HEAVYWEIGHT sensation Joe Joyce will face his toughest test as a professional when he tackles former world title challenger Bryant Jennings on the ‘Heavy Duty’ show at The O2, London on Saturday July 13.

The Londoner is being fast-tracked to the top and a successful WBA Gold title defence against the American star will move him even closer to a world title challenge.

The potentially explosive encounter is the co-feature bout on a blockbuster card headlined by the vacant British heavyweight championship clash between young guns Daniel Dubois and Nathan Gorman.

Joyce (9-0, 9 KOs) annihilated another former world title challenger Alexander Ustinov earlier this month and admits: “This should be my toughest fight to date.

“Bryant Jennings has been in very big fights and he gave Wladimir Klitschko a tough night before he fought Tyson Fury.

Jennings (24-3-0, 14KOs) lost on points when he challenged Ukrainian great Wladimir Klitschko for his world titles at Madison Square Garden in April 2015.

He then lost to Cuban Luis Ortiz before going on a five-fight winning streak. That run ended in January with a 12th round setback against unbeaten Oscar Rivas, a fight many believe Jennings was winning until the dramatic final round.

Olympic silver medallist Joyce added: ”He is also probably Luis Ortiz’s best win.

“I respect Bryant for stepping up and taking this fight. I intend to send a statement to the heavyweight division on July 13th and it won’t be long before I get my hands on those big titles.”

Jennings holds good wins over former European Champion Alexander Dimitrenko, Artur Szpilka and Mike Perez. Victory on the road against Joyce will kick-start his world title hopes again.

The Philadelphia contender says: “This is a high-risk, good-reward fight. It makes getting in the ring worth it. I don’t mind the test. I don’t mind the challenge. That’s just who I am.

“I am the only one who can beat myself. Nobody can beat me. When I’ve lost, it’s been because of me, not my opponent.”

And Jennings warned this is just a start of a mission to topple British heavyweights adding: “I am ready to go now. The Oscar Rivas fight is in the past, and I’m ready for the challenge that’s ahead of me.

“After this, I’m coming after all the other UK heavyweights. They are the ones running the division.”

Promoter Frank Warren added: “World heavyweight boxing is absolutely flying at the moment and our Heavy Duty night on July 13th just got bigger.

“Bryant Jennings is a quality fighter who operates at world level and this is the perfect fight for Joe to showcase his credentials and put himself in the running for major titles.

“This is a step up in class for Joe and a mark of the progress he has made after just ten fights as a pro.

“It is the opportunity for him to post a big message to the heavyweight champions and contenders that a new force is rapidly making up the ground towards world title contention.

“This is a great fight added to what is already shaping up to being a fantastic card for the fans at the o2 Arena.”

Joyce v Jennings is promoted by Queensberry Promotions in association with Ringstar Sports and Top Rank.

Richard Schaefer of Ringstar Sports said: “The heavyweight division is the glamour division of boxing again. Indeed July 13th will be another glamorous night for Joe Joyce.

“With Bryant Jennings, he has the biggest and most dangerous opponent of his career but I am sure that ‘The Juggernaut’ will pass with flying colours and continue his march towards the heavyweight championship of the world.”

Bryant’s promoter Bob Arum added: “People will see how dangerous Bryant Jennings really is.

“I wouldn’t be surprised to see him easily beat Joe Joyce. Bryant has fought the best heavyweights in the world, and Joe has seen nothing like him as a professional.”

Tickets for ‘Heavy Duty’ featuring Daniel Dubois v Nathan Gorman for the vacant British Heavyweight Title, plus Olympic silver medallist Joe Joyce v Bryant Jennings are on sale now. The show also features British Middleweight Champion Liam Williams, super flyweight sensation Sunny Edwards and super featherweight contender Archie Sharp. Also returning after an impressive debut is Kent bantamweight Dennis McCann. Hamza Sheeraz, Mark Chamberlain, Jake Pettitt, Louie Lynn, Mickey Burke Jr and Florian Marku add to an exciting line up and tickets are available via AXS.com, Eventim and Ticketmaster and are priced as below:

£300 – (Hospitality)
£200 – Floor
£150 – Floor
£100 – Tier/Floor
£75 – Floor/Tier
£50 – Tier
£40 – Tier

NORMALLY meek Daniel Dubois has lashed out at the shape of bitter domestic rival Nathan Gorman.

The unbeaten pair clash for the vacant British heavyweight title at The o2, London on Saturday July 13.

Gorman (16-0, 11KOs) has shown that looks can be deceiving impressing with his speed and skills since turning professional under trainer Ricky Hatton.

There are plenty who believe the Nantwich man can shock Dubois (11-0, 10KOs), but the Londoner snapped: “He’s a big slobby looking fighter.

“He will never be entertaining. It is just the way he is. He will never be exciting to watch and it is what it is.

“I’m pretty cold blooded and that is me. It’s a hurt business and I enjoy it.

“Every fight stirs up a bit of fight and emotion. This one a bit more and we will see on the night.”

Londoner Dubois and Gorman have been enemies since they were both on Team GB in their amateur days.

Gorman claims they sparred up to 300 rounds and always had the upper hand during their sessions in Sheffield.

Dubois says: “The sparring as amateurs means nothing. That statement can go to the wind. If that is what he thinks, fine.”

Tickets for ‘Heavy Duty’ featuring Daniel Dubois v Nathan Gorman for the vacant British Heavyweight Title, plus Olympic silver medallist Joe Joyce are on sale now. The show also features British Middleweight Champion Liam Williams, super flyweight sensation Sunny Edwards and super featherweight contender Archie Sharp. Also returning after an impressive debut is Kent bantamweight Dennis McCann. Hamza Sheeraz, Mark Chamberlain, Jake Pettitt, Louie Lynn, Mickey Burke Jr and Florian Marku add to an exciting line up and tickets are available via AXS.com, Eventim and Ticketmaster and are priced as below:

£300 – (Hospitality)
£200 – Floor
£150 – Floor
£100 – Tier/Floor
£75 – Floor/Tier
£50 – Tier
£40 – Tier

WBC Heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder will defend his title in September in a rematch against Luis Ortiz, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“To all my fans, I want to announce that Luis Ortiz and I have signed for a rematch, with the date and site to be announced shortly. All my controversial fights must get dealt with ASAP,” Wilder wrote on social media, though there was no controversy associated with the first Ortiz fight.

Although the date and site were not announced, the fight is likely to land at Staples Center in Los Angeles, the same site where Wilder fought to an exciting draw with lineal champion Tyson Fury on Dec. 1. The rematch with Ortiz is likely to take place in September and on Fox pay-per-view, a source with knowledge of the plans told ESPN on Tuesday night.

“I expect it to be a hell of a fight again,” Wilder manager Shelly Finkel told ESPN, while declining to get into specifics of the date, location or broadcaster. “This guy is very dangerous. He’s a big puncher.”

“I think that Ortiz was one of the most avoided guys in the division. They called him the bogeyman and Deontay was the only guy who actively sought him out,” Jay Deas, Wilder’s trainer and co-manager, told ESPN. “Ortiz thought he would get a lot of opportunities for a big fight based on his performance against Deontay but he didn’t. He became more avoided. I commend Deontay for once again wanting to fight the guy nobody wants to fight.

“It was a challenge the first time. He’s technically so good and punches very hard and he has a wealth of experience. We got the job done with a less-than-ideal camp. Deontay was under the weather going into the fight. So I feel really good about the rematch. I think it’s a great fight and a great fight for the fans.”

ut it is not the fight with Joshua.

“That’s never been our fault,” Deas said about a fight which both sides have at times tried to make happen. “We offered Joshua $50 million and it was real and they said no and they offered us $15 million and we said yes and they still decided not to do the fight. It’s clear who has wanted the fight. I like to deal with no games. With Ortiz, no games. With Fury, no games. With Breazeale, no games.”

Andy Ruiz Jr. says he is ready to shock the world by ripping the WBA Super, IBF, WBO and IBO Heavyweight World titles from Anthony Joshua OBE this Saturday June 1 at Madison Square Garden in New York, live on DAZN in the US and Sky Sports Box Officein the UK.

The California man has stepped into the breach after original challenger Jarrell Miller failed multiple drugs tests, and can now create history by becoming Mexico’s first ever Heavyweight ruler by upsetting unified champion Joshua on his big US debut. 

Ruiz is being overlooked by many, but the 29-year-old is relishing being the underdog for his “dream opportunity” and believes being written off could work in his favour as he looks to become a Heavyweight champ at the second time of asking. 

“It just gives me more motivation all the guys talking crap,” said Ruiz. “I don’t know if they are mad because I have got this opportunity, but I don’t have anything bad to say about anyone, I talk in the ring with my fists. I’m so mentally strong and prepared for this fight that I don’t care what people have to say. 

