him about what’s coming up given he fought Mayweather?

AJ: One million percent there’s mileage in talking to someone like Conor McGregor, and even if it’s just like a small gem. Something is better than nothing.

PICTURE 7: AJ triumphantly celebrating following his fifth-round KO win over Otto Wallin on December’s Day of Reckoning card in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 

MC: This was taken by a Matchroom staffer at the Day of Reckoning. What does that say? What’s the message here do you think?

AJ: Prayer. Don’t let success get to your head and don’t let failures get to your heart. I was just giving thanks, giving prayer – thankful for another day at the office. Success. I really like that picture.

MC: Three out of three wins in 2023. How do you reflect on the year as a whole? Franklin, Helenius and Wallin.

AJ: It’s in the past. It’s done. I don’t reflect on it in any way. We only look forward.

PICTURE 8: New trainer Ben Davison in the corner during AJ’s win over Otto Wallin at the Kingdom Arena last December. 

MC: Well, let’s look forward to this next one with Ben in the corner. What was fresher? What clicked? Something clearly did.

AJ: Belief. You believe in something. And I listened. I meet a lot of people that want advice but I know they don’t believe in what I’m saying, because they don’t believe in themselves probably. I believe in Ben, so what he is saying is just clicking.

MC: Which philosophy would you follow then; fighters make the trainer or trainers make the fighter?

AJ: Trainers make the fighter. Without a shadow of a doubt. You can’t do it by yourself. You can, but you can’t do it for a long time. Every good fighter has had a great trainer. Well the ones that I admire anyway. Even though people will say, ‘oh he trained himself half of the time’, that’s rubbish. Training isn’t just like throw a jab here and throw a jab there, it’s also like your approach, the gems and the wisdom that you get. The environment that a trainer creates. It’s more than just a trainer showing you how to throw a punch. It’s the mindset it takes to land that punch, and if it doesn’t land what happens when it doesn’t land. It’s all of that. Trainers are more than just someone who teaches you how to throw a right hand.

MC: What’s the role of Derrick James, if any?

AJ: He’s cool. That’s my guy if I’m in the States. I don’t just want to train for the fight. I want to continue training. I spoke to Derrick and Derrick rates Ben a lot. He wants to make sure I’m in safe hands. He was like, ‘yeah he’s a very good coach, I’m glad you’re in safe hands’. I feel like I’m in safe hands as well. The relationship is still good. But I’m going to be based in the UK.

PICTURE 9: A black and white portrait of AJ showing his Africa tattoo on his right shoulder.

MC: This was taken some time ago; it was in the Matchroom archive. The tattoo. This deep into your career, what does all of this still mean to you and your identify, Anthony?

AJ: Continue to search for greatness. Keep standing up tall in the face of adversity and in positive times. Back straight, stand up tall and just keep on walking forwards. Life if life, life can happen. Life will happen. So many things happen. I don’t want to start going into everything but when life does happen always stand tall. That’s it.

MC: That’s a map of Africa. Nigeria is pinpointed. Next door is Cameroon from where Francis Ngannou comes from. Is there extra inspiration here for youngsters all across that massive country that you can spread?

AJ: 100 percent there is. There’s a lot of inspiration they can take. Right now we’re at war though. There’s a civil war happening.

MC: And it’s the 50^th anniversary this year of the Rumble in the Jungle.

AJ: I said that you know. It does resemble that in a way right.

PICTURE 10: A black a white photo of AJ white the text ‘three-time?’.

MC: So the last one; three-time. I remember being on the ring apron for the rematch again Ruiz in Saudi Arabia, and before I even asked you a question you shouted two-time. How big is that this year?

AJ: It is big. I’m not looking past Ngannou. That’s my main focus. But we’re talking about the pictures. What I’m trying to say is there’s nothing bigger in sport than winning a trophy and in my sport it’s winning a belt, a Heavyweight Championship belt man. That’s massive. That’s what I go back to that picture before – perseverance. Keep on pushing, keep on searching. That’s why we’re going for the third time. How good can I be? And from that journey from the Olympics not knowing where I’m going, imagine now I’ve got a target, I know where I’m going, that red carpet is already laid out for me. All I need to do is arrive at the destination.

MC: And that kid we showed at the Olympics all the way back there might not be in the same company as Ali, Holyfield, Lennox Lewis – these three World Champions.

AJ: Mad. But you know what’s crazy about it all? No one ever lives forever to tell their legacy. We’re all going to pass on. So you’ve got to do your best while you’re here. That’s when you go back to that McGregor picture and you ask me about McGregor, someone who lives and loves life. While you’re here live love life, be confident, flamboyant, be an extrovert, don’t be shy – because at the end of the day when it’s all said and done, you only get one experience and one chance at life.

 •  Otabek Kholmatov 125.8 lbs. vs. Raymond Ford 125.9 lbs
(Vacant WBA Featherweight World Title – 12 Rounds)

   •  Luis Alberto Lopez 125.3 lbs vs. Reiya Abe 125.8 lbs
(Lopez’s IBF Featherweight World Title — 12 Rounds)

•  Brian Norman Jr. 147.2 lbs vs. Janelson Bocachica 146.6 lbs
 (Welterweight— 10 Rounds)

•  Bryce Mills 138.7 lbs vs. Gerffred Ngayot 138.7 lbs
 (Junior Welterweight— 6 Rounds)

•  Troy Isley 159.3 lbs vs. Marcos Hernandez 160.6 lbs
 (Middleweight — 8 Rounds)

•   Rohan Polanco 142.9 lbs vs. Tarik Zaina 142.4 lbs
 (Junior Welterweight— 8 Rounds)

•   Floyd Diaz 118 lbs vs. Edwin Rodriguez 117.8 lbs
 (Bantamweight — 8 Rounds)

