Deerfield Beach, FL (January 21, 2021)—Hall of Fame boxing promoter Don King is adding three all-time classics from his library to the pay-per-view set for Friday, Jan. 29^th at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, FL.

While the boxing card will not be open to a live audience, King will present two world title fights–one for the WBA Heavyweight Championship and the other for the WBA cruiserweight championship plus three other classic fights of the past on Don King TV live streamed worldwide for $19.95 (www.donking.com).

The three classics that boxing fans can enjoy will include the 1994 WBC Super Lightweight title fight between Julio Cesar Chavez and Frankie Randall; the 1999 WBC and IBF World Welterweight title fight  between Oscar De la Hoya and Felix “Tito” Trinidad and the final classic will come from 1982 for the WBC World Heavyweight title between Larry Holmes and Gerry Cooney.

Three classics to go with three fights with the main event featuring the WBA World Heavyweight Champion Mahmoud Charr (31-4, 17 KOs) from Germany via Syria taking on the number one contender in Trevor Bryan (20-0, 14 KOs) from Fort Lauderdale, FL via New York.

Prior to the main event, Beibut Shumenov, the WBA World Cruiserweight Champion (18-2, 12 KOs) from Las Vegas, NV via Kazakhstan, will defend his world title against Raphael Murphy (14-1, 11 KOs) from Harlington, TX in a 12-round bout.

A special heavyweight attraction will feature Bermane Stiverne (25-4-1, 21 KOs) from Las Vegas, NV via Canada, the former WBC Heavyweight Champion.

Boxing fans can visit www.donking.com to sign up for the pay-per-view priced at $19.95.

(January 21, 2021) — The wait is over. WBC/IBF light heavyweight world champion Artur Beterbiev (15-0, 15 KOs) will fight top contender Adam Deines in a special Russian homecoming Saturday, March 20 at Megasport Arena in Moscow.

Beterbiev represented Russia at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics and moved to Montreal to begin his pro career in 2013. Nearly eight years after turning pro, he will fight in Russia for the first time, and for the first time since unifying world titles in October 2019 with a scintillating 10^th-round knockout over Oleksandr Gvozdyk.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Patriot Promotions, Beterbiev-Deines will air live on an ESPN platform, with additional details to follow.

“At long last, Artur Beterbiev will defend his world titles as he looks to kick off his 2021 campaign in devastating fashion,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “We have big plans for Artur, but he must first take care of business in Moscow.”

Beterbiev said, “I am excited to finally have a date for the fight. Now that COVID-19 and the injury are behind me, I am able to prepare well and put on a great show for boxing fans.”

Beterbiev and Deines (19-1-1, 10 KOs), who is ranked No. 6 by the IBF, have been scheduled to fight twice before. A proposed Oct. 23 date was scuttled after Beterbiev suffered a rib injury in training, and the Jan. 30 makeup date was postponed after Beterbiev tested positive for COVID-19. Deines, who turns 30 on Feb. 8, has won a pair of bouts via stoppage since the lone loss of his career, a June 2019 unanimous decision to Meng Fanlong in Macau, China.

For more information, visit www.toprank.com, www.espn.com/boxing; Facebook: facebook.com/trboxing; Twitter: twitter.com/trboxing and twitter.com/ESPNRingside; IG: @espnringside.

Saúl ‘Canelo’ Álvarez will defend his WBC, WBA Super and Ring Magazine World Super-Middleweight titles against Avni Yidirim on Saturday February 27 at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, live on DAZN in over 200 countries and territories (excluding Mexico) or on cable/satellite pay-per-view in the U.S. and Canada.
AN ANNOUNCEMENT ON TICKET ON-SALE DATES AND PRICES WILL BE MADE IN DUE COURSE – FANS CAN VISIT WWW.HARDROCKSTADIUM.COM/BOXING FOR THE LATEST NEWS ON TICKETS.
Canelo (54-1-2 36 KOs) cemented himself as the number one pound-for-pound fighter in the world and the top dog in the 168lb division with a dominant win over previously unbeaten Briton Callum Smith in San Antonio, Texas in December with the WBA, vacant WBC and Ring Magazine belts on the line in front of a sold-out socially distanced crowd in the Lone Star state.

The Mexican star declared after the fight his desire to become the undisputed champion at Super-Middleweight, but before targeting the remaining belts, the four weight World ruler must deal with his dangerous WBC mandatory Yildirim at the home of the Miami Dolphins and Miami Hurricanes.

“Avni Yildirim is a good boxer and I know we will put on an exciting fight,” said Canelo. “I’m very glad that we are able to bring this event to Miami, a short distance from where my hero, Muhammad Ali, trained. February 27 will be a great night for the sport.”

“On February 27, we take the next step in our journey to unify the Super-Middleweight division,” said Eddy Reynoso, Sport and Talent director at Canelo Promotions and Canelo’s trainer. “We will be facing our WBC mandatory opponent, Avni YildirIm. We are very happy with the alliance we have with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom to put on this bout together, especially in a new venue for us.”

Yildirim (21-2 12 KOs) has been biding his time to fight for the WBC title once again, having been frustrated in his last outing when his clash for the vacant crown with Anthony Dirrell in Minnesota in February 2019, with the clash ending in a technical decision win for Dirrell after he suffered a cut over his eye.

The 29 year old challenger will be aiming to shock the world two years on from that disappointment and does so in his third fight in the States and second in Miami, having beaten the ‘Road Warrior’ Glen Johnson in August 2015, and the Turkish star returns to the Sunshine State for the biggest night of his career.

“I am honored as a mandatory to fight again for the big green belt – thank you to everyone who is involved,” said Yildirim. “I always give my all – and everybody should be ready to see a war. I am coming to make my country proud – I am representing the whole of Turkey.”

Following a great night in San Antonio, Canelo teams up with Matchroom and Eddie Hearn for a two-fight deal starting with the clash with Yildirim, and Hearn is excited to develop the relationship with Canelo and his Ring Magazine trainer of the year and manager Eddy Reynoso.

“It is an absolute honor to promote the pound-for-pound number one and I’m so excited to head to Miami and the home of the Dolphins at the Hard Rock Stadium,” said Hearn. “Even in a pandemic, Saúl is looking to be more active than ever and in his plan to be undisputed he must overcome his mandatory challengers to keep his belt. Yildirim is the first of those challenges who will be attempting to dethrone the king on February 27. We look forward to a huge night of boxing on DAZN and the start of a huge year for Canelo.”

“How many fighters at this level return to the ring after two months? Canelo’s love for boxing and his fans is truly unique,” said Ed Breeze, DAZN EVP, Rights. “We’re thrilled to deliver our fifth consecutive Canelo fight to DAZN subscribers across the world.”

“We are excited to work with Canelo Alvarez, Matchroom and Eddie Hearn to bring world class boxing to Hard Rock Stadium for the first time in history with Canelo vs. Yildirim,” said Todd Boyan, Senior Vice President of Stadium Operations for the Miami Dolphins and Hard Rock Stadium. “Canelo is one of the top athletes in the world and this live event in a socially distanced setting will be a special night for boxing fans.”

ENDS

About Hard Rock Stadium
Hard Rock Stadium is a global entertainment destination that recently completed a $755 million, multi-year renovation privately funded by Managing General Partner & Chairman of the Board Stephen Ross to transform the iconic venue into the best Miami has to offer in world-class fare, art, culture and an elevated guest experience. Home to the Miami Dolphins, University of Miami college football, the Capital One Orange Bowl game, Jazz in the Gardens, Rolling Loud and the Miami Open presented by Itau, Hard Rock Stadium features world-class entertainment and demonstrates its versatility in hosting a wide variety of events. The stadium has hosted six Super Bowls (XXIII, XXIX, XXXIII, XLI, XLIV and LIV), the 2010 NFL Pro Bowl and four BCS National Championship Games (2001, 2005, 2009 and 2013). El Clasico Miami, the first meeting of soccer giants Real Madrid and Barcelona in North America, was hosted at the venue in 2017. Hard Rock Stadium regularly hosts the Brazil Men’s National Soccer Team for a series of matches, and the venue has showcased Drone Racing League since the launch of the franchise. In 2021, the venue hosted the College Football Playoff National Championship.

Josh Warrington has today vacated his IBF World Title after the IBF refused to sanction his proposed unification fight in April.

Earlier this month, the proposed mega fight with Xu Can was delayed with a new working date of April 24. Matchroom will now look to finalise that fight or make a giant match up with WBC king Gary Russell. Both the Can and Russell fights would be for the coveted Ring Magazine belt.

“It’s so important for Josh to be in a mega fight after Lara on February 13,” said Matchroom Sport Managing Director Eddie Hearn. “He has his heart set on the Ring belt and it’s up to us to make the Can or Russell fights for April or early May. I’ve been working hard with Robert Diaz of Golden Boy to close Xu Can and also had several conversations with Luis De Cubas regarding a Gary Russell bout – both fights are Fight of the Year contenders.”

“It’s disappointing we couldn’t have the IBF Title on the line, but I can’t let those decisions stand in the way of me going down in British boxing history by facing the very best in the division,” said Warrington. “I’ve always dreamt about winning the Ring belt, for me it leaves no doubt who the king of the division is. Right now, my mind and focus is on Lara for February 13 and then I’m looking to pick up that beautiful red and blue belt.”

Warrington will face Mauricio Lara on Saturday February 13 live on Sky Sports in the UK and on DAZN in the U.S. and more than 200 countries and territories.

LAS VEGAS (January 21, 2021) – If 29-year-old Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (41-0, 27 KOs), arguably already one of the top 25 Mexican fighters of all-time, has his way as he enters his prime years, he will eventually have a mega-showdown with fellow countryman Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (54-2-32, 36 KOs) before making their way to the Hall of Fame.

“Anything is possible, and it’ll be great for fans if a fight for me against ‘Canelo’ happens,” Ramirez said. “With two Mexicans in the ring, you know it’ll be a war from round one. We’ll see what happens in the future.”

