Khalil Coe wants to be the latest star to come out of New Jersey as he begins his pro journey on Saturday night (May 29) at the Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, NV, live worldwide on DAZN.

TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW FROM AXS.COM

 Coe enters the paid ranks on the back of a promising time with Team USA and hit the headlines when he knocked out Cuba’s 2016 Olympic gold medal man Julio Cesar La Cruz in June 2018 on his first international assignment.

The Jersey City talent will debut at Light-Heavyweight in Sin City on Saturday night with a view to moving down to 168lbs, and the rising star wants to become a new fight figure for his city and show that there is a lot more to him than just his win over La Cruz.

“Where I am from, Jersey City, you couldn’t go outside unless you could fight,” said Coe. “People would take stuff from you, so you have to be able to hold your own.

“I love my city, it is crazy but I wouldn’t want to be from anywhere else. It made me who I am, it’s made me strong, that’s how I am able to get in the ring and do what I do, it’s the struggle that drove me and I don’t want to go back to where I started. They are trying to get me to where I am going – I love my people for that and I want to make them proud.

“My Mom put me in boxing. I was fighting on the streets and in school, I was getting in trouble so my Mom did it to humble me really. I got into the gym, and I smelt the leather, the bags, everything, and I haven’t looked back since.

“I’ve been waiting on this day for. A long time, I just can’t wait to get out there are showcase my skills. We set up a meeting in New York with Eddie Hearn and I told him, I will put on a show for him.

“The Olympic committee is a hard process, I had to keep qualifying and solidify my spot, so personally I thought that they probably had someone already lined up that they wanted to go instead of me. I just felt that I was ready for the change, and it was my time.

“People started to take an interest in me after I knocked the Cuban out. Every time he posts something, someone tags me! We are connected for life now. But I am not just the Cuban killer, I want to show I don’t just have KO power – I will show that I can box, have good footwork, I’m slick; we’re at a different level now and we’re taking it up.”

Coe makes his debut on a stacked card in Las Vegas, topped by unbeaten WBC World Lightweight champion Devin Haney (25-0 15 KOs) defending his title against former World ruler Jorge Linares (47-5 29 KOs).

There’s another WBC World title belt up for grabs when Chantelle Cameron (13-0 7 KOs) will defend her Super-Lightweight title against Melissa Hernandez (23-7-3 7 KOs) in more World title action, a fascinating battle between two Golden Boy Promotions stablemates as Jason Quigley (18-1 14 KOs) and Shane Mosley Jr (17-3 10 KOs) go toe-to-toe for the WBO NABO Middleweight title and it’s a huge night for Martin J. Ward (24-1-2 11 KOs) as he faces Azinga Fuzile (14-1 8 KOs) in a final eliminator for the IBF World Super-Featherweight title.

Reshat Mati (9-0 7 KOs) enters double figures in the pro game on the night, Ramla Ali (2-0) has been impressive in her two fights since turning pro in October and the first pro female fighter from Somalia gets an introduction to American fight fans on the bill, a card that is rounded off by Devin Haney Promotions’ Darren Cunningham (13-0 7 KOs) continuing his pro rise.

LOS ANGELES, CA (May 24, 2021) – One of the most exciting welterweights in all of boxing returns on June 19, 2021, when Blair “The Flair” Cobbs (14-0-1, 9 KOs), battles decorated amateur and veteran of the sport, Brad Solomon (29-3, 9 KOs). The ten-round bout, taking place at the University of Texas at El Paso’s Don Haskins Center, will air live on DAZN as the first televised fight on the Jaime Munguia vs. Maciej Sulecki card.

“I haven’t fought in over a year and it is time for the most electrifying man in all of boxing to give the fans a show,” said Cobbs in-between rounds at his new home, Wild Card Boxing Gym in Hollywood, California. “I wanted a tough opponent, and Brad Solomon is just that. His losses have only been to really good fighters and he has over twice the experience as me as a professional, so I am ready to show the world who I am! It’s time for the Wooo man to get busy.”

“Blair is nearing the point to fight some of the world-ranked fighters, the fans love him, he has a great style, and he is a talented fighter,” said Cobb’s manager, Greg Hannley, CEO of Prince Ranch Boxing. “We’re expecting a lot from Blair, and I see him in a big fight amongst one of Golden Boy Promotions best fighters by the end of the year, that is the goal for Blair.”

Cobbs last fought on Valentine’s day weekend of 2020, winning a split decision over Samuel Kotey Neequaye. Cobbs has been out of the ring for a year-plus and has made changes to his team that he feels will help him moving forward in his career.

“I made a decision to move to Hollywood and train with Freddie Roach at the Wild Card Boxing Gym, because I needed a change,” said Cobbs. “Being in the gym with Freddie every day and seeing all the great fighters and new faces has me excited all over again. I really want to make my legacy known as one of the top guys in the sport.”

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Munguia vs. Sulecki is a 12-round fight for the WBO Intercontinental Middleweight Title presented by Golden Boy in association with Zanfer Promotions and Warrior’s Boxing. The event is sponsored by Tecate “The Official Beer of Boxing,” Hennessy “Never Stop. Never Settle” and “BetOnline – Your Online Sportsbook Experts.” The fight will take place on Saturday, June 19 at the Don Haskins Center in El Paso, Texas and will be streamed live exclusively on DAZN worldwide, excluding Mexico.

Tickets for Munguia vs. Sulecki are on sale now and are priced at $200, $100, $60 and $35 not including applicable service charges. In an effort to promote social distancing, tickets will be sold in pods/groupings of 2, 3, 4 and 6 people only. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call 915-747-5234. Tickets will also be available for purchase at http://www.utepspecialevents.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

For fans who have already purchased tickets for Saturday, April 24 and would like to still attend Munguia vs. Sulecki, your tickets and seating location are still valid for the new date and no further action is required.

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 #MunguiaSulecki.

Photos and videos are available for download by clicking here or copying and pasting the link: http://bit.ly/MunguiaSulecki into a browser. Credit must be provided to Golden Boy for any photo and/or video usage.

THE HEAVYWEIGHT COLOSSUS Daniel Dubois has revealed that he feels like he is starting his professional career all over again as he closes in on his date with Bogdan Dinu with the WBA Interim title at stake on June 5.

Dubois, of course, suffered the unfamiliar sensation of defeat at the back end of November when he entered into a heavy duty domestic duel with Joe Joyce with multiple titles on the line, including the British and European.

The 23-year-old, who had previously picked up nine championship belts in 15 fights, was considered by many to be the irresistible force of the heavyweight division, with the 2016 Olympic silver medallist believed to be a notable obstacle along his reign of terror that saw 14 of his opponents vanquished via stoppage.

The 35-year-old Joyce, a far more seasoned campaigner in the sport, had other ideas and brought his know-how to the fore in repelling the Dubois onslaughts, while picking him off with speedy and telling jabs to the eye of his younger opposition.