•   Nico Ali Walsh 156.9 lbs vs. Charles Stanford 155.1 lbs
 (Middleweight — 6 Rounds)

•   Brandon Moore 242 lbs vs. Helaman Olguin 281.7 lbs
 (Heavyweight — 8 Rounds)

Legendary boxing journalist Jim Lampley returns to PPV.COM (which does not require a subscription),to co-host his popular and exclusive live viewer chat, in real time, during PPV.COM‘s live stream of the upcoming boxing event headlined by the Anthony Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou heavyweight rumble, Next Friday, March 8, beginning at 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT.  The Joshua-Ngannou heavyweight rumble will emanate from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.  Priced at $69.99, the Joshua-Ngannou event can be ordered by clicking here PPV.COM | Joshua vs. Ngannou.Below, please find Jim’s analysis of Joshua vs. Ngannou

Jim Lampley’s Analysis

“It’s obvious there are games of tag now ongoing both in boxing’s heavyweight division and in the relevant/irrelevant relationship between boxing and MMA.  Their effects show up as both logical (Joshua fighting the MMA star who made a sudden splash against his primary competitor for heavyweight attention in Great Britain) and illogical (Joshua projecting that it MEANS something to his boxing identity to do better against an MMA star than Fury did).  

“So how much irrelevance will the combat sports market bear?  Apparently, plenty. But having diluted some of his stardom both via a silly satellite TV vanity/reality show and then via the shock knockdown and disputed outcome of his tussle with Francis Ngannou, the once and future heavyweight champion Fury now turns back to serious business vs Oleksandr Usyk, the Ukrainian technician who twice outboxed Anthony Joshua somewhat in the shadow of Fury’s dramatic showdowns with Deontay Wilder. 

“Joshua lost some, not all, of his once-majestic aura in the two small margin losses to Usyk.  Ngannou is obviously something entirely different.  As time goes by and there are more and more boxing matches governed by boxing rules between boxers (Joshua) and MMA combatants (Ngannou), it’s clear the technical gap is closing, and the MMA stars are finding more ways to compete — see Fury-Ngannou and the disputed razor-thin decision.  But at the end of the day this fight, like its predecessors, takes place under boxing rules and that is still an advantage for Joshua.  And with his very near miss against Fury, Ngannou has supplied Joshua with a potentially vital wake-up call, a useful scouting report, and massive motivation to gain public relations ground by indirectly embarrassing Fury.  

“So, at this juncture, en route to Joshua v. Ngannou, there are some clear objectives in view.”

·         “For Joshua, make sure the boxing match is a BOXING match.  Use your jab, stay out of clinches, don’t get into a wrestling match against the rarity of a larger, stronger man.”

·         “For Ngannou, shoot the moon, take risks, swing big when you see the target, maybe this time the knockdown will stick.  Listen carefully to Mike Tyson if he is again in your camp, because a long time ago, Mike was classically trained by a legendary trainer, and he knows, as well as any active heavyweight, the technical realities of boxing.” 

“If in the coming months both Fury and Joshua win, it is on to the dream matchup in Wembley Stadium British boxing fans have dreamed of for years.  If Usyk and Ngannou win, that is forgotten, and we keep moving onward into the brave new combat world.”  

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

PPV.COM, which does not require a subscription, will offer Joshua vs. Ngannou in the U.S. and Canada.  iNDEMAND, the parent company of PPV.COM, will also be carrying the event through its network of cable and telco operators in the U.S. and Canada via providers including, Xfinity, Spectrum, Contour, Optimum, Fios, Rogers, Bell, SaskTel, and Telus, among others.

JIM LAMPLEY

Jim is a recipient of the Boxing Writers Association of America’s (BWAA) Sam Taub Award for Excellence in Broadcasting Journalism and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in its 2015 class.  He served as anchor and commentator for “HBO World Championship Boxing” for 30 years and has covered numerous Olympic Games during his long and distinguished career in sports broadcasting.

About iNDEMAND and PPV.COM

iNDEMAND is an innovative partnership among 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 60 million cable homes and has distribution deals with more than 90 companies.  In December 2021, iNDEMAND launched PPV.COM, an innovative streaming PPV service and the first of its kind to offer interactive fan engagement during live-action sports.  With the addition of PPV.COM, which does not require a subscription, to its existing cable PPV infrastructure, iNDEMAND has consolidated all forms of PPV distribution under one roof, making the company the only provider of turnkey PPV solutions for both industry partners and consumers.  For more information, go to indemand.com.

Stephanie Han 134.5 – Nikola Izova 136

Jorge Tovar 163 – Keithland King 160

Amy Salinas 113 – Alexis Mone 115

Bree Howling 117 – Noemi Bosques 118

Brittany Sims 119 – Beata Dudek 118

Victor Aranda 154.5- Tevin Watson 155

Alex McGee 124.5 – Jose Gabriel Colotla 126

Eljah Akana 213.5 – Calvin Barnett 253

Danielle Perkins 178 – Timin Nagy 180.5

Promoter: King’s Promotions

Venue: El Paso County Coliseum

1st Bell: 9 PM ET / 7 PM MT

Stream: BXNGTV.com (Marc Abrams on the call)

LONG BEACH, CA (February 29, 2024) – Get ready for an electrifying night of boxing action as CBN Promotions proudly presents their second show of 2024, set to take place at Thunder Studios in Long Beach, California. In the 8-round super welterweight main event, local favorite Louis Lopez (14-2-2, 5 KOs), hailing from Corona, CA, will step into the ring to face off against the undefeated Jesus Resendiz (8-0-1, 6 KOs) from San Diego, CA. With both fighters eager to prove themselves on the main-event stage, this showdown is sure to be a slugfest from start to finish.

