The cruiserweight final of the World Boxing Super Series between Yunier Dorticos and Mairis Briedis has finally been scheduled for March 21st in Latvia, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“The conclusion of Season 2 of the WBSS is going to be nothing but spectacular,” said Kalle Sauerland, the WBSS chief boxing officer. “After two epic Ali Trophy finals — Regis Prograis versus Josh Taylor and Naoya Inoue versus Nonito Donaire — it’s time to crown the cruiserweight champion of the WBSS. As we have become accustomed, whoever raises the Muhammad Ali Trophy at the end will become the man to beat in the division.”

“I’m really looking forward to the final,” said Briedis, the tournament No. 1 seed. “It is fantastic for Latvia to be able to host an event of such magnitude. Millions and millions of eyes worldwide will be watching what’s happening at the Arena Riga on fight night. It is going to be a thrilling fight as I’m facing one of the very best cruiserweights on the planet. The stake is so high and both of us are only looking for one thing — to win it all.”

“Briedis, you better prepare yourself for war,” said Dorticos, the No. 2 seed. “Let’s give all the fans around the world a spectacular all time classic. Come fight night you will know why I’m called the ‘KO Doctor.’ The Muhammad Ali Trophy has my name engraved already.”

Claressa Shields won a 10-round unanimous decision over Ivana Habazin to win unified WBC/WBO Junior Middleweight titles at Ovation Hall inside the Ocean Casino in Atlantic City.

In round six, Shields scored the 1st knockdown in her career by landing a hard right to the body that sent Habazin to a knee.

Shields dominated the action and became a three-division world champion.

Shields, 153 1/2 lbs of Flint, MI won by scores of 100-90, 100-89 and 99-89 and is now 10-0. Habazin, 152 1/2 lbs of Croatia is 20-4.

Super prospect Jaron Ennis lived up to his billing as he stopped Bakhtiyar Eyubov in round four of a scheduled 10-round welterweight bout.

Ennis came out blazing with powerful and rapid combinations that sent Eyubov to the canvas twice in round one. The bout could have been stopped there, but Eyubov was able to get out of the opening frame. he fought tough and tried to land power punches and got through on a couple of occasions, but Ennis was too good and continued to beat on Eyubov.

Mercifully the bout was stopped 34 seconds into round four with Ennis continuing his assault on Eyubov.

Ennis, 145 3/4 lbs of Philadelphia is 25-0 with 23 knockouts. Eyubov, 146 1/4 lbs of Houston is 14-2-1-1.

“We knew he was coming to fight and bring pressure so we mixed it up,” Ennis said.  “He was a good fighter but he wasn’t really that strong.  I was getting hit a little too much but that’s how we did it to get the knockout. 

“We were just setting him up for power shots.  I just had to calm down, that’s all.  I was too hyped. Once I calmed down and got into my rhythm that was it. 

“He was taking a lot of punishment.  He definitely was a great fighter though.  I appreciate him taking the fight because a lot of guys don’t want to fight me.”

With another dominating performance, Ennis now sets his sights on the upper echelon of one of boxing’s deepest and most exciting divisions.

“We have been wanting all the guys,” Ennis said.  “They keep running.  They can’t run no more.  I’m right here.” 

Ellin Cederroos unified the IBF and WBA Super Middleweight titles with a unanimous decision over Alicia Napoleon Espinonsa.

The two traded power shots throughout the entertaining bout.

In round two, Cedderos dropped Napoleon with a left hook.

In round nine, Napoleon Espinosa was cut around the right eye. Cederroos was bleeding from her nose in the 10th.

The knockdown was the difference as Cederroos, 166 1/2 lbs of Sweden won by scores of 95-94 on all cards. Napoleon Espinosa, 164 lbs of Lyndehurst, NY is 12-2.

“I’m so happy.  I showed that I can box and take a war,” Cederroos said.  “But when I relaxed the punches just came.  It feels so wonderful. Alicia was a great opponent.” 

Napoleon Espinosa was game and hurt the Swedish Cederroos multiple times but she was largely unable to get inside against her taller opponent who consistently landed the bigger punches from a distance. 

“I didn’t think I lost.  I thought that it was fairly close but I thought I was ahead,” Napoleon Espinosa said.  “It is what it is, but I don’t think that I lost this fight. 

“I know she was strong, but I wanted a tough fight.  I know that Elin is an athlete.  I don’t feel that I lost.  I feel like it was close.”

Napoleon Espinosa had been hoping that a win would position her for a 2020 fight with Claressa Shields at middleweight with all four of Shields’ 160-pound titles on the line.  

“Congrats on the fight with Shields because that was what I was looking forward to,” Napoleon Espinosa said.

Jesse Hart 175 lbs vs. Joe Smith Jr. 174.6 lbs
(vacant NABO light heavyweight title — 10 Rounds)

       Steven Nelson 167.8 lbs vs. Cem Kilic 167.6 lbs
(vacant NABO super middleweight title — 10 Rounds)

ESPN+ (6:30 p.m. ET)

    Joseph Adorno 136 lbs vs. Hector Garcia 135 lbs
(Lightweight — 8 Rounds

               Chris Thomas 170.6 lbs vs. Samir Barbosa 168.2 lbs
(Super Middleweight — 6 Rounds

       Shinard Bunch 147.2 lbs vs. Dennis Okoth 145.6 lbs
(Welterweight — 6 Rounds)

          Sonny Conto 218 lbs vs. Curtis Head 271.6 lbs
(Heavyweight — 4 Rounds)

    Jeremy Adorno 121.6 lbs vs. Fernando Ibarra 121.4 lbs
(Super Bantamweight — 4 Rounds)

 Xander Zayas 147.2 lbs vs. Corey Champion 146.8 lbs
(Welterweight — 4 Rounds) 
For more information, visit: www.toprank.com, www.espn.com/boxing; Facebook: facebook.com/trboxing; Twitter: twitter.com/trboxing.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Star Boxing, tickets priced at $100, $60, $40 and $25 (not including applicable fees) are on sale now and can be purchased by visiting www.ticketmaster.com and www.hardrockhotelatlanticcity.com.  

Louisville, Ky. (Jan. 10, 2020) – Ronson Frank’s Uprising Promotions will be back in action next Saturday, January 18, as WBC Youth World Super Featherweight champion Carlos Dixon (10-1, 8 KOs) defends that title in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky. Dixon will make his homecoming as the main event of a loaded fight card that will take place at the Louisville Memorial Auditorium.

“We are excited to be a part of the first world title defense in Louisville. The entire city is behind Carlos Dixon, and we expect this to be a remarkable event,” said Ronson Frank, President of Uprising Promotions. “This card has some really great matches lined up, and we look forward to putting on an entertaining show for the people of Louisville.”

In his most recent bout, Dixon picked up his fourth victory of 2019 with a sixth round finish of Edinson Torres, Jr. That match took place in Jamaica this past November, with the Louisville native claiming the WBC Youth World Super Featherweight Title as a result. Dixon fought a total of five times last year, including back-to-back outings in Jamaica. For his career, he is undefeated in seven pro fights that have been staged in his hometown of Louisville.

Standing opposite of Dixon next Saturday night will be the hard-hitting Luis Ronaldo Castillo (22-5, 17 KOs), who has scored consecutive knockouts in his two most recent bouts. Castillo was victorious over the first 16 fights of his professional campaign, stopping 15 of those opponents inside of the distance.

Undefeated super bantamweight Ariel Lopez (13-0-1, 8 KOs) will also be back in action on this card, facing Jonathan Lecona Ramos. Originally from Puebla, Mexico, Lopez now lives and fights out of New York. This contest marks the sixth overall appearance on an Uprising Promotions show for Lopez, who most recently fought Victor Trejo Garcia this past October in Brooklyn.

Unbeaten Chicago bantamweight Shawn Simpson (11-0, 3 KOs) will make his first start of 2020 when he meets battle-tested Felipe Rivas, who is a veteran of 49 professional bouts. As an amateur boxer, Simpson was a three-time junior national Golden Gloves champion, four-time National PAL champion, two-time U.S. Championship silver medalist and 2012 Olympic alternate. He turned professional in 2015, with his second professional fight occurring on an Uprising Promotions card in Long Island City. Most recently, he defeated 47-bout veteran Samuel Gutierrez in Minneapolis last August.

Featherweight Angel Luna (12-6-1, 7 KOs) will look to pick up his second consecutive win when he takes on Louisville native Christopher Nelson. Luna has proven time and time again that he will take on all comers, with a resume that holds a seven bout stretch against opponents with a combined record of 85-7-2. The most notable win for Luna came over Jose Lopez, who was previously undefeated in 16 fights before the two met at Barclays Center in 2015. In that bout, Luna floored Lopez twice as he cruised to a six-round unanimous decision.

Recent Uprising Promotions signee Daniil Platonovschi will make his pro debut next Saturday night when he battles Raymond Locker in a four-frame featherweight scrap. A native of Tiraspol, Moldova, Platonovschi had a successful amateur career and now looks to test himself among the professional ranks.

Filling out the card will be a six-round lightweight encounter that pits Donte Strayhorn (10-3, 3 KOs) against Elliott Brown of Pennsylvania, as well as a four-frame welterweight affair that features Brooklyn native Raymond Wilburg (1-0, 1 KO) and Wendell McGee.

Reserved seating for this show is sold out. To purchase general admission tickets, fans are encouraged to purchase them online now to ensure that they have a seat for this event.

Uprising Promotions would like to thank The New Mexican Promotion and former WBO middleweight champion Peter Quillin for their contributions to this card. Stay tuned for further updates about the show as next Saturday approaches.

Keep it locked to UprisingPromotions.com and @UprisingNYC for all of the latest information from Uprising Promotions.

VERONA, N.Y. (Jan. 10, 2020) — Puerto Rican superstar Felix “El Diamante” Verdejo, inching closer to a lightweight world title shot, will see action on a special Top Rank on ESPN show Saturday, Jan. 18 from Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y.
 
In the 10-round co-feature to the light heavyweight main event featuring former world champion Eleider “Storm” Alvarez and Michael “Cannon Handz” Seals (ESPN and ESPN App (in Spanish), 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT), Verdejo will fight Manuel Rey Rojas, his first bout since linking up with new trainer Ismael Salas.
 
“This is a great opportunity for Felix Verdejo to show everyone that he is ready for a world title opportunity in 2020,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “He has a great new trainer and a chance to reclaim his position as one of the sport’s best young fighters.”
 
“I know a lot of fighters say this, but without a doubt, this has been the best training camp of my life,” Verdejo said. “I have really connected with Salas. I’m definitely more motivated than ever, and I’m coming to prove that I belong at the top of the lightweight division. I’m sure that all the sacrifices I’m making will pay dividends. I will be victorious on Jan. 18, and I promise that Puerto Rico will have another world champion very soon.”  
  
Verdejo (25-1, 16 KOs), at only 26 years old, is looking for a fresh start in 2020 with a new team. Once touted as the next Hall of Fame talent from Puerto Rico, a 2016 motorcycle accident and a 2018 TKO defeat to Antonio Lozada Jr. derailed the hype train. Verdejo has won two in a row since the Lozada loss, most recently outclassing Bryan Vasquez last April over 10 rounds. He officially joined forces with Salas in November and moved his training base to Las Vegas to find better sparring. Salas has trained a host of world champions in recent years, including Yuriorkis Gamboa, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Erislandy Lara and Jorge Linares. Rojas (18-3, 5 KOs) has won six in a row since a 2015 KO defeat.
  
In action on the ESPN+ undercard stream (7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT):

• Former junior lightweight world title challenger Christopher “Pitufo” Diaz (24-2, 16 KOs) will fight former junior featherweight world title challenger Adeilson “Dell” Dos Santos (19-7, 15 KOs) in an eight-rounder at featherweight. This is Diaz’s first fight since he lost a unanimous decision to Shakur Stevenson last April on the Terence Crawford-Amir Khan televised pay-per-view undercard.

  “In 2020, I’ll keep leaving it all in the ring,” Diaz said. “I know that I have what it takes to become a world champion. I promised my late father and my family that I will become a world champion, and deep down I can feel that I will accomplish my dream in 2020. My family and my fans give me all the motivation that I need to keep going. I will not rest until I accomplish my dream.”
   

• 2004 Puerto Rican Olympian Victor Bisbal (23-4, 17 KOs) will clash with 2004 U.S. Olympian Devin Vargas (21-6, 9 KOs) in an eight-round heavyweight battle.
   