“A lot of people underestimate me, like I said, the way I look, my appearance, but as soon as they see me throw punches, I’m going to pull out the upset. This is what I have worked for my whole life, I’m here to take what Anthony has. I’m ready to shock the world. 

“People will see what I can do. It’s going to be an all action fight, with two big guys punching each other in the face, hard. I’m in this to win it. Everyone else that has fought him has lost before they get in there, I’m not thinking like that, and that’s the difference. 

“The most important thing is to win and prove to the fans that I belong at this elite level. I’m not going to chase the KO but I know that it’s there if I execute my combinations. I’m feeling good and ready, AJ hasn’t boxed for nine months and I’m sharper than ever and very motivated.”

“He’s big, but the advantages I have are in speed, movement and coming forward. Everyone AJ fights is scared. I’m not scared of anyone apart from the man upstairs. There’s a lot of doubters out there but I don’t care, they only give me more motivation and confidence.” 

Joshua and Ruiz collide on a huge night of action at Madison Square Garden with Irish sensation Katie Taylor clashing with Delfine Persoon for the undisputed Women’s World Lightweight championship, Callum Smith defending his WBA World ‘Super’, WBC Diamond and Ring Magazine Super-Middleweight titles against Hassan N’Dam, Josh Kelly making his US debut as he defends his WBA International Welterweight title against Philadelphia’s Ray Robinson, Joshua Buatsi defending his WBA International Light-Heavyweight title against Marco Antonio Periban, Chris Algieri defending his WBO International title against Britain’s Tommy Coyle in a crunch Super-Lightweight showdown, Olympic bronze medallist Souleymane Cissokho taking on Mexico’s Vladimir Hernandez, Texas Middleweight Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams fighting in his second pro contest and LA Middleweight Diego Pacheco looking to move to 4-0.

Tickets for the huge night of World title action in New York are on sale now via Madison Square Garden and StubHub (www.stubhub.com)

Tickets can be purchased at the Madison Square Garden Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster charge by phone (866-858-0008) and online at www.ticketmaster.com or www.MSG.com.
 
Official Ticket and Travel Packages, including the opportunity to travel on the Official Charter Plane, are available to purchase via Sportsworld (www.sportsworld.co.uk) Prices start at £1,095. Reserve your seat today.

Tickets are priced, $106, $156, $206, $306, $406, $506, $756, $1,006, $1,256 and $2,506 plus applicable booking fees.
 
Wheelchair seats, companion seats, aisle seats and Assistive Listening Devices are available to purchase by calling 212-465-6034.

Edmonton, Canada – UFC^® returns to Edmonton with a highly anticipated featherweight championship bout that will see titleholder and No. 5 ranked pound-for-pound fighter Max Holloway defend his belt against No. 4 ranked contender Frankie Edgar.

UFC^® 240: HOLLOWAY vs. EDGAR takes place Saturday, July 27 at Rogers Place and will stream live nationally on Pay-Per-View exclusively through ESPN+ in the U.S. at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT in both English and Spanish.

ESPN+ is the exclusive provider of all UFC Pay-Per-View events to fans in the United States as part of an agreement announced last month and continuing through 2025.

Fans will be able to purchase UFC^® 240: HOLLOWAY vs. EDGAR online at ESPNPlus.com/PPV and then will be able to watch it via the web or on the ESPN App on any connected device. ESPN+ is available as an integrated part of the ESPN app on all major mobile and connected TV devices and platforms, including Amazon Fire, Apple, Android, Chromecast, PS4, Roku, Samsung Smart TVs, X Box One and more.

Preliminary fights will air nationally in English and Spanish on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes linear networks starting at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT with the early prelims simulcast on UFC Fight Pass and ESPN+ at 6:15 p.m. ET/3:15 p.m. PT. 

Unbeaten at 145 pounds for almost six years, Holloway (20-4, fighting out of Waianae, Hawaii) has utilized dynamic striking to topple the featherweight elite. Over the course of his spectacular run, he has delivered thrilling stoppage wins against Jose Aldo (twice), Brian Ortega, Anthony Pettis and Cub Swanson. Originally scheduled to face Edgar on two previous occasions, Holloway aims to add another legend to his resume and stake his claim as the most dominant featherweight champion in UFC history.

A former lightweight champion, Edgar (23-6-1, fighting out of Toms River, N.J.) looks to join the short list of athletes who have won titles in two UFC divisions. Throughout his legendary career, he has netted spectacular victories over BJ Penn (three times), Cub Swanson (twice), Chad Mendes and Gray Maynard. With history in his sights, Edgar looks to become the first fighter to defeat Holloway at 145 pounds since 2013 and reach the top of the division.

UFC^® 240: HOLLOWAY vs. EDGAR will mark the 30^th UFC event in Canada, dating back to its inaugural fight card in the Great White North at UFC 83 in 2008. During this time the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization has staged thrilling cards from coast-to-coast in 11 different cities—Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax, Moncton, Montreal, Ottawa, Quebec City, Saskatoon, Toronto, Vancouver and Winnipeg.

Additional bouts on the card include:

• No. 7 ranked flyweight contender Alexis Davis (19-9, fighting out of San Jose, Calif. by way of Niagara Falls, Canada) looks to re-assert herself in the title picture against dangerous prospect Viviane Araujo (7-1, fighting out of Brasilia, Brazil)
• No. 8 ranked Lauren Murphy (10-4, fighting out of Glendale, Ariz.) faces No. 12 Mara Romero Borella (13-5 1NC, fighting out of Coconut Creek, Fla. by way of Ponte dell’Olio, Italy) in a clash of flyweight contenders
• Gillian Robertson (6-3 fighting out of Coconut Creek, Fla. by way out Niagara Falls, Canada) goes for another impressive submission win against gritty Sarah Frota (9-1, fighting out of Balneario Camboriu, Brazil)
• Erik Koch (15-6, fighting out of Milwaukee, Wisc.) makes his welterweight debut against Kyle Stewart (8-1, fighting out of Tempe, Ariz.)
• More fights to be announced soon

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

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

Tickets for UFC^® 240: HOLLOWAY vs. EDGAR go on sale Friday, May 31 at 10 a.m. MT. Tickets are available for purchase online at www.ticketmaster.ca. Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person.

UFC Fight Club^® members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets Wednesday, May 29 at 10 a.m. MT via the website www.ufcfightclub.com. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers Thursday, May 30 starting at 10 a.m. MT. To access this presale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through UFC.com.

###

About UFC^®

UFC^®, is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization and the largest Pay-Per-View event provider in the world. UFC boasts more than 300 million fans worldwide, including 70 million social media followers across all of its digital platforms, and its programming is broadcast in over 170 countries and territories to one billion TV households worldwide in 40 different languages. UFC produces more than 40 live events annually and consistently sells out some of the world’s most prestigious arenas. Since 2001, UFC has been proudly headquartered in Las Vegas, supported by a network of employees around the world. UFC’s current roster of athletes features more than 570 men and women representing over 55 countries. UFC FIGHT PASS^®, the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports, delivers exclusive live events, thousands of fights on-demand, and original content to fans around the world. UFC was acquired in 2016 by global sports, entertainment, and fashion leader Endeavor, along with strategic investors Silver Lake Partners and KKR, in what is among the largest transactions in sports history. For more information, visitUFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC, Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram: @UFC.

About Rogers Place

Rogers Place is an arena built for fans. Among its many significant features are a lower bowl of over 9,000 seats, terrific sightlines, wide concourses, leading food and beverage offerings and the latest in technology. Whether attending a hockey game or the biggest of concerts, guests of Rogers Place will experience it all in the most dynamic of entertainment environments.

About ESPN+

ESPN+, which surpassed one million paying subscribers in just five months, is the premium multi-sport, direct-to-consumer video service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer and International (DTCI) segment and ESPN.

ESPN+ will offer UFC fans 20 exclusive UFC on ESPN+ Fight Nights per year, as well as an extensive lineup of on-demand UFC programming, original shows (including “Dana White’s Contender Series”), classic fights and more. In addition to live and on-demand UFC content included in the ESPN+ subscription, fight fans will be able to purchase and watch UFC PPV events via ESPN+ and within the ESPN app, for a separate cost.

In addition to UFC, ESPN+ offers fans thousands of additional live events, on-demand content and original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks, as well as premium editorial content. ESPN+ is an integrated part of the ESPN App, the leading sports app and the premier all-in-one digital sports platform for fans. The ESPN App is available across nearly all major mobile and connected device platforms and delivers a rich, personalized experience that curates ESPN’s content around each fan’s individual tastes. ESPN+ is also be available through ESPN.com.

About ESPN

ESPN, the world’s leading sports entertainment enterprise, features more than 50 assets – eight 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.

(May 28, 2019) — One of Wales’ premier talents, Jay Harris is ready to take the next step. The unbeaten Harris will battle former world title challenger Angel Moreno in a 12-rounder for the vacant European flyweight title Saturday from Vale Sports Arena in Cardiff, Wales.