First, though, Ramirez has some business to take care of starting with a potential Interim World Boxing Council (WBC) light heavyweight World title fight against 2012 U.S. Olympian “Sir” Marcus Browne (23-1, 16 KOs).

The WBC recently ordered No. 1 rated Ramirez vs. No. 4 Browne. Team Zurdo and Team Browne have until February 5th to work out a deal before it goes to purse bid. Ramirez is promoted by his own company, Zurdo Promotions, while Browne is represented by PBC.

If everything goes as Ramirez plans, he’ll have a world unification fight with either WBC/IBF light heavyweight World champion Artur Beterbiev (15-0, 15 KOs) or WBA Super title-holder Dmitry Bivol (17-0, 11 KOs, preferably later in 2021, pending COVID-19 restrictions.

“I never look past any fight,” Ramirez noted. “In this sport, on any given night, the best man will win. All I can do is train hard and prepare myself to be my best for when the occasion arises. Brown, Bivol, Beterbiev or Canelo, it doesn’t matter who I fight; I always train hard to make sure I’m ready when the fight is here.”

Ramirez became the first Mexican fighter to capture a world super middleweight crown in 2016, when the athletic southpaw thoroughly dominated defending champion “King” Arthur Abraham (44-4), winning each round for a 12-round unanimous decision (120-106 X 3) to become the WBO world champion.

In 2019, Alvarez joined WBO titlist Julio Cesar Gonzalez (2003) as the only Mexican-born light heavyweight champions of the world, when he stopped 34-3-1 Sergey Kovalev in the 11th round to become the WBO World light heavyweight champion. The 9-time, 4-division world champion Alvarez relinquished his WBO light heavyweight crown without defending it.

Ramirez is off to the 5th-best winning streak to start a professional career in Mexican boxing history behind four Hall of Famers: his idol Julio Cesar Chavez (87), Carlos Zarate (52), Ricardo Lopez (47) and Marco Antonio Barrera (43).

The dream match for “Zurdo,” of course, is down the road against Canelo. How about having it on Cinco de Mayo or Mexican Independence Day?

Between then and now, however, Ramirez needs a career-defining victory against a primetime opponent such as Beterbiev or Bivol to set the stage for a Canelo showdown.

“We’ll see if he’s (Canelo) able to do it again (fight as a light heavyweight),” Ramirez added. “He’s already fought at that weight once (light heavyweight) and I don’t see why it should be a problem unless it was a fluke. But I do understand he and his team will have to be a lot more cautious navigating this weight class, compared to the lower divisions, due to the higher risk. Also, we’ve been around each other before and even sparred. He knows I’m not just a Kovalev or a Callum Smith.

“It’ll (Canelo vs. Zurdo”) be an instant classic and a great way to showcase top-tier Mexican boxing to the world. I think fans will love this battle between Sinaloa (Ramirez) and Jalisco (Alvarez).”

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

INDIO, CALIF. (Jan. 21, 2021): Two exciting in-house battles between some of Golden Boy’s best talent will head toFantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, Calif. on the undercard of Diaz vs. Rakhimov as Ronny Rios (32-3, 16 KOs) and Oscar “El Jaguar” Negrete (19-2-2, 7 KOs) face off in a super bantamweight battle and Jason Quigley (18-1, 14 KOs) and Shane Mosley Jr. (16-3, 9 KOs) fight for the NABO Middleweight Title.

The stacked event will take place Saturday, Feb. 13 and will be streamed live exclusively on DAZN in more than 200 countries and territories, including the U.S., Mexico, Russia, Tajikistan, Brazil and Argentina.

“Golden Boy’s first journey to Fantasy Springs in 2021 picks up right where we left off—with an action-packed card from top to bottom,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy. “A true crossroads fight will see Jason Quigley and Shane Mosley Jr. leaving it all in the ring to regain contender status in the middleweight division. And after upsetting my cousin Diego De La Hoya, Ronny Rios will look to keep it rolling against an always-tough customer in Oscar Negrete, whose only two losses have come to a world champion.”

Rios is a 30-year-old contender of Santa Ana, California who is coming off three consecutive stoppage wins, including a dominant knockout victory of then-undefeated Diego De La Hoya in 2019. Rios plans to capitalize on this opportunity in convincing fashion in order to accelerate his path to another world title shot.

“COVID-19 robbed all of us of something, whether it was memories, family members, friends, or in my case, a year of my boxing career,” said Ronny Rios. “I have lost opportunities to make up for, and I’m hungrier than I’ve ever been. That’s not good news for Oscar Negrete. I have a lot of respect for Oscar, but at the end of the day, I have one job and that’s to break the will of every opponent I face. My time to capitalize on the momentum I’ve built in this sport starts with this fight.”

Negrete, a 33-year-old native of Tierralta, Colombia, will return to 122 pounds after a unanimous decision victory against two-time Olympian Alberto “Impacto” Melian and an unforgettable trilogy against Joshua “The Professor” Franco,who is now a world champion.

“I am delighted to be returning to the ring against Ronny Rios on February 13,” said Oscar Negrete. “Both he and I have a style that is very aggressive, and that’s going to guarantee a real war inside the ring. This fight will be very important in determining the future of this competitive division. That’s why I’ll be training at 100% in order to walk away with the victory and earn another opportunity at a world title.”

Quigley, a 29-year-old native of Donegal, Ireland will return after knockout victories against Abraham Cordero and Fernando Marin. He’ll look to regain his spot in the division after suffering his first and only defeat against Tureano Johnson in 2019.

“I feel more than ready for this fight,” said Jason Quigley. “I worked hard during lockdown and have stayed ready to fight at any time. I have to go in there and take care of business. I’m very grateful for the opportunity to fight on this card.”

Mosley Jr., a 30-year-old native of Pomona, California, will seek to earn a top stop at the division after signing with Golden Boy in 2020 and defeating Jeremy Ramos in his last outing.

“I want to thank everyone at Golden Boy and The Contender for giving us this opportunity,” said Shane Mosley Jr. “I have been working extremely hard, and I’m ready to show that I belong among the best in the world. Make sure to watch me live on DAZN on February 13 against an excellent fighter in Jason Quigley.”

The card will also feature many rising prospects and contenders.

Uzbek Olympian Bektemir “Bully” Melikuziev (6-0, 5 KOs) will make his highly anticipated return in a 10-round super middleweight clash.

Explosive Armenian contender Azat “Crazy A” Hovhannisyan (18-3, 15 KOs) will return in a 10-round super bantamweight bout.

Victor Morales (13-0, 7 KOs), the charismatic rising prospect of Vancouver, Washington, will participate in an eight-round featherweight bout against Jose Gonzalez (23-8-1, 13 KOs) of Guadalajara, Mexico.

Hawaiian prospect Dalis Kaleiopu will make his professional debut in a four-round lightweight fight against Eduardo Sanchez (2-3) of Corcoran, California.

The opponents for Melikuziev and Hovhannisyan will be announced shortly.

Diaz Jr. vs. Rakhimov is a 12-round fight for the IBF Junior Lightweight World Title presented by Golden Boy in association with RCC Boxing Promotions. Teixeira vs. Castaño is the 12-round co-main event for the WBO Junior Middleweight World Championship presented by Golden Boy in association with TGB Promotions. The event is sponsored by Hennessy “Never Stop. Never Settle,” “BetOnline – Your Online Sportsbook Experts,” and O’Reilly Auto Parts. Better Parts, Better Prices…everyday! The fight will take place Saturday, Feb. 13 at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino and will be streamed live exclusively on DAZN in more than 200 countries and territories, including the U.S., Mexico, Russia, Tajikistan, Brazil and Argentina.

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

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

Myquan Williams won a 10-round unanimous decision over Yeis Solano in a fight featuring undefeated super lightweights at the Mohegan Sun Resort Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut.

As early as round four, the right eye of Williams began to swell.

In round eight, Williams scored a knockdown when he landed a jab that sent Solano to the canvas. In round 10, Solano was deducted a point for a low blow. Later in the round, Solano was credited a knockdown when both guys came together and a punch was landed with both guys hit the canvas.

Solano landed 142 of 519 punches. Williams was 200 of 646.

Williams, 139 1/2 lbs of East Hartford, CT won by scores of 97-92 and 96-93 twice, and is now 16-0-1. Solano, 139 1/2 lbs of Los Angeles is 15-1.

“The judges definitely got it right,” said Williams. “I thought I landed the bigger, sharper shots for sure. I let him do a little too much though. He was shooting that straight left a lot, but I was catching most of them. He didn’t land too much.

“I would give myself a seven or eight out of 10. I could have done a lot more. The first couple rounds were good but in the middle of the fight, I kind of let him back in. But I adjusted and picked it back up and got my second wind in the latter rounds.”

“It was definitely important not to just get the win but to look good doing it,” said Williams. “I’ve been off for 15 months and this is a big platform to fight on. It’s my first televised fight so I thought it was important to look good and showcase my skills.

“It was a little weird fighting in front of no fans. I could hear a little bit of what the announcers were saying which was different. But I think it allowed me to focus a little more, to be honest. Not hearing the crowd and playing to the crowd helped me in the end.”

Nunez and Avagyan battle to a draw

Jose Nunez and Aram Avagyan battled to an eight-round majority draw in a featherweight bout.

Nunez landed 122 of 484 punches; Avagyan was 136 of 471.

Scores were 77-75 for Nunez, while two cards were even at 76-76.

Nunez, 127 1/4 lbs of Panama is 11-0-2. Avagyan, 128 lbs of Glendale, CA is 10-0-2.

“There was no justice tonight,” said Nunez. “It’s not fair. I won the first four rounds and closed out the last one as well. I executed the game plan really well. I knew he was a tough opponent, so I needed to slow him down by attacking the body and that’s exactly what I did.

“I’m not interested in a rematch if it’s going to be another draw. It was a tough fight, but I already proved that I’m the better fighter. He was not the toughest opponent I’ve faced because the truth is that I feel like I won. At the very least, I very clearly won five rounds.”

