Impact Boxing Kicks Off 2021 Schedule on March 6th

Impact Boxing will kick off it’s 2021 schedule with a great night of boxing that will air on Saturday, March 6th,

Impact Network, the basic cable channel, which reaches over 93 millions homes, hopped on the scene last year with championship fights, as well as the acclaimed boxing talk show, Stars and Champions hosted by legendary sports writer Dan Rafael

Like many fights around the globe, Impact Boxing was not able to air the quantity of high class events, due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Impact Boxing is making good on their promise that it would return in in a big way, post-pandemic. Saturday, March 6th is the beginning of that.

Headlining the card on March 6, which will take place at Delray Beach Boxing Club in Delray Beach, Florida, will be Steve Geffrard taking on veteran Denis Grachev in the eight-round light heavyweight main event.

Geffrard, 30, of Miami has record of 17-2 with 12 knockouts. Geffrard has won 17 straight bouts and is a former WBO Asia Pacific Light Heavyweight champion. The eight-year pro has wins over Jamel Burnside (1-0) and a 7th round stoppage over Dmitry Sukhotskiy (23-4) to win the WBO Asia Pacific Title. He is coming off 4th round stoppage over Zoltan Sera on March 23, 2018.

Grachev, 38, of San Diego, California has a record of 20-11-1 with 11 knockouts. The 14 year-veteran has wins over Azea Augustama (9-0), Vladine Biosse (11-0), world-title challenger Ismayl Sillakh (17-0), former world champion Zsolt Erdei (33-0). Grachev has also fought former world champions Chad Dawson and Lucian Bute.

Also shown on the broadcast will be an eight-round light heavyweight bout between Robin Sirwan Safar (10-0, 7 KOs) of Las Vegas taking on Demetrius Banks (10-9-1, 5 KOs) of Detroit; A six-round lightweight bout featuring Antonio Williams (13-0-1, 6 KOs) of Richmond, Texas battling Ignacio Perrin (6-4-1, 1 KO) of Argentina. Kicking off the telecast will be heavyweight prospect Jeremiah Milton (2-0, 2KOs) of Las Vegas fighting fellow undefeated Zachary Calmus (1-0, 1 KO) of Gloucester, Mass.

Impact has inked a deal with with an International Boxing Hall of Fame Promoter that will start staging staging bouts as part of the series beginning in April.

Those details will be announced in the very near future.

Impact Network plans up to four big boxing events per month, that will feature everything from major bouts from around the globe, as well as highlighting some of the brightest prospects in the sport.

Also in April, the network is planning the return of Stars and Champions and a new sports series called entitles Healthily Conversions.

The Saturday block of original programming will launch the last week of April.

Impact Network is is back on track to become the biggest African American faith based network in the country

Founder Bishop Wayne T Jackson, Royal Jackson and Terry Arnold planned to become the biggest voice in the multi cultural programming space with Family Friendly cutting edge positive programming.




Billy Joe Saunders vs. Willie Monroe Jr. WBO World Middleweight Title Bout Headlines Classic Fight Night on fubo Sports Network

February 26, 2021-The WBO World Middleweight title was on the line when Billy Joe Saunders took on Willie Monroe Jr. in a bout that will headline tonight’s edition of Classic Fight Night on fubo Sports Network.

The fight, which took place on September 16, 2017, at The Copper Box Arena in London, England, featured two outstanding southpaws.

Saunders (24-0, 12 KOs) was making the 2nd defense of the title, while Monroe (21-2, 6 KOs) was the Boxcino Middleweight champion who was making his second world title attempt. Monroe was coming off a two fight winning streak, beating previous world-title challengers John Thompson and Gabriel Rosado.

See who prevailed in this world title clash, TONIGHT at 8 PM ET.

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




LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CONTENDER GILBERTO ‘ZURDO’ RAMIREZ SIGNS MULTI-FIGHT DEAL WITH GOLDEN BOY

LOS ANGELES (Feb. 26, 2021): Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez, (41-0, 27 KOs), the Mexican light heavyweight contender and undefeated former world champion, has signed a multi-fight deal with Golden Boy. Details for Ramirez’s imminent return will be announced shortly.

Despite being only 29 years old, Ramirez has over a decade of experience under his belt, debuting as a professional in 2009 and embarking on a career that would see him defeating the likes of Maxim Vlasov, Jessie “Hard Work” Hart and “King” Arthur Abraham, whom he defeated to become the WBO Super Middleweight World Champion. After five defenses of his belt, Ramirez moved up to light heavyweight, where he has scored wins against Thomas Karpency and Alfonso Lopez. With a stunning record of 41-0, Ramirez’s goal is to make history by maintaining his undefeated streak beyond 50 fights as he sets sights on the champions of the division.

“After several discussions, Golden Boy Promotions made the most sense and felt like the best partners for me,” said Gilberto Ramirez. “They understood the goals and the agendas I have and I have full faith in Oscar and the team to make the big fights happen. I look forward to working with them closely and to this new chapter of my career.”

“Mexican boxing has been a worldwide force in this sport for as long as I can remember,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy. “Along with its legacy of courageous fighters, it possesses a fanbase with a unique culture and energy that comes alive every single time its fighters step into the ring.”

“That’s why we are delighted to have signed Gilberto Ramirez to a multi-fight deal, an undefeated former world champion from the land of warriors in Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico,” De La Hoya continued. “As we in the United States look towards re-opening to bigger and bigger audiences, we know that Ramirez will bring even more excitement to the stacked 175-pound division as he sets course for all the world champions.”

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About Golden Boy
Los Angeles-based Golden Boy was established in 2002 by Oscar De La Hoya, the first Hispanic to own a national boxing promotional company. Golden Boy is a media and entertainment brand committed to making fighting entertainment more accessible and affordable. The company’s in-house production team develops creative original programming for RingTV.com and international channels across the globe. The company holds the exclusive rights to top boxers and has promoted some of the biggest and highest grossing events in the history of the sport. Now, Golden Boy is one of the most successful boxing entertainment companies in the world and shapes the future of boxing for fighters and fans alike.




Scardina stops Nunez in 8

Daniele Scardina stopped Cesar Nunez in round eight of their scheduled 12-round super middleweight bout in Milan, Italy.

Scardina controlled the action, and in round eight he landed a hard combination that hurt Nunez badly, and the fight was stopped at 2:55.

Scardina, 166 1/4 lbs of Miami via Italy is now 19-0 with 15 knockouts. Nunez, 167 1/4 lbs of Spain is 17-3-1.

Prodan stops Cristofori in 10

Maxim Prodan stopped Nicola Cristofori in the final round of a scheduled 10 round welterweight contest.

In round five, Prodan dropped Cristofori with a left to head.

In round nine, Prodan rocked Cristofori with a left hook. With Cristofori backed up on the ropes, Prodan landed two hard shots and the fight was stopped at 1:50.

Prodan, 145 3/4 lbs is 20-0 with 15 knockouts. Cristofori, 146 1/2 lbs is 11-3-2.

Nicholas Esposito remained undefeated with a 10-round unanimous decision over Tobia Giuseppe Loriga in a welterweight bout.

In round six, Esposito was cut around the right eye.

Esposito, 146 3/4 lbs of Italy won all cards 97-93 and is now 14-0. Loriga, 145 3/4 lbs of Italy is 32-9-3.

Mirko Natalizi stopped Islam Teffahi in round four of their scheduled eight-round junior middleweight bout.

In round four, Natalizi landed a perfect counter right that buckled and then put Teffahi to the canvas and the bout was stopped at 1:50.

Natalizi, 158 1/2 lbs of Rome, ITA is 10-0 with seven knockouts. Teffahi, 158 1/4 ls of Belgium is 22-9-2.

Vincenzo La Famina won a six-round unanimous decision over Pablo Narvaez in a featherweight bout.

La Famina, 127 1/4 lbs of Pagani, ITA won by scores 60-54 on all cards and is now 7-0. Narvaez, 127 3/4 lbs of Nicaragua is now 9-22-7.