Harris-Moreno will headline an #MTKFightNight card on ESPN+ — the leading multi-sport streaming service — Saturday, June 1, beginning at 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT.

Harris (15-0, 8 KOs), from Swansea, Wales, is a six-year pro who captured Commonwealth flyweight honors in February 2017 with a hard-fought unanimous decision over Thomas Essomba. He defended that belt in November 2018, overcoming a cut left eye to knock out Ross Murray in the third round. Moreno (19-3-2, 6 KOs), from Madrid, Spain, is a former European flyweight champion who has fought at the upper reaches of the sport. He challenged WBC flyweight world champion Charlie Edwards on March 23, dropping a unanimous decision at Copper Box Arena in London.

In other action scheduled for the ESPN+ stream:

• Craig Evans (19-2-2, 3 KOs) will make the first defense of his WBO European lightweight title in a rematch against Stephen Ormond (27-5, 13 KOs). The two locked horns in June 2017, as Evans knocked down Ormond twice in the 10^th and final round of an action-packed fight to win a unanimous decision.
   
• Sultan Zaurbek (6-0, 4 KOs), the big-punching southpaw lightweight prospect from Kazakhstan, will see action in a six-rounder against an opponent to be named. This will be the fourth bout of 2019 for Zaurbek, who was last seen knocking out Chenghong Tao in Dubai on April 5.
   
• Zhankosh Turarov (22-0, 15 KOs) will return from a nearly two-year layoff to face Richmond Djarbeng (29-3-1, 23 KOs) in an eight-round super welterweight bout.

Use the hashtags #MTKFightNight and #HarrisMoreno to follow the action on social media.

About ESPN+

ESPN+ is the multi-sport, direct-to-consumer video service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer and International (DTCI) segment and ESPN. It reached 2 million subscribers in less than a year and offers fans thousands of live events, on-demand content and original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks, along with premium editorial content.

Programming on ESPN+ includes hundreds of MLB and NHL games, exclusive UFC, Top Rank boxing and PFL fights and events, top domestic and international soccer (Serie A, MLS, FA Cup, UEFA Nations League, EFL Championship, EFL Carabao Cup, Eredivisie, and more), thousands of college sports events (including football, basketball and other sports), Grand Slam tennis, international and domestic rugby and cricket, new and exclusive 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) and can cancel at any time.

ESPN+ is available as an integrated part of the ESPN App (on mobile and connected devices) and ESPN.com. They are the industry-leading all-in-one digital sports platform, delivering a rich, personalized experience to tens of millions of fans every month.

BBC Radio 5 Live has secured exclusive radio commentary rights to Anthony Joshua vs. Andy Ruiz Jr.

Unified World Heavyweight champion Joshua takes on Ruiz Jr. at the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York this Saturday, 1 June, AJ’s first fight in the USA.

5 Live’s unrivalled team of boxing experts, commentator Mike Costello and analyser Steve Bunce, will bring listeners blow-by-blow coverage of the fight, with build-up starting from 2am.

Ahead of Joshua’s title fight, Katie Taylor continues to re-write the history books, with the chance to become the undisputed Lightweight World champion against Belgium’s Delphine Persoon. Then, Liverpool’s Callum Smith defends his WBA Super-Middleweight World title for the first time against Hassan N’Dam.

The 5 Live Boxing podcast will also include additional analysis and interviews.

Ben Gallop, head of BBC Radio and Digital Sport, said: “Anthony Joshua is one of the most iconic British sportsmen of his generation and his first fight in the USA is an event not to be missed. I’m delighted we’re able to bring our listeners exclusive commentary of the bout on BBC Radio 5 Live and the BBC Sport website following the conclusion of the all-English Champions League final, making for an unmissable night of sport on 5 Live this Saturday.” 

Matchroom Boxing Managing Director Eddie Hearn said: “I’m delighted that BBC Radio 5 Live have secured exclusive radio commentary rights to Anthony Joshua’s highly-anticipated US debut at the iconic Madison Square Garden against Mexico’s Andy Ruiz Jr. AJ has filled the national stadiums of England and Wales back home on four occasions and now the road to undisputed rumbles on in America as the 2012 Olympic hero puts his WBA Super, IBF, WBO and IBO crowns on the line against former World title challenger Ruiz Jr.”

Mike Costello said: “BBC 5 Live has been ringside for commentary on much of Anthony Joshua’s career, from his gold medal glory at the London 2012 Olympics through to one of the most unforgettable nights in British boxing history when he beat Vladimir Klitschko at Wembley Stadium. Now we move on to another iconic venue for Joshua’s American debut. There are hallowed arenas across all sports that bring an extra dimension to a commentator’s excitement and Madison Square Garden, especially for a World Heavyweight title fight, belongs high on the bucket list.”

Coverage of Anthony Joshua v Andy Ruiz Jr begins from 2am the night of Saturday 1 June on BBC Radio 5 Live. Listen on BBC Sounds.

Chicago, IL (May 28, 2019) – Mike Lee was an aspiring boxer headed to one of the most distinguished Universities in the country.

Lee, The most prolific boxer in Notre Dame history also graduated with a degree in Finance with a 3.8 GPA.

Lee will challenge  for the IBF Super Middleweight title, live on FOX from Las Vegas at The MGM Grand.

Lee, who battles Autoimmune Disease not only became a championship caliber boxer but is a National Pitchman and accomplished Public Speaker to Fortune-500 Companies. Mike Lee is a A true Renaissance man.
“Doctors told me at one point that I wouldn’t fight again, but I’m still standing right here. I pushed through my pain to get here,” said Lee.

Lee, whose philanthropic efforts, and humility makes makes him a unique commodity in the sport.  Something that has not been seen before.  A true role model in every sense of the definition.

Mike has personally has given over $100,000 for to the Ara Parseghian Medical Research Foundation, the Robinson Community Learning Center in South Bend and the Kelly Cares Foundation, headed by Coach Brian Kelly of the Fighting Irish Football Team.

“I’ve had people that never thought I’d get here and I love it. It takes a different kind of person to step into that ring in front of so many people. You have to be ready to go out there and risk it all. I fight who they put in front of me and keep winning. That’s what I plan to do on July 20.  On July 20, I’m going to keep proving people wrong.”

“This has been a culmination of years of hard work and sacrifice. Most importantly, I’ve gotten somewhere no one thought I would get. I’m fine being the underdog. I have nothing to lose,” said Lee. “I’m coming out with everything I have. This is everything I’ve ever wanted. I respect Caleb Plant, but on July 20, I plan on making it my moment.  On July 20, I’m going to keep proving people wrong” 

“This is a dream come true for me. I’ve been through so much and there were days where I thought my dream was over. I’ve chased this since I was eight-years-old and I’m thankful for this chance to go after a dream that others thought I couldn’t reach.  

In Las Vegas, where people bet against the odds everyday, On July 20th, Mike Lee will do what he does every time he faces a big challenge and give hope to the millions who suffer from their Autoimmune Disease.
HE WILL WIN!!!

To Read more of Mike Lee’s Story on the battle with Autoimmune Disease, Click:
https://www.theplayerstribune.com/en-us/articles/mike-lee-boxing-autoimmune-disease

WORCESTER, MASS (May 28, 2019) – The connection between Worcester Strong’s rich boxing tradition and today’s new generational hometown boxers is none other than three-time, two-division world champion “El Gallo” Jose Antonio Rivera, who will be headlining “Quest For 50,” presented by Shearns Boxing Promotions (SBP) and Rivera Promotions Entertainment, Friday night, June 14, at the Worcester Palladium..

In his 50th professional fight, 46-year-old Rivera (42-6-1, 25 KOs) takes on former WFC champion Travis “Sweet Feet” Scott (19-5, 5 KOs), of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in the eight-round main event at The Palladium in Worcester.

Worcester’s rich boxing history dates back to nearly a full century and includes Canadian import, world welterweight and middleweight world champion Lou Brouillard (100-31-2, 57 KOs – 1928-1940). 1928 Olympic bronze medalist Harry Devine (39-17-4, 6 KOs – 1928-1943), and New England welterweight titlist Leo Sawicki (42-53-8, 16 KOs – 1939-1949).

Rivera represents the 1992-2011 Worcester Wave in which he captured the IBO and WBA welterweight and WBA super welterweight championships. Others top local fighters in this era includes four-time national amateur champion and heavyweight prospect Bobby Harris (20-2-1, 13 KOs / 1993-1999) and Rivera’s current head trainer, New England middleweight champion Sean “The Irish Express” Fitzgerald (29-2-2, 11 KOs).

In addition to Rivera, Worcester will be represented by four new-age fighters on the electric “Quest For 50” card: New England middleweight champion Kendrick “Peppa” Ball, Jr. (12-1-2, 8 KOs), Massachusetts’ top heavyweight prospect of the 21st century, Owen Minor (1-0, 1 KO), welterweight prospect Eslih Owusu (1-0) and featherweight Philip Davis (1-1-1).