It was those measured and powerful prods from the left hand of Joyce that caused a grisly injury to Dubois’ left eye that ultimately resulted in him taking himself out of the line of fire in the 10th round of a close contest in which he was actually up on the cards.

So, instead of sitting back admiring his lofty ranking with the WBO and jostling for a seat at the top table, Dubois was left to lick his wounds and await medical reports over the severity of his injury. He was also left to ponder what went wrong and reconcile himself to the fact he would be embarking on a rebuild.

Dubois admits reconciliation was not instant.

“You know it took a few weeks actually, I must be honest,” he conceded. “Just to reflect, look back and slow everything down again, to pick up the pieces and start putting them back into place. I made decisions about the team, how we are going to move forward and what the next step is.”

A step the bright young heavy insists did not include sulking, even though the taste of defeat was far from familiar.

“I was doing a lot of things, picking up different sports like playing tennis and we’ve got a pool table at home, so I was doing a bit of that.

“I needed to shake the feeling off that a loss brings. It is a down feeling and I needed to overcome it to come forward and see the light.

“The last time I lost was an amateur, it was a good few years ago, when I was 16, probably. When you are a pro and the whole world is getting to see your vulnerabilities, it is interesting, you know. It is a proper sport this boxing.

“You have to ride with it and now I am back again and ready to come back stronger. I’ve looked at it, examined it, now I am ready to push on again, iron out my mistakes and put it right.”

During his period of contemplation Dubois reveals he harboured no doubts over his future participation in the sport, pointing out that his taking a knee maintained his own grip on his future plans rather than relying on medical opinion to continue.

“No, I was honestly too busy feeling bad to think about that. Once I collected myself and pulled myself together, not once did I have doubts over whether I would be coming back.

“Maybe it turned out right that I made the decision I did.

“There was a break from everything, but I am used to being in the gym. Usually after fights it is ‘who is next?’ but that slowed down a bit and now is the time to start again in life. I feel like I am starting my pro career again, as if I am an amateur just turning professional.

“That for me is great – a fresh start. There is no better feeling than the beginning.”

Daniel Dubois (15-1, 14KOs) returns to the ring on Saturday June 5 when he takes on Bogdan Dinu (20-2, 16KOs) for the WBA Interim heavyweight title. Light heavyweight favourite Tommy Fury is also in action in his sixth fight as a professional.

Also on the show are unbeaten English bantamweight champion Liam Davies (8-0, 3 KOs), featherweight Adan Mohamed (1-0)  and 18-year-old decorated amateur George Bance, who makes his professional debut after signing with Queensberry. 

Coventry, UK (21 May 2021) Birmingham’s Sam Eggington saw off the teak tough Mexican Carlos Molina over twelve hard fought rounds to win the Vacant WBC Silver Middleweight Championship at the Coventry Skydome Arena tonight.

Eggington, 27, knew he would be in a battle with Molina, who had never been stopped 50 fights, and had prepared hard at the famous Eastside Gym with renowned trainer John Pegg.

The hard work paid off as Eggington registered his first victory over a Mexican opponent and with the new belt will gain a top ten ranking with the WBC as he close in on a dream World title shot.

In a two and fro battle, the action rarely stopped and both landed hurtful looking shots but not managing to land anything decisive. Eggington looked the bigger and stronger, but Molina was constantly throwing and moving on his feet.

Eggington kept busy landing good solid jabs to rack up the points leading to the judges’ all scoring the fight in his favour with scores of 116-112, 119-109, 117-111.

He said afterwards, “I can see why the likes of Chavez, Jr., Mike Alvarado and James Kirkland couldn’t stop him and had trouble against him. I knew Mexicans were tough, but that was a good solid test for me. He was experienced and knew how to shrug things off. The win really puts me up there in the WBC rankings. I know I’m getting very close to a World title shot now, I’m happy to box at middleweight or super-welter, wherever and whenever the best opportunities present themselves.

Red hot Irish ace Stephen McKenna didn’t waste any time against Poland’s Damian Haus and made it another sensational stoppage to take his record to a perfect 8 fights and 8 knockouts with five of them coming in the first round. McKenna smashed away at Haus’s body and with heavy chopping right hands to break him up before the referee stepped in.

Kaisee Benjamin won his Eliminator for the British Welterweight title after his opponent Martin Harkin didn’t come out for the eight round after he was dropped in the seventh round with a hard body shot.

In a real pulsating all-action fight, Coventry fight favourite River Wilson-Bent overcome Derby rival George Farrell with an eye-catching stoppage in the fifth round.

Former British Light-Heavyweight Champion made a hard-hitting return to the ring to defeat the tough and durable Jermine Springer. In the fourth round, Pitters hurt Springer with a big right that caused the referee to jump in and wave it off.

Sevenoaks middleweight talent Michael Hennessy Jr. outboxed the tough Paul Cummings with some silky skills and beautiful combination punching to win on points.

Birmingham middleweight Idris Virgo was pushed the full six-round distance against the experienced Lewis van Poetsch, but won comfortably on a score of 60-54.

Irish talent Brett McGinty saw off Oldbury’s Dwain Grant in his second pro outing winning every round on the scorecards. The Donegal prospect was too quick and sharp for Grant, landing an accurate left jab and pinning Grant to the ropes and working his body with the trademark vicious hooks.

Brighton’s big-hitting heavyweight talent Tommy Welch opened the show and quickly destroyed Lithuanian Dmitrij Kalinovskij. Welch, the son of former British, Commonwealth and World Title challenger Scott, made his pro-debut last December and followed that up with another devastating performance, dropping Kalinovskij three times before the referee waved it off.

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

Coventry, UK (22 May 2021) Hennessy Sports are delighted to announce that SunSport will stream exclusively LIVE and FREE from 20:00 this evening two of the undercard Championship fights that feature on the Coventry Skydome Arena show, headlined by Sam Eggington and Carlos Molina’s clash for the WBC Silver Middleweight Championship.

First up at 20:00 will be the dynamite-punching Coventry sensation River Wilson-Bent who defends his Midlands Area Middleweight Championship against Derby rival George Farrell in a real 50-50 battle.

Followed at 21:00 when Birmingham talent Kaisee Benjamin squares off in a crucial showdown against Scottish hardman Martin Harkin in an Eliminator for the British Welterweight Championship with the winner in prime position to challenge for the Lonsdale belt.

Click the link below or copy and paste to watch the action:

The action then switches LIVE and FREE to Channel 5 in the UK and Ireland at 22:00 with the show opened by the explosive-punching Irish KO sensation Stephen ‘The Hitman’ McKenna who aims to extend his unbeaten record to eight fights with eight knockouts.

Then it’s the big one between Birmingham hero Sam Eggington, who has the World title in his sights, against the rock hard and granite-chinned Former World Champion from Mexico who has never been stopped in 50 fights, Carlos Molina, in a potential thriller.

