Katie Taylor’s masterful Undisputed Lightweight World Title defence against Miriam Gutierrez at The SSE Arena, Wembley drew more than 2 million views across the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Sky Sports made the historic World Title triple-header, featuring Terri Harper and Rachel Ball, available to all, customers and non-subscribers alike, via multiple digital platforms including their YouTube channel, Facebook page and website.

The fight generated more than 1.5 million views on Facebook, 550k on Sky Sports’ YouTube live stream and across Sky Sports’ website and apps there were 227k views, with over 600k viewers on Sky Sports’ TV platform, making it a bumper night for new audiences.

As part of Sky Sports’ commitment to women’s sport – first announced back in March – the move came with the aim of ensuring elite women’s sport is more widely available to the public through both increasing its existing coverage and by strengthening its digital output. 

Irish star Taylor looked phenomenal as she completely outclassed her WBA mandatory challenger in the evening’s main event, dropping the tough Spaniard in the fourth round on route to a unanimous decision that improved her unbeaten record to 17-0.

Earlier in the night, Denaby’s WBC and IBO Super-Featherweight ruler Harper stopped Norway’s Katharina Thanderz in nine rounds to retain her belts and Ball picked up the Interim WBC Super-Bantamweight World Title by outpointing Argentina’s Jorgelina Guanini.

Matchroom Sport Managing Director Eddie Hearn said: “What a night and what a monumental moment on Saturday. This huge audience got to see a great night of boxing and a performance of pound-for-pound quality. We have made tremendous strides in women’s boxing but the job is still only half done. Together with these great athletes we will continue to push the boundaries.”

Adam Smith, Sky Sports’ ?Head of Boxing Development, said: “We’re thrilled with the fantastic viewing figures, on all platforms, for a truly momentous evening of women’s title fights, topped by Katie Taylor’s masterful performance. 

“Rachel Ball produced a fantastic win, the launch pad for her to pursue World Titles, while Terri Harper was composed and clinical in her defence of the WBC Super-Featherweight belt. It was then Katie Taylor’s time to produce a punch perfect display. Simply dazzling.

“Katie is an unbelievable ambassador for the sport and we decided to stream  her historic fight night for free, a sign of our long-term commitment to women’s sport with Matchroom. We’ve started something special as we continue to showcase the best talent in women’s boxing on Sky Sports.”

WORCESTER, Mass. (November 17, 2020) – Undefeated lightweight prospect Jamaine “The Technician” Ortiz (13-0, 7 KOs), the reigning World Boxing Youth World champion, hopes to steal the show on the November 28th Mike Tyson-Roy Jones, Jr. pay-per-view card, presented by Tyson’s Legends Only League, at Staples Center in Los Angeles.

The 24-year-old Ortiz, fighting out of Worcester, Massachusetts, will fight on the undercard against Maryland southpaw Sulaiman Segawa (13-2-1, 4 KOs) in an 8-round bout for the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) USNBC (U.S) lightweight title.

“I feel good and I’m ready,” Ortiz said. “I’m privileged for this opportunity to fight on the Tyson-Jones card and get good exposure. I hope to steal the show. As a kid, I followed them both, especially Jones. I tried to imitate him”

Like all fighters, the COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically affected his career, although he has managed to train, albeit in various gyms and mostly by himself.

“It wasn’t too bad,” added Ortiz, who is an apprentice carpenter. “Not all of the facilities I use to train were open. Early on, I trained by myself, and did a lot of running. We were quarantined until late June, early July, but then I was able to get good sparring. So, overall, it wasn’t too much of a change.”

(picture by Emily Harney)

Ortiz is promoted by Jimmy Burchfield (Classic Entertainment and Sports) and advised by Richard Shappy and Eddie Imondi.

“We’re happy our fighter, Jamaine Ortiz, will be getting such great exposure and he will show the world what we already know here in New England,” Shappy commented. “Jamaine ‘The Technician’ Ortiz is a force that will have to be reckoned with.”

LYNDON ARTHUR will make the second defence of his Commonwealth Light-Heavyweight championship against Anthony Yarde on Saturday December 5 in another huge night of boxing on BT Sport.
 
The sizzling showdown between the world ranked pair will be promoted by Frank Warren for Queensberry Promotions and will mark the end of a huge two-week celebration of his 40 year anniversary in professional boxing, which also takes in Daniel Dubois vs Joe Joyce on November 28th.
 
Arthur (17-0, 12 KOs) won his title in October 2019 outpointing tough Ghanaian Emmanuel Anim, and in his first defence a little under four months ago won clearly on points against Dec Spelman.
 
‘King Arthur’ said: “What a great fight it is to be involved in.
 
“Being behind closed doors means there would have been a few stare downs at press conferences by now, but it takes nothing away when we fight.
 
“A lot of boxing fans are in lockdown, they all have an opinion and they will all tune in to BT Sport. I’m excited knowing that.”
 
Yarde (20-1, 19 KOs) went one better than his rival against Spelman in September and stopped him the sixth rounder of their non-title contest.
 
“I could have stopped Spelman if I upped the pressure. I was in first gear and not even blowing,” insisted Manchester man Arthur who is ranked at seven by the WBO and nine by the IBF.
 
The 29-year-old added: “Yarde has power, but to nullify it I will make sure I am not there to be hit. Everyone can hit hard if you stand in front of them.
 
“I have power as well and he needs to nullify mine. I’m not worried about his power.
 
“The two 12 rounders against Anim and Spelman have brought me on leaps and bounds. It’s 24 rounds experience in two 12 rounds fights. You cannot buy that.
 
“I’ve watched Yarde’s two fights since Kovalev and he hasn’t shown anything different. You get what you see.”
 
Like the defending champion, Yarde’s world rankings are soaring. The Ilford KO machine is ranked nine by the WBC, at twelve by the IBF and is fifth in the ratings for the vacant WBO championship.
 
Yarde went to Sergey Kovalev’s Russian back yard in August 2019 and came so close to beating the then WBO World Champion before running out of steam in round 11.
 
He returned in February and hammered Diego Jair Ramirez inside two rounds before his impressive showing against Spelman.
 
Yarde, 29, said: “I hope and believe this will deliver a thrilling end to what has been a difficult year for everybody.
 
“Top domestic fights like this are what boxing fans tell us they want and I am happy to be part of what will be a special night in London – a special place for a special fight.
 
“From my side, I will be about bringing entertainment for the viewers, spectacular action and a devastating finish. I want to make it a memorable fight that will be remembered for a long time.
 
“I am totally focused only on this fight and I am treating it just as seriously as I would for a world title. I take every fight seriously and right now I am just working towards getting the job done in the best fashion.”
 
It will also be a night to remember for Warren, as it concludes the two-week celebration of his 40th anniversary of promoting his first ever British Boxing Board of Control show.
 
The Hall-of-Fame promoter said: “It will be a memorable occasion for me personally, but to promote two world class boxers in the Queensberry stable going against each other is the icing on the cake.
 
“Anthony and Lyndon agreeing to fight tells you about their confidence levels and how they feel their place is in the pecking order.
 
“I believe the winner will become the mandatory for the WBO title.
 
“There are two guarantees. Anthony and Lyndon will deliver excitement and the winner will be in the world title picture in 2021.
 
“The fight was first scheduled for April. Sadly the pandemic has kept delaying it. Of course I would have loved a packed house, but we couldn’t delay it any further.”

London, UK (17 November 2020) Red-hot Irish boxing siblings Stevie and Aaron McKenna will both fight on the same show for the first time as professionals when they appear on promoter Mick Hennessy’s event on Friday 11th December.

The unbeaten baby-faced brothers are ready to bring excitement and knockouts when they feature in separate six-round contests on the undercard of the crunch clash between Sam Eggington and Ashley Theophane, exclusively live on free-to-air Channel 5 in the UK.

Stevie, 23, made his first appearance for Hennessy Sports back in September on the Alex Dilmaghani-Samir Ziani undercard in his last fight and made an immediate impact with his devastating firepower by flooring Gary McGuire three times before the referee called a halt at just 1:13 of the first round.

He’ll return to the ring again just seven days later when he features on another Hennessy show on Friday 18th December headlined by the mouthwatering British Light-Heavyweight title showdown between Shakan Pitters and Craig Richards, also live on Channel 5.