• In his second bout since losing his world title, former IBF junior featherweight world champion Jonathan “Salomon King” Guzman (23-1, 22 KOs) will face Rodolfo Hernandez (30-8-1, 28 KOs) in an eight-rounder.
   
• Top Rank’s newly signed super featherweight contender Abraham “El Super” Nova (17-0, 13 KOs) will fight Pedro Navarrete (30-24-3, 19 KOs) in a bout scheduled for eight rounds at a 133-pound catchweight.
   
• Heavyweight phenom Jared “The Real Big Baby” Anderson (2-0, 2 KOs) will face Andrew Satterfield (5-3, 3 KOs) in a four-rounder. 

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

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Groupe Yvon Michel, tickets priced at $89, $75, $69, $62, $59 and $40 are on sale now and can be purchased at the Turning Stone Resort Box Office, charge by phone by calling 800.771.7711 or online at Ticketmaster.
 
For more information, visit www.toprank.com, www.espn.com/boxing; Facebook: facebook.com/trboxing; Twitter: twitter.com/trboxing.
 
Use the hashtags #AlvarezSeals and #VerdejoRojas to join the conversation on social media.
 
About ESPN
ESPN, the world’s leading sports entertainment enterprise features more than 50 assets – nine U.S. television networks, ESPN Radio, ESPN.com, ESPN International, ESPN The Magazine and more.  ESPN is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc. (an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company) and 20 percent by Hearst.
 
About ESPN+
ESPN+ is the leading direct-to-consumer sports streaming service from Disney’s Direct-to-Consumer and International (DTCI) segment and ESPN. Launched in April, 2018, ESPN+ has grown quickly to 3.5 million subscribers in 18 months, offering fans thousands of live events, original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks, as well as premium editorial content.
 
Programming on ESPN+ includes exclusive UFC and Top Rank boxing events, thousands of college sports events (including football and basketball) from more than a dozen sports at 20 conferences, hundreds of MLB and NHL games, top domestic and international soccer (Serie A, MLS, FA Cup, Bundesliga – beginning in 2020, EFL Championship and Carabao Cup, Eredivisie), Grand Slam tennis, international and domestic rugby and cricket, exclusive ESPN+ Original series, acclaimed studio shows and the full library of ESPN’s award-winning 30 for 30 films. 
 
Fans subscribe to ESPN+ for just $4.99 a month (or $49.99 per year) through the ESPN App, (on mobile and connected devices), ESPN.com or ESPNplus.com.  It is also available as part of a bundle offer that gives subscribers access to Disney+, Hulu (ad-supported), and ESPN+ ­— all for just $12.99/month.
 
About Turning Stone Resort Casino 
Host of the January 18^th event, Turning Stone Resort Casino is a Forbes Four-Star Award-winning destination resort, which continues to distinguish itself as a premier venue for fight-of-the-year caliber boxing. Turning Stone features world-class amenities including The Lounge with Caesars Sports, its new sports book in partnership with Caesars Entertainment, four hotels, more than 20 signature dining options, two spas, a 125,000 square foot Las Vegas style gaming floor, multiple entertainment venues, five golf courses, and several bars and lounges offering live entertainment every weekend.  Additionally, Turning Stone and the International Boxing Hall of Fame announced a multifaceted partnership to spotlight boxing throughout the entire region. The program includes a series of boxing events at Turning Stone, culminating every year in June with an elaborate and bigger-than-ever International Boxing Hall of Fame Weekend celebration. International Boxing Hall of Fame Weekend will be held June 11-14, 2020.

Top Rank will promoted the IBF Light Heavyweight title fight between Artur Bterbiev and Meng Fanlong after Longjoy Sports defaulted on their winning bid, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

Top Rank vice president Carl Moretti told ESPN that the plan is for the fight to headline an ESPN-televised card on March 28 in Quebec City.

“Longjoy Sports submitted 10% of the bid amount at the time of the Purse Bid in the amount of $190,000.00,” Peoples wrote in the letter, a copy of which was obtained by ESPN. “Longjoy Sports was required to deliver payment representing an additional $190,000.00 of the total bid within 5 business days following the bid or no later than January 6, 2020. Longjoy Sports failed to deliver payment representing an additional $190,000.00 of the total bid within 5 business days following the bid or no later than January 6, 2020.

“IBF Rule 10.D states in part: ‘Failure to provide said funds will automatically void the original bid and permit the President to recognize the next highest bidder.’ The IBF recognizes Top Rank Boxing as the next highest bidder pursuant to this rule.”

“We look forward to putting on the fight,” Moretti told ESPN. “We are not totally shocked that it ended up back in our lap given various circumstances. We’re happy Artur will be able to defend both of his titles against Meng and further prove that he is the best light heavyweight in the world and should be considered as a top pound-for-pound fighter.”

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS. (Jan. 9, 2020): Jaime Munguia (34-0, 27 KOs) and Gary O’Sullivan (30-3, 21 KOs) hosted their final press conference today at The Alamodome ahead of their 12-round fight for the WBO International Middleweight Title. The event will take place Saturday, Jan. 11 at The Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas and will be streamed live on DAZN.

Below is what today’s participants had to say at the press conference:

JAIME MUNGUIA, Middleweight Contender:
“Thank you all for joining us. Thank you, Golden Boy, Zanfer, DAZN and my entire team. I want to tell you all I’m happy and motivated and at this new division. This is something new for me and my team. It is a great division with a lot of great fighters like Gary O’Sullivan. I’m excited for that’s because at 160 we will have big challenges, we will have big fights and we will deliver great fights to all the people.”

“I want to tell all that we had a great preparation. We prep at 100% keeping in mind that we want to give a great fight and a great show. And I want to tell you all to join us on this great fight.”

“God willing after this, we will look for world titles at 160 pounds for the people that follow me. Thank you.”

GARY ‘SPIKE’ O’SULLIVAN, Middleweight Contender:
“Thank you everyone at the Alamodome stadium. It is fantastic to be here again, I want to take thank Golden Boy, Murphy’s Boxing, Zanfer Boxing, Team Munguia, and everyone for being here today.”

“I look forward to coming here Saturday night. I’m not under no illusion that Jaime is a great fighter, but he should be under no illusion that I’ve prepared really hard for this fight. I made a lot of sacrifices. I recently bought my first home for my family, and I was looking forward to spending Christmas with my family at my new home, but I made a lot of sacrifices and I remained in training camp for the holidays.”

“Is nothing personal, I really like Jaime, he is a very good guy, very pleasant guy. I wish him good health and good luck in his life, but on Saturday night I’m coming for war, I’m coming to win. And I look forward to putting a great show.”

ERIK “EL TERRIBLE” MORALES, Hall of Famer and Trainer of Jaime Munguia:
“I’m convinced that Jaime Munguia at 160 pounds will be a great fighter. He has come to this fight after a great training with a lot of strength and speed. No doubt it would a good fight and I’m sure that Jaime has the energy and the strength to fight at the highest levels in a style that is pleasing to the fans because he has the talent and the heart. Jaime has grown a lot as a boxer. It’s going to be a big fight and I want to invite everyone to be part of this big night of boxing.”

PASCHAL ‘PACKY’ COLLINS, Trainer of Gary O’Sullivan:
“Hello everybody here in San Antonio. I want to thank Golden Boy, Oscar De La Hoya, Bernard Hopkins, Eric Gomez, DAZN, and the people from San Antonio for giving us the opportunity to be part of this event.”

“I’ve been managing Spike throughout his whole career and I know of what he’s capable of doing. This is the one fight we’ve been looking for; against Jaime Munguia. Spike literally moved to middleweight to try to get this fight.”

“No disrespect to Munguia. He’s a great fighter as many Mexican fighters. Munguia has had his world title for a couple of defenses now and Spike still doesn’t have that kind of title, that’s something that he has been training his whole life for. Spike is a hungry fighter, he is a hard-hitting fighter. Jaime is a young guy, he makes mistakes as a young fighter and we are going to capitalize on that. When the opportunity arrives, he will land his shots and we will find out then how great of a fighter Jaime is. I believe is Spike’s destiny to win Saturday night.”

FRANCHON CREWS-DEZURN, WBC & WBO Super Middleweight World Champion:
“Excuse my French, but you aren’t taking shit from me. I’m blessed to be in this position. I feel like Cinderella. Golden Boy gave me the opportunity to fight for a world title in 2018 and I was victorious, and as you can see my story keeps unraveling in front of you.”

“Boxing isn’t about weight lose and shout out to my opponent. That’s an amazing feat to lose that amount of weight to compete for her goals, but unfortunately, that road is going to stop here with me because I’ve had to fight my whole life. Before I got signed with Golden Boy, I was sleeping at a Casino just trying to get a meeting to get signed with Golden Boy.”

“After my opponent tried to bullet me at the WBC Cancun Convention by my blowing me a kiss and being disrespectful to my team, there is definitely some unfinished business that needs to be settled. I just want to make sure that when I step on the ring, I represent not only myself and my team, but I represent women’s boxing as it continues to grow.”

“I’m very blessed to be one of the new age pioneers of the sport and being able to be showcased in networks like DAZN. I have a great opening for you because I’m an entertainer. I know you see the shades, I know you see the glam, but when you take all of that away, you see a warrior, you see a woman that wakes up at 6 a.m. and doesn’t sleep until 11 p.m. to get the job done. I worked 3 jobs, competed on elite levels, took care of a sick mom for 12 years to go for my dream. So, this is nothing but a pitstop to being undisputed.”

ALEJANDRA JIMENEZ, Super Middleweight Contender:
“Good afternoon everybody, you don’t know what it means to me to be here with you all. Not only because of boxing but to demonstrate the world that everything that you set up your mind on, you can accomplish with hard work and commitment.”

“When I started as a fighter, they told me I couldn’t be a boxer because there were few opponents on the heavyweight division, however, I decided to initiate my professional career. And in my fifth fight, I became a world champion on that division by becoming the first Mexican female fighter to win a heavy world title. Today, 66 kilos less, I’m going to fight for a world title at super middleweight.”

“I’ve always wanted to come down from my division and fight the champion on the super middleweight division. I know Franchon is going to be a tough opponent. She’s the number 1 in her division, but after this fight, I’m going to be number 1.”

“Thank you, Oscar De La Hoya, Golden Boy, DAZN, my team, my family, Pepe Gomez, my trainer, my nutritionist for the support throughout this whole experience. Remember everything is possible if you really work hard for it. This Saturday, Mexico is going to take back a world champion and we’re always going to come back here and fight for those world titles on behalf of Mexico.”

HECTOR TANAJARA JR., USNBC Lightweight Champion:
“Thank you for coming out. I remember been in the same building since I started boxing. I’d like to thank Golden Boy and DAZN for letting me be part of this opportunity.”

“I’m excited to fight. I know this is going to be a tough opponent, but I’ll try to give it all for my family and fans.”

JOSHUA FRANCO, Flyweight Contender:
“Thank you, Golden Boy, for giving me the opportunity to put up a show in front of all my fans, supporters and my family. You don’t want to miss it; I’m feeling hungry. I’m feeling strong and it’s going to be an exciting fight for as long as it lasts.”

OSCAR DE LA HOYA, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy:
“It gives me great joy to be back here in this beautiful place and in this beautiful arena. This beautiful city brings back a lot of memories that over the years we have accumulated. We have been able to present to you some amazing fights that made us proud to put together. This is not an exception. Mexican star, Jaime Munguia, who is one of the best and top raising stars from Mexico. Then you have the Irish contender Gary “Spike” O’Sullivan who is a fighter that has no quit in him, a fighter who is a people’s champion. When you see this fighter fight, you will see why.”

“Golden Boy is kicking off the new year with a great night of actions. We are very proud to be putting this whole card together for well-educated Texas’ fans, who know their boxing, who know their fight game, and who expect the very best.”

“I’m very proud to be announcing that this fight here is promoted in association with Zanfer Promotions, and Murphy’s Boxing. Jaime Munguia is becoming one of the biggest fighters, not only in Mexico but in the world. He has a great record, he is jumping up to the middleweight division, which as you know you have the biggest star in boxing today, Canelo Alvarez. There is a lot of opportunity for the winners on Saturday night. The winner takes all, the winner not only takes the prize home of becoming the best that night, but the winner is going to take that prize and get in line to fight fighters like Canelo Alvarez, fighters like the Charlo twins. It is a very important night, not only for Texas boxing, not only for Golden Boy boxing, not only for the fighters but for their legacy. We strongly feel that when you put Mexico versus Ireland is going to be a war. We are thrilled that we can put this together for all you here in Texas.”

