LOS ANGELES (December 22, 2020) – Unbeaten rising star Jesús Ramos moved his training camp to Colorado Springs and believes the altitude and quality sparring he received will aid him as he prepares to take on Naim Nelson in FOX PBC Fight Night action and on FOX Deportes this Saturday, December 26 from Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall in Los Angeles.

“The altitude in Colorado has definitely helped my conditioning,” said the 19-year-old Ramos. “My dad is my head coach, but we’ve also worked with strength and conditioning coach Jamie Belt. At first, it was rough training at this altitude, but I feel more comfortable and much better now.

“Sparring with former champions Maurice Hooker and Robert Brant is great experience for me. Combined with this being my second fight in ‘the bubble’, I’m ready to put on an explosive performance December 26.”

Ramos has continued to look for ways to improve his arsenal as he heads into the matchup against Nelson. Nelson’s most notable opponent is WBA Super Lightweight Champion Mario Barrios, and Ramos’ goal is to outdo the performance that Barrios had against Nelson, while also showing off new aspects of his skillset.

“I have a shorter opponent for this fight, so I know I’ll be throwing my jab consistently,” said Ramos. “We’ve also been working on my angles and being more creative with my punches. I’ve only seen a couple of tapes on Nelson, but I know he likes to come forward. I feel strong and ready for whatever he brings.

“Nelson was stopped against Barrios, but I believe it was because of a shoulder injury. I’m looking to give him a loss but with an actual knockout this time. I’m going to perform with my style and make him fight my fight. I’ll take my time, use my jab, and when the time comes, I’ll take advantage and get him out of there.”

In addition to his father and head trainer Jesús Sr., Ramos’ uncle and veteran welterweight contender Abel Ramos has been by his side and providing motivation for Jesús Jr.’s burgeoning career. With seeing what Abel has accomplished, Jesús Jr. knows what it will take to reach his boxing dreams for 2021 and beyond.

“The most important thing I’ve learned from Abel is that anything is possible if I work hard and don’t give up on my dreams,” said Ramos. “I feel like by 21-years-old, I’ll be more than ready to compete for a title. I think I need a couple more tough fights under my belt before I go in there against a champion, but once I get that, I’ll be prepared for a title shot.

“Hopefully 2021 brings a lot more fights so that I can stay active and get those fights to prepare me for a title fight. We want tough fights and I just want to stay dedicated. Even when I’m outside of the ring I’ll be studying and doing whatever I can to get ready for my shot when it comes.”

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ABOUT MORRELL VS. GAVRONSKI
Morrell vs. Gavronski will see Interim WBA Super Middleweight Champion David O. Morrell Jr. face Mike Gavronski in the 12-round main event of FOX PBC Fight Night and on FOX Deportes Saturday, December 26 from Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall in Los Angeles.

The broadcast begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and will feature the return of renowned knockout artist James Kirkland dueling hard-hitting Juan Macías Montiel in the 10-round middleweight co-main event while unbeaten young rising star Jesús Ramos battles Naim Nelson in a 10-round super lightweight bout that will kick off the broadcast.

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.

LAS VEGAS (December 22, 2020) — Light heavyweight contender Joe “The Beast” Smith Jr., the consummate everyman, spent more than a decade as a union laborer on Long Island. He now owns and operates a tree service business, chopping and trimming trees when he’s not training.

At 31 years old, this far-from-average Joe will battle Russian veteran Maxim Vlasov for the vacant WBO light heavyweight world title Saturday, Feb. 13. In the 10-round lightweight co-feature, former world champion Richard “RC” Commey will fight Dominican slickster Jackson Marinez.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing and Patriot Promotions, Smith-Vlasov and Commey-Marinez will be televised live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

“This is Rocky IV come to life,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “Joe Smith Jr. is boxing’s blue-collar hero, a relentless fighter who chops down trees outside the ring and chops down opponents when the lights are bright. Maxim Vlasov is a tough Russian who is going to meet Joe punch for punch in the center of the ring. This will be an early contender for 2021 Fight of the Year.”

DeGuardia said, “I am very confident that Joe Smith Jr. will be the new WBO world champion, but I also know that Maxim Vlasov is a strong and seasoned fighter who also wants to become champion. It will make for a great night of boxing on ESPN. Kudos to the WBO for recognizing Joe’s talents and mandating this fight, and to Bob Arum and Top Rank for their continued excellence during this pandemic.”

Smith (26-3, 21 KOs) is best known for sending living legend Bernard Hopkins through the ropes and into retirement in 2016, but a world title has thus far proven elusive. He received a shot at the WBA light heavyweight world title in March 2019 and nearly knocked out Dmitry Bivol in the 10^th round, but Bivol hung on to win a unanimous decision. Smith rampaged in 2020, dominating Jesse Hart over 10 rounds and knocking out former world champion Eleider Alvarez in an August title eliminator. Those victories propelled Smith to the WBO No. 1 ranking and a second crack at world title glory.

Smith said, “I have worked very hard to get a second opportunity at a world title. I feel I have improved, and on February 13, I am going to make my dream come true and become world champion.”

Vlasov (45-3, 26 KOs), a 15-year-pro, has been a world-level operator at super middleweight, light heavyweight and cruiserweight. He moved down to light heavyweight in early 2019 and soon joined the ranks of the top contenders. In a six-month span, Vlasov stopped Omar Garcia in four rounds, topped longtime contender Isaac Chilemba by unanimous decision to avenge a 2011 defeat, and shut out the previously undefeated Emmanuel Martey over 10 rounds.

“This is a great chance, and perhaps my last opportunity, to finally become a world champion,” Vlasov said. “Smith is a strong and relentless fighter, so I expect a very serious challenge.”

Commey (29-3, 26 KOs), from Accra, Ghana, has been a lightweight since turning pro in his home nation in February 2011. He fell just short in his first attempt at a world title, dropping a split decision to Robert Easter Jr. in September 2016 for the vacant IBF title. Commey won the IBF title in February 2019 with a second-round stoppage over Isa Chaniev, then defended it in June with an eighth-round knockout over former world champion Ray Beltran. His title reign ended that December, when Teofimo Lopez emerged with a star-making second-round TKO. Commey has not fought since the Lopez fight and is re-energized for another world title run.

Commey said, “It’s been a long and frustrating wait to get back into the ring, and February 13 can’t come soon enough. I’ve kept myself in shape, but once I heard the date, I stepped up my training. All I’ve been thinking about is winning back my title. I am not looking past Jackson Marinez, as I know he is a tough, slick fighter, so he has my full attention. The road to redemption begins now.”

Marinez (19-1, 7 KOs), from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, entered 2020 largely unknown to fight fans. That all changed in August, when he outboxed the unbeaten Rolando Romero over 12 rounds. The official judges disagreed with most boxing observers, and Marinez lost a unanimous decision. Trained by Robert Garcia in Riverside, Calif., Marinez gets a shot at redemption and would enter the world title picture with a victory over Commey.

Use the hashtag #SmithVlasov to join the conversation on social media. For more information, visit www.toprank.com, www.espn.com/boxing; Facebook: facebook.com/trboxing; Twitter: twitter.com/trboxing; twitter.com/ESPNRingside.

