RING CITY USA: BOHACHUK VS. ADAMS OFFICIAL WEIGHTS

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – March 3, 2021 – Undefeated rising star Serhii Bohachuk and former world title challenger Brandon Adams both made weight successfully ahead of their 10-round super welterweight fight, the main event of a three-fight card tomorrow, Thursday, March 4 on NBC Sports Network (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT), live from the Felix Pintor Gym in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico.

The undercard, featuring three additional bouts, will stream live in the U.S. and around the world on Twitch beginning at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT. 

In Thursday’s co-main event, undefeated prospect Danielito Zorrilla (14-0, 11 KOs) of Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, will meet Kazakhstan’s Ruslan Madiyev (13-1 5 KOs) in a 10-round super lightweight fight, while in the telecast opener on NBC Sports Network, Puerto Rico’s Bryan Chevalier (14-1-1, 11 KOs) will face Carlos Zambrano (26-1, 11 KOs) in an eight-round super featherweight contest.

The Twitch undercard highlights Fernando Vargas Jr. (1-0, 1 KO) against Salome Flores Torres (0-2) in a four-round super middleweight fight, Harold Laguna (1-0, 1 KO) against Darwin Alvarez (pro debut) in a four-round super lightweight fight and two fighters making their professional debuts when Jorge Diaz faces Felipe Munoz in a four-round welterweight fight.

Super Welterweight Fight – 10 Rounds

Serhii Bohachuk – 153.8 lbs.

Brandon Adams – 153.8 lbs.

Referee: Ramón Peña

Judges: Chris Flores, Steve Weisfeld, Luis Ruiz

Junior Welterweight Fight – 10 Rounds

Danielito Zorrilla – 139.6 lbs.

Ruslan Madiyev – 139.6 lbs.

Referee: Janny Guzman

Judges: Chris Flores, Steve Weisfeld, Gerardo Martinez

Super Featherweight Fight at 128 lbs. – 8 Rounds

Bryan Chevalier – 127.4 lbs.

Carlos Zambrano – 127.0 lbs.

Referee: Ramón Peña

Judges: Ramon Solis, Luis Ruiz, Gerardo Martinez

Super Middleweight Fight at 163 lbs. – 4 Rounds

Fernando Vargas, Jr. – 159.8 lbs.

Salome Flores Torres – 162.0 lbs.

Referee: Janny Guzman

Judges: Ramon Solis, Luis Ruiz, Gerardo Martinez

Super Lightweight Fight – 4 Rounds

Harold Laguna – 135.2 lbs.

Darwin Alvarez – 138.8 lbs.

Referee: Ramón Peña

Judges: Ramon Solis, Luis Ruiz, Gerardo Martinez

Welterweight Fight – 4 Rounds

Jorge Diaz – 146.0 lbs.

Felipe Munoz – 143.0 lbs.

Referee: Janny Guzman

Judges: Ramon Solis, Luis Ruiz, Gerardo Martinez

Calling all the action ringside in Puerto Rico on NBC Sports Network will be former two-time welterweight champion Shawn Porter joined by NBC Sports blow-by-blow commentator Bob Papa. Brian Campbell serves as fight night analyst with Curran Bhatia reporting from ringside.

Catch up on fight week in Puerto Rico ahead of tomorrow’s stacked card, including the Official Fight Week TrailerTuesday’s Virtual Press Conference and “The Story of Brandon Adams” with Curran Bhatia.

Subscribe to Ring City USA on Twitch for undercard action and an exclusive post-fight presentation following the evening’s main event. Follow Ring City USA on FacebookTwitter and Instagram for the latest updates during fight week in Puerto Rico or visit www.ringcityusa.com for more information. 

About Ring City USA

Ring City, which launched in 2020, is boxing’s newest sports media platform. Working in tandem with a variety of promoters and talent, its new boxing series places an emphasis on competitive matchups that genuinely test the fighters and excite the fight fans. Ring City provides great fights in the ring and compelling shoulder programming outside of the ring. Ring City is the proving ground where up-and-coming talent can earn their stripes and launch themselves into the upper echelon of boxing stardom. 




Top Junior Middleweight Prospect Israil Madrimov Recovers from Shoulder Surgery

Indio, CA (March 3, 2021) Top Junior Middleweight Prospect Israil ‘The Dream’ Madrimov, (6-0, 5 KOs), of Khiva, Uzbekistan is recovering from surgery on his left shoulder to repair a tendon tear. The injury occurred early in his victory over Eric Walker on August 15, 2020 in Tulsa, OK.

Said Madrimov, “The rehabilitation from the surgery a couple of months ago is coming along very well. I look forward to starting my training again very soon and hope to be back in the ring in April or May.”

Acclaimed as one of boxing’s most exciting young fighters and projected as a future world champion, the 26-year-old former amateur standout proved his mettle in the Walker clash. Despite suffering the injury early in the bout, Madrimov seemingly scored a spectacular knockout in the ninth round, however referee Gary Ritter ruled that Walker was falsely pushed to the canvas. Forced to go the distance for the first time, Madrimov was declared the winner by scores of 116-111 and 116-110 twice.

Israil Madrimov/Eric Walker Highlights/DAZN

“Walker was badly hurt and the fight was over in the ninth round, the referee just mistakenly thought it was a push,” said the Joel Diaz trained Madrimov. “After the knockdown, Walker just went into survival mode to finish the fight.”

“But I’ll be back soon and continue to put on great fights for the fans as I continue towards my dream of becoming a world champion.”

Said Vadim Kornilov of Brigade Sports Management, “Israil didn’t want to make any excuses after the fight but it was clear when we talked afterwards that the injury affected his performance. Walker was a very tough opponent who had been avoided by many of the other world ranked junior middleweights.  Sometimes boxing politics will make for certain circumstances that will push us into making mistakes.  We learned from this one, and in the future, we will make sure that we do not take fights on 5-6 week’s notice against guys that have been training and anxiously waiting for their opportunity.”

“Now, three months after the surgery Israil is feeling much better and our goal stays the same for him, the biggest fights and the biggest opportunities. He has made a huge impact and garnered a wealth of international fans with his exciting fights since turning professional and we can’t wait for him to be in the ring again soon.” An announcement on Madrimov’s return to action will be forthcoming shortly.




Yoka v Djeko live on BoxNation and Premier Sports this Friday evening

BoxNation and Premier Sports have today announced live coverage this Friday evening of Heavyweight contender Tony Yoka as he returns to action against Joel Tambwe Djeko in a 12-rounder for the vacant European Union title.

Live broadcast of the event from Nantes, France begins at 7.40pm on BoxNation and Premier Sports 2 with the first fight expected at 7.55pm.  In the 10-round lightweight co-feature, Estelle Yoka Mossely (8-0, 1 KO), the other half of boxing’s most prominent husband-and-wife duo, will fight German contender Verena Kaiser (14-1, 6 KOs).

Undefeated French middleweight prospect Farrhad Saad (7-0-1), winner of six straight, will take on Bulgarian veteran Borislav Ivanov (9-1, 5 KOs) in an eight-rounder right before the main event.

Yoka (9-0, 7 KOs) became an instant sensation in his home nation when he became the first French boxer to win an Olympic super-heavyweight gold medal. Following a six-round decision victory over Jonathan Rice in his second pro bout, he notched six consecutive stoppage wins, including a first-round blitzing of former world title challenger Johann Duhaupas last September. Yoka returned last November live on BoxNation and Premier Sports and scored a shutout 10-round decision over Christian Hammer. Djeko (17-2-1, 8 KOs) has never been stopped in a 20-fight career and has won eight consecutive bouts since a split decision defeat in 2016.

New customers signing up to watch this event can do so easily via the Premier Sports website. More upcoming fights for March and April are expected to be announced shortly.

ENDS

ABOUT PREMIER SPORTS

Premier Sports was founded in 2009 is available on Sky, Virgin TV and the Premier Player. In the Premier Sports bundle on Sky, Virgin TV and Premier Player, customers can enjoy Premier Sports 1, Premier Sports 2, BoxNation and LaLigaTV.

Premier Sports 1 is on Sky channel 412 and Virgin channel 551. Premier Sports 2 is on Sky channel 435 and Virgin Channel 552. FreeSports is available free on Sky Channel 422, Virgin Media Channel 553, on Channel 64 on Freeview and BT and on Freesat Channel 252.

The channels are also available to pubs, clubs and other commercial premises throughout the UK.

Premier Sports also broadcast LaLiga, Serie A, Scottish Cup football, 152 games from the Guinness PRO14, 15 games a week from the NHL, GAA and the home of NASCAR in the UK.

ABOUT BOXNATION

BoxNation began broadcasting in 2011 and has featured some of the best fights from home and abroad in the 8 years it has been on air. BoxNation is currently available on Sky channel 427, Virgin TV channel 546, BT TV and Talk Talk channel 415.

Premier Sports: www.premiersports.com                                            FreeSports: www.freesports.tv




UNDEFEATED TWO-TIME SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION DAVID BENADIVEZ MEETS DANGEROUS CONTENDER RONALD ELLIS IN WORLD TITLE ELIMINATOR SATURDAY, MARCH 13 LIVE ON SHOWTIME® IN A PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS EVENT

NEW YORK – March 2, 2021 – Two-time world champion David Benavídez faces dangerous veteran Ronald Ellis in a 12-round WBC super-middleweight title eliminator Saturday, March 13 live on SHOWTIME at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. in a Premier Boxing Champions event.

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast also features two under-25 lightweight contenders Isaac Cruz and Matías Romero in a 12-round co-main event bout. A 10-round super welterweight affair between Terrell Gausha and Jamontay Clark will open the telecast on SHOWTIME. The event is promoted by TGB Promotions and Sampson Boxing.

“The super middleweight division has quickly become red hot with so much talent bubbling to the top. David Benavídez is one of the most talented boxers at 168 pounds, which is proven by the fact that he’s an undefeated two-time 168-pound world champion,” said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “Benavídez is fighting to reclaim his world championship and Ronald Ellis is fighting to claim his spot among the elite at 168 pounds. With that kind of motivation on both sides, this promises to be an explosive match. Isaac Cruz and Matías Romero are fighting to get to the top of the lightweight division and Terrell Gausha and Jamontay Clark are fighting to remain at the top of the super welterweight division. The entire show has intrigue that ripples through some of the best divisions in the sport.”