“I definitely did enough to get the win,” said Avagyan. “It doesn’t make sense to me. He never hurt me. I got hit with some body shots, but I blocked everything. Every big shot he threw he missed. I thought I fought a good fight and deserved the win. I’m not interested in a rematch if it’s going to be judged like that. If it’s going to be fair, then yes, I would fight him again.”

NEW YORK – January 20, 2021 – Exciting welterweight prospect Janelson Figueroa Bocachica will meet fellow undefeated Mark Reyes, Jr., in a ShoBox: The New Generation main event bout Wednesday, February 17 live on SHOWTIME at 9 p.m. ET/PT from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. Bocachica vs. Reyes headlines a four-fight card featuring eight compelling prospects with a combined record of 119-4-1, five of whom are undefeated.

Detroit’s Figueroa Bocachica (16-0, 11 KOs) is following up on his dominating performance in his ShoBox debut in October when he faces the power-punching Reyes (14-0, 12 KOs) from Tampa, Fla., in a 10-round welterweight bout. The co-main event will feature unbeaten Russian and Detroit-trained Vladimir Shishkin (11-0, 7 KOs) taking on Ghana’s Sena Agbeko (23-1, 18 KOs) in a 10-round super middleweight matchup. In addition, Alejandro Guerrero (12-0, 9 KOs) of Irving, Texas, returns to ShoBox and faces Mexico’s Abraham Montoya (19-2-1, 14 KOs) in an eight-round lightweight bout. Another Russian-based in Detroit, Mich., Timur Kerefov (9-0, 4 KOs), will battle middleweight prospect Argenis Espana (15-1, 14 KOs) of Venezuela in the eight-round telecast opener.

The four-fight telecast is promoted by Salita Promotions.

“I am delighted to promote an exciting night of boxing, featuring some of the best young talent in boxing in opposing corners,” Salita said. “The February 17 card features possibly the best new talent in four different weight divisions in pick ’em fights. Middleweight Timur Kerefov, fighting with trainer SugarHill Steward in his corner, is looking to quickly climb up the ladder. Super featherweight Alejandro Guerrero is fighting his toughest test against Abraham Montoya. Super middleweight Vladimir Shishkin is looking for a breakout performance against the hungry Sena Agbeko, who is looking to make a name for himself. This show may also be the crowning of one of the best new welterweights in the world with an exciting matchup between undefeated prospects, Janelson Figueroa Bocachica and Mark Reyes, Jr.”

Steward, who legally changed his name to SugarHill Steward to honor his late uncle Hall of Fame trainer Emanuel Steward, calls Kerefov, “One of the best middleweights in the world right now,” and that there is no limit to how far the 30-year-old can go. “We don’t have long conversations because of the language barrier, but I’m impressed how Timur is able to process the information I tell him, and quickly get better in the short time we’ve worked together,” said Steward, who is also training Anthony Dirrell at Big Time Boxing and Fitness in Boca Raton, Fla. “The Russians who come to Detroit are here to work and not run the streets, which I like. They have families and know that boxing in the United States is the mecca. So, they take it very seriously.”

Bocachica vs. Reyes – 10-Round Welterweight Main Event Bout

Bocachica returns for his second consecutive ShoBox appearance as the 22-year-old Detroit native overpowered Puerto Rico’s Nicklaus Flaz from the start earning a first-round TKO at 2:43 of round one in October. Bocachica is a four-year pro who began boxing at age eight. He won four consecutive Ringside Championships (2011-14), the National PAL Championships and the 2015 Detroit Golden Gloves. He boasts an amateur record of 55-5. He is trained by his father, Nelson Figueroa.

“After the last appearance on ShoBox, I felt like that was the performance that I needed,” Bochachia said. “I picked Mark Reyes out myself because I wanted better competition and he is 14-0. I want to put a statement out to all of the fighters in the 147-pound division. A win gets me closer to my dreams. I am fighting better opposition. It shows that Janelson is the truth, and I am coming for everyone in the welterweight division. I am not worrying about anything.”

Reyes is coming off of a first-round knockout of Diego Perez on November 21, in his hometown of Tampa. Reyes was a successful amateur winning the PAL National Tournament in 2012, as well as the Junior Olympics and Ringside Tournament. He also won two National tournaments competing for Puerto Rico: the 2015 Frankie Larvae National Championships and 2016 Cheo Aponte National Championships. Overall, he accumulated a record of 45-5 before turning pro in March 2016. He is now trained by Raul “Chino” Rivas, who also coaches former world champion Tevin Farmer.

“I am excited to be in this position, fighting on ShoBox, where a win will put my name on the boxing map,” Reyes said. “Bocachica is a solid fighter, but I look forward to adding the first loss to his record and showing the viewers why I took this fight on short notice. Training camp has been going great and I will be ready.”

Shishkin vs. Agbeko – 10-Round Super Middleweight Bout

Shishkin has previously fought twice on ShoBox earning impressive wins over Ulises Sierra and DeAndre Ware. Steward worked Shishkin’s corner for the Sierra fight, but Steward’s commitment to heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has not allowed the two to train exclusively together. Shishkin has recently been working with L.J. Harrison. In his last fight on August 20, he recorded a ninth-round technical knockout of Oscar Riojas. Shishkin is currently ranked No. 9 by the WBC, No. 11 by the WBA and No. 12 by the IBF in the 168-pound division.

“I’m grateful, once again, to get the chance to showcase my skills on SHOWTIME,” said Shishkin, 29. “I’m preparing in a new gym called Superbad with a new coach. I’m curious how that will affect me in the bout. I know this fight puts me just one step closer to my goal of becoming a world champion.”

Born and raised in Accra, Ghana, Agbeko was a member of the Ghanaian National Team as a youth and had 69 amateur bouts. Agbeko turned pro in 2011 at the age of 19 and had his first 15 bouts in Ghana before relocating to the United States in 2013 to pursue his dream of becoming a world champion. Agbeko has fine-tuned his craft serving as a sparring partner for Caleb Plant, Badou Jack and Brandon Adams. Agbeko currently lives in Nashville, Tenn., with his wife.

“Training is going great and we’ve been training for a while already, so we’re just doubling down on a few things and fine-tuning as well for the fight,” Agbeko said. “I know my opponent has an extensive amateur background and a style that’s reflective of where he’s from in Russia. I expect an aggressive, yet well-calculated fighter. I will win this fight because I know I want it more and, as a result, have put more effort into preparation. My superior boxing skills coupled with desire and effort will get it done.”

Guerrero vs. Montoya – Eight-Round Lightweight Bout

Fighting out of Houston, Texas, Guerrero is a big-punching prospect who won a closely contested slugfest via majority decision over Jose Angulo in the last ShoBox telecast before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the sports world for several months in March 2020. Prior to that win, Guerrero had stopped three consecutive opponents including a second-round TKO of Darnell Jiles, Jr. in January 2020. A celebrated amateur who won two junior national titles, the 22-year-old “Pork Chop” has sparred with the likes of world champions Mikey Garcia and Brandon Rios at the famed Garcia Boxing Academy in California.

“I know nothing about my opponent, but I’ve watched one clip of him and that’s all I needed to see to know he will go down,” Guerrero said. “This fight will mean a lot to me because it will show the world I’m the real deal. I will win this fight for my career and my family.”

The 26-year-old Montoya, of Baja California, Mexico, will be making his United States debut on February 17 and will be fighting outside of his native Mexico for just the second time. After dropping his second professional contest, Montoya rallied to go unbeaten in his next 18 bouts before traveling to Russia in November 2019 to take on undefeated prospect Muhammadkhuja Yaqubov, where he lost a 12-round decision. Montoya rebounded to score a second-round TKO over Reyes David Lopez his last time out in October, and also owns an impressive victory over then-undefeated prospect Luis Alberto Lopez Vargas.

“Fighting in the U.S. and on SHOWTIME has always been my dream and I can’t wait for February 17 to show what I can do,” Montoya said. “I’ve never worked or trained as hard for a fight as I have for this one. I’ve seen my opponent and know he will bring the action just like his last fight. He will be tough, but I’m as ready for this as I’ve ever been.”

Kerefov vs. Espana – Eight-Round Middleweight Bout

Hailing from Shaluska, Russia, and now fighting out of Detroit, Mich., Kerefov will make his ShoBox debut on February 17. Kerefov, 30, amassed an impressive 298-12 amateur record in his home country during his nearly decade-long reign at the elite level of international amateur boxing. In 2019, Kerefov turned in five impressive victories in Russia prior to his United States debut at the famed Kronk Gym in Detroit in August 2020, where he turned in a dominating unanimous decision victory over Calvin Metcalf in a middleweight bout.

“I am in the middle of a great training camp with trainer SugarHill Steward in Florida,” Kerefov said. “I look forward to showing the boxing fans that I am the new face of the middleweight division.”

The 31-year-old southpaw, Espana, will be fighting for the first time in the United States as 14 of his 16 professional bouts have taken place in Venezuela. The power-punching Espana’s only career loss was to Dervin Colina in 2019 and 14 of his 15 victories have come via knockout. In December, he TKO’d Leonard Carrillo in his last fight.

“This is a great opportunity for me to appear in the U.S.,” Espana said. “I know very little about my opponent, but that does not bother me at all. I am always training and ready to go the distance or less. Victory will get me closer to a world title.”

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
Since its inception in July 2001, the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series, ShoBox: The New Generation has featured young talent matched tough. 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 83 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.

Featherweight prospect Pedro Marquez has been determined unable to participate in his scheduled eight-round showdown tonight against Martino Jules due to an illness. The fight was scheduled to open tonight’s ShoBox: The New Generation telecast on SHOWTIME.

The telecast will proceed as a two-fight card beginning at 9 p.m. ET/PT and is headlined by Yeis Solano (15-0, 10 KOs) making his super lightweight debut against the first undefeated fighter of his career in East Hartford, Conn.’s Mykquan Williams (15-0-1, 7 KOs). The co-main event features Panama’s unbeaten Jose Nunez (11-0-1, 4 KOs) facing decorated amateur Aram Avagyan (10-0-1, 4 KOs) in an eight-round super featherweight matchup.