“We are proud to have a partner who will be streaming this fight live all over the world. The fighting destination in boxing is DAZN, where you can watch the best fights, the biggest stars like Canelo, like Joshua who just fought against Andy Ruiz. You can watch Jaime Munguia fight against Gary O’Sullivan only on DAZN. The great thing about DAZN is that you don’t have to pay the pay per view price tag. For a fraction of the cost, you can watch more than 100 fights a year on DAZN.”

BERNARD HOPKINS, Hall of Famer and Golden Boy Business Partner:
“It is a great place for boxing because of history. I’m excited not only for the main event, but also for the co-main event. We have two women who are representing boxing, which has been known for years, decades, as a man’s sport. We all agree that has changed.

“The co-main wants to be the undisputed. I know a little bit about being undisputed; it’s very beautiful for anybody that has been in that situation. To all the fighters, this is the best opportunity to start 2020. Make it a good one; people want to see you again.”

JUAN CARLOS TORRES, Zanfer Promotions:
“Happy New Year to everybody, I’m very excited about this fight. Thanks to Oscar De La Hoya, Eric Gomez, Golden Boy, Tecate and the people from San Antonio for all of their attention during all these years.”

“Both fighters, Munguia and Spike, are made to fight each other. Every time we see fighters that like each other and respect their fighting styles, we know there will be war. We know that Sullivan is a great fighter; a very focused and committed one.”

“Jaime always brings his 100% to the ring. We’re very proud of him. We hope to have the success Bernard had in this weight class. We have seen Jaime progress every time. His last fight was his first fight with Eric Morales as his trainer and he has definitely made some defensive adjustments for Jaime, but now almost a year after that fight, we are confident that Jaime is prepared and will be showing a lot of different skills particularly defensive skills.”

“For all the people that are going to be there, we hope that you can subscribe to DAZN because you don’t want to miss any fight. Good luck and happy to see you all there on Saturday.”

PEPE GOMEZ, CEO of Cancun Boxing:
“Thank you, Golden Boy, Oscar De La Hoya, Zanfer Promotions and DAZN. In Cancun Boxing we do not come to play boxing, in Cancun Boxing we come to get the world titles; the titles from the World Boxing Council who right now have the champion Franchon and take them to Cancun.”

Munguia vs. O’Sullivan is a 12-round fight for the WBO International Middleweight Title presented by Golden Boy in association with Zanfer Promotions and Murphy’s Boxing. The event is sponsored by Tecate “THE OFFICIAL BEER OF BOXING” and Hennessy “Never Stop. Never Settle.” The event will take place Saturday, Jan. 11 at The Alamodome in San Antonio, TX and will be streamed live exclusively on DAZN.

Tickets for Munguia vs. O’Sullivan are on sale and are priced at $25, $40, $65, $100, and $200, plus applicable taxes, fees and services charges. Tickets can be purchased online at ticketsmaster.com and by phone at 1-800-745-3000. Tickets will also be available at The Alamodome box office, which is open Monday – Friday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm C.T. and Saturdays and Sundays when events are taking place at The Alamodome.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and DAZN.com. Follow on Twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing and @DAZN_USA. Become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoy and
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Promoter Sampson Lewkowicz proudly announces he has signed Bangkok, Thailand, slugger Apinun Khongsong to a co-promotional contract, along with Jimmy Chaichotchuang of Kiat Kreerin Promotions.

23-year-old Khongsong (16-0, 13 KOs) is the mandatory challenger to WBA and IBF Super Lightweight World Champion Josh Taylor of Scotland. Khongsong became the IBF’s mandatory by scoring a fifth-round knockout over Akihiro Kondo this past February.

Co-promoter Chaichotchuang says he and Khongsong were in attendance for Taylor’s World Boxing Super Series unanimous decision victory over Ivan Baranchyk last May and the pair say they see holes in the Scotsman’s game.

“We are very confident,” said Chaichotchuang of Taylor. “We know we can beat him. My fighter is a very, very hard puncher and he will beat Josh. And when he does he will go on to become the ‘Pacquiao of Thailand.’”

Chaichotchuang says he’s happy to be working with his old partner Lewkowicz on the promising Thai’s career.

“I’ve known Sampson for almost 20 years and he’s a good man. I feel very good about this deal and for my fighter’s future.”

Lewkowicz, who says he will begin negotiations almost immediately for the Taylor vs. Khongsong match-up, says he’s also happy to have inked this co-promotional.

“I’ve known Jimmy for many years, and we’ve done a lot of good business together,” said Lewkowicz. “Jimmy is very loyal and honest and I’m very proud to be helping him represent the best fighter from Thailand in all of boxing. Khongsong is a very hard puncher and not many fighters will be able to take his punches, especially at 140 lbs.”

About Sampson Boxing

Sampson Boxing has promotional partners all over North and South America, Africa, Asia, New Zealand, Australia, Europe and Central America. Sampson Boxing events have been televised on such premiere networks as HBO, Showtime, ESPN, ESPN+, DAZN, VS., FOX, Fox Sports and several international networks. For more information, visit sampsonboxing.com.

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (Jan. 9, 2020) — Jesse Hart and Joe Smith Jr. faced off two days before their highly anticipated 10-round light heavyweight showdown Saturday from Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena in Atlantic City (ESPN, 10 p.m. ET). Hart is attempting to gain a measure of revenge, as Smith knocked out his mentor and close friend Bernard Hopkins back in December 2016.

Hart (26-2, 21 KOs), who twice challenged for a super middleweight world title, will be making his second appearance at light heavyweight. Smith (24-3, 20 KOs) is making his second attempt at a world title, as he fell short in a spirited effort against WBA world champion Dmitry Bivol last March.

The ESPN co-feature, a 10-round battle of super middleweight unbeatens, will feature Terence Crawford stablemate Steven Nelson against Cem Kilic.

ESPN, 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT

Jesse Hart vs. Joe Smith Jr., 10 rounds, light heavyweight

Steven Nelson vs. Cem Kilic, 10 rounds, super middleweight

ESPN+, 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT

Joseph Adorno vs. Hector Garcia, 8 rounds, lightweight

Chris Thomas vs. Samir Barbosa, 6 rounds, super middleweight

Shinard Bunch vs. Dennis Okoth, 6 rounds, welterweight

Sonny Conto vs. Curtis Head, 4 rounds, heavyweight

Jeremy Adorno vs. Fernando Ibarra, 4 rounds, super bantamweight

Xander Zayas vs. Corey Champion, 4 rounds, welterweight

For more information, visit: www.toprank.com, www.espn.com/boxing; Facebook: facebook.com/trboxing; Twitter: twitter.com/trboxing.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Star Boxing, tickets priced at $100, $60, $40 and $25 (not including applicable fees) are on sale now and can be purchased by visiting www.ticketmaster.com and www.hardrockhotelatlanticcity.com.

Unified 154-Pound World Championship

Claressa Shields – 153 ½ lbs.

Ivana Habazin – 152 ½ lbs.

Referee: Sparkle Lee; Judges: Debra Barnes (New Jersey), Lynne Carter (Pennsylvania), Robin Taylor (New York)

10-Rd Welterweight Bout

Jaron Ennis – 145 ¾ lbs.

Bakhtiyar Eyubov – 146 ¼ lbs.

Referee: Earl Brown; Judges: Jackie Atkins (New Jersey), Albert Bennett (New Jersey); James Kinney (New Jersey)

WBA and IBF Super Middleweight World Championship Unification

Alicia Napoleon Espinosa – 164 lbs.

Elin Cederroos – 166 ½ lbs.

Referee: Benjy Esteves; Judges: Mark Consentino (New Jersey), Lawrence Layton (New Jersey), John McKaie (New York)

FLASH QUOTES:

CLARESSA SHIELDS

“It wasn’t difficult [to make weight]. In Flint I was 154.0. Now I’m 153.4. I could go down to 147 if I wanted to. I don’t fight off emotion. That’s why I’m a champion. There are plenty of girls who have done way worse things than what she’s doing trying to throw me off my square. I don’t really think what she’s doing, or her new coach, is supposed to bother me.”

IVANA HABAZIN

“I’m taking this fight more seriously than before and I gave everything into training, and I’m ready. She can talk saying she’s going to knock me out. Whatever. She doesn’t have that power and she will not knock me out. I have good defense and I know I have power so I’m going to knock her out.”

JARON ENNIS

“Most definitely I view this as a coming out party. Tomorrow night you’re going to see me real sharp. Speed and great defense, and we’re going to make easy work tomorrow night.”

Atlantic City, NJ, January 9, 2020

JOE “THE BEAST” SMITH JR. (24-3 20KO’S) made his pro-debut in 2009 and spent much of his early years in boxing developing in the New York boxing scene, most notably at Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing praised “Rockin’ Fight” series at The Paramount. Fast forward to 2016 and the year of “THE BEAST” was truly upon us.

Starting in June of ’16, Smith Jr. traveled to Chicago, the hometown of then #2 world rated light heavyweight, ANDREZJ FONFARA. In a stunning upset, Smith Jr. unleashed a furious double-handed attack, delivering a perfectly placed right to the temple of the home-town 16-1 favorite, dropping Fonfara just 64-seconds into the fight. Fonfara wearily rose to his feet, but it wasn’t long until Smith Jr. resumed his onslaught, planting Fonfara on the canvas for good, at the 2:32 mark of the first round. Smith Jr. earned the WBC International Light Heavyweight Title as well as upset of the year honors.

With momentum on his side, Smith Jr. was hand-picked by boxing legend, BERNARD HOPKINS as the opponent for his farewell fight on HBO at The Forum in California. However, come fight night, Smith Jr. was the one bidding farewell, as he landed a devasting multi-punch combination in the eight-round, sending Hopkins clear out of the ring, and into retirement. Smith Jr. would be the first, and only, fighter to knockout the legend, Hopkins. With this TKO victory, Smith Jr. defended his WBC International light heavyweight title and became the #2 rated light heavyweight in the world.

Turning to 2017, Smith Jr. found himself going toe to toe with Cuban veteran, SULLIVAN BARRERA, back at The Forum on HBO. Once again showing his immense power, a one punch overhand right landed flush on the top of Barrera’s head, putting the Cuban on the floor. To the vet’s credit, Barrera would stand inside the 10-count and continue the fight. In the second-round, Smith Jr. would break his jaw, but incredibly continued to fight for the remaining eight-rounds of the bout. Smith Jr. would fall short by decision, but received praise for his insane toughness, and fortitude.

Finally recovered from his injury, Smith Jr. made his triumphant return to the ring at Mohegan Sun Arena in 2018, taking on tough southerner, MELVIN RUSSELL. Wasting no time returning to his power punching ways, Smith Jr. devoured the overmatched Russell by a devastating upper cut, causing referee Steve Willis to stop the action just 2:40 into the first round.

2019 saw Smith Jr. get his first crack at a world title against Russian technician, DMITRY BIVOL at Turning Stone Resort Casino for the WBA World Light Heavyweight Championship. Smith Jr. would take the champion the full 12-rounds, highlighted by a massive right hand that landed at the end of the tenth-round leaving Bivol on unsteady legs, however, without enough time left on the clock to capitalize. Smith Jr. would fall short by unanimous decision to Bivol in the championship fight.

With the start of 2020, Smith Jr. returns to familiar territory, fighting his way into world championship contention. The “Common Man” as he is affectionately known by his fellow union members, must first take on former two-time world title challenger, JESSE “HOLLYWOOD” HART (Philadelphia, PA 26-2 21KO’s) in a top light heavyweight battle. Hart, mentored by Bernard Hopkins, believes this is his chance to get revenge for the way Hopkins was defeated by Smith in 2016. Smith Jr. knows a spectacular victory over the likes of Hart, puts another world title challenge at arms-length. One thing is for sure, fireworks are bound to be set off, and a great main event lies ahead this Saturday night.

HartSmithJr is the talk of the boardwalk and boxing leading up to this Saturday’s fight night, that is sure to bring heat to the new year. Tickets are available now at ticketmaster.com. If you cannot be in attendence, tune in starting at 10PM ET on ESPN.

Use the hashtag #HartSmith to join the conversation on social media.

Las Vegas (January 9th, 2020)- Great News for Boxing fans and the Boxing industry with the announcement of the sixth annual Box Fan Expo, which will be returning to Las Vegas during Cinco De Mayo weekend. The hugely popular Boxing Expo will take place at the Cox Pavilion on Saturday May 2, 2020 from 10am to 5pm.

The Box Fan Expo is thrilled to open its doors to boxing fans from all over the world, as well to all major boxing companies, promoters and industry people during this Mexican holiday weekend. Traditionally a major fight will take place in Las Vegas on Cinco de Mayo Weekend.