Known as ‘The Hitman’, the 6ft super-lightweight hot shot from Monaghan, County Monaghan, has lived up to his nickname with all five of his opponents knocked out and he hasn’t wasted any time – four taken out in the opening round and one lasting until the second in only six-rounds of action.

Stevie said, “I’m thrilled to be fighting on Channel 5 again and it was amazing exposure for me where everyone could watch me for free. From beginning to end the experience was first class. Thanks to Hennessy Sports for the opportunity. I hope people watching enjoyed it last time, I put on an explosive performance. I can’t wait to deliver more on December 11th.”

This time Stevie brings with him super-welterweight Aaron, 21, who appears on the show courtesy of his promoter Oscar De La Hoya, and follows in his older brother’s footsteps by having his first fight on UK soil.

Aaron has slightly more experience with an unbeaten 10-fight record and six going early – five of those coming inside two rounds – with 31 rounds of action under his belt. Going under ‘The Silencer’ moniker, the 6’ 1” talent from Smithborough, County Monaghan is looking forward to his UK debut.

“It was great news from Golden Boy Promotions that they have secured a slot for me on the Hennessy Sports fight night on December 11th.” Said Aaron. “I’d like to thank Mick Hennessy for allowing me to fight and showcase my skills. Its great to get a fight before the end of the year and I am eagerly looking forward to putting on a show for my fans here in the UK and Ireland. The stage is now set for me and my brother Stephen to fight on the same card and we intend to produce the fireworks. Thanks to Golden Boy Promotions for granting me this opportunity.”

The all-action brothers are managed by Ken Sheer and trained by the legendary Freddie Roach at the Wildcard gym in Los Angeles. Both are currently in Ireland training with their father Fergal during the pandemic and they’ll return to Roach when travel restrictions are lifted.

Promoter Hennessy is thrilled to have Stevie back again and welcomes Aaron for the first time. Hennessy has family throughout Ireland and very close links to the boxing scene and his son Michael boxed out of the acclaimed St Monica’s Club in Newry as an amateur. Having watched both Stevie and Aaron from a young age and knowing Fergal, Hennessy was keen to work with the team.

“Stevie made such a great impression last time with his performance which was clinical, explosive and very quick, I’ve received hundreds of messages from fans who watched on Channel 5 and were left craving to see more of him!” Said Hennessy. “It’s fantastic to have Stevie on the show again and so quickly again on the 18 December, but I’m really excited to welcome his equally talented brother Aaron on the card – double the value! Thanks to Fergal, Oscar and Ken Sheer of Sheer Sports Management for making this happen and we look forward to seeing Stevie and Aaron in action next month.”

Tom Little has promised to “tear lumps” out of Alen Babic when they collide over eight rounds on the Conor Benn vs. Sebastian Formella undercard at The SSE Arena, Wembley on Saturday November 21, shown live on Sky Sports and DAZN. 

The Hatfield native (10-8, 3 KOs) has shared the ring with some huge punchers including Filip Hrgovic, David Price and Daniel Dubois, and insists that he has nothing to fear from ‘The Savage’, who heads into this weekend’s clash with five knockouts from five fight. 

Little was last seen losing to former amateur standout Mahammadrasul Majidov on the Ruiz vs. Joshua 2 undercard in Saudi Arabia last December, but the 33-year-old wants to be more than just an opponent for rising contenders, and plans on making his own statement against Croatia’s Babic.

“I’m massively motivated for this fight,” said Little. “No disrespect to Alen. He’s a great fighter. At this particular moment in time I don’t see him as a level above anyone I’ve boxed already. I’ve had a look at him. I’ve promised him a proper fight. Me and him are going to meet in the middle and knock absolute lumps out of each other, and then we’ll drink the minibar dry. 

“I’m enjoying everything about training. I’ve never worked this hard in my career. I’m excited to see what I  bring at the lower weight I’m going to be coming in at. This isn’t just a coming out party for my opponent. This is an opportunity for me to showcase what I’m about and what I’m capable of. I feel like I can make my own statement. 

“There’s no way you can say that you dislike Alen. If you do then you’re just out to dislike people and you’ve got no intensions of liking anyone. Everything about him is likeable. He’s a character. He’s what the sport needs. We get on very well. I’ve assured him that the moment that bell goes he will be public enemy number one. 

‘I’ll be in there to tear absolute lumps out of him. Alen is ‘The Savage’ and I’m the ‘Gypopotamus’. We’re both fighting men and this is what we live for. We’re going to meet in the middle and I’ve planned for nothing but fireworks. I plan on giving a fight that is going to be remembered. I implore anyone to run forward at me and let me smash them on the chin. I won’t be running from anybody. I haven’t got a cowardly bone inside my body. I predict a bloodbath on November 21. 

“I know that a top version of Tom Little beats the top version of Alen Babic. He won’t have to look too far for me. He’ll have to try and push me back. He’s going to bring all of the fire of hell with him, I know he is. I’m not worried about a bully. I don’t worry about being pushed back. His work rate is phenomenal. I know I’m in for a hard night. I feel that I’ll wear him down and knock him out. I genuinely do. I’m going to have to weather a very hard storm. I will take him out. I think I’ll be too clinical.”

Little vs. Babic is part of a big night of action in London, ‘The Destroyer’ Conor Benn (16-0, 11 KOs) takes a big step up against Germany’s former IBO Welterweight World Champion Sebastian Formella (22-1, 10 KOs), fresh from winning the English Heavyweight Title at Fight Camp, Fabio Wardley (9-0, 8 KOs) takes on Ghana’s Richard Lartey (14-3, 11 KOs), Donnington’s Liam Davies (7-0, 2 KOs) battles Liverpool’s Sean Cairns (7-2, 1 KO) for the English Bantamweight Title and BenRidings (3-0) meets Jez Smith (11-2-1, 5 KOs) over six rounds in a Middleweight contest. 

Two exciting Heavyweight matchups have been added to the undercard of Anthony Joshua’s Unified World Title defence against Kubrat Pulev on Saturday December 12, shown live on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK and on DAZN in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide.

Hughie Fury (24-3, 14 KOs) returns to the ring for the first time since his three-round destruction of Pavel Sour at Manchester Arena back in March to take on Poland’s Mariusz Wach (36-6, 19 KOs), a former opponent of Wladimir Klitschko, Alexander Povetkin and Dillian Whyte. 

“I’m very excited to be back in action again on December 12,” said Fury. “It’s been a while and I’m ready to show what I’m all about. I’ve been in the gym working on a lot of different aspects of my game, perfecting what I needed to do. 

“Mariusz Wach is a good fighter who’s been in with many top tier fighters including a World Title challenge. He brings power and size, and you can’t switch off for a second. I want these kind of fights as these fights will help me achieve what I need. I’m expecting a tough fight with Wach.”

Martin Bakole and Sergey Kuzmin fight for the vacant WBC International Heavyweight Title after their proposed fight earlier in the year was rescheduled. Both men share respective 15-1 records and will be looking to gatecrash the world rankings.

“I’m really looking forward to fighting for the WBC International Title on such a big night of boxing, said Bakole. “A victory over Kuzmin is another step to making my dreams come true.”

“This fight with Bakole is very important for me, I need to bounce back from my defeat to Michael Hunter last time and get back on track towards a World Title,” revealed Kuzmin. “Martin is big, tall and comes forward, we know his strengths. I come only to win on December 12.”

Anthony Joshua (23-1, 21 KOs) defends his IBF, WBA, WBO and IBO World Titles against Mandatory Challenger KubratPulev (28-1, 14 KOs) on a huge night of action that sees Lawrence Okolie (14-0, 11 KOs) take on Krzysztof Glowacki (31-2, 19 KOs) for the vacant WBO Cruiserweight World Title.

PEACOCK GYM FOUNDER Martin Bowers has signalled his intention to realise the goal of turning the renowned fistic institution into a bastion of British title successes.

Bowers, along with his brother Tony, first opened the Peacock doors in 1978 and since that time a ‘Who’s Who’ of the sport’s greats have made the pilgrimage to the Canning Town boxing bolthole.