Florian Marku and Rylan Charlton will meet in an explosive Welterweight battle on the undercard of David Avanesyan vs. Josh Kelly on Saturday January 30 at a venue to be confirmed, live on Sky Sports in the UK and on DAZN in the U.S. and more than 200 countries and territories.

Marku (7-0-1, 5 KOs) vented his frustration after he was forced to settle for a controversial draw on his Matchroom debut earlier this month, despite flooring Jamie Stewart in the second round and forcing the pace throughout their eight-round contest.  

The London-based Albanian southpaw hasn’t been shy in calling out the top names in the 147lbs domestic scene and plans to get his explosive rise back on track by taking out Matchroom’s most recent signing in style next month. 

Charlton (6-0-1, 3 KOs) inked promotional terms with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom last week on the back of his hugely impressive stoppage win over Joe Laws on the Lewis Ritson vs. Miguel Vazquez card at the East of England Arena in Peterborough in October.

‘Pint Size Powerhouse’ made easy work of the previously undefeated Benwell prospect as he sent him crashing to the canvas three times on route to a brutal third round KO win, and the Norwich native says fans can expect more of the same when he takes on the ‘Albanian King’.

“I can’t wait to show who I am and I promise to give the fans an exciting fight,” said Marku. “Rylan Charlton is a small body builder. I will break his head. I don’t like to talk bad about people, but Rylan Charlton has said many bad things about me. I want to see what he will say face to face with me. I will not leave the decision to the judges!”

“Florian Marku is just another stepping stone for me,” said Charlton. “He’s in my game now and I don’t rate him as a boxer. I’ll wipe the floor with him when we meet on January 30. Look what I did to Laws on 13 days’ notice, this time I have a full camp. I won’t be letting this go to the judges. These are the fights that I need to show everyone the level that I’m at. 2021 is going to be a huge year for me.”

LOS ANGELES, CA (Dec. 22, 2020): Golden Boy, the leading media and entertainment brand, announced yesterday the launch of an interactive sweepstakes that will give fans the opportunity to play against Ryan Garcia (20-0, 17 KOs) and Sean Garcia (5-0, 2 KOs) on Twitch, the live video game streaming service.

The Golden Game Sweepstakes is already underway and will close January 1 at 10:00 am PT. The contest invites fans from the United States and Mexico to enter at no cost by visiting https://www.goldengamessweeps.com. Winners will be chosen on New Year’s Day and announced live on DAZN during the Garcia vs. Campbell broadcast.

The first-place winner will get a chance to play a live video game with the Garcia brothers on a date to be determined. The interaction will be recorded and shared across Golden Boy and DAZN social media platforms.

In addition, five second-place winners will win a year-long subscription to DAZN, while five third-place winners will win a month-long subscription.

“With his massive online following, Ryan has the ability to bring in legions of new fans to the sport of boxing, and this is yet another way he connects with a largely untapped audience,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy. “Given that Ryan is undefeated in the ring — and we fully expect he will remain so on January 2— this is also an opportunity for a lucky fan to do something no professional has done to date, which is to beat Ryan Garcia.”

In November, Golden Boy announced the ring return of Ryan Garcia, the quick-rising lightweight contender who will face Olympic Gold medalist Luke Campbell (20-3, 16 KOs) for the interim WBC Lightweight Championship on Jan. 2 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Garcia’s younger brother, Sean, will also fight on the card. Both fights will be streamed live exclusively on DAZN.

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Garcia vs. Campbell is a 12-round fight for the interim WBC Lightweight World Championship presented by Golden Boy in association with Matchroom Boxing. 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 on Jan. 2, 2021 at American Airlines Center in Dallas and will be streamed live exclusively on DAZN in more than 200 countries and territories, including the U.S., Mexico and the UK.

Tickets for Garcia vs. Campbell are on sale and are priced at $200, $100, $75, $50 and $35, not including applicable service charges and taxes. Tickets will be available for purchase at www.americanairlinescenter.com
or www.ticketmaster.com.

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 #GarciaCampbell

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

New York, NY (12/21/20) – DiBella Entertainment (DBE) has signed undefeated Uzbek junior middleweight prospect Ravshan “Beretta” Makhamadjonov (11-0, 7 KOs) to an exclusive promotional agreement.

“I’m thrilled to bring on Uzbek puncher Ravshan ‘Beretta’ Makhamadjonov to DBE’s roster,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “Ravshan was a very talented and accomplished amateur. As a junior middleweight, he is in a stacked and competitive weight class, and I look forward to providing him the right opportunities to reach his full potential.”

“I am excited to show the world my talent, hard work and dedication to my craft,” said Makhamadjonov. “I would like to thank my advisors, Michael Binyanminov and John Beninati, for believing in me. I would also like to thank Lou DiBella, who is a great promoter that will guide my career as I work my way up the ranks and toward a world title shot.”

The 21-year-old Makhamadjonov, from Tashkent, Uzbekistan, is coming off of an eight-round unanimous decision victory on September 9, against 8-1 prospect Volodymyr Hordiienko, at Moscow’s USC Soviet Wings Sports Palace, to capture the WBC World Youth super welterweight title and enter the WBC’s world ratings. He is trained by Zufar Sulaimanov and Maruf Gulyamov out of OQ-TEPA Club, a major sports complex in his hometown where fighters can both train and compete professionally.

Though Makhamadjonov was born a few generations later, it was Muhammad Ali who inspired him to take up boxing. After watching tapes of Ali’s fights at the age of 10, Makhamadjonov asked his father to bring him to their local gym and, over the next eight years, he compiled an impressive amateur record of 275-25. He won the Tashkent City Amateur Boxing Championships seven years in a row from 2011-2017, as well as the 2012 Uzbekistan Amateur Boxing National Championships and 2016 Zhuravlev International Boxing Tournament. Makhamadjonov turned professional on April 9, 2017, one day after his 18th birthday, and is now advised by Michael Binyanminov and John Beninati.

DiBella Entertainment
www.DBE1.com
Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment
Twitter: @LouDiBella, @DiBellaEnt
Instagram: DiBellaEnt

GALVESTON, Texas (December 19, 2020) — The Champ is back!

Former world super middleweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (41-0, 27 KOs), fighting for the first time since April 4, 2019, returned to the ring last night with a vengeance, stopping tough defending North American Boxing Federation (NABF) light heavyweight champion Alfonso “El Tigre” Lopez (32-4, 25 KOs) in the 10th round of the “Battle of Rio Grande” main event.

“Battle of Rio Grande,” presented by the two main event fighter’s promotional companies, Zurdo Promotions and El Tigre Promotions, aired live on pay per view from the Galveston Island Convention Center in Galveston, Texas.

The 29-year-old Ramirez displayed his world-class boxing skills and tremendous athleticism from the start, dropping Lopez in the fourth, but the defending champion was resilient right up until the very end. The ringside physician examined Lopez’ swollen right eye after the ninth round and when Ramirez floored Lopez with a right hook in the 10th, the referee waved off the fight. Lopez had his 10-right win streak snapped and Ramirez put reigning world light heavyweight champions Artur Beterviev (WBC & IBF) and Dmitry Bivol (WBA) on notice. Ramirez is ranked No. 1 by the WBO, as well as being WBA #45, WBO and IBF #7.