Other top contemporary Worcester boxers who are not fighting on the “Quest For 50” card include veteran cruiserweight Edwin “La Bomba” Rodriguez (31-2, 20 KOs), WBC Youth World lightweight champion Jamaine Ortiz (11-0, 6 KOs), and super featherweight Irvin Gonzalez (12-1, 9 KOs).

“Worcester can be and is becoming one of the most active boxing areas in the country,” co-promoter Chuck Shearns said. “There are no less than four boxing gyms here within 5 miles of each other and many professional and amateur boxers throughout our city. Many of them have developed into world-class talents. As the city continues to support shows like June 14th, which features five local fighters, Worcester will continue to be known for boxing and its boxers.”

Ball has been added to an already solid card vs. Honduran Juan Celin Zapata (6-14-2, 4 KOs) in a six-round, super middleweight bout. In four-round bouts, Minor meets Alejandro Santiago (0-4), Owusu squares off with Springfield, MA veteran Jose Angel “KO” Ortiz (5-13-1, 2 KOs), and Davis is matched against Henry Garcia (0-2-1), of New Bedford, MA.

In an All-Massachusetts showdown finds Boston welterweight Gabriel DuLuc (14-3, 4 KOs) has replaced injured Khiry “TNT” Todd (8-1, 6 KOs) versus New Bedford’s Ray Oliveira, Jr. (8-2, 1 KO), the son of New England boxing favorite “Sucra” Ray Oliveira, in the six-round, co-featured event, that could easily steal the show.

Danbury, CT welterweight Omar “The Beast” Bordoy, Jr. (7-1, 2 KOs) plans to bounce back from his first pro loss versus Tyrone “Hands of Stone” Luckey (9-10-3, 7 KOs) in a six-round bout.

Brooklyn’s Sidney “Keelo” Mccow (6-8, 3 KOs) and Augustine “Ruthless” Mauras (6-5-3, 3 KOs), of Lawrence, MA, throw-down in a potentially explosive six-rounder for the vacant New England junior welterweight title.

Other four-round undercard bouts include the much anticipated pro-debut of Providence lightweight Elijah Peixoto vs. Bronx lightweight Danny Morales (0-8); Hartford junior welterweight “The Special One” Sharad Collier (1-0-1, 1 KO), a two-time N.E, Golden Gloves champion, vs. Anthony Everett (1-7), of Lawrence, MA, and the pro debut of Methuen, MA lightweight Luka Lannuccilli vs. Peruvian Carlos Galindo (1-10).

All fights and fighters are subject to change.

Tickets, priced at $70.00 (ringside), $55.00 (mezzanine) and $40.00 (general admission), are on sale and available to purchase at www.ThePalladium.net, the Palladium box office, or by contacting Jose Rivera (elgallojar@gmail.com/508.864.6954), AJ Rivera
(anthoneerivera@gmail.com/774.272.2269) or any of the fighters.

Doors open at 6 p.m. ET, first bout 7 p.m. ET.

A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Worcester Boys’ and Girls’ Club. Donations may be sent to the Worcester Boys & Girls Club by going online at www.bgcworcester.org and proceed to “Be a donor” page, mail a check (payable to the Boys & Girls Club of Worcester, Attention: Liz Hamilton, 65 Tainter St., Worcester, MA 01610), or drop-off donations at its new clubhouse.

Event sponsors include Lundgren Honda, Championsofhealth.usana.com, Raindrop Liquor, Michelob Ultra, Bay State Savings Bank, Vocero Hispano, Massachusetts Pirates, Office Mac, Chieftain Liquors, realtor Pamela LaPorte, Atty. Maria M. Rivera-Cotto, and Grille 57.

FORMER OUTSTANDING AMATEUR and now 4-0 professional Louie Lynn has signed promotional terms with Frank Warren and will make his first appearance under the Queensberry Promotions banner at The O2, London on July 13.

Lynn, who made his pro debut at the Greenwich venue, will return to the scene of his introduction by taking his place on the hotly-anticipated ‘Heavy Duty’ card featuring the British heavyweight title showdown between Daniel Dubois and Nathan Gorman.

The Kevin Mitchell-trained featherweight enjoyed a successful amateur tenure, the England international winning the U20 Novices, then the 2017 ABA Elite Championship and the GB Championship before electing to enter the paid ranks.

The 23-year-old made his debut in March 2018 and scored a second round stoppage, before subsequently stopping his next three opponents.

“I am absolutely over the moon to sign with Frank,” reacted the Banstead-based prospect. “I am so happy and excited now because I have been a long time out of the ring.

“Frank is the best around and has the likes of Tyson Fury and Billy Joe Saunders on his shows, so I am just very grateful to be part of it now and I am looking forward to climbing up the ranks with him in my corner.

“He has taken so many to the top and I love the way he builds people up on really exciting shows. I am just happy and I believe I will be another one of his world champions down the line. That is what I am working towards.

“I love the professional game, I live and breathe boxing and it is my life. I love the occasion of it and the bigger it is, the better. I am now back on track and want to get the ball rolling.

“I am buzzing to be back at the O2 and it is an amazing card to be on. When I made my debut I was on at 5pm and the doors only opened then. A lot of my supporters couldn’t get in and I didn’t get my walk out song, so I was upset about that.

“It will be amazing to go back and do it all again.”

Promoter Frank Warren added: “We are always an open door when it comes to adding quality young fighters to our pool of talent and Louie fits the bill perfectly.
He operates in a division where we have a world champion on our books in Josh Warrington so Louie has the perfect role model to aspire to emulate.

“Louie is in the very early stages of his professional journey, so we will move him along at the right pace and I am looking forward to watching his career unfold, starting on our huge ‘Heavy Duty’ show on July 13.”

Tickets for ‘Heavy Duty’ featuring Daniel Dubois v Nathan Gorman for the vacant British Heavyweight Title, plus Olympic silver medallist Joe Joyce are on sale now. The show also features British Middleweight Champion Liam Williams, super flyweight sensation Sunny Edwards and super featherweight contender Archie Sharp. Also returning after an impressive debut is Kent bantamweight Dennis McCann. Hamza Sheeraz, Mark Chamberlain, Jake Pettitt, Mickey Burke Jr and Florian Marku add to an exciting line up and tickets are available via AXS.com, Eventim and Ticketmaster and are priced as below:

£300 – (Hospitality)
£200 – Floor
£150 – Floor
£100 – Tier/Floor
£75 – Floor/Tier
£50 – Tier
£40 – Tier

ARCHIE SHARP IS keeping his fingers firmly crossed that Jamel Herring keeps to his word and grants him a voluntary defence of the WBO world super featherweight title he won over the weekend.

The 33-year-old American upset the odds by comfortably outpointing the champion Masayuki Ito in Kissimmee and the radar of ‘Sharpshooter’ Archie is now firmly fixed on the new WBO ruler.

In the wake of Herring’s fine win, Sharp tweeted the resident of Cincinnati to congratulate him and state his readiness for a tilt at his newly won title.

“Basically, we have got a mutual friend and he said before he boxed Ito – with him being ranked 12th and me 10th – that if he won the WBO title he would look to give me the opportunity to fight for it,” revealed the WBO European champion.

“He said this to my pal and I think he also mentioned it on a podcast.

“He has won it now, so I messaged him and hopefully he will keep his word. We will just have to wait and see. I know he will be waiting on the WBO to see if he can have a voluntary fight.”

Sharp, who has relatively low mileage on his professional clock with a record of 15-0, insists he will happily jump into world title combat after his next assignment, which comes at the o2 Arena on July 13.

“One hundred per cent. For that fight I know I am ready to go.

“It was a great fight he just had and he boxed very well. Ito is a great fighter to beat and I think he underestimated Jamel Herring, who had more hunger and that is what won him the fight.

“I would like to get that fight on for sure and it is one that myself and my team are comfortable with.

“He is very humble and a very nice fella, which is why I didn’t want to disrespect the man, so as soon as he won I congratulated him. It would just be great to get in the ring and box such a fighter to prove to everyone that I am at that level.

“I won’t underestimate my opponent on July 13 and the only reason I am saying all this is because it is there to be pushed and I want to jump on it before the others do.

“Of course, we’ve still got a job to do at the O2. I am in camp now for that and as soon as it is done I will be back in training ready to go again.”

Super featherweight starlet Sharp, with his eyes now fixed on a shot at the top, was perhaps understandably less enthused than most over the prospect of the Commonwealth title showdown between Zelfa Barrett and his previous opponent Lyon Woodstock, which is set for Leeds on June 15.

“Do you know what, I am not too sure and don’t know who is going to win. If pushed I think Barrett will and will outbox Woodstock.