The Peacock’s professional contingent have recently moved to a bespoke facility in Epping, where all the character and memories from London E16 have been recreated and celebrated across the walls of the new gym.

The ‘New Peacock’ is already off to a promising beginning with regard to becoming a breeding ground for British titles. Bowers is lead trainer to Daniel Dubois, who picked up the coveted Lonsdale belt in his 12th fight in a battle of the unbeaten young heavies against Nathan Gorman.

And on Friday, another Peacock product Denzel Bentley secured a second British title for the gym when time was called on his middleweight collision with Mark Heffron after four rounds due to damage caused by ‘2 Sharp’ to Heffron’s eye.

Bentley, who learned the ropes as an amateur at Fisher ABC under the watchful eye of trainer Ray Bull, has also developed as a professional with the Peacock Gym stalwart in his corner.

“We are a traditional gym at heart and we like to do things the traditional way,” considered Bowers, who is currently preparing his British heavyweight champion for a major defence and a European title challenge against Joe Joyce on November 28.

“The old way is very often the best way and, wherever possible, we prefer to set our fighters on the route of Southern Area, English and British titles. There really is no better way of doing it and the step-ups these titles give the boys properly prepares them for the bigger challenges they will hopefully encounter in the future.

“Daniel’s journey has been perfectly mapped out by Frank (Warren) and the team and some people probably forget that he took the Southern Area-English route to get to where he is today.

“These are titles that really mean something and winning them is so special for the fighters – and us as trainers.

“Denzel winning the British middleweight title the other night meant so much to Ray, who has been with him right from the beginning and to have the British middleweight and heavyweight champions in our gym really puts us on the map and is recognition of all the hard work that goes on behind the scenes by people who don’t get seen on television.

“The only disappointment – if you can call it that – with Denzel’s road to the British title is that Southern Area and English shots were denied to him. There was nothing anyone could do as the opponents simply didn’t want to fight him. Thankfully the Queensberry team got him the right fights to push him forward for the British.”

Dubois and Bentley is far from the end of the story where the Peacock and British titles are concerned.

Super bantamweight Chris Bourke is the Southern Area champion and heavily tipped to move through the title levels in 2021, while featherweight Louie Lynn looks a banker to start a belt collection in the new year.

“Chris and Louie are two exciting fighters who are doing everything right. They’ve got the application and enthusiasm to work and learn to match their obvious talent and that is the surest sign that we are on the right track with them.

“Nothing is ever guaranteed in boxing, but I am as certain as I can be that the two boys will go a long way in the sport and enjoy the success their hard work deserves.”

Success breeds success and it is Dubois who is leading the charge by being in an all-British multi-title fight between two unbeaten heavyweights with world titles on their minds.

“In many ways Daniel is the catalyst for the current success of the gym,” added Bowers. “The other boys see what he is doing and how he is doing it. It inspires them to want to be in massive fights themselves and it has a snowball effect.

“Outside of Daniel, Denzel and Chris, we’ve got two other title holders in Sean Phillips (Southern Area middleweight) and Danny Carr (Southern Area super feather). It shows that winning can become a habit.”

Providence, RI (November 16, 2020) – From a hard-hitting right-hander to a slick southpaw, CES Boxing prospect Jamaine Ortiz will see a much different look than previously anticipated on November 28, but his goal of bringing the WBC USNBC Silver Lightweight Title back to his hometown of Worcester, MA, remains the same.

With Nahir Albright forced to withdraw due to an elbow injury, the undefeated Ortiz (13-0, 7 KOs) will now face African southpaw Sulaiman Segawa (13-2-1, 4 KOs) of Silver Springs, MD, at The Staples Center in Los Angeles for the vacant USNBC crown, part of the highly-anticipated Mike Tyson-Roy Jones Jr. undercard on November 28.

The change in opponent, which occurs almost two weeks from fight night, has done little to deter the laser-focused Ortiz; in fact, it may even prove to be more of a motivating factor (not that the reigning WBC Youth world champion needs any additional motivation to win). Ortiz firmly believes Segawa, a veteran of 16 pro fights with several notable wins on his resume, presents more of a challenge than Albright, who has only fought nine times since turning pro in 2016.

“I like it. People who are better bring out the best in me,” Ortiz said. “He’s upset a lot of people in their hometowns, so you know he can fight.”

Segawa, 29, is coming off a draw against 9-1-1 Zhora Hamazaryan in January. Prior to that, he defeated 9-1-1 Elijah Pierce and the previously-unbeaten Gadwin Rosa, who was 10-0 at the time, in back-to-back fights. He also boasts a knockout win in 2018 over Hector Lopez Jr., who was 10-0-1 at the time. The combined record of Segawa’s last seven opponents is a staggering 66-3-2, which compares favorably to Ortiz’s track record; since 2019, Ortiz has upended opponents with records of 22-5, 8-1-1, 15-4, and 10-0. The Worcester native is ranked No. 9 in the NABF.

Ortiz-Segawa is one of seven fights scheduled for November 28, including the highly-anticipated exhibition headliner between rings legends Tyson and Jones, who fight eight rounds for the newly-created WBC Frontline championship. With no fans in attendance, the card is available for purchase on pay per view via FITE TV, or on the newly-launched Triller app, available both on Apple or Android devices. Visit tysonontriller.com for more information. Showtime is 9 pm ET.

WBC World Youth Featherweight Champion Irvin Gonzalez Jr. (14-2, 11 KOs), also from Worcester, battles undefeated Forth Worth, TX, prospect Edward Vazquez (8-0, 1 KO) in an eight-round bout for the vacant WBC USNBC Featherweight Title. Also on the card, heavyweight Juiseppe Cusumano (18-3, 16 KOs) faces Mississippi’s Nick Jones (9-3, 6 KOs) in an eight-round bout for the vacant WBC USNBC Heavyweight Title.

Visit CESBoxing.com for more information, or follow CES Boxing on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter at @CESBOXING.

INFORMATION

CES Boxing is one of the top promotions in the northeast and one of the few to successfully promote both mixed martial arts and professional boxing. Launched in 1992 by longtime boxing judge Jimmy Burchfield Sr., the promotion is the only in professional boxing to boast two reigning WBC Youth world champions in lightweight Jamaine Ortiz and featherweight Irvin Gonzalez. CES Boxing recently teamed with UFC Fight Pass, the world’s No. 1 streaming platform for combat sports, to showcase its events to a worldwide audience.

Mike Tyson’s Legends Only League is a sports league created and owned by Mike Tyson and Eros Innovations. The Legends Only League is a next-generation sports venture that provides full support and infrastructure to the world’s greatest athletes, bringing the best of the best back to the ring, onto the court, and back on the field. The league will span live sporting events including tennis, basketball, boxing, and more in addition to creating consumer products, live events, premium content, and full-service management for the greatest sports stars the globe has ever known.

Eros Innovations is a global venture creation group led by Sophie Watts that invests in and creates globally recognized businesses for celebrities across premium content, consumer products and live experiences.Owners of Eros Innovations include Eros Investments, a media and tech investment holding company whose affiliate companies include Eros Now, India’s leading OOT platform with 186 million registered users.

Triller is an entertainment platform built for creators. The app allows users to create music videos, skits, and lip-syncing videos containing background music. Launched in 2015 by co-founders David Leiberman and Sammy Rubin, Triller uses an AI-based video editing tool that automatically adds effects like overlays, fast or slow motion, and basic text to videos. Triller has more than 65 million active users and has been downloaded over 250 million times worldwide. It also boasts some big names among its users, like Cardi B, Chance the Rapper, DJ Khaled, Alicia Keys, and others. Triller is owned by Proxima Media, Sony Music Entertainment, Warner Music Group, and Universal Music Group with other investors like Snoop Dog, Kendrick Lamar, Lil Wayne, and The Weeknd.

London, UK – 16th November, 2020 – Everlast Worldwide, the world’s leading manufacturer, marketer and licensor of boxing, MMA and fitness equipment, announced today that they have signed an exclusive multi-year fight sports equipment and sports apparel deal with the rapidly-rising British boxing talent Conor Benn.