Adding to the excitement, the co-main event will feature a compelling 6-round super welterweight bout showcasing Nelson Oliva (10-0, 8 KOs) representing Los Angeles, CA, against Franyerson Puerta (5-3, 5 KOs) fom Denver, CO. With Oliva’s impressive record and knockout power, fans can expect fireworks as he looks to maintain his undefeated streak.

The entire event will be broadcast live on Fubo Sports and on tape delay on Fox Deportes and Estrella TV. Doors open and at 5:00 pm PT with the first bout beginning at 6:00 pm PT. Tickets priced $55, $75, $100, $150 (Plus applicable fees), are available for purchase now by calling Ticketon at 800-688-8080, or online at www.cbnpromotions.com or www.ticketon.com. Thunder Studios is located at 20434 S Santa Fe Ave, Long Beach, CA 90810

“We are excited to bring another exciting night of boxing to Thunder Studios,” said Alex Camponovo, President of CBN Promotions. “With a stacked lineup of talented fighters and 50/50 matchups, this event promises to deliver another unforgettable experience for fight fans in Long Beach and beyond.”

“Get ready for an amazing ride as we improve our boxing events and bring them to more people,” said Rolando Nichols, President of Thunder Studios. “We want to welcome the Long Beach community and nearby areas to join us for our shows. It’s a fun, family-friendly environment where everyone can have a great time watching exciting boxing matches.”

With Thunder Studios serving as the backdrop for this epic night of boxing, attendees can expect top-notch production values and a lively atmosphere that will keep them on the edge of their seats throughout the evening. 

UNDERCARD BOUTS:

Bantamweight George Navarro (8-3-1, 4 KOs), from Los Angeles, CA, vs. MJ Bo (9-5-2, 5 KOs), from Manila, Philippines. (6-rounds).

Super featherweight Eric Mondragon (8-1-1, 4 KOs) of Maywood, CA, will face Jenel Lausa (9-3-1, 5 KOs), from Manila, Philippines. (6-rounds).

Super lightweight Leonardo Rubalcava (5-0, 2 KOs) from Jurupa Valley, CA, will face Walter Raul Saravia (4-7, 1 KO) from Catamarca, Argentina. (6-rounds).

Opening up the show will be bantamweight Peter Henry Acosta (Pro Debut), from Santa Ana, CA, vs. an opponent TBA. (4-rounds).

This event is sponsored by HUSTLER Casino – LA’s only luxury Casino. Tequila Mandala – 100% Agave Azul, Shoe Palace – Community comes first, and Northgate Market.

LINCOLN, RI – CES Boxing returns to Rhode Island on Saturday, March 23, with a huge doubleheader at Bally’s Twin River Lincoln Casino.  

The popular Jimmy Burchfield Classic Invitational amateur showcase kicks off the day’s festivities at 2pm, followed by a stacked professional boxing card beginning at 7pm EST.

Tickets available soon at CES Fights and the Twin River Lincoln Casino box office, priced at $60, $80, $155, and $180 for the pro card and $40 general admission, $50 VIP for the amateur showcase.

Dominican sensation Alejandro “El Abusador” Paulino (16-0, 13 KOs) gets his first main event assignment on the pro card, battling Estivan “Tunny” Falcao (13-3, 7 KOs) in an 8-round lightweight showdown.

While many believe that the New London, CT resident is destined to become CES Boxing’s next world champion, in his way is a tough-as-nails Brazilian who is no stranger to ruining undefeated records.    

In the co-feature, popular New Bedford, MA welterweight Wilson “Ill Will” Mascarenhas (9-1, 3 KOs) faces battle-tested Dominican Braulio “El Chavo” Rodriguez (20-9, 17 KOs) in a 6-round contest.

Mascarenhas, who recently re-signed with CES Boxing, looks forward to making 2024 a big year after going 3-0 with 1 knockout in 2023.  The Portuguese native faces a wily veteran in Rodriguez who has shared the ring with 2-time world title challenger Christopher “Pitufo” Diaz, jr. welterweight star Ryan Garcia, and lightweight prospect Ashton Sylve. 

A vacant New England Lightweight championship will be on the line when Brockton, MA’s “King” Kevin Walsh (11-0, 5 KOs) meets 18-fight veteran Matt “The Mantis” Doherty in an 8-round slugfest. 

Walsh, who is fresh off a highlight reel, one punch knockout of Darrell Rivera only 3 weeks ago, is looking to capitalize on that momentum with his first professional title. 

Springfield, MA’s Jalen Renaud (9-0, 3 KOs) is in the toughest test of his young career, facing Puerto Rico’s Josniel Castro (11-1, 8 KOs) in what is sure to be a jr. middleweight firefight. 

Several other top New England prospects are featured on the card, including East Haven welterweight prospect Jeff Gonzalez (4-0, 2 KOs), Dorchester lightweight puncher Tevin Regis (2-0, 1 KO), popular Norton, MA featherweight Melanie Costa (2-0, 1 KO), the pro debut of Johnston welterweight Kevin Mojica, and the return of undefeated Bridgeport super featherweight prospect Jacob Marrero (4-0, 3 KOs) after a 5-year hiatus.

Prior to the pro card, fans will be treated to the Jimmy Burchfield Classic Invitational amateur showcase, a USA boxing sanctioned card featuring many of the best prospects in the United States. 

Come and witness the present and future of boxing on what is sure to be another unforgettable night of CES Boxing action!

For more information, follow CES Boxing on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @CESBOXING.

INFORMATION

CES Boxing is one of the top promotions on the East Coast.  Founded in 1992 by Jimmy Burchfield Sr., CES Boxing has promoted many world class fighters, including Jamaine Ortiz, Juiseppe Cusumano, Hank Lundy, Vinny Paz, Peter Manfredo, Mariusz Wach, Jason Estrada, Matt Godfrey, Chad Dawson and Ray Oliveira. CES Boxing has promoted such super fights as “The Thriller on Triller: Tyson v Jones Jr.”, “Mayweather vs. Gotti III” and “The Contender: Manfredo v Pemberton”.