BT SPORT FIGHT NIGHT LIVE – 27/02/2021: OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN RESULTS

Boxing returns to BT Sport 1 HD tomorrow night from 7.30pm, with a show stacked with exciting prospects and future world champions.

After the unfortunate loss of the British Super-Featherweight title clash between Anthony Cacace and Lyon Woodstock after the latter tested positive for covid-19, the headlining spot will now be occupied by Kaisy Khademi contesting his WBO European and the vacant IBF European Super-Flyweight Titles against Ijaz Ahmed.

Elsewhere on the card, Sam Noakes takes on unbeaten Delmar Thomas, Nathan Heaney takes on Ryan Oliver, Tommy Fury returns to the ring and Masood Abdulah, Amaar Akbar and Adan Mohamed all make their professional debuts.

Photos from todays weigh-in can be found here

Running order and weights below:

FIGHT #1

MASOOD ABDULAH (9st 2lb 4oz) v TAKA BEMBERE (9st 4lb 1oz)

FIGHT #2

SAM NOAKES (9st 11lb 10oz) v DELMAR THOMAS (9st 11 7oz)

FIGHT #3

AMAAR AKBAR (10st 2lb 12oz) v CHRIS ADAWAY (9st 13lb 10oz)

FIGHT #4

NATHAN HEANEY (11st 5lb 13oz) v RYAN OLIVER (11st 6lb 11oz)

FIGHT #5

ADAN MOHAMED (8st 13lb 3oz) v BRETT FIDOE (8st 12lb 8oz)

FIGHT #6

TOMMY FURY (12st 12lb 8oz) v SCOTT WILLIAMS (12st 11lb 12oz)

FIGHT #7

KAISY KHADEMI (8st 1lb 12oz) v IJAZ AHMED (8st 2lb 7oz)




VIDEO: Joseph Parker vs Junior Fa weigh-in




PARKER: I WANT TO MAKE A STATEMENT AT SPARK ARENA

Joseph Parker says he wants to “make a statement” when locks horns with long-term rival Junior Fa for the vacant WBO Oriental Heavyweight Title at Spark Arena in Auckland, New Zealand on Saturday February 27, live on DAZN

Parker (27-2, 21 KOs) returns to Spark Arena for the first time since claiming the WBO Heavyweight Championship against Mexico’s Andy Ruiz Jr just over four years ago. 

Three consecutive knockout wins have rebuilt the South Aucklander’s World Title aspirations since back-to-back losses to Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte, and Parker hopes these wins have kick-started his route back to the top of the ladder. 

But first, he needs to settle the 11-year old rivalry with his long time amateur nemesis, Junior Fa. With two wins a piece from their amateur boxing days, Parker knows he’s one step away from potential fights back among the Heavyweight elite, but he cannot take Fa for granted. 

“Junior’s a tough fighter,” said Parker. “I’ve known this from our amateur days and I always knew our paths would cross again. He’s undefeated and poses a real threat to my hopes of becoming a two-time Heavyweight World Champion. 

“But I’ve been up against the best and I’ve performed on the big occasions, and these experiences will put me in a great position to overcome Junior and take the next step towards winning another World Title.”

Ranked at No.3 in the world by the WBO, a fourth consecutive win will see Parker knocking on the door for another World Title shot.

Back at the place that arguably hosts Parker’s most memorable moment of his career, he knows everything is on the line. The Samoan is fighting for his pride, his future and to finally settle the score with Fa once and for all.

“It’s been a long training camp, but I feel like I’m firing on all cylinders,” added Parker. “The sparring has been quality to help me prepare. With Matchroom’s blessing and backing, this gives the fight more worldwide exposure. All eyes will be on during a busy boxing weekend around the globe.

“I know Junior pulled out of the fight last year with health issues, but I’m feeling way better myself as well, the extra time allowed me to have minor surgery on my elbow which has cleared up a niggling injury. 

“Junior is getting a lot of confidence from the amateur days but I’m a totally different animal now. We’re going to see the best Junior Fa. He brings height, reach and an undefeated record.

“If I lose this fight, it’s a long way back to the top. I’m not putting extra pressure on myself, but I know the magnitude of this fight. If I let my hands go in there, it will do a lot of damage, I want to get him out of there.

“I’m still young and hungry. There’s plenty of goals to achieve still. I want to be Champion of the World again; I want to provide my family with a comfortable life. To achieve both of those objectives, I need to beat Junior. 

“The division is on fire at the minute, it would be great to see the Undisputed fight with ‘AJ’ and Fury but make no mistake, I want another shot. I’m not shy about jumping in with anyone, but I can’t overlook Junior first of all, I want to make a statement at Spark Arena.”

Parker vs. Fa tops a big night of action in Auckland, Auckland-based Heavyweight Julius Long (18-24-1, 14 KOs) meets Hemi Ahio (16-0, 11 KOs) over eight rounds, Hamilton Cruiserweight David Nyika makes his professional debut against Jesse Maio (3-0, 1 KO), Nik ‘The Greek’ Charalampous (19-3, 9 KOs) takes on Panuve Helu (12-2-1, 11 KOs) in a six-round Cruiserweight contest and Jerome Pampellone (2-0, 1 KO) faces Anthony Amouta in a four-round catchweight contest at 87kg. 




SCARDINA: MY DREAM IS TO BECOME A WORLD CHAMPION

Italian star Daniele Scardina makes his long-awaited return to the ring this evening as he takes on Cesar Nunez for the vacant European Union Super-Middleweight Title at the Allianz Cloud in Milan, live on DAZN

‘King Toretto’ (18-0, 14 KOs) is quickly establishing himself as the flag-bearer for Italian boxing, picking up the vacant IBF International Super-Middleweight Title against Finland’s Henri Kekalainen in March 2019. 

The 28-year-old from Rozzano made the first defence of his IBF International belt against Alessandor Goddi three months later at the Allianz Cloud, before returning to the same venue in October to make another successful defence against Ilias Achergui.

Scardina, who trains out of the 5th Street Gym in Miami, USA, will be looking to pick up where he left off as he strives towards a dream World Title shot in the red-hot 168lbs division.

“I am very happy to be back in the ring, one year and four months of inactivity is too much,” said Scardina. “I need to feel the emotions that only boxing gives me. I tried to keep in shape but not having a scheduled fight made it difficult. 

“Last December I went back to Miami Beach and I trained at 5th Street Gym and now I am in top shape. I competed at the Italian edition of Dancing with the Stars, but I consider myself a fighter first. This fight is super-important for me and I am motivated to give my best to win.

“I feel great right now, really happy. I know it’s going to be a good fight. He’s a tough opponent. He’s going to come for a war, but my camp was brilliant and I feel prepared. 

“I came from nothing, so what I have now, I really appreciate and work hard for. That’s why I train so hard. My dream is to become a World Champion. The bigger dream it to set an example for the young people. I want people to belive in themselves. 

“I want to be an inspiration to people and show them that nothing is impossible. If I can do it, then so can they. I want to show people how to follow their dreams and how to be strong and to never give up.”

Scardina vs. Nunez tops a big night of action in Milan, undefeated Maxim Prodan (18-0-1, 14 KOs) defends his IBF International Welterweight Title against Ferrara’s Nicola Cristofori (11-2-2, 1 KO), Nicholas Esposito (13-0, 5 KOs) challenges Tobia Loriga (32-8-3, 6 KOs) for the Italian Welterweight Title, Roma’s big-hitting Super-Welterweight prospect Mirko Natalizi (9-0, 6 KOs) returns against Islam Teffahi (22-8-2, 5 KOs) and Campania Featherweight Vincenzo La Femina (6-0, 3 KOs) looks to impress against Pablo Narvaez (9-21-7, 1 KO).