The rest of the action-packed card will feature in some capacity on the Channel 5 programme: the return of Former British Light-Heavyweight Champion Shakan Pitters; Brighton’s big-hitting heavyweight Tommy Welch; red hot Irish Middleweight prospect Brett McGinty; Birmingham middleweight bombshell and Love Island star Idris Virgo and finally Sevenoaks middleweight star Michael Hennessy Jr.

Presented by Hennessy Sports in association with William Hill, Infinitum, Numan, Everlast and King Carlos Promotions, Eggington v Molina will headline the exciting nine-fight card exclusively live and free-to-air across the UK and Ireland on Channel 5.
Main event features Birmingham warrior Sam Eggington (29-7-0, 17 KO’s) against Mexico’s hard-as-nails Carlos Molina (37-11-2, 12 KO’s) for the Vacant WBC Silver Middleweight Championship. Chief support features a cracking showdown between Birmingham’s Kaisee Benjamin (11-1-1, 2 KO’s) and Dumbarton’s Martin Harkin (13-1-0, 5 KO’s) in an Eliminator for the British Welterweight Championship.
Also on the card, Coventry sensation River Wilson-Bent (8-0-0, 4 KO’s) makes the first defence of his Midlands Area Middleweight title against Derby’s George Farrell (5-0-0, 1 KO). Former British Light-Heavyweight Champion Shakan Pitters (14-1-0, 4 KO’s) has his first back against Bradford’s Jermaine Springer (7-2-0, 1 KO) in an eight-rounder since losing his title to Craig Richards last December. County Monaghan super-lightweight dynamo Stephen ‘The Hitman’ McKenna (7-0-0, 7 KO’s) features in a six-rounder against Poland’s Damian Haus, but the undefeated red-hot 24-year-old prospect has not needed to go the distance yet with all his fights ending inside. Birmingham middleweight bombshell Idris ‘The Bodybreaker’ Virgo (9-0-1, 1 KO) goes in over six-rounds against Lydney’s Lewis van Poetsch. Sevenoaks all-action super-welterweight Michael Hennessy Jr. (5-1-1) is in a six-rounder against Warminster’s Paul Cummings. Irish super-welterweight ace Brett McGinty (1-0) follows up his thrilling pro debut last December when he features in a four-rounder against Oldbury’s Dwain Grant. Brighton heavyweight talent Tommy Welch (1-0-0, 1 KO), son of the former British, Commonwealth and World Heavyweight title challenger Scott, follow’s up his explosive debut last December when he stopped Matt Gordon in the second round and features in a four-round contest against Lithuanian Dmitrij Kalinovskij.
For further information go to www.hennessysports.com or social media: Facebook @HennessySports, Twitter @HennessySports and Instagram @hennessysports

Follow all the action as Josh Taylor and Jose Ramirez meet for the undisputed junior welterweight world title.  The fights begin at 8 PM ET / 5 PM PT with two more junior welterweight fights featuring Jose Zepeda battling Hank Lundy; Elvis Rodriguez taking on Kenneth Sims Jr.

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Round 1: Good body shot from Taylor..Left to body from Ramirez…Another body shot..Straight left from Taylor..Nice Body shot after Taylor lands a right..

Round 2 Right from Ramirez..Left to body from Taylor…Lead left..Jab…Double jab from Ramirez…Let to the body..Good uppercut

Round 3 Straight rigt and left hook from Ramirez…Right..uppercut..aylor working on the inside..uppercut…Good straight left..Ramirez lands 2 good righs to the body..Left..Combination..

Round 4 Left from Taylor..Body from Ramirez…Left..Straight right..Hard Body shot from Taylor….Ramirez fighting back

Round 5 Taylor cut around the left eye..Body shot from Ramirez….Rights to the body…Lead left from Taylor…

Round 6 BIG LEFT AND DOWN GOES RAMIREZ…Left hook from Ramirez….Lead right…Good body shot from Taylor…Good left…

Round 7 Double left hands to body from Ramirez….UPPERERCUT AND DOWN GOES RAMIREZ…

Round 8 Uppercut from Taylor

Round 9 Right from Ramirez…Good right..Taylor gets in a left….Uppercut ..Right from Ramirez

Round 10 Left from Taylor…Hard right from Ramirez..Counter left from Taylor

Round 11 Counter left from Taylor…Ramirez lands a combination on the ropes..

Round 12 Left hook from Ramirez…Left from Taylor…Good right from Ramirez…

114-112 ON ALL CARDS FOR JOSH TAYLOR

Round 1
Round 2 Left t the body from Zepeda…Another…right to the body..Left to body…Left
Round 3 Good left from Lundy
Round 4 Left from Zepeda
Round 5 Left from Zepeda..Good left from Lundy
Round 6 Counter left from Zepeda
Round 7 Right hook from Zepeda…
Round 8 Left from Zepeda
Round 9 Left from Lundy
Round 10 Combination from Zepeda…Right to the body

98-92 on all cards for ZEPEDA

Round 1:
Round 2: Left from Rodriguez..Good right from Sims..Another right
Round 3 Left from Rodriguez
Round 4 Good straight left from Rodriguez…Right from Sims..Jab from Rodriguez
Round 5
Round 6 Left hook from Sims…1-2 from Rodriguez…Right from Sims..Check hook from Rodriguez
Round 7 Sims working on the inside and lands a uppercut,,2 rights…body..Right from Rodriguez..Redness around right eye of Right eye and his bleeding from the mouth
Round 8 Right hook from Rodriguez…Combination

76-76; 78-74 TWICE FOR KENENTH SIMS JR.

Coventry, UK (21 May 2021) Red hot Irish ace Stephen McKenna didn’t waste any time and made it another sensational first round stoppage to take his record to a perfect 8 fights and 8 knockouts with five now coming in the opening round.

The undefeated ace pounced straight onto Polands’s Damian Haus, continually chopping him down with vicious body shots and scything right hands. A sickening left hook dropped Haus, who managed to rise before the ref’s count of eight. McKenna didn’t let him off the hook and another violent onslaught followed and the referee waved it off with only eight seconds left.

McKenna, who is gunning for a showdown with British star Nigel Benn, said, “I love to fight, I don’t care who’s there in front of me, I’m going to take them out with either hand. I saw that Haus was getting hurt with the body shots and I wouldn’t let him off the hook until I finished him off. I’m pleased with the result but there is plenty more to come.”

Afterwards Haus, who had sickening red welts all over his body where McKenna had landed his brutal shots, said, “That is the hardest I have ever been hit in my life. I have never felt power like that before.”

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

NEW YORK (May 22, 2021)- Javier Martinez remained undefeated with an explosive fourth round stoppage over Calvin Metcalf in a scheduled six-round middleweight bout at The Virgin Hotel in Las Vegas.