“I am not overly fussed though, if this fight comes off for me against Herring, these boys aren’t even worth talking about for me because I will be pushing for a world title and I don’t think they are at that level.”

Tickets for ‘Heavy Duty’ featuring Daniel Dubois v Nathan Gorman for the vacant British Heavyweight Title, plus Olympic silver medallist Joe Joyce are on sale now. The show also features British Middleweight Champion Liam Williams, super flyweight sensation Sunny Edwards and super featherweight contender Archie Sharp. Also returning after an impressive debut is Kent bantamweight Dennis McCann. Hamza Sheeraz, Mark Chamberlain, Jake Pettitt, Mickey Burke Jr and Florian Marku add to an exciting line up and tickets are available via AXS.com, Eventim and Ticketmaster and are priced as below:

£300 – (Hospitality)
£200 – Floor
£150 – Floor
£100 – Tier/Floor
£75 – Floor/Tier
£50 – Tier
£40 – Tier

JOSH WARRINGTON has no interest in meeting Kid Galahad for a drink after their big world title fight even if they are all hugs after the final bell.

Galahad (26-0, 15KOS) claims he has no life outside of boxing and is “married” to the noble art.

Warrington (28-0, 6KOS) insists that his mandatory challenger will need to find outside interests after he defends his IBF featherweight title against his fellow Yorkshireman at First Direct Arena, Leeds on Saturday June 15.

The champion is the polar opposite of Galahad and when he isn’t in the gym forgets about boxing by spending time with his wife and one-year-old twins.

Warrington teased: “He is pretty boring. You wouldn’t wanna go out for a pint with him, would you? He’d have nothing to say.

“Everyone is different. That might suit him, living like a monk but I think you need to have a switch off from boxing because it is constantly there.

“You might think you’re always hungry, but it is during that little bit of time away living life when you realise there is a little bit more hunger for boxing in there.

“My way of going about it has done me all right. I’m a family man, I like to socialise with my pals and enjoy life.

“When I’m at home, I switch off and boxing gets left at the door. I go home to my little girls and I’m daddy and want to make my wife happy that’s me.

“When I come to work in the gym it is learning.  I give it 100%, and train like a world champion should.”Josh Warrington tops the bill at First Direct Arena, Leeds when he defends his IBF featherweight championship against Kid Galahad on Saturday June 15.

£450 – Hospitality
£300 – Floor
£200 – Floor
£150 – Floor
£100 – Floor/Tier
£75 – Tier
£50 – Tier
£40 – Tier

Anthony Joshua-managed Super-Welterweight talent Souleymane Cissokho will kick off the action at Madison Square Garden in New York on Saturday June 1 when he takes on Mexico’s Vladimir Hernandez on his first outing in the US. 

One of the great hopes for French boxing, Cissokho won bronze at the 2016 Rio Games at 69kg before joining the professional ranks in 2017 where he is now undefeated in eight fights, with six of those victories coming by way of knockout.

Cissokho teams up with Joshua’s 258 Management as he looks to propel his name onto the World scene at 154lbs and will be out to impress in his first fight under the unified Heavyweight champion’s banner. 

“I am very happy to be making my US debut in such an iconic venue,” said Cissokho. “It is a massive fight card and so to be a part of it is something special for me. 258 Management offer a refreshing new approach to management. It’s not only about boxing but everything in life that goes with it. I recognise myself in a lot of the values they have, the team spirit, hard work, discipline, dedication and staying humble. I am looking forward to getting started on June 1.”

About 258

Formed in 2018 by Heavy Weight Champion of the World Anthony Joshua & Team, 258 Management was established to represent the professional and commercial interests of elite level athletes. Alongside Joshua, the company has since added Olympians Lawrence Okolie and Joshua Buatsi to it’s stable, guiding them both to major domestic titles & looking at brand building to create commercial interest from a main stream audience.

258 are excited to announce the newest member of the family, Rio Olympian and bronze medalist Souleymane Cissokho. The Frenchmen who operates at 154lbs fills exactly the criteria 258 look for and they are extremely excited to be helping him on his journey to World honours.

Whilst remaining a boutique and exclusive management agency, 258 will continue to add to its roster with hand-picked world-class talent that have the ability to penetrate both inside the ring and in the commercial space that surrounds the sport. Building their fighter’s profiles, audience and earning power.

Cissokho and Hernandez clash on a huge night of action at MSG where Anthony Joshua’s World title defence against Andy Ruiz Jr. is supported by Irish sensation Katie Taylor clashing with Delfine Persoon for the undisputed Women’s World Lightweight championship, Callum Smith defending his WBA World ‘Super’, WBC Diamond and Ring Magazine Super-Middleweight titles against Hassan N’Dam, Josh Kelly making his US debut as he defends his WBA International Welterweight title against Philadelphia’s Ray Robinson, Joshua Buatsi defending his WBA International Light-Heavyweight title against Marco Antonio Periban, Texas Middleweight Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams fighting in his second pro contest and LA Middleweight Diego Pacheco looking to move to 4-0.

Tickets for the huge night of World title action in New York are on sale now via Madison Square Garden and StubHub (www.stubhub.com)

Tickets can be purchased at the Madison Square Garden Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster charge by phone (866-858-0008) and online at www.ticketmaster.com or www.MSG.com.
 
Official Ticket and Travel Packages, including the opportunity to travel on the Official Charter Plane, are available to purchase via Sportsworld (www.sportsworld.co.uk) Prices start at £1,095. Reserve your seat today.

Tickets are priced, $106, $156, $206, $306, $406, $506, $756, $1,006, $1,256 and $2,506 plus applicable booking fees.
 
Wheelchair seats, companion seats, aisle seats and Assistive Listening Devices are available to purchase by calling 212-465-6034.

Tommy Coyle hopes that a win over New York’s Chris Algieri in the biggest fight of his career this Saturday June 1 could lead to his first ever World title shot.

Coyle is fresh from his exciting US debut in Boston in October where he introduced himself in typical style, sharing ten now trademark back-and-forth rounds with local favourite Ryan Kielczweski to win on points over ten.

The Hull ace returns stateside to take on Algieri for the WBO International Super-Lightweight crown at Madison Square Garden in New York, live on DAZN in the US and Sky Sports Box Office in the UK, knowing that a victory would catapult him into the reckoning for a shot at World ruler Maurice Hooker. 

“I wouldn’t like to be Chris Algieri; I’m bang up for this!” said Coyle. “I just feel I’m coming into my own, in the last 18 months I’ve improved so much as a fighter. It’s all come together and completed me as a fighter. 

“It’s his hometown but I think I’ve got enough in my armory to come away victorious. It doesn’t faze me that I’m the underdog. I think we’re both cut from the same cloth. It can only go one way and I think that’s a war.

“Fighting in America last time was a massive tick on my bucket list. Now I’ve got a second chance at the Mecca of Boxing, this is simply different class. I can’t wait to get in there and put on a show, like I always do. The Garden has hosted some memorable fights down the years so to fight there is an honor.” 

Algieri feels he has unfinished business with the WBO Super-Lightweight belt having never been able to defend it, but Coyle believes that the Huntington hitter has had his moment, and that it’s his time to move into the latter stages of his career at the highest level.

“I met Chris at the Rocky Fielding vs. Canelo Alvarez fight,” said Coyle. “Initially I walked past him and Jamie Moore said ‘Do you know who that is?’ – I was a bit shocked how tall he was to be honest! I didn’t recognize him, he was so big. I said to him ‘You’re too good looking to fight!’ 

“He’s a great fighter, he’s been in with a long list of top names. Only very good fighters take Pacquiao the distance and he beat Provodnikov for the World title. I know that this is a hard fight but this is my time and I think Chris has had his. 

“The way I fight puts a lot of miles on the clock, so I want to get out of the game with all my faculties intact. I’ve got two or three fights left so I really want to make this last chapter worth reading. I’d love Eddie to get me a World title fight then my last fight would be in Hull, that’s where I started and I’m very proud to be from that city. Where I started is where I’ll finish.”

Algieri and Coyle clash on a huge night of action at MSG where Anthony Joshua’s World title defence against Andy Ruiz Jr. is supported by Irish sensation Katie Taylor clashing with Delfine Persoon for the undisputed Women’s World Lightweight championship, Callum Smith defending his WBA World ‘Super’, WBC Diamond and Ring Magazine Super-Middleweight titles against Hassan N’Dam, Josh Kelly making his US debut as he defends his WBA International Welterweight title against Philadelphia’s Ray Robinson, Joshua Buatsi defending his WBA International Light-Heavyweight title against Marco Antonio Periban, Texas Middleweight Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams fighting in his second pro contest and LA Middleweight Diego Pacheco looking to move to 4-0.

Tickets for the huge night of World title action in New York are on sale now via Madison Square Garden and StubHub (www.stubhub.com)

Tickets can be purchased at the Madison Square Garden Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster charge by phone (866-858-0008) and online at www.ticketmaster.com or www.MSG.com.
 