LIVE VIDEO: Canelo Alvarez vs Avni Yildirim & undercard weigh in




AUDIO: Anthony Dirrell vs Kyrone Davis Press Conference






VIDEO: Anthony Dirrell vs Kyrone Davis Press Conference




AUDIO: Interview with Anthony Dirrell






VIDEO: Interview with Anthony Dirrell




CANELO ALVAREZ VS. AVNI YILDIRIM ­- PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES

Eddie Hearn

“Cannot quite believe that we are promoting an event at the home of the Miami Dolphins this Saturday– the Hard Rock Stadium. The return of the pound-for-pound king Canelo Alvarez fighting just 8 weeks after unifying the division against Callum Smith in Texas. We are so excited. We are going to have 15,000 people in the building. Huge crowd there.”

“So proud to be here representing DAZN live this weekend. It’s an absolute honor to be working with, in my opinion, the greatest network in boxing right now. These guys have so much to bring you coming up– an unrivaled schedule.”

“One thing we love at Matchroom is giving young fighters the chance to succeed.”

“You look at Canelo Alvarez, and he was just all business up there. He wasn’t really joking around. I think he knows what could lie ahead.”

“What I like about Avni Yilridim is he’s a massive underdog in this fight. But I promise he will come with fire in his belly…This is a dream come true for him. On paper he should be outmatched, out classed and knocked out.”

“I’ve never seen a fighter like Canelo Alvarez upfront. What you’re seeing on Saturday is the best fighter of our generation, and it’s special to see.”

Canelo Alvarez

“I respect all fighters. I respect the challenger that’s in front of me right now. I know he’s a strong fighter. I know he has a lot of tools. I have the same mentality. I’m trying to do my job, and I’m trying to make history.” 

“I love being here. I love being in the gym. It’s my life. We’re going to take these fights fight-by-fight, and hopefully I can fight 4 times this year.”
“I’m focused on my rival Saturday. I know right now, this fight is the only one that exists for me, and I’m focused on what I have to do, my job for Saturday.”

Avni Yildirim

“I’m ready to be here. Saturday is a big night for me and for my country, for all the fans. It’s a big chance for me, a big chance for my country. Everyone is waiting for the WBC belt. Maybe after the world championship title, boxing will get so big in my country.”

“He’s a big champion, everyone knows that. I’m ready for the world championship title for the big chance. It’s my time. Saturday, for everyone, it’s showtime.”

Joel Diaz

“It was a great experience for me when I was called by Avni’s manager in regard to this great opportunity. Flew into Turkey, started training over there. Everything was great, we’ve been putting in some great work. I believe we can do something with Avni. If not, I wouldn’t be here.”

“He’s hungry, he has a whole country behind him, and he wants to make a legacy of his own being the only Turkish fighter right now at this moment. He’s fighting hard, he’s excited about the opportunity and he’s taking advantage of it.”

“Putting a plan against Canelo Alvarez for me, is really tough because Canelo is not an easy fighter to face. Like every coach, like every fighter we have to take risks. We’re up for the challenge.”  

Eddy Reynoso

“We were very happy after that fight in December and very happy after the results with Oscar Valdez. We know we have a tough fight against Yildirim, he’s trained by Joel. We know it’s not going to be easy but we’re gonna give a good fight.”

Julio Martinez

“I’m ready, I’m anxious. I was sad about the pandemic and having to cancel a couple of fights. I’m ready to fight whoever, whenever and I’m going in there with everything but fear.”

“I’m wishing him luck. He’s Mexican. He’s a Mexican fighter. We want to face the best. We want to unify the title and after the result of this fight, continue gathering more titles. And then possibly move up to super flyweight.”

McWilliams Arroyo

“I’ve been waiting a long year for this fight to be happening and thank God it’s going to be a dream come true. May the best man win. I’ve been working very hard. He’s the world champion and I know he wants to keep being the world champion, and I want to take the championship from him to take it to my home.”

Zhilei Zhang

“I just want to say thanks to everybody who comes here. Thank you, Eddie Hearn, Matchroom and DAZN.  All I want to say is I’m ready to go.”

“I go one step at a time. I never look past him. I’ll see what happens after the fight and we’ll go from there. But right now,  my focus is Saturday night.”

Jerry Forrest

“I had to make sure I took the proper steps to be the best I can be in this fight. That’s what I’ve been trying to produce this entire camp. Be ready, focus and keep my eyes on the prize.”

“He’s a great fighter. I mean, when you’re talking about Olympic fighters, this man is a good fighter. We had to come up with a game plan. We have a game plan that we plan on sticking to. When you’re fighting top guys like Zhilei Zhang you have to be ready.”

Diego Pacheco

“It’s been a hell of a start to my career so far, and I’m just happy to be here. I’m happy to step up and take it to the next level in my career.”

“I was supposed to be on the Canelo and Smith Monday card. Due to things I was going through, I was forced to pull out of the show. That was the past and I’m here now and I’m ready to go this Saturday.”

Rodolfo Gomez

“It’s a good opportunity for me, but I believe that I have all the right tools to come out victorious in this one. I know he’s gonna try his best. I expect his A-game and I’m gonna bring my best A-game, so the fans can expect a great fight.”

“It’s a great opportunity to showcase my skills. Get a contract ready, man because I’m bringing it. I know he’s a great prospect. I see a lot of similarities in our styles, and I think it’s going to be great for the fans.”

Marc Castro

“Let’s get this party started. I’m happy to be here and feel at home right here with Matchroom and DAZN. Eddie’s doing the best and he has Canelo. Canelo is pound-for-pound don’t get it twisted nobody. I’m just happy to be a part of it.”

“It was an unbelievable adrenaline rush, because I look up to Canelo a lot. The adrenaline rush– you just have to stay calm.”

Keyshawn Davis

“Honestly, I felt like I was ready to go pro when I was 19.”

“I was trying to wait for the Olympics. I wanted to get this gold medal. But when this pandemic hit, things kind of changed and things weren’t really certain for me. So coming into 2021, I realized all these big fighters had all their fights in the pandemic. I felt like if I would’ve took my opportunity to fight in 2020, my pro debut would’ve been watered down.”

“Saturday night, they should just expect a great performance. I’ve been giving yall great performances throughout my entire amateur career whether it was sparring a big name or going internationally and fighting.”

Aaron Aponte

“We’re ready for the opponent. He’s a good, strong opponent. He’s a tough opponent. It’s only my second fight but I’m gonna get the job done and I’m gonna knock him out.”

“Miami is a huge opportunity for boxing. We have tremendous boxing fans here. Everyone comes out, shows out.”

“I always dreamed about fighting here as being here from Miami, I always dreamed about being in the Dolphins stadium.”

Alexis Espino 

“I can’t even explain how frustrating it is. It’s so frustrating getting to a fight. You know, you pull up with all this adrenaline just to tell you you have to go home. It’s mad frustrating but it I think those are the times it makes you appreciate moments like this. You sit up here and you’re like ‘Damn this feels good.’”

“I’m very blessed to get this opportunity again thanks to Eddie Hearn, thanks to God. I was going through a whole lot of camps and I stayed down. I kept on training. I didn’t let those hiccups pull me down.”

“My opponent seems strong and he’s been talking a lot so I’m really excited to put on a show. I’m sure he’s going to bring out the best of me and that’s what we’ve been training for.”




UFC 259 HEADLINED BY THREE THRILLING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOUTS

Las Vegas – UFC® delivers its most stacked Pay-Per-View event of 2021 so far, headlined by a trio of world championship bouts. Newly crowned UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz makes his first title defense against UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, who aims to become only the fifth fighter to simultaneously hold belts in two UFC weight classes. Two-division titleholder Amanda Nunes puts her UFC featherweight championship on the line against talented striker Megan Anderson. Plus, UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan looks to take out surging No. 1 contender Aljamain Sterling.

UFC® 259: B?ACHOWICZ vs. ADESANYA will take place Saturday, March 6 at UFC APEX in Las Vegas and will stream live on Pay-Per-View, exclusively through ESPN+ in the U.S. at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT in both English and Spanish.