Tickets to the Box Fan Expo are available online at:
https://bitly.com/BoxingExpo2020

Last year’s Box Fan Expo was another huge success. Over 3500 enthusiastic boxing fans from all over the globe had a chance to meet and greet some of their favorite fighters, including current and former world champions, top fighters of today, and many of the boxing celebrities such as Julio Cesar Chavez, Sugar Ray Leonard, Roy Jones Jr., Juan Manuel Marquez, Thomas Hearns, Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera, Errol Spence Jr., Mikey Garcia, Shawn Porter, Abner Mares, James Toney, Floyd Mayweather Sr., Devin Haney, Claressa Shields, Jessie Vargas, Michael Spinks, Riddick Bowe, Vinny Paz, Anthony Dirrell, Demetrius Andrade, Tevin Farmer.

Those fighters plus more boxing celebrities took pictures, signed autographs for their fans who attended the Box Fan Expo

Fans also had an opportunity to purchase merchandise and memorabilia from fighters and companies.

The Box Fan Expo also played host to the 2nd annual “Box Fan Expo Invitational 2019”. This was an incredible amateur show which showcased several highly ranked and top USA amateur boxers who competed against the best in their division and more importantly in front of thousands of boxing fans that attended the Expo. Those invited to compete had a chance to get huge exposure and get noticed by top boxing companies as well as industry people that were present during the event.

HELPING A GREAT CAUSE
The Box Fan Expo Invitational amateur show had an opportunity to collaborate and help Center Ring Boxing Club. Center Ring Boxing is a non-profit organization that was established in 1994 in the Las Vegas area, with the Mission of facilitating programs for youth, ages 8 to 18 and their families. They promote and improve image of boxing as a sport and to provide positive interactions that facilitate educational, physical, mentoring programs which is a great positive influence and mental growth for those young kids looking to improve their self-esteem and personal lives.

For the 2nd straight year, the Invitational amateur competition was sponsored by Mayweather Promotions.

ABOUT BOX FAN EXPO
Box Fan Expo is the ultimate boxing fan experience event, which allows fans to meet-and-greet boxing superstars of today, current and former world champions, legends of the sport and other boxing celebrities. Fans can expect to experience various interactions such as autograph and photos sessions, FaceOff with your favorite boxers, pictures with the Ring Card Girls, Live DJ Music, chance to win prizes, purchase merchandise and memorabilia from different exhibitor’s booths, “ALL UNDER ONE ROOF”. You won’t want to miss this must-attend Expo!

Box Fan Expo has been a huge success with fans and boxing industry people. Many boxing stars have attended the last five Expos such as Floyd Mayweather, Mike Tyson, Roberto Duran, Sugar Ray Leonard, Julio Cesar Chavez, Juan Manuel Marquez, Tommy Hearns, Roy Jones Jr, Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, Andre Ward, Mikey Garcia, Marcos Maidana, Devin Haney, David Benavidez, Errol Spence Jr, Sergio Martinez, Keith Thurman, Danny Garcia, Tim Bradley, Deontay Wilder, Amir Khan, Shawn Porter, Fernando Vargas, Abner Mares, James Toney, Jessie Vargas, Vinny Paz, Mia St.John, Leo Santa Cruz, Badou Jack, Terry Norris, Riddick Bowe, Earnie Shavers, Michael & Leon Spinks, Danny Jacobs, Claressa Shields, Teofimo Lopez, Brandon Rios, Jorge Linares and many more top boxing celebrities in attendance …

Exhibitors such as; boxing promoters, gear, apparel, equipment, energy drinks, supplement products, broadcasting media, sanctioning bodies, and other companies who wish to participate will once again have a chance to showcase their brand to fans and the whole boxing industry.

Throughout the next several months leading up to the Event, there will be updates on the many stars that will commit their appearance at the Boxing Expo. And for anyone in the Boxing industry or other Exhibitors (non-industry), who would like to reserve a booth or be involved as a sponsor, please contact Box Fan Expo at;

(Jan. 9, 2020) — The 2020 forecast is in, and “The Tartan Tornado” is coming to Top Rank and ESPN.

WBA/IBF junior welterweight world champion Josh Taylor, fresh off his tour de force in the World Boxing Super Series, has signed a multi-year promotional agreement with Top Rank. Taylor, from Edinburgh, Scotland, will make his Top Rank on ESPN debut in 2020 as he continues his quest to become the undisputed junior welterweight king.

“Josh Taylor is one of the world’s best fighters, and he is a fight fan’s fighter, a tough guy willing to fight anyone we put in front of him,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “Whether it’s Jose Ramirez in a fight for the undisputed junior welterweight title or any of the welterweights out there, he’s ready for the biggest challenges. I want to thank Josh’s advisors at MTK Global, who have the same goal as us, which is to make him an international star.”

“A new year, a new decade with lots of new beginnings, and I’m starting this new decade with a big bang,” Taylor said. “2019 was a huge year for me, but 2020 looks set to be even bigger and I’m delighted to have signed a deal with Top Rank and ESPN and an advisory contract with MTK Global. I believe I am with the best team to take my career to the next level. I couldn’t ask for a better partnership, and I know the future looks bright with this team lighting the way.”

Said Jamie Conlan, MTK Global’s Professional Development Coordinator: “Josh Taylor was the 2019 Fighter of the Year, winning the World Boxing Super Series in fantastic fashion with his win over Regis Prograis. Now linking up with Top Rank and MTK Global, his sights are solely set on unifying the division and becoming a global star.”

ESPN’s Max on Boxing will feature an exclusive Max Kellerman interview with Taylor this Friday, January 10 at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN2.

Taylor (16-0, 12 KOs), who turned pro in July 2015, soon established himself as one of Great Britain’s pugilistic prodigies, winning Commonwealth honors in October 2016 in only his seventh bout. In 2017, he knocked off fellow unbeaten prospect Ohara Davies via seventh-round stoppage and knocked out former world champion Miguel Vazquez in nine rounds.

In late 2018, following a decision win over former world champion Viktor Postol, he entered the World Boxing Super Series tournament. Taylor knocked out then-unbeaten Ryan Martin in the quarterfinals and scored a convincing decision over Ivan Baranchyk in the semifinals to win the IBF world title. Taylor authored his career-best win last October in the World Boxing Super Series championship, grinding out a majority decision over Prograis to unify titles and establish himself as a pound-for-pound player.

NEW YORK (January 8, 2020) – Split-T Management has signed undefeated cruiserweight Brandon Glanton to a managerial contract.

Glanton of Riverside, California has a record of 11-0 with nine knockouts. Glanton is trained by Jason Jones.

The 27 year-old Glanton began boxing at the age of 21 as he was working at a K-Mart and co-worker Corey Wilson, who was a professional MMA Fighter, led Brandon to the gym.

Glanton played two-years of college football at Albany State as a Defensive End and Nose Tackle.

Glanton describes himself as a pressure fighter. “I am hard nosed with lots of tenacity. I have good hand speed and power. I want to make these fighters jump over top rope. I have good rings smarts and I know how to move around the ring. Pressure bursts pipes,” said Glanton.

Glanton’s amateur record was 44-6 and he won two National Qualifying tournaments for the U.S. Olympic team, and took 3rd place in the United States Olympic Trials.

Glanton turned professional on May 6, 2017 with a 1st round stoppage over Willie Kyles, and is coming off a 3rd round stoppage over Jose Humberto Corral.

“I am excited to sign with Split-T Management. I had an opportunity to sign with Split-T Management out of the amateurs, but I was naive about the boxing business so I did not sign with any manager. As I started to understand the business, I called Dave McWater back, and we made a deal. I see what Split-T Management and their fighters are doing and I wanted to be part of the team,” said Glanton.

“Brandon is a terrific prospect with a great professional style and power. I see big things from him in the future and he will be in some very big fights,” said McWater.

Glanton has a college degree in Health Care Administration from Albany State.

Two of the light heavyweight division’s biggest punchers, Jesse “Hollywood” Hart and Joe Smith Jr., are prepared for a toe-to-toe battle in a 10-rounder Saturday evening (ESPN, 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT) from the Etess Arena at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, N.J.

Hart, Smith, Top Rank president Todd duBoef and Star Boxing CEO Joe DeGuardia (Smith’s promoter) hosted a conference call Tuesday to kick off fight week. This is what they had to say.

duBoef

When we announced the fight and did our {2020 kickoff press conference} in New York in December, I got up at the press conference there, and there was a lot of tension between these two guys. So I think one writer came to me and said, “You know, I was really excited for this fight.” I was kind of excited. I wasn’t sure what was going to come of it, but after the press conference and seeing both the passion and the determination Jesse and Joe have towards this match, and really where they are in a hot division that is rich with great fighters and obviously great punchers, it came true to form in their press conference style. It’s an exciting way to start off the year. Nothing like starting it out with big punchers. I’d like to introduce Joe DeGuardia, who is a long-time friend and business partner of Top Rank, who has developed and guided Joe Smith’s career. Let him make a couple comments, and then we’ll open this up to all of you guys to ask questions.

DeGuardia

Thank you very much, Todd. I want to thank you guys. It’s always a pleasure working with Top Rank and you and Bob. I’m looking forward to another thrilling night of ESPN action that’s being provided. This Saturday night, I’m thrilled to have Joe Smith Jr. headlining the card. I can’t wait to see Jesse Hart and Joe Smith. As you mentioned, these are two of the hardest-punching light heavyweights in the game, in a division that’s stacked with talent, and both of these guys have over 40 knockouts between them. They are really fighting each other for another world championship opportunity. Two guys are world title challengers fighting each other for another shot. I always love watching Joe Smith Jr. fight. He’s so exciting, and I know he’s bringing down carloads of fans that are going to be in Atlantic City to watch him. Working class people coming down to see a true working man fight. And I am really looking forward to this fight, really looking forward to Saturday night, and I think the fans are in for a treat. 

Jesse Hart

The fight is beyond like… I’m not looking at what’s next. I’m not looking at a world title challenge next. With this fight starting off the year, it’s been rough on me since 2016 since that Joe Smith-Bernard Hopkins fight happened. I’m not looking at nothing else. This is, like I said at the press conference, is not business. This is not business. This is not for bragging rights neither. This is something that my family put on me. This fight is more of a family thing. With family, it’s personal. That’s family, so at the end of the day, for me on my end, this is for my family. This is not only for myself. This is my family. This is my big brother, Bernard Hopkins. January 11th is so close. You know, it’s time. Training’s been going good. No injuries. Everything is really, really great. Everything just went good this training camp. I think I’ve been more focused than I’ve ever been because once something becomes personal, aside from business, it doesn’t matter about the politics of it. It doesn’t matter about the ratings or none of that. This is, like I said, it’s probably business for him, probably just another fight. For me, it’s not. I don’t look at what’s next. When I asked Todd duBoef, Bob Arum and Carl Moretti for this fight, I looked at it from this is something I had to do for myself. So January 11th is close, so like I said, I’m in the best condition I can be in. I’m prepared. We’ll see what happens January 11th.

Joe Smith Jr.

Training camp went well. It’s one of my best camps so far. Definitely in my best shape ever, and I know I have a lot to prove. I’m looking at this fight as a chance to get myself out there again, to show that I belong in title fights. I’m looking to prove that, so I want to put on a great show for the fans, and hopefully get a title shot or something else big after this. It’s always personal with me as well. Personal for me, and I’m also fighting for my family and other things. I want to better my life, and the way to do it is by getting in there, putting on a great show and moving forward with my career.

Q:

Joe, when you hear Jesse talk about his mentality of not caring about getting a title fight, or not using this as a springboard for a bigger fight, but just wanting to avenge the loss that his mentor and friend Bernard Hopkins took against you, what do you think about that? It’s kind of an unusual circumstance, it seems to me, in a significant boxing event.

Smith

Yeah, I mean, I don’t really understand it. I understand it to a point, I guess, but either way, he’s still in it to prove himself and do what he has to do.

Q:

When they said he wanted to fight you, did you know what the reason was at that time, or you didn’t know that until he said what he said at the press conference? 

Smith:

I was told that was the reason. 

Q:

And when they told you that, what was your initial reaction? 

Smith:

I mean, if that’s what he feels he’s fighting for, good for him. I mean, but me, I’m fighting to become a world champion.

Q:

Jesse, you mentioned of course how this is a more personal bout. Has there been a target on Joe’s back since that 2016 fight? Describe your emotions when you saw your big brother go down like that.