Martinez is managed by Split-T Management.
In round four, Martinez landed a perfect right hook to the head that sent Metcalf down and out at 1:33. It was the first time Metcalf has been stopped.

Martinez, 162.5 lbs of Milwaukee, WI is 4-0 with two knockouts. Metcalf, 160.4 lbs of Kansas City, MO is 10-6-1.

“I am excited about that knockout. Going into the fight, I was looking for a knockout as he was never stopped in 16 bouts. I did my thing ,and I am glad I got him out there. I am getting used to the pro style, and the sky is the limit. I am looking to get back sometime in August,” said Martinez

Martinez is promoted by Top Rank.

Photo Credit: Mikey Williams (Top Rank via Getty Images)

Limited extra seats are on sale NOW for the huge WBC World Lightweight clash between unbeaten champion Devin Haney and former World ruler Jorge Linares at the Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, NV on Saturday May 29, live worldwide on DAZN.

TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW FROM AXS.COM

Haney (25-0, 18 KOs) puts his title on the line for the third time against the former multiple division world champion, Linares (47-5, 29 KOs), who is looking to regain the green and gold belt he held in 2014-15 – and that tops a stacked card of action with extra tickets now on-sale following sold-out pre-sale and general sale periods.

There’s another WBC World title belt up for grabs when Chantelle Cameron (13-0 7 KOs) will defend her Super-Lightweight title against Melissa Hernandez (23-7-3 7 KOs) in more World title action. There’s a fascinating battle between two Golden Boy Promotions stablemates as Jason Quigley (18-1 14 KOs) and Shane Mosley Jr (17-3 10 KOs) go toe-to-toe for the WBO NABO Middleweight title and it’s a huge night for Martin J. Ward (24-1-2 11 KOs) as he faces Azinga Fuzile (14-1 8 KOs) in a final eliminator for the IBF World Super-Featherweight title.

At the other end of the spectrum, there’s a professional debut on the card for Eddie Hearn’s latest American signing, Khalil Coe, Reshat Mati (9-0 7 KOs) enters double figures in the pro game on the card, Ramla Ali (2-0) has been impressive in her two fights since turning pro in October and the first pro female fighter from Somalia gets an introduction to American fight fans on the bill, a card that is rounded off by Devin Haney Promotions’ Amari Jones (1-0 1 KO) fighting in the paid ranks for the second time after his debut in April.

Jonathan Rodriguez stopped Armando Torres in round four of a scheduled 10-round light flyweight bout between former world title challengers at the Bryan Glazer Family JCC Auditorium in Tampa, Florida.

In round four, Torres was cut over his left eye from a headbutt. The fight went on, but not for much longer, as Rodriguez landed flurries that made Torres turn his back on two occasions and the fight was stopped.

Rodriguez, 108 lbs of Caguas, PR is now 24-3-1 with 14 knockouts. Torres, 108 lbs of Mexico is 26-19.

In a battle of undefeated super featherweights, Otar Eranoyan won a 10-round unanimous decision over Juan Argel.

In round four, Eranosyan was cut around his right eye. That did not deter Eranosyan as he won by scores of 100-90 twice and 99-91, and is now 8-0. Argel is 8-1.

Martin J. Ward thinks he has all the answers for Azinga Fuzile as he prepares to travel to Las Vegas to meet the South African in a final eliminator for the IBF World Super-Featherweight title on Saturday May 29 at the Michelob ULTRA Arena in Mandalay Bay, live worldwide on DAZN.

TICKETS ARE NOW SOLD OUT – MATCHROOM ARE WORKING WITH MANDALAY BAY TO INCREASE CAPACITY

Ward (24-1-2 11 KOs) fulfills a childhood dream making his American debut in the bright lights of Sin City, but the Briton will not let the glitz and glamour distract him from taking a massive step in becoming a World champion.

The 29 year old knows that Fuzile (14-1 8 KOs) presents a dangerous obstacle to that dream, but the Tony Sims trained talent is not fazed by having to face a southpaw to land a World title shot, and wants to emulate the impact that one of his heroes, Prince Naseem Hamed, had when he would wow crowds in America.

“I was a big Naz fan and stayed up to watch him fight Marco Antonio Barrera in Las Vegas and in all his fights all over the States,” said Ward. “It has been a childhood dream of mine to fight in Vegas on the big stage, and here it is, and I am not going to let this slip through my fingers, I’ve trained too hard and put too much of my life into this to let it go.

“Motivation has not been an issue at all in this camp, I’ve been training so hard, and I’ve been flying, smashing it in the gym and on the track, it’s all coming together at the right time and I’m just so excited. Over the last year there have been a few opportunities that have come up, so I didn’t want to get too excited as a couple of them fell through and I had started to get my weight down for them. I was chomping at the bit for them, so it was frustrating, so I took this one with a pinch of salt really, I just wanted a date to be sorted, and when it was cemented in place it was great.

“He’s a slick southpaw, has some impressive wins on the record and only has one loss and he was winning that fight until he got chinned. He looks a good fighter, and hopefully our styles will gel, and we’ll put on a good fight for the fans. I haven’t fought in over a year, but it’s been over 18 months for him, but it depends how you live outside the gym, I live the life, I keep a healthy lifestyle and training makes me happy, it’s part of me.

“I won the British title in 2016 and then won it outright in the space of ten months against three southpaws so it’s funny how I’m now facing another southpaw in this massive fight. All those fights have built up my experience and it’s all fallen into place; I just need to put it all together on the night.

“He’s elusive, sharp, counters well and has good defense with the shoulder roll, but I am going to nullify all that and take him out of his comfort zone and do a job on him. I’ll be too smart, and I think I’ll be too big and strong for the guy. I’m so close to where I want to be.”

Ward’s clash with Fuzile is part of a huge night of action in Las Vegas, topped by unbeaten WBC World Lightweight champion Devin Haney (25-0 15 KOs) defending his title against former World ruler Jorge Linares (47-5 29 KOs).

There’s more World title action on the card as Chantelle Cameron (13-0 7 KOs) defends her WBC World Super-Lightweight title against Melissa Hernandez (23-7-3 7 KOs), and there’s a fascinating battle between two Golden Boy Promotions stablemates as Jason Quigley (18-1 14 KOs) and Shane Mosley Jr (17-3 10 KOs) go toe-to-toe for the WBO NABO Middleweight title.

There’s a professional debut on the card for Eddie Hearn’s latest American signing, Khalil Coe, Reshat Mati (9-0 7 KOs) enters double figures in the pro game on the night, Ramla Ali (2-0) has been impressive in her two fights since turning pro in October and the first pro female fighter from Somalia gets an introduction to American fight fans on the bill, a card that is rounded off by Devin Haney Promotions’ Darren Cunningham (13-0 7 KOs) continuing his pro rise.