ESPN+ is the exclusive provider of all UFC Pay-Per-View events to fans in the U.S. as part of an agreement announced in 2019.

Fans will be able to purchase UFC® 259: B?ACHOWICZ vs. ADESANYAonline at ESPNPlus.com/PPV or on the ESPN App on mobile and connected-TV devices. ESPN+ is available as an integrated part of the ESPN App on all major mobile and connected TV devices and platforms, including Amazon Fire, Apple, Android, Chromecast, PS4, Roku, Samsung Smart TVs, X Box One and more.

Preliminary fights will air nationally in English on ESPN and in Spanish on ESPN Deportes, as well as being simulcast in both languages on ESPN+ starting at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. Early prelims will be available on UFC Fight Pass and ESPN+ (in English and Spanish) at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT.

Blachowicz (27-8, fighting out of Warsaw, Poland) captured the vacant UFC light heavyweight championship with a spectacular TKO victory over Dominick Reyes in September. Known for his “Polish power,” the No. 14 ranked men’s pound-for-pound fighter has also earned impressive KO wins against Corey Anderson, Luke Rockhold and Ilir Latifi. Blachowicz now attempts to cement his reign by securing his first successful title defense and handing Adesanya his first career loss.

No. 3 ranked men’s pound-for-pound fighter Adesanya (20-0, fighting out of Auckland, New Zealand by way of Lagos, Nigeria) quickly turned heads upon joining the UFC roster in 2018. The former kickboxer has since secured his spot atop the middleweight ladder with sensational KO victories over Paulo Costa, Robert Whittaker and Derek Brunson. Adesanya now aims to etch his name in the history books by taking out Blachowicz to become a two-division UFC champion.

The greatest female fighter in combat sports history, Nunes (20-4, fighting out of Coral Springs, Fla. by way of Bahia, Brazil) looks to continue building her legacy by securing her seventh overall UFC title defense —and second in the featherweight division. Throughout her storied career, she has earned stoppage wins over former UFC champions Ronda Rousey, Holly Holm, Cris Cyborg and Miesha Tate. Nunes now hopes to deliver another vintage performance by becoming the first fighter to KO Anderson.

Former Invicta FC featherweight champion Anderson (11-4, fighting out of Kansas City, Mo. by way of Gold Coast, Australia) is poised to send shockwaves throughout the MMA world if she can finish Nunes. A powerful kickboxer, she has delivered memorable stoppage victories over Cat Zingano, Norma Dumont and Zarah Fairn during her UFC run. Anderson now has her sights set on achieving her dream of UFC gold by handing Nunes her first loss in over six years.

Yan (15-1, fighting out of Yekaterinburg, Russia) realized his goal of becoming UFC champion by delivering a thrilling fifth-round TKO victory over all-time great Jose Aldo last July. Currently riding an impressive 10-fight win streak, the No. 10 ranked men’s pound-for-pound fighter has also netted KO wins against UFC Hall of Fame inductee Urijah Faber, Douglas Silva de Andrade and Teruto Ishihara. Yan is now gunning for another highlight-reel finish to secure his first successful UFC title defense.

Sterling (19-3, fighting out of Uniondale, N.Y.) hopes to make the most of his first title shot by becoming the first fighter to finish Yan. A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and former NCAA Division III wrestling standout, Sterling holds notable submission victories over Cory Sandhagen, Cody Stamann, Johnny Eduardo and Takeya Mizugaki. Sterling now attempts to secure his biggest win yet by dethroning Yan in emphatic fashion to capture UFC gold.

Additional bouts on the card include:

  • No. 14 ranked lightweight contender Islam Makhachev (18-1, fighting out of Makhachkala, Russia) looks to defend his spot on the 155-ladder when he takes on dangerous finisher Drew Dober (23-9 1NC, fighting out of Denver, Colo.)
  • Former UFC light heavyweight title challenger and No. 2 ranked contender Thiago Santos (21-8, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) locks horns with No. 4 Aleksandar Rakic (13-2, fighting out of Vienna, Austria)
  • Former UFC bantamweight champion and No. 11 ranked contender Dominick Cruz (22-3, fighting out of San Diego, Calif.) looks to stop the momentum of surging Casey Kenney (16-2-1, fighting out of Tucson, Ariz.)
  • No. 14 ranked bantamweight contender Song Yadong (16-4-1 1NC, fighting out of Heilongjiang, China) aims to push his unbeaten streak to 10 bouts when he faces The Ultimate Fighter season 27 veteran Kyler Phillips (8-1, fighting out of Glendale, Ariz.)
  • Former UFC flyweight title challenger and No. 2 ranked contender Joseph Benavidez (28-7, fighting out of Las Cruces, N.M.) squares off with undefeated No. 3 Askar Askarov (12-0-1, fighting out of Khasavyurt, Dagestan, Russia)
  • No. 15 ranked women’s strawweight contender Livinha Souza (12-4, fighting out of Araraquara, State of São Paulo, Brazil) takes on rising prospect Amanda Lemos (8-1-1, fighting out of Para, Brazil)
  • No. 12 ranked flyweight contender Timothy Elliott (17-11-1, fighting out of Lee’s Summit, Mo.) goes for another show-stealing performance against Jordan Espinosa (15-8 1NC, fighting out of Albuquerque, N.M.)
  • Kennedy Nzechukwu (7-1, fighting out of Dallas, Texas) takes on unbeaten newcomer Carlos Ulberg (5-0, fighting out of Auckland, New Zealand) in an exciting light heavyweight bout
  • Sean Brady (13-0, fighting out of Philadelphia, Penn.) faces Jake Matthews (17-4, fighting out of Epping, Victoria, Australia) in what promises to be an entertaining welterweight bout
  • Rogerio Bontorin (16-2 1NC, fighting out of Colombo, Parana, Brazil) meets Kai Kara-France (21-9 1NC, fighting out of Auckland, New Zealand) in a clash of No. 8 ranked flyweight contenders
  • Dana White’s Contender Series signees collide when Uros Medic (6-0, fighting out of Anchorage, Alaska by way of Novi Sad, Serbia) meets Aalon Cruz (8-3, fighting out of Tampa, Fla.) at lightweight
  • Mario Bautista (8-1, fighting out of Phoenix, Ariz.) steps in to face Trevin Jones (12-6 1NC, fighting out of Maite, Guam) at bantamweight

For the latest information on additional bouts for this event, please visit www.ufc.com. All bouts live and subject to change.

###

About UFC®

UFC® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 625 million fans and 142 million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world, while broadcasting to approximately 900M TV households across more than 175 territories. UFC’s athlete roster features the world’s best MMA athletes representing more than 70 countries. The organization’s digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS®, one of the world’s leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC was acquired in 2016 by global entertainment, sports and content company Endeavor, along with strategic investors Silver Lake Partners and KKR. UFC is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram and TikTok: @UFC.

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 12.5 million subscribers.

Fans sign up to ESPN+ for just $5.99 a month (or $59.99 per year) at ESPN.comESPNplus.com or on the ESPN App (mobile and connected devices). It is also available as part of The Disney Bundle offer that gives subscribers access to Disney+, ESPN+ and Hulu (ad-supported) — all for just $12.99/month.

About ESPN

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




LIVE VIDEO: Canelo Alvarez vs Avni Yildirim Press Conference






Saturday: Kazakh Star Kamshybek Kunkabayev Returns Against Server Emurlaiev LIVE on ESPN+

(February 25, 2021) — Two-time World Championships silver medalist Kamshybek Kunkabayev, from Kazakhstan, will continue his fast track to a world title shot Saturday. Kunkabayev (2-0, 2 KOs) will take on Server Emurlaiev in a 10-rounder for the WBO Asia Pacific cruiserweight title from Baluan Sholak Sports Palace in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
 
The Kunkabayev-Emurlaiev card, promoted by MTK Global Kazakhstan, will stream live and exclusively in the United States on ESPN+ beginning at 9 a.m. ET/6 a.m. PT. 
 