Official Ticket and Travel Packages, including the opportunity to travel on the Official Charter Plane, are available to purchase via Sportsworld (www.sportsworld.co.uk) Prices start at £1,095. Reserve your seat today.

Tickets are priced, $106, $156, $206, $306, $406, $506, $756, $1,006, $1,256 and $2,506 plus applicable booking fees.
 
Wheelchair seats, companion seats, aisle seats and Assistive Listening Devices are available to purchase by calling 212-465-6034.

London, UK (26 May 2019) Former World Heavyweight title challenger Hughie Fury halted the previously undefeated Chris Norrad inside two rounds at the Victoria Warehouse, Manchester, last night to put himself back on track towards a world title shot.

The Manchester star looked in sensational shape in his first fight back since his loss to Kubrat Pulev last October and knew that he had to put on a solid performance for the fans and viewers on Channel 5.

Fury took command from the start and was the aggressor as he landed with sharp jabs and unloaded with hard power punches to Norrad’s head and body, midway in the first round he landed with a hard right to the back of Noarrad’s head that hurt the Canadian.

In the second, Fury was on the front foot again and asserted his power and halfway through the round two big right hands dropped Norrad, up at the referees count of nine he was still hurt and it was waved off at 1:51.

Afterwards, Fury thanked his team of father and trainer Peter and renown strength and conditioner Kerry Kayes for transforming his diet and training, he said “I felt a lot strong and a lot fitter and I’m ready now to fight anyone. All the experience I’ve had including the losses is all experience, I’m young and making me the final article for the future.”

On the undercard, female sensation Savannah “The Silent Assassin” Marshall demolished Borislava Goranova – who had not been stopped in nearly seven years – in the first round with a hard left hook to the body that flattened the Bulgarian.  The WBA Intercontinental Super-Middleweight Champion from Hartlepool continues to close in on a mega-showdown against undisputed World Champion Claressa Shields.

In his first fight in the UK in for five and half years, exciting super-featherweight title contender Alex Dilmaghani became the first man to stop the tough Czech Martin Parlagi in the eighth round.  Dilmaghani credited his time in the hard gyms of Mexico that have turned him into a pressure fighter and he’ll now look to drop down to featherweight and face one of the leading domestic names.

Standout amateur and pro-debutant Michael Hennessy Jr. made a great start to his career when he outpointed 33-fight veteran Adam Grabiec.  The Seven Oaks hot prospect – son of promoter Mick Hennessy – passed the traditional four rounds entry for a pro debut and opted for the harder six-rounds.

FULL FIGHT CARD RESULTS 

10 x 3 International Heavyweight Contest

Hughie Fury WKO2 (Time 1:51) Chris Norrad

10 x 3 International Super Featherweight Contest

Alex Dilmaghani WTKO8 (Time 0:44) Martin Parlagi

6 x 2 International Super Middleweight Contest

Savannah Marshall WKO1 (Time 1:11) Borislava Goranova

6×3 Middleweight Contest

Michael Hennessy Jr WPTS6 (60-55) Adam Grabiec

6×3 Featherweight Contest

Marcel Braithwaite WPTS6 (60-54) Jake Pollard

6×3 Super Lightweight Contest

Kane Gardner LPTS4 (37-38) Des Newton

4×3 Welterweight Contest

Jake James WTD3 (30-27) Lee Hallett
Referee halts fight on doctors advice in 3rd round after Hallett cut above left eye in 2nd from a head clash 

4×3 Welterweight Contest

Connor Lynch WPTS4 (40-36) Dylan Draper

Jamel Herring won the WBA Junior Lightweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision over Masayuki Ito at Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, Florida.

Herring, 129.6 lbs of Coram, NY won by scores of 118-110 twice and 116-112 and is now 20-2. Ito, 129.4 lbs of Tokyo, JAP is 25-2-1.

Former world champion Jose Pedraza stopped Antonio Lozada Jr. in round nine of their scheduled 10-round lightweight bout.

In round nine, Pedraza dropped Lozada with a heavy combination, and seconds later, Pedraza finished off Lozada with a hard combination.

The time was 2:34 for Pedraza, 134.8 lbs of Cidra, PR who is now 26-2 with 13 knockouts. Lozada, 134.4 lbs of Tijuana, MEX is 40-3-1.

Chordale Booker won an 10-round unanimous decision over Wale Omotoso in a junior middleweight bout.

Booker, 154 lbs of Stamford, CT won by scores of 100-90 on all cards and is now 15-0. Omotoso, 153 lbs of Lagos, NIG is 27-4.

Ahmed Elbiali stopped Marlos Simoes in round two of a scheduled 10-round light heavyweight bout.

Elbiali dropped Simoes with a hard right hand in the 2nd frame, and Simoes could not beat the count at 1:12.

Elbiali, 176 lbs of Cairo, EGY is 19-1 with 16 knockouts. Simoes, 174.2 lbs of Brazil is 13-2-2.

Efe Apochi stopped Earl Newman in round seven in a scheduled eight-round cruiserweight war

In round two, Apochi hammered Newman with several shots that rocked Newman all over the ring. Apochi hurt Newman several times over the next few rounds. Each time when it looked like the referee would stop the bout, Newman would come back and land some hard power shots of his own.

In round seven, Apochi landed a hard right hand that rocked and dropped Newman and the fight was stopped at 2:12.

Apochi, 198 lbs of Nigeria is 8-0 with all wins coming early. Newman, 202.1 lbs of Brooklyn, NY is 10-2-1.

Amon Rashidi kept his perfect knockout streak intact with a final round stoppage in his four-round junior middleweight bout with Juan Jesus Garces.

In the final round, Rashidi landed a shot on the side of the head that sent Garces down for the count at 2:12.

Rashidi, 149.6 lbs of Dallas, TX is 7-0 with seven knockouts. Garces, 153 lbs of Mexico is 19-25.

Habib Ahmed won a eight-round unanimous decision over Juan De Angel in a middleweight bout.

Ahmed, 159.6 lbs of Accra, GHA won by scores of 80-72 on all cards, and is now 27-1-1. De Angel, 162 lbs of Barranquilla, COL is 23-11-1.

Shawn Simpson remained undefeated with a six-round unanimous decision over Sergio Quiroz in a bantamweight bout.

Simpson, 118 lbs of Chicago won by scores of 60-54 on all cards and is now 10-0. Quiroz, 117.8 lbs of Los Angeles is 6-2.

London, UK (25 May 2019) With Channel 5 cameras rolling live, the slick and super savvy southpaw resurfaces from an anonymous five year stint in the rough and tough finishing schools of Mexico City and Toronto to flaunt his considerable wares in a tasty 12 round international tear-up against  Slovakian beast Martin ‘Cracker’ Parlagi. 

‘When I review my career, later in life, I intend to have been involved in big fights. I expect to become a world champion and a great fighter,’ declares the 27 year old Southampton University law graduate.

‘Early in my career, I saw others focussing more on selling tickets than developing as fighters. So I fled to educate myself at boxing’s best ‘universities’ in Mexico City. I sparred several world champions including the great Juan Manuel Marquez.

‘Now, thanks to Mick (Hennessy, his new manager-promoter), I return to Britain as a potential bill-topper. I believe Mick has already pencilled in a few more statement fights for this year and I trust him to deliver ‘good and often’. 

‘My mum and brother who are very important to me are both here (Dad passed away when Alex was very young) and boxing is booming in Britain right now. In terms of support and interest, if not talent, it’s probably the world leader. The British sell out stadiums.’

Dilmaghani is not shy of stating his ambitions, he wants the big showdowns and is prepared to drop down to 126lbs to face leading domestic names Carl Frampton and the winner out of Josh Warrington’s fight against Kid Galahad.

He said, “I’m back on these shores now and I’m campaigning to fight the best in the country and that’s the trio of Frampton, Warrington and Galahad.  I feel I’m ready now to be let off the leash against them and the thought of fighting any of them gets my juices flowing.  I’m in the business to fight the best and to prove myself so I’ll have to force myself into the mix, but I’m confident in my abilities and know I could handle any of them.”

The Iranian descendant first entered the professional ranks at the age of just 17 and with negligible amateur breeding.

‘I’d always been a real student of the game, reading books about the old-time greats like Sam Langford, Jack Johnson and Charley Burley. But I never got actively involved. The nearest gym was some way away and, besides, I enjoyed my food!’ quips the 5ft 8in contender who is now coached by the upwardly-mobile Lee Wilkins at the Body Shots Gym in Crayford.

‘I finally started at the Whitehawk ABC in Brighton when I was away at university. I only had a handful of amateur fights but won them all bar one when I was blatantly, blatantly robbed. Though I was only 17, Ronnie Davies (long-time coach to the Eubank clan) told me I was more than good enough to go pro.’ 