“On March 13, David Benavídez will move another step closer to regaining his beloved green and gold belt and remind the world he is the best super middleweight in all of boxing,” said Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing. “There will be no doubt in anyone’s mind after another spectacular performance by David ‘El Bandera Roja’ Benavídez.”

David Benavídez (23-0, 20 KOs), a boxing prodigy from Phoenix, Arizona, returns to the ring following a stoppage victory over Alexis Angulo at the “Fight Sphere” at Mohegan Sun last August. Benavídez turned pro at 16 and captured his first world title at age 20, becoming the youngest 168-pound world champion in history. An undefeated two-time super middleweight champion, Benavídez looks to earn another title opportunity at super middleweight. He was stripped of his WBC crown due to missing weight against Angulo. With nine of his 20 knockouts coming in the first round, the 24-year-old possesses one of the most devastating arsenals in all of boxing. It was on full display when he captured the super middleweight title for the second time via ninth-round TKO over fellow two-time champion Anthony Dirrell.

“I’ve had an amazing camp in Big Bear and this is the strongest I have ever felt so I’m looking to get an early stoppage against Ellis,” said Benavidez. “I’m glad this is a title eliminator and it’s going to be another step to being a world champion once again.”

The 31-year-old Ellis (18-1-2, 12 KOs) has been calling for the biggest fights at 160 and 168 pounds, and he has landed the toughest challenge of his professional career against Benavidez. Ellis, a native of Lynn, Mass., is fresh off a win over three-time world title challenger Matt Korobov who was forced to retire due to an injury during their December fight on SHOWTIME. Ellis has exhibited his slick boxing ability in recent outings but also possesses ferocious power, as evidenced by eight first round knockout victories in his career.

“It’s a fight but not just any fight,” said Ellis. “This is the type of fight I have trained for and wanted since I turned pro. He’s going to bring his best on March 13 and that will bring out the best in me.”

Cruz (20-1-1, 15 KOs) returns to the ring following the most impressive performance of his career – an emphatic first-round knockout against former world title challenger Diego Magdaleno in October. Fighting out of his hometown of Mexico City, the 22-year-old is quickly climbing the ladder in the lightweight division in pursuit of a world title. Cruz turned pro in 2015 at the age of 16 and suffered his lone defeat a year later, but his aggressive ring generalship has kept him unbeaten over the past five years.  

“I’m very excited to be fighting on SHOWTIME on March 13,” said Cruz. “The lightweight division is the hottest in boxing right now. This fight puts me one step closer to my dream of winning a world title for my Dad, Isaac Cruz, Sr. and my country, Mexico.”

Romero (24-0, 8 KOs) will put his perfect record on the line as he attempts to rise from prospect to contender with a win over Cruz. In his most recent fight this past November, Romero of Cordoba, Argentina defeated Javier José Clavero via unanimous decision in a fight at 130 pounds. The 24-year-old Romero’s most recent knockout came in March 2020 over Gabriel Gustavo Ovejero when he scored a fifth-round TKO in his last fight at lightweight. This fight will mark Romero’s U.S. debut and first appearance on SHOWTIME and Premier Boxing Champions.

“I’ve come so far from Argentina to bring myself one step closer to reaching my goal of being a world champion,” said Romero. “I know that Isaac Cruz is a big puncher but he’s never fought anyone with my speed and heart.” 

A decorated amateur who represented the United States at the 2012 London Games, Gausha (21-2-1, 10 KOs) continues his quest to win a world title. Following a sensational first round knockout against Joey Hernández in 2018, Gausha fought former world champion Austin Trout to a split draw and lost a decision against world title challenger Erickson Lubin in back-to-back bouts. Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, the 33-year-old now lives and trains out of Encino, Calif., under the tutelage of accomplished trainer Manny Robles.

“I’m just blessed to be able to do what I love to do,” said Gausha. “I’m excited to be back on PBC and SHOWTIME thanks to Al Haymon. On March 13, I’m ready to go out there and show everybody what Terrell Gausha is made of and put on a show.”

Clark (15-1-1, 7 KOs) comes into this fight off a unanimous decision victory against Anthony Lenk last February. Fighting out of his hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio, the 26-year-old has only lost one professional fight, which came against former unified super welterweight champion Jeison Rosario in 2018. This will mark the southpaw’s first fight during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s been a while since I was in the ring and I’m just excited to be back taking on someone like Terrell Gausha, who will bring a good challenge and let me display all of my talents,” Clark said. “This is the first step in getting back to regular action and I’m not going to waste this opportunity. I’m going on a big run after I beat Gausha. As McFadden and Whitehead said, ‘Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now.’”

Veteran sportscaster Brian Custer hosts the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast while versatile combat sports voice Mauro Ranallo handles blow-by-blow action alongside Hall of Fame analyst Al Bernstein and three-division world champion Abner Mares. Two Hall of Famers round out the telecast team: boxing historian Steve Farhood as unofficial scorer and world-renowned ring announcer Jimmy Lennon Jr. The executive producer is four-time Emmy® award winner David Dinkins, Jr. The director is Bob Dunphy, son of legendary Hall of Famer Don Dunphy. Former junior middleweight world champion Raúl “El Diamante” Marquez and sportscaster Alejandro Luna serve as expert analysts in Spanish on Secondary Audio Programming (SAP).

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




Jimmy Williams finally gets his world title fight

BOSTON (March 2, 2021) – New Haven (CT) super welterweight boxer Jimmy “Quiet Storm” Williams will finally get what he calls “his world title fight” this Saturday night against former world champion Yuri Foreman in an 8-round bout for the vacant American Boxing Federation USA super welterweight championship, at the Kentucky Center for African Americans in Louisville, Kentucky.

Foreman (35-3, 10 KOs), fighting out of Brooklyn, captured the World Boxing Association (WBA) super welterweight World title in 2009, when he won a unanimous 12-round decision versus defending champion Daniel Santos (32-3-1).

“We sparred back when I was a kid when I trained at the Joe Grier Boxing Academy in Patterson, New Jersey,” Williams explained. “Joe was the one who gave me my nickname, ‘Quiet Storm.’ Yuri is a true world champion. I basically have come from nowhere to share the ring with a world champion. What we’re doing is what boxing is all about. It’s not about age; he’s 40 and I’m 34. Age doesn’t mean anything. I’m not a top dog, which is probably why they offered me the fight, but I’m a real fighter who will be in with a world champ. This is my world title fight! Win, lose, or draw, I’ll be fighting a world champion. I’m not scared of anybody. It’s not about money, it’s who I am, and I always step up to the challenge. This is going to be a great fight.”

Williams (16-5-2, 5 KOs) is proud to be one of the rare football players who has succeeded in boxing. He was a standout cornerback at Southern Connecticut State University and invited to several NFL tryout camps. He came close to making the cut with the then-Oakland Raiders.

“I’ve always been a boxer at heart,” Williams said, “so football was easy for me. It was great getting calls from NFL scouts. I walked away from football for boxing. I’m a former Division 2 college football player fighting a world champion. I knew when it was time to leave football, but I’m not ready to leave boxing yet. I don’t need to box. I’m educated, work in the community, and I’m a father. I’m blessed to be boxing and I’ll know when it’s time to hang up my gloves.”

Williams didn’t box until after his mother, Belinda, was murdered in 2008 and her case remains unsolved. He lost his father to cancer.

“This fight for Jimmy is by far the biggest of his career,” Williams manager Ryan Roach (Fighter Locker) remarked. “It’s a must win to get him back on track. He knows what he has to do. He made a move to Veloz Boxing in Rhode Island and he’s a different fighter from what he was in his last two fights. Just being around ‘Boo Boo’ (world champion Demetrious Andrade) and those guys there has Jimmy where he needs to be for this fight.”

Williams has been promoted by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports (CES) since he turned pro in 2013.

“We have a close relationship,” Burchfield commented. “I turned him pro, got him on national television a few times, and even attended his wedding. I’m very proud of him. He’s been tremendously loyal to CES as we have to him. This is a great opportunity. He didn’t hesitate a minute to take this fight. He has a new trainer, Brian Johnson, and Jimmy has been driving bad and forth from New Haven to Providence to train. I think he’s in the top shape of his life, because he knows the importance of this fight. He deserves to have this opportunity.

Something special about his fight this Saturday night against Foreman for Williams, an African American, is fighting at this venue (Kentucky Center for African Americans) in the hometown of his hero, Muhammad Ali.

“I’m paying homage to all people who’ve lived my dream,” Williams remarked. “It is what I represent. We’ve lost a lot of people in the last year. Fighting in Louisville is big for me because it’s the home of ‘The Greatest,’ Muhammad Ali. I look at Ali more for his character and what he stood for than his boxing. He stood for something and lost the prime of his career because of it. I try to be like him in terms of who I am. He gave me the confidence be who I want to be in life. I’ve read every book about him. I refuse to give up like Ali. I’m a throwback fighter.”

Fighter Locker’s growing stable of gifted boxers includes California super flyweight Rocco “So Cal Kid” Santomauro (20-1, 6 KOs), Troy, NY ABF American West super lightweight Ray Jay “The Destroyer” Bermudez (12-0, 9 KOs), super middleweight “The Amazing” Shawn McCalman (6-0, 4 KOs), U.S. Army super bantamweight Daniel Bailey, Jr. (2-0, 1 KO), lightweight Leonel de los Santos (2-0, 2 KOs), a2-time Dominican Republic Olympian, pro-debuting Boston featherweight Troy Anderson, Jr., pro-debuting Dominican Republic welterweight Juan Solano, and Salt Lake City, Utah brothers, super lightweight Ignacio Chairez (7-0-1, 4 KOs) and lightweight Gabriel Chairez (3-0, 2 KOs).

INFORMATION:
WEBSITE: fighterlocker.com, punch4parkinsons.com
FACEBOOK: /fighterlocker
TWITTER: @RoachRyan
INSTAGRAM: @RyanRoach82

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

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




One and Only: Jose Ramirez and Josh Taylor to Battle for Undisputed Junior Welterweight Crown May 22 LIVE on ESPN

(March 2, 2021) — Two undefeated junior welterweight kings, one undisputed title. The stakes don’t get any higher.
 
WBC/WBO champion Jose Ramirez, the pride of California’s Central Valley, will fight Scotland’s IBF/WBA champion Josh Taylor for the undisputed world championship Saturday, May 22. The winner will become only the second undisputed junior welterweight champion of the four-belt era, joining pound-for-pound great Terence “Bud” Crawford.
 
Promoted by Top Rank, Ramirez-Taylor will be televised live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes (and simulcast on ESPN+) starting at 8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT. The location, venue, and undercard information will be announced shortly.
 