The agreement represents an historic moment for Everlast’s expansion into Europe that sees Benn appointed as the first ever male athlete in the UK to be placed on an apparel agreement.  Benn will wear Everlast’s iconic boxing gloves and specialist boxing apparel in his fights, training and sparring and leisure.

The 24-year-old from Brentwood, Essex, currently holds a perfect 16-0 record with 11 KO’s and is the latest athlete to join Everlast’s elite roster of champions and contenders in the #TeamEverlast family.

Ahead of his highly-anticipated WBA Continental Welterweight title defence this Saturday against German Sebastian Formella at the SSE Wembley Arena, Benn was thrilled to announce the deal.

“I’m delighted to announce our long term partnership.  Everlast are a boxing brand through and through just like the Benn name.” He said.  “Everlast have supported world champions before me and have shown great amounts of belief in me to do the same.  I’m thankful for their support and truly excited for the journey ahead.”

Known as ‘The Destroyer’, boxing is embedded in Benn’s DNA with his legendary father Nigel, a former Two-Time and Two-Weight World Champion, hailed as one of the most exciting boxers Britain has ever produced.

Since turning professional in spring 2016, all-action Benn has quickly established himself as one of British boxing’s most exciting young prospects through a string of entertaining and explosive victories that have made him a fans’ favourite.

Benn is world ranked in the 147lb division that holds some of the world’s best boxers including #TeamEverlast athlete and one of the top pound-for-pound greats, the unified World Champion Errol Spence Jnr.

Chris Zoller, Everlast’s Chief Marketing Officer, said, “Conor is a really exciting athlete and personality whose work ethic and fearlessness represents what we’re all about. We can’t wait to get started and for what the coming years will bring.”

To keep updated on Conor ‘The Destroyer’ Benn and other #TeamEverlast fighters, head to: www.everlast.com/pro-team

### 

DERRY, N.H. (November 15, 2020) — Professional boxing returned last night to New England Sports Center as Granite Chin Promotions presented “Gold Rush,” featuring three regional title fights, in Derry, New Hampshire.

Whitman (MA) boxer Mike Bad Man” O;Han, Jr. dominated Ryan Dibartolomeo (3-1-1, 1 KO) from start to finish in the main event, nearly pitching a complete shutout, winning every round on two of the judges’ cards, all but one on the other, to capture the vacant New England welterweight crown.

O’Han used his height and length to his great advantage, effectively fighting the majority of the time on the outside, throwing crisp punches at the smaller Dibartolomeo, the reigning New Hampshire State 147-pound division titlist.

In the co-feature, Danbury’s (CT) “Fly” Mike Marshall (4-1, 3 KOs) took early command and pulled away from defending champion Justin “Crazy Train” Rolfe (4-2-1, 3 KOs), who was making his first title defense, to take home the New England heavyweight strap. The two fought in close quarters throughout 8-rounds, but Rolfe found himself on the ropes too often, and that’s where Marshall took advantage to win a decisive 8-round unanimous decision by scores of 79-71, 79-73 and 78-74.

In the afternoon show’s main event, Maine favorite son Brandon “The Cannon” Berry (19-5-2, 13 KOs) knocked out West Virginian Zack Kuhn (10-7-1, 5 KOs) to capture the UBO All-American welterweight title. Berry was stunned in the opening round, but he fought back gamely, exploding in the second round to floor his opponent three times, resulting in an impressive victory by way of a technical knockout when referee Leo Gerstel waved off the fight.

Promising middleweight prospect Frank “The Tank” Hogan (3-0, 3 KOs), a former New England Golden gloves champion hailing from Weymouth (MA), landed a blistering right hook to the body from his southpaw stance to knockout Cliff McPherson (2-16,1 KO) in round one.

A pair of Massachusetts welterweights, battle tested “Ruthless” Augustine Mauras (7-7-3, 3 KOs) and pro-debuting John Ferrera, put on an entertaining match. The fighters went toe-to-toe in an action-packed fight with Mauras pulling off a mild upset by winning a 4-round majority decision.

Undefeated New Bedford (MA) welterweight Edet “Papito” Mkpanam (5-0, 4 KOs unloaded a fierce body attack in the third round, dropping Tahlik Taylor (3-15-1, 1 KO) twice, and the end came early in the fourth, when Mkpanam went upstairs and sent Taylor to the mat with a sweet right.

In a battle of Woburn (MA) middleweights, pro-debuting Julien Baptiste (1-0, 1 KO) stopped Leonardo Ladeita (0-6) in the fourth and final round with a strong overhand right that landed squarely on his opponent’s jaw.

Boston lightweight Johnny DePina (3-0, 3 KOs), a multiple New England Golden Gloves amateur champion, needed only one punch – straight right-hand lead – to knockout Thomas Kenney, who barely managed to beat the count but referee Gerstel didn’t allow the fight to continue.

In opening bout in the evening segment of “Gold Rush,” Braintree (MA) welterweight Chris “Tumbaros” Tuburcio (1-0, 1 KO) had an auspices pro debut, pounding Jader Alves (0-3) onto the mat with a powerful right in round three, after which referee Jackie Morrell called the fight off.

The latest member of the Holyoke (MA) fightin’ Whitley family, welterweight Denzel Whitley (1-0), made short order of his pro debut, blasting out Caleb Denham (0-2) in the first round. Whitley floored Denham twice, both via quick rights on the chin, and referee Morrell halted the action after the second knockdown.

Albany (NY) junior welterweight Ray Jay “The Destroyer” Bermudez kept his perfect record intact, improving to 10-0 (7 KOs), outclassing Rynell Griffin until referee Gerstel had seen enough and stopped the fight in the fifth round for a technical knockout.

Heavyweight John Gruber, of Fall River (MA), registered his first pro win by taking a 4-round unanimous decision from Corey Morley (0-4-1).

Lowell (MA) heavyweight Zack “Shark Attack” Calmus (1-0, 1 KO) had a memorable pro debut, knocking out Yhago Goncalves (0-1) at the end of round one. Calmus hurt Goncalves with a short punch and referee Gerstel called the fight when he determined Goncalves was unable to continue.

Journeyman Larry “Slo Mo” Smith (12-44-2, 8 KOs) knocked out Jesus Cintron (1-16-2, 0 KOs) in a rematch of a fight this past August at the same venue, in which Smith won for the first time in nine years, a unanimous 4-round decision to a very late replacement in Cintron. Smith knocked down Cintron in the fourth round and he soon closed the show with a right that floored Cintron again, leading to referee Morrell to wave off the fight.

Maryland cruiserweight Larry “Hitman” Pryor (13-22, 6 KOs) overcame a wild start to defeat pro-debuting Scott Lambert, who came out of the corner throwing bombs. Pryor came out an exchange to drop Lambert early with a short right and midway through the opening round he unloaded a vicious straight right to drop Lambert for the second time. Referee Gerstel had seen enough, and he halted the action for a technical knockout.

Former New England Golden Gloves champion Josniel Castro (2-0), now fighting out of Worcester (MA), outclassed sturdy Saul “The Spider” Almeida en route to winning a unanimous 4-round decision. Castro had recorded the lone knockdown of the fight

Official results below:

OFFICIAL RESULTS

HEAVYWEIGHTS
Mike Marshall (4-1, 3 KOs), Danbury, CT
WDEC8 (79-71, 79-73, 78-74)
Justin Rolfe (4-2-1, 3 KOs), Fairfield, ME
(Marshall won N.E. heavyweight title)

John Gruber (1-2), Fall River, MA
WDEC4 (40-36, 40-46, 40-35)
Corey Morley (0-4-1), Philadelphia, PA

Zack Calmus (1-0, 1 KO), Lowell, MA
WTKO1 (2:54)
Yhago Goncalves (0-1), Woburn, MA

CRUISERWEIGHTS
Larry Pryor (13-22, 6 KOs)
WTKO1 (1:18)
Scott Lambert (0-1 KOs), Dover Plains, NY

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS
Edet Mkpanam (5-0, 4 KOs), New Bedford, MA
WTKO4 (0:26)
Tahlik Taylor (3-15-1, 1 KO), Raleigh, NC

Larry Smith (12-44-2, 8 KOs), Dallas, TX
WTKO4 (1:34)
Jesus Cintron (1-16-2 (0 KOs), Springfield, MA

MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Francis Hogan (3-0, 3 KOs), Weymouth, MA
WKO1 (1:23)
Cliff McPherson (2-16 (1 KO), Cleveland, OH

Julien Baptiste (1-0, 1 KO), Woburn, MA
WTKO4 (2:18)
Leonardo Ladeira (0-6), Woburn, OH

Josniel Castro (2-0, 1 KO), Worcester, MA
WDEC4 (40-35, 40-35, 39-33)
Saul Almeida (0-12-3), Framingham, MA

WELTERWEIGHTS
Mike O’Han, Jr. (11-1, 5 KOs), Whitman, MA
WDEC8 (80-72, 80-72, 79-73)
Ryan Dibartolomeo (3-1-1, 1 KO), Leominster, MA
(O’Han, Jr. won N.E. welterweight title)

Brandon Berry (19-5-2, 13 KOs), West Forks, ME
WTKO2 (2:50)
Zack Kuhn (10-7-1, 5 KOs), Welch, WV
(Berry won the UBO All-America welterweight title)

Augustine Maura (7-7-3, 3 KOs), Lawrence, MA
WDEC4 (39-37, 39-37, 38-38)
John Ferrara (0-1), New Bedford, MA

Christopher Tiburcio (1-0, 1 KO), Braintree, MA
WTKO3 (1:01)
Jader Alves (0-3), Woburn, MA

Denzel Whitley (1-0, 1 KO), Springfield, MA
WTKO1 (2:09)
Caleb Denham (0-1-0), Boston, MA

JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHTS
Ray Jay Bermudez (10-0, 7 KOs), Albany, NY
WTKO5 (1:39)
Rynell Griffin (8-44-2, 2 KOs)

LIGHTWEIGHTS
Jonny DePina (3-0, 3 KOs), Boston, MA
WTKO (1:57)
Thomas Kenney (0-6), Rutland, VT

N.E. welterweight champion Mike O’Han. Jr.

(L-R) Justin Rolfe & Mike Marshall

N.E. heavyweight champion Mike Marshal

(L-R) – Zack Kuhn & Brandon Berry

UBO All America welterweight champion Brandon Berry

Follow all the action as Terence Crawford defends the WBO Welterweight title against former champion Kell Brook.  The action begins at 10 PM ET / 9 PM CT / 3 AM Sunday in England with a rematch for the WBA Super Flyweight title as Joshua Franco defends the title against Andrew Moloney

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Round 1: Jab from Brook..Jab-Right hand..Right to head..Left from Jab..

Round 2 Jab from Brook..Right uppercut..  Brook outlanding Crawford 20-13

Round 3 Crawford jabbing from southpaw stance..Brook lands a right..Right lead..Left from Crawford..Right from Brook..Right from Crawford..Swelling around the right eye of Crawford

Round 4 RIGHT HOOK AND BROOK STAGGERS INTO THE ROPES FOR A KNOCKDOWN..HUGE LEFT AND RIGHT…BROOK HURT,,,FIGHT OVER

Round 1 Moloney jabbing..2 rights to the body..Franco swelling over right eye from accidental headbutt…Moloney outlands Franco 25-11

Round 2 Referee Calls in Doctor to look at Franco’s eye which is swelling badly..Good combination from Moloney

Round 3 Doctor looking at eye ….FIGHT STOPPED…FIGHT RULED NO DECISION…Commission now looking at replays as it appears there was no headclash in round 1….RULED NO-CONTEST

Terence Crawford may have solidified himself as the best fighter in the world as he stopped Kell Brook in round four to retain his WBO Welterweight title at the MGM Grand Conference Center in Las Vegas.

Brook started off very well as he was very adept with his jab and started landing solid rights. Brook at the very least took two if not all three of the opening rounds.

That was short lived, as in round four, Crawford hurt Brook badly with a short right hook that staggered him to the ropes that was ruled a knockdown by referee Tony Weeks. Crawford, who may be the best finisher in the sport, saw blood and pounced on Brook and landed a vicious combination that forced the stoppage at 1:14.

Crawford, 146.4 lbs of Omaha, Nebraska, is 37-0 with 28 knockouts. Brook, 147 lbs of Sheffield, England is 39-3.

“I already said who I want {next}. I want Pacquiao. I want to revisit that fight,” Crawford said. “That was a fight that should’ve happened right now. But being that the pandemic happened, and they weren’t going to allow fans in the Middle East, they had to put a hold to that. Everything was 95 percent done. We had the venue. The money was almost there. It wasn’t quite there. That was the only thing we were waiting on.

“Kell is a tremendous talent. He came and he tried to take my title. He was in shape. He made the weight. There were no excuses to be put on the table. He came off of three wins.”

Added Brook, “Never in my career, nobody has ever done that to me in sparring or anything.

“It was one of them… I got caught with a shot I didn’t see. I’m gutted because nobody could’ve gotten me in better condition. I was bang on the limit. Maybe I could’ve been a bit more relaxed and loose and let the shots go.”

Top Rank chairman Bob Arum said, “Terence Crawford showed, once again, why he is the best welterweight in the world. It was a dominating performance over a very good fighter in Kell Brook. Terence ranks up there with all the great welterweights I’ve promoted.”

Moloney and Franco Fight to No-Decision after Franco injures eye

In a rematch for the WBA Super Flyweight title, Andrew Moloney and reigning champion battled to a no-contest as an injury to the eye of Franco forced the fight to be stopped before the 3rd round.

In round one, Franco had swelling over his right eye from an accidental headbutt. The doctor looked at the rapidly swelling eye before round’s two and three, and Franco was deemed unfit to continue. Replays showed that the swelling was caused by a jab in the 1st round by Moloney..

The commission looked at the replay for over 25 minutes and settled on a no-contest.

Moloney said, “They took this away from me. The injury was caused by a punch. I can’t believe this.
 
“I was in control of the fight and on my way to a clear victory. I deserved this win. I landed 50 punches on that eye. It was not even close.”
 
Added Arum, “This is an absolute disgrace. There was no headbutt.  Andrew Moloney should be the new champion.”

Joshua Greer Jr. and Edwin Rodriguez battled to a majority draw in a eight-round bantamweight fight.

In round two, Greer began to bleed from his nose.

Rodriguez took a card 77-75 and two cards read even at 76-76.

Rodriguez landed 124 of 470 punches; Greer was 131 of 526.

Greer, 118.9 lbs of Chicago, IL is 22-2-2. Rodriguez, 118.9 lbs of Ponce, PR is 11-5-2.

Tyler Howard remained undefeated by winning an eight-round unanimous decision over KeAndrae Leatherwood.

In round two, Howard was cut over the left eye.

In round six, Leatherwood was deducted a point for holding. In round eight, Howard dropped Leatherwood with a body shot.

Howard landed 81 of 329 punches; Leatherwood was 74 of 244.

Howard, 161.2 lbs of Crossville, TN won by scores of 77-74, 76-74 and 77-73 and is now 19-0. Leatherwood, 161.9 lbs of Tuscaloosa, AL is 22-8-1.

Duke Ragan stayed undefeated with a four-round unanimous decision over Sebastian Gutierrez in a featherweight fight.

In round two, Ragan sent Gutierrez to the canvas with a nicely-timed right hand.

Ragan, 126 lbs of Cincinnati, OH won by scores of 40-35 on all cards and is now 3-0. Gutierrez, 126.3 lbs of Oxnard, CA is 1-1.

Vegas Larfield stopped Jose Alberto Flores in a scheduled four round bantamweight bout featuring undefeated fighters.

It was a back and forth brawl for the opening two rounds. In round three, Larfield dropped Flores with a hard left hook. It was another right that sent Flores down for a 2nd time. Larfield finished off Flores with a big eight-punch combination and the fight was stopped at 1:07.

Larfield, 119 lbs of Brisbane, AUS is now 2-0 with two knockouts. Flores, 117.3 lbs of Monterrey, MEX is 2-1-1.

Raymond Muratalla stopped Luis Porozo in round three of their scheduled six-round lightweight bout.

In round three, Muratalla sent Porozo down from a body shot. Muratalla ended it moments later when he landed a crushing right that sent Porozo down in the corner and he fight was stopped at 2:40.