The 29-year-old Kunkabayev turned pro last August with a second-round stoppage over veteran Issa Akberbayev, and less than four months later, he dominated Serhiy Radchenko en route to a fourth-round knockout. As an amateur, Kunkabayev notched victories over 2016 Olympic gold medalist and current heavyweight prospect Tony Yoka, 2019 World Championships gold medalist Bakhodir Jalolov, and 2019 World Championships bronze medalist Maxim Babanin. Emurlaiev (23-1, 9 KOs), who once challenged for an interim super middleweight world title, returned from a nearly nine-year layoff last Saturday and bested Ajmal Zarif via first-round disqualification.
 
In other streaming action:

  • Kazakh prospect Nurtas Azhbenov (10-0, 4 KOs) will fight Russian veteran Evgeny Smirnov (13-1-3, KOs) in a 10-rounder for the vacant WBC Asian Boxing Council Continental lightweight belt.
     
  • Welterweight prospect Talgat Shayken (3-0, 2 KOs), a 20-year-old from Koksetau, Kazakhstan, will face Evgeny Pavko (18-3-1, 13 KOs) in an eight-rounder. Shayken turned pro last August and has won his last two via stoppage.
     
  • In an eight-round cruiserweight tilt, four-year pro Ali Baloyev (10-0, 7 KOs) will step up in class against 39-year-old Russian Denis Tsaryuk (12-4, 10 KOs).
     
  • Southpaw boxer-puncher Abay Tolesh (6-1, 4 KOs), who bounced back with a knockout win last December following a split decision defeat, will fight Vasily Shtyk (2-2, 2 KOs) in an eight-rounder at middleweight.
     
  • In a six-round featherweight battle of Kazakh unbeatens, Torgynbek Amirov (3-0) will clash with Bektas Kassenay (4-0, 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 12.5 million subscribers.

Fans sign up to ESPN+ for just $5.99 a month (or $59.99 per year) at ESPN.comESPNplus.com or on the ESPN App (mobile and connected devices). It is also available as part of The Disney Bundle offer that gives subscribers access to Disney+, ESPN+ and Hulu (ad-supported) — all for just $12.99/month.




Undefeated RayJay Bermudez super lightweight prospect flying under the radar

BOSTON (February 25, 2020) – Undefeated RayJay “The Destroyer” Bermudez (12-0, 9 KOs) has tried to stay busy and progress, developmental-wise, fighting three times during the pandemic, including a recent title-winning performance south of the border.

The 22-year-old Bermudez, fighting out of Albany (NY), stopped journeyman Rynell Griffin in five rounds last November in New Hampshire, and he followed that up in December with a third-round technical knockout of Ever Ceballos in Mexico to capture the vacant American Boxing Federation’s (ABF) Americas West super lightweight championship.

“Mexico was a humbling experience,” Bermudez said after his ABF title-winning performance. “I’m honored to have had the opportunity to go to another country and fight for a professional title. I fought a tough, scrappy Mexican veteran, who was game from the beginning, but my plan was to stay composed and break him down. And that’s exactly want I did to score a third-round TKO and advance my record to 11-0 with 8 knockouts. Thank you to everybody who tuned on the FITE.app. This is only the beginning of something special!”

In his most recent fight earlier this month, Bermudez returned to Mexico for a stay busy fight, stopping Mario Israel Vera round four.

Despite his unbeaten run, Bermudez is still fighting under the radar, at least on a national basis, but 2021 promises to be a breakout year for him, of course, pending pandemic restrictions in 2021.

Bermudez, who is managed by Ryan Roach’s Fighter Locker, is trained by his uncle, Hector Bermudez, who has trained five world champions including TJ Doheny and Javier Fortuna.

RayJay looked great in his last fight,” Roach commented. “He stuck to the game plan and broke his opponent down. We as a team are really happy where he is at right now. We will start stepping up the competition this year. Our goal will be to get him a regional title and get him ranked. This will be an exciting year to be a part of RayJay’s team.

Fighter Locker’s growing stable of gifted boxers includes California super flyweight Rocco “So Cal Kid” Santomauro (20-1, 6 KOs), West Haven, CT super welterweight Jimmy “Quiet Storm” Williams (16-5-2, 5 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.




WILL SILENCE BE GOLDEN ON SATURDAY NIGHT FOR FAN FAVOURITE NATHAN HEANEY?

QUEENSBERRY MIDDLEWEIGHT NEWCOMER Nathan Heaney is reconciled to performing without his raucous band of followers from his home city of Stoke for the first time when he goes up against Ryan Oliver at the Copper Box Arena on Saturday night, live on BT Sport.

‘Hitman’ Heaney, 10-0, is serenaded by his loyal support to the strains of “Delilah” when he struts out for his ring entrance, more often than not at his local atmospheric Kings Hall. Clips of his prolonged walk to the ring have gone viral and it is no understatement to say the 31-year-old is inspired by his fans.

He will have to take care of business on his own in London this weekend and his supporters will be able to sing along from home because he insists the song stays!

“It is a bit weird now it is finally happening, but I am at last getting the chance to do what I have always wanted to do since the age of 17 when I started boxing properly,” said Heaney on being introduced as a Queensberry signing. “I have been boxing all my life, but from 17 I wanted to be signed by Frank Warren and now I get to be a Queensberry Promotions fighter and I am really looking forward to it.

“It is a bit annoying with the scenario we are in at the moment. I have said before that we would take the arena over, me and my Stoke lot. Now I am part of it I think it will get even bigger when we can have crowds back.

“There would have been a lot coming for this fight but, it is what it is, and they will be watching from home so I will be putting a show on.”

Heaney was an interested television observer a couple of weeks back when Josh Warrington experienced fighting without the backdrop of his equally riotous Leeds support. The former world champion went through the usual motions during his entrance, but his customary salutes were lost in an empty arena.

The rest is now history and the Leeds favourite is no longer an unbeaten fighter.

“People know me for my ring walk too and he just looked awkward doing it,” considered Heaney, who is more of a natural showman than Warrington. “I’ve got to think about how I will do mine and I have got a rough idea in my head. 

“He looked very uncomfortable and you have got to be a bit of an extrovert in those circumstances. What makes his work is the crowd itself and he doesn’t play a big part in it really, whereas I interact with my guys so it will be weird without having them there.

“I’ll be fine on the night because I am a fighter – an entertainer as well – and we know what we need to do.

“As long as “Delilah” is playing I will be fine. Once it kicks in it just clicks for me and it doesn’t matter if there is nobody or a thousand people there. I would prefer a thousand, but I will be ready and I will be fine.”

Not that Heaney is underestimating the job in front of him presented by the 26-year-old Oliver.

“From what I have seen of him he looks a very good boxer, very well schooled. I saw an interview where he said he had no real amateur experience and it shocked me because, technically, I think he looks very, very good.

“He works well behind a nice jab and I think he is strong, stronger than his record suggests and he keeps the range right. Our styles are similar in that we both work behind jabs, both keep it long and it will be interesting to see how it goes.

“They have taken the fight for one reason and it isn’t that they think they will lose. It is going to be good, he will want to make a statement and this is his opportunity on the big stage to cause an upset.

“And, they’ve got the benefit of thinking to themselves ‘he hasn’t got that crowd, so now is the time to get him’. My support does play a role, but I will be the same fighter on the night regardless.”

Heaney vs Oliver is live this Saturday night on BT Sport 1 HD at 7.30pm as part of a packed card headlined by British super featherweight champion Anthony Cacace defending his belt against Lyon Woodstock..

Also on the bill Kaisy Khademi (8-0) bids to double his belt tally by adding the vacant IBF European Super-Flyweight crown to his WBO European title against Birmingham’s Ijaz Ahmed (7-2).

In a special attraction Light-Heavyweight puncher Tommy Fury (4-0) is back in action and thrilling Lightweight prospect Sam Noakes (4-0) goes in against the unbeaten Delmar Thomas (5-0).