“This is the best boxing has to offer, two elite fighters in the prime of their careers colliding in a legacy-defining matchup for the undisputed championship of the world,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “It’s a true 50-50 fight, one that the fans and both fighters demanded.”
 
Ramirez (26-0, 17 KOs) has been a world champion since March 2018, when he toppled Amir Imam via unanimous decision to win the vacant WBC strap. Following the Imam victory, he hired noted trainer Robert Garcia, and the duo has combined to go 4-0 in world title fights. Ramirez knocked out Maurice Hooker in July 2019 to unify world titles and defended his belts last August with a majority decision over former world champion Viktor Postol. Ramirez, a proud son of Mexican immigrants who hails from Avenal, Calif., is an agent of social change in his community. He’s devoted his time and resources to myriad causes, including cancer research, water rights for area farmers, and COVID-19 relief for Central Valley field workers.
 
“I look forward to making history by becoming the first boxer of Mexican descent to hold all four major world title belts,” Ramirez said. “I dedicate this fight to the Central Valley farm workers, who are out there every day helping feed the world. This fight is big, but nothing is bigger than getting vaccinations to the farm workers right now in the Central Valley.”
 
“No excuses, no fake social media promises, no grandstanding. This is the best fighting the best at their absolute best,” said Rick Mirigian, Ramirez’s manager.  “Jose will have his hand raised in the end, solidifying his status as a Hall of Famer.”
 
Like Ramirez, Taylor (17-0, 13 KOs) fought as a lightweight at the 2012 London Olympics, where he advanced to the Round of 16. While he didn’t turn pro until 2015, “The Tartan Tornado” won the Commonwealth 140-pound title in only his seventh pro bout. Taylor toppled Postol by unanimous decision in 2018 and won the IBF world title the following year with a decision over Ivan Baranchyk. He unified the IBF and WBA titles in October 2019, edging Regis Prograis by majority decision in a brutal masterpiece. He made his first defense as a unified champion last September, blasting out mandatory challenger Apinun Khongsong in the first round. Taylor hopes to make a little history of his own as the first undisputed, four-belt Scottish champion.
 
Taylor said, “I’m excited it’s been finalized and over the line. I can’t wait to get in there for the biggest fight of my career. Fighting for the undisputed title is something all boxers dream about.”
 
Use the hashtag #RamirezTaylor to join the conversation on social media. For more information, visit www.toprank.comwww.espn.com/boxing; Facebook: facebook.com/trboxing; Twitter: twitter.com/trboxingtwitter.com/ESPNRingside.
 
 
About ESPN+
ESPN+ is the industry-leading sports streaming service that offers fans in the U.S. thousands of live sports events, original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks and exclusive editorial content from dozens of ESPN writers and reporters. Launched in April 2018, ESPN+ has grown to more than 12.1 million subscribers.
  
Fans sign up to ESPN+ for just $5.99 a month (or $59.99 per year) at ESPN.com, ESPNplus.com or on the ESPN App (mobile and connected devices). It is also available as part of The Disney Bundle that gives subscribers access to Disney+, ESPN+ and Hulu for $12.99/month (Hulu w/ads) or $18.99/month (Hulu w/o ads).
 




Greg Cohen Promotions Signs Heavyweight Power Puncher DaCarree “MacTruck” Scott to a Promotional Contract

Greg Cohen Promotions proudly announces the signing of promising 22-year-old heavyweight puncher DaCarree “MacTruck” Scott to a long-term promotional contract.

Born in Denver and raised in Decatur, Georgia, Scott (4-0, 4 KOs) is already generating buzz as the subject of a viral sparring video, featured on ESPN Ringside, that showcases his impressive hand speed and destructive power.

Standing a squat 5’ 10”, but weighing over 250 pounds, Scott has become a master of taking on bigger and older opponents because his naturally husky frame always made it difficult to find foes that matched his age and weight. “I’ve always sparred grown men and professionals,” said Scott, “one day I was sparring a pro. I probably had four amateur fights at the time, and I dropped him and ran him out of the ring. My trainer said, ‘man you run people over like a Mack Truck!’”

Scott had a successful 35-fight amateur career that saw him take silver at the US Nationals and compete in the 2019 Olympic Qualifiers. However, realizing his heavy-fisted style would be better suited in the hurt-for-pay business, he turned professional in early 2020 and has already registered four quick-knockout victories.

Working hard at Champs Boxing and Fitness in Smyrna, Georgia with trainer Pete Crumpley, Scott has matured into an old-school technician in the James Toney realm with subtle but effective defense, superb hand speed, a penchant for attacking the body, pulverizing power and a crowd-pleasing flare for showmanship.

“When I get in the ring, you can expect flash and style,” Scott continued. “Everybody is begging for a new Mike Tyson – a short heavyweight who can dominate. I believe I can do that. I’m unique. I will bring some excitement to the heavyweight division. I’m not just some wild puncher; I have the skills and speed of a middleweight.”

Scott says signing with GCP is the first of many milestones on his journey to winning the heavyweight championship. “Greg has real experience in building heavyweights,” he said. “Talking to Greg made me feel very comfortable. He told me what he can do for me and I believe him. I’ll be fighting better competition to show all my skills. I need about three more years of developing and getting experience, but I’m here to stay. I’m not just an internet sensation. I want to be champion.”

“Mac is the kind of fighter people love,” said Greg Cohen. “He’s a shorter heavyweight with a big punch that can flatten men twice his size. He’s got a great personality and an entertaining style. The fans in Georgia already love him. We’re just going to show the rest of the world what they already know.”




FORD, WILLIAMS AND JONES III STEP UP IN DALLAS

Raymond FordAustin Williams and Otha Jones III all take a big step-up in their blossoming careers on the undercard of the blockbuster unification rematch between Juan Francisco Estrada and Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas on Saturday March 13, live worldwide on DAZN.

 TICKETS FOR ESTRADA VS. CHOCOLATITO ARE ON SALE NOW FROM TICKETMASTER – TICKETS START AT $35 (PLUS FEES)

 Ford (8-0 4 KOs) has been in hot form, closing 2020 out with impressive stoppage wins in Florida and Texas and the 21 year old takes on unbeaten New Mexico talent Aaron ‘Angel Baby’ Perez (10-0 6 KOs) over eight rounds.
 
Williams (7-0 6 KOs) is looking to build on his own stellar 2020 performances where he won all three of his fights via stoppage in Miami, Mexico City and Dallas, and ‘Ammo’ will look to continue that streak in his first eight round bout against the experienced Californian Aaron Coley (16-3-1 7 KOs).
 
Jones III (5-0-1 2 KOs) battled to a split draw in Mexico City in his last outing in October, and the Ohio starlet will look to brush that off in his first eight round battle against dangerous Texas native Jorge David Castaneda (13-1 11 KOs).
 
“This is a big night for Ray, Ammo and OJ3,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “All eyes are on Dallas with our mouth-watering World title triple-header, but these boys will be out to steal the show. All three of them are top talents, and now they are moving into the next phase of their careers, taking on tougher tests and stepping up to eight rounders and beyond. The pressure is on to shine, and I am sure they are going to rise to the occasion.”
 
All five fighters take their spot on a massive night of triple-header World title action, topped by the rematch between Estrada (41-3 28 KOs) and Chocolatito (50-2 41 KOs) with the WBC, WBA and Ring Magazine World Flyweight titles on the line.
 
There’s another case of repeat or revenge as Jessica McCaskill (9-2 3 KOs) defends the undisputed World Welterweight title against Cecilia Brækhus (36-1 9 KOs) and there’s a Matchroom debut on the card for Hiroto Kyoguchi (14-0 9 KOs) as he defends his WBA and Ring Magazine World Light-Flyweight titles against Axel Vega (14-3-1 8 KOs).




MARCH 26 MATCHROOM BOXING SPAIN SHOW POSTPONED TO APRIL 23

Matchroom Boxing’s upcoming Spanish event taking place at the Pabellón de la Vall d`Hebron in Barcelona on Friday March 26 has been postponed to Friday April 23 due to extended travel restrictions in the country, owing to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic.

Matchroom return to Barcelona for a huge night of European Title action as local favourite Sandor Martin (36-2, 13 KOs ) puts his Super-Lightweight crown on the line against Kay Prosper (14-1-1, 7 KOs) and Featherweight Champion Andoni Gago (24-3-3, 7 KOs)defends his Featherweight belt against Gavin McDonnell (22-2-2, 6 KOs), live on DAZN

Also on the card, Torrelavega’s European Super-Welterweight Champion Sergio ‘El Nino’ Garcia (33-0, 14 KOs) keeps busy as he looks to defend his Title later in the year and Bilbao’s former European Welterweight ruler Kerman ‘Revolver’ Lejarraga (31-2, 24 KOs) aims to make it four wins in a row since losing his belt to David Avanesyan.




AUDIO: Interview with Light Heavyweight Steve Geffrard






VIDEO: Interview with Light Heavyweight Steve Geffrard




Friday: French Heavyweight Phenom Tony Yoka Returns Against Joel Tambwe Djeko LIVE and Exclusively in the United States on ESPN+

(March 1, 2021) — Heavyweight contender Tony Yoka, the 2016 Olympic gold medal sensation from Paris, has set his sights on his first professional belt. Yoka will battle Belgium-born Joel Tambwe Djeko in a 12-rounder for the vacant European Union title Friday at H Arena in Nantes, France.
 
In the 10-round lightweight co-feature, Estelle Yoka Mossely (8-0, 1 KO), the other half of boxing’s most prominent husband-and-wife duo, will fight German contender Verena Kaiser (14-1, 6 KOs).
 
The Yoka-Djeko card will stream live and exclusively in the United States on ESPN+ beginning at 2:40 p.m. ET/11:40 a.m. PT. 
 
“I am excited to once again showcase my talents live in the United States on ESPN+,” Yoka said. “Djeko is a formidable opponent who I cannot overlook as I continue to move up the rankings.”
 
Yoka (9-0, 7 KOs) became an instant sensation in his home nation when he became the first French boxer to win an Olympic super heavyweight gold medal. Following a six-round decision victory over Jonathan Rice in his second pro bout, he notched six consecutive stoppage wins, including a first-round blitzing of former world title challenger Johann Duhaupas last September. Yoka returned last November on an ESPN+-streamed bill and scored a shutout 10-round decision over Christian Hammer. Djeko (17-2-1, 8 KOs) has never been stopped in a 20-fight career and has won eight consecutive bouts since a split decision defeat in 2016.
 