Muratalla, 137.3 lbs of Fontana, CA is 11-0 with nine knockouts. Porozo, 135.2 lbs of Santo Domingo, ECU is 15-5.

Katie Taylor retained her undisputed Lightweight world title with a 10-round unanimous decision over an overmatched Miriam Gutierrez at the SSE Arena in London.

At the end of round four, Taylor dropped Gutierrez with a hard right-left combination. Taylor beat up Gutierrez, who hung in the fight, only to keep eating some vicious shots from Taylor.

Taylor, 134.7 lbs Bray, IRE won by scores of 100-89, 100-90 and 99-91 and is now 17-0. Gutierrez, 134.6 lbs of Madrid, SPA is 13-1.

“I thought it was a great overall performance,” Taylor told Matchroom afterwards. “I boxed well at long distance and close. I did a bit of everything in there tonight. I threw everything but the kitchen sink at her. I just couldn’t get her out of there. She’s tough as nails so credit to her. She hung in and she was there to fight until the very end. She’s obviously big and strong and that showed tonight. 

“I thought it was important for me to stamp my authority right from the first round. She hadn’t fought outside of Spain and was out of the ring for a year. I thought it would be good to start fast. I thought I was going to get her out of there at one stage. She hung in there and she kept swinging shots. She was actually very dangerous when she was swinging shots. I had to be a bit more cautious later on in the fight. Overall it was a great performance. 

“Obviously I would have loved to get a stoppage in there tonight. I haven’t got a stoppage in a long time. It is hard to hurt these girls, they’re very strong and durable. I did everything that I could to get the stoppage but she hung in and I have to be happy with a points win. I’m going home with all of the belts and I’m still the undisputed champion. I’m still unbeaten and this is a great end to the year.

“This was absolutely huge. I think every girl on the card tonight boxed brilliantly. Three fantastic fights. It’s just an amazing showcase. As I’ve said before, Eddie has given us this platform. Women’s boxing is on fire right now because of the platform he has given us. What an amazing few years of women’s boxing. That’s what it’s all about for myself, inspiring the next generation. Hopefully there was a few young girls watching through Facebook on the livestream. It’s all about inspiring the next generation and what an amazing platform to do it on.”

Harper Stops Thanderz in 9; Retains 130 lb. Title

Terri Harper retained the WBC Super Featherweight title with a 9th round stoppage over preciously undefeated mandatory challenger Katharina Thanderz.

Harper battered Thanderz, and in round nine, she landed hard body shots that broke the spirit of Thanderz, and the fight was stopped at 1:12 after barrage of punches.

Harper, 129.5 lbs of Denaby, ENG is 11-0-1 with six knockouts. Thanderz, 127.9 lbs of Oslo, NOR is 13-1.

“I’m buzzing,” said Harper. “That’s my birthday and Christmas all in one. That’s made my year. Obviously having that tough fight with Tasha, there was doubts, and there was wrongs that I needed to put right. We came away and I’ve worked my butt off. I’ve just gone out there and breezed it.

“I hurt my hand in the fourth round, I couldn’t throw it, and when I did throw it it was painful. I stuck to my jab, kept long and just moved. I knew she got frustrated at one point. She stood in the middle of the ring. I didn’t want to look like I was running but there was nothing else that I could really do. I’m happy.

“I caught her with the head, that’s probably from me lunging in, accidental. I could see that her nose was troubling her. The sound of her breathing changed. She was getting distracted by the blood. I threw a nice left hook to the body, caught her and I heard her wince. She backed off and I just went for the kill and the ref jumped in.

“I got a few stoppage wins early on in my career so it’s nice to get another one. I’m going to say a big thank you to my S&C coach Danny Wilson, he’s given me the confidence that I can go through those gears and that I have got the strength. God knows what I’m going to be like after my next camp. I want to fight the best. I’m coming for you Mayer! Slowly but surely we’ll get there and I’ll be punching you in the face very soon.”

Ball Decisions Guanini; Wins Interim Super Bantamweight Title

Rachel Ball won the vacant Interim WBC Super Bantamweight title with a 10-round unanimous decision over Jorgelina Guanini.

Ball, 121.9 lbs of Aldridge, ENG won by scores of 99-91 twice and 99-92 to raise her mark to 7-1. Guanini, 125.7 lbs of Buenos Aries, ARG is 9-2-2.

“I’m so grateful to Matchroom and BCB for continuing to support my journey,” said Ball. “I felt confident that it was mine. I was landing my shots pretty well. She was running around the ring and I feel like I used my distance a lot better. 

“Everything happens for a reason and perhaps she was what I needed at this time. Fair play to her, it was a really good fight. I’m glad I used my assets a bit more in this fight. When I had the opportunity I did go forwards. I went to the body a bit more which I’m pleased about.

“Look how far Terri has gone and look how far Katie has gone. I’d love to be able to be as successful as them. That would be amazing. It’s all good experience. I hope we inspire some girls out there to try boxing and do something different.”

Jack Cullen survived a knockdown early in round one to eek out a 10-round unanimous decision over previously undefeated John Docherty in a super middleweight bout.

Docherty dropped Cullen in the opening 30 seconds with a left on the inside. In round three, Docherty was cut under his right eye.

Cullen began to grind out rounds and won by scores of 96-94 twice and 95-94.

Cullen, 167.7 lbs of Little Leaver, UK is 19-2-1. Docherty, 116.9 lbs of Montrose, SCO is 9-1.

“First round I ended up slipping on my ass,” Cullen told Matchroom afterwards. “If people thought it was a knockdown, it wasn’t. I had to work and push it. Every time I went back to the corner Michael and Dave said, ‘look, you need to get stuck in here and dig deep’. That’s what I feel like I did to win the fight. 

“That’s the first time I’d ever fought a southpaw. I was getting caught with stupid shots for the first couple of rounds. It was time to tuck up and dig deep. I feel like I was really coming on after the fourth round. I still feel like it was a big step up for him.

“I take my hat off to him for taking the fight. We were supposed to be fighting different people tonight. We’re young and we’ll fight anybody, there’s no reason not to. There’s a lot more for me to work on. They’ve only had me for between six and eight weeks which isn’t a lot of time.

“I feel like I’m going to come on bigger, stronger and better. This is my natural weight at Super-Middle. I’ve grown into it and it’s time to takeover. I’m here for a fight and I’m here to takeover and win. I’m young and I’ve got self-belief. I feel like I’m good enough.”

Kash Farooq won a 10-round unanimous decision over Angel Aviles in a bantamweight contest.

Farooq, 117 lbs of Glasgow, SCO won by scores of 100-90, 100-91 and 99-91 and is now 14-1. Aviles, 120 lbs of Altamirano, MX is 20-6-1.

“First round I ended up slipping on my ass,” Cullen told Matchroom afterwards. “If people thought it was a knockdown, it wasn’t. I had to work and push it. Every time I went back to the corner Michael and Dave said, ‘look, you need to get stuck in here and dig deep’. That’s what I feel like I did to win the fight. 

“That’s the first time I’d ever fought a southpaw. I was getting caught with stupid shots for the first couple of rounds. It was time to tuck up and dig deep. I feel like I was really coming on after the fourth round. I still feel like it was a big step up for him.

“I take my hat off to him for taking the fight. We were supposed to be fighting different people tonight. We’re young and we’ll fight anybody, there’s no reason not to. There’s a lot more for me to work on. They’ve only had me for between six and eight weeks which isn’t a lot of time.

“I feel like I’m going to come on bigger, stronger and better. This is my natural weight at Super-Middle. I’ve grown into it and it’s time to takeover. I’m here for a fight and I’m here to takeover and win. I’m young and I’ve got self-belief. I feel like I’m good enough.”

NEW YORK (November 13, 2020)–Two fighters of under the Split-T Management banner will be in action on Saturday night.

Undefeated middleweight Tyler Howard will take on veteran KeAndre Leatherwood in a eight-round middleweight bout at the MGM Grand Conference Center in Las Vegas.

In Los Angeles, cruiserweight “Mighty” Joe Jones takes on undefeated prospect Efetobor Apochi in a bout scheduled for 10-rounds.