NEW YORK (May 21, 2021)- Tomorrow night, undefeated middleweight prospect Javier Martinez will take on veteran Calvin Metcalf in a bout scheduled for six-rounds at The Virgin Hotel in Las Vegas.

The bout, which will kick off the much anticipated Jose Ramirez – Josh Taylor undisputed junior welterweight world championship fight card, will begin at 4:45 ET and be streamed live on ESPN+.

The 25 year-old Martinez of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, who is managed by Split-T Management, is 3-0 with one knockout, and is coming off his first stoppage victory as he took out Billy Wagner in the first round on February 20th in Las Vegas.

Martinez also has a win over Rance Ward (4-1).

Martinez got ready for this bout as he was a main sparring partner to Ramirez.

Martinez was the 2020 Olympic Trial Champion at middleweight. He was also a five-time National Champion, and the number-one ranked fighter at 165 pounds in the USA Boxing Rankings, Martinez’s selection as an Olympic alternate despite his victory at the trials and various international experience caused shock-waves through the amateur system.

Metcalf of Kansas City, Missouri, has a record of 10-5-1 with three knockouts. The 26 year-old is a five-year professional. Metcalf has quality wins over Raymond Handson (5-0-1), Joe Louie Lopez (9-2) and Marchristopher Adkins (9-2). Metcalf has never been stopped and is coming off a defeat to undefeated Timur Kerefov on August 20th in Detroit.

At Friday’s weigh-in, Martinez checked in at 162.5 lbs. Metcalf was 160.4

Martinez is promoted by Top Rank.

Photo Credit: Mikey Williams (Top Rank via Getty Images)

  •    Jose Ramirez 139.6 lbs vs. Josh Taylor 139.6 lbs 
(Undisputed Junior Welterweight World Title — 12 Rounds)
Judges: Tim Cheatham, Dave Moretti and Steve Weisfeld
Referee: Kenny Bayless

•          Jose Zepeda 140 lbs vs. Hank Lundy 139 lbs 
(Junior Welterweight— 10 Rounds)

•          Elvis Rodriguez 139.8 lbs vs. Kenneth Sims Jr. 139.8 lbs 
(Junior Welterweight— 8 Rounds)

(ESPN+, 4:45 p.m. ET / 1:45 p.m. PT)

•   Jose Enrique Vivas 127.4 lbs vs. Louie Coria 127.5 lbs 
(Featherweight — 8 Rounds)

•         Andres Cortes 132.2 lbs vs. Eduardo Garza  132.5
(Junior Lightweight  — 8 Rounds)

   •   Robeisy Ramirez 126.6 lbs vs. Ryan Allen 125.4
 (Featherweight   — 6 Rounds)

•       Raymond Muratalla 137 lbs vs. Jose Gallegos 139.6
 (Lightweight — 8 Rounds)
•      Javier Martinez 162.5 lbs vs. Calvin Metcalf 160.4
 (Middleweight — 6 Rounds)

PHILADELPHIA (May 21, 2021)– Popular two division champion Ricky Hatton looked to reclaim the IBF world junior welterweight title from undefeated Juan Urango in a bout that will be featured tonight in the next installment of Classic Fight Night at 8 PM ET on fubo Sports Network.

Urango was surging with a record of 17-0 -1,with 13 knockouts, and was looking to make the first defense of the title Hatton relinquished. Urango was considered one of the hardest punchers in boxing at the time. Hatton (41-0, 30 KOs) surrendered the IBF world junior welterweight title when he moved up to beat WBA world welterweight champion Luis Collazo.

Tune in to see these two undefeated champions, when they met at The Paris Hotel in Las Vegas on January 20, 2007.

About fubo Sports Network
Available on 75 million devices, fubo Sports Network is the live, free-to-consumer TV network featuring sports stories on and off the field. Launched by live TV streaming platform fuboTV (NYSE: FUBO) in September 2019, fubo Sports Network airs live sports, award-winning original programming and partner content from CampusLore, FanDuel, Stadium, The Players Tribune, USA TODAY and VSiN, among others. Stream for free on LG Channels, News on Tubi, Plex, Samsung TV Plus, The Roku Channel, Vizio Channels and XUMO or as part of fuboTV’s base subscription package of 100+ sports, news and entertainment channels.

For regular updates on our fighters, events, and promotions, please like the Banner Promotions Facebook Page, and follow us on Instagram and Twitter @BannerBoxing

NEW YORK – May 21, 2021 – With less than three weeks until Sunday, June 6, when all-time boxing great and 2020 International Boxing Hall of Fame inductee Floyd “Money” Mayweather returns to the ring to take on social media sensation and professional boxer Logan “The Maverick” Paul in an exhibition bout, SHOWTIME and FANMIO have launched digital distribution platforms for pay-per-view purchase. The event telecast is produced and distributed by SHOWTIME PPV® and begins at a special time of 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, live from Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla.

Mayweather vs. Logan Paul is available now for pre-order for $49.99 at www.SHOWTIME.com/ppv and FANMIO.com/MayweatherVsPaul. All consumers who purchase the event via SHOWTIME.com can watch the event live through the SHOWTIME streaming service apps on Apple iOS and tvOS devices, Android Mobile, AndroidTV, Roku, FireTV, Chromecast, Xbox One, as well as online at www.SHOWTIME.com/ppv.

Fans purchasing the pay-per-view through FANMIO.com or any FANMIO Boxing app will receive an exclusive Mayweather vs. Logan Paul t-shirt included with the $49.99 purchase price. Mayweather vs. Paul can be purchased through the newly launched FANMIO Boxing app, which is available globally via smart televisions and mobile devices via Apple iOS and tvOS devices, Android Mobile, AndroidTV, FireTV, Google TV and Chromecast. To learn how to watch the blockbuster event on FANMIO, click here.

The pay-per-view will also be available for purchase in the supported SHOWTIME apps listed above and in the Sony PlayStation Store, on Sling TV and via all traditional cable and satellite pay-per-view providers. Mayweather vs. Logan Paul also will be shown at select closed-circuit locations and movie theaters.

“We’ve enjoyed a long and successful track record working with Floyd Mayweather on the biggest events in boxing and on television,” said Stephen Espinoza, President of Sports and Event Programming for SHOWTIME. “He is the greatest boxer of his generation and one of the best all-time. We are excited to present this special event, complete with two compelling professional bouts and two entertaining exhibitions. This show will have something for everyone.”

“We are thrilled to expand our platform with the new FANMIO native apps for smart TV and mobile devices making the Mayweather vs. Logan Paul fight even more accessible, increasing our reach into new countries and regions,” said Solomon Engel, CEO and Founder of FANMIO. “These apps will provide a unique viewing experience, whether it is on a smart television, phone, tablet or computer. We have already experienced a high demand for pay-per-view sales following the fight’s official announcement and anticipate that with this expansion of our platform, coupled with our new relationships with Mayweather Promotions and SHOWTIME, this event is on path to make history.”