VERONA, N.Y. (Feb. 29, 2024) — Uzbek phenom Otabek Kholmatov (12-0, 11 KOs) will lock horns against American standout Raymond Ford (14-0-1, 7 KOs) for the vacant WBA featherweight world title this Saturday, March 2 at Turning Stone Resort Casino.

This battle of unbeaten southpaws will see the WBA’s No.1 and No. 2 contenders compete in their first world title bouts.

In the co-feature, Luis Alberto “El Venado” Lopez (29-2, 16 KOs) defends his IBF featherweight crown against Japanese contender Reiya Abe (25-3-1, 10 KOs).

Kholmatov-Ford & Lopez-Abe headline a loaded bill streaming live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+ beginning at 5:20 p.m. ET/2:20 p.m. PT. The co-feature is scheduled to begin at approximately 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

The ESPN+-streamed action includes welterweight standout Brian Norman Jr. (25-0, 19 KOs), who takes on Janelson Bocachica (17-2-1, 11 KOs) in a 10-rounder, and the return of middleweight prospect Nico Ali Walsh (9-1, 5 KOs), who sees action in a six-rounder versus Charles Stanford (7-5, 4 KOs).

Promoted by Top Rank, tickets are on sale at the Turning Stone Resort Casino Box Office, charge by phone by calling 800.771.7711, or online at Ticketmaster.com.

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

Otabek Kholmatov

“It has been my dream to fight for a world title. I’ve been training my whole life for this. I’m ready.”

“I love to fight. That’s all I have done in my life. So, I’m going to bring the fight on Saturday.”

“I’m very well prepared. It’s been a great training camp. Great sparring. Great coaches. Everything went well, and we are prepared for the fight.”

“Fighting for all the titles is a dream come true. Every fighter wants to become undisputed. That is the goal for me.”

Raymond Ford

“This means the world to me. I’ve been fighting my whole life for this opportunity. It’s finally here, and I’m going to take full advantage of it.”

“Shakur Stevenson is like a big brother to me. I’ve been sparring with him since I was in the amateurs. It’s really no different. Just now it’s more intense. It’s great always going to Houston. I get away from home and distractions. I can fully lock in, and that’s been the difference from my past few camps.”

“I’m willing to stay for one more fight at 126 if it’s to defend against a champion or a big money fight. If it makes sense, I’m definitely here for it. But it has to be right away. If not, I’m moving up to 130.”

Luis Alberto Lopez

“I’m anxious to step into the ring and anxious deliver a great fight to the people.”

“We know he’s a fighter who likes to move a lot. He likes to be on his toes and moving backward. But if he wants to be the new champion, he’s going to have to come here and fight. We will do everything possible to win early.”

“I’ve been looking for a unification fight for quite some time. When Mauricio Lara was a champion, I wanted to unify with him. When Robeisy Ramirez was a champion, I wanted to fight him. I’ve been asking for it.

“The faster a unification fight happens, the better for me. It would be great for my career.”

Reiya Abe

“I think Lopez is a good champion. But this will be the day that I show that I’m the best at 126 pounds.”

“The level of boxing in Japan has been improving, and I’m pleased to have been recognized there. The pressure has increased, but I consider it to be necessary to become stronger.”

“I believe that bringing back a victory is the best way to give back to everyone who has supported me.”

Nico Ali Walsh

“I’m back in the U.S. I’m back on home turf. I’ve made a lot of improvements in my last fight that a lot of people haven’t seen. So, you’re going to see a bigger jump in improvement. I’m really excited to show it.”

Brian Norman Jr.

“I’ve been in the same since I was seven. This is all I know. All I know is to throw hands. I won a WBO International belt, but it don’t mean nothing to me until I win a main belt. It was just one step to get to the big goal, which is to be undisputed in the welterweight division.”

Bryce Mills

“It’s always exciting to fight here and be able to have family and friends come out and watch me. There’s no better place to fight than in your backyard. So, it’s very exciting, and I feed off that energy.”

Saturday, March 2

FIRST BELL: ESPN+ (5:20 p.m. ET/2:20 p.m. PT)
 

Otabek Kholmatov vs. Raymond Ford, 12 rounds, Vacant WBA Featherweight World Title 

Luis Alberto Lopez vs. Reiya Abe 12 rounds, Lopez’s IBF Featherweight World Title 

Brian Norman Jr. vs. Janelson Bocachica, 10 rounds, WBO International Welterweight Title 

Floyd Diaz vs. Edwin Rodriguez, 8 rounds, bantamweight

Nico Ali Walsh vs. Charles Stanford, 6 rounds, middleweight

Brandon Moore vs. Helaman Olguin, 8 rounds, heavyweight

Las Vegas – UFC^® returns to UFC APEX with an action-packed five-round main event featuring No. 5 ranked middleweight contender Marvin Vettori and No. 7 Brendan Allen. In addition, an exciting battle in the bantamweight division sees No. 11 ranked Norma Dumont take on returning former featherweight champion Germaine de Randamie.

UFC FIGHT NIGHT^®: VETTORI vs. ALLEN takes place Saturday, April 6 in Las Vegas and will be available exclusively on ESPN+ (English and Spanish). The prelims will start at 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT, followed by the main card at 6 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT. 

Former title challenger Vettori (19-7-1, fighting out of Mezzocorona, Italy) intends to start the year strong with a win in his pocket. Vettori is a versatile competitor who has claimed victories over Roman Dolidze, Paulo Costa, and Jack Hermansson. “The Italian Dream” now looks to deliver a finishing performance against Allen in the hope of gaining momentum for another shot at the title.