Howard of Crossville, Tennessee has a record of 18-0 with 11 knockouts. The 26 year-old Howard is an eight-year professional, who has a 1st round stoppage over Isiah Seldon (12-1-1) as well as a win over Cristian Olivas (16-3). Howard is coming off a unanimous decision over Jamaal Davis on July 19, 2019.

Howard-Leatherwood weigh-in

Photo Credit_ Mikey Williams_Top Rank via Getty Images

Leatherwood of Birmingham, Alabama has a record of 22-7-1 with 13 knockouts. The 32 year-old Leatherwood is a 12 year-professional who has wins over Eddie Gates (2-0), Martez Barnes (1-0) and Ryan Adams (6-1-1), Leatherwood has also competed against world champions Caleb Truax and Andy Lee.

At Friday’s weigh-in, Howard weighed 161.2 lbs. Leatherwood was 161.9 lbs.

The Howard – Leatherwood fight will be streamed live on ESPN+ beginning at 7 PM ET.

Howard is promoted by Top Rank.

Jones of Jersey City, New Jersey, has a record of 11-2 with eight knockouts. The 25 year-old Jones is seven year professional who was has a win over undefeated Montez Brown (8-0).

Apochi of Houston, Texas is 9-0 with nine knockouts. Apochi has a 7th round stoppage over Earl Newman (10-1-1) and is coming off a 4th round stoppage over Larry Pryor on October 4th, 2019.

PHOTOS FROM SEAN MICHAEL HAM_TGB PROMOTIONS

Jones weighed at 193 lbs. Apochi was 199 lbs at Friday’s weigh-in

The fight can be seen on FS1 at 8 PM ET

(ESPN & ESPN Deportes, 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT)

    •     Terence Crawford 146.4 lbs vs. Kell Brook 147 lbs 
(Crawford’s WBO Welterweight World Title — 12 Rounds)
 Judges/Referee: Patricia Morse Jarman, Dave Moretti and Benoit Roussel / Tony Weeks

•   Joshua Franco 114.5 lbs vs. Andrew Moloney 114.7 lbs 
(Franco’s WBA Super Flyweight World Title — 12 Rounds)
Judges/Referee: Steve Weisfeld, Tim Cheatham and Lisa Giampa / Russell Mora

(ESPN+, 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT)

•   Joshua Greer Jr. 118.9 lbs vs. Edwin Rodriguez 118.9 lbs 
(Bantamweight— 8 Rounds)

•   Tyler Howard 161.2 lbs vs. KeAndrae Leatherwood 161.9 lbs 
(Middleweight  — 8 Rounds)

•    Duke Ragan 126 lbs vs.  Sebastian Gutierrez 126.3 lbs 
(Featherweight — 4 Rounds)

•        Vegas Larfield 119 lbs vs.  Juan Alberto Flores 117.3 lbs 
(Bantamweight — 4 Rounds)

•            Raymond Muratalla 137.3 lbs vs.  Luis Porozo 135.2 lbs 
(Lightweight — 6 Rounds)

ARLINGTON, TX. (November 13, 2020) – Welterweight contender Josesito “The Riverside Rocky” Lopez has made his name as a contender in numerous memorable, action packed brawls throughout his career, and he expects more of the same when he takes on Francisco “Chia” Santana in FOX Sports PBC Pay-Per-View action Saturday, December 5 from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

“Like in all of my fights, fans can expect action,” said Lopez. “I’m going up against a tough competitor who comes to fight every time. I’d recommend that fans don’t blink, because this fight could end at any moment. I’m just expecting an aggressive, tough fight.”

Despite the pandemic affecting fight dates and camps throughout the sport, Lopez has been able to have as smooth a camp as possible with his coach Robert Garcia, even with some adjustments being made.

“This training camp is going great, but there are definitely some differences with training during the pandemic,” said Lopez. “The gym is limited to just our team members and sparring partners, but the grind is still the same with coach Garcia. We’re being extra safe, but the effort is the same as it was before.

“I’ve been training for six weeks so far, and now we’ve got a little less than four weeks to go. I’ve really kept busy and basically trained all year though, since I was anticipating that a fight could come at any time. I wanted to stay ready.”

Garcia has helped bring about a career renaissance for Lopez that has included a victory over then unbeaten Miguel Cruz and a narrow title fight loss to Keith Thurman, that saw Lopez hurt and nearly stop the then unbeaten Thurman in January 2019 on FOX. Most recently, Lopez knocked out another veteran contender known for action fights, as he stopped John Molina Jr. in the eighth round of their September 2019 FOX Sports PBC Pay-Per-View fight.

“It’s been a tremendous difference working with coach Garcia,” said Lopez. “My mental state and my physical training are much better with him. This is like my second life in this sport. I wish I could have started working with him sooner. But now we’re just continuing to make progress and working towards the biggest fights possible.”

Lopez has his eyes set on the elite of the star-studded welterweight division, including the winner of the main event on December 5, a welterweight title unification between Errol Spence Jr. and Danny Garcia. With a litany of big names in his sights, Lopez vows to be ready for any top fighter that he is able to get in the ring with.

“I’m not going after any particular name, but I’d love to get a fight with any of the top welterweights that are out there,” said Lopez. “I definitely think I’m prepared for any of them. Right now I’m just waiting for my moment.”

Despite the prospect of these potentially career-defining fights, Lopez has his focus set squarely on Francisco Santana on December 5.

“I have a big obstacle in front of me with Santana and I have to take care of business with him first on December 5,” said Lopez. “Santana is not an easy fight whatsoever. He’s a good fighter who’s given some of the top guys a run for their money. So if I’m able to dominate and get a decisive victory against him, then I’ll be able to show that I’m ready for the best in boxing’s deepest division.”

#

ABOUT SPENCE VS. GARCIA
Spence vs. Garcia will see unified welterweight world champion Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr. duel two-division world champion Danny “Swift” Garcia in the blockbuster main event of a FOX Sports PBC Pay-Per-View Saturday, December 5 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

The pay-per-view begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and features unbeaten super welterweight sensation Sebastian “The Towering Inferno” Fundora taking on Jorge Cota in a WBC Super Welterweight Title Eliminator in the co-main event. The lineup will also see all-action contenders Josesito “The Riverside Rocky” Lopez and Francisco “Chia” Santana squaring-off in a 10-round welterweight affair, plus former champion Julio Ceja faces featherweight contender Eduardo Ramirez in a WBC Featherweight Title Eliminator to kick off the pay-per-view.

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.

About AT&T Stadium:
AT&T Stadium is one of the largest, most technologically advanced entertainment venues in the world. Designed by HKS and built by Manhattan Construction, the $1.2 billion stadium features two monumental arches, the world’s largest HDTV video board cluster, an expansive retractable roof and the largest retractable end zone doors in the world. Features of the stadium include seating for 80,000 and expandability for up to 100,000, over 300 luxury suites, club seating on multiple levels and the Dallas Cowboys Pro Shop, open to the public year round. The stadium is also home to a world-class collection of contemporary art, made up of over 50 pieces from an international array of curated artists displayed on the walls and in the grand public spaces of the venue. In addition to being the Home of the Dallas Cowboys since opening in 2009, the stadium has hosted Super Bowl XLV, the 2010 NBA All Star Game, the 2014 NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four, the 2015 College Football Playoff National Championship Game and the annual Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic. The venue has also played host to high school and college football, concerts, championship fights, international soccer matches, and other special events. For more information, go to www.attstadium.com.

NEW YORK (November 13, 2020)–Split-T Management, boxing’s premier management company has added two outstanding young fighters to its already impressive roster.

Brothers, Joseph and Jeremy Adorno are the latest to ink with Split-T Management.

“We are excited to add Joseph and Jeremy to our roster. I have known them, and have always thought very highly of their skill levels since they were amateurs. I can’t wait to help guide them to the highest level of the sport,” said Split-T Management CEO, David McWater.

Joseph, a 21 year-old lightweight has a professional record of 14-0-1 with 12 knockouts. He was a top amateur who compiled a record of 156-22 and he won many amateur tournaments in his nearly 200 fight amateur career. He was a 13-time National Champion, who won Silver Gloves, Ringside and Junior Olympic championships. He holds two amateur wins over world champion Shakur Stevenson

As a professional, the four-year veteran has wins over Marco Antonio Ocano (1-0); Kevin Cruz (8-0) and Damian Sosa (9-2).