In other streaming action:

  • Undefeated French middleweight prospect Farrhad Saad (7-0-1), winner of six straight, will take on Bulgarian veteran Borislav Ivanov (9-1, 5 KOs) in an eight-rounder.
     
  • In a six-round junior lightweight bout, Khalil el Hadri (10-0, 6 KOs) will fight Jon Martinez (7-6-5, 1 KO). 

About ESPN+
ESPN+ is the industry-leading sports streaming service that offers fans in the U.S. thousands of live sports events, original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks and exclusive editorial content from dozens of ESPN writers and reporters. Launched in April 2018, ESPN+ has grown to more than 12.1 million subscribers.
  
Fans sign up to ESPN+ for just $5.99 a month (or $59.99 per year) at ESPN.com, ESPNplus.com or on the ESPN App (mobile and connected devices). It is also available as part of The Disney Bundle that gives subscribers access to Disney+, ESPN+ and Hulu for $12.99/month (Hulu w/ads) or $18.99/month (Hulu w/o ads).

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Oscar De La Hoya’s strong support primary reason Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez signed with Golden Boy

LAS VEGAS (March 1, 2021) – Undefeated world light heavyweight contender and former world super middleweight champion, Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (41-0, 27 KOs), recently signed an exclusive promotional contract with Golden Boy Promotions, primarily because of the strong support he will receive from Oscar De Lay Hoya and his team.

“Ultimately,” the 29-year-old Ramirez explained, “Golden Boy understood the goals and agendas I set for myself and I felt the strong support from Oscar and his team. It’s a multi-fight deal with potential for something longer pending this first experience. From all the conversations my team and I have had with Golden Boy, I felt comfortable with them and the future opportunities that will arise from our relationship.

“Oscar is a great guy and it’s been nothing but a pleasure dealing with him and his team. As my relationship with Golden Boy continues to grow, I’m sure we (Oscar) will become closer. He’s a champion and one of the greatest to ever lace up the gloves. I look forward to working to him closely.”

Ramirez’ goal is to become the undisputed light heavyweight champion world, something he will have a better shot of accomplishing with Golden Boy in his corner.

“(WBA Super light heavyweight World champion Dmitry) Bivol (17-0, 11 KOs) is someone who has always been on the radar and I have full faith in (Golden Boy matchmaker) Robert Diaz to put together the best fights for me,” Ramirez added. “Unification has always been the goal. I know I’m the best in the division and hope to make this happens for the history books in the near future.”
This past December, Ramirez launched his own promotional company, Zurdo Promotions, which will remain active.

“Zurdo Promotions will continue and stay active,” Ramirez said. “Going forward, all my fights with Golden Boy will be in association with Zurdo Promotions. I will host fights in Mexico to be a bridge between Latin America and the United States. There’s tremendous talent in that region and I hope to use my platform to help and support the underserved fighters in Mexico.”

Ramirez, who is tentatively slated to return to the ring in May, is currently ranked No. 1 by the WBC, as well as No. 4 and No. 5, respectively, by the WBA and WBO.

INFORMATION:
Website: www.ZurdoPromotions.com
Instagram: @zurdoramirez, @zurdopromotions
Twitter: @ZurdoPromotions, @GilbertoZurdoRamirez

About Zurdo Promotions: Zurdo Promotions is the premier combat sports/event promoter with HQ in the United States and Mexico. Led by the undefeated World Champion, Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez. Zurdo Promotions strives to be the best in all areas to set the new standard in boxing. Visit us at www.ZurdoPromotions.com.




DANIELITO ZORILLA VS. RUSLAN MADIYEV HIGHLIGHTS THURSDAY’S PACKED RING CITY USA UNDERCARD

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – March 1, 2021 – Ring City USA begins its three-event residency in Puerto Rico this week when it takes over the Felix Pintor Gym in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, to deliver a deep card of boxing action topped by the main event between blue-chip rising star Serhii Bohachuk against former world title challenger Brandon Adams on Thursday, March 4. The full card, which features seven matchups and fighters at different levels in their professional careers, will stream live around the world on Twitch at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT.  The three-fight main card will begin at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT on NBC Sports Network in the United States and Puerto Rico, and on Twitch for fans outside of the U.S.

In Thursday’s co-main event, undefeated prospect Danielito Zorilla (14-0, 11 KOs) of Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, will meet Kazakhstan’s Ruslan Madiyev (13-1 5 KOs) in a 10-round super lightweight fight, while in the telecast opener on NBC Sports Network, Puerto Rico’s Bryan Chevalier (14-1-1, 11 KOs) will face Carlos Zambrano (26-1, 11 KOs) in an eight-round featherweight contest.

The Twitch undercard features four fights including the return of standout Puerto Rican super flyweight Oscar Collazo (2-0, 2 KOs). Also showcased on the undercard is Fernando Vargas Jr. (1-0, 1 KO) against Salome Flores Torres (0-2) in a four-round super middleweight fight, Harold Laguna (1-0, 1 KO) against Darwin Alvarez (pro debut) in a four-round lightweight fight and two fighters making their professional debuts when Jorge Diaz faces Felipe Munoz in a four-round super lightweight fight.

All fighters arrived in Puerto Rico today ahead of Thursday’s event and here is what the undercard fighters had to say upon arrival:

DANIELITO ZORILLA

On facing Ruslan Madiyev: “I have seen several of Ruslan Madiyev’s fights, he is a strong fighter with good defense and has very good power in both hands. I understand that many fans will notice my skills since I am facing a very tough opponent, but I understand that he will make me work and have to use everything in my arsenal to obtain victory.

On preparations: “My preparations haven’t changed as my previous opponent (Rodolfo Puente) had a similar style to Madiyev who likes to fight inside aggressively.

On fighting in Puerto Rico: “I really like fighting in Puerto Rico, it makes me feel good and comfortable, but I have no problems fighting where I have to fight. My main inspirations in boxing will always be Miguel Cotto and Tito Trinidad, who I had the privilege of seeing fight while they were active.”

His prediction: “I understand that we are going to get some fire, but I see myself as the winner either by stoppage or decision. If he makes a mistake he will pay dearly.  If I am victorious, I would like to face current 140lb. World Champion Jose Ramirez.”

RUSLAN MADIYEV

On his opponent: “Zorilla is very well regarded, undefeated and fighting in his home country but he’s never faced anyone as tough as me. This is exactly the type of victory to take my career to the next level.”

On the fight: “I’m very excited to be facing Danielito Zorilla this Thursday night in Puerto Rico. We’ve had a very good training camp and I’m prepared for battle as always. I’m also very grateful that my family and fans can watch my fight live in Kazakhstan.

BRYAN CHEVALIER

On Thursday’s fight: “I feel happy and excited since I haven’t fought for over a year. God first, I hope that everything goes well, and I can get the victory. I am going against former world champion Carlos Zambrano, a rival with more experience and with very good skills. We are mentally prepared and physically ready for this opportunity that will undoubtedly lead me to a step towards the fight for the world title. At the level where we are – no mistakes can be made.”

CARLOS ZAMBRANO

On this opportunity: “I am very excited to make my return to the ring with Cotto Promotions and Ring City USA. The last time we had a fight scheduled, COVID-19 hit and the show was shut down. This opportunity was presented to me and we had to take it. Thank you for this opportunity to all involved. It’s going to be a real special show for Puerto Rico and everyone watching on TV.”

On the fight: “In Peru, I had to adapt to the quarantine, and we were able to find a way to train. We have been looking to make a come back for a long time now. We are confident to come out of this with a victory. We know very little about our opponent but I’m sure he will be just as prepared and motivated as we are. Whatever he brings to me on fight night, we will be ready.

FERNANDO VARGAS, JR

On fighting in Puerto Rico: “I’m excited to fight in Puerto Rico and look forward on putting on a show for the Puerto Rican people. My father was part of an amazing super fight with Tito Trinidad and I hope to one day be able to live up to those type of amazing fights.”

FERNANDO VARGAS, SR., TWO-TIME WORLD CHAMPION

On his son’s fight: “I’m excited and happy to go back to Puerto Rico. It’s stunning but amazingly the Puerto Rican fans have always shown me love and respect. Now I ask them to do the same for my son ‘Feroz’ Fernando Vargas Jr.”

Follow Ring City USA on FacebookTwitter and Instagram for the latest updates during fight week in Puerto Rico or visit www.ringcityusa.com for more information.

About Ring City USA

Ring City, which launched in 2020, is boxing’s newest sports media platform. Working in tandem with a variety of promoters and talent, its new boxing series places an emphasis on competitive matchups that genuinely test the fighters and excite the fight fans. Ring City provides great fights in the ring and compelling shoulder programming outside of the ring. Ring City is the proving ground where up-and-coming talent can earn their stripes and launch themselves into the upper echelon of boxing stardom. 




RISING SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT PROSPECT BRANDUN LEE FACES SAMUEL TEAH ON THE NEXT EDITION OF SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION® WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10 LIVE ON SHOWTIME®

NEW YORK – March 1, 2021 – One of boxing’s fastest-rising prospects Brandun Lee will return to the “Fight Sphere” at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn., for the third time when he takes on Samuel Teah Wednesday, March 10 live on SHOWTIME at 9 p.m. ET/PT in the super lightweight main event of a ShoBox: The New Generation telecast.

Lee vs. Teah headlines a four-fight card featuring eight promising prospects with a combined record of 102-4-2.

The 21-year-old knockout artist Lee (21-0, 19 KOs) of La Quinta, Calif., will look to extend his impressive KO streak to 13 when he faces ShoBox veteran Samuel Teah (17-3-1, 7 KOs) in a 10-round super lightweight bout. The co-main event will see undefeated super featherweight prospect Misael Lopez (11-0, 5 KOs) battle once-beaten Jordan White (10-1, 8 KOs) in an eight-round bout and two tough undefeated prospects will clash in the second fight of the night as Philadelphia’s Steven Ortiz (11-0, 3 KOs) faces Jeremy Hill (14-0, 9 KOs) in an eight-round lightweight bout. In the telecast opener, 22-year-old power-punching prospect Victor Padilla (8-0, 7 KOs) makes his ShoBox debut against another unbeaten Philadelphia native, Thomas Velasquez (10-0-1, 6 KOs), in an eight-round super featherweight contest.

The four-fight telecast is promoted by DiBella Entertainment and D&D Boxing.