Allen (23-5, fighting out of Milwaukee, Wisc.) is currently on a hot streak with six straight wins under his belt. A powerful grappler with a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, he owns impressive submissions over Paul Craig, Bruno Silva, and Andre Muniz. Allen now hopes to prolong his win streak with a powerful showing against Vettori.

Brazil’s Dumont (10-2, fighting out of Belo Horizonte, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil)is determined to break into the bantamweight Top 10 with a stellar performance. Securing six wins in her last seven fights, Dumont has quickly risen through the rankings as she collected victories against Chelsea Chandler, Karol Rosa, and Danyelle Wolf. She’s now determined to make her mark with a big win.

De Randamie (10-4, fighting out of Utrecht, Netherlands) returns to action for the first time since 2020 in hopes for a chance at redemption for the bantamweight title. A former UFC featherweight champion, de Randamie boasts triumphs over Julianna Pena, Aspen Ladd, and Holly Holm. She’s now ready to assert her dominance in the Octagon once again in search of victory.

Additional bouts on the card include: 

• Trevor Peek (9-1 1NC, fighting out of Chattanooga, Tenn.) sets his sights on fellow lightweight Charlie Campbell (8-2, fighting out of Long Island, N.Y.)
• Featherweights Alexander Hernandez (14-7, fighting out of Denver, Colo. by way of San Antonio, Texas) and Damon Jackson(22-6-1, fighting out of Dallas, Texas) collide
• Alatengheili (16-9-2, fighting out of Beijing, China) squares off with Victor Hugo (24-4, fighting out of Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil) in a bantamweight bout
• Josh Fremd (11-5, fighting out of Pittsburgh, Penn.) meets undefeated Dana White’s Contender Series signee Cesar Almeida (4-0, fighting out of Sao Paulo, Brazil) at middleweight
• Piera Rodriguez (9-1, fighting out of Maracaibo, Venezuela) takes on Cynthia Calvillo (9-6-1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev.) at strawweight
• Welterweights Court McGee (22-12, fighting out of Orem, Utah) and Alex Morono (23-9, fighting out of Houston, Texas) battle it out
• Undefeated Valter Walker (11-0, fighting out of Moscow, Russia. by Rio das Ostras, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) looks to take down Lukasz Brzeski (8-4-1 1NC, fighting out of Nowy Targ, Poland) at heavyweight
• Bantamweights Jose Johnson (16-8, fighting out of Copperas Cove, Texas) and Lucas Rocha (17-1, fighting out of Coari, Amazonas, Brazil) meet
• Dan Argueta (9-1 2NC, fighting out of Albuquerque, N.M.) faces off with undefeated Dana White’s Contender Series signee Jean Matsumoto (14-0, fighting out of Braganca Paulista, Sao Paulo, Brazil) in a bantamweight bout
• Nora Cornolle (7-1, fighting out of Epinay Sur Seine, France) and Melissa Dixon (6-0, fighting out of Coventry, England) look to impress in an exciting bantamweight battle
• Ignacio Bahamondes (14-5, fighting out of Chicago, Ill. by way of Santiago, Chile) clashes with Christos Giagos (20-11, fighting out of Deerfield Beach, Fla.) at lightweight

For the latest information on additional bouts for this event, please visit www.ufc.com. All bouts are live and subject to change. Please click?here?to apply for the event. 

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About UFC^® 

UFC^® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 700 million fans and 243 million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world while broadcasting to over 900 million TV households across more than 170 countries. UFC’s athlete roster features the world’s best MMA athletes representing more than 80 countries. The organization’s digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS^®, one of the world’s leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC is part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO) and is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC and @UFC on X, Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok: @UFC. 

About ESPN+ 

https://espnpressroom.com/us/espnplus/

About ESPN 

ESPN, the world’s leading sports entertainment brand, features eight U.S. television networks, direct-to-consumer ESPN+, ESPN Radio, ESPN.com, endeavors on every continent around the world, and more.?ESPN is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc. (an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company) and 20 percent by Hearst. 

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (Feb. 29, 2024) — Following an accelerated amateur career that saw him secure two national titles, super middleweight prospect “King” Julian Delgado is ready to launch his pro career in front of his hometown fans.
 
Delgado will face an opponent to be named in a four-round special attraction on Saturday, April 13, at American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas. Delgado’s pro debut and the rest of the undercard will stream live and exclusively on ESPN+.
 
The ESPN-televised tripleheader (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT) will feature a pair of 10-round heavyweight showdowns, as unbeaten phenom Jared “The Real Big Baby” Anderson steps up in class to face Belgian contender Ryad Merhy.
 
In the co-feature, Nigerian puncher Efe Ajagba and Italian standout Guido “The Gladiator” Vianello will collide in a showdown between 2016 Olympians.
 
The eight-round televised opener will see Brazilian Olympic gold medalist Robson Conceição taking on Mexico’s Jose Guardado.
 
Promoted by Top Rank, tickets go on sale Tuesday, March 5 at 10 a.m. CST via Ticketmaster.com.
 
Delgado’s journey in the sweet science began not long ago, in 2021. Nevertheless, he quickly found his calling and secured two National and State titles across an almost 40-fight amateur career. In 2023, the 22-year-old etched his name in Texas history by becoming the first Corpus Christi native to secure a National Golden Gloves title in four decades, following in the footsteps of former junior featherweight world champion Jesse Benavides. Less than a year later, Delgado is gearing up for his start in the paid ranks.
 
Delgado said, “This is a moment I have been manifesting and have been working towards day in day out for the last two years of my life. I cannot wait to shine in front of my friends and family and put on an exciting fight that showcases just how bright my future is. This is an opportunity to prove myself and demonstrate the hard work and dedication that has brought me to this point.”