“I’m glad I was able to get a fight in this year.” Martinez said. “Alfonso was tough as a bull and kept coming like the true warrior he is but overall, I’m happy with my performance. I felt some ring rust in the beginning, but I’m glad I was able to get back to my old form quickly. This was challenge as a fighter and a promoter, but I plan on doing more shows in the future and appreciate all my partners that helped out in the process (ie fite tv, el tigre promotions, and be def sports). Glad I have this one out the way and on to next one.”

World-rated heavyweight and 2012 U.S. Olympian, Michael “The Bounty” Hunter (19-1-1, 13 KOs), continued his mission to be world heavyweight champion, outclassing West Virginia’s Shawn Laughery (10-4, 6 KOs) in the 10-round co-featured event, closing the show in the fourth round with his second knockdown. Hunter is rated among the top 10 heavyweights in the world by the four major sanctioning bodies: IBF #4, WBO #8, WBC #9 and WBA #10.

California featherweight Jose Maria “Chema” Delgado (6-0-4, 2 KOs) can’t catch a break, at least not in the United States, where he fought to a draw for the fourth time last night against Armando Frausto (8-2, 5 KOs). Delgado’s six pro wins have all come in fights held in Mexico. Delgado and Frausto were fighting for the vacant American Boxing Organization (ABO) featherweight title that remains open.

Undefeated lightweight Juan Velazquez (6-0, 4 KOs) overwhelmed fellow Houstonian, Alexis Chavarria (4-3-3, 1 KO), putting him away in round two after pummeling him from the opening bell.

The first fighter signed by Ramirez’ Zurdo Promotions, Los Angeles bantamweight John “Scrappy” Ramirez (no relations), turned in an auspicious pro debut, stopping his Puerto Rican opponent, Jose “El Chavito” Solis (0-3) midway through the opening round.

Texas middleweight Charles “Pretty Bad Boy” Baylor (1-0, 1 KO) dominated fellow Texan Joel “The Assassin” Munoz (0-2) up until the latter’s corner ended the fight, Houston junior middleweight Raynard “Alief Ali” Talib, Jr. (3-0, 1 KO) overcame a first-round knockdown and a cut over his right eye to edge Adam “AD” Ealoms (4-19-3, 2 KOs) by way of a four-round unanimous decision (38-37 X 3), and the junior middleweight fight between pro-debuting Apostle Arias (0-0-1) and Lucas “God First” McDonald (0-5-1) ended in a technical draw, because McDonald was unable to continue fighting in the fourth round due to a serious cut resulting from an accidental headbutt.

Also fighting on the undercard, Houston’s Breyon Gorham improved to 7-0 (6 KOs) with a third-round technical knockout of Anthony Curtiss (2-7, 2 KOs), who managed to beat the count but was deemed to unsteady by the referee to continue fighting, and Delmonte “Sugar Bear” Randle (1-0, 1 KOs) won his pro debut when Jarvis Lee (0-3) retired after round one.

The middleweight fight between Ivan Vazquez (5-0, 4 KOs) and Charon Spain (2-14-2, 1 KO) was canceled after Vazquez tested positive for COVID-19.

Complete results below:

OFFICIAL RESULTS

MAIN EVENT – NABF LIGHT HEAVYEIGHT CHAMPIONSIP
Gilberto Ramirez (41-0, 27 KOs), Mazatlán, Sinaloa, México
WTKO10 (0:59)
Alfonso Lopez (32-4, 25 KOs), Houston, TX
(Ramirez won NABF light heavyweight title)

CO-FEATURE – HEAVYWEIGHTS
Michael Hunter (19-1-1, 13 KOs), Las Vegas, NV
WKO4 (1:02)
Shawn Laughery (10-4, 6 KOs), Oak Hill, WV

HEAVYWEIGHTS
Demonte Randle (1-0, 1 KO), Texas City, TX
WTKO1 (3:00)
Jarvis Lee (0-3), Houston, Texas

SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Charles Baylor (1-0, 1 KO), Trinity, TX
WTKO2 ((1:40)
Joel Munoz (0-2), Dublin, TX

JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Raynard Talib, Jr. (3-0, 1 KO), Houston, TX
WDEC4 (38-37, 38-37, 38-37)
Adam Ealoms (4-19-3, 2 KOs), Bryan, TX

Apostle Arias (0-0-1, 0 KOs), Porter, TX
TD4
Lucas McDonald (0-5-1), Sealy, TX

WELTERWEIGHTS
Juan Velazquez (6-0, 4 KOs), Houston, TX
WTKO2 (2:14)
Alexis Chavarria (1-1, 0 KOs), Houston, TX

Breyon Gorham (7-0, 56KOs), Houston, TX
WTKO3 (2:14)
Antony Curtiss (2-7, 2 KOs), Butte, MT

VACANT ABO FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Jose Maria Delgado (6-0-4, 2 KOs), Pittsburg, CA
D6(58-56, 57-57, 57-57)
Armando Frausto (8-1-1, 5 KOs), Alvin, TX

BANTAMWEIGHTS
John Ramirez (1-0, 1 KO), Los Angeles, CA
WTKO1 (1:51)
Jose Solis (0-3), San Juan, Puerto Rico

INFORMATION:
Website: www.ZurdoPromotions.com
Instagram: @zurdoramirez, @zurdopromotions, @eltigrepromotions, @bedefsports
Twitter: @ZurdoPromotions, @GilbertoZurdoRamirez, MichaelHunterII, @Fitetv, @IntegratedPPV

During tonight’s SHOWTIME: SPECIAL EDITION, headlined by Emmanuel Rodriguez vs. Reymart Gaballo and featuring the return of Jaron “Boots” Ennis, SHOWTIMEannounced its first SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING event of 2021. The event, which features six fighters with a combined record of 97-1, will be held Saturday, Jan. 23 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., days after the previously announced ShoBox event on Wednesday, Jan. 20.

In the main event on Jan. 23, SHOWTIMEwill deliver the long-awaited battle between undefeated junior featherweight stars Angelo Leo (20-0, 9 KOs) and Stephen Fulton (18-0, 8 KOs) for the WBO World Title that Leo captured in August when the two unbeaten 26-year-olds were originally set to meet.

The co-main event pits two undefeated super bantamweights, Raeese Aleem (17-0, 11 KOs) and Vic Pasillas (16-0, 9 KOs) in a scheduled 12-round fight. The telecast opener will feature rising prospect Rolando Romero (12-0, 10 KOs) against Justin Pauldo (14-1, 7 KOs) in a 12-round lightweight bout.

Juan Francisco Estrada and Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez will clash in a unification rematch for the WBC, WBA and Ring Magazine World Super-Flyweight titles on Saturday March 13, live on DAZN in over 200+ countries and territories and presented in association with Zanfer Promotions, Teiken Promotions and Latin Sports.
 