“This is a great new beginning for me. Signing with Split-T Management will provide me new opportunities. This was the missing piece to the puzzle for me. Dave McWater and Split-T Management are people that will care for me and for my career. I have known Dave since the amateurs, and he is a loyal person, so that is very important to me. He reached out to me at the right time and this is what exactly what I needed in my career,” said Joseph Adorno.

Jeremy is a 19 year-old super bantamweight who has compiled a record of 4-0 with one knockout.

As an amateur, Jeremy won over 100 bouts, and was a member of USA Boxing. He was a National Silver Gloves, Ringside World Championships and 2017 USA Boxing Youth National Championships.

“I have known David McWater since 2015. He was talking to my brother and I about managing us back then. I know this is the perfect fit for us, and I see huge things in the future for us,” said Jeremy Adorno.

Jeremy is coming off a unanimous decision win over Fernando Ibarra on January 11th in Atlantic City.

They are trained by their father Anibal Adorno and are both promoted by Top Rank.

18:10 LIVE ON SKY SPORTS FACEBOOK

8 x 3 mins Light-Heavyweight contest 
THOMAS WHITTAKER-HART 12st 6lbs 9oz v JERMAINE SPRINGER 12st 5lbs 4oz
(Liverpool, England)                                          (Bradford, England)

Followed by

19:00 LIVE ON SKY SPORTS 

10 x 3 mins vacant WBA Continental Bantamweight Title  
KASH FAROOQ 8st 5lbs 0oz v ANGEL AVILES 8st 8lbs 0oz        
(Glasgow, Scotland)                 (Altamirano, Mexico)

followed by

10 x 3 mins British Super-Middleweight Title Eliminator
JOHN DOCHERTY 11st 12lbs 9oz v JACK CULLEN 11st 13lbs 7oz
(Montrose, Scotland)                        (Little Lever, England)

followed by

10 x 2 mins vacant Interim WBC Super-Bantamweight World Title
RACHEL BALL 8st 9lbs 9oz v JORGELINA GUANINI 8st 13lbs 7oz
(Aldridge, England)                (Buenos Aires, Argentina)

followed by

10 x 2 mins WBC and IBO Super-Featherweight World Titles
TERRI HARPER 9st 3lbs 5oz v KATHARINA THANDERZ 9st 3lbs 10oz
(Denaby, England)                    (Oslo, Norway)

followed by

10 x 2 mins Undisputed Lightweight World Titles
KATIE TAYLOR 9st 8lbs 7ozv MIRIAM GUTIERREZ 9st 8lbs 6oz
(Bray, Ireland)                          (Madrid, Spain)

Matchroom Boxing are delighted to announce the signing of undefeated WBA Super-Featherweight World Champion Hyun-Mi Choi on a multi-fight promotional deal. 

Choi (17-0-1, 4 KOs) beat China’s Chunyan Xu on her professional debut in October 2018 to claim the vacant WBA Featherweight crown before making seven defences of her World Title in the following five years. 

The South Korean became a two-weight World Champion when she landed the WBA Super-Featherweight Title against Thailand’s Siriwan Thongmanit in May 2014, and has since made six defences of the Title, most recently against Wakako Fujiwara in June 2019.

Choi joins a Matchroom stable that boasts WBC and IBO 130lbs Champion Terri Harper, who puts her titles on the line against Norway’s Katharina Thanderz in London tomorrow, and France’s long reigning IBF ruler Maiva Hamadouche.

“I have worked hard and dedicated my life to being the best Champion I can be,” said Choi. “I strive to improve every day and work on my craft. I am thankful for my family, friends, and team who have supported me on this Championship journey these past 12 years.

“As I have grown and matured and studied our sport, I still have a yearning desire not just to defend my Title but to achieve my ultimate goal of unifying all of the belts. I will continue to challenge myself, work hard and dedicate my whole being to women’s boxing. I want to be an ambassador for women’s boxing and continue to grow its popularity.”

“We are delighted to welcome Hyun-Mi Choi to the Matchroom Boxing team,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “It is a wonderful time for women’s boxing and particularly the Super-Featherweight division as we target an Undisputed Champion in the weight class. We look forward to seeing her defend her Title later this year before a major unification in early 2021.”

Paco Damian, Paco Presents Boxing, said: “The entire Hyunmi’s team are very proud to represent the longest reigning champion today. Hyunmi is one of the most respectful, sweetest, hardworking athletes I have ever known. We are also very pleased to have teamed up with Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing to be able to give Hyunmi the fights she deserved. She will be ready to defend her WBA World Super-Featherweight Title against an opponent to be determined before the end of the year.”

Matchroom Boxing can confirm that Conor Benn’s WBA Continental Welterweight Title clash with former IBO Welterweight World Champion Sebastian Formella will now headline on Saturday November 21 at The SSE Arena, Wembley, with all of the action shown live on Sky Sports and DAZN.

‘The Destroyer’ (16-0, 11 KOs) scored two big knockout wins in 2019, firstly obliterating Jussi Koivula with a brutal second-round stoppage in his first headline fight at York Hall in June, and then explosively knocking out Steve Jamoye in four rounds at The O2 in October. 

Formella (22-1, 10 KOs) went on a 22-fight winning streak, picking up the IBO Welterweight crown against Roberto Arriaza in January earlier this year, before taking two-time World Champion Shawn Porter the distance in his first career defeat in August. 

After two quick wins on the spin, unbeaten Croat Alen Babic (5-0, 5 KOs) looks to continue his red-hot run of form with another big knockout win, this time against Hatfield’s Tom Little (10-8, 3 KOs), who has been in with some huge punchers including Filip Hrgovic and Daniel Dubois. 

“It’s been a busy period, but I don’t want to rest, I want to fight,” said Babic. “Tom’s a cool guy, he’s a warrior. We’ve exchanged messages on social media but that won’t hold me back, ‘The Savage’ is waiting to be released and score another KO.”

“Alen makes too many mistakes,” said Little. “I’ve boxed at a much higher level and it will show. “I’ll be too much for him, this is too early in his career. I’ve been training for a while now with this fight in the back of my mind, so I’m prepared. The so-called Savage won’t hear the final bell.”

Fresh from winning the English Heavyweight Title with a third-round stoppage of Simon Vallily at Fight Camp, Ipswich talent Fabio Wardley (9-0, 8 KOs) takes on Ghana’s Richard Lartey (14-3, 11 KOs) – a former opponent of Dubois and Nathan Gorman. 

“Lartey’s a great opponent for me at this stage of my career,” said Wardley. “He’s a really strong and durable opponent that will definitely look to test me and take me in to the later rounds. You’ve seen in his previous fights that he’s not shy of a tear up so there may be moments in the fight when I’ll have to bite down on my gum shield and get stuck in, which I can’t wait for!”

Following the disappointment of his fight with Christopher Lovejoy falling through at the last moment, Heavyweight fan favourite Dave ‘White Rhino’ Allen (18-5-2, 15 KOs) returns to the ring looking to end the year on a high.

Also on the card, Leeds Featherweight prospect Hopey Price (3-0, 1 KO) returns after his win over Jonny Phillips on Fight Camp Week 2 and Donnington’s Liam Davies (7-0, 2 KOs) battles Liverpool’s Sean Cairns (7-2, 1 KO) for the English Bantamweight Title. 

Adam Smith,? Sky Sports ?Head of Boxing Development ?said:? “Conor Benn is back, continuing his exciting journey next Saturday night, live on Sky Sports. Of course, we fondly remember his father Nigel, a former World Champion, and we’ve covered Conor’s career since the very start.

“He’s an explosive young talent, so get ready for more fireworks when Conor collides with Sebastian Formella. Britain’s Welterweight division is really heating up with Josh Kelly and Chris Kongo also waiting in the wings – and Benn will be hoping to seize his opportunity to impress on a big stage.

“There’s also a Heavyweight triple-header – Fabio Wardley can enhance his growing reputation against Richard Lartey, while Alen ‘The Savage’ Babic battles Tom Little, and Dave Allen also returns in a thriving top division. It should be another superb evening of action on Sky Sports.”