#

About Mayweather vs. Logan Paul:

Mayweather vs. Logan Paul is a special exhibition bout presented by Mayweather Promotions, FANMIO and Mavathltcs that will take place on Sunday, June 6 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla. The telecast, which is being produced by SHOWTIME PPV, will air live beginning at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and can be purchased now at SHOWTIME.com and FANMIO.com. The undercard will feature WBA Light Heavyweight Champion Jean Pascal vs. two-division world champion Badou Jack in a 12-round rematch, plus former unified super welterweight champion “Swift” Jarrett Hurd against Luis Arias in a 10-round bout and in a fourth PPV bout, former NFL star wide receiver Chad Johnson will make his boxing debut in an exhibition match against versatile fighter Brian Maxwell. Tickets are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com.

For more information visit bit.ly/mayweatherpaul, www.SHO.com/sports, www.FANMIO.com. Follow on Twitter @FloydMayweather, @LoganPaul, @MayweatherPromo, @ShowtimeBoxing and @FANMIO and on Instagram @FloydMayweather, @LoganPaul, @MayweatherPromotions, @ShowtimeBoxing and @FANMIO.

LOS ANGELES, CA (May 21, 2021): Golden Boy is delighted to once again deliver world-class boxing to the Los Angeles area as the light heavyweight showdown between Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (41-0, 27 KOs) and Sullivan Barrera (22-3, 14 KOs) heads to the beautiful Banc of California Stadium in Downtown Los Angeles, home of the
Los Angeles Football Club. The event will take place on Friday, July 9 and will be streamed live on DAZN.

“We are ecstatic to be bringing this huge card to the Banc of California Stadium,” Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy. “Fans in Los Angeles are eager to attend a live event of such magnitude, so we are pleased to be able to deliver that with ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez, Joseph Diaz Jr. and a spectacular undercard that will be announced next week. Golden Boy boxing returns home on July 9.”

“Banc of California Stadium and LAFC are excited to welcome Golden Boy to the Heart of Los Angeles,” LAFC Co-President and CBO Larry Freedman said. “This is going to be an incredible night of world-class boxing at our world-class venue.”

Tickets for Zurdo vs. Barrera will go on sale Wednesday, June 2 and are priced at $150, $100, $75, $50 and $35, not including applicable service charges. In an effort to promote social distancing, tickets will initially be sold in pods/groupings of 2, 3, 4 and 6 people only, subject to change with local and state guidelines. Tickets will be available for purchase at www.bancofcaliforniastadium.com or www.ticketmaster.com. The Banc of California Stadium is located in historic Exposition Park, 3939 S. Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90037.

As previously announced, the co-main event will feature Joseph “Jo Jo” Diaz Jr. (31-1-1, 15 KOs) of South El Monte, California taking on Javier “El Abejon” Fortuna (36-2-1, 25 KOs) of La Romana, Dominican Republic in a 12-round lightweight bout.

A full undercard of action will be announced shortly.

#

Zurdo vs. Barrera is a 12-round special attraction in the light heavyweight division presented by Golden Boy in association with Zurdo Promotions. Diaz Jr. vs. Fortuna is a 12-round lightweight battle presented by Golden Boy in association with Sampson Boxing. The event is sponsored by Hennessy “Never Stop. Never Settle” and “BetOnline – Your Online Sportsbook Experts.” The fight will take place on Friday, July 9 at Banc of California Stadium in Downtown Los Angeles and will be streamed live on DAZN.

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 #ZurdoBarrera

Photos and videos are available for download by clicking here or copying and pasting the link: http://bit.ly/ZurdoBarrera into a browser. Credit must be provided to Golden Boy for any photo and/or video usage.

NEW YORK – May 21, 2021 – Showtime Sports Documentary Films has released the official trailer and poster art for the upcoming documentary THE KINGS, a four-part series chronicling the fierce rivalry between world champions and Boxing Hall of Famers known as the “Four Kings” – Roberto “Manos de Piedra” Durán, Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Thomas “The Hitman” Hearns, and Sugar Ray Leonard. Premiering Sunday, June 6 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME, the series chronicles the four fighters’ dramatic and divergent ascents to greatness and the legendary matches they produced.

To watch and share the trailer, go to: https://s.sho.com/3whPJTt

THE KINGS spotlights boxing’s evolution from the end of Muhammad Ali’s era to the era of the Four Kings, set against the seismic political and socio-economic shifts taking place in the United States. The Four Kings rose to fame as the presidency of Jimmy Carter and economic recession gave way to the boon of 1980s capitalism and excess harnessed by the administrations of Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush. Through in-depth interviews and archival footage, the series also examines the very personal battles that each man waged on his unique journey to the center of the sports world.

THE KINGS is produced by Box To Box Film in association with Ingenious Media. The series is executive produced by James Gay-Rees (Amy, Senna, Drive To Survive) and Paul Martin (Diego Maradona, Drive To Survive), produced by Fiona Neilson (Oasis: Supersonic, Coldplay: A Head Full of Dreams) and directed by Mat Whitecross (Oasis: Supersonic, Road To Guantanamo, Coldplay: A Head Full of Dreams).

Guadalajara, Mexico (May 21, 2021) – St-Pierre, Rogan, Liddell and Sonnen, a who’s who in the sport of mixed martial arts, today weighed in on the upcoming mega-matchup between world-class striker Anderson Silva and world-class boxer Julio Cesar Chavez, Junior Saturday, June 19th live on Pay-Per-View from Estadio Jalisco in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Chavez Jr. vs. Silva: “Tribute to the Kings” will be shown live on cable, satellite and digital Pay Per View starting at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT for a suggested retail price of only $39.99. Integrated Sports Media and Joe Hand Promotions will distribute throughout North America via DirecTV, iN Demand, Vubiquity, DISH, SaskTel, Rogers, Shaw PPV and via the FITE.TV website and app in the United States, Canada and select markets worldwide.

Click here to download video EPK of Silva training videos: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/5o6k6x0fmis2w9f/AABrlWegSERF9egjfLr77541a?dl=0

Starting off the conversation is “The Iceman” Chuck Liddell, one of the greatest athletes ever to enter the Octagon, who said, “It’s tough to cross over from MMA or even kickboxing to boxing because of the differences in stance, distance and timing, but if anyone can do it, Anderson Silva can! I’ll pay to watch this fight.”

Said Georges “Rush” St-Pierre, “I wish Anderson good luck because he is the one who is stepping into Chavez Junior’s world. Let’s hope they enjoy their fight, and that the boxing fans embrace this event. And of course that no one gets hurt.”

Joe Rogan also commented on Chavez, Jr. vs. Silva saying to his guest and comedian Russell Peters in his recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, “He might not be as respected as some, but Julio Cesar Chavez, Junior is still a fucking beast. You cannot sleep on that guy. He is a dangerous man.”