 6×3 rounds welterweight contest

Elliot Whale 149lbs
Fernando Mosquera weighing in tomorrow

6×3 rounds super featherweight contest

Gully Power 129lbs
Angelo Turco 134lbs

6×3 rounds welterweight contest

Kaisee Benjamin 150.9lbs
Berman Sanchez 155.11lbs

4×3 rounds welterweight contest

Nick Leahy 147.11lbs
Jake Osgood 145.11lbs

UNDERCARD LIVE FROM 7PM ON DAZN

4×3 rounds featherweight contest

Tom Welland 126lbs
Esteban Troestch 121.1lbs

MAKE A KNOCKOUT BET WITH LADBROKES
Abass Baraou 1/2
Draw 16/1
Sam Eggington 7/4

8×3 super featherweight contest

Sultan Zuarbek 134.8lbs
Victor Julio 135.12lbs

4×3 heavyweight contest

Matty Harris 269.9lbs
Amine. Boucetta 231.11lbs

BBBofC Southern Area Super Middleweight title
10×3 rounds

Andrei Dascalu 166.12lbs
Joe Jackson-Brown 170lbs

6×3 middleweight contest

Ryan Kelly 163.6lbs
Ioan Alexandru Lutic 163.3lbs

LIVE ON CHANNEL 5 AT 10PM

EBU European Super Welterweight title
12×3 rounds

Abass Baraou 153.8lbs
Sam Eggington 153.11lbs

6×3 rounds super welterweight

Dan Toward 154.13lbs
Frank Madsen 154.10lbs

BROOKLYN, N.Y. (Feb. 29, 2024) – Tickets for the WBC Super Lightweight World Championship fight between current champion Devin “The Dream” Haney (31-0, 15 KOs) and international PPV star “King” Ryan Garcia (24-1, 20 KOs) will kick off tomorrow, Friday, March 1. The 12-round clash is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Haney Promotions, KingRy Promotions, and Matchroom Boxing. The mega-event will take place at Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Saturday, April 20, exclusively live on DAZN PPV.

Tickets go on-sale at 10:00 a.m. ET and start at $100 plus applicable fees. A limited amount of Golden Boy VIP Experience tickets will also be available for purchase with exclusive merchandise and fight night upgrades included. Standard and VIP tickets can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com or GoldenBoy.com.

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Haney vs. Garcia is a 12-round fight for the WBC Super Lightweight World Championship that is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Haney Promotions, KingRy Promotions, and Matchroom Boxing. The event will take place on Saturday, April 20 on DAZN PPV live from Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

The event will be available worldwide to all subscribers on DAZN, both live and on demand.

Magna Media will be handling credentials for this fight. Media interested in applying for a fight night credential must fill out an application by EOD Friday, April 5, 2024. Link to application can be found at https://bit.ly/HaneyGarciaFightNightCreds.

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 #HaneyGarcia

Kalle Sauerland, Global Head of Boxing at Wasserman, said: “This is a real throwback fight, and for the mainstream sports fan tuning in, this is Germany vs England and for the European championship.
“Abass is very slick, he finds the shot and he lands it, and looks to take you out of there.  Sam Eggington wears his heart on his sleeve and comes forwards, forwards, forwards.  Reverse?  No, not even on the register.  A guy who has won Fight of the Year twice and he’s only 30-years-old!  So you know this is going to be a night that is going to be a great advertisement for boxing.”

MAKE A KNOCKOUT BET WITH LADBROKES
Abass Baraou 1/2
Draw 16/1
Sam Eggington 7/4
Abass Baraou said: “I am just ready to fight anyone and be in the fights that will push me towards world title fights, that is the only thing I want.
“We are finally in fight week, I feel good, I feel great and I can’t wait for Friday night.
“I know Sam is a tough fighter who comes forward all night, he has been in wars and he has a lot of experience, but this is what I’m looking for and I can’t wait.
“I wasn’t aware that Sam has been involved in two Fight of the Year fights, but this doesn’t mean anything to me.  I am expecting to deal with everything he brings in the ring.”

Sam Eggington said: “Anyone who has watched me box before, knows I have one style and that is to get the job done – and we don’t get paid overtime.
“I have Plan A and my job is to make Plan A work.  From the moment I signed for this fight, I have had the feeling that it will catch fire at some point.  How soon it catches fire, is up to Abass because I don’t back down from a scrap.
“I don’t think this fight will go the 12 rounds.”

LOS ANGELES – February 28, 2024 – Top super welterweight contender Sebastian Fundora and hard-hitting Serhii Bohachuk will meet for the vacant WBC Super Welterweight World Championship on Saturday, March 30, but it will be far from the first time they’ve shared a ring, as Fundora explained ahead of his opening bout on the PBC Pay-Per-View available on Prime Video from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

“We used to spar Bohachuk all the time,” said Fundora. “I sparred him a lot before I faced Ve’Shawn Owens and the fight after that. We stopped sparring around 2019, maybe early 2020. Bohachuk and I have sparred thousands of rounds together. But that’s in the past, we’re both in different places now as fighters.

“It’s an honor to have shared so many rounds with him. I wouldn’t rather have my first world title fight against anybody else. He’s a come forward fighter who throws a lot. I know he might be stronger now, but that same aggressive style is what I see. My job is to show the difference between us on March 30.”

A native of Coachella, California, Fundora and his father and trainer Freddy have moved training camp up to the Tehachapi mountains in Southern California. Despite the change in scenery, little has changed for the close-knit team.

“We’re up in the mountains this time with the snow, rain and bears, but other than that it’s the same camp and same team that’s gotten us to this point,” said Fundora. “We’ve been getting great work here so far and we’re on track for March 30. For me, training camp is about doing what I’m told. It’s a small circle, and my dad is the leader of it all. If I get out of line, he’s right there to show us the better path.”