Estrada and Chocolatito first clashed in November 2012 in Los Angeles, with Chocolatito successfully defending his WBA Light-Flyweight title via unanimous decision, and now over eight years later, they will meet again
 
Mexican star Estrada (41-3 28 KOs) has established himself as the #1 fighter at 115lbs and underlined his status with a thrilling 11^th round KO win over Carlos Cuadras in October in Mexico City, climbing off the canvas in the third round to beat his fellow countryman for the second time in his career.
 
Former pound for pound #1 Chocolatito (50-2 41 KOs) recorded his own impressive win on the same night by outpointing hungry young Mexican Israel Gonzalez in the first defense of the WBA title that he ripped from Kal Yafai with a clinical KO win in February in Texas.
 
Estrada and Chocolatito will both have ambitions of becoming undisputed Super-Flyweight champion by the end of 2021, and promoter Eddie Hearn believes that this will be a fight of the year contender that will be staged at a venue to be confirmed soon.
 
“This is going to be a special fight,” said Hearn. “It’s been a long time coming but both men are in their prime now, with Juan Francisco serving up a dramatic stoppage win in his fight of the year contender with Cuadras and Chocolatito rolling back the years with his clinical KO win over Yafai and looking razor sharp against Gonzalez.
 
“Estrada is the number one in the division but Chocolatito will be looking to repeat his win – the winner will take a massive step to becoming undisputed and I hope that we’re able to have fans in attendance when we chose the venue to host this must-see fight.
 
“Estrada vs. Chocolatito is an all-action rematch many years in the making,” said Joseph Markowski, DAZN EVP. “After closing 2020 strong on DAZN, we can’t wait for subscribers to enjoy the terrific schedule we’re building for early 2021 as well.”

Canelo Alvarez won a emphatic 12-round unanimous decision over Callum Smith to win the WBA/WBC Super Middleweight title at The Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.

Alvarez was dominant from the start as he landed some quick hard shots using a diverse offensive attack. At different times in the contest, Alvarez landed hard jabs; rights; left hook and a tremendous uppercuts.

By the middle rounds, it was evident that it would be a dominant victory for Alavrez as despite having a seven-inch height disadvantage, Smith would not and could not hold Alavarez with anything. Alavrez could just walk right in and land thudding combinations and dividing his punches to the head and body.

Alvarez hurt Smith several times with those hard, and the Englishman did well to hear the final bell, but he was bruised and cut over his right eye, and never competitive in the fight which saw Alavrez win on two cards 119-109 and a third was more generous for Smith to the tune of 117-111.

Alvarez landed 214 of 494 punches; Smith was 99 of 539.

Alvarez of Guadalajara, MEX is now 54-1-2. Smith of Liverpool, ENG is 27-1.

Castro Stops Valdes in 3

Marc Castro made a successful pro debut with a 3rd round stoppage over Luis Javier Valdes in a scheduled four-round junior lightweight fight.

In round two, Castro dropped Valdes with a right uppercut. In round three, it was a body shot that followed by a right to the head and Valdes did not beat the count at 1:59

Castro, 130.1 lbs of Fresno, CA is 1-0 with one knockout. Valdes, 128.8 lbs of Tijuana, MEX is 7-6-1.

Sanchez stops Fernandez in 7

Frank Sanchez remained undefeated with a crushing 7th round stoppage over Julian Fernandez in a scheduled 10-round heavyweight bout.

In round seven, Sanchez landed a booming right that badly hurt Fernandez. A follow up right dropped Fernandez onto the apron and the fight was stopped at 1:35.

Sanchez, 229 lbs of Miami is 17-0 with 13 knockouts. Fernandez, 209.2 lbs of Tijuana, MEX is 14-3.

Ford Stops Lopez in 7

Raymond Ford stopped Juan Antonio Lopez in round seven of their scheduled eight-round featherweight fight.

In round one, Ford sent Lopez to the deck with a right hook.

In round seven, Ford landed a perfect right hook to the chin that sent Lopez to a knee. Lopez took the 10-count and the fight was stopped at 1:14

Ford, 128.6 lbs of Camden, NJ is 8-0 with four knockouts. Lopez, 129.2 lbs of Dallas, TX is now 15-8.

Williams stops Jones in 1st

Austin Williams remained undefeated by stopping Isiah Jones in round one of their scheduled six-round middleweight bout.

Williams clipped Jones with hard left that hurt him. Williams jumped all over Jones and landed a hard barrage of punches that forced the stoppage at 1:29.

Williams is now 7-0 with six knockouts. Jones of Detroit is 9-4.

Follow all the action as Canelo Alvarez takes on Callum Smith for the WBA/WBC Super Middleweight championship.  The action begins at 8 PM ET /1 AM in England with an undercard featuring some top undefeated Prospects.

NO BROWSER REFRESH NEEDED.  THE PAGE WILL UPDATE AUTOMATICALLY

Round 1: Right to body from Alvarez

Round 2 2 Body shots from Alvarez…Jab from Smith..Good Jab..Pawing jab…Hard jab from Canelo

Round 3 Right from Canelo..Good jab and right hand..2 jabs..Jab and right hand

Round 4 hard jabs from Smith..Hard right from Canelo..Body shot from Smith…Hard right from Canelo..Hard body shot..1-2…Good combination on the ropes..Good uppercut..

Round 5 Hard body shot from Canelo…

Round 6 Good right from Canelo..Body shot..Right…

Round 7 Combination from Smith..Hard body shot from Canelo..Long jab…uppercut..Long right

Round 8 Right from Canelo..Lead uppercut and right hand..Combination from Smith..Good right..Thudding right and uppercut from Canelo..snapping jab..Nice right and uppercut from Smith..

Round 9 Right and jab from Canelo..Uppercut..Blood from nose of Smith..Hard right from Smith..Hard body shot and right from Canelo..Big right Hurts Smith…Uppercut from Canelo..Uppercut and right..Canelo starting to bust up Smith..Hard right hurts Smith..Hard right

Round 10 Hard body shot…Hard uppercut..Smith being punished…4 hard body shots..Hard body shot..Hard right and a body shot

Round 11 Body shot from Canelo..Hard left hook..Snapping jab..Hard right hurts Smith..Another right..Jab to the head..