Chael Sonnen, the former UFC fighter who fought Silva twice, took to his YouTube channel last week (https://youtu.be/BhRxzEpVUnI) to give fans a seven-minute breakdown of the 10-round boxing match that will occur between Chavez, Jr. and Silva on June 19th:

“This is a very different Anderson because he used to box and even if it was Muay Thai, even if it was standup fights… but he actually got in the ring and did this. It’s a significant difference than say what Conor McGregor did when he fought Floyd. It’s significantly different in that Conor had never done it before. He’d done something close, he had done a version of it – he had sparred a little bit. Anderson did all of that but also stepped in there and competed. … I’m happy to hear he’s done with MMA. I’m happy to hear that if he’s going to elect to go into this sport he is showing that sport the respect that it needs and that it requires to be successful which is full commitment and immersion.”

Silva is considered by many to be the greatest MMA fighter of all time. He compiled a record of 34 victories with 11 losses and 23 stunning knockouts. His boxing record is 13-1. Chavez, Jr., the son of the legendary boxer Julio Cesar Chavez, has a record of 52-5-1 with 34 knockouts.

“Tribute to The Kings” also features a special Exhibition bout that will see the great Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. make his final ring appearance against Hector Camacho Jr. Camacho will be honoring the legacy of his late Hall of Fame father.

NEW QUEENSBERRY RECRUIT Willo Hayden proved earlier this year that he is more than ready to retaliate if he gets caught up in any social media crossfire.

The 19-year-old – unbeaten in 45 championship amateur fights in his native Ireland – was drafted in to help his great friend and fellow Crumlin native Conor McGregor prepare for his UFC 257 collision with Dustin Poirier in January.

Following McGregor’s defeat in Dubai, the unbeaten MMA superstar Khabib Nurmagomedov stuck the boot in on the Crumlin crew and its youngest member took exception to the accusation that the Notorious one was undercooked.

“This is what happened, when you change your team, leave the sparring partners who made you a champion and sparring with little kids, far away from reality,” wrote the Russian on Twitter, provoking a furious response from Hayden.

“Khabib, who is obviously Conor’s nemesis, they had a fight and Khabib won,” recalled Hayden, taking up the story. “After his last fight, which Conor lost, Khabib put out a tweet where he was blaming it on him changing his sparring partners, saying he was sparring little kids and training with little kids.

“I was the youngest on the team, so I took that personally. Who else could it have been aimed at?

“I took to Twitter, basically calling him out, saying if I am a little kid then he should have no problem sparring or boxing me and I would meet him anywhere in the world.

“I also told him that I am 100 per cent confident I would destroy him in the boxing ring.”

Khabib, who only lost a single UFC round in his career, decided against replying.

“The tweet actually got taken down later that day because it said it went against the guidelines for inciting violence! The language was perfect, but it got reported by people.”

Moving back up to date, with Hayden poised to launch his professional career at light welterweight, he admits that having McGregor as a close associate will bring greater spotlight upon his own progress, but hopes that it’ll also help as he’s seen how to deal with the fame game.

“Of course, Conor is an inspiration and a role model,” considered the 11-time national champion.

“He has made mistakes, but to see someone who comes from the same area as me turn into the superstar that he is, shows me that it is possible and that anyone can do it.

“I don’t want to copy him though because I am my own person and I want to make it in my own way. You couldn’t copy him anyway.”

Coventry, UK (21 May 2021) Sam Eggington and Carlos Molina officially weighed-in today for their Vacant WBC Silver Middleweight Championship, plus the undercard to take place this Saturday (22 May) at the Coventry Skydome Arena.

FIGHT #1 17:00
4 x 3 Minute Rounds Heavyweight Contest
Tommy Welch
Brighton, England
16st 9lbs 8oz (233.8 pounds)

vs

Dmitrij Kalinovskij
Klaipeda, Lithuania
14st 9lbs 5oz (205.5 pounds)

FIGHT #2 17:30
4 x 3 Minute Rounds Middleweight Contest
Brett McGinty
St Johnson, Ireland
11st 4lbs 12oz (158.1 pounds)

vs

Dwain Grant
Oldbury, West Midland
11st 6lbs 3oz (160.3 pounds)

FIGHT #3 18:00
6 x 3 Minute Rounds Middleweight Contest:
Idris Virgo
Birmingham, England
12st 10lbs 8oz (178.8 pounds)

vs

Lewis van Poetics
Lydney, Gloucestershire
12st 6lbs (174 pounds)

FIGHT #4 18:40
8 x 3 Minute Rounds Light Heavyweight Contest
Shakan Pitters
Birmingham, England
12st 10lbs 2oz (178.2 pounds)

vs

Jermaine Springer
Bradford, England
12st 10lbs (178 pounds)

FIGHT #5 19:30
6 x 3 Minute Rounds Super Welterweight Contest
Michael Hennessy Jr.
Sevenoaks, England
11st 2lbs (156 pounds)

vs

Paul Cummings
Warminster, Wiltshire, England
11st 1lb 9oz (155.9 pounds)

FIGHT #6 20:00
THE MIDLANDS AREA MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
10 x 3 Minute Rounds at 11st (160lbs)
River Wilson-Bent
Coventry, England
11st 5lbs 4oz (159.4 pounds)

vs

George Farrell
Derby, England
11st 5lbs 6oz (159.6 pounds)

FIGHT #7 21:00
ELIMINATOR FOR THE THE BRITISH WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
10 x 3 Minute Rounds at 10st 7lbs (147lbs)
Kaisee Benjamin
Birmingham, England
10st 6lbs 12oz (146.1 pounds)

vs

Martin Harkin
Dumbarton, Scotland
10st 6lbs 6oz (146.6 pounds)

LIVE BROADCAST COMMENCES ON CHANNEL 5 22:01

FIGHT #8 22:08
6 x 3 Rounds Super Lightweight Contest
Stephen McKenna
County Monaghan, Ireland
10st 10lbs 5oz (150.5 pounds)

vs

Damian Haus
Myszkow, Poland
10st 11lbs 4oz (151.4 pounds)

FIGHT #9 22:40
THE WBC SILVER MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
12 x 3 Minute Rounds at 11st 6lbs (160lbs)
Sam Eggington
Birmingham, England
11st 4lbs 3oz (158.3 pounds)

vs

Carlos Molina
Patzcuaro, Michoacán de Ocampo, Mexico
11st 5lbs 4oz (159.4 pounds)

Running order is correct at time of publication and subject to change without prior notice.

NESTLED IN THE industrial hinterland surrounding St Marys football ground – where the Saints go marching in on a Saturday (traditionally, anyway) – lies the new home of Southampton boxing and four of Queensberry’s finest young prospects.