Fundora will return to the ring for the first time since suffering the first and only defeat of his pro career, via KO last April against Brian Mendoza. Ahead on all three cards at the time of the stoppage, Fundora explained how he was able to move on quickly from the defeat and while there are some changes that have been made, his signature all-action style remains.

“The next day after the loss we went hunting,” said Fundora. “My dad told me not to worry about it too much. As fast as you go up in this sport, you can go down. I took maybe a month off to enjoy myself, but then I was right back into camp. We took more of a ‘washing the hands’ type of approach to the loss. All you’re really going to see from going back is the knockout. During the fight, I know I was ahead, but it went the way it went. So you have to throw it all out and move on.

“I’m a more mature Towering Inferno, but fans can expect a show like always. I don’t plan on taking that out of my game. But overall it’s going to be the best Sebastian Fundora.”

As he heads into March 30, Fundora will look to become the second world champion in his family, after his younger sister Gabriela captured the IBF Flyweight World Championship last October. For the elder son, he believes it’s an opportunity to stamp the legacy of his father’s training talent.

“It’s a blessing to be in this position. My sister just won a title, so it’s time for me to catch up,” said Fundora. “It’s my turn and I’m happy that if everything goes right, my father will have two world champions. It shows how good of a coach he is, even if he likes to stay behind the scenes. It shows us that we’re the real deal.”

With a win against Bohachuk, Fundora will be in line for a potential unification opportunity against reigning WBO 154-pound World Champion Tim Tszyu, who competes in the March 30 main event. A possible clash between the two would pit two action fighters, and perhaps the top two fighters overall currently campaigning in the division, against each other.

“Of course I’d want to face Tim Tszyu next if we both win,” said Fundora. “He’s the number one guy in the division and I’d be right under him after my fight. I want that fight and I’ll be waiting for it.”

Tickets for the live event on March 30, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, are available now through AXS.com. The main event is promoted in association with No Limit Boxing.

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ABOUT THURMAN VS. TSZYU & ROLLY VS. PITBULL

The stacked inaugural four-fight PBC Pay-Per-View available on Prime Video is topped by two-time world champion Keith “One Time” Thurman dueling rising star and reigning world champion Tim Tszyu in the main event plus 140-pound world champion Rolando “Rolly” Romero and Mexican star Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz meeting in the co-main event on Saturday, March 30 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The pay-per-view will also see Cuban star and reigning WBA Middleweight World Champion Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara defend his belt against No. 1 rated mandatory challenger Michael Zerafa, plus all-action super welterweight sensation Sebastian “The Towering Inferno” Fundora will meet fast-charging contender Serhii Bohachuk for the vacant WBC Super Welterweight World Championship in the pay-per-view opener.

The card marks the debut event for PBC Pay-Per-View available through Prime Video since the parties announced a landmark, multiyear rights agreement in December. In addition to the PPV being available for purchase on Prime Video, regardless of Prime membership, fans will also be able to continue to access the telecast through traditional cable and satellite outlets.

For more information visit www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow #ThurmanTszyu and #RollyPitbull, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotions, on Instagram @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotionss or become a fan on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions

Argentina’s Sol Cudos and Venezuela’s Roxana Colmenarez will contest the World Boxing Association (WBA) Fedelatin minimum weight belt this Saturday at the F.A.B. Stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina. 

Cudos will be at home and will face a fighter who comes with desire in a fight that looks pretty even if you take into account the record and the rivals of both. 

The local fighter is 26 years old and will be going to her second opportunity for a regional title of the pioneer organization. Last year she disputed this same belt but in the flyweight category and ended in a draw with the Colombian Olga Julio. Now she will be at 105 pounds in search of this belt that eluded her in 2023. 

Colmenarez comes from a unanimous decision loss against the legend Yésica Bopp last December 16, a fight that represented a great test for the Caribbean fighter, who gave a good performance against a high caliber opponent. Now she will have this opportunity to vindicate herself in Argentinean soil and wants to use the experience of that fight to achieve a victory. 

 Dios has 6 wins, 2 draws and 1 knockout. Colmenarez, on the other hand, comes into the fight with 9 wins, 2 setbacks, 1 draw and 7 knockouts.

Julian Smith participated in one of the first World Boxing Association (WBA) super lightweight regional title fights of February. The American fighter knocked out Cuban Orestes Velazquez on February 2 to win the International belt of the pioneer organization. 

Smith dominated the fight from the very first round with an advantage on the scorecards at the end of the ninth round (86-80, 85-81 and 85-81) prove it. The technical knockout at the end was just the icing on the cake for the Illinois native, which took place at the Caribe Royale Hotel in Orlando, Florida. 

Smith, 33, has been making a name for himself through hard work and effort. Being deaf has made him a special case in boxing, but his victories have gotten him to where he is.

His boxing history is also curious because he started boxing at the age of 20 and his training did no start as a child like most of the professional boxers. However, he has shown that talent and hard work pays off. 

Since his debut in 2018 he has been evolving inside the ring, overcoming obstacles and having increasingly complicated opposition. His victory against Velazquez was a sign of that progress. 

Both in life and in the ring he has encountered difficult moments. The passing of his brother in 2012 brought him into boxing and once there he has had to walk a path of adaptation in which he has bounced back from defeats and moved on. 

Smith has raised the flag for his community and is a reference within it. He is now at the top of his game and his recent victory puts him in a great position going forward. 

His victory to start the month puts him with a record of 8 wins, 2 losses and 5 knockouts as he awaits the next challenge in his growing career.

After almost three years the featherweight champion, Amanda Serrano, will fight again in Puerto Rico. This Saturday she will defend her World Boxing Association (WBA) belt, in addition to the IBF and WBO versions against Nina Meinke at the Miguel Argrelot Coliseum, in San Juan, in the main event.