“Our March 10 ShoBox event, from top to bottom, perfectly represents the philosophy that the series has set forth to accomplish during our 20 years in boxing,” said Gordon Hall, executive producer for ShoBox: The New Generation. “The full spectrum of prospects will be on display in this event from coming-of-age newcomers to a fighter at the doorstep of a world championship fight. In the opening bout we have a three-time amateur National Champion in Victor Padilla, who is in the infancy of his promising professional career at 8-0, making his ShoBox debut, while atop the bill is Brandun Lee, one of the most promising prospects in boxing, taking on his toughest challenge against a ShoBox veteran Samuel Teah. ShoBox is the ultimate proving ground for prospects and we will learn a lot about all of these fighters March 10 on SHOWTIME.”

“All eight fighters competing on March 10 at Mohegan Sun will be tested, and that is exactly what the ShoBox series is all about. I’m proud to promote such an evenly matched event from top to bottom,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “Puerto Rican lightweight Victor Padilla is a knockout artist with blazing fast hands and he’ll be facing unbeaten Philadelphian Thomas Velasquez. Junior lightweight Misael Lopez returns to ShoBox following his series debut, an upset over touted favorite James Wilkins, now taking on heavy-hitter Jordan White. Philadelphia lightweight Steven Ortiz also returns to the series, after debuting with a win against unbeaten Wesley Ferrer, competing against undefeated New Orleans prospect Jeremy Hill. In the main event, towering power-puncher Brandun Lee squares off against crafty veteran Samuel Teah, in his biggest test to date.”

Lee vs. Teah – 10-Round Super Lightweight Main Event Bout

The highly regarded Lee made quick work of the previous two opponents he faced at Mohegan Sun Arena in 2020, scoring a highlight-reel first-round KO of Jimmy Williams on ShoBox in October and a third-round stoppage of Dakota Linger in December. Lee has knocked out all but two of his professional opponents and owns 12 first-round knockouts. Trained by his father Bobby, Lee fought four times in 2020, including a third-round TKO over Camilo Prieto in one of the final live sporting events to take place before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the sports world for several months in March.

Lee had a decorated amateur career with an estimated record of 196-5. He was the 2015 U.S. Junior National Champion, taking home the gold medal at 145 pounds. With lightning quick hands that pack power, the exciting Lee has sparred with the likes of Mikey Garcia, Devin Haney, Mauricio Herrera, Timothy Bradley Jr., and Thomas Dulorme.

“I’ve just been training in La Quinta, staying safe and healthy and focusing on what I need to do in order to have another impressive performance,” said Lee. “I see that Teah is a good inside puncher and he has good speed. He’s a volume puncher but other than that, I don’t see much that I shouldn’t be able to handle. I’m super excited to be returning to ShoBox in the main event so that my fans can see me live on TV, because the fans want to see knockouts so that’s what I’m going to give them.”

Teah, born in Liberia and fighting out of Philadelphia, has had mixed luck on ShoBox. A three-fight veteran of the developmental series, Teah scored a unanimous decision over then-undefeated O’Shaquie Foster in 2015 but dropped a majority decision to Montana Love in 2018. Most recently on ShoBox, Teah scored a unanimous decision over Kenneth Sims Jr. in November 2018. The 33-year-oldTeah, who did not start boxing until the age of 19, also owns an impressive win over Sonny Fredrickson and beat Dieumerci Nzau his last time out in March 2020.

“I don’t mind being the underdog and it won’t be the first time for me,” Teah said. “I have ShoBox wins against O’Shaquie Foster and Kenneth Sims, Jr., and I always seem to perform better when the lights and cameras are focused on me. I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

Lopez vs. White – Eight-Round Super Featherweight Bout

Born in Sonora, Mexico, and raised in Denver, Colo., Lopez had a successful amateur career before turning professional in 2016. He compiled an amateur record of 50-5, winning gold at the 2010 Colorado State Silver Gloves Tournament and the Colorado State Golden Gloves Tournament in 2009 and 2015. Lopez’s career-best pro win came on ShoBox in September 2018 when he outboxed the power-punching James Wilkins in a step-up fight. Trained by his father Evenezer, Lopez has added two wins since then, including a first-round TKO over Richard Flores.

“I can’t tell you how excited I am to be back on ShoBox and, this time, with such a strong team behind me,” said the 24-year-old Lopez. “I respect my promoter, Lou DiBella, a lot and have no doubt that he can put me in the position to become a champion. I’m ready for the challenge and can’t wait for March 10.”

The Washington, D.C. native White was a former No. 1-ranked amateur, amassing a 145-16 record. He was teammates with future world champions Devin Haney and Shakur Stevenson on the Junior National travel squad, competing in the Junior World Championships in Kiev, Ukraine in 2013. White turned professional at 18, winning his first four bouts, three by way of knockout, before losing a decision to fellow undefeated foe Adam Lopez. White has since bounced back by winning six fights in a row, including a seventh-round TKO over previously unbeaten prospect Ronaldo Solis. White, 23, is the cousin of 2000 U.S. Olympian Clarence Vinson.

“I am honored for this opportunity to fight on SHOWTIME against the undefeated Misael Lopez,” said White. “I respect his fight game, but I am looking forward to displaying my superior skill set. On March 10, there will be lights, cameras, and plenty of action.”

Ortiz vs. Hill – Eight-Round Lightweight Bout

The 27-year-old Ortiz has developed a cult following in his hometown region, fighting seven times in the greater Philadelphia area. Ortiz rallied off five straight wins in the “City of Brotherly Love” before making his ShoBox debut in September 2018, a majority decision victory over then-unbeaten Wesley Ferrer in Shawnee, Okla. Ortiz picked up two wins in 2019, including a unanimous decision over previously undefeated Philadelphian Jeremy Cuevas, but did not fight in 2020. An accomplished amateur, Ortiz is a five-time Pennsylvania Golden Gloves Champion, a bronze medalist at the National Golden Gloves and a gold medalist at the National Silver Gloves.

“The pandemic was a major setback for me and the careers of many other fighters, of course, but it kept me focused,” said Ortiz. “I stayed in the gym getting ready for when the opportunity came, and here it is. Hill is a tall, awkward fighter, but I am up for the challenge. It doesn’t matter who is in front of me, I am here to fight. This will be my second fight on SHOWTIME and I feel that, this time, I’ll be coming back stronger, both mentally and physically. The audience will see the best of me.”

New Orleans’ Jeremy Hill blends his unique size, accuracy and power in both hands inside the ring with showmanship and charisma outside of it. A successful amateur who rose all the way to the No. 4 ranked U.S. lightweight amateur, Hill won the Male Elite Champion at the Ringside World Championships in 2017 and turned professional in April 2018 after posting a 55-10 record in the unpaid ranks. Hill, 28, is coming off a TKO over Travis Castellon in November but will be facing his first undefeated opponent in Ortiz since beating the 1-0 Lashawn Alcocks in his fourth pro fight. He also owns a unanimous decision over then-once-beaten Xavier Wilson in July, one of Hill’s four wins in 2020.

“I’m excited and thankful for the opportunity,” said Hill. “I’ve been working hard and grinding for a chance like this. I feel like I’m overdue for this type of fight and this kind of exposure, so I’m just ready to show everyone what I can do. I’m about to cut up on national TV.”

Padilla vs. Velasquez – Eight-Round Super Featherweight Bout

Padilla, 22, was born in Vieques, Puerto Rico, and currently lives and fights out of Berlin, N.J. The all-action, power-punching southpaw has stopped all but one of his professional challengers, including six opponents who failed to make it out of the first round. His last time out in January 2020, Padilla needed just 2:46 to stop Israel Suarez-Olmeda. Padilla turned professional in December 2016 after a stellar amateur career that included three National Championships and a record of 90-7. He trains alongside former world champions Tevin Farmer and Jason Sosa under trainer Raul “Chino” Rivas.

“First and foremost, I want to thank God, my family and my team for keeping me positive through these hard times,” said Padilla. “I am very excited for this opportunity to showcase my skills in front of a national audience. I have sacrificed a lot to get to this point in my career. It takes a lot of dedication to the sport and I am confident that it will pay off. It has been 13 long years of working hard to show the world who Victor Padilla is and, on March 10, a new chapter will begin. Thomas Velasquez is a good fighter and this is a good matchup, but may the best man win.”

Velasquez, another Philadelphia native, made his professional debut in 2015 and looked to be rapidly rising through the ranks, winning his first nine fights including five by way of knockout. A draw with Tyrome Jones in September 2017 stalled his career to a near standstill, as he did not fight again until 2020 when he scored a third-round KO over veteran Gustavo Molina in his return bout. The 25-year-old will look to regain the momentum he had earlier in his career with a win over the highly regarded Padilla. As an amateur, Velasquez had a 30-3 record and won the Pennsylvania State Golden Gloves. He is trained by Hamza Muhammad, who also trains the newly crowned WBO Junior Featherweight World Champion Stephen Fulton Jr.

“I could not be happier to have this opportunity to show the world what I can do,” said Velasquez. “It doesn’t matter who is standing in the opposite corner, I fight to provide a better life for my twin daughters. I look forward to putting on a spectacular performance on March 10 and leaving that ring with my unbeaten record intact.”

International Boxing Hall of Famer Barry Tompkins will call the action from ringside with fellow Hall of Famer and boxing historian Steve Farhood and former world champion Raul Marquez serving as expert analysts. The executive producer is Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

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

About ShoBox: The New Generation

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




Marie-Eve Dicaire determined underdog against Claressa Shields in “Superwomen” PPV this Friday Night

MONTREAL (March 1, 2021) – Unbeaten underdog Marie-Eve Dicaire, the reigning IBF female super welterweight World champion, has fully prepared physically and mentally for this Friday night’s undisputed showdown against undefeated WBC and WBO title holder and self-proclaimed WGOAT
Claressa Shields (10-2, 2 KOs).

A tribute to International Women’s Day, “SUPERWOMEN: SHIELDS VS. DICAIRE” will be broadcast live in USA on InDemand Pay Per View and streamed live on FITE.TV, and in Canada On Canal Indigo, Bell TV, Shaw TV and streamed live on FITE.TV and YOOP. starting at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT, from Dort Financial Center in Flint, Michigan. (To pre-order on FITE.TV go to www.fitetv/watch/shields-vs-decaire/2p8qn/).

Dicaire (17-0), a popular French-Canadian boxer, understands and fully appreciates the significance of “SUPERWOMEN”, and what an upset victory would do for her building brand, particularly outside her native Canada.