Round 12 Right from Canelo..Snapping jab and right hand…Combination from Smith..Right from Canelo..Combination..Hard thudding right hand

119-109 TWICE; 117-111 FOR CANELO ALVAREZ

Round 1 Right from Sanchez..Hook and right hand…Hard right..Hard right and another..right to body..Uppercut…Body shot
Round 2 Big hook from Sanchez…Ferandez hurt…Sanchez lands a right over the top..Right..
Round 3 Sanchez lands a right behind the head..Hard right from Sanchez
Round 4 Hard body shot that is followed by a jab from Sanchez
Round 5 Hard right from Sanchez
Round 6 Hard right from Sanchez
Round 7 Body shots from Sanchez…HARD RIGHT DOWN GOES FERNANDEZ..FERNANDEZ FALLS OUT OF RING…FIGHT OVER

Round 1: Jab from Ford…hard left drives Lopez fight..Right to the body..hard left hurts Lopez..RIGHT HOOK AND DOWN GOES LOPEZ
Round 2 Hard jab drives Lopez back..Lopez lands a left…combination from Ford..
Round 3 Hard left from Ford
Round 4 Hard uppercut from Ford…Double jab followed by a left ..Lopez lands a left
Round 5 Hard left from Ford..Jab..hard body shot
Round 6 Good jab from Ford..Sharp right hook..Uppercut…Slapping left from Lopez..Left to head from Ford
Round 7 RIGHT HOOK AND DOWN GOES LOPEZ…HE TAKES THE 10-COUNT–FIGHT OVER

Round 1 Jab from Jones..Left from Williams..Jab..HARD LEFT AND JONES IS HURT…WILLIAMS ALL OVER JONES AND THE FIGHT IS STOPPED

Round 1 Right from Castro..Right to body and head…3 punch combination..Right to body from Valdes///Right from Castro
Round 2 Right snaps back Valdes head..UPPERCUT AND DOWN GOES VALDES…Hard Body shot..Hard body shot
Round 3

Reymart Gaballo pounded out a 12-round split decision over Emmanuel Rodriguez to win the WBC Interim Bantamweight title at the Mohegan Sun Resort in Uncasville, CT

In round three, Rodriguez had blood from the bridge of his nose.

Rodriguez landed 109 of 372 punches; Gaballo was 93 of 520

Gaballo, 117.6 lbs of General Santos City, PHL won by scores of 116-112, 115-113 while Rodriguez won a card 118-110. Gaballo is now 24-0. Rodriguez is 19-2.

REYMART GABALLO

“I am very happy and blessed to win this belt. I was always moving forward and controlling the pace, so I thought it was a close fight that either of us could have won.

“I’m waiting for my team to tell me what they have planned for me next. I’m going to keep training hard so I’m always ready for the opportunity when it comes.

“I’m going to go back to the Philippines and spend time with my family. I’ve been in Miami training for eight months so I’m excited to go home.”

EMMANUEL RODRIGUEZ

“It was a good fight, but he only won about two or three rounds. There were two punches from me for every punch he landed. He knows he lost. Everyone knows we won.

“My team told me to go out and keep boxing him in the late rounds. We knew he needed a knockout in the twelfth round. That was his only chance to win.”

Ennis and Van Heerden Fight to No-Contest

Jaron Ennis and Chris Van Heerden fought to a no-contest when Van Heerden suffered a gruesome cut in round one of their 12-round welterweight bout.

Ennis was battering Van Heerden all over the ring and looked to be on his way to an early stoppage when the two clashed heads that opened up a horrible cut on the forehead of Van Heerden. The fight was stopped at 2:39.

Ennis, 146 lbs of Philadelphia is 26-0-1 NC; Van Heerden, 146.9 lbs of Santa Monica, CA is 28-2-1-1.

“My head is good. I don’t know quite what to say, but I feel good.

“Before the headbutt I had already cut him. I felt strong. I knew he was ready to go. I feel like I’m getting better and better. Now I’ll just get back in the gym.

“As you could see from the first round, I was handling him easily. I feel like everyone is still sleeping on me, but I’m ready for anyone. Bring on the big names.

“At the end of the day it’s boxing and you have to live with it when stuff like this happens. I’m ready to step up against even better competition than Chris van Heerden.

“I was putting it on him and I was getting ready to dig to the body and he came right at me and we headbutted.

“I could get back in the ring tomorrow. I’m ready. I’m just disappointed right now. Anybody in the top five, I’m ready for them. I’m hungry and it’s my time in 2021. I will become world champion.”

Russell defeats Payano by Technical Decision

Gary Antonio Russell remained perfect as he won a technical decision over Juan Carlos Payano when Payano could not continue due to an accidental head butt one second into round seven of their scheduled 10-roound bantamweight fight

In round six, Payano was bleeding from over his right eye. It was ruled an accidental headbutt and the fight was stopped just as the 7th bell rang.

Russell landed 86 of 243 punches; Payano was 58 of 268.

Russell, 119 lbs of Capitol Heights. MD won by scores of 59-55 twice and 58-56 and is now 18-0. Payano, 119 lbs of Le Vega, DR is 21-5.

GARY RUSSELL JR., BROTHER OF GARY ANTONIO RUSSELL

“We are definitely our worst critics so I don’t think this was his best performance. But with the situation that’s at hand and the passing of our younger brother. We just wanted to take this energy and focus it on something productive. I didn’t know how Antonio would be able to handle it going into the fight but I did know that Payano was going to need to kill him to beat him in that ring tonight.

“We were starting to step on the gas. The main thing when a guy gets dirty like that is to be technical. His punch placement was precise. His punch selection was excellent. We touched the body real well. We hurt him and we knew we had the power to keep hurting him.

“I know for a fact that my younger brother Antonio wants to dedicate this fight to our younger brother who just passed away. There’s a lot of emotions. To be able to harness it all is bigger than boxing. Boxing is something we love to do but this is a very difficult time for our family.

Brandun Lee stopped Dakota Linger in round three of a scheduled 10-round welterweight bout.

Lee dominated the fight and landed several hard punches when the fight was stopped at 1:17 of round three.

Lee, 143 lbs of Yuba, CA is 21-0 with 19 knockouts. Linger, 142 lbs of Buckhannon, WV is 12-5-2.

Benjamin Whitaker won eight-round majority decision over previously undefeated Zsolt Daranyi in a junior middleweight bout.

Whittaker, 150 lbs of San Antonio, TX won by scores of 79-73, 77-75 and 76-75 and is now 15-4. Daranyi, 150.2 lbs of Budapest, HUN is 15-1.

Ruben Torres 137.8 vs. Jose Luis Rodriguez 137.4
Saul Sanchez 115 vs Mario Hernandez 114.5
Richard Brewart Jr. 155.7 vs. Louis Hernandez 155.2

The 3-fight card will take place this Sunday, December 20, 2020, at the Omega Products International Event Center in Corona, CA, and will start at 3:30 p.m. PT / 6:30 p.m. ET. The free stream will air live on the Thompson Boxing Promotions website (www.thompsonboxing.com), as well as their Facebook and YouTube pages, in addition to Fight Hub TV.

Redditch, UK (19 December 2020) Promoter Mick Hennessy closed the year last night with an exciting all-action show full of drama and knockouts from the Fly By Night TV studio in Redditch, Worcestershire, to viewers live on Channel 5 in the UK and via a live stream available around the world.

6 x 3 Rounds Middleweight Contest
Brett McGinty WPTS6 (59-56) Jan Ardon
Hennessy’s new signing Brett McGinty made a successful start to his pro career with a points win over the tough Czech born and Manchester based Jan Ardon. The Monaghan talent went in over six rounds instead of the usual four for a pro-debutant. Ardon was a late replacement and a heavier opponent and a big test for someones debut, but McGinty worked well to the head and body and showed his class. He was caught in the fourth and momentarily stunned but got through it and had to fight hard in the last two rounds to get a great win on is debut.