“In the best interest of Pedro Marquez’s health and safety, his fight against Martino Jules has been postponed,” said promoters Paco Damian and Sampson Lewkowicz. “Marquez experienced some cognitive issues this morning and we sent him to be examined at a local hospital.  Under the advice of doctors, we made the difficult decision to call off his fight. We are saddened for both fighters as we know how hard they have worked for this tremendous opportunity. We wish Marquez a speedy recovery and look forward to getting both fighters back in the ring soon.”

January 20, 2021–TONIGHT!!! Two world title bouts highlight a night of Classic Fights on fubo Sports Network.

In a bout that took place on October 10, 2015, Liam Smith (20-0-1, 10 KOs) took on John Thompson (17-0-1, 6 KOs) for the vacant WBO junior middleweight world title. The fight, which took place at the famed Manchester Arena, in Manchester, England, saw an evenly matched fight turn suddenly at the halfway point

Also on the doubleheader, the vacant WBC lightweight world title was on the line when Dejan Zlaticanin (21-0, 14 KOs) took on Franklin Mamani (21-2-1, 12 KOs). The bout, which took place on June 11, 2016, at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York, was a chance for Zlaticanin to present himself to the American fight fans.

The action begins 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

Dalcha Lungiambula won a unanimous decision over Markus Perez in a middleweight fight.

In round three, Perez was cut on his forehead.

Lungiambula outlanded Perez 60-38 and won by scores of 29-28 on all cards.

Lungiambula, 186 lbs of Cape Town, SA is 11-2. Perez, 186 lbs of Sao Paulo, BRA is 12-5.

Francisco Figueiredo won a unanimous decision over Jerome Rivera

Rivera landed more strikes (85-39), but Figueiredo had four takedowns and won by scores of 29-28 on all cards .

Figueiredo of Brazil is 12-3-1. Rivera of New Mexico is 10-4.

Mike Davis won a unanimous decision over previously undefeated Mason Jones in a lightweight bout.

Despite getting outstruck 147-122, Davis took all three cards by 29-28 cards.

Davis, 154.5 lbs of Coconut Creek, FL is 9-2. Jones, 156 lbs of Wales is 10-1.

Umar Nurmagomedov remained perfect by choking out Sergey Morozov in round two of their bantamweight bout.

Nurmagomedov was very impressive with his striking and, in round two, got on Morozov’s back and choked him out along the fence at 3:39.

Nurmagomedov, 136 lbs of Russia is 13-0. Morozov, 135 lbs of Aktobe, KAZ is 16-4.

Nurmagomedov is the cousin of UFC Lightweight champion and Pound-For-Pound king Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Manon Fiorot stopped Victoria Leonardo in the 2nd round of their flyweight bout.

Fiorot staggered Leonardo with a hard right that drove Leonardo back to the cage. Fiorot finished the fight by landing a hard flurry of punches against the cage at 4:08.

Fiorot, 126 lbs of Nice, FRA is 6-1 with four stoppages. Leonardo, 125.5 lbs of Shreveport, LA is 8-4.

UNCASVILLE, Conn. – January 19, 2021 – Undefeated super lightweight prospects Yeis Solano and Mykquan Williams both made weight a day before their main event showdown set for Wednesday, January 20, live on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/PT) from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. as ShoBox kicks off its 20^th anniversary year showcasing boxing’s rising stars matched tough.

Making his super lightweight debut after campaigning primarily at 135 pounds over his first 15 professional fights, Solano (15-0, 10 KOs) returns to ShoBox to face the first undefeated fighter of his career in East Hartford, Conn.’s Mykquan Williams (15-0-1, 7 KOs). The 22-year-old Williams was an amateur standout who was featured in Ring Magazine’s “New Faces” column in 2019, which highlights the sport’s rising prospects.

The co-main event features Panama’s unbeaten Jose Nunez (11-0-1, 4 KOs) facing decorated amateur Aram Avagyan (10-0-1, 4 KOs) in an eight-round super featherweight matchup while featherweight prospects Martino Jules (10-0, 2 KOs) and hard-hitting Pedro Marquez (12-1, 8 KOs) meet in the eight-round telecast opener.

Barry Tompkins will call the action from ringside with 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.

The event is promoted by Sampson Boxing and Paco Presents Boxing, in association with DiBella Entertainment, Kings Promotions and Salita Promotions.

FINAL WEIGHTS

Super Lightweight 10-Round Bout

Yeis Solano – 139 ½ lbs.

Mykquan Williams – 139 ½ lbs.

Referee: Danny Schiavone; Judges: Tom Carusone (Conn.), Glenn Feldman (Conn.), Steve Weisfeld (Conn.)

Super Featherweight Eight-Round Bout

Jose Nunez – 127 ¼ lbs.

Aram Avagyan – 128 lbs.

Referee: Johnny Callas; Judges: Tom Carusone (Conn.), Peter Hary (Conn.), John McKaie (N.Y.)

Featherweight Eight-Round Bout

Martino Jules – 126 ¼ lbs.

Pedro Marquez – 126 ¼ lbs.

Referee: Arthur Mercante; Judges: Peter Hary (Conn.), John McKaie (N.Y), Don Trella (Conn.)

FINAL QUOTES:

Yeis Solano

“I feel comfortable moving up to 140 pounds because I feel that I’m much stronger at that weight. I feel that ultimately, this is a good move for me because I can be a much better fighter at 140 than at 135. In my last fight against Araujo, my legs were kind of gone. I attribute that to not properly hydrating and it affected me. He was honestly the toughest opponent of my career, but we got the job done. I learned that after weigh-ins, I can’t become careless. I need to still be disciplined with what I eat because that definitely affected me in the fight.

“I don’t think the long layoff is going to affect me at all. I’ve been training for a fight for a long time and unfortunately because of the pandemic we had a couple dates fall through. But, throughout that whole time, I’ve been in the gym training. It won’t affect me at all. I won’t start slow. I’m strong. I’ve been working hard and I will show that on fight night.

“I know that Williams is a good local fighter. I think this is going to be a good fight. Williams is very fast. He moves really well, but we have a plan to negate his speed. I’ve worked really hard on my conditioning so that I can maintain my pressure throughout the fight and I don’t think there’s going to be a round that I won’t be up on the scorecards.

“This will be my second fight in the United States. Since I’ve been training here, I’ve definitely noticed a difference in the caliber of fighters here versus in Colombia. One of the main differences is that here in the U.S., fighters are more technical. They are also more prepared, but I’ve been getting used to this style in training.

“Williams is definitely a step-up from Araujo. I look at it as an opportunity for me. It gives me a chance to show that I am in a good position now and I can’t wait to show everybody what I have.” 

Mykquan Williams

“I’m not really paying too much attention to the fact that there won’t be a crowd. The fact that I’m from Connecticut probably is a little bit of an advantage because I’m going to be a little more comfortable – I don’t have to travel from out of state or anything like that-but I still have to go out there and show the judges that I want this fight. At the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter.

“Training went well. We were training before for another fight that was supposed to be on December 12, so we were already in shape. We just continued the training camp. I’m not at all concerned about the layoff. We did our part in the gym. We sparred with several people. Several rounds. I’m not saying there isn’t going to be any ring rust because I’ve been out 14-15 months, but we’ve done our part in the gym to eliminate any serious problems.

“I feel like this is the perfect time for me to make a move. This is going to be my fifth year as a pro. I’m 16 fights in, 17 on Wednesday. I feel like this is the time for me to make that next step up in my career.

“I watched a round or two of Solano’s last fight, but that was it. We definitely worked on some specifics that can help me in this fight, but once we get in the ring, I’ll be able to make the necessary adjustments if need be as well.

“I’m not going to say this will be an easier fight than my last one against Wiggins. I don’t think any fight is easy. I think that I’ll have more success against this opponent, though, because of the size difference. I’ve faced about five southpaws in my pro career, so this won’t be anything new.”

Jose Nunez

“For this fight, I started my training camp in Panama during the pandemic. Later, I came to the U.S. and finished my camp in Coachella, California with Freddy Fundora. This is my first time in the United States and I’ve been training with Freddy for exactly one month. He has helped me so much already. I’ve learned a lot from Freddy, which I will show in the fight. His training camps are very rigid and very difficult, so I know that I’m going to come into the fight very prepared.

“The truth is that I don’t like to watch videos of any of my opponents. I leave that to my trainer. I trust him to do his job and come up with the right game plan. My job is to go out there and execute that game plan and come out as the victor.

“There is a different game plan every fight. Every opponent is different. I can adapt to any scenario and whatever is put in front of me. If I feel the opponent doesn’t have much power in his punches, I have no problem staying in there with them and mixing it up and giving the fans what they want to see. But I also can be a counter-puncher. It all depends.

“I’m not too concerned with the fact that my opponent seems to be a slow-starter. Yes, if I find the opportunity to get him out of there early, I will take that chance. But I am more focused on winning on that night any way that it comes. I just want to give the public a good spectacle.”

Aram Avagyan

“I made the move to train with Edmund Tarverdyan because I had a fight with him in 2019 before I started with SugarHill and I feel really comfortable with him. I have a physical coach as well, Jesse Forbes, and I need both of them. I feel comfortable with Coach Ed, so the style, the sparring partners, everything is more comfortable here. In Detroit, I didn’t have the right sparring partners. I always sparred with much heavier guys, so everything here in Glendale Fighting Club is a better situation for me.

“It’s true that I’ve been a slow-starter in the past. It’s something that we’ve worked on in sparring and I’m going to be starting a bit earlier this time, especially because it’s only an eight-rounder. It’s definitely a mental and physical adjustment that I’ve had to make. In the fight against Aguero, he caught me in the second round. At that time, all I could think about was my son who had just been born. I was fighting for him, so I couldn’t lose that fight. That’s all mental. But I also really needed to step up my aggression and throw a lot more punches. That part was physical.

“I think that I am ready to be considered at contender status now. I’m a championship-level fighter now. I’m always ready. When you stay ready, you don’t have to get ready. I’m in my prime and the time is now.