“I allowed myself to be excited,” Dicaire explained. “I know it is a significant fight, but I made sure I’m focused on the task I need to accomplish and not the outcome of the fight. My strategy is based on my skills. Where she puts her focus is up to her. On my side, I did everything I had to get ready for this fight. And I am!

“I’ve always said that boxing is a passion, and I am happy to make a living out of it,” she said. But, to me, it is more than that. It is a way to inspire people, to change society’s mentality. I want to achieve greatness to inspire people to dream big and this is what this fight is all about to me.”

Last year, 2-time Olympic boxing gold medalist Shields, who will be fighting Dicaire at home in Flint, Michigan, signed a multi-year deal with mixed-martial-arts promoter PFL. Her transition to MMA will reportedly happen this year.

Dicaire, ironically, was a world amateur champion in karate before transitioning to boxing, in which she has defeated five world champions.

“My karate background has always been a powerful tool for me in terms of mindset and work ethic,” Dicaire commented. “I was built in martial arts and I think it is what made me the strong athlete that I am now.”

This Friday night Shields vs. Dicarie will determine the No. 1 woman in the super welterweight division, if not in all of boxing.




OLYMPIC MEDALIST MARLEN ESPARZA, UNDEFEATED JAMIE MITCHELL TO APPEAR IN TELEVISED BOUTS ON HISTORIC MARCH 5 SUPERWOMEN: SHIELDS VS. DICAIRE PPV ALL-FEMALE BOXING EVENT

(Monday, March 1, 2021 – Flint, MI) The complete televised lineup for this week’s historic all-female “SUPERWOMEN: SHIELDS VS. DICAIRE” boxing event on Friday, March 5 from the Dort Financial Center in Flint, Mich., has now been revealed with the addition of two more exciting fights, including special appearances by women’s star, former amateur world champion and 2012 Olympic bronze medalist Marlen Esparza and undefeated bantamweight Jamie Mitchell.

And, in a special development for eager fans worldwide, pioneering digital platform VIVE Network will join InDemand Pay-Per-View (through their existing cable, satellite, and telco providers including Xfinity, Spectrum, Contour, DirecTV/U-Verse, Dish, Fios, and Optimum) and livestreaming platform FITE.TV in showing the groundbreaking event for a price of USD $29.95. A very special event pre-show begins Friday night at 8PM EST | 7PM CST | 5PM PST. The event broadcast begins at 9PM EST | 8PM CST | 6PM PST.

The popular Esparza (8-1, 1 KO) of Houston will return to action for the first time this year against rugged Canadian veteran Shelly Barnett (3-1-2, 2 KO) in a six-round bantamweight special attraction. And in the broadcast opener, undefeated bantamweight prospect Jamie “The Miracle” Mitchell (5-0-2, 3 KO) of Pacific Grove, California, will look to continue her climb up the 118-pound rankings against tough Florida-based veteran Noemi “La Rebelde / No-No” Bosques (12-15-3, 2 KO) over six rounds.

Both fights will be presented in support of the 10-round 154-pound unification showdown between undefeated three-division and current WBC/WBO Super Welterweight World champion Claressa Shields and also unbeaten IBF Super Welterweight World Champion Marie-Eve Dicaire, as well as the potentially explosive co-main event featuring undefeated former amateur standout Danielle Perkins (2-0, 1 KO) of Houston, Texas, fighting an eight-round rematch to her exciting non-stop slugfest with Waycross, Georgia’s Monika “Lay Em Down” Harrison (2-1, 1 KO) for the WBC Silver Heavyweight Championship.

In another intriguing, televised match-up, undefeated Logan Holler (9-0-1, 3 KO) of Columbia, South Carolina, will take on Newark, Delaware, veteran Schemelle Baldwin (3-1-2, 2 KO) over eight tough rounds.

Marlen Esparza, the 2012 Olympic bronze medalist in the women’s flyweight division at the summer games in London, is the only other American woman besides Claressa Shields to win an Olympic medal in the sport of boxing. Esparza, like Shields, also won an amateur world championship at the 2014 AIBA World Boxing Championships in Jeju, South Korea. A crossover star with mainstream appeal, Esparza has an endorsement deal with CoverGirl Cosmetics and has also appeared in a Spanish-language commercial for Coca-Cola. She was the subject of Soledad O’Brien’s 2011 CNN documentary In Her Corner: Latino in America 2, as well as an extensive profile in the June 2012 issue of The Atlantic. The addition of Esparza makes a total of three former amateur world champions on the card, with Danielle Perkins having also won in 2019.

“I’m excited to be fighting on this historic all-women’s card around International Women’s Day and to be reunited with my 2012 Olympic teammate Claressa Shields,” said Esparza. “I also want to thank my opponent for taking this fight. I’m looking forward to representing all female fighters on March 5 and putting on a great performance. I want all my fans to tune in to this pay-per-view. This is a great night for women’s boxing and I’m grateful to be a part of it.”

SUPERWOMEN: SHIELDS VS. DICAIRE is dedicated to this year’s International Women’s Day (Monday, March 8, 2021) and presented by Salita Promotions in association with Groupe Yvon Michel.

“I am delighted to add more super talent to this incredible all-female PPV event,” said Dmitriy Salita. “Marlen Esparza is an elite championship fighter who rounds out this already excellent fight card.”

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About International Women’s Day
The first National Women’s Day was observed in the United States on February 28, 1909. In 1910, Europe established a Women’s Day to honour the movement for women’s rights and to build support for achieving universal suffrage for women. After World War II, March 8 started to be celebrated in a number of countries. In 1975, during the International Women’s Year, the United Nations began celebrating March 8 as International Women’s Day. In 1995 the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a historic roadmap signed by 189 governments, focused on 12 critical areas of concern; and the inclusion of Goal 5: “Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls” in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This year’s theme of #ChooseToChallenge looks to call out gender bias and inequity and celebrate women’s achievements.

For more information, please visit internationalwomensday.com.

About FITE.TV
FITE.TV is the premiere digital network for direct-to-consumer digital live streaming for combat sports, specializing in professional wrestling, mixed martial arts and boxing events. To millions of fans around the world, FITE.TV streams a rich array of live pay-per-view events, subscription packages and thousands of hours of live and on-demand free programs with a mission to help fans discover and watch premium live events. FITE.TV is the leading digital distributor for the industry’s marquee events, including AEW, Impact, WWE, KSI-Logan Paul 2 from Matchroom, Canelo vs GGG 1 & 2 from GBP / HBO, Pacquiao-Thurman from PBC / Fox, Top Rank / ESPN PPV, ROH, BKFC, NWA, GCW, ONE, Combate, RIZIN, MOTO FITE Klub and FMX FITE Klub, Rumble on the Rooftop, Major Concerts, Tennis, Basketball, Soccer events and more.

About VIVE Network
VIVE Network is a 4K HDR multi-channel, linear OTT TV network and live event platform as a service for third-party content creators available globally on every screen in every format. As a pioneer of the TV Revolution and UHD Initiative, VIVE Network’s mission is to facilitate the creation, proliferation, and monetization of UHD HDR entertainment to address the domain of the multi-millions of viewers around the globe, and in doing so, establishing the network as the ultimate UHD entertainment destination.

About Salita Promotions
Salita Promotions was founded in 2010 by Dmitriy Salita, a professional boxer and world-title challenger who saw the need for a promotional entity to feature boxing’s best young prospects and established contenders in North America and around the world. Viewers watching fighters on worldwide television networks including Showtime, HBO, ESPN, Spike TV, Universal Sports Network, UFC Fight Pass, DAZN, ESPN+ and MSG have enjoyed Salita Promotions fight action in recent years. We pride ourselves on offering our fighters opportunities inside and outside the ring. Salita Promotions looks forward to continuing to grow and serve the needs of fight fans around the globe.

Check the Salita Promotions YouTube Channel for regular video updates of boxing’s greatest legends, its best fighters, toughest contenders and brightest prospects in action.




Diego Pacheco and Money Powell IV get big wins on Saturday Night

NEW YORK (March 1, 2021) -Two of Split-T Management’s super middleweight prospects gained big wins on Saturday night.

Diego Pacheco remained undefeated with a eight-round unanimous decision over Rodolfo Gomez Jr. in a super middleweight fight.

The bout, which took place at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida, was streamed live on DAZN as part of the Canelo Alvarez – Avni Yildirim card.

Pacheco has been very impressive in knocking out eight of his previous 10 opponents, showed great versatility and ring I.Q. by landing counters and some sharp right hands against the tough veteran.

Pacheco landed 117 of 382 punches; Gomez was 70 of 351.

Pacheco, 168 lbs of Los Angeles won by scores of 79-73 on all cards and is now 11-0. Gomez, 167lbs of Laredo, TX is 14-5-1.

Pacheco is under the guidance of Split-T Management’s Tim VanNewhouse and is promoted by Matchroom Boxing.

Money Powell IV won a tough six round split decision over William Langston.

The fight took place at The Buckhead Fight Club in Atlanta.

Langston was strong, and he was aggressive early on as he was looking to take out Powell with power shots.

That was not to be the case, as Powell was able to out box Langston, and slow him n down with body shots. The 23 year-old Powell out-landed Langston throughout the fight.

Powell of Fort Mitchell, Alabama is now 12-1.




CANELO AND SAUNDERS MEET IN UNIFICATION CLASH ON MAY 8

Canelo Alvarez will clash with Billy Joe Saunders in a WBC, WBA Super, WBO and Ring Magazine World Super-Middleweight unification blockbuster on May 8, live worldwide on DAZN (except Mexico)
 
Canelo Alvarez dismantled WBC mandatory challenger Avni Yildirim in three rounds at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami and next he takes a giant step in his quest to become undisputed by facing the WBO king Saunders at a venue to be announced soon.
 
Alvarez’s win over Yildirim followed hot on the heels of his dominant triumph over Callum Smith in San Antonio, Texas to win the belts he defended this evening, and now another Briton enters the fray to take on the pound for pound king.
 
Saunders (30-0 14 KOs) will be putting his WBO strap on the line for the third time, after recently sending Martin Murray into retirement following his comprehensive points win over the British stalwart, and the Briton puts his belt and unbeaten record on the line in what promises to be a mouth-watering occasion.
 
“We want to unify the division, he’s a world champion, we want to go for it and we need to go for it,” said Canelo. “He’s a very difficult fighter and has a championship, the WBO.
 
“People talk but I’m a very mature fighter and I know how to control myself. All I need to do is go into the ring, win and make history.”
 