6 x 3 Rounds Middleweight Contest
Idris Virgo WPTS6 (60-54) Kearon Thomas
Unbeaten Birmingham middleweight maintained his unbeaten record with a 60-54 points victory over Walsall’s Kearon Thomas. Virgo hurt Thomas with a good body shot in the second round but Thomas managed to recover and get through it with Virgo looking to finish him off. In the fifth Virgo landed a low blow that had Thomas take some time to recover from. Virgo kept up the attack until the end to get his hand raised and his did his customary bow to the cameras.

6 x 3 Rounds Super Super-Lightweight Contest
Stephen McKenna WTKO3 (Time: 0:36) Des Newton
Irish super-lightweight ace Stephen McKenna ended his year with a knockout performance, flattening Bere Alston’s experienced Des Newton in the third round. McKenna started fast and hard throwing big bombs to head and body as he looked to get the tough Newton out early until he landed a big right hand in the third round. The undefeated Monahan Hitman took his record to a perfect 7-0 with 7 knockouts and now looks ahead to a big year in 2021 with the world’s eyes on the young talent as he progresses.

6 x 3 Rounds Super-Flyweight Contest
Sammy Cantwell LTKO6 (Time: 0:49) Stephen Jackson
In an entertaining hard fought contest, super-flyweight Sammy Cantwell, son of the popular 90s British Flyweight Champion and four-time World Title Challenger, Mickey, was stopped in the final round by Manchester’s pro-debutant Stephen Jackson. Cantwell was due to fight Ricky Little for the Southern Area title, but Little withdrew earlier in the week due to medical reasons (non-COVID) with Jackson coming in at late notice. Cantwell fought well considering he had been out of the ring for two years and at times he hurt Jackson. It was a gutsy and gritty performance from Cantwell, with Jackson also landing eye catching punches and hard combinations. In the sixth Jackson landed a big right hand and hurt Cantwell with more shots before the referee halted the action.

10 x 3 Rounds Midlands Area Middleweight Title
River Wilson Bent WKO3 (Time: 1:42) Troy Coleman
In the most explosive knockout of the night and certainly a contender for KO of the year, Coventry’s River Wilson Bent landed a huge right hand in the third round that had Burntwood’s Coleman out before he hit the canvas. Coleman tried bravely to get to his feet, but the referee waved it off at the count of ten. Unbeaten Bent claimed the Midlands Area Middleweight title and marked himself out as a big-hitting contender in the division.

12 x 3 British Light Heavyweight Title
Shakan Pitters LTKO9 (Time: 2:42) Craig Richards
In the main event, fierce light-heavyweight rival Shakan Pitters and Craig Richards delivered an exciting fight to end the year. Pitters, making the first defence of his British title that he won against Chad Sugden in August, was stopped in the ninth round in a real humdinger of a battle that was swinging in momentum. Pitters started the fight well, controlling with his long jab and keeping Crystal Palace’s Richards at a distance, but in the fourth round Richards landed a big right that rocked Pitters and followed that with a right hook that floored the Birmingham man. Getting up at three, Pitters went on the move with Richards moving in to try and find a shot to finish him off, but he survived the round. Re-establishing himself, Pitters then got back to work in the fifth and landed a good right hand at the end of the sixth. In the seventh and eighth, both landed good shots on each other with the fight very tight on points, but in the ninth Richards stepped it up and landed a big right hook to drop Pitters on the ropes. With Pitters hurt, Richards landed a left hook that floored him heavily, bravely up at the count of seven he was still on shaky legs and the referee Victor Loughlin called it off. Pitters will now take time to recover over the Christmas period and plot his route back next year.

*Sevenoaks middleweight Michael Hennessy Jr. had to withdraw from his fight against Kevin McCauley just before the contest during the warm up after damaging his left hand on the pads. Hennessy hurt it in his fight last week against Dale Arrowsmith and had been receiving physiotherapy treatment during the week which left him feeling good to fight. but when he started hitting the pads heavily the hand injured again. His team felt it would be in his best interest to withdraw.

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

Gennady Golovkin stopped mandatory challenger Kamil Szeremeta after round seven of their IBF Middleweight championship bout at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Resort in Hollywood, Florida.

Golovkin dropped Szeremeta at the end of round one with a left hook to the chin. Golovkin sent Szeremta to the deck in round two with a overhand right to the side of the head. In round four, Golovkin landed an overhand right that was followed by a little left hook on the inside that put Szeremeta down again.

In round seven, Golovkin dropped Szeremeta with a jab. The fight was halted after that round.

Golovkin who made the 1st defense of his IBF title, and 21st middleweight title defense is now 41-1-1 with 36 knockouts. Szeremeta of Poland is 21-1.

Choi Decisions Silgado

WBA Super Featherweight champion Hyun Mi Choi won a 10-round unanimous decision over Calista Silgado.

Choi landed 163 of 552 Punches; Silgado was 89 of 364.

Choi, 131 lbs of North Korea won by scores of 99-91, 98-92 and 97-93 and is now 18-0-1. Silgado, 131 lbs is 19-12-3.

Ryder Decisions Guy

Former world title challenger John Ryder won a 10-round unanimous decision over Mike Guy in a super middleweight bout.

Ryder landed 103 of 401 punches; Guy was 66 of 284.

Ryder, 170.2 lbs of London, ENG won by scores of 100-90, 99-91 and 96-94 and is now 29-5. Guy, 168.2 lbs of Sacramento, CA is 12-6-1.

\Gongora shocks Akhmedov with 12th round stoppage

Carlos Gongora stunned Ali Akhmedov with a 12th round stoppage in a battle of undefeated super middeweights.

Akhmedov had the advantage early as he hurt Gongora in round two,

In round seven, Akhmedov was cut over his right eye. In round 12, Gongora knocked down Akhmedov with a uppercut. Later in the round, it was another left uppercut that plummeted Akhmedov to the canvas and the fight was stopped at 1:57.

Gongora of Boston via Ecuador is 19-0 with 14 knockouts. Akhmedov of Kazakhstan is 16-1.

Reshat Mati stopped Dennis Okoth in round six of their six-round welterweight bout.

Mati dominated the action and then landed a big flurry that had the referee stopped the fight with Okoth hurting his foot at 1:17.

Mati of New York is 9-0 with seven knockouts. Okoth of Silver Spring, MD is 4-5-1.

Follow all of the action as Gennadiy Golovkin defends the IBF Middleweight Title against Mandatory challenger Kamil Szeremeta.  The action begins at 5 PM ET / 4 AM in Kazakhstan / 11 PM in Poland with a five-fight undercard featuring Ali Akhmedov against Carlos Gongora and John Ryder battling Mike Guy

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Round 1: 2 jabs from Golovkin..Jab..Redness on the face of Szeremeta..Right from Szeremeta..Good upperccut from Golovkin…LEFT HOOK AND DOWN GOES SZEREMETA

Round 2 Right from Golovkin..COVERHAND RIGHT TO THE HEAD AND DOWN GOEZ SZEREMETA…Golovkin lands a left hook..jab..Nice uppercut..Hard right

Round 3 Nice uppercut from Golovkin…Grazing right..Body shot…Good left to the liver

Round 4 double left hook from Golovkin..OVERHAND RIGHT AND INSIDE LEFT AND DOWN GOES SZEREMETA…Hard body shot..