With one sole early points loss in career, he has remained undefeated in eight years and 14 fights since, expanding his global fan club with five wins in Mexico and a further seven in Canada. So what can U.K fans expect from his homecoming this weekend?

‘I compare myself to (Hall of Fame ex world light-middle champ)Winky Wright. Aggressive yet defensive minded. It’s not just because I’m relatively academic but I’ve developed a good boxing brain,’ claims Dilmaghani who has stopped four of his last six.

‘I’m an all-rounder. Very quick with a great chin. I’ve never been close to getting knocked down. And I fully respect the sport. Boxing is like a prison term. I’ve learned to live the life. Eat right, avoid idiots.’ 

Though heavyweight Hughie Fury formally headlines Saturday’s card, ace Alex intends to be the name on everyone’s lips once the duelling is done.

‘Every time I step between the ropes, it’s my intention to impress,’ says Dilmaghani.

‘Parligi brings a good amateur pedigree and has had a lot of pro fights, more wins than me. I’ve studied tapes and he’s a rough, tough operator but, trust me, I tamed plenty of those over in Mexico!

‘Boxing is a nasty, dangerous business so I always wish the opposition good health but whatever Martin brings I’ll have the answer for.  I have everything over him; speed, technique, stamina, youth…

‘I expect to put on a fantastic show and probably stop him. I train way, way too hard for opponents to last the 12 round distance with me!’

NEW YORK (May 24, 2019) –Tomorrow, 2016 United States Olympian, undefeated bantamweight Antonio Vargas will look for his 11th win without a loss when he takes on tough veteran Jose Cardenas in a scheduled eight-round bout at The Osceola Heritage Park in Vargas’ hometown of Kissimmee, Florida.

Vargas, who will be making his 2nd start of 2019, is coming off a 2nd round stoppage over 56-fight veteran Lucas Rafael Baez on February 22nd at The same venue, and he continues to step up the competition.  Vargas holds a win over previously undefeated Jonathan Garza (6-0).

The 22 year-old Vargas has become a hometown draw as this will be his 7th appearance in Kissimmee.

Cardenas of Tijuana, Mexico has a record of 16-4 with 13 knockouts.
Also, 22 years-old, Cardenas is more than capable as he already has a 2nd round stoppage over previously undefeated Raul Esquer (12-0-1).

Vargas weighed 117.4 lbs at Friday’s weigh in.  Cardenas was 117.6 lbs.

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

ESPN & ESPN Deportes (10 p.m. ET)

• Masayuki Ito 129.4 lbs vs. Jamel Herring 129.6 lbs
(Ito’s WBO Junior Lightweight world title – 12 Rounds)
Judges/Referee: Lisa Giampa, Alex Levin and Thomas Nardone/Frank Gentile

• Jose Pedraza 134.8 lbs vs. Antonio Lozada Jr. 134.4 lbs
(Vacant WBO Latino lightweight title  – 10 Rounds)
Judges/Referee: Michael Ross, Rodolfo Aguilar and Fred Fluty/Telis Assimenios  

ESPN+ (6:30 p.m. ET)
 
• Jeyvier Cintron 114.6 lbs vs. Koki Eto 114.6 lbs
(Cintron’s WBO International junior bantamweight title – 10 Rounds)

• Jean Carlos Rivera 126 lbs vs. Adam Lopez 125.4 lbs
(Vacant Jr. NABF featherweight title – 10 Rounds)
 
• Henry Lebron 130.2 lbs vs. Luis Ruiz Lizarraga Jr. 129.2 lbs
(Super Featherweight – 6 Rounds)

•  Orlando Gonzalez 125.6 lbs vs. Roxberg Riley 124.8 lbs
(Featherweight – 6 Rounds)

• Marco Diaz 126.4 lbs vs. Edgard Figueroa 126.2 lbs
(Featherweight – 4 Rounds)

Swing Bouts
• Edgar Berlanga 161.6 lbs vs. Gyorgy Varju 157.4 lbs
(Middleweight – 8/6 Rounds)

• Antonio Vargas 117.4 lbs vs. Jose Cardenas 117.6 lbs
(Bantamweight – 8 Rounds)

OFF TV (5:30 p.m. ET)
• Steve Nelson 172 lbs vs. Victor Darocha 171.8 lbs
(Light Heavyweight – 8 Rounds)

• Carlos Cuadras 117.8 lbs vs. Daniel Lozano 117.8 lbs
(Bantamweight – 8 Rounds)
Promoted by Top Rank, in association with All Star Boxing and Teiken Promotions, tickets to this world championship event are on sale now. Priced at $100 (ringside) and $50 (general admission), including all taxes and facility fees, tickets may be purchased online via ticketmaster.com, charge by phone at 800.745.3000 or in person at Osceola Heritage Park box office (open Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. — 4 p.m. and on event days). For more information: www.ohpark.com.

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

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (May 24, 2019) — Robeisy Ramirez, the former Cuban amateur prodigy who captured Olympic gold in 2012 and 2016, has signed a multi-year contract with Top Rank and will make his long-awaited professional debut later this year.

The 25-year-old Ramirez left the Cuban national team last year while attending a training camp in Mexico, ultimately defecting from his homeland.

A southpaw boxer-puncher now living in Gulfport, Florida, he will train with Rob Mendez and turn pro as a featherweight, the same weight class as former Olympic foes and current promotional stablemates Shakur Stevenson and Michael Conlan.

“What a gift to sign a two-time Olympic gold medalist like Robeisy Ramirez,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “The last two-time gold medalist that we signed out of the amateurs, Vasiliy Lomachenko, has become a big star. We anticipate the same from Robesiy. He is truly a special talent, and he has what it takes to get to the top of the featherweight division in short order.”

“I am thrilled to begin my professional career with Top Rank. This moment is the result of all the hard work, dedication and sacrifice I have made since my days as an amateur boxer in Cuba,” Ramirez said. “I look forward to continuing the successes I had at the amateur level in the professional ranks, and my fighting style will keep the fans entertained. Thank you to Bob Arum and Top Rank for giving me this great opportunity.”

As an 18-year-old, Ramirez was one of the standout performers at the 2012 London Olympics, running roughshod through the flyweight bracket. He bested Conlan in the semifinals and Mongolian phenom Tugstsogt Nyambayar (currently 11-0 as a professional)in the gold medal match.

Four years later, at the 2016 Rio Olympics, Ramirez entered the bantamweight bracket as the pre-tournament favorite and lived up to the billing. He defeated Stevenson via competitive split decision in the finals, becoming the eighth Cuban boxer to win multiple Olympic gold medals. 

Ramirez also won five Cuban National Championships and a gold medal at the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico.

About Top Rank
Innovation has been the standard at Top Rank since it was established in 1966 by Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum. The boxing industry’s leading promotional company, Top Rank has shaped, developed, and promoted the careers of top international pay-per-view superstars and Hall of Famers, including Muhammad Ali, Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Tommy Hearns, George Foreman, Sugar Ray Leonard, Aaron Pryor, Alexis Arguello, Oscar De La Hoya, Manny Pacquiao, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Miguel Cotto, Erik Morales, Terence Crawford, and Vasiliy Lomachenko. 

Top Rank has promoted some of the most memorable fights in the sport’s history, including 26 Ali events, Leonard vs. Hearns, Pryor vs. Arguello, Duran vs. Leonard, Hagler vs. Hearns, Leonard vs. Hagler, Foreman vs. Holyfield, Morales vs. Barrera, De La Hoya vs. Trinidad, and the most lucrative fight in boxing history, Mayweather vs. Pacquiao. In addition to the previously mentioned super fights, Top Rank possesses one of the largest sports libraries, which includes nearly 10,000 fights.

Known for creating strategic collaborations between athletes, sponsors, and television networks, Top Rank has been an architect of boxing’s global growth by staging high-profile events in landmark settings around the world, including Madison Square Garden, MGM Grand Garden Arena, Staples Center, Wembley Arena, Araneta Coliseum, The Venetian Macao, Yankee Stadium, Radio City Music Hall, The “Fabulous” Forum, and AT&T Stadium. Top Rank has also been the leader within the boxing industry in creating unforgettable in-arena experiences for fans and embracing 21^st century technological advancements to distribute world-class fights and shoulder programming across a variety of platforms.