Hart:It definitely put a target on Joe’s back. I was just at the right time. Timing’s everything. When I saw that, I was really really hurt because like how Todd just explained it. He was the poster boy, but he inspired me, he inspired the little kids to be great, not to be average, not to be good, but to be great. And it’s very hard to do that in the poverty-stricken area of North Philly that we come from. My father {Eugene “Cyclone” Hart}, he was there, but he never got the chance to fight for a world title so my dad would look at Bernard like, “That’s how it’s supposed to be done. This is how it’s supposed to be.”

My dad is Cyclone Hart, but he’s my coach. My dad is telling me he did it right, how Bernard handled things. How he takes care of his body, how he fights, how he models himself. What he came from, just because you come from the poverty-stricken area of North Philly doesn’t mean you lay down. It doesn’t mean you stop fighting. So when you got that, and then at 9 years old, Bernard Hopkins was calling my father, and they would have talks. My dad would put Bernard on the phone with me, and he would always encourage me. “It’s time to get in the gym. You gotta start running another mile, Jesse.” These are the things Bernard told me. That inspiration. We’re all inspired by somebody, whoever it may be. When I was a little boy, that was my inspiration. That’s the guy that I model. That’s the guy who, in 2022, they’re gonna build a statue of Bernard in North Philadelphia for all the things he accomplished. What he came from, and he didn’t lay down. So that’s the thing that inspires me.

Q:

Joe, describe what it would do for your career to bounce back from the Dmitry Bivol loss and take out a top fighter like Jesse Hart. What will that mean for your career? 

Smith:

It will mean a lot. I believe it will prove I belong with the top guys in the division, and I believe I can get another title shot out of it. 

Q:

Jesse, how much more confident do you come into this fight knowing you pretty much dominated Sullivan Barrera and knowing he pretty much dominated Joe?

Hart:

Fighters adapt. I’m coming in confident. 

I might not fight the way I fought Sullivan Barrera. Who knows? I might step to Joe. I might go blow for blow. We both got power. That’s what I wanna do. I don’t know what nobody else thinks about this but this a fight. If you listen to Todd duBoef when he talks about how the fight got made… Jesse called and asked for Joe Smith. This wasn’t about rankings, this wasn’t about politics. This wasn’t about I gotta fight this guy to take a step further to be line for a title shot. This wasn’t about none of that.This was simply, “Yo, see if we can get Joe Smith.”  So that mentality I’m taking in there. Let’s go. Let’s fight. It’s a fight. It’s not a boxing match. It’s none of that. It’s not strategic. It wasn’t strategically planned. The strategy would be to fight Eleider Alvarez because, you know, no, that’s out the window. Get Joe Smith on the line, that’s who I want to fight. Please, can y’all make it happen? 

He lost to a guy I beat, but I’m not gonna fight like that come January 11th. You might get me to step to Joe. We might see Joe get floored. We don’t know.Q:

Joe, is there motivation that maybe you have something left to prove after the losses to Dmitry and Sullivan? Do you kinda feel like you’re being overlooked, not necessarily by Jesse but from other people maybe because you haven’t had a lot of success ever since you beat Bernard Hopkins?

Smith:

Yeah, I definitely believe I’ve been overlooked. People always go back to the Barrera fight, but no one ever thinks about that I fought 10 rounds with a broken jaw in that fight and made it through the fight against a top contender with a broken jaw. Not many people do that. There’s been a lot of fighters, after they get a little hair fracture, they quit. My jaw was completely broken on both sides in half and just hanging and I made it through that fight. So for me to do that…. I won that fight in my view. With this fight hearing about how Jesse was inspired by Bernard Hopkins growing up, it gives me inspiration and it motivates me to put on a great show to inspire other people who are watching me. I want people to talk about me like Jesse’s talking about Hopkins. So that’s my goal when I come out January 11th.

Q:

Jesse, obviously you spent years fighting at 168, and then you move up against Sullivan Barrera. From a physical standpoint or a boxing standpoint, how do you feel fighting at 175 as compared to when you were at super middleweight?

Hart:

I feel much more stronger. I believe my body is more mature. We were doing something in the gym yesterday, me and Bernard, we were doing some pullups and Bernard hit 25, straight from the door at {54} years old. I hit 35 and in the gym we do this thing called repetition workout. We do the pullups, and then we do pushups, and then we do the situps, all in one thing. So it was like with more weight on my body, it’s evening out. As far as my upper body strength, it’s all coming together at this time. Like I said, evening out like that at 168, my upper body might have been stronger but my legs couldn’t handle that, or it was just I’m top heavy. I couldn’t put that much weight on my legs because of the weight I had to be at 168. With this, the weight is much more evened out. Legs are strong, upper body is strong, everything is physically and mentally ready to go.

Q:

My question is for Joe, actually. We’ve heard on this media call about Hart’s motivation being behind Hopkins. Can you elaborate by chance on your motivation for this fight, besides that it’s a world title shot? 

Smith:

Besides a world title shot, what’s my motivation? Like I was just saying a minute ago, to inspire others to get out there and give it their best and work hard every day.

Q:

Jesse, you’ve spoken extensively about how this fight is about getting revenge for Bernard Hopkins. How important was it for you to have this fight take place in Atlantic City where pretty much all of Philadelphia can come out and raise up? 
 
Hart:
 
That was very very important. I even wanted it in New York or Philadelphia. I mean, Philadelphia, New York or Atlantic City. They picked Atlantic City. That’s neutral ground. That’s not too far from New York and definitely not far from Philadelphia. That was very important because I want everybody to see the 10 rounds that take place with this fight. Again, that wasn’t important to me because if the fight had to be in Joe Smith Jr.’s backyard, I would have showed up. I’m talking about inside his home or his backyard because it’s that personal. There could have been no fans, just a bunch of dogs back there, and we still would have gotten it on. That’s how personal this is to me.

Q:

Joe, I have a question for you. Obviously it’s no secret you haven’t been the most active fighter in recent years, especially coming off the win with Bernard Hopkins, it’s just been basically one fight a year. What can you see that can help change that in 2020? Obviously aside from winning on Saturday night. 

Smith:

Yeah, I have to get past Jesse Hart on Saturday night. You know I’m hoping to stay busy this year. I want to fight a few times. I want to make 2020 my year. I’m really looking forward to it.

Q:

Was there anything specific holding you back or is it just a matter of like searching for the best opportunities as opposed to staying active?

Smith:

The best opportunities and, after the Bivol fight, I wanted to take some time to clear my head, and I did that and took off the summer, and I came back and I’ve been feeling great since. I feel stronger and better than ever.

Q:

Jesse, obviously you want to snatch the win and that’s very important to you, but what would be personally the most satisfying way to get it. Would you want to get in there and do a Wilder-Breazeale first-round knockout or would you want an extended fight where you’re dominant? What would be your most satisfying way to win this fight? 

Hart:

To win this fight in a dominating fashion, all the way around the board. From the first round to the last round is the plan now. I know there’s no quit in Joe. He showed that with Sullivan Barrera. He fought with a broken jaw. I want to dig down. I want to take Joe to that Ali-Frazier III type of knock-down, drag-out fight. Where Ali said it was the closest he was to death. I want to see if he quits then. That’s how far I want to push Joe. I want to stay in there, and I want to see where it’s at. I wanna see if he’s going to quit then with me. I know what I”m looking to do. I know I’m not looking to quit that night under no circumstances.

Q:

Joe, clearly this is an important fight for Hart to win and for the city and for himself, but is it a personal motivator to have two significant wins over notable Philly fighters? 

Smith:

Yeah, definitely. It’s gonna be a great night for me. I’m looking to come out on top, but I would like to do it in fashion, wearing the common man boxing trunks and beating another Philly fighter that underestimated me. I don’t see Jesse underestimating me, but being that he is a big fan of someone who did, and he’s from Philly… I’m just really looking forward to it. I want to put on a great show for everyone. For more information, visit: www.toprank.com, www.espn.com/boxing; Facebook: facebook.com/trboxing; Twitter: twitter.com/trboxing.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Star Boxing, tickets priced at $100, $60, $40 and $25 (not including applicable fees) are on sale now and can be purchased by visiting www.ticketmaster.com and www.hardrockhotelatlanticcity.com.  

“I feel great, I feel good. We’re four weeks out, I’m on weight, my training is going great. I’m ready to fight, I’d be ready to fight next week. It feels good to be preparing for a fight again. I’m fighting back in Sheffield, we know what we get from the fans – amazing support. It’s always an amazing atmosphere in the arena.

“DeLuca is in front of me, an ex marine, a very fit fighter, very strong, he’s going to come over here like it’s his World Title fight. The fans are in for a real treat and I can’t wait to give them that treat. I can’t wait to perform and for the crowd to get behind me and push me on.

“Dom has watched DeLuca live a few times and I’ve seen little bits of him. I don’t really watch tapes of my opponents but I’ll watch a bit more of him in the next couple of weeks and then basically just listen to Dom and the game plan. The it’s just about getting in there and executing it.

“At the beginning of last year it was frustrating because I was trying to get the Terence Crawford fight to happen. I was trying to make a few fights happen but they never materialised. 2019 was frustrating at first but then I was just enjoying my time with my little girls, went travelling about a little bit but then I started getting a bit bored and thought boxing is where I belong and I need to give some more of myself to the fans. I’ve got unfinished business and I want to give all I’ve got.

“I want whoever holds a belt, I want to be a two-time World Champion this year. I want to be on everybody’s lips, ‘I can’t believe what this guy’s done. I can’t believe it. What’s happened? He’s the main man again’. That’s what I’m aiming for.”

Kid Galahad:

“I am fully focused at the moment on Claudio Marrero who is very dangerous and I’m sure this will be a difficult fight for me to win. He has great amateur pedigree as a former Olympian with the Dominican Republic, he’s only lost to high calibre boxers and he can punch.

“I’ve got to do a number on this kid and get him out the way. I have trained very hard for this fight and I will raise to the occasion, step up my game and be ready for whatever he brings to the table on February 8.

“I’ve got to be 100% ready and I can’t afford to make any mistakes because if I do that could be the end of the night for me.

“The day after my last fight I went back to the drawing board and straight back in the gym. I don’t believe that I lost that fight but the judges saw it a different way so next time I’ve got to make sure I don’t leave the decision to them.

“I believe the IBF is the best governing body and that’s why I’ve gone back down that route. I have got unfinished business and the IBF crown is the title that I want but I have challenges to overcome between now and then, if I don’t win this fight then there is no World Title fight for me.”

“On February 8 you should expect fireworks and a boxing lesson from myself!”

Dmitriy Salita proudly announces the signing of undefeated Detroit-based welterweight Joseph Bonas to a co-promotional contract.

Bonas (6-0, 5 KOs), a four-time national champion as an amateur and twin brother of also undefeated welterweight Jacob Bonas, is an immensely popular Romanian American with star potential.

The 26-year-old puncher trains with top-tier chief second Javan “Sugarhill” Steward at the new Kronk Gym and says he’s got big plans now that he’s inked a contract with the up-and-coming Salita.

“I feel great about singing with Dmitriy Salita,” said Bonas. “Me and (now co-promoter) Cameron Dunkin (of Now Promotions) knew it was going to be a great decision. He is making a lot of big moves and putting fighters in great positions and his shows are on a big level. He’s based in Detroit, close to me and is making real noise as a promoter. His work speaks for itself. I know where Salita can get me and it’s the very top.”

The confident Bonas revealed some ambitious plans for his fistic future.

I want to fight as much as I can this year and work on dropping my weight to 140 while racking up wins. I’m currently fighting at a catch weight from 147 to 152. My overall goal in boxing is to, of course, become a world champion and make as much money as I can and put my family in a better place. I also want to show people that I am the next Detroit great. I will take this sport over and win titles in more than one weight class

Bonas will have his first fight as a Salita Promotions fighter this Friday, January 10, a four-rounder against Steubenville, Ohio’s Glenn Mitchell (3-4, 3 KOs) on the untelevised undercard of undisputed middleweight champion Claressa Shields’ 10-round main-event showdown for the vacant WBC and WBO 154-pound titles against Croatia’s Ivana Habazin (20-3, 7 KOs) at the Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City, N.J. and live on SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT).

“Joseph Bonas is one of the best prospects in boxing and I am very excited about working with him,” said Dmitriy Salita. “He comes from the old Kronk Gym and is the connection between the rich history of the past and the future. I believe that he, along with his brother Jacob, will bring big championship fights to the city of Detroit.”

Brother Jacob Bonas (4-0-1, 2 KOs) will also appear this Friday in a four-rounder against Highwood, Illinois’ Christian Rivera (1-0-1).