“It’s because it hasn’t been done, no one has done it in Latin America. In the world only a few fighters have done it, the best. I want to make history and be one of the best in the world.”
 
“Canelo, I’m ready to rock and roll,” said Saunders. “You have to dare to be great and you aren’t going to be a great if you don’t beat the greats.
 
“I believe I am the only one with the footwork, knowhow, skillset, mindset and brain to unlock that door in Canelo.
 
“He’s the main man in the sport and the face of boxing. You have to give him respect, he hasn’t ducked anyone, he’s beaten good names, but nobody is unbeatable, and I believe I have got the tools to beat him if I use them properly and if the gamelan comes off that I believe works.
 
“I am looking at the golden ticket to cement my legacy, and that’s how you have to go in there to beat him. I’ve won everything from Southern Area to World titles, I could say ‘I’ve won it all, been to the Olympics, I’m unbeaten – I’ll see you later’. But I’ve only just turned 31, I’ve got no miles on the clock, haven’t taken any punishment – I believe he’s been in harder fights than me and has more miles, so I want to cement my legacy and beat him.”
 
“This is one of the biggest fights in the sport of boxing,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “The pound-for-pound king on the road to undisputed against the unbeaten champion who has long believed he can overcome him. After missing a chance to fight and celebrate on Cinco de Mayo last year this is going to be very special, we look forward to welcoming you for this momentous event.”
 
“Canelo vs. Saunders is a fascinating matchup of champions with massive international appeal,” said Ed Breeze, DAZN EVP, Rights. “From what we expect to be a fiery promotion to the competition in the ring, we’re thrilled to deliver this fight to DAZN subscribers across the world.”




AUDIO: Jesus Ramos Press Conference after stoppage over Jesus Bojorquez






VIDEO: Jesus Ramos Press Conference after stoppage over Jesus Bojorquez




AUDIO: Vito Mielnicki Jr. Post fight Media Conference after stoppage of Noe Alejan






VIDEO: Vito Mielnicki Jr. Post fight Media Conference after stoppage of Noe Alejandro Lopez




Dirrell and Davis Fight to a draw

Former world champion Anthony Dirrell and Kyrone Davis fought to a 12-round draw in a super middleweight bout in Los Angeles.

Dirrell landed 161 of 435 punches; Davis was 139 of 521.

Both fighters took a card 115-113 and a third card was even at 114-114.

Dirrell, 167 1/2 lbs of Flint, MI is 33-2-2. Davis, 167 1/2 lbs of Wilmington, DE is 15-2-1.

“I thought I won the fight. I pushed the fight, hit him with cleaner punches,” Dirrell said. “He hit gloves a lot. I knew it was going to be a draw—as soon as they said it was going to be a split decision. I can’t control what the judges do and I respect them all because they have different perspectives and angles on what is happening.
 
“I was pressing the fight, I wasn’t tired at all. My jab was working. But I can’t stop what the judges think. Davis fought well. He did what he was supposed to, came in with a good game plan. He was boxing, he normally doesn’t do that. But we pressed the action.”

“I’m looking for a title. I’m not looking for just another fight. I’m looking for a big fight. That’s the plan,” Dirrell said. “I’ll take whoever has a belt, whoever we can get. I’ll take a Canelo, or a Caleb Plant.”

“I thought I won the fight, 116-112. It was a great opportunity. They doubted me. They told me he was going to knock me out. This was supposed to be a showcase for him but it wasn’t,” Davis said. “My body felt well. I felt good. Anthony Dirrell is a two-time world champion. I really wanted to make a statement. A draw is not as bad as a loss but I really don’t like breaking even.
 
“It was my first 12-rounder so it was a little unfamiliar for me. I knew he was experienced, but I kept my composure and pushed through it. I stuck to the game plan that (trainer) Stephen “Breadman” Edwards gave me.”

Ramos stops Bojorquez in 2

Jesus Ramos stopped Jesus Bojorquez in round two of a scheduled 10-round weltweight bout.

In round two, Ramos dropped Bojorquez with a hard left. Bojorquez was hurt and bleeding. He took more punishment and the fight was stopped at 1:44.

Ramos is now 15-0 with 14 knockouts. Bojorquez is 24-3.

“I was surprised he got up from that right hook. I was setting it up, throwing my jab to the body,” Ramos said. “I knew he was expecting another jab but I feinted and came back with the right hook. I didn’t think he would get up but he did and then I finished the job. This was a test run [at 147]. I felt really strong, the weight cut was a lot smoother this time around. I might campaign here. I have to talk to my team and see what they think.

“I want to be a champion at 21 years of age. That would be next year. I want to step up the competition this year, fight guys with names, and next year fight guys like Yordenis Ugas.”

Mielnicki stops Lopez in 3

Vito Mielnicki Jr. stopped Noe Alejandro Lopez in round three of a scheduled eight-round welterweight bout.

Mielnicki pounded away on Lopez until the bout was stopped at 2:50.

Mielnicki, 146 1/2 lbs of Roseland, NJ 8-0 with five knockouts. Lopez, 146 lbs of Houston is 10-4-1.

“I felt strong tonight. I don’t know how long I’ll be at 147, moving up may be in my future. For this fight, I give myself an ‘A.’ I got him out of there, a guy who said was a step-up, a guy who they said would carry me into the later rounds. But I expect nothing less of myself because I know I’m going to be great,’’ Mielnicki said.
 
“I’m just going to keep learning. I’m still young. I’m still 18 so we’re not in a rush. We’re going to keep building and see where that takes us. I’m 8-0 with 5 knockouts and I’m not injured or anything so I’m ready to get back in the ring as soon as possible.”

Michel Rivera stopped Anthony Mercado in the final round of their welterweight bout.

In round six, Mercado took a knee after absorbing some solid body shots. In round eight, Rivera sent Mercado down from a combination. Mercado looked exhausted upon reaching his feet, and the bout was stopped at 2:26.

Rivera, 144 1/2 lbs of Miami is 20-0 with 13 knockouts. Mercado, 146 lbs of Camuy, PR is 13-5.

Anthony Cuba and Diego Elizondo fought to a majority draw in a four round lightweight bout.

Cuba landed 41 of 196 punches; Elizondo was 47 of 216.

Cuba took a card 39-37 while two cards read even at 38-38.

Cuba, 134 1/2 lbs is 1-0-1. Elizondo, 135 lbs is 3-2-3.




FOLLOW CANELO – YILDIRIM LIVE!!

Follow all of the action as Canelo Alvarez defends the WBA/WBC Super Middleweight titles against Avni Yildirim.  The action kicks off at 7 PM from Miami’s Hard Rod Rock Stadium with appearances from McWilliams Arroyo, Heavyweights Zhelei Zhang and Jerry Forrest plus prospect Diego Pacheco

NO BROWSER REFRESH NEEDED.  THE PAGE WILL UPDATE AUTOMATICALLY

12 ROUNDS–WBA/WBC SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLES–CANELO ALVAREZ (54-1-2, 36 KOS) VS AVNI YILDIRIM (21-2, 12 KOS)
ROUND 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 TOTAL
ALVAREZ 10 10 10                   30
YILDIRIM 9 9 8                   26

Round 1: Left hook from Alvarez..2 body shots..

Round 2 Hard uppercut from Alvarez..Left uppercut..Left to the body..Uppercut and right hand..Hard uppercut..hard left hook to the body..body shot,,Left to the body

Round 3 Right from Yildirim..RIGHT AND DOWN GOES YILDIRIM…Hard straight right from Alvarez—-THE FIGHT IS STOPPED IN THE CORNER

12 ROUNDS–WBC INTERIM FLYWEIGHT TITLE–MCWILLIAMS ARROYO (20-4, 15 KOS) VS ABRAHAM RODRIGUEZ (27-2, 13 KOS)
ROUND 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 TOTAL
ARROYO* 9 10 10 10 TKO               39
RODRIGUEZ 10 9 9 8                 36

Round 1 Counter from Arroyo..Clash of Heads..Right from Rodriguez..Left

Round 2 Chopping right from Arroyo..Left hook from Rodriguez..Jab from Arroyo

Round 3 Nice left hook from Rodriguez..Jab from Arroyo..Body shot..Left hook..Combination

Round 4 Hard uppercut..combination and down goes Rodriguez

Round 5 Huge right from Arroyo...TOWEL COMES IN …FIGHT OVER

10 Rounds–Heavyweights–Zhilei Zhang (22-0, 27 KOs) vs Jerry Forrest (26-4, 20 KOs)
ROUND 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 TOTAL
Zhang 10 10 10 10 10 9 9 9 8 9     94
Forrest 8 8 8 9 9 10 10 10 10 10     92

Round 1: Right hook from Forrest…Left from Zhang…HUGE LEFT AND DOWN GOES FORREST
Round 2 good action..BIG RIGHT HOOK AND DOWN GOES FORREST
Round 3 LEFT AND DOWN GOES FORREST
Round 4 Zhang Jabbing
Round 5 Zhang working Body
Round 6 Body shot from Forrest
Round 7 Forrest starting to dictate action
Round 8 Big left from Forrest..Body shots from Forrest..Zhang cut over his right eye.
Round 9 Combination from Forrest…ZHANG EDUCTED A POINT FOR HOLDING THE NECK
Round 10 Left from Forrest…Hard combination from Forrest.Big right..Zhang looks hurt..Inside right hook..

8 Rounds–Super Middleweights–Diego Pacheco (10-0, 8 KOs) vs Rodolfo Gomez Jr. (14-4-1, 10 KOs) 
ROUND 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 TOTAL
Pacheco 9 10 10 10 10 10 10 10         79
Gomez 10 9 10 9 9 9 9 10         75

Round 1 Right from Gomez…Body shot..Nice right from Pacheco
Round 2 Straight from Pacheco..Good body shot..Counter right…Uppercut..Left hook
Round 3 Nice right from Gomez…Right from Pacheco…Nice right from Gomez…Good body shot from Pacheco..Good exchange..
Round 4 Left hook from Pacheco..Left hook followed by a straight right…Left hook from Gomez…Right from Pacheco
Round 5 2 Big rights from Pacheco
Round 6 Counter and straight right from Gomez..Counter right from Pacheco..Uppercut on inside
Round 7 Left uppercut from Pacheco
Round 8

4 Rounds–Super Featherweights–Marc Castro (1-0, 1 KO) vs John Moraga (1-2, 1 KO)
ROUND 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 TOTAL
Castro* 10 KO                     10
Moraga 8                       8

Round 1 1ST PUNCH AND DOWN GOES MORAGA (Jab)..Right hook to the body
Round 2 Jab from Castro..Right to head and nice left hook..RIGHT HAND AND DOWN GOES MORAGA…BIG UPPERCUT AND DOWN GOES MORAGA AND THE FIGHT IS STOPPED

 




Alvarez stops Yildirim After 3

Canelo Alvarez did what he was supposed to do. He dominated Avni Yildirim and scored a stoppage win after round three to retain the WBA/WBC Super Middleweight world championships at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

Alvarez came out landing vicious body shots and hard uppercuts that started to soften Yildirim up. In round three, Alvarez landed a hard right hand that sent Yildirim on his back. Yildirim continued to take punishment for the rest of the round the fight was stopped in the corner.