“I’m always looking to attack. I like to move forward and I’m always looking for a stoppage. If I’m up on the scorecards, I won’t be satisfied with that. We’re here to win and to get the finish.”

Martino Jules

“I wouldn’t say that my last fight gave me any added confidence that I didn’t already have. Even since the amateurs, I’ve been fighting really tough guys. I’m taking it one step at a time and seeing how I do. My last fight in The Bubble in Vegas – the biggest differences were that I didn’t have my normal routine in terms of the food I usually eat, and I wasn’t able to see my therapists after weigh-ins.

“My fight back in February 2020 was just one round, so I really wasn’t able to learn a lot about myself. I didn’t know what I had to do next. My last fight, the one in June, really showed a lot of my weaknesses. It really showed me what I have to get better at. It was a tough fight and I’m really looking forward to proving that I’m an even better fighter than I showed I was against Pedro.

“I am definitely aware of the history of ShoBox and the fighters the series has produced. My promoters want me to fight better guys, and it’s something that I’ve been asking for from my team for a long time. I think I will fit really well into the ShoBox philosophy. Hopefully, the fans will be impressed and say that I can move really well after they watch me on Wednesday night. That’s what I want to highlight.

“I haven’t seen much of Pedro but everybody keeps saying that he’s a really hard worker and that he’s a really strong fighter. I saw the fights that were available and we have a really good game plan for how to beat him. It won’t be the battle of who’s stronger. It’s going to be a battle of wits. I want to prove that I can become a strong contender and this fight is really going to show myself that I can do it.”

Pedro Marquez

“In my last fight, I beat a tough fighter who was 30-1. On paper, it was definitely considered an upset. Because of the experience he had and his record, everybody thought that he was the favorite. I never worried about the record and all of that. It didn’t really impress me. That’s the mentality I went into the fight with.

“I’ve watched a couple of Jules’ fights. The main things that I took away from watching him is that he’s a taller fighter and he uses his jab really well, so we will have to game plan for that.

“I’m not at all worried about this being my first fight in the United States. I’m just focused on my preparation and my game plan. To be honest, in a lot of my fights in Puerto Rico, I’ve been the underdog. I don’t want to put any pressure on myself just because I’m fighting here in the States on television.

“This is my first fight in the U.S. and my first fight without any fans. I’m going to treat this fight like I’m just in the boxing gym. That way, I won’t have any pressure and I won’t be worried about the  lack of a crowd. When you’re coming up in the boxing world, you don’t have a big audience anyways. For me, it’s better to just treat this as being in the gym working out. That’s how I’m going to focus and look at this fight.”

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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

Since its inception in July 2001, the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series, ShoBox: The New Generation has featured young talent matched tough. 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 83 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. 

(January 19, 2021) —Troy Isley, a 2017 World Championships bronze medalist, is set for the next step. Isley, a 22-year-old native of Alexandria, Va., signed a multi-year professional contract with Top Rank and will make his debut Feb. 13 on the Joe Smith Jr.-Maxim Vlasov undercard. Top Rank will co-promote Isley with Antonio Leonard Promotions.
 
Isley’s head trainer is Kay Koroma, a longtime U.S. amateur coach who has guided his boxing journey since the day he entered Alexandria Boxing Club at the age of 9.
 
Said Isley, “I’m ready to turn over a new leaf. I wanted to go to the Olympics, but I did everything an amateur could possibly do. I want to hit the pro scene, showcase my talents, and pursue a world title. I naturally have a pro style. I can box when I want to box. If I have to fight on the inside, I can do that as well. I’ve fought every style, so I feel like I’ll be able to adjust to anything.”
 
“We’ve been following Troy’s progress, and we believe he’s one of the very best amateurs this country has produced in quite some time,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum.
 
Isley suffered a pair of close defeats in December 2019 at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials, which closed the amateur chapter of his career. In addition to the World Championships bronze medal, he won gold at the U.S. Championships in 2016 and 2017, a bronze medal at the 2019 Pan American Games, and a silver medal at the 2016 National Golden Gloves. He holds victories over 2016 Olympic gold medalist Arlen López, current junior middleweight contender Israil Madrimov, Austin “Ammo” Williams, Sebastian Fundora, Top Rank stablemate Josue Vargas, and lightweight star Devin Haney. 

Fort Lauderdale, FL (January 19, 2021) – Undefeated David O. Morrell Jr. has been elevated to WBA Regular Super Middleweight World Champion.

That distinction was made today by WBA President Gilberto Mendoza.

Morrell, 23 of Santa Clara, Cuba, and now residing in Minneapolis, Minnesota won the interim title on August 8, 2020 with a 12-round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Lennox Allen.

Morrell is coming off 3rd round stoppage over Mike Gavronski on December 26th in Los Angeles. The bout headlined a card that was televised by FOX.

With the victory, the former World Youth Amateur champion pushed his record to 4-0 with three knockouts.

“The first time I laid eyes on David Morrell Jr. I saw a bigger and better Vasilliy Lomachenko with power in both hands,” Said Warriors Boxing Promotions COO Luis DeCubas.

With the new status of regular champion, Morrell’s representatives, Warriors Boxing Promotions and Ural Boxing Promotions have 30 days to make a deal with former world title challenger John Ryder and his representatives with Matchroom Boxing.

Today’s ruling also further solidified Morrell’s status as one of the top super middleweights in the world, and following his mandatory assignment, Morrell would be in line to face any of the top 168-pound fighters such as the winner of next Saturday’s Caleb Plant – Caleb Truax fight, Canelo Alvarez and David Benavidez

LOS ANGELES (January 19, 2021) – Unbeaten IBF Super Middleweight World Champion Caleb “Sweethands” Plant will defend his title against former champion Caleb “Golden” Truax in the FOX PBC Fight Night main event and on FOX Deportes Saturday, January 30 from Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall in Los Angeles.

A rising superstar who first captured his 168-pound world title in January 2019, Plant makes his third world title defense live in primetime once again as he is opposed by the crafty veteran Truax, whose own super middleweight glory came in 2017 when he traveled overseas to dethrone James DeGale for the IBF belt. In the co-feature Michael Coffie and Darmani Rock clash in a 10-round battle of unbeaten heavyweights. Super welterweight sensation Joey Spencer takes on Isiah Seldon in an eight rounder to open the telecast at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

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

“Caleb Plant has established himself as a force in the super middleweight division and will look to further cement his spot atop the weight class on January 30,” said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “With sublime skills and ferocious tenacity inside the ring, it won’t be long until Plant takes his place with the sport’s pound-for-pound elite. He will have a stiff test in the upset-minded Caleb Truax, who has vast experience against the cream of the crop at 168-pounds, making this a can’t-miss night of primetime boxing on FOX and FOX Deportes.”

The 28-year-old Plant (20-0, 12 KOs) has scored back-to-back stoppage victories on FOX in his two title defenses, beating then undefeated Mike Lee in July 2019 before most recently turning away Germany’s Vincent Feigenbutz in a homecoming event last February in Nashville, Tennessee. The Ashland City native now lives and trains in Las Vegas and captured the title in a 2019 victory over Jose Uzcategui. Plant was the underdog coming into the Uzcategui fight, before turning the tables with two early knockdowns on his way to a unanimous decision. It was an emotional night for Plant, who had dedicated his championship victory to the memory of his late daughter Alia, who suffered from a rare disorder that caused seizures.

Truax, the highest-ranked IBF super middleweight contender, will be Plant’s second consecutive mandatory challenger as Feigenbutz was also the IBF mandatory challenger.

“I want to say I’m grateful to be making my 2021 debut on FOX. On January 30th I’m facing Caleb Truax who is going to be coming with everything he’s got, so I’ll be prepared to go to battle with everything that I got,’’ Plant said. “Everyone knows I’m on a mission to be the first undisputed super middleweight champion in boxing history. With that being said, fans can expect to see me at my absolute best. This fight ends in a knockout.”

Truax (31-4-2, 19 KOs) became a real-life Cinderella Man with his world championship-winning victory in December 2017. Truax was a 50-1 underdog when he traveled to DeGale’s native U.K. and overcame the odds by wresting the title away in one of the year’s biggest upsets. Truax dropped a narrow decision to DeGale in their 2018 rematch. A former college football player fighting out of Saint Michael, Minnesota, Truax has faced an impressive lineup of super middleweights and middleweights throughout his career, including DeGale, Anthony Dirrell, Peter Quillin and Daniel Jacobs.

“I’m hungry and I’m treating this like my last opportunity to win my title back,” Truax said. “I’m going in as the underdog, but I’ve been in that position before and I’ve beaten the odds.”

A Marine Corps veteran who picked up boxing after returning from overseas, Coffie (11-0, 8 KOs) quickly impressed in amateur tournaments enough to earn sparring assignments with Deontay Wilder and Adam Kownacki. The 34-year-old was born in the Bronx, but now fights out of Brooklyn. Coffie most recently improved his unbeaten record with a TKO victory over hardnosed veteran Joey Abell on FOX on Nov. 11.

“I think this is going to be a really good fight. We match up with our physical stature both height and weight. It should be a tough and gritty fight for the fans,” Coffie said. “My thought is that Rock is a good fighter. He has never been put in a position where he has had to dig deep. I feel like that I always have had to dig deep because I never had a huge amateur background. Every fight I have had to will myself. A win will be another step closer to fighting the fights that people want to see.’’

The unbeaten Rock (17-0, 12 KOs) is a hard-hitting 24-year-old from Philadelphia who is establishing himself as a force in the heavyweight division as he climbs the ladder into contention. Rock will have to scrape off some ring rust when he steps in against Coffie. He didn’t fight at all last year. His last fight was a stoppage victory over Maurenzo Smith on Oct. 19, 2019.

“The layoff might have a little impact on me, but I don’t think it will be a big problem. I just got to do what I got to do,’’ Rock said. “I don’t really know much about him. I know he looks strong. The main thing I have to do is get the feel back and listen to my corner and my Pop and follow instruction and have fun. I’m glad this is on Jan. 30, because I want to be as busy as possible this year and make up for that year layoff that I had and stay in shape.’’