In the night’s other televised bouts, undefeated welterweight Jaron Ennis (24-0, 22 KOs) will take on hard-punching Bakhtiyar Eyubov (14-1-1, 12 KOs) in the 10-round co-main event and in the telecast opener, WBA Super Middleweight Champion Alicia Napoleon Espinosa (12-1, 7 KOs) meets IBF Champion Elin Cederroos (7-0, 4 KOs) in a 168-pound world title unification.

The event is promoted by Salita Promotions in association with T-REX BOXING PROMOTIONS. The Napoleon-Espinosa vs Cederroos fight is promoted by Salita Promotions in association with DiBella Entertainment.

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

Jake Paul and AnEsonGib traded barbs and shoves at a fiery press conference in LA today as they met for the first time since the announcement of their fight on Thursday January 30 at Meridian at Island Gardens in Miami, live on DAZN in the US and on Sky Sports in the UK.
TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW STARTING AT $40 (PLUS FEES)
Paul and Gib will make their professional debuts on a card that is stacked with three World title clashes on the bill.

LA man Paul has fire in his eyes as he looks to avenge the recent defeat of his brother Logan at the hands of Gib’s fellow UK YouTube star KSI in their rematch in Los Angeles in November, with Jake having stopped KSI’s brother Deji Olatunji in the fifth of six rounds on the undercard of their first fight in Manchester, England in August 2018.

Paul has boxing royalty in his corner in the shape of former three-weight World champion ‘Sugar’ Shane Mosely training him in Big Bear, California, while Gib will call on KSI’s trainer and current 2-0 Cruiserweight talent Viddal Riley as his coach as they prepare in Las Vegas.

Paul, a year younger at 23 than the Brit, vowed to use his fight with Gib as a stepping-stone to face KSI himself, while Gib said he will deliver a KO win after pushing the American into taking the fight.

“I’m excited,” said Paul. “I’m more prepared than ever, this sport of boxing I’ve fallen in love with. It’s an honor to be on card with legends. We’ve been putting in the work in Big Bear. It’s an honor to work with a legend like Shane Mosely, and I look forward to knocking this big nose out Jan. 30. That’s the game plan and that’s how it’s going down. 

“You don’t know what you’re getting yourself into. You used all your American Airlines miles to get knocked the f*** out.

“Gib is a doormat to me. He’s something I’m wiping my shoes with to revenge my brother. My brother lost on a two-point deduction to KSI. All respect to him, but I’m just a different fighter, different mentality, and after I beat GIB, KSI is going to get the smoke.”

“This man has fallen on all his social media platforms,” said Gib. “He took down my video for a specific reason, I guess the receding hairline comments got to him. I’ve made more money than your crew up there will ever make in their lives.

“When it comes to boxing, I’m going to knock him out. It’s a fight I wanted. He didn’t want this fight, I forced this fight upon him. I’ve been training every day, doing the sparring, doing the running, and doing what I need to do.

“You can expect a great performance, Jake on the canvas, and my hand raised as usual.”

Paul and Gib clash on a stacked bill during Super Bowl week in Miami as Demetrius Andrade (28-0, 17 KOs) defends his WBO World Middleweight title against contender Luke Keeler (17-2-1, 5 KOs). Also featured on the packed evening of boxing is Tevin Farmer (30-4-1, 6 KOs) defending his IBF World Super Featherweight title against JoJo Diaz (30-1, 15 KOs) and unified World Super Bantamweight champion Daniel Roman (27-2-1, 10 KOs) defending his titles against Murodjon Akhmadaliev (7-0, 6 KOs).

SAN ANTONIO (Jan. 8, 2020): Gary “Spike” O’Sullivan (30-3, 21 KOs) hosted a media workout today at Boxers and Brawlers Boxing Club ahead of his 12-round middleweight fight against Jaime Munguia (34-0, 27 KOs) at The Alamodome. The event will take place Saturday, Jan. 11 at The Alamodome in San Antonio, TX and will be streamed live exclusively on DAZN.

O’Sullivan was joined by undercard fighters Franchon Crews-Dezurn (6-1, 2 KOs), Hector Tanajara Jr. (18-0, 5 KOs), Joshua Franco (15-1-2, 7 KOs), Tristan Kalkreuth (3-0, 2 KOs), George Rincon (9-0, 6 KOs), Hector Valdez (11-0, 7 KOs) and James Wilkins (8-1, 6 KOs).

Below is what the fighters had to say at today’s workout:

GARY ‘SPIKE’ O’SULLIVAN, Middleweight Contender:
“I’m ready for war. Jaime Munguia is an undefeated champion and he’s also young. He has become a great Mexican warrior and I expect nothing less from him. I truly respect him, and I know he respects me as well. Hopefully we’re going to be able to put on a great fight for the audience on Saturday. I believe I have the ability to beat anybody and always come up with a win. It’s all about your mindset”

“I come prepared. I’m a hard worker and I’m going to show it off on Saturday night. Whenever I’m fighting, I try to put my heart on it. This is no different for me. I’ve received great support from my team, and I respect their time and their sacrifices.”

“I’m excited to be in San Antonio once again. I didn’t have the opportunity to get around the city the last time I came. So far, I think it is a beautiful place. I had the chance to visit The Alamodome stadium last night and I’m expecting to see much more this time.”

FRANCHON CREWS-DEZURN, WBC & WBO Super Middleweight World Champion:
“Training camp has been amazing; my team has been amazing. My husband has been my constant partner. I’m feeling good; I’m peaking at the right time.”

“I want my opponent to come in confident, I want her to bring her best because I’m going to bring my best. One of my gifts is being able to adapt and I’m going to adapt to whatever is in front of me. I hope she underestimates me because I’m going to make her eat every word she ever said about me. I’m at a better place than I was three years ago, two years ago, one year ago, and I’m living in the moment. And I don’t mix personal with business. I’m going to put up a show and she is going to get beaten.”

“I just want to say thank you to my fans for the support, thank you for the messages. The world is in a crazy place right now, so take your mind off of that and enjoy a good show because I’m going to fight for you. Saturday night I’m going to fight for the world”

HECTOR TANAJARA JR., USNBC Lightweight Champion:
“I’m excited to be back in my hometown and see a lot of familiar faces. It makes me feel more relaxed and motivated to come out victorious on Saturday. Staying with my family in my hometown helps me a lot to stay focused and grounded. My dad has been a great support for me. He’s has helped me to keep everything one step at a time. I’m excited to show him and my hometown what I can do, especially with a high-caliber fighter.”

“My goal is to become a complete fighter. Burgos is a very tough opponent. He has had multiple great fights in the past. He’s a high-level boxer and my level just goes up higher when I’m fighting against opponents like him. I’m ready to show the world what I can give on the ring and that I’m going to fight my fight and not his fight.”

JOSHUA FRANCO, Flyweight Contender:
“I feel very excited. I finally have the chance to put on a show in front of my hometown. It’s a great feeling. Being able to represent my town and feeling that great support coming from my own people.”

“I had a strong training camp, but I feel really solid. I’m just ready to get on the ring and fight. I have a tough opponent on Saturday. He’s a good boxer; he comes with everything. He only has two losses, so this means he’s going into the ring with a very positive and strong mindset and I know he won’t just give up the fight.”

TRISTAN KALKREUTH, Light Heavyweight Prospect:
“I feel great for this fight. I pushed myself through every training camp as hard as I could. There’s always room to work harder and I feel that’s what I did on this camp. I feel slim and strong.”

“It’s definitely going to be a hard fight since my opponent is 6’7, but I believe I’m ready to give it all on the ring and fight. It’s going to be a great experience and an opportunity to learn more. As a professional boxer, I hope to continue learning from other great boxers like Canelo. Just keep the hard work going.”

GEORGE RINCON, Super Lightweight Prospect:
“I’m feeling good, ready and focused for fight night. I’m looking forward to this upcoming fight and to start the year strong. I’ve been working hard on keeping the basics going, so I’m ready to box and do my thing. I have to be patient and make sure I look good and show my talent. That’s the plan, to start this year strong and show what I can do. Once I find that timing and my rhythm going, it will be a short night.”

“We have some tough fighters here in Texas. Little by little Texas is getting more attention and hopefully, you’ll remember the Rincon Brothers as part of boxing history here. We are part of the major talent we have here in the state.”

HECTOR VALDEZ, Super Bantamweight Prospect:
“I feel excited and comfortable for the fight. I had a good training camp; my coach is one of the best coaches. I also had a camp at the RGBA with Vergil by my side. I feel strong, good and I’m ready to fight.”

“This fight is going to be a good learning experience for me. I want to go into the later rounds and see what I can overcome. If there’s an opportunity to take a good shot, I’ll take it.”

JAMES WILKINS, Super Featherweight Prospect:
“Training camp was great. This is my second camp in Texas, and I love the atmosphere. I’m from New York, so I love the vibe here in Texas. I’ve been preparing good with coach Roger, and I have been working hard on my strength and conditioning too.”

“For fight night, I’m looking forward to fighting and be smart and be intelligent, and if the knockout comes, I’ll get him out of there. This is boxing, so I don’t sleep on nobody, I take everything seriously and I know when the opportunity presents itself, I will take my opponent out of the ring.”

Munguia vs. O’Sullivan is a 12-round fight for the WBO International Middleweight Title presented by Golden Boy in association with Zanfer Promotions and Murphy’s Boxing. The event is sponsored by Hennessy “Never Stop. Never Settle.” The event will take place Saturday, Jan. 11 at The Alamodome in San Antonio, TX and will be streamed live exclusively on DAZN.

Tickets for Munguia vs. O’Sullivan are on sale and are priced at $25, $40, $65, $100, and $200, plus applicable taxes, fees and services charges. Tickets can be purchased online at ticketsmaster.comand by phone at 1-800-745-3000. Tickets will also be available at The Alamodome box office, which is open Monday – Friday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm C.T. and Saturdays and Sundays when events are taking place at The Alamodome.

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

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

PHILADELPHIA (January 8, 2020) – Unified 154-pound champion and Philadelphia native Julian “J-Rock” Williams showed off his skills and previewed his upcoming hometown title defense at a media workout Wednesday, as he prepares to face hard-hitting Jeison Rosario Saturday, January 18 in the FOX PBC Fight Night main event and on FOX Deportes from Temple University’s Liacouras Center.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, are on sale now and can be purchased at http://www.liacourascenter.com/events (direct link HERE) or by calling 800-298-4200.

After winning the title in one of 2019’s best fights against then unbeaten Jarrett Hurd, Williams will fight in his hometown for the first time since 2011 when he competes on January 18. Here is what Williams and his trainer, Stephen Edwards, had to say Wednesday from James Shuler’s Memorial Boxing Gym in Philadelphia:

JULIAN WILLIAMS

On training and fighting in his hometown…

“I try to just block myself from the world… Especially with a hometown fight, people are pulling you 50 different ways, tickets, asking me stupid questions. It’s crazy, so I just try to block myself from the world.

“It’s not about enjoying, it’s about winning. I don’t care about enjoying. You’re not supposed to enjoy camp. It’s supposed to be a grind.”

On what he expects out of Rosario…

“Rosario brings ambition to the table. I think he’s an ambitious kid. I don’t think it’s a difficult fight (for me), to be quite honest. I just think it’s a matter of being focused and on top of my game, and I think I’ll take care of him. I don’t think it’s difficult, though. He’s a decent fighter. We’re not going to make him out to be Ray Robinson.

“He has put together a good string of wins, and he’s tough and he’s coming to win. So that’s more important than anything. He has the ambition to win, so you can’t underestimate him.”

On growing up in Philadelphia…

“Seeing all the stuff that I saw growing up (in West Philadelphia) made me hungry, made me want to get out and make a better life for myself. All you have to do is walk outside and go down Lancaster Ave. If that’s not motivating for you then nothing will.”

On his celebrity now that he’s a world champion…

“I’ve got a little more notoriety now. To be honest, I stopped thinking about it because I want to stay focused on the task at hand. The task at hand is being pound-for-pound best in the world. I’m not satisfied with just being the best super welterweight in the world. I’m just not satisfied with being unified champion of the world. Why sell myself short when I have the drive and the ability to be the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world? I’d be selling myself short. I’d be leaving millions of dollars on the table.”

On the history that he made for himself and Philadelphia when he defeated Hurd…

“I’m one of three men (from Philadelphia) who can say they’re a unified champion of the world.”

STEPHEN EDWARDS, Williams’ Trainer

On Rosario’s abilities…

“At this level, everybody can fight. (Rosario) is a good-looking fighter. He can punch. He’s just a good fighter. He’s got a lot of the same characteristics as Hurd and Charlo. He’s big and strong. It’s a good fight.”