Round 5 Good right from Szeremeta…Left hook to body from Golovkin…Uppercut to the body..Right to the ear…

Round 6 Hard uppercut and left hook from Golovkin..Right from Szeremeta..Body punch from Golovkin…Left..Good right 

Round 7 Clubbing right from Golovkin…JAB AND DOWN GOES SZEREMETA…FIGHT STOPPED AFTER THE ROUND

Round 1: Jab from Ryder..Right from Guy
Round 2 : Left From Ryder
Round 3 Not much 
Round 4 Ryder jabbing and trying to set up the left
Round 5 Left from Ryder
Round 6
Round 7 Hard left from Ryder
Round 8 Guy missing a lot
Round 9 Good body shot from Ryder

Round 1:

LOS ANGELES (Dec. 18, 2020): A new era has begun in the career of Joseph “JoJo” Diaz (31-1, 15 KOs) as he makes the first defense of his IBF Junior Lightweight World Title against mandatory challenger Shavkatdzhon “Shere Khan” Rakhimov (15-0, 12 KOs) in a 12-round battle between two southpaws with highly decorated amateur backgrounds. The co-main event will also feature a classic battle between Brasil’s Patrick Teixeira, who will defend his WBO Junior Middleweight World Title, and Argentine mandatory challenger Brian “El Boxi” Castaño.

The 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.

Information regarding the venue and undercard will be announced shortly.

“After his participation in the Olympics and turning professional, Joseph had one goal: become a world champion,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy. “Everyone at Golden Boy Promotions was so proud when Joseph had his hand raised and realized his dream. Now that he’s got that belt, he’s not giving it back any time soon.”

Diaz Jr. is a 28-year-old southpaw who represented the U.S. at the 2012 Olympic games in London. Immediately after, Diaz Jr. signed with Golden Boy and began a stellar career that has included fights against Gary Russell Jr., Andrew “El Chango” Cancio, Jesus Rojas, and Rafael “Big Bang” Rivera. In his last fight, the native of South El Monte, Calif. defeated Tevin “American Idol” Farmer to become the IBF Junior Lightweight Champion, which began a new phase of his career as he begins to take over the division.

“Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov is a very good fighter who is highly ranked throughout the world,” said Joseph Diaz Jr. “I know he’s been aching for a world title shot, but I’m ready to go out there and showcase that I’m willing to fight the best and defend my title with whoever wants to step in that ring with me. I’m the hungriest I’ve ever been, and there is nothing that he brings to the table that can affect me.”

“In my first main event on DAZN, I’m going to show to the world that I am the biggest threat at 130 pounds and a household name,” Diaz Jr. continued. “Not only am I doing this for myself, but I’m also doing this for my family. I fight to motivate people to keep on pushing and continue pursuing the dreams they have through the ups and downs in life. That’s my purpose. Come Feb. 13, I’m going to shine. It’s my time!”

Rakhimov is a 26-year-old puncher who earned gold medals in some of the world’s most prestigious international amateur tournaments. In 2015, the native of Qurghonteppa, Tajikistan made his professional debut, and in only his 11th fight as a professional, he captured the IBO Super Featherweight Title by scoring a sixth-round technical knockout over Emanuel Lopez. He defended the title three times, and one of those victories was against experienced contender Robinson “Robin Hood” Castellanos. Though no longer holding the IBO belt, he remains undefeated as he looks to capture a belt from one of the four recognized sanctioning bodies.

“I’ve been waiting for this chance for a long time,” Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov. “Thank you for this opportunity to my team. My training camp is long one but very good. I will do my best to win this fight. I came here for the victory!”

In the co-main event, Patrick Teixeira (31-1, 22 KOs) of Sau Paulo, Brazil will make the first defense of his WBO Super Junior Middleweight World Title against undefeated challenger Brian “El Boxi” Castaño (16-0-1, 12 KOs) of Buenos Aires, Argentina in a 12-round battle.

“I am very confident about this fight against Brian Castaño,” said Patrick Teixeira. “I am ready to defeat him and keep my title. The fight will be a war. It will be a bit show for all the boxing fans.”

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. The fight 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.

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.

Bantamweight Bout – 12 Rounds

Emmanuel Rodriguez – 117 ½ lbs. 

Reymart Gaballo – 117 ½ lbs. 

Referee: Arthur Mercante (New York); Judges: Don Trella (Connecticut) David Sutherland (Oklahoma), John McKaie (New York)

Welterweight Bout – 12 Rounds

Jaron Ennis – 146 ¾ lbs.

Chris van Heerden – 146 ¾ lbs. 

Referee: Johnny Callas (Connecticut); Judges: Glenn Feldman (Connecticut), John McKaie (New York), Waleska Roldan (New York)

Bantamweight Bout – 10 Rounds

Gary Antonio Russell – 119 lbs.

Juan Carlos Payano – 119 lbs. 

*Contracted weight is 120 lbs.

Referee: David Fields (New Jersey); Judges: Tom Carusone (Connecticut), Tom Schreck (New York), David Sutherland (Oklahoma)

NOTE: Non-televised undercard action featuring highly-regarded prospect Brandun Lee (20-0, 18 KOs) and undefeated super welterweight prospect Zsolt Daranyi (15-0, 14 KOs) fighting in separate bouts will stream live on the SHOWTIME Sports YouTube Channel and SHOWTIME Boxing Facebook page at 6:45 p.m. ET/3:45 p.m. PT. Lee will look to extend his knockout streak to 12 against Dakota Linger (12-4-2, 8 KOs) while Daranyi aims to continue the perfect start to his pro career against Benjamin Whitaker (14-4, 3 KOs). Ray Flores will call the action. Click HERE to view a recent SHOWTIME Sports digital feature capturing the 21-year-old Lee’s family-first mentality, emphasis on the importance of education and hunger for success inside the ring.

Welterweight Bout – 10 Rounds

Brandun Lee – 143 lbs.

Dakota Linger – 142 ½ lbs.

*Contracted weight is 143 lbs.

Referee: Danny Schiavone (Connecticut); Judges: Peter Hary (Connecticut), Don Trella (Connecticut), Tom Carusone (Connecticut)

Super Welterweight Bout – 8 Rounds

Zsolt Daranyi – 150 ¼ lbs.

Benjamin Whitaker – 150 lbs.

*Contracted weight is 150 lbs.

Referee: Johnny Callas (Connecticut); Judges: Peter Hary (Connecticut), John McKaie (New York), Glenn Feldman (Connecticut)

The event is promoted by TGB Promotions and takes place from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. Rodríguez vs. Gaballo is promoted in association with Warriors Boxing and Fresh Productions. Ennis vs. Van Heerden is promoted in association with D&D Boxing.