The 20-year-old Spencer (11-0, 8 KOs) has made fast strides since turning pro in February 2017. The Linden, Michigan native kicked off 2020 in January with a six-round decision victory over Erik Spring and returned with a KO victory over Shawn West in August on FOX. Those two wins built on an impressive four-win 2019.

“I’m super excited to get back in the ring and kickoff 2021 with an explosive performance for my fans,’’ Spencer said. “I’m having an incredible training camp and I’m in the best shape of my life.’’

Seldon (14-3-1, 5 KOs), the son of former heavyweight champion contender Bruce Seldon, got a late start to boxing, turning pro when he was 22 years old in Atlantic City, N.J. under the tutelage of Bill Johnson, the same man who trained his father. The 32-year-old Seldon of Somers Point, N.J. is coming off an impressive second round KO victory over Darryl Bunting last March.

“I am excited for the opportunity. I have seen a lot of film on Spencer. He is a very good fighter with an excellent amateur background,’’ Seldon said. “I can’t wait until January 30th. I have a lot of time to prepare and have had a great training camp with Danny Davis. When this opportunity presented itself, I jumped on it, and I will put on a great performance on January 30th.”

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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.

ESPN today announced it has re-signed renowned sports broadcaster and author Mark Kriegel to its boxing announcer team. Kriegel, who joined ESPN in 2017, will continue to serve as an essayist, commentator and reporter on Top Rank on ESPN events. 

In addition to his on-air boxing duties, Kriegel will continue to do long-form story-telling, and video and print features and columns, on a wide array of subjects.  His work will continue to be featured across all ESPN platforms. 

“Mark has the ability to lift us up and take us places never imagined through his masterful storytelling,” said Mark Gross, ESPN senior vice president, production and remote events.  “His video essays have become a signature part of our boxing broadcasts.  We are honored to continue to have Mark on our boxing commentator team.” 

“Fighters risk everything when they step into that ring, and I’m honored to be able to do these stories,” said Kriegel. “Working with our crew – everyone, from the production assistants to the talent – has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.”

Last April marked the third consecutive year that Kriegel took home top honors in the annual Boxing Writers Association of America Writing Contest. He won first place in three different categories: “Event Coverage” for “What Maxim Dadashev Was Fighting For,” a piece on Dadashev, who died from brain injuries suffered in a fight in 2019; Short Feature for his story on WBO junior lightweight champion, “Why Marine Jamel Herring Keeps Fighting”;  and Long Feature for “Why Joet Gonzalez wants to beat up Shakur Stevenson, his sister’s boyfriend.”

Kriegel is an Emmy Award winning television broadcaster and journalist. As a general assignment reporter at the Daily News, he was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. He also wrote the acclaimed New York Times bestsellers, Pistol: The Life of Pete Maravich, Namath: A Biography and The Good Son: The Life of Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini. The Los Angeles Times called his novel, Bless Me, Father, “mesmerizing.”

Philadelphia, PA (January 19, 2021) – A terrific night of boxing is planned for Saturday night, February 6th at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia.

The eight-bout event, promoted by RDR Promotions will feature a pair of undefeated featherweights in the main event as Donald “No Love” Smith takes on William Foster III in a bout scheduled for six-rounds.

Smith, 27 of Philadelphia, has a record of 10-0 with six knockouts. Smith is a five-year professional, and is coming off a six-round unanimous decision over Abdur-Raheem Abdullah on August 10, 2019 in Philadelphia.

Foster, 27, of New Haven, Connecticut is 11-0 with eight knockouts. The six-year pro has quality wins over undefeated Sulaiman Segawa (10-0) and Angel Suarez. In his last bout, Foster took out Jahmal Dyer in three rounds on November 9, 2019 in Portland, Maine.

In the eight-round co-feature, undefeated welterweight Mark Dawson takes on Derrick Whitley Jr. in an eight-round bout.

Dawson, 23, of Philadelphia is undefeated at 7-0-1 with three knockouts. The five-year professional, is coming off a six-round unanimous decision over crosstown rival Vincent Floyd on November 7th at the 2300 Arena. Dawson is managed by Split-T Management.

Whitley of Springfield, Mass. has a record of 6-1-1. The 29 year-old is a four-year professional. In his last bout, Whitey fought to a no-decision with Jermaine Corley due to a cut caused by an accidental headbutt on December 13th, 2019 in Springfield, Massachusetts.

In six-round bouts:

Nahir Albright (8-1, 2 KOs) of Sicklerville, New Jersey fights veteran Darnell Jiles Jr. (9-5-2, 3 KOs) of Rochester, New York in a lightweight contest.

Edgar Joe Cortes (6-6-1) of Vineland, New Jersey fights Michael Stoute (3-2-1) of Long Island, New York in a featherweight contest.

Sharif Rahman (3-0, 2 KOs) of Las Vegas fights Gladmir Jacinto (0-2) of Fresno, California in a super welterweight bout.

Rahman is the son of former Heavyweight Champion of the World, Hasim Rahman.

In four-round bouts:

Rashiem Jefferson (3-0) of Philadelphia takes on James Early (5-6) of Seat Pleasant, Maryland in a featherweight tussle.

Kahshad Elliott (1-0, 1 KO) of Plainfield, New Jersey will take on an opponent to be named in a super welterweight fight.

Elliott is managed by Split-T Management, and is promoted by Top Rank.

Derrick Starling of New Jersey will make his pro debut in a heavyweight fight.

Tickets for this this outstanding evening are $150 for VIP; $125 for Ringside and 100 for General Admission and can be purchased by emailing rricereview@yahoo.com

All Covid 19 Protocols will be enforced including wearing a Mask at all times and ID is required.

In the 10-round main event of “SUPERWOMEN,’ an herstoric night of live, all-female pay-per-view boxing (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) celebrating women’s sports and dedicated to International Women’s Day 2021, undefeated three-division world champion Claressa Shields will attempt to become the first boxer in the four-belt era to become an undisputed world champion in two weight divisions when she faces unbeaten IBF Super Welterweight Champion Marie-Eve Dicaire in a 154-pound unification bout between the #1 and #2 junior middleweights in the world. Presented by Salita Promotions in association with Groupe Yvon Michel, the pay-per-view telecast will be available at a suggested retail price of just $29.95 and will be distributed by InDemand to all major cable, satellite and telco outlets and livestreamed by FITE TV through the www.FITE.tv portal. ‘SUPERWOMEN’ will be held on Friday, March 5, from the Dort Financial Center in Shields’ hometown of Flint, Michigan.

The winner of the women’s superfight will walk away with Shields’ WBC and WBO titles, Dicaire’s IBF belt, and the WBA (Super) crown, the first time in its 99-year history that the WBA has awarded a Super Champion belt to a female boxer. In the four-belt era, only seven fighters have been undisputed in one division, including Shields, Katie Taylor, Cecilia Braekhus, Bernard Hopkins, Jermain Taylor, Terence Crawford, and Oleksandr Usyk. Shields, if victorious, will make history as the first man or woman to have become undisputed champion in two weight divisions in the four-belt era.

With the pandemic taking a serious bite out of the sport in 2020, ‘SUPERWOMEN’ will demonstrate and celebrate the power and empowerment of women in combat sports for 2021 and beyond by providing an entire evening of fights featuring some of the best female boxers in the world. Appropriately, the event is dedicated to this year’s International Women’s day (Monday, March 8, 2021) and its theme of #ChooseToChallenge, that looks to call out gender bias and inequity and celebrate women’s achievements.
The most accomplished amateur boxer in U.S. history, 25-year-old Shields (10-0, 2 KOs) is the first American boxer – male or female – to win two consecutive Olympic Gold Medals. She turned professional following the 2016 Olympics and headlined the first women’s boxing main event in premium cable television history in just her second professional fight in 2017.

Shields became Unified Super Middleweight World Champion in just her fourth professional fight, the Unified Middleweight World Champion in her sixth professional fight and Unified Super Welterweight World Champion in her tenth fight. She now holds the record for becoming a two- and three-weight world champion in the fewest professional fights. Shields participated in the biggest fight in women’s boxing history by beating Christina Hammer for the Undisputed Middleweight Championship of the World on April 13, 2019. On January 10 in Atlantic City, N.J., Shields became the fastest fighter in history, male or female, to win world titles in three different weight divisions by claiming the WBC and WBO 154-pound world championships with a dominating unanimous decision over Ivana Habazin.

“I’m excited to be fighting another undefeated champion and to have the opportunity to make history by becoming the first fighter – male or female – to be undisputed champion in two weight divisions in the four-belt era,” said Claressa Shields. “Headlining my first pay-per-view event with this historic all-women’s card, particularly at such an important time in the evolution of women’s boxing and around the International Women’s Day celebration, is so meaningful to me. We’re going to put on one heck of a show for the world to see. It’s one big step for boxing and one giant step for Womankind. I can’t wait to fight Marie Eve Dicaire on March 5.”

34-year-old Dicaire (17-0) is from Saint-Eustache, Quebec, Canada, and started karate at the age of six. She worked her way up through the ranks until she obtained her black belt. After winning five world championship titles, Dicaire turned her attention to boxing and won the IBF Super Welterweight World Championship in December 2018 by dethroning Uruguay’s Chris Namus at the Quebec City Videotron Center. In her last fight, in November 2019, Dicaire defended her title for the third time beating experienced Venezuelan Ogleidis Suarez by unanimous decision. Dicaire will be fighting outside of the province of Quebec for the first time on March 5.

“I’m happy to finally be able to get back in the ring and face Claressa Shields,” said Dicaire. “It’s been a year now that I’ve been preparing exclusively for this fight. I’m used to making history in women’s boxing. I was the first woman to lead an event in a major amphitheater in Canada. On two occasions, my IBF defenses have been shown on pay-per-view in Canada. I have a lot of respect for everything Shields has accomplished; I am excited about this opportunity for my career and for the advancement of international women’s boxing. Like Claressa I am undefeated and, just like her, I am coming to defend my world crown. We are going to have a lot of fun on March 5 measuring our skills, without restraints, and putting on a grandiose and memorable show. We have been waiting for this moment for a very long time. I would like to thank all those who made this event possible and I invite you to be there on March 5 in large numbers!”