First bell: 6:15pm
6×3 mins Lightweight contest
Mack Allison 133.6lbs v Luis Gerardo Perez 137lbs
Baltimore, Maryland Puebla, Mexico

Followed by:

4×3 mins Super-Middleweight contest
Lorenzo Simpson 165lbs v Rafael Garcia 169.6lbs
Baltimore, Maryland Tucson, Arizona

Followed by:

8×3 mins Welterweight contest
Daniyar Yeleussinov 150.2lbs v Miguel Zamudio 149.4lbs
Berezino, Kazakhstan Guasave, Mexico

Followed by:

10×2 mins WBC and WBA World Super-Lightweight championships
Jessica McCaskill 138.8lbs v Anahi Sanchez 138lbs
Chicago, Illinois Buenos Aires, Argentina

From 9pm

10×3 mins WBA International Heavyweight championship
Michael Hunter 215.6lbs v Fabio Maldonado 241lbs
Las Vegas, Nevada Sao Paolo, Brazil

10×3 mins WBC International Heavyweight championship
Filip Hrgovic 242lbs v Gregory Corbin 269.4lbs
Zagreb, Croatia Dallas, Texas

12×3 mins WBC International and WBO Inter-Continental Lightweight championships
Devin Haney 134.8lbs v Antonio Moran 134lbs
Las Vegas, Nevada Mexico City, Mexico

Lawrence Okolie will defend his British and Commonwealth Cruiserweight titles against Jack Massey on the same night that Scott Fitzgerald defends his WBA International Super-Welterweight title against Brian Rose in a huge Preston vs. Blackpool derby at Manchester Arena on Saturday July 6, live on Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN in the US.

Full details of the bumper summer bill in the North West, including main event confirmation and ticket details, will be formally announced next week.

Okolie (12-0, 9 KOs) added the Commonwealth title to his British belt with a fourth-round TKO of London rival Wadi Camacho at the Copper Box Arena last time out in March and the Rio 2016 Olympian puts both belts on the line once more against unbeaten Chapel-en-le-Frith man Massey.

‘One Smack’ (16-0, 8 KOs) has been chasing a fight with Hackney banger Okolie for the past year and the 26-year-old juggernaut says he is ready to propel his name to the top of the domestic 200lbs division in his first major title opportunity.

“Jack Massey is a fighter with pedigree,” said Okolie. “He has a lot of strength, a lot of ability and a lot of hunger. I’m going to enjoy beating him in front of all of his fans. He’s another undefeated fighter that I will inflict a first career defeat on.

“He has criticised me publicly and openly and I want to use my frustration to beat him in the most convincing way possible.”

“I’m over the moon to be getting this shot at the British and Commonwealth titles,” said Massey. “I have been waiting for my chance to test myself and I cannot wait until July 6th.

“I have the utmost respect for Lawrence Okolie, he boxed in the Olympics, won the British in just his 10th fight and is ranked in the top 10 by the WBA. I know it’s a huge step up for me but I’m ready.

“I’ll be bringing a big crowd on the night and promise to put on a show. I have heard some of the other fights that will be on the night and it’s going to be an amazing show to be on.”

Fitzgerald (13-0, 9 KOs) secured a thrilling victory over bitter rival Anthony Fowler to land the WBA ranking title at the M&S Bank Arena Liverpool in March, settling their feud after dropping his former Great Britain teammate in the final round to claim a split decision win and hand Fowler a first defeat in the pros.

The ‘Mad Man’ puts his belt on the line for the first time against former World title challenger Rose (35-1-1, 8 KOs) in a massive Lancashire showdown that will see the former British champion move back down to 154lbs in an attempt to fire his name back into to the mix in the latter stages of his career.

“It’s going to be a mad atmosphere with all of the Preston and Blackpool fans packed into Manchester Arena,” said Fitzgerald. “I’m confident of doing a good job on him. I’ll outjab him all night and get the win. This could be his last night in the sport so he’ll want to go out with a bang.

“He’s number two at Middleweight at the moment on BoxRec. He’s a good opponent. He’s a little older than me but experience is on his side. Before I ever even had an amateur fight, I knew who he was. He was the top boy around Lancashire, where we’re from. It’s a fight that I thought about before I even turned pro and now it’s happening.

“I wanted to fight Ted Cheeseman for the British title but this one was next on my list. It’s a big local rivalry and one that all of the Preston lads will get behind massively. The Cheeseman fight will still be there after I beat Rose, I want to take that belt off a champion.

“I made my debut at Manchester Arena. Preston is about the same distance from Liverpool as it is Manchester so there’ll be a lot in there again, probably more this time because there’s a lot of people buzzing off me right around Britain.”

“I’ve worked really hard at getting a big fight again so I’m made up that we’ve got this fight live on Sky Sports and DAZN,” said Rose. “I’ve had two wins since coming back and I’ve felt really good, so I can’t wait to step into the ring with Fitzgerald.

“I have a lot of respect for Fitzgerald for giving me the opportunity, and I don’t think people realise how big this fight for Blackpool and Preston. This is a huge fight for Lancashire and it’s going to be a great night for the fans, so may the best man win.

“I’ve worked really hard getting back to where I am and by moving back down to Super-Welterweight, which is where I achieved everything, I’m giving myself the best chance of making an impact. I won the British title and challenged for a World title at that weight, so I’ve already done what Fitzgerald is hoping to achieve in his career.

“It was only up at Middleweight where I came unstuck, but at this weight I know what I’m capable of, so this fight makes so much sense. It’s going to be a great fight, and I promise that I’ll be the best I’ve ever been. When I win this fight I can hopefully get a top ten ranking and then who knows what can happen.”

TUCSON, Arizona (May 24, 2019) – Last night, nine-time world title challenger Simone Da Silva registered the most significant victory of her pro boxing career, stunningIkram Kerwat in the first female main event ever streamed live on RJJ Boxing on UFC Fight Pass®, at Casino Del Sol’s outdoor AVA Amphitheater in Tucson, Arizona.

Kerwat vs. Da Silva was presented by Roy Jones Jr. (RJJ) Boxing.

DaSilva, fighting out of Brazil, out-boxed her Tunisian opponent, the Germany-based, Roy Jones, Jr.-trained Kerwat (9-2, 5 KOs), en route to a one-sided 10-round decision (100-90, 99-91, 98-92).

In the co-featured event, rising Las Vegas star Max “The Baby Face Assassin” Ornelas (13-0-1, 5 KOs) kept his unbeaten pro record intact, stopping veteran Mexican super bantamweight Alex “Xhino” Rangel (17-10-4, 4 KOs) in the opening round. The 21-year-old Ornelas, a criminal justice major at the University of Nevada at Las Vegas, is the reigning North American Boxing Association (NABA) United States bantamweight champion.

(R) Max Ornelas keeps rollin’

In a Special Welterweight Attraction, Tucson’s Alfonso Olvera (11-5-3, 4 KOs) and San Antonio’s Carlos “Silk” Villa (14-3-2, 6 KOs) battled to a six-round split draw.

A middleweight match between undefeated Arizona prospects, Tucson’s Nicholas Rhoads (5-0-1, 2 KOs) and Eduardo Ayala (4-0-1, 1 KO), ended in a four-round split draw.

Off-FIGHT PASS in the first fight of the night, undefeated Kazakhstan super welterweight Madiyar Asjkeyev (12-0, 6 KOs), fighting out of Oxnard, California, out-classed Maryland’s Cecil McCalla (21-4, 8 KOs) for a 10-round unanimous decision to capture the vacant North American Boxing Federation (NABF) super welterweight crown.

In a battle of Tucson middleweights, Jose “Raging Bull” Pena (3-1, 1 KO) won a four-round unanimous decision over Arturo Resendiz (2-1, 2 KOs).

Below are the official results:

OFFICIAL RESULTS

MAIN EVENT – FEMALE SUPER BANTAMWEIGHTS
Simone DaSilva (16-12, 6 KOs), Sao Vincente, Sao Paulo, Brazil
WDEC10 (100-90, 99-91, 98-92)
Ikram Kerwat (9-2, 5 KOs), Frankfurt, Germany by way of Tunisia

CO-FEATURE – SUPER BANTAMWEIGHTS
Max Ornelas (13-0-1, 5 KOs), Las Vegas, NV.
WTKO1 (1:24)
Alex Rangel (17-10-4, 4 KOs), Cuidad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico

VACANT NABF SUPER WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Madiyar Asjkeyev (12-0, 6 KOs), Oxnard, CA by way of Kazakhstan
WDEC10 (98-92, 98-92, 97-93)
Cecil McCalla (21-4, 8 KOs), Randallstown, MD
(Asjkeyev won NABF super Welterweight title)

SPECIAL WELTERWEIGHT ATTRACTION
Alfonso Olvera (11-5-3, 4 KOs), Tucson, AZ by way of Mexico
D6 (58-56, 57-57, 56-58)
Carlos Villa (14-3-2, 6 KOs), San Antonio, TX

MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Nicholas Rhoads (5-0-1, 2 KOs), Tucson, AZ
D4 (39-37, 38-38, 37-39)
Eduardo Ayala (4-0-1 1 KO), 4-0, 1 KO), Phenix, AZ

Jose Pena (3-1, 1 KO), Tucson, AZ
WDEC4 (39-36, 38-37, 38-37)
Arturo Resendiz (2-1, 2 KOs), Tucson, AZ

INFORMATION:
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