On why this opponent for this fight…

“We thought we were going to be fighting Hurd (again), so we got a guy that’s kind of like Hurd because we didn’t know if Hurd was pulling out of the fight.”

On being Julian’s manager and helping advise him on real estate…

“If (Julian) buys a house I’ll tell him if that’s a good property, or sometimes he messes up, but the cool thing is that he’s got the money to make up for all the mistakes now.”

#

ABOUT WILLIAMS VS. ROSARIO
Williams vs. Rosario will see unified 154-pound champion and Philadelphia-native Julian “J-Rock” Williams make a homecoming defense against hard-hitting contender Jeison Rosario Saturday, January 18 in the FOX PBC Fight Night main event and on FOX Deportes from Temple University’s Liacouras Center.

Coverage begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and features undefeated rising star Chris “Prime Time” Colbert taking on former champion Jezreel Corrales for the Interim WBA Super Featherweight Title and top super welterweight prospect Joey Spencer entering the ring to take on Erik Spring in a six-round showdown

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, @TGBPromotions, and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/foxsports & www.facebook.com/foxdeportes.

Both JESSE “HOLLYWOOD” HART (Philadelphia, PA 26-2 21KO’s) and JOE “THE BEAST” SMITH JR. (Mastic Beach, Long Island 24-3 20KO’s) know that a lot is on the line when they step into the ring this Saturday night, January 11, at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City live on ESPN. Hart has turned this top light heavyweight battle into a “personal” vendetta against Smith Jr., who knocked his mentor, the legend, BERNARD HOPKINS out of the ring and into retirement, in 2016.

For the Long Island native, Joe Smith Jr., only business lies ahead at the Hard Rock, “I want people to talk about me the way Jesse Hart talks about Bernard Hopkins,” said a humorous Smith Jr. on yesterday’s national media tele-conference. With no love lost between the two, when asked about what his goal is in this fight, Smith Jr. pulled no punches, “it looks like I am going to have to let Philly down one more time.”

Coming off a tough battle with Russian Technician, DMITRY BIVOL in which Smith Jr. took the champion the full 12-rounds for the WBA World Light Heavyweight Championship, Smith Jr. knows a win against Hart is the only option. “I just always look to improving myself. I want to better my life. The way to do is to put on a great show and keep moving forward with my career,” said Smith Jr.

Use the hashtag #HartSmith to join the conversation on social media.

SAN ANTONIO (Jan. 7, 2020): Jaime Munguia (34-0, 27 KOs) hosted a media workout today at Boxers and Brawlers Boxing Club ahead of his 12-round middleweight fight against Gary “Spike” O’Sullivan (30-3, 21 KOs). The battle will take place Saturday, Jan. 11 at The Alamodome in San Antonio, TX and will be streamed live exclusively on DAZN.

Below are what today’s participants had to say at the workout:

JAIME MUNGUIA, Middleweight Contender:
“Gary O’Sullivan comes with a strong desire to win and a strong mentality, which will make for a tougher fight. He’s a high-level fighter with a lot of experience. Fighting against him in my first fight at middleweight is a great opportunity to get a lot of experience.”

“He’s very strong and has a strong right hand, so we have to be careful. He’s a fighter that goes forward and throws punches very fast. He’ll suddenly explode with fast combinations, so we have to make sure we’re aware of that with my guard up.”

On having Erik Morales on his team:
“It’s always good to have someone with a lot of experience in your corner. Morales was in a lot of great fights with some of the best fighters in the world, so it’s always good to have someone like him on my team. He’s not trying to change my style. I’m going to keep my style, but we’ve also been working on my defense, speed, and knowing when to throw punches.”

On his move to middleweight:
“The move to middleweight has its benefits because I don’t have to lose as much weight. I feel good at this weight. I feel stronger. The plan is to one day fight for a world title in this division. But right now we are concentrated on the fight we have in front of us.”

ERIK “EL TERRIBLE” MORALES, Hall of Famer and Trainer of Jaime Munguia:
“We’re working on Munguia’s technique more than anything. Munguia is a very responsible fighter. He has lots of energy and loves to work. He also wants to learn. That was one of the conditions I had before starting with him. I wanted to make sure that he wanted to learn, and he has shown that he is ready and willing to learn what I have to teach him.”

Munguia vs. O’Sullivan is a 12-round middleweight fight presented by Golden Boy in association with Zanfer Promotions and Murphy’s Boxing. The event is sponsored by Hennessy “Never Stop. Never Settle.” The event will take place Saturday, Jan. 11 at The Alamodome in San Antonio, TX and will be streamed live exclusively on DAZN.

Tickets for Munguia vs. O’Sullivan are on sale and are priced at $25, $40, $65, $100, and $200, plus applicable taxes, fees and services charges. Tickets can be purchased online at ticketsmaster.com and by phone at 1-800-745-3000. Tickets will also be available at The Alamodome box office, which is open Monday – Friday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm C.T. and Saturdays and Sundays when events are taking place at The Alamodome.

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

Photos and videos are available for download by clicking here or copying and pasting
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NEW YORK (January 7, 2020) – Undisputed middleweight world champion Claressa Shields and former welterweight champion Ivana Habazin met face-to-face Tuesday at the final press conference three days before their long-awaited showdown for the vacant WBC and WBO 154-pound world titles this Friday, January 10 live on SHOWTIME from Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City, N.J.

The press conference also featured Philadelphia’s welterweight sensation Jaron Ennis and Brooklyn-based contender Bakhtiyar Eyubov, who meet in the 10-round co-featured bout, plus Lindenhurst, N.Y. native and WBA Super Middleweight Champion Alicia Napoleon Espinosa and undefeated IBF Super Middleweight Champion Elin Cederroos, who will clash in a blockbuster unification bout to open the SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION action at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. The event is promoted by Salita Promotions in association with T-REX BOXING PROMOTIONS.

Here is what the fighters had to say Thursday from the Hotel Plaza Athénée in Manhattan:

CLARESSA SHIELDS

“I’m once in a century kind of athlete. I guarantee it’s going to be over before six rounds. And I say six because I’m punching different. I’m stronger at 154. I’m faster.

“I just try to keep carrying women’s boxing the best way that I can. I’m regarded as a top 10 fighter in boxing already with only nine fights. When you have that kind of pressure you have to go out and not be average. Skill wise, there’s not a woman that can compare to me. I can do everything. I can box, I can brawl, I can stand in front of you toe-to-toe. When I when this fight I’m just going to get a little bit louder with: She’s the GWOAT, Greatest Women Of All Time. Put it there. I claim it.

“After everything happened in Flint I had a conversation with Stephen Espinoza and he just told me to stay focused. Everyone who was in Flint and knows about the incident that happened knows it’s not something I have a history of doing. I don’t do stuff outside the ring.

“One of the things she said that was really disrespectful was that I didn’t make weight for October 4. Don’t believe the lies. I made 154 pounds and I’m going to be a three-division world champion come Friday. Ivana doesn’t stand a chance. I’m sorry, I’m just going to keep it real. She’s not as skilled as Christina Hammer. She worked her way up, but once a quitter, always a quitter.

“Once the fight is over, she’s going to be a blast from the past. They won’t be talking about the incident in Flint. They may remember it, but her? They won’t even remember her name after I beat her down on Friday.”

IVANA HABAZIN

“I bet all of you are excited to see this fight. It’s finally time. First, I want to say thank you to SHOWTIME, Salita Promotions, and my team, who made this fight. I want to say that Claressa Shields is not the greatest woman of all time, but she is the greatest bully of all time. She can say whatever she wants, but you know what, talk is cheap, and on Friday night she ain’t going to do anything, because I’m going to knock her out.

“In regards to weight, I definitely think it’s going to be an advantage for me, but I don’t worry about her weight. Whatever, this is the fight, it’s not a game, and I came here to win.

“She can say whatever she wants, but the lion doesn’t concern itself with the opinions of sheep. So, I don’t even think about her.

“I’m not worried about the judges. I know what I need to do. If I want an easy win, it’s going to be with a knockout. But I prepare myself for the knockout or for whatever I need. I am really prepared better than ever.

“I don’t think the fight is going to be easy. Of course it’s not going to be easy and I prepared for that too, but I think this is one really big show and the judges will be fair, but I will not give them a chance to make a decision.”

JARON ENNIS

“I want to thank Eyubov for taking this fight because as you all know we go through a bunch of opponents every time I fight. Nobody wants to fight me. I thank him for taking this, but despite that, Friday night I’m coming to do my thing and put on a show. You all know I’m in and out like a robbery.

“I’m going to get that knockout. It’s going to come. I’m sure it’s going to come because he’s got to come to me. It’s going to come. We’re going to set it up perfect and get him up out of here.

“I’m unpredictable. You don’t know what I’m going to do. I can switch it up, I can have fun. I can do whatever I want to do to him. Friday night he’s going to see why nobody wants to fight me.

“After I do my thing on Friday night, we are most definitely looking for the top 10 or top 15, title eliminators, world titles, all of that. 2020 will be the year that I take over and the world will know about Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis.”

BAKHTIYAR EYUBOV

“I’m very excited to be here on this SHOWTIME card. I come from a small country (Kazakhstan) and it’s really hard for me to believe that this is actually happening.

“I’m very thankful for this opportunity and will do my best on Friday. I’m grateful to fight such a skilled and tough opponent. I know he’s very strong physically and mentally, but I grew up on the streets and I’ve been around war all my life.

“I’m going to bring the toughness. I’m not a regular opponent. I come with an awkward style that will cause him problems.”

ALICIA NAPOLEON ESPINOSA

“We finally got here and it’s amazing. I’m honored to be on the card with these women and to be bringing this sport up together. We’re pioneering for women’s boxing for all the women that are with us now and the women who are ahead of us.

“I did not avoid [Shields] and we hashed this out before on social media. I want to get paid. I want to make decent money and make as much as the men in this sport eventually. You know when Claressa first started they weren’t offering as much as now and the money still needs to be more. Women offer just as much as the men.

“I’m looking to be challenged and to fight the best. That’s what we are here for. But I’m going to take a stand and I’m not going to say yes until the team agrees. That’s where I stand.”

ELIN CEDERROOS

“My team is something special. This is a big opportunity to be here and be on this fight card, and I just try to enjoy every moment. This is my first time in the U.S. I came from Sweden for this fight. We arrived yesterday, and this is so fun. I love it. It feels great to be here.

“This is a big dream coming true. Thank you for this opportunity. I don’t know what to say, I’m just enjoying the moment. I’m for sure going to put on a great show Friday night.

“I had my first amateur fight six years ago and had to pause for two years because of my second pregnancy. My kid Jack is turning four in February. My kids are back at home and my husband is coming tomorrow.

“I’m just feeling so strong. I feel I have this in me. The fight is just ahead and I think it will be such a great fight.”

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For more information visit www.SHO.com/sports. Follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing

HILADELPHIA (January 7, 2020) – Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) has announced the signing of 2016 U.S. Olympian and bronze medalist Nico Hernandez to a promotional contract that will see the highly-touted boxer fight in the world’s biggest bare knuckle events.

Hernandez will bring his fast hands and aggressive style to BKFC where he will compete in the 122-pound flyweight division. His BKFC debut will take place on Saturday, March 14 with additional information to be announced soon.

“BKFC is doing some amazing things in combat sports,” said Hernandez. “This is as real as it gets, and now I get to punch someone in the face without gloves. I can’t wait to fight for the fastest growing combat sports promotion in the world. When I step into the ring on March 14, the gloves come off!”

“We are very pleased to sign Nico Hernandez to a contract to fight March 14,” said BKFC founder and President David Feldman. “Nico is very talented and always brings his aggressive style to the table. This indicates the direction we are going, by signing young stars with great potential. Nico is one of many great boxing signings we will have in 2020 for BKFC. We can’t wait to see what Nico delivers!”

The unbeaten 24-year-old from Wichita, Kansas capped off an impressive amateur career at the 2016 Olympic Games when he defeated fighters from Italy, Russia and Ecuador to clinch his light flyweight bronze medal. Hernandez is the first U.S. men’s boxing medalist since 2008. Since turning pro in March 2017, Hernandez has compiled a 7-0 record, including four wins by knockout.