The home fighter will make a new exhibition in her country, where she last fought against Daniela Bermudez in March 2021. Most of Serrano’s career has taken place in the United States, where she has left her flag high and has written her history as one of the best of all time.

Now she will return home for a 12-round, 3-minute bout, her second in a row, with the likes of Jake Paul joining her on the card. Serrano will take part in the main event and will try to keep her winning streak, which now stands at four wins with her last loss coming in 2022 against Katie Taylor in a lightweight fight.

Meinke comes as a visitor and has been preparing in the Dominican Republic to get used to the Caribbean climate. The 30-year-old German comes in with six straight wins and with the intention of hurting the local’s party, a tough challenge but one for which she is fully motivated and confident.

Other young prospects like Krystal Rosado or the young Javon Walton will be in action in this great event that promises to be a full house in San Juan. Serrano has a record of 46 wins, 2 losses, 1 draw and 30 knockouts, while Meinke has 18 wins, 3 losses and 4 knockouts.Serrano to fight at home vs. Meinke.

The fight for the vacant World Boxing Association (WBA) featherweight title between Otabek Kholmatov and Raymond Ford will be one of the most interesting fights this Saturday night at the Turning Stone Resort & Casino in Verona, New York. Two young and undefeated fighters will be competing for the black and gold belt in a fight that looks very evenly matched. 

Kholmatov is ranked No. 1, while Ford is ranked No. 2 and both were ordered to fight each other once the belt was vacated by former champion Leigh Wood’s move up the division. 

Uzbek Kholmatov is 25 years old and began his professional career in 2021. Since then he has been growing rapidly, having resounding victories and his results have moved him to the top of the 126-pound rankings. 

Ford, 24, is a New Jersey native, so he will be close enough to home for his championship fight. He has been able to overcome obstacles and win tough fights, which has given him experience. In his most recent fight he soundly defeated Jessie Magdaleno on the scorecards and that made him ready for this challenge. 

Both fighters are undefeated, young and southpaw, which will give a plus to this fight. Kholmatov has 12 wins, 11 by knockout, while Ford has 14 wins, 1 draw and 7 knockouts.

QUINCY, Mass. (February 28, 2024) – The Sumpter brothers will be fighting on the same card for the first time in 21 months on the March 23rd “Pandemonium at the Palladium 3” card, presented on Granite Chin Promotions (GCP), at the famed Palladium in Worcester, Massachusetts.

“Pandemonium at the Palladium 3” will be streamed live on BXNGTV.com.

Fighting out of Pittsfield (MA), undefeated IBA Americas Super Middleweight Champion Steve “The Savage” Sumpter (9-0, 7 KOs) takes on Antonio Louis “Tony The Best” Hernandez (7-18-2, 4 KOs) in an eight-round, non-title fight, while his older brother, heavyweight Quintin Sumpter (6-2, 4 KOs), faces Zach Calmus (3-2, 2 KOs), of Gloucester (MA), in a four-round bout.

The Sumpters aren’t the only siblings fighting on this card as the fightin’ Whitley brothers, undefeated welterweight Denzel (13-0, 7 KOs) and junior welterweight Derrick Jr. (7-4-1, 0 KOs), will be fighting on the same card as professional boxers.

Junior North American Boxing Federation (NABF) Welterweight Champion Denzel “Double Impact” Whitley will make his first title defense in a rematch with Kenny “Lionheart” Larson (7-1-1, 5 KOs) in the 10-round main event. Last December 19th at The Palladium, Whitley captured the vacant Junior NABF title with a 10-round split decision over the previously unbeaten Larson, who fights out of Salem (MA), by scores of 99-90, 97-92, 92-97, also at The Palladium

Whitley’s older brother, southpaw Derrick, will be fighting former New England Welterweight Champion Mike “Bad Man” Ohan, Jr. (19-2, 9 KOs) in the 10-round co-featured event.

Steve Sumpter was scheduled to fight last week, but his opponent pulled out of the fight late, and he has been added to “Pandemonium at the Palladium 3” show. As Sumpter explained, the delay is only 30 days and he’s stayed in the gym training hard and sparred quality, experienced fighters from Canada, two-time world lightweight heavyweight champion Jean Pascal (36-7-1, 20 KOs) and two-time world middleweight title challenger Steven Butler (33-4-1, 27 KOs).

“It’s been a while since I fought on the same card as my brother,” Steve said. “We feed off each other. We’ve always supported each other whenever we fight whether it’s on the same show or not. We’re fighting not too far from home (Pittsfield, MA) and should have a good crowd there for us.

“I’ve watched my opponent fight on tape. He’s a tough opponent with a deceiving record. He’s fought a lot of good fighters. I never look past anybody because they all have a puncher’s chance. In 2024, I hope to be fighting on a bigger stage because I’m a grinder”

Quintin, who will be fighting on the same card as Steve for the fourth time as professionals, hasn’t fought since last August and he’s raring to go.

“It’s always better for us (brothers) to fight on the same card because we push each other and not nicely,” Quintin explained. “We talk trash but it’s good training. We pretty much have the same fans from Pittsfield, Springfield and New York (where he was born). I love fighting in Worcester; anywhere is good, but at the Palladium we want to perform extra good.

“I know my opponent is a bare-knuckles fighter. He works like a machine and brings a lot more offense than I’m used to. I was a little down after my last fight (controversial loss by decision), but I’ve been working on my offense since then.”

Card subject to change.

Tickets are priced at $50.00 (balcony), $90.00 (mezzanine), $125.00 (floor) and $650.00 (booth of 4) and available for purchase online at www.ThePalladium.net.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. ET, first bout at 7 p.m. ET.

INFORMATION:

Facebook.com/GraniteChin