Alvarez, 167 1/2 lbs of Guadalajara, MEX is 55-1-2 with 37 knockouts. Yildirim, 167 1/2 lbs of Turkey is 21-3.

Arroyo stops Rodriguez in 5; Wins Interim Flyweight Title

McWilliams Arroyo won the WBC Interim Flyweight title by stopping very late replacement Abraham Rodriguez in round five.

Arroyo broke Rodriguez down with hard shots until the fight was stopped at 1:41 of round five.

Arroyo, 112 lbs of Fajardo, PR is 21-4 with 16 knockouts. Rodriguez took the fight on less than a day notice as champion Julio Cesar Martinez hurt his hand. Rodriguez is now 27-3.

Forrest and Zhang fight to a Draw

It looked like it would be an easy night at the office for world ranked heavyweight Zhilei Zhang, it was anything but as he had to literal hold on to get a 10-round draw with Jerry Forrest.

Zhang scored hard knockdowns in each of the first three rounds, and was seemingly one punch away from ending things. Forrest hung in there, and and dominated the second half of the fight as he landed quick and hard combinations that had an exhausted Zhang holding on to the point where he was deducted a point in the 9th frame. Forrest had a strong final round that saw him hurt Zhang on a couple of occasions.

Zhang was 104 of 311 punches; Forrest was 156 of 555.

Forrest took a card 95-93 and two cards were even at 94-94.

Forrest 236 3/4 lbs of Newport News, VA is 26-4-1. Zhang, 256 3/4 lbs of China is 22-0-1.

Pacheco Decisions Gomez Jr.

Diego Pacheco remained undefeated with a eight-round unanimous decision over Rodolfo Gomez Jr. in a super middleweight fight.

Pacheco landed 117 of 382 punches; Gomez was 70 of 351.

Pacheco, 168 lbs of Los Angeles won by scores of 79-73 on all cards and is mow 11-0. Gomez, 167lbs of Laredo, TX is 14-5-1.

Castro Stops Moraga in 2

Marc Castro stopped John Moraga in round two of their scheduled four-round junior lightweight bout.

In round one, Castro dropped Moraga in the opening seconds with a jab. In round two, Castro dropped Moraga with a hard right hand. Moments later Castro ended thing when he landed a hard uppercut that sent Moraga down again, and the fight was stopped at 2:29.

Castro, 129 1/2 lbs of Fresno, CA is 2-0 with two knockouts. Moraga, 131 lbs of Pheonix, AZ is 1-3.

Highly-touted prospect Keyshawn Davis stopped Lester Brown in round two of their scheduled four-round lightweight bout.

In round two, Davis put Brown down with a solid right to the head. Later in the round, Davis continued the assault until the bout was stopped at 2:50

Davis, 136 1/2 lbs of Norfolk, VA is 1-0 with one knockout. Brown, 134 1/2 lbs of Nassau, BAH is 4-3-3.

Aaron Aponte remained undefeated by winning a four-round unanimous decision over Harry Gigliotti in a junior welterweight contest.

In round four, Aponte landed a right hand that sent Gigliotti down. Later in the round Gigliotti was deducted a point for headbutting.

Aponte, 139 3/4 lbs of Hialeah, FL won by scores of 40-34 on all cards, and is now 2-0. Gigliotti, 139 1/4 lbs of Havenhill, MA is 6-2.

Alexis Espino remained undefeated with a fifth round stoppage over Ashton Sykes in a super middleweight fight.

In round five, Espino hurt Sykes with hard left. That gave Espino the opportunity to land a series of hard punches that left Sykes prone, and the fight was stopped at 2:03.

Espino, 167 3/4 lbs of Las Vegas is now 7-0 with five knockouts. Sykes, 166 1/4 lbs of Colombia, MD is 5-4.




LIVE FIGHTS: CANELO – YILDIRIM UNDERCARD






Split-T Management Fighters Diego Pacheco and Money Powell IV in Action

NEW YORK (February 27, 2021) -Two Members of the Split-T Management stable will be in action tonight as undefeated super middleweight prospect Diego Pacheco takes on Rodolfo Gomez Jr. in Miami, while super middleweight Money Powell IV battles William Langston in Atlanta.

Pacheco of Los Angeles, California and Gomez will meet in an eight-round bout at Hard Rock Stadium as part of the Canelo Alvarez – Avni Yildirim Card, and the fight will be streamed live on DAZN at 7 PM ET.

Photo By Ed Mulholland _ Matchroom Boxing

Pacheco is considered one of the top prospects in the sport as his prowess has carried him to a record of 10-0 with nine knockouts.

Still just 19 years-old, Pacheco already has wins over four undefeated foes, and in his last bout he stopped Juan Antonio Mendez (12-2-2) in two rounds on October 23rd in Mexico City

Gomez Jr. of Laredo, Texas has a record of 14-4-1 with 10 knockouts.

Gomez, 31 years-old is a 13 year-veteran, and he is riding a three-fight winning streak. During his recent success, Gomez has wins over two undefeated foes which includes Enrique Neira (7-0) and his last bout, where Gomez stopped Nosa Divine Nehikare (2-0) on March 6th, 2020 in Laredo, Texas

Photo by Ed Mulholland _ Matchroom Boxing

At Friday’s weigh-in, Pacheco was 168 lbs. Gomez was 167 lbs.

Pacheco is promoted by Matchroom Boxing, and is under the guidance of Tim VanNewhouse.

Powell will take on Langston at The Buckhead Fight Club in Atlanta.

Powell of Fort Mitchell, Alabama is 11-1 with seven knockouts.

The 23 year-old Powell is a six-year pro, who is coming off a 1st round stoppage over Patrick Pierre on August 22, 2020 in Fort Payne, Alabama.

Langston of Kenosha, Wisconsin has a record of 3-1 with two knockouts.

He is coming off a 1st round stoppage over Devin Tomko on October 31st in Columbia, South Carolina.

Powell was 167 lbs at Friday’s weigh-in. Langston was 166.6.




Parker Decisions Fa

In a much anticipated showdown, former world champion Joseph Parker won a 12-round unanimous decision over Junior Fa in a battle of New Zealand based heavyweights in front of over 12,000 fans at the Spark Arena in Auckland, New Zealand.

Parker landed 163 of 490 punches; Fa was 106 of 394.

Parker, 240 lbs of Las Vegas via Auckland won by scores of 1191-09, 117-111 and 115-113 and to raise his record to 28-2. Fa, 260 1/2 lbs is now 19-1.

Hemi Ahio scored a brutal 7th round stoppage over 7’1″ Julius Long in their scheduled eight-round heavyweight bout.

In round four, Long dropped Ahio with a right hand off the ropes. That was in between Ahio battering Long with hard shots. In round nine, Ahio was pummeling Long with left hooks until one final one to the jaw sent the giant crashing down on the canvas with the back of his bouncing off of it and the fight was waved off at 2:55.

Ahio, 230 1/2 lbs is now 17-0 with 12 knockouts. Long, 326 3/4 lbs of Auckland, NZ via Detroit, MI is 18-25-1.

David Nyika needed just 29 seconds to stop Jesse Maio in the opening round of their six-round cruiserweight bout.

Nyika was making his debut. Maio is 3-1.

Nikolas Charalampous and Panuve Helu fought to a six-round draw in a cruiserweight fight.

In round five, Charalampous was deducted a point for low blows. Charalampous landed about 20 more that went undetected.

Each guy won a scorecard 58-56 and one card was even at 57-57.

Charalampous, 198 3/4 lbs of Auckland, NZ is 19-3-1. Helu, 197 lbs of Auckland, NZ via Tonga is 12-2-2.

Jerome Pampellone stopped debuting Antz Amouta in the opening round of their scheduled four-round cruiserweight bout,

Pampellone landed a right to the body that hurt Amouta badly. Pampellone jumped on Amouta with seven hard punches that sent Amouta to the canvas, and the fight was stopped at 2:57.

Pampellone, 180 lbs of Auckland, NZ via London, ENG is 3-0 with two knockoouts. Amouta, 190 3/4 lbs of New Zealand is 0-1.

John Parker remained undefeated with four-round unanimous decision over Egelani Taito in a light heavyweight contest.

Parker, 174 1/2 lbs is 6-0. Taigo, 174 1/2 lbs was making his debut.




ANTHONY DIRRELL VS. KYRONE DAVIS FINAL WEIGHTS

WBC Super Middleweight Title Eliminator – 12 Rounds
Anthony Dirrell – 167.4 lbs.
Kyrone Davis – 167.6 lbs.

Welterweight Bout – 10 Rounds
Jesús Ramos – 146.8 lbs.
Jesús Emilio Bojórquez – 146.2 lbs.

Welterweight Bout – 8 Rounds
Vito Mielnicki Jr. – 146.4 lbs.
Nóe López – 146 lbs.

Super Lightweight Bout – 8/10 Rounds
Michel Rivera – 144.4 lbs.
Anthony Mercado – 146 lbs.

Lightweight Bout – 4 Rounds
Anthony Cuba – 134.2 lbs.
Diego Elizondo – 135 lbs.

Super Bantamweight Bout – 4/6 Rounds
Romuel Cruz – 122.4 lbs.
Luis Valdés – 122.4 lbs.

Lightweight Bout – 8 Rounds
José Valenzuela – 134.8 lbs.
Clay Burns – 134.8 lbs.

Super Welterweight Bout – 8 Rounds
Leon Lawson – 152.2 lbs.
Ramal Amanov – 153.8 lbs.

Super Featherweight Bout – 6 Rounds
Arnold Alejandro – 131.2 lbs.
Jeremy Abram – 129.4 lbs.

The event will be promoted by TGB Promotions.
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