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About Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship
On June 2, 2018, Philadelphia-based Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) made combat sports history when it promoted the first legal, sanctioned and regulated bare knuckle event in the United States since 1889. “BKFC 1: The Beginning” took place in Cheyenne, Wyoming and featured 10 professional bouts, all under the auspices and control of the Wyoming Combative Sports Commission. BKFC uses only established fighters who have previously competed professionally in boxing, MMA, kickboxing and/or Muay Thai. All BKFC bouts are sanctioned and regulated by ABC member athletic commissions. For more information visit www.bareknuckle.tv or follow on Twitter at https://twitter.com/bareknucklefc on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/bareknucklefc/ on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEeMsInLdrUbIkbEcNm7g-A and on Facebook athttps://www.facebook.com/bareknucklefc.

Las Vegas – UFC® returns to Norfolk with the vacant flyweight title up for grabs, as No. 1 ranked contender Joseph Benavidez and No. 3 ranked Deiveson Figueiredo battle to secure their first UFC championship. Also on the card, top women’s featherweight prospects meet to stake their claim for a title shot as Felicia Spencer takes on Zarah Fairn.

UFC FIGHT NIGHT ON ESPN+®: BENAVIDEZ vs. FIGUEIREDO will take place Saturday, Feb. 29 at Chartway Arena with all fights carried exclusively on ESPN+ in English and Spanish. The main card begins at 8 p.m. ET with the prelims kicking off at 5 p.m. ET. Doors open at 4 p.m. ET.

A member of the flyweight roster since its inception in 2012, Benavidez (28-5, fighting out of Las Cruces, N.M.) hopes that his third UFC title challenge will be the charm to obtaining his first gold strap. A perennial top contender for most of his career, Benavidez has proven himself to be one of the best in the world with wins over Jussier Formiga, Henry Cejudo and Tim Elliot. He now looks to become the only person to stop Figueiredo and finally earn his long-awaited championship.

One of the most dangerous finishers in the flyweight division, Figueiredo (17-1, fighting out of Condor Belem, Para, Brazil) looks to leave no doubt in his first-ever title opportunity. Since joining the UFC roster in 2017, he has earned impressive stoppage wins against Tim Elliot, John Moraga and Joseph Morales. Now, he intends on delivering his most impressive performance yet in the biggest fight of his career.

Intending to start the new year with a statement, Spencer (7-1, fighting out of Orlando, Fla. by way of Montreal, Canada) looks to bounce back into the win column and declare herself the top contender for the featherweight belt. A former Invicta FC champion, Spencer impressed in her UFC debut with a first-round submission over Megan Anderson. Now, she aims to add another dominant stoppage to her record when she faces Fairn in the co-main event.

A striking specialist, Fairn (6-3, fighting out of Paris, France) looks to improve on her UFC debut and show that she can compete with the best in the world. With four knockouts and four first-round finishes in her MMA career, Fairn has proven that she is a dangerous test for anyone. Now, she intends on securing her first UFC win and announcing herself as the next contender to watch in the division.

Additional bouts on the card include:

Dana White’s Contender Series signee Aalon Cruz (8-2, fighting out of Tampa, Fla.) aims to impress in his UFC debut against the always-exciting Steven Peterson (18-9, fighting out of Dallas, Texas)
Bantamweight prospects Gabriel Silva (7-1, fighting out of Rio De Janeiro, Brazil) and Kyler Phillips (6-1, fighting out of Glendale, Calif.) battle to secure their first official UFC win
Jordan Griffin (17-7, fighting out of Milwaukee, Wisc.) looks to bounce back into the win column against debuting Dana White’s Contender Series signee TJ Brown (14-6, fighting out of Little Rock, Ark.)
Top middleweight prospects clash as Brendan Allen (12-3, fighting out of Milwaukee, Wisc.) meets Tom Breese (11-1, fighting out of Birmingham, England)
In a battle of featherweight strikers, Mike Davis (8-2, fighting out of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) intends to take out Giga Chikadze (6-1, fighting out of Huntington Beach, Calif.)
In further women’s featherweight action, Megan Anderson (10-4, fighting out of Kansas City, Mo.) looks to spoil the debut of Norma Dumont (4-0, fighting out of State of Minas Gerais, Brazil)
Undefeated Sean Brady (11-0, fighting out of Philadelphia, Pa.) intends to secure another impressive win when he takes on fellow top welterweight prospect Ismail Naurdiev (19-3, fighting out of Salzburg, Austria)
Marcin Tybura (17-6, fighting out of Uniejow, Poland) and Serghei Spivac (10-1, fighting out of Chisinau, Moldova) meet in a battle of heavyweight hopefuls
In a light heavyweight bout guaranteed to deliver fireworks, Ion Cutelaba (15-4, fighting out of Chisinau, Maldova) takes on Magomed Ankalaev (12-1, fighting out of Dagestan, Russia)

Visit the UFC.com for information and content to support your UFC coverage. Please click here to apply for the event.

Tickets for UFC FIGHT NIGHT ON ESPN+®: BENAVIDEZ vs. FIGUEIREDO go on sale Friday, Jan. 10 at 10 a.m. ET. Tickets are available for purchase online at YnotTix.com. Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person.

UFC Fight Club® members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets Wednesday, Jan. 8 at 10 a.m. ET via the website www.ufcfightclub.com. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers Thursday, Jan. 9 starting at 10 a.m. ET. To access this presale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through UFC.com.

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About UFC®

UFC® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 300 million fans and 75 million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world, while broadcasting to nearly one billion TV households across more than 170 countries. UFC’s athlete roster features the world’s best MMA athletes representing more than 65 countries. The organization’s digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS®, one of the world’s leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC was acquired in 2016 by global entertainment, sports and content company Endeavor, along with strategic investors Silver Lake Partners and KKR. UFC is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC, Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram: @UFC.

About Chartway Arena:

Chartway Arena is a 9,100-seat multi-purpose arena located on the campus of Old Dominion University. Operated by Spectra Venue Management since it opened in 2002, Chartway Arena is known as one of the premier mid-sized collegiate venues in the country. Chartway Arena is home to the Old Dominion Monarch Men’s and Women’s basketball and plays host to ODU Wrestling matches, a variety of family-oriented events as well as concerts, ODU commencement, career fairs, and lectures.

About ESPN+
ESPN+ is the leading direct-to-consumer sports streaming service from Disney’s Direct-to-Consumer and International (DTCI) segment and ESPN. Launched in April, 2018, ESPN+ has grown quickly to 3.5 million subscribers in 18 months, offering fans thousands of live events, original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks, as well as premium editorial content.

Programming on ESPN+ includes exclusive UFC and Top Rank boxing events, thousands of college sports events (including football and basketball) from more than a dozen sports at 20 conferences, hundreds of MLB and NHL games, top domestic and international soccer (Serie A, MLS, FA Cup, Bundesliga – beginning in 2020, EFL Championship and Carabao Cup, Eredivisie), Grand Slam tennis, international and domestic rugby and cricket, exclusive ESPN+ Original series, acclaimed studio shows and the full library of ESPN’s award-winning 30 for 30 films.

Fans subscribe to ESPN+ for just $4.99 a month (or $49.99 per year) through the ESPN App, (on mobile and connected devices), ESPN.com or ESPNplus.com. It is also available as part of a bundle offer that gives subscribers access to Disney+, Hulu (ad-supported), and ESPN+ ­— all for just $12.99/month.

About ESPN

ESPN, the world’s leading sports entertainment enterprise, features more than 50 assets – nine U.S. television networks, ESPN Radio, ESPN.com, ESPN International, ESPN The Magazine and more. ESPN is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc. (an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company) and 20 percent by Hearst.

BILOXI, MS. (January 7, 2020) – Unbeaten top prospect Michel Rivera will take on veteran contender Fidel Maldonado Jr. in a 10-round lightweight duel as part of FS1 PBC Fight Night and on FOX Deportes Saturday, February 1 from Beau Rivage Resort Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi.

The action will also include unbeaten prospect Omar Juarez in a super lightweight showdown against Mexico’s Angel Hernandez, plus hard-hitting prospect Raymond Guajardo in a six-round super welterweight affair against Clay Collard. Coverage begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and is headlined by top welterweight Yordenis Ugas taking on Mike Dallas Jr. in a 12-round attraction.

Preceding the main card, FS1 PBC Fight Night Prelims begin at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT and feature rising 18-year-old prospect Jesus Ramos (11-0, 10 KOs), who most recently delivered a KO of the Year candidate on FS1 in September, as he faces Puerto Rico’s Bernard Lebron Figueroa (10-3, 4 KOs) in an eight-round welterweight battle. Plus, hard-hitting welterweight Jose Miguel Borrego (16-2, 14 KOs) takes on New Jersey’s Jimmy Williams (16-3-2, 5 KOs) in a 10-round affair on FS1.

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, are on sale now and can be purchased at the Beau Rivage Theatre box office and through Ticketmaster.com.

The 21-year-old Rivera (17-0, 11 KOs) made his U.S. debut in June with an impressive victory dropping Rene Tellez Giron on his way to a unanimous decision. Representing Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Rivera has fought professionally since 2016 and most recently stopped Jose Luis Gallegos on FS1 in September.

Fighting out of his native Albuquerque, New Mexico, Maldonado (27-4-1, 20 KOs) has faced a slew of top contenders and has picked up a victory over Pablo Cesar Cano and a draw against Art Hovhannisyan throughout his career. The 28-year-old enters this fight on a three-fight winning streak since a 2017 defeat to Ismael Barroso.

The 20-year-old Juarez (6-0, 4 KO) was a highly decorated amateur who turned pro in September 2018 and has been on an active pace thus far. Representing his hometown of Brownsville, Texas, Juarez scored five victories in 2019 including a pair of knockouts on FS1 as he stopped Gino De la Paz in front of his hometown crowd in August and Kevin Shacks in November in Las Vegas. He will be opposed by 20-year-old Hernandez (10-1, 10 KOs), who fights out of Mexicali, Mexico, and will be making his U.S. debut on February 1.

Representing his hometown of San Antonio, Texas, Guajardo (5-0, 4 KOs) most recently delivered a highlight reel knockout over Donnis Reed in the first round of their December 21 showdown on FS1. The 19-year-old turned pro in March 2019 and has only gone the distance in one of his first five contests, including three-straight first round knockouts. He will take on the 26-year-old Collard (5-2-3, 1 KO) who fights out of Cache Valley, Utah and most recently defeating then unbeaten Quashawn Toler on January 3.

Also appearing on the stacked undercard is unbeaten super middleweight prospect Burley Brooks (5-0, 4 KOs) facing Ohio’s Melvin Russell (11-8-2, 7 KOs) in a six-round attraction and Bronx native Michael Coffie (8-0, 5 KOs) in a six-round heavyweight bout. Plus, Dallas’ Fernando Garcia (12-2, 7 KOs) competes in a six-round featherweight fight, while unbeaten Tuscaloosa, Alabama native Deon Nicholson (12-0, 12 KOs) battles Brooklyn’s Earl Newman (10-2-1, 7 KOs) in a 10-round cruiserweight showdown.

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

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

NEW YORK (January 7, 2020) – Split-T Management is pleased to announce the signing of super middleweight prospect Money Powell IV to a management contract.

Powell of Fort Mitchell, Alabama has a professional record of 10-1 with six knockouts.

The 21 year-old Powell began boxing at the age of 13.

“It was two days after my 13th birthday on February 1st, 2011 and that was the 1st time that I was in the gym. When I was really young, my dad used to slap box with me and show me videos of Roy Jones Jr. I was too young to start boxing plus my dad was in active duty so we moved around a lot. When we finally moved to Fort Benning, I was able to start boxing because this is where he retired,” said Powell.

Powell is trained by Jason Jones. Jason is a paraplegic.

He had a distinguished amateur that saw him win three United States Championships, Ringside World Championship. He was also a Member of the 2016 United States Travel Team that competed in Russia.

“I am a boxer-puncher. I set my shots up from boxing. We can adapt to anything. I say we because its my team,” said Powell

Powell turned professional on April 9, 2017 with a 1st round stoppage over Todd Templeton in Los Angeles. Powell has continued to step up the competition.

Powell, who is coming off his only set back when he lost a majority decision to Vaughn Alexander on August 31st in Minneapolis.

“Be Phenomenal or Be forgotten is a saying that I live by, and being with Split-T Management, I know they will take me and my team to great and heights and we will go down in history and never be forgotten.”

“I fight for all of my loved ones. I don’t do anything by myself. I am team oriented. No one can do everything by them-self.”

“Money is a very talented and classy boxer,” said David McWater of Split-T Management. “He is just 21, and already has fought some very experienced competition. He continues to grow and his best fights are ahead of him, and we see a very big future for Money.”

Powell is promoted to Ringstar Sports.