“Claressa will be fighting the toughest fight of her career,” said Dmitriy Salita, President of Salita Promotions, “as she strives to once again make history and do what no man or woman has done in boxing against undefeated IBF World Champion Marie Dicaire by winning a second undisputed world title. I am thrilled to be the promoter of her first PPV main event on the important weekend of International Women’s Day. March 5 is going to be a Herstoric night inside and outside the ring live on PPV from the Dort Financial Center in Claressa’s hometown of Flint, Michigan.”

“Claressa Shields and Marie Eve Dicaire are not just undefeated champions in the ring, they are fierce supporters of women’s boxing and equality outside the ring,” said Mark Taffet, President of Mark Taffet Media and Manager of Claressa Shields. “At a time when too many networks in the US are under-supporting women’s boxing, Claressa and Marie deserve tremendous credit for taking matters into their own hands and agreeing to take their undisputed world championship fight to pay-per-view. As the best female fighter on the planet, and with the courage and broad shoulders to carry the message of power and empowerment on behalf of all female athletes, Claressa will not rest until there is equality on every front in women’s combat sports. I am proud of her, and I encourage men and women everywhere to support this SUPERWOMEN pay-per-view fight event on Friday, March 5, so that women fighters can continue to ascend.”

“From the first time I met Marie-Eve Dicaire, I knew she was special,” said her promoter, Yvon Michel. “Her charisma and social intelligence are only matched by her ambitions and uncompromising determination to always prepare well and get better as a boxer and a person every day. These are the same traits I noticed when I first met Roy Jones Jr. and got to know him in training camp. The fight against Claressa Shields and the event on March 5 is going to happen because Marie wanted it and insisted with conviction on doing whatever it takes to make it happen, despite all the constraints. March 5 will be a great day for IBF champion Marie-Eve Dicaire, you shouldn’t miss it!”

The supporting bouts will highlight some of the best talent of today and a look at rising stars of the future and is expected to include outstanding undefeated 6-foot tall 198-lb heavyweight Danielle Perkins, powerful undefeated Floyd Mayweather Sr.-trained light heavyweight Nadia Meknouzi and super-talented current WBA interim super welterweight champion Raquel Miller – all in bouts to be announced over the next days and weeks.

As an amateur, Danielle Perkins was a 2019 Amateur Boxing World Champion. With a dream of becoming world professional heavyweight champion, Perkins registered an impressive victory in her August 20, 2020, pro debut when she knocked down and unanimously decisioned previously unbeaten Monika Harrison. Already a world-class athlete standing 6’0” tall and weighing 197 pounds, Perkins was a standout collegiate basketball player at St. John’s University where she led the team in rebounding and blocked shots including two trips to the NCAA Tournament, followed by a professional basketball career in Europe. After an automobile accident left her critically injured and temporarily paralyzed, Perkins underwent a rigorous rehabilitation program for five years. Upon her recovery, Perkins dedicated herself to boxing and quickly demonstrated great skill. She won the USA National Championships, and then as a member of Team USA, won the 2019 World Championships in Russia, becoming the first American man or woman to win a world championship since Claressa Shields won the gold medal at the world championships in 2016. Perkins trains under the tutelage of trainer James Cooper.

Originally from the country of Morocco, Nadia “The Lion” Meknouzi first rose to prominence around the globe in the martial arts, achieving multiple black belts and remaining undefeated for two years with 200 fights at 2 minutes each, bringing home 40 gold medals. In July 1998, she was honored by His Majesty the King of Jordan El Hussein, decreeing her, “Top Female Fighter.” Meknouzi moved to the USA in the year 2000 and gradually moved away from her combat-sport background. Meknouzi met Floyd Mayweather Sr. in November 2018, who ordered her to get back to training, regardless of her weight of 249 pounds. After just two months, she had her boxing pro debut in December 2018. Meknouzi is trained in boxing by Floyd “Joy” Mayweather Sr and Cromwell “Bullet” Gordon and also continues training in MMA and plans to go back to competition July 2021. Away from fighting, Meknouzi does stunt work in various projects and films.

Known for her exciting, aggressive style, Raquel “Pretty Beast” Miller (10-0, 4 KOs), from San Francisco, CA, won the interim WBA super welterweight title in her last fight against the previously unbeaten Alma Ibarra. She was a U.S. Olympic Alternate, as she lost a close split decision to Claressa Shields in the finals of the Olympic Trials, and she is determined to avenge that defeat in the professional ranks. Prior to winning her world title, Miller seized the NABF belt as well. She was also a 2012 National champion, a silver medalist at the Women’s World Championships and a gold medalist at the 2013 Colorado Springs Golden Gloves tournament.

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.

For more information, please visit internationalwomensday.com.

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.

FRENCH Amateur great Sofiane Oumiha has signed a long-term promotional deal with Queensberry, with his professional journey due to begin with Queensberry Poland.
 
During his run to the Olympic final in 2016 he defeated the current unified World Lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez – the last time the American lost.
 
Although British fans will eventually see the 2017 World Amateur champion in action, Oumiha will box exclusively on Queensberry Poland shows early in his professional career.
 
So convinced are Queensberry by the talents of Oumiha, 26, that he could challenge for a fringe championship when he makes his debut on Queensberry Poland’s bill that takes place on Saturday March 6th.
 
Queensberry Poland recently announced a long term deal with Polish broadcaster Polsat and enjoyed a successful debut show on the 21st November.
 
Promoter Francis Warren explained: “We are hopeful that Sofiane can start winning championships and climbing the rankings early in his career. Queensberry Poland is a great launching pad for his career as he’ll start with TV exposure right away. We are always looking for exciting talent, amateur or professional, and Sofiane is a prime example of that.
 
“His experience beating the very best means we can take the Vasyl Lomachenko fast-track route towards a world title.
 
“The Lightweight division is the hottest in boxing and very soon Sofiane will be mixing and beating those elite fighters. His raw talent is a very rare gift and I’d be comfortable matching him against names like Devin Haney very soon.
 
“And, of course I’m sure Lopez will want to settle the score.”
 
At the 2016 Olympics, Oumiha beat Lopez in the round of 32. He then saw off Thai Amnat Ruenroeng, Azerbaijani ace Albert Selimov and Dorjnyambuugiin Otgondalai before losing on points against Brazil’s Robson Conceicao in the Lightweight final.
 
A year later he made sure he wasn’t second best again winning the World Championships in Hamburg.
 
Then he saw off challenges from Wanderson de Oliveira, Iurii Shestak and Olympic rival Otgondalai to reach the final where he outpointed three-time World Champion Lazaro Alvarez.
 
Oumiha has fought and beaten Britain’s best amateurs. His impressive record in more than 100 bouts includes two wins over Luke McCormack and victories against Joe Cordina and Callum French.
 
Francis Warren added: “Sofiane is a special talent. These sort of fighters don’t come along too often and there is a buzz around him in boxing.
 
“Everyone at Queensberry is delighted that he has put his trust in us to help replicate the success he has had as an amateur. Our track proves we can take him to the top.”
 
Oumiha also won silver medals at the 2015 and 2019 European Games and he took gold at the 2018 EU Championships.
 
Mariusz Krawczynski, co-founder of Queensberry Poland alongside Francis Warren, said: “It is exciting to welcome a talent of the magnitude of Sofiane into the Queensberry family. His potential is incredible and I’m happy that Queensberry Poland will be where he launches what promises to be an outstanding professional career. It is a great coup to add Sofiane as a Queensberry Poland fighter.
 
“Queensberry Poland will work closely with our UK counterparts to guide Sofiane on what is going to be a long and successful career.”
 
Outside of Queensberry, Oumiha has no shortage of expertise guiding his career, and is co-managed by Premier Management Group of New York and Versus Sports Management out of Switzerland. Max Alperovich, of Premier Management Group, said: “I am very excited to work with a fighter of this level. Gold at the World Championships, Silver at the Rio Olympics, a win over Teofimo Lopez along with multiple Gold Medals in the European Championships says it all.
 
“The Lightweight division is now on notice.”
 
A representative for Versus Sports Management said: “We are delighted to have facilitated Sofiane signing with Frank Warren, one of the world’s most prestigious promoters. Sofiane is the most talented boxer of his generation and we are happy to co-manage him as he begins a professional career which will be long and full of titles.
 
“Sofiane’s choice to sign with a promoter of this rank shows a determination to quickly position himself on the world stage and send a clear message to his future opponents.”

Matchroom are delighted to announce that IBO Super-Middleweight champion Carlos Gongora has signed a promotional deal with Eddie Hearn.

Gongora (19-0 14 KOs) landed the IBO strap in stunning fashion in December, coming in at late notice and knocking out hotly-touted Ali Akhmedov in the final round of their thrilling clash in Hollywood, Florida, and becoming an instant hero in Ecuador as a result.

The two-time Olympian will now target his fellow champions and the big names at 168lbs as he chases his ultimate goal of being undisputed champion, and the 31 year old and his team are confident that he can be a force at Super-Middleweight.

“I want to thank Eddie Hearn and Matchroom for giving me the opportunity to shine,” said Gongora. “I want to thank my manager Mike Criscio for believing in me and pushing to get me in the best position possible. I proved to the world I have what it takes to be a champion with only two weeks of training.

“I will not stop until I have all the belts. I want to fight the best and only the best. I want to support my family and give them a great life, one they never had before. One that I want to give them. I fight for my family and my country.”

“I am delighted to add Carlos to the Matchroom team,” said Hearn. “His win over Akhmedov in an all-action fight was one of the most dramatic I’ve seen, and I believe the division stood up and took notice of Carlos’ name that night. His team say that Carlos will take on anyone, and I believe that we can make some huge fights for Carlos to chase his dream of holding all the belts.”