Three professional debuts complete the card, with ABA champion Masood Abdulah in action at Super-Featherweight along with Super-Lightweight  Amaar Akbar and  Adan Mohamed who will box at Super-Bantamweight.




AUDIO: Interview with Shaun George






VIDEO: Interview with Shaun George




Undefeated Sensation Michel Rivera Takes On Anthony Raíces in FOX PBC Fight Night Prelims on FS1 & on FOX Deportes Saturday, February 27 from Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES (February 24, 2021) – Highly touted undefeated prospect Michel Rivera takes another step toward world title contention as he faces Anthony Raíces in an 8/10-round super lightweight bout headlining FOX PBC Fight Night Prelims on FS1 and on FOX Deportes Saturday, February 27 from Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall in Los Angeles.

The telecast begins at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT and includes Anthony Cuba versus Diego Elizondo in a four-round lightweight battle in the televised opener.

FOX PBC Fight Night Prelims on FS1 precedes the FOX PBC Fight Night broadcast that begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and is headlined by two-time Super Middleweight Champion Anthony Dirrell taking on Kyrone Davis in a WBC Super Middleweight World Title eliminator.

The event will be promoted by TGB Promotions and will take place without fans in attendance at the Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall, an AEG venue, in downtown Los Angeles.

Born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic and now living in Miami, the 22-year-old Rivera (19-0, 12 KOs) is widely considered one of the best prospects in boxing today. Rivera made his U.S. debut in June of 2019 by scoring a unanimous decision victory against then-unbeaten René Téllez Girón, who would go on to upset Karlos Balderas in his next fight. The explosive rising star followed that up by stopping José Luis Gallegos in September 2019 and scoring a vicious 10th-round TKO against Fidel Maldonado Jr. in February 2020. Last October, Rivera easily outpointed Ladarius Miller over 10 rounds in what was expected to be the toughest bout of his career.

Fighting out of his native Puerto Rico, the hard-hitting Raíces (13-4, 11 KOs) has been on a two-fight win streak since suffering a decision loss to Mykal Fox in May 2018. He won an eight-round decision over Víctor Vázquez in September 2018. Then in March 2019, Raíces scored a fifth-round TKO against Andrés Navarro in Philadelphia.

Cuba (1-0, 1 KO) is an 18-year-old prodigy who first turned heads as an amateur, winning two national championships. Fighting out of Fontana, California, Cuba enjoyed an impressive pro debut, scoring a third-round stoppage victory over Leon Cavalli in October 2020. He looks to continue his winning ways against Carson City, Nevada’s Elizondo (3-2-2) in their lightweight contest.

In off-TV undercard action, undefeated prospect José Valenzuela (6-0, 3 KOs) takes on veteran Clay Burns (9-10-2, 4 KOs) in an eight-round lightweight bout, unbeaten Leon Lawson (13-0, 6 KOs) faces Ramal Amanov (16-2, 5 KOs) in an eight-round super welterweight match, Arnold Alejandero (11-1, 10 KOs) battles Jeremy Abram (3-0, 2 KOs) in a six-round super featherweight bout and unbeaten Romuel Cruz (4-0, 2 KOs) meets Luis Valdés (7-6-1, 2 KOs) in a super bantamweight match.

#

Viewers can live stream the PBC shows on the FOX Sports and FOX NOW apps or at FOXSports.com. In addition, all programs are available on FOX Sports on SiriusXM channel 83 on satellite radios and on the SiriusXM app.

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




Full Card Set for RDR Promotions Fight Card on Saturday, March 6th at The Sportsplex in Feasterville, PA

Constant Contact
Dear Marc Abrams,

Your campaign ‘Full Card Set for RDR Promotions show on Saturday, March 6th at The Sportsplex in Feasterville, PA’ was sent on 2/24/2021 around 4:23 PM EST.

Below is a copy of the message your subscribers received. See how your campaign is doing by visiting Reports in your account to get real-time results and stats.

Subject: Full Card Set for RDR Promotions show on Saturday, March 6th at The Sportsplex in Feasterville, PA

Full Card Set for RDR Promotions Fight Card on Saturday, March 6th at The Sportsplex in Feasterville, PA

Shinard Bunch takes on Cameron Krael in Main Event

Rashiem Jefferson Jr. battled Pedro Antonio Rodriguez

Nahir Albright Fights William Parra Smith

Plus Undefeated Nasir Mickens and Jakub Sowirko in Action

Virtual Press Conference, Tuesday, March 2nd at 7 PM ET

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Philadelphia, PA (February 24, 2021) – Rising junior welterweight prospect Shinard Bunch will take on tough veteran Cameron Krael in the eight-round main event of a RDR Promotions card on Saturday, March 6th at The Sportsplex in Feasterville, Pa.

The bout will headline a six-bout card.

Bunch, 21 of Trenton, New Jersey has a record of 13-1 with 12 knockouts. The two year professional has kept an ambitious scheduled as he will be fighting for the 14th time in 22 months, and this will already be his 4th fight of 2021.

Bunch is coming off a 1st round stoppage over Ariel Vazquez on February 12th in Orlando, Florida.

Kreal of Las Vegas, has a deceiving record of 17-17-3 with four knockouts.

The 27 year-old Krael is a 10-year veteran and has competed and has more then held his own against top competition, which includes a staggering 17 undefeated opponents. He has taken on future world champions Maurice Hooker, Jamal James. He has defeated Guadalupe Salcido (2-0), Luis Adrian Bello (5-0), Manuel Lopez (5-0), Demond Brok (8-2), Josh Torres (14-3-2), Maurice Lee (7-0), Jose Miguel Borrego (14-1) and Ravshan Hudaynazarov.

He is coming losing to super-prospect Elvis Rodríguez on October 9th in Las Vegas.

In six-round bouts:

Rashiem Jefferson Jr. (4-0) of Philadelphia takes on Pedro Antonio Rodriguez (15-24-3, 7 KOs) of Durango, Mexico in a featherweight contest.

Edgar Joe Cortes (6-6-1) of Vineland, NJ takes on Michael Stoute (3-2-1) of Long Island, NY in a bantamweight bout.

Nahir Albright (9-1, 3 KOs) of Sicklerville, NJ takes on William Parra Smith (3-5-1, 3 KOs) of Anchorage, Alaska in a lightweight fight.

In a four round fights:

Undefeated cruiserweight Jakub Sowirko (2-0, 1 KO) of Trenton, NJ takes on Philly-Favorite, Garrett Wilson (18-17-1, 9 KOs).

Nasir Mickens (1-0, 1 KO) of Philadelphia will tangle with Nathan Benichou (2-2, 2 KOs) of Puebla, Mexico in a junior lightweight contest.

There will be a virtual press conference on Tuesday, March 2nd at 7 PM ET—Details to Follow

Tickets are $150 for Front Row; $100 for Ringside and $75 for General Admission and can be purchased from the fighters or emailing rricerivew@yahoo.com

1st Bell is at 7 PM

All Covid-19 Protocols will be followed, and masks must be worn at all times.

The Sportsplex is located at 1331 O’Reilly Drive in Feasterville-Trevose, PA.




SEVEN-DIVISION WORLD CHAMPION AMANDA SERRANO FACES CURRENT TWO-WEIGHT TITLIST DANIELA BERMUDEZ IN FEATHERWEIGHT TITLE BOUT THURSDAY, MARCH 25 IN RING CITY USA’S MAIN EVENT ON NBC SPORTS NETWORK

Los Angeles – February 24, 2021 – Seven-division world champion and future Boxing Hall of Famer Amanda Serrano will return to the ring to defend her WBO and WBC featherweight world titles against current two-division titlist Daniela Bermudez in the main attraction of a Ring City USA event from Puerto Rico on Thursday, March 25 at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT, live on NBC Sports Network and NBC Sports app in the United States and Puerto Rico. The full card, which will be announced at a later date, will be available on Twitch outside of the United States.