# # #

ABOUT RODRIGUEZ VS. GABALLO

Rodriguez vs. Gaballo will see former bantamweight world champion Emmanuel Rodríguez take on unbeaten former interim WBA bantamweight champion Reymart Gaballo for the vacant interim WBC Bantamweight World Championship in the main event of SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION^® Saturday, December 19 at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT live on SHOWTIME from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

The action-packed tripleheader will feature unbeaten welterweight Jaron “Boots” Ennis taking on his toughest opponent to date in veteran contender Chris van Heerden in a 12-round co-main event. Plus, unbeaten bantamweight Gary Antonio Russell will face former world champion Juan Carlos Payano in a 10-round showdown to kick off the telecast.

The event is promoted by TGB Promotions. Rodríguez vs. Gaballo is promoted in association with Warriors Boxing and Fresh Productions. Ennis vs. Van Heerden is promoted in association with D&D Boxing.

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

David Avanesyan will finally defend his EBU European Welterweight Title against undefeated rising star Josh Kelly in a bitter grudge match on Saturday January 30 at a venue to be confirmed, live on Sky Sports in the UK and on DAZN in the U.S. and more than 200 countries and territories.

The rivals were due to meet at the FlyDSA Arena in Sheffield back in December 2018 before an illness forced Kelly to withdraw from the contest on the morning of the fight, leading to “bottle job” jibes from Avanesyan’s manager Neil Marsh as bad blood boiled over between the camps.

Russia’s Avanesyan (26-3-1, 14 KOs) dealt with the disappointment by firmly establishing himself as ‘the man’ of the European Welterweight scene, ripping the 147lbs title from Bilbao’s Kerman Lejarraga on away soil in March before destroying him in the opening round of their September rematch.

The former World Champion made light work of Jose del Rio last time out in Barcelona, crushing the Spaniard in the opening round, and now finds himself on the cusp of another World Title shot should he inflict a first defeat on Kelly.

Kelly (10-0-1, 6 KOs), a Rio 2016 Olympian from Sunderland, outclassed the previously undefeated Pole Przemyslaw Runowski at The O2 in April last year before drawing with Ray Robinson two months later on his US debut in New York.

‘PBK’ decisioned Nicaragua’s Wiston Campos in his last outing in Phoenix to set up his long-awaited showdown with Avanesyan, and the North East talent is determined to silence his critics by producing a career-best win in January.

A meeting between the pair was rescheduled for March 2020 at The O2 in London only for the outbreak of the coronavirus in the UK to scupper their plans once more, but the rivals have a chance to settle their feud once and for all next month in a fight that has been brewing for over two years.

“This fight has been a long time coming and it’s finally time to silence my doubters,” said Kelly. “He is the favourite heading into the fight. He has proved how good he is in his last three fights. It’s going to be a good fight, but one I’m quietly confident about.

“I feel like this is a turning point in my career. When I win, then I take it to the next level. A lot in the future is lying on this fight. Two fights ago I fought Ray Robinson, which was a massive step-up. I don’t think people realised how big of a step-up that was, but now I’m fighting Avanesyan, I should get the credit I deserve.”

“What a way to start the year with this heavily-anticipated grudge match,” said Matchroom Sport Managing Director Eddie Hearn. “This is a huge step up for PBK and Ava has looked like a wrecking ball over the past few years. In 2021 we are going for gold and this is the perfect way to start the year – expect a thrilling fight!”

Adam Smith, Sky Sports’ Head of Boxing Development said: “David Avanesyan’s European Title defence against Josh Kelly is a superb start to our Sky Sports schedule for 2021.

“We’ve followed Josh Kelly’s exciting career since the very start, but now he faces a real acid test in the form of Avanesyan, a dangerous puncher, who has big ambitions of his own.

“Conor Benn will be watching his British rival closely, having called for a big domestic clash later in the year. But before that, PBK must produce a dazzling performance in a crucial European title clash.”

NEW YORK, NY (DECEMBER 18, 2020)–Split-T Management fighters Charles Conwell and Stephan Shaw kept their perfect resumes intact with big wins on Thursday night at the parking lot of the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood, California.

The fight card was the 3rd installment of of the Ring City USA series on NBC Sports Network.

In the main event world-ranked Conwell took out Madiyar Ashkeyev out after round nine of their scheduled 10-round junior middleweight bout

Conwell, who defended his USBA and captured the WBC USNBC Junior Middleweight titles, beat up Ashkeyev throughout the contest as he pounded away at the body and landed heavy shots upstairs. Ashkeyev had a lot of swelling over his left eye from the constant offense of Conwell. Referee Jack Reiss stopped the bout in between rounds nine and 10.

It was a solid all-around performance from Conwell, who should improve on his to number-eight ranking by the IBF.

“I felt good tonight,” Conwell said. “I’m getting more and more comfortable in the ring and more comfortable with the experience I continue to get.”

“I think I’m the only undefeated contender fighting,” Conwell continued. “And I think that means a lot – I’m making great progress and I’m ready for a bigger payday. The more I fight, the better I get. I’m only 23-years-old and I want to keep fighting.”

Conwell, 154 lbs of Cleveland, OH is 14-0 with 11 knockouts. Ashkeyev, 154 lbs of Kazakhstan is 14-1

Conwell is promoted by DiBella Entertainment and Holden Productions.

Stephan Shaw remained undefeated with an eight-round unanimous decision over Lyubomyr Pinchuk in a heavyweight bout.
Shaw dominated the fight by using a pinpoint jab to set up some solid right hands.

Shaw, 235 lbs of St. Louis, MO won by scores of shutout scores of 80-72 and is now 14-0. Pinchuk, 223 lbs of Lviv, UK is 12-2-1.

Shaw is promoted by DiBella Entertainment

Redditch, UK (18 December 2020) Promoter Mick Hennessy has outlined the methods boxing fans in the UK, Ireland and around the world can view tonight’s big fight card.

For the UK & Ireland use: https://youtu.be/5TgV31H0Hj8

For around the world use the undercard link: https://youtu.be/5TgV31H0Hj8

For main event Pitters v Richards use link: https://youtu.be/oJCceNImvro
The British Light-Heavyweight title showdown between Birmingham’s Shakan Pitters against Crystal Palace’s Craig Richards headlines the Hennessy Sports fight night. Chief support features the Midlands Area Middleweight Title between Coventry’s River Bent and Burntwood’s Troy Coleman. The undercard features unbeaten Irish super-lightweight sensation Stephen McKenna who takes on Plymouth’s Des Newton; Birmingham middleweight Idris Virgo takes on Walsall Kearon Thomas; Sevenoaks super-welterweight Michael Hennessy Jr. faces Stourbridge’s Kevin McCauley; Bexleyheath super flyweight Sammy Cantwell takes on Manchester’s Stephen Jackson* and red hot Irish prospect Brett McGinty from County Donegal makes his long awaited professional debut against Jan Ardon.

*Stephen Jackson replaces Ricky Little who withdrew due to medial reasons (non-Covid) with the fight now a six-round contest, not for the Southern Area Super-Flyweight title.
For further information go to www.hennessysports.com or social media: Facebook @HennessySports, Twitter @HennessySports and Instagram @hennessysports