“I would like to thank Eddie Hearn and Matchroom for giving me the opportunity to showcase the skills of one of my Olympians, Carlos Gongora,” said manager Mike Criscio. “I’ve been after Eddie for about five years to sign two of my Olympians and when he called for the opportunity and short notice of two weeks to fight a killer I did not hesitate to say yes.

“I know what I have in my guys and I know what they can bring to a promoter. I hope this will mean bigger and better things for both of us and an opportunity to showcase more of my talented fighters. Carlos won the first of many titles under Eddie’s direction, so thank you again and let’s go get these other belts.”

LAS VEGAS (January 18, 2021) – Roy Jones Jr. Boxing Promotions (RJJ Boxing) successfully met 2020 pandemic challenges, promoting eight shows, including seven during the COVID-19 pandemic. Each event was streamed live and exclusively on UFC FIGHT PASS®, the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports. To sign-up for UFC FIGHT PASS, please visit www.ufcfightpass.com.

Keys to its success included RJJ Boxing working with other promoters like De La O Promotions in Mexico and Rite Hook Promotions, keeping its boxers as busy as often as possible despite restrictions extremely tough obstacles, showcasing relatively unknown fighters from Mexico, Guatemala, and Cuba to new audiences, and its strong relationship with UFC FIGHT PASS.

RJJ Boxing also was able to get a two of its fighters, Kendo “Tremendo” Castaneda (3) and Alexander “The Great” Flores, on major non-RJJ Boxing cards on national television networks like ESON and FOX.

Here’s a breakdown of RJJ on UFC FIGHT PASS events last year:

January 30, Yakima Legends Casino Hotel in Toppenish, Washington

In its final event prior to the pandemic, Filipino super flyweight Jade “Hurricane” Bornea (15-0, 10 KOs) made his U.S. debut against Ernesto Delgadillo (11-1-2, 2 KOs), of Dallas, in the main event. A former IBF World Youth champion, Bornea won a tough 10-round decision to capture the vacant NABF super flyweight title. Bornea is currently rated No. 8 in the IBF and No. 15 by the WBC.

Northern Ireland middleweight Connor “The Kid” Coyle (12-0, 5 KOs) destroyed his Mexican opponent, Miquel Dumas (11-3, 8 KOs), in the co-featured event. Coyle blasted Dumas at the end of round one so severely that the fight was stopped on the advice of the ring physician. Seattle light heavyweight Richard Van Sicien improved to 8-0 with a first-round TKO of Abraham Martin (5-1, 5 KOs).

August 25, Marinaterra Hotel Spa and Event Center in San Carolos, Sonora, Mexico

In its first show during the pandemic, RJJ Boxing went south of the border for back-to-back events. Mexican prospect Luis “Koreano” Torres captured the vacant WBC Youth Silver lightweight title, taking a 10-round decision from Jose Luis Vazquez (10-2, 3 KOs). The 18-year-old Torres is now 10-0 & KOs).

One of the most active fighters during the pandemic was Santiago “Somer” Dominguez, the No. 1 Mexican welterweight who is currently 24-0 (18 KOs), ranked No. 13 in the WBA. In the co-featured event, Dominguez battered late replacement Jadal “Terrible” Borquez, dropping him three times for an opening-round stoppage. Phoenix welterweight Jermone Jones improved to 6-0 with his sixth knockout in the fourth round versus Maria Israel Vera (6-2).

August 26, Marinaterra Hotel Spa and Event Center

The following evening at the same venue, Dominguez; younger brother, welterweight Marco “Nazzy” Dominguez (11-2-1, 10 KOs), stopped Salvador Tapia (9-3, 8 KOs) in round two of the main event.

Rising Guatemalan super middleweight Lester Martinez (4-0, 4 KOs) knocked out Abraham Hernandez (8-2, 4 KOs) in the second round of the co-featured event. Undefeated junior welterweight Jose Arellano upped his perfect pro record to 8-0 (5 KOs) with a sixth-round TKO win against Flavio Cedar Santos (6-1).

September 24, Biloxi Civic Center in Biloxi, Mississippi

Back in America, RJJ Boxing promoted a hybrid event with its new MMA division, iKON Fighting Federation. Undefeated Tampa welterweight Mark Reyes, Jr. (13-0, 11 KOs) notched his eighth straight knockout, finishing off Carlos Mohamed Rodriguez (13-9-1, 5 KOs in the fourth round of the main event.

Roy Jones, Jr. protégé Michael “Boy Wonder” Williams, Jr. (13-0, 9 KOs) won the vacant NBA Continental Americas super lightweight crown, thanks to punishing body shots that ended in the second round of the co-feature versus Thomas Miller (6-4, 3 KOs). Tennessee super lightweight Tyler “Short Fuse” Tomlin (7-0, 5 KOs) kept rolling with an opening-round technical knockout of Texas Gabriel Gutierrez.

October 22, Marinaterra Hotel Spa and Event Center
In a non-title fight, Luis Torres won an 8-round decision over Orlando Zepeda (9-2, 2 KOs) in the main event of another iKON doubleheader.

Six-time Mexican National amateur champion, featherweight Alan “Cachorro” Solis (11-0, 6 KOs) remained unbeaten with an 8-round decision over Eddy “Dinamita” Valencia (15-5-6, 5 KOs) in the co-featured event. Lester Martinez registered his sixth knockout win in six pro fight, stopping Michi Munoz (28-012-01, 19 KOs) in round one.

November 19, August 26, Marinaterra Hotel Spa and Event Center

Unbeaten California middleweight Juan “Just Business” Barajas (11-0-1, 7 KOs) and Bruno “Tiburon” Sandoval (12-4-1, 17 KOs) battled to an 8-round draw in the main event.

Jesus “Mazo” Moroyoqui Palomanes (6-0-1, 4 KOs) took a 6-round decision from Jaime Portillo (3-1, 3 KOs) in the co-feature. Cuban heavyweight Geovany “La Bestia” Bruzon (3-0, 3 KOs) knocked out Jesus “Dandy” Nerio (14-9-1, 6 KOs).

December 9, Marinaterra Hotel Spa and Event Center
Lester Martinez (7-0, 7 KOs) remained perfect, stopping Uriel “Big Bang Gonzalez (18-7-1, 14 KOs) in the first round to become the WBC super middleweight championship.

In the co-featured event, Mexican featherweight Eddy Valencia (16-5-6, 5 KOs) won an 8-round decision over Pablo “The Lethal Mosquito” Cruz (20-3, 6 KOs). Cuban super bantamweight Ariel Perez “La Maquina” De La Torre (4-0, 4 KOs) finished off Isaaac Buitmea (9-47, 4 KOs) in round six.

December 10, Marinaterra Hotel Spa and Event Center Dominguez

The following evening in the final RJJ Boxing event of 2020, Santiago Dominguez won a hard-fought 10-round decision against his tough countryman, welterweight Ricardo “Riky” Lara (22-9, 10 KOs), in the main event.

In a non-title fight, Mexican lightweight Luis Torres knocked out Juan Marcos “Mudo” Rodriguez Ortiz (19-3, 7 KOs) in the third round. Three Cuban prospects living in Guatemala remained undefeated: featherweight Jailer Lopez (4-0, 2 KOs), super welterweight Yoelvis Gomez (3-0, 2 KOs) and heavyweight Bruzon (5-0, 5 KOs).

INFORMATION:

Websites: http://www.RoyJonesJrBoxing.com
Facebook: /KeithVeltre
Twitter: @Keith_Veltre, @RoyjonesJRfa @RoyJonesJrOfficial
Instagram: @KeithVeltre, @RoyJonesJrBoxing

Over the past few years, Vargas has developed a cult following as one of the sport’s bravest warriors, testing himself against some of the biggest names between 147 and 154, including Errol Spence Jr., Danny Garcia, Luis Collazo, Vergil Ortiz, Amir Khan and Ali Funeka. Though Vargas has a substantial fanbase in Canada and could have chosen an easier path, that’s simply not in his DNA.

“I’m excited to get back in the ring and test one of the guys they say is the future of the welterweight division, but I don’t think it’s his time yet,” said Vargas. “I’ve stood toe-to-toe with the best fighters in this division and I’ve never even touched the canvas. I know what it takes to be at the top level, and I want to prove that I can still be there.”

The bout comes a little more than a year after Vargas became the first fighter of note to have a fight postponed due to the worldwide pandemic. The 31-year old was originally scheduled to face Vergil Ortiz on March 28, but was postponed all the way until July. Despite training through strict restrictions in his home of Canada, Vargas turned in another valiant performance against an explosive and dangerous puncher.

“Sammy never let anything stop him, even when everything was completely closed down, he found a way to get the work in, even if it was by himself at home. He’s never made an excuse or backed down once in his career,” said promoter Lee Baxter. “There comes a time in every prospect’s career when they face a man they can’t break, and you find out what they’re really made of. Conor Benn is going to have that moment on April 10, because he’ll be staring across the ring at a man that the best fighters in this division haven’t been able to break.”

Benn, the son of the legendary world champion Nigel Benn, has been emerging from his famous father’s shadow with a string of impressive victories. Last time out, Benn dominated Sebastian Formella, who had most recently been in the ring with Shawn Porter, virtually shutting Formella out over ten rounds. Benn currently sits 11th in the WBA at welterweight, where the ageless Manny Pacquiao holds the title, alongside Yordenis Ugas.

Thanks to his crowd-pleasing style, Vargas has become a fixture on DAZN. In fact, his bout against Amir Khan was the first major boxing event aired on the platform, kicking off a run that has seen DAZN emerge as one of the power players in the industry.

“I take a lot of pride in being able to fight on DAZN once again, especially because my fans in Canada are able to watch,” said Vargas. “I promise to deliver a win this country can be proud of.”

The card will also feature the WBA female bantamweight title bout between Rachel Ball and Shannon Courtenay, as well as the return of WBO world female middleweight champion Savvannah Marshall.

Location and start time will be announced shortly, as the British Boxing Board of Control will resume overseeing action in the middle of February.