Serrano vs. Bermudez will headline the third event of Ring City’s residency in Puerto Rico and will be presented live from Plaza del Quinto Centenario in Old San Juan, where a ring will be erected in one of the most scenic locations on the island.

“A title fight between Puerto Rico’s own Amanda Serrano and Argentina’s Daniela Bermudez is the perfect way to close out Ring City’s three-event stretch on the island,” said Evan Rutkowski, Head of Boxing, Ring City USA. “A surefire Hall of Famer at just 32, Amanda continues to welcome the toughest challenges and on March 25, she will face a fellow multi-division world champion in Daniela Bermudez. We are committed to women’s boxing at Ring City and highlighting two great champions in a career-defining fight aligns with our vision.”

“Amanda Serrano versus Daniela Bermudez is one of the best fights that can be made in women’s boxing right now. I give huge credit to both champions and their teams for taking such a big risk,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “This clash will provide tremendous action and I am thrilled that Amanda will get to defend her WBC and WBO featherweight world titles on her native island of Puerto Rico. On March 25, the Ring City audience will not want to miss this.”

“This is the best female fight of the year,” said Natalia Rivero of Argentina’s OR Promotions. “Two champions and two of the best pound-for-pound boxers in the world. The words are meaningless, but the action will talk. It is going to be a very ‘Bonita’ fight.”

Born in Puerto Rico and now residing in Brooklyn, New York, Serrano (39-1-1, 29 KOs) will return to the featherweight division to defend the WBO world title which she captured via wide unanimous decision in her most recent championship triumph over Heather Hardy in September 2019 at Madison Square Garden, as well as her newly acquired WBC belt. The 32-year-old southpaw remained active in 2020 with two dominating technical knockout victories, including a first-round knockout over Dahiana Santana in her most recent outing in December. Serrano has captured nine major world titles across the seven weight divisions from 115 to 140 lbs., while holding the honor of being the only Puerto Rican fighter in history to win world titles in more than four weight classes. This will mark Serrano’s fourth professional fight in Puerto Rico and her first bout on the island in over three years.

“First, I want to thank God for giving me life and the strength to do what I do, fight, my promoter, Lou DiBella, who works harder for me than anyone else I know, my team and Ring City for this great opportunity,” said Amanda Serrano. “Lastly, to my opponent, Daniela Bermudez, who I know is an incredible fighter, it takes two real warriors to risk it all for the enjoyment and entertainment of our fans. Just as I take pride in all that I do for my Puerto Rico, Bermudez does it for Argentina. I promise this fight will be a WAR! Bermudez is like me – an exciting, no-nonsense fighter and we will each dedicate this fight to our countries and fans. Don’t blink.”

Bermudez (29-3-3, 10 KOs) of Rosario, Argentina, will move up the featherweight division for an opportunity to capture a world title at a third weight class. In 2017, the 31-year-old captured her first world title, the WBO bantamweight world title vacated by Serrano, with a win over fellow Argentine Soledad del Valle Frias. Bermudez has successfully defended her WBO 118-pound strap five times, including most recently in February 2020 with a ninth-round knockout against Alys Sanchez. In her most recent fight in December 2020, Bermudez bested Cintia Castillo to recapture the IBF super bantamweight world championship that she previously held in 2018. With only 10 knockout wins on her ledger, Bermudez has displayed fight-ending power over the past two years with four stoppage victories in her last six ring appearances.

“Amanda Serrano is a great boxer, I know that she has experience, but I am in my best moment and I am working to give my best as usual,” said Bermudez. “My father and trainer is the one studying her style, to draw up the bout strategy. I am confident in my preparation and my work.

“It is great to fight against one of the best pound-for-pound fighters,” continued Bermudez. “It is going to be a great fight and an honor to represent Argentina abroad.”

Ring City USA, the new sports media startup that debuted its Thursday night boxing series in November 2020, will kick off its three-event residency in Puerto Rico on March 4 with a main event between undefeated blue-chip rising star Serhii Bohachuk (18-0, 18 KOs) and former middleweight title challenger Brandon Adams (22-3, 13 KOs) in a 10-round super welterweight affair at the Felix Pagan Pintor Gym in Guaynabo. Two weeks later on March 18, the action will head to Albergue Olimpico (Olympic Center) in Salinas, as the main event features the next chapter in the Puerto Rico vs. Mexico ring rivalry when former super featherweight world titlist Alberto Machado (22-2, 18 KOs) faces undefeated rising prospect Hector Tanajara (19-0, 5 KOs) in a 10-round lightweight fight.

All Ring City USA events will be televised in the United States and Puerto Rico on NBC Sports Network and the NBC Sports app on Thursday nights at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT with undercard action streaming live on Twitch. Full cards will be streamed live on Twitch outside of the United States.

Full card details will be announced at a later date. Follow Ring City USA on FacebookTwitter and Instagram for the latest updates or visit www.ringcityusa.com.

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. 




WOODSTOCK PREDICTS ‘HAGLER-HEARNS’ STYLE CLASSIC AGAINST CACACE

LYON WOODSTOCK PREDICTS that a Hagler-Hearns classic could well be on the cards when he steps into the ring to take on Anthony Cacace for the British super featherweight title on Saturday night.

The 1985 three-round war between Marvin Hagler and Thomas Hearns entered into boxing folklore, with the two greats immediately engaging in a ferocious shootout with three world middleweight titles at stake before Hearns was halted just under two minutes into the third.

It was an incredible passage of pulsating action that Woodstock believes could be repeated when he attempts to part the Belfast man from his Lonsdale belt, live on BT Sport from 7.30pm on Saturday.

“We are both fighting men and what you will see on the night could go one of two ways depending on him,” explained ‘The Lion’ from Leicester. “I think it could be a Hagler and Hearns type fight where we both come out all guns blazing or it could be a long night that goes to points.

“I don’t really look too much into advantages or disadvantages to me, I just know what I am going to go in there and do on the night.

“The flaws I see in Cacace again depend on what man gets in there on the night. It makes no difference though because I know what I am going in to do.”

Woodstock, 12-2, hopes that, stylistically, Cacace will be much more up his street than his two major title contests that ended in defeat against Archie Sharp and Zelfa Barrett. Both are elusive movers happy to operate off the back foot, which made for a frustrating night’s work for the naturally front footed puncher.

“You have seen with me that I haven’t really struggled with anyone who will fight me,” he pointed out. “The only times I have come unstuck – and they weren’t landslides – was in the Archie and Zelfa fights. When people tend to be a bit more negative with me and dance around and move a lot more, that is when you have seen me come unstuck.

“And I am not an idiot, so I am not going to be the exact same because I am learning and growing.

“You know what you get with Lyon, he is an animal, he’s got fire and that is what I will be bringing. If he can’t take these temperatures he will soon find out. I like to call myself a deep sea diver because I like to take people to the depths. I was born down there where a lot of people can’t breathe and as soon as they pick their head up to get a breath, I will take it off.

“Cacace choosing me as a voluntary I feel is a good move for his career. He is not fighting no bum and not trying to have an easy route. He chose this and it shows he is a fighting man and I respect him as a fighter and a person.

“For me this is everything and it is my world title in my head. Even if I go on to fight for a world title in the coming years, it is never going to be this, this fight. People have seen me grow and come through my tribulations. Some forget that I have not had many fights, just 24 amateur fights and 14 pro.

“The level I have fought at – whether I have won or lost – is commendable. I am still learning, still growing and every day I am getting better. This is it, this is the journey and everything has led to this for me, which makes it bigger than a world title. The transitional moment of moving from one point to another.

“I am willing to put everything on the line for this. A lot of fighters talk this way, but I mean it, genuinely with all my heart and I don’t think Cacace is a man that is willing to do that.”
 
Cacace vs Woodstock is live this Saturday night on BT Sport 1 HD at 7.30pm.

Also on the bill Kaisy Khademi (8-0) bids to double his belt tally by adding the vacant IBF European Super-Flyweight crown to his WBO European title against Birmingham’s Ijaz Ahmed (7-2).