Named with a big nod to its founder, ‘Batten’s Boxing’ is a superbly appointed facility set over two storeys, complete with a balcony overlooking the ring. It is the long-awaited stuff of dreams for trainer Wayne Batten, who is now in full control of his fistic enterprise.

Batten has been something of a nomad since learning the coaching ropes from fellow South Coaster and veteran boxing sage Ronnie Davies. He was very much in the rental and sharing marketplace, until now, with the windows of his new premises embossed with his boxing brand.

“I am really happy and it has been a long time coming, to be honest,” reflected Batten. “I’ve always shared a gym over the years and finally I’ve got my own premises now. Hopefully it is the beginning of a real exciting journey.

“We want to be recognised as the home of boxing in Southampton and have that identity, while we are only 200 yards from the football club itself and we can see the roof from the gym. From the other side I can see the roof of where I first started in a school in a community hall.

“It feels nice that I am bang in the middle in a wonderful premises now,” added the just turned 49-year-old, who went to explain his route into training fighters courtesy of the man famous for masterminding the success of Chris Eubank.

“I used to run an amateur club back in the early 2000s and there was a professional boxer there at the time called Henry Castle, who was managed and trained by Ronnie. I got involved with Henry and started working with Ronnie, who became my mentor and like a father-figure, and he has taught me so much. He gave me the opportunity to be where I am now, really.

“Ronnie is 75 now and still doing it, so I hope I am in that position in a sport I love so much and hopefully get to the level he has in boxing. He is always still there now for me at the end of a phone and the experience he has got is priceless. You can’t beat a wise old head and that is what Ronnie is – along with my long-term friend and cutsman Frank Hopkins – and I am very, very lucky they are both there for me.”

It is Batten’s new centre of excellence that will play host to the development of a young crop of Queensberry fighters of immense promise. Ryan Garner, the cheeky 10-0 super feather who calls himself the Piranha, was Batten’s original star pupil from his current crop, while Mark Chamberlain crosses the coastal divide to train in Southampton from his home in Waterlooville, near Portsmouth.

‘MarkyBoy’ as he now seems to be known, has really pushed himself to the forefront in recent times and was, in fact, the first home fighter back in a British ring following the first 2020 lockdown for his emphatic win over Stu Greener on July 9.

The 22-year-old, who is 8-0, is really making people sit up and take notice, not least for his bludgeoning power. In his last fight he blasted out Jordan Ellison in just over a minute. The only other to do this to Ellison in the first round was Zelfa Barrett – and he took a minute longer.

Chamberlain is now on the cusp of taking a big step forward.

Two other young hopefuls make up Batten’s Queensberry squad of four, with the Frankham cousins – Josh and Levi – now having turned professional and holding records of 3-0 and 1-0 respectively.

Boxing is a full-time business for Batten and he also devotes time to improving the prospects of a clutch of top young amateurs, who are approaching the age of 18 with a view to turning professional.

“I know it is easy to say, but I think this is the best shape and mental state that Ryan Garner has ever been in,” Batten revealed on his most senior member, who returned to the ring with victory over the aforementioned Ellison a couple of weeks back.

“A few things have changed in his personal life, which is the best thing that could have happened to him, as far as I am concerned. It is still early days, but I am confident this is the start of a new journey. It is surreal, we are in a new premises near the football ground and it has always been our goal and vision for him to have a big fight there.

“I do believe everything happens for a reason, he is just 23 and the stop-start we have had might work in our favour because he has now matured and in a couple of years we can be where we wanted to be.

“When we get some momentum, with back-to-back fights, we will really see the best of Ryan.

“Mark is a showstopper and it was the perfect punch in his last fight,” Batten continued on lightweight Chamberlain. “When he first came to me he used to go head-hunting quite a lot because Mark is an aggressive fighter and he thought punching people in the head was the way to go.

“But I always say to him that the head moves and the body doesn’t, but him leading with that body punch did surprise me a little bit. I thought we were looking at four or five rounds and Jordan did say to me that the shot almost made him black out.

“Mark has been one of the very, very lucky ones over the last year and I thank Frank for that, I really do. He has been very fortunate and he has developed from that and made the most of the activity. I’ll tell you this, him and Ryan had a spar a few weeks back and it was the best Mark Chamberlain I have ever seen. Ryan brought the best out in him and it was the first time I have sparred them together since they started working with me.

“I would like to see a bit more variety from Josh Frankham. He is a work in progress as a young welterweight, but I think he is a little bit caught in two minds over what he actually is in terms of style and building his own identity as a fighter.

“He is very intelligent, Josh. The penny is starting to drop and I am looking forward to seeing his development.

“I’ve been working with Levi Frankham for a year now and I am still getting to know him. He is a reserved individual but he is not shy in the ring and is heavy-handed. He will be exciting and has plenty of fight in him. There is nothing not to like about a big-at-the-weight southpaw who can punch.”

For Wayne Batten, it is now home sweet new home.

New York, NY (May 20, 2021) International Boxing Hall of Famer Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment, today announced the signing of top heavyweight prospect Michael Pirotton-Bamogo (4-0, 2 KOs), of Liege, Belgium, to a multi-year promotional agreement.

The 24-year-old Pirotton-Bamogo, managed by Michael Amoo-Bediako of Streetwise Management, will hit the ring for the fifth time as a professional on Saturday, May 29, in his hometown against Croatia’s Igor Mihaljevic.

Plans are in place for Pirotton-Bamogo, whose mother was born in the West African nation of Burkina Faso and father born in Belgium, to relocate to Southern California in June and train under the renowned Manny Robles.

“I’ve watched tapes of Michael’s fights and can’t wait to start working with him in the United States,” said DiBella. “He’s a work in progress, but he’s a very handsome, marketable young man with the skill set and work ethic to become a big player in the heavyweight division.

“Michael Amoo-Bediako and I have worked together with great success, including with world champion Richard Commey, and I’m confident this will be another tremendous chapter for us.”

“I’m honored to have Lou DiBella take an interest in my career,” said Pirotton-Bamogo. “I’ve worked very hard in Belgium, but in order to pursue the biggest opportunities, the move to the United States is imperative. I can’t wait to get to work with Coach Manny at his gym in Southern California.

“Michael has all the attributes needed to become a world champion. Lou and his team are very experienced in building stars in the United States and this is the perfect fit for him,” said Amoo-Bediako. “I have every confidence that this is the right move for Michael’s career to reach its heights.”

Pirotton-Bamogo took to boxing at the age of 18 and had a short amateur career with 15 fights, which included a 2018 tournament victory in France as part of the Belgian National Team.

Photo/DiBella Entertainment

Social Media
DiBella Entertainment
Instagram: @DiBellaEnt
Twitter: @LouDiBella, @DiBellaEnt
Facebook: @DiBellaEntertainment

Michael Pirotton-Bamago
Instagram: @Mike_Bomaye
Facebook: @Michael Pirotton Bamago