In a special attraction Light-Heavyweight puncher Tommy Fury (4-0) is back in action.

Stoke’s popular Middleweight Nathan Heaney (10-0) takes on Manchester’s Ryan Oliver (7-2),  and thrilling Lightweight prospect Sam Noakes (4-0) going in against the unbeaten Delmar Thomas (5-0).

Three professional debuts complete the card, with ABA champion Masood Abdulah in action at Super-Featherweight along with Super-Lightweight  Amaar Akbar and  Adan Mohamed who will box at Super-Bantamweight.
 

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VIDEO: Joseph Parker vs Junior Fa final press conference




CACACE READY FOR WORLD TITLES IF HE BEATS WOODSTOCK

ANTHONY CACACE understands that there is no time to waste if he comes through this weekend’s tough British Super-Featherweight title defence against Lyon Woodstock.

The Belfast man’s ability has never been in doubt and in the past former training partner Carl Frampton has delivered only the highest praise.

Anto (18-1) admits that in the past he has just done enough in fights, but changed his outlook with a British title win against Sam Bowen at the end of 2019.

His first defence against Leicester’s Woodstock (12-2) was due to take place last summer, but Cacace was hospitalised after developing a serious infection after a mouth issue.

Victory on Saturday (February 27) at the Copper Box Arena, live on BT Sport, will help catapult him higher in the world rankings.

“I have had a stop-start career,” admitted the 32-year-old southpaw who is ranked number nine by the WBA whose champion is American ace, Gervonta Davies.

“In the past I have done the bare minimum in fights, but I have stepped it up and know what I have to do to progress.

“Carl tells me I hit harder than anyone he has shared the ring with. I am confident in my power and no one has seen it properly yet.”

The 130lb division is one of the hottest in boxing. Besides Davies, Oscar Valdez (WBC) and Jamel Herring (WBO) hold world titles and the IBF is currently vacant.

Cacace said: “I don’t think I am that far away from a world title fight. If not a world title, I would like to test myself against one of the division’s best after this fight.

“It would love to test myself against one of the champions. That would be the opportunity of a lifetime.

“Anyone on their day can produce the goods and I would love to be in that position.”

When Cacace outpointed Bowen 15 months ago, he was a slight underdog but is expected to be the bookies favourite on Saturday even though Woodstock rarely disappoints.

He added: “Maybe I will be the favourite, but I don’t see it that way. I know Lyon is a tough lad and he will be there.

“He has only lost to top domestic boxers and is rightly operating at that level. He just hasn’t quite got there yet.

“He is just there, loves a tear up. His style is to break opponents down. That plays into my hands.

Even if I did have to go looking for him it wouldn’t matter.

“There are no fans in the arena, but this is a great TV fight. That is why we picked Lyon as a voluntary defence. We knew it would be good for TV and my profile.”

Cacace vs Woodstock is live this Saturday night on BT Sport 1 HD at 7.30pm.

Also on the bill Kaisy Khademi (8-0) bids to double his belt tally by adding the vacant IBF European Super-Flyweight crown to his WBO European title against Birmingham’s Ijaz Ahmed (7-2).

In a special attraction Light-Heavyweight puncher Tommy Fury (4-0) is back in action.

Stoke’s popular Middleweight Nathan Heaney (10-0) takes on Manchester’s Ryan Oliver (7-2),  and thrilling Lightweight prospect Sam Noakes (4-0) going in against the unbeaten Delmar Thomas (5-0).

Three professional debuts complete the card, with ABA champion Masood Abdulah in action at Super-Featherweight along with Super-Lightweight  Amaar Akbar and  Adan Mohamed who will box at Super-Bantamweight.




Rising Heavyweight Otto Wallin Makes Case for World Championship Challenge with Dominant Win over Dominic Breazeale

New York – For Immediate Release: February 23, 2021

Swedish heavyweight contender Otto Wallin (22-1, 14 KO) continued to build his reputation as one of boxing’s best big men this past Saturday (February 20) by defeating division rival Dominic Breazeale via one-sided unanimous 12-round decision. The fight, nationally televised on SHOWTIME, saw Wallin out-work and out-land Breazeale 232-91, including 41.5% of his power punches.

“Breazeale was a good step-up fight for me,” said Wallin, post-fight. “I stuck to my game plan and executed effectively. I knew going into the fight what I needed to do and took advantage of my strengths. I’m happy with how I performed against a big name and that I was able to do so on a big platform like Showtime, so the world could see for itself that I am a force in this division.”

Wallin first caught the boxing world’s attention by giving undefeated WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury the toughest fight of his career, inflicting a 47-stitch gash above Fury’s eye before dropping a gallant 12-round decision. He followed that amazing performance up with a dominating fifth-round stoppage over established contender Travis Kauffman last August.

After his impressive showing against Breazeale, Wallin says he is aiming to add more big names to his resume.

“My ultimate goal is to be the heavyweight champion of the world, and to that end, I won’t back down from any challenge standing in my way,” said Wallin. “I feel I can out-box any big man in the sport. Obviously, I would love a shot at the big three, Fury, Joshua or Wilder, as well as Ruiz, but I don’t see anyone above me in the rankings that gives me pause. I am strong, smart and fast, and I’m ready to step up and be recognized as one of the best heavyweights in the world.”

Wallin attributes his swift ascension to his trainer, former WBA super featherweight and lightweight champion Joey Gamache. After meeting in Denmark, Wallin relocated to New York City to train with Gamache full-time. Also a member of unified lightweight champion Teófimo López’s training team, Gamache cites Wallin’s discipline, drive, attention to detail, and maturity as what sets him apart from other fighters.

“Joey has been a game-changer,” admitted Wallin. “I am constantly learning and growing as a fighter under his tutelage, and he keeps me mentally and physically in the best shape of my career.”

Wallin is promoted by Salita Promotions and co-managed by Zachary Levin and David Berlin.

Dmitriy Salita said of Wallin’s performance, “Otto did a great job on Saturday night establishing himself as one of the premier heavyweights in the world. I have no doubt he will one day be the heavyweight champion of the world.”

For more on Otto Wallin, please visit ottowallin.com.




RICKY “EL CASTIGO” MEDINA Makes 2021 March in Mexico

SAN ANTONIO, TX (February 23, 2021) – Prince Ranch Boxing’s unbeaten featherweight prospect, Ricky “El Castigo” Medina (8-0, 6 KOs), will be making his 2021 debut on Saturday, March 6th, in Matamoros, Mexico. Medina will face Jose Alfredo Cobos (7-3-2, 2 KOs) in a bout scheduled for 6-rounds.

“I really want to take a giant step in my career in 2021,” said Medina, who is managed by Greg Hannley of Prince Ranch Boxing. “I know I got a long way to go but I’m hungry to prove myself against some bigger names. I’m hoping by the end of this year I’ll be ready to fight for some type of regional title.”

Medina, who went the distance in his last fight against Gambino Hernandez this past December, feels he gained a lot of experience in that bout.

“Hernandez was a very tough opponent and it made me realize that I must always be on my game as I step up in competition,” said Medina, who is promoted by TMB Promotions. “When a fighter like Hernandez keeps coming, you have to dig deep to make the proper adjustments. These are the type of fights that make you better and I’m happy to be fighting so soon after fighting in December. I’m grateful to my team for keeping my busy.”

“Medina is showing that he has what it takes to become something special in this sport,” said Greg Hannely, CEO of Prince Ranch Boxing. “The rounds he got in his last fight were so valuable and I know he’s going to build off that momentum. He’s in another tough fight that I’m confident he will win, but one that will give him some meaningful rounds.”

“I was very happy with Medina’s performance against Gambino Hernandez,” said Rick Morones of TMB Promotions, Medina’s promoter. “Medina showed he can make an adjustment on the fly and use superior boxing skills to get a victory. This is going to be a big year for Medina and his growth. 2012 will be a busy year for him.”




AUDIO: Interview with Super Middleweight